Who wins there way into the Climax?

Before the G1 Climax can heat up the summer, NJPW holds “play-in” matches to fill the blocks! Tonight: Yoshi-Hashi VS Aaron Wolf, Taichi VS Yuto-Ice!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Yuya Uemura, El Desperado & Masatora Yasuda VS Togi Makabe, Toru Yano & Taisei Nakahara; Yuya, Desperado & Yasuda win.
• 8 Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, YOH, Ryusuke Taguchi & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
• Shota Umino & Satoshi Kojima VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Shota & Kojima win.
• 8 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Kosei Fujita VS Master Wato VS SHO VS Francesco Akira; Akira wins and will challenge for the title.
• G1 Climax 36 B Block Qualifier: YOSHI-HASHI VS Aaron Wolf; Wolf wins and advances.
• G1 Climax 36 A Block Qualifier: Yuto-Ice VS Taichi; Yuto wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Kosei Fujita VS Master Wato VS SHO VS Francesco Akira!

The moment Yoh won the title off Douki, challengers came out the woodwork! The Japanese Young Punk wants his rematch from Best of the Super Juniors, but so does the Way to the Grandmaster. The Murder Machine wants to stick it to his former friend, and The Crown of Fire wants a belt of gold! Whose hunger and determination sees them through this “Yoh Game?”

As such, Yoh is on commentary, right as Sho grabs a mic because he insists on talking. Sho tells all these “country hicks” that he’s stuck facing the Osakan hick (Wato), the Italian hick (Akira), or the Ehime SUPER hick (Fujita), all because Yoh insists on putting him in this stupid situation for an opportunity he deserves! Sho is going to do whatever he wants however he wants, and he’ll beat them all up! But then Akira trips Sho, drags him out of the ring, and throws him into railing! The fans cheer, the bell rings, and Akira interrupts the trash talk between Fujita and Wato by attacking them! Akira runs, but into DOUBLE KICKS!

The fans rally as Wato and Fujita talk more trash, then fire forearms! They go back and forth while the fans rally up more! Wato gets the edge, but Fujita winds up to CHOP! Fujita runs, but Sho trips him up! Wato BOOTS Sho down, then Wato builds speed. But Fujita GAMANGIRIS Wato! The fans fire up again while Fujita grins. Fujita brings Wato up, cravats, and snapmares to KICK him in the back! Kneeling cover, TWO! Wato’s tougher than that, but Fujita stands him up to CHOP again! Fujita whips Wato corner to corner, Wato reverses, but then Fujita puts Wato on the apron. Wato blocks a shot, ROCKS Fujita, but then Sho YANKS Wato down!

The fans boo, but then Akira CLOBBERS Fujita! Sho steps into the ring, Akira says, “Gomenasai,” and he suggests they gang up on Fujita. Sho agrees and they both stomp away! Wato gets up but Sho and Akira BLAST him back down! Then they agree to go after Wato! They double whip Wato hard into railing! Wato slumps down, Akira high-fives Sho and Sho puts up the crown! Akira “smokes the cigar!” Sho and Akira return to the ring, shake hands, and the fans are torn. Akira says this is real collaboration! Akira and Sho then double whip Fujita, DOUBLE ELBOW him, but Sho covers! Akira breaks it! The fans laugh as Sho apologizes.

Akira says look out for Wato! Sho turns around, Akira covers Fujita, but then Sho breaks it up! Sho is upset with Akira now but Akira apologizes. Akira “smokes the cigar,” so Sho high-fives him again. Akira turns Fujita over for a HALF CRAB, then Sho grabs the other leg, DOUBLE HALF CRAB! But then they argue over who gets credit for the submission! The fans rally as Fujita endures, fights around, and reaches out! ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Sho and Akira let go, but then Sho gets both legs! Akira tells Sho no, they break! Akira and Sho argue, but Wato DOUBLE BULLDOGS them! The fans fire up as Wato mocks Akira.

Wato then brings Sho up for a flurry of forearms. Wato whips, Sho reverses, but Wato CLOBBERS Sho! The fans cheer and Wato runs corner to corner to ELBOW Sho again! Then he hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Sho toughs it out but the fans rally with Wato. Wato drags Sho up, wrenches and clinches, but Sho fights the lift. Akira returns to BOOT Wato down! Sho KNEES Akira, Fujita CHOPS Sho! Wato CHOPS Fujita, then CHOPS again! Wato whips Fujita but Fujita reverses, only for Wato to FLY out onto Sho and Akira! The fans fire up, and then Fujita goes to the apron. Wato stands Akira and Sho up, Fujita springboards to CANNONBALL onto them!

The fans fire up for Fujita as he and Wato now stare down. They talk a little smack, then they get in the ring. The fans rally as Fujita eggs Wato on. Wato fires a forearm, Fujita fire back, and the fans rally as the shots keep going! Wato fires a flurry, ROCKS Fujita, but Fujita rebounds to CHOP! Wato rebounds, Fujita slips around, and GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up while Fujita vows to end it. Fujita brings Wato up, reels him in, and hooks a leg. Fujita fisherman’s Wato into the torture rack, but Wato slips free! Wato waistlocks, Fujita fights with elbows! Wato ducks one, scoops Fujita, and T T D! Cover, TWO!!

The fans cheer as Fujita survives, and Wato fires up as he points to the corner. Wato goes up, but Sho ROCKS him first! Sho climbs up after Wato, but Akira YANKS Sho down! Akira says HE’S getting Wato! Sho climbs up again, so they work together, only for Fujita to get under them all! TOWER OF DOOM!! The fans fire up while Fujita covers Akira. TWO, so Fujita covers Sho! TWO, so Fujita covers Wato, TWO! But then Fujita clamps onto Wato for his Clarky Cat Remix! Wato endures, even as Fujita pulls the arm back! But Akira CLOBBERS Fujita! The fans rally as all four men are down. All four crawl to center, watching each other.

They all sit up, and Fujita ROCKS Wato! Akira ROCKS Sho! Wato ROCKS Fujita, Fujita hits back! Fujita hits Akira, Wato hits Sho, so they hit back! The forearms keep going as the four men stand up, and the fans rally. Sho stomps Wato’s foot, ROCKS him again, then again! Akira CLUBS Fujita, then he and Sho argue about who’s getting that title. Akira ROCKS Sho, so Sho ROCKS Akira! They throw shots back and forth, Akira fires a flurry, but Sho CLAWS Akira’s eyes! Fujita and Wato step in, but Akira CLAWS Fujita’s eyes while Sho CLAWS Wato’s eyes! Akira and Sho run, but Wato dodges while Fujita snatches Akira!

Wato sunset flips but then shifts through, VENDEVAL! Fujita has Akira in CLARKY CAT! The fans rally for the dueling submissions! Sho and Akira endure, but then Fujita decides to let Akira go so he can step over Wato and SLAP him! That breaks the hold, and Fujita grins as he eggs Wato on. Wato stands back up and ROCKS Fujita! Fujita SLAPS, Wato SLAPS, it is a SLAP fight! They throw palm strikes fast ‘n’ furious as the fans fire up! Both men wobble, but then Wato SMACKS Fujita down! And he winds up, DREAMCAST- SMACK from Fujita! Fujita then whips Wato, pops him up to the waistlock, but Wato resists the lift!

Akira runs up, Wato slips free, the CALF KICK hits Fujita! Wato runs back up to SLINGBLADE! But Sho SPEARS Wato! Sho roars, reels Wato in and tucks the arms, STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!? Wato survives and the fans are thunderous! But Sho wants to make sure Yoh is watching this! Sho drags Wato up and aims his bow right at Yoh! Sho tucks the arms, SHOCK- NO, Wato fights free, wrenches, and RECI- NO, Sho fights the lift, bends fingers, then fires boxing elbows! Sho runs, but Wato slips through, crucifix takedown into RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, NOVA FIREBALL!! Cover, but Fujita deadlifts Akira! GERMAN SUPLEX and the bridge! TWO?!?

The fans are thunderous as all four men are down! Fujita brings Akira up, suplexes, but Akira fights that to wrench free. Akira ducks the chop, but Fujita ducks the Poison-Rana! But then Akira ducks to SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Fujita is back up to SNAP GERMAN! But Akira is back up! Akira runs in, Fujita slips around to waistlock, but Wato runs up! Akira ducks, the LARIAT hits Fujita! Akira ENZIGIRIS Wato! Akira roars, runs, but into a LARIAT from Wato!! The fans are thunderous again and Yoh cheers Wato on as he waistlocks Akira! TSUTENKAKU!! Bridging cover, but Sho YANKS the ref out!

The fans boo, but now DOUKI rushes out here! Douki stomps away on Wato, Sho joins in, but Yoh gets off commentary! BLACK MIRROR on Yoh!! Sho & Douki get Wato up while the fans boo! Sho winds up, but Fujita snatches the mirror! Fujita SMACKS Sho with it! And then he winds up to SMACK Wato! Douki likes that, at least. But then Fujita SMACKS Douki! Duh! Akira returns, Fujita kicks him first! Fujita winds up, but Akira LOW BLOWS Fujita! Akira takes the mirror and grins as he winds up. Akira SMACKS Fujita with the mirror! Akira calls for the ref, then goes over to help him back into the ring.

Akira vows to end this, and he brings Wato up. Akira hooks a leg, CROWN- NO, Wato cradle counters! TWO!! Akira blocks a kick, then FIREBALL to the face!! Cover, TWO?!?! Wato survives and the fans are thunderous again! Akira is furious but he winds up to BUZZSAW! Wato sputters, Akira brings him up, CROWN FALL!! Cover, AKIRA WINS!

Winner: Francesco Akira, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship)

The odds have been defied, the smoke has cleared, and it is the Crown of Fire burning bright! Akira grabs the mic to speak, but Yoh is still out cold on the floor. Akira tells the Young Lions to get Yoh into the ring for him. Yoh is helped into the ring, icepack on his head. Akira tells Yoh that they’ve still got two matches to go tonight. Akira says he has won the Yoh Game, so what’s he gotta say about that? Akira gives Yoh the mic, and Yoh is helped to his feet. Yoh manages to say, “Akira… Congratulations… As the 100th IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, I accept your challenge. And I will crush you. Akira, gimme 100% of what you’ve got.”

Akira is pissed and he fires off on Yoh! Akira THROWS the Young Lions out, then grabs the belt! BELT SHOT! Akira takes the mic back to say Yoh should be grateful. He tells Yoh he will speak in Japanese for his benefit as he says that Yoh finally made it to the top of the mountain, but his time is already up! The fans cheer but Akira tells them to shut up! Akira vows to take everything from Yoh, and he will make Yoh and all his fans feel the peak of despair. Akira holds up the belt as he stands on Yoh. Will he conquer the Junior Heavyweight Division for The United Empire? Or will Yoh prove he’s the Best of the Super Juniors for a reason?

G1 Climax 36 B Block Qualifier: YOSHI-HASHI VS Aaron Wolf!

The Road to G1 truly begins as the Headhunter and Olympian battle for a spot in the tournament! Will Hashi #TurnItAllAround and head for the Climax? Or will the NEW NEVER Openweight Champion be on the hunt for more gold?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two circle, feel things out, then Wolf wrenches. Hashi wrenches but Wolf easily sweeps the leg. Hashi scrambles to ropes, and the two reset. They circle again, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Wolf powers Hashi to the ropes, the ref counts, and Wolf lets go. But Hashi turns things around! The ref counts the break again, Hashi pats Wolf on the shoulder, and the fans applaud. But then Hashi CHOPS! And kicks low! Hashi headlocks but Wolf powers up, only for Hashi to hold on tight. Wolf fires body shots, powers up again to lift Hashi, but Hashi still holds on. Wolf powers out this time, and they RAM shoulders!

Wolf rebounds, but Hashi CHOPS! The fans fire up while Wolf is stinging. Hashi whips but Wolf reverses to SAYANAGI! Wolf then ELBOW DROPS, covers, TWO! Wolf clamps on with the TRIANGLE HOLD! Hashi scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Wolf lets go. Wolf is still stinging but he stalks Hashi to a corner. Wolf stands Hashi up, fires forearm after forearm, but the ref counts. Wolf stops, then drags Hashi back to his feet. Wolf whips Hashi corner to corner, but Hashi reverses! Hashi then runs in, but he slides under Wolf’s boot! Hashi then trips Wolf, yanks him into the corner, and he SLAMS Wolf’s leg against the post!

The fans fire up as Wolf slumps to the floor. The ref checks on Wolf while he clutches the knee, but he’s able to continue. Hashi brings Wolf up and the ref wants this back in the ring. But Hashi takes the leg, puts it over the railing, and then through the gap! The fans rally up as Hashi runs in, and he DROPKICKS the railing to jam up that leg! Wolf falls over, the ref reprimands Hashi, but Hashi simply walks over and brings Wolf up. Hashi puts Wolf in the ring and the fans applaud. Hashi grabs the bad leg, stomps it, then stomps it again. Hashi turns Wolf over and SMASHES the knee off the mat! Wolf flounders but the fans applaud.

Hashi slowly sits Wolf up, and CHOPS him! And CHOPS again! Wolf is stinging but he isn’t backing down, so Hashi stands him up. Wolf CHOPS in return! The fans cheer as Wolf CHOPS again! Hashi CHOPS again! And again! But Wolf RUNS Hashi over! The fans fire up with Wolf, but his chest is turning red. Wolf whips Hashi to ropes, but Hashi DROPKICKS the leg out! Hashi hurries to clamp on with a HEEL HOOK! Wolf scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Hashi lets go, and he backs away while Wolf clutches the knee. Hashi stomps the leg, then stands Wolf up. Wolf fires a flurry of forearms, but Hashi CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS!

Hashi runs, but Wolf catches him for a SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up while both men are down! Hashi crawls to ropes while the fans cheer him on! Hashi rises, Wolf is in the opposite corner, and he slaps his leg into working. Wolf runs up to LARIAT Hashi! Wolf reels Hashi in, snap suplexes, then runs the ropes for an ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer again while Wolf shakes out the bad leg. Wolf scoops Hashi, SLAMS him, then shouts, “IKUZO~!” Wolf goes up the corner while the fans rally up, and HIGH WOLF FLOP! Hashi avoids the splash and now Wolf’s leg hurts more! Wolf clutches the knee while Hashi goes to the corner.

The fans rally and duel while Hashi lines up a shot. Hashi runs in, and he DROPKICKS the bad leg! Hashi steps through, but Wolf cradle counters! TWO!! Hashi escapes, runs up, but Wolf avoids the dropkick! STANDING SPLASH! But Wolf can’t keep the cover from the pain in his leg! Wolf slaps the leg into working, then he drags Hashi up. Wolf clinches for a short BELLY2BELLY! Wolf hurries up the corner, and he aims again! HIGH WOLF FLOW!! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as Hashi survives, but then Wolf bum-rushes him into the reverse crossface! And then he pushes to a cover, ONE, but Wolf floats around!

Wolf smothers Hashi into the KATAGATAME!! The fans rally harder and harder as Hashi endures, but Wolf rolls him away from the ropes! Hashi is caught in a TOP WRISTLOCK KATAGATAME! Hashi kicks, kicks, but Wolf pulls on the hold! Hashi keeps fighting, keeps kicking, keeps crawling, but Wolf PULLS! Hashi is fading! The hand drops once! The hand drops twice! But then Hashi lurches to the ROPEBREAK! Wolf lets go in frustration, but the fans continue to cheer Hashi on. Wolf drags Hashi up, dares him to fight, and the fans rally even harder now. Hashi manages to stand, and he fires a forearm!

Wolf shakes his head, and ROCKS Hashi! Hashi sits down but Wolf keeps him up by holding onto his arm. Hashi stands again, so Wolf torture racks! But Hashi slips free, spins Wolf, and pump handles for the GOAL CRADLE! TWO!! Wolf escapes, both men hurry to their feet, and both men roar! They run up to DOUBLE LARIAT! Hashi staggers away to the ropes while Wolf stays standing! The fans are thunderous as Hashi rises again. Hashi roars, runs up, but Wolf LARIATS him down!! Wolf drags Hashi up, wrenches, and fireman’s carries! But Hashi makes it a REVERSE DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down!

The fans rally as Hashi stirs. Hashi brings Wolf up, he fires up, and the fans are with him! Hashi reels Wolf in, hooks a leg, but Wolf fights the lift! Wolf wrenches, but Hashi ROCKS Wolf! Hashi roars, runs, and LARIATS! Wolf rebounds, but into a SUPERKICK! Hashi brings Wolf back in, hooks the leg, and KUMAGOROSHI! Hashi brings Wolf around to the cover, TWO!! Wolf survives, but is in the KNEEBAR!! Wolf endures as Hashi bends the leg! The fans rally as Wolf kicks and stomps at Hashi, but Hashi just puts on the pressure! Wolf claws his way over, drags Hashi along, and they roll towards ropes! Only for Hashi to roll it away!

Wolf sits up, claws at Hashi, but Hashi HEEL HOOKS on top of the kneebar! Wolf endures, reaches out, but Hashi puts on the pressure! The fans rally harder and harder as Wolf drags Hashi along with him! Wolf fights forward, but Hashi puts as much as he can into the kneebar! Wolf still makes the ROPEBREAK!! The fans are thunderous as Hashi lets go. Hashi drags Wolf from the ropes, to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Hashi then goes to the corner and fires up again! The fans are with Hashi as he climbs, SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Wolf survives and Hashi cannot believe it! But the fans are electric as Hashi rises again!

Hashi brings Wolf around, full nelsons, then pump handles, but Wolf fights with elbow after elbow! Hashi still tries but Wolf still fights! Wolf is free of Karma and both men stagger to corners. Hashi and Wolf run in again, but Hashi DROPKICKS the leg! Then SUPERKICKS! Hashi runs again, LARIAT!! Cover, TWO?!!? Wolf survives again and the fans are thunderous! Hashi hurries to haul Wolf up, full nelson, and- SAYANAGI!! Then the REVERSE TRIANGLE HOLD!! Wolf HAMMERS Hashi at the same time, SQUEEZES with the legs, then rolls Hashi away from the ropes! Hashi reaches out, but Wolf grabs the free arm! Wolf PULLS, Hashi QUITS! WOLF WINS!!

Winner: Aaron Wolf, by submission (advances to the G1 Climax)

We may be on the Road to G1, but this felt like a G1 match in itself! Wolf never gave up, and he shows respect to Yoshi-Hashi. Will Wolf be sure to carry the #GetBackUp spirit all the way through the tournament?

G1 Climax 36 A Block Qualifier: Yuto-Ice VS Taichi!

While the Knock Out Brothers lost their IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, there is still an opportunity to bounce back. But the same goes for the Holy Emperor, who has been fighting against the progression of time to show he’s still got it! But who will have their ticket to the tournament?

The bell rings and the fans are dueling already. It’s hard to tell if “TAICHI! TAICHI!” or “AISU! AISU!” is stronger, but Yuto says yeah, let’s get high! The two circle, then Yuto steps to Taichi. Yuto pulls Taichi’s hair, Taichi pulls Yuto’s hair, and Red Shoes reprimands them both. Yuto fires a forearm, then eggs Taichi on, so Taichi fires a ridge hand. Yuto fires another forearm, so Taichi fires another ridge hand! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Yuto ROCKS Taichi, but he shakes that off to KICK Yuto’s leg! Yuto KICKS Taichi’s leg in return! The fans applaud while Taichi shakes that off.

Taichi KICKS Yuto, Yuto walks it off, and he KICKS again! The fans rally as the two KICK back and forth, faster and faster, harder and harder! Taichi KICKS, KICKS, KICKS, but then Yuto kicks low and snapmares Taichi for a KICK to the back! Taichi just stands right up! The fans cheer, and Yuto storms up. Taichi kicks low, snapmares, and KICKS Yuto in the back! Yuto stands right up and the fans cheer again. Yuto storms up Taichi kicks Yuto first! Taichi then fires Kawada Kicks! Yuto BODY BLOWS in return, then fires his own Kawada Kicks! Taichi just stands back up to get in Yuto’s face. Yuto BODY BLOWS, KNEES low, then BOOTS Taichi to a corner!

Yuto stomps Taichi down but Red Shoes counts. Yuto digs his knee in, taunts Taichi, but stops as Red Shoes counts 4. Yuto gets upset with Red Shoes but Red Shoes warns him. Yuto goes to the opposite corner, and the fans cheer as he gets gangsta. “BOMBACLAT!” Yuto runs up, but Taichi ROUNDHOUSES Yuto down! Yuto writhes while clutching that side of his face! Taichi storms up but Yuto bails out. Red Shoes checks on Yuto but he seems alright to continue. Taichi CLUBS Yuto, then whips him hard into railing, right in front of Japanese commentary! Taichi then brings Yuto around, whips him into more railing, and Yuto slumps down!

The fans rally, Taichi opens the gate, and he kicks Yuto through. Taichi brings Yuto up and KNEES him low! The fans get ready to move aside, and Taichi brings Yuto up into the orange seats! The fans cheer as Taichi brings Yuto to the aisle, snapmares him down, and KICKS him in the back! Taichi then stands Yuto up, but Yuto fires hands! Yuto ROCKS Taichi, but Taichi RIDGE HANDS Yuto! Taichi brings Yuto around, reels him in, but Yuto fights the saido! Yuto fires body shots and a knee, to then KICK Taichi down! And he KICKS Taichi in the chest! Taichi tumbles down a couple steps while the fans duel again.

Yuto follows Taichi down while the ring count finally begins. Yuto drags Taichi up with a headlock and they return to ground level at 8 of 20. Yuto POSTS Taichi at 12, then takes a moment before putting Taichi in at 17. The fans applaud as Yuto then steps in and stalks Taichi to a corner. Yuto stomps away on Taichi, rains down some forearms, and it’s time to get gangsta again. “BOMBACLAT!” RUNNING KNEE! Direct hit this time, and Yuto drags Taichi to a cover, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Taichi survives by fingertips. Yuto drags Taichi up, but Taichi RIDGE HANDS! And RIDGE HANDS! And KICKS the leg! Yuto DECKS Taichi, then BUZZSAWS!

The fans fire up again, Yuto covers, TWO!! Taichi survives again, but Yuto drags him up. Taichi is a ragdoll so Yuto has Red Shoes check. The fans rally as Taichi slowly sits up on his own, but Yuto stomps him around. The fans rally for Taichi more, and Yuto eggs Taichi on. Yuto SLAPS Taichi, then BUZZ- NO, Taichi blocks! Taichi THROWS Yuto down, then storms up to him. Yuto fires a forearm, Taichi gets in Yuto’s face, so Yuto fires more forearms. Taichi BOOTS Yuto down! The fans fire up as Yuto tumbles to the corner. Taichi storms up to Yuto again, Yuto fires more forearms, but Taichi eggs him on! Yuto fires shots but Taichi leans into them!

Taichi corners Yuto like that, a very Tomohiro Ishii tactic. Yuto fires more shots, but Taichi does not budge! Then Taichi DECKS Yuto! The fans fire up as Taichi does indeed bring the fighting spirit of the Stone Pitbull with him! Taichi storms back up to Yuto, stands him up, and SPINNING RIDGE HANDS! And SPINNING RIDGE HANDS! And SPINNING RIDGE HANDS again! The fans fire up as Taichi drags Yuto out of the corner. Taichi kicks Yuto around, eggs him on, then KICKS him in the chest! The fans cheer while Yuto sputters, but Yuto eggs Taichi on now. Taichi KICKS Yuto in the chest, then KICKS Yuto in the back! Yuto just stands up!

The fans fire up as Taichi now eggs Yuto on. Yuto KICKS Taichi in the chest, but Taichi walks it off. Yuto eggs Taichi on, so Taichi KICKS Yuto in the chest! The fans cheer again as Yuto walks it off. Yuto KICKS Taichi, Taichi walks it off, and he comes back to KICK! Yuto staggers but Taichi eggs him on. Yuto winds up to KICK! Taichi takes a breath, then KICKS! Yuto sputters, but he comes back to KICK! The fans rally as Taichi winds up, but then he winces! Yuto gloats a bit, then stands Taichi up to KICK! But then Taichi ducks the roundhouse to ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taichi roars as he rises, and the fans rally up.

Taichi goes to a corner, and THE PANTS COME OFF! Taichi aims as Yuto rises, TENSHO- NO, Yuto dodges! Yuto then swings, but Taichi slips around to clinch! But Yuto stops the saido with a short arm LARIAT! But Taichi rises up, only for Yuto to ROUNDHOUSE Taichi down! The fans fire up with Yuto as he runs, ICE HIGH! Cover, TWO!! Taichi survives, but Yuto aims from a corner! Yuto runs up, but Taichi dodges Cruella! But Yuto dodges the sliding lariat! They both stand, Taichi BOOTS Yuto’s lariat away! But Yuto blocks the Ax Bomber! The RIDGE HAND hits, then Taichi slips around, DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Yuto gets folded up!!

The fans are thunderous again as Taichi rises, and he stands Yuto up. But Yuto ducks the Ax Bomber to fire palm strikes! Taichi ROCKS Yuto, Yuto SMACKS Taichi! Then AMBITION! The fans fire up but Red Shoes reprimands about the closed fist! Yuto still aims, runs up, and CRU- YOKOZUNA ELBOW!! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Taichi goes to a corner, he headbutts the buckles, and again powers up like Ishii would! Taichi runs the ropes, AX BOMBER!! The fans fire up with Taichi while he paces around. Taichi drags Yuto up, and calls his shot! But Yuto fights the suplex to suplex and GOURD BUSTER! Then BUZZSAW!

Yuto staggers over to a corner, but he still takes aim, BLINDSIDE CRUELLA!! Cover, ONE?!?!? Yuto doesn’t question it, he just swings! But Taichi catches him for the BRAINBUSTER!! The fans are thunderous again while both men are down! Red Shoes goes with a standing count while the fans rally up. Both men are down at 5 of 10, but they are stirring. They’re still down at 7, but then sit up at 8! They both have Red Shoes stop the count, and the fans applaud. Yuto and Taichi go to ropes, stand up, and they hobble up. Taichi BOOTS Yuto, but Yuto stays on his feet. Yuto BOOTS Taichi, but Taichi stays up.

Taichi BOOTS Yuto again, Yuto stumbles to the ropes, but Taichi eggs him on. Yuto BOOTS Taichi again, but Taichi comes back to BOOT Yuto! The fans rally and duel as Yuto shakes it off. Yuto BOOTS Taichi, Taichi BOOTS Yuto, and both men fire up! Yuto runs up, but his neck bothers him! Taichi looms over Yuto, Yuto drags himself up, and Taichi BUZZSAWS! Cover, ONE!?!?! Yuto staggers, into a ROLLING ELBOW! Taichi roars, winds up, and SHORT ARM AX BOMBERS! But Taichi isn’t done, he fires up with an “OSU!” DANGEROUS SAIDO DRIVER!! Bridging cover, TWO!?!?!? How is Yuto still in this after landing so hard on his head and neck?!?

The fans rally as hard as they have all night, and Taichi roars! Taichi brings Yuto up, reels him in, and Alabama Lifts! But Yuto fights it off! Now Taichi fights off the lift, CLUBS away on Taichi’s back, and BITES Taichi’s side!? Then he KNEES Taichi, reels him back in, and lifts him to put on the corner. Yuto fires forearms into Taichi’s back! Yuto then runs up, ONE MAN KOB!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Taichi survives again but Yuto hobbles around to a corner. Yuto runs up, but Taichi Alabama Lifts! Yuto sunset flips but Taichi sits on the cover! TWO!! ICE HIGH!! Cover, TWO!!! Taichi survives again but Yuto just fires back up!

Yuto goes to another corner, takes aim again, and he waits on Taichi. Taichi sits up, CRU- NO! Taichi blocks the kick, and SLIDING AX BOMBERS!! Cover, TWO!! Yuto stands, but into the GAMANGIRI!! Yuto staggers to the ropes, then the corner! Yuto stumbles about as he heads for Taichi, but then Taichi copies AMBITION!! The fans are thunderous as Taichi aims, TENSHO- NO!! Yuto BLOCKS it! Yuto pushes the foot down, then HEADBUTTS away on Taichi! Taichi HEADBUTTS in return! Yuto HEADBUTTS Taichi right in the forehead!! Then he DECKS Taichi with a forearm! Yuto goes to a corner, takes aim, and the fans rally harder than ever before!

Yuto runs up, CRUELLA!! Cover, YUTO WINS!

Winner: Yuto-Ice, by pinfall (advances to the G1 Climax)

Taichi has just been put on ice! He falls short of making the G1 this year, must he accept that his time is behind him?

As for Yuto, he gets the mic and says, “There are a lot of people in pro-wrestling who are fakers, walking around for no real reason with a smile on their face. And now, I feel I have a reason to smile! I’m damn happy to be a pro-wrestler! Taichi… I haven’t ever really spoken to you, even as a Young Lion in black tights. I never had the chance to say this, but I really like you. All that you do is straightforward and earnest, from everything you do in the ring to your attitude towards the fans. Taichi, you might put yourself down, asking if you still have a place in NJPW, but you have a place! NJPW needs you!” The fans cheer that!

The fans cheer Taichi on, and Taichi is clearly emotional. Yuto tells Taichi that he and his generation have a strength the new guys don’t. They feel that spirit in what Taichi does, and with the pain he feels. Yuto assures Taichi that for him, to keep fighting in NJPW, and to keep making Yuto stronger, he thanks Taichi for that. Yuto then sets down the mic as he and Taichi exchange things in semi-private. Yuto then continues by saying on mic that if Taichi would like, if it wouldn’t hurt, please keep an eye on him in the G1 Climax. And Korakuen, did you get that pro-wrestling high? The fans cheer that they sure did!

Yuto says whether you’re here or watching through the screen, what a cool way to spend your time. Yuto hopes they have the energy to get through and do whatever you gotta do tomorrow. If you feel it, that grind every day, just know there are plenty of people who have that same solace in pro-wrestling. From the fans to the staff to the wrestlers here, we all share that feeling. This is the reason for everyone to live life to the fullest! Keep fighting forward! They’ll keep proving that high to you! This is Yuto’s first G1, and he has that Korakuen high. Time to share the G1 high with everyone! And so, just for y’all, LET’S GET HIGH! Tch tch, BIG UP!

The fans cheer as Ice is fired up going into the G1! But will he reach the highest of highs and have his Climax?

My Thoughts:

A great night for this Road to G1 series, and honestly, that Fatal 4 Way could’ve main evented it’s own night if they wanted. Great win for Akira, he has kinda been on the outside of the title picture, so he and Yoh will have a great match on July 6th. Great win for Wolf over Hashi and for Yuto over Taichi, really establishing this newest generation in NJPW. Yuto also had a great promo to still put Taichi over for being such a great pillar of NJPW. Wolf and Yuto will have great showings in the G1, but hard to say they’ll win out. Oskar is also in the qualifying matches, and it’d be cool if he qualified to represent Knock Out Brothers in B Block while Yuto is in A Block.

My Score: 8.9/10