Tag: NJPW G1 Climax

NJPW G1 Climax 35 semifinals set

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Following Thursday’s show at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, NJPW G1 Climax 35 is down to its final four competitors.

Yota Tsuji and Konosuke Takeshita secured their semifinal spots with respective victories over Shota Umino and David Finlay as the G1 playoffs began. Both semifinal matches will go down this Saturday with EVIL vs. Tsuji and Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Takeshita determining which two competitors advance to the finals.

EVIL and Sabre earned byes to the semifinals by finishing atop A and B Block during round-robin competition. The semifinal bouts are both rematches from earlier in the tournament, where EVIL defeated Tsuji and Sabre defeated Takeshita.

Ariake Arena in Tokyo is hosting the semifinals on Saturday with the finals then happening at the same venue the next day.

Along with bragging rights, the G1 winner receives an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship shot that is traditionally used at NJPW’s annual Wrestle Kingdom spectacular at the Tokyo Dome in January. Sabre is the current champion, having defeated Hirooki Goto to regain the belt back in June. Sabre could choose his Wrestle Kingdom challenger if he wins the G1.

NJPW G1 Climax 35 remaining schedule —

Saturday, August 16:

  • Semifinal match: EVIL vs. Yota Tsuji
  • Semifinal match: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Konosuke Takeshita

Sunday, August 17:

  • Tournament finals

NJPW G1 Climax 35 results: B Block’s final night

Posted on by Corey Michaels

The G1 Climax 35 playoffs will be set following today’s final night of B Block action in Hamamatsu.

The top three in B Block following today’s show will advance to the playoffs, with the top points total earning a bye into Saturday’s semifinals. Seven competitors remain mathematically alive heading into the show, with only one wrestler having secured their playoff spot in the Block.

In today’s main event, Konosuke Takeshita faces Ren Narita. Both stand at 10 points entering today, and the winner is guaranteed to make the playoffs.

Shota Umino (10 points) faces Great-O-Khan (8 points) in the semi-main event. Umino makes the playoffs with a win, while O-Khan needs a win and help to make the next round.

Zack Sabre Jr. takes on YOSHI-HASHI in tonight’s second tournament bout. Sabre has already secured a playoff spot and will be wrestling for a bye, while YOSHI-HASHI is mathematically eliminated from contention.

Shingo Takagi (8 points) and Drilla Moloney (8 points) square off in tonight’s first tournament bout. Both need to win and need help to have a chance at the playoffs.

**********

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima defeated Masatora Yasuda & Taichi
  • TMDK defeated United Empire
  • Oleg Boltin & Toru Yano defeated House Of Torture
  • Daiki Nagai & Yota Tsuji defeated Shoma Kato & Yuya Uemura
  • House Of Torture defeated War Dogs
  • Shingo Takagi defeated Drilla Moloney
  • Zack Sabre Jr. defeated YOSHI-HASHI
  • Shota Umino defeated Great-O-Khan
  • Konosuke Takeshita defeated Ren Narita

Main Card – Tag Team Matches

Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima defeated Masatora Yasuda & Taichi

Taichi spent the early half dominating Murashima. Yasuda continued that offense, but Murashima laid him flat for a hot Tanahashi tag. Taichi kept the Ace occupied at ringside. Meanwhile, Yasuda grounded Murashima with a Lion Tamer. Murashima slammed Yasuda and tapped him out with a Boston Crab.

TMDK (Hartley Jackson & Ryohei Oiwa) defeated United Empire (Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young)

(Either it’s temporary frustration or a change in personality for Newman, but I do wonder what’s coming next for him. He needs a shakeup so maybe this disappointment is what’s needed to mix things up.)

Newman’s injuries and exhaustion from the G1 Climax kept him slow against the spry Oiwa. Young attempted to keep Jackson away, resulting only in stunned confusion; Newman kicked him to ringside. Jackson made a hot tag, squashing Newman under his own girth. Young too sustained this damage from Jackson after Oiwa offered a scoop slam. Jackson pinned Young following a Jagged Edge.

Oleg Boltin & Toru Yano defeated House Of Torture (SANADA & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)

(This finish was the perfect combination of Boltin’s Superman and Yano’s Deadpool. Using their chemistry made this an entertaining short bout.)

House of Torture immediately cut down their opponents. Kanemaru took advantage of Yano’s turnbuckle antics to attack his knee. Elsewhere, SANADA left Boltin in a heap of chairs amid the audience. Boltin double-suplexed SANADA and Kanemaru, swinging the former in his patented Boltin Shake. SANADA attempted a Skull End and an inside cradle, but both failed as Boltin lightly tossed him through a side suplex. Unwisely, Kanemaru sought a flying crossbody, but Boltin caught him and lent him to Yano for a roll-up pinfall.

Daiki Nagai & Yota Tsuji defeated Shoma Kato & Yuya Uemura

(This was the right move, keeping Tsuji on track and giving hope as opposed to sowing doubt. As for Uemura, he sold the dejection of delivering everything to the tournament just to fail, so well.)

Nagai and Tsuji kept Kato isolated, keeping him flat while knocking Uemura from the corner. A spirited comeback for Uemura saw Tsuji bulldogged onto the mat. Kato made a desperate crawl to escape a Boston Crab, but Tsuji transitioned it into a stretch that tapped out the Young Lion.

House Of Torture (Dick Togo & EVIL) defeated War Dogs (David Finlay & Gedo)

(I’m not asking for much, just that we get a Finlay win over EVIL. Or at least a clean finish in their upcoming Block-A match. I know that’s like throwing a wish to a brick wall, but I’m begging.)

House of Torture abused the War Dogs before the bell could ring, with EVIL driving Finlay through the chairs in the crowd. Don Fale joined the affair, battering Finlay on the barricade. EVIL choked Finlay with the tag rope. Finlay swung a comeback with a Northern Irish Curse. EVIL sought to interrupt Gedo’s momentum, but was choked by Finlay instead. Fale hit Gedo with his Grenade, giving Togo the pinfall.

G1 Climax B-Block Matches

Shingo Takagi (10) defeated Drilla Moloney (8)

(The match did well to position Moloney as a next-up guy. Meanwhile, shining Takagi up as a legend who still has a fire burning deep within his soul is the move at this point. Excellent B-Block opener before the playoffs. Moloney was on fire for this year’s tournament.)

Moloney showed glimpses of hope after the bell, but Takagi got the upper hand at ringside, throwing the War Dog into barricades. The men then battled in the sea of chairs hastily abandoned by the crowd. Evenly matched, the seasoned Takagi unsheathed a lariat, returning control to his favor. A wrathful Moloney quelled Takagi’s momentum with a Spinebuster. Takagi struck Moloney with a Made in Japan. Evading a lariat, Takagi struck with a sliding Pumping Bomber to Moloney’s back. He responded to Takagi with a Piledriver. Having dropped Moloney with a Pumping Bomber, Takagi followed with a Last of the Dragon to defeat Moloney.

Zack Sabre Jr. (14) defeated YOSHI-HASHI (8)

(Well done. Very well done. YOSHI-HASHI’s been an underrated part of the G1 Climax, even after being eliminated. Paired with the personal story of avenging Hirooki Goto against the man who won the title back from him, YOSHI-HASHI put on a match of the night contender.)

Right out of the gate, YOSHI-HASHI and Sabre collided. Sabre soon gained control of YOSHI-HASHI’s legs. YOSHI-HASHI agonized during Sabre’s transition to torturing his wrist. YOSHI-HASHI turned the tides, eventually impacting Sabre with a dropkick. They fought across the barricades outside. YOSHI-HASHI returned the match in his favor with a Headhunter.

Sabre worked YOSHI-HASHI’s arm. YOSHI-HASHI landed a stiff lariat that rattled the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. YOSHI-HASHI scored a nearfall with a Kumagoroshi. Sabre wrenched YOSHI-HASHI’s arms back. Ushigoroshi and a superkick rendered Sabre mat-prone, punctuated by Loose Explosion. YOSHI-HASHI snared Sabre’s arm in an extensioned, but the Brit reversed it, ultimately pulling it back until YOSHI-HASHI submitted.

Shota Umino (12) defeated Great-O-Khan (6)

(Fine match. The Hamamatsu, Shizuoka crowd wasn’t as on-fire for this one as the previous two B-Block matches tonight. That said, this match was what it needed to be, a settling between Umino and Khan, not demanding to be some epic.)

Khan overwhelmed Umino quickly, with the latter narrowly escaping an Eliminator. At ringside, Khan delivered Mongolian chops prior to slingshotting Umino to the blue steel guardrails. As though that were not enough, he sent Umino through the chairs before a dispersed crowd. Khan continually slammed Umino, maintaining a lock on his neck. Umino finally rebounded with a Tornado-DDT.

Khan recovered with a Tenzan Tombstone to daze Umino. Though Umino withstood a flying right hook, he escaped Khan’s claw to discharge a powerbomb. Khan turned Umino’s Northern Lights Suplex to a cradle. Umino turned the page to a Second Chapter for the win over Khan.

Main Event G1 Climax B-Block

Konosuke Takeshita (12) defeated Ren Narita (10)

(This may be one of my favorite House of Torture comeuppances. Takeshita was a warrior, through and through. At times, this match left me breathless. By no means was it Omega/Okada or Steamboat/Flair, but it was a thrill. Credit to Walker Stewart as well, for he brought out something akin to Jim Ross. He truly helped elevate the match. Fantastic main event.)

True to House of Torture fashion, Narita found a prompt advantage with his allies battering Konosuke Takeshita and Rocky Romero of The Don Callis Family. Somehow holding a stoic rage, Takeshita charged in, but fell back to Narita’s boot.

Takeshita fired back with repeated knees to Narita’s jaw. Within the sea of the Hamamatsu crowd, Narita tormented Takeshita, tossing him into chairs. He even slammed Takeshita’s knee with a steel chair. Unsatisfied, Narita swung Takeshita’s knee into the ringpost, where his co-horts added to the damage.

Returning to his technical roots, Narita held his opponent in a submission, to which Takeshita countered into a Brainbuster. Sneakily stealing the control of the match, Narita resumed abusing Takeshita’s knee. The Alpha rallied back with a lariat. Aiming for a German suplex, Takeshita instead was sent into the referee. Don Fale struck Takeshita with a chair whereas Dick Togo choked him with a wire. Romero dispatched both men.

Takeshita downed Narita with an elbow. A tope suicida decimated Narita and his legion of horribles. An Exploder Suplex toppled Narita, as did a Powerdrive Knee. Yoshinobu Kanemaru jammed a bottle of whiskey into the back of Takeshita’s knee. Narita once more returned to stretching Takeshita’s leg. Tapping one time for adrenaline, Takeshita broke the hold with a hasty rope grab. Refusing to stay down, Takeshita plummeted Narita with a Last Ride. Showing great ring awareness, Takeshita yanked his arm from a Kanemaru intrusion and ducked a mist of whiskey to choke Narita into unconsciousness with a Crossface Chickenwing for a triumphant victory.

G1 Climax Playoff Update

Shota Umino and Yota Tsuji face off on August 14. The winner of that match will face EVIL on August 16.

Konosuke Takeshita and David Finlay face off on August 14. The winner of that match will face Zack Sabre Jr. on August 16.

(With the exception of Shota Umino versus Great-O-Khan, the B-Block matches tonight were a blast. YOSHI-HASHI’s last stand against Sabre was an emotional thrill, whereas Takeshita overcoming the odds of House of Torture provided a catharsis to end the night. Those are the matches to watch in terms of quality; Shingo Takagi versus Drilla Moloney is just an added bonus.)

NJPW G1 Climax B Block standings: First wrestler clinches playoff spot

Posted on by Joseph Currier

With a victory on Friday, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr. became the first wrestler to clinch a spot in the NJPW G1 Climax 2025 playoffs.

Sabre defeated Drilla Moloney to bring his G1 points total to 12. That puts him in sole possession of first place in B Block, and it guarantees that Sabre will finish in one of the top three places. Trailing behind him are Shota Umino, Konosuke Takeshita, and Ren Narita with 10 points. There is then a group of wrestlers tied at eight points — some who have been eliminated and some who still have a slight mathematical path.

Here are the full block standings:

B Block standings —

  • Clinched playoff spot — Zack Sabre Jr.: 12 points (6 wins, 2 losses)
  • Shota Umino: 10 points (5 wins, 3 losses)
  • Konosuke Takeshita: 10 points (5 wins, 3 losses)
  • Ren Narita: 10 points (5 wins, 3 losses)
  • Drilla Moloney: 8 points (4 wins, 4 losses)
  • Great-O-Khan: 8 points (4 wins, 4 losses)
  • Shingo Takagi: 8 points (4 wins, 4 losses)
  • Eliminated — YOSHI-HASHI: 8 points (4 wins, 4 losses)
  • Eliminated — El Phantasmo: 8 points (4 wins, 5 losses)
  • Eliminated — Gabe Kidd: 0 points (withdrew from tournament due to injury)

The last A Block show is happening this Sunday with the final B Block matches then taking place on Wednesday. The playoffs are set for August 14-17.

In A Block, Yuya Uemura and EVIL lead the way with 10 points, followed by a logjam at eight.

A Block standings —

  • Yuya Uemura: 10 points (5 wins, 3 losses)
  • EVIL: 10 points (5 wins, 3 losses)
  • Ryohei Oiwa: 8 points (4 wins, 4 losses)
  • David Finlay: 8 points (4 wins, 4 losses)
  • Yota Tsuji: 8 points (4 wins, 4 losses)
  • Oleg Boltin: 8 points (4 wins, 4 losses)
  • Callum Newman: 8 points (4 wins, 4 losses)
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi: 8 points (4 wins, 4 losses)
  • Eliminated –– Taichi: 6 points (3 wins, 5 losses)
  • Eliminated — SANADA: 6 points (3 wins, 5 losses)

The remaining G1 schedule can be seen below:

Sunday, August 10 in Gunma

  • A Block: Yuya Uemura vs. David Finlay
  • A Block: Taichi vs. Oleg Boltin
  • A Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. EVIL
  • A Block: Yota Tsuji vs. Callum Newman
  • A Block: Ryohei Oiwa vs. SANADA

Wednesday, August 13 in Shizuoka

  • B Block: Shota Umino vs. Great-O-Khan
  • B Block: YOSHI-HASHI vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • B Block: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Ren Narita
  • B Block: Shingo Takagi vs. Drilla Moloney

Thursday, August 14 in Tokyo (Korakuen Hall)

  • 2nd Place A Block vs. 3rd Place B Block
  • 2nd Place B Block vs. 3rd Place A Block

Saturday, August 16 in Tokyo (Ariake Arena)

  • A Block Winner vs. Winner of 2nd Place B Block vs. 3rd Place A Block
  • B Block Winner vs. Winner of 2nd Place A Block vs. 3rd Place B Block

Sunday, August 17 in Tokyo (Ariake Arena)

  • Tournament finals

NJPW G1 Climax 35 results: Yota Tsuji vs. David Finlay

Posted on by Joseph Collins

The NJPW G1 Climax 35 tournament continues today at a sold out Korakuen Hall for an A Block show.

In the main event, Yota Tsuji faces David Finlay. Tsuji is part of a five-way-tie for first place in A Block with 8 points, while Finlay is part of the five-way-tie for sixth place with his 6 points. Finlay must win to have a chance to advance to the playoffs. Tsuji has won three of their four previous singles matches.

Yuya Uemura faces Ryohei Oiwa in the semi-main event in a battle of two of NJPW’s hopeful next generation of stars. Both have 8 points entering today’s card.

Hiroshi Tanahashi faces SANADA in another A Block battle on the show. Each has 6 points and must win to remain alive in the tournament. This will be their eighth career singles meeting, with SANADA holding a 4-3 edge.

EVIL faces Boltin Oleg in another matchup of two wrestlers with 8 points each.

Taichi and Callum Newman square off in the night’s first tournament bout, with both sitting at 6 points and needing a victory to salvage any playoffs hopes.

Today’s show streams on NJPW World beginning at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time.

**********

Live from a sold out Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.

Walker Stewart & Chris Charlton were on commentary.  

Jado & El Phantasmo defeated Shoma Kato & YOSHI-HASHI (5:37)

YOSHI-HASHI superkicked Phantasmo into a bodyslam from Kato for a near fall. Kato tried to get a pin with a backslide, but ELP rolled through right into a C2 for the win. After the match, ELP put his Television Title belt on the shoulder of Aaron Wolf who was standing at ringside. He then took it back and put it on the shoulder of a young fan in the crowd.

Zach Sabre, Jr. & Hartley Jackson defeated Drilla Moloney & Taiji Ishimori (7:32)

Ishimori did a fantastic job overselling a senton from Jackson. Ishimori dodged an avalanche in the corner to get the tag to Moloney. Moloney no-sold an avalanche and slammed Jackson, then popped Sabre with a right hand. Ishimori went for a roll up but Sabre countered into a rollup with a back bridge to get the pinfall. Moloney & ZSJ went nose-to-nose after the match.

Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Ren Narita vs. Daiki Nagai & Shingo Takagi (6:40) 

The House of Torture team jumped the Unaffiated team before the bell rang.  Narita and Shigo brawled right into the crowd and Takagi got the advantage and the crowd behind him. Back in the ring, Takagi took down both his opponents with a double clothesline. Nagai got the tag and Kanemaru got a near fall with a suplex. Takagi ran in with a clothesline on Kanemaru to set up a spinebuster from Nagai. Kanemaru locked Nagai in a Boston Crab for the submission. Of course, the House of Torture guys jumped Tagaki after the match; Kanemaru spat whiskey in his face and Narita hit him with a push-up bar. 

Rocky Romero & Konosuke Takeshita defeated Tomoaki Honma & Shota Umino (5:35)

Honma did not move around well out there. Honma missed a headbutt on Takeshita. Romero took out Umino on the floor. Takeshita and Romero tried to doubleteam Honma but Umino broke it up. Honma tried for a running headbutt, but he ran right into a forearm from Takeshita. Takeshita locked in a crossface chicken wing on Honma for the submission. 

After the match, Takeshita and Umino went at it and brawled into the crowd, and Takeshita dropped Umino with a brainbuster on the floor. Umino had to be helped to the back, casting the chances of tomorrow’s main event of Takeshita v. Umino in doubt.

Now time for the A Block matches, where everyone has either 6 points or 8 points. We should start to get some separation in the field after tonight… right?

Callum Newman (4-3, 8 pts) defeated Taichi (3-4, 6 pts) (12:48)

Taichi was eliminated from the playoffs with a loss. This match told a tremendous story, as this was essentially an elimination match for both guys. It was a war of attrition where both guys took the best shots the other had to offer and kept refusing to go down.

Taichi and Newman exchanged kicks for the first three minutes of that match. Taichi laid in two really solid ones that knocked Newman down. He tried to kip up, but crumpled back down. Newman then floored Taichi with a forearm. Taichi rocked Newman with a forearm, then snapped his head back with a kick. Taichi went to take off his long pants, but Newman stopped him, pulled off Taichi’s long pants himself, and then spat in his face. Taichi then absolutely leveled him with a forearm. 

Taichi hit a backdrop suplex for a near fall. Newman caught Taichi with a solid shot to the ribs and Taichi sold it like he’d been shot. Newman followed that up with a sliding knee, and came off the top with a double stomp for a near fall. 

Newman went for a springboard cutter, but Taichi caught him with a forearm to the back. Taichi followed up with an Axe Bomber, and a lariat got a near fall. Newman escaped a back suplex and caught Taichi with a dropkick. Newman hit a v-trigger and poisoned rana. Newman hit Taichi with what looked like a single underhook death rider, but Taichi sat up before Newman could cover. Newman followed up with a kamigoya. Taichi, even though he realized he was done, spat in Newman’s face! Newman finished Taichi off with another modified death rider for the pinfall.

EVIL (5-3, 10 pts) (w/ Don Fale & Dick Togo) defeated Boltin Oleg (4-4, 8pts) (9:46)  

There were times where it looked like Oleg would overcome the 3-on-1 advantage the House of Torture had, but it was not to be. This House of Torture stuff is literally torture to sit through. 

Of course the House of Torture guys jump Oleg before the match. Fale and Togo set up a table on the floor for EVIL to ram Oleg’s head into. Back in the ring, EVIL hit a fisherman’s suplex for a near fall. Oleg ran through EVIL with a tackle, but Fale tripped up Oleg when he ran the ropes. EVIL dragged Oleg into the crowd. 

While in the crowd,  EVIL and Togo went for a double suplex. Oleg escaped and floored EVIL with a chop. Oleg drug both EVIL and Togo back to ringside. Back in the ring, EVIL caught Oleg with a pair of lariats, but he wouldn’t go down. Oleg hit a belly to belly and a fireman’s carry slam for a near fall. Oleg hit a pop-up F5.

EVIL trapped the ref in the corner and Oleg accidentally hit him with an avalanche. The ref was out, which set up more interference from Togo and Fale. Fale put Oleg through a table with a splash off the middle rope. A new ref came to the ring, and EVIL put Oleg away with Everything is Evil. EVIL pinned Oleg in pieces of the table. 

Hiroshi Tanahashi (4-4, 8 pts) defeated SANADA (3-4, 6 pts) (2:37)

This was another must-win match for both guys and with his loss, SANADA is elimiated from the playoffs.

Tanahashi gave SANADA an opening early when he played his air guitar, and SANADA slid in with a knee. SANADA missed a moonsault. Tanahashi went to the top for the High Fly Flow, but SANADA pushed the ref into the ropes, causing Tanahashi to crash to the mat and the ref to crash to the floor.  With the ref down, SANADA grabbed his guitar and just murdered Tanahashi with a guitar shot to the head. Don’t they have concussions in Japan? Anyway, SANADA casually brought the ref back in the ring and when he went to cover… Tanahashi snapped him up in a small package and got the pinfall! Tanahashi had to be helped to the back after the match.

Yuya Uemura (5-3, 10 pts) vs. Ryohei Oiwa (4-4, 8 pts) (17:54)  

Uemura controlled Oiwa early with a top wristlock. Oiwa went for an abdominal stretch, but Uemura countered into one of his own, then went back to the wristlock. Oiwa escaped and hit a dropkick, then went to a side headlock. Uemura escaped briefly, but Oiwa went back to the hold. Uemura tried to escape with a back suplex, but Owia held onto the side headlock to maintain control. 

Uemura finally backed Oiwa into a corner and escaped with shoulder blocks and chops. Uemura whipped Oiwa across the ring, and when Uemura charged him in the corner, Oiwa escaped and went back to the side headlock! Owia then transitioned from that into a cravat. Uemura escaped that with an armdrag, but Oiwa then caught him with a head scissors. Uemura broke that hold by making the ropes. Uemura was finally able to create some space and knock Oiwa down with a cross bodyblock. 

Uemura picked up the pace with arm drags and a dropkick. Uemura hit a bulldog for a near fall. Uemura went back to Oiwa’s wrist with a short-arm scissors. Oiwa escaped but Uemura then went into a hammerlock. Oiwa leveraged himself out of that and sent Uemura into the turbuckles. Oiwa caught Uemura with a back elbow and a lariat, then hit a doctor bomb for a near fall. 

Oiwa came off the top with a falling splash for a near fall as we approached the 15 minute mark. Oiwa went to a chinlock, but Uemura escaped with a backdrop suplex. Uemura hit a dropkick and an enziguri. Oiwa rolled through into a German suplex with a bridge for a near fall. 

Oiwa went for a discus lariat, but Uemura went with Oiwa’s momentum into a cross-arm breaker. Oiwa tired to turn that into a pin attempt, but Uemura escaped. Oiwa countered that into a sleeper. Uemura escaped and went for a rana, but Oiwa countered with a powerbomb into a jackknife cover for a near fall. Oiwa hit a lariat, then went for a discus lariat. But, Uemura turned that into a deadbolt suplex with a bridge and got the pinfall. 

This was tremendous! Go out of your way to see this one.

David Finlay (4-3, 8 pts) (w/ Gedo) defeated Yota Tsuji (4-3, 8pts) (15:20)

Going into the main event, Charlton said on commentary that if Finlay wins, “most of the block stays alive” but if Tsuji wins, “then we’re down to 4.” For sure though, if Finlay loses, he’s out of contention for the playoffs. So the result never really felt in doubt. 

Tsuji left himself open for a shot from Finlay by giving him a clean break. Tsuji sent Finlay to the floor after a spinning backbreaker. Finlay caught Tsuji going for a dive through the ropes with a forearm to take control. 

Back in the ring, Finlay took control with a camel clutch. Tsuji countered a clothesline with a reverse STO. Tsuji sent Finlay to the floor with a sliding dropkick, then hit Finlay with a tope suicidia.

Back in the ring, Tsuji hit a splash in the corner. He tried to come out of the corner with a suplex, but Finlay reversed it and suplexed Tsuji into the turnbuckle. Finlay slowed the pace down with forearms. Tsuji escaped a dominator. Tsuji got a near fall after a suplex into a sitout powerbomb. 

Finlay and Tsuji exchanged forearms in the middle of the ring. Finlay caught Tsuji with a lariat for a near fall. Tsuji escaped a powerbomb with a rana, then hit a superkick and a spear for a near fall. 

Tsuji jumped off the top rope into a powerbomb from Finlay. Finlay hit another powerbomb for a near fall. Finlay went for Overkill, but Tsuji escaped that with a powerbomb. Tsuji hit a bucklebomb. He went for a bucklebomb, but Finlay countered into his own bucklebomb. Tsuji went for a spear, but Finlay countered into a small package for two. Finlay went for Oblivion, but Tsuji countered that into a small package for two. Finlay finally hit the Oblivion for a near fall. 

Finlay sprung off the top rope with a stomp to the back of Tsuji’s head. He went for Overkill again, but Tsuji escaped. Tsuji charged in for a spear, but instead charged into a knee from Finlay. Finlay finally hit the Overkill to get the pinfall. Started out slow but got really good by the end.

After the match, Finlay told the crowd they were witnessing the greatest combat in G1 History. Gedo took the mic and told the fans Finlay was going beat everyone in his path and that New Japan needs a rebel.

A Block Standings:

10 points: EVIL, Uemura. 
8 points: Boltin Oleg, Callum Newman, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Ryohei Oiwa, David Finlay, Yota Tsujo  
6 points: Taichi, SANADA

Newman/Taichi and the last two matches were really good. There’s a very crowded field of potential candidates to make playoffs in the A Block.

NJPW G1 Climax 35 results: Shingo Takagi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

Posted on by Joseph Collins

Osaka hosts today’s NJPW G1 Climax 35 event featuring four B Block matches.

IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr. faces Shingo Takagi in today’s main event. Sabre is part of of a seven-way-tie for first in B Block with his 8 points, while Shingo stands alone in eighth place in the Block with 6 points. Shingo must win to have any hope of advancing to the B Block playoffs. Sabre holds a 4-3 edge in their seven previous singles matches.

In the semi-main, Drilla Moloney faces El Phantasmo. Moloney is part of the logjam at the top of B Block with 8 points, while ELP is one of two wrestlers (Gabe Kidd, out injured) mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

Great-O-Khan takes on Ren Narita in a matchup of two wrestlers with 8 points each in today’s second tournament bout.

YOSHI-HASHI (8 points) vs. Konosuke Takeshita (8 points) kicks off today’s tournament action.

A series of tag previews for Thursday’s A Block show fills out today’s undercard.

Today’s show streams live on NJPW World beginning at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time.

**********

Live from Osaka, INTEX Osaka Hall 5. 

Walker Stewart & Rocky Romero were on English commentary. 

Jakob Austin Young & Callum Newman defeated Taichi & Masatora Yasuda (11:45)

Newman and Taichi had a striking battle that Taichi ended with a nice lariat. The young lions squared off, and Yasuda caught Young with a dropkick. Yasuda went for a submission with a Boston crab. While Taichi and Newman brawled on the floor, Young came back with a twisting vertical suplex, and then finished off Yasuda with Jakob’s Ladder (a Sliced Bread #2) to get the pinfall. Newman taunted Taichi after his victory. 

Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg defeated Dick Togo & EVIL (w/ Don Fale)

EVIL invited Oleg to join the House of Torture by giving him a t-shirt. Oleg put on the House of Torture t-shirt, then dropkicked his oppoents anyway to start the match. Fale squashed Oleg against the ring barricades on the floor. EVIL choked out Oleg with a tag rope. Yano got the tag and the ref got bumped. With the ref down, Fale came in and the House of Torture team triple-teamed Yano. Oleg broke the triple team up and clotheslined Fale to the floor. Oleg caught Togo with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Yano hit Togo with a low blow and rolled him up for the pinfall. 

Yoshinobu Kanemaru & SANADA defeated Kaysuta Murashima & Hiroshi Tanahashi (6:25)

SANADA left Tanahashi laying after they brawled into the crowd. Tanahashi made it back to the ring before behing counted out. SANADA missed a moonsault and Tanahashi caught him with a slingblade. Tags were made on both sides. Murashima overpowered Kanemaru with a suplex and a powerslam for a nearfall. Kanemaru went after Murashima’s injured knee with kicks and a single leg crab. Kanemaru switched to a figure-four leglock. SANADA held back Tanahashi from making the save, and Murashima tapped out. 

Hartley Jackson & Ryohei Oiwa defeated Shoma Kato & Yuya Uemura (5:59) 

The opening sequence between Uemura and Oiwa was tremendous. Jackson blocked a double suplex from his opponents. They softened him up with a double dropkick and were able to get the double suplex on a second try. Jackson squashed Kato with a senton for a near fall. Oiwa hit Uemura with a nasty lariat. Kato tried a couple of roll-ups on Jackson but couldn’t hold him down. Jackson floored Kato with a lariat, then hit a death valley driver for the pinfall.

Gedo & David Finlay defeated Daiki Nagai & Yota Tsuji (6:32) 

The young lion Nagai tried to step up to Finlay and it did not go well. Nagai fared much better against Gedo. Finlay and Tsuji had a brief exchange. Nagai hit Finlay with a great dropkick. Finlay blocked a monkey flip, but Nagai caught Finlay with a crossbody for a near fall. Finlay blocked a small package attempt and turned it into Oblivion and got the pinfall. 

Konosuke Takeshita (5-2, 10 pts) defeated YOSHI-HASHI (4-3, 8 pts) in a G1 Climax 35 B Block Match. 

Takeshita worked over YOSHI-HASHI’s back early. YOSHI-HASHI caught Takeshita with a dropkick to the knee. YOSHI-HASHI hung Takeshita up in the ropes and hit a dropkick for a near fall. Takeshita hit a boot and dropped his opponent with a backbreaker. YOSHI-HASHI escaped a suplex with a hangman’s neckbreaker. Takeshita and YOSHI-HASHI exchanged strikes. Takeshita got a near fall with his inverted tombstone. YOSHI-HASHI countered a suplex attempt with a vicious swinging DDT. 

YOSHI-HASHI hit an avalanche clothesline in the corner. He went to the top but was way too slow getting there, and Takeshita caught up with him. YOSHI-HASHI hit a sunset powerbomb out of the corner and got a nearfall with a jackknife cover. Takeshita came back with a pair of exploders for two. YOSHI-HASHI blocked a knee strike and caught Takeshita with an inverted driver for another near fall. The crowd really started to get behind YOSHI-HASHI, and he floored Takeshita with a lariat. YOSHI-HASHI hit a swanton bomb for another near fall. Takeshita came back with a knee strike for a near fall. Takeshita then hit the Raging Fire for the pinfall. Takeshita is the first to 10 points in the tournament with this victory.

Ren Narita (5-2, 10 pts) defeated Great-O-Khan (4-4, 8 pts) vs.  in a G1 Climax 35 B Block Match (12:38)

Narita attacked O-Khan on the floor before the bell could ring. Nariata took him into the crowd and went after his knee. Narita grabbed the bell hammer while the referee tended to O-Khan. Narita hit O-Khan with the hammer. O-Khan finally got into the ring and Narita went to work on his leg. O-Khan hit overhead chops, but Narita went to the leg again to take control. 

Narita kept working over the knee. O-Khan caught Narita with a shoulder throw and immediately crumpled into a pile on the mat. O-Khan managed a fireman’s carry and an overhead belly to belly suplex. O-Khan went to a head and arm choke. All of sudden, Yoshinobu Kanemaru rang the ring bell, but there was no submission. O-Khan thought he won, and while the ref checked on Narita, Kanemaru snuck in from behind and hit O-Khan in the knee with his whiskey bottle. 

O-Khan went for a claw slam, but Narita countered into a knee bar. While Kanemaru distracted the ref again, Narita hit O-Khan in the knee with a push-up bar and locked in another knee bar. The bell rang, but O-Khan hadn’t submitted. This time it was Jakob Austin Young ringing the bell. This distraction allowed Khan to take control. O-Khan took out Narita and the ref with a claw slam. Kanemaru tried to interfere again, but Young cut him off. O-Khan and Narita went to the top where Narita spat whiskey in his face. Narita hit a low blow, then locked in one more kneebar to get the submission. What an overbooked mess. 

El Phantasmo (3-5, 6 pts) defeated Drilla Moloney (4-3, 8 pts) in a G1 Climax 35 B Block Match (5:14)

Phantasmo was playing spoiler here. Phantasmo came out quickly with a running dive and a moonsault to the floor. He tried for a springboard senton, but Moloney got his knees up and hit a gore for a near fall. Moloney folded Phantasmo up with a powerbomb for a near fall. Moloney went to the top, but Phantasmo cut him off. Moloney went for the gore again, but Phantasmo blocked it. Moloney went for a dominator, but Phantasmo countered by landing on his feet. Moloney hit ELP with a piledriver. Phantasmo caught Moloney with a Canadian Destroyer and the CR2 for a near fall. ELP hit a second CR2 and then a piedriver. Phantasmo hit the Thunderkiss 86 Splash and got the pinfall. I’m not sure why this only got half the time of the House of Torture mess.

IWGP World Champion Zack Sabre, Jr. (5-2, 10 pts) defeated Shingo Takagi (3-4, 6 pts) vs. in a G1 Climax 35 B Block Match (20:48)

This was a tremendous main event. Takagi was eliminated from winning the tournament with a loss. 

Lots of great mat work to start with neither man gaining an advantage. Takagi caught Sabre with a knee in the midsection. Sabre went to work on Takagi’s leg. Takagi went for a scorpion deathlock, but Sabre countered with a kneebar as Takagi stepped through. Sabre ground his heel into Takagi’s knee. 

Sabre went for a spinning toehold. Takagi kicked him away and caught Sabre with a DDT. Takagi hit an avalanche clothesline, suplex, and a senton for a near fall. Takagi got the crowd to rally behind him. He tried for Made in Japan, but Sabre blocked it. Takagi went for the sliding lariat, but Sabre countered it and snapped Takagi’s arm. 

Sabre went after Takagi’s arm. Takagi tried to counter with a coke, but Sabre countered. Sabre locked in a modified octopus, then transitioned into a knee bar. Takagi got to the ropes to break. Sabre went for a Zach Driver, but Takagi countered with a twisting suplex. Takagi hit a superplex but was too hurt to make a cover. Takagi hit Made in Japan for a near fall. Takagi tried for Last of the Dragon, but Sabre blocked it. Sabre hit a Zach Driver but the impact had both men down at the fifteen minute mark. 

Sabre and Takagi started to exchange headbutts, but Sabre put an end to that with a running kick. Sabre hit a series of kicks, then went back to the arm. Takagi hit a Zach Driver of his own, and then a Burning Dragon for a near fall. Takagi drove in some elbows. Sabre went for a sleeper. Takagi fell back to break the hold, but Sabre locked it right back in. Takagi went for a cradle to escape, but Sabre countered with his own cradle. Sabre hit a DDT out of the corner and a Zach Driver for a near fall. Takagi kicked out, but Sabre went right into a knee bar. Takagi struggled to get out to the ropes, and just when it looked like he’d have to tap out, he rolled himself into the ropes to break. 

Sabre hit three lariats on Takagi, who wouldn’t go down. Takagi hit a pumping bomber and Sabre went down. Takagi hit a sliding forearm and another lariat. Takagi hit the Last of the Dragon, but Sabre turned into Takagi’s pin attempt with a cradle of his own and got the pinfall, ending Takagi’s chances in this year’s G1.

So as the night ends in B Block, Konosuke Takeshita, Ren Narita and Zach Sabre Jr. in a three way tie in at the top with 10 points. Drilla Moloney, Great-O-Khan, YOSHI-HASHI and Shota Umino have 8 points. Shingo Takagi and El Phantasmo only have 6 points and are eliminated.






NJPW G1 Climax 35 results: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Yota Tsuji

Posted on by Corey Michaels

NJPW’s G1 Climax 35 tournament continues today with an A Block show from Fukuoka.

Hiroshi Tanahashi faces Yota Tsuji in the main event tournament match. Tanahashi is part of a three-way-tie for last place in A Block, while Tsuji is part of a three-way-tie for first place. Tanahashi has 4 points, while Tsuji stands at 8.

The next G1 tournament win for Tanahashi will give him 100 for his unparalleled career.

David Finlay and his 4 points face EVIL and his 8 points in today’s semi-main event.

Yuya Uemura with 8 points and coming off a victory over Tanahashi, faces SANADA and his 4 points.

Taichi faces Ryohei Oiwa in a battle of 6 points on the show.

The other competitors with 6 points also square off with Boltin Oleg vs. Callum Newman.

A series of tag matches previewing the next B Block show on Tuesday round out today’s undercard. The show begins at 4 a.m. Eastern time on NJPW World.

**********

Main Card – Tag Team Matches

The Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero) defeated Shoma Kato & YOSHI-HASHI

(YOSHI-HASHI, given his G1 record this year, doesn’t inspire hope in me to win this to enter the semi-finals, let alone the finals. The B-Block matches on August 5 may change that, but I look to Takeshita to maintain his dominance.)

Takeshita tossed YOSHI-HASHI around at ringside, while the nimble Romero used aerial kicks keep Kato down. Kato ran the ropes at Takeshita’s request, eventually knocking the Alpha down. YOSHI-HASHI kept up the momentum, but Takeshita’s shoulder drove him away. Romero pinned Kato after a Sliced Bread.

House Of Torture (Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) defeated United Empire (Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young)

(Whether to instill further doubts in Khan or to sow seeds of an epic babyface comeback, Khan’s knee and arm injuries add drama to his G1 journey. Plus, it’s a smart plan by House of Torture—wear down your opponent so they’ll be easy to handle the next night. Khan sold his wounds well.)

Sensing the still-present damage to Khan’s arm courtesy of Zack Sabre Jr the previous night, Narita targeted his right arm. Kanemaru, meanwhile, later focused on Khan’s left knee. Young left Narita dazed after he gained control and floated into a Tornado-DDT. Kanemaru yanked the referee down while he applied utmost pressure to Young in a figure-four leglock. Narita kept Khan at bay while Young tapped out to the leglock.

Post-match: Kanemaru and Narita brought in a steel chair to add further punishment to Khan’s knee.

Bullet Club War Dogs (Drilla Moloney & Taiji Ishimori) defeated El Phantasmo & Jado

(It’s hard to say who will walk away with additional points tomorrow. Moloney’s on a hot streak right now, but Phantasmo in 2025 has a certain flair about him.)

Ishimori suffered at the hands of Jado and Phantasmo, with the former landing a DDT. Moloney feigned a ripcord to subvert Phantasmo into a series of chops. Phantasmo aimed for a CR2 but rolled away to Jado after a Spinebuster. Ishimori played dead after Jado’s clothesline, only to pull him in for a roll-up for the win.

TMDK (Hartley Jackson & Zack Sabre Jr.) defeated Daiki Nagai & Shingo Takagi

(Nagai came into his own in this match. Takagi’s support went a long way, too. With whatever happens with the remnants of Los Ingobernables de Japon, I hope Nagai finds his place with them.)

Sabre and Takagi wrestled to a standstill. Nagai had no such luck against Jackson. Sabre popped in for his own technical pressure on the Young Lion. Jackson returned for a senton, but Takagi saved Nagai. Together, they neutralized Jackson. Nagai even narrowly toppled Jackson with a Canadian Destroyer!

Sabre came to Jackson’s aid, but Nagai snatched him for a Spinebuster. Jackson’s girth prevented a powerslam by Nagai, and he responded with a senton. He then followed up with a Jagged Edge to Nagai.

G1 Climax A-Block Matches

Oleg Boltin (7) defeated Callum Newman (6)

(Boltin is his own beast, but Newman pulled out a hard-fought effort. Despite the back issues, he made Boltin fight for the win.)

Boltin rolled to the outside after a hurricanrana by Newman. Outside, he withstood the unforgiving blue steel barricades. Chops and slams by Boltin aggravated Newman’s injured back. Newman transitioned Boltin’s Kamikaze to a semi-successful hurricanrana. Boltin landed a standing Kamikaze.

Newman pressed into Boltin’s midsection with a stomp from the top rope. He rolled through Boltin’s suplex. With swiftness, Boltin caught Newman, who had full momentum, and planted him with a Kamikaze for the win.

Ryohei Oiwa (7) defeated Taichi (6)

(Taichi is 6-6 in his G1 win-loss record, so he can’t get too comfortable. While I support him, I’m also investing in Oiwa stock.)

Equally strong, Taichi and Oiwa repeatedly reached an impasse. Taichi broke this with a kick. Oiwa gained the upper hand, pummelling Taichi with a scoop slam and a senton. An enzuigiri handed Taichi a comeback. Oiwa escaped a Black Mephisto to drop Taichi with a Doctor Bomb. Dangerous Backdrop provided Taichi with a moment to breathe.

A weary war of stiff forearms wore weaker, but Taichi’s wrist control kept him in control. An Axe Bomber cemented it. Taichi cut off any offense Oiwa might have wanted with enzuigiris each time. However, in the nick of time, Oiwa sent Taichi falling with The Grip. This earned Oiwa the pinfall.

SANADA (6) defeated Yuya Uemura (8)

(Perhaps the only match I wasn’t fond of. Were it not for the House of Torture, this bout would’ve had the makings of a great match.)

Within minutes, SANADA had wrist control, but it shifted to Uemura. SANADA regained it, but a deep armdrag swung it back in Uemura’s favor. SANADA opted to other forms of offense, but Uemura would return wrist control in his favor with more arm drags. Shining Wizard by SANADA broke the cycle. Choosing something new, Uemura plunged SANADA with a back suplex.

Uemura tried for an armbar. SANADA propelled Uemura into Referee Marty Asami, leading him to proceed with a low blow. Uemura rolled out of the way of SANADA’s guitar shot. After Asami missed a capture pin, Yoshinobu Kanemaru slid into the ring to spray whiskey in Uemura’s face.

SANADA finally blasted Uemura with his guitar; Kanemaru took advantage of this by rolling Asami back over and directing his attention to SANADA’s pin. This lent SANADA the pinfall.

David Finlay (6) defeated EVIL (8)

(Surprisingly great. This naturally warranted a lack of referee during the more plunder-heavy moments of this match. Moreover, the odds stacked against Finlay gave the Bullet Club leader the support of fans needed to propel him to victory. Throughout his G1 journey, at this juncture, Finlay needed this win.)

Finlay cut EVIL’s entrance short as he drove him into the crowd. EVIL tubmled onto the floor as Finlay landed upright, clotheslining him to the outside. Don Fale and Dick Togo joined EVIL in tossing Finlay into the barricade, even knocking over a commentary desk. Both opponents traded profanities on the microphone as EVIL choked Finlay with the wire.

Referee Red Shoes prevented EVIL from using a steel chair, leading to the House of Torture leader to toss it to Gedo. This lent Fale and Togo to aid EVIL by removing the turnbuckle pad. Landing in the exposed iron of the padless corner, Finlay fired back with an Irish Curse. Fale attempted to squish Finlay in the corner but instead landed Red Shoes. He, EVIL, and Togo struck Finlay with a steel chair as a Young Lion carried Red Shoes to the back.

EVIL and his henchmen were singlehandedly thwarted by Finlay, with Fale shockingly sent back in a vertical suplex. Fueled by adrenaline, Finlay nearly spelt doom for EVIL with a powerbomb, stopped only by a low blow. EVIL grabbed a steel chain to choke Finlay and adorned his lariat with its unforgiving metal. Spear by Finlay downed EVIL. Gedo handed Finlay a shillelagh. Kenta Sato replaced Red Shoes as referee. Finlay defeated EVIL with an Overkill.

Main Event G1 Climax A-Block

Hiroshi Tanahashi (6) defeated Yota Tsuji (8)

(Hope for The Ace is on the horizon. Tanahashi gaining his 100th G1 win bolsters the heightened stakes of the tournament. Can he keep up this momentum? He’s made career history, but will he end his career on the highest note possible? This is what the G1 is about, beckoning fans to speculate where things will go from here.

As far as the match goes, Tanahashi had his undying charisma driving the match, fully weaving his age and weakening knees into the storyline and the match structure. Tsuji was no slouch either, making Tanahashi look like a billion yen. To fill his Gene Blasters with so much dread that they’re hardly seen, he had the potential of a threat, supplanted by the legend.)

Tanahashi clenched hold of Tsuji’s wrists, broken by a rope break. Tsuji worked Tanahashi’s knees, most painfully exemplified by a horizontal Dragon Screw Legwhip. Karma found Tsuji, as Tanahashi sprang his own Dragon Screw Legwhip. Scoop slam reintroduced Tsuji to the mat, followed by a top rope senton. Tsuji countered a Slingblade with a backslide and a knee to the Ace’s face.

Tsuji aimed to send Tanahashi reeling with a vertical suplex but fell to the mat after a Twist’n’Shout. Tanahashi ended a standoff by stopping Tsuji’s Gene Blaster with a Slingblade. The Ace countered another Gene Blaster into a Snapdragon Suplex. Despite his best efforts, Tsuji bore the brunt of three High Fly Flows and lost the match.

(All but one of the G1 matches hit on all cylinders. Whether it’s the youthful clash of Oleg Boltin and Callum Newman, the continuance of the War Dogs versus House of Torture between David Finlay and EVIL, Taichi falling behind Ryohei Oiwa, or Tanahashi gaining his 100th G1 win, there was much to enjoy. Sadly, the House of Torture had to get a win, with SANADA taking out Yuya Uemura, with interference. But that pales in comparison to the hype of the tournament as it heats up.)

NJPW G1 Climax 35 results: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Yuya Uemura

Posted on by Corey Michaels

NJPW’s G1 Climax 35 tournament continues today in Kagawa with A Block action.

In the main event, Hiroshi Tanahashi looks for his 100th career G1 match victory against Yuya Uemura. Tana enters the bout with just 4 points in the tournament, while Uemura has 6 points in a crowded four-way tie for second place in the Block. Tanahashi has won both prior career singles matches against Uemura.

In the semi-main, A Block leader Yota Tsuji and his 8 points face Taichi, who stands at 4 points.

Boltin Oleg and his 6 points will face last place David Finlay and his 2 points in the third tournament bout of the night.

EVIL and Ryohei Oiwa match up in another A Block battle, with both currently sitting at 6 points.

SANADA vs. Callum Newman in a matchup of two competitors with 4 points each kicks off the evening’s tournament bouts.

A series of tag team matches previewing the next B Block show fill out today’s undercard.

**********

Main Card – Tag Team Matches

Katsuya Murashima & Shota Umino defeated Shoma Kato & YOSHI-HASHI

(Loved the conviction from Kato in this match and how well Umino sold it.)

Kato and YOSHI-HASHI exhausted Murashima for an early advantage, keeping him isolated from his partner. Umino gained control with a Headhunter, but YOSHI-HASHI regained momentum with a lariat. A confident Kato landed a suplex and hoped for another, but ate a lariat courtesty of Umino, leading to a quick pinfall.

BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Drilla Moloney & Taiji Ishimori) defeated The Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero)

(I feel this was meant to up the hype for Takeshita versus Moloney in the upcoming Block B matches this weekend, but there didn’t seem to be much of that to really sink my teeth into. There could’ve been more of them, for sure. Perhaps they’re just saving what they can do. Also, kudos to them for managing to brawl in the dark with minimal lighting—I imagine fighting in one of those Hollister stores would’ve been like that.)

Moloney and Takeshita sought to collide with one another, but both were pulled out by their respective tag partners. The Alpha and Romero cut Ishimori away from Moloney’s side of the ring, working the Bone Soldier’s arm. Ishimori saved himself with a shoulderbreaker to Romero. Takeshita and Moloney each teased their finishers, ultimately Moloney succeeded with a Brainbuster. Moloney and Takeshita brawled on the outside, tumbling into the blue steel of the guardrail. La Mistica tapped Romero out courtesy of Ishimori.

Post-match: Moloney and Takeshita continued battling each other in the darkness of the crowd.

El Phantasmo & Jado defeated Daiki Nagai & Shingo Takagi

(The humor alone in this callback to 2022 adds the right amount of silliness for ELP and Takagi’s Block A match on August 2nd. Poor Nagai.)

Harkening back to KOPW 2022’s “Who’s Your Daddy?” Match, Phantasmo let Takagi know he was the daddy now. Perplexed in this new development of fatherhood status, Takagi had little time to process as Nagai broke up the proceedings.

Jado and Phantasmo punished Nagai in the corner. Spinebuster by Nagai gave him an edge against Phantasmo. Takagi sought to interrupt, but Jado grounded him several inches away as Phantasmo bullied Nagai. An Unidentified Flying Opponent dropped Nagai on his back, and Phantasmo gained the pinfall.

TMDK (Hartley Jackson & Zack Sabre Jr.) defeated United Empire (Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young)

(The contrast in styles between always leaves me salivating for more with the sporadic ZSJ and Khan matches we do get. Their match is going to rock.)

Khan overwhelmed Sabre with his might, even seeking a pin early. Eventually, he grabbed Sabre with a Claw, which was reversed into a sleeper. Jackson was too much for Young, who called upon Khan for additional firepower. Sabre and Khan traded Cobra Twists, leading Khan to flip the former over with a Gutwrench Tuck. Jackson pinned Young after a Jagged Edge.

G1 Climax A-Block Matches

Callum Newman defeated SANADA

(Newman’s excelling in this year’s G1. Though he still evokes Ospreay with the Oscutter, he’s starting to find his own path in his own structure and formula in these matches.)

Newman wasted no time, flying over the top rope to lay out SANADA. The Kagawa crowd dispersed as SANADA tossed Newman around in the crowd (and also into Milano Collection, who also got thrown into the fans). Newman swung a comeback thanks to a dropkick, grasping dominion of hte match whilst evading SANADA’s high volume offense.

Thinking he’d capitalize with an Oscutter 2.0, Newman accidentally planted the referee, casually pushed into harm’s way by SANADA. Newman thwarted SANADA’s Skull End with a roll-up, but no one could count the pin. Dropping SANADA with a beheading lariat and dragging the referee to action, Newman’s dreams were crashed by a 2-count.

The pair evaded each other’s finishers, but Newman rendered SANADA incapacitated with a kick, knee, and vertical suplex for the pinfall.

EVIL defeated Ryohei Oiwa

(Loved the match, hated the finish. Well, halfway. The match built into something incredible, lending itself to the trend of House of Torture comeuppances as of late. Doing something new breaks the monotony, no matter how cathartic.)

Ready for EVIL’s underhanded tactics, Oiwa prepared his best strengths, his power to prevent as much of his shenanigans as possible. Soon, EVIL gained sway over the match by slamming Oiwa into the barricade and distracting Referee Marty Asami. Don Fale and Dick Togo could provide additional torture on the outside. Oiwa downed EVIL with a DDT and an Elbow Drop.

Togo screeched Oiwa’s trajectory to a halt with a chairshot, followed by a bodyslam from Fale. EVIL tried a Darkness Falls, but Oiwa kicked out at 1 and swung EVIL into an exposed turnbuckle. Singlehandedly trouncing Togo and Fale’s interference, Oiwa finally had assistance from Hartley Jackson who dragged Fale away. Battering EVIL in the exposed turnbuckle, he reached for a German Suplex into a Chaos Theory; Asami evidently tired of being struck, steered clear. EVIL pied Oiwa in the face with powder and tapped him out with a Darkness Scorpion hold.

David Finlay defeated Oleg Boltin

(I’m a big Boltin fan. That said, Finlay needed this win, and the elation on his face sold how much he needed this save, giving him some much needed points.)

The pair circled each other, with Boltin’s strength and resilience keeping Finlay on his toes. Soon, Finlay found an opening in the foreign waters of ringside, where he sent Boltin into the crowd. Boltin charged into Finlay, spiraling both out of the ring. He struck Finlay’s chest and suplexed him, dizzying him with a Boltin Shake.

Finlay snuck in a Northern Irish Curse and Oblivion to take jurisdiction of the match away from Boltin. The Kazakh wrestler clutched a comeback with a Kamikaze. He unleashed one more on Finlay, but a subsequent one transitioned into Finlay’s capture pin, costing Boltin the match

Taichi defeated Yota Tsuji

(Both men needed this win. Tsuji, score-wise. Taichi, character-wise. Overlooked for the last time, he demands to be taken seriously, having had to earn his way to the G1 tournament to begin with. Great match, with the appropriate drama.)

Tsuji landed a tope suicida to bring this match to his favor early on. Taichi fired back, with a devastating Axe Bomber Lariat giving him some breathing room. Despite this valiant comeback, Tsuji kicked him back onto the mat with a resounding clap. Steadied for a Gene Blaster, Taichi instead transitioned into a Black Mephisto, which itself reversed into a running powerbomb. Another lariat by Tsuji, this time countered into a Gedo Clutch.

Once more going for a Gene Blaster, Tsuji fell instead to a Dangerous Backdrop. In a snap, Tsuji ended Taichi’s wrist control with a quick, short-range Gene Blaster. Taichi respondded with a Dangerous Backdrop and a Black Mephisto to put Tsuji away in front of a raucous Kagawa audience.

Main Event G1 Climax A-Block

Yuya Uemura defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi

(Uemura just accrued an impressive accolade, important to his young career—taking down Tanahashi in the G1. He gave it his all, too. The selling of his knee stayed nearly consistent. Giving hope to fans of the Ace, just to prove that he was better on this night. Uemura’s path in the G1 Climax puts him closer to higher legacy.)

Uemura struggled against Tanahashi in the beginning lock-ups, having his leg propped up and knee targeted by the Ace. Despite this agony, Uemura managed two dropkicks. Again ensnared by Tanahashi’s knee focus, Uemura was left writhing, suffering a prone Dragon Screw Legwhip. A Texas Cloverleaf rubbed further salt into the wound.

Turning this match around, Uemura matched the Ace’s energy by centering on his arm. Risking his knee health, Uemura attempted a Deadbolt Suplex pin, but it gave out, much to his frustration. Reverse Slingblade and a regular Slingblade gave way to two High Fly Flows, one of which missed. A prolonged forearm exchange led to Tanahashi once more attacking Uemura’s knee. Enzuigiri by Uemura dazed the Ace, leading to a Deadbolt Suplex pinfall.

(Taichi and Yota Tsuji was the most emotionally compelling story to come of this, but Uemura’s victory over Tanahashi is worth noting. Callum Newman’s triumph over SANADA also made for a gripping watch. No barn-burners, but a fun show nonetheless.)

NJPW G1 Climax 35 live results: Shingo Takagi vs. Konosuke Takeshita

Posted on by Corey Michaels

NJPW’s G1 Climax 35 tournament rolls on tonight with four B Block matches in Ota.

In the main event, Shingo Takagi faces Konosuke Takeshita in one of the more highly-anticipated matchups of the tournament. Takeshita enters the match with 4 points, while Shingo has 2 points, with his only win so far coming via forfeit due to Gabe Kidd’s injury and withdrawal.

Three more B Block matches are set for the show.

Shota Umino and Ren Narita will match up in the semi-main event. Both enter the contest with 4 points thus far in the G1.

Zack Sabre Jr. will take on El Phantasmo in a battle of two wrestlers each with 2 points.

B Block leader YOSHI-HASHI and his 6 points will face Great-O-Khan (2 points) in the night’s first tournament bout.

A series of tag team matches previewing the next A Block battles fill out today’s undercard.

The show kicks off at 2 a.m. Eastern time on NJPW World.

**********

Pre-show

The NJPW roster joined ringside during a tribute to the late Hulk Hogan who passed away on July 25, 2025 at the age of 71.

Main card

Oleg Boltin & Toru Yano defeated Daiki Nagai & Yota Tsuji

(Nagai has shown promise thus far with the LiJ alumni during this early stretch of the G1.)

Boltin had the early advantage over Tsuji, culminating in a Boltin Shake. Nagai joined Tsuji in planting Boltin with a 2-on-1 suplex. Yano removed the turnbuckle pad, as is his wont, but Nagai outsmarted him right into the exposed corner. Spinebuster by Nagai whittled down the veteran, but resulted in a Demon Killler powerbomb, giving Yano and Boltin the victory.

United Empire (Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young) defeated BULLET CLUB War Dogs (David Finlay & Gedo)

(Optimistic win for the United Empire’s junior members.)

Newman forewent the formalities during Finlay’s entrance as he interrupted. The pair brawled, with Finlay tossing Newman into chairs amid a fleeing crowd. Back in the ring, he controlled Newman’s arm, with Gedo offering additional punishment. Young fended off Gedo using his legs; a dropkick rattled him further. Neman saved Young from Finlay’s Dominator before they combined their offense to him and Gedo. Young pinned Gedo via Jakob’s Ladder to win the match.

House Of Torture (SANADA & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) defeated Masatora Yasuda & Taichi

(If Taichi were to start a new stable, Yanemaru would be a great addition.)

House of Torture immediately went to work on Yasuda and Taichi, the former of which wore on SANADA. Taichi found himself dragged to the chairs as SANADA clobbered him with a water bottle (before politely handing it back to the commentator he stole it from). Yasuda had no choice but to withstand the wrath of Kanemaru and SANADA until landing a scoop slam despite his softened knee. Wrist control and spry legs gave Taichi an edge that overwhelmed Kanemaru and SANADA. Once more into the Ota crowd, SANADA send Taichi into a commentary table.

At last, Taichi swung a comeback in the form of a lariat to SANADA. Kanemaru landed on his shoulders following Yasuda’s heightened dropkick. With a Boston Crab vigorously in place on Yasuda, SANADA tapped him out.

Post-match: Unsatisfied for the first two times, SANADA returned Taichi into the crowd.

House Of Torture (Dick Togo & EVIL) defeated Tomoaki Honma & Yuya Uemura

(I’d have preferred a Uemura win, but that’s just me. As far as House of Torture matches go, this didn’t overstay its welcome.

Re-using their teammates’ game plan from the previous match, House of Torture swarmed their opponents. Honma flattened Togo before paying homage to Hulk Hogan. Togo regained command of the match in working Honma’s arm. EVIL and Don Fale rung the ring bell to distract the referee after Togo landed an Italian Fistdrop to Honma. Uemura was unleashed next, yet EVIL tossed him to Togo and Fale for extra damage. Gritting his teeth through the pain, Uemura battled past his abdomen pain working in tandem with Honma to wear down EVIL. Togo broke up Honma’s pin to EVIL after a successful Kokeshi. Magic Killer by House of Torture to Honma gave the stable yet another victory.

Post-match: EVIL, Togo, and Fale wrenched the knee of Uemura, even as Young Lions attempted to pull them away.

TMDK (Hartley Jackson & Ryohei Oiwa) defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima

(While building Tanahashi and Oiwa up later, NJPW put Jackson to good use in giving Murashima a spot to shine and show his character’s strength and cunning.)

Oiwa locked up with Tanahashi, with the Ace geting the upper hand twice. He followed with a flying crossbody. A Twist’n’Shout gave Tanahashi confidence, but Oiwa powered out. Murashima sought to test his girth and strength against Jackson but quickly lost his composure. A senton by Jackson winded Murashima. Jackson bullied young Murashima until he fired back with a pounce. Oiwa held Tanahashi on the apron to watch as Jackson dropped Murashima with a Jagged Edge for the win.

G1 Climax B-Block

Great-O-Khan defeated YOSHI-HASHI

(Yoshi-Hashi’s story during this year’s G1 Climax remains compelling, a desperation to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, so setbacks like these set the drama up quite well.

Khan’s strength hinted at early benefits, but YOSHI-HASHI double-palmed him to the mat. Dropping YOSHI-HASHI onto the ring apron, Khan punctuated this devastating enviornmental-assisted assault with his trademark sit on a precariously perched YOSHI-HASHI on the tope rope. Gaining speed, Khan fell victim to a Head Hunter by a defiant YOSHI-HASHI. Refusing YOSHI-HASHI’s fisherman suplexes and tombstone piledrivers, Khan landed a DDT but couldn’t capitalize. Clutching Khan’s wrist, YOSHI-HASHI weakened Khan only to run into Khan’s Pop-Up eliminator. YOSHI-HASHI unfortunately ran into Khan’s Claw, ultimately finished off by his Eliminator.

Zack Sabre Jr. defeated El Phantasmo

(Immediately one of this year’s G1 Climax’s best matches. A wonderful story build on respect, told with desperate moves in the final stretch to create a perfect drama.)

Phantasmo wriggled out of Sabre’s every technical maneuver. In one particular pin attempt, Sabre bridged out. Each man traded holds in an attempt to pin or submit the other. With unwavering neck control, Sabre dragged Phantasmo around. In a sudden comeback, Pantasmo shot Sabre outside with a dropkick.

Tope Suicida from Phantasmo flipped Sabore over the barricade and into the seats. Phantasmo landed a Tornado-DDT but didn’t pin Sabre in time for the pin. Phantasmo driver nearly gives the Canadian a win, as did his theft of Sabre’s Zack Driver. Bullied by Sabre, Phantasmo fought his way to a comeback, with a Thunderkiss 85 seeming like a sure shot before Sabre drove his knees up. Following a nasty Zack Driver, Sabre’s spider-like reflexes wrapped his limbs around Phantasmo for an octopus-hold that tapped Phantasmo out.

Ren Narita defeated Shota Umino

(Narita’s always better outside of the grasp of House of Torture. It’s pleasing to know that is a constant, because it makes his other matches better.

Lurking on the outside, Narita soon saw himself laid flat on the floor. Playing possum while grabbing his worn knee, Narita reversed Umino’s fortune with tosses into the steel barricade. Reversing the momentum, Narita gained control of Umino’s wrist, bending it against the steel barricade. Narita worked the arm of Umino, wrenching it back, pulling it closer to out of socket. Fisherman Suplex and a STF failed Umino, but agonized Narita. Grounded, Narita pulled back as much as he could on Umino’s arm. After pulling Narita back into the ring for a STF, Umino was distracted by the ring bell, sounded by Yoshinobu Kanemaru. Swiftly evading Narita’s weaponry,

Using a board that Kanemaru gave him, Narita nearly struck Umino with a stick. Double cross rendered Umino further unconscious, yet still kicking. A flying knee stomp to the back of Umino’s skull ended the match in Narita’s favor.

Main event

Konosuke Takeshita defeated Shingo Takagi

(I didn’t think anything tonight would eclipse El Phantasmo versus Zack Sabre Jr, but Takeshita and Takagi stole the show. Ota became unglued and the atmosphere grew beyond electric. Not only did Takagi lose his breath, but I did too.

Locking up, Takagi and Takeshita’s strengths were evenly matched, leading to a test of wills. Takagi had an edge in his experience, but Takeshita’s prowess lent him a comeback, as seen with a flying shoulder-tackle. A diving senton took the breath out of Takagi. Sensing a Blue Thunderbomb, Takagi wriggled out of Takeshita’s clutches and flipped him with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Reading Takeshita like a book, Takagi goaded his opponent so he could dodge and down him with a DDT.

Using DDTs of his own, Takeshita landed Takagi nastily on his neck a few times. A Sliding Pumping Bomber bore down on Takeshita. An Exploder Suplex reawakened Takeshita’s chances, with a series of German Suplexes by Takagi. Pumping Bomber on the top rope plummetted Takeshita to the mat, but Takagi couldn’t win from his Made in Japan. Takeshita fell to a Pumping Bomber and a Last of the Dragon, but much to Takagi’s chagrin, neither could pin the Alpha. He burned Takagi with a Raging Fire, but he escaped to the ropes. In an epic closing sequence full of finishers and explosive moves, Takeshita choked the life out of Takagi’s breath. Eyes bulging madly, Takagi was fully ensnared in Takeshita’s rear-naked chickenwing; unwilling and unable to give in, the referee declared Takeshita the winner.

Tonight’s G1 Climax was not exactly full of bombastic spectacles, save for El Phantasmo versus Zack Sabre Jr and Shingo Takagi versus Konosuke Takeshita. Yet, because of these two matches, this show is recommended viewing.

NJPW star withdraws from G1 Climax due to injury

Posted on by Joseph Currier

One of NJPW’s top wrestlers has been forced to withdraw from the G1 Climax due to injury.

Gabe Kidd’s tournament run began on July 19 with a loss to Konosuke Takeshita on the opening night. Since then, Kidd has had to forfeit his scheduled B Block matches with a right knee injury preventing him from competing. It’s now been officially confirmed that Kidd is out of the remainder of the G1. He shared the news with fans during an appearance at Friday’s NJPW show in Tokyo.

“I was really hopeful that I could come back and power through this and continue in this G1 Climax, but I’ve spoke to the doctors and there is no way I can be cleared, so I have no other choice [but] to withdraw from the G1 Climax,” Kidd announced. “And this is sh*t, man. It really f*cking sucks. It’s been a mental battle these past few days since I found out this information.”

Further details about the injury and when Kidd will be able to return have not been provided. Kidd promised that, when he is able to come back, he will be the best version of himself fans have ever seen.

“A positive note is that I’ve received hundreds of messages from these people — the fans — and they’ve said they want me to rest and come back stronger,” he said. “And I can only promise you one thing, is that when I am back fighting on this blue mat that it is going to be the best version of Gabe Kidd that you’ve ever f*cking seen.”

NJPW also has not announced if Kidd will be vacating the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship. He won the title from Yota Tsuji in June and made his first defense against Hiroshi Tanahashi earlier this month.

Final two wrestlers qualify for NJPW G1 Climax 2025

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The full 20-competitor field for the 2025 NJPW G1 Climax is now set.

With victories at Friday’s New Japan Soul event, Ryohei Oiwa and YOSHI-HASHI became the final two wrestlers to qualify for the tournament. Oiwa defeated Satoshi Kojima to earn the last spot in A Block, while YOSHI-HASHI took the final B Block spot by defeating Chase Owens.

Oiwa will be competing in his first-ever G1. He’s a member of TMDK (The Mighty Don’t Kneel) in NJPW, a faction led by current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr.

Bad Luck Fale was originally supposed to be Oiwa’s opponent for today’s play-in match, but Fale had to miss the show due to a death in his family.

An NJPW veteran, YOSHI-HASHI first competed in the G1 in 2016. He missed out on last year’s tournament after losing in the qualifying stages.

The G1 begins on July 19 and runs through August 17, with the winner traditionally receiving an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship shot at January’s Wrestle Kingdom event at the Tokyo Dome. Here is the complete list of entrants for the tournament:

NJPW G1 Climax 2025 participants —

A Block:

  • Hirooki Goto
  • Oleg Boltin
  • Yuya Uemura
  • Yota Tsuji
  • David Finlay
  • EVIL
  • SANADA
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • Callum Newman
  • Ryohei Oiwa

B Block:

  • El Phantasmo
  • Shota Umino
  • Shingo Takagi
  • Zack Sabre Jr.
  • Great-O-Khan
  • Gabe Kidd
  • Ren Narita
  • Konosuke Takeshita
  • Drilla Moloney
  • YOSHI-HASHI

Two more NJPW G1 Climax entrants confirmed

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The 2025 G1 Climax field is close to being finalized with 18 of the 20 entrants now confirmed.

Callum Newman and Drilla Moloney secured spots in the tournament today, defeating Taichi and Tomohiro Ishii in their respective play-in matches. Newman will be part of the A Block field while Moloney will be in B Block.

Moloney, a member of Bullet Club War Dogs, will be competing in his first G1. It will be the second G1 that United Empire’s Newman has participated in.

Today’s play-in matches took place at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo as part of the ongoing New Japan Soul tour. At the July 4 event at Budokan Hall, the final G1 play-in matches will be held. They are: Ryohei Oiwa vs. Bad Luck Fale and YOSHI-HASHI vs. Chase Owens.

The G1 then begins on July 19 and runs through August 17, with the winner traditionally receiving an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship shot at Wrestle Kingdom.

Here is the updated list of entrants:

NJPW G1 Climax 2025 participants —

A Block:

  • Hirooki Goto
  • Oleg Boltin
  • Yuya Uemura
  • Yota Tsuji
  • David Finlay
  • EVIL
  • SANADA
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • Callum Newman
  • Ryohei Oiwa or Bad Luck Fale

B Block:

  • El Phantasmo
  • Shota Umino
  • Shingo Takagi
  • Zack Sabre Jr.
  • Great-O-Khan
  • Gabe Kidd
  • Ren Narita
  • Konosuke Takeshita
  • Drilla Moloney
  • YOSHI-HASHI or Chase Owens

NJPW announces event schedule for G1 Climax 2025

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Though the tournament is still a few months away, NJPW is rolling out its plans for the 2025 G1 Climax.

Consisting of 19 shows in total, the full schedule for G1 Climax 35 has now been announced. It begins in Hokkaido on the weekend of July 19-20 and will conclude with two nights at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on August 16-17. The full list of shows can be seen below:

  • Opening weekend: Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20 (Hokkaido: Hokkai Kita Yell)
  • Night three: Tuesday, July 22 (Sendai: Sendai Sun Plaza Hall)
  • Night four: Wednesday, July 23 (Nagaoka: Ao-re Nagaoka)
  • Nights five and six: Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26 (Tokyo: Ota-ku Gymnasium)
  • Night seven: Sunday, July 27 (Nagoya: Port Messe Nagoya)
  • Night eight: Wednesday, July 30 (Osaka- Yamato Arena)
  • Night nine: Friday, August 1 (Kagawa: Sun Messe Kagawa)
  • Night 10: Saturday, August 2 (Hiroshima: Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall)
  • Night 11: Sunday, August 3 (Fukuoka: Fukuoka International Convention Center)
  • Night 12: Tuesday, August 5 (Osaka: Intex Osaka)
  • Night 13: Thursday, August 7 (Tokyo: Korakuen Hall)
  • Night 14: Friday, August 8 (Yokohama: Yokohama Budokan)
  • Night 15: Sunday, August 10 (Gunma: G Messe Gunma)
  • Night 16: Wednesday, August 13 (Hamamatsu: Act City Hamamatsu)
  • Night 17: Thursday, August 14 (Tokyo: Korakuen Hall)
  • Final weekend: Saturday, August 16 and Sunday, August 17 (Tokyo: Ariake Arena)

NJPW English-language commentator Walker Stewart noted that he’ll be doing live commentary for every night of the tournament, which will air on NJPW World.

No participants for this year’s G1 have been confirmed yet. The tournament winner traditionally receives an IWGP World Championship shot at Wrestle Kingdom, but Zack Sabre Jr. chose to forego that tradition last year. After winning the G1, he opted to challenge for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at King of Pro Wrestling 2024 instead of waiting until the Tokyo Dome.

Hirooki Goto is the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

Semifinals set for NJPW G1 Climax 34

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Only four wrestlers remain in this year’s NJPW G1 Climax.

The tournament playoffs began today with Shingo Takagi and Yota Tsuji securing their spots in the semifinals. Takagi defeated Great-O-Khan to advance, while Tsuji advanced with a victory against Konosuke Takeshita. Both semifinal matches are taking place this Saturday (August 17). It will be Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Takagi and David Finlay vs. Tsuji.

Sabre and Finlay won their respective blocks to earn a bye to the semifinals. In A Block, Sabre finished in first place with 14 points. Finlay topped the B Block standings with 12 points.

Airing live on NJPW World, Saturday’s event has a start time of 4 a.m. Eastern. Sumo Hall in Tokyo is hosting the show and will also host the tournament finals on Sunday (August 18).

The G1 winner earns the right to challenge for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 19 in January 2025. Currently, that title is held by Tetsuya Naito. Sabre and Takagi both defeated Naito in their A Block tournament matches.

Sabre, Finlay, and Tsuji have never held the IWGP World title before. Takagi is a one-time champion.

The full report from today’s G1 event can be read here.

Bryan Danielson hopes Zack Sabre Jr. wins NJPW G1 Climax

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Bryan Danielson wants to see his in-ring rival Zack Sabre Jr. win the NJPW G1 Climax.

With the G1 in full swing, Sabre is one of the leading candidates to win. Danielson told Sports Illustrated that he’s rooting for Sabre in the G1 and wants to see him become IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Danielson said Sabre is the NJPW wrestler he enjoys watching most.

“As a fan of the New Japan product, I would love to see Zack Sabre win the G1 and go on to become IWGP World Heavyweight Champion,” Danielson said. “If you were to ask me whose matches I enjoy the most and what personalities I enjoy the most in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, it’s Zack Sabre Jr.

“I don’t know the business metrics and all that kind of stuff. But his interviews are the most compelling to me, and in a very real way. He’s the guy I enjoy watching the most.”

August 18 is when the G1 concludes. The tournament winner receives an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship shot at Wrestle Kingdom 19 next January. Currently, Tetsuya Naito holds that championship. Sabre has never been IWGP World Champion before.

Danielson and Sabre traded victories in 2023-2024 with Danielson defeating Sabre in AEW last October and Sabre then winning their rematch in Japan this February.

Later this month, Danielson’s in-ring career could come to an end at All In. He’s challenging Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Championship at the pay-per-view. If Danielson loses the match, he will retire as an in-ring competitor.

NJPW G1 Climax 34 night 13 results, updated standings

Posted on by F4W Staff

Zack Sabre Jr. is now in sole possession of the A Block lead in NJPW G1 Climax 34.

Entering Thursday, Sabre and EVIL were tied at the top of A Block with 10 points. Sabre defeated Gabe Kidd to increase his total to 12 points. EVIL remained at 10 with a loss to Shingo Takagi. The quick results from today’s show are listed below. The full report can be read here.

G1 Climax 34 night 13 results —

  • A Block: Shingo Takagi defeated EVIL
  • A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Gabe Kidd
  • A Block: Jake Lee defeated Shota Umino
  • A Block: Great-O-Khan defeated SANADA
  • A Block: Tetsuya Naito defeated Callum Newman
  • Yota Tsuji & BUSHI defeated Yuya Uemura & TAKA Michinoku
  • Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira defeated David Finlay & Gedo
  • Hirooki Goto & Tomoaki Honma defeated El Phantasmo & Jado
  • HENARE & Konosuke Takeshita defeated Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Oleg Boltin & Toru Yano defeated Shoma Kato & Katsuya Murashima

Sabre has now qualified for the G1 playoffs. EVIL and Naito are tied for second in A Block with 10 points, but EVIL holds the tiebreaker due to his victory over Naito earlier in the tournament. Four wrestlers have eight points, two have six, and Callum Newman is in last place with four points.

G1 Climax 34 standings:

A Block —

  • Zack Sabre Jr. (6-2): 12 points
  • EVIL (5-3): 10 points
  • Tetsuya Naito (5-3): 10 points
  • SANADA (4-4): 8 points
  • Shingo Takagi (4-4): 8 points
  • Great-O-Khan (4-4) 8 points
  • Jake Lee (4-4): 8 points
  • Gabe Kidd (3-5): 6 points
  • Shota Umino (3-5): 6 points
  • Callum Newman: (2-6): 4 points

B Block — 

  • Jeff Cobb (5-2): 10 points
  • David Finlay (4-3): 8 points
  • Konosuke Takeshita (4-3): 8 points
  • Ren Narita (4-3): 8 points
  • Hirooki Goto (4-3): 8 points
  • Yota Tsuji (4-3): 8 points
  • HENARE (3-4): 6 points
  • Yuya Uemura (3-4): 6 points
  • Oleg Boltin (2-5): 4 points
  • El Phantasmo (2-5): 4 points

The G1 runs through August 18. Up next is a show this Saturday featuring B Block tournament matches.

Night 14 (Saturday, August 10) —

  • B Block: Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura
  • B Block: Jeff Cobb vs. David Finlay
  • B Block: Hirooki Goto vs. El Phantasmo
  • B Block: HENARE vs. Ren Narita
  • B Block: Oleg Boltin vs. Konosuke Takeshita
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Katsuya Murashima vs. Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman & Francesco Akira
  • Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma vs. EVIL & Dick Togo
  • Shingo Takagi, Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI vs. Jake Lee, Gabe Kidd & Gedo