Is The Alpha mightier than The Mighty?

As A Block enters its ninth and final round, Konosuke Takeshita faces Ryohei Oiwa in the main event! Who stays alive in the G1 Climax?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

Konosuke Takeshita: 6-2, 12 points
Boltin Oleg: 5-3, 10 points
Yota Tsuji: 5-3, 10 points
Ryohei Oiwa: 5-3, 10 points
Yuto-Ice: 4-4, 8 points
Shingo Takagi: 4-4, 8 points
Jake Lee: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
SANADA: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Hirooki Goto: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Great-O-Khan: 2-6, 4 points [ELIMINATED]

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Shingo Takagi VS SANADA!

The Rampaging Dragon is on the edge, but the Cold-Blooded Snake has nothing to lose! Will Sanada bring Takagi’s run to a Skull End? Or will Takagi remind Sanada what it is to be tranquilo?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Takagi steps up but Sanada stays put in the corner. Takagi rallies the fans, and Sanada steps forward. Sanada offers a handshake? Takagi is wary as he reaches out, but then he dodges the cheap shot! Takagi swings but Sanada dodges, then Sanada kicks and whips. Takagi reverses, ELBOWS, then JABS! But Sanada DROPKICKS the leg, then he DROPKICKS Takagi out! Sanada goes to the ropes, but Takagi avoids the plancha to YANK Sanada down. Takagi whips, but Sanada reverses, and Takagi is sent into railing! Takagi slumps down but Sanada hurries over, to then whip, only for Takagi to reverse!

Sanada hits railing, and Takagi fires back up. The fans cheer Takagi as he brings Sanada around to SMACK off the apron! Takagi SMACKS Sanada off the apron again, then reels him in. Sanada fights the suplex, and he hoists Takagi up, MAGIC SCREW to the floor! The fans applaud while both men are down. Sanada returns to the ring and the count begins. Takagi is still down at 5 of 20, but he rises up slowly. The fans rally as Takagi stands at 10, but he clutches his neck. Takagi rolls in at 12 and the fans cheer. Sanada CLUBS Takagi, CLUBS him again, then has him at the ropes. Sanada reels Takagi in for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP!

Sanada drags Takagi up, cravats, and Takagi endures the neck wrench. Sanada snapmares, then chinlocks, but Takagi still endures. The fans rally, the ref makes sure Sanada isn’t outright choking Takagi, and Takagi kicks to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Sanada lets go. Sanada throws hands on Takagi, but Takagi fires up! The fans rally as Takagi snarls, but Sanada fires another haymaker. And another! Takagi KNEES low, then KNEES again, and again! Takagi kicks, but Sanada blocks to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally while Takagi is down. Sanada has the legs, steps through, but Takagi kicks free!

Takagi hurries to his feet to ELBOW! JAB! Then feint and DDT! The fans cheer while both men are down now. Sanada crawls to the corner, Takagi rises up, and he runs in. Takagi blocks a boot to LARIAT through! The fans cheer and Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS away in the corner, then CHOPS! The fans cheer and Takagi brings Sanada around. Sanada swings but Takagi catches him to suplex high and hard! Then Takagi rolls through, and hoists Sanada up top! The fans rally as Takagi climbs up the corner, and he goes to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX! The fans fire up while both men are down, but Takagi makes the cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Takagi sits up. Takagi tells the fans, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans cheer as Takagi rises again, and he brings Sanada up. Takagi pump handles, but Sanada fights the lift! Sanada slips around but Takagi elbows him. Takagi runs, but Sanada dropkicks the leg! Takagi rebounds, but Sanada spins him around, hoists him up, MAGIC SCREW again! Both men are down as the fans fire up! Sanada hurries to a corner, goes up top, ROUNDING- NO, Sanada has to land out as Takagi moves. Sanada waistlocks, but Takagi switches, GERMAN SUPLEX! But Sanada lands out, and he basement DROPKICKS Takagi!

The fans rally, and Sanada clamps on a dragon sleeper. Takagi snapmares free, but the SHINING WIZARD hits on return! Sanada then brings Takagi up, fireman’s carries, but Takagi slips free to have the dragon sleeper! Sanada spins that around, but Takagi spins it back, to steal MAGIC SCREW! The fans cheer as both men are down again! Takagi rises first, and he fires the fans up with “OI! OI! OI!” The fans rally and Takagi runs in at the corner, but Sanada BOOTS him! Then Sanada Quebrada, but Takagi dodges! Sanada runs, but into a POP-UP DEATH VALLEY! The fans fire up as Takagi keeps moving, and he PUMPING BOMBERS!

The fans fire up again as Takagi keeps going! Pump handle and MADE IN JAPAN! Cover, TWO! Sanada survives and the fans cheer as Takagi is right back on him. Pump handle, torture rack, BURNING DRAGON! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives again and Takagi is surprised! Takagi pounds the mat, fires up again, and the fans are with him. Takagi drags Sanada up, pump handles, but Sanada fights the lift this time. So Takagi LARIATS! Sanada wobbles, but Takagi LARIATS again! Then the torture rack, but Sanada slips free! DEADFALL!! But Sanada can’t make the cover! The fans rally up again as both men stir.

Sanada stand and hurries to a corner, goes up, ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Takagi survives, but then Sanada BLINDSIDE WIZARDS! Then he aims again, SHINING WIZ- NO, Takagi swats it! And SLIDING D! The fans fire up again as both men are down! Takagi fires up, the fans are with him, and he drags Sanada back up. Takagi fires boxing elbows, then ROCKS Sanada! But Sanada DROPKICKS the legs! But Takagi ELBOWS! RIDGE HANDS! JABS! Sanada ROLLING- NO, Takagi HEADBUTTS first! Then torture rack, LAST OF THE DRAGON! And then a PUMPING B- NO, Sanada dodges, O’Conner Bridge! SANADA WINS!!

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

Takagi doesn’t believe it, he still tries for a pin of his own, but no! Sanada snatched this victory and the G1 from Takagi! Will Takagi just have to try that much harder next year? And who now benefits from the way being cleared?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Hirooki Goto VS Yuto-Ice!

The Fierce Warrior will not be the oldest wrestler to win the G1 Climax this year, but he can still bring the Knock Out Brother down from his high. Will the Goto Revolution play spoiler? Or will Yuto make sure Goto does not #GetBackUp?

Goto and Yuto get face to face, and Yuto grabs Goto by his coat collar. The fans fire up already as Goto pushes Yuto back. The ref has them back up, and the fans fire up with Ice. The bell rings and the two run up, and Goto RUNS Yuto over! Yuto is right up to fire forearms! Yuto runs, but Goto dodges the kick to RUN Yuto over again! The fans fire up as Goto whips Yuto to a corner, then fires a flurry of forearms! The ref counts, but Yuto turns things around to return those forearms! The fans rally all the same while the ref reprimands. Goto SMACKS Yuto, Yuto SMACKS back! The fans cheer and Yuto nods as he stands Goto up.

Yuto whips corner to corner but Goto reverses. Yuto comes back to BOOT Goto, then whip to ropes. Goto grabs the ropes, BOOTS back, but Yuto LARIATS Goto up and out! The fans cheer and Yuto goes out to fetch Goto. Yuto then whips Goto into the railing! But Goto comes back to ROCK Yuto! The fans cheer as Goto fires back up! Goto drags Yuto up, whips him, but Yuto reverses! Goto goes back into railing, then Yuto BOOTS him! The fans cheer, but now Yuto storms through the gate and has them move. Yuto BOWLS Goto right into chairs! Not quite a strike, but Yuto stomps Goto down in the mess.

Yuto drags Goto up while the fans rally. Goto CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Yuto SMACKS Goto back down! The ref reprimands, he wants this in the ring. Yuto brings Goto around, SMACKS him off the apron, then stands him against railing. The ring count starts as Yuto KICKS and KICKS and ROCKS Goto! Yuto talks trash on Goto, then puts Goto back in the ring at 11 of 20. The fans applaud, and Yuto steps back inside. Yuto swaggers his way over, and he brings Goto up in the corner. Yuto KNEES Goto low again and again, then stomps him down. The ref reprimands but Yuto stops, and gets gangsta! “BOMBACLAT!” KNEE STRIKE! Yuto drags Goto to a cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Goto toughs it out. Yuto sits Goto up, KICKS him in the back, then eggs him on. Goto eggs Yuto on, so Yuto KICKS him again! Goto eggs Yuto on again, so Yuto runs for ICE- NO! Goto blocks the kick, then winds up, but Yuto ROCKS him first! Yuto runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Goto rises first, brings Yuto up, and he fires forearms. Goto whips corner to corner, then runs up, MURAMASA! Then the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Yuto is tougher than that and the fans rally up. Goto drags Yuto up, but Yuto fights the fireman’s carry with elbows. Yuto ROCKS Goto, runs, but into a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI!

The fans fire up again while Yuto writhes, clutching his neck. The fans rally as Goto brings Yuto back up and dragon sleepers. But Yuto pulls hair to turn things around! Yuto winds up to LARIAT! The fans cheer again as both men are back down. Yuto snarls as he rises up, and he sits Goto up for the ICE HIGH! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer again as Goto toughs it out. Yuto waits on Goto this time, then BUZZ- NO, Goto ducks the kick! Goto waistlocks, Yuto elbows free, then Yuto bobs ‘n’ weaves to fires slaps! Yuto SLAPS Goto down, then stands him up for the- NO, Goto catches Yuto for the URA GTR! Then a LARIAT!

The fans fire up again as Goto crawls to the ropes. Goto drags himself up, fires up, and he BUZZSAWS Yuto! Then he brings Yuto up to fireman’s carry! G T W! Cover, TWO! Yuto survives and the fans fire up. Goto brings Yuto around, dragon sleepers, but Yuto spins it to suplex! GOURD BUSTER, then the BUZZSAW! The fans cheer but Yuto can’t make the cover! The fans rally up as both men stir. Yuto grits his teeth as he rises up, and he growls as he stands! Yuto brings Goto up, but Goto ROCKS him first! Yuto swings, but into the spin and dragon sleeper! Yuto still fights, but Goto traps the arm! Yuto powers up and bends fingers!

The fans are torn, the ref reprimands, but Yuto’s AMBITION knocks Goto down! Then CRU- NO, Goto fireman’s carries! Yuto slips free, ROUNDHOUSES, AMBITIONS, and BOOT! Then a BIG forearm! Goto falls, Yuto fires up, and the fans cheer! Yuto loads up in the corner, CRU- NO, Goto DROPKICKS the legs out! Then he steps over, has the legs locked, and then the cradle, GOTO SHIKI!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yuto earns 0)

Yuto wants to be a great striker, but Goto proved you can be a hybrid! The Goto Revolution gets one last victory in the G1, can he still be the oldest wrestler to win this tournament next year? Will Yuto take this loss and learn from it?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Yota Tsuji VS Jake Lee!

The IWGP Heavyweight Champion is a step away from making it to the playoffs while The Silent Jester is out of the running. However, Jake could still win himself a golden ticket to the title. Will Jake still get the biggest win of the entire G1? Or will Yota be on fire in the final round?

Jake is back to his “Just a Fan” shtick, but the ref insists he get in the ring already. Jake reluctantly obeys, and he shows the ref he has nothing sneaky on him. The bell rings, Yota runs up, and he RANAS Jake! The fans cheer, Jake stumbles to a corner, and Yota hurries to climb up! Yota rains down elbows, winds up at nine to hit TEN! The fans applaud, but Jake fights the suplex. Jake wrenches free, but Yota KNEES low! Yota runs, but ducks ‘n’ dodges Jake to LARIAT! The fans fire up with Yota, and he pushes Jake to a cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Jake stays in this, and Yota paces around. Yota grabs the legs and he fights to turn Jake over.

Jake kicks, kicks, and kicks free. Jake swings, but Yota blocks and spins Jake around. Yota reels Jake in, but it’s Jake who suplexes Yota! The fans cheer while both men are down. Jake scowls as he sits up, and he brings Yota up to KNEE low! Jake whips, Yota reverses, but Jake GAMANGIRIS! The fans cheer and Jake paces around. Yota goes to a corner, but Jake takes aim! But then he decides to not use Face Break Shot, and he brings out a marker! Jake goes after Yota’s face, but Yota stops Jake from doodling on him! Yota BODY BLOWS, but Jake kicks low in return! Jake back suplexes, Yota lands out, and Yota SUPERKICKS!

Yota whips, Jake reverses, and Jake KNEES low, to then wrench and KNEE the arm! Jake wrangles Yota into a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Yota endures, scrambles around, and reaches out, but Jake bends fingers! Yota still fights, so Jake shifts for a mounted armbar! Jake twists the wrist, then cording holds as part of the lock! Yota shifts, but Jake uses that to have the ARMBAR! Then the omoplata! Yota rolls into the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Jake lets go in frustration. Jake smooths his hair while Yota goes to a corner. Jake encourages the fans to cheer, then he stomps Yota down. Jake drags Yota up, wrenches, and whips him to the corner.

Jake runs in, he blocks Yota’s boot, but Yota reels him in. But Jake stops the stomps and twists the foot, to then BITE the foot! The ref reprimands, but Jake puts the leg in the ropes, and KICKS the thigh! Yota falls over, clutches that foot, but Jake goes out the side. Jake wrenches the arm and KNEES it again! The fans applaud, Jake mockingly applauds, then he goes around the way. Jake steps towards Daiki Nagai, who goes up the ramp. Jake stalks Daiki for a moment, then goes back to the ring. Jake hurries to stomp Yota back down, then paces. Yota sits up as he shakes out the bad arm, and the two reset.

Yota fires a forearm, then another, but Jake smiles and wags his finger. Yota fires another shot, but Jake CLUBS the bad arm! Jake then wrenches and ELBOW BREAKERS! Jake hits another ELBOW BREAKER, then another, but Yota makes it a SLEEPER! But Jake JAWBREAKERS free! Only to swing into the BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER, and CURB STOMP! The fans cheer the Gene Combination while Yota goes to the corner. Yota shakes out the bad arm, then fires up. The fans are with Yota as he stands Jake up for a flurry of forearms. Yota whips, Jake reverses, but Yota jukes to arm-drag! Jake tumbles out and the fans rally up again.

Yota builds speed and DIVES into a guzel! Jake drags Yota from the apron to then APRON CHOKE SLAM! The fans cheer while Yota writhes, and Jake has Daiki move so he can go looking under the ring. Seems what Jake wants isn’t on that side, so he brings Yota around the way. Jake whips Yota into the railing, then he goes looking again. Yes, Jake finds what he wants, and he stands Yota up. Jake traps Yota’s arms in the railing, and then uses face paint to give Yota the Joker smile, just as Jake had last round! Jake CHOPS Yota, and brings the “sad clown” around the way to then POST him! Jake then brings Yota around and puts him in the ring. Jake cocky covers, TWO!

The fans rally as Yota sits up but he’s not smiling. Yota stands, stares Jake down, and Jake seems wary of Yota suddenly. Yota even bends over to keep his eyes on Jake as he goes behind Yota. jake says don’t mess around, and he fires a forearm! Yota comes back, right into Jake’s chest. Jake fires another forearm, Yota leans on Jake, repeat! The fans rally as Jake gets mad now as he throws forearms! Yota CHOPS! Jake staggers away while the fans fire up! Yota smiles now, and he storms up on Jake in the corner. Yota DRIBBLES Jake off buckles, then whips corner to corner. Yota LARIATS Jake, then DRIBBLES him off more buckles!

The ref counts but Yota’s done as Jake sits down. Yota gives Jake some Good Vibrations, but stops as the ref counts. Yota runs corner to corner. and METEORA! Jake sputters as he goes to the apron, and Yota steps out to join him. Yota jumps up to APRON STOMP! Jake flops to the floor, and Yota takes a moment to catch his breath. Yota then goes up the corner!? The fans rally as Yota smiles and takes aim, SUPER DOUBLE STOMPS!! The fans fire up with Yota as he puts Jake back in! Yota then aims from the corner as Jake rises up, GENE- NO, Jake sends Yota into the corner! Then GERMANS! Then he steals the CURB STOMP!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Yota sits up, smiles again, and he meets Jake at center. They stand up, then Yota fires a forearm! Jake fires back, so Yota fires another! The forearms go back and forth, and they’re both laughing now! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and Yota fires a flurry! Jake fires back, then guzels, but Yota HEADBUTTS! Jake guzels again anyway, to CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Jake hurries to suplex, D4C! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives and the fans fire up! Jake hurries to whip Yota back to a corner, but then Yota comes back to GENE BLASTER!! Cover, TWO!! Jake survives and the fans fire up!

Yota shouts as he rises up, and the fans cheer as he roars. Yota brings Jake up, reloads, and GENE- KNEE!! Jake turns things around, then KNEES again! Yota is up, but Jake ROUNDHOUSES! FACE BREAK- NO, Yota dodges! Then FIRE BLASTER into the corner!! Yota drags Jake to a cover, Yota wins!

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

Jake tried to make a mockery of Yota, but his revenge was denied! Yota is still in the game, but will his fire be extinguished before the end?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Boltin Oleg VS Great-O-Khan!

The NJPW Strong Openweight Champion is at the doorstep of the playoffs, but he still has to win to get in. Will Oleg leave the Dominator behind BARS? Or can Khan conquer the Kazakhstani juggernaut in the end?

The bell rings, the two circle, and the fans rally up. They feel things out, but Khan backs away to the ropes. Oleg backs away, Khan resets with him, and the two go again, only for Khan to back up to ropes again. The ref has Oleg back off, but then Khan SPITS at Oleg! Oleg rushes Khan, but Khan CLAWS Oleg’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Khan says shut up, then he whips Oleg corner to corner. Oleg comes back to RUN Khan over! And then SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer Oleg on as he brings Khan up. Oleg ROCKS Khan, CHOPS him in the corner, and the fans fire up. Oleg whips Khan corner to corner, and Khan hits buckles chest first.

But wait, Khan is already untying the buckle pad! Oleg runs up, Khan dodges and takes the pad away! Oleg hits bare steel! Khan then SMACKS Oleg on the back! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Khan acts like it was an honest mistake. Khan goes out and talks trash on Oleg before he whips him hard into railing! Oleg slumps down, but Khan drags him up to whip him into more railing! Oleg falls, Khan drags him back up, but the fans rally for Oleg. Khan whips Oleg into even more railing! Oleg is down in a heap and the ref reprimands Khan, but Khan pushes the ref aside to drag Oleg up again. Khan whips and sends Oleg into railing again!

The fans boo as Khan complete his lap around the ring, then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan brings out a chair, the ref reprimands again, but Khan still puts the chair around Oleg’s head! The ref stands in the way, but Khan shoves him away again! Khan POSTS Oleg, chair into the neck!! The fans boo even harder but Khan just flips them all off. Khan then uses the chair to sit on Oleg! The ref reprimands, Khan argues with him, then Khan stands up. Khan drags Oleg up, brings him around and puts him in the ring. The fans rally but Khan kicks Oleg over for a cover, ONE! Oleg is tougher than all that and the fans applaud.

Khan kicks at Oleg, but Oleg stands up. Khan eggs Oleg on, but then Oleg falls for the trip! The fans boo while Khan laughs, and he brings Oleg around. But Oleg kicks low! Oleg ROCKS Khan, ROCKS him again, but Khan Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian Chops! And then Khan winds up, but Oleg blocks to steal Mongolian Chops! And a SAMOAN DROP! Both men are down and the fans rally up! Khan writhes and rolls to a corner while Oleg goes to the other. Oleg runs corner to corner and SPLASHES! Oleg then gut wrenches, but Khan stomps a foot! Khan UPPERCUTS, but Oleg SHOTGUNS! Then kips up! The fans fire up with Oleg as he has Khan in the drop zone.

Oleg goes up, up, and VADER BOMBS! Cover, TWO! Khan survives but the fans cheer Oleg on. Oleg huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Khan by his legs. Khan clings to the ropes and the ref counts the break. Oleg lets go, Khan bails out, and Oleg goes out after Khan. But Khan sneaks the chair! Khan JAMS Oleg up, then brings him out through the gate! Fans hurry aside, and Khan whips Oleg into the chairs! Not quite a strike, but Khan just grabs more metal chairs. Khan pushes the ref aside, then he sits a chair up. Khan SMACKS Oleg off the seat, then winds up with the other! GOLF SWING! The fans boo while Oleg coughs and sputters.

Khan SPITS on Oleg, then leaves him behind. Khan goes looking for more plunder, and he brings out a table! The fans rally for Oleg but Khan adds another table! Khan sets both tables up side-by-side, then fetches Oleg. Khan uses Oleg to refresh the ring count, just to drag him back out to the apron. Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW, but Oleg ROCKS Khan! Oleg then scoops Khan to THROW him into the ring! The fans cheer as Oleg then stalks Khan, and deadlifts him for the gut wrench! Oleg gets one shake but Khan gut wrenches back! Khan shakes but Oleg turns that around to shake Khan! And shake, and shake, and THROW! Cover, ONE!!

The fans rally as Oleg keeps after Khan, but Khan CLAWS Oleg’s eyes! Then he hits a fireman’s carry takeover! But then Oleg returns the favor with a fireman’s carry takeover! Khan pulls on an ear, CLUBS it, then hits a BELLY2BELLY! Khan clinches again, but Oleg uses that to BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up as the two stand again! They clinch, fight for control, and they end up on the ropes. Khan uses that momentum, but Oleg stops it. Oleg tries but then Khan stops the throw! Khan stomps on a foot, then he hits the BELLY2BELLY! Khan roars, but Oleg is right up! Khan clings to ropes to stop the German Suplex!

Khan kicks at Oleg’s legs, but Oleg’s too strong! GERMAN SUPLEX! Khan stands, Oleg stands, but then they both fall over, and the fans fire up! The fans rally as Oleg stirs, and he rolls to a corner. Oleg aims at Khan, runs up, and LARIATS! Khan stays up and eggs Oleg on. Oleg runs, but Khan BOOTS him! Oleg rebounds to LARIAT Khan down! The fans fire up with Oleg and he drags Khan up. Oleg fireman’s carries, Khan slips free, and he shoves Oleg into the ref! Then he whips Oleg into the bare buckles! The fans boo but Khan says he’s just that smart. Khan goes outside, he goes around the way, and he grabs another chair.

Khan brings the chair into the ring, waits on Oleg, and Khan winds up to JAM Oleg! Then he SMACKS Oleg on the back! The fans boo even harder but Khan SPITS at them! Khan then drags Oleg up, brings him around, and reels him in. Khan scoops, but Oleg slips free! Oleg then fireman’s carries, kicks the chair away, POINT-BLANK KAMIKAZE! The fans fire up as Oleg calls to the ref! The ref counts the cover, TWO!! Khan survives by nanoseconds but the fans rally up again! Oleg drags Khan up, reels him in, and lifts for a- NO, Khan grabs at the ref! Khan slips free, then pushes the ref aside so he can IRON RIGHT!!

Khan hauls Oleg up, scoops, and T T D!! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives and the fans fire up! Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW, and he drags Oleg up! ELIMI- NO, Oleg arm-drags free! And then fireman’s carries! THE VERDICT! Cover, TWO!! Khan survives and the fans fire up again! Oleg slaps himself to fire himself back up! The fans rally as Oleg drags Khan up, fireman’s carries, but Khan clings to the ropes! So Oleg decides to climb! The fans fire up as Oleg rises, but Khan CLAWS Oleg’s face! Khan hops down, but Oleg blocks the claw! ELBOW BREAKER! The fans fire up as Oleg then goes to the apron to get Khan!

The fans rally as Oleg looks to the tables! Oleg CHOPS Khan, then brings him up! But Khan fights free! Khan is in the ring, and he BOOTS Oleg! Oleg holds onto ropes as he wobbles on the apron! Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW! But Oleg powers it away?! And BOLTIN CLAW! Oleg SHOVES Khan away, but into the ref! The ref is down again, and Khan LOW BLOWS Oleg in the ropes! Oleg flops down while the fans boo again. Khan goes to the apron, drags Oleg up, and ELIMINATOR down through the tables!! The fans are shocked seeing Oleg down in the wreckage! The ref sees the aftermath, and he can only check on both men.

Khan and Oleg are able to continue, so a ring count begins. They’re still down past 5 of 20, and past 10! They’re still down as of 15, but Oleg finally reaches out! Oleg tries, but we’re at 17! Khan stirs at 18! Khan gets in at 19, but Oleg is still down!! KHAN WINS!

Winner: Great-O-Khan, by count out (gains 2 points; Oleg earns 0)

With what little energy he has left, Khan flips Oleg off, truly insult to injury. Khan is still the bottom of the block, but he can take satisfaction in knowing he just played spoiler to Oleg! Will Oleg have to fight even harder if he wants to prove he’s truly NJPW Strong?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Konosuke Takeshita VS Ryohei Oiwa!

And it all comes down to this! The Alpha has led this block for the majority of the round robin phase, but with Oleg out, the way is open for The Mullet! Essentially, win and you’re in, who makes it to the playoffs?

The bell rings and the two run up! They RAM shoulders, and RAM, and RAM again! The fans rally up as neither man backs down. Oiwa runs, but Konosuke BOOTS! Konosuke whips, Oiwa reverses, but Konosuke RAMS him! Oiwa rebounds to RAM Konosuke, Konosuke rebounds to RUN Oiwa over! The fans cheer as things keep moving, and Oiwa hits a headlock takeover! Konosuke keeps his shoulders up, fights to his feet, and powers up, but can’t power out! The #BigLock is already in action but Konosuke fires body shots. Konosuke powers out this time, but Oiwa RUNS Konosuke over! The fans cheer while Oiwa flexes.

Oiwa runs, then he drops down on Konosuke’s dropdown for a headlock! The fans rally as Konosuke endures. Konosuke fights up, powers up, and powers out again, to then drop down, hurdle, and roll, only for Oiwa to stack it for a cover! TWO, and Oiwa hits another headlock takeover! Konosuke headscissors for a cover, TWO! Oiwa runs up, Konosuke dodges to RANA! Oiwa tumbles out of the ring, and Konosuke builds speed! The fans rally up, but Oiwa intercepts Konosuke for a headlock! The fans cheer, but Red Shoes reprimands, they’re in the ropes. Konosuke POSTS Oiwa, and Oiwa falls to the floor.

Konosuke catches his breath before he goes out and fetches Oiwa. Konosuke drags Oiwa up, whips, but Oiwa reverses! Konosuke reverses, Oiwa reverses, then Konosuke ROCKS Oiwa! Konosuke whips but Oiwa stops short of the railing! Konosuke runs up, but Oiwa again catches him to a headlock. Konosuke RAMS Oiwa into the apron! Konosuke is free, but Oiwa clamps back on again! Konosuke RAMS Oiwa into the apron again, but Oiwa shifts to DDT on the floor! The fans fire up with Oiwa, and he rolls back into the ring. Konosuke is still down so the ring count starts. The fans rally and Konosuke rises at 5 of 20.

Konosuke stands at 9, leans on the railing, but he rolls in at 11. Oiwa SENTONS! Cover, ONE!! The fans applaud and Oiwa stays cool as he brings Konosuke up. Back to the headlock, but Konosuke hits a BIG back suplex! The fans rally as Konosuke rises again. Konosuke brings Oiwa up, fires forearms, then whips. Oiwa reverses, but Konosuke TAKESHITA LINES! The fans cheer and Konosuke goes back to Oiwa. Konosuke stands Oiwa up, puts him on the ropes, then BODY BLOWS! And BODY BLOWS! And BODY BLOWS again! Konosuke whips but Oiwa grabs Konosuke outta the backdrop to send him to the corner. Oiwa runs up, but Konosuke BOOTS him down!

Konosuke goes up and SUPER SENTONS, but onto knees! The fans fire up as Oiwa hurries to TENZAN PLEX! Cover, TWO! Konosuke is still in this, but Oiwa clamps on the BIG LOCK! Konosuke endures, even as Oiwa puts on the pressure! Konosuke fights up, pries at the hold, but Oiwa powers it on tighter! Konosuke tries again, but Oiwa just powers the hold back on! Konosuke tries a third time, Oiwa tries to power up again, but Konosuke pushes through to wrangle him with the top wristlock! Double knuckle lock cover, TWO as Oiwa gets an arm up! Konosuke pushes that arm down, cover, TWO as Oiwa gets the other arm up!

It takes a lot, but Konosuke powers that arm down for the cover, TWO as Oiwa bridges! The fans cheer as Oiwa then rises up from that bridge, but Konosuke then forces Oiwa down. Oiwa is kneeling but not for long as he powers up again! Oiwa makes Konosuke kneel, but then Konosuke powers up, throws Oiwa over, and uses that to double pump handle. Then from there, Konosuke shifts to a wheelbarrow! Tuck and BASTARD DRIVER!! Then the WHEELBARROW- BIG LOCK!! Oiwa has the headlock again! Konosuke rises up, powers up, and SAIDOS free! The fans rally as Oiwa is right back up!

Oiwa runs up, but into a clinch! EXP- NO, Oiwa makes it a cradle, TWO! Both men hurry up and Oiwa hooks the arms to backslide! TWO, WAGA- NO! Oiwa blocks the knee, trips, jackknife, but Konosuke rolls through to sit on the cover! TWO!! The fans fire up as Oiwa escapes! Both men crawl, and Konosuke goes to ropes. Oiwa stands, fires up, and he runs in, but into a BOOT! Oiwa spins the other way, but into the EXPLODER! The fans fire up again as Konosuke brings Oiwa up, clinches, and EXPLODERS! Cover, TWO! Oiwa is tougher than that and the fans fire back up. Konosuke calls his shot, and he drags Oiwa up.

Konosuke reels Oiwa in, but Oiwa clamps on the BIG LOCK!! Konosuke endures the mighty headlock, powers Oiwa to a corner, but Oiwa uses that for a TORNADO TAKEOVER! Cover, TWO! Konosuke sits up in time and the fans rally again. Oiwa grinds the hold but Konosuke rises up. Konosuke powers up again, goes to the corner, but Oiwa TORNADO- BACK SUPLEX! Konosuke uses Oiwa’s idea against him! The fans fire up while both men are down! Konosuke and Oiwa crawl to opposite ends, and the fans rally up. Konosuke and Oiwa go to the corners, then Konosuke runs up to forearm SMASH!

Konosuke snapmares Oiwa, takes aim, WAGA- NO, Oiwa slips around! Konosuke ELBOWS free, runs, but Oiwa dodges! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! Konosuke fires a forearm, Oiwa returns fire, and the fans rally as the shots go back and forth! Konosuke fires boxing elbows, then runs, ALPHA ELBOW! ROLLING- FOREARM from Oiwa! Konosuke BACKHANDS, ELBOWS, then- HEADBUTT from Oiwa!! Konosuke falls back and the fans are thunderous! Konosuke is dazed as he sits up, but Oiwa is all fired up! Oiwa runs in at the corner, THE GRIP in the corner! The fans fire up with Oiwa again and he gets moving!

Oiwa spins, but into the ALPHA ELBOW!! Oiwa drops to his knees, Konosuke aims, WAGAMAMA KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa survives and the fans are thunderous again! Konosuke hurries to suplex, RAGING- NO, Oiwa fights free, trips Konosuke, and steps over! ROY CLUTCH! TWO!!! Konosuke gets free just in time! Oiwa rises, Konosuke runs in, but Oiwa dodges! O’Conner and CHAOS THEORY!! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Konosuke narrow escapes again, to where even he has to check with Red Shoes! But then the BIG LOCK!! Konosuke SAIDOS! But Oiwa still holds on! Konosuke endures the Big Lock while the fans are going nuts!

Oiwa puts on the pressure, but Konosuke fights up, pries at the hold, but Oiwa wrenches to HEADBUTT! AND BIG LOCK!!! The fans are electric as Konosuke is down and Oiwa grinds him into the mat! Red Shoes checks, but Konosuke fights! Konosuke powers up, up, and fires furious fists from all sides! Konosuke power sup and out, then scoops, BLUE- BIG LOCK!!! The fans are going nuts again, but Konosuke powers up and out! Oiwa hits THE GRIP!!! Cover, OIWA WINS!!!

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

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, and Oiwa found a way to knock down The Alpha! But that means there are three men standing at 6-3 with 12 points. But given the head-to-head showdowns, that means A Block will be lead by Yota Tsuji, and with Ryohei Oiwa making it as the second seed! Will Konosuke have to settle for being All Elite?

As for Oiwa, he gets the mic and he asks Konosuke to wait. “When we first faced each other, you said, ‘Worldwide Takeshita is strong.’ But today, it was NJPW’s Oiwa that was stronger!” The fans cheer that! Oiwa says they’re 1-1, and if Konosuke is part of NJPW, then let’s keep fighting and lighting it up! The fans cheer, and Konosuke nods before heading out. The fans cheer Oiwa on, he thanks Hamamatsu for that, and says today’s match was incredibly brutal. But it’s thanks to the fans cheering that he won, and that isn’t lip service. Their cheers kept him going, so thank you for that. The fans cheer again while Oiwa catches his breath.

Oiwa says from here on, the best pro-wrestling possible… He wants to build that with everyone! The fans applaud, and Oiwa says he came in with the qualifiers and grabbed his big dream, so now he will WIN the G1! It all belongs to The Grip, Ryohei Oiwa! The fans cheer, but will Oiwa make the playoffs mighty? Or will his grip loosen before the end?

Here are the FINAL A Block standings!

Yota Tsuji: 6-3, 12 points [FIRST SEED]
Ryohei Oiwa: 6-3, 12 points [SECOND SEED]
Konosuke Takeshita: 6-3, 12 points [ELIMINATED]
Boltin Oleg: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
SANADA: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Shingo Takagi: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Hirooki Goto: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Yuto-Ice: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Jake Lee: 3-6, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Great-O-Khan: 3-6, 6 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

A great final round for A Block, and some quite surprising results. Sanada and Goto spoiling things for Takagi and Yuto fit, Sanada and Goto are still good enough to get that much. Yota VS Jake was great, especially on character and continuity levels. Yota brought out an almost scary side as he and Jake had the face paint and were laughing while fighting, but great win for the world champion to stay alive. Khan getting to spoil things for Oleg was on par with Sanada and Goto, but I’m also a little surprised it wasn’t a count out draw with Khan also down. And then an awesome main event from Konosuke VS Oiwa. I suppose Konosuke losing out is fine, he has to get back to AEW for AEW stories, and this is a great opportunity for Oiwa. Who knows if he makes it to the finals, though.

My Score: 9/10