Who is the true Alpha of A Block?

As the G1 Climax rolls into Hiroshima, Konosuke Takeshita defends his top spot in A Block! But will he still be on top after facing Hirooki Goto?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current 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

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Boltin Oleg VS SANADA!

The NJPW Strong Openweight Champion overwhelmed Jake Lee while the Cold-Blooded Snake couldn’t break Ryohei Oiwa’s grip. Will Sanada have a trick that helps him slip through BARS? Or will Oleg continue powering his way up the ranks?

The bell rings and the two run up! Sanada DROPKICKS a leg, then SHINING WIZARDS! Sanada hurries right up top, ROUNDING BODY- NO, Sanada lands out as Oleg moves! Sanada runs up, RAN- NO! Oleg stops the rana, swings Sanada up, but then Sanada RANAS through! Sanada runs up, SHINING WIZARD again! The fans rally as Sanada hurries to put Oleg back in place! ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives, but Sanada doesn’t let him rest! DEAD- NO, Oleg powers out! Sanada BOOTS Oleg from the corner, then goes up, Sanada Quebrada, but Oleg catches him!!

Oleg powers Sanada into the Shake, Shake, Shake, and BOLTIN BOMB!! And deadlift BOLTIN BOMB!! And deadlift into the fireman’s carry! KAMIKAZE!! Cover, Oleg wins!

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

Sanada might regret putting pedal to the metal, because he just crashed into a wall! Not even two minutes and Oleg is moving on, can no one stop him now? Can Sanada figure out how to avoid elimination?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Yuto-Ice VS Jake Lee!

The Knock Out Brother could not bring down the IWGP Heavyweight Champion in last round’s main event, but The Silent Jester is in no mood after being manhandled by Boltin Oleg. Will Yuto put Jake on ice tonight? Or will Jake have the last laugh?

Jake continues his “just a fan” act, but then he gets up to CLOBBER Yuto from behind! The fans boo and the ref reprimands as Jake POSTS Yuto, but Jake just follows Yuto around the way. Jake brings Yuto into the crowd, but Yuto fires back! The fans cheer but Jake kicks low and CLUBS Yuto down! Jake brings out handcuffs?! Yuto ROCKS Jake and Jake drops the cuffs! Yuto kicks Jake, then tells fans to move aside! Yuto CLUBS Jake, SMACKS him off a seat, then brings him back to ringside. The fans cheer as Yuto puts Jake in the ring. Yuto shouts, “OKAY!” and steps inside. The bell rings and this is now a match.

Yuto stomps Jake around, brings him up, and whips him to ropes. Jake grabs ropes, bails back out, and the fans boo. Yuto hurries, but Jake kicks low. Jake whips, Yuto reverses, and Jake hits railing! Yuto runs up, but Jake drop toeholds him into railing! The fans rally for Yuto while he’s down, but Jake drags him up and puts him in the ring. Then Jake fetches his cuffs! The ref stops Jake, Jake argues with him, and the ref gets Jake to give up the cuffs. But then Jake brings out another pair of cuffs! Jake stomps Yuto, then cuffs him! Yuto resists but Jake hammerlocks to hide the evidence. The ref wonders about that, and he sees the cuffs!

Jake claims innocence, but Yuto CLOBBERS Jake, into the ref! The ref is down, Jake is stunned, and AMBITION hits! Yuto snapmares Jake, runs, and ICE HIGH! The fans cheer, and Yuto grins as he looks at the cuffs. Yuto stomps Jake, then finishes unwrapping the cuffs. Yuto stands on Jake’s hand, but the tape is proving a tougher opponent. Yuto stomps Jake again and again, but the tape is not playing along. Yuto CHOKES Jake as he sits him up, then rains down fists. A Young Lion helps peel the tape away, not sure why Jake put tape on there in the first place… Yuto SUPERKICKS Jake down, then asks everyone be patient.

The fans applaud as finally, the cuff is free! Yuto says NOW we can get high! And he cuffs himself to Jake! Yuto tells Jake to bring it! The fans fire up as Jake stands and fires a forearm! Yuto fires back, they go back and forth! Yuto fires a flurry, even as Jake falls to his knees! Yuto then DECKS Jake! The fans cheer as Yuto talks trash on Jake, stomps him again and again, then KICKS him again and again! Yuto scuffs Jake, but Jake laughs! Yuto steps on Jake, stomps him again, then drags him back up. Yuto fires knee after knee into Jake’s face! Jake still stands, still laughs, so Yuto fires another forearm! And another! Jake mocks Yuto as he keeps throwing shots!

Yuto ROCKS Jake, ROCKS him again, but Jake LOW BLOWS! The fans boo but Jake brings Yuto up to KNEE him in the face! Jake has the KEY! Jake frees himself, then cuffs Yuto’s hands together! The fans boo as Jake has completed his plan. Jake then goes out, grabs a bottle of water, and takes a drink, so he can SPIT it on Yuto! Jake pours the rest on Yuto’s head, then KICKS Yuto in the back. Yuto rolls to the ropes, but Jake makes him sit up. Jake fires forearm after forearm into Yuto, laughing as he goes! The fans boo but Jake finally stops, and he paces around. Jake SPITS on Yuto, the fans boo again, but Jake fixes his hair.

Jake drags Yuto up, brings him up, but Yuto fights the suplex! Yuto uses the cuffs to DIG into Jake’s face! The fans cheer as Yuto now gags Jake with the chain! The ref is up, but Jake BOOTS him down! Then another LOW BLOW on Yuto! Jake ROUNDHOUSES Yuto down, and the fans boo again. Jake watches Yuto go to a corner, runs up, FACE- NO, Yuto dodges! But Jake blocks the double ax handle! Yuto HEADBUTTS! Jake wobbles, Yuto runs up, but Jake CHOPS! Then he BITES Yuto on his bruised chest! The spot Yota chopped away on last round is still tender! The fans boo as Jake stops his vampire attack to sit Yuto up. Jake KNEES Yuto back down!

Yuto rolls away, but Jake takes aim again. Yuto rises up, Jake runs in, FACE BREAK- NO, the ref is used as a shield! Then LOW BLOW from Yuto! CRUELLA! Cover, the ref counts, YUTO WINS!

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

Forget hands tied behind his back, Yuto had his hands cuffed in front and he still won! Will he continue to put this block on Ice? Will Jake have new tricks up his sleeve next time?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Shingo Takagi VS Great-O-Khan!

The Rampaging Dragon slayed Hirooki Goto, but The Dominator could not conquer Konosuke Takeshita. Will Takagi keep his momentum going in the second half? Or will Khan break even this round?

Khan attacks Takagi, just as Jake did Yuto! Khan whips Takagi into railing while the fans boo! The ref reprimands, but Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW! Then he CHOPS Takagi, brings him around, and whips him into more railing! The fans boo but Khan soaks it up and talks trash. Khan whips Takagi into more railing! Khan then grabs a chair, and he JAMS Takagi up! The ref reprimands but Khan still SMACKS Takagi down! The fans boo, the ref says get this in the ring, but Khan just goes and grabs a fresh chair. Takagi gets up but Khan headlocks him, then RAMS him into the timekeeper! How Evil of Khan to do that!

Khan then takes the mic, and he puts the chair on Takagi to take a seat! Khan talks trash on Takagi, and on the fans, and the fans tell him to go home. Khan says to shut up, then he kicks Takagi around. Khan drags Takagi up with a headlock and whips him into railing again! Then Khan brings Takagi to the crowd! Takagi hits back but Khan CLUBS away on Takagi’s neck. Fans hurry out of the way as Khan CLUBS Takagi again. Khan SMACKS Takagi off a chair, then argues with the ref. Khan storms up on Takagi, Takagi fires a forearm and a knee, but Khan RAMS him into the wall! The ref reprimands but Khan brings Takagi further along, and sends him into the all again!

Khan opens a door and brings Takagi down a hallway! The cameras follow as Khan drags Takagi into the restroom! Khan tries to give Takagi a swirly! The ref reprimands, Khan CLUBS Takagi, kicks him, then brings him into a stall! Khan goes for it again! Takagi tries but Khan pushes him down into the bowl! The ref reprimands, Khan stops, and he talks trash before he drags Takagi back up. Takagi coughs and sputters, but Khan sends him into the wall! They make their way back to the door, and Khan tells fans to move! The fans hurry aside as Khan BOWLS Takagi into chairs! Not the best throw but Takagi is still down.

Khan drags Takagi back up, mocks Takagi for taking that swirly, then POSTS him! Takagi slumps down, the fans rally up, but Khan frowns. Khan RAMS Takagi into railing! Then he puts Takagi in the ring, and NOW the bell rings! Cover, but the ref refuses to count, there were far too many shenanigans! Khan gets in the ref’s face, the fans boo, but Khan tells them to shut up. Khan then runs at Takagi to BOOT him down! Cover, TWO! Takagi is still in this and the fans fire back up. Khan storms over, drags him up, but Takagi fires body shots! Khan kicks Takagi back down, but the fans rally again. Khan eggs Takagi on while putting hands behind his back.

Takagi rises, the fans fire up, and Takagi winds up, only for Khan to trip him! Khan laughs as he tricks another one with that, but Takagi runs up to LARIAT in the corner! The fans fire up as Takagi HEADBUTTS and CLUBS away, then JABS, JABS, JABS! Takagi sits Khan down, KNEES him, and he tells the ref to back off. Takagi whips Khan corner to corner, runs up, and LARIATS! Then snap suplex! Khan flounders while the fans cheer. Takagi covers, TWO! Takagi fires up, but Khan CLOBBERS him before he can start the catchphrase! The fans boo but Khan flips them off. Khan then Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian Chops!

Khan winds up, but Takagi blocks, and he copies MONGOLIAN CHOPS! And then fakes Khan out, SLAPS him on the head, and DOUBLE CHOPS him down! The fans cheer Takagi hitting the Tenzan pose, and the SENTON! Takagi tells Hiroshima get ready, but he ducks Khan’s blindside lariat! Then he ELBOWS, JABS, feints, and JABS again! Takagi suplexes high and hard! The fans fire up again, and now Takagi says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up and chant “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi brings Khan up to run, but Khan bails out! The fans boo but Khan just flips Takagi off. Takagi goes out the side, storms around the way, and he drags Khan up.

Takagi whips Khan hard into railing! Khan slumps down while the fans fire up! Takagi then storms around the way, drags Khan up, and puts him in the ring. The fans cheer Takagi on as he steps in, but Khan KICKS the ropes! Khan mocks the fans cheering Takagi while he kicks Takagi back out. The fans boo, but Khan brings Takagi around to whip him into railing again! Takagi slumps down, but Khan drags him back up. Khan reels Takagi in, and snap suplexes to the floor! Takagi flounders, Khan goes looking, and Khan brings out more chairs! The fans boo but Khan sits a chair up, just to SMACK Takagi off the seat again and again!

The ref reprimands as Khan grabs the other chair. Khan winds up, but the ref snatches that chair! Khan shoves the ref, but Takagi CHUCKS the other chair at Khan! The fans fire up and Takagi hurries to get Khan up. Takagi pump handles, but Khan fights the lift! Khan pulls hair, then scoops, T T D on the floor! The ref hurries to check Takagi while he and Khan are both down. The fans rally up as Takagi stirs, and the ring count starts. Khan rolls in at 11 of 20, Takagi staggers at 14. Takagi stands back up at 16, and he rolls in at 19! But then Khan whips him into bare buckles! Then IRON RIGHT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Takagi survives!

Khan is frustrated as he rises up, and he drags Takagi up to IRON CLAW! But Takagi fires RIDGE HAND after RIDGE HAND! Takagi CLUBS the arm, but Khan KNEES low! ELIMI- NO, Takagi fights free to ELBOW! RIDGE HAND! JAB! HEADBUTT! Then POINT-BLANK PUMPING BOMBER! The fans fire up again and join in with “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi stands Khan up, fireman’s carries, but Khan slips free. Khan waistlocks, Takagi switches, but Khan grabs the ref! The fans boo, but Khan shoves he ref aside. But Takagi avoids the low blow! He has the ref hold the foot to then KICK the leg! PUMPING BOMBER TAKEDOWN! Cover, TWO!!

Takagi gets the fans to “OI! OI! OI!” again, and he runs the ropes! PUMPING- NO, Khan slips around, and shoves him into the bare buckles! Khan then winds up, IRON CLAW! And then ELIMINA- NO, Takagi slips free! Khan ELBOWS, sends Takagi at the buckles, but Takagi stops short! Khan runs up, but Takagi drop toeholds him into the buckles! Takagi runs, and PUMPING BOMBERS!! The fans are thunderous, but Takagi isn’t done! Takagi roars, and he brings Khan up to pump handle and torture rack! LAST OF THE DRAGONS! Cover, Takagi wins!

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

The Unbound Company defies the United Empire two matches in a row! Is the Rampaging Dragon going to climb back up the block? Will Khan be able to turn things around next round?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Yota Tsuji VS Ryohei Oiwa!

The Gene Blast is getting hot at just the right time, but the same can be said for The Mighty Mullet! Will Oiwa get a grip on a golden ticket to the title? Or will the IWGP Heavyweight Champion still be on fire?

The two step up, but Red Shoes has them back away. The bell rings and the fans duel as the two circle. The dueling seems to be in favor of Oiwa, but there are still plenty of calls for Yota. The two tie up, Oiwa headlocks, and he holds on as Yota tries to power out. Yota fires body shots, powers up and out, but Oiwa RAMS him! Yota rebounds but into a headlock takeover! The “Big Lock” is back on tight, but Yota keeps his shoulders up. The fans rally again as Yota stands. Yota pries the hold open, but Oiwa wrenches the bad arm! Oiwa YANKS the arm, wrangles Yota to the mat, then STOMPS the arm! The fans rally as Oiwa brings Yota back up.

Oiwa hammerlocks the bad arm, and RAMS it into the buckles! Then Oiwa has the headlock back on. Yota endures,  fights up again, and the fans continue to rally. Yota lifts Oiwa and hits a BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Oiwa flounders away. Yota storms over to Oiwa, drags him up, but Oiwa swings, into a BODY BLOW from Yota! Yota then half nelsons for the GUT BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Oiwa survives and the fans cheer, but Yota stays cool. Yota shakes out the bad arm, brings Oiwa up, and he clinches to KNEE low again and again. Yota KNEES away on Oiwa, then hits a BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Yota walks it off.

Yota brings Oiwa into the body scissor squeeze! Oiwa endures, even as Yota digs knuckles into the ribs. Oiwa grabs the bad arm and manages to wrench it as a way of escaping the body scissors! Oiwa CLUBS the arm, wrenches, but Yota kicks and kicks. Yota runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then RANAS but Oiwa drops him down! JUST FACELOCK! The fans cheer as Yota endures, fights up, and powers out. Oiwa RUNS Yota over, the fans fire up, and things keep moving. Oiwa RUNS Yota over again, then whips him to a corner. Yota reverses but Oiwa rebounds to RUN Yota over again! The fans fire up, but Oiwa clutches his side. Oiwa runs up to SENTON! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Yota toughs it out. Oiwa drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota hits a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up again as both men are down! Yota sits up as the fans rally, then stands up. Yota and Oiwa go to corners, and both men run up! Yota catches Oiwa to a FLATLINER, then deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! The fans fire up as Yota runs corner to corner now, and GENE TRIGGERS! Yota puts Oiwa up top, fires up, and the fans are with him! Yota climbs, but Oiwa grabs the bad arm in a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Red Shoes reprimands, so Oiwa shifts to the Big Lock! Yota still fights up, and he DIGS knuckles into ribs!

Red Shoes reprimands but Yota fires body shots. Yota goes to the very top, and he SUPER STEINERS! Cover, TWO! Oiwa survives but Yota has the legs! Oiwa fights the turn, but Yota kicks him into the BOSTON CRAB! The fans rally again as Oiwa endures! Oiwa powers up, fights forward, but Yota drags him back! Yota sits deep again, and the fans rally harder for Oiwa! Oiwa powers up once more, but Yota powers him down with a HALF CRAB! The bad arm can’t hold the other leg anyhow, so Yota focuses on one side with everything he’s got! Yot then gets the other leg, and holds both legs with one arm! Is that a half or a full crab?

The fans rally harder as Oiwa still endures, and he powers up again! Yota pulls back, Oiwa struggles to stay up, but he still fights! Little by little, and he has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Yota lets go in frustration. Yota catches his breath before he rises again, and he goes to ropes as the fans duel. Yota smiles as the fans rally again, and he goes back to Oiwa. Oiwa stands, and Yota looks to his bandaged right hand. Yota uses his left forearm to fire shots instead! Oiwa fires back, and the fans rally as they go back and forth. Oiwa then YANKS the bad arm, but Yota still fires shots! Forearm, YANK, repeat! Oiwa leans into the shots to back Yota down!

Yota breaks free, but Oiwa eggs the champ on. Yota CHOPS with the bad hand! Oiwa just wrenches and WRINGS the bad arm! And then the DEATH ROLL! Yota clutches the arm but Oiwa is right on it! Oiwa has the top wristlock, but Yota fights off the turnover! Oiwa rolls back Yota rolls through, but Oiwa slips around to BIG LOCK! The fans cheer as Yota endures the hold. Oiwa shifts to DDT! The fans cheer, Oiwa crawls to cover, TWO! The fans applaud again as Yota toughs it out. Oiwa drags Yota up, gut wrenches, but Yota fights with elbows. Oiwa still powers up, DOCTOR- RANA from Yota! Yota blocks The Grip, but that hurts the arm!

Oiwa spins the other way, LARIATS, but then GENE TRIGGER on return! And another GENE TRIGGER! Yota dodges to ROCK Oiwa, but that’s the bad arm! Yota runs, GENE- NO, Oiwa stops the Blaster with a gut wrench! DOCTOR BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives and the fans fire up again! Oiwa grits his teeth while he clutches his side, and he stands up as Yota sits up. Oiwa then waistlocks, but Yota fights the lift! Yota has the ROPEBREAK, but Oiwa CLUBS the arms away to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Yota is still in this, but Oiwa holds on, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover again, TWO!

Oiwa still holds onto Yota, hauls him up, and GERMAN- NO, Yota fights it and runs to the corner, but Oiwa uses that to roll and CHAOS THEORY!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yota survives, but Oiwa still holds onto the waistlock! And ripcords, but Yota ducks The Grip to arm-drag, wrangle, and cover! TWO, and back to BIG LOCK! Then JUST FACELOCK! Yota endures, shifts, but Oiwa is back to Big Lock. Yota still fights up, powers up, and he BACK SUPLEXES Oiwa outta the ring! Then Yota builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit, and Yota hurries to put Oiwa in! The fans fire up as Yota climbs the corner, DIVING MARLOWE CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans are thunderous as Oiwa survives and Yota roars! Oiwa paces around as the fans duel as hard as they can, and Yota roars again. Yota brings Oiwa up, pump handles, but Oiwa fights with elbows. Yota still tries, but Oia slips free, TENZAN PLEX! Both men are down, but Oiwa crawls to a cover, TWO! Oiwa clamps on with a SLEEPER! The fans rally as Yota endures, but he’s fading! Red Shoes checks on Yota while the fans rally harder. Oiwa drags Yota up, spins, THE- GENE BLASTER POINT-BLANK!! The fans fire up again as Yota rises! Yota flounders against the ropes but he roars as he makes it to his feet!

Yota goes back to Oiwa, clinches, SILVER LINING!! Cover, TWO?!? Oiwa survives and the fans are thunderous again! Yota just sets Oiwa up for a GENE- NO, Oiwa spins through and BIG LOCK! Yota powers up and out, but THE GRIP is caught, into the REVERSE BACKSLIDE! TWO!! Oiwa has the BIG LOCK again! Yota fights up, powers up, and hits a BIG back suplex! But Oiwa holds on! The fans rally harder and harder as Oiwa grinds the hold! Yota fights up, up, but Oiwa powers him back down! BIG LOCK BRIDGE! But Yota still fights! Yota rises, but Oiwa CRANKS the Big Lock! Yota reaches out, and he gets another gas!

Yota RAMS Oiwa into a corner, then SNAP FIRE BLASTER?!?! The fans are electric as Yota goes back to the corner! FIRE BLASTER!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!

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

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but Oiwa still falls to the power of THE IWGP Heavyweight Champion! Will he be able to rise back up next round? Will Yota be on fire for the rest of the G1?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Hirooki Goto VS Konosuke Takeshita!

The Fierce Warrior may not have slain the Dragon, but now he’s up against The Alpha, who currently leads the block. Will Konosuke continue to lead the pack this deep into the Climax? Or will the G1 truly stand for the Goto Revolution?

The bell rings and the fans are pretty strongly behind Goto. The two circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Goto powers Konosuke to the ropes, Red Shoes calls the break, and Goto pats Konosuke on the shoulder as he backs off. The fans applaud, but Konosuke storms up on Goto. They tie up, and Konosuke puts Goto on the ropes. Then Konosuke pats Goto on the shoulders as he backs off. The fans applaud again as the two reset. They tie up again, Konosuke headlocks, but Goto endures the grind. Goto fights up, powers out, and they RAM shoulders! Neither man falls, so Goto runs. They RAM shoulders again, then Goto kicks low.

Goto whips, Konosuke reverses, and Konosuke BOOTS! Konosuke whips, Goto reverses, but the TAKESHITA LINE hits! The fans cheer while Konosuke brings Goto up. Konosuke snapmares, then goes to the apron. The fans cheer as Konosuke slingshots to SENTON! Then he brings Goto up, around, and into a rear bearhug. Goto endures, even as Konosuke shifts around to a body scissors squeeze. Konosuke puts on the pressure, then changes to a chinlock. Goto kicks his way over to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, and Konosuke stands Goto up. Konosuke bumps Goto off buckles, then whips corner ot ocdrner.

Konosuke runs up, but into a BOOT! Goto eggs Konosuke on, then baits him into running in! Goto puts Konosuke up top, drags him out, DRAPING NECKBREAKER! The fans rally while Konosuke flops out of the ring. Red Shoes checks on Konosuke as Konosuke clutches his neck and shoulder. Konosuke is able to continue, so Goto waits as the count climbs. Konosuke shakes out the bad arm, but he’s still down at 7 of 20, Goto goes out, puts Konosuke back in, and the fans applaud his sportsmanship. Goto stomps Konosuke, whips, and ELBOWS him down! Cover, TWO! Goto clamps onto Konosuke with a chinlock, and digs his knee into Konosuke’s back.

Konosuke endures, so Goto ELBOWS him in the head! Goto holds onto the chinlock, but Konosuke fights his way forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Goto lets go, but then he stomps Konosuke. Goto drags Konosuke up, but Konosuke fires a forearm. There wasn’t much to it, but Goto CLUBS Konosuoke and puts him in a corner. Konosuke hits back but Goto fires a flurry! Goto sits Konosuke down as he fires shots, then backs off. Goto stands Konosuke up, whips corner to corner, then runs up to MURAMASA! And then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Konosuke survives, but they also rally behind Goto again.

Goto brings Konosuke up, but Konosuke fights the fireman’s carry with elbows and a KNEE! Konosuke HEADBUTTS, but that bothers his shoulder. Konosuke runs, Goto follows, but Konosuke catches him to an EXPLODER! The fans fire up again while both men are down. Goto bails out, Konosuke pounds the mat, and the fans rally up. Konosuke builds speed to FLY! Down goes Goto and the fans fire up again! Both men are down in the entryway but Konosuke sits up first. The ring count starts, and the fans rally harder as Konosuke rises. Konosuke brings Goto up at 10 of 20, puts him in the ring, and the fans cheer.

Konosuke aims from a corner, wait son Goto, and runs in, forearm SMASH! Konosuke keeps moving, but Goto follows to LARIAT! Goto whips, Konosuke reverses, then they both run in! JUMP KNEE from Konosuke! The fans fire up while Konosuke goes back to a corner. Konosuke waits on Goto, and WAGA- NO, Goto fireman’s carries Konosuke to an USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down while the fans fire up again! Goto has a bit of blood from his lip but he and Konosuke sit up. Goto snarls, and he fires a forearm! Konosuke fires one back! Goto fires another, so Konosuke fires back! They go back and forth, and Goto gets the edge!

Goto runs, but into a BOOT! And then BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Konosuke runs, but Goto fireman’s carries again! G T- NO! Konosuke handsprings through, and BUSAIKU KNEE! Then Konosuke brings Goto up, RAGING- NO, Goto slips free and waistlocks. Konosuke elbows free, then ROLLING- NO, Goto catches Konosuke to URA G T R! Goto runs to LARIAT, but Konosuke rebounds to LARIAT back! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans are fired up again! Konosuke grits his teeth as he rises up, and the fans rally as he goes to Goto in the corner. Konosuke drags Goto up, puts him on the top rope, then climbs up!

The fans fire up as Konosuke goes to the very top! Goto resists, fires body shots, and Konosuke steps back down. Konosuke CLUBS Goto, Goto fires back, and they brawl up top! The fans rally, and Goto ROCKS Konosuke! Konosuke rises back up to ROCK Goto! Goto ROCKS Konosuke, and the forearms keep going! Goto fires a flurry, but Konosuke eggs him on! Konosuke ROCKS Goto, Goto HEADBUTTS back! Then Goto tucks Konosuke in! The fans fire up for KAITEN!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and the fans are thunderous! Goto hauls Konosuke up, dragon sleepers, but Konosuke throws hands from below! Goto grabs that arm and pushes it into place!

The fans rally as Konosuke resists, and he spins through! But Goto HEADBUTTS! Konosuke staggers, rebounds, into EDO MONDO! Goto gives last rites, and he brings Konosuke back up! But HADOUKEN!?! Konosuke busts out a classic, and then WAGAMAMA- NO! Goto blocks the knee! Konosuke fights free, fires boxing elbows, then runs, ALPHA ELBOW!! ROLLING- ELBOW FROM GOTO!! The fans are thunderous as Goto grits his teeth. But then ALPHA ELBOW!! The elbow pad comes off, BARE BONE ALPHA ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!?!? Goto survives, but Konosuke reloads in the corner! WAGAMAMA KNEE!!! Cover, TWO?!!?

The fans are thunderous again as Goto survives! Konosuke vows to end it now, and he brings Goto up. RAGING- NO, Goto fights the suplex! Goto suplexes Konosuke, for SHOTEN KAI!! The fans are thunderous again as both men are down! Goto crawls to the ropes, rises up, and the fans are with him! Goto aims for the BUZZSAW! Then Goto brings Konosuke up, fireman’s carries, and G T W!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Konosuke survives and the fans are electric! Goto drags Konosuke back up, dragon sleepers, and G T- NO! Konosuke slips through and hooks the arms! They fight for control as the fans cheer! Konosuke spins, but Goto catches him!

But Konosuke spins it back, and… he steals G T R!!! Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives his own move and the fans are electric! Konosuke brings the kneepad down, takes aim from a corner, WAGA- LARIAT!!! Goto hits first but both men are down!! Goto grits his teeth, rises up, and Konosuke goes to ropes. The fans rally as hard as they’ve ever done before! Both men run up, ALPHA ELBOW AGAINST HEADBUTT!! Konosuke stays up, and he reels Goto in! RAGING FIRE!!! Cover, KONOSUKE WINS!!

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

An instant classic if there ever was one! And though he gave it his all, Goto could not #GetBackUp! But is there still time to #TurnItAllAround and still win the block? Or is the dream of being the oldest G1 winner already delayed by another year?

As for Konosuke, he shows Goto great respect by shaking his hand and bowing. Konosuke then gets the mic and tells Goto, “If you need a hand, I’d be happy to help your revolution by standing across from you again. Let’s go again!” The fans cheer that, and Goto nods before he leaves. Konosuke then asks Hiroshima, “Did you enjoy the wrestling tonight?” The fans cheer, Konosuke asks how was it, and they cheer more. Konosuke says that’s good. “Pro-wrestling is the strongest, and the best. I want to make a world where everyone knows that, but I can’t do it alone. We need the strength of every wrestler, the staff, and all of you fans here and watching at home. We need everyone to make sure the whole world knows it!”

The fans cheer, and Konosuke continues by saying that is his vision for the world, so he will win this tournament and show you a whole new world! That’s the message he sends from The Alpha! Konosuke is leading the way, but will he reach the pinnacle of the G1?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Konosuke Takeshita: 5-1, 10 points
Boltin Oleg: 4-2, 8 points
Yota Tsuji: 4-2, 8 points
Ryohei Oiwa: 3-3, 6 points
Yuto-Ice: 3-3, 6 points
Shingo Takagi: 3-3, 6 points
Jake Lee: 2-4, 4 points
Great-O-Khan: 2-4, 4 points
Hirooki Goto: 2-4, 4 points
SANADA: 2-4, 4 points

My Thoughts:

Another great round for the G1, and Konosuke as the only 5-1 is great stuff for him. The main event was awesome, but even the penultimate match from Yota and Oiwa was main event worthy. Yota is staying just behind the top, he can still get in on the playoffs, but who knows. Oleg dominating Sanada was amazing, I found myself laughing from the surprise. And great stuff in how the United Empire both tried hot starts but it all backfired. Yuto and Takagi each break even, and we’re gonna get a show-stealing match when we see Yuto VS Takagi.

My Score: 9.1/10