Can The Ace withstand the Heat Storm?

The G1 Climax enters its second half, and Hiroshi Tanahashi is still fighting his way up A Block! But will Yuya Uemura be a Final Road roadblock? Or can President Ace keep his cool?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Shota Umino & Katsuya Murashima VS YOSHI-HASHI & Shoma Kato; Shota & Katsuya win.
• “Drilla” Dan Moloney & Taiji Ishimori VS Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero; Drilla & Taiji win.
• El Phantasmo & Jado VS Shingo Takagi & Daiki Nagai; ELP & Jado win.
• Zack Sabre Jr. & Hartley Jackson VS Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young; ZSJ & Hartley win.
• G1 Climax 35 A Block: Callum Newman VS SANADA; Callum wins.
• G1 Climax 35 A Block: Ryohei Oiwa VS EVIL; Evil wins.
• G1 Climax 35 A Block: Boltin Oleg VS David Finlay; Finlay wins.
• G1 Climax 35 A Block: Taichi VS Yota Tsuji; Taichi wins.
• G1 Climax 35 A Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

Yota Tsuji: 4-1, 8 points
Boltin Oleg: 3-2, 6 points
Ryohei Oiwa: 3-2, 6 points
Yuya Uemura: 3-2, 6 points
Evil: 3-2, 6 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 2-3, 4 points
Callum: 2-3, 4 points
Sanada: 2-3, 4 points
Taichi: 2-3, 4 points
David Finlay: 1-4, 2 points

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Callum Newman VS SANADA!

Last round, The Prince of Pace left The Rebel behind while The Cold-Blooded Snake bit The Holy Emperor. However, both men are 2-3 and in danger of missing out on the finals! Will Callum kick it into high gear? Or will Sanada have another smash hit on his hands?

Callum storms up to the apron, but Sanada BLASTS him back down! The ref reprimands but Sanada PLANCHAS, only for Callum to dodge! Sanada hurries back up but Callum BOOTS Sanada off the apron! Callum builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit with that cannonball conjilo and the fans fire up! The bell rings and Callum fetches Sanada. Callum whips Sanada into railing! Callum CHOPS Sanada, then brings him around and CLUBS him on the neck. Callum follows Sanada around the way and puts him in the ring. The fans applaud, Callum steps in, but Sanada KICKS the ropes! Callum gets jammed up and he goes back to the floor.

Sanada goes out and whips Callum hard into railing! Sanada then brings Callum into the crowd and SMACKS him off an open chair! Callum staggers around, the Young Lions usher fans aside, and Sanada SMASHES a drink on Callum’s head! The ref reprimands but Sanada brings Callum around. Sanada whips Callum at commentary! Milano Collection AT already gets out of his chair, but Callum stops himself short. Callum apologizes to Milano, but Sanada DECKS Callum and he falls on Milano! Milano stumbles away while Sanada drags Callum back up. Sanada then sends Callum into Milano again! Milano falls into an open chair!

Sanada leaves Callum behind and the ring count starts. The fans rally up while Callum and Milano both slowly get up. Callum stands at 10 of 20 and makes his way back to ringside. Callum is back at 15 but he takes an extra moment to breathe. Callum rolls in at 17 and the fans applaud. Sanada stomps Callum, then hits a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Also, Milano returns to commentary. Sanada drags Callum up but Callum fires forearms! Sanada dropkicks a leg out! Sanada whips Callum, Callum reverses, but Sanada- NO, Callum handsprings to avoid the low dropkick and he DROPKICKS back! The fans fire up while Sanada tumbles away!

Callum shakes out the bad leg, then waits on Sanada. Sanada rises up, runs in, and UPPERCUTS! And SCREW KICK! Callum snapmares and PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud and Callum shakes out the bad leg. Callum drags Sanada back up, suplexes, but Sanada fights it! Sanada suplexes, but Callum kicks off the ropes! Callum avoids the dropkick but Sanada avoids the Running Shooting Star! Sanada kicks Callum, puts him on ropes, Callum gets in the ropes a bit but Sanada still whips. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges to BOOT Sanada down! The fans applaud and Callum makes sure the ropes didn’t take his teeth or something.

The fans rally up and Callum stands back up. Callum puts Sanada in a drop zone, then he climbs up the corner! Callum aims for the DIVING- NO, Sanada dodges! Callum’s leg jams, and Sanada dropkicks the legs out! The fans rally again but Sanada pushes Callum to the drop zone! Sanada goes up the corner, ROUNDING BODY- NO, Callum dodges! Sanada lands out, runs back in, but he blocks a boot first. Callum ENZIGIRIS, SUPERKICKS, but Sanada ducks the roundhouse! Callum ROLLING ELBOWS through! The fans fire up as Callum calls his shot! Callum springboards, but Sanada sends the ref into him! No Oscutter and now the ref is down!

The fans boo but Sanada soaks that up. He even encourages them to get louder! Sanada then goes outside and he fetches his guitar. The fans boo more but Sanada rolls into the ring. Sanada dares Callum to stand up, and he aims the guitar! Callum stands, but he dodges the Smash Hit to SUPERKICK! Then Callum reels Sanada in, but Sandaa fights the bomb! Sandaa ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirls, and dragon sleeper! Callum drops, victory roll! But the ref is still down! Callum would’ve won twice over by now! Callum lets go and checks on the ref. The ref is still woozy, and Sanada hits a BLINDSIDE SHINING WIZARD!

Sanada shouts “C’MON!” Sanada runs back in, but into a LARIAT! And then Callum hooks the leg for the FIREBOLT! Callum gets the ref to wake up, he covers Sanada, TWO!! The delay saves Sanada but the fans rally behind Callum. Callum tells the ref to focus, then he drags Sanada back up. Sanada is a ragdoll and Callum drops him. The ref checks on Sanada, is he still in this? Callum KNEES Sanada in the head! Then PRINCE’S- NO, Sanada sips out of the Curse, BOOTS Callum from the corner, and SANADA QUEBRADA! Dragon sleeper! But Callum snapmares free! Sanada comes back, Calum ducks the Shining Wizard!

Sanada dodges the boot, clinches, but Callum powers out! Callum has the clinch! But Sanada powers out, sending Callum at the ref! The ref cowers away, Sanada pops Callum up, but Callum blocks the low blow! Callum FLIPS Sanada, then V-TRIGGERS! And then from the corner, V-TRIGGER!! The fans fire up and Callum brings Sanada up. PRINCE’S CURSE!! Cover, Callum wins!

Winner: Callum Newman, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sanada earns 0)

The Cold-Blooded Snake tried to cheat the Prince of Pace and it failed! Is Sanada already out of the running? Will Callum climb all the way to the top?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Ryohei Oiwa VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo & Don Fale!

The Grip trumped The Ace in the main event, and now he runs into the King of Darkness. Evil is fuming over losing to the Heat Storm, but will Darkness Fall in the sixth? Or will Oiwa remind us that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

Surprisingly, there is no attack on Oiwa during his entrance, nor during Evil’s. The bell rings and the two run up! Oiwa rolls Evil up, TWO! Oiwa gets around to roll Evil up again, TWO! O’Conner Roll, and deep! TWO, and Oiwa DROPKICKS Evil! The fans fire up with Oiwa as he handsprings up! Evil stands, runs up, but into an arm-drag! Oiwa has the armlock, then he KNEES and ELBOWS the arm! Then a STRAIGHT ARMBAR! Evil fights around fast and he steps on Oiwa to scrape him off. Evil runs up again, but back into the arm-drag! ARMBAR! Evil clasps hands fast, rolls over and gets the ROPEBREAK!

The fans applaud this opening exchange as Evil bails out. Evil runs away into the crowd but dares Oiwa to come get him. Oiwa dares Evil to come back in, so Evil rolls into the ring. Oiwa stomps away on Evil! The fans applaud as Oiwa stands Evil up, but Evil CLAWS Oiwa’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil whips Oiwa into the corner, and surprise! The blue buckle pad is gone! Oiwa hits bare steel and falls to the mat! The ref reprimands but too late, the Bullet Club Special is in play. Evil TOSSES Oiwa out, and RAMS him into the timekeeper! Down goes Abe-san! The fans boo but Evil grabs the mic so he can CHOKE Oiwa with the cord and talk trash at the same time!

The ref reprimands, Evil stops, and the fans rally for Oiwa. Evil drags Oiwa up, puts him in the ring, and he stomps away. Evil CLUBS Oiwa, stands on him for a cocky cover, ONE! Evil TOSSES Oiwa back out, then he distracts the ref so Fale & Dick can THROW Oiwa against railing! Dick then piggybacks on Fale as Fale steps on Oiwa! The fans boo but Dick puts Oiwa in the ring. Evil taunts the fans, the fans rally for Oiwa, but Evil stands Oiwa up. Evil FISHERMAN BUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Evil covers again, TWO! Evil argues the count with the ref, but then Oiwa drags him for a cradle! TWO!! Now Evil is upset the ref counted too fast!

The fans cheer as Evil and the ref argue, but Oiwa catches Evil for a DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa storms up on Evil, headlocks, but Evil powers out, only for Oiwa to CLOBBER Evil! Oiwa then scoops, SLAMS, and SENTONS! Cover, TWO! SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Evil survives but the fans rally behind Oiwa. Oiwa fires up and the fans fire up with him! Oiwa drags Evil up, reels him in, but Evil fights the suplex. Evil shoves Oiwa away to a corner. Oiwa runs back in, but Evil sends the ref at him! Oiwa pushes the ref down, blocks Evil’s eye poke, then kicks low! Oiwa whips, Evil reverses, but Dick SMACKS Oiwa with a chair!

The fans boo but Fale drags Oiwa out to scoop and SLAM him on the floor! The fans boo more but Dick puts Oiwa back in. Evil laughs and covers, TWO! Oiwa is still in this and the fans applaud! Evil clamps onto Oiwa with a chinlock and grinds him down. The fans rally as Oiwa fights up, but Evil spins Oiwa for a LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!? The fans fire up and Evil is shocked! Oiwa shakes his head, but Evil kicks low! Evil fireman’s carries, but Oiwa slips down and shoves him into the bare buckles! Evil tastes his own medicine! Dick gets on the apron, Oiwa ROCKS him and suplexes him for it, to crotch him on the ropes!

Fale gets on the apron, he grabs at Oiwa, but Oiwa breaks free! Oiwa DROPKICKS Fale down, and here comes Hartley Jackson! TMDK’s big man RAMS Fale into the railing! The fans fire up as Hartley headlocks Fale and drags him away! Oiwa rises up and the fans fire up! Oiwa SMACKS Evil off the bare buckles again and again! The ref counts, Oiwa stops at 4, but then he POSTS Evil! Evil continues to taste his own medicine, and then the TENZAN PLEX! Oiwa then goes to the corner and he climbs up! The fans rally and Oiwa is up top, for the DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Evil survives, but Oiwa has the SLEEPER!

Oiwa squeezes tight but Evil endures! The fans rally, Oiwa drags Evil up, spin and- NO, Evil blocks The Grip Lariat! Oiwa comes in from the other side, but Evil catches him for EVERYTHING- NO, Oiwa slips free to waistlock! Evil fights it, Dick is there on the apron, and the two link hands! The ref reprimands, neither man lets go, so the ref KICKS the hands apart! Oiwa GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Evil is still in this but Oiwa holds on!  O’Conner and CHAOS THEORY!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Evil survives but the fans fire up with Oiwa! Oiwa runs, spins, but Evil dodges! Evil gets in the ref’s face, POCKET SAND from Dick!!

The fans boo but Evil runs to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa survives and the fans fire up! Evil steps through on Oiwa, and he has the SCORPION DEATHLOCK!! Oiwa endures, reaches out, but he TAPS! Evil wins!!

Winner: Evil, by submission (gains 2 points; Oiwa earns 0)

The King of Darkness used his pawns as always, and he steals another victory! But will this win ensure that Everything is Evil? Will Oiwa rise and get a grip next round?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Boltin Oleg VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!

The NEVER Openweight Champion is just outside the lead after losing to The Gene Blast, while the Top Dog is at the back of the pack! Will Finlay make a comeback in the second half? Or will The Rebel be put behind BARS?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Oleg and Finlay circle, tie up, and Oleg SHOVES Finlay down! The fans fire up and even Gedo is surprised. Finlay shakes it off, then resets with Oleg. They tie up, Finlay waistlocks then headlocks. Oleg powers up and out, Finlay runs up but Oleg RUNS him over! The fans cheer, things keep moving, and Finlay leaps, but Oleg catches him! Finlay fights free of the fireman’s carry then bails out of the ring. The fans applaud while Finlay catches his breath. Finlay and Gedo regroup, but Oleg goes out and CLOBBERS Finlay! The fans fire up and Oleg CLUBS Finlay. Oleg puts Finlay in the ring, but Finlay hurries out the other side.

The fans rally, and Oleg waits as Finlay does a lap. Oleg then rushes out, but Finlay throws hands! Oleg ROCKS Finlay, kicks Finlay, then CLUBS Finlay! Oleg CHOPS Finlay and Finlay goes to the crowd! Oleg brings him back to ringside with a headlock, and he throws Finlay into the ring. The fans applaud, but Finlay runs up! Oleg blocks a shot to ROCK Finlay! Oleg then aims for the outside?! Finlay fights the suplex, wrenches free and HOTSHOTS! Then he BLASTS Oleg off the apron! Oleg hits railing and goes down in a heap! The fans rally and Gedo cheers as Finlay goes out after Oleg. Finlay stomps away, then digs his boots in.

The ref reprimands, Finlay backs off, but then Finlay stands Oleg up to whip at the railing. Oleg stops himself, but Finlay CLOBBERS him through the gate! The fans are torn but Finlay soaks up the cheers and jeers. Finlay uses a facelock to drag Oleg up and put him in the ring. Finlay pushes Oleg to a cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO! The fans applaud but Finlay is annoyed. Finlay kicks Oleg around, then clamps on with a chinlock. Finlay CLAWS Oleg’s face, the ref reprimand, and Finlay stops, just to ELBOW Oleg in the head! Finlay stands Oleg up, kicks low, but Oleg fires a forearm!

Finlay kicks back but Oleg ROCKS Finlay! And ROCKS him again! Oleg whips, Finlay stops himself, and Oleg’s dropkick crash lands! Finlay covers, ONE!! Finlay is shocked, but he hurries to HAMMER Oleg down! The fans are torn, the ref reprimands about closed fists, and Finlay stops. Finlay drags Oleg up but Oleg fires body shots and forearms! Finlay throat chops! Finlay runs up, Oleg dodges, and Oleg LARIATS Finlay and himself up and out of the ring! Both men are down and the fans rally up. The ring count starts, Oleg stands at 4 of 20 to stomp Finlay. Oleg stands Finlay up, whips him into railing, and Finlay slumps down at 9.

Oleg storms up on Finlay at 11 of 20, puts him in the ring at 12, and the fans applaud. Oleg stalks Finlay to a corner, and he CHOPS Finlay down! Finlay shouts in pain but Oleg stands him up. Oleg whips Finlay corner to corner hard, then catches him for an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Finlay flounders to the corner, Oleg runs in, and Oleg SPLASHES! Then he gut wrenches! Shake, Shake, Shake, and THROW! Oleg kips up, the fans fire up, and Gedo is worried for Finlay! Oleg storms over to Finlay, drags him back up, and fireman’s carries. Finlay flails and grabs the ropes. Oleg lets Finlay go, but Finlay clinches him for an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!

Both men are down as that takes a lot out of Finlay’s legs. But then Finlay manages to suplex Oleg INTO OBLIVION! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives and the fans fire up! Finlay clamps onto Oleg, reels him in, but Oleg fights the lift! Oleg BACKDROPS, Finlay sunset flips and high stacks! TWO!! The fans rally up more, and Finlay brings Oleg up. Finlay fires forearms and eggs Oleg on. Oleg ROCKS Finlay in return! Finlay wobbles, fires a forearm, but Oleg fires back! Finlay staggers, comes back, and fires a flurry. Oleg ROCKS Finlay again! Finlay LARIATS, Oleg stays up! Finlay LARIATS, Oleg stays up! Finlay runs, into a POP-UP KAMIKAZE!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans are thunderous as Finlay survives and Oleg roars! Oleg fireman’s carries, Finlay fights and flails again, so Oleg gives him an F- NO, Finlay lands out! And he lifts Oleg up?! POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives again and the fans rally back up! Finlay vows to end this, suplex and OVER- NO! Oleg blocks the knee, spins Finlay around and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Then he storms up to deadlift Finlay, but Finlay grabs ropes! Oleg pries him free to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! The fans are thunderous as Oleg roars, and Gedo panics again! Oleg fireman’s carries, but Finlay fights with more elbows!

Oleg grits his teeth to F5!! Finlay flounders and the fans fire up again! Oleg roars, fireman’s carries, and KAMI- NO, Finlay slips free! Oleg switches, but Finlay CRAB ROLLS! Cover, FINLAY WINS!!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Oleg earns 0)

The Rebels snatches victory from the BARS of defeat! But he still has an uphill battle! Can Finlay find his way to the finals after all? Will Oleg NEVER give up and turn things back around next round?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Taichi VS Yota Tsuji!

The Holy Emperor was once again cheated by the Cold-Blooded Snake, but The Gene Blast was able to make it through BARS. Will Yota keep the lead? Or will Taichi be able to break even?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Red Shoes assesses the dueling as rather even between “TAICHI! TAICHI!” and “YO-TA! YO-TA!” The two slowly circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yota headlocks but Taichi DANGER- NO, Yota fights off the saido! Taichi powers up and out but Yota RANAS! The fans fire up while Taichi tumbles out. Yota builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and Taichi hits railing! The fans fire up with Yota as he takes a lap around the ring. Yota goes back to Taichi, drags him up, and whips him into more railing! The ring count starts but they go into the crowd! Yota ROCKS Taichi, ROCKS him again, but Taichi hits back.

The count passes 10 of 20 as the brawl continues, but Yota CLUBS Taichi down at 13. Yota hurries back to ringside and rolls in at 16. Taichi hurries, and he makes it in at 18! The fans applaud but Yota stomps away on Taichi. Yota then runs to baseball slide DROPKICK Taichi to the floor! Yota paces as the new ring count starts. Taichi checks his back and he sits up at 7 of 20. Yota goes out after Taichi and has the count pause. Yota drags Taichi up, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud. Yota drags Taichi up, snapmares him back down, then puts on the body scissors. The fans rally while Taichi endures the squeeze.

Yota hooks Taichi’s arm to keep him from reaching out. Taichi fights with RIDGE HANDS! But Yota puts on more pressure! Yota tips things over to a cover, TWO! Yota holds onto Taichi as Taichi tries to fight for the ropes. Yota gives those RIDGE HANDS in return! Taichi kicks and fights his way forward, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud while Yota lets Taichi go. Yota stomps Taichi, then kicks at him. Taichi frowns as he stands up, and he fires RIDGE HANDS and KICKS! Yota KNEES low, CHOPS, and the fans fire up! Taichi roars, Yota ROCKS him! Taichi hits AX BOMBER on the return!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Taichi rises and he brings Yota up. Taichi snapmares Yota to KICK him in the back! Yota eggs Taichi on, so Taichi KICKS him in the chest! Yota grins and eggs Taichi on. Yota then blocks the kick, CLUBS the leg, and whips Taichi to a corner. Taichi dodges Yota to GAMANGIRI! Yota falls and the fans rally up. Taichi feeds off the energy, and OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi aims from the corner, but Yota SUPERKICKS first! Taichi comes back, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! CURB STOMP! The fans cheer as the Gene Combination completes, and both men are down.

Yota catches his breath and stands back up. The fans rally, Yota goes to Taichi, and he hears the fans dueling. Yota brings Taichi up, goes up the corner, MARLOWE- NO, Taichi avoids the crush! Taichi BOOTS Yota, so Yota BOOTS Taichi! Taichi RIDGE HANDS, so Yota ROCKS Taichi! Taichi SPINNING RIDGE HANDS! Yota GENE TRIGGERS! Taichi GAMANGIRIS! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! Taichi and Yota slowly sit back up, and Taichi shakes out the cobwebs. The fans rally with “LET’S GO, TAICHI!” Taichi rises, he waits on Yota to sit up, and he BUZZ- NO, Yota blocks that, too!

Yota HEADBUTTS Taichi, then winds up, to BUZZSAW! Taichi falls over and the fans fire up again! Yota roars and the fans cheer. Yota goes to a corner, waits on Taichi, and he runs in, but into an Alabama Lift! BLACK- NO, Yota fights that and lifts Taichi up, for a RUNNING LIGER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Taichi survives and the fans fire up! Yota grins as he brings Taichi back around. Yota runs the ropes, ducks an Ax Bomber, and he LARIATS! Gene Bomber?! Yota hurries to suplex, but Taichi fights that to suplex! Yota slips free, shoves Taichi, but Taichi avoids the point-blank blaster! GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!!

Yota is up, Taichi TENSHO- NO, Yota blocks to GENE TRIGGER! YOKOZUNA ELBOW!! Yota leans on Taichi to stay up, but Taichi lets him slump down. Yota looks up at Taichi defiantly as the fans rally even harder. Taichi STOMPS Yota down! Taichi powers up the arm and the fans are with him! Taichi stands Yota so he can POINT-BLANK- NO! Yota ducks the bomber to ORANGE CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!! Taichi survives and the fans are thunderous! But Yota runs to CURB STOMP! Yota roars and the fans are with him now! Yota watches from the corner as Taichi slowly stirs. Taichi rises up, GENE- YOKOZUNA ELBOW!! But Yota’s right up!

Yota runs in, but into a DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives and Taichi snarls but the fans are thunderous again! Yota grins as he stands, and Taichi smiles. POINT-BLANK LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives again but Taichi powers up! The fans join in with “OSU~!” Taichi short-arm- GENE BLASTER!?! But Yota can’t make the cover! Both men are down and the fans rally even harder! The fans duel as both men slowly stir. Yota and Taichi go to their corners, and they both run up! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And a GENE TRIGGER! GENE TRIGGER again! Cover, TWO!! Taichi survives again and the fans fire up!

Yota goes to a corner, goes up, up, and MARLOWE- TENSHO JUJIHOU!! And then DANGEROUS SAIDO!! BRIDGE!! TWO?!?! The fans are electric, Taichi roars, and Taichi Alabama Lifts! BLACK MEPHISTO!!! Cover, TAICHI WINS!!

Winner: Taichi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yota earns 0)

The Holy Emperor breaks through, and indeed breaks even! He has an outside shot at the playoffs, but if anyone can make good on those odds, can it be Taichi? Will Yota still have a spot at the top in this G1?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuya Uemura!

The Ace is in the main event for the third round in a row! He overcame The Rebel but then lost to The Grip. Will Tanahashi’s Final Road get back on a winning track? Or will the Heat Storm still have the hot hand after his win over the King of Darkness?

The jackets come off, and the fans indeed cheer Tanahashi’s abs. The bell rings and the fans rally up. The “TA-NA-H’SHI!” chants are very loud, but Yuya’s fans do show up for him. The two circle, then tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Yuya waistlocks, Tanahashi switches, but Yuya switches back. Tanahashi wrenches free, but Yuya rolls and wrenches back. Yuya hammerlocks, headlocks, and hits the takeover, but Tanahashi headscissors. Yuya kips free and the fans cheer the standoff. Tanahashi and Yuya reset and circle again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, then Yuya goes for an arm. Yuya wrenches, Tanahashi wrenches back, but Yuya drops down.

Yuya rolls and wrenches to a wristlock. The fans rally and Yuya wrenches again. Yuya wrangles Tanahashi to the mat and has a top wristlock. Tanahashi fights up but Yuya shifts the angle. Yuya wrenches to arm-drag, then he keeps on the armlock. Tanahashi endures, rolls, and he wrenches Yuya to a hammerlock. Yuya reaches back for a headlock, but Tanahashi bridges! They end up in the ropes, so the two separate. The fans rally as Yuya and Tanahashi reset. They feel things out again, and tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Yuya puts Tanahashi in a corner, but lets off slowly. Yuya then CHOPS! The fans applaud but Red Shoes reprimands.

Yuya whips corner to corner, runs in, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him away! Tanahashi then goes up to CROSSBODY! Direct hit, and the fans cheer while Tanahashi air guitars. Tanahashi then dropkicks Yuya’s legs out! The fans rally, Tanahashi storms up on Yuya and stomps the leg. Yuya glares defiantly, but Tanahashi stands him up. Tanahashi bumps Yuya off buckles, then stomps the leg. Tanahashi puts the bad leg in the ropes and pulls! Red Shoes counts, Tanahashi stops, but he DROPKICKS the leg! Then DROPKICKS the other leg! Yuya falls and goes to the apron while the fans rally. Tanahashi drags Yuya back in and drops an ELBOW on the leg!

Tanahashi traps the leg in a toehold but Yuya endures. Yuya uses his free leg to hook Tanahashi, but Tanahashi puts pressure on the toehold. Tanahashi changes angles on the toehold and pulls! Yuya fights his way over and has the ROPEBREAK! Tanahashi lets go, the fans applaud, and Tanahashi stomps the legs. Tanahashi brings Yuya up but Yuya fires a forearm! Tanahashi eggs Yuya on, Yuya fires more shots, but Tanahashi kicks the leg out! Tanahashi kicks the legs again, and again, then he whips corner to corner. Yuya manages to go up and he CROSSBODIES! The fans fire up as Yuya hits a very Tanahashi like attack!

Both men go to ropes, stand up, and Tanahashi runs up, only for Yuya to ELBOW him down! Yuya then arm-drags and DROPKICKS! The fans fire up with Yuya while Tanahashi goes to another corner. Yuya runs in and CHOPS! The fans cheer, and Yuya reels Tanahashi in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi is still in this but Yuya has him in an KIMURA! Tanhashi fights against it, but Yuya powers it through! Tanahashi endures and scoots back to the ROPEBREAK! Yuya lets go and the fans cheer. Yuya storms up and brings Tanahashi around to full nelson! But Tanahashi breaks fere, and he full nelsons in return!

Yuya breaks free, and full nelsons again! Tanahashi can’t break free, so he runs to the ropes to FLING Yuya up and out! But Yuya ROCKS Tanahashi from the apron! Yuya steps in, but Tanahashi grabs the leg! DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally, Tanahashi drags Yuya to center, but Yuya kicks at him! Tanahashi holds on, and he GROUND DRAGON SCREWS! The fans applaud again and Tanahashi ties up the legs! TEXAS CLOVERHOLD! Yuya endures as Tanahashi bends him back! The fans rally as Yuya fights forward, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! Tanahashi lets go and the fans rally more. Tanahashi stomps Yuya, then dares him to get up.

The fans rally as Yuya stands and Tanahashi runs. SLING- NO, Yuya wrenches and traps the arms! But Tanahashi kicks a leg! Tanahashi reels Yuya in but Yuya wrenches through! Yuya has the arm, ARMBAR DDT! Then Yuya traps the arm between his legs to TWEAK it! Tanahashi goes to a corner, he runs back in, but Yuya arm-drags! And ARMBAR! The fans fire up while Tanahashi flails! Tanahashi reaches up and clasps hands! Tanahashi works to turn things over but Yuya pulls on the arm! Tanahashi fights and fights and reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Yuya lets go. Tanahashi clutches the elbow but he’s still in this.

Yuya hobbles over and drags Tanahashi up. Yuya wrenches the arm for an ELBOW BREAKER! And another ELBOW BREAKER! Yuya wrenches again, but Tanahashi kicks a leg! And dropkicks the other leg! The fans rally up and Tanahashi roars! Yuya rises, Tanahashi runs, but Yuya wrenches the slingblade again! DEADBOLT PLEX! Bridging cover, ONE as Yuya’s leg won’t let him stand! Yuya goes for a lateral press, TWO! Yuya is frustrated and Red Shoes checks the knee. The fans rally and Yuya is still in this, so he hobbles over to a corner. Yuya climbs, rises up, but Tanahashi avoids the leap! Yuya comes back, but Tanahashi catches him to a full nelson!

Yuya breaks the nelson but Tanahashi has him for the STRAITJACKET GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO! Yuya escapes and the fans rally up again. Tanahashi huffs ‘n’ puffs and rises to his feet! Tanahashi runs, but Yuya ducks the Slingblade to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Tanahashi is up to SLING-DOG! The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs to SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!! Yuya survives but Tanahashi goes right to the corner! Tanahashi goes right up, Yuya stands, HIGH FLY ATTACK! Tanahashi roars and the fans fire up more as he goes back up top! HIGH FLY FLOW FLOPS as Yuya moves! Now Yuya goes back up!

The fans rally as hard as they can as Yuya HIGH FLY FLOWS!! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but Yuya goes up again! Tanahashi stands, and he dodges the crossbody! Yuya crash lands and the fans are thunderous! Yuya clutches the knee while Tanahashi crawls his way over. The two meet forehead to forehead, and then Tanahashi fires a forearm! Yuya fires back! Tanahashi fires another forearm! Yuya fires back! They go forearm for forearm, then rise up! Tanahashi eggs Yuya on and Yuya fires up! The forearms go back and forth again and the fans rally behind this fighting spirit! Tanahashi wobbles, but he comes back with another shot!

Yuya fires a forearm, forearm, and CHOP! Tanahashi fires his strike combo! Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS, DOUBLE CHOPS, and DOUBLE CHOPS! Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS! Then he DROPKICKS the legs out! Yuya sputters, Tanahashi drags him up, and Tanahashi has the leg! DRAGON- YUYA SITS ON IT! TWO!!! Tanahashi escapes the sudden turnaround and the fans are thunderous! Tanahashi and Yuya rise again, Yuya fires a forearm and then RANAS! But then he ARMBARS! Tanahashi flails, the fans duel, and Tanahashi stacks! TWO!! Yuya is up, runs in, but into a DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Yuya escapes again!

The fans rally as hard as they can, and Tanahashi brings Yuya up. DRAGON- NO, Yuya REAR HEADBUTTS free! Tanahashi fires a forearm, Yuya HEADBUTTS! Both men roar, both men DRAGON PALM! Yuya ENZIGIRIS! Yuya hurries to clamp onto the arm! Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS! But Yuya holds on and grabs the other arm! Tanahashi fights the lift and throws HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Yuya still DEADBOLT SUPLEXES!! Bridging cover, YUYA WINS!!!

Winner: Yuya Uemura, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Tanahashi earns 0)

Three main events in a row, and The Ace is 1-2! He drops to 2-4, could Hiroshi Tanahashi’s last G1 see him miss out on the Climax? Or can he manage a miracle comeback?

As for Yuya, he gets the mic to tell Tanahashi how he remembers this one time when Yuya was still a rookie, after a match, Tanahashi told Yuya that Yuya had what it takes to be an Ace. The fans applaud that, and Yuya admits that he was disappointed in himself at that time. Yuya doesn’t feel he can be like Tanahashi, nor does he want to be Tanahashi. Yuya just defeated Tanahashi, so Yuya will aim even higher and higher! Yuya Uemura vows that he is NJPW’s NEW sun! The fans applaud that! Yuya also notes that there is still time before Tanahashi retires, so Yuya would love one more round with him.

The fans applaud again, and Yuya continues with a, “YOSH! The second half of this G1 is in full force!” Yuya thanks the fans for their support, and says this second half will be awesome! Yuya then asks, “Who will raise everyone’s hearts? The one who will ignite everyone’s hearts will be me, THE HEAT STORM!” The fans cheer the mic drop, is Yuya getting hot at just the right time? Will this be his G1 to win?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Yota Tsuji: 4-2, 8 points
Yuya Uemura: 4-2, 8 points
Evil: 4-2, 8 points
Boltin Oleg: 3-3, 6 points
Ryohei Oiwa: 3-3, 6 points
Callum: 3-3, 6 points
Taichi: 3-3, 6 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 2-4, 4 points
Sanada: 2-4, 4 points
David Finlay: 2-4, 4 points

My Thoughts:

A great round for G1 here, and some strong results. The block having a clear top three and a clear bottom three is one thing, but then look who is in that bottom three. Finlay gets a win over Oleg to stay alive, because he would’ve been mathematically eliminated already with a 1-5. But 2-4 is the bare minimum and it works to put pressure on him, Sanada and Tanahashi. Evil of course cheated his way to staying afloat, but I did appreciate Hartley Jackson showing up to clear out Dick Togo & Don Fale. Taichi gives another stellar performance in defeating Yota, and actually, now that’s an interesting dynamic. Yota beat Yuya, Yuya beat Evil, Evil beat Yota, that dynamic could be really interesting when determining THE top seed in the block, the one that gets a first round bye in the playoffs.

My Score: 9/10