A battle of the Unbound!

As the G1 Climax enters round 4, the IWGP Heavyweight Champion is trailing behind! Can Yota Tsuji keep from owing golden tickets to the competition?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Yuya Uemura & Satoshi Kojima VS Toru Yano & Taisei Nakahara; Yuya & Kojima win.
• Aaron Wolf & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS OSKAR & Gedo; Oskar & Gedo win.
• HENARE & Jakob Austin Young VS Ren Narita & Dick Togo; Ren & Dick win.
• “Drilla” Dan Moloney & Daiki Nagai VS Callum Newman & Zane Jay; Drilla & Daiki win.
• G1 Climax 36 A Block: Hirooki Goto VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins.
• G1 Climax 36 A Block: Jake Lee VS SANADA; Sanada wins.
• G1 Climax 36 A Block: Konosuke Takeshita VS Boltin Oleg; Konosuke wins.
• G1 Climax 36 A Block: Yuto-Ice VS Ryohei Oiwa; Yuto wins.
• G1 Climax 36 A Block: Yota Tsuji VS Shingo Takagi; Yota wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current 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
Ryohei Oiwa: 2-1, 4 points
Yota Tsuji: 1-2, 2 points
Yuto-Ice: 1-2, 2 points
Great-O-Khan: 1-2, 2 points
Shingo Takagi: 1-2, 2 points
SANADA: 1-2, 2 points

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Hirooki Goto VS Great-O-Khan!

The Fierce Warrior just dealt with the United Empire through Jake Lee, and now he must deal with The Dominator! Can Goto #TurnItAllAround? Or will Khan quell the Goto Revolution?

Khan claims the ref needs to double check Goto. The ref checks, but that lets Khan cheap shot Goto! The fans boo, the bell rings, and Khan CLUBS Goto. Khan winds up to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chop! And then feint so he can stomp Goto’s foot! Khan scuffs Goto, throws hands, then whips corner to corner. Goto comes back to RUN Khan over! The fans cheer, and Goto brings Khan up. Goto fires forearms, whips Khan to a corner, then runs up. Goto blocks a boot, puts the leg in the ropes, then stomps away! The ref counts, Goto stops, and he HIP TOSSES Khan! The fans cheer as Goto then grabs the leg, steps through, but Khan boots him away.

Khan bails out but Goto waits on him. The fans rally, but Khan dares Goto to come get him. Goto dares Khan to come get him! The fans cheer Goto but Khan taunts Goto. Goto stays put as the ring count starts. The fans rally behind Goto, Khan gets upset and goes to the apron, and Goto BLASTS him down! Now Goto goes outside and brings Khan up. Goto whips, but Khan reverses! Goto hits railing, but Khan keeps on him. Khan whips Goto into more railing, then reels him in for a snap suplex to the floor! The fans rally for Goto while he’s down. Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out chairs! The ref reprimands, but Khan still JAMS Goto up! And SMACKS him on the back!

The fans boo while Goto is down again. The ref reprimands but Khan flips the fans off. Khan brings his chair over and he takes a seat on top of Goto! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Khan slaps Goto around. The ref counts, Khan stands up, and Khan puts the chair aside. Khan drags Goto up, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud that much. Khan kneels for a cocky cover, TWO! Goto is still in this, but Khan kicks him around. Khan drags Goto up, but Goto fires a CHOP! And a CHOP! And another CHOP! But Khan Mongolian Chops! Khan runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! The fans cheer as both men are down!

Goto hurries to whip Khan into a corner, then he runs up to MURAMASA! Then a SAIDO! The fans cheer while Goto covers, TWO! The fans rally again as Goto drags Khan up. Goto goes to fireman’s carry but Khan pulls hair! Then the IRON CLAW! Khan puts Goto on the ropes but the ref reprimands. Khan DUMPS Goto up and out! The ref reprimands again but the fans rally for Goto while he’s down. Goto clutches a leg, but Khan goes out the side to grab yet another chair. Khan doesn’t like that one, it’s already falling apart. Khan gets another chair, brings it over, and POSTS Goto! Then Khan winds up, but the ref stops him!

The ref reprimands, but Khan SHOVES Goto! Khan swings, but Goto ducks! Khan SMACKS the POST, this chair falls apart after all, and Goto fires forearms on Khan! The fans cheer as Goto whips Khan into railing! And then more railing! The fans fire up for the BULLDOG on the floor! Khan flounders while Goto rises up, and the fans cheer again! Goto drags Khan up, puts him in the ring, and then climbs up the corner. The fans cheer Goto’s ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Goto keeps on Khan with a fireman’s carry, and the USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Khan is tougher than that, but the fans still rally behind Goto.

Goto fires back up, he drags Khan around, and he dragon sleepers! But Khan BITES the arm! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Khan stops at 4. Khan flounders a bit, but Goto is after him again. But then Khan BITES Goto’s forehead! The fans boo again, the ref counts again, and Khan stops at 4. IRON- NO, Goto ducks the right hand to URA GTR! Goto runs, but Khan uses the ref as a shield! The ref is down, Khan KICKS the back of Goto’s leg! Then Khan BOOTS the back of Goto’s head! The fans boo Khan, but then rally up behind Goto. Both men stir, and Khan crawls his way to the corner. Khan fetches more chairs!

Khan sits one chair up, brings Goto over, and Khan SMACKS Goto off the seat again and again! Khan then leaves Goto in place, and has the other chair! But GOto uses the one chair to block! Then Goto SWATS chair with chair! The fans cheer and Khan is worried now. Khan apologizes, even pleads for mercy. Goto thinks about it, the fans are conflicted, and Goto winds up! But then Goto says he doesn’t need to! But then IRON LOW BLOW?!?! The fans boo as Khan abuses Goto’s mercy! Khan shouts at the ref to get up, then he IRON CLAWS Goto! ELIMINATOR!! IRON CLAW PIN! Cover, KHAN WINS!!

Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Goto earns 0)

Are there no lows to which the United Empire won’t stoop? Khan laughs as he takes advantage of Goto, but then wants to add on! Khan grabs the chairs again, and he pushes the Young Lion, Tatsuya Mastumoto, aside! But then Tatsuya grabs the chair! Khan winds up, but Tatsuya shields Goto! So Khan SMACKS Tatsuya down! The fans boo, but Khan tells the Young Lion to know his place! He kicks Tatsuya aside, drags Goto up, and puts him back in place. Khan grabs the other chair, winds up again, and GOLF SWINGS! The fans boo but Khan laughs at what he’s done! Will Khan continue to do horrible things just to reach the top of NJPW?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Jake Lee VS SANADA!

The Silent Jester and Cold-Blooded Snake are rather alike. Both use tricks, deception, and a unique charisma, but only one of them is leading the block. Will Sanada make sure that all changes? Or will Jake still have the last laugh?

The bell rings and the fans duel already. Jake wags his finger as he and Sanada circle. They feel things out, clinch, and fight for control. Sanada slips around to a waistlock, only for Jake to wrench and switch. Sanada switches back, but Jake wrenches and switches again. Jake wrenches to wristlock, then puts Sanada on the ropes. The ref calls the break, and Jake slowly lets go, then he brushes Sanada off. The fans applaud while Jake takes a bow. Sanada kicks low! Sanada whips, Jake reverses, then Jake steps aside with a bow to avoid the dropkick. Sanada avoids the stomp, but Jake fakes him out. Jake kicks, whips, but Sanada DROPKICKS the legs out!

Jake bails out of the ring, but Sanada builds speed! Jake moves, Sanada flips up and over, and Jake YANKS him down! Jake whips, but Sanada reverses, and Jake hits railing! Sanada runs up, but Jake drop toeholds him into railing! Jake wraps Sanada’s arm around the railing, then uses his sash belt to tie Sanada’s arm to the railing! Jake CLUBS away on the arm, then gets space. Jake runs up to BOOT the railing! Not quite Face Break Shot but still devastating! The ref frees Sanada while Jake takes a lap around the ring. The ref reprimands but Jake shrugs it off. Jake mockingly applauds Sanada as he returns.

Jake puts Sanada in the ring, then grabs the bad arm. Jake SLAMS the arm off the mat! The fans duel but Jake SPITS at the fans! The fans boo, but Jake wrenches and ELBOW BREAKERS! Then he hammerlocks the arm to RAM Sanada into the corner! Jake then snapmares Sanada to KICK him in the back! Cocky cover, TWO! Sanada is tougher than that and the fans rally up. Jake paces around Sanada while the ref checks the arm. Sanada is able to continue, so Jake stomps him around. Jake eggs Sanada on, Sanada fires a body shot, then another, but that’s the bad arm! Jake KICKS the arm, then brings Sanada around to scoop.

Sanada slips free, Jake ELBOWS him, but Sanada DROPKICKS the leg again! Then he DROPKICKS Jake down! Jake tumbles back out of the ring, and the fans rally up. Sanada takes aim and PLANCHAS! Down goes Jake and the fans fire up! Sanada drags Jake up, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud. Sanada shakes his arm out, then he brings Jake back up. Sanada reels Jake in, but Jake fights the suplex. Jake suplexes, Sanada lands out, and Sanada blocks a boot to trip Jake! Sanada has the legs, and he tries to tie Jake up, but Jake reels Sanada into an omoplata! DOUBLE ARMBAR! Sanada endures while the fans rally up!

Sanada kicks around, even as Jake bends fingers! Sanada fights his way over, and makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Jake lets go. Jake seems more amused than upset, and he drags Sanada up. Jake reels Sanada in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Sanada survives and the fans fire up again. Jake shrugs as Sanada goes to a corner, and Jake takes aim. Sanada slowly rises, Jake runs in, but Sanada dodges! Sanada reels Jake in, hoists him up, MAGIC SCREW! The fans rally again and Sanada brings Jake up. Sanada dragon sleepers, but Jake CLAWS his eyes! The fans are torn, but Jake runs up. Sanada BOOTS first!

Sanada runs up, tilt-o-whirls, and SKULL END! The fans rally as Jake endures, but Sanada drops him! Sanada goes up, ROUNDING BODY- NO, Sanada has to land out! Jake runs up, but Sanada blocks the knee! Sanada DROPKICKS the leg, whips, but Jake reverses to KNEE low! A little double-edged for Jake, but he powers through the pain in his legs to run up on Sanada. Sanada ducks the roundhouse, DROPKICKS the leg, and BLINDSIDE WIZARDS! The fans fire up again as Sanada takes aim, SHINING- NO, Jake rolls through and has the ANKLE LOCK! Sanada endures, uses the British Escape, but Jake wrenches to KNEE the arm!

Jake has Sanada in the GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! The fans rally, Sanada endures, but he’s fading! Sanada drops to his knees, the ref checks on him, and the arm drops once! The arm drops twice! But Sanada comes back to life! Sanada fights up, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Jake lets go, and now Jake might be frustrated. Sanada goes to a corner, Jake runs in! FACE- DROPKICK to the leg! Jake falls, clutching the knee again! Sanada coughs and sputters, but he reloads, SHINING WIZARD! Jake is down but Sanada can’t make the cover from the pain in his arm! Sanada snarls, drags Jake into place, and goes up top! ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!!

Jake survives but the fans fire up as Sanada vows to get it this time! Sanada drags Jake up, clinches, and DEAD- NO, Jake powers out, ROUNDHOUSES, then guzels! CHOKE- NO, Sanada facelocks! But Jake wrenches through! BRAINBUSTER! Sanada scrambles out of the ring, clutching his arm! The fans rally for Sanada, but that brainbuster may’ve ended up busting a shoulder. Jake hurries out after Sanada, stomps him, and drags him up. The ring count is already 10 of 20 as Jake hits an APRON FACEBUSTER! Jake aims, but Sanada blocks and TRIPS Jake! Sanada has Jake along the apron, MAGIC SCREW to the floor!

Sanada hears the count is 16, and he uses that loose belt of Jake’s to tie Jake up! Paradise in the railing!! Sanada hears 19 and springs inside!! SANADA WINS!!

Winner: Sanada, by count-out (gains 2 points; Jake earns 0)

Sanada still clutches the arm, but he may’ve played it up the same as Jake played it up last round! At first, Jake laughs that he got tricked, but then he gets a bit upset with Sanada and even Milano Collection over that Paradise Lock stuff. In the end, will one of these two lie, cheat, and steal their way to the top of the block?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Konosuke Takeshita VS Boltin Oleg!

Both the NJPW World Television Champion and the NJPW Strong Openweight Champion are coming off big wins last round, and are both looking forward to testing themselves against a fellow Hontai member. But will Konosuke prove he’s The Alpha? Or will even Konosuke be put behind BARS?

The bell rings and the two run up! They RAM shoulders and the fans fire up already! Konosuke runs to RAM Oleg! Oleg runs to RAM Konosuke! They both run, and they RAM shoulders again! Then Konosuke BOOTS, whips, but Oleg reverses! Konosuke RAMS Oleg, Oleg rebounds to RAM Konosuke! Konosuke rebounds and RUNS Oleg over! The fans fire up while Oleg bails out! Konosuke builds speed, and FLIES! Direct hit and the fans fire up again! Konosuke rises, the fans cheer more, and Konosuke brings Oleg up. Konosuke puts Oleg in the ring, then pushes Oleg to a cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Oleg toughs it out.

Konosuke sits Oleg up and clamps on with a chinlock. Oleg endures, so Konosuke shifts to chicken wings. Oleg still endures, and fights around, but Konosuke shifts into a motorcycle stretch! Oleg powers up, rises up, but Konosuke kicks a leg out. Konosuke keeps on the motorcycle stretch, but Oleg still endures. The fans rally again as Oleg fights up, fights to turn things, but Konosuke just turns them right back around! The fans rally more as Oleg fights up again, turns things, but Konosuke spins through! Konosuke puts on more pressure, but Oleg gives it one more try! Oleg goes side to side then arm-drags free!

The fans cheer while Konosuke tumbles. Konosuke comes back, but Oleg DROPKICKS! The fans cheer Oleg’s “rocket kick,” and both men rise up. Oleg runs in at the corner, but Konosuke BOOTS him away! Konosuke runs up, but into a scoop and THROW! Oleg runs the ropes and BOLTIN SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Konosuke is still in this and the fans rally up. Oleg drags Konosuke up, Konosuke fires forearms, but Oleg CHOPS! Konosuke falls, but into Oleg’s arms! Oleg gut wrenches for the Shake, Shake, Shake, and THROW! Oleg kips up and the fans fire up again! Konosuke is in the drop zone, Oleg runs up, VADER BOMB, but onto knees!

Konosuke shakes out his leg while Oleg rolls away. Both men go to corners, and the fans rally up. Konosuke runs in and forearm SMASHES! Konosuke whips, Oleg reverses, and then Oleg runs in for a SPLASH! Oleg keeps moving, but Konosuke JUMP KNEES Oleg down! The fans cheer, and Konosuke drags Oleg up. Konosuke reels Oleg in, for a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Oleg survives and the fans rally up again. Konosuke rises up, he storms over to Oleg, and he clinches, only for Oleg to fight it. Oleg CLUBS away on Konosuke, then they throw forearms! Oleg ROCKS Konosuke, Konosuke ROCKS Oleg, repeat!

Oleg winds up, but Konosuke catches him to the EXPLODER! The fans fire up again and Konosuke runs, but into a clinch! BELLY2BELLY THROW! The fans are thunderous as Oleg hurries to get Konosuke up. Oleg whips, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Konosuke and Oleg run again, and they DOUBLE LARIAT! Both men stagger around, they both run up again, and OLEG LARIATS THROUGH! Cover, TWO! Konosuke survives but Oleg brings him back up. Oleg reels Konosuke in, but Konosuke fights the bomb! Konosuke powers up to BACKDROP! Oleg rises, Konosuke runs in, but Oleg catches the jump knee!

Oleg turns Konosuke around for the fireman’s carry, and the VERDICT! Cover, TWO! Konosuke survives and the fans fire up again! Oleg hurries to bring Konosuke back up, fireman’s carries again, and KAMI- NO, Konosuke slips free to waistlock! Oleg fights the lift, fires elbows, then runs, but Konosuke dodges! They DOUBLE LARIAT, but Konosuke keeps moving! Konosuke LARIATS Oleg down! Cover, ONE?!? Konosuke just runs to WAGAMAMA KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives and the fans are thunderous again! Konosuke drags Oleg up, brings him around, and has the facelock. Oleg resists the lift, but Konosuke cranks the facelock!

Konosuke tries to lift but Oleg flails, so Konosuke just uses a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Oleg is fading! The arm drops once! The arm drops twice! But Oleg comes back to life! And he BACKDROPS free! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Oleg and Konosuke hurry to their feet, and Oleg CHOPS! Konosuke rebounds, and falls into the fireman’s carry! Oleg lifts, SNAP KAMIKAZE! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and the fans are thunderous again! Oleg grows frustrated, but the fans are behind him! Oleg rises, but Konosuke fires a forearm! Oleg fires back! They go back and forth, harder and harder, then Konosuke fixes his ponytail.

Konosuke dares Oleg to do this old school, and they each grab the other’s waistband. The fans fire up as the forearms fly again! Both men wobble, but Oleg comes back with one more! Oleg runs, but into the ALPHA ELBOW! Konosuke then fires boxing elbows, runs the ropes, and ALPHA ELBOWS again! Then ROLLING- NO, Oleg ELBOWS! Konosuke CHOPS, ROLLING ELBOWS, and even throws off his elbow pad! ROLLING ALPHA ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives and the fans are thunderous again! Konosuke reloads, runs up, but int a POP-UP POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!!

But Oleg holds onto the legs, turns Konosuke over, and deadlifts, to then fireman’s carry!! But Konosuke grabs ropes! The fans rally, Konosuke slips free, and BLINDSIDE WAGAMAMA KNEES!! Konosuke goes to a corner, lines up another shot, WAGAMAMA KNEE!! But Oleg just takes it?!?! Konosuke pulls the kneepad down, BARE BONE WAGAMAMA!! Konosuke hurries to suplex, RAGING FIRE!!! Cover, Konosuke wins!!

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

An instant classic has just happened between two young and powerful champions! But in the end, Konosuke stands tall, and he now leads the block at 3-1! Will he prove that, without a shadow of a doubt, he IS The Alpha of wrestling? Or can the beast that is Boltin Oleg rise back up in the next round?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Yuto-Ice VS Ryohei Oiwa!

The Knock Out Brother hasn’t been feeling very high lately, with two losses by referee stoppage in a row. Meanwhile, The Mullet is feeling mighty coming off a win over Khan. Will Oiwa continue to get a grip on this block? Or will Yuto shake it off and light it up in Ebara Wave Arena?

Tensions are certainly high between these two as they get forehead to forehead the moment Ice hops off the corner. The ref wants them to stand down, and he has to push Oiwa back. The jackets are put aside, then Yuto runs up on Oiwa! The bell rings as Yuto fires off forearms, then Yuto stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Yuto backs off, but the fans cheer. Oiwa sits up to body shot, but Yuto KNEES low! Yuto runs, but Oiwa ELBOWS him! Oiwa runs but Yuto ROCKS him! Yuto runs to BOOT Oiwa down! The fans fire up with Yuto while Oiwa bails out. Yuto waits on Oiwa while Oiwa kicks the railing in frustration.

Oiwa then eggs Yuto on, and dares Yuto to come get him. Yuto says pro-wrestling IS the best! He storms outside, and the forearms fly at the ramp! Yuto BODY BLOWS, then he pulls railing apart! Yuto CLUBS Oiwa, fans clear out, but then Yuto wants the other segment to clear out! But then Yuto UPPERCUTS Oiwa and teases the fans. The fans cheer, but then Oiwa mule kicks Yuto! Oiwa CLUBS away on Yuto, then CLUBS him again. They go into the crowd and the fans have to back up more to avoid the brawling. Yuto kicks low, then BOWLS Oiwa into chairs! Not quite a strike but still pretty good, and the fans cheer.

The ref wants things to return to the ring but Yuto takes his time bringing Oiwa up. Yuto ROCKS Oiwa, brings him up, but Oiwa fires body shots! They trip over chairs, Yuto stomps Oiwa, then Yuto stands Oiwa up to ROCK him! But then Oiwa blocks a shot, spins Yuto around, and DDTS onto a chair! The fans fire up again while both men are down. The ref checks on Yuto while the fans fire up for Oiwa. Oiwa tears off his rib tape to stomp away on Yuto. Then Oiwa drags Yuto up, brings him back to ringside, and whips him into a POST! Yuto stumbles and falls while the fans cheer. Oiwa huffs ‘n’ puffs and storms his way over to stomp Yuto again.

Oiwa drags Yuto up, and whips him into the railing! Then Oiwa drags Yuto up and put him through the railing! He’s using the railing in a CAMEL CLUTCH! The ref counts, the fans rally, and Oiwa stops at 4. Oiwa then BOOTS the railing to jam Yuto up! Yuto shouts in pain, but he doesn’t let this stop him. Oiwa rests in the ring while a ring count starts. Yuto still clutches his neck as he slowly gets up. The count passes 5 of 20, Yuto slowly stands at 13, and rolls in, only for Oiwa to DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Yuto toughs it out, but Oiwa drags him up. Yuto is a ragdoll, so Oiwa stomps him! And CLUBS him! And CLUBS him again!

Oiwa CLUBS Yuto down, then stands him up, just to run into a mule kick! Yuto THROWS Oiwa down by his hair! The fans rally up as Yuto snarls and goes to the ropes. Yuto stands up, goes back to Oiwa, but Oiwa fires a flurry of forearms! Oiwa runs, but Yuto KICKS him down! The fans cheer and rally up, and Yuto storms over to Oiwa. Yuto KICKS Oiwa to a corner, then KNEES low again and again! Yuto sits Oiwa down and fires more knees, but the ref reprimands. Yuto just gets gangsta! “BOMBACLAT!” KNEE STRIKE! The fans fire up, and now Yuto pulls off the tape on his neck. Yuto drags Oiwa to a cover, TWO!

The fans rally as Oiwa survives, but Yuto sits him up. Yuto runs, but Oiwa blocks Ice High! Oiwa stands up, and ROCKS Yuto! That hurts Yuto’s neck, too! Then Oiwa BASEMENT DDTS! Cover, TWO!! Yuto survives, the fans rally up, and Oiwa drags Yuto back up. Oiwa reels Yuto in, CLUBS away on the bad shoulder, then CLUBS him down! The fans rally up and Oiwa eggs Yuto on. Oiwa drags Yuto up, turns him, but Yuto turns things around on Oiwa to CLUB him down! The fans fire up with Yuto, and he sits Oiwa back up! ICE HIGH! Cover, TWO! Oiwa survives but Yuto doesn’t sweat it, this is what they get paid the big money for!

Yuto stomps Oiwa, eggs him on, and the fans continue to duel. Yuto stomps Oiwa again, drags him back up, then scuffs him again and again. Yuto eggs Oiwa on, steps on him, but Oiwa gets right up! The fans cheer as the two are face to face. Oiwa swings, Yuto bobs ‘n’ weaves to then SLAP SLAP! Then he bobs ‘n’ weaves to SLAP SLAP and ROUNDHOUSE! But Oiwa’s right back up!? Oiwa pulls Yuto’s hair, Yuto pulls Oiwa’s hair, then Yuto fires a forearm! Oiwa fires a forearm back! The fans rally as Yuto fires another forearm, then Oiwa fires back! Yuto comes back to ROCK Oiwa, but Oiwa nods and ROCKS Yuto!

The forearms go faster and faster, harder and harder, then Oiwa ROLLING ELBOWS! Yuto rebounds, but the neck won’t let him swing! Oiwa ROLLING ELBOWS, ROLLING ELBOWS, and ROLL- NO, Yuto ROCKS him! And KICKS him! Oiwa wobbles, Yuto winds up, but Oiwa blocks the kick! They go around in the clinch, Yuto ROCKS Oiwa, but Oiwa HEADBUTTS Yuto! Both men stagger and fall, but Oiwa is up first! Oiwa HEADBUTTS again and again and again! Oiwa flips Yuto off, then CLUBS him down! The fans rally up as Oiwa hooks Yuto up, HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL CAMEL CLUTCH! Then the DRAGON SLEEPER STRETCH!

Yuto endures but Oiwa pulls back! The fans rally, the ref checks, but Yuto fights forward! Yuto claws at the mat, and he manages to make the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, but Oiwa holds on until the ref counts. Oiwa lets go, the fans rally up, and Oiwa HAMMERS Yuto! Oiwa fires more of those heavy elbows but the ref has him back off. Oiwa shoves the ref aside, he rips the rest of the tape away, and drags Yuto up. TENZAN PLEX! The fans fire up as Oiwa then brings Yuto around, for a TENZAN PLEX! The fans rally harder and harder as Yuto sputters, but Oiwa is right back on him! Short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! The fans cheer as Yuto survives!

Oiwa huffs ‘n’ puffs, but he waits on Yuto to stand. Oiwa then runs, for THE- AMBITION! And BUZZSAW! Yuto roars, the fans are with him, and he runs up, but into a SLEEPER! Yuto drops to his knees already, but fights back up, only for Oiwa to spin him! THE GRIP, but Yuto staggers around instead of falling! Oiwa BLINDSIDE LARIATS! THE- NO, Yuto blocks that lariat, only for Oiwa to DISCUS LARIAT from the other side! Cover, TWO!! Yuto survives again and teh fans fire back up! Oiwa vows to break Yuto now, and he drags him up. Yuto fights the German Suplex, but Oiwa traps his arms! Yuto runs, bucks the O’Conner, and KNEES Oiwa down!!

The fans fire up as Yuto reloads in the corner, CRU- NO, Oiwa ROCKS Yuto first! Then THE GRIP in the corner! The fans are thunderous as Oiwa runs, but into a ROUNDHOUSE! SHOTGUN BOOT! Cover, YUTO WINS!!

Winner: Yuto-Ice, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Oiwa earns 0)

Not quite a basement Cruella, but good enough to win out! Now that Yuto broke the losing streak, will nothing stop him from getting high up the ranks? Will Oiwa prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel as he fights back from this loss?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Yota Tsuji VS Shingo Takagi!

Unbound Company meets Unbound Company in tonight’s main event, and both men are worse for wear at 1-2. But as the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, can Yota reload the Gene Blaster and start the comeback? Or will he fail to slay the Rampaging Dragon?

The bell rings, the fans rally and duel, and it sounds pretty even. The two slowly approach, feel things out, then circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Yota powers Takagi back. Takagi turns things around to put Yota on the ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Takagi promises, clean break. Takagi honors that promise and the fans applaud. The two reset, feel things out again, then knuckle lock. They go shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength, then they power up again. Yota puts pressure on the knuckle locks, but Takagi powers up to return the favor. Yota puts Takagi on the ropes, but he honors the clean break. Only to then fire a forearm!

The fans are torn but Yota smiles as he and Takagi reset. They circle, tie up, and Takagi headlocks. Yota fires body shots, then powers up and out. Takagi RAMS Yota but Yota stays up! The fans cheer again, so Takagi says go head. Yota runs, he RAMS Takagi, but Takagi shakes his head. The fans applaud as Yota says go ahead. Takagi says you go ahead! Yota insists, but Takagi KNEES low! Takagi CLUBS, JABS, JABS, JABS! He claims it’s all open palm strikes, then whips Yota. Yota ducks ‘n’ dodges, then RANAS! The fans cheer while Takagi tumbles away. Yota goes to a corner, runs corner to corner, but Takagi dodges!

Takagi HIP TOSSES Yota, then runs to RUN Yota over! The fans cheer and Takagi runs again, ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Yota toughs it out, but Takagi clamps on a chinlock. Yota endures, fights around, and makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Takagi lets go. Takagi then drags Yota up, brings him around, and whips him into the corner. Takagi runs up to LARIAT, then fires up more! The fans cheer as Takagi then JABS, JABS, JABS, JABS, JABS! And then CHOPS! Takagi reels Yota in for a BIG suplex! The fans cheer again while Takagi covers, TWO! Takagi fires the fans up again, but Yota CLOBBERS him before he can say the catchphrase!

The fans boo, but it’s not Takagi’s time just yet. Takagi bails out of the ring, Yota goes out the side to follow. Yota storms up to put Takagi back in the ring, and the fans do applaud that bit of sportsmanship. Yota then has Takagi in a corner for KNEE after KNEE! Yota snapmares Takagi, pushes him down, and ELBOW DROPS! Cover, ONE! Takagi’s too tough for that, but Yota brings him up. Takagi KNEES low, HEADBUTTS, HEADBUTTS, but swings into a clinch! GUT BUSTER! Takagi goes to the ropes, then to a corner, but he says he can continue. Yota storms up on Takagi, whips him to ropes, then KITCHEN SINK KNEES low!

The fans rally as Yota paces around Takagi. Takagi sits up, Yota stomps him, then stomps again. Takagi eggs Yota on while the fans rally up. Yota BOOTS Takagi, but Takagi fires up! Yota ROCKS Takagi, Takagi KNEES low again and again! Takagi reels Yota in, but Yota fights the suplex! The fans rally as they fight for control, and in the end, Yota suplexes Takagi! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Takagi toughs it out, but Yota keeps him from the ropes. Yota has the legs, but Takagi kicks and kicks and kicks free! Yota runs up, but into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! The fans cheer as both men are down again!

Takagi rises first, and he sees Yota at the ropes. Takagi runs up to LARIAT Yota up and out! The fans cheer as Yota hits the floor! Takagi takes his time as he goes out after Yota, and he brings Yota up. Takagi whips Yota hard into railing! The fans cheer, and Takagi says one more time! Takagi brings Yota around, whips him again, but Yota reverses! Takagi hits railing hard, but he just gets fired up! Yota’s rather stunned seeing that, and both men run up! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but both men stay standing! Takagi RIDGE HANDS Yota real quick, then takes a moment to catch his breath. Takagi shakes out the arm while the fans rally up.

Takagi puts Yota in the ring, and Takagi gets the fans to cheer more. Takagi steps into the ring, but Yota BOOTS him down! The fans rally as Takagi goes back to the floor. Yota builds speed, but Takagi moves! Yota stops short, goes to the apron, but Takagi YANKS him down! Takagi then reels Yota in, tucks the arms, and lifts! TAKAGI DRIVER 98 on the floor!! The fans are stunned, and Red Shoes hurries to check both men. Somehow, Yota is still in this, so the ring count starts. The fans rally and duel while Takagi stands at 7, then rolls in at 9. Yota starts to sit up at 10, but he’s still on the floor as of 15. The fans rally harder, Yota manages to stand at 18 and roll in at 19!

The fans applaud, and then Takagi hoists Yota up top! Takagi RIDGE HANDS again and again, then climbs up after Yota. The fans rally as Takagi goes to the very top, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX! Yota sits up, more stunned than anything, and Takagi pushes him down for a cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Yota survives, and then join Takagi in shouting, “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi hobbles over to Yota, drags him up, and pump handles, but Yota fights the lift! Yota elbows, Takagi knees, but then Yota slips free. Takagi fires elbows, then runs, but into a clinch! BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER, and CURB STOMP! The fans cheer the Gene Combination!

Yota goes to a corner, the fans rally up, and Yota comes back for Takagi. Takagi fights Yota’s pump handle clinch, elbows free, then runs up in the corner. Yota dodges to GAMANGIRI! Yota runs corner to corner to GENE TRIGGER! And then suplex for the ORANGE CRASH! Cover, TWO! Takagi survives but Yota stays focused. Yota fires up with his own, “OI! OI! OI!” and the fans join in! Yota brings Takagi up, then goes up the corner, but Takagi trips him up! Takagi then goes out to the apron, RIDGE HANDS, but Yota returns fire! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, then LARIATS Yota off the corner!

Yota stands, Takagi runs and PUMPING BOMBERS!! Then the clinch, and MADE IN JAPAN! Cover, TWO! Yota survives and the fans fire up again! Takagi starts up the “OI! OI! OI!” again, then runs, BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Takagi stands, and says, “Unbound!” Takagi winds it up, waits on Yota, and then hits a three point stance?! Takagi GENE- NO, Yota LARIATS first! And then Yota MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives his own move, but Yota runs the ropes, PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, ONE?!? Yota gets the legs and turns Takagi over, BOSTON CRAB! The fans rally as Takagi endures, and Takagi fights around.

Yota keeps Takagi from the ropes, sits deep on the hold, then sits back on the hold in an almost Walls of Jericho! Takagi still endures, the fans still rally, but Yota drags Takagi back to center! The fans rally harder as Takagi continues to endure! Red Shoes checks on Takagi, Takagi refuses to give in! Yota can’t hold on any longer and he lets Takagi go! The fans cheer, and Yota runs the ropes! CURB STOMP! Yota roars, the fans fire up, and Yota goes back to the corner. Yota lines up a shot while Takagi rises, GENE- YUKON LARIAT!! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Takagi crawls over to Yota, and he fires a forearm!

Yota fires back, the two stand, and Takagi fires another forearm! Yota fires back again, so Takagi fires another! The fans rally as Yota comes back to fire another forearm, but so does Takagi. The shots go back and forth, faster and faster, then Takagi ROCKS Yota! Takagi keeps Yota from falling, but Yota HEADBUTTS him for it! The fans fire up as Yota stands Takagi up, but Takagi HEADBUTTS! Both men lean on each other, then they HEADBUTT again and again! Takagi then asks Yota to wait! They’re gonna do this as a shootout! The two back up, wind up, and run up! But then Takagi dodges the Gene Blaster to SNAP GERMAN!

Takagi then catches Yota to a SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! Then a PUMP BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives again and the fans fire up again! Takagi roars, he brings Yota up and pump handles into the torture rack. But Yota slips free to SNAP GERMAN! Takagi is right up, but Yota GENE BLASTERS!! Both men are down again as the fans rally harder! Yota drags himself to the corner, he roars as he rises, and he waits on Takagi. Takagi clutches his side, manages to stand, and GENE- NO, Takagi blocks it, fires knees, then NECK SCREWS! Both men are down again, but the fans rally as hard as ever!

Yota rolls to the ropes, Takagi winds up, and Takagi runs, but Yota follows! GENE TRIGGER! Yota runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT! Takagi runs again, but Yota dodges, GENE BLASTER!! Cover, TWO!?! Takagi survives, the fans are thunderous, but Yota doesn’t stop! Pump handle and SILVER LINING! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives again but Yota fires back up! Yota goes to a corner, runs, but Takagi drops! Victory roll, TWO! SLIDING D!! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Takagi goes to the ropes, stands back up, then storms back over to Yota. Takagi winds up to fire boxing elbows! Yota ROCKS hm in return!

Takagi ELBOWS, RIDGE HANDS, JABS, but Yota UPPERCUTS and KNEES! Yota hops up but Takagi slips free! Takagi then hops up, POISON-RANA!! But Yota is right back up?! But TAKAGI GENE BLASTERS!! Cover, ONE?!?! Yota survives, Takagi fires up, and the fans are electric! Pump handle and BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Yota survives again and Takagi is shocked! The fans stay hot as Takagi rises again! Takagi runs the ropes, but Yota dodges! FIRE BLASTER!! Cover, YOTA WINS!

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

A truly epic battle, and in the end, the IWGP Heavyweight Champion stands tall! What will it take for Takagi to once again be that top champion?

As for Yota, he hurries to get the mic to ask Takagi to wait a moment. “To me, you’ve been a high wall. Please, keep standing in my path. I want to be like you, not just as a wrestler, but as a person!” The fans cheer that, and Takagi gives a thumbs up before departing. Yota thanks Takagi and even bows in respect. The fans also cheer Takagi, and Yota continues by saying, “That was an incredible, high-energy battle. The Japan part of this G1 began in Hokkaido. This is the fourth or fifth show since. This is the first G1 win I’ve had in Japan this series.” The fans applaud, and Yota says they’ve been to Sapporo, Sendai, and Nagaoka.

Even though he’s lost a few, this has been an amazing G1! And above all else, Ota, you guys really showed up! The fans cheer that, too! Yota says his goal is to be the third man ever to win a G1 while holding the IWGP Heavyweight title. He’ll build momentum throughout the G1 as NJPW tears across the country! Are you ready!? The fans cheer that, too! Yota says, “Okay, DJ! Now On Fire!” The music plays and the fans cheer again! Will Yota continue to be on fire all the way through this blazing hot summer?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Konosuke Takeshita: 3-1, 6 points
Boltin Oleg: 2-2, 4 points
Yuto-Ice: 2-2, 4 points
Ryohei Oiwa: 2-2, 4 points
Yota Tsuji: 2-2, 4 points
Jake Lee: 2-2, 4 points
Great-O-Khan: 2-2, 4 points
Hirooki Goto: 2-2, 4 points
SANADA: 2-2, 4 points
Shingo Takagi: 1-3, 2 points

My Thoughts:

An awesome round for the G1 Climax, and like the last three matches were each main event quality. Khan cheating Goto and then adding on after was good Heel heat on him. I really liked Sanada out-cheating Jake Lee with that same exaggerated injury tactic, but also using the loose belt. Then as I said, Konosuke VS Oleg was main event level on its own, that was just awesome stuff. I figured Yuto was winning here, he couldn’t go down three losses in a row. And awesome stuff with Yota VS Takagi, and it’s always great to see wrestlers using/attempting each other’s signatures and finishers. Great win for Yota, he definitely needed this as the top champion, he’ll definitely still make a case for being a finalist this tournament.

My Score: 9.2/10