THIS IS IT!
I'm anxious to see another chapter in the Tanahashi vs. Okada feud play out here. I know I'm probably in the minority here, but I would like to see Tanahashi get a win for once against Okada. Lately, Okada has been winning or tying the Ace in their matches. For the rivalry to continue, I think The Ace needs to sneak one past Okada.
Then there's the question of whether Jay White will beat EVIL. If that happens, White needs Okada to beat Tanahashi to advance to the G1 Finals. If White beats EVIL, Okada is mathematically eliminated from winning the block. I don't see that happening.
Here's your final reminder for where we are at in the G1 Climax A Block...
A Block Standings After Night 15
Hiroshi Tanahashi (14 Points)
Jay White (12 points)
Kazuchika Okada (12 points)
EVIL (8 Points)**
Minoru Suzuki (8 points)**
Bad Luck Fale (6 points)**
Michael Elgin (6 points)**
Hangman Page (6 points)**
Togi Makabe (4 points)**
YOSHI-HASHI (4 points)**
** Eliminated from contention of winning the block.
Here are your final A Block matches
- Okada vs. Tanahashi
-EVIL vs. Jay White
- Suzuki vs. Fale
- Makabe vs. Elgin
- Page vs. HASHI
Per WrestleZone (website included below), here is the undercard:
Shota Umino & Toa Henare vs. CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & SHO)
CHAOS (Toru Yano & Gedo) vs. Guerrillas Of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa)
Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. CHAOS (Hirooki Goto & YOH)
Los Ingobernables de Japon (SANADA & Tetsuya Naito) vs. Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & TAKA Michinoku)
The Elite (Kenny Omega, Nick Jackson & Matt Jackson) vs. Kota Ibushi, Marty Scurll & Chase Owens
HERE WE GO!!! LIVE COVERAGE STARTS NOW!!!!!
Undercard
** As usual, I'm only going to do brief reviews for the undercard matches. Today though I will be giving a more thorough review for the Bullet Club Elite Tag Match featuring Omega and Ibushi
1) Shota Umino & Toa Henare vs. CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & SHO)
- Really cool camera angles being used by New Japan early on. It looks like Ishii will be facing Sanada tomorrow as most times Sanada has an opponent, they get the oddball undercard match. Sanada has always been tag teaming with Naito in these undercard matches.
- Unimo continues to be impressive in these undercard bouts including here with a nice exchange with Ishii.
- REALLY close 2 count for Unimo against SHO. But SHO eventually gets the German suplex for the win for his team.
Winners: SHO and Tomohiro Ishii
2) CHAOS (Toru Yano & Gedo) vs. Guerrillas Of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa)
- You have to know this one is going to have a bunch of shenanigans today and tomorrow when it's Tonga vs. Yano 1-on-1. Haha. I just said a Tongan match was going to be 1-on-1. Sorry folks. The coffee still hasn't kicked in yet.
- This match was less than nothing folks. Yano started the match and spent most of the match getting beat up. Then, he tagged in Gedo who took the Ape... (Rikishi Driver) for the loss.
Winners: Guerrillas of Destiny
- YOH looking impressive here with a lot of fast offense against Finlay.
- Ushigoroshi! I think I finally got the spelling right on this. It only took 17 nights. Lol
- GTR on Finlay after taking the Ushigoroshi only seconds earlier.
Winner: Goto and YOH
4) Los Ingobernables de Japon (SANADA & Tetsuya Naito) vs. Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & TAKA Michinoku)- This will be a HUGE match tomorrow between Naito and Sabre Jr. I think Naito is going to win, but I'm not counting out a surprise win for Sabre Jr. in form of a European Clutch or an assist by a Chris Jericho surprise run-in.
- While it's Zack Sabre Time for Taka, I'm going to just echo my approval for Chris Charlton being the 3rd Commentator for this show. He's done very well the last 2 times he's been called upon. Check out this guy's books Lions Pride and Eggshells. I'm getting ready to read Eggshells, but I can honestly say I learned a WHOLE lot of information from Lion's Pride. It's a great history of NJPW. And it's easy to read and comprehend. I'd like to see him brought in as a permanent Mike Tenay-like commentator to provide historical context for the viewers at home.
- After Sabre tries to play mind games with Naito by tagging out, Naito tags Sanada and goes right after Sabre. He throws Sabre outside and rams him against the guard rail. Naito and Sanada double team Taka, but Sabre ends up pulling out Naito and locking in a submission hold on the outside.
- A LOT of reversals and counters in the exchange between Naito and Sabre before Sanada & Taka get tagged in. Paradise Lock on Taka. I think we all know how this is going to end. Skull End on Taka with the spin. Taka JUST TAPS OUT.
Winner: Naito and Sanada
After the match, Sabre attacks Naito. But Naito ends up doing the Tranquilo pose to just anger Sabre before heading back up the ramp.
5) The Elite (Kenny Omega, Nick Jackson & Matt Jackson) vs. Kota Ibushi, Marty Scurll & Chase Owens
- This is obviously going to be huge tonight and tomorrow. The question is just how important it is going to be. If Naito wins against Sabre, Ibushi is eliminated and only wrestling for pride at that point. Plus beating Omega would eliminate Omega from winning the block, allowing Naito to slip right into the win of the block.
- THE ELITE! THE THE ELITE!!!
- Chris Charlton just mentioned this is probably the first time that the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions have been on opposite sides in a match.
- Marty and Matt start this off. Loud "Woop Woop" from the crowd. Both men fake attacking the other with "Woop Woop" taunts early on. Fast counter wrestling early on. Omega and Owens get tagged in. Criss Cross offense with both men missing their big moves. Kota and Nick tag in. Both men tease high offensive moves, but again NO CONTACT MADE. All miss elbows on the other and stop from punching each other.
- THEY ARE ALL WOOP WOOP-ING NOW! What the hell is going on?! Lol.
- Omega and Ibushi are in the ring now. AND HERE COME THE TONGANS!!! It's a DQ! TYPICAL.
Winners: N/A. Match thrown out. Garbage. But also smart booking. Save the dream match for tomorrow.
And now, the G1 Climax music plays in the arena. For the final time, it's time for the A BLOCK to take the stage.
1) Michael Elgin (BIG MIKE!) vs. Togi Makabe
- No bicep tear for Elgin apparently.
- Both me trying to knock the other over with high impact collisions. Here come the forearms and chops now. Makabe finally tackles Elgin down to the mat. Elgin gets a Belly to Belly suplex for a 2.
- HARD chop by Elgin now. Makabe in the corner eats A SUPER HARD chop! Makabe fires out of the corner with a tackle attempt, but Elgin kicks him back in the corner. Chop by Elgin knocks Makabe down. Makabe answers with a powerslam on a running Big Mike. Makabe gets a running clothesline in the corner followed by the ten punches. Elgin blocks the Northern Lights Suplex once, but he can't block it the 2nd time. 2 count. Thrust kick and Enziguri by Elgin followed by a Deadlift German Suplex for a 2.
- Running clotheslines by both men into the corner. They are colliding in the center of the ring. German suplex by both men. 5 minutes have passed. Makabe clotheslines Elgin down for 1. Another lariat by Makabe gets 2. He's got Elgin in the corner, going for the Spider Suplex. Elgin is fighting it but Makabe gets caught trying to do the Belly to Belly. Elgin gets off the corner and kicks at Makabe. He gets Makabe up and hits SPLASH MOUNTAIN. 1-2-KICKOUT!
- BUCKLE BOMB blocked by Makabe. Forearms by Elgin. Pad comes off. Huge right elbow by Elgin. Big lariat by Elgin, but Makabe no sells. Makabe does the same, but Elgin no sells. Forearms by both men! Death Valley Driver by Makabe. He's going for the knee drop, and HE CONNECTS!
1-2-3! WOW!
Winner: Togi Makabe (6 Pts)
Match Grade: B-. I thought this was a good collision between two tough bulls here. Makabe gets the win to help him stay with the pack at the end of this tournament. Elgin loses little to nothing here. It wasn't Elgin's best match, but it wasn't a terrible match either.
2) Hangman Page vs. YOSHI-HASHI
- HASHI does a good job selling the burden of 2 wins, 6 losses coming down the aisle.
- HASHI gets the early advantage here with a series of strikes and a slam on Page. Page gets a HANGMAN'S NECKBREAKER off the second rope onto the apron followed by the SHOOTING STAR PRESS off the apron onto HASHI. HASHI rolled back in by Page, who is playing "make the crowd clap" with the live audience. Deadlift Fall-Away Slam for 2 by Page. Page now asking HASHI to show him something. HASHI dropkicks Page's knee, but Page answers back with a forearm to a running HASHI. Suplex into a neckbreaker by HASHI.
- HASHI hits Head Hunter on Page. RUNNING CHOP into the corner followed by a Top Rope Head Hunter for a 2. 5 Minute mark. Spinning Forearm followed by a Bridging German by Hangman Page for a 2. More chops by Page. But HASHI comes back with forearms and a chop of his own. Page runs into another chop. Page placed on the top rope. HASHI runs in for the dropkick on the back of Page, but Page eventually blocks that move and hits THE BUCKSHOT LARIAT for a 2. Nice replay follows.
- Page goes for Rite of Passage, but it gets blocked. Page gets a dropkick and a top rope neckbreaker on HASHI for a 2. Paintbrush shots by Page to HASHI. Rite of Passage attempt again, but a rollup counter by HASHI for a 2. RITE OF PASSAGE blocked 3-4 times by HASHI. Karma countered. Superkick by HASHI followed by an elbow. CANADIAN DESTROYER by YOSHI-HASHI for a 2. WOW!!!!! Ten minutes.
- Backstabber by HASHI. KARMA connects. 1-2-3. YOSHI-HASHI WINS?!
Winner: YOSHI-HASHI
Match Grade: B-. Again. I know this may sound crazy, but this is probably my favorite YOSHI-HASHI match of the tournament. It was a good back and forth match between the two wrestlers. I'm surprised Page didn't do better. I thought he'd be around 10 points to finish up this tournament. But not a bad showing by any stretch of the imagination.
3) Minoru Suzuki vs. Bad Luck Fale - THIS IS GOING TO BE A WAR!
- KAZE NI NARE!
- HAHA! Fale goes after the ring announcer. Suzuki goes after him. They're on the outside. Suzuki gets thrown into the guard rail. And Desperado gets beat up for his trouble too. Suzuki now working on Fale. Fale chokes Suzuki with camera cable. Young Boy gets knocked over. Fale gets back in the ring. Suzuki rolls in and Fale does the classic stand on Suzuki. Suzuki pulls himself up, avoids a clothesline, and puts a triangle hold over the ropes on Fale. Fale gets pulled out, and Suzuki throws him into the guard rail. Suzuki grabs a chair under the ring, and Suzuki SMACKS Fale with it across the back. Tanga Loa and El Desperado are arguing on the other end of the ringside area as Suzuki chokes Fale with the chair. The referee tries to pull the chair away from Suzuki, but Suzuki pushes back. Fale thrown into ANOTHER guard rail and CRACKED with the chair! Chair against the throat. Fale fighting back, but Suzuki again smacks Fale with a chair. Both get back in the ring, to the delight of the people at ringside.
- Suzuki continues the attack on Fale in the corner. Running boot by Suzuki followed by a PK kick for a 2. 5 minutes have passed. SAMOAN DROP by Fale. (Fale STILL hasn't been pinned or made to submit yet in this tournament.) Slam and dropping elbow by Fale for a 2. Grenade called by Fale, but Suzuki gets an armbar in. Loa pulls the referee out and starts attacking Suzuki. Loa and Fale run into Suzuki in the corner. Splash on the mat. Referee comes to. 1-2-Kickout. Fale going for Bad Luck Fall. But Suzuki reverses into a choke. Fale backs him into the corner. But he misses Suzuki coming back in. FAST STRIKES by Suzuki. Fale gets angry, but Suzuki continues the attack. Another choke by Suzuki. Loa jumps on the apron, but Desperado blocks him. Tonga runs in and hits GUN STUN on Suzuki for the DQ. Enough already!!!
Winner: Minoru Suzuki by DQ. (WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME SUZUKI WON BY DQ?!)
Match Grade: C-. It was fun while it lasted, but that DQ finish again killed it for me. Seriously, I'm done with the Tongans.
Suzuki grabs a chair and goes right after the Tongans through the back!!!!
4) EVIL vs. Jay White-
- Reminder: If White wins, Okada is eliminated from winning the block. Also, he'll need Okada to beat Tanahashi to go on to the finals.
- HERE WE GO! White tells EVIL he's not taking these 2 points from him. HARD CHOPS to EVIL and punches. More of the same in the corner by White. EVIL charges White with a tackle. EVIL with HARD CHOPS of his own. White returns the favor. Snap Saito Suplex over the top rope to EVIL who landed HARD on the floor. And here we go: White hard-whips EVIL into the guard rail and suplexes him into the same rail. Yikes!
- EVIL rolls back in, but White meets him with strikes. Pumphandle Backbreaker from White for a 2. HARD CHOP by White. x3. EVIL uses the referee to kick the quad of White. 5 minutes have passed. EVIL clotheslines White over the top and follows him outside. White is whipped into the guard rail x2!!! They are right back in front of the English Commentary team. EVIL takes White back in the ring. Big clothesline into the corner followed by a Fisherman Buster for a 2. Flatliner and a Deadlift German by White. Spinning Brainbuster for a 2 by White. Blade Runner countered with thumbs to the eyes. Referee is distracted by a charging EVIL, who stops and takes a low blow from White. Blade Runner countered into Darkness Falls by EVIL. "EVIL" chants from the crowd.
- EVIL gets a Straight Jacket Suplex. Big LARIAT by EVIL for a 2. EVIL is going for the finisher. But White gets out. Half and Half Suplex by White. White picks up EVIL and gets the KIWI Crusher for a close 2. Ten minutes have passed. White goes to the outside and gets the chairs under the ring. EVIL uses the referee to lariat White with the chair in his hand. EVIL gets hit with a suplex while distracting the referee. The ref is knocked down. White tries to use the chair, but EVERYTHING IS EVIL!!!!!! WHITE IS DONE!!!!!
Winner: EVIL
Match Grade: C+. Decent match between the two. They both have had better. Again, if you've seen one Jay White match, you've seen them all in the tournament at this point. EVIL gets a nice win to end the tournament and plays spoiler.
5) Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi- WINNER TAKES THE BLOCK
- OKADA must win this match to advance. Tanahashi must win or tie to advance.
The bell rings, and HERE WE GO!!!!
- 2 draws in their previous 2 G1 meetings.
- Big misses by both men early on. Okada trying to get the early win. Tanahashi playing defense. Hammerlock by Okada into a headlock. Tanahashi reverses. Okada gets Tanahashi on the ropes, but Tanahashi presses the attack. Hip toss on Okada. The Ace now kicks at the knees of Okada and locks in a knee bar on Okada followed by kicks and an INDIAN DEATH LOCK type submission. 5 minutes have passed as Okada gets to the ropes.
- Tanahashi now attacking Okada in the corner, twisting at Okada's leg. He then runs, trips up Okada in the corner, and whips his leg against the ring post. Okada and Tanahashi are back in the ring. Okada can't lift The Ace for the Tombstone. Series of reversals by both men. Tombstone is blocked again, but Okada gets a DRAGON SCREW ON TANAHASHI! They are outside now. Okada smacks Tanahashi's leg against the floor multiple times. 12 count as Tanahashi gets back in. Okada now jams the knee against the mat. Okada now twists Tanahashi's knee against the ropes in the corner. Dropkick to the knee by Okada. Ten Minutes have passed.
- Club against the back by Okada. Tanahashi gets in Okada's face. Forearm to Okada. Big boot countered by Okada into a Dragon Screw by The Ace. Tanahashi with a flying forearm now to Okada. Tanahashi hits a somersault senton off the 2nd rope in the corner for a 2. Sling Blade avoided, and Okada hits a flying elbow. DDT on The Ace for a 2. Hyperextending the leg of Okada by The Ace, but Okada answers right back with a shotgun dropkick to Tanahashi. Big dropkick by Okada off the top, but he is clutching his leg. He gets up. Tombstone countered by Tanahashi, who connects with one of his own! 15 minutes have passed! Wow! We're half way through if this goes the limit.
- Forearms by both men. Slowly and then faster and faster. Okada crumbles to the mat. Tanahashi and Okada go back at it. Uppercuts now in play. 3 by Okada. Tanahashi dropkicks Okada off the apron down to the barricade below!!!! Uh oh! Tanahashi climbs the ropes!!!! HIGH FLY FLOW OFF THE TOP ROPE TO OKADA DOWN BELOW! Tanahashi lands right on his knee! The count is on. Tanahashi rolls back in. Okada sells his leg injury, gets on the apron, and takes 2 Dragon Screws and a dropkick to the knee!!!!! Okada is back in, and Tanahashi locks in the Texas Cloverleaf. 20 minutes have passed!!!!! Tanahashi sits in on the move for a moment. Okada is selling the pain. STYLES CLASH BY TANAHASHI!!!! He's climbing up! HIGH FLY FLOW MISSES!!!!!
- Okada dropkicks Tanahashi in the back of the head. Dropkick countered once, but Okada gets a second one. Okada goes for The Rainmaker, but Tanahashi reverses into the SLING BLADE! Both men begin attacking each other while on their knees. Forearm strikes and elbows by both men. Both men get up, but Okada NAILS Tanahashi with an elbow knocking him down. Tombstone blocked twice by Tanahashi. Tanahashi goes for one of his own, but Okada blocks it. Tanahashi gets out of another attempt with Twist and Shout!!!! Another one! 25 minutes!!!! Another one! Tanahashi is up. He gets SLING BLADE!!! 1-2-KICKOUT! Tanahashi climbs the ropes!!! HIGH FLY FLOW countered by a dropkick by Okada! Wow! Okada picks up Tanahashi and nails the Tombstone! 3 minutes. Rainmaker avoided, but Okada gets a dropkick!!! SPINNING RAINMAKER!!!! OH MY! Okada picks up Tanahashi. Rainmaker countered into a rollup for a insane 2. Dragon Suplex counter out of another Rainmaker by Tanahashi for a 2. 1 MINUTE LEFT!!!!! Tanahashi trying to avoid Rainmaker, gets a left hand in. He climbs the ropes and gets HIGH FLY FLOW!!!! The time runs out. Tanahashi has not beaten Okada, but HE WINS THE BLOCK!!!!
Winner: DRAW
Match Grade: A+. THIS WAS INSANE!!!! The drama was crazy for this, and both men played up to this in great fashion. This wasn't their best match, but it definitely was a classic between the two as their matches almost always are. Another chapter in the feud. Tanahashi went for the win here, and there's something they can build off of here with Tanahashi having to prove to himself that he can beat Okada again down the line. It's been 3.5 years since Tanahashi has beaten Okada.
The ring announcers confirm that Tanahashi has won the block!!!!! Tanahashi thanks the crowd for staying for the end. He's exhausted trying to give the promo. He does have one thing he wants to tell everyone: He will win the G1 on Sunday.
A Block Standings FINAL STANDINGS (FINAL SCORES IN BOLD)
Hiroshi Tanahashi (15 Points) **WINNER**
Kazuchika Okada (13 points)
Jay White (12 points)
EVIL (10 Points)
Minoru Suzuki (10 points)
Bad Luck Fale (6 points)
Michael Elgin (6 points)
Hangman Page (6 points)
Togi Makabe (6 points)
YOSHI-HASHI (6 points)
Show Rating: B. The show was fun and had several decent matches. If Tanahashi vs. Okada was not on this card, it would probably have ended up at C or lower. The Tongans continue to annoy the hell out of me in a bad way. But the main event reminded me of what makes NJPW great. This had the best match of the A Block by far, which was expected given everything we know about these two wrestling.
I hope you all enjoyed this. I will continue to provide coverage tomorrow for the B Block Finals and may try to do the live show on Sunday as well if I can wake up early enough. I'll let you know tomorrow if that is going to happen. Until then, take care of yourselves and spread some awesomeness.
I'm anxious to see another chapter in the Tanahashi vs. Okada feud play out here. I know I'm probably in the minority here, but I would like to see Tanahashi get a win for once against Okada. Lately, Okada has been winning or tying the Ace in their matches. For the rivalry to continue, I think The Ace needs to sneak one past Okada.
Then there's the question of whether Jay White will beat EVIL. If that happens, White needs Okada to beat Tanahashi to advance to the G1 Finals. If White beats EVIL, Okada is mathematically eliminated from winning the block. I don't see that happening.
Here's your final reminder for where we are at in the G1 Climax A Block...
A Block Standings After Night 15
Hiroshi Tanahashi (14 Points)
Jay White (12 points)
Kazuchika Okada (12 points)
EVIL (8 Points)**
Minoru Suzuki (8 points)**
Bad Luck Fale (6 points)**
Michael Elgin (6 points)**
Hangman Page (6 points)**
Togi Makabe (4 points)**
YOSHI-HASHI (4 points)**
** Eliminated from contention of winning the block.
Here are your final A Block matches
- Okada vs. Tanahashi
-EVIL vs. Jay White
- Suzuki vs. Fale
- Makabe vs. Elgin
- Page vs. HASHI
Per WrestleZone (website included below), here is the undercard:
Shota Umino & Toa Henare vs. CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & SHO)
CHAOS (Toru Yano & Gedo) vs. Guerrillas Of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa)
Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. CHAOS (Hirooki Goto & YOH)
Los Ingobernables de Japon (SANADA & Tetsuya Naito) vs. Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & TAKA Michinoku)
The Elite (Kenny Omega, Nick Jackson & Matt Jackson) vs. Kota Ibushi, Marty Scurll & Chase Owens
Read more at http://www.mandatory.com/wrestlezone/news/985309-njpw-g1-climax-a-block-finals-810-full-card-viewing-info#aFl7U2FvTI8KCbhU.9
HERE WE GO!!! LIVE COVERAGE STARTS NOW!!!!!
Undercard
** As usual, I'm only going to do brief reviews for the undercard matches. Today though I will be giving a more thorough review for the Bullet Club Elite Tag Match featuring Omega and Ibushi
1) Shota Umino & Toa Henare vs. CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & SHO)
- Really cool camera angles being used by New Japan early on. It looks like Ishii will be facing Sanada tomorrow as most times Sanada has an opponent, they get the oddball undercard match. Sanada has always been tag teaming with Naito in these undercard matches.
- Unimo continues to be impressive in these undercard bouts including here with a nice exchange with Ishii.
- REALLY close 2 count for Unimo against SHO. But SHO eventually gets the German suplex for the win for his team.
Winners: SHO and Tomohiro Ishii
2) CHAOS (Toru Yano & Gedo) vs. Guerrillas Of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa)
- You have to know this one is going to have a bunch of shenanigans today and tomorrow when it's Tonga vs. Yano 1-on-1. Haha. I just said a Tongan match was going to be 1-on-1. Sorry folks. The coffee still hasn't kicked in yet.
- This match was less than nothing folks. Yano started the match and spent most of the match getting beat up. Then, he tagged in Gedo who took the Ape... (Rikishi Driver) for the loss.
Winners: Guerrillas of Destiny
3) Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. CHAOS (Hirooki Goto & YOH)
- YOH looking impressive here with a lot of fast offense against Finlay.
- Ushigoroshi! I think I finally got the spelling right on this. It only took 17 nights. Lol
- GTR on Finlay after taking the Ushigoroshi only seconds earlier.
Winner: Goto and YOH
4) Los Ingobernables de Japon (SANADA & Tetsuya Naito) vs. Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & TAKA Michinoku)- This will be a HUGE match tomorrow between Naito and Sabre Jr. I think Naito is going to win, but I'm not counting out a surprise win for Sabre Jr. in form of a European Clutch or an assist by a Chris Jericho surprise run-in.
- While it's Zack Sabre Time for Taka, I'm going to just echo my approval for Chris Charlton being the 3rd Commentator for this show. He's done very well the last 2 times he's been called upon. Check out this guy's books Lions Pride and Eggshells. I'm getting ready to read Eggshells, but I can honestly say I learned a WHOLE lot of information from Lion's Pride. It's a great history of NJPW. And it's easy to read and comprehend. I'd like to see him brought in as a permanent Mike Tenay-like commentator to provide historical context for the viewers at home.
- After Sabre tries to play mind games with Naito by tagging out, Naito tags Sanada and goes right after Sabre. He throws Sabre outside and rams him against the guard rail. Naito and Sanada double team Taka, but Sabre ends up pulling out Naito and locking in a submission hold on the outside.
- A LOT of reversals and counters in the exchange between Naito and Sabre before Sanada & Taka get tagged in. Paradise Lock on Taka. I think we all know how this is going to end. Skull End on Taka with the spin. Taka JUST TAPS OUT.
Winner: Naito and Sanada
After the match, Sabre attacks Naito. But Naito ends up doing the Tranquilo pose to just anger Sabre before heading back up the ramp.
5) The Elite (Kenny Omega, Nick Jackson & Matt Jackson) vs. Kota Ibushi, Marty Scurll & Chase Owens
- This is obviously going to be huge tonight and tomorrow. The question is just how important it is going to be. If Naito wins against Sabre, Ibushi is eliminated and only wrestling for pride at that point. Plus beating Omega would eliminate Omega from winning the block, allowing Naito to slip right into the win of the block.
- THE ELITE! THE THE ELITE!!!
- Chris Charlton just mentioned this is probably the first time that the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions have been on opposite sides in a match.
- Marty and Matt start this off. Loud "Woop Woop" from the crowd. Both men fake attacking the other with "Woop Woop" taunts early on. Fast counter wrestling early on. Omega and Owens get tagged in. Criss Cross offense with both men missing their big moves. Kota and Nick tag in. Both men tease high offensive moves, but again NO CONTACT MADE. All miss elbows on the other and stop from punching each other.
- THEY ARE ALL WOOP WOOP-ING NOW! What the hell is going on?! Lol.
- Omega and Ibushi are in the ring now. AND HERE COME THE TONGANS!!! It's a DQ! TYPICAL.
Winners: N/A. Match thrown out. Garbage. But also smart booking. Save the dream match for tomorrow.
And now, the G1 Climax music plays in the arena. For the final time, it's time for the A BLOCK to take the stage.
1) Michael Elgin (BIG MIKE!) vs. Togi Makabe
- No bicep tear for Elgin apparently.
- Both me trying to knock the other over with high impact collisions. Here come the forearms and chops now. Makabe finally tackles Elgin down to the mat. Elgin gets a Belly to Belly suplex for a 2.
- HARD chop by Elgin now. Makabe in the corner eats A SUPER HARD chop! Makabe fires out of the corner with a tackle attempt, but Elgin kicks him back in the corner. Chop by Elgin knocks Makabe down. Makabe answers with a powerslam on a running Big Mike. Makabe gets a running clothesline in the corner followed by the ten punches. Elgin blocks the Northern Lights Suplex once, but he can't block it the 2nd time. 2 count. Thrust kick and Enziguri by Elgin followed by a Deadlift German Suplex for a 2.
- Running clotheslines by both men into the corner. They are colliding in the center of the ring. German suplex by both men. 5 minutes have passed. Makabe clotheslines Elgin down for 1. Another lariat by Makabe gets 2. He's got Elgin in the corner, going for the Spider Suplex. Elgin is fighting it but Makabe gets caught trying to do the Belly to Belly. Elgin gets off the corner and kicks at Makabe. He gets Makabe up and hits SPLASH MOUNTAIN. 1-2-KICKOUT!
- BUCKLE BOMB blocked by Makabe. Forearms by Elgin. Pad comes off. Huge right elbow by Elgin. Big lariat by Elgin, but Makabe no sells. Makabe does the same, but Elgin no sells. Forearms by both men! Death Valley Driver by Makabe. He's going for the knee drop, and HE CONNECTS!
1-2-3! WOW!
Winner: Togi Makabe (6 Pts)
Match Grade: B-. I thought this was a good collision between two tough bulls here. Makabe gets the win to help him stay with the pack at the end of this tournament. Elgin loses little to nothing here. It wasn't Elgin's best match, but it wasn't a terrible match either.
2) Hangman Page vs. YOSHI-HASHI
- HASHI does a good job selling the burden of 2 wins, 6 losses coming down the aisle.
- HASHI gets the early advantage here with a series of strikes and a slam on Page. Page gets a HANGMAN'S NECKBREAKER off the second rope onto the apron followed by the SHOOTING STAR PRESS off the apron onto HASHI. HASHI rolled back in by Page, who is playing "make the crowd clap" with the live audience. Deadlift Fall-Away Slam for 2 by Page. Page now asking HASHI to show him something. HASHI dropkicks Page's knee, but Page answers back with a forearm to a running HASHI. Suplex into a neckbreaker by HASHI.
- HASHI hits Head Hunter on Page. RUNNING CHOP into the corner followed by a Top Rope Head Hunter for a 2. 5 Minute mark. Spinning Forearm followed by a Bridging German by Hangman Page for a 2. More chops by Page. But HASHI comes back with forearms and a chop of his own. Page runs into another chop. Page placed on the top rope. HASHI runs in for the dropkick on the back of Page, but Page eventually blocks that move and hits THE BUCKSHOT LARIAT for a 2. Nice replay follows.
- Page goes for Rite of Passage, but it gets blocked. Page gets a dropkick and a top rope neckbreaker on HASHI for a 2. Paintbrush shots by Page to HASHI. Rite of Passage attempt again, but a rollup counter by HASHI for a 2. RITE OF PASSAGE blocked 3-4 times by HASHI. Karma countered. Superkick by HASHI followed by an elbow. CANADIAN DESTROYER by YOSHI-HASHI for a 2. WOW!!!!! Ten minutes.
- Backstabber by HASHI. KARMA connects. 1-2-3. YOSHI-HASHI WINS?!
Winner: YOSHI-HASHI
Match Grade: B-. Again. I know this may sound crazy, but this is probably my favorite YOSHI-HASHI match of the tournament. It was a good back and forth match between the two wrestlers. I'm surprised Page didn't do better. I thought he'd be around 10 points to finish up this tournament. But not a bad showing by any stretch of the imagination.
3) Minoru Suzuki vs. Bad Luck Fale - THIS IS GOING TO BE A WAR!
- KAZE NI NARE!
- HAHA! Fale goes after the ring announcer. Suzuki goes after him. They're on the outside. Suzuki gets thrown into the guard rail. And Desperado gets beat up for his trouble too. Suzuki now working on Fale. Fale chokes Suzuki with camera cable. Young Boy gets knocked over. Fale gets back in the ring. Suzuki rolls in and Fale does the classic stand on Suzuki. Suzuki pulls himself up, avoids a clothesline, and puts a triangle hold over the ropes on Fale. Fale gets pulled out, and Suzuki throws him into the guard rail. Suzuki grabs a chair under the ring, and Suzuki SMACKS Fale with it across the back. Tanga Loa and El Desperado are arguing on the other end of the ringside area as Suzuki chokes Fale with the chair. The referee tries to pull the chair away from Suzuki, but Suzuki pushes back. Fale thrown into ANOTHER guard rail and CRACKED with the chair! Chair against the throat. Fale fighting back, but Suzuki again smacks Fale with a chair. Both get back in the ring, to the delight of the people at ringside.
- Suzuki continues the attack on Fale in the corner. Running boot by Suzuki followed by a PK kick for a 2. 5 minutes have passed. SAMOAN DROP by Fale. (Fale STILL hasn't been pinned or made to submit yet in this tournament.) Slam and dropping elbow by Fale for a 2. Grenade called by Fale, but Suzuki gets an armbar in. Loa pulls the referee out and starts attacking Suzuki. Loa and Fale run into Suzuki in the corner. Splash on the mat. Referee comes to. 1-2-Kickout. Fale going for Bad Luck Fall. But Suzuki reverses into a choke. Fale backs him into the corner. But he misses Suzuki coming back in. FAST STRIKES by Suzuki. Fale gets angry, but Suzuki continues the attack. Another choke by Suzuki. Loa jumps on the apron, but Desperado blocks him. Tonga runs in and hits GUN STUN on Suzuki for the DQ. Enough already!!!
Winner: Minoru Suzuki by DQ. (WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME SUZUKI WON BY DQ?!)
Match Grade: C-. It was fun while it lasted, but that DQ finish again killed it for me. Seriously, I'm done with the Tongans.
Suzuki grabs a chair and goes right after the Tongans through the back!!!!
4) EVIL vs. Jay White-
- Reminder: If White wins, Okada is eliminated from winning the block. Also, he'll need Okada to beat Tanahashi to go on to the finals.
- HERE WE GO! White tells EVIL he's not taking these 2 points from him. HARD CHOPS to EVIL and punches. More of the same in the corner by White. EVIL charges White with a tackle. EVIL with HARD CHOPS of his own. White returns the favor. Snap Saito Suplex over the top rope to EVIL who landed HARD on the floor. And here we go: White hard-whips EVIL into the guard rail and suplexes him into the same rail. Yikes!
- EVIL rolls back in, but White meets him with strikes. Pumphandle Backbreaker from White for a 2. HARD CHOP by White. x3. EVIL uses the referee to kick the quad of White. 5 minutes have passed. EVIL clotheslines White over the top and follows him outside. White is whipped into the guard rail x2!!! They are right back in front of the English Commentary team. EVIL takes White back in the ring. Big clothesline into the corner followed by a Fisherman Buster for a 2. Flatliner and a Deadlift German by White. Spinning Brainbuster for a 2 by White. Blade Runner countered with thumbs to the eyes. Referee is distracted by a charging EVIL, who stops and takes a low blow from White. Blade Runner countered into Darkness Falls by EVIL. "EVIL" chants from the crowd.
- EVIL gets a Straight Jacket Suplex. Big LARIAT by EVIL for a 2. EVIL is going for the finisher. But White gets out. Half and Half Suplex by White. White picks up EVIL and gets the KIWI Crusher for a close 2. Ten minutes have passed. White goes to the outside and gets the chairs under the ring. EVIL uses the referee to lariat White with the chair in his hand. EVIL gets hit with a suplex while distracting the referee. The ref is knocked down. White tries to use the chair, but EVERYTHING IS EVIL!!!!!! WHITE IS DONE!!!!!
Winner: EVIL
Match Grade: C+. Decent match between the two. They both have had better. Again, if you've seen one Jay White match, you've seen them all in the tournament at this point. EVIL gets a nice win to end the tournament and plays spoiler.
5) Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi- WINNER TAKES THE BLOCK
- OKADA must win this match to advance. Tanahashi must win or tie to advance.
The bell rings, and HERE WE GO!!!!
- 2 draws in their previous 2 G1 meetings.
- Big misses by both men early on. Okada trying to get the early win. Tanahashi playing defense. Hammerlock by Okada into a headlock. Tanahashi reverses. Okada gets Tanahashi on the ropes, but Tanahashi presses the attack. Hip toss on Okada. The Ace now kicks at the knees of Okada and locks in a knee bar on Okada followed by kicks and an INDIAN DEATH LOCK type submission. 5 minutes have passed as Okada gets to the ropes.
- Tanahashi now attacking Okada in the corner, twisting at Okada's leg. He then runs, trips up Okada in the corner, and whips his leg against the ring post. Okada and Tanahashi are back in the ring. Okada can't lift The Ace for the Tombstone. Series of reversals by both men. Tombstone is blocked again, but Okada gets a DRAGON SCREW ON TANAHASHI! They are outside now. Okada smacks Tanahashi's leg against the floor multiple times. 12 count as Tanahashi gets back in. Okada now jams the knee against the mat. Okada now twists Tanahashi's knee against the ropes in the corner. Dropkick to the knee by Okada. Ten Minutes have passed.
- Club against the back by Okada. Tanahashi gets in Okada's face. Forearm to Okada. Big boot countered by Okada into a Dragon Screw by The Ace. Tanahashi with a flying forearm now to Okada. Tanahashi hits a somersault senton off the 2nd rope in the corner for a 2. Sling Blade avoided, and Okada hits a flying elbow. DDT on The Ace for a 2. Hyperextending the leg of Okada by The Ace, but Okada answers right back with a shotgun dropkick to Tanahashi. Big dropkick by Okada off the top, but he is clutching his leg. He gets up. Tombstone countered by Tanahashi, who connects with one of his own! 15 minutes have passed! Wow! We're half way through if this goes the limit.
- Forearms by both men. Slowly and then faster and faster. Okada crumbles to the mat. Tanahashi and Okada go back at it. Uppercuts now in play. 3 by Okada. Tanahashi dropkicks Okada off the apron down to the barricade below!!!! Uh oh! Tanahashi climbs the ropes!!!! HIGH FLY FLOW OFF THE TOP ROPE TO OKADA DOWN BELOW! Tanahashi lands right on his knee! The count is on. Tanahashi rolls back in. Okada sells his leg injury, gets on the apron, and takes 2 Dragon Screws and a dropkick to the knee!!!!! Okada is back in, and Tanahashi locks in the Texas Cloverleaf. 20 minutes have passed!!!!! Tanahashi sits in on the move for a moment. Okada is selling the pain. STYLES CLASH BY TANAHASHI!!!! He's climbing up! HIGH FLY FLOW MISSES!!!!!
- Okada dropkicks Tanahashi in the back of the head. Dropkick countered once, but Okada gets a second one. Okada goes for The Rainmaker, but Tanahashi reverses into the SLING BLADE! Both men begin attacking each other while on their knees. Forearm strikes and elbows by both men. Both men get up, but Okada NAILS Tanahashi with an elbow knocking him down. Tombstone blocked twice by Tanahashi. Tanahashi goes for one of his own, but Okada blocks it. Tanahashi gets out of another attempt with Twist and Shout!!!! Another one! 25 minutes!!!! Another one! Tanahashi is up. He gets SLING BLADE!!! 1-2-KICKOUT! Tanahashi climbs the ropes!!! HIGH FLY FLOW countered by a dropkick by Okada! Wow! Okada picks up Tanahashi and nails the Tombstone! 3 minutes. Rainmaker avoided, but Okada gets a dropkick!!! SPINNING RAINMAKER!!!! OH MY! Okada picks up Tanahashi. Rainmaker countered into a rollup for a insane 2. Dragon Suplex counter out of another Rainmaker by Tanahashi for a 2. 1 MINUTE LEFT!!!!! Tanahashi trying to avoid Rainmaker, gets a left hand in. He climbs the ropes and gets HIGH FLY FLOW!!!! The time runs out. Tanahashi has not beaten Okada, but HE WINS THE BLOCK!!!!
Winner: DRAW
Match Grade: A+. THIS WAS INSANE!!!! The drama was crazy for this, and both men played up to this in great fashion. This wasn't their best match, but it definitely was a classic between the two as their matches almost always are. Another chapter in the feud. Tanahashi went for the win here, and there's something they can build off of here with Tanahashi having to prove to himself that he can beat Okada again down the line. It's been 3.5 years since Tanahashi has beaten Okada.
The ring announcers confirm that Tanahashi has won the block!!!!! Tanahashi thanks the crowd for staying for the end. He's exhausted trying to give the promo. He does have one thing he wants to tell everyone: He will win the G1 on Sunday.
A Block Standings FINAL STANDINGS (FINAL SCORES IN BOLD)
Hiroshi Tanahashi (15 Points) **WINNER**
Kazuchika Okada (13 points)
Jay White (12 points)
EVIL (10 Points)
Minoru Suzuki (10 points)
Bad Luck Fale (6 points)
Michael Elgin (6 points)
Hangman Page (6 points)
Togi Makabe (6 points)
YOSHI-HASHI (6 points)
Show Rating: B. The show was fun and had several decent matches. If Tanahashi vs. Okada was not on this card, it would probably have ended up at C or lower. The Tongans continue to annoy the hell out of me in a bad way. But the main event reminded me of what makes NJPW great. This had the best match of the A Block by far, which was expected given everything we know about these two wrestling.
I hope you all enjoyed this. I will continue to provide coverage tomorrow for the B Block Finals and may try to do the live show on Sunday as well if I can wake up early enough. I'll let you know tomorrow if that is going to happen. Until then, take care of yourselves and spread some awesomeness.
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