It all comes down to this!

A Block wraps its round robin phase! Only the top three advance to this year’s G1 Climax playoffs, will Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Road continue on?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

Yuya Uemura: 5-3, 10 points
Evil: 5-3, 10 points
David Finlay: 4-4, 8 points
Yota Tsuji: 4-4, 8 points
Boltin Oleg: 4-4, 8 points
Ryohei Oiwa: 4-4, 8 points
Callum: 4-4, 8 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 4-4, 8 points
Taichi: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Sanada: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Taichi VS Boltin Oleg!

The Holy Emperor may be out of the running, but he could play spoilers! Will Taichi bring down the NEVER Openweight Champion? Or will he be put behind BARS?

The bell rings and the fans rally up already, “Let’s Go, Taichi!” Taichi and Oleg slowly circle, stare down, then tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Oleg’s size helps him put Taichi on the ropes. The ref counts the break, Oleg backs off, and he gives Taichi a sharp push on the shoulders. Taichi BOOTS Oleg, Oleg ROCKS Taichi, and Taichi BOOTS Oleg again! Oleg rebounds to CLOBBER Taichi! Oleg drags Taichi up, whips him to ropes, but Taichi BOOTS Oleg down! The fans applaud while Oleg sputters. Oleg is up, he dodges Taichi, but Taichi fights the waistlock. They clench sumo style, and the fans rally as they fight for control!

Oleg and Taichi each pull at the waistbands, and Taichi manages the SUMO THROW! The fans fire up, Oleg returns, but into a clinch! DANGER- NO, Oleg BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES Taichi instead! Oleg hauls Taichi up and gut wrenches! The fans cheer the Shake, Shake, Shake! Oleg THROWS Taichi, then kips up! The fans fire up, Taichi runs in, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Taichi goes to the ropes, clutching his side. The ref has Oleg hold on while he checks Taichi. Taichi says he can still go, so Oleg hauls him up into a BEARHUG! Taichi endures the pain in his ribs while Oleg squeezes tighter!

Oleg thrashes Taichi, the fans rally, but Oleg SLAMS Taichi down! Oleg puts on the squeeze, then rolls Taichi to a bridging cover, TWO! Taichi stays in the match but he’s also still in the bearhug! Taichi fights around, and he manages the ROPEBREAK! Oleg lets Taichi go and the fans rally up as Taichi still clutches his ribs. Oleg drags Taichi up to CLUB him on the back. Taichi just gets mad and gets in Oleg’s face! Oleg shoves Taichi, so Taichi RIDGE HANDS, CHOPS, and KICKS! But Oleg KNEES Taichi low! Taichi goes to ropes, falls over, and the fans rally again. Oleg drags Taichi up, scoops him, and SLAMS him into the drop zone!

Oleg goes up, up, VADER- NO, Oleg lands out as Taichi moves! Taichi BOOTS Oleg, but Oleg comes back. Taichi RIDGE HANDS, then he BOOTS Oleg’s lariat! GAMANGIRI! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Taichi goes to the ropes, and he roars as he rises back up. OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi fights through the pain of his ribs, but Oleg runs to SPLASH! Oleg then fireman’s carries, but Taichi fights free! Taichi sends Oleg into buckles and ENZIGIRIS! Then he wrenches to DANGEROUS SAIDO! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Taichi rises again and the fans are with him!

Taichi powers up the arm and he runs, AX BOMBER! But Oleg stays standing! Oleg swings, Taichi dodges, and they DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither man falls, so they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Oleg stays on his feet while Taichi drops to his knees! Oleg eggs Taichi on, then runs again, but Taichi dodges! AX BOMBER!! Down goes Oleg! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives and the fans fire up again! Taichi grits his teeth and goes back to the corner. Taichi roars, the fans are with him, and he takes aim. Oleg stands, into the TENSHO- DROPKICK! Oleg hits first and Taichi tumbles! Oleg fires himself up, hauls Taichi up, and fireman’s carries!

Oleg runs, but Taichi slips free! TENSHO- NO, Oleg blocks the kick! Fireman’s carry, POINT-BLANK KAMIKAZE!! Taichi is in agony, but he manages to stand! TENSHO JUJIHO!! Both men are down and the fans rally even harder! Taichi rises, aims, BUZZ- NO! Oleg blocks and he ROCKS Taichi! Taichi RIDGE HANDS! Oleg CHOPS! Taichi ROCKS Oleg! And BUZZSAWS!! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives the onslaught and the fans rally as Taichi stands. Taichi has the fans join in with “OSU!” and he drags Oleg up. Taichi swings Oleg around, but Oleg breaks free of the wristlock! POP-UP KAMI- NO, Taichi fires RIDGE HANDS!

Taichi CLUBS and CHOPS away on Oleg’s legs and back, but Oleg just powers back up! VERDICT!! Taichi sputters, Oleg roars, and the fans fire up again! Oleg drags Taichi up, fireman’s carries once more, and he runs for the KAMI- NO! Taichi slips free! He flips Oleg over to a deep stack! TWO!! Oleg escapes, but Taichi JAWBREAKERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO?!?! Oleg escapes with nanoseconds to spare! Taichi hurries to Alabama Lift?!? But Oleg fights the final tuck! Oleg lifts Taichi now, and he POWERBOMBS! Then he high stacks, TWO!! But into a gator roll! Oleg lifts Taichi to a fireman’s carry!! KAMIKAZE!!! Cover, OLEG WINS!

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

Taichi fought through the pain, but he could not outlast it, and it is Oleg that stands tall! But at just 5-4, will Boltin be able to claim a spot in the playoffs? Or are they still just out of reach?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Ryohei Oiwa VS SANADA!

The Grip is holding on by a thread, but the Cold-Blooded Snake has nothing to lose! Will Sanada steal another victory, even when he has nothing to gain? Or will Oiwa prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

Surprisingly, Sanada leaves Oiwa alone during his entrance. There isn’t even an attack from Yoshinobu Kanemaru. The bell rings, the fans rally, and the two tie up. Oiwa wrenches, wristlocks, then wrenches again. Sanada spins through, wrenches back, and wristlocks. Oiwa rolls, trips Sanada, then drops an elbow on the leg. Oiwa has the toehold but Sanada fights back with a chinlock. Oiwa puts more pressure on the toehold, then shifts to have a standing toehold. Oiwa drops into a headlock, Sanada headscissors, and Oiwa kips free. The fans cheer while the two reset. They circle, then tie up, and Oiwa headlocks.

Sanada fires body shots, powers up and out, but Oiwa RUNS him over! Oiwa then scoops to SLAM!! Sanada gets back up but Oiwa DROPKICKS him back down! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he hits a headlock takeover. Sanada’s shoulders are down so the ref counts the cover, ONE! Sanada fights around, rises back up, and he fires more body shots. Sanada powers up and out again, but Oiwa counters the hip toss with a hip toss! Then he hits another headlock takeover! The fans cheer while Oiwa grinds Sanada down. It’s another cover, TWO as Sanada fights back up. Sanada pries at the hold and wrenches to a top wristlock.

Sanada bends Oiwa but Oiwa bridges through. The fans applaud as Oiwa powers his way back up and to the headlock! Sanada endures as Oiwa thrashes the hold, and he powers Oiwa to a corner. Oiwa uses the corner to hit a tornado takeover! Oiwa grinds Sanada down again but Sanada keeps his shoulders up. Oiwa puts on more pressure but Sanada still endures. Sanada rises up, powers Oiwa to a corner, and the ref calls the break. Oiwa lets go, but then he whips Sanada corner to corner. Sanada goes up, out, and springboards in! Oiwa dodges, but Sanada hits a headlock takeover! But then Oiwa rolls it right back into his own headlock!

The fans applaud the technical exchange while Sanada again endures. Oiwa pushes Sanada down to a cover, TWO! Sanada rolls to have Oiwa in a cover, TWO! Oiwa keeps the headlock but Sanada fights up again. Oiwa shifts to a cravat for the neck wrench, then he snapmares, only for Sanada to handspring through! Sanada then dropkicks Oiwa’s legs! Oiwa hobbles but he runs back up, only for Sanada to DUMP him out! Sanada then aims to PLANCHA, but Oiwa dodges! And it’s back to the headlock! Oiwa thrashes the hold, but Sanada heads for a post. Oiwa stops from running into the corner, and he POSTS Sanada!

Oiwa then puts the headlock back on! Sanada back suplexes, but Oiwa lands out! Oiwa back suplexes, but Sanada lands out! Sanada back suplexes Oiwa onto the apron! The fans fire up while Oiwa writhes. Sanada clutches a shoulder and shakes out his arm. Sanada storms up on Oiwa, puts him on the apron, but then drags him out, MAGIC SCREW to the floor! Oiwa writhes again and the fans rally. Sanada drags Oiwa up, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud the small sense of sportsmanship. Sanada drags Oiwa up to then put him on ropes, for another MAGIC SCREW! Sanada then dragon sleepers for the SKULL END!

Oiwa endures, but he spins things around! Oiwa suplexes but Sanada fights it! Sanada goes to cradle but Oiwa blocks that! Oiwa deadlifts Sanada for the suplex! The fans fire up for that feat of strength, and Oiwa hurries to run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Oiwa fires up and the fans cheer him as he climbs. Oiwa aims, DIVING BODY FLOP as Sanada moves! Sanada goes up, ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto knees! Oiwa saves himself, albeit double-edged, but he and Sanada go to ropes. Sanada crawls to a corner, Oiwa runs in, but into a BOOT! Sanada QUEBRADA, and he dragon sleepers for SKULL END! But Oiwa rolls through!

Oiwa has a SLEEPER, Sanada fights up, but Oiwa GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Oiwa holds onto the waistlock and the fans cheer. GERMAN SUPLEX, but Sanada lands out! BLINDSIDE SHINING WIZARD! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Sanada fires up, runs in, and SHINING WIZARD from the front! Sanada drags Oiwa up, DEAD- NO, Oiwa powers out, waistlocks, and uses the corner to O’Conner DEEP Roll! TWO!! Sanada escapes, Oiwa swings, but Sanada slips around! Sanada waistlocks, and he shoves Oiwa into the ref! The ref goes down, Oiwa waistlocks Sanada, but Sanada LOW BLOWS!

The fans boo but Sanada soaks that up. Sanada goes out, fetches his guitar, and he brings it into the ring. Sanada winds up, but Oiwa ducks the Smash Hit! SLEEPER! Oiwa calls to the ref, but Sanada BOOTS the ref down! And LOW BLOWS Oiwa again!! The fans boo but Sanada shakes his head. Then he fakes the Smash Hit and falls over! Oiwa and the ref argue about what happened, but Sanada shoves Oiwa into the ref again! Then SMASH HIT!! Sanada calls to the ref, covers Oiwa, and wins!

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

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but they can still be cheated! Oiwa’s out of the running all thanks to Sanada, but whose path into the playoffs is now that much easier?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Yota Tsuji VS Callum Newman!

Both men are on the bubble at 4-4, desperate to stay afloat in this G1! Will it be a Gene Blast that keeps things tranquilo? Or will Yota fail to keep up with the Prince of Peace?

Callum pokes fun at Yota a bit by taking Yota’s hat and wearing it himself. Callum then drops the hat and teases stomping the hat. Callum then puts the hat back on Yota before shoving him to the corner. The ref reprimands but Yota grins. The bell rings and Callum runs up to BOOT! Callum fires forearms, then a KNEE! Callum puts Yota in a corner to fire a flurry of forearms! Callum sits Yota down, the ref counts, and Callum stops at 4. The fans rally while Yota sputters. Callum drags Yota up, TOSSES him out, then aims to PLANCHA, but into a BODY BLOW! Yota then suplexes Callum to the floor! Callum hobbles away, but Yota whips him into railing!

Yota hurries to bring Callum into the crowd and he fires forearms! Fans hurry to move aside, and Yota BOOTS Callum into chairs! The fans cheer while Yota leaves Callum behind. The ref reprimands, Yota steps into the ring, and the ring count starts. Callum stirs at 3 of 20, rises up at 7, and the fans applaud as he heads to ringside. Callum takes his time, rolls in at 16, but Yota DROPKICKS him back out! Callum goes to the ramp while clutching his side. The ring count starts again and Callum stands at 3, only to drop to his knees at 5. Callum manages to rise up, and he rolls in at 7. Yota stands Callum up to CHOP him to a corner.

Yota CHOPS Callum in the corner, Callum eggs Yota on, so Yota trips Callum! Yota stomps away on Callum! The ref counts, Yota backs off at 3, and he eggs Callum on. Callum runs up, but into a FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Callum stays in this. Yota stands Callum up for a cravat and neck wrench. Yota snapmares Callum, then digs his knee into Callum’s back. Callum endures the chinlock, so Yota KNEES Callum in the back! Callum writhes, but Yota drags him back up. Callum breaks free, but then his back spasms! Callum drops to a knee, but Yota fires a forearm. Callum goes to ropes, comes back, but Yota ROCKS him again.

Callum gets mad, comes back for more, and Yota indeed ROCKS Callum again! But Callum KNEES, KICKS, and ROLLING ELBOWS Yota down! The fans fire up while Callum leans on the ropes. Callum sees Yota go to a corner, and he runs up to BOOT Yota! Callum snapmares Yota, PENALTY KICKS, then high stacks, TWO! The fans applaud again while Yota shakes out his arm. Callum drags Yota up, but his back makes it hard to suplex. Yota wrenches out but Callum SOBATS! Callum tries again, and he manages to suplex up and over! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this, the fans applaud, and Callum paces.

Callum scuffs Yota, eggs him on, then fires a forearm. Yota fires back, they go back and forth, and Callum ROCKS Yota! Callum runs, springboards, but into a SUPERKICK! Yota hurries to suplex and GOURD BUSTER! Yota DOUBLE STOMPS, then X-PLEX! Yota then sits Callum back up, and runs to CURB STOMP! Cover, TWO! Callum survives and the fans rally while Yota goes to a corner. Yota takes aim, Callum rises up, and GENE- NO, Callum jumps to DOUBLE STOMP Yota down! The fans rally again while Yota writhes. Callum crawls to one corner, Yota crawls to the opposite, and they both stand again.

Yota runs in, he blocks Callum’s boot, but Callum ENZIGIRIS! Yota ducks the superkick, Callum blocks the Gene Trigger, and Callum ROCKS Yota! Callum runs, springboards, OSCU- NO, Yota blocks! Yota fireman’s carries, Callum slips free and shoves Yota, to then SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO! Yota survives, the fans rally, and Callum drags Yota around. Callum stomps Yota in the drop zone, then goes up the corner. Callum DIVING DOUBLE- NO, Yota avoids the stomps! GENE- NO, Callum BOOTS Yota, KNEES him, and BUZZSAWS! Yota stays up so Callum PENALTY KICKS him down! The fans rally as Callum goes to the corner.

Callum climbs again, and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Yota writhes but Callum’s bad back holds him back! Callum crawls to the cover, TWO!! Yota survives, the fans rally up, and Callum thinks on what he has to do next. Callum rises up and he pokes fun at the fans cheering Yota on. Callum vows to end this, PRINCE’S- NO, Yota fights out and GENE BLASTER!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Yota miscalculates and Callum survives by fingertips! Callum coughs and sputters while he crawls to the apron. Yota rises and the fans rally up again. Callum goes to a corner, Yota runs in, GENE TRIGGER! Then MARLOWE CRUSH!

Callum is down and Yota roars! The fans fire up again, Yota aims from the corner, and he waits on Callum. Callum stirs, sits up slowly, and Yota runs in, GENE BLAS- NO, Callum just falls over on his own! Yota pulls up, sits Callum up, and STOMPS him down! Yota ripcords Callum into the 70 CROSS! Cover, Yota wins!

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

Yota brings out a classic for the final round, and it gets him the win! But are his G1 playoff hopes alive for only a little longer? Or can he find a spot in the top three after all?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS EVIL!

How fitting that The Ace of the Universe and the King of Darkness battle in the end, with the fate of the G1 in their hands! Will President Tanahashi’s Final Road lead him to one last G1 Climax? Or will we see that Everything is Evil?

Surprisingly, Evil and the House of Torture let Tanahashi enter the ring unharmed. In fact, Dick Togo & Don Fale didn’t accompany Evil at all… Tanahashi gets his introduction, he shows off the abs, and the fans cheer. The bell rings and the fans rally up behind Tanahashi. Red Shoes confirms, the crowd strongly supports Tanahashi. The two circle, feel things out, and Evil shoots around to waistlock. Tanahashi wrenches free, wristlocks, but Evil wrenches back. They clinch, go to the ropes, and Evil actually honors the break! The fans cheer, though everyone is certainly surprised Evil is playing fair. The two reset, feel things out, and knuckle lock.

Evil kicks low, headlocks, but Tanahashi endures the grind. Evil switches to a hammerlock, then he headlocks again. Tanahashi still endures so Evil hits a takeover. Tanahashi headscissors, Evil kips free, and the two stand off. The fans cheer another surprisingly clean break. The two reset, circle, and feel things out again. Evil quickly wrenches, wrenches, and wrenches to a wristlock! Evil whips Tanahashi to a corner, runs in, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him away! Tanahashi goes up and CROSSBODIES! The fans cheer as Tanahashi air guitars. Tanahashi storms up on Evil, but Evil blocks to DRAGON SCREW! The fans cheer while Tanahashi shakes out the leg, and Evil storms over to him.

Evil stomps Tanahashi’s bad leg, then grabs the other leg to stomp it, too! Evil drops an ELBOW on the knee, then drags Tanahashi around to SMASH the knee! Tanahashi writhes, the fans rally, but Evil turns Tanahashi over. Evil has the legs tied up in an INDIAN DEATHLOCK, and then SNAP LOCKS it! Tanahashi endures but Evil stands up to SNAP LOCK again! The fans rally while Tanahashi pushes up and reaches for the ropes. Evil just SNAP LOCKS a third time! Tanahashi still fights his way over and has the ROPEBREAK! Evil lets go quickly and the fans applaud. Evil paces, brings Tanahashi up, and CHOPS!

Evil kicks the bad leg, CHOPS again, and repeat! Tanahashi goes to the ropes, Evil CHOPS him again, then backs off. The fans rally, Evil returns, but Tanahashi elbows him. Evil kicks away on the bad leg, then FISHERMAN BUSTERS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally, Evil looms over Tanahashi, and then brings him up. Tanahashi fires off forearms first, but Evil KNEES low! Evil whips Tanahashi to ropes, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up with Tanahashi and he brings Evil up. Tanahashi fires fast hands, then he scoops Evil to SLAM him into the drop zone! The fans fire up, and Tanahashi goes up the corner, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO!

Evil is tougher than that but Tanahashi waits on him. Tanahashi runs, but Evil slips around to waistlock! Tanahashi switches, but Evil trips Tanahashi into a REVERSE FIGURE FOUR! Tanahashi endures as Evil pulls on the legs! The fans rally, Tanahashi reaches out, but Evil puts on the pressure! Tanahashi still claws his way over, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, and Evil again lets go quickly. Evil is showing he can still get it done as a wrestler, and he runs in for a LARIAT! Then a fireman’s carry, DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi survives and the fans fire up again! Evil stays focused, and he vows to finish this!

Evil stands Tanahashi up, spins him around, EVERY- NO, Tanahashi fires elbows! Evil kicks the bad leg! And the other leg! And then again, but Tanahashi blocks! DRAGON SCREW! Evil is down but Tanahashi dares him to stand. Tanahashi runs as Evil rises, but Evil LARIATS first! Cover, TWO! Evil goes right for the legs, steps through, SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally up again! Evil puts on the pressure but Tanahashi powers up! Tanahashi fights and fights and has the ROPEBREAK! Evil lets go in frustration, and he winds up the arm. Tanahashi rises, Evil runs, and LARIAT! But Tanahashi stays up!?

Tanahashi fires a forearm, Evil fires back, and the fans rally as they go back and forth, shot after shot! Tanahashi fires a flurry, then UPPERCUTS! But then Evil slips around, spins Tanahashi, EVERYTHING- NO, Tanahashi slips free and he spins Evil around, to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up and Tanahashi roars! Evil rises, Tanahashi runs, SLINGBLADE! Down goes Evil and the fans fire up again! Tanahashi drags Evil to a drop zone and he climbs up a corner! HIGH FLY FLOW FLOPS as Evil moves! Both men are down, and now Dick & Fale show up! Was this the plan all along? Wait until Evil was in danger?

But then in another surprise, Evil is signaling to them to NOT get involved? But Dick brought a chair and everything! Dick still slides the chair into Evil, and then he argues with Red Shoes. Red Shoes tells Dick & Fale to go back, but then Tanahashi and Evil each grab the chair! The fans rally as Tanahashi takes the chair from Evil! He lets Red Shoes take it, Red Shoes hands it back to Dick, but Evil uses POCKET SAND!! It really was all a ruse!! And then Evil SHOVES Tanahashi into Red Shoes! Red Shoes falls, and what good will Evil had regained is all gone! Evil, Dick & Fale mug Tanahashi while the fans boo!

Evil tells the fans to shut up, then he and Fale set Tanahashi up! Dick is up top, and he DICK CHOPS! Evil laughs at how he tricked all the fans, and then Fale grabs Tanahashi for a GRENADE! Evil calls to Red Shoes, Red Shoes returns, having no idea what happened, and then EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Cover, EVIL WINS!

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

Treachery! Travesty! Tragedy! Catastrophe! All that and more as Evil pulled off a masterful scheme to end Tanahashi’s final G1 in disappointment and anger! Furthermore, Evil has secured a playoff berth in A Block! The only question now is, will Evil go in as the number one seed? Or can justice still be served in the end?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Yuya Uemura VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!

The Heat Storm got the hot hand at just the right time to be leading this block, but he still has to win if he wants to advance! Will Yuya rise like the sun? Or will the G1 playoffs need The Rebel?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Red Shoes assesses it is perhaps 60-40 in Finlay’s favor. The two circle, they feel things out, then hand fight for the clinch. Finlay avoids a leg pick, Yuya rolls, and Yuya tries to use his leg guard against Finlay. Finlay has Yuya’s leg, spins him around, but Yuya stands. The fans applaud as the two reset. They tie up again and Finlay has an arm right away. Finlay wrenches, wristlocks, but Yuya spins and wrenches back. Finlay rolls, Yuya wrangles him, but Finlay fights up to his feet. Finlay rolls but so does Yuya! The fans applaud, and Yuya wrangles Finlay with an arm-drag.

Yuya armlocks, Finlay fights up, and Finlay whips, only for Yuya to reverse. Yuya dodges a lariat and he arm-drags again! The fans applaud but Finlay is annoyed. Finlay fights up, pulls Yuya’s hair and throws him outside, only for Yuya to drag Finlay out with him! Yuya still holds onto the armlock but Finlay pulls Yuya’s hair again. Finlay fires forearms, then whips Yuya, only for Yuya to stop short of the railing. Finlay runs up but Yuya dodges, and Finlay CRASHES into railing! And Yuya is back on the arm! The fans rally as Yuya grinds the shoulder, but Finlay CLAWS Yuya’s eyes! Finlay shoves Yuya into railing, then into the ring.

Finlay storms up on Yuya, but Yuya arm-drags for the armlock! Gedo is mad and tells Finlay to get this guy. Finlay says he’s trying! Finlay stands, he stomps Yuya’s foot, then he ROCKS and whips Yuya to a corner. Yuya goes up but Finlay throws him over to the apron. Yuya blocks a shot to ROCK Finlay, but then Finlay BLASTS Yuya off the apron! Yuya hits the railing and almost topples the timekeeper! Finlay storms out to stomp Yuya, and he talks trash before letting off. The fans rally, Finlay drags Yuya up and puts him in the ring. Finlay covers, ONE!! Yuya toughs it out but Finlay clamps onto him with DOUBLE SHOULDER CLAWS!

Finlay then shifts to a neck wrench, but he smothers Yuya! Red Shoes reprimands, so Finlay ELBOWS Yuya in the head. Finlay then whips Yuya hard into the corner! Yuya falls right to the mat and writhes. Finlay grins as he covers, TWO! Finlay clamps onto Yuya with a chinlock, and he almost has a Bully Choke. Yuya endures, fights around, and Red Shoes checks. Yuya’s foot is just short of the ropebreak, and Finlay turns Yuya away to block his path. Yuya still endures, still fights around, but then Finlay traps an arm. Yuya kicks and finally has the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud, and Finlay lets go, only to grind Yuya’s head into the mat!

Red Shoes reprimands, Finlay backs off, and Yuya goes to a corner. Finlay heads over, drags Yuya up, but Yuya ROCKS Finlay! Finlay eggs Yuya on, so Yuya ROCKS Finlay! And ROCKS him again! Finlay throat chops! Finlay whips, but Yuya goes up to CROSSBODY! Very Tanahashi of the Heat Storm and the fans applaud. Finlay and Yuya are both down, but they go to ropes. Yuya rises up while Finlay goes to a corner. Yuya runs up and ELBOWS Finlay! And arm-drags! And DROPKICKS! The fans fire up with Yuya and he aims from the corner. Yuya runs corner to corner, and he SPLASHES! Then he reels Finlay in, but Finlay blocks the lift.

Finlay goes to run, Yuya reels him in an back suplexes! Finlay lands out and he back suplexes, only for Yuya to land out! Yuya reels Finlay back in and hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Finlay toughs it out and the fans rally up. Yuya storms up but Finlay fires body shots! Finlay ROCKS Yuya, whips, but Yuya reverses to arm-drag and ARM WRINGER! Then he goes for the KIMURA! Finlay scrambles and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans rally up as Yuya lets go. Yuya drags Finlay up, full nelsons, but Finlay fires elbows! Yuya goes to ropes, Finlay runs in, but Yuya BOOTS him away! Finlay comes back and LARIATS Yuya and himself up and out of the ring!

The fans fire up while both men are down on the floor. Finlay sits up and Gedo applauds. Finlay stands, opens the gate, and he drags Yuya back up. Finlay brings Yuya through the gate, and reels him in for a POST BOMB!! Yuya writhes while the fans are torn, but Finlay Too Sweets with Taiji Ishimori on commentary and with Gedo at ringside. Red Shoes reprimands, but Finlay says that was a hell of a move by him. The fans rally up while Red Shoes checks Yuya, and Yuya is somehow still in this. The ring count starts and Finlay lounges in a corner. Yuya sits up at 7 of 20, crawls at 9, but he’s still down at 15! Yuya manages to rise up at 17 and roll in at 18!

The fans applaud but Finlay is right on Yuya. Finlay suplexes to BROKEN ARROW! Finlay flexes while he soaks up cheers and jeers, then he covers, TWO! The fans rally up, Finlay talks smack on Yuya, then drags him up. Finlay eggs Yuya on, so Yuya ROCKS him with a forearm! Finlay nods and comes back, but Yuya ROCKS him again! Yuya swings but into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Yuya toughs it out but Finlay says he’ll get Yuya counted out! He doesn’t need to pin to win! Finlay reels Yuya in, Yuya resists the lift, but Finlay powers through! Finlay then runs for the ropes, only for Yuya to RANA Finlay outta the ring!

The fans fire up and Gedo is upset, but Yuya leaves Finlay behind now while the ring count starts. Finlay stirs at 4 of 20, pushes up, but Yuya goes out to then climb the corner?! The fans fire up as Yuya SUPER CROSSBODIES! Down goes Finlay and the fans cheer! Gedo tells Red Shoes to do his job, so the ring count starts on both men. Yuya rises at 4 of 20, then stands at 7. Yuya fires up and the fans fire up with him. Yuya storms over to Finlay at 11, puts him in at 12, and the fans applaud again. Yuya rolls in and clamps onto the arm! Finlay fights the Kimura, but Yuya hits a wristlock takeover! Finlay clasps hands to fight against the double wristlock, so Yuya shifts to an ARMBAR!

Finlay bridges to alleviate pressure, then he fights around, ROPEBREAK! Gedo shouts for the break as Yuya still tries the Disarmer. Yuya lets go as Red Shoes counts. Yuya then waistlocks, but Finlay fires elbows. Yuya tries the full nelson, Finlay drops down, but Yuya makes it a stack cover! TWO and Yuya goes for the full nelson again. Finlay breaks the nelson, but ends up in a waistlock! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Finlay stays in this but Yuya stays on Finlay with the waistlock. And then he moves up to a full nelson! Finlay slips around to lift, BACKBREAKER! Both men are down and the fans rally up.

Finlay drags Yuya up, reels him in, and gut wrenches to the Canadian Rack! CANADIAN HAMMER! Cover, TWO! Gedo protests the count but the fans fire up. Finlay grows frustrated and paces around. Finlay slashes his throat, vowing to end this! He drags Yuya up, OVER- NO! Yuya blocks the knee, and he DRAGON SCREWS! Finlay staggers, comes back, but kicks into another DRAGON SCREW! Finlay staggers up, into an arm-drag! ARMBAR! Finlay bridges again, fights around, and Gedo coaches him on! Finlay reaches out, Yuya pulls him back, so Finlay tries the other way! Even Taiji coaches Finlay from commentary!

Yuya drags Finlay back to center for the ARMBAR!! Finlay flails, fights the hold, clasps hands, and he powers his way to a stack! TWO, but Yuya shifts around! DISARMER!! Finlay endures the mounted armbar and the fans rally even harder! Yuya pulls on the arm, Finlay fights forward, but Yuya drags him away again! Yuya puts all he can into the armbar but Finlay kicks around! Yuya traps that arm to go after the other arm! Yuya has the cording hold, but Finlay refuses to give in! Yuya pulls on the arm, Finlay kicks around, but Yuya has a leg, too! A very ZSJ looking stretch, but Finlay pops free! ROPEBREAK!!

The fans applaud both the technical prowess of Yuya but also the sheer grit of Finlay. Finlay clutches his arm while Yuya stands up. The fans rally again, and Yuya stands Finlay up. Finlay fights against the underhooks but Yuya still clamps them on! Finlay fights the lift now, Gedo coaches Finlay on, but Yuya powers up to BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Finlay is still in this, but he clutches his arm. The fans rally, Yuya fires up, and we 20 minutes. Yuya cording holds, swings Finlay around, but Finlay fires forearms! Finlay shoves Yuya, then POP-UP POWERBOMBS! Finlay hurries to reel Yuya back in, POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up but Finlay hauls Yuya right up, INTO OBLIVION! Cover, TWO!! Yuya survives and the fans are thunderous! Gedo protests but Red Shoes defends his count. Finlay rises up, Gedo says to finish this! Finlay uses the ropes to help yank his arm back into shape. Finlay then drags Yuya up, suplexes, OVER- CRADLE!! TWO!! Finlay escapes, but Yuya slips around, DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Finlay escapes again, but Yuya hurries right up the corner! Gedo freaks out but Yuya FROG SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives and Yuya roars! The fans are thunderous as Yuya drags Finlay up.

Yuya again has a cording hold, and he again swings Finlay, only for Finlay to LARIAT! Yuya stays up so Finlay LARIATS and LARIATS, and- Cording hold! DEABO- NO, Finlay BITES Yuya’s ear!! The fans are torn but Finlay ROCKS Yuya! Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Finlay ROLLING ELBOWS! Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS, DOUBLE CHOPS, and DOUBLE CHOPS! Then ENZIGIRI! Finlay staggers, into a backslide! Finlay rolls through, but Yuya has the cording hold! Finlay HEADBUTTS! Yuya HEADBUTTS! The HEADBUTTS keep going and Finlay has the edge! Then butterfly KNEE!! And then OVERKILL!! Cover, FINLAY WINS!

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

The Heat Storm has been extinguished! This loss brings him down to 5-4, while Finlay moves up to 5-4, giving Finlay the tiebreaker! Furthermore, because Yota Tsuji is 5-4 and he also defeated Yuya in the rounds, YOTA TSUJI advances! Yuya was so close and yet still so far from making the playoffs, how much harder must he fight to make it in next year?

As for Finlay, he grabs the mic to say, “Well, what’d I tell you guys? Hey, Yuya. You put up a good fight, but as long as I’m your roadblock, you will never get through me. Better luck next year, baby boy. Here’s the thing. My body is broken, it’s beaten, it’s tired, but that is not enough to keep the Rebel down!” The fans applaud that. Finlay adds that he pulled off the greatest comeback in G1 Climax history, just like he said he would! This is the year that Finlay makes history. This is the year that Finlay wins it all! This is the year the Savage King takes his crown! The fans applaud again, and Gedo is handed the mic.

Gedo basically translates what Finlay said into Japanese, wishing Yuya better luck next time, but pointing out that Yuya just can’t beat The Savage King. Gedo then tells the crowd that indeed, The Savage King will have it all! Who’s gonna beat Finlay in this G1? He is number one! “The Savage King is taking the eff over everything! I need the Rebel! NJPW needs the Rebel! And the world… needs the Rebel!” Finlay throws up the Too Sweet after Gedo’s mic drop, but he still has a long road ahead of him. Evil gets the first-round-bye, and we still need to see who B Block is sending. But will Finlay pull off the historic trifecta of New Japan Cup, G1 Climax, and the main event of WrestleKingdom?

Here are the FINAL A Block standings!

Evil: 6-3, 12 points [FINALIST, A1]
David Finlay: 5-4, 10 points [FINALIST, A2]
Yota Tsuji: 5-4, 10 points [FINALIST, A3]
Yuya Uemura: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
Boltin Oleg: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Callum: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Sanada: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryohei Oiwa: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Taichi: 3-6, 6 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

A great final round for A Block, but with some fairly clear outcomes. Taichi was already eliminated so it’s not like losing to Oleg hurt him. Of course Sanada cheated Oiwa, though he maybe went one step more than he needed. Why fake the Smash Hit if it wasn’t going to work out? And then it works out that the three finalists won their matches, but I wish there was at least one case where someone loses but still advances because someone else also lost. Tanahashi losing was maybe the one shock, but that speaks to him being selfless so that he doesn’t take a spot from someone. But even then, this was his last G1, I feel like everyone would’ve been okay if he at least advanced as A3.

Evil getting the first round bye for his win over Tanahashi is fitting, at least. It is a perfect Heel move to have that privilege and come in fresh against his opponent. Can’t wait to see who takes B Block to make our “wild card” round.

My Score: 8.9/10