Will the Rampaging Dragon get high?

The G1 Climax is Unbound to start round 8, as Shingo Takagi and Yuto-Ice meet in tonight’s main event! Who gets that big up this close to the end?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current 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]

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Ryohei Oiwa VS Jake Lee!

The Mullet ended the Goto Revolution’s run, and the Silent Jester pulled a fast one on his own teammate in Great-O-Khan. Jake’s still on the hot seat, can he survive for another round? Or will Oiwa have a grip on a top spot in the block?

Oiwa makes his entrance first, so Jake doesn’t get to do his “just a fan” act and/or lay a trap. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Jake conducts them like a choir as the dueling is rather even. The two circle, then the two tie up. Jake headlocks, Oiwa powers up and out, then drops down. Oiwa arm-drags Jake down, but Jake headscissors. Oiwa kips free but Jake kicks him and snapmares. Jake runs, but fakes the Penalty Kick to KICK Oiwa in the back! Jake then SLAMS Oiwa’s arm down. The fans rally and duel as Jake clamps onto Oiwa. Jake drops into a straight armbar, but Oiwa endures. Oiwa fights up, around, and floats to a lateral press, but Jake slips through to hammerlock.

Oiwa rolls, but Jake wrenches and CLUBS the arm. Jake whips Oiwa to KITCHEN- NO, Oiwa grabs the leg! Jake CLUBS Oiwa, but Oiwa CLUBS away on the leg! Then he DROPKICKS it out! Oiwa then SMASHES the knee on the mat! The fans rally as Oiwa steps through for a standing toehold. Jake endures, keeps his shoulders up, but Oiwa puts on the pressure. Oiwa then ELBOW DROPS on the leg! Jake fights free, gets an arm, and wrenches. Oiwa arm-drags Jake but Jake wrangles Oiwa in return. The fans applaud the technical exchange while Oiwa fights up. Oiwa whips Jake away, but Jake RUNS him over!

Jake runs, but Oiwa trips him, and SMASHES the knee on the mat! Jake writhes, but Oiwa grabs the leg, steps through, and has the FIGURE FOUR! Jake endures, even as Oiwa THRASHES, and Jake crawls to the ROPEBREAK! Oiwa lets go right away while the fans applaud. Oiwa then drags Jake back up, wrenches and whips, but Jake hobbles. Oiwa CHOP BLOCKS Jake, then reels him in! SHIN- KNEE STRIKE from Jake! Jake then goes after Oiwa’s arm! Oiwa stays on his feet, clasps hands, but Jake shifts to hammerlock, scoop, and SLAM Oiwa on his arm! Cover, TWO, but into the FUJIWARA ARMBAR!

The fans rally as Oiwa endures, but Jake shifts the grip. Jake puts on the pressure, but Oiwa fights up. Jake shifts again, but Oiwa rolls, slips through, and TENZAN PLEXES! The fans cheer while both men are down. Jake rolls away to the ropes, and shakes out the bad leg before he goes to the corner. Oiwa runs up and SPLASHES! Oiwa then puts the legs in the ropes, and DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS! Jake grimaces but Oiwa brings him out to scoop and SLAM! Oiwa then goes up the corner and the fans rally up. Oiwa goes to the very top, for a FALLING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO, and with some power! Oiwa nods as the two step up.

Jake kicks but Oiwa SWATS the leg! Oiwa LARIATS Jake down, then covers, ONE!! Jake has even more power than expected, and the two get forehead to forehead. The fans rally as they go forearm for forearm! They start picking up speed, then Jake ROCKS Oiwa! Jake eggs Oiwa on, so Oiwa fires another! The forearms keep going and the fans cheer. Jake ROCKS Oiwa, Oiwa wobbles, and Jake eggs him on again. Oiwa gets the leg, UPPERCUTS it, then THE- NO, Jake CHOPs, CHOPS, and ROCKS! Jake wrenches but Oiwa blocks the knee to DRAGON SCREW! Jake scrambles out of the ring and hobbles to railing.

The fans rally as Oiwa pursues. Oiwa wrenches Jake to whip him, but Jake stops short of the railing! Only for Oiwa to catch him to a sleeper! But Jake slips free, hammerlocks, only for Oiwa to drop toehold him into the POST! The fans rally again while both men are down. Oiwa shakes out his arm, rolls inside the ring, and now the count begins. Jake is still down at 5 of 20, then 10. The fans rally as Jake stirs, but he’s still down at 15! Jake then springs to life, and he drags Oiwa out! Jake whips Oiwa into railing hard! When did Jake get clown paint on his face?! Jake drags Oiwa to the crowd to KICK! And KICK! The fans cheer as they go around the way!

Jake KICKS Oiwa down, then SLAMS railing on him! Jake drags Oiwa up, brings him further along, and KICKS again! The ref wants this in the ring but Jake backs him down. Jake then goes back to Oiwa, drags him up, and KNEES him! Jake drags Oiwa around with a headlock, then KNEES him low! Jake pushes Oiwa into the ring, then wags his finger. Jake drags Oiwa up, and hits a BIG back suplex! The fans rally while Oiwa writhes. Jake watches Oiwa crawl to the corner, then takes aim! The fans rally up, Jake runs in, FACE BREAK- NO, Oiwa dodges, trips Jake, and jackknife bridges! TWO, and Jake feints to then mule kick!

Jake KICKS, ROUNDHOUSES, and Oiwa falls! The fans rally as Jake snarls, and he looms over Oiwa. Jake sits Oiwa up, KNEES him back down, but Oiwa clamps onto the leg! Oiwa eggs Jake on, so Jake CLUBS and fires forearms! Oiwa still eggs Jake on, then DEATH ROLLS the leg! And then DEATH ROLL! Jake is down and the fans fire up with Oiwa! Oiwa drags Jake back for an ANKLE LOCK! Jake fights around but Oiwa rolls. Jake tries to get away but Oiwa KNEE DROPS on his back! Oiwa goes for the leg, but Jake has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, and Oiwa backs off in frustration. Oiwa then drags Jake back for the ANKLE LOCK!

The fans rally as Oiwa makes it the REVERSE HALF CRAB! JAKE TAPS?!?! Oiwa wins!!

Winner: Ryohei Oiwa, by submission (gains 2 points; Jake earns 0)

Just as Jake turned it up a notch, Oiwa turned it up again! Will The Mullet prove that The Mighty Don’t Kneel, even this close to the end of the G1? As for Jake, he is now mathematically eliminated, but he doesn’t seem too bothered by it. Will he have even more fun being a spoiler now?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Konosuke Takeshita VS SANADA!

The Alpha still leads this block by the slimmest of margins, but the Cold-Blooded Snake is on the edge. Will Sanada find a way to steal another win? Or will the NJPW World TV Champion still be the star of the show?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Sanada and Konosuke slowly circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Konosuke puts Sanada on the ropes, but backs away as the ref counts. The fans applaud and the two reset. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. Sanada waistlocks but Konosuke wrenches out to a hammerlock. Sanada drop toeholds, then floats to a headlock. Konosuke rolls and has the headlock in return. Konosuke traps an arm, but Sanada rolls to a cover, ONE! Sanada fights up, fires body shots, and powers out. Konosuke RUNS Sanada over, then keeps moving. Sanada drops down, hurdles, then jumps over, but into a DROPKICK! The fans cheer while both men are down.

Konosuke brings Sanada up, wrenches, and snapmares to then clamp on with the armlock. Sanada endures, but Konsouke brings him around to wrench and YANK the arm. And YANK again! Konosuke wrenches and wraps the arm around ropes, then CHOPS! The fans cheer, Konosuke whips, and he runs in, but Sanada DROPKICKS the leg out! The fans rally as both men are down, Sanada catching his breath. Sanada shakes out his arm, then goes to Konosuke. Sanada puts Konosuke’s leg on the ropes, then HIP DROPS! The ref reprimands while Konosuke clutches the knee. Sanada puts the leg back on the ropes, and HIP DROPS again!

The ref reprimands and backs Sanada up. Konosuke clutches the leg, but Sanada’s right back on him for a SHIN BREAKER! Sanada then runs to DROPKICK the leg! Konosuke falls over, but Sanada grabs the bad leg to stomp away. Sanada ELBOW DROPS the leg, then clamps on a toehold. Konosuke fights back with a chinlock, but Sanada puts the pressure on the foot! Konosuke endures, keeps his shoulders up, but Sanada shifts the angle. Konosuke manages to reach over and have the ROPEBREAK with a foot! Sanada lets go, but he stalks Konosuke Sanada grabs the leg, but Konosuke fires forearms!

Konosuke slips around but Sanada fights the lift with elbows. Sanada runs, but into a BOOT! It was a little double-edged for Konosuke but it was still effective! Konosuke brings Sanada up, throws hands, then whips. Sanada reverses, but the TAKESHITA LINE finds him! The fans rally as Konosuke goes to a corner. Konosuke walks off the pain in his leg, then drags Sanada up. Sanada again fights the lift, CLUBS away, then runs, but Konosuke reels him in! BACK- NO, Sanada lands out, and O’Conner- NO, Konosuke bucks the roll. Sanada ducks ‘n’ dodges, but into the BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer while both men are down!

The fans rally up as Konosuke stands, and he goes over to Sanada. Konosuke drags Sanada up, clinches, but Sanada fights the lift! Konosuke fires boxing elbows, then runs, but Sanada DROPKICKS the leg! Then he DROPKICKS Konosuke outta the ring! Sanada hurries to PLANCHA! Down goes Konosuke at the ramp! The fans cheer, and the ring count starts. Sanada puts Konosuke in at 5, then stands him up for a fireman’s carry. Konosuke slips free, Sanad  ELBOWS, but Konosuke clinches for the EXPLODER! Konosuke runs up, but Sanada spins him, puts him on the ropes, MAGIC SCREW! The fans cheer while both men are down again!

Sanada shakes out the bad arm while the fans rally up. Konosuke rises, both men stand, and Sanada steps up to fire a forearm. Konosuke fires back! The fans rally as Sanada fires a haymaker, but Konosuke fires another forearm. Sanada ROCKS Konosuke but the ref reprimands about closed fists. Konosuke fires a forearm, Sanada fires a haymaker, and Konosuke fires up! Konosuke fires boxing elbows, then runs to ALPHA ELBOW! Then ROLLING- NO, Sanada ducks, O’Conner Rolls, and sits deep! TWO!! Konosuke escapes, then hurries to his feet. Sanada BOOTS from the corner, then Quebradas into the dragon sleeper!

But Konosuke spins through! RAGING- NO, Sanada slips free and dragon sleepers! Konosuke snapmares free, only for Sanada to return with a SHINING WIZARD! The fans fire up and Sanada brings Konosuke up. Sanada reels Konosuke in, DEAD- NO, Konosuke slips free to waistlock. Sanada switches, Konosuke spins around, but Sanada suplexes! Konosuke slips free, and now Konosuke has the dragon sleeper! Sanada endures, snapmares free, but WAGAMAMA KNEE on return! Konosuke reels Sanada in, but Sanada steals RAGING FIRE!! Sanada can’t make the ocver! The fans are fired up while both men are down!

Sanada clutches his leg, goes back to Konosuke, and drags him to the drop zone. ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Konosuke survives but the fans rally up again! Sanada huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes back to a corner, but Konosuke anchors a foot. Sanada throws down hands until Konosuoke lets go. Sanada goes up, ROUNDING- NO, Sanada has to land out as Konosuke moves! Konosuke runs up, but Sanada DROPKICKS the leg! SHINING- NO, Konosuke ducks! WAGA- NO, Sanada dodges! Konosuke catches Sanada, but Sanada stops Konosuke from stealing Deadfall! O’Conner Roll, but Konosuke powers through! But Sanada stops the bridge, to SKULL END!!

The fans fire up as Konosuke endures, then slips free to dragon sleeper! Inverted suplex, and the tuck! BASTARD DRIVER!! And then WHEELBARROW GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up again as Konosuke rises up! Konosuke waits on Sanada, and WAGAMAMA KNEE!! Cover, TWO!?!? Sanada survives and shocks everyone! Konosuke snarls, and he vows to end it now! Konosuke suplexes, RAGING- NO, Sanada cradle counters! TWO!!! Konosuke escapes in time, but SHINING WIZARD finds him! The fans fire up as Sanada then brings Konosuke up, in, and DEAD- NO, Konosuke slips free, and steals DEADFALL!

But Konosuke isn’t done there! RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Konosuke wins!

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

He defeated Sanada defending the NJPW World TV Championship, and now he defeats Sanada defending his top spot in the block! Will nothing stop Konosuke from becoming THE Alpha of Wrestling? What is it that Sanada is missing as he fights for former glory?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Yota Tsuji VS Great-O-Khan!

The Gene Blast is just outside the top of this block, but the Dominator has nothing to lose! Will Khan conquer Yota and have a shortcut to the title? Or will the IWGP Heavyweight Champion still be on fire?

OH NO, Khan attacks while Yota’s posing on the corner! He used the blue buckle pad?! The fans boo but Khan flips them off. The ref reprimands but Khan doesn’t care. Khan drags Yota up, hammerlocks an arm, and RAMS him into the bare steel! The ref reprimands again, but Khan just POSTS Yota! Yota flops out of the ring, clutches his arm, but Khan pursues! The ref reprimands but Khan has chairs! The ref and Khan argue, but then Khan pushes the ref aside. Khan wrenches Yota’s arm, then wraps it around the corner! The ref reprimands again but Khan still places a chair against the arm! Khan then grabs the other arm, CON-CHAIR-TO!

The fans boo but Khan pretends he can’t hear them. Khan stalks Yota, brings him around in front of President Tanahashi, and BOOTS Yota down! The ref reprimands, Khan puts Yota in the ring, and the ref checks on Yota. Yota wants to continue, so the bell rings. Khan drags Yota up by the bad arm, then wraps it around ropes. Khan sits on Yota’s arm as part of his throne! The ref reprimands, counts,  and Khan hops off. Yota gets away to the opposite corner, but Khan is right on him. Khan THROWS Yota down with a wristlock! Cocky cover, ONE! Khan stomps Yota, then mocks the fans still cheering Yota on.

Khan eggs Yota on, and Yota smiles? Yota runs up, but Khan trips him! Khan laughs at Yota falling for his trick, then stomps Yota to the corner. The fans rally but Khan stands Yota up. Yota fires forearms, but the arm hurts too much. Khan knees low, then whips Yota corner to corner. Khan runs up, blocks a boot, but Yota reels him in for the STOMP! The fans cheer while Khan flounders back. Yota shakes out the bad arm, then storms over to Khan. Yota drags Khan up, fires forearms, then whips. Khan reverses, Yota ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Khan tumbles away and the fans fire up! Yota sees Khan on the outside and builds speed! Yota DIVES and Khan hits railing!

The fans fire up but commentary takes a bit of that hit! Yota puts Khan in the ring, fires the fans up, then apologizes to commentary. Yota goes back to the ring, but Khan bails out the other side. Yota DROPKICKS Khan to the floor! The fans cheer, and Yota goes to the apron. Yota grins as he climbs up! This is rare for Yota, but he ASAI MOONSAULTS! Down goes Khan and the fans fire up again! Yota drags Khan up, puts him in the ring, and Khan crawls to a corner. Yota drags Khan up by his ponytail, pushes him into the corner, and Yota climbs up. The fans cheer as Yota sits on his throne! Khan flails as he tastes his own medicine!

The fans cheer, the ref counts, and Yota hops down. Yota whips corner to corner, then runs to GENE TRIGGER! Then snapmare and the three point stance! Khan rises, but he uses the ref as a shield! Khan won’t let go, so Yota storms over. Khan kicks low! Khan clamps the IRON CLAW onto the arm! They end up on the ropes, the ref counts, but Khan DUMPS Yota out! Khan then goes out, and he grabs those chairs again! The ref reprimands but Khan drags Yota along by his arm. Khan goes past the timekeeper to go into the crowd, and he sets the chairs down. Khan hammerlocks the arm, then THROWS Yota into railing and chairs!

The fans boo but Khan stalks Yota. Khan puts Yota on one chair, then eggs the fans on. Khan then takes aim, but the ref stops him this time! Khan argues with the ref, then shoves him away! The fans boo but Khan just grabs another chair! And he still GOLF SWINGS Yota’s arm! The fans rally for Yota but Khan taunts him while he’s down. Khan drags Yota up, brings him over, and he pushes Yota into the ring. Khan clamps the IRON CLAW back on the arm! Yota endures, even as Khan digs his fingers in! Yota fights around, but Khan hammerlocks the arm at the same time! The fans still rally as Yota still endures, and Yota powers up to his feet.

Yota stands, fires body shots, but Khan Mongolian Chops the arm! Khan runs, but into a clinch! BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! CURB STOMP! The fans cheer the Gene Combination and Yota fires back up. Yota stands Khan up, clinches, but Khan BITES Yota’s shoulder! The ref reprimands but Yota pulls hair! Yota brings Khan down, KNEES him in the chest, then runs! But into a BACKDROP! IRON CLAW! Khan DRIBBLES Yota off the mat! Then back to the IRON CLAW! ELIMI- STUNNER! Yota hits back and both men are down! The fans cheer as both men stir, and Yota slowly rises up. Yota stands, he goes back for Khan, and stands him up.

Yota pump handles but Khan fights the lift! Khan twists the arm, and UPPERCUTS it! Then UPPERCUTS it again! Khan wrenches, but Yota HEADBUTTS! Khan staggers, into a LARIAT! The fans cheer as Yota clinches, SILVER LINING! Cover, TWO! Yota huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes to a corner. Khan rises up as Yota takes aim, GENE- NO, Khan drops down and flips him off. So Yota DOUBLE STOMPS! Yota runs, but Khan avoids the curb stomp! Khan sends Yota into the bare buckles! IRON- NO, Yota slips free and KNEES, SUPERKICKS, then GENE- NO, the ref is used as a shield! LOW BLOW!! And ELIMI- DDT!! The fans fire up as Yota turns things around!

Both men are down again and Khan sputters. Yota sits up, but he’s still sore down there. Yota hobbles to a corner, he takes aim again, and runs up on Khan, but into an IRON RIGHT into the bad arm! POINT-BLANK GENE BLASTER!! The fans fire up as Yota roars, and he reloads! Yota runs the ropes to GENE BLASTER! Then another GENE BLASTER!! Cover, Yota wins!

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

No spoilers or golden tickets to the top tonight, the IWGP Heavyweight Champion stands tall! But will this secure Yota a spot in the playoffs? Or are there still obstacles to overcome?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Hirooki Goto VS Boltin Oleg!

The Fierce Warrior will not be the oldest wrestler to win the G1, but that doesn’t mean he can’t #TurnItAllAround before the end. But will Goto #GetBackUp? Or will he be put behind BARS?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They feel things out, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Oleg powers Goto back step by step, then has him on the ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, Oleg backs away, and the fans applaud. The two reset, circle, and tie up again. Another deadlock, but Goto manages to push Oleg back a step. Oleg pushes Goto back that step, and repeat, until Goto manages to push Oleg back a couple steps. Oleg powers up to put Goto back on the ropes, but Goto turns things around. Red Shoes counts, Goto lets off with a pat on the shoulders. The fans applaud again as the two reset.

The two tie up again, and Oleg headlocks. Goto endures the grind, powers up to pry at the hold, but Oleg clamps on tighter. Goto still tires, but Oleg still holds on. Goto fires body shots, powers up and out, but Oleg RAMS him! And RAMS him again! Oleg has Goto in a corner, then whips corner to corner. Oleg runs up, but Goto dodges! Goto comes back to RUN Oleg over! The fans cheer while Oleg is down. Goto storms up on Oleg, brings him in, but Oleg suplexes first! The fans cheer while Goto flounders out of the ring. Oleg waits as the ring count climbs. Oleg then decides to go outside, and he brings Goto up.

Oleg puts Goto into the ring, brings him up, but Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! Oleg CHOPS back! Oleg stands Goto up, but Goto CHOPS again! So Oleg CHOPS again! Oleg scoops, SLAMS, and runs to BOLTIN PRESS! Cover, TWO! Goto survives and the fans cheer. Oleg paces around Goto, stomps him, then grabs a leg. Oleg drags Goto around, turns him over, and has the HALF CRAB! The fans rally while Goto endures and Oleg pulls on the leg. Goto fights around, reaches out, but Oleg puts on the pressure. The fans rally more as Goto pushes up, powers his way forward, only for Oleg to drag him back! But Goto makes another lurch, and he makes the ROPEBREAK!

The fans applaud while Oleg lets go. Oleg then brings Goto around, but Goto drops from the pain in his back. Oleg stands Goto up, but Goto fires a forearm! Oleg fires back! Goto drops to his knees again, and Oleg eggs him on. Goto rises, fires another forearm, but Oleg eggs him on again! Goto fires forearm after forearm, but Oleg ROCKS him with just one! The fans rally, Oleg wants Goto to bring the fight, and Goto rises. Goto CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Oleg LIFTS Goto and RAMS him into the corner! Oleg RAMS again and again and again! Red Shoes counts, Oleg stops, and Goto slumps down. Red Shoes checks, but Goto is still in this.

Oleg stands Goto up, whips him corner to corner, but Oleg reverses. Goto runs up, but into a BOOT! Oleg runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! Oleg rebounds to RAM Goto! Goto rebounds to LARIAT Oleg down! The fans fire up while Oleg flounders! Goto drags Oleg up, whips him to a corner, and MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Oleg is still in this and the fans applaud. Goto drags Oleg up, but Oleg fights the fireman’s carry! Oleg CLUBS away on Goto, but Goto fires a forearm! Goto whips, Oleg reverses, and clinches! BELLY2BELLY!

The fans rally up as Oleg stands. Oleg slaps feeling into his bad arm while Goto crawls to a corner. Oleg runs corner to corner to SPLASH! Then he reels Goto in for the Shake, Shake, Shake, and THROW! The fans cheer as Oleg kips up! Oleg then runs corner to corner, goes up, up, and VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Goto survives but Oleg stays focused. The fans rally as Oleg brings Goto up, reels him in, but Goto fights the lift! Oleg powers through, but Goto fights free with fists! Oleg kicks low, then runs, but Oleg fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! The fans fire up while both men are down! Red Shoes checks, and Oleg crawls to a corner.

Goto crawls to the opposite corner, and both men rise up. Goto roars, runs, but Oleg meets him for DOUBLE LARIATS! And DOUBLE LARIATS! Oleg runs, but Goto catches him to a spin and URA GTR! Goto runs, but into a fireman’s carry! Goto slips free, for a SLEEPER! Oleg drops to a knee already! Oleg fights up, but drops back down as Goto puts on the pressure! Goto squeezes tight, Oleg turns red, but he’s fading! Red Shoes checks, but Goto lets go to PENALTY KICK! A shoutout to The Wrestler and the fans fire up! Goto then goes back to Oleg, powers up, and takes aim for a BUZZ- NO! Oleg blocks!

Oleg CLUBS the leg, then reels Goto in! POINT-BLANK KAMIKAZE! Cover, TWO! Goto survives, Oleg grows frustrated, but the fans continue to rally. Oleg rises again, and he brings Goto up. Oleg reels Goto in, roars, and the fans cheer as he lifts Goto! BOLTIN BOMB! High stack, TWO!! Goto survives, but Oleg just fires up again! The fans are with Oleg as he brings Goto up, fireman’s carries, and goes for a corner. But Goto fights free, and has the SLEEPER! Oleg flails, but he RAMS Goto into the corner! Oleg is free, but Goto hops back on for a SLEEPER! Goto is a backpack, but Oleg powers up again! And he climbs the corner!?

The fans freak out already and Red Shoes says be careful! But Goto lets go to hop down! Goto CHOP BLOCKS a leg, and he has Goto in the ropes! Goto dragon sleepers Oleg, for the DRAPING SHOTO!! The fans fire up, but Goto has to crawl back to the cover! TWO!! Oleg survives by nanoseconds, but the fans rally up for Goto again. Goto drags Oleg up and dragon sleepers! But Oleg fires shots from below! Goto catches Oleg, powers the arm into place, but then Oleg spins through! Fireman’s carry and THE VERDI- NO, Goto lands out! And he has the arms hooked, GOTO NISHIKI! TWO!! Oleg escapes, then CHOPS! Goto HEADBUTTS! Oleg SHOTGUNS!

The fans fire up as both men are down again! But then Oleg kips back up! The fans cheer as Oleg runs corner to corner, but DOUBLE LARIATS meet again! Oleg keeps moving, but Goto MURAMASAS at center! The fans fire up as Goto dragon sleepers, G T R!! Cover, GOTO WINS!

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

It seems the rumors of his demise were greatly exaggerated! Goto may be out of the running, but he still got a win here tonight! Will Goto show the world what you can do when you #GetBackUp? As for Oleg, he’s still holding onto second place, can he still find a place in the playoffs?

G1 Climax 36 A Block: Shingo Takagi VS Yuto-Ice!

The Rampaging Dragon and the Knock Out Brother are both Unbound, but one is coming off a win and the other is coming off a loss. But will Yuto be coming off a high after tonight? Or can Takagi keep the momentum going?

The two get forehead to forehead, then Red Shoes has them back off. The bell rings, the two run up, and Takagi dodges the boot! Yuto blocks, Takagi blocks, then Takagi knees low! Takagi headlocks, Yuto power and out, and they RAM shoulders! Neither man falls, and the fans fire up! Yuto pulls Takagi’s hair, Takagi pulls Yuto’s hair, Red Shoes reprimands as they go to ropes. Takagi grinds his forearm into Yuto’s face, then backs off, but Yuto UPPERCUTS first! The fans cheer and Yuto grins while Takagi bails out. Takagi walks it off, kicks the railing in frustration, then grabs a chair! Takagi CHUCKS the chair but Yuto easily gets clear.

Yuto laughs and eggs Takagi on. Takagi comes back to ringside, but takes his time stepping in. Takagi and Yuto reset, circle, and they feel things out. Yuto kicks, Takagi clinches, and they end up on ropes, then in a corner. Takagi has Yuto trapped, and he HEADBUTTS, then rains down forearms! Red Shoes reprimands and Takagi stops, but Yuto turns things around to fire a flurry! Takagi shoves back, then throws a forearm! Yuto likes that, and fires back! The fans rally as the forearms go back and forth! Takagi fires up, the fans are with him, and the forearms keep going! Yuto fires up, the fans cheer him, too!

Yuto fires more forearms, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Takagi runs, but Yuto RUOCKS him! Yuto runs, and he BOOTS Takagi down! The fans fire up with Ice, and he goes back to Takagi. Yuto sits Takagi up to KICK him in the back! Takagi eggs him on, so Yuto KICKS again! Takagi eggs Yuto on again, so Yuto KICKS again! Takagi stands up, stares Yuto down, and they go forehead to forehead again. Yuto fires forearms, then he stomps Takagi down in the corner. Yuto digs his boot in, then stops so he can get gangsta. BOMBA- LARIAT from Takagi! Takagi keeps moving, and RUNS Yuto over! The fans fire up while Yuto bails out!

Takagi slips out after Yuto, brings him back around, and whips him into railing! Commentary gets jammed up again, but then Takagi brings Yuto around into the crowd! Yuto fires body shots, fans hurry aside, and Takagi ROCKS Yuto! The brawl goes closer to commentary, but Takagi SMACKS Yuto off a fan chair! The fans rally as Takagi JAMS Yuto up with a chair! Then Takagi SMACKS Yuto off a chair again! Yuto flounders, Red Shoes reprimands, and even commentary is worried, but Takagi steps on Yuto’s neck! Red Shoes counts, Takagi stops, but Yuto gets up to fire forearms! Yuto makes Takagi take a seat before he KICKS and SMACKS him down!

Yuto has the fans move further back, then he brings Takagi up, only for Takagi to RAM him into railing! And now commentary has to move as Takagi SMACKS Yuto off the desk! Yuto stumbles around, Takagi pursues, and they go to another section of the crowd! Takagi CLUBS Yuto, opens up the railing, and SMACKS him off the timekeeper’s desk! The fans cheer while President Tanahashi has to watch out now. Red Shoes reprimands, but Takagi POSTS Yuto! The fans rally as Yuto stumbles and falls. Takagi brings Yuto up, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud. Takagi ELBOW DROPS, covers, TWO! Takagi SENTONS!

The fans rally while Yuto sputters. Takagi brings Yuto up, in, and suplexes high and hard! The fans cheer, and Takagi stands over Yuto. Takagi scuffs Yuto, eggs him on, and Yuto sits up. Takagi JABS, JABS, then ROCKS him! Yuto flops back over while the fans rally up. Takagi drags Yuto up, reels him in, but Yuto fights the lift. Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS, then runs, but Yuto mule kicks and THROWS him down! The fans rally again while Yuto stands. Yuto fires up, the fans are with him, and he ROCKS Takagi. Yuto KNEES Takagi to the corner, fires more KNEES, then sits Takagi down. “BOMBACLAT!” KNEE WASH!

The fans cheer, and Yuto brings Takagi from the corner for a cover, ONE!! Takagi toughs it out and Yuto nods. Yuto runs, ICE- NO! Takagi blocks the kick! Takagi stands, Yuto fires hands, but Takagi DRAGON SCREWS the leg! Takagi drops a knee on the knee! Takagi fires up, the fans rally behind him, and Takagi drops another knee on the knee! Then Takagi steps through, but Yuto KICKS Takagi down! The fans rally while both men stir. Yuto rises, hobbles, and he goes back to Takagi. Yuto scuffs Takagi, pie faces him, but Takagi CHOPS! Yuto BOOTS Takagi! Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuto winds up to BOOT again!

Takagi CHOPS, but Yuto BOOTS, repeat! Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS, and then some! Red Shoes reprimands about closed fists, but then Yuto pulls hair to CLUB Takagi down! The fans cheer and Yuto sits Takagi up, ICE HIGH! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer, and Yuto waits on Takagi. Takagi rises up, Yuto BUZZ- NO, Takagi ducks! Takagi waistlocks, Yuto ELBOWS free, then Yuto KICKS low! Yuto reels Takagi in, but Takagi fights the suplex to NECK SCREW! Both men are down and the fans cheer again. Takagi sits up, stumbles a bit, then storms over to Yuto. Takagi stands Yuto up, but Yuto ducks the lariat!

Takagi still ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON feints to DDT! The fans cheer, and Takagi looks to camera. Takagi wags his finger, it’s not time yet. Takagi drags Yuto up, hoists him up top, then climbs up the corner. Yuto fires body shots, then fires forearms. Takagi holds on and HEADBUTTS Yuto! Takagi brings Yuto up, SUPERPLEX! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Takagi sits up, and now he tells the fans, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans cheer “OI! OI! OI!” as Takagi runs, and PUMPING BOMBER! But Yuto stays up?! The fans fire up as Yuto huffs ‘n’ puffs, then BOOTS! Takagi spins to SOUTHPAW LARIAT!

Yuto stays up, though he staggers, and he shakes his head! The fans fire up as the forearms fly! Yuto KICKS, Takagi LARIATS, repeat! Takagi LARIATS again and Yuto staggers! Yuto comes back to KICK! The fans rally as the LARIAT hits! Yuto stays up and the fans cheer as he comes back to KICK! Both men wobble, but Takagi fires another LARIAT! Yuto comes back with the KICK! They go forehead to forehead, then Yuto KICKS the lariat away! But Takagi ducks a kick to SAIDO! Then Takagi aims from a corner, PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi isn’t done, he drags Yuto up and pump handles! MADE IN JAPAN! Cover, TWO!! The fans cheer as Yuto survives!

Takagi sits Yuto up, and clamps on for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! The fans cheer “OI! OI! OI!” then Takagi runs. Yuto ducks the sliding lariat to BUZZSAW!! But he can’t make the cover! The fans rally up as both men are down! Yuto sits up, then crawls to the ropes. The fans fire up as Yuto aims, CRU- ELBOW! JAB! But Yuto SLAPS! Yuto bobs ‘n’ weaves to SLAP, but Takagi JABS! Takagi runs, but into a ROUBDHOUSE! Then CRUELLA POINT-BLANK!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and the fans fire up again! Yuto brings Takagi up to ROUNDHOUSE him back down! Then a suplex, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans are thunderous as Takagi survives! Yuto snarls, roars, and he goes back to the corner! Yuto aims as Takagi stirs. Takagi sits up, CRUEL- PUMPING BOMBER TAKEDOWN!! Cover, TWO, but SLIDING D! The fans fire up again, and Takagi drags Yuto up. Takagi pump handles, torture racks, and BURNING DRAGON! The fans stay hot as Takagi runs the ropes, PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!!! Yuto survives and the fans are thunderous again! Takagi goes to the ropes, stands, staggers, and he goes over to Yuto. Takagi pump handles, but Yuto fires elbows! Takagi ROCKS Yuto! Yuto ROCKS Takagi!

Takagi RIDGE HANDS! Yuto KICKS the leg! Takagi ROCKS Yuto again! Yuto ROCKS Takagi! Takagi RIDGE HANDS! Yuto fires a forearm, Takagi ridge hands, then Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again! Yuto HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires boxing elbows! Takagi then ROCKS Yuto, but Yuto comes back with PALM STRIKE after PALM STRIKE! But Takagi ELBOWS, RIDGE HANDS, JABS, but Yuto HAYMAKERS! DOUBLE HEADBUTTS collide! The fans fire up as Takagi HEADBUTTS again! And he reels Yuto in, but Yuto HEADBUTTS back! And then HEARTLESS!! Cover, YUTO WINS!

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

The Rampaging Dragon has been slain again! He now sits on the hotseat going into the final round, can Takagi survive? Or is he already cooked?

As for Yuto, he gets the mic, even as he slumps in the corner. Yuto tells Takagi, “I knew you were special.” The fans applaud that. Yuto says his head is pounding, he can’t think straight, but he knows he wants to be like Takagi! The fans also applaud that. Yuto says, “Whether you have belt or not, you’re tough, you’re strong, and you’re a draw. That’s my goal.” The fans applaud again, and Yuto says if Takagi’s cool with it, Yuto usually talks about feeling it all in the ring, but… Please, give him advice backstage, too. The fans like the sound of that! Takagi nods, then heads out.

Yuto continues by asking, “How many of you thought I would win? This must be the real deal G1 Climax high!” The fans cheer, and Yuto manages to stand as he says, “My goal, my model is Tomohiro Ishii, Zack Sabre Jr, and Shingo Takagi. To be the kind of wrestler the world wants to fight! That’s my goal! I have ambition. Tomohiro Ishii is the world’s toughest wrestler. Zack Sabre Jr. is the world’s best technical wrestler. And Shingo Takagi is the world’s most energetic wrestler!” The fans applaud, and Yuto says all he hears is that Yuto’s just a striker, just punches and kicks, no moves or submissions. He “can’t wrestle.”

Well, Yuto’s ambition is to be the world’s best striker in the game! The fans cheer that! Yuto won’t leave any room for complaints! Love him, hate him, as long as he gets paid! “Just feel it for yourself. There’s a lot of wrestlers here that are money. That’s NJPW!” The fans cheer that, too! Don’t think, just feel! Let’s Get High! Tch tch, BIG UP! The fans fire up for Ice, will he be the striker that strikes gold through the G1?

Here are the NEW 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]

My Thoughts:

Another great round, the penultimate round really, though maybe not as hot as previous. Still solid stuff all the way to the end. I liked that instead of blading, Jake was hiding under the ring so he could smear a Joker smile on his face. A little surprised busting out that side didn’t win it for him, but great stuff for Oiwa. We’ve cleared out some space in A Block with Jake and Sanada now being eliminated. Great win for Yota over Khan, keeping him alive this close to the end. Goto got a great win here against Oleg, and Yuto staying alive a little longer is great, too. The A Block is going to be really close, and that makes it a lot of fun.

My Score: 9/10