Who is truly the alpha?

G1 Climax 35 ends league play as B Block enters round 9! Who will advance as the top three? And who will have a first-round-bye in the playoffs?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current B Block standings!

Zack Sabre Jr: 6-2, 12 points [CLINCHED PLAYOFF BERTH]
Shota Umino: 5-3, 10 points
Ren Narita: 5-3, 10 points
Konosuke Takeshita: 5-3, 10 points
Drilla Moloney: 4-4, 8 points
Great-O-Khan: 4-4, 8 points
Shingo Takagi: 4-4, 6 points
Yoshi-Hashi: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
El Phantasmo: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Gabe Kidd: 0 points [WITHDRAWN]

G1 Climax 35 B Block: Shingo Takagi VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!

The Rampaging Dragon was slain by 44 Caliber in Osaka, but got his revenge in the New Japan Cup. This tiebreaker is even bigger now, because the man who wins is the man who stays alive in the block! Will Takagi continue to soar in the G1? Or will Drilla be number one with a bullet?

The bell rings and the two rush up! Takagi dodges, Drilla dodges, then Drilla knees low. Drilla headlocks, Takagi powers up and out, but Drilla RAMS Takagi! Takagi rebounds to RAM Drilla! Drilla rebounds and RAMS Takagi! They both roar, both run, and they RAM, RAM, and RAM again! The fans fire up as the two stare down. Takagi fires a forearm, Drilla fires back, and the fans rally up with “OI! OI! OI” as the shots keep going! Then it becomes a duel of “OI!” and barking! “OI! RUFF! OI! RUFF!” Takagi fires off boxing elbows, but Drilla CHOPS! Drilla whips, Takagi reverses, and Takagi runs in. Takagi blocks a boot to LARIAT through!

Takagi fires the fans up with, “SA IKO KA! <I’m the best!>” But then Drilla puts Takagi in the corner! Drilla fires the fans up, “SA IKO KA!” Drilla then CHOPS and ROCKS Takagi on repeat! Then he tops it off with a CHOP! The fans fire up, Drilla runs, but Takagi ELBOWS! Takagi runs, Drilla hurdles, then Drilla drops down to DROPKICK! Takagi bails out while the fans cheer. Drilla hurries out the side, storms upon Takagi, but Takagi kicks low! Takagi SMACKS Drilla off the apron! Drilla just growls and SMACKS Takagi off the apron! Takagi whips Drilla into railing and Drilla drops to his knees! The ref reprimands but Takagi brushes him off.

Takagi then brings Drilla up to whip, but Drilla reverses! Takagi hits railing, and he stumbles through the gate. Drilla storms after Takagi, he and Takagi trade HEADBUTTS back and forth! Then Takagi ELBOWS Drilla! Fans move aside and Takagi SMACKS Drilla off a chair! But Drilla fires a body shot, then he SMACKS Takagi off a chair! The fans rally but the ref reprimands, so Drilla brings Takagi back to ringside. Takagi POSTS Drilla! The fans rally behind Takagi as he drags Drilla up. Drilla fights the suplex, then he suplexes Takagi to the floor! The fans cheer while both men are down. Drilla fires up as the ring count starts.

Drilla hobbles over to Takagi, puts him in the ring at 7 of 20, and the fans applaud. Drilla slides in, aims from a corner, and he watches Takagi rise. Drilla runs in, but into an ELBOW! Drilla GAMANGIRIS in return! Drilla reels Takagi in, but Takagi BACKDROPS free! The fans rally and Takagi runs, but Drilla BOOTS him! Drilla runs, but into an ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint, and Takagi stands Drilla up for another JAB! Then YUKON LARIAT! The fans cheer and Takagi waits on Drilla. Drilla goes to a corner, Takagi runs in and LARIATS! Takagi puts Drilla up top, climbs up to join him, and goes to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!

Takagi rolls through, and he lifts. Drilla fights it, Takagi TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Takagi shouts to Hamamatsu, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as Takagi’s time has come! Takagi brings Drilla up, pump handles, but Drilla fights with elbows. Takagi RIDGE HANDS again and again! Takagi runs, but Drilla SWATS the lariat! Takagi spins through to YUKON LARIAT! Drilla stays up and grits his teeth! Drilla eggs Takagi on so Takagi fires forearm after forearm! Drilla SUPERKICKS! The fans fire up and Drilla runs, but Takagi LARIATS at the ropes! Takagi runs but Drilla SPINEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up, and Drilla tells Hamamatsu, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up and bark along with Drilla! Drilla goes to a corner, he climbs up, and KOJI ELBOWS! The fans fire up again and Drilla vows to end it here! Drilla drags Takagi up, Takagi fights the lift, so Drilla CHOPS him on the back! Drilla says this is for the Mad Man! Drilla runs, COMEBACK- NO, Takagi SWATS that lariat, BLINDSIDE LARAITS, then fireman’s carries for a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The fans fire up again as Takagi crawls to Drilla. Takagi says he’s a Mad Man, too! Takagi fires off boxing elbows, but then Drilla ROCKS him!

Drilla reels Takagi in, and pump handles?! Takagi fires elbows, Drilla fires knees, then Drilla torture racks! But Takagi slips free, half nelsons, and SNAP MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!! Drilla survives and the fans are thunderous! Takagi brings Drilla back up, but he ducks Drilla’s enzigiri! BLINDSIDE SLIDING LARIAT! Takagi stands Drilla up again, pump handle and torture rack, but Drilla slips free! Reverse suplex to the shoulder rack! DRILLA- NO, Takagi lands out! SLIDING- NO, Drilla rolls through it! PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! Takagi survives another shoutout to Gabe Kidd and the fans are thunderous!

We hit 20 minutes, so time is of the essence! Drilla and Takagi rise as the fans rally up. Drilla goes to a corner, he feeds off that energy, and he aims at Takagi. GORE is blocked! Takagi fires knees, then an ELBOW! JAB! YUKON- NO, Drilla BOOTS it! Drilla runs, GORE!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives again but Drilla hurries to haul Takagi up! Takagi fights the gut wrench lift! The fans rally and duel, Takagi CLUBS away on a leg, then he fires forearms! Drilla fires back and the fans rally again. Drilal ROCKS Takagi, but Takagi JABS, JABS, HEADBUTTS, and SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, ONE?!?!? Drilla falls over right after but he’s still in this!

The fans fire up again as Takagi hauls Drilla up. But Drilla scoops! Takagi slips free to scoop Drilla! Fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! And then PUMPING BOMBER!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Drilla survives and the fans are thunderous again! Takagi roars, shakes out his arm, and he stands Drilla up. Pump handle, torture rack, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!!! Cover, Takagi wins!!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Drilla earns 0)

An intense battle worthy of the Summer heat, and in the end, the Rampaging Dragon rises! Drilla is out, but will Takagi still have his outside shot? Or will someone else take a top spot in the block?

G1 Climax 35 B Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS Zack Sabre Jr!

The Headhunter is out of the running while The Front Man is guaranteed a spot in the top three, but don’t write this match off as filler! Hashi could still jump to the front of the line if he beats THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Will Hashi #TurnItAllAround in the bottom of the ninth? Or will he #JustTapOut?

The bell rings and the two run up! ZSJ BOOTS Hashi but Hashi comes back with a forearm! ZSJ returns fire, they go back and forth, then Hashi CHOPS! The fans cheer and Hashi whips corner to corner. ZSJ goes up, comes back, but Hashi CHOPS again! ZSJ hobbles to a corner but Hashi is right on him with another CHOP! And another CHOP! And another CHOP! ZSJ sits down, the fans rally up, and Hashi stands ZSJ up. Hashi CHOPS again, then CHOPS again! Hashi CHOPS but ZSJ blocks to wrench and UPPERCUT the arm! Then he catches the other arm to wrench and PELE! ZSJ snapmares Hashi, then NECK TWISTS!

The fans applaud while Hashi writhes, and ZSJ brings Hashi around by a leg. ZSJ ties the legs up, then fishhooks Hashi’s face. ZSJ moves up to have a neck wrench, but he then makes it a half straitjacket, and then a straitjacket headscissors combo! Hashi endures, reaches out with his free arm, and kicks his way over. ZSJ reaches back to grab  a leg! Hashi endures, tips over, and gets the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets Hashi go to stand him up. ZSJ UPPERCUTS Hashi to a corner, and Hashi slumps down. The fans rally, ZSJ drags Hashi up and UPPERCUTS him again! And UPPERCUTS again! Hashi drops to a knee and the fans rally again.

ZSJ scuffs Hashi, eggs him on, then kicks at him. Hashi CHOPS, but ZSJ picks a leg! ZSJ trips Hashi to stomp him! The fans rally while Hashi sputters. ZSJ stands on Hashi’s arm and leg, then grabs the other arm. ZSJ bends the fingers, twists the wrist, and then pushes the arm down so he can STOMP the hand! Hashi grabs the ropes, ZSJ steps off, and the fans rally again. ZSJ kicks at Hashi, eggs him on, and Hashi stands. Hashi fires a forearm, then another forearm, then another. ZSJ BOOTS Hashi, whips, but Hashi dropkicks the legs out! The fans cheer while both men are down! ZSJ shakes out the leg while he and Hashi go to corners.

Hashi runs up on ZSJ to ELBOW him! Hashi then whips, ROCKS, and CHOPS ZSJ! ZSJ fights the neckbreaker, runs, but Hashi dodges! Hashi returns to BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up while ZSJ and Hashi go to ropes. Hashi runs up to CHOP again! Hashi suplexes ZSJ up, hangs him out to dry, then runs to DROPKICK ZSJ down! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud and Hashi rises up. Hashi eggs ZSJ on now, and ZSJ stands. Hashi CHOPS, but ZSJ eggs him on! Hashi CHOPS again, ZSJ pie faces him, so Hashi CHOPS ZSJ down! ZSJ goes to the apron and Hashi storms over. Hashi drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ fights the suplex!

ZSJ pushes Hashi, Hashi runs back up, but ZSJ catches him for a HANGING ARMBAR! The ref counts, ZSJ lets go and drags Hashi to the outside. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, then he whips Hashi hard into railing! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again, then brings Hashi around, but Hashi suplexes! HEADBUSTER to the floor! The fans fire up while the ref checks ZSJ. ZSJ is able to continue, so the ref wants this in the ring. Hashi fires up, the fans are with him, and the ring count begins. Hashi drags ZSJ up, puts him in the ring at 6 of 20, then Hashi climbs the corner! ZSJ stands, staggers, and Hashi FLYING BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as ZSJ stays in this. Hashi brings ZSJ up, hooks a leg, KUMA- NO, ZSJ fights free to go for an arm! Hashi rolls free but ZSJ goes for the other arm! ZSJ wrangles Hashi into a FUJIWARA ARMBAR, then he traps the arm in leg scissors. ZSJ grabs the other arm, has a modified Rings of Saturn, but Hashi still fights! ZSJ bends the arms, but Hashi’s leg has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Hashi survives by a literal foot! ZSJ hobbles, but he drags Hashi up to facelock. Hashi fights the scoop, CLUBS ZSJ until he’s free, but then ZSJ UPPERCUTS! And PENALTY KICKS! ZSJ fires up and the fans are with him!

ZSJ lifts Hashi, scoops, but Hashi REVERSE DDTS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! The fans duel between “ZAKU! ZAKU!” and “YOSHI-H’SHI! YOSHI-H’SHI!” Hashi roars, runs, but ZSJ BOOTS! Hashi CHOPS, but ZSJ blocks the arm to wrench, only for Hashi to SOUTHPAW LARIAT! The fans fire up and Hashi full nelsons! Pump handle, KARM- NO, ZSJ slips free, but Hashi ducks a kick! Pump handle and facelock, KARMA GTR! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Hashi, he brings ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops, SABRE DRIVER!! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! ZSJ catches his breath before standing back up.

ZSJ hobbles his way over, PENALTY- NO, Hashi blocks! ZSJ SLAPS, SLAPS, and SLAPS! But Hashi LARIATS ZSJ inside-out! Hashi shouts out Goto by powering up his ki! Hashi aims, SUPERKICK! Hashi drags ZSJ in, fisherman and KUMAGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! ZSJ survives and flounders away but the fans rally for Hashi! Hashi runs corner to corner and LARIATS! Hashi shoves ZSJ down and fires up again! The fans cheer as Hashi climbs a corner. SWANTON FLOP as ZSJ moves! ZSJ jumps on Hashi for a TRIANGLE HOLD! Hashi endures and the fans rally up, but ZSJ shifts to omoplata an arm!

ZSJ keeps Hashi’s head down while also grabbing the other arm! CLARKY CAT! Hashi endures, fights around, but ZSJ stays between him and the ropes! Hashi shifts the angle to have the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Hashi finds a way to survive! ZSJ drags Hashi around to STOMP the arm! Then PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives again and the fans fire up! ZSJ paces, then he drags Hashi up. ZSJ hooks a leg, scoops, but Hashi slips free! Dragon sleeper! But ZSJ has the somersault clutch! TWO, and Hashi fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Ghost pin, TWO!! ZSJ escapes but Hashi SUPERKICKS!

The fans fire up as Hashi puts ZSJ in the drop zone! Hashi climbs again, and SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives again but the fans are thunderous! Hashi feeds off the energy, brings ZSJ around, full nelson, pump handle, but ZSJ slips free! SLEEPER! Hashi snapmares free, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! The fans rally, ZSJ drags Hashi up to UPPERCUT, UPPERCUT, and UPPERCUT! ZSJ SLAPS away on Hashi but Hashi returns fire! Then ARMBAR TAKEDOWN from Hashi! ZSJ fights around, has a leg, but Hashi pulls on the arm! ZSJ slips through to ARMBAR, but Hashi high stacks! ZSJ wrangles Hashi again, but Hashi covers, TWO!!

ZSJ has the omoplata! RINGS OF SATURN! Hashi endures, the fans rally, and Hashi powers up! Hashi crawls with just his legs, and he powers out of the hold, only for ZSJ to bring him around! DISARMER! DOUBLE ARMBAR!! Hashi kicks, but ZSJ shifts again, DOUBLE ARM SCISSOR!! HASHI QUITS, ZSJ WINS!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission (gains 2 points; Hashi earns 0)

The Headhunter had nothing to lose and everything to gain and it showed by how hard he fought! But in the end, he could not overcome THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Zack solidifies his spot atop the block and secures that first round bye, but who will join him in the playoffs?

G1 Climax 35 B Block: Shota Umino VS Great-O-Khan!

The Roughneck lost to The Dominator back in February, but that was the new beginning for the Reiwa Musketeer. Will Shota cap off his Second Chapter by avenging his loss and advancing to the playoffs? Or will the Eliminator truly live up to its name?

The bell rings and the two run up! Shota sunset flips, TWO! Khan sits on the cover, TWO! Shota sunsets, TWO! Khan sits, TWO! Repeat, and then Khan rolls through to high stack! TWO, Shota has the sunset, TWO! Both men stand, and Khan LARIATS Shota inside-out! Khan hurries to HITSUJIGOROSHI, right into the FLATLINER! Then IRON CLAW, and- NO, Shota breaks free and bails out! The fans fire up for that fast ‘n’ furious opening exchange! Khan storms out after Shota, but Shota KNEES low, CLUBS away on his back, then kicks Khan. But Khan RAMS Shota into the railing! Khan brings Shota around to Mongolian Chop!

The fans rally, Khan Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian feints to UPPERCUT! Shota staggers away but Khan follows. The fans rally, Khan whips Shota into railing, but Shota comes back! Only for Khan to SAYANAGI to the floor! Khan tells fans to move aside?! The fans oblige, and Khan drags Shota up. Red Shoes wants this in the ring but Khan scoops Shota to SLAM him on the railing! Shota flops onto the open chairs and Khan hurries after him. Khan drags Shota up, then BOWLS him into the chairs! STRIKE! Shota is down, the ring count starts, but Khan looms over Shota. The count hits 10 of 20 but Khan drags Shota back up.

Khan TOSSES Shota to ringside, then hurries back over the railing. Khan puts Shota in at 18 and the fans applaud. Khan covers but Red Shoes refuses, all those shenanigans was too much. Khan argues with Red Shoes, then stalks Shota to the ropes. Khan drags Shota up by his hair, brings him around, and KNEES him low. And KNEES him again! Khan KNEES a third time, then whips, standing fireman’s carry takeover! KATAGATAME! Shota flails and fights to his feet, but Khan gives him an URENAGE! Khan keeps on the Head ‘n’ Arm Triangle but Shota still endures. Khan leans on the hold, squeezes tight, but Shota refuses to give in!

The fans rally, Khan puts on more pressure, but Shota kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Khan lets Shota go, but then underhooks to BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Shota toughs it out but Khan clamps on with the IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Shota endures, grabs at the claw and at Khan’s head. Shota stands, but into a BACKBREAKER! Then the COBRA TWIST, with IRON CLAW! The fans rally as Shota again endures! Shota reaches out, but Khan drags him into a Bow ‘n’ Arrow Rack! Shota endures the stretch, but Khan swings for the SIDE BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Shota survives again and the fans rally up.

Khan grows frustrated, but he drags Shota up. Shota is a ragdoll but Khan still makes him stand. Khan reels Shota in, scoops, but Shota slips free! Shota then wrenches Khan to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Khan goes to a corner while Shota huffs ‘n’ puffs at center. Shota rises, the fans rally, and Shota runs in at the corner! STRIKE KNEE! Khan slumps down, Shota fires up again, and he runs for another STRIKE KNEE! Shota then hoists Khan to the top rope! Shota climbs, the fans rally, and Shota SUPERPLEXES! Khan flounders, Shota covers, TWO! Khan survives and the fans rally again.

Shota grits his teeth, drags Khan back up, and reels Khan in, only for Khan to fight the lift! Shota KNEES Khan, KNEES him again, and KNEES him again! But still Khan fights the lift! Khan BACKDROPS free, the fans rally up, but Shota runs up, into the IRON CLAW! Shota breaks free, he ROCKS Khan, but Khan scoops! T T D! Both men are down and the fans rally up again! Shota and Khan crawl, and Khan rises up at the ropes. The fans rally even harder, and the two run up! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, Khan drops to a knee! Shota fires boxing elbows, then ROCKS Khan on the fifth! Shota stands Khan up but Khan Mongolian Chops, then CHOPS, then UPPERCUTS!

Shota wobbles, but he ducks the haymaker to HEADBUTT and ENZIGIRI! Shota aims from a corner, STRIKE- IRON RIGHT!! Cover, ONE?!?! Khan is up, Shota LARIATS!! Cover, ONE!!! Both men stand, both men roar, and they run! Shota dodges, but the SUPERMAN IRON RIGHT finds Shota! Cover, TWO!! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Khan rises, and his Monster Rage boils over! The fans cheer and Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan drags Shota up, ELIMIN- NO, Shota knees free! And then STRIKE KNEES!! Shota isn’t done there, he reels Khan in and POWERBOMBS! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Khan survives and Shota powers up! Shota runs, to LARIAT!! Shota roars, the fans cheer, and Shota reels Khan back in. Hook the leg and SECOND- NO, Khan counters to PANCAKE PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Shota runs up, into an ELIMINATOR!! Cover, TWO!! Khan drags Shota right up, and he goes again! ELIMI- NO, Shota slips free, hooks a leg, and SECOND CHAPTER!! Cover, Shota wins!

Winner: Shota Umino, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Khan earns 0)

The Second Chapter continues, and it now adds defeating The Dominator as a highlight! Shota has punched his ticket to the playoffs, but will he be second or third seed in the brackets? The main event will decide it all!

G1 Climax 35 B Block: Ren Narita VS Konosuke Takeshita w/ Rocky Romero!

The Souled Out Son of Strong Style has cheated opponent after opponent while The Alpha has simply given his all. It is a classic “Win and you’re in” scenario here, but will Ren and the House of Torture stack the deck once again? Or will Konosuke make the playoffs all elite?

Ren distracts Red Shoes during Konosuke’s entrance, and this lets Dick Togo & Don Fale attack! They already helped Evil make it to the playoffs, so now they’re helping Ren! The fans boo but Dick mugs Rocky while Fale LARIATS Konosuke through railing! The Alpha falls onto the laps of some gentlemen, and they help Konosuke back up. Fale & Dick leave Konosuke & Rocky down on the ramp, and Red Shoes finally sees what happened. Red Shoes checks on Konosuke, and Konosuke is able to continue. Ren grins and says the ref should just call it, but the fans rally for “TAKESHITA! TAKESHITA!”

Konosuke rises, takes off his jacket, and he storms into the ring! The fans fire up as the bell rings, and the brawl is on! Konosuke ROCKS Ren, Ren CLAWS Konosuke’s eyes, but Konosuke fires boxing elbows! Konosuke runs, but into a BOOT! Ren stalks Konosuke to the apron, waistlocks, but Konosuke ELBOWS free! Then he hops down to SWEEP the legs! And DRAPING DDT to the floor! The fans cheer as Konosuke rises up. Konosuke puts Ren in the ring, Ren scrambles to a corner, and Konosuke runs corner to corner to HELLUVA KICK! The fans fire up with Konosuke, and he fires off forearm after forearm! Red Shoes counts but Konosuke sits Ren down for KNEE after KNEE!

Red Shoes has Konosuke back down and Ren bails out of the ring. Ren staggers away, and into the crowd! Konosuke pursues and the fans cheer. They go to the back rows, Konosuke CLUBS Ren on the neck, then he brings Ren around to BOWL into chairs! STRIKE! The fans applaud as Konosuke drags Ren up. Red Shoes, Dick and Fale have all followed after, and Ren grabs at Red Shoes! This is another distraction so Dick & Fale can mug Konosuke! The fans boo but the House beats Konosuke down. Ren drags Konosuke up, birngs him back to ringside, SMACKS him off a chair, and more fans have to move!

Ren leaves Konosuke behind so he can bring out folding chairs! Ren puts one chair on Konosuke’s leg, then aims with the other! CON-CHAIR-TO to the leg! Konosuke writhes and the fans boo but Ren leaves Konosuke behind. Konosuke slowly rises, Rocky coaches him up, and the fans applaud. Konosuke hobbles his way back to ringside, he rolls into the ring, but Ren stomps him down! The fans rally for Konosuke but Ren CLAWS Konosuke’s eyes! Ren sits Konosuke down in a corner, then grabs the bad leg! Ren SLAMS it into the post again and again and again! Konosuke flops to the floor but Ren SMASHES the knee!

Ren leaves Konosuke behind again and the ring count begins. Konosuke clutches his leg but Rocky coaches him up. Konosuke sits up at 8 of 20, rises up with help of railing, and hobbles into the ring at 15. Ren pushes Konosuke to a cover, TWO! Ren grabs the leg, drags Konosuke around, and he drops an elbow on the knee! Ren pulls on the toehold but Konosuke endures. Konosuke fights back with a chinlock, but Ren digs his elbow into the knee! Ren shifts the angle on the toehold, but Konosuke turns over. Ren drags Konosuke to another corner! Ren bends the leg against the post! Red Shoes counts, Ren stops at 4, but then goes right back for the leg!

Red Shoes counts again, Ren again stops at 4, and Ren steps back inside to bring Konosuke up. Ren clinches to BLIZZARD PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! KNEEBAR! Konosuke endures as Ren has the leg! The fans rally, Konosuke rolls, and rolls, and he has the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud but Ren holds on. Red Shoes counts, Ren stops at 4, and Ren looms over Konosuke. Ren drags Konosuke up, but Konosuke fires a forearm! The bad leg makes it hard to put power into it, and Ren grins. Ren taunts Konosuke, Konosuke fires another forearm, but there’s still not much to it. Ren still eggs Konosuke on, so Konosuke winds up, and he DECKS Ren!

But Ren kicks the bad leg out! Ren let that hit knock him down so he could get this GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Konosuke is stuck in the body scissors, but he still fights up off the mat! The fans rally, Konosuke powers through, and he suplexes Ren for a BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Rocky and the fans rally behind Konosuke as he rises up. Ren is in the corner, Konosuke runs in, but the leg slows him down! Konosuke just barely manages a forearm, but he adds more. Konosuke puts Ren up top, then climbs up after him! The fans continue to rally, and Konosuke hits a SUPERPLEX! Ren flounders, Konosuke crawls over, TWO!

The fans cheer Konosuke on as he stands again. Konosuke drags Ren up, reels him in, but Ren fights the back suplex. Ren fires elbows, then has the leg! SHIN- NO, Konosuke KNEES Ren in the face! Then Konosuke brings Ren around, DDT! The fans rally as Konosuke is right back up! Konosuke goes to a corner, but Dick distracts Red Shoes while Fale goes after Konosuke! The fans boo, but then Rocky goes after Fale! Rocky throws hands, but they really only annoy Fale. Fale SHOVES Rocky right into commentary! The fans boo but Azucar is down! Konosuke is on the apron, he swings on Ren, but Ren catches him for a SLEEPER!

Ren then shifts to a ROPE COBRA TWIST! Red Shoes counts, Ren lets go at 4, and Konosuke slumps down to the apron. Ren drags Konosuke in, stands him up, then runs. Konosuke swings, Ren ducks and flips around to sunset flip! KNEEBAR!! Konosuke endures again as Ren pulls on the leg! The fans rally as Konosuke claws at Ren. Konosuke rises up, deadlifts Ren and GERMAN SUPLEXES! The fans fire up as Ren is dazed! Konosuke drags Ren up, suplexes, but Ren slips free! And he kicks the leg out! Ren runs, but into a LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Konosuke uses the ropes to rise up, and he goes back to Ren.

The fans rally as Konosuke waistlocks again. Ren fights the lift, switches, and then shoves Konosuke into Red Shoes! Red Shoes is down! Ren CLAWS Konosuke’s eyes, then whips him into a CHAIRSHOT from Fale! Then Dick storms in and CHOKES Konosuke with the Spoiler Choker! The fans boo, but Konosuke rises up! Konosuke fights off the choker to THROW Dick away! Rocky runs in and UPPERCUTS Dick! The fans fire up and Rocky DIVES! Down goes Dick! But Ren has his pushup bar! But Konosuke ducks it, and ALPHA ELBOWS! Ren falls out, Fale gets up, but Konosuke KNEES him off the apron!

The fans fire up with Konosuke and he builds speed! Konosuke FLIES! Down go Ren & Fale! The fans fire up again but Konosuke still clutches the bad leg. Red Shoes is up, he sees the aftermath, and then Rocky runs Dick to the back! The fans cheer Rocky, and Red Shoes has the Young Lions haul Fale away! It takes all of them, but they do it! The fans cheer as now this is truly 1v1! Konosuke stands, he brings Ren around, and he puts Ren in the ring. The fans rally behind Konosuke as he chicken wings. Ren fights the crossface, then mule kicks the bad leg! But Konosuke fires boxing elbows! And a HAYMAKER!

Konosuke runs while Ren wobbles, JUMP KNEE into a clinch! EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!! Ren survives but Konosuke goes to a corner. The fans fire up and Konosuke rises again! POWER DRIVE KNEE!! Cover, BUT KANEMARU YANKS THE REF OUT! The Heel Master was the ace in the hole waiting to be played! Kanemaru uses the whiskey bottle to CHOP BLOCK Konosuke’s leg! Ren hooks Konosuke up into the FIGURE FOUR KNEEBAR!! The fans rally as Konosuke endures, but Ren puts on the pressure! Konosuke reaches out, smacks the mat, but defends he isn’t tapping! Konosuke reaches out, and finally has the ROPEBREAK!!

The fans rally as Ren lets go in frustration. But then Ren grins and climbs up a corner. He vows to end it here as Konosuke stands back up. HELL’S GUILL- NO, Konosuke dodges the flying knee! Ren dodges a lariat, Konosuke dodges a lariat, BLUE- NO, Ren has the SLEEPER! Konosuke grabs the ropes, but Ren waistlocks! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Konosuke survives and Ren is pissed with Red Shoes! Ren gets in Red Shoes’ face, but then Konosuke swings! Ren dodges, and shoves him at Red Shoes again! Konosuke stops short, and he blocks the low blow! The fans fire up as Konosuke wrenches ren, and ALPHA-

NO, Ren kicks the bad leg! DOUBLE CROSSER!! Cover, TWO!?! Even Ren is shocked and the fans rally up again! Ren goes to a corner, climbs back up, and he vows this will be the end! Ren aims, HELL’S- NO, Konosuke catches him for a LAST RIDE!! The fans are thunderous and Konosuke roars! We hit 20 minutes as Konosuke winds up, but the bad leg is still bothering him. The fans rally as hard as they can for Konosuke while Ren rises up. Ren holds onto Red Shoes so Kanemaru can grab Konosuke’s arm! Konosuke breaks free, but Ren shoves Red Shoes away! Ren waistlocks Konosuke, but Konosuke ducks the WHISKEY MIST!

The fans fire up as Ren gets hit full in the face! Konosuke then RAMS Ren into Kanemaru! Kanemaru falls, Konosuke O’Conner Rolls, into the PLUS ULTRA CHICKEN WING!! Ren is OUT, Konosuke wins!!!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by submission (gains 2 points; Ren earns 0)

The House of Torture tried every trick in the book, but they failed to screw Konosuke over! Will Ren ever learn to do things the right way?

As for Konosuke, he gets the mic to say, “You guys, listen carefully: We got this far last year, too. And I’m sure some of you don’t want to acknowledge me. But the only way I can prove my worth is through strength. That’s why I only look ahead.” The fans applaud that! Konosuke continues by saying, “You want to be strong, be with me. I will show you something incredible. The G1 is coming to me! That’s my message, from the Alpha!” The fans cheer again, but will Konosuke break through to that next level? Will he make the Climax elite?

Here are the FINAL B Block standings!

Zack Sabre Jr: 7-2, 14 points [FINALIST, B1]
Shota Umino: 6-3, 12 points [FINALIST, B2]
Konosuke Takeshita: 6-3, 12 points [FINALIST, B3]
Ren Narita: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
Shingo Takagi: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
Drilla Moloney: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Great-O-Khan: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoshi-Hashi: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
El Phantasmo: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Gabe Kidd: 0 points [WITHDRAWN]

My Thoughts:

An awesome ending to the G1’s round robin phase, and some great choices with the playoffs. Takagi VS Drilla was a great rematch from their previous showings, though I thought Drilla would do something more after winning over Takagi in February. Though it obviously ended up a moot point, neither was going to advance given who else won. And while ZSJ VS Hashi wasn’t going to change the block, it was awesome seeing Hashi bust out some technical wrestling, as well as shoutouts to Goto. ZSJ still wins to dominate this block, THE world champ having 14 points is fitting stuff.

It was a good move to see Shota get his win back over Khan, and he’ll be facing Yota Tsuji tomorrow, that will be a great match of the Face Reiwa Musketeers. Konosuke VS Ren was awesome stuff, especially with The House of Torture throwing everything they could at Konosuke, only for Konosuke to rise up and win anyway. Finlay VS Konosuke will be great stuff, too, can’t wait to see how that turns out. Maybe per his promo, Konosuke at least makes it to the semifinals, just to show he’s rising up those power rankings.

My Score: 9/10