Who truly sets the new standard?

The rivalry between Ryohei Oiwa and Yuya Uemura has been building, and now it reaches the Climax here in the G1 finals!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 8 Man Tag: YOSHI-HASHI, El Desperado, Ryusuke Taguchi & Masatora Yasuda VS The House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
• Togi Makabe & Toru Yano VS Francesco Akira & Zane Jay; Togi & Toru win.
• Six Man Tag: Boltin Oleg, Master Wato & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
• Six Man Tag: The Knock Out Brothers & Daiki Nagai VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• Shingo Takagi & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Gabe Kidd & Wheeler Yuta; Takagi & Drilla win.
• Konosuke Takeshita, Taichi & Satoshi Kojima VS SANADA, Ren Narita & Shun Skywalker; Sanada, Ren & Shun win.
• Hirooki Goto & YOH VS Yota Tsuji & Taiji Ishimori; Yota & Taiji win.
• G1 Climax 36 Finals: Yuya Uemura VS Ryohei Oiwa; Oiwa wins and will challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

PLAY BY PLAY

After Six Man Tag: The Knock Out Brothers & Daiki Nagai VS The United Empire…

It came down to the Unbound Young Lion taking the fight to The Prince, but he still had to MAKE WAY! Callum Newman wins it for the team, but Henare & Great-O-Khan still brawl with Yuto-Ice & Oskar! Yuto ROCKS Henare, then whips him hard into railing! Yuto then calls to Oskar, feed to AMBITION! Khan is down, and the former IWGP Heavyweight Champions snatch those belts! The fans cheer, but wait! TORU YANO & TOGI MAKABE ATTACK!? The Great Bash Heels want in on the conversation as they knock KOB down and take those belts! The fans like the look of that, too! Yuto smiles, and the brawl is back on!

Yuto fires off with the Rampaging Gorilla while Oskar chases The Clown Prince to the back! Yuto and Togi take things to the crowd, then towards the back! The fans cheer, will we see KOB and GBH fight it out to go after the Empire? Speaking of, Henare & Khan decide to just take their belts and go, but Callum hangs back. Callum whips Daiki hard into railing! The fans boo, Callum shoves other Young Lions aside, and even BOOTS Taisei Nakahara down. Callum is clearly upset Daiki pushed him as far as he did, and now Callum is going too far as he THROWS Daiki over railing! Callum puts Daiki in the ring, for EXCALIBUR!!

The fans boo but Callum grabs his sword! Callum sits Daiki up, and he threatens Daiki’s life! Gedo rushes in and tells Callum to calm down! Callum drops Daiki, and Gedo gets a mic. “Calm down, calm down, please. Lemme tell you. I know you’re strong. People know you’re strong. But… What’re you doing? Bullying my boy? Huh? You need to fix your attitude. Y’know what? This man can fix your attitude!” Callum thinks Gedo means himself, but Gedo grins as the music hits. JEFF COBB!? The Imperial Unit has returned, and Callum dares this monster to do something then! The fans fire up as Cobb stares Callum down, and Callum says yeah, okay.

Callum says this is Cobb’s one chance. Kiss the Crown, rejoin The United Empire. But Gedo holds up his fist, and Cobb CLOBBERS Callum! Cobb says Callum’s the reason The Empire’s falling apart! The fans cheer Cobb on, and Cobb makes sure Callum hears that. Callum goes to leave, but Cobb says choto matte! Cobb gives the Unbound fist bump! The fans cheer as Cobb has indeed changed allegiances, will he give Callum a very special Tour of the Islands?

Hiroshi Tanahashi steps into the ring.

President Ace is here to help present the special G1 Climax 36 Awards! One for Outstanding Performance, for Fighting Spirit, and for Technique, all voted on by the fans. Tanahashi says for Outstanding Performance, it’s Boltin Oleg! For Fighting Spirit, it’s Yuto-Ice! And for Technique, Ryohei Oiwa! The fans cheer, and Tanahashi thanks everyone for being here tonight. He will also join commentary for this main event, and with a special guest! Why, it’s Hiroyoshi Tenzan! The Raging Bull retired just last night, but why not keep the celebration going? Tenzan thanks everyone for the great moment last night. And now that he’s retired, he wants to watch with all the fans!

Tenzan wants everyone to get fired up and show their support for the finals of the 36th annual G1 Climax! C’MON!!

G1 Climax 36 Finals: Yuya Uemura VS Ryohei Oiwa!

It’s the moment of truth! The Heat Storm and The Mullet have battled each other on and off, but they meet here in the close of the tournament! They both want to set the new standard of Strong Style, but will The Sun shine tonight? Or will Oiwa get a grip on that trophy?

The bell rings and the fans fire up as the two step forward. They feel things out, back away, and reset. They feel out another grapple, knuckle lock, but then Yuya goes for a leg. Oiwa avoids the takedown, feels things out with Yuya to another knuckle lock, and the two go around. The fans applaud as the two stand off again, and the two reset. They feel out another knuckle lock, and the fans duel. Oiwa waistlocks, Yuya switches, but Oiwa pries free to switch. Yuya drops down, turns around, but Oiwa facelocks. Yuya powers Oiwa to a corner while the fans applaud. Red Shoes counts the break, and Oiwa lets go. Yuya pats Oiwa on the shoulders, then backs away.

Oiwa and the fans fire up again, and the two reset. They circle, tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and are in a deadlock. The fans rally as Yuya shifts to a headlock and Oiwa endures. Oiwa powers up but can’t power out! The fans cheer as Yuya is doing his own version of the Big Lock! Oiwa powers up again, but still can’t power out! Yuya grinds Oiwa down, but Oiwa endures and fights up. Oiwa powers up to lift, but Yuya hits a flying takeover! Oiwa keeps his shoulders up, and the fans rally as the two stand again. Oiwea powers Yuya to a corner but Yuya uses that to hit a TORNADO TAKEOVER! The fans cheer as Yuya has Oiwa back down!

Oiwa endures the grind, rolls Yuya to a cover, ONE! Yuya holds onto the headlock, but Oiwa tries the corner again. Yuya TORNADO- NO, Oiwa stops the takeover to pop free! Oiwa goes for the headlock, but Yuya slips through to get it right back! The fans cheer while Oiwa endures all over again. Oiwa fights up, pulls hair, and he powers out to then drop toehold! Oiwa floats over, but Yuya slips under to have the headlock again! The fans cheer as Yuya continues to get the better of Oiwa! Oiwa powers up, out, but Yuya cartwheels over! Oiwa headlocks for the takeover, Yuya headscissors, but Oiwa kips free! So Yuya gets the headlock back!

The fans cheer as Oiwa fights up, pries at the hold, but Yuya clamps on the headlock. Oiwa powers up, powers out, then runs the other way! Oiwa RUNS Yuya over! The fans cheer while Oiwa checks his chin. Oiwa runs to RUN Yuya over again, and again! The fans cheer as Oiwa then hits the headlock takeover! Oiwa blocks the headscissor this time, and he finally grinds Yuya down. Yuya rolls to a cover, TWO, and Oiwa holds on. Yuya endures, pushes at Oiwa, and the two stand up. Yuya powers up, out, but Oiwa RUNS him over! And adds a SENTON! Cover, TWO! But into the headlock! Oiwa grinds Yuya back down while the fans rally up.

Yuya fights up, up, and powers out to then drop down, hurdle, and CHOP! The fans fire up as Yuya then arm-drags Oiwa into an armlock! Oiwa keeps his shoulders up, tries for the headscissors, but Yuya shrugs those off to keep on the arm. Yuya drags Oiwa up, around, and grinds the arm. Oiwa arm-drags but Yuya arm-drags right back! The fans cheer as Yuya has Oiwa down again. Oiwa endures, fights around, and rises up again. Yuya grinds the arm, but Oiwa trips him, then ELBOW DROPS the leg! But Yuya wrangles Oiwa by the arm and drags him down again! The fans cheer while Oiwa endures again.

Oiwa fights up but Yuya puts on the pressure. Oiwa powers Yuya to a corner, Red Shoes calls the break, and Yuya lets go. Oiwa whips corner to corner, Yuya reverses, but Oiwa ELBOWS back! Oiwa runs, but Yuya arm-drags! Yuya has the armlock again and the fans cheer. Oiwa endures, even as Yuya shifts around and has a wristlock. Yuya wrenches, puts pressure on the wrist, but Oiwa still endures. The fans rally as Oiwa fights up, snapmares, but Yuya arm-drags! Oiwa gets up to snapmare again, but Yuya wrangles Oiwa again! Oiwa snapmares a third time, but Yuya wrangles him a third time! The fans cheer this technical masterclass!

Yuya shifts to a short arm scissors, but Oiwa keeps his shoulders up. Oiwa endures as Yuya puts on the pressure. Oiwa rolls, tucks Yuya for a cover, TWO! Yuya has the arm, and he rolls with Oiwa around and around! Then back to the short arm scissors! The fans rally as Oiwa endures, reaches out, and moves around. Oiwa powers Yuya into turning over, and he has Yuya’s legs! Oiwa turns short arm scissor into a leglock, then floats for the headlock, only for Yuya to slip out! The fans cheer as Yuya has the hammerlock! Yuya puts on the pressure, then SNAP LOCKS the arm! Oiwa endures as Yuya keeps on the hold.

Oiwa reaches back to headlock, but Yuya bridges through and moves back to the hammerlock. Oiwa tries again, but Yuya just bridges and moves back around. The fans rally harder and harder as Oiwa fights up to his feet. They go around and around, and Oiwa SLINGS Yuya into a corner! Oiwa runs, but into an arm-drag! But Oiwa headscissors, and he holds tight! Oiwa pushes up to put on the pressure! Yuya endures, bridges back, but Oiwa CHOPS him down! The fans cheer as Oiwa puts on more pressure. Yuya fights around, traps Oiwa’s legs, and pops free to then headlock. But Oiwa headscissors again! The fans cheer as Oiwa holds Yuya down again!

Yuya endures, even as Oiwa pushes up. Yuya moves around, headstands, and he rolls to the bridge! TWO, and both men stand! Oiwa has the headlock! Yuya endures, powers Oiwa to a corner, and Red Shoes calls the break. Yuya lets go, to CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! The fans cheer as Yuya whips corner to corner, then runs up, only for Oiwa to put Yuya on the apron! Oiwa has the BIG LOCK in the ropes! The fans cheer but Red Shoes counts. Oiwa drags Yuya into the ring! BIG LOCK! Yuya endures as the fans rally, and he fights up, only for Oiwa to shift to a cravat! Yuay stands, tries to break the hold, but Oiwa just holds on tighter!

Yuya tries the swim move again but Oiwa holds on. Yuya tries a third time, it’s still not enough! Oiwa then avoids the fourth to cravat! And the fifth! Yuya fires body shots, then rolls, but Oiwa holds on! Cravat cover, TWO! Yuya is free, he goes for an arm, but Oiwa whips. Yuya reverses to arm-drag and WRING the arm! Then a basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! The dueling is loud as it’s ever been, and it’s hard to tell which side has the lead. Yuya storms over to Oiwa, drags him up, and wrenches the arm. Yuya whips, Oiwa reverses, but Yuya goes up and over. Yuya arm-drags Oiwa, then dodges to CROSSBODY!

The fans fire up as Yuya DROPKICKS Oiwa, then hits his sun pose! The fans fire up again as Yuya walks around, trying to steady himself a bit. Oiwa drags himself up in a corner, but Yuya runs in! STINGER SPLASH! Then he reels Oiwa in, HALF HATCH! Cover, TWO! But Yuya steps over, traps an arm, and TWISTS! Then STOMPS, and SNAP LOCKS! Like Zack Sabre Jr. but even meaner! Yuya hurries to get Oiwa up and he wrenches the arm. Then the cording hold! Yuya swings Oiwa around, but Oiwa has the BIG LOCK! Yuya endures, so Oiwa shifts to the DDT! The fans rally again while both men are down.

Oiwa rises, drags Yuya up, and reels him into the gut wrench! But Yuya fights the lift! Yuya wrenches free, YANKS the arm, but then Oiwa hooks Yuya for a backslide! TWO, and Oiwa gut wrenches! DOCTOR BOMB! Cover, TWO! Yuya survives and the fans cheer. The fans rally harder and harder for Oiwa as he brings Yuya up. TENZ- NO, Yuya fights the suplex with elbows! Oiwa kicks, whips, but Yuya ducks ‘n’ dodges to LEAPING LARIAT! And then SAIDO! Yuya fires up, but Oiwa gets the TENZAN PLEX! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa crawls to the ropes, and the fans are thunderous as both he and Yuya rise up.

Oiwa and Yuya run up, Yuya ROCKS Oiwa! Yuya runs, but Oiwa ROCKS Yuya! Oiwa runs, but Yuya dodges! DOUBLE ARM-DRAGS cancel out! Yuya hurries to get the full nelson, but Oiwa breaks it open! Yuya powers it back on, but Oiwa powers it back open! But then Yuya GERMAN SUPELXES! Oiwa is right up to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Yuya ducks the lariat to DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya goes up the corner! LION’S SHINE SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa survives and the fans are electric! But Yuya says he’ll finish it now! Cording hold, cording hold, but Oiwa BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO!!

BIG LOCK!! The fans are thunderous again as Oiwa has the hold on tight! Yuya endures as Oiwa squeezes tight, then fights up to his feet! Yuya powers up, but he cannot power out! The BIG LOCK is on tight!! Yuya still endures, fights up again, and he hits a BIG back suplex! But Oiwa still has the BIG LOCK on!! The fans are erupting as Yuya endures and Oiwa puts on the pressure! Taichi is here, he shouts at Yuya to fight! Yuya claws at the mat, fights his way up, and slips around to pry the hold open! Oiwa powers it back on, but Yuya pries it open again! They wrench, Oiwa HEADBUTT! Yuya ENZIGIRIS! Then the cording holds! DEADBOLT PLEX!!

The fans are erupting again as Yuya aims from a corner! Oiwa rises, into the SHINING ELBOW!! But Yuya can’t make the cover, so he just goes up top! Yuya takes aim, for the LION’S SHINE FLOP!! Oiwa hurries after Yuya, B I G L O C K!!! Yuya endures, fights up, and he whips free, but THE GRIP into an arm-drag!? AND ARMBAR!!! Oiwa flails, reaches out, and he rolls to a stack! TWO, and Yuya wrenches the arm! It’s a powerful wristlock! Oiwa endures, even as Yuya twists! TMDK coaches Oiwa to shift around, but Yuya makes it a cover! TWO as Oiwa bridges! But Yuya puts more pressure on the arm! Yuya arm-drags, but then Oiwa ROCKS Yuya!

The fans are thunderous as we hit 30 MINUTES! These two are pushing each other to the brink as Oiwa LARIATS! And LARIATS! But Yuya wrenches to a wristlock! Is this a Big Wristlock?! The fans rally as hard as they ever have, and Oiwa fights up again! Scoop and SLAM! But Yuya holds onto the BIG WRISTLOCK! Yuya wrangles Oiwa again, but Oia still fights up! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! And back to BIG WRISTLOCK! Oiwa endures, fights up, and he whips, only for Yuya to reverse. But Oiwa gets around for a wrist clutch TENZAN PLEX!! The fans are erupting again as both men are down!

Oiwa clutches his hand but he rises up. Oiwa stands Yuya up, winds up, but Yuya ducks the lariat! Cording hold, but Oiwa LARIATS after all! Oiwa waits on Yuya, for THE- HEADBUTT from Yuya! But THE GRIP still hits!! The fans are erupting again as we  go back to the BIG LOCK! Yuya powers out, but THE GRIP hits again!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Yuya survives and the fans are ready for liftoff! Oiwa clamps onto the BIG LOCK!! Yuya endures, but Oiwa puts on so much more pressure! Yuya is on the mat, and he might be fading! Oiwa keeps pushing, but Yuya rolls to a bridging cover! TWO, and Oiwa holds on!

Yuya fights, flails, but Oiwa powers him back down! Yuya powers up again, he digs deep, but Oiwa bridges for more pressure! Yuya struggles to stay on his feet, but he rises again! Oiwa DROPS to bring Yuya down!! Yuya QUITS, OIWA WINS!!

Winner: Ryohei Oiwa, by submission (G1 Climax 36 Winner)

The best technique of the tournament, and now the best match of the tournament! The best WIN of the tournament, and it even brings a tear to Tenzan’s eye! Yuya put everything he had into this, but it still wasn’t enough. How much harder must he fight to be the best?

As for Oiwa, the banner and trophy are already brought to the ring, but he takes a moment to show Yuya respect. The fans cheer that, and they cheer Yuya raising Oiwa’s hand in victory. Then the trophy is presented by a representative of HEARTBEATS, developer behind the brand new NJPW Card Rumble. President Tanahashi has the honor of handing over the banner to Oiwa, and Oiwa gets the honor of waving it! Oiwa then places the banner in the stand, and he gets the mic. The fans cheer Oiwa on, and he says, “I clawed my way out of the qualifiers to grab the big dream!” The fans cheer that!

Oiwa says he and Yuya are rivals for life. “Let’s keep pushing each other for the sake of NJPW!” The fans like the sound of that! Oiwa says he sees Tenzan on commentary. TMDK couldn’t be part of Tenzan’s ceremony last night, so tonight, in front of Tenzan, after winning this victory, Oiwa wants to say he’s on top of the world! Tenzan himself is very happy for Oiwa. Oiwa says G1 Climax 36 is now over. Did the fans feel the heat? The fans cheer that they sure did! Oiwa says it began in Chicago, went all over Japan, and ended here in Ryogoku. And now, Oiwa is the G1 Champion! Look forward to an even hotter NJPW!

The fans applaud, and Oiwa says first, he’ll win the IWGP Championship in Ryogoku this October! He’ll challenge and TAKE that title! The fans cheer that! “I am The Grip, and the King of Summer 2026, Ryohei Oiwa!” The fans cheer as the streamers fly! Will The King of Summer soon get a Grip on the title? Or will Yota Tsuji make sure Oiwa falls in the Fall?

My Thoughts:

An awesome final night for the G1, though the majority of matches were kinda just set-up/tune-up stuff. Jeff Cobb returning to NJPW and now with Unbound Company is great for him, but it also just reminds me that WWE fumbled him hard when it should’ve been the easiest slam dunk in the world. Cobb has that chill charisma and surprising athleticism that should’ve made him a big name in WWE, but now he can use this story with Callum to finally break through to that main event/world title level. Also, great win for War Dragons, Takagi & Drilla, over Gabe Kidd & Wheeler Yuta, which helps set up Drilla VS Gabe for the Global Heavyweight Championship.

We’re also setting up Konosuke Takeshita VS Shun Skywalker after that Six Man Tag, and we’re probably getting Yoh VS Taiji after Taiji & Tsuji got the win. And then Oiwa VS Yuya was properly the best match this entire tournament, and it was amazing to think that in 2026, these two are revolutionizing classic holds like headlocks and wristlocks into these incredible submission holds. Oiwa winning out is great, especially with how he was mentored by Tenzan. Oiwa VS Tsuji is going to be awesome stuff, and while Oiwa won during the tournament, hard to say whether he wins or loses at King of Pro-Wrestling.

My Score: 9.2/10