A Block takes center stage today with five tournament matches in Ota on night five of the NJPW G1 Climax 35.
In the main event, Hiroshi Tanahashi faces David Finlay. Both wrestlers are 1-1 with 2 points thus far in the tournament. This is of course the final G1 for NJPW president Tanahashi, as he has announced that he will retire at Wrestle Kingdom in January.
Yota Tsuji and Ryohei Oiwa will square off in the semi-main event. Both enter the match with 2-1 records and 4 points so far. The winner will remain tied for the A Block lead following today’s show.
Taichi and EVIL will lock horns in another tournament matchup. Both are 2-1 with 4 points, and the winner will also remain tied atop A Block.
Yuya Umeura faces Callum Newman on today’s card, with both 1-2 with 2 points.
The tournament action today kicks off in the sixth match of the card with Boltin Oleg vs. SANADA. Oleg is 2-1 with 4 points, while SANADA is 1-2 with 2 points.
A series of tag team previews for Saturday’s B Block bouts fill out the first five matches of today’s show.
Our coverage will begin shortly after the show ends.
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Gabe Kidd Officially Withdraws from G1 Climax 35
Kidd came to the ring moving very gingerly on his bad knee and said he was hopeful to power through and continue the tournament, but the doctors said there’s no way he’s going to be cleared and withdraws from the G1. While this sucks, the positive is he’s received so much love from the fans and promises when he’s back, it’ll be the best version of Gabe Kidd you’ve ever seen and thanks the crowd again for their support.
Shoma Kato & YOSHI-HASHI vs. United Empire (Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young)
After a long stare down, O-Khan fired off one Mongolian Chop on Yoshi before he & Young attacked their opponents around the ringside area. Spilling into the crowd, O-Khan sat and posed on Yoshi before posting him before controlling Kato back inside. Kato managed to fire off a deep arm drag and that was enough for a Yoshi hot tag, laying out O-Khan with a Head Hunter. A brief back and forth of chops led to Young & Kato coming back in, Kato hitting a vertical suplex before feeding Young to Yoshi for a superkick. O-Khan broke the count, but had his leg dropkicked out by Yoshi. Leg lariat by Young flattened Kato and was followed up with a shotgun dropkick out of the corner for two. Jakob’s Ladder (Sliced Bread) connected and Young got the win.
Match Result: Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young defeated Shoma Kato & YOSHI-HASHI when Young pinned Kato
Jado & El Phantasmo vs. TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr. & Hartley Jackson)
Sabre trash talked ELP’s gear before an early scramble saw ELP lounge in the corner until a forearm/uppercut exchange ensued. ELP caught Sabre with a dropkick and briefly double teamed with Jado, who took over, but immediately was trapped in a triangle arm bar in the ropes. Jackson continued targeting the arm, until Jado started no selling Sabre’s strikes, turning him inside out with a lariat. ELP tagged in with a springboard axe handle and Lionsault for two. Sabre blocked an enzugiri with an Ankle Lock, but there was a scramble, ELP nearly getting CR2, only for Sabre to roll through into a PK for the double down. Jackson made the tag, but ELP ducked a charging Sabre, who booted his partner. Sudden Death connects by ELP, as he rolled up Jackson for the victory.
Match Result: Jado & El Phantasmo defeated Zack Sabre Jr. & Hartley Jackson when ELP pinned Jackson
Tomoaki Honma & Shota Umino vs. House of Torture (Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)
At least Narita & Kanemaru had the respect enough to attack right at the bell and not before, as they worked over Honma in the early going, keeping him isolated until he flattened Kanemaru with a DDT. Umino made the tag and charged Narita, who quickly bailed, so Kanemaru suffered corner strikes and fisherman’s suplex for two. Narita tripped the leg, long enough for Kanemaru to dropkick out the leg, try a double team, but Umino had is scouted and caught Narita with a dropkick. Umino sold his knee, as Honma tagged back in, tried a Kokeshi, but Narita dodged and sank in an arm breaker. Umino made the save with locomotion corner splashes and double suplex with Honma on Narita before assisting with the Kokeshi, which finally hit. Headbutt & lariat got Honma a near fall, as Kanemaru is seen taking a swig of whisky on the outside. He threw the ref into Honma, misting him, giving Narita a chance to waffle Honma with the pushup board to steal the pin. Post-match, Narita & Kanemaru continued the beating, nearly taking out Umino’s knee, but it was dodged, sending Narita high tailing it.
Match Result: Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated Tomoaki Honma & Shota Umino when Narita pinned Honma
Daiki Nagai & Shingo Takagi vs. Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero)
An early exchange with Takeshita & Takagi saw neither budging off shoulder block attempts before each dodged signature clothesline attempts, leading to a stalemate. Nagai & Romero tagged in, with Nagai hitting a shoulder tackle, then refusing to give up the pin attempt for three separate two counts. Takeshita briefly stared down Nagai from the apron, which was enough for Romero to attack and gain control. Nagai continued being isolated, including a deep squat suplex from Takeshita, before finally dodging a corner charge, sinking in a Boston Crab on Romero. Takeshita broke it up with a big boot, but Nagai didn’t back down, hitting a huge dropkick. Takagi & Takeshita slugged it out, until Takeshita fired off a home run right hand. Nagai got a series of roll-ups on Romero, who floated over a suplex, hit a Rewind Kick and sank in the Diablo Armbar for the submission.
Match Result: Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero defeated Daiki Nagai & Shingo Takagi when Romero submitted Nagai
A Block: Boltin Oleg (4) vs. SANADA (2)
(Another strong showing from Oleg, who continues to impress in his G1 Climax debut. Meanwhile, the SANADA Fit Check is real, folks, I can only describe him as a Create-A-Wrestler come to life, as he’s someone you give as many accessories for entrances and as whacky attire as possible.)
Running trend this G1 has been SANADA’s absurd entrance attires, as this one, I can only describe as Giant Gonzalez Chic, as it’s an airbrushed full body suit and a thong. Thankfully he’s not wrestling in that, as he attacked Oleg during his intro, but Oleg quickly ran through him with a shoulder tackle to the outside. SANADA dodged a Kamikaze, getting a drop toe hold throat first into the barricade. The match spilled into the crowd, leaving Oleg crawling back to the ring to beat the count, as SANADA was there to dropkick out the leg repeatedly. Oleg fought back with a suplex and huge running splash for a near fall, before hitting his Boltin Shake.
SANADA booted Oleg through the ropes, crotched him and hit a draping Magic Screw off the apron and another back inside before locking in Skull End. Oleg floated over, tried a lawn dart, but SANADA slipped out, tried a springboard dropkick, only Oleg moved and mowed him down for two. Series of reversals led to a missed low blow attempt by SANADA, who tried a moonsault out of the corner, but leapt into the clutches of Oleg, who hit Verdict. SANADA avoided Kamikaze with a Shining Wizard to the back of the head. Oleg blocked the second attempt into a Kamikaze to get the win.
Match Result: Boltin Oleg (6) defeated SANADA (2)
A Block: Yuya Uemura (2) vs. Callum Newman (2)
(Uemura continues to be my favorite of the new guard of NJPW, his matches, regardless of how where on the card, always seem to draw me in and get my interest. Newman has done a great job selling this G1 so far, his first few matches saw him sell his knee, while today, it was the arm.)
After refusing to give up the center of the ring for Uemura to do his entrance, Newman exploded out of the gates early, realizing his speed is going to be his advantage. The moment the match slowed, Uemura took advantage, targeting the left arm, leaving Newman to rely on his kicks to get back control. Newman tried to drive his own shoulder into the corner to set it, as a high kick to Uemura gave him time to recover. Oscutter 2.0 blocked as he leapt right into an arm breaker in mid-air by Uemura, leaving Newman scrambling for the ropes. Newman sent Uemura to the floor and hit a wildly impressive scale of the ropes and springboard double stomp to Uemura’s back.
Not wanting the count-out victory, Newman rolled Uemura back inside for another double stomp off the top for two. Corkscrew kick landed flush, but Uemura cut off a charge with a huge dropkick. Both traded charges, until Newman tried to throw a right hand, his bad arm, allowing Uemura to Gator Roll into a Deadbolt Suplex for the victory.
Match Result: Yuya Uemura (4) defeated Callum Newman (2)
A Block: Taichi (4) vs. EVIL (4)
(Your House of Torture special, which is the carbon copy of all EVIL matches for G1 Climax’s until it inevitably blows up in his face later in the tournament. It’s been going on so long, even if it includes who I think has been the G1 MVP, Taichi, I am almost entirely zapped of interest in matches like this.)
EVIL, Don Fale & Dick Togo attacked not only Taichi, but his young lion, Masatora Yasuda as well before the bell. EVIL would almost use Yasuda as a prop of distraction to beat down Taichi outside. Back inside, Taichi started no selling, so EVIL went to the eyes. Taichi avoided the ref distraction, decking Kanemaru off the apron, ripped his britches off, before being tripped up by Fale, allowing EVIL to regain control. Taichi scrambled, tried a Saito Suplex, but EVIL held onto referee Marty Asami, who had enough of his nonsense and slapped EVIL in the face. Taichi hit the Saito Suplex with a bridge, but only for a two count. Taichi went for an Axe Bomber, but EVIL pulled Asami in to take the bullet.
Togo attacked Taichi from behind, but Yasuda made the save. Trying to fight off Fale, who just stood there unphased. After easily dispatching of Yasuda, Fale wanted a Grenade on Taichi, who avoided and hip tossed Fale to the outside before knocking EVIL (who had a chair) off the apron to the outside. Fale threw EVIL back inside at 19, but Taichi met him with an Axe Bomber for two. Taichi missed another, Fale hit him in the back with a chair, allowing EVIL to hit an Axe Bomber of his own for two. Taichi no sold being sent into an exposed corner buckle, sending EVIL chest first into it, as he wanted Black Mephisto, but EVIL countered into the neckbreaker cutter for the win.
Match Result: EVIL (6) defeated Taichi (4)
A Block: Yota Tsuji (4) vs. Ryohei Oiwa (4)
(A much slower paced match you’d expect in the first half, but once it got going, it ramped up in a big way and the crowd were loudly into it. Both know each other so well, that everything the other would throw would be scouted, so ultimately, Tsuji had to pull out a completely new way to get the flash victory, as both continue looking strong in the tournament.)
Very even back and forth out the gate, as Tsuji trapped the arm and snapped it back, as that’s the body part he’s zoned in on. Oiwa dodged a baseball slide and worked a headlock ringside before driving Tsuji into the barricade. After breaking the count, Oiwa picked up the pace a bit, but Tsuji was there with a Facebreaker combo before going back to the arm. Tsuji wanted the Marlowe Crash, but Oiwa dodged into a suplex, but couldn’t follow up due to the arm issues. Both fought up in the ropes, as Tsuji connected on a sunset flip Liger Bomb for two. Tsuji tried firing off lariats, but Oiwa no sold and spiked Tsuji with a DDT. Headbutt crumbled Tsuji, who rose up with a smile on his face. While Tsuji missed a Curb Stomp, Oiwa looked to get just enough of his (which was about zero), went for a Doctor Bomb, but Tsuji popped him with a right hand and followed with multiple Curb Stomps.
Tsuji did the deal with a Falcon Arrow for two before snapping the fingers of Oiwa, following with a pump knee and Marlowe Crash. Oiwa managed to dodge a Gene Blaster, turning Tsuji inside out with a lariat, but with his bad arm. Rolling Germans from Oiwa, but Tsuji blocked Chaos Theory into a snap German and Gene Blast for two. Tsuji charged for another, but it was Oiwa who hit a Gene Blast for a one count, turned Tsuji inside out with a lariat, this time for two. Doctor Bomb connected flush, but again, Tsuji kicked out. Discus lariat missed, but Chaos Theory landed, only for Tsuji to kick out again. Oiwa maintained wrist control, but Tsuji was able to hit a sit-out backslide for a snazzy flash pin.
Match Result: Yota Tsuji (6) defeated Ryohei Oiwa (4)
A Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi (2) vs. David Finlay (2)
(Finlay is hell bent on being the best, but each hiccup makes that desire that much more difficult and it’s all about how he bounces back. This was Tanahashi’s 99th G1 Climax tournament win and I wouldn’t be shocked if Tanahashi either goes to the Finals or gets to 100 wins and that’s it. I’m glad he’s soaking in every possible moment in his final G1 Climax, he deserves all the flowers and admiration for what he’s done and continues to do for New Japan Pro Wrestling.)
Some early comedy, with each making their case to referee Red Shoes that the other pulled their hair, but Red Shoes was having none of it. Tanahashi hit a springboard cross body out the corner and low dropkick to Finlay’s leg, leading to a little air guitar. The delay allowed Finlay to return the favor with a dropkick, going after Tanahashi’s left leg. Finlay continued to keep Tanahashi grounded until the tables were turned and a suplex into the corner left Finlay clutching his leg. Somersault senton crushed Finlay for two, as Tanahashi leapt for Sling Blade, but Finlay caught him with a back suplex. Taking it to the outside, Finlay had Tanahashi in a fireman’s carry and just launched him into the post. Trying a powerbomb, Tanahashi countered with a hurricanrana into the post, leaving both men to beat the count at 19.
Forearm battle ramped up before Tanahashi changed levels with uppercuts until Finlay cut him off with a huge Dominator for two. Finlay wanted Into Oblivion, but Tanahashi countered into multiple Twist & Shouts and Sling Blades. Struggling to leap over the top, Tanahashi still hit Aces High and High Fly Flow, but Finlay kicked out. Tanahashi went for another, this time Finlay getting the knees up for the reset. Tanahashi charged into the corner, but Finlay caught him with multiple Into Oblivions, only for Tanahashi to kick out. Tanahashi no sold multiple back fists, so Finlay threw an uppercut headbutt that crumbled Tanahashi. Finlay wanted Overkill, but Tanahashi countered into a cradle for the flash pin and Finlay can’t believe it, he had a mini-tantrum out of frustration, but signaled to Tanahashi that he was this close to winning.
Post-match, Tanahashi thanked the crowd, hoping everyone shows up tomorrow, as this is his last G1 Climax and he’s standing in the ring with conviction and determination. Tanahashi said while he’s tired, he’s never too tired to be thrown the air guitar and tear it up for the fans. After a few solos and encores, Tanahashi smashed the air guitar and thanked them all again. Aaron Wolf was shown as one of the Young Lions and we get a shot of him nodding to Tanahashi, as we already know Tanahashi’s career will end at Wrestle Kingdom, while Wolf’s career begins. Despite this not being a very full crowd, you’d never have known it at the end, as every fan flocked to Tanahashi to high five, hug or simply wave to him during his exit.
Match Result: Hiroshi Tanahashi (4) defeated David Finlay (2)
A Block Standings:
- EVIL 6 points
- Boltin Oleg 6 points
- Yota Tsuji 6 points
- Hiroshi Tanahashi 4 points
- Ryohei Oiwa 4 points
- Taichi 4 points
- Yuya Uemura 4 points
- Callum Newman 2 points
- David Finlay 2 points
- SANADA 2 points
B Block Standings:
- YOSHI-HASHI 6 points
- Drilla Moloney 4 points
- Shota Umino 4 points
- Konosuke Takeshita 4 points
- Ren Narita 4 points
- Zack Sabre Jr. 2 points
- El Phantasmo 2 points
- Great-O-Khan 2 points
- Shingo Takagi 2 points
- Gabe Kidd (withdrawn) 0 points
Saturday July 26 in Tokyo:
- B Block: YOSHI-HASHI vs. Great-O-Khan
- B Block: El Phantasmo vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
- B Block: Shota Umino vs. Ren Narita
- B Block: Shingo Takagi vs. Konosuke Takeshita
