Tonight is truly Unbound!

Fire and ice clash as Yota Tsuji and Yuto-Ice meet in tonight’s main event! Is the G1 Climax about to get high?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current 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

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Boltin Oleg VS Jake Lee!

The NJPW Strong Openweight Champion could not quite stop The Alpha, and the Silent Jester got duped by The Cold-Blooded Snake. Both men are looking to rebound, will Jake be put behind BARS? Or will he have the last laugh?

Jake continues his trend of waiting in the crowd like a fan before he returns to the ring. The bell rings, the fans rally, and Jake encourages the fans to cheer “BOLTIN! BOLTIN!” The two circle, the two tie up, and Jake headlocks. Oleg powers up and out, they RAM shoulders, but neither man falls. Oleg runs, RAMS Jake, but Jake eggs him on. They both run again, and RAM again! And again! And again! Jake kicks low, whips Oleg to a corner, but Oleg comes back to RUN Jake over! The fans cheer, and Oleg runs the ropes to BOLTIN SPLASH! Cover, ONE! Jake toughs it out but Oleg drags him up. Oleg goes to gut wrench but Jake hurries to the ROPEBREAK!

Oleg lets go, CLUBS Jake, then whips. Jake grabs ropes, DUMPS Oleg out, then goes to the apron. Jake aims but Oleg blocks the kick! Oleg brings Jake off the apron, but Jake fights free! Jake kicks low, whips, but Oleg reverses! Jake hits railing, the fans cheer, and Oleg storms up. But Jake fireman’s carries! SNAKE EYES off the railing! Jake then BOOTS the railing to jam Oleg up! The fans are torn while Oleg is down. The ref checks on Oleg, and though Oleg clutches an arm, he’s still in this. Jake storms back over, drags Oleg up, and hammerlocks the arm to POST it! Oleg slumps down, crawls, but Jake stomps him around.

Jake drags Oleg up, puts him in the ring, then pushes him down for a cover. ONE, but Jake stays close. Jake drags Oleg up, wrenches, and he whips Oleg again. Jake ELBOWS Oleg down, then clamps on with a top wristlock. Jake drags Oleg around, traps the arm, then SNAP LOCKS it! And SNAP LOCKS again! Then Jake traps the arm with his legs, for a big SNAP LOCK! Oleg writhes but the fans rally up behind him. Oleg shakes out the bad arm, but Jake stomps Oleg down. Oleg stands, Jake kicks him, but Oleg fires a forearm! And another forearm! And again! Jake BODY BLOWS, then snapmares for a KICK to the back!

The fans rally while Oleg writhes, and Jake puts his hair back. Jake mocks the pain in Oleg’s arm, then kicks him around. Jake CHOPS Oleg, whips him to ropes, and KNEES low! Jake whips and KNEES Oleg again! Jake grins as he whips, but Oleg reverses to clinch and BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up while both men are down! Jake goes to a corner, Oleg runs up, and Oleg SPLASHES! Oleg brings Jake in for the gut wrench! Shake, Shake, Shake, and THROW! The fans fire up as Oleg kips up! Oleg then runs to the corner, VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO, and Jake has a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Oleg endures, fights around, and he manages to scoop Jake!

The fans fire up as Oleg then pops Jake up to the fireman’s carry! But Jake slips free to FACELOCK GUILLOTINE! Oleg endures, fights through, and suplexes! Jake slips free, KNEES low, and FUJIWARA ARMBARS! Then DISARMER! Oleg endures, but Jake bends fingers and twists the wrist! Oleg endures, rolls, but ends up in a TRIANGLE HOLD! Oleg kicks to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Jake lets go. Oleg shakes out the bad arm while the fans duel. Jake runs up and KICKS Oleg back down! Oleg gets mad as he sits back up, but Jake KICKS him again! Oleg growls as he rises again!

Jake KICKS Oleg, but Oleg rolls through! Oleg ROCKS Jake, Jake ROCKS Oleg, repeat! The forearms go back and forth, faster and faster, but then Jake grabs the bad arm! Jake wrenches and KNEES the arm, but Oleg CHOPS! Oleg runs, but into a KNEE! Jake runs, but Oleg LARIATS! Oleg runs, but into a ROUNDHOUSE! Oleg stays up to LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Oleg slaps the bad arm into working, then he drags Jake up. Oleg lifts, but Jake fights to RANA! The fans cheer as Jake aims, FACE- NO! Oleg gets under the FBS to then BOLT- NO, Jake RAN- NO!! Oleg stops the rana to BOLTIN BOMB!

But Oleg isn’t done, he deadlifts Jake up, for ANOTHER BOLTIN BOMB!! High stack, TWO!?! Jake survives, Oleg rages, and the fans are thunderous! Oleg drags Jake up, fireman’s carries, KAMIKAZE!! Cover, OLEG WINS!

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

There was no room for tricks against the overwhelming power of Oleg! Will nothing stop Oleg from taking over the block? Can Jake still find his way to the top after being taken down?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Ryohei Oiwa VS SANADA!

The Mullet got put on Ice last round while the Cold-Blooded Snake pulled one over on Jake Lee. Will Oiwa get a grip on another two points? Or will he meet a Skull End?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. There are equal parts “SA-NA-DA!” as there are “OI~WA!” as the fans duel. The two tie up, Oiwa puts Sanada on the ropes, but he backs off with pats on the shoulder. The fans applaud the clean break, and the two reset. They tie up again, go around, and Oiwa again puts Sanada on ropes, only for Sanada to turn things around. The ref counts the break, Sanada pats Oiwa on the shoulders, and the fans applaud. Oiwa is wary, but Sanada makes no moves so they reset again. Oiwa runs the ropes, but then so does Sanada! The fans cheer the cardio drill, then Sanada ducks The Grip!

Sanada clinches, Oiwa fights free of Deadfall, and the fans cheer again. Oiwa and Sanada reset, circle, and tie up. Oiwa headlocks, Sanada endures the grind, and Sanada powers up, but he can’t power out as Oiwa holds tight! Sanada fights up, powers up, but still can’t power out. Sanada fights up, pries the hold open, but Oiwa powers it on tighter. Sanada fires body shots, powers out, but Oiwa RUNS Sanada over! The fans cheer, and Oiwa drops onto Sanada for another headlock. Sanada rolls to a cover, ONE and Oiwa holds on. Sanada tries again, ONE, and Oiwa still holds on. Sanada rolls, bridges, TWO as Oiwa lets go!

Oiwa hits the headlock takeover, Sanada headscissors, but Oiwa kips free. Sanada doesn’t headlock, he DROPKICKS the legs out! The fans rally while Oiwa flounders away, and Sanada storms his way over. Sanada puts the bad leg on the ropes, and HIP DROPS it! The ref reprimands, but Sanada just HIP DROPS again! Sanada paces while Oiwa writhes, and the fans rally up for Oiwa. Sanada drags Oiwa up, has the bad leg, and SHIN BREAKERS! Sanada runs, DROPKICKS the legs out, and the fans cheer! Sanada twists Oiwa’s foot in a standing toehold, but Oiwa turns over, reels him in, and has the headlock again!

Sanada powers up and out, then he DROPKICKS the leg! Then he DROPKICKS Oiwa down! Oiwa bails out, the fans rally up, and Sanada goes to the ropes. Sanada aims, but Oiwa avoids the plancha! And it’s back to the headlock! They go around the way, but Sanada powers out! Oiwa stops from crashing into railing, then he dodges a lariat! Oiwa headlocks again, and he brings Sanada further along. Then Oiwa shifts to a facelock, DDT on the floor! The fans cheer while Sanada is down! The ref checks, Sanada is able to continue, and Oiwa headlocks again. Sanada endures, then powers up to get the leg! SHIN BREAKER on the railing!

Sanada scrambles away into the ring while Oiwa writhes and rolls on the floor! Oiwa clutches his leg, but it seems good enough to continue. The ring count starts, Oiwa crawls along, and he goes to the apron. But Sanada grabs the bad leg in the ropes! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Oiwa falls over, Sanada drags him to center, and Sanada steps through, but Oiwa cravats! The fans cheer as Oiwa has the neck wrench, then shifts to the headlock. Oiwa thrashes around but Sanada endures. Sanada pries at the hold, opens it up, but Oiwa clamps it back down! Sanada pries it open again, but Oiwa powers it back down!

The fans rally as Oiwa puts on the pressure! Sanada gets the legs again! SHIN BREAKER, then DRAGON SCREW! Oiwa writhes on the mat while the fans rally up. Sanada lines up a shot, runs in, and SHINING WIZARD! Sanada hurries to get Oiwa up, but Oiwa slips free! SLEEPER! Sanada endures, the fans rally, but Oiwa spins Sanada! Sanada ducks The Grip, clinches, but Oiwa slips free! Oiwa trips Sanada, and it’s back to the headlock! No, that’s JUST FACELOCK! Sanada endures the grind, fights around again, but Oiwa spins through to cravat! Sanada fires body shots, but Oiwa puts on the pressure!

Sanada swim moves but can’t break free! Sanada tries again, but Oiwa still holds on! Sanada tries a third, but Oiwa’s grip is just too strong! Sanada tries one more time, but Oiwa dodges! Oiwa cravats, throws shoulders into Sanada, then snapmares, only for Sanada to handspring through! Sanada BOOTS from the corner, but Oiwa avoids Sanada’s Quebrada! O’Conner Roll and… deadlift GERMAN! But Sanada lands out! BLINDSIDE WIZARD! The fans fire up as Oiwa is down, and Sanada reloads! SHINING- NO, Oiwa catches Sanada to a gut wrench! But Sanada RANAS free of the bomb! Oiwa comes back, Sanada ducks, O’Conner-

NO, Oiwa blocks the bridge to have a JUST FACELOCK!! The fans fire up as Sanada fights to his feet, and SHIN BREAKER! But Oiwa holds on! His leg hurts but his arms are still strong! Sanada tries again, BIG back suplex! But Oiwa holds on!? The fans fire up as Sanada flails and reaches out in desperation! Sanada is fading to this mighty headlock! The fans rally and duel as hard as they can, Sanada SAI- NO! Oiwa just puts on more pressure! Oiwa pushes up, SANADA TAPS! OIWA WINS!

Winner: Ryohei Oiwa, by submission (gains 2 points; Sanada earns 0)

The #BigLock did big things tonight, and Oiwa is back up! Will he continue on a mighty comeback? Can Sanada still make a strong showing of his own in the second half?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Konosuke Takeshita VS Great-O-Khan!

The Alpha is indeed leading the block, but only for now. Will he lose his lead to The Dominator? Or can Konosuke be the one to conquer The United Empire?

OH NO, Khan’s already attacked Konosuke backstage! Khan drags Konosuke along, chair in the other hand. The seat is already popped out so he must’ve already hit Konosuke with it! The fans boo as Khan drags Konosuke by his hair, then by headlock. Khan puts Konosuke in the ring, tells the ref to ring the bell, but the ref needs to make sure Konosuke can even compete. Khan tells him to ring the bell, so the bell rings. Konosuke sits up, Khan runs in, and BOOTS Konosuke down! Cover, but Khan wants to check Konosuke! Khan protests but he’s the one who put Konosuke in this state! Khan says fine, he’ll just have to do more!

Khan THROWS Konosuke out of the ring, then goes out after him. Khan wrenches Konosuke and whips him into railing! Khan has the cameramen move, and he whips Konosuke into more railing! And then more railing! Khan snap suplexes Konosuke to the floor! The fans continue to boo Khan but he pretends he can’t hear them. Khan flips off a few fans, then goes back to Konosuke. The ref wans Khan to get this in the ring, but Khan brings Konosuke around the way. Khan SMACKS Konosuke off railing, then scoops to SLAM him on railing! Konosuke flops down in front of the front row, and Khan tells fans to move!

The fans boo but they do still move, and Khan BOWLS Konosuke into the chairs! STRIKE! The fans boo more, the ref reprimands Khan, but Khan puts a chair on Konosuke and takes a seat! The ref reprimands again, Khan stands up and argues with him, then leaves Konosuke behind. Khan talks trash as he goes through the crowd, but the fans all cheer Konosuke. Khan decides to untie the blue buckle pad! The fans rally as Konosuke rises, hobbles, and leans on railing. The fans cheer as Konosuke rolls into the ring, but Khan talks trash. Khan drags Konosuke up, wrenches and whips, but Konosuke stops from hitting bare buckles!

Khan runs up, Konosuke ELBOWS him down, then Konosuke goes up! But Khan YANKS Konosuke down! Konosuke hits buckles as he falls, then Khan POSTS him! The fans boo but Khan goes out to wrap Konosuke’s arm around the crossbar! The ref counts, Khan lets go, but then he shoves the ref down! Khan brings out chairs! Khan sets on up against Konosuke’s arm, then takes the other, CON-CHAIR-TO! The fans boo but Khan drags Konosuke into the ring. Cover, TWO! Konosuke toughs it out and the fans fire up again! Khan paces around Konosuke, kicks at him, then eggs him on. Konosuke rises, scowls, and swings, but Khan trips him!

The fans boo but Khan laughs at Konosuke falling for that trick. Khan then KICKS Konosuke down! Cover, TWO! Konosuke is tougher than that, and Khan grows frustrated. Khan drags Konosuke up by his hair, talks more trash, then slashes his throat. Khan runs, but Konosuke jumps up to RANA! The fans cheer as Khan bails out, and Konosuke builds speed! Konosuke FLIES! Down goes Khan at the ramp and the fans fire back up! Konosuke roars, the fans are with him, and Konosuke puts Khan in the ring. Konosuke aims from a corner, runs in, but Khan uses the ref as a shield! The fans boo again but Khan BOOTS the bad arm!

Khan grabs the bad arm, hammerlocks, then RAMS Konosuke into the bare buckles! The fans boo but Khan storms over to Konosuke. Khan drags Konosuke, wrenches, and ELBOW BREAKERS! And ELBOW BREAKERS! Then he twists the wrist for the ELBOW- SLEEPER! Konosuke has Khan and the fans fire up! But Khan stomps a foot, then arm-drags free! Khan and Konosuke go to ropes, then Khan runs up! Konosuke dodges to SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up while Khan flounders, and Konosuke gets moving! LARIAT! The fans fire up again as Konosuke winds up. ALPHA ELBOW! Khan flounders, Konosuke brings him up, and Konosuke reels Khan in.

But Khan grabs the ref! The ref breaks free, Konosuke suplexes, but Khan KICKS the ref down! Khan wrenches, dodges, and LOW BLOWS! The fans boo as Konosuke flops over! Khan crawls as the fans rally for Konosuke, but Khan grabs the chairs again! Khan brings those into the ring, sets one up, then SMACKS Konosuke’s face off the seat again and again. Khan then grabs the other chair, and the frame is good enough! But then Konosuke CHUCKS the chair into Khan’s face! BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, but the ref is still down! Konosuke would’ve won by now! Konosuke hurries to check on the ref, then goes back to Khan.

Konosuke drags Khan up, reels him in, and suplexes! But Khan fights Raging Fire to scoop and T T D on the chair!! Khan hides the evidence, covers, TWO!! Konosuke survives and the fans fire up again! Khan shrugs that off to clamp on the IRON CLAW! The fans rally for Konosuke even harder, ELIMIN- NO, Konosuke arm-drags free! And then JUMP KNEES Khan down! The fans fire up while Konosuke catches his breath and stands back up. Konosuke vows to end it now, but Khan drops back to flip Konosuke off. Konosuke stalks Khan, grabs his leg and drags him from the corner! Konosuke wheelbarrows, and even with one good arm, he WHEELBARROW GERMANS!

The fans fire up again as Konosuke shakes out the bad arm. Konosuke drags Khan up, but Khan YANKS him into the bare buckles! The fans boo again, but Khan prepares the IRON CLAW! But Konosuke IRON CLAWS in return! The fans rally as the two fight for control, and Khan’s claw is stronger! Khan squeezes Konosuke’s head, KNEES low, then ELIMIN- NO, Konosuke victory rolls through! TWO!! Khan escapes, dodges the knee, then shoves Konosuke at the ref! LOW- NO! Konosuke blocks this one! The fans fire up as Konosuke then turns around, KAMI-GOYE WAGAMAM KNEE!! And then the RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Konosuke wins!

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

Khan’s preemptive strike did nothing for the final outcome! Will he fail to conquer this Climax for the Empire? Will Konosuke continue to prove his is THE Alpha?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Hirooki Goto VS Shingo Takagi!

The Fierce Warrior could not conquer Great-O-Khan, The Rampaging Dragon was slain by Yota Tsuji, but now is the chance for redemption! Who gets back up as the G1 enters halftime?

The bell rings and the fans fire up already. The dueling chants are even as the two circle. They feel things out, tie up, and go around. They’re in a deadlock for a moment before Goto puts Takagi on the ropes. The ref calls the count, Goto backs off, and the two reset. They tie up again, are in another deadlock, but Takagi puts Goto on the ropes now. The ref counts, Takagi swears clean break, but then Goto dodges the cheap shot! Goto kicks, whips, btu Takagi reverses. Goto blocks the hip toss, but Takagi blocks right back, and Takagi THROWS Goto down for an ELBOW DROP! The fans cheer, and Takagi drops another ELBOW! Cover, TWO!

Takagi clamps onto Goto and grinds him down with a chinlock. Goto endures, fights around, and reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud, the ref counts, and Takagi lets go. Takagi brings Goto up and around, RAMS into him in the corner, then RAMS him again. Takagi whips corner to corner, runs up, and LARIATS! The fans fire up with Takagi, and he JABS, JABS, JABS, JABS, then CHOPS! Takagi whips corner to corner, runs up, but blocks a boot. Goto still ROCKS Takagi first, then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP into the buckles! Takagi slumps to the apron then the floor, clutching his neck. The ref checks, Takagi is okay to continue, so the count begins.

Takagi stands at 5 of 20 but he decides to walk over to the timekeeper’s area. Takagi CHUCKS a chair! The ref reprimands but Goto just brushes the chair out of the ring. Takagi storms back to ringside, slides in, but Goto stomps away! Goto whips and ELBOWS Takagi down, then covers, TWO! Goto clamps onto Takagi with a chinlock and digs his knee into Takagi’s back. Takagi endures, so Goto ELBOWS him in the head! Goto brings Takagi around, Takagi fires a forearm, but Goto ROCKS him in return. Goto kicks Takagi to a corner, then fires a flurry of forearms. The fans cheer, the ref counts, but Goto whips Takagi corner to corner.

Goto rusn in and MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Takagi survives and the fans fire up again, but Goto brings Takagi around. Takagi fights the fireman’s carry, so Goto ROCKS him! Takagi goes to ropes, the fans rally up, and Goto waits. Takagi crawls, sits up, but Goto kicks him! Goto eggs Takagi on, stomps him, and Takagi gets mad. Takagi eggs Goto on, so Goto stomps him! And stomps him! Takagi blocks a stomp, then BLINDSIDE LARIATS Goto! Goto rebounds, in to the ELBOW! JAB! Feint, then Takagi stands Goto up to YUKON LARIAT after all! The fans cheer while Goto is down and Takagi rests on the ropes.

The fans rally as Takagi goes back to Goto, stands him up, and catches a shot into a spin and TAKAGI NECK SCREW! Goto flounders but Takagi watches him rise. Takagi runs up, Goto BOOTS him, but Takagi comes back to LARIAT Goto up and out! The fans rally again while Takagi goes out to fetch Goto. Goto drags Takagi up, then whips him hard into railing! Goto staggers, into a snap suplex on the floor! The fans fire up while Goto is down, and Takagi takes a moment to check his own neck before going back to Goto. The ring count climbs, Takagi drags Goto up, and he puts Goto in at 7 of 20. The fans applaud while Takagi then brings Goto back up.

Takagi suplexes high and hard! Then he runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Goto stays in this, and Takagi says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up behind Takagi as he brings Goto up. Takagi pump handles, but Goto fights the lift! Takagi KNEES low, MADE IN- NO, Goto slips free! But Takagi ELBOWS Goto away! Takagi runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Takagi and Goto stir as the fans duel, and Takagi goes to a corner. Takagi rises, Goto runs in, but Takagi ELBOWS! And BODY BLOWS! And then a smack off buckles! Takagi runs, but into a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI!

The fans rally again while both men are down. Goto sits up first, and he brings Takagi up. Takagi fires a forearm! Goto fires back! Takagi nods and fires another forearm. Goto wobbles, but he fires another forearm! Takagi winds up to fire back, Goto fires again, repeat. Goto gets the edge, Takagi goes to the corner, and the fans rally up. Takagi headbutts the buckles to fire up! Takagi winds up to fire forearms back and forth with Goto! Takagi slows down, and Goto takes advantage with a flurry! Goto runs, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stagger, then they DOUBLE LARIAT again! The fans fire up as both men stay standing!

DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Takagi drops to a knee, but he blocks Goto’s kick! Takagi puts Goto in the ropes, dragon sleeper, DRAPING G T R! Takagi runs to PUMPING BOMBER! Cover, TWO! Goto survives, but Takagi is not done! Pump handle, torture rack, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans are dueling again! Takagi rises up, and he shouts, “OI! OI! OI!” The fans join in, Takagi brings Goto up, pump handles, but Goto fights the half nelson! The fans rally as Goto fights free, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Takagi ROCKS Goto, but Goto ROCKS Takagi! Takagi ELBOWS, RIDGE HANDS, then JABS!

The fans fire up as Takagi winds up, but Goto blocks the lariat to spin and facelock! But Takagi fights the suplex! Takagi fires body shots, suplexes, but Goto fights it to suplex, and SHOTEN KAI!! The fans are fired up again as both men are down! Goto goes to ropes, rises up, and he gathers his strength, BUZZSAW! Takagi flounders, Goto fireman’s carries, and G T W! Cover, TWO! Takagi survives and the fans fire up again! But Goto dragon sleepers! Only for Takagi to spin through and BRAINBUSTER! The fans are thunderous as both men are down! Takagi rises, he brings Goto up, but DOUBLE HEADBUTTS meet!

Goto roars, he HEADBUTTS again! And RIDGE HAND CHOPS! Goto fires up again, then brings Takagi up, only for Takagi to somersault clutch! TWO, but a SLIDING D outta nowhere! The fans are thunderous again as Takagi goes to a corner. Takagi runs up on Goto, PUMPING BOMBER TAKEDOWN!! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans are thunderous again! Takagi roars, he gets Goto up, then torture racks! LAST OF THE DRAGON!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Goto earns 0)

The Fierce Warrior could not slay the Dragon here in Osaka! Is this a sign the Goto Revolution might fail? Will Takagi still find his way back to the top?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Yota Tsuji VS Yuto-Ice!

The Gene Blast is firing on all cylinders after last round, but so is this Knock Out Brother! Will the IWGP Heavyweight Champion win two main events in a row? Or will it be Yuto getting high off a golden ticket?

The bell rings and the fans rally up already. They duel between “AISU! AISU!” and “YOTA! YOTA!” Ice wants Yota to pay attention to his side getting louder. Then he dares Yota to take the first shot. Yota grins, winds up, and KNEES low instead! Yota runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then sidesteps. Yuto stops at the ropes, Yota blocks his boot, and Yota CHOPS! Yuto laughs that off and says you idiot, hit harder than that! The fans cheer, and Yota nods. Yota winds up, and he CHOPS! Yuto felt that one! The fans cheer as Yota CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS again! Yota has Yuto in the corner, CHOPS away, but Yuto says c’mon!

Yota CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS again, going overhand as opposed to backhand. Yuto steps up, but Yota CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Yota’s backhands still aren’t as good as his overhands, but Yuto still eggs him on. Yota CHOPS again, and again, and again! Yuto’s got a red rectangle on that part of his chest as Yota just CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Yuto still roars back! The fans cheer, and Yota nods. Yota CHOPS and Yuto finally drops to a knee! Yota runs, but Yuto follows to ROCK him! Yuto runs, BOOTS Yota down, and the fans fire up for Ice. Yuto looks and that rectangle is a darker red now, but he just tosses Yota out of the ring.

Yuto follows Yota, CLUBS him, then rips railing away! Yuto tells fans to move so they oblige. Yuto ROCKS Yota, whips, but Yota reverses to BOWL Yuto into chairs! Well, not quite a strike, but he still gets points. Yota sits Yuto up in a chair while the ring count climbs, and he CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Yuto eggs Yota on so Yota CHOPS again and again! The count is past 10 of 20, but Yota doesn’t stop until he hears 16! Yuto gets in Yota’s face, Yuto and Yota trade forearms, then they scramble to the ring! Yuto stumbles, Yota rolls in first, and Yota makes sure Red Shoes stops! No one wants a count-out win in the main event, not even the champ!

Red Shoes obliges, but then Yuto decides to rampage back into the crowd! Yota goes outside so we get a fresh count, and Yuto takes a seat again! Yota storms up to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Yota’s working on putting a matching rectangle on the other side! Then he DOUBLE CHOPS Yuto out of his seat! Red Shoes goes out to say get this in the ring, but Yuto just moves to another section of the crowd! Yota pursues, and CHOPS! Yuto shakes his head, but Yota CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! The fans cheer as the CHOPS keep going! Yota stalks Yuto through as they go to yet another section of the crowd.

Yuto takes another seat, and Yota fires CHOP after CHOP after CHOP! Yota CHOPS until Yuto falls over! The fans rally and duel as Yota drags Yuto backs up, and Yota makes Yuto complete the lap around the crowd as they go to the fourth section! Yota CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS, then CHOPS again! Yota stalks Yuto, makes him take a seat, and he just CHOPS away on Yuto! Yuto flops over, the fans cheer, and Yota stands Yuto up for one more CHOP! Yuto goes to the ramp now and Yota pursues! The fans cheer as Yuto still wants more! Yota CHOPS, and CHOPS, and Yuto fires up! Yota CHOPS again, and again, and again!

The fans fire up as Yota just keeps going but Red Shoes says get in the ring already! Yuto staggers down to ringside, Yota pursues, but Yuto fires a forearm! Yota CHOPS again, then he puts Yuto on the apron. Yota winds up to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! The fans fire up, Yota stops as Red Shoes reprimands, and he climbs up to join Yuto. Yuto says bring it on and Yota grins. Yota winds up to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP, MACHINE GUN CHOP! Kojima would be proud! Yota stops because he runs out of breath! The fans are thunderous as Yuto says bring it! Yota stands Yuto up, and CHOPS again! Yuto flops inside, and Yota follows.

Yota stands Yuto up but Yuto ROCKS him! Yota brings Yuto up, CHOPS again, and Yuto sputters! Yota drags Yuto up, CHOPS again, CHOPS again, and CHOPS again! The CHOPS just keep going! Yota’s hand is starting to hurt! Yota runs, but into a mule kick! Yuto THROWS Yota down, and the fans fire up again! The fans rally as Yuto rises, and he brings Yota up. Yuto KICKS Yota, KICKS, and KICKS! Yuto KICKS Yota to the corner, KNEES him again and again, and sits Yota down. Yuto digs his knee in, but stops as Red Shoes counts. The fans cheer as Yuto gets gangsta, “BOMBACLAT!” KNEE WASH! Yuto YANKS Yota to a cover, TWO!

The fans rally as Yota stays in this, and Yuto sits him up. Yota blocks the Penalty Kick, then CHOPS again! Yota CHOPS away in the corner! The fans rally, Red Shoes counts, but Yota stops. Yota brings Yuto up, winds up, and CHOPS! Yuto stumbles and falls, but Yota clutches his hand. Yota drags Yuto up but Yuto’s rather dazed. Yota stands Yuto up, hoists him up top, then CHOPS again! Yota climbs, CHOPS again, and again, and again! Yuto fires a forearm but Yota CHOPS again! And again! But Yuto HEADBUTTS! Yota falls, the fans rally up, and Yuto hops down. Yota returns but Yuto BOOTS him away!

Yota returns again but Yuto ENZIGIRIS! Yuto runs up, Yota dodges to CHOP, SLAP, and- NO, Yuto KNEES low! Yuto winds up, but Yota HEADBUTTS! Yota roars, the fans are torn, but Yuto keeps Yota from running by pulling hair! Then LARIAT! Both men are down again but the fans rally up for “AISU! AISU!” Red Shoes starts a standing count on both men, and the fans rally up again. Both men are down at 5 of 10, then 7! Yuto and Yota sit up enough and ask Red Shoes hold on. Both men sit up properly, and Yuto fires a forearm! Both men slump over, but Yuto sits up to throw another forearm! And another!

Yuto fires a flurry of forearms, and Yota falls back. Yuto sits him up, then fires another forearm! Yota stands, winds up, and he CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! The fans rally as Yota keeps going, but then Yuto KICKS! Yota CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! How is Yota still throwing CHOPS!? Yuto KICKS Yota, and both men go to ropes. The fans rally up again as Yuto and Yota reset. Yota winds up to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! He alternates between backhands and overhands, but then Yuto KICKS him down! Yuto huffs ‘n’ puffs and says he’s far from done! Yota looks at his chopping hand and it’s starting to swell! Yota still CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS!

Yuto stays up so Yota just CHOPS harder and harder! Yuto roars, but Yota CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Yuto gets in Yota’s face, but Yota still CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Yota can’t understand how Yuto is still standing! Yota roars, and he CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Yota won’t give up the CHOP, but Yuto won’t fall back! Yuto tells Yota to keep going, so Yota keeps going! But Yota is tiring out! His hand just can’t do it anymore! The fans are thunderous as Yuto roars! And then BUZZ- NO, Yota blocks, CHOPS, but then Yuto KICKS the arm! Yuto BOOTS Yota and ICE HIGH! Cover, TWO! Yota survives and the fans fire back up!

The fans chant “SO HIGH! SO HIGH!” and Yuto nods. Yuto rises, steps on Yota, and eggs him on. Yuto SLAPS Yota again and again, then sits him up. The fans rally as Yuto eggs Yota on and shakes his head. Yota rises up, Yuto slaps him again and again, but Yota bends Yuto’s fingers! KNEE! SUPERKICK! ELBOW! Yota runs up, GENE TRIGGER! Then a whip for another GENE TRIGGER! Then a short arm LARIAT! The fans fire up again as Yota huffs ‘n’ puffs. The fans still cheer “AISU! AISU!” but Yota ignores that as he stands over Yuto. Yota CHOPS Yuto while he’s down, then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The hand is hurting, but Yota still CHOPS!

Yota DOUBLE CHOPS, then he shakes out the hand. Yuto is still down, but Yota mocks the gangsta hand. Yota then STOMPS Yuto down! But Yuto gets up!? The fans fire up, and Yuto eggs Yota on. “You want the high? Let’s get high!” The forearms and CHOPS start flying fast ‘n’ furious! The fans fire up as the shots keep going, then Yota CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! But Yuto bobs ‘n’ weaves to ROCK Yota! And ROCK him again! Then BUZZSAW! The fans fire up again and Yuto brings Yota up. AMBITION!! Red Shoes reprimands but Yuto still aims from the corner. Yota rises up, CRU- GENE BLASTER!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Yuto survives, and Yota is raging! Yota roars, brings Yuto up, then runs the ropes! FULL SPEED GENE BLASTER!! Cover, ONE?!?! WHAT?!? Yota reloads, GENE- KNEE!! CRUELLA!! Cover, TWO!??! The fans are electric as Yota shocks Yuto! But Yuto reloads, CRU- FOREARM! ROUNDHOUSE! FIRE BLASTER!! But Yota can’t make the cover!! The fans rally as hard as they can as both men are down! Red Shoes starts the standing count, but both men are still down at 5 of 10! And at 7! 8! Yota hears that and stirs! Yota scrambles up at 9, Yuto is still down! Yota wins by TKO!!

Winner: Yota Tsuji, Technical Knockout (gains 2 points; Yuto earns 0)

When Unbound battled Unbound, both men were pushed past their limits! The IWGP Heavyweight Champion won, but you could say he survived fighting the Knock Out Brother! Neither man really moves from where they are as the mic is brought to Yota. Yota tells Ice, “I felt your proud, your resolve as a fighter and a wrestler. Thank you.” The fans applaud that, and Yota manages to sit up as he says, “I can’t feel my right hand at all. And your chest is probably the same. Actually, my hand may be hurting more than your chest. Every G1 match, I plan to outdo my best. That’s why I always ask myself, ‘Am I ready? Can I surpass my limits? Can I withstand my opponent’s attacks? Will I be the last one standing in the end?’

“We are pro-wrestlers, and that means we can do what nobody else can. Take whatever our competition can dish out, and keep standing up. That’s something that only we can do.” The fans applaud that, and Yota admits, he’s “kinda loopy from Ice’s strikes. But I’d like to hear my music, Wildfire, which May J wrote for me. This song made for me keeps me going and keeps me standing. Please, listen before you head out. DJ, Now On Fire!” The song plays, Unbound Company heads out together, but will this story of fire and ice continue on through the Climax?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Konosuke Takeshita: 4-1, 8 points
Boltin Oleg: 3-2, 6 points
Ryohei Oiwa: 3-2, 6 points
Yota Tsuji: 3-2, 6 points
Yuto-Ice: 2-3, 4 points
Jake Lee: 2-3, 4 points
Great-O-Khan: 2-3, 4 points
SANADA: 2-3, 4 points
Shingo Takagi: 2-3, 4 points
Hirooki Goto: 2-3, 4 points

My Thoughts:

Another awesome round for the G1, maybe the best one so far. Great wins for Oleg and Oiwa to stay in the top half of the block, and Konosuke as 4-1 is great for him. Great match from Takagi and Goto, more battling to not be last place. And then Yota may have set a record for most chops by one person in a match ever. Not even sure why other than he and Yuto were testing their toughness. Great win for Yota, he needed this one, and Yuto still looks badass even in defeat. He has forced the majority of his matches to such a point where the ref has to call it, which speaks to his character. Yuto’s got what it takes to be a top star, it’s just about waiting for his time.

My Score: 9/10