G1 Climax 35, Phase Two: The Playoffs!

Finlay VS Takeshita, Shota VS Tsuji, only the strongest will advance to the semifinals!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Taichi & Satoshi Kojima VS YOSHI-HASHI & Shoma Kato; Taichi & Kojima win.
• 8 Man Tag: Hontai VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
• Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Yuya Uemura & Katsuya Murashima VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• Shingo Takagi & Daiki Nagai VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney & Taiji Ishimori; Drilla & Taiji win.
• Six Man Tag: TMDK VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
• G1 Climax 35 Playoff: David Finlay VS Konosuke Takeshita; Konosuke wins and advances to the semifinals.
• G1 Climax 35 Playoff: Shota Umino VS Yota Tsuji; Tsuji wins and advances to the semifinals.

PLAY BY PLAY

G1 Climax 35 Playoff: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS Konosuke Takeshita w/ Rocky Romero!

The Savage King made quite the comeback in A Block just to be here, but he vows to make history by winning the G1 on top of the New Japan Cup. However, The Alpha has promised to make everyone acknowledge him through his strength. Will NJPW soon be all elite? Or will even Konosuke see that the world needs The Rebel?

The bell rings and the fans already duel, “FINLAY! FINLAY!” “TAKESHITA! TAKESHITA!” Konosuke steps up but Finlay stays back. They circle, feel things out, and Konosuke avoids a leg pick. They circle again, tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and Finlay powers Konosuke back to the ropes. The ref calls the break, Finlay lets off, but then goes for a leg! Konosuke fires forearms, Finlay fires back, and the fans rally as they keep going. Finlay throat chops, he whips Konosuke to a corner, but he runs into a BOOT! Konosuke goes up, but Finlay SHOVES Konosuke down! Konosuke tumbles to apron then floor as the fans fire up!

Finlay goes out to stomp Konosuke, HEADBUTT him, then he gets space and runs back in! Finlay CLOBBERS Konosuke up and over the railing! The fans cheer and Finlay offers a Too Sweet to Hiroshi Tanahashi on commentary. The President politely declines, so Finlay goes looking under the ring. Finlay brings out two tables! The fans rally as Finlay sets those up, then he fetches Konosuke. Finlay reels Konosuke in but Konosuke fights the lift. Finlay CLUBS Konosuke, whips him, but Konosuke reverses! Finlay hits railing, then Konosuke BOOTS him over the railing! The fans fire up again as Konosuke returns the favor!

The fans cheer “TAKESHITA! TAKESHITA!” and Konosuke roars! The fans fire up again and Konosuke puts Finlay in the ring. Konosuke clamps on a chinlock but Finlay fights it. Konosuke still traps an arm, but Finlay moves around. The fans rally, Konosuke squeeze tight, but Finlay still rises up. Finlay fires body shots, then CLAWS the eyes! The ref reprimands, Finlay runs, but Konosuke BOOTS him! Konosuke whips, Finlay reverses, but then Finlay dodges the Takeshita Line to CHOP BLOCK a leg! Konosuke falls and the fans fire up again. Finlay drags Konosuke back to SMASH the knee! The fans are torn while Finlay taunts Rocky.

Finlay drags Konosuke around, stomps the leg, then drops an elbow on the knee! Finlay has the toehold and he pulls on the leg. Konosuke leans back but Finlay drags him from the ropes! DDT to the foot! The fans rally, Gedo applauds, and Rocky coaches Konosuke. Finlay scoops Konosuke to SLAM him against the ropes! Konosuke clutches his leg, but he refuses to let the ref call this. Finlay shrugs while the fans rally up. Konosuke stands to fire a forearm, and another forearm, but Finlay throat chops! Finlay UPPERCUTS Konosuke, reels him in, and BROKEN ARROWS! Finlay flexes and fans are again torn over that display of strength.

Finlay covers, TWO, but right into a HALF CRAB! Konosuke endures, Rocky coaches him, and the fans rally up. Konosuke pushes up, hops his way forward, and he makes it to the ROPEBREAK! Finlay holds on, but the ref reprimands and counts, so Finlay lets go at 4. Konosuke still clutches the knee, but Finlay grabs the leg. Konosuke fires forearms, then dodges Finlay’s to BLUE- NO, Finlay slips free and waistlocks. Konosuke throws elbows, then suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Gedo and Rocky coach their guys up, and Konosuke rises as the fans rally again.

Konosuke hobbles but he still storms over to Finlay. Konosuke fires haymaker after haymaker, but Finlay throat chops again! Finlay whips but Konosuke reverses, and Finlay runs right into buckles! Finlay falls back, Konosuke stands him up, and Konosuke again throws him right into buckles! Konosuke stands Finlay up and runs him into another corner! Finlay is down, the fans rally, and Konosuke goes to a corner. Konosuke climbs up to the top rope, and SUPER SENTONS, onto knees! Finlay makes Konosuke pay for that one, and hits an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as Konosuke survives! Finlay clutches his leg now, some of that offense was double-edged. But Finlay talks trash as he sits Konosuke up, and he CLUBS Konosuke with a crossface forearm! The fans cheer, Finlay sits Konosuke up, and he throws another! Finlay talks trash, “You want more?!” Finlay sits Konosuke up for a third crossface forearm! The fans rally for “TAKESHITA! TAKESHITA!” but Finlay BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Konosuke tries to stand, but then he flops back down! Finlay shoves Konosuke to the apron, and brings him to the tables! Finlay reels Konosuke in while the ref reprimands and the fans freak out!

Konosuke fights the lift! Konosuke powers out to ALPHA ELBOW! Finlay flops against the ropes and the fans fire up again! Konosuke scowls, looks to the tables, and he nods! Konosuke reels Finlay in, lifts, but Finlay fights the bomb! Finlay throws elbows, then he kicks away on the bad leg! Finlay lifts Konosuke again, POWERBOMB down through the tables!! The fans lose their minds and Finlay laughs as Konosuke is down in the wreckage. Finlay still offers the Too Sweet but Tanahashi still declines. Finlay rolls into the ring to let the count handle this. Konosuke is dazed and down at 5 of 20, and even at 10.

Rocky coaches Konosuke and Konosuke manages to sit up. Konosuke rises at 13, hobbles, and flops back down at 16! The fans fire up, Finlay says don’t do it, but Konosuke is back in at 19.9! Finlay says Konosuke is just too stupid to give up. Finlay puts Konosuke up top, and he BITES Konosuke’s forehead! Finlay SPITS the taste out, then he lifts Konosuke up. Konosuke fights the lift, fires body shots, then HEADBUTTS in return! Konosuke SUPER SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay fights free! Finlay lifts Konosuke, BUCKLE BOMB! And then another BUCKLE BOMB! Finlay staggers away while Konosuke falls, and the fans are all fired up!

Finlay storms back up on Konosuke, and BUCKLE- RANA!! Konosuke sends Finlay into buckles, then he hops up to POISON-RANA! POWER DRIVE KNEE!! Cover, TWO!!! Finlay survives and Korakuen Hall is electric! Konosuke rises up, drags Finlay around, and suplexes for RAGING- NO, Finlay fights out, then he suplexes Konosuke, INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, ONE?!?! WHAT?!? But Finlay just hurries to POWERBOMB!! High stack, TWO!!! Konosuke survives again and Finlay is beside himself! The fans rally for “TAKESHITA!” as hard as they can but Finlay slashes his throat as he vows to end this!

Finlay drags Konosuke up, suplexes, OVER- NO! Konosuke blocks the knee! Finlay fires forearms until Konosuke lets go! ROLLING ELBOW! Finlay runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, SPEAR into a BOOT!! Konosuke roars, the fans fire up, and down comes the kneepad! Konosuke aims from the corner, the fans are thunderous, and Konosuke runs in, but into a cradle!! TWO!! Finlay has Konosuke, OVER- NO, Konosuke slips up and around, Gory Especial, but Finlay fights the arm hooks! Finlay tries to backslide, but he has to spin it around! POWER- NO, Konosuke slips free to LAST RIDE!!! And then a flip-over, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!!

But Konosuke isn’t done?!? The fans are thunderous for the RAGING FIRE!!! Cover, KONOSUKE WINS!!!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

Aspirations collided, and in a sense, history will be denied as Finlay will not pull off the Spring-Summer combo. How much harder must Finlay fight to truly be the top dog in NJPW?

As for Konosuke, he will move on and face THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr! Will Konosuke avenge that loss during league play? Or will The Front Man still be the better man?

G1 Climax 35 Playoff: Shota Umino VS Yota Tsuji!

The Roughneck’s Second Chapter keeps on going, and he wants to add the G1 trophy to his story. But will he survive the Gene Blast to bring about that Paradigm Shift? Or will Yota make everything tranquilo?

The bell rings and the fans are dueling already, with “SHO~TA! SHO~TA!” and “YO~TA! YO~TA!” blending together so well, it is hard to tell who has the edge. Shota and Yota stare down, then slowly circle. They feel things out, clinch, and Yota waistlocks. Shota wrenches free to wristlock, but Yota spins through and wrenches back. Shota rolls, slips through and wrenches again, then he spins to wrangle Yota to the mat. Shota has the top wristlock but Yota fights up. Yota waistlocks, headlocks, then grinds the hold.

Shota endures, even as Yota puts on the pressure. Shota fires body shots, powers up and out, but Yota RUNS him over! The fans applaud as Yota looms over Shota. Yota runs, Shota drops down, but then Yota leaps over. Shota runs up, Yota sidesteps, but Shota RUNS Yota over! The fans applaud again as Shota paces. Shota stomps Yota, paces around some more, then he CLUBS Yota on the neck. Yota goes to a corner, and Shota UPPERCUTS! Shota UPPERCUTS again but Yota growls. The fans rally as Shota UPPERCUTS again and again! Shota CLUBS Yota, then whips him to ropes. Yota avoids the arm-drag to step on Shota!

The fans cheer while Yota stands on Shota’s head. Yota steps off to bring Shota up, and he CHOPS! Shota staggers around, but Yota puts him on the ropes to CHOP again! Yota follows Shota to the other side, then ROCKS him with a forearm! Yota eggs Shota on, but Shota shoves Yota. Shota then fires a forearm, Yota fires back, and the two go shot for shot. Shota fires a flurry, but Yota knees low! Yota whips, Shota reverses, but Yota RANAS! The fans fire up while Shota tumbles out of the ring! Yota builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Shota hits railing! The fans fire up more as Yota rises, and Yota stands Shota up to whip him into railing!

The fans rally as Shota hobbles through the gate. Yota follows, then he brings Shota around to ROCK with a forearm. Yota stomps Shota down, kicks him again and again, then leaves Shota behind. Red Shoes checks on Shota while Yota rolls into the ring. Shota is able to continue, and Yota fires the fans up while the ring count begins. Shota grits his teeth as he rises up. Shota stands at 7 of 20, hobbles his way over, and returns to ringside at 15. Shota still hobbles, and the fans applaud as he rolls in at 17. Yota scoops Shota to SLAM him, then he runs to SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Yota brings Shota back up, and he CHOPS!

Shota grits his teeth again but Yota CHOPS again! Shota drops to a knee, but Yota CHOPS again! Yota pushes Shota down, and CHOPS him even then! The fans fire up while Shota writhes. Yota drags Shota back up, clinches, and hits a GUTBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Shota toughs it out but Yota grins as he stands over Shota. The fans rally, Shota sits up, but Yota scuffs him and kicks him around. Shota frowns as Yota gives more mocking kicks. Shota stands up to fire a forearm! And another! And another! Yota BODY BLOWS! The fans cheer as Yota whips Shota to ropes, but Shota reverses. Yota grabs ropes, BOOTS back, then runs, but Shota dropkicks the legs out!

The fans rally up while both men are down. Yota goes to a corner, Shota storms up and Shota ROCKS Yota! And CHOPS Yota! And repeat! ROCK, CHOP, repeat, but Yota eggs Shota on! So Shota picks up speed to ROCK, CHOP, ROCK, CHOP, repeat! Then one last CHOP! The fans fire up, Shota whips corner to corner, then runs in and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Yota in, hooks the leg, but Yota fights free with elbows. Yota kicks, Shota blocks, and DRAGON SCREW! The fans continue to rally as Shota storms up on Yota now. Shota brings Yota up, grabs the leg, btu Yota fights with more elbows. Shota still lifts, SHIN BREAKER!

Shota runs, and he dropkicks the leg! Yota hobbles away while the fans fire up with Shota. Shota storms up on Yota to stomp the knee. Shota kicks and stomps again and again, then digs his boot in! Red Shoes reprimands, Shota backs off, and Yota drags himself back up. Shota runs in, blocks a boot, but Yota reels him in. But Shota avoids the double stomps! Shota then grabs the leg to DRAGON SCREW! And DRAGON SCREW again! Then a blindside basement dropkick to the legs! Shota steps over, STF! Yota scrambles forward, ROPEBREAK! Shota lets go in frustration, the fans rally, and Shota drags Yota up again. Shota reels Yota in but Yota fights the lift.

Shota kicks the leg, reels Yota back in, and lifts, but Yota fights free of the bomb! The leg jams, but he still scoops to BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up, though that might’ve been a bit double-edged. Even so, Yota rises up! Yota walks off the pain, then grabs Shota’s legs! Shota fights the turnover but Yota CHOPS him! Yota has the legs again, steps over, but Shota CLUBS the bad leg! Shota drags Yota down into the STF! The fans rally as Yota endures all over again! Yota moves around, reaches out, but Shota drags him away from the ropes! STF! Yota endures, pries at the crossface, but Shota holds on.

The fans rally and duel as Yota continues to fight and Shota continues to put on the pressure. Shota drags Yota back again, SMASHES the knee on the mat, and has a STRAITJACKET STF! Yota endures, pushes with his one free arm and one free leg, and he turns towards the ropes! Shota still holds on, but Yota gets his arms free! Shota CLUBS Yota on the neck, then pulls on the crossface! Yota still endures, still fights, and still makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Shota lets go in frustration. Shota watches Yota rise up, then he runs up to slingshot and- NO, Yota moves back! Shota blocks a forearm but Yota KNEES him down!

Yota kicks Shota to the floor, then goes out to the apron. Yota goes up the corner?! The fans rally as Yota ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and down goes Shota! The fans fire up while Red Shoes checks both men. They’re both able to continue so the fans rally back up. Yota stands first, he brings Shota up, and he puts Shota in the ring. The fans applaud, but Yota’s leg still bothers him. Yota steps inside and he hobbles over to Shota. Yota stands Shota up, winds up, and CHOPS! Shota drops back down, but Yota stands him up again. CHOP! Shota drops again, and Yota stands him back up. CHOP! Yota won’t let Shota stay down, and he CHOPS again! And CHOPS again!

The fans fire up as Shota is down! Yota kicks at him, pushes him to a corner, scuffs him with his boot, but Red Shoes reprimands. Yota digs his boot in, but he steps off at 4. Yota pats Red Shoes on the shoulder, assuring him it is fine. Then Yota goes back to scuffing Shota. Yota eggs Shota on, Red Shoes wants Yota to let off, but Yota stands Shota up instead. Yota SLAPS Shota this time! The fans rally while Shota drops to a knee. Yota goes up, up, and- NO, the leg gives out! Shota hurries and grabs the leg! SUPER KNEE JAMMER! Yota hobbles, but Shota hurries to grab the leg again, SHIN BREAKER, and Shota holds on! BIG back suplex!

Shota then hauls Yota up for a POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO! Yota survives but Shota stays focused. The fans rally up again and Shota waits on Yota. Yota rises, Shota runs, but Yota wrenches to fireman’s carry! But the leg gives out! Shota runs up, but into the clinch! BACKBREAKER! COMPLETE SHOT! But Shota avoids the stomp! Shota SWATS Yota’s lariat to ROCK him! Shota spins, but Yota GENE TIGGERS! And HEADBUTTS! Both men fall and the fans fire up again! Yota and Shota stir as the fans rally and duel again. Yota rises first, then he drags Shota up. Yota suplexes, ORANGE CRUSH! Cover, TWO! Shota stays in this but Yota stays focused.

We hit 20 minutes but Yota has the legs! Yota turns Shota over, BOSTON CRAB! The fans rally as Shota endures now, and Yota sits deep! Shota powers up as the fans rally, and Shota fights his way forward! But Yota sits back down! The fans continue to rally as Shota endures! Shota powers up, but Yota powers him back down! And up, and down, and again! Shota crawls forward, but Yota drags him back! Yota sits back down and pulls on the legs! Shota grits his teeth, claws at the mat, and powers up again for one last lunge! ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Yota lets go in frustration. Yota hobbles around, leans on the ropes, and the fans rally again.

Yota makes a lap around the ring to bring him back to Shota and the fans cheer. Shota grabs at Yota’s kneepad and Yota eggs him on. Shota rises to his feet, and he fires a forearm! Yota brushes that off to ROCK Shota! Shota grits his teeth, Yota eggs him on, and the fans rally again. Shota comes back to fire a forearm, Yota fires back, and the brawl is on! The fans rally as the forearms keep going, and now Yota wobbles! Shota stands Yota up to fire boxing elbows! Shota goes to four and ROCKS Yota with the fifth! Shota winds up, but Yota CHOPS! And CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! But Shota kicks the bad leg! Yota still jumps to GENE TRIGGER!

Both men are down but Yota stands again. Yota eggs Shota on, Shota growls and rises up! Shota winds up, but swings into a COMPLETE SHOT! GERMAN SUPLEX! Shota still runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! LARIAT! Yota drops to a knee, but he still covers, TWO! Shota survives but Yota goes up the corner! MARLOWE CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as Shota survives and we hit 25 minutes, the longest match of this year’s tournament so far! Yota goes to the corner, he takes aim, and Shota rises up. Yota runs in, GENE- NO, Shota dodges, then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Yota is right up to ROCK Shota!

Shota HEADBUTTS Yota, ENZIGIRIS, but Yota comes back! GENE- KNEE!! Shota hits first, then he lines up a shot! STRIKE KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous as Shota gets moving, but Yota slips around and wrenches, REVERSE BACKSLIDE?! TWO!! Shota is up, but Yota avoids the basement dropkick, to STOMP!! Yota hurries to bring Shota up and reel him in, REVERSE BOMB!! CURB STOMP!! The fans are thunderous again and Shota aims from a corner! Shota rises, but into the GENE- LARIAT?!?! Shota hits first, and he roars! The fans fire up as Shota runs, LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!! Yota survives and Shota roars again!

The dueling is as hard as it has been, and Shota scoops, SECOND- STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! But then Shota SHOTGUNS! Yota rises up, GENE- LARIAT!! Shota roars, but GENE BLASTER finds him!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Shota survives and Yota is shocked! The fans are electric as Yota roars! Yota puts Shota up top backwards, then climbs up behind him. Yota drags Shota up with a dragon sleeper!? INVERTED SUPERPLEX!! And then the GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!

Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

Another epic showdown, and though The Roughneck had his game plan, Yota flipped the script! Now that he’s out of the G1, where will Shota’s Second Chapter go from here?

As for Yota, he grabs the mic while the fans cheer him on. Yota says, “Umino! I don’t know if it’s a second chapter or what, but you should walk the path you believe in.” The fans applaud that, and Yota continues by saying, “When you’re a pro-wrestler, people say all sorts of things. People weigh their favorite wrestlers against each other, going this way and that. But just remember this: We’re all different, which is what makes us interesting.” The fans applaud that, too. Yota continues by saying that each one of them has their own personality, so anyone can create something interesting. Shota was the one to stand before him, and Yota looks forward to doing this again.

The fans applaud again, and Yota says that just as he told Shota, he also walks the path he believes in. “How can a wrestler who doesn’t believe in himself ever achieve his dreams? Where can you find hope? Everyone, I am standing in this cerulean blue ring, risking it all! So, are you ready? Are you ready? Are you ready?!” Yota admits, he asks himself that as much as he does the fans. The fans applaud, and Yota finishes by saying that while this is a new era for NJPW, nothing’s changed yet. Are you ready?! Because HE will carry NJPW on his shoulders. The fans cheer that, and as Yota steps out of the ring, he also steps over the railing to be face to face with Hiroshi Tanahashi.

Yota grins, and Tanahashi nods. While it has been said Yuya Uemura will be the “new sun,” will “the new moon” be the one to shine brightest in the NJPW sky? Yota Tsuji will face EVIL in the semifinals, can the Gene Blast serve justice to the King of Darkness?

My Thoughts:

A great night for G1, though obviously the majority of the matches were for fun, maybe even teasing new stories. Daiki Nagai got to look great in his match alongside Takagi, and Taiji needing to cheat just to beat a Young Lion adds to that. The House of Torture winning each of their matches is fine, it makes Evil go into the semifinals strong. But he and ZSJ had a great interaction, and I like that ZSJ brought back “chair armor,” where he had one in each hand and one around the neck. It feels like they’re teasing ZSJ VS Evil for the title, but we’ll wait and see if Evil wins the G1.

Awesome matches for these wild card playoffs. Konosuke is winning is great, and it does fit what Konosuke said yesterday with “needing” to advance. And while Finlay is great in the ring and as a character, not even he is at that level of winning both the New Japan Cup and G1 Climax. I’m not sure anyone will ever pull that off, just because it seems like too much. Shota VS Yota was also great, though I think Finlay VS Konosuke kept the fans fired up longer. But Yota winning also seems to fit, Shota can take the long route on becoming the top guy, Yota seems to be leading the charge among the “Musketeers” right now.

My Score: 9.1/10