Who will have the last laugh?

NJPW is in Miyagi as A Block enters round three! And while Hirooki Goto leads the block at 2-0, will all that change against the Silent Jester, Jake Lee?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Toru Yano & Taisei Nakahara VS Ren Narita & Dick Togo; Ren & Dick win.
• Yuya Uemura & Masatora Yasuda VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney & Daiki Nagai; Drilla & Daiki win.
• OSKAR & Gedo VS HENARE & Jakob Austin Young; Henare & Jakob win.
• Zack Sabre Jr. & Hartley Jackson VS Callum Newman & Zane Jay; ZSJ & Hartley win.
• G1 Climax 36 A Block: Hirooki Goto VS Jake Lee; Jake wins.
• G1 Climax 36 A Block: Ryohei Oiwa VS Great-O-Khan; Oiwa wins.
• G1 Climax 36 A Block: Konosuke Takeshita VS Yuto-Ice; Konosuke wins.
• G1 Climax 36 A Block: Yota Tsuji VS SANADA; Sanada wins.
• G1 Climax 36 A Block: Boltin Oleg VS Shingo Takagi; Oleg wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

Hirooki Goto: 2-0, 4 points
Yota Tsuji: 1-1, 2 points
Konosuke Takeshita: 1-1, 2 points
Jake Lee: 1-1, 2 points
Boltin Oleg: 1-1, 2 points
Yuto-Ice: 1-1, 2 points
Great-O-Khan: 1-1, 2 points
Shingo Takagi: 1-1, 2 points
Ryohei Oiwa: 1-1, 2 points
SANADA: 0-2, 0 points

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Hirooki Goto VS Jake Lee!

The Fierce Warrior is coming off a fierce main event win over the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, but the Silent Jester is in no mood after The Alpha not only beat him, but wiped off his face paint! Will Jake take his anger out on Goto? Or is the Goto Revolution just getting started?

As with Konosuke last round, Jake pretends to be a fan during Goto’s entrance. Then Jake returns to the ring, the bell rings, and the fans rally. There seems to be an even duel between “GO-TO-O!” and “JEI-KU! JEI-KU!” Jake shrugs it off and the two tie up. Goto powers Jake to the ropes, but Jake turns things around. The ref counts, Jake backs away slowly, and fakes a punch. Jake brushes Goto off, then backs up to take a bow. The fans applaud, and Jake copies the Zanmai pose! Goto runs up and kicks Jake! Goto whips, Jake reverses and KNEE, but Goto blocks it! Goto CLUBS the leg, then runs to RUN Jake over!

Jake bails out but Goto pursues to fire forearms. Jake hits back, they brawl outside, and Goto whips Jake hard into railing, right in front of commentary! The fans cheer as Goto runs up, but Jake dodges! Goto crashes into railing and commentary gets a bit shaken up! Jake then brings Goto up, lifts, and SLAMS him face-first off the apron! The ref reprimands, the fans rally, but Jake rolls into the ring, just to refresh the count. Jake storms around the way, clears off the timekeeper’s table, then brings Goto over. Jake lifts Goto to SLAM him face-first on the table! Goto falls over, Jake mockingly applauds along with the fans, and the ring count starts again.

Jake gets out his black glove and puts it on. Jake stomps Goto down, drags him around, and CLUBS him! Then stomps him again! Jake puts Goto in the ring, covers, TWO! The fans cheer, but Jake drags Goto up. Jake puts Goto on the ropes, and says it’s time for his dental exam! Jake fishhooks Goto, stops as the ref counts, and then feints throwing the glove at the crowd. Jake steps on Goto for a cocky cover, TWO! Goto is tougher than that, and the fans rally up behind him. Jake paces around, kicks at Goto, then eggs him on. Jake kicks Goto again and again, but Goto CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Jake kicks low, runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Jake goes to a corner, Goto storms over and whips him corner to corner. Goto runs in, blocks a boot, and puts the leg in the ropes. Goto KICKS the thigh again and again, then brings Jake around to SAIDO! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer while Goto drags Jake up. Goto goes to fireman’s carry but Jake fights it off. Jake CLUBS Goto, Goto ROCKS Jake, and they fire forearms back and forth! Jake ROCKS Goto, but then Goto catches Jake into the URA GTR! Goto runs to LARIAT! The fans cheer as Goto stands tall! Goto drags Jake up, dragon sleeper, but Jake CLAWS at Goto’s face!

Jake kicks, Goto blocks, and Goto CLUBS the leg! LEG GTR! Jake crawls away to the apron but Goto drags him up. Goto suplexes but Jake fights it! Goto DECKS Jake! Jake falls from the apron, his leg jams, and he falls to the floor! The ref hurries to check Jake’s leg. Goto waits, and even Jakob Austin Young hurries out here to check on his Empire brother. Jakob tells Young Lions to go get help and they take off to the back. Jakob asks for space, and the trainer is here. The fans cheer Jake in concern for his knee. Jake does his best to stand, and he even drags himself into the ring! The fans cheer his brave effort to keep fighting.

The ref has Goto give Jake space, and Jake crawls to center. The fans rally up as Jake still struggles, and Goto stomps Jake! The ref says hold on, they still need to know if Jake can stand! Goto stomps away on Jake, then drags him up by his hair. Jake seems to indicate something and the ref has Goto back off. BUT IT WAS A TRICK! FACE BREAK SHOT!! Cover, JAKE WINS!!

Winner: Jake Lee, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Goto earns 0)

And then he books it outta there! He just pulled off the biggest prank of the entire G1, maybe of all time, and now he’s at the top of the block! Will the Silent Jester be laughing all the way to the bank with this? Will Goto ever live this down?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Ryohei Oiwa VS Great-O-Khan!

The Mullet failed to slay the Rampaging Dragon, but the Dominator conquered the Cold-Blooded Snake. Will Khan now conquer Oiwa for the United Empire? Or will he see that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

The ref checks with Oiwa if his ribs are alright. Oiwa says yes, he’s good, so Khan pushes the ref aside and KICKS Oiwa in the ribs! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but the bell rings. Khan CLUBS Oiwa, CLUBS him again, then CLUBS him again. Oiwa stands while Khan runs, but Oiwa DROPKICKS the legs out! Oiwa grabs a leg, trips Khan, and ELBOW DROPS it again and again! Oiwa clamps on the toehold while the fans cheer. Khan endures, and he CLAWS Oiwa’s ribs! Oiwa stands to change his angle on the leg, but Khan just reaches up to CLAW the ribs! Oiwa lets Khan go and he hobbles away. Khan bails out and shakes out the leg.

Oiwa goes out after Khan, but Khan kicks and whips Oiwa hard into railing! Oiwa staggers away, clutching his ribs, then falls to the floor. Khan grabs a chair but the ref reprimands. The ref storms out there, but Khan pushes the ref aside so he can JAM Oiwa up! And SMACK him on the back! Oiwa staggers away and falls back down! The ref hurries to check him but Khan puts a chair on top of Oiwa, and takes a seat! Khan soaks up cheers and jeers while the ref reprimands. Khan taunts Oiwa, slaps him around, then steps on Oiwa as he stands back up. The ref reprimands, then checks with Oiwa. Oiwa says he can still fight, so Khan puts him in the ring.

Khan stalks Oiwa, kneels on him for a cocky cover, TWO! Oiwa is tougher than that, but Khan scuffs him and eggs him on. Khan talks trash, the fans rally up, and Oiwa rises. Khan dares Oiwa to take a shot, so Oiwa winds up. But Khan trips Oiwa! The fans boo as Khan laughs, then Khan KICKS Oiwa down! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer Oiwa on while Khan paces around. Khan drags Oiwa up, brings him around, and runs the ropes, but Oiwa blocks the lariat! Wrench and DDT! The fans cheer while both men are down. Oiwa grits his teeth and clutches his side as he rises up, and he brings Khan around to whip to ropes.

Oiwa DROPKICKS the legs out, then grabs a leg for a SHIN BREAKER! Then a RUNNING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Khan toughs it out but the fans still rally for Oiwa. Oiwa fires up, the fans cheer, and Oiwa runs at the corner to LARIAT! Oiwa then reels Khan in for a stalling suplex! The fans cheer while Khan flounders, and Oiwa covers, TWO! Khan is tougher than that but Oiwa brings him back up. But the bad ribs won’t let Oiwa lift for the Tenzan Plex! Oiwa still tries, but then Khan pulls hair, and CLAWS the ribs! They go to the ropes, the ref counts, but Khan DUMPS Oiwa up and out to the floor! The ref hurries to check Oiwa, but Khan goes back for chairs!

The fans rally for Oiwa, and that annoys Khan. Khan brings his chairs around the way, puts one down before dragging Oiwa up, and the ref reprimands. Khan brings Oiwa to No Man’s Land where he dropped the other chair, and fans already move out of the way. The ref reprimands but Khan still BOWLS Oiwa through railing and into chairs! That’s definitely a STRIKE, and Khan storms over to pick Oiwa back up. Khan drapes Oiwa across a chair, then grabs the other. The ref stops Khan, they argue over the chair, and the fans cheer as the ref refuses to let go! Khan lets go and that sends the ref tumbling away!

Khan grabs another chair, and he winds up to CON-CHAIR-TO the ribs!! The fans boo while Oiwa writhes, but Khan just seethes and storms his way back to ringside. The fans rally for Oiwa, but then they boo Khan as he pretends he can’t hear them. The ref checks Oiwa, so Khan unties a buckle pad. Oiwa clutches his side as the ring count starts. Oiwa is still down at 5 of 20, then past 10. The fans rally harder and harder as Oiwa crawls his way over! Oiwa stands at 15, and he manages to slide in at 17! Khan is frustrated but he storms over to Oiwa. Khan drags Oiwa up, whips, but Oiwa blocks! Khan tries again, but Oiwa still blocks!

Khan BODY BLOWS the bad ribs! Then BODY BLOWS again! Khan winds up, but Oiwa dodges the Iron Right! Khan blocks The Grip! And he blocks the lariat! Khan BOOTS Oiwa down, then rips the rib tape away! IRON CLAW right on the bad ribs! The fans rally for Oiwa as he endures, but Khan puts on the pressure! Oiwa reaches out, drags himself towards the ropes, but Khan steps on Oiwa’s leg! The fans rally more as Oiwa keeps fighting! Oiwa crawls a little closer, but Khan lets go to IRON RIGHT into the ribs! The ref reprimands but Khan still covers, TWO! Oiwa toughs it out, but Khan kicks him around.

Oiwa slowly stands up, so Khan Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian Chops! And winds up to Mongolian- NO, Oiwa blocks the chops! Khan kicks low! But Oiwa just stands back up! Khan kicks again, but again Oiwa rises! Oiwa Mongolian Chops! The fans fire up with Oiwa as he whips Khan to ropes. Oiwa LARIATS Khan down, then hurries to clinch! TENZAN PLEX! Cover, TWO! Khan survives but the fans fire up behind Oiwa. Oiwa goes to a corner, climbs up top, but Khan rolls away. Oiwa hops down and waits on Khan to stand. Oiwa runs up, but Khan dodges! Oiwa avoids hitting the bare buckles! Oiwa then dodges Khan to slip around and SLEEPER!

The fans rally as Khan flails! Khan claws at the hold but Oiwa holds on tight! The fans rally as Oiwa squeezes tighter! Khan fights back up, but Oiwa spins him! But Khan uses the ref as a shield! Then Khan SHOVES Oiwa into the bare buckles! And then ELIMINATOR onto the buckles!! High stack cover, TWO!!! Oiwa survives and shocks Khan! The fans are thunderous, but Khan hurries to clamp on the IRON CLAW! ELIMIN- NO, Oiwa slips free, and he shoves Khan into bare buckles! Then a trip and ROLLING CLUTCH! OIWA WINS!!

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

Khan can’t believe it! Oiwa fights through the pain to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat! Khan goes out to grab a chair, he wants to do more damage! The ref stands in Khan’s way, Khan SHOVES him aside, but THE GRIP knocks Khan off the apron! The fans cheer as Khan goes down! Will the Dominator fail to dominate the G1? Will Oiwa make a mighty comeback?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Konosuke Takeshita VS Yuto-Ice!

The Alpha is coming off a win, the Knock Out Brother is coming off a loss, but they’re both coming off a count-out draw from yesterday’s tag team tune-up. Tensions are high, but who gets that wrestling high with a win here tonight?

It seems Yuto doesn’t wanna wait, he wants to continue where they left off! He storms back up the ramp to meet Konosuke halfway, and the fans fire up as the forearms start flying! Konosuke KNEES low, then whips Yuto, but Yuto reverses! Konosuke crashes into railing, then stumbles into the crowd! Yuto pursues, the fans move out of the way, and Yuto fires hands. Konosuke ROCKS Yuto back, then HEADBUTTS him! They go through the crowd, Konosuke HEADBUTTS, Yuto fires a forearm then a KICK! Konosuke falls over against the chairs! The ref reprimands but these two keep going deeper into the crowd!

Young Lions do what they can to get fans safely away, and Konosuke ROCKS Yuto! And ROCKS him again! Theyr’e going around commentary now as Yuto ROCKS Konosuke! Yuto fires more shots, then a KICK! Konosuke sits in a lady’s lap before falling over! The fans fire up all the same, and Yuto brings Konosuke to the ring. Yuto is all fired up, the fans are with him, and the bell rings. Konosuke ROCKS Yuto, Yuto ROCKS Konosuke, and repeat! Yuto ROCKS Konosuke, stomps away in the corner, then digs his boot in, but he stops as the ref counts. Konosuke storms up and he fires a forearm! Yuto eggs Konosuke on, so Konosuke ROCKS him with another forearm!

Yuto fires back, and the fans rally as they go back and forth. Konosuke guzels but Yuto laughs that off. Yuto SLAPS Konosuke, and SLAPS, ROCKS, and runs. But Konosuke JUMP KNEES! Yuto is down but the fans fire up! Konosuke kicks Yuto out, then follows to whip him into railing! Yuto falls, but Konosuke brings him out to the crowd, and DDTS on the floor! Yuto writhes and clutches his neck, but Konosuke leaves him behind. The ref checks on Yuto and he is able to continue. The fans rally for “AISU! AISU!” as the ring count climbs. Yuto rises at 5 of 20, but the bad arm and shoulder bother him. Yuto hobbles his way over to ringside by 13.

Yuto rolls in at 15, and Konosuke KNEES him again! And DDTS! Cover, TWO! Yuto toughs it out and the fans applaud. Konosuke reels Yuto into a headscissor squeeze and puts on the pressure. Yuto endures, fights around, and kicks his way over. Konosuke pushes up for more pressure, but Yuto still makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Konosuke lets go. Konosuke looms over Yuto, then drags him up, but Yuto fires a forearm. Konosuke isn’t bothered, and he looms over Yuto again. Yuto rises back up, and he fires another forearm! Konosuke KNEES low, then ROCKS Yuto with a forearm.

Yuto stumbles to the ropes, comes back, and he fires a forearm. Konosuke ROCKS Yuto again, but Yuto comes back for more. They go back and forth, forearm for forearm, but then Konosuke HEADBUTTS! Konosuke runs, but into a mule kick! Yuto THROWS Konosuke down by his hair! The fans cheer while both men slowly rise back up. Yuto storms over to Konosuke and fires another forearm. Then Yuto KICKS, KICKS, and ROCKS Konosuke! Konosuke just gets in Yuto’s face, so Yuto SLAPS him! Yuto stomps away in the corner again, then rains down forearms! The ref counts, Yuto stops at 4, and the fans cheer as Yuto gets gangsta!

“BOMBACLAT!” and Yuto runs in, KNEE WASH! The fans cheer and Yuto covers, TWO! The fans rally again, and Yuto stomps Konosuke. Konosuke sits up, Yuto KICKS him! And KICKS! Konosuke stands, blocks the kick, and CLUBS the leg! Konosuke fires boxing elbows, ROLLING- NO, Yuto ROCKS Konosuke first! Yuto runs, but into a LARIAT! Konosuke hurries to suplex and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Konosuke then clamps on a CROSSFACE! Konosuke goes after that bad arm and shoulder with this hold, but Yuto still endures! The fans rally as Yuto fights around, and he scoots his way back to the ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer while Konosuke lets go in frustration. Konosuke shakes out his own arms, then paces before he stands Yuto back up. Yuto fires a body shot, but there’s not much there. Yuto fires another body shot, but Konosuke is not bothered. The fans rally as Yuto stands, and he fires a forearm! Konosuke just leans into it! Then Konosuke CLUBS Yuto down! Yuto grits his teeth as he rises back up, and the forearms start flying again! They pick up speed, but the ALPHA ELBOW sends Yuto staggering away! Yuto comes back, Konosuke fires boxing elbows! But Yuto ROCKS Konosuke with just one! Yuto winds up, but the bad shoulder won’t let him punch!

The fans rally as Yuto drops to the mat again. Konosuke nods and storms back over. Konosuke eggs Yuto on, then he fires Kawada Kicks! Konosuke ROCKS Yuto, but Yuto gets pissed! Yuto pulls the tape away, eggs Konosuke on, and Konosuke fires a forearm! Yuto fires back, the forearms go back and forth again, then Konosuke fires a flurry! Yuto KICKS a leg out! Konosuke sits down, Yuto KICKS him again, then runs. But Konosuke dodges the Penalty Kick! Konosuke clinches, but Yuto fights free! Only for Konosuke to SAIDO after all! Yuto gets folded up and flops over! The fans rally as Konosuke fires a ROLLING ELBOW! Konosuke winds up, but Yuto ROUNDHOUSES!

The fans are thunderous as Yuto aims, and BUZZSAWS! Konosuke flops over again, and Yuto goes to a corner! Yuto takes aim for- ALPHA ELBOW! But he still CRUELLAS! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and the fans fire up again! Yuto brings his kneepad down, fires up, and he sits Konosuke up. Konosuke dodges Heartless to trip Yuto, and WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! Yuto flounders, Konosuke runs up, and LARIATS! Cover, ONE?!?! The fans are thunderous as Yuto staggers around. Konosuke SLAPS, Yuto SLAPS, repeat! The fans fire up with every SLAP, Konosuke KNEES low! But Yuto bobs ‘n’ weaves to fire more SLAPS!

Yuto ROCKS Konosuke, but Konosuke clinches! EXPLODER! And then WAGAMAMA KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! Yuto survives, the fans are thunderous, but Konosuke brings his kneepad down! Konosuke runs up, BARE BONE WAGAMAMA KNEE!! And then a SLEEPER STRETCH!!! Yuto is OUT, Konosuke wins!!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by submission (gains 2 points; Yuto earns 0)

Another round and again the ref has to call it on Yuto’s behalf! Is his stubbornness only going to get Yuto put on ice? Will Konosuke continue on until he’s The Alpha of all wrestling?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Yota Tsuji VS SANADA!

While both men are coming off losses last round, the Gene Blast might be coming off the bigger loss given he’s the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Can Yota reload and redeem himself in the third? Or will the Cold-Blooded Snake bring this to a Skull End?

The bell rings, the fans rally for “YO~TA! YO~TA!” and he smiles. Sanada brushes that off as he and Yota circle. They tie up, Sanada slips around, but Yota wrenches to wristlock. Sanada spins, wrenches, and wristlocks back, but Yota rolls, wrenches, and hammerlocks. Sanada works on his escape, but then Yota shifts to a headlock. Sanada uses that to slip out, headlock, and hit the takeover. Yota headscissors, Sanada kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff. The two reset and circle again. They tie up, Yuto headlocks, but Sanada fires body shots. Sanada powers up and out but Yota RUNS him over! The fans cheer while Yota shakes out his arm.

Yota runs, Sanada stays low, then Sanada dodges to DROPKICK a leg out! Yota bails out, Sanada builds speed, but Yota slides in! Sanada tumbles out, Yota builds speed, but Sanada runs away. Yota cartwheels out of the ring, and the two stare down as they both show punch. The fans cheer as both men go into the ring, and Yota smiles again. Sanada offers a handshake, the fans applaud, and Yota accepts. The fans applaud the sportsmanship, but Yota blocks the kick! Of course Sanada tried that, but Yota was ready! Yota ROCKS Sanada, whips him, but Sanada reverses. Yota avoids the hurdle to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally behind Yota while Sanada flounders away. Yota storms his way over, brings Sanada back up, and puts him in the corner. Yota CHOPS, the fans cheer, and Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH! Yota snapmares Sanada, reels him in, and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Sanada is tougher than that but the fans still rally behind Yota. Yota smiles as he paces, and he grabs Sanada’s legs. Yota ties, or rather tries to tie Sanada up in Paradise! He doesn’t quite know the secret, so Sanada BOOTS him away! Sanada runs up, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Yota shrugs off his failed Paradise and clamps on with a chinlock.

Sanada endures as Yota digs his knee into Sanada’s back. Sanada pries at the hold, rises back up, and he fires body shots. Sanada ROCKS Yota, ROCKS him again, then grabs a leg. Yota ROCKS Sanada, then runs, but Sanada DROPKICKS the leg! Then he DROPKICKS Yota down! The fans cheer while Yota tumbles out of the ring. Sanada goes out after Yota, brings him around, and he puts Yota on the apron. Then he has Yota in place for a MAGIC SCREW to the floor! The ref reprimands but the fans rally up while Yota writhes. Sanada drags Yota up as the ring count starts, and he puts Yota in at 5 of 20.

The fans applaud as Sanada rolls in, and he brings Yota up to fireman’s carry. Yota fights free, then catches Sanada to a clinch! BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER, and CURB STOMP! The fans cheer the Gene Combination, but both men are down as Yota clutches his neck and shoulder. Sanada rolls away to a corner while the fans rally up. Yota stands, he runs corner to corner again, but Sanada dodges the Gene Trigger! Sanada then dragon sleepers, but Yota arm-drags free! Yota runs up, Sanada catches him to another dragon sleeper! Then Sanada goes to a corner, but Yota kicks off the buckles to get up and over!

Yota shoves Sanada to the corner, runs up, but into a BOOT! Sanada Quebrada, and dragon sleeper! The fans rally as Yota fights from below, but Sanada drops into the SKULL END! Yota endures, reaches out, and the fans rally up! Yota kicks and moves around, but Sanada puts on the pressure. Yota starts to fade! The ref checks, Yota gets his second wind, only for him to fade again! The ref checks, and the arm drops once! The arm drops twice! But then Sanada lets go, goes up the corner, and ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives and the fans fire up! Sanada calls his shot and the fans cheer again.

Sanada drags Yota around as the fans duel. Sanada reels Yota in, clinches, DEAD- NO, Yota cartwheels through! Yota runs up, Sanada dodges to O’Conner- NO, Yota blocks the bridge and rolls to a body scissors clutch! TWO, and Sanada runs up! Yota dodges, GERMAN SUPLEX, but Sanada lands out! O’Conner Roll deep tuck! TWO!! Yota escapes, but Sanada runs up! Yota ROCKS Sanada, KNEES him, then CURB STOMPS him back down! The fans fire up for Yota while he goes to the corner. Yota waits on Sanada, runs up, but Sanada jumps up! Only for Yota to stop the rana! Yota drops Sanada, runs up, GENE-

NO, Sanada catches Yota! DEADFALL!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and the fans are thunderous! Sanada goes to a corner and takes aim. Yota rises up, into the BLINDSIDE WIZARD! The fans fire up again as Sanada reloads, and SHINING- NO, Yota rolls under, grabs the legs, and has the BOSTON CRAB! The fans rally as Sanada endures, but Yota sits deep on the hold! Sanada reaches out, powers up, but Yota powers him back down! The fans rally harder and harder as Sanada continues to endure! The dueling is strong, and Yota shifts his grip to hit the SHORT BOMB, only for Sanada to roll through! Cover, TWO! SHINING WIZARD!!

The fans are thunderous as Sanada hurries to a corner. Yota tries to catch up, but Sanada’s up top! ROUNDING BODY- NO, Yota moves! Sanada lands out, Yota hits the GENE BLASTER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Sanada survives and shocks everyone! Yota roars, brings Sanada back up, and he reloads, for the FIRE- NO, Sanada catches Yota to the dragon sleeper! SKULL SWING, and then SKULL- NO, Yota rolls through and he has the dragon sleeper! Then the pump handle, SILVER- NO, Sanada slips free! And he SHOVES Yota into the ref! Then POP-UP LOW BLOW!! And then DEADFALL!!! Cover, SANADA WINS!!

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

Whether he’s still associated with the House of Torture or not, Sanada still knows all the devious tricks! He steals his golden ticket, but will he still steal the entire G1 Climax? Can the IWGP Heavyweight Champion stop falling down the ranks before it’s too late?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Boltin Oleg VS Shingo Takagi!

Not only did the NJPW Strong Champion win last round, his overwhelming power and rage got him the win by referee stoppage! The Rampaging Dragon is also red hot after overcoming Ryohei Oiwa, but can he withstand the power of Boltin? Or will Takagi be put behind BARS?

The bell rings and the fans fire up already. The dueling chants are strong, Red Shoes says it’s 50-50. The two circle, feel things out, and Oleg has Takagi on the ropes. Red Shoes counts the break, Oleg backs off, and the fans applaud. The two circle again, feeling things out, and Takagi backs away to a corner. Oleg gives him space, then the two tie up. Oleg headlocks, Takagi endures the grind, and Takagi powers up. Oleg holds on tight, but Takagi tries again. Takagi pries the hold open, but Oleg clamps down again. Takagi powers up and out this time, but Oleg RAMS him! Takagi rebounds to RAM Oleg and the fans cheer!

Oleg runs the ropes to RAM Takagi! Takagi and Oleg get forehead to forehead, then they both run! They RAM, and RAM, and RAM! Oleg runs up, Takagi dodges, but Oleg blocks the hip toss! Takagi dodges the lariat, RAMS Oleg, then goes the other way to CLOBBER Oleg! The fans cheer while Takagi storms around. Takagi snapmares Oleg, then ELBOW DROPS! The fans still duel as Takagi clamps on a chinlock. Takagi grinds Oleg down now, but Oleg endures. Oleg reaches out, kicks around, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Red Shoes counts, but Takagi puts on more pressure! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Takagi holds until 4.

Takagi puts Oleg on the ropes to KNEE low! And KNEE again! Then he snap suplexes Oleg down! Cover, ONE, and with some serious power! The fans cheer and Takagi is rather surprised. Oleg eggs Takagi on, so Takagi shoves Oleg. Oleg shoves back, and they clinch. They fight for control as they go around, and Oleg hits a BELLY2BELLY! The fans cheer while Oleg runs up to RUN Takagi over! Takagi bails out to the apron, but Oleg paces while he waits. The ring count starts while Takagi walks that one off. Takagi checks his head before going back to the apron. The count pauses but Takagi asks for space. Oleg stays back, and Takagi takes his time stepping back in.

Red Shoes wants Oleg to stay back but Oleg goes out after Takagi. Takagi kicks low, then SMACKS Oleg off the apron! Takagi then whips Oleg into the railing! The fans cheer, Takagi roars, but Oleg gets right back up! Takagi is worried now, but he and Oleg DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT! Oleg stays standing and the fans fire up again! Oleg paces around, refreshes the ring count, then puts Takagi in. The fans applaud, and Oleg stalks Takagi to the ropes. Oleg CLUBS Takagi, cravats, then snapmares him into the drop zone. Oleg runs to VADER BOMB! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Takagi stays in this but Oleg stays focused.

Oleg brings Takagi up, clinches, but Takagi fights the suplex! So Oleg makes it a BEARHUG! Takagi endures, even as Oleg thrashes him around! Takagi BELL CLAPS again and again until he’s free! But Oleg comes right back to gut wrench! Takagi clings to the ropes, so Oleg lets go. Oleg reels Takagi into a facelock, but Takagi wrenches and CLUBS that arm. Takagi fires a forearm, Oleg fires back, and the fans rally up. Takagi nods and comes back to fire another forearm! Oleg fires back! The forearms go back and forth, then Takagi CHOPS! The fans cheer, and Takagi waits on Oleg. Oleg returns to CHOP back!

The fans cheer, Takagi reaches out to Daiki Nagai but no, this is not a tag match. Takagi brushes himself off, and he CHOPS! Oleg CHOPS back, and the fans rally up. Takagi headbutts buckles to fire back up, and he CHOPS! Oleg CHOPS, Takagi CHOPS, repeat! The fans rally, Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS, then CHOPS! But Oleg CHOPS Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS! The fans cheer as both men are down! Takagi catches his breath, goes back to Oleg, and points up. Takagi reels Oleg in, but Oleg fights the suplex! Takagi KNEES low, then whips Oleg, only for Oleg to reverse! Takagi dodges the splash to HIP TOSS! The fans fire up as Takagi says let’s raise the roof!

Takagi reels Oleg in, but Oleg fights the suplex. Takagi powers up and he suplexes Oleg up and over! Cover, TWO! Oleg still has energy left so Takagi fires back up. He gets the fans fired up, too, and tells Miyagi, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans rally behind Takagi as he goes back to Oleg. But Oleg DROPKICKS! The fans cheer Oleg defying physics, and he gut wrenches Takagi to deadlift into the Shake, Shake, Shake, and THROW! Then the kip up! The fans cheer Oleg’s superhuman ability as he then runs at the corner! SPLASH! Then Oleg snapmares Takagi into the drop zone, and climbs up the corner?! The fans are already worried what’s gonna happen!

Takagi hurries to his feet to RIDGE HAND again and again! Takagi fires more shots, then climbs up. Oleg and Takagi brawl up top, and Oleg ROCKS Takagi! Takagi holds on to rise back up! Takagi fires a flurry of forearms on Oleg, but Oleg ROCKS Takagi again! Takagi still rises up, and HEADBUTTS away on Oleg! The fans fire up as Takagi brings Oleg up to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! Takagi shouts, “OI! OI! OI!” and the fans join in. Takagi runs up and he LARIATS! Oleg stays standing, a short-range Pumping Bomber is not enough! Takagi runs the ropes, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide!

Oleg roars, runs, but into the ELBOW! Oleg ROCKS Takagi! Takagi JABS! Oleg CHOPS! Oleg roars, runs, but into a PUMPING BOMBER!! The fans fire up for Takagi and he brings Oleg up. Pump handle, half nelson, and MADE IN JAPAN! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives and the fans fire back up! Takagi hurries back to Oleg, and rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Oleg blocks one, but Takagi slips free! SLIDING D!! Then Takagi hurries to bring Oleg up, but Oleg fireman’s carries! SNAP KAMIKAZE!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and Oleg is frustrated! The fans rally and duel, and that motivates Oleg.

Oleg brings Takagi up, fireman’s carries, but Takagi fights, so Oleg SAMOAN DROPS! Oleg then grabs an arm, and he RIPCORDS Takagi into the fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives the “Boltin Driver,” but Oleg just fires back up! Oleg vows to end this now, and he reels Takagi in. Takagi fights the dreaded powerbomb but Oleg still lifts him up! Only for Takagi to RANA! The fans fire up, Takagi hurries to his feet, but Oleg LARIATS him down first! Oleg roars, the fans rally up, and Oleg drags Takagi back up for a fireman’s carry! THE VEDICT DDT COUNTER! And then TAKAGI MAGIC SCREW!

The fans rally while both men are down! The dueling just gets stronger as both men go to ropes. Takagi rises first, he and Oleg run up, DOUBLE LARIATS! Takagi SWATS a lariat, CLUBS Oleg’s arm, then wrenches to an ELBOW BRE- SLEEPER!! Oleg has Takagi caught and he squeezes tight! Takagi stays up, and he powers things to the ropes, REBOUND SAIDO! Takagi rises, but so does Oleg! They run up, Takagi ducks ‘n’ dodges, PUMPING BOMBER!! The fans fire up with Takagi as he rises again! Takagi brings Oleg up, pump handles, and BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, TWO?!?! Oleg survives and shocks everyone!

Takagi is beside himself, but he hurries to bring Oleg up. Takagi fires the fans up, fires boxing elbows, then winds up to ROCK Oleg! And ELBOW! RIDGE HAND! JAB! HEADBUTT!! Oleg stays up, Takagi runs, but into a POP-UP BOLTIN BOMB?! And then the deadlift BOLTIN BOMB!! Oleg roars and deadlifts again, to a fireman’s carry! But Takagi clings to ropes for sheer survival! Oleg YANKS Takagi free to KAMIKAZE!!! Cover, OLEG WINS!!!

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

We all knew Oleg was a beast, but this is insane even for him! The Rampaging Dragon falls again, can he still soar to the mountaintop by the end?

As for the NJPW Strong Champion, Oleg gets the mic but sits down as he asks Takagi to please wait. “This promos is probably the hardest thing I’ll have to do today. But Takagi-san, I think you are an awesome wrestler, and a pro-wrestling monster.” The fans cheer that! Oleg thanks Takagi, and manages to bow in respect. Oleg continues by saying, “People of Senai… There’s a lot I can’t get across with my Japanese, but I’ll say this. I don’t know if you realize this, but I haven’t lost a G1 match in Sendai.” The fans like the sound of that! Oleg says this was his first G1 main event. When he started, he didn’t know what to think. At first, he thought it was just his job.

But thanks to his senpai and all the fans, he’s fallen in love with pro-wrestling! The fans cheer that! Oleg says that with that love, he wants to win this stacked G1! He wants to become the strongest, and show the world the strength of pro-wrestling! The fans also cheer that, and Oleg says he’ll end in Kazakhstani, but he wants them to know it means, “Fight on!” aka “Gambate!” Oleg cheers, “ALGA! ALGA! ALGA!” The fans cheer, too, but will Oleg be able to fight on all the way to the finals?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Jake Lee: 2-1, 4 points
Hirooki Goto: 2-1, 4 points
Konosuke Takeshita: 2-1, 4 points
Boltin Oleg: 2-1, 4 points
Yota Tsuji: 1-2, 2 points
Yuto-Ice: 1-2, 2 points
Ryohei Oiwa: 2-1, 4 points
Great-O-Khan: 1-2, 2 points
Shingo Takagi: 1-2, 2 points
SANADA: 1-2, 2 points

My Thoughts:

An awesome round for the G1 here, because we got some big surprises tonight. For one, who would’ve thought that Sanada, with how he almost didn’t come back to NJPW, would get a win over the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. By NJPW rules and logic, that means Sanada can get himself a title shot sometime after the G1 but before WrestleKingdom. At least, traditionally, they have been letting the G1 winner cash in at King of Pro-Wrestling or whatever event is happening in Ryogoku. But that is great for Sanada, I’ve always liked his strong silent type charisma, even if he is currently a cheating Heel.

Another surprise might be that Yuto-Ice lost via “stoppage” twice, and in a row. Oleg dominating him at the end of last round was one thing, and then Konosuke shows he can do technical/submission wrestling with his new sleeper hold, and that was pretty brutal. And then of course, just an amazing main event from Takagi VS Oleg. I wasn’t really sure who would win, but it is awesome that Oleg got such a strong victory over Takagi, a former world champion among other accomplishments. Oleg said himself, he’s booked very strongly in Sendai, he got this main event feather in his cap, he very well could be a semifinalist, maybe even a finalist.

My Score: 9.1/10