Summer just keeps heating up!

G1 Climax 36 continues on in Hokkaido, and the Heat Storm is looking to reignite! But can Yuya Uemura bring down The Front Man, Zack Sabre Jr?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Hirooki Goto & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Jake Lee & Zane Jay; Jake & Zane win.
• Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson VS Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young; Oiwa & Hartley win.
• Konosuke Takeshita & Toru Yano VS Yuto-Ice & Gedo; Double Count-Out Draw.
• Yota Tsuji & Daiki Nagai VS SANADA & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sanada & Kanemaru win.
• Boltin Oleg & Masatora Yasuda VS Shingo Takagi & Taiji Ishimori; Takagi & Taiji win.
• G1 Climax 36 B Block: “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS HENARE; Henare wins.
• G1 Climax 36 B Block: Gabe Kidd VS OSKAR; Gabe wins.
• G1 Climax 36 B Block: Callum Newman VS Ren Narita; Ren wins.
• G1 Climax 36 B Block: Yuya Uemura VS Zack Sabre Jr; Yuya wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

BREAKING NEWS for the G1 Climax!

Per NJPW, after his match with Zack Sabre Jr. in Chicago, Shota Umino displayed symptoms of a concussion. After careful consultation, the decision has been made by medical staff to remove Shota from the remainder of G1 Climax 36. That means all his remaining matches are now forfeit, and the scores will be adjusted accordingly.

Aaron Wolf: 2-0, 4 points
OSKAR: 2-0, 4 points
Callum Newman: 2-0, 4 points
“Drilla” Moloney: 2-0, 4 points
HENARE: 1-1, 2 points
Ren Narita: 1-1, 2 points
Yuya Uemura: 1-1, 2 points
Gabe Kidd: 1-1, 2 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 1-0, 2 points
Shota Umino: 0-1, 0 points [FORFEIT]

In light of this unfortunate news, let us all wish The Roughneck a full and speedy recovery.

Konosuke Takeshita & Toru Yano VS Yuto-Ice & Gedo!

Things are already tense between The Alpha and the Knock Out Brother, but the ref says they need to back off. Yuto pulls hair, Konosuke guzels, but then they just start brawling! The bell rings, the shots keep going, and Yuto ROCKS Konosuke! Yuto backs Konosuke down with forearm after forearm, then stomps away in the corner! Then he HAMMERS Konosuke down! The ref reprimands and counts, but Yuto shoves him aside. Yuto kicks Konosuke, but Konosuke just stares Yuto down. Yuto eggs Konosuke on, Konosuke storms up to guzel, but Yuto KICKS and ROCKS him in return! Yuto runs, but into a LARIAT!

Yuto bails out, Konosuke pursues, and the fans fire up as Konosuke whips! Yuto reverses, Konosuke reverses, repeat, and then both men just get in each other’s face! The fans cheer but the ref reprimands. Konosuke SHOVES the ref down, and the forearms fly again! The fans fire up but Gedo says the heck! Konosuke sends Yuto into railing, then they go into the crowd! Konosuke BOWLS Yuto into chairs, but Yuto gets up to fire forearms! Konosuke says fine, and he takes a seat. Konosuke eggs Yuto on, Yuto KICKS him! And KICKS! And KICKS again! The ring count is climbing, but Yuto eggs Konosuk eon.

Konosuke fires forearm after forearm, then the ALPHA ELBOW! We’re past 10 of 20 as Konosuke brings Yuto around to a deeper part of the crowd. But Yuto BOWLS Konosuke into chairs! Konosuke is right back up as the count passes 15! The brawl continues, but it seems these two stopped caring about the match! We hit 18! Then 19! But they keep throwing shots, and we hit 20!!

Double Count-Out Draw

The bell rings but that doesn’t stop these two! Konosuke HEADBUTTS Yuto, brings him around the way, and BOWLS him into chairs! Gedo and Yano hurry that way but then Yuto BOWLS Konosuke into chairs! Konosuke is back up but Yano has him stand down. Young Lions hurry to keep them apart, but Konosuke and Yuto still egg each other on. Yuto and Konosuke stare down, but it seems they’ll leave the rest of the fighting for round three. OR NOT! Konosuke just runs up on Yuto and fires forearms! Gedo, Yano, and Young Lions get back in there to separate them again! Yuto’s pissed now, though, and he pushes through!

The fans fire up as these two clinch and throw shots! Konosuke SMACKS Yuto off a chair, but Yuto kicks back in return! Gedo finally gets Yuto to the ramp and they fall back. Yuto says if Konosuke wants to get high, they’ll get high! Now things will wait until Tuesday, July 21st. Will Yuto’s Ambition get him a win over the NJPW World TV Champion? Or will Konosuke prove he IS The Alpha?

G1 Climax 36 B Block: “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS HENARE!

44 Caliber was number one with a bullet in his first round match just last night while the Mauler could not stop “Big Bad” Aaron Wolf. Will Drilla keep his momentum going? Or will Henare conquer this round for the United Empire?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as Drilla and Henare stare down. They circle, then feel out the knuckle lock. Henare backs off, rather annoyed, but Drilla smirks. They reset, tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and are in a deadlock. The fans rally as the two fight for control, but the two break. Henare flexes, Drilla flexes, and the fans cheer. The two go again, collar ‘n’ elbow, and Drilla slips around to waistlock. Henare slips through to switch, but Drilla wrenches free. Drilla hits the headlock takeover, and he holds on tight as Henare tries to fight around. Henare powers Drilla into the headscissors, but Drilla moves around, headstands, then kips free!

The fans applaud while Drilla waits on Henare. Henare gets up, the two reset, and they tie up again. Drilla wrenches to a wristlock, but Henare breaks free. Henare eggs Drilla on, so Drilla fires a forearm! Henare fires back, and the fans rally as the shots go back and forth. Drilla fires a flurry, but Henare headlocks. Drilla powers up and out, but Henare RAMS him! Drilla rebounds to RAM Henare, then he BOOTS Henare! Drilla runs, but Henare RUNS him over! The fans applaud, and Henare goes back to Drilla. Henare runs to RUG- NO, Drilla ducks the kick and rolls Henare up! Henare rolls through, they RAM shoulders, but Drilla rebounds to RUN Henare over!

The fans cheer again, and Drilla watches Henare. Henare sits up, so Drilla KICKS him in the back! Henare scowls, runs up, but Drilla hurdles over, drops down, then DROPKICKS! The fans cheer while Henare bails out! Drilla builds speed and WRE- NO, Henare stops the dropkick, drags Drilla out, and POSTS him! Then APRON SPINEBUSTERS! The fans fire up while Drilla falls to the floor! The ref checks on Drilla and he’s able to continue, so Henare drags Drilla up and whips him hard into railing! Drilla falls in a heap but Henare leaves him behind. The ring count starts, the fans rally up, but Drilla is still down at 5 of 20.

Drilla slowly sits up by 10 of 20, but he’s still slow to standing. He falls back over for a moment, but gets moving again at 15. The fans cheer as Drilla leaps in at 17! But Henare storms over and stomps away! Henare then drags Drilla up, fires forearms, but Drilla fires back! The fans rally, Drilla CHOPS, but Henare CHOPS Drilla down! Henare drags Drilla up to snapmare, then he KICKS Drilla in the back! Drilla just stares at Henare, so Henare KICKS him, then CHOPS him, then SENTONS on top! Cover, TWO! Drilla toughs it out and the fans rally up. Henare huffs ‘n’ puffs, then he drags Drilla back up.

Henare bumps Drilla off buckles, winds up, and CHOPS! And CLUBS! And repeat! The ref counts, but Drilla turns things around to CHOP and JAB! Henare turns things around to CHOP and CLUB again and again! Drilla snarls and CHOPS! Henare uses the DEATH GRIP! The ref reprimands, Henare lets go, and the fans rally as Drilla coughs and sputters. Henare whips corner to corner, Drilla reverses, but Henare ducks the leg lariat! Drilla ENZIGIRIS and both men are down! The fans rally back up while Henare shakes out the stars. Drilla goes to a corner, Henare runs up, but Drilla ELBOWS him away! Only to run into a fireman’s carry!

Drilla slips free, ROCKS Henare, but Henare fires up! Henare swings, but Drilla catches him to a suplex high and hard! The fans fire up while Henare bails out. Drilla builds speed again, and he WRECKS Henare with the dropkick this time! The fans fire up while Henare tumbles away! Drilla hobbles up the ramp to pursue Henare, and drags him back to ringside. Drilla puts Henare in, the fans applaud, and Drilla climbs the corner! Drilla aims, MACHO ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Henare survives but the fans rally behind Drilla. Drilla huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes back to the corner. Drilla aims as Henare slowly rises up.

Drilla runs in, but Henare BOOTS first! Drilla rebounds, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but runs into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up while Henare crawls to the cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Drilla toughs it out, but Henare just snarls. Henare waits on Drilla to rise up, and he eggs Drilla on. The two meet at center, and Drilla fires a forearm! Henare growls and fires back! Drilla fires another forearm! Henare fires back! Drilla spins through to CHOP! Henare CHOPS in return! Drilla staggers to the ropes, coughs and sputters, but he manages to come back and CHOP! Henare growls, the fans cheer, and Henare nods.

Henare winds up to CHOP! Drilla CHOPS, Henare CHOPS, repeat! Drilla needs a moment and the fans rally behind him. Drilla runs up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Drilla ducks, ripcords, but Henare BODY BLOWS first! Henare runs and LARIATS Drilla down! Cover, TWO! Drilla survives and the fans fire up! Henare vows to end this, and he runs in at the corner! NATIVE KNEE! Henare snarls, but Drilla gets under him! RUNNING POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO! The fans fire up again as Henare survives! Drilla rises, brings Henare around, and reels him in for the Canadian Rack! DRILLA-

NO, Henare lands out, and BASEMENT HEADBUTTS!! Cover, TWO!! Drilla survives and the fans fire up again! Henare crawls his way over, then rises up. The fans rally behind Drilla but Henare reels him in. Henare roars, lifts, but Drilla slips free! Henare ROCKS Drilla, Drilla CHOPS Henare, then ripcords to CHOP! But Henare HEEL KICKS! And he ducks the enzigiri! Henare runs, leaps, but into a CUTTER! And then SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! Henare survives, but the fans fire up with Drilla! Drilla aims from the corner as Henare rises, for the GORE!! The fans fire up again as Drilla then reels Henare in, lifts him up, and DRI- NO, Henare slips free!

Henare goes for the arms, and he HEADBUTTS Drilla! Then Henare lifts, for a SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, Henare wins!

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

The 44 Caliber misfires and The Mauler comes out on top! Will the New Zealand Heavyweight Champion start to take over the world? Can Drilla reload in the next round?

G1 Climax 36 B Block: Gabe Kidd VS OSKAR!

On the flipside, The Mad Man turned his back on NJPW and got a taste of karma for it, and the Giant German stepped right over Ren Narita to get his first win in his first G1. Will Gabe keep claiming AEW ichiban? Or will Oskar knock him down another notch?

Gabe gets his entrance attire off, THROWS the sweatpants at Oskar, but Oskar catches it with ease. The bell rings and the two run up! Gabe dodges to SLAP, SLAP, SLAP, then laugh at Oskar. Oskar CHOPS in return! Gabe wobbles, but he comes back with more SLAPS! Gabe runs, but Oskar CHOPS! And CHOPS! Gabe SLAPS away on Oskar, then runs, dodges a boot, and COMEBACKER! The lariat just manages to knock Oskar down to a knee! Gabe CHOPS Oskar on the back! Oskar guzels Gabe, THROWS him across the way, and the fans fire up! Oskar lines up a shot, runs corner to corner, and ELBOWS Gabe!

Oskar shoves Gabe, Gabe staggers around, but Oskar scoops and SLAMS! Gabe bails out but the fans fire up with Oskar. Gabe hobbles around but Oskar goes out after him. Oskar brings Gabe around to CHOP! Gabe stumbles into the crowd, Oskar pursues, and the fans get ready to move aside. Oskar stands Gabe up, CLUBS him on the back, then stalks him towards the chairs. Gabe fires a flurry of forearms, but Oskar CHOPS again! Oskar then THROWS Gabe into the chairs! Not quite a strike but good enough. The ref reprimands but the fans rally behind Oskar. Oskar drags Gabe up from the chairs, headlocks, and brings him back to ringside.

Oskar dumps Gabe down, lets the ref check him, and Gabe sputters as he sits back up. The fans cheer, and Oskar CHOPS Gabe again! Oskar brings Gabe up, but Gabe blocks the apron bump to BODY BLOW! Then Gabe BITES Oskar on the forehead! The ref reprimands, Gabe stops, only to HEADBUTT, HEADBUTT, HEADBUTT! Gabe UPPERCUTS Oskar down, then goes off to look under the ring. Gabe can’t find what he wants so he just takes a chair from the timekeeper’s table. Gabe again throws his own IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship aside, and shoves the ref away, only for Oskar to BOOT the chair into Gabe!

The fans fire up with Oskar, and he snarls as he storms over to Gabe. Oskar sees the chair, but ignores it as he puts Gabe in the ring. The fans cheer as Oskar does this the clean way, and he drops the leg, only for Gabe to dodge! Gabe runs up and KNEES Oskar! Oskar stays up, so Gabe brings down the kneepad! O-KNEE!! Cover, TWO!?! Oskar survives and the fans fire up again! Gabe huffs ‘n’ puffs, but then he does Japanese push-ups just to show off. Gabe then says F NJPW and SPITS at the fans! The fans boo, but Gabe drags Oskar up. Gabe HEADBUTTS, and HEADBUTTS, and HEADBUTTS again!

Gabe HEADBUTTS, UPPERCUTS, but Oskar rebounds. Gabe dodges, COME- BACKDROP! The fans fire up as Oskar sends Gabe flying! Oskar then runs to drop the leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Gabe survives, Oskar snarls, and the fans rally up. Oskar guzels, drags Gabe up, but Gabe fires SLAP after SLAP! Oskar SLAPS back, then guzels again. Oskar tells Gabe this is what he gets! CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives, but into the NIGHTMARE SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as Oskar THRASHES Gabe around! Gabe sputters, claws at the hold, but he’s already turning red! Oskar SWINGS Gabe, but Gabe shifts, SAIDO!!

Gabe flounders away, Oskar runs up, but Gabe ROCKS Oskar first! Gabe reels Oskar in, lifts him up, PILEDRIVER!! Wait, Oskar rises up?! The fans are thunderous and Gabe has seen a ghost! Oskar snarls, but Gabe ROCKS him! Oskar grabs Gabe with both hands, lifts him up, but Gabe fights free! Gabe ROCKS Oskar, ROCKS him again, then ROCKS him again! And then another lift, and another PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Gabe wins!!

Winner: Gabe Kidd, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Oskar earns 0)

Now that was a big win for Gabe! Will he prove that NJPW still ain’t War Ready? Can Oskar make an even bigger comeback in the next round?

G1 Climax 36 B Block: Callum Newman VS Ren Narita!

The former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion withstood the heat of the Heat Storm, but the Souled Out Son of Strong Style could not drag the Giant German down. Will Ren be able to lie, cheat, and steal one in the second round? Or will he have to make way for The Prince?

Callum puts his jacket aside, then BOOTS Ren outta the ring! The bell rings as Callum goes out after Ren and fires forearms! Callum eggs Ren on, Ren fires a forearm, then another. Callum ROCKS Ren, follows him around the way, and he eggs Ren on again. Ren CLAWS Callum’s eyes! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Ren stops at 4. Ren KNEES Callum low, then whips, but Callum reverses! Ren hits railing hard, then Callum BOOTS him up and over! The fans cheer as things are in No Man’s Land now. Callum scuffs Ren, then tells fans to move aside. The fans do as told while Callum pulls apart the railing!

Callum drags Ren up, ROCKS him, then makes Ren take a seat. The fans rally, Callum tells Dick Togo to stay back, then he gets space. Callum runs back up, and of course Dick gets in the way! The ref has Dick move aside, but Ren JAMS Callum up with a chair! The fans boo but Ren SMACKS Callum off the timekeeper’s table! Ren stalks Callum and JAMS him up with another chair! The fans boo more as Ren brings Callum around and BOWLS him into chairs! STRIKE! The fans still boo, but Ren leaves Callum behind. The ref hurries to check on Callum, and Callum is somehow okay to continue. Callum drags himself from the chairs as the ring count starts.

Callum hobbles his way over, makes it back to ringside at 8 of 20, and Zane coaches him up while the count climbs. Callum rolls in at 14 but Ren BOOTS him back out! Callum clutches an arm and his side, rolls back into the ring, and Ren is right back on Callum! Ren goes after the arm, wrenches and YANKS it, and he looms over Callum. Callum goes to a corner, and the ref has Ren stay back while he checks on Callum. Callum refuses to let this stop him, so Ren runs up to stomp him down! Ren drags Callum up, whips him to ropes, and he hits the NECKBREAKER DROP! Cover, TWO! Ren stays on Callum with a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK!

Callum endures, scrambles, and has the ROPEBREAK! Ren holds until the ref counts 4, and the fans rally up. Callum still clutches the bad arm, so Ren stomps him on that side. The fans rally for Callum but Ren wrenches and whips Callum into bare buckles! When did they take the buckle pad off?! The fans boo, Callum protests, and the ref reprimands Dick, but there’s nothing that can be done now. Ren CLAWS Callum’s eyes, but stops as the ref counts 4. Ren drags Callum up, wrenches and wraps the bad arm around the ropes, but stops again as the ref counts 4. Ren gets in the ref’s face, and that lets Dick sucker punch Callum!

The fans boo but Dick gets away with one. Ren stomps Callum, kicks him around, then brings him up. Callum ROCKS Ren with shots from the good arm, but Ren BOOTS him in return. Ren whips, Callum reverses and sweeps the leg, to then KNEE Ren in the side! Ren writhes and flounders around while the fans cheer Callum on. Callum drags Ren from the ropes to HAMMER away with a forearm! Callum stops to catch his breath, and Ren uses that opening to bail out. Ren flounders for chairs while Callum storms outside. Callum blocks the chair shot! Then he ROCKS Ren, throws the chair back, and BOOTS the chair into him!

The fans cheer while Ren staggers and falls. Callum brings Ren back into the crowd, and he makes Ren take a seat again. Callum ROCKS Ren, then gets space. Again, Dick runs in the way, but Zane KICKS Dick! Then Callum runs and hurdles Dick to SHOTGUN Ren down! The fans fire up again while the ref hurries to check Ren. Ren is down in the chairs but he is still in this. Zane CHOKES Dick, Callum drags Ren back to ringside, and Callum puts Ren in. The fans cheer as Callum then aims, runs up, and EXCALIBUR! Cover, TWO! Ren toughs it out and rolls away to the apron, but the fans still rally behind Callum.

Callum throws off his elbow pad and storms over to Ren. Callum drags Ren up, goes up the ropes even, but Ren fires body shots! Ren HOTSHOTS the bad arm! Ren hurries to get Callum back up, and ROPE COBRA TWIST! The fans boo, the ref counts, but Ren lets go at 4! Callum sputters but Ren drags him up. Ren brings Callum to the corner, climbs up, but Callum GAMANGIRIS! The fans cheer while Ren falls to the mat! Callum still catches his breath while the fans rally up. Callum rises, takes aim, and runs up to- NO, Ren dodges the stomps this time! Ren takes a swing, but Callum catches him to the half hatch!

Ren fights the Prince’s Curse to wrench, kick, and DOUB- NO, Callum fireman’s carries! But Ren slips free, and has the SLEEPER! The fans rally for Callum and he snapmares free. Callum runs up, dodges a boot, but Ren ducks the roundhouse! Ren BOOTS, runs, but into a SLINGBLADE TAKEDOWN, and the SLEEPER! Ren flails, reaches out, but Dick rings the bell! The fans boo the typical trick from Dick, and Callum doesn’t realize what happened until he looks over! Callum seethes, goes back for Ren, but Ren kicks the leg out! Ren catches Callum into the DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Callum hurries to clasp his hands to fight the hold!

The fans rally as Callum reaches out, and then Zane Jay rings the bell! Turnabout is fair play here, and Ren realizes he fell for the trick! Callum LARIATS him down, then hauls him up! PRINCE’S CURSE!! Cover, TWO!! Ren survives, but Callum roars! The fans fire up, but Ren ducks the lariat! Only for Callum to LARIAT again! Cover, TWO!! Ren survives again, but the fans continue to cheer Callum on. Callum grows frustrated, but he kisses the tattoo on his wrist. Callum stands over Ren, rallies the fans, then sits Ren up for a PENALTY KICK! Callum drags Ren back up, fireman’s carries, but Ren fights free!

Ren suplexes, but Callum KICKS the ref! Callum fires Kawada Kicks, then KISS THE- NO, Ren wrenches to ELBOW BREAKER! Drop toehold and POCKET SAND! And a LOW BLOW!! DOUBLE CROSSER!! Cover, the ref is up, but Zane YANKS the ref out! Zane fires off on Ren, but Dick goes after Zane with the SPOILER CHOKER! Ren TOSSES Zane out, CHOKES Callum, then knees low! Dick feeds Callum to Ren, and together they hit MAGIC KILLER!! Cover, but the ref is still down! The ref hobbles back into the ring and counts the cover, TWO!!! Callum survives and Ren is shocked! But then Ren grins and laughs as he drags Callum up.

Ren puts Callum in a corner, goes up top, and hits HELL’S GUILLOTINE on the bad arm!! Then CATTLE MUTILATION!! Callum TAPS, Ren wins!!

Winner: Ren Narita, by submission (gains 2 points; Callum earns 0)

It took trick after trick, but Ren got the win! Will the House of Torture stack the deck again and again until they rule the world? Or can The Prince still pull off the historic double trophy year?

G1 Climax 36 B Block: Yuya Uemura VS Zack Sabre Jr!

There is some irony to Shota Umino going down in this tournament. The Heat Storm lost on opening night, but now has points for free. The Front Man won against The Roughneck, but he’s already gotten his points for that. Will Yuya reignite and head back to the top? Or will ZSJ be the true undefeated leader of B Block?

The bell rings and the fans cheer already. It sounds pretty even between “ZAKKU!” and “YUYA!” as the two circle. They feel things out, clinch, then go around. Yuya waistlocks, ZSJ switches, but Yuta drops down and switches back. ZSJ sits out, goes to switch but Yuya gets away, and the fans applaud. The two reset, feel things out, and Yuya rolls. They feel things out, ZSJ facelocks, and he pulls on the hold. Yuya endures to then fireman’s carry and hit the takeover. ZSJ keeps his shoulders up so Yuya settles for the headlock. ZSJ chinbars, then moves around to slip through and hammerlock. Yuya endures, rolls to wrench the arm, but then ZSJ rolls away.

The fans applaud again as the two reset. They circle, feel things out, and Yuya tries to hook a leg. ZSJ avoids that, then goes for Yuya’s leg. Yuya slips around, waistlocks, and he floats to the armlock. Yuya rolls to wrench the arm, but ZSJ rolls and bridges. ZSJ spins, slips under, and escapes! The fans applaud the technical intellect of ZSJ, and the two reset. ZSJ and Yuya knuckle lock, but then ZSJ slips around to half nelson. Yuya fights the full nelson, wrenches and wrenches and hammerlocks, then headlocks, spins, hammerlocks, and snapmares, all to get back to the armlock! The fans applaud the creativity, but ZSJ sits back up.

Yuya shifts to chicken wing both arms in a modified motorcycle stretch. ZSJ fights up, wrenches through, and he has Yuya in the motorcycle stretch! Yuya endures, fights things around to put the hold back on ZSJ, but ZSJ turns it right back onto Yuya! The fans applaud while ZSJ digs his forehead into Yuya’s shoulder blades. Yuya drops, tries to up kick, but ZSJ holds onto the legs. Yuya uses that to victory roll ZSJ! ZSJ gets away before Red Shoes can even count, and the fans applaud again. Yuya and ZSJ reset, circle, and ZSJ says this is fun! They feel things out again, then Yuya slips around. ZSJ fights off the full nelson using his own leg as leverage.

ZSJ slips around, Yuya slips around, and Yuya has the full nelson back. ZSJ powers up to break the hold, then reaches back to headlock. Yuya powers up and powers out, then arm-drags! But ZSJ headscissors! Yuya kips free, but ZSJ hits a takeover! Yuya headscissors, and he holds tight! The fans cheer while ZSJ is caught! ZSJ moves around, stands up, and he pops free to have a standing toehold! Yuya gets his foot free, turns over, but ZSJ turns that British Escape into a BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Yuya pops free, covers, TWO, and Yuya trips ZSJ! Now Yuya has the standing toehold! ZSJ kicks fere, but Yuya lets him roll so he can arm-drag again!

The fans cheer the technical exchange as Yuya again has the armlock. Yuya shifts to a top wristlock but ZSJ endures. ZSJ fights around but Yuya shifts into a modified Cobra Clutch. ZSJ clasps hands to resist, so Yuya shifts again. They fight for control, ZSJ egging Yuya on, and Yuya manages to break the grip! ZSJ fights up as he clasps hands again, but Yuya wrangles him back down. Yuya grinds the arm but ZSJ keeps his hands together. ZSJ fights up, whips, but Yuay reverses, only to get caught into a COBRA TWIST! But Yuya switches it onto ZSJ! ZSJ switches it back! Yuya switches it back again! ZSJ HIP TOSSES, then NECK TWISTS! The fans fire up while both men are down.

ZSJ gets up, stretches out his back real quick, then clamps onto Yuya with a headscissor squeeze! The fans rally as Yuya endures, and Yuya kicks around. ZSJ grabs a leg, Yuya fights the toehold, then Yuya rolls and rolls. ZSJ keeps Yuya from the ropes, grabs a leg again, and pulls it back! Yuya endures, fights around again, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while ZSJ lets go. ZSJ drags Yuya up, UPPERCUTS hard, and has Yuya in the corner. ZSJ UPPERCUTS again, but Yuya fires back with a forearm. ZSJ cravats to neck wrench Yuya down, but Yuya fights back up. Yuya winds up, but ZSJ avoids the swim move to then cravat again.

Yuya goes for another swim move but ZSJ dodges again, and clamps back on. Yuya endures, spins, and he whips ZSJ to a corner. ZSJ goes up, under, then RAMS Yuya low. ZSJ whips, Yuya goes up an dover! Then Yuya arm-drags! And DROPKICKS! The fans cheer while ZSJ bails out, and Yuya hits his sun pose! Yuya then aims to PLANCHA, but ZSJ catches him! ZSJ cravats, puts Yuya on the apron, and Red Shoes reprimands, but it doesn’t matter! NECK TWIST! Yuya writhes, the fans rally, and ZSJ kicks Yuya away from the ropes. ZSJ takes a moment to catch his breath to then step on Yuya’s legs. ZSJ kneels on Yuya to then dig his elbow into Yuya’s face!

Yuya is in the ropes, Red Shoes reprimands, so ZSJ backs off. ZSJ then brings Yuya up, UPPERCUTS, but Yuya hurries to wrench and YANK the arm! And YANK! Yuya wrangles, hammerlocks, and TWISTS! The fans cheer as Yuya then STOMPS and TWEAKS the arm! ZSJ scrambles away to ropes, but Yuya storms over. Yuya drags ZSJ up, wrenches, but ZSJ chinbars. Yuya still ELBOW BREAKERS, then wrenches again. ELBOW BREAKER! Yuya wrenches again, ELBOW- SLEEPER! ZSJ has Yuya caught, but Yuya slips around to hit a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! But Yuya wants the armbar!

The fans rally and duel as ZSJ clasps hands to fight the hold. Yuya still pulls on the arm, but ZSJ moves to stack Yuya. ONE, but now ZSJ wants the armbar! Yuya stacks, then goes for the armbar! ZSJ clasps hands again, rolls back, and he grabs a leg to ANKLE LOCK! Yuya endures, rolls, and he drags ZSJ down into the ARMBAR! ZSJ fights against the armbar, ends up in a TRIANGLE HOLD, but he rolls to jackknife bridge! TWO as Yuya lets go in time! The fans cheer and the two reset. They circle, then ZSJ fires a forearm! Yuya fires back, the two circle, and ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Yuya fires a forearm, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS again!

Yuya comes back to ROCK ZSJ, then he eggs ZSJ on. ZSJ leans against the ropes, but he comes back to BOOT Yuya! Yuya comes back to ROCK ZSJ! ZSJ BOOTS, Yuya ROCKS, repeat! But then Yuya dodges, O’Conner Roll, but ZSJ slips free! Yuya hurries to high stack, TWO! Yuya hurries to body scissor, roll, and- NO, ZSJ catches Yuya into a SLEEPER! The fans rally again as Yuya endures! Yuya pries the body scissors open, rolls through, and stacks, TWO! ZSJ reels Yuya into the EURO CLUTCH! TWO!! The fans fire up as Yuya escapes just in time! ZSJ and Yuya stare down as they stand back up. They step up, then Yuya CLUBS the bad arm!

ZSJ sits down, shakes it off, and he UPPERCUTS Yuya! Yuya stays standing, and he comes back to ROCK ZSJ! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Then ZSJ scoops, but Yuya sips free, shoves, drops down, and arm-drags! Ghost pin, TWO! ZSJ goes for the arms! Yuya fights around, wrenches back, but ZSJ endures. The fans rally again, and ZSJ fights up. ZSJ wrenches, wrenches, but Yuya wrenches back! ZSJ eggs Yuya on, rolls, but Yuya rolls with him! The fans cheer this technical battle as Yuya keeps ZSJ from the ropes. ZSJ endures, reaches out, but Yuya puts on the pressure. ZSJ power sup to scoop and ZACK DRIVER! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Yuya survives! ZSJ throws away his loose wrist tape while the fans rally behind Yuya. ZSJ rests against the ropes, we’ve hit 20 minutes. Yuya rises up, ZSJ storms up, and he KICKS! And KICKS! Yuya stands, but ZSJ KICKS him back down! The fans fire up again, and ZSJ KICKS, and KICKS, and KICKS! ZSJ eggs Yuya on, so Yuya ENZIGIRIS! And then scoops to MICHINOKU DRIVER! The fans fire up as Yuya reminds us he was mentored by Taka Michinoku, too! Yuya goes up, up, and LION’S- FLOP as ZSJ moves! ZSJ rolls into the TRIANGLE HOLD, then gets the legs! Yuya fights around, ZSJ grabs the legs again, and he shifts to a DEATHLOCK!

Yuya endures as ZSJ puts on the pressure! ZSJ floats around, headscissors on top, but Yuya still fights forward! ZSJ TWISTS Yuya around, but Yuya uses that to roll and find the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Yuya survives again. ZSJ stands up, and he waits on Yuya. Yuya rises, and ZSJ UPPERCUTS him! Yuya comes back to ROCK ZSJ! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Yuya wrenches the arm, YANKS, and wrenches, wrenches, wrenches! ZSJ breaks free, Yuya dodges a boot, and Yuya GERMAN SUPLEXES! ZSJ is up to PENALTY KICK! Yuya is up, he dodges, DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives but the fans fire up with Yuya!

Yuya traps an arm but ZSJ CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Yuya blocks, DEAD- NO, ZSJ slips free, wrenches, and steps over! ZSJ wants the Octopus but Yuya slips through! ZSJ turns cording hold into wrench and PELE! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPP- NO, Yuya flips that around, DEADBOLT PLEX!! The fans fire up as Yuya climbs the corner! LION’S SHINE!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives Yuya’s take on High Fly Flow, but Yuya isn’t done! He goes up for a proper LION’S SHINE!! Cover, YUYA WINS!!

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

ZSJ may be mighty, he may be the best technical wrestler in the world, but tonight, he just wasn’t able to win! Will he still be able to take the block and once again win the G1?

As for Yuya, he gets the mic to say, “I gotta be honest, I’m delighted right now.” The fans cheer that! Yuya says, I’ve seen a new goal in front of me. I promise I will make the world’s best technical wrestler, ZSJ, tap out someday!” The fans like the sound of that! Yuya continues by thanking everyone for coming out tonight. He also says “The G1 will keep going. I’ll win it and bring the trophy back to Hokkaido for our September tour!” The fans really like the sound of that! Yuya asks everyone, “Are you set? All set? Then let’s finish with a 3-2-1 osha. Let’s give our best starting tomorrow! Three, two, one! OSHA~!” The fans cheer along, but will the Heat Storm shine as NJPW’s new guiding light? Or is he still a long way from being the new Ace?

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

Aaron Wolf: 2-0, 4 points [Did Not Compete]
Callum Newman: 2-1, 4 points
HENARE: 2-1, 4 points
“Drilla” Moloney: 2-1, 4 points
Gabe Kidd: 2-1, 4 points
OSKAR: 2-1, 4 points
Ren Narita: 2-1, 4 points
Yuya Uemura: 2-1, 4 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 1-1, 2 points
Shota Umino: 0-1, 0 points [FORFEIT]

My Thoughts:

A great round for B Block, but a shame about Shota Umino. Truly hope he is alright and that they’re just being careful with him. It felt like, even in losing to ZSJ, he had a good shot at things this time around, but injuries happen and can’t be helped. Great stuff in what we did get, great rebounds for Henare and Gabe Kidd, and I’ll even accept Ren winning because it was a fun Heel VS Heel overbooking/cheating battle, and clearly The House of Torture is better at that than everyone else in NJPW. Awesome main event from ZSJ VS Yuya with the signature blend of technical and Strong Style striking we all love to see. Yuya winning out was a bit surprising, but perhaps he now gets that “Hero’s Journey” push in the G1 in Shota’s place.

My Score: 8.9/10