So close, you can almost taste it!

The G1 Climax hits round 8 and A Block is still a tight race! Who will pull out in front and who falls behind this close to the playoffs?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current 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

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Taichi VS Callum Newman!

Life sure takes some twists and turns. The Holy Emperor lost to The Prince of Pace in the qualifying matches, but was encouraged to keep fighting. Then Hirooki Goto’s elbow injury pulled him out of the tournament, and Taichi fought through a gauntlet to earn that spot. And now, Taichi and Callum meet again, with both men on the bubble! Who stays afloat while the other’s hopes sink?

The bell rings and the fans duel between “CALLUM! CALLUM!” and “TAICHI! TAICHI!” Callum offers a handshake, Taichi accepts, and the fans applaud the sportsmanship. And then Callum fires a forearm! Callum eggs Taichi on so Taichi RIDGE HANDS! Callum fires a forearm, Taichi fires a ridge hand, and repeat! The fans rally up, Callum fires another forearm, so Taichi KICKS! Callum shakes that off to KICK! Taichi KICKS, Callum KICKS, repeat! The fans rally up as the KICKS go faster and faster! Callum hobbles, Taichi BOOTS him! Callum rebounds to BOOT! Taichi BOOTS again! Callum BOOTS again!

Taichi BOOTS again, Callum BOOTS again, then Callum blocks a boot! Callum puts the foot down, so he can KICK Taichi in the chest! The fans applaud, Taichi nods, and Taichi comes back to KICK Callum in the chest! Callum goes to a corner, shakes that off, and he comes back to KICK! The fans applaud while Taichi shakes it off. Taichi KICKS again, Callum goes back to the corner, but he comes back to KICK again! The fans applaud and Taichi grins. Taichi winds up to KICK! Callum winds up, but that one stings a little longer. Taichi eggs him on so Callum KICKS! Taichi SOBATS! And KICKS! Callum falls, but he kips right up!

The fans fire up, but then Callum drops back down, again underestimating the sting. The fans rally up and Callum rises. Taichi BUZZ- NO, Callum ducks the kick to DECK Taichi! Callum rains down forearms on Taichi, then he backs away. Callum huffs ‘n’ puffs then brings Taichi up. Callum ROCKS Taichi with a forearm, whips him corner to corner, then runs in corner to corner! But Taichi ROUNDHOUSES first! The fans fire up as Callum falls back! The fans rally, Taichi sits Callum up but Callum pushes him away. Taichi scuffs Callum, then KICKS him! The fans fire up again while Callum sputters. Taichi powers up, but Callum denies him taking off the pants!

The fans rally as Callum flounders and drags himself up, and CALLUM RIPS OFF THE PANTS! Then he SPITS at Taichi! So Taichi DECKS him! The fans fire up and Taichi sits Callum up. Taichi rips away the medical tape on Callum’s back and KICKS him! Callum writhes but Taichi waits on him to rise up. Taichi runs in, but Callum SWATS the Ax Bomber! Callum BOOTS Taicih, but Taichi still hits the DANGEROUS SAIDO! Callum tries to get up but he falls over. Taichi top mounts for a cover, TWO! The fans rally and duel as Callum stays in this. Taichi stands Callum up, winds up, but Callum ducks the lariat!

Callum wrenches and suplexes, but his back gives out! Taichi Alabama Lifts but Callum fights free! Callum ducks a shot to BODY BLOW!! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Callum might’ve even gotten a liver shot on Taichi. Both men crawl to center, the fans rally up, and Callum runs to KNEE Taichi in the side! Taichi sputters but Callum drags him around. Callum’s back makes it hard to stand, but he still heads for a corner. Callum climbs, and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Direct hit on Taichi’s stomach! Callum crawls to the cover, TWO!! Taichi survives all that damage and the fans fire up again!

Callum stretches out his back and fires up as he stands. Callum goes back to Taichi, brings him up, and CLUBS him on the back. Callum suplexes, Taichi fights it and slips around, but then Callum fights the saido! Callum KNEES low, then brings Taichi back in. Callum hooks the leg, FIREBOLT! Callum manages it but his back still holds him back! Callum crawls to a cover, TWO!! Taichi survives and the fans fire up! Callum grits his teeth, rises up, and he scuffs Taichi. The fans rally, Callum calls his shot, and Callum goes to the ropes! Springboard and OSC- ELBOW!! Taichi takes Callum outta the air with that one!

Taichi aims from a corner, runs in, and PENALTY KICK to the back! Taichi keeps moving, AX BOMBER! The fans fire up while Callum flounders. Taichi raises his fist and the fans join in with “OSU!” Taichi stands Callum up, Callum breaks free, but he drops to his knees! Taichi stands Callum up, POINT-BLANK AX BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives and the fans fire back up! Taichi drags Callum up, Callum SPITS at him, but then Callum falls over again. Taichi sits Callum up, just to KICK him down! Then DANGEROUS- NO, Callum lands out! DOUBLE STOMP! The fans fire up as Callum still has fight in him!

Callum goes to the ropes, calls his shot, and he runs up to V-TRIGGER at the ropes! The fans rally and Callum hops up, POISON-RANA!! Taichi staggers to his feet, goes to a corner, and Callum runs in, kitchen sink knee! Callum hurries to Half Hatch, PRINCE’S CURSE!! But Callum still has to crawl to the cover, and Taichi already sits up! The fans are thunderous as Taichi rises, but Callum has the wristlock. Taichi SPITS at Callum, so Callum KAMI-GOYES!! And then Callum brings Taichi back in, for the PRINCE’S CURSE!! Cover, CALLUM WINS!

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

An epic battle between these two ends the same as before: Callum conquers Taichi! The Prince of Pace has some breathing room in the block, but will he still make the playoffs? The Holy Emperor falls short of the finish line, but will he play spoilers to someone else in the end?

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

The NEVER Openweight Champion and the King of Darkness are near the front of this block, but time is running out! Will Evil be behind BARS? Or will the House of Torture stack the deck higher than Oleg can climb?

Wait, where is The Spoiler? He didn’t accompany Evil out here, so… Of course! Dick attacks Oleg during his entrance! The fans boo but Dick stomps away on Oleg, then Evil goes out to join him! Evil drags Oleg up and into the ring, but then Fale and Dick get in there, too! They all mug Oleg, and even brush the ref aside! The House double whips Oleg into a corner, then Dick runs in for an ELBOW! Evil adds a LARIAT, and Fale adds a SPLASH! They push Oleg down, Dick goes up, but the ref reprimands! Too late, DICK CHOP! Evil soaks up the heat while Oleg writhes. Evil wants this one called, and he tells the fans to shut up.

The bell rings, Evil steps through, SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Oleg endures, the fans rally up, but Evil sits deep on the hold! Oleg powers up, pushes up, and he fights forward! Evil sits deeper, to where it’s now more an Indian Deathlock! But Oleg still makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Evil holds on! The ref counts, Evil lets go at 4, and he drags Oleg from the ropes. Evil TOSSES Oleg out, then whips Oleg into the railing! Oleg slumps down, but Evil drags Oleg up. Evil whips Oleg into more railing, then SMACKS him off a table! A table that clearly Dick & Fale set up! Evil leaves Oleg behind to distract the ref, which lets Dick get a shot in!

The fans boo, Evil tells them to shut up, and the ref starts a ring count. Oleg hobbles at 7 of 20, rolls in at 8, but Evil is right on him with a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Oleg is still in this and the fans rally up. Evil is annoyed and he brings Oleg up, but Oleg BODY BLOWS! Evil CLAWS Oleg’s eyes! Evil whips Oleg into the corner, and surprise! The blue buckle pad is gone, Oleg hits bare steel! But Oleg still runs up on Evil to CLOBBER him! The fans fire up as Oleg doesn’t even flinch against the Bullet- er, uh, House of Torture Special! The fans rally up while both men are down, and Oleg rises to his feet.

Oleg drags Evil up, scoops and SLAMS him, then runs, only for Fale to trip him up! The fans boo and the ref reprimands Fale but Fale claims it was the cameraman. Evil kicks Oleg out of the ring, tells the ref to leave him alone, and then he brings Oleg into the crowd! And up into the orange seats! Dick follows and helps mug Oleg up there, then they reel Oleg in! Oleg fights the double suplex, breaks free, and he DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLES! The fans fire up while Evil & Dick tumble! Oleg stands Evil up to CHOP! The fans fire up as Oleg’s heavy hands show their power! Oleg then gut wrenches Evil!

The fans fire up as Oleg Shakes, Shakes, Shakes, but Dick runs up! Oleg drops Evil to kick Dick! Oleg picks Dick up, then he drags Evil along by his ear! The fans fire up as Oleg brings them back to the steps and back to ground level! The fans cheer as Oleg dumps them both into the ring! Fale runs up, but Oleg RAMS Fale into railing! The front row is kinda stuck with Fale right in front of them now! Oleg then storms into the ring, and he runs up to SPLASH! Oleg scoops Evil to SLAM him into the drop zone! Then Oleg goes up, up, and VADER BOMBS! Cover, TWO! Oleg drags Evil up, fireman’s carries, and KAMI- NO, Evil fights free and shoves Oleg!

Evil goes from the corner to LARIAT! But Oleg stays up! Evil LARIATS again, but Oleg is still up! Evil pokes Oleg in the eyes, then runs, but into a clinch! BELLY2BELLY! Oleg hauls Evil back up, fireman’s carries, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally but Oleg hurries to drag Evil back up! Fireman’s carry and- NO, Evil slips free, clinches, but Oleg CLUBS Evil away! Evil SWATS the lariat, ROCKS Oleg, and ROLLING ELBOWS! Evil runs, but into a POP-UP and F5!! The Verdict is in, Evil is guilty! The fans fire up, Oleg fireman’s carries, but Evil grabs at the ref! The ref slaps free! But Evil slips free, shoves Oleg away, then corners the ref?

Oleg runs in but he doesn’t realize the ref is back there! Evil moves and Oleg SPLASHES the ref! Down goes Marty Asami! Then Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER on Oleg! Oleg THROWS Dick away, but Fale BODY BLOWS! Fale runs, but Oleg kicks low! Oleg CHOPS Fale, and he fireman’s carries Fale?!? But then Dick LOW BLOWS! The fans boo but Fale winds up, GRENADE!! The Rogue General drags Oleg around and Dick puts the table in! Fale and Dick set the table up, then they bring Oleg around. Fale puts Oleg on the table, then he goes up!? The fans freak out already, and Fale DIVING SPLASHES down through the table!!

The fans boo but Fale and Dick hide the evidence that is the wrecked table! Oleg coughs and sputters while Evil rises back up. Referee Sakamoto is here, and he asks what is going on! Evil drags Oleg up for EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Cover, Evil wins!

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

It quite truly took The House falling on Oleg to keep him down! But will this loss take Oleg out of the running? Or does he have a chance in the ninth? As for Evil, has he already clinched a playoff berth? Or will he have to wait and see how the block takes shape?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS SANADA!

The Ace’s main event streak is over, but his G1 run still has a chance! Will the Final Road still lead to the playoffs? Or will the Cold-Blooded Snake cheat his way into a top spot?

Surprisingly, Sanada does not try to attack Tanahashi during his entrance nor his introductions. But as always, Tanahashi takes off the jacket and the fans cheer the abs. The bell rings and the fans rally up for Tanahashi, though there seem to be some Sanada holdouts. Tanahashi and Sanada circle, feel things out, and tie up. Tanahashi waistlocks, Sanada switches, but Tanahashi wrenches free to wristlock. Sanada endures, wrenches through and wristlocks in return. But Tanahashi wrenches and wristlocks, then hammerlocks to headlock. Tanahashi hits the takeover, Sanada kips free, and Tanahashi plays air guitar! But Sanada SHINING WIZARDS!

The fans rally as Sanada ruins the fun! Sanada goes right up, to ROUNDING- NO, Tanahashi dodges, runs up, and SLINGBLADES! Tanahashi hurries up a corner now and the fans fire up! Sanada stands, but he SHOVES the ref into the ropes! That trips Tanahashi up! Tanahashi falls onto the top rope, then flops to the apron! The fans boo but now Sanada drags Tanahashi into the ring. Sanada then goes to fetch his guitar, and it’s not made of air! Sanada strums his real guitar, the fans boo, but Sanada aims! SMASH HIT! Double J would be proud of that one! Sanada kicks the evidence out of the ring and he gets the ref back in.

Sanada goes back to Tanahashi, but Tanahashi snatches him into a cradle!! TANAHASHI WINS!!

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

It’s Sanada’s own fault for taking Tanahashi too easy! The Ace serves some justice, and Sanada is out of the running! But will Tanahashi still find his way to one last G1 finals?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Yuya Uemura VS Ryohei Oiwa!

The Heat Storm and The Grip are both bright young stars, and they’re both near the front of the block. But with the window soon closing, will “the sun” still shine? Or will Oiwa prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

The bell rings and the fans duel already, “YUYA! YUYA!” “OIWA! OIWA!” They circle, feel things out, knuckle lock but then break. They go again, feeling out the knuckle lock, but then Oiwa goes for a leg. Yuya avoids that, he goes for a leg, but Oiwa blocks to go for an arm. Yuya waistlocks, Oiwa switches, Yuya switches back, but Oiwa gets away. The fans cheer as the two reset. Oiwa and Yuya tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, but Yuya wrenches an arm. Yuya wrenches again, but Oiwa rolls and wrenches in return. Yuya spins through, wrenches, but Oiwa spins through to wrench back. Yuya spins and wrenches, Oiwa rolls and UP KICKS! The fans cheer as the two stand off again.

Oiwa and Yuya circle, tie up, and Oiwa headlocks. Yuya powers up and out, but Oiwa runs Yuya over! Things speed up, Yuya hurdles but Oiwa arm-drags! Yuya headscissors, Oiwa kips free and now Oiwa runs. Yuya arm-drags, Oiwa headscissors, but Yuya kips free! They both run, dosido, and then DOSIDO ARM-DRAG! Yuya hurries to armlock! The fans cheer that exchange while Oiwa endures the grind. Oiwa fights up, pulls hair, but Yuya grinds the arm. Yuya puts Oiwa in the corner, Red Shoes counts the break, and Yuya lets go. But then Yuya whips corner to corner, only for Oiwa to reverse. Yuya goes up and over, runs back in, but Oiwa elbows him!

Oiwa runs up but into an arm-drag! Yuya has another armlock and Oiwa endures. Oiwa keeps his free arm up so it isn’t a cover, but Yuya shifts to top wristlock. Oiwa fights his way up, snapmares, but Yuya drags Oiwa down. Oiwa snapmares, Yuya rolls, and repeat! Yuya then wrangles Oiwa with the wristlock! The fans applaud and Oiwa clasps hands to fight the armlock. Oiwa fights up, Yuya keeps on the arm with a different angle, but Oiwa whips Yuya away. Oiwa then snatches Yuya into a COBRA TWIST! The fans applaud as now Yuya endures. Oiwa puts on the pressure, but Yuya fights his way to the IRON OCTOPUS!

The fans cheer and Oiwa powers out to HIP TOSS! But Yuya arm-drags again! The fans cheer while Yuya grinds Oiwa down again. Oiwa keeps his arms up and moves around. Oiwa stands and pulls Yuya’s hair again. Oiwa whips Yuya away, then drops down to DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Yuya flounders. Yuya stands, Oiwa arm-drags, and Oiwa fights off the headscissors. Yuya keeps his shoulders up now as Oiwa grinds the headlock. Yuya fights up, but Oiwa grinds the hold. Yuya pushes on the grip, powers up, but can’t power out as Oiwa holds tight! Oiwa grinds the headlock more, but Yuya fights up to his feet.

Yuya fires body shots, then powers up and out. Oiwa RUNS Yuya over! Things keep moving, but then Oiwa drops an elbow on Yuya’s dropdown! Oiwa has the headlock, it’s more like a Just Facelock, but Yuya rolls to a cover! ONE, and Oiwa holds onto the headlock. Yuya fights up, powers up, and hits a BIG back suplex! But Oiwa holds on! The fans fire while Yuya continues to endure. Yuya fights up, powers Oiwa to a corner, and Red Shoes counts the break. Yuya RAMS into Oiwa, then RAMS him again, and again! Yuya backs off to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP again! The fans rally, Yuya whips corner to corner, then runs in, only for Oiwa to put him on the apron!

Yuya blocks a shot, but Oiwa avoids the shoulder tackle to headlock! Oiwa drags Yuya into the ring like that, then shifts to a cravat. Yuya endures, the fans rally, and Yuya clubs free! Yuya wrenches, Oiwa breaks free and cravats! Yuya fights, Oiwa avoids the club and cravats again! Yuya throws Oiwa but Oiwa holds on! Oiwa wrangles Yuya to a cravat cover, TWO! The two stand, and Yuya arm-drags! Oiwa headscissors! Oiwa holds tight and pushes up! The fans fire up for this technical masterclass! Yuya bridges back but Oiwa CHOPS him down! Oiwa pushes up again, but Yuya fights around to have the ROPEBREAK!

The fans applaud and Oiwa lets go. Yuya goes to a corner but Oiwa stomps him down. Oiwa drags Yuya up, whips him corner to corner, but Yuya goes up to CROSSBODY! Only for Oiwa to slip around to a waistlock! Then the headlock! But Yuya powers up to back suplex! Oiwa lands out! Oiwa shoves Yuya to a corner, but Yuya goes up to CROSSBODY! Direct hit this time and the fans fire up! Oiwa and Yuya are both down catching their breaths while the fans rally up. Yuya rolls to a corner and stands up. Yuya then runs in at Oiwa to ELBOW him down! And arm-drag! And DROPKICK! Yuya fires up and the fans are with him!

Oiwa goes to a corner, Yuya runs in, and Yuya CROSSBODIES in the corner! Then he BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud while Yuya keeps cool as Oiwa stays in this. Yuya goes back to the ropes, stands back up, and the fans rally again. Yuya brings Oiwa up but Oiwa CHOPS! And CHOPS! Oiwa whips, Yuya reverses to arm-drag! Short Arm Scissors! Oiwa endures and fights around. Oiwa pushes Yuya using Yuya’s own legs, and he rolls Yuya up, TWO! Yuya powers his way to the Short Arm Scissors but Oiwa rolls him again! Yuya throws Oiwa, Oiwa rolls Yuya, and repeat! They go around and around and around, and Yuya finally keeps Oiwa down!

The fans applaud while Oiwa fights against the short arm scissors. Oiwa turns Yuya over, pries free and then floats up, but Yuya ducks the headlock! Yuya has the hammerlock and the fans applaud! Oiwa endures again, fights to sit up, but Yuya puts on the pressure. Oiwa stands, reaches out, but Yuya keeps him from ropes. They go around, Oiwa SWINGS Yuya into the buckles! The fans rally as Oiwa is free. Oiwa shakes out the arm, runs, but Yuya ELBOWS him! Yuya runs, but Oiwa ELBOWS him! Oiwa then fakes Yuya on the run to LARIAT him down! The fans fire up, Oiwa gut wrenches, DOCTOR BOMB! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as Yuya stays in this. Oiwa drags Yuya up, brings him around, and scoops to SLAM! Oiwa fires the fans up as he goes to the corner. Oiwa climbs up, and DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Oiwa clamps onto Yuya with a SLEEPER! Yuya endures, grabs at Oiwa’s hair but Oiwa shakes that off. Oiwa drags Yuya up, but Yuya uses that to hit a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up again while both men are down! The fans rally up as Oiwa and Yuya go to corners. Oiwa runs in but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya eggs Oiwa on, Oiwa runs up, but Yuya dodges to DROPKICK! Yuya hurries to cording hold! Oiwa ROCKS Yuya! Yuya ENZIGIRIS back!

The fans fire up again as Oiwa falls! Yuya rises, runs corner to corner, but Oiwa dodges! O’Conner and CHAOS THEORY! Bridging cover, TWO! Yuya escapes and the fans fire up again! Oiwa huffs ‘n’ puffs as he storms over to Yuya. Oiwa roars, the fans rally, and Oiwa drags Yuya up. Oiwa runs, THE- ARM-DRAG! ARMBAR!! Oiwa flails, clasps hands, and fights around! But Yuya breaks the grip to ARMBAR!! Oiwa fights around, he gets his own ARMBAR! But Yuya switches it back to his ARMBAR! Oiwa stacks Yuya, TWO, and Yuya shifts to a DISARMER! Oiwa rolls through to get the SLEEPER!

The fans fire up, Oiwa spins Yuya, but Yuya SWATS The Grip! Yuya jumps up, RA- BOMB!! Jackknife bridge, TWO!! Oiwa is shocked that Yuya survives but the fans are thunderous! Oiwa hauls Yuya up, THE- NO, Yuya ducks the lariat to cording hold! But then Oiwa LARIATS from the right side! Oiwa roars, runs, THE- NO, Yuya ducks The Grip to backslide! Oiwa rolls through but ends up int he cording holds! DEADBOLT PLEX!! Bridging cover, Yuya wins!!

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

Iron sharpens iron, and this one was hot! But with this, Yuya is within reach of that playoff berth! Will nothing stop the Heat Storm on his rise to the top? Will Oiwa get a grip in the final round?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Yota Tsuji VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!

The Gene Blast is at the front, The Rebel is at the back, but this is still anyone’s race towards the playoffs. Will Yota take over the #GENE1? Or will Finlay make himself the top dog once again?

The bell rings and the fans rally for “YOTA! YOTA!” Finlay shrugs that off, he and Yota tie up, and the two are in a deadlock. Yota’s height becomes his leverage, but then Finlay digs in his heels. Finlay powers Yota to ropes, Red Shoes calls the break, and Finlay lets off slowly. Finlay pats Yota on the shoulder, and the two reset. The fans rally up as the two circle again. They tie up, are in another deadlock, but Yota uses his height to push Finlay to the ropes this time. The fans applaud, Red Shoes calls the break, and Yota lets off slowly. Yota pats Finlay on the shoulder, but Finlay ROCKS Yota! Finlay headlocks, Yota powers out, and the two RAM shoulders!

The fans applaud and Finlay scoffs. Yota headlocks, Finlay powers out, and Yota RUNS him over! The fans fire up and Finlay gets up in a huff. Yota grins as the two go forehead to forehead. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally, Finlay gets the edge, and he eggs Yota on. Yota CHOPS! The fans fire up again and Yota winds up. But Finlay CLAWS Yota’s eyes! Finlay runs, but Yota scoops for the BACKBREAKER! Finlay tumbles out of the ring, the fans rally up, and Yota builds speed! Yota DIVES into a FOREARM! Finlay brushes himself off while Yota falls to the floor. Finlay then stomps Yota before shaking out the arm.

The fans rally but Finlay drags Yota up. Finlay puts Yota in the ring, covers, but he’s really grinding his forearm into Yota’s face! Red Shoes reprimands, Finlay stops, but then Finlay rains down fists! Red Shoes reprimands about closed fists now, and Finlay stops. The fans rally, Finlay stomps Yota to the ropes, and then Finlay CLAWS Yota’s face! Red Shoes knows something is up, even as Finlay tries to hide it. Finlay stops, then he drags Yota back up. Finlay YANKS Yota’s arm, then drags him into a CAMEL CLUTCH! Yota endures, gets an arm free, but Finlay puts it back in. Yota still endures, still fights, and the fans rally harder.

Yota gets both arms free to have the ROPEBREAK! Finlay reluctantly lets Yota go, then drags him up. Yota fires a forearm first! Finlay eggs Yota on so Yota fires more forearms, only for Finlay to throat chop! Finlay runs in at the corner, blocks the boot, but then blocks the reel-in! Finlay ROCKS Yota, brings him around, and reels him in, but Yota BACKDROPS! Finlay sunset flips, TWO! Yota clinches for the COMPLETE SHOT! The fans fire up while both men are down. Finlay shakes out the bad arm while the fans rally up again. Yota rises while Finlay goes to the corner. Yota runs corner to corner but Finlay dodges!

Finlay runs in, Yota puts him on the apron! Yota ROCKS Finlay, trips him, then runs to WRECK him with a baseball slide dropkick! The fans fire up, Yota builds speed, and Yota DIVES! Direct hit and Finlay hits railing! The fans fire up while Yota roars! Yota takes a quick lap around the ring as the fans rally behind him. Yota comes back around to Finlay and brings him up. Yota puts Finlay in, the fans cheer as Yota slingshots in and runs corner to corner! STINGER SPLASH! And then the suplex, but Finlay fights it to suplex Yota into the buckles! The fans fire up while Finlay grins. Finlay aims, runs back in, and he UPPERCUTS!

Finlay brings Yota out to suplex and BROKEN ARROW! Finlay flexes and the fans do cheer that feat of strength. Finlay then covers, TWO! The fans rally while Finlay drags Yota up. Finlay clamps on to crossface forearm! Finlay talks trash, dares Yota to smile now, and then crossface forearms again! Finlay puts up the Too Sweet to soak up cheers and jeers. Finlay drags Yota up, Canadian Racks, but Yota slips free! Backslide, Finlay rolls through, and Finlay blocks the knee! But he swings into the BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER, and STOMP! Then ORANGE CRUSH! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives the Gene Combination and then some, and the fans fire up!

The fans rally as Yota rises and Finlay stirs. Yota drags Finlay up, reels him in, but Finlay fights the lift! The fans rally as Yota still tries, but Finlay still fights. Yota CLUBS Finlay, CLUBS him again, then stands Finlay up for a forearm! Finlay wobbles, but he comes back to ROCK Yota! The fans rally, Yota ROCKS Finlay! Finlay staggers to the ropes, Gedo coaches him, and Finlay ROCKS Yota! The fans fire up as Yota goes to the ropes and Finlay eggs him on. Yota comes back to ROCK Finlay, but Finlay fires back! The fans rally as the forearms go back and forth. Finlay fires a flurry, then a ROLLING ELBOW! GENE TRIGGER! Finlay rebounds to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up and Finlay seethes as Yota stays in this! Finlay reels Yota in, lifts him up, but Yota RANAS! The fans fire up and Yota SUPERKICKS! Finlay wobbles, GENE BLASTER!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Finlay survives by fingertips and Yota is beside himself. The fans rally up, Gedo pounds the mat and coaches Finlay to get up. Finlay and Yota slowly rise, and Yota goes to ropes. Yota goes back for Finlay, drags him up, but Finlay pushes him away. Yota drags Finlay up again but again Finlay pushes him away. The fans rally more as Yota sits Finlay up, but Finlay SPITS at Yota and flips him of! So Yota KNEES him down!

Yota roars and the fans fire up! Yota stands Finlay up, goes up the corner, MARLOWE- BOMB!! Finlay hurries to haul Yota up, POWERBOMB! Stacking cover, TWO!! Yota survives and the fans fire up! Finlay staggers up, but he slashes his throat, vowing to end this! Finlay suplexes, OVER- NO! Yota blocks the knee, gets under and POWERBOMBS! Then he flips Finlay over to BUCKLE BOMB! Yota uses one of Finlay’s favorites, then he POWER- NO, Finlay fights free! Finlay now BUCKLE BOMBS! But GENE- NO, Finlay cradles!! TWO!!! Yota escapes, but Finlay GUN STUNS!! And then INTO- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!!

Finlay is up, GENE- NO, Finlay stuffs it! INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and Finlay is beside himself, but the fans are thunderous after that wild back and forth! Finlay hobbles over to Yota, drags him up again, and then goes to a corner?! MARLOWE CRUSH!! Finlay hits Yota’s signature then high stacks, TWO!!! Yota survives his own move so Finlay drags him up for OVER- NO, Yota flips free! And GENE- KNEE!! Finlay hits first, then suplexes, for OVERKILL!!! Cover, FINLAY WINS!

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

The Gnee Blast tried but he could not keep things tranquilo! Will this loss cost him a chance at the playoffs? Or will he be able to pull it off in the ninth?

As for Finlay, the fans cheer him on as he gets the mic. “Tsuji, Tsuji. Somehow, you always find a way to push me to mu limit. But today, I was the better man. Here’s the thing: This G1 did not start off the way that I wanted it to. But you are witnessing the greatest comeback in G1 Climax history!” The fans do applaud that, and they again cheer Finlay on. Finlay continues by saying, “Everybody’s wondering, ‘Who’s gonna win the G1?’ But let me answer that for you right now: It’s the Rebel! It’s the Boss Dog! It’s the S-A-V-A-G-E KING!” The fans applaud, and Finlay says time to send the people home, Gedo.

Finlay hands the mic over to the Blacksmith, and Gedo says in Japanese, “The Savage King has returned! You’re witnessing the greatest comeback in G1 history! All that’s left to do to reach the top is to crush whoever’s in the way!” Then in English, “The Rebel’s taking the eff over everything! I need the Rebel! NJPW needs The Rebel! And the world… needs the Rebel!” The fans cheer and Finlay certainly is primed for that comeback. But will he pull it off in the final round? Or will history be denied in the end?

Here are the NEW 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]

My Thoughts:

An awesome round for A Block here, with our first eliminations in this block coming in. Taichi VS Callum was awesome, especially with it revisiting the qualifier matches. Evil of course has to cheat to win again but it really helps Oleg look strong because Evil & The House had to go to such lengths to do it. Sanada losing so quick to Tanahashi was great, hilarious even. Yuya VS Oiwa was awesome, really showing how they’re both major parts of this younger generation, despite not being “Musketeers.” And then Finlay VS Yota was awesome, a great back and forth, and a great win for Finlay because he really needed to stay afloat in the block.

The block itself is still pretty wild. Yuya and Evil as the frontrunners is good stuff, and Yuya has that tiebreaker so that makes him A Block’s number one seed right now. The 4-4 traffic jam is some fun, and it really will come down to the final round to sort it out. Evil facing Tanahashi is going to be some awesome stuff because that really can determine a top three spot.

My Score: 9.1/10