So close, you can almost taste it!

G1 Climax 36 has reached the semifinals! Our Final Four are Ryohei Oiwa, Callum Newman, Yuya Uemura, and IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Yota Tsuji!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 8 Man Tag: Bishamon, Taisei Nakahara & Masatora Yasuda VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Konosuke Takeshita, Taichi, El Desperado & Ryusuke Taguchi VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
• “Drilla” Dan Moloney & Daiki Nagai VS Gabe Kidd & Wheeler Yuta; Gabe & Yuta win.
• 10 Man Tag: Hontai VS Unbound Company; Hontai wins.
• Six Man Tag: Aaron Wolf, Boltin Oleg & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
• G1 Climax 36 Semifinal: Ryohei Oiwa VS Callum Newman; Oiwa wins and advances to the finals.
• G1 Climax 36 Semifinal: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura; Uemura wins and advances to the finals.
• Hiroyoshi Tenzan’s Retirement: Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Satoshi Kojima; Kojima wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

G1 Climax 36 Semifinal: Ryohei Oiwa VS Callum Newman!

The Mullet overcame Konosuke Takeshita while The Prince made Henare Kiss The Crown. But now, one step away from the finals, can Oiwa get a grip on the Climax? Or will even The Mighty have to Make Way?

In honor of his mentor’s retirement match main eventing, Oiwa wears his own version of the bull horns as he makes his entrance! And even before the bell, the crowd is all fired up for Oiwa. The bell rings and the two rush up! Oiwa dodges, Callum dodges, then Callum BOOTS! And BOOTS! Oiwa rebounds to RUN Callum over! Callum kips up, but Oiwa blocks a kick and ducks the enzigiri! Callum avoids the headlock, Oiwa avoids the double stomp, and Oiwa arm-drags for the armlock! The fans cheer that fast ‘n’ furious first exchange! Callum endures, fights up, and pulls hair. Callum whips Oiwa, then blows past him!

Callum handsprings through hip toss, trips Oiwa to a jackknife bridge, TWO! Oiwa arm-drags again! And again! And it’s back to the armlock! The fans cheer this second exchange, and Oiwa ELBOW DROPS the arm! Callum tries to chinbar in return but Oiwa slips through to wrench the arm, and LEG DROP on the elbow! Oiwa has the short arm scissor, and he pushes up for more leverage. The fans rally while Callum endures, and Callum fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! Oiwa lets go, then he brings Callum up. Oiwa wrenches and RAMS the shoulder, then RAMS again, and RAMS again! Callum goes to a corner but Oiwa stays on him.

Oiwa whips corner to corner, runs in, but Callum dodges to ROCK and ENZIGIRI! Oiwa flounders while the fans rally, but Callum goes outside. Callum gets space to run, and he hits a DRIVE-BY DROPKICK! The fans rally for Oiwa while he flounders to the floor. Callum moves slowly given the massive bruise from just last round. Callum stands Oiwa up, but Oiwa LARIATS! And ROCKS! Callum CHOPS back! The fans rally for Oiwa as Callum brings him around. Callum whips Oiwa into railing! Then BOOTS him over! Fans have to hurry out of the way as Callum storms through the gate. Callum stands Oiwa up and ROCKS him!

Oiwa sits in a chair, Callum CHOPS him, then Callum gets space to run again. Callum returns to DROPKICK Oiwa! Not quite a bowling strike but effective all the same. Callum leaves Oiwa behind and returns to the ring. The count begins as Oiwa stirs, and the fans rally up again. Oiwa rises at 7 of 20, hobbles forward, but has to crawl at 11! Oiwa manages to stand at 13, but Callum’s on the apron! EXCALIBUR to the floor! Oiwa writhes while Callum huffs ‘n’ puffs. Callum puts Oiwa back in the ring, then aims from a corner. RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Oiwa survives and the fans applaud, but Callum is just annoyed.

Callum hobbles and clutches the bad arm as he circles Oiwa. Callum scuffs Oiwa, then he mocks the fans cheering Oiwa on. Oiwa rises, he fires a forearm, but there’s not much there. Callum eggs Oiwa on, so Oiwa fires more forearms. Callum ROCKS Oiwa with just one! Oiwa drops to a knee but Callum brings him up. Callum vows to end this, PRINCE’S- NO, Oiwa fights the Curse and clamps on the BIG LOCK! Callum powers up but can’t power out! Callum tries a lift, but Oiwa hits a takeover! Callum headscissors, Oiwa kips free, and Oiwa CLOBBERS Callum! The fans fire up while both men are down again!

Oiwa rises as the fans rally up again, and he hurries to SENTON onto Callum! Cover, TWO! Callum toughs it out but the fans still rally behind Oiwa. Oiwa grabs onto an arm, drags Callum up, then wrenches to UPPERCUT the arm! Then UPPERCUT it again! Callum drops to a knee but Oiwa stands him up to UPPERCUT the arm again! The fans continue to rally as Oiwa wrenches the arm, WRINGS it out, and Callum flounders! Oiwa covers, TWO! Callum clutches his arm, but Oiwa brings him up again. Oiwa drags Callum up, hammerlocks, then RAMS the bad arm into buckles! Oiwa CHOPS Callum, CHOPS again, then whips, just to YANK the arm!

The fans cheer while Oiwa paces around Callum. Callum clutches the bad arm, which is already taped up, but Oiwa is right on him again. Oiwa wrenches, but Callum fires a forearm! Oiwa wrenches, wristlocks, but Callum fires a forearm! Callum endures, fires another shot, but Oiwa wrenches again! The fans cheer Oiwa on, but Callum rips the shoulder tape away! Callum fires a flurry of forearms, but Oiwa unleashes a flurry of wrenches! Then he YANKS the arm, and DEATH- NO, Callum slips free! But Oiwa ducks the buzzsaw to SNAP GERMAN! Callum is right up, and he SNAP GERMANS! Oiwa is right back up, but Callum KNEES him!

Oiwa SWATS the kick, and hits the TENZAN PLEX! The fans are thunderous as both men are down again! The two crawl to corners and the fans rally up. Oiwa rises, he runs in, but Callum BOOTS and ENZIGIRIS, then SUPERKICKS! Callum fires an elbow, then a ROLLING ELBOW, and Oiwa falls over! Callum snarls as he brings Oiwa up, and he ROLLING- HEADBUTT! Oiwa wobbles but he stays standing while Callum drops down! Oiwa roars, he brings Callum up, but Callum blocks a lariat, blocks another, then ducks the third! Oiwa ducks one, but Callum ducks The Grip! OSCU- SLAM DUNK!! The fans fire up as Oiwa turns things around on Callum!

Oiwa then reaches down, deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Callum survives but the fans are thunderous for Oiwa! Oiwa grits his teeth as he rises up, and Callum goes to a corner in a daze. Callum stands up slowly, Oiwa runs in, CORNER GRIP! Oiwa keeps moving, but Callum catches him to a fireman’s carry! SAMOAN DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Oiwa survives and Callum clutches his arm. The fans rally while both men are down. Callum sits up, unwraps his wrist, and shows off the tattoo. Callum SPITS at the fans still cheering Oiwa, and he hobbles his way over. Callum stands Oiwa up, KISS THE CROWN!!

But Callum doesn’t cover, he wants to make a point! Callum fireman’s carries, MAKE- ARM-DRAG! Oiwa then has the arm, DEATH ROLL! Oiwa doesn’t stop there, he clamps onto the arm! Callum fights the turnover so it’s a COBRA ARC CLUTCH COMBO! Callum endures, reaches out, but now it’s a COBRA BIG LOCK!! Callum rises, but Oiwa WRANGLES Callum back down! The fans rally harder but Callum pulls hair! Callum powers up and out, SUPERKICKS, but THE GRIP finds him!! High stack, TWO!! Callum survives and the fans are thunderous as Oiwa rises again! Oiwa drags Callum up, gut wrenches, and DOC- NO, Callum slips free!

Callum SHOVES the ref at Oiwa! Oiwa pushes the ref aside, Callum LOW BLOWS! Cradle, TWO!!! Oiwa escapes with nanoseconds to spare! Callum is furious but the fans are thunderous for Oiwa! Callum rises, aims, and RUNNING KNEE!! Cover, TWO!!! But Callum brings Oiwa right up! PRINCE’S CURSE!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Oiwa survives and Callum is in disbelief! Callum drags Oiwa up again as the fans are electric! Callum reels Oiwa in, lifts, but Oiwa pops free! BIG LOCK!!! The fans rally even harder as Oiwa grinds Callum down to the mat! Callum endures, fights up, fires body shots, but he cannot power out!!

Oiwa puts on all the pressure he can but Callum still endures! The fans rally harder and harder but Callum fires shots. Callum powers out this time, THE GR- KISS THE CROWN!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Oiwa shocks everyone again, and Callum can’t even understand it! Callum just stands Oiwa up, to KISS THE CROWN!! Callum brings Oiwa up again, fireman’s carries, and MAKE- BIG LOCK!!! Oiwa THRASHES, Callum fires body shots, and Callum wrenches to KNEE and HEADBUTT! But then DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fire up, and they DOUBLE LARIAT! And then THE GRIP!!!! Cover, OIWA WINS!!

Winner: Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Truly, The Mighty Don’t Kneel, and they do not give up! Oiwa dug deep and has reached new heights! But will he be able to get a grip on that G1 trophy?

G1 Climax 36 Semifinal: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura!

One half of the finals is set, and now we set the other! The Gene Blast wants to be among the IWGP Heavyweight Champions that have won this tournament, but he must weather The Heat Storm to do it. Will Yota be the one to set G1 on fire? Or will Yuya shine as the new sun of NJPW?

The bell rings and the fans rally up already as the two stare down. The chants sound rather even between Team Yota and Team Yuya, and the two circle. They feel things out, go around, and Yuya goes to waistlock, only for Yota to wrench and switch. Yuya drops down to switch, then he floats to a facelock. Yota wrenches free but Yuya backs away, and the fans cheer the standoff. They reset, tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, then Yota headlocks. Yuya powers up and out, but Yota RUNS Yuya over! The fans applaud, and Yota runs the ropes. Yuya drops down, hurdles, then arm-drags! Yuya arm-drags again, then arm-drags again, and has the armlock!

The fans applaud while Yuya grinds Yota down. Yota endures, moves around, and fights up. Yuya keeps after the arm, but Yota goes to the ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, Yuya lets go, but then Yuya whips. Yota reverses, but Yuya ELBOWS first! Yuya runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Yuya scrambles away to the apron but Yota paces. The fans rally as Yuya checks his back. Yota waits while Red Shoes checks with Yuya. Yuya is okay to continue, so Yota stands Yuya up. Yota ROCKS Yuya in the back, then brings him around to scoop for the BACKBREAKER! Yuya clutches his back as he goes to the ropes.

The fans continue to rally as Yota brings Yuya up. Yota has the cravat, then snapmares so he can clamp onto the arms. Yota turns Yuya over for a CAMEL CLUTCH! Yuya endures being bent back, and he frees an arm. Yota lets go already to ELBOW DROP the back! Cover, TWO! Yuya toughs it out and the fans applaud. Yota paces, then he stomps Yuya back down. The fans continue to duel as Yota stomps Yuya again. Team Yuya gets a little louder now but Yota has Yuya on the ropes. Yota stands Yuya up, then pulls the arms. Yota winds up to CHOP! Yuya drops down as he clutches his chest but the fans rally back up.

Yota returns to eggs Yuya on, and Yuya stands. Yuya fires a forearm, and another, and another! Yota kicks low, whips Yuya to ropes, but Yuya YANKS the arm! Yuya whips to SAYANAGI, then ARM SCREW! The fans cheer again while both men are down. Yuya rises first, and he storms up on Yota to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP again! Yuya wrenches, whips, but Yota reverses! Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags again! And DROPKICKS! The fans cheer as Yuya hits the sun pose! Yota goes to a corner, Yuya runs in, and STINGER SPLASHES! Then he HALF HATCH PLEXES! Cover, TWO! ARMBAR! Yota clasps hands, then scrambles to the ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer while Yuya lets go in frustration. Yuya backs away and he waits on Yota. Yota sits up, but Yuya goes after the arm. Yuya wrenches, reels Yota in, but Yota fights the back suplex. Yota then gets around to ROCK Yuya in the back! The fans cheer as Yuya drops to the mat! Yota waits on Yuya now, and Yuya crawls. Yota runs to WRECK him with a baseball slide dropkick! The fans cheer as Yuya tumbles out, and then Yota builds speed again! Yota DIVES and direct hit into the railing! The fans fire up as Yuya staggers around! Yota puts Yuya in the ring, then drags him up for a whip into another corner.

Yota runs corner to corner, GENE TRIGGER! Yota snapmares Yuya, then goes up! MARLOWE CRUSH! Cover, TWO! Yuya survives but Yota brings him around for the BOSTON CRAB! Yuya endures as Yota sits deep! The fans rally harder as Yuya fights his way forward! But Yota drags him back! Yuya still fights, powers his way forward again, and has the ROPEBREAK! Yota lets go, catches his breath, and the fans continue to rally. Yota stretches before he brings Yuya up. Yota clinches, but Yuya fights the lift with elbows! Yota CHOPS! Then he clinches again, SILVER- NO, Yuya throws Yota down for the ARMBAR!

The fans rally as Yota fights around, but Yuya drags him back to center! DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Yota endures, reaches out, but Yuya puts on the pressure! The fans rally as Yota keeps going, and he reaches out again, ROPEBREAK! Yota escapes by a literal foot, but Yuya fires himself back up. The fans cheer, and Yuya drags Yota up. Yuya clinches, but Yota fights the lift! Yuya’s back hurts so he stops trying the lift. Yota brings Yuya around, but Yuya swings! Only into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! CURB- NO, Yuya avoids the stomp to ROCK Yota! Yuya runs, but Yota SUPERKICKS! Yota runs, but Yuya DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while both men are down again!

Red Shoes checks and both men are able to continue. Yota sits up first, and he crawls away to a corner. Yuya rises up, he runs in, and he CHOPS in the corner! Yuya reels Yota in but Yota fights the lift! Yota runs, but Yuya reels him right back in for a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up, Yuya crawls to the cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yuya, and he brings Yota around. Yuya full nelsons, but Yota powers up to break it open! But then Yuya powers up to put it back on! Yota breaks free, ELBOWS, but Yuya ENZIGIRIS! And GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Yota survives but Yuya hurries to the corner! The fans rally as Yuya climbs!

Yota stands, into the LION- NO, Yota dodges! GENE- DROPKICK from Yuya! Yuya hurries to clamp onto the arms! But Yota fights the cording hold, only for Yuya to full nelson! DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Yota survives but Yuya roars, and the fans fire up again! Yuya drags Yota up, clamps onto the arms, but Yota uses the swing to throw Yuya off! Then Yota reels Yuya in, suplex and ORANGE CRUSH! Both men are down as the fans fire up again! Red Shoes checks and the fans rally up as Yota and Yuya stir. It’s Yota who rises first, and he has a smile on his face. The fans rally again as Yota then aims from the corner.

Yuya rises up, Yota runs up, and he SMACKS Yuya, then BLINDSIDE BLASTER! Yota gets the legs, and he turns Yuya over for the BOSTON CRAB!! Yuya endures as Yota sits deep! The fans rally harder and harder as Yuya pushes up! But Yota puts on more pressure as he leans back! Yuya still endures, pushes up again, and he fights forward! But Yota drags him back from the ropes! Yota’s arms are running out of power to hold Yuya down! Yuya pushes up as the fans rally even harder, but then ends up in an almost WALLS OF JERICHO! Yuya endures as Yota has that higher angle on the hold, but he’s losing his grip again!

Yuya slips under, so Yota KNEES him in the back! Yota drags Yuya up, clinches, and URENAGE BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Yuya is down! Yota roars, paces around, and he grabs the legs again. But Yuya flips to make it a victory roll, TWO!! Yota escapes just in time! The fans rally again as Yota brings Yuya around, has the legs, but Yuya reaches up! Yuya traps Yota’s arm with his legs to TWEAK it! Yota comes back, but into a takedown! Yuya has the legs, and he turns Yota over! BOSTON CRAB!! The fans cheer as Yuya puts on the pressure now! Yota fights around, but Yuya drags him to center! And he sits deep!

Yota fights, but his arm is failing him! Yota still tries with the good arm, so Yuya lets go and traps the bad arm! Yuya ties up the legs, and has a CLOVERLEAF! Yota endures, reaches out, even grabs at Red Shoes, but Yuya keeps on the hold! Yota uses his good arm to push around, reach out, and fight to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Yuya lets go in frustration. Yuya then hurries to a corner, goes up top, and LION’S SHINE SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives, so Yuya goes back up the corner! Yota stands, into the LION’S SHINE- GENE BLASTER!! Cover, TWO!! Yuya survives his mistake and the fans are thunderous!

Yota huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Yuya up. Yota puts Yuya on the top rope, climbs up behind him, and sits him up! Yota dragon sleepers, for the INVERTED SUPERPLEX! Then the GENE BLASTER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Yuya survives and shocks everyone, especially Yota! The fans rally harder and harder as Yota rises, and he brings Yuya up. Yota runs from the corner, FIRE- NO, Yuya has the cording hold! Yota fires HEADBUTTS to fight the lift, but Yuya HEADBUTTS back! And DEADBOLT PLEXES! Yuya aims from a corner now, and SHINING ELBOW DROP!! The fans go nuts as Yuya goes back up top!

Yota is dazed, but Yuya hits the LION’S SHINE!! Sun pose, and Yuya drags Yota back up! Another cording hold, and another DEADBOLT PLEX!! Bridging cover, YUYA WINS!!

Winner: Yuya Uemura, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Yota may stand atop the mountain as the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, but he just got burned by the sun! Now he must wait for the winner of the finals to meet him down the line!

As for Yuya, Oiwa is already here to confront him! The fans cheer as the finalists meet face to face, but this rivalry has been building all year. Who will survive the Climax and set the new standard?

Hiroyoshi Tenzan’s Retirement: Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Satoshi Kojima!

In the shadow of the G1 shines the final moment of a living legend. The Fierce Bull has run his race, and no better way to end than to face his long time friend and teammate, the King of Bread Style! Will Tenzan stand tall one last time? Or will he look up at the lights before he rides off into the sunset?

Joining commentary for this special occasion is Yoshinari Tsuji, the iconic voice of NJPW during much of Tenzan’s career. Tsuji notes that clearly the G1 has a special place in Tenzan’s heart, given he’s won three separate ones, and Tsuji is honored to be back on commentary, just as he was when NJPW was on TV Asahi. He hopes everyone can simply take it all in and enjoy Tenzan’s final night. As such, there’s also another special guest joining him on commentary, someone who gave Tenzan hell over the years. It’s none other than Masahiro Chono! The fans cheer as Chono Black takes his seat with Tsuji, and speaks on the history he has with Tenzan.

After a video package, Kojima makes his entrance, and then of course, the man of the honor, Tenzan, makes his final entrance. The bell rings and the fans are fired up already! The two tie up collar ‘n’ elbow while the fans do the Tenzan hiss. The two break, reset, and tie up. Kojima headlocks, Tenzan powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! The fans cheer and hiss as Tenzan eggs Kojima on. Kojima runs and RAMS Tenzan! Tenzan runs and RAMS Kojima! Then Kojima CHOPS! Tenzan CHOPS! The CHOPS go back and forth, and Kojima gets the edge! Koijma CHOPS again and again, but Tenzan Mongolian Chops!

The fans cheer as Tenzan Mongolian Chops again! Though technically, they have to be renamed because of the whole issue with Great-O-Khan, but who cares? He’s retiring anyway, they’re still Mongolian Chops! Tenzan then RUNS Kojima over! The fans fire up with Tenzan, and he has Kojima in a corner. Tenzan stomps, HEADBUTTS, then HEADBUTTS again! Tenzan whips corner to corner, runs up, and LARIATS! Tenzan still has enough steam for that, and he reels Kojima in! And he hits a BIG suplex! The fans fire up as Tenzan then crawls to a cover, TWO! Kojima is tough but Tenzan clamps on the ANACONDA VICE!

The fans cheer as Tenzan squeezes tight with his signature hold! Kojima endures, fights around, and fights free! Tenzan rises up, and he points to the corner! The fans cheer, but also worried, because Tenzan’s calling for a flip! Tenzan climbs up, up, but Kojima CLUBS Tenzan! Kojima brings Tenzan down and stomps away. Kojima then CHOPS! And CHOPS! And MACHINE GUN CHOPS! The fans cheer the last time Tenzan will take these! Kojima unloads an extra big clip! Kojima whips but Tenzan blocks! Kojima still tries but Tenzan shakes his head. So Kojima CHOPS again! Kojima runs corner to corner, forearm SMASH!

The fans join in saying, “ICCHAZOU, KONOYAROU!” Kojima goes up, and COZY ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Tenzan survives and the fans cheer! Tenzan slowly rises but Kojima throws off his elbow pad! Kojima runs, but Tenzan falls! Kojima is worried for his friend, but the fans rally behind Tenzan. Kojima tells Tenzan to get up and fight, so Tenzan gets up and fights! Kojima runs, but Tenzan falls again! Kojima is frustrated and conflicted. Tenzan stands, and he HEADBUTTS the lariat! Then Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chop! Then Mongolian Chop! Tenzan calls his shot, but Kojima fights the scoop!

Kojima fires body shots, both men fall over, but Kojima hurries to get Tenzan back up! But Tenzan gets him for the TENZAN PLEX! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Tenzan crawls over, covers, TWO! Kojima is still in this, but Tenzan clamps back on! COBRA CLUTCH! Tenzan then shifts around, but Kojima fights it! The fans rally as Kojima fights around! Kojima reaches out, but Tenzan lets him go. Tenzan stomps Kojima, stands him up, and CHOPS! But Kojima eggs him on! Tenzan kicks and kicks, but Kojima CHOPS! Tenzan CHOPS back! The fans rally as the CHOPS go back and forth again! Then Mongolian Chop!

Tenzan Mongolian Chops again, but his legs are making it hard to stand! Tenzan refuses to stay down, and he Mongolian Chops again, and again! Kojima kicks, COZY CUTTER! Both men are down again but the fans rally back up! Kojima runs the ropes, COZY LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Tenzan survives and the fans are thunderous! Tenzan shakes his head, he will not let himself stay down! Kojima powers up again, and he runs the ropes, but Tenzan SWATS the lariat, HEADBUTTS, then Mongolian Chops again and again! Then a LARIAT! Tenzan crawls to the cover, TWO! Tenzan rises again, undeterred!

Tenzan HEADBUTTS again and again, but Kojima LARIATS him back down! Cover, ONE?!!? The fans are thunderous as Tenzan still has more left in the tank! Kojima’s a bit surprised, but he winds up to run again! COZY LARIAT!! Cover, Kojima wins!

Winner: Satoshi Kojima, by pinfall

Kojima still feels conflicted, but surely, Tenzan wouldn’t have it any other way. Tenzan fought the good fight, and now the celebration can begin. Kojima bows respect, he and Tenzan hug it out, and then Tenzan raises Kojima’s hand in victory. The fans cheer Tenzan as he stands and takes a bow. The final announcement is about to be made, but wait! Who’s coming out here?! Oh no, it’s IIZUKA! Takashi Iizuka has returned again! Someone hide Nogami! Iizuka storms in from the crowd, and as he reaches ringside, Tenzan has the mic to say he knew Iizuka would come! Tenzan asks Iizuka what he’s doing, get in the ring!

The fans cheer as Tenzan tells Iizuka come on, bring it already! Iizuka storms into the ring, and he kicks Tenzan down! The fans boo as Iizuka beats Tenzan down! Then he brings out the Iron Fingers! But Kojima makes the save with a COZY CUTTER! The fans cheer as #TenCozy gets Iizuka up, but Tenzan says no, it’s not for what Kojima thinks. Kojima falls back, and Tenzan grabs the mic again. Tenzan tells Kojima thanks, but please wait. He tells Iizuka, please wake up. Iizuka sits up as Tenzan tells him they have a brotherhood, a kinship, so please stand up. C’mon, Iizuka! The fans cheer for that!

Iizuka does stand but Tenzan says this is the last time in the ring, he knows that’s why Iizuka is here. So they gotta put this to bed with a handshake. C’mon! Iizuka stands, storms around, but Tenzan says this is the end one way or another, so this is their last chance. Tenzan says they were friends, so please… Please, Iizuka! Tenzan reaches out, the fans cheer, and Iizuka stares Tenzan down. The fans cheer as Iizuka fights the monster inside his mind, and Iizuka… reaches out to shake Tenzan’s hand! The fans cheer and Tenzan thanks Iizuka before they hug it out once and for all. Iizuka raises Tenzan’s hand in celebration!

Wait, Iizuka even goes to Nogami, and he shakes Nogami’s hand! TO THEN DRAG HIM OVER! Iizuka strips Nogami of his shirt, then leaves. Well, some things never change… From there, a chair is brought into the ring so Tenzan can take a seat while we have the retirement ceremony. Yuji Nagata is here and he leads the way for Hontai! Blue Justice naturally hands over a blue bouquet, and Kojima has a red one. The fans cheer as Third Generation poses together one last time. President Hiroshi Tanahashi is here to present a bouquet and shake Tenzan’s hand. Tenzan finally takes a seat as we get a video message.

It’s Koji Kanemoto! The former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion wishes he could be there today but he will have to settle for a video message. He hopes Tenzan remembers their “pre-debut” match and then they both went to the laundromat together. They talked about how excited they were to become pro-wrestlers, seeing a bright future for them both. A lot of laughs and memories shared. Kanemoto became a great Junior Heavyweight while Tenzan won the G1, and they were the top of NJPW. Then in 2013, Kanemoto left NJPW, but Tenzan’s been here the entire time. Tenzan had his injuries, and maybe that let Kanemoto overtake him overall.

Who knows, injuries can catch up to Kanemoto, too, but he will give it his best until then. He will always carries “Yamamoto-san” with him, but he hopes Hiroyoshi will still kick ass. The fans applaud that message, and Tenzan is even a little emotional. From here, Daisuke Miura is here, just as he was for Tiger Mask. Then we get Hiromitsu Kanehara, who was in the same NJPW training class as Tenzan, and encouraged him to keep going, even as he was struggling, and Kendo Kashin, also of the same generation. We even have Jun Akiyama, Hiroshi Hase, Keiji Mutoh, and the man that inspired Tenzan to be a wrestler, Riki Choshu!

But the guests keep coming as Tatsumi Fujinami is here! And though he’s been here the whole time, Masahiro Chono gets another introduction as he goes from commentary to the ring. The guests are all here, so Tenzan gets to sit back down, and Chono takes the mic. “GADDAMN! Tenzan.” Choshu holds Tenzan up and Chono asks what they’re doing. They’re not gonna beat Tenzan up on his last night! Maybe just a slap? Tenzan’s up for that! Chono says one last time! SLAP! The fans cheer and Chono shakes Tenzan’s hand as he says Tenzan did great work.

Chono admits, he thought Tenzan was gonna have a hard time just walking from the locker room to the ring. But Tenzan walked out here, stood in this ring, and fought until the very end. They rode together last month, talked about retirement, and the emotions Tenzan was feeling back then. Chono thought Tenzan was anxious, and had been for years. Tenzan, please, have a seat. The fans applaud as Tenzan grabs a chair, and Chono says he might be here for awhile. Chono even takes a seat. The fans applaud, and Chono continues by saying Tenzan struggled with this decision. Chono felt it then. Tenzan might even be anxious now.

“But this is just the beginning. Look at these legends. We are still fighting the world even in our old age.” The fans applaud that! Chono says first, he hopes Tenzan continues his treatment and rehab so he can get back to full health. The fans applaud, and Tenzan nods and bows. Chono says one last thing, and Tenzan can stay seated. Chono thanks Tenzan and bows to him! The fans applaud, and the legends take their leave. Tenzan takes the mic so he can close out. The fans cheer him on and he thanks them. Tenzan thanks them for coming to G1 Climax 36 tonight, and declares that he is indeed retiring from active competition.

Tenzan says looking back, he remembers watching pro-wrestling as a boy, and admiring it. He came to NJPW with a desire to become a pro-wrestler. Once he entered the dojo, it was so incredibly tough, he ran away immediately. But it was still his dream to be a pro-wrestler, so he went back. The fans applaud, and he says from his debut to right here, he fought with everything he had. “There were many truly tough times. But thanks to my peers, juniors, the company, and staff, I could make it this far.” The fans applaud, and Tenzan says he of course owes it all to the fans for getting him here.

“Ryogoku Sumo Hall holds a very special place in my heart. I’m very lucky to be able to wrestle my last match here in front of all of you.” The fans applaud again, and Tenzan says he dedicated himself to NJPW. Thank you for all of your support! The fans cheer as Tenzan gets a bit emotional, and he says he put in 35 years of work. So truly, thank you for supporting him! Tenzan bows to each side of the crowd as the fans applaud and cheer him on. With that, they hold a moment for the ten tolls of the bell, and one last outro from the announcer. Tenzan falls back but he says he’s alright. Tenzan then shakes hands and hugs it out with Hontai before they hoist him up for three cheers!

The Raging Bull no longer needs to rage, he has no regrets. Will there ever be another like him? Or is Hiroyoshi Tenzan truly one of a kind?

My Thoughts:

A great semifinals for the G1, and a great retirement night for Tenzan. As tradition, Tenzan lost, but the win was getting in the ring at all given his bad knee(s). Great list of guests to show up for him, great words of encouragement and praise from them, and a great final moment as a competitor. Tenzan can certainly still teach and train and maybe even do commentary, he’ll have a great second phase of his career. Then the G1, I didn’t think Oiwa was winning because Callum could’ve gone for a second. But it’s a great combination to have the “underdogs” come out, Oiwa VS Yuya is going to be a great final match that could go either way.

My Score: 9/10