Does The Ace still have a chance?

As the G1 Climax rolls on, Hiroshi Tanahashi is running out of time to make the playoffs! Will he find a way to survive Gene Blast, Yota Tsuji?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current 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

After Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young VS Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru…

The House of Torture won by making Jakob tap out, but the Souled Out Son of Strong Style wasn’t going to leave it at that! Ren and Kanemaru throw the Young Lions out, Ren grabs some chairs, and he puts one under Khan’s leg. The fans boo, Kanemaru stomps the leg, and then Kanemaru puts the chair on top of Khan’s leg. Ren has the second chair! CON-CHAIR-TO to the knee!! Khan writhes in agony and the fans boo, but Ren grins and waves. The House of Torture loves stacking the deck, but did they ensure Khan doesn’t have a leg to stand on?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Boltin Oleg VS Callum Newman!

It is a battle of strength VS speed as the massive NEVER Openweight Champion takes on the Prince of Pace! Will Oleg leave Callum behind BARS? Or will Callum move up as Oleg suffers the Prince’s Curse?

The bell rings, the two run up, and Callum BOOTS! Oleg stays up, Callum BOOTS again! Callum tries again but Oleg dodges. Callum blows past Oleg and RANAS! Oleg tumbles out, Callum goes to the apron and PENALTY KICKS! The fans rally while Oleg falls. Callum stand Oleg up to UPPERCUT! Callum whips Oleg into railing and Oleg slumps down. Callum brings Oleg up again, ROCKS him with a forearm, then UPPERCUTS again. Callum puts Oleg in the ring and the fans applaud. Oleg sits up but Callum brings him around to KICK! Oleg writhes, Callum stands him up, but Oleg fires a body shot. Callum fires a forearm in return!

Callum whips, Oleg reverses and clinches, BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up, Callum runs up, but Oleg scoops and BACKBREAKERS! Callum writhes and the fans rally more. Oleg stomps Callum, stomps him again, then stomps him to the ropes. Callum goes to a corner but Oleg CLUBS him on the back. Oleg turns Callum around to CHOP! The fans fire up while Callum is stinging. Oleg whips corner to corner hard and Callum bounces off the buckles! Callum flops out of the ring and the fans rally up again. Oleg storms out after Callum, stomps him, then brings him up. Oleg CHOPS again and Callum staggers away.

Oleg brings Callum around and into the ring. The fans applaud again and Oleg stalks Callum. Oleg CLUBS Callum and Callum goes to the corner. Oleg SLAPS Callum on the back, so Callum fires a flurry of forearms! Oleg POUNCES Callum into the corner! Callum falls again, but Oleg scoops him. POWERSLAM, and then Oleg gets space. Oleg runs, jumps, and VADER BOMB into BOOTS! Callum turns things around and the fans rally up! Oleg staggers away, Callum runs in, and Callum DROPKICKS! Oleg falls, Callum drags himself back up with ropes, and Callum kicks and scuffs Oleg again and again. Callum runs to then DROPKICK Oleg at the ropes!

Callum clutches his back, still hurting from the damage done, but the fans rally behind him. Callum rises, he aims from a corner, and he runs in, but Oleg dodges! Oleg runs up, blocks a boot, but Callum ENZIGIRIS! And SUPERKICKS! Oleg avoids the roundhouse but not the ROLLING ELBOW! Callum spins again but Oleg SHOTGUNS him down! Oleg kips up, the fans fire up, and Oleg storms over to Callum. Oleg fireman’s carries, KAMI- NO, Callum fights it! So Oleg swings Callum, but Callum pops up to RANA! Cover, TWO!! Oleg escapes, Callum ROCKS him, and then Callum runs. But into a POP-UP KAMIKAZE! Cover, TWO!!!

Callum barely gets that shoulder up, but up is up! The fans rally harder and Oleg fireman’s carries again. But Callum grabs the ropes! Oleg pulls Callum free but Callum sunset flips! TWO, and Oleg runs up! Callum dodges to LARIAT! Oleg wobbles, so Callum ROUNDHOUSES! The fans fire up as Callum goes to a corner. Oleg sits up, and Callum BUSAIKU KNEES him back down! The fans rally while Callum goes to the apron. Callum goes to the corner, slowly climbs up, and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Direct hit, but Callum’s own back won’t let him back the cover! Callum crawls his way over and has the cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Oleg survives and both men are down. Callum grabs at Oleg, the fans rally up, and both men slowly rise. Callum goes to a corner, takes aim, and runs in, but Oleg blocks the V-Trigger! Callum fires palm strikes, and he SLAPS Oleg down! The fans rally as Callum locks on again, V-TRIGGER! Callum roars and he drags Oleg up! Fisherman and FIREBOLT!! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives and the fans fire up! Callum is beside himself, but the fans continue to duel. Callum rises again, he goes to the ropes, and he fires himself up! The fans cheer and Callum goes back to Oleg. Callum underhooks, but Oleg fights the rest!

Callum KNEES Oleg in the head again and again! Oleg drops to his knees, and Callum aims. BUZZSAW! Oleg falls over and the fans fire up! Callum brings Oleg back up, reels him back in, and underhooks, but Oleg powers up to fireman’s carry! Callum fights free, ROCKS Oleg, and ROLLING- NO! Oleg DECKS Callum! Oleg waistlocks to GERMAN SUPELX! Callum lands out! FLYING KNEE! Oleg goes to a corner, Callum runs in again, but into a POP-UP! KAMIKAZE!! Cover, OLEG WINS!

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

An awesome battle of young stars, truly the future of NJPW, but in the end, size mattered! Oleg stays afloat in the block, will he NEVER stop? Can Callum still find an outside path to the playoffs?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Taichi VS Ryohei Oiwa!

The Holy Emperor survived the Gene Blast to stay alive in the block, but The Grip got cheated by the King of Darkness. If The Mighty Don’t Kneel, will Oiwa rise up again? Or will Taichi make the most of his second chance?

The bell rings and the fans rally up while the two stare down from their corners. The dueling seems pretty even, but neither man lets it distract them. Oiwa and Taichi step up, tie up, and they’re in a deadlock. Oiwa headlocks, but Taichi powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, neither falls, so Oiwa goes again. They RAM shoulders, Oiwa runs, but Taichi BOOTS him! Taichi runs, Oiwa redirects, but Taichi BOOTS him down! Oiwa gets right up to RUN Taichi over! The fans cheer this fiery opening exchange while both men go to corners. Oiwa and Taichi talk a bit of trash, then they run to DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT!

They DOUBLE LARIAT again, and again! Oiwa wobbles but Taichi stays strong! Taichi runs up, Oiwa ducks, and then Oiwa DROPKICKS Taichi down! The fans fire up as Oiwa handsprings up! Oiwa checks his chin, then he watches Taichi go to a corner. Oiwa runs in but Taichi dodges! GAMANGIRI! Oiwa falls over and the fans fire up! Taichi waits on Oiwa, then storms over to him. Taichi brings Oiwa up, then snapmares him to KICK him in the back! Oiwa snarls and shakes his head. Oiwa rises up but Taichi KICKS him in the chest! Oiwa stays up so Taichi KICKS again! Oiwa drops to his knees, but he looks up in defiance.

Taichi KICKS Oiwa in the back and Oiwa falls over. Taichi scuffs Oiwa, kicks him around, and eggs him on. Oiwa rises again to CHOP, then fire a forearm! There isn’t much there but Oiwa still fires a few more shots. Taichi SOBATS and Oiwa doubles over! The fans rally up, Taichi reels Oiwa in, but Oiwa suplexes Taichi first! The fans cheer while both men are down. Oiwa rises first, he storms over to Taichi, and Oiwa headlocks. Taichi powers up and out, Oiwa RUNS Taichi over, then Oiwa scoops to SLAM! And SENTON! Cover, TWO! Oiwa ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Oiwa runs to BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as Taichi stays in this and Oiwa stays cool. Oiwa drags Taichi up, Taichi fights the lift, and Taichi fires elbows. Oiwa lets go, and he fires a forearm! Taichi URAKENS! Oiwa ROLLING ELBOWS! Taichi GAMANGIRIS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Taichi rises, the fans duel, and Taichi TAKES OFF THE PANTS! The fans fire up and Taichi goes to the corner. Oiwa rises, TENSHO- NO, Oiwa dodges and waistlocks! Taichi bucks the O’Conner, but Oiwa then gets around to TENZAN PLEX! And then the SLEEPER! The fans rally as Taichi endures the squeeze, even as Oiwa leans all his weight on him!

Taichi fights to his feet, but Oiwa spins Taichi! Taichi SWATS The Grip, but Oiwa DISCUS LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Taichi survives the Right Hand Grip, but Oiwa hauls Taichi up! LEFT HAND- NO, Taichi gets under to Alabama Lift! But Oiwa fights out, and he gut wrenches! DOCTOR BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Taichi survives but Oiwa roars! The fans fire up and Oiwa clamps on with the SLEEPER! Taichi fights up to DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Both men are down but Oiwa writhes from that hard landing! The fans rally up while Taichi rolls away to a corner. Oiwa goes to the opposite end, and both men slowly rise up.

The fans rally and duel even stronger now, but you can clearly hear, “LET’S GO, TAICHI!” Taichi eggs Oiwa on, they run up, DOUBLE LARIATS! And DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT again! The fans rally, Oiwa LARIATS, but Taichi stays up! Taichi AX BOMBERS, but Oiwa stays up! Oiwa LARIATS again, Taichi AX BOMBERS again, and both men drop to a knee! The fans rally, Taichi grabs a wristlock, and he short arm LARIATS! Oiwa drops to his knees, but then rises back up! The fans rally as Oiwa grits his teeth, but Taichi short arm LARIATS again! Taichi fires up, but he dodges a lariat first! AX BOMBER!! Oiwa falls and the fans are thunderous!

Taichi calls for “OSU!” and the fans join in! Taichi stands Oiwa up but Oiwa LARIATS! Taichi DISCUS LARIATS! Then SLIDING AX BOMBER! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa survives those impacts but Taichi just roars! The fans fire up with Taichi as he stands Oiwa up. Taichi winds up to POINT-BLANK- THE GRIP!! Cover, TWO!! Taichi survives but Oiwa is too tired to be upset. Oiwa just drags himself up with the ropes and he eggs Taichi on. Taichi rises, Oiwa runs, THE GRIP misses! TENSHO- NO, Oiwa blocks! THE- AX BOMBER!! Taichi hits first, but Oiwa rises! LARIAT!! But Taichi rises! The fans are thunderous as both men stagger around!

Taichi and Oiwa lock on, and they DOUBLE LARIAT! They fall back to ropes, run back in, and DOUBLE LARIAT!! Oiwa slumps down as Taichi stands tall! Taichi shakes his head, and he fires back up! Taichi brings Oiwa up, GAMANGIRI into a LARIAT! Oiwa runs, but into a GAMANGIRI! But he rebounds! THE GRIP!!! Cover, OIWA WINS!!

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

The Holy Emperor tried, but he could not break The Grip! Is this all but the end of Taichi’s chase for the Climax? Will Oiwa prove the G1 belongs to The Mighty?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Yuya Uemura VS SANADA!

The Heat Storm trumped The Ace to establish himself as the new “sun” of NJPW, while the Cold-Blooded Snake failed to cheat the Prince of Pace. Will Sanada just try that much harder to steal one from Yuya? Or will Yuya still have the hot hand?

Surprisingly, no attacks from Sanada or The House of Torture during Yuya’s entrance. The bell rings, the fans rally, and the two circle. They tie up, Yuya wrenches to waistlock but Sanada switches. Yuya switches, Sanada switches, repeat, then Sanada goes for a headlock. Yuya slips free and the fans applaud that opening exchange. They go again, tie up, and Sanada wrenches to wristlock. Yuya spins, wrenches, and wristlocks. Sanada wrenches to wristlock, but Yuya fights against it. Sanada holds on tight, but Yuya spins through to wrench and wristlock back. Sanada rolls, but Yuya wrangles him to the mat, and the fans applaud.

Sanada fights up, rolls, but Yuya rolls with him to keep the wristlock! Yuya arm-drags, Sanada headscissors, but Yuya kips free. The fans cheer the standoff. They reset and tie up with knuckle locks. They go shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength, and Sanada works to turn things literally. Yuya fights that, tries to turn things in his favor, but Sanada turns it all the way around! Sanada trips Yuya, has the cover, ONE as Yuya gets an arm up! Sanada pushes the arm down, ONE as Yuya gets the other arm up. Sanada pushes that down, TWO as Yuya bridges up! The fans applaud, and then Sanada jumps on! Yuya maintains the bridge!

The fans rally, Sanada hops down to try again, but Yuya uses that to monkey flip up! Arm-drag! And arm-drag! Yuya has the armlock and the fans applaud. Sanada endures, fights to his feet, but Yuya grinds the shoulder. Sanada whips but Yuya wrangles him with the armlock! The fans rally as Yuya grinds Sanada down. Sanada fights back up, arm-drags, but Yuya drags Sanada back down! The fans applaud but Sanada fights around again. Sanada stands, puts Yuya in a corner, then whips corner to corner. Yuya reverses, runs in, but Sanada BOOTS him! Yuya avoids the dropkick to arm-drag! And it’s back to the armlock!

The fans rally, Sanada fights up, but Yuya changes his grip to grind the shoulder. Sanada powers up to whip Yuya, but Yuya reverses. Yuya then dodges, but Sanada avoids the arm-drag! SHINING WIZARD! The fans cheer while both men are down! Sanada shakes out the bad arm and stands up. The fans rally and Sanada brings Yuya up. Sanada suplexes Yuya onto the ropes, MAGIC SCREW! Sanada then clamps on the dragon sleeper! Yuya flails, and he pops free to arm-drag! Yuya runs in the corner, but Sanada BOOTS him! Sanada QUEBRADA, but Yuya steps back! Yuya GERMAN SUPLEXES, but Sanada lands out!

Sanada reels Yuya in, back suplex! Yuya lands out to hit a HIGH back suplex! The fans fire up while both men are down! Yuya and Sanada stir, and Yuya rolls to cover, TWO! Yuya has the double wristlock! The fans rally and Sanada endures, but Yuya pushes into the ARMBAR! Sanada scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud, the ref counts, and Yuya lets go in frustration. Yuya storms back over to Sanada and drags him up. Yuya clinches, full nelsons, but Sanada endures. Sanada breaks the nelson, switches to waistlock, but Yuya elbows free! Yuya CHOPS, and CHOPS, then DOUBLE CHOPS!

Yuya fires up and runs, but into a RANA! And then the ARMBAR! Yuya slips around fast to ARMBAR! Sanada rolls Yuya up, TWO! Sanada swings, misses, and Yuya O’Conner BRIDGES! TWO!! Sanada escapes, Yuya runs up, but dosido arm-drag! Yuya then drags Sanada up with the cording hold! Yuya swings Sanada around but Sanada slips behind! DEAD- NO, Yuya powers out, pushes Sanada away, but Sanada dropkicks the legs! Yuya springs up to ENZIGIRI! Sanada goes to a corner, Yuya whips corner to corner, but Sanada reverses, and sends Yuya into the ref! The fans boo but Sanada drags Yuya back up!

Yuya switches, Sanada fights the lift, and MULE KICK LOW BLOWS! The fans boo but Sanada soaks it up. Sanada then fetches his guitar. The fans boo but Sanada dares Yuya to get up. Yuya slowly rises, but he dodges the Smash Hit! The guitar busts apart, Yuya rolls Sanada into a cradle, but the ref is still down! Yuya would’ve won twice over but it doesn’t matter without the ref! Yuya lets go, calls to the ref, but here comes Yoshinobu Kanemaru! It’s one traitor helping another as Kanemaru stomps away on Yuya! The fans boo and tell Kanemaru to go home, but Kanemaru takes a swig of his whiskey instead.

Kanemaru waits on Yuya to rise up, then takes a swing! Yuya BOOTS the bottle away, then dodges the lariat! Yuya hooks one arm, wrenches through to get the other, but then the WHISKEY MIST gets him full in the face!! The fans boo but Sanada grabs what’s left of his guitar. Sanada is annoyed, but he aims at Yuya again. Yuya rises up, into the SMASH HIT! The fans boo but Sanada hides the evidence. Kanemaru gets the ref to wake up, he counts the cover, Sanada wins!

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

Yuya may be the sun, but Sanada is like the clouds the block it out. Will Sanada continue to cheat his opponents and ruin their playoff chances? Can Yuya rise again, just as the sun does every morning?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo & Don Fale!

Now isn’t this a fitting showdown. The Rebel and The King of Darkness battled for the throne that is Bullet Club Prime, and it was the Top Dog that came out on top. But will we see that Everything is Evil? Or will Finlay still send Evil Into Oblivion?

Evil makes his entrance first, and he references the past battles with Finlay by bringing out a dog collar and chain. But Finlay takes a page out of Evil’s book by attacking first! The fans fire up as Gedo grabs Dick and Finlay grabs the chain! Finlay CHOKES Evil with the chain! Red Shoes reprimands but Finlay knocks Evil down. Gedo baits Fale into leaving Evil behind as he drags Dick up the ramp. Fale takes Evil through the gate and into the crowd! Finlay throws down hands, then he THROWS Evil into chairs! STRIKE! The fans cheer Finlay on and bark along with him. Finlay then drags Evil up, HEADBUTTS him, then CLAWS Evil’s face!

Red Shoes reprimands and wants this in the ring already. Finlay ROCKS Evil, then stalks him back to ringside. Finlay puts Evil in, the fans applaud, and Fale is back to warn Finlay. Finlay throws his shirt at Fale, then rolls into the ring. The bell rings and Finlay stomps Evil. Finlay snap suplexes, then covers, TWO! Finlay CHOKES Evil! Red Shoes reprimands and counts but Finlay stops at 4. Gedo says go ahead and kill ’em, Finlay! Finlay whips Evil to ropes but Evil stops himself. Finlay runs and LARIATS Evil and himself over the ropes! The fans fire up as Finlay stands tall! Finlay drags Evil up to fireman’s carry, but Evil slips free!

Dick distracts Red Shoes and Evil shoves Finlay to Fale for a BODY SHOT! Fale scoops and POSTS Finlay, all while the fans boo! Fale taunts the fans, and Evil whips Finlay hard into railing! Evil drags Finlay up, brings him around, and RAMS him into the timekeeper! Down goes Abe-san, but that’s par for the course with Evil. Evil then CHOKES Finlay using the microphone cord! The fans boo but Evil tells Finlay, “You are already dead, MOTHER EFFER!” Finlay shouts back, “F YOU, B*TCH!” Evil CLUBS Finlay down and leaves him behind. The fans boo but Evil tells them to shove it. Red Shoes reprimands but Evil rolls into the ring.

Red Shoes checks on Finlay and the fans rally up. Finlay slowly sits up and the ring count starts. Finlay sits up at 4 of 20, stands at 6, and slides in at 7. Evil kicks low and whips Finlay into bare buckles! The Bullet Club Special strikes again as they snuck the buckle pad away. Evil then hits a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Gedo coaches Finlay. Evil tells Gedo to shut up, but the Finlay SPITS at Evil! Evil SLAPS Finlay, but Finlay fires forearms! Evil KNEES low, whips Finlay to a neutral corner, then runs in. Finlay BOOTS Evil away, goes up the corner, but Evil YANKS him down!

The fans boo and Dick slides a chair into the ring! Evil picks it up, Red Shoes reprimands, and Gedo gets on the apron to protest. Evil tosses the chair to Gedo, so now Red Shoes reprimands Gedo! But this lets Evil and Fale get in the ring to set Finlay up! Dick is up top, for the DICK CHOP! The fans boo but The House gets away with that one. Evil covers, TWO!! Finlay is tougher than that and Gedo wants Red Shoes to pay attention to Dick & Fale. The fans rally, Evil tells them all to shut up, and he drags Finlay up. Evil whisp Finlay back into the bare buckles! Evil runs in, but Finlay catches him for an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Finlay rises, and the fans join in as he barks. Finlay runs and UPPERCUTS in the corner! Then BROKEN ARROW! The fans fire up and Finlay flexes. Finlay then storms up on Evil to LARIAT in the corner again and again and again! Finlay goes all the way to TEN! Dick protests, Red Shoes tells him to get down, but Finlay goes up to rain down fists! The fans cheer, but Evil trips Finlay up after just three! Finlay hits buckles, then sets him up for Fale! Fale runs in, and Evil adds Red Shoes to the SPLASH! The fans boo and Red Shoes goes down! Evil soaks up the heat and Dick brings chairs into the ring.

The House mugs Finlay, even as the fans tell them to go home. Evil takes one chair, puts it around Finlay’s neck, and a Young Lion helps Red Shoes to the back. Evil takes aim and swings, HOMERUN!! The fans boo as Evil tosses the busted chair aside. Fale adds an ELBOW DROP! Evil tells the fans to shut up, and he drags Evil back up. Evil and Dick set Finlay up for MAGI- NO, Finlay kicks free! LOW BLOW for Evil! Fale runs in, but he’s sent into Evil! Dick leaps off the corner, but into a LOW BLOW! Fale grabs Finlay, but Finlay LOW BLOWS! Finlay suplexes Fale?!? The fans are going nuts with Finlay!

Finlay hurries to drag Evil up, and he BUCKLE BOMBS Evil! Then he brings Evil up, but Evil LOW BLOWS! The fans boo again but Evil grins as he crawls over to the corner. Evil has the dog collar! Evil goes to Finlay and CHOKES him with the chair! Evil turns Finlay for the HANGMAN’S SLEEPER! Finlay fades out and Evil lets him go. Evil grins while the fans boo harder. Evil wraps the chain around his hand and takes aim. Finlay rises, but he ducks the full metal lariat! SPEAR!! The fans fire up, and Gedo sends the shillelagh in! Finlay holds it up and the fans fire up! Evil rises, SHILLELAGH SHOT!! Down goes Evil!

Finlay drags Evil up, to SHILLELAGH SHOT again! Finlay and Gedo call for a ref, any ref, and Sato Kenta returns. He counts the cover, but Finlay lets Evil up!? Finlay flips Evil off, then suplexes, OVERKILL!! Cover, Finlay wins!

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

The King of Darkness tried to cheat The Rebel, but it all came back to bite him! But even with this win, Finlay has an uphill battle. Can Finlay still find a place in the playoffs? Or is dragging Evil down good enough for him?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yota Tsuji!

The Ace continues to be in the main event, even with his roller coaster ride of a Final Road. Will Tanahashi stay alive in the block this deep into the tournament? Or will the Gene Blast pop the bubble?

The jackets are put aside, and the fans again cheer Tanahashi’s abs. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Yota grins as the dueling is still in Tanahashi’s favor. The two circle, tie up, and Yota wrenches to wristlock. Tanahashi wrenches and wristlocks back, but Yota rolls, trips Tanahashi, and has the toehold. Tanahashi slips around to waistlock, then headlocks. Yota powers up to hammerlock then headlock. Tanahashi puts Yota on the ropes, ref Sato Kenta calls the break, and the two let off slowly. The fans applaud as the two reset. They circle again, tie up, and Tanahashi headlocks. Yota powers up but can’t power out as Tanahashi holds tight.

Yota powers up, fires body shots, then powers out to headlock in return. But Tanahashi slips out to headlock again! Tanahashi hits the takeover, Yota headscissors, but Tanahashi pops free. Tanahashi stands but Yota dropkicks the legs! The fans rally as Tanahashi goes to the corner. Yota storms up to RAM Tanahashi again and again. Yota goes corner to corner, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him away! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Direct hit and the fans cheer as Tanahashi air guitars. Tanahashi goes back to Yota, grabs a leg, stomps it then YANKS it! The fans rally behind Tanahashi and he scoops Yota to SLAM and ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!

The fans applaud, and Tanahashi drops an elbow on the knee! Yota fights back by digging an elbow into Tanahashi’s shoulder but Tanahashi pulls on the toehold. Tanahashi then ties up the legs for an INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Yota endures and keeps his shoulders up, then he fires a forearm! And another forearm! But Tanahashi puts on the pressure! Yota backstrokes and makes his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Tanahashi lets go. Tanahashi brings Yota up, but Yota fires a forearm! And another! Tanahashi eggs Yota on and Yota fires more shots. Tanahashi kicks the leg! Tanahashi then grabs the leg, DRAGON- NO, Yota steps through!

Yota stomps Tanahashi, then grabs a leg, GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi writhes and the fans rally again. Yota drags Tanahashi over to the ropes, puts the leg on the bottom rope, and then HIP DROPS the leg! Yota then puts Tanahashi in the corner and pulls the bad leg around the middle rope! The ref counts, Yota goes side to side and he DROPKICKS the leg! Tanahashi slumps down while the fans rally up. Yota grins again and drags Tanahashi up. Yota brings Tanahashi to center but Tanahashi fires forearms! Yota KICKS the bad leg! Tanahashi hobbles away, Yota runs in, but Tanahashi dodges the splash!

Tanahashi comes back, blocks a boot, and he DRAGON SCREWS Yota! The fans rally while both men are down! Tanahashi rises and the fans rally more. Tanahashi fires fast hands on Yota, then whips. Yota reverses but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up, Tanahashi rises, and Tanahashi brings Yota up. Tanahashi fires more fast hands, then scoops and SLAMS Yota into the drop zone! Tanahashi goes up, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Tanahashi waits on Yota. Yota rises, Tanahashi runs, but Yota ducks the Slingblade! Yota hooks the arms but Tanahashi fights the backslide!

Yota powers up and he manages to backslide Tanahashi. Tanahashi rolls through, but the GENE TRIGGER hits! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. Yota rises while Tanahashi crawls to the ropes. Tanahashi then goes to a corner, Yota runs in, STINGER SPLASH! And then a scoop and SLAM! Yota runs for a SOMERSAULT SENTON! Then a SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Tanahashi stays in this, but Yota stays cool. The fans cheer, “GO ACE! GO ACE!” and Yota grins. Yota rises, taunts Tanahashi a bit, then reels him in. Tanahashi fights the suplex! They go around, Yota still tries, and he lifts Tanahashi!

Tanahashi fights the suplex, and TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Yota roars as he rises up, but Tanahashi gets him for another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi roars, the fans fire up, and Tanahashi runs. SLING- NO, Yota catches Tanahashi for a FLATLINER! Then a deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Tanahashi goes to a corner, Yota runs in, GENE TRIGGER! Yota snapmares Tanahashi and aims from the corner. Tanahashi rises while the fans rally harder. Yota runs in, GENE- SLINGBLADE!! The fans fire up as Tanahashi turns things around! Tanahashi hurries to a corner and climbs up! HIGH FLY FLOW FLOPS as Yota moves!

The fans rally even harder as they can while Tanahashi and Yota are both down! The two men stir, and Yota grins as he heads for Tanahashi. The two sit up, and Tanahashi fires a forearm! Yota fires back! Tanahashi fires another, but Yota fires back! Tanahashi roars and the two stand! The forearms go back and forth, faster and faster, and Tanahashi fires a strike fest! Yota CHOPS! Tanahashi wobbles but he grits his teeth as he stays on his feet! Yota CHOPS again! Tanahashi eggs Yota on, so Yota HEADBUTTS him down! Yota takes a moment to steady himself, then he runs to CURB STOMP! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Yota STOMPS Tanahashi down again!

Yota pulls Tanahashi’s hair to lift him up. Yota looks at Tanahashi, and smiles as he sees that distant look in Tanahashi’s eyes. Yota goes to the corner, Tanahashi rises, and Yota grins as he runs in! GENE- NO, Tanahashi dodges! Yota hits buckles, and Tanahashi full nelsons! DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yota survives and the fans fire up! Tanahashi crawls his way to the corner, climbs the corner, and the fans fire up! But Yota GAMANGIRIS! Yota roars, climbs up, and the fans fire up! Yota keeps Tanahashi on the corner, but Tanahashi fires elbows! Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS Yota down!

The fans are thunderous as Tanahashi adjusts position! Yota rises, into a HIGH FLY ATTACK! The fans are thunderous again as Tanahashi goes back up top! HIGH FLY FLOW onto Yota’s back! Tanahashi flips Yota over, goes back up top, and the fans are electric as Tanahashi hits HIGH FLY FLOW AGAIN!! Cover, TANAHASHI WINS!

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

Tanahashi may have lost to Yuya last night, but he is still a shining star in the NJPW universe! Yota is still near the top of the block, can he still make the #GENE1 playoffs?

As for Tanahashi, he grabs the mic to say, “NJPW has returned to Fukuoka!” The fans cheer that! Tanahashi continues with, “Thank you, everyone, for your support to the end today. It’s thanks to all of your support that us wrestlers have the energy to stand up through whatever we face and keep going. Thank you very much!” The fans cheer again, and Tanahashi says, “I haven’t given up yet. I’ve never given up on anything! I’ll fight to the end, and take it in a snap.” The fans cheer, and Tanahashi goes to leave, but of course he takes a moment to reconsider. Tanahashi asks for the air guitar, and a Young Lion throws it to him!

The fans cheer as the throw is high up there, but Tanahashi catches it! Tanahashi calls to Fukuoka, they cheer, and he says time to rock! The air guitar concert begins and the fans clap along. The fans want the encore, so Tanahashi says okay! The encore begins, and Tanahashi gives it a big finish! He throws the guitar to the fans, a wonderful souvenir. But the fans want another encore? Tanahashi asks if they have another guitar then. A fan presents on, and what a great throw and catch! The third air guitar jam session begins, and Tanahashi really gives it a go with the jump finish! The fans cheer and Tanahashi decides to SMASH the guitar!

Tanahashi kicks the guitar out of the ring, then picks the mic up again. The fans cheer, “Tanahashi Saeko! <Tanahashi’s Awesome!>” Tanahashi thanks them for that, and is a bit emotional now. He sniffles, but assures them he’s just fine, he doesn’t cry. And lastly, he says, “To all in Fukuoka, let’s fire up the G1! AISHITEMAAASU~!” The fans cheer what could be the last time they hear that, but will Tanahashi make sure he makes his last G1 the best one ever?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

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

My Thoughts:

Another great round, and now A Block is really bunching up with the records, just like B Block. Oleg gets a great win over Callum, and Oiwa gets a great win over Taichi, and the “bottom three” of Sanada, Finlay and Tanahashi all get wins to stay alive for another round. And now, if we’re talking a top three, we’ve instead got an even split of five guys with eight points and five guys with six! It really is still anyone’s game between both blocks, can’t wait to see how things sort out.

My Score: 9.1/10