Who’s feeling lucky?

Konosuke Takeshita leads A Block, but Boltin Oleg and Yota Tsuji battle to keep up! Who will lead the G1 after tonight?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current 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

NJPW mourns the loss of Dory Funk Jr.

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Yuto-Ice VS SANADA!

The Knock Out Brother managed to get high off Jake Lee, but the Cold-Blooded Snake could not survive Boltin Oleg. Who proves they’re the coldest this deep into the G1?

Sanada needs help with removing his shiny gold gear, so the ref helps out. And the fans are surprised Sanada is wearing his old Sanada Seiya gear! The Shining Star is back, and even Yuto is fired up for it! The bell rings, they run up, and Sanada dodges a boot. Sanada waistlocks, ducks an elbow, ducks another, then clinches. They end up on the ropes, and the ref counts the break. Sanada packs Yuto on the shoulder as he backs away. The fans cheer the clean break, and Yuto says now this is wrestling! They reset, tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and Yuto waistlocks. Sanada wrenches free to switch, but Yuto wrenches free to wristlock.

Yuto wrangles Sanada to an armlock, but Sanada fights up. Yuto wrenches again, but Sanada rolls and wrenches in return. Sanada hammerlocks, Yuto reaches back to headlock, and the fans applaud. Sanada pries at the hold, but Yuto powers it back on. Sanada powers up and out, but Yuto RUNS him over! Things keep moving as the fans cheer, and Sanada dodges to then DROPKICK the leg! Then he DROPKICKS Yuto down! The fans cheer as Sanada brings Yuto up, but Yuto fights the suplex. Yuto wrenches, KNEES, and runs to BOOT Sanada! Yuto stalks Sanada to a corner and stomps a mudhole. Sanada sits down, so Yuto rains down forearms!

The fans fire up as Yuto gets gangsta, and Yuto goes corner to corner, KNEE WASH! Yuto drags Sanada to a cover, TWO! The fans cheer, and Yuto sits Sanada up. Yuto runs, but Sanada blocks the kick! Sanada stands, and he DROPKICKS the leg! Yuto falls over, but Sanada brings him back up. Sanada hoists Yuto onto the rope for the MAGIC SCREW! The fans rally up as Sanada brings Yuto into the dragon sleeper. Yuto endures, pulls Sanada’s hair, but stops to fire palm strikes! Yuto bobs ‘n’ weaves and DECKS Sanada! Yuto sits Sanada up again, ICE HIGH! The fans fire up as Sanada stands right up!

Sanada fires haymakers, but Yuto ROCKS him in return! They go back and forth, Sanada gets the edge, but Yuto just roars! Yuto fires palm strikes from all sides! Sanada drops but Yuto drags him back up. But Sanada ROLLING- AMBITION! Yuto roars, he brings Sanada back up, and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Sanada is still in this and the fans rally up. Yuto goes to the corner, he takes aim as Sanada stirs, and the fans rally up again. CRUE- NO, Sanada DROPKICKS the leg again! And SHINING WIZARD! The fans rally as Sanada puts Yuto in the drop zone. Sanada goes up, up, and ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Sanada calls his shot, and he reels Yuto in! Yuto powers out, ROUNDHOUSES, then stumbles to the corner. The fans rally as Yuto aims again, CRUE- NO, Sanada slips around, and shoves Yuto, into the ref! Sanada ducks the Buzzsaw, clinches, but Yuto powers out to ROCK Sanada! Yuto then KICKS Sanada down! Yuto goes back to the corner, aims again, but YOSHINOBU KANEMARU trips him up! And WHISKEY MIST! HOTSHOT! The fans boo as The Heel Master does all the cheating for Sanada! He even sends in the guitar! Kanemaru says go, do it! Sanada picks up the guitar, but he seems conflicted.

The fans tell Sanada not to do it, but Sanada winds up! SMASH HIT!! So much for Seiya, this is still the Snake! Sanada clears evidence, then plays dead! Kanemaru wakes the ref and the ref isn’t sure what to make of this. Yuto is down and out, Sanada is playing possum, so a standing count begins! The fans rally as both men are still down at 5 of 10, and Sanada “stirs.” Sanada kips up at 8! Yuto is still down at 10, Sanada wins!

Winner: Sanada, by TKO (gains 2 points; Yuto earns 0)

Sanada put on quite the act, and he steals the win to stay afloat. But is his bubble going to pop sooner or later? Will Yuto be able to get that high next round?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Jake Lee VS Great-O-Khan!

United Empire meets United Empire, and both of them are looking to rebound from last round. Tensions were high in the previous tag team tune-up, who takes their frustrations out on their friend?

Jake may be a Silent Jester, but he almost has Spider-Sense as he avoids Khan coming in swinging with a chair! The ref reprimands, Khan backs down, and Jake is surprised. The ref takes the chair, Khan rushes Jake anyway, but Jake kicks and whips Khan into the railing! Jake then whips Khan into more railing! The fans rally for Jake as he brings Khan up and puts him in the ring. The fans applaud, Jake steps inside, but Khan KICKS the ropes to hit Jake low! The ref reprimands again but Khan says just ring the bell. The bell finally rings, and Khan storms over to Jake. Khan drags Jake up, but Jake is still clutching his groin.

Khan pushes the ref aside, gets in his face, but Jake LOW BLOWS Khan! Jake KICKS Khan in the butt, then he brings out a CUP! Jake was ready for it, and he does his jester dance. The fans cheer but Khan is upset. Khan grabs another chair and brings it into the ring! The ref stops Khan, Jake wants Khan to calm down, but Kahn shoves the ref aside! Jake dodges, kicks low, and he has the chair! Jake SMACKS the mat, then plays dead! The fans cheer as Jake pulls an Eddie Guerrero! Khan is stunned, and the ref calls it! Jake wins!

Winner: Jake Lee, by disqualification (gains 2 points; Khan earns 0)

Khan can only frown as he gets suckered by the Silent Jester. But then he CHUCKS the chair into Jake anyway! Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out more chairs! Khan puts Jake on the one chair, then winds up! Jakob Austin Young rushes out here! He reminds Khan that they’re all United Empire! He even apologizes on Jake’s behalf! Jakob wants Khan to take it easy, and Khan drops the chair. Jakob makes sure Jake is okay, and Khan goes to leave. But then Jake is right up, and he offers a handshake? Khan refuses to give him that, too. Khan is mathematically eliminated, will he have to settle for being a spoiler?

As for Jake, he may have the last laugh here tonight, but will he still reach the Climax?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Hirooki Goto VS Ryohei Oiwa!

The Fierce Warrior could not overcome Konosuke Takeshita, and The Mullet was not as mighty as Yota Tsuji. Can Goto #TurnItAllAround? Or will Oiwa prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

The tension is already high, and the ref has the two back up. The bell rings, both men run up, and they RAM shoulders! And DOUBLE LARIAT! Goto fires a forearm, Oiwa fires back, and repeat. The fans rally as Goto ROCKS Oiwa, headlocks, but Oiwa powers up and out. They RAM shoulders again and the fans cheer. Oiwa runs to RAM Goto, but Goto ROCKS Oiwa. Goto runs, Oiwa ELBOWS him! Oiwa RAMS Goto, but Goto RUNS Oiwa over! The fans cheer, and Goto stomps Oiwa. Goto drags Oiwa up, ROCKS him, then puts Oiwa in a corner. Goto fires forearms, the ref counts, but Goto stops at 4. Goto whips corner to corner, but Oiwa comes back to CLOBBER Goto!

The fans fire up while Oiwa checks his chin. Goto rises, Oiwa headlocks for the takeover. Oiwa fights off the headscissor, but Goto fights up. Goto powers up but can’t power out of the “Big Lock!” Oiwa grinds the hold, but Goto endures. The fans rally, Goto pries at the hold, but Oiwa clamps it on tighter. Goto fires body shots, powers up, but still can’t power out! Oiwa puts on more pressure, but Goto still endures. The fans rally as Goto fights up, fires body shots, and powers out, only for Oiwa to RUN him over! The fans fire up as Oiwa then SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Oiwa clamps the headlock back on!

Goto endures again as he fights around. Goto reaches out, ROPEBREAK with a foot! The fans applaud while Oiwa lets go. Oiwa looms over Goto, brings him up, and CLUBS him on the neck. And CLUBS him again! Oiwa eggs Goto on, so Goto CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Oiwa kicks low, runs, but Goto fireman’s carries! Oiwa slips free, and TENZAN PLEX! The fans fire up, Oiwa covers, TWO! Goto survives and the fans rally up. Oiwa runs the ropes, THE- NO, Goto ducks The Grip and hooks the arms! Oiwa fights off the backslide, but Goto spins him through to URA GTR! But then DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Oiwa runs, but Goto follows, and he LARIATS Oiwa down!

The fans fire up, then they rally as Goto rises. Goto fires a forearm, then whips Oiwa to a corner. Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then SAI- NO, Oiwa uses the BIG LOCK to block! Goto endures the grind while the fans rally up again. Goto fights up, fires body shots, and fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Goto rises, he powers up, and he BUZZSAWS Oiwa down! Then Goto brings Oiwa up, fireman’s carries, and G T W! Cover, TWO! Oiwa survives, the fans fire up, and Goto drags Oiwa back up to a dragon sleeper. But Oiwa drops, victory rolls, TWO! Oiwa ducks ‘n’ dodges, but GOto blocks The Grip!

Oiwa tries the other direction, but Goto HEADBUTTS first! But Oiwa blocks the ridge hand chop! And THE GR- NO, Goto ROCKS Oiwa first! Goto fires up, HEAD- BIG LOCK!! Oiwa has Goto caught and grinds him down! Goto powers up, but Oiwa fights off the saido! Oiwa THRASHES the hold, but Goto pries it open! The fans rally as Goto powers up, they fight for control, and Goto manages to wrench! But Oiwa HEADBUTTS! BIG LOCK!! Oiwa thrashes and bridges, and GOTO TAPS! OIWA WINS!

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

Incredible! That’s the most powerful headlock in the world! The Goto Revolution is mathematically eliminated, he will NOT become the oldest wrestler to win the G1 Climax this year. Will Goto just have to #GetBackUp and play spoiler now? Will Oiwa still get a grip on the block?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Konosuke Takeshita VS Shingo Takagi!

The Alpha leads the way at 5-1, but that doesn’t mean he’s safe at the top. Will the Rampaging Dragon get a win over the NJPW World TV Champion? Or will this still be The Alpha Block?

The bell rings and the fans rally already. The dueling is strong and even as the two feel things out. They back away, the fans applaud, and then the two circle. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, are in a deadlock, but Konosuke’s height is his leverage. Konosuke puts Takagi in a corner, but Takagi turns things around. The ref calls for the break, Takagi promises a clean break, but then CHOPS and KNEES away in the corner! The ref reprimands, Takagi stops, and he whips corner to corner. Konosuke reverses, LARIATS, then whips, but Takagi reverses to LARIAT! The fans fire up as the two go forehead to forehead. Takagi shoves Konosuke, so Konosuke fires a forearm!

The fans rally up, and Takagi fires a forearm back. Konosuke and Takagi trade forearms back and forth, then Takagi DOUBLE CHOSP! Takagi runs, but into a RANA! The fans fire up again, and Konosuke goes to the ropes. Konosuke runs up but Takagi TOSSES him out! Takagi then goes out and whips Konosuke into railing! Takagi then runs Konosuke into more railing! The fans fire up as the two now move into the crowd. Fans hurry out of the way and Takagi SMACKS Konosuke off the chairs. Takagi then fires more forearms with Konosuke! Takagi DECKS Konosuke! The fans cheer as Takagi stands over Konosuke.

The ref checks Konosuke and he’s able to continue, so Takagi brings Konosuke up to POST him! Konosuke goes down in a heap, and the fans rally up while Takagi paces. Takagi goes back to Konosuke, drags him up, and puts him back in the ring. The fans applaud, and Takagi ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Takagi SENTONS onto Konosuke! Takagi then brings Konosuke up, puts him on the ropes, and KNEES him again and again! Takagi CLUBS Konosuke, then backs off. Takagi storms back over, reels Konosuke in, but Konosuke fights the suplex. The two fight for control, and Konosuke suplexes Takagi up and over! The fans cheer while Konosuke rises up.

Konosuke TOSSES Takagi out, then goes out to whip Takagi into railing! Konosuke runs up and BOOTS Takagi down! The fans cheer, and one fans is lucky Konosuke’s leg isn’t any longer or they would’ve gotten hit! Konosuke brings Takagi up, just to DDT on the floor! Konosuke leaves Takagi behind to go to the ring. But then he goes right back out to fetch Takagi! The fans applaud that, and Konosuke brings Takagi up. Konosuke ELBOWS Takagi in the corner again and again, then ROCKS him! Takagi sits down, but he eggs Konosuke on. Konosuke comes back to fire forearm, forearm, and then a HEADBUTT!

Takagi sits back down, the fans rally up, but Konosuke snapmares Takagi, for a NECK SNAP! Konosuke clamps on with a chinlock but Takagi scrambles forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Konosuke lets go, and Takagi clutches his neck. Konosuke brings Takagi up, but Takagi BODY BLOWS, then CHOPS! And CHOPS again! And CHPOS again! Takagi ROCKS Konosuke again and again, but then Konosuke ROCKS Takagi! The fans fire up as Konosuke sits Takagi up, then runs to WAGA- NO! Takagi blocks the knee, and DRAGON SCREWS the leg! The fans fire up while both men are down!

Konosuke clutches his leg, shakes it out, then crawls back to a corner. Takagi stands, runs in, but Konosuke ELBOWS him down! Konosuke goes up, the fans cheer, but Takagi YANKS Konosuke down! Konosuke hits buckles on the way, then Takagi runs up. Takagi blocks a boot, and he opens Konosuke up! BODY BLOW and DRAPING DDT! Takagi then hoists Konosuke back up for a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Konosuke stays in this, but Takagi tells them, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans start up the “OI! OI! OI!” for Takagi as he drags Konosuke up. Takagi pump handles but Konosuke fights the lift. Konosuke elbows free, runs the ropes, but Takagi LARIATS!

Takagi runs, but Konosuke sidesteps, to then BLUE THUNDER BOMB on the return! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives that sudden turnaround and the fans fire back up! Konosuke rises, he hobbles over to Takagi and brings him up. Konosuke clinches, but Takagi fights the lift! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but Konosuke fires a forearm in return. Takagi fires a forearm of his own, so Konosuke fires another. The fans rally as Takagi then JABS, JABS, JABS, then CHOPS! But then Konosuke clinches to EXPLODER! But Takagi’s right up! Takagi runs up, Konsouke lcinches, but Takagi fights that to EXPLODER back!

Konosuke is right up to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Takagi’s right up to SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! The fans fire up while both men are down! Konosuke crawls to a corner, Takagi crawls to the other. The fans cheer as both men stand! Then DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT! Takagi then SWATS a lariat to YUKON LARIAT! But Konosuke’s right up to LARIAT! Both men are down again and the fans fire up back up! Konosuke drags Takagi up, but Takagi NECK SCREWS! Then Takagi brings Konosuke up, but Konosuke suplexes first! BRAINBUSTER! Both men are down again but the fans continue to cheer them on.

Takagi crawls to the apron, Konosuke crawls his way over, and Konosuke goes to the apron. The fans fire up as both men stand up. Takagi JABS, Konosuke fires a forearm, and they continue to trade shots! Takagi JABS again and again, then fireman’s carries?! Konosuke holds onto the ropes, rains down elbows, and slips free. WAGAMAMA KNEE!! Takagi sputters while wobbling on the apron! Konosuke stands Takagi up, but Takagi HEADBUTTS! And then he tucks Konosuke’s arms?! The fans and the ref freak out as Takagi lifts Konosuke for the TAKAGI DRIVER 98 on the apron!! Takagi gets Konosuke right back in, right back up, and MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?!?

The fans are thunderous as Konosuke survives! Takagi pounds the mat in frustration, the fans rally back up, and Takagi goes back to Konosuke. Takagi drags Konosuke up, pump handles and- NO, Konosuke fights the lift! No torture rack, so Takagi LARIATS! Konosuke stays up, so Takagi LARIATS again! Takagi runs, but into a BOOT! Then POISON-RANA! Not the cleanest but Konosuke is up, only for Takagi to POISON-RANA!! But then Konosuke’s up, only for Takagi to duck the blindside lariat! SLIDING D!! The fans are thunderous again as both men are down! Takagi rises, he runs, but Konosuke dodges the lariat to LARIAT back! Cover, ONE?!?!

Konosuke pump handles?! MADE IN JAPAN!!! Cover, TWO!!! Takagi survives Konosuke stealing his move and the fans fire up again! Konosuke crawls to a corner again, and he takes aim. Takagi rises, into WAGAMAMA- LARIAT from Takagi! ALPHA ELBOW! PUMPING BOMBER TAKEDOWN!! Cover, TWO, and into a ghost pin! TWO!! WAGAMAMA KNEE!! Cover, TWO!!! Takagi survives again and the fans are thunderous! Konosuke brings Takagi up, RAGIN- NO, Takagi fights it, to steal RAGING FIRE!! The fans are electric as both men are down! Takagi sits up, Konosuke follows, and they crawl to each other.

The fans rally as the two junkyard dog headbutt again and again. Then they stand, and DOUBLE FOREARMS rock both men! And DOUBLE FOREARMS again! Konosuke eggs Takagi on, so Takagi HEADBUTTS, then fires boxing elbows! Takagi ROCKS Konosuke, Konosuke drops to a knee, and now Takagi eggs Konosuke on. Konosuke fires boxing elbows in return! Konosuke runs, and ALPHA ELBOWS! Then ROLLING- FOREARM from Takagi! BACKHAND from Konosuke! ELBOW, BACKHAND and JAB from Takagi! Konosuke ROCKS Takagi, Takagi HEADBUTTS back, then PUMPING BOMBER POINT BLANK!! Cover, ONE?!?!?

The fans are electric but Takagi doesn’t stop! He runs to PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi roars, brings Konosuke back up, and pump handles! Torture rack, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, TWO?!?! Konosuke shocks everyone again, but Takagi just fires back up! Pump handle, torture rack, and LAST OF THE DRAGON!!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!!

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

The Rampaging Dragon slays The Alpha, but he does not overtake him in the block just yet. But will this loss be the one that decides their fate? Or can Konosuke still make the G1 all elite?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Yota Tsuji VS Boltin Oleg!

The IWGP Heavyweight Champion meets the NJPW Strong Champion in what could be the most powerful main event yet! Will the Gene Blast be on fire? Or will the Unbound be put behind BARS?

The bell rings and the fans are dueling already. Perhaps a little surprising, Boltin’s side seems to be stronger. Yota smiles and nods, the two tie up, and are in a deadlock. Oleg finds a point of leverage to put Yota on the ropes, then he backs away. The fans applaud as the two circle and tie up again. Oleg powers Yota back, but Yota pots Oleg back. Yota then arm-drags to a lateral press, ONE, but Yota hurries to roll Oleg up, TWO! Yota hurries to step over, but Oleg overpowers La Magistrol to a fireman’s carry! Yota slips free to sunset flip, TWO! The fans cheer, but then Yota kicks low and runs. Oleg RUNS Yota over! The fans fire up as Oleg paces around.

Oleg drags Yota up, winds up, but Yota ducks the chop and bails out. The fans are torn as Yota takes a breather, but Oleg waits in the ring. Yota slides back in, runs up, but into a CHOP! Yota is stinging as he goes to the corner, and Oleg CHOPS again! Yota goes to another corner, but Oleg CHOPS again! The fans cheer while Yota goes around, and Oleg storms over to whip corner to corner. Oleg runs in, but into a BOOT! Yota runs up, but into a scoop! And a THROW! The fans fire up as Oleg then runs to BOLTIN PRESS! Cover, TWO! Yota survives and the fans rally up again. Oleg deadlift gut wrenches, but Yota fires elbows!

Yota hits the BACKBREAKER, the FLATINER, and- NO! Oleg defies the stomp with a pushup! Oleg then powers out from under Yota’s foot, only for Yota to KNEE low! Yota runs, and he DROPKICKS to the stomach! Yota is clearly painting the target for his Blaster later, and the fans rally up. Yota brings Oleg up, but Oleg ROCKS him! Oleg runs up, but Yota FLAPJACKS him on the ropes, then SHOTGUNS the stomach again! The fans rally while Oleg writhes, and Yota walks over to then step on Oleg’s stomach! Yota then DOUBLE STOMPS again and again! Cover, TWO! Oleg is tougher than that and the fans applaud.

Yota stays cool as he stalks Oleg, clinches, but Oleg fights the lift. Yota KNEES low again and again, then GUT BUSTER DROPS! Oleg sputters, Yota covers, TWO! The fans applaud as Oleg continues to tough it out. Yota smiles as he sits up and watches Oleg roll away. Yota stands Oleg up, but Oleg fires a forearm. Oleg fires another forearm, and another! Yota winds up to BODY BLOW! Yota then puts Oleg in a corner for more BODY BLOWS! Red Shoes reprimands, Yota backs off, and the fans rally up. Yota whips corner to corner, runs up, and STINGER SPLASH! Yota then brings Oleg around, goes up the corner, MARLOWE-

NO, Oleg catches Yota, and THROWS him! The fans fire up while both men are down again! The fans rally as Yota rolls away to a corner. Oleg rises, fires up, and he runs in, STINGER SPLASH of his own! And then a gut wrench for the Shake, Shake, Shake, and THROW! The fans fire up as Oleg kips up! But his stomach hurts, he can’t quite stand. Oleg still gets moving, and he goes up to VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Yota survives, and the fans rally up again. Oleg stands, he storms over to Yota, and he drags Yota up to reel him in. Yota fights the lift, but Oleg CLUBS him! Oleg powers up to lift, but Yota fights free!

Yota clinches, but Oleg fights the lift again! Oleg CLUBS Yota, but Yota shifts to an URENAGE BACKBREAKER! The fans cheer while both men are down again. Yota paces, then grabs Oleg’s legs. Yota works to turn Oleg over but Oleg kicks and kicks and kicks. Oleg kicks free, but then Yota BOOTS Oleg down! Yota powers up, and he rallies the fans. Yota then has Oleg’s legs again, and GIANT SWINGS?!? The fans cheer that feat of strength, and after FIVE rotations, Yota THROWS Oleg! The fans fire up as Yota falls over, too. Yota smiles, surprised even by his own strength. But then both men stand up and stagger around dizzily.

Oleg finds Yota, but Yota uses that to wrench and suplex for the ORANGE CRUSH! Cover, TWO! Oleg survives but Yota hurries to run the ropes! CURB- NO, Oleg powers up again! Oleg RAMS Yota into a corner, then fireman’s carries! Yota fights back, then pops up, and he has a STANDING TRIANGLE!? Oleg drops to the mat as Yota squeezes tight, then he lets go to go up, MARLOWE CRUSH DOUBLE STOMP REMIX! Cover, TWO! Oleg survives, but Yota clamps on a SLEEPER! The fans rally and duel as Oleg endures. Oleg fights back up, and he THROWS Yota down! But then Yota reaches up, somersault clutch, TWO!

Yota is back on Oleg with a SLEEPER! Oleg endures, reaches out, but Yota puts on the pressure! The fans rally and duel as Oleg starts turning red! Yota grinds Oleg down, even pushes up for an almost Bully Choke! But Oleg powers up again! Yota becomes a backpack, but Oleg goes to a corner. Oleg CLIMBS the corner, and the fans get worried already! But Yota lets go so he can get under Oleg, RUNNING POWERBOMB! Both men are down again as the fans fire back up! Oleg rolls away to a corner and Red Shoes checks on him. Yota heads over, Red Shoes has him wait, and Oleg goes to the apron. Oleg manages to sit up, and Yota smiles as he steps outside.

Yota brings Oleg up, reels him in, but Oleg fights the lift! The fans rally as Oleg powers up and CHOPS! Oleg then fireman’s carries! But Yota slips free, POSTS Oleg, and GENE BLASTERS to the floor!! The fans are stunned as both men crash land! Red Shoes checks on both men, and they’re both somehow okay. The ring count starts, and Yota is in at 3 of 20. Oleg is still down at 5, then at 10. Oleg stirs at 11, and the fans rally up harder as he crawls. Oleg rises, but he falls back down at 15! Oleg hurries back up, but he’s still so wobbly! He rolls in at 18! The fans cheer and even Yota’s surprised. Yota smiles as he goes over to Oleg.

Yota brings Oleg up but Oleg’s a ragdoll. Red Shoes checks, then has Yota waits in the corner. Oleg stirs again so he’s still in this. The fans rally as Oleg works to sit up, but he does need to lean on Red Shoes a bit. Oleg manages to stand, and GENE TRIGGER! Then GENE TRIGGER in the corner! And then the SILVER LINING! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives and the fans fire up again! Yota roars, takes aim from the corner, and Oleg manages to stand. GENE- NO! Oleg turns blaster into POWERBOMB!! The fans are thunderous, but both men are down and Oleg can’t make the cover! The fans rally up again as Yota and Oleg stir.

The dueling is strong, and the Boltin side is only growing stronger. The Yota side rises up, and Oleg crawls over to Yota. They go forehead to forehead, then stand up. Yota ROCKS Oleg! Oleg ROCKS Yota! The fans rally as the forearms keep going! Yota fires more shots, but Oleg fires in return! Yota drops to a knee, Oleg runs, but into a BODY BLOW! Yota gets moving, but Oleg dodges! Yota SUPERKICKS, then runs, but into a BEARHUG, BELLY2BELLY! And Oleg holds on! ANOTHER BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO!! Oleg roars, the fans fire up, and Oleg drags Yota back up. Oleg fireman’s carries, but Yota slips free!

Yota GERMAN SUPLEXES, but Oleg stands?! Oleg fireman’s rolls to lift Yota! POINT-BLANK KAMIKAZE!! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives and the fans fire up again! Oleg drags Yota back up, fireman’s carries, and- NO, Yota manages a crucifix takedown! Cover, TWO! CURB STOMP! Yota finally hits that one, and he fires up again! Oleg rises as Yota takes aim, GENE- OLEG ROARS and it spooks Yota! Yota still GENE TRIGGERS! Oleg stays up so Yota GENE TRIGGERS again! And ROCKS! And HEADBUTTS! Oleg wobbles, but he still SHOTGUN DROPKICKS! And kips up, but into a GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, TWO!??!

The fans are electric but Yota is shocked! Yota brings Oleg up, over, and fireman’s carries?! And he steals KAMIKAZE!! Cover, TWO! Oleg survives Yota’s take on the move, so Yota just goes back to his own. GENE- LARIAT!! Oleg hits first, and the fans are thunderous again! Oleg vows to end it now, and he RIPCORDS Yota into the fireman’s carry, for the VERDICT!! Cover, TWO?!? Yota survives and Oleg is beside himself! The fans rally as hard as they can as Oleg rises up again. Yota crawls to the ropes, but Oleg gets the legs. Oleg YANKS Yota up into the BOLTIN BOMB!! High stack, TWO! But Oleg holds on!

Yota grabs at Oleg, but Oleg deadlifts for- RANA!! Yota covers, TWO!! Oleg escapes in time, but Yota sets up! Yota ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirl, but Oleg stops that to gut wrench and then lift! BOLTIN BOMB!! High stack, but deadlift! POWERBOMB!! Oleg doesn’t cover, but he just roars and pounds his own chest! The fans fire up with this human kaiju as he fireman’s carries! But Yota clings to the ropes desperately! So Oleg goes UP! The fans freak out already, but Oleg hits a SUPER KAMIKAZE!!! Cover, OLEG WINS!!!

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

Correction: this WAS the the most powerful match of the entire G1! The IWGP Heavyweight Champion has fallen! What does this mean for not just his G1 run, but for his reign?

As for Oleg, he does need some help standing at first, but then he decides to rest on the mat as he gets the mic. Oleg calls to Tsuji, and he asks Yota wait. Oleg tells Yota, “I don’t know if this is the right way to put this, or the right time to say it, but you’re a true man’s man. The epitome of an NJPW man! You truly back up your words and give it your all. I’m going to follow your lead. But I won’t fall behind! NJPW will get stronger, and it’s thanks to you!” The fans cheer that! Oleg says he didn’t do this on his own today. He was able to become a monster thanks to Yota, and to everyone here! The fans cheer that, too!

The fans cheer Boltin on, and he says he’d like to wrap this with a word from Kazakhstan. He knows in these hot battles they love, he will become the strongest wrestler! He will win the G1! “ALGA! ALGA! ALGA!” The fans cheer as Oleg’s fighting spirit is only growing stronger. Will he prove that he IS NJPW Strong through and through?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

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

My Thoughts:

An awesome round from A Block here, really. Sanada getting one over on Yuto and the ref was really clever stuff, and same for Jake pulling the Eddie Guerrero on Khan. A little surprised Khan would come that close to hurting one of his own, but I guess he was just that determined to win the G1 and got that mad that he’s now out of the running. For that matter, Goto being out of the running so soon is surprising, but what a great match and what a great win for Oiwa.

And then Konosuke VS Takagi and Yota VS Oleg really cranked it up another level. I was a little surprised Konosuke lost here, but then it was even wilder that Oleg won here, and that makes them both 5-2. Granted, Konosuke has the tiebreaker from their 1v1, so if these two continue on at the top, Konosuke will have the one seed and Oleg will have the two seed, which is awesome for both of them.

My Score: 9.2/10