Konosuke Takeshita moved into sole possession of the A Block lead as G1 Climax 36 reached its penultimate round of league matches.
Takeshita defeated SANADA to reach 12 points on Sunday at G Messe Gunma. Ryohei Oiwa and Yota Tsuji joined Boltin Oleg on 10, leaving those four as the only wrestlers still capable of advancing from the block.
In Sunday’s main event, Yuto-Ice defeated Shingo Takagi, although neither can now reach the top two.
The announced attendance was 1,615.
Full results
- OSKAR & Gedo def. Toru Yano & Taisei Nakahara (4:31)
- Callum Newman & Zane Jay def. Aaron Wolf & Tatsuya Matsumoto (5:05)
- Ren Narita & Dick Togo def. Drilla Moloney & Daiki Nagai (7:46)
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Hartley Jackson def. HENARE & Jakob Austin Young (5:55)
- A Block: Ryohei Oiwa [10] def. Jake Lee [6] (12:47)
- A Block: Konosuke Takeshita [12] def. SANADA [6] (14:02)
- A Block: Yota Tsuji [10] def. Great-O-Khan [4] (13:14)
- A Block: Hirooki Goto [6] def. Boltin Oleg [10] (15:20)
- A Block: Yuto-Ice [8] def. Shingo Takagi [8] (20:25)
Yuto-Ice vs. Shingo Takagi
Yuto-Ice scored an upset over Unbound Co. teammate Shingo Takagi in Sunday’s main event to earn his fourth tournament victory.
Ice began aggressively, but Takagi caught him with a lariat while he was playing to the crowd. Their fight moved outside before Ice regained control in the ring, while Takagi began attacking his opponent’s right knee.
Takagi later countered the Cruella with a Pumping Bomber, although Ice remained standing. A backdrop suplex, another lariat and Made in Japan brought Takagi a near fall.
Ice responded with a high kick, Cruella and a vertical-drop brainbuster. Takagi answered with the Burning Dragon and another Pumping Bomber, but again could not finish the match.
The closing exchanges became a battle of punches and headbutts. Ice eventually trapped Takagi’s arms and drove a knee into him with Heartless for the pin at 20:25.
Both men now have eight points and are out of contention for advancement.
Hirooki Goto vs. Boltin Oleg
The already-eliminated Hirooki Goto damaged his Bishamon-tin teammate’s hopes of advancement by handing Boltin Oleg his third loss.
Oleg controlled much of the opening period, using a suplex, body slam and half crab before repeatedly driving Goto into the corner.
Goto created some separation with a clothesline and followed with the Ushigoroshi and a reverse GTR. He also used a sleeper and penalty kick as he tried to bring the larger man down.
Oleg answered with the Kamikaze and a powerbomb for a near fall. Goto returned to the sleeper, but Oleg powered his way toward the ropes and turnbuckles.
Goto escaped an attempted Verdict and later caught Oleg with a headbutt and Goto Ninshiki for two. A heel kick set up the GTR, giving Goto his third victory at 15:20.
Oleg remains on 10 points entering his final league match.
Yota Tsuji vs. Great-O-Khan
IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji kept his advancement hopes intact by defeating the already eliminated Great-O-Khan.
O-Khan attacked before the bell and concentrated on Tsuji’s right arm, using the exposed turnbuckle and chairs outside.
Tsuji remained dangerous with his legs, responding with a suicide dive and quebrada. O-Khan later used the referee’s position to prevent a Gene Blaster and resumed attacking the injured arm.
Tsuji countered an Eliminator with a stunner and scored a near fall with the Silver Lining. O-Khan avoided another Gene Blaster and struck low, but could not capitalize.
With his right arm compromised, Tsuji connected with a succession of Gene Blasters and secured the pin at 13:14, moving to 10 points.
Konosuke Takeshita vs. SANADA
Takeshita eliminated SANADA from contention and became the first wrestler in the A Block to reach 12 points.
SANADA started with a measured approach, slowing Takeshita before the defending G1 winner responded with a big boot and the Blue Thunder Bomb.
A Magic Screw put SANADA back in control. He later hit a Shining Wizard and countered Takeshita’s Raging Fire with a version of the move himself before following with a moonsault for two.
Takeshita escaped Skull End and delivered the Hitodenashi Driver and a German suplex. The Wagamama produced another near fall.
SANADA countered a Raging Fire attempt into an inside cradle and hit another Shining Wizard. Takeshita survived and ultimately connected with the Raging Fire for the pin at 14:02.
Takeshita enters his final league match against Oiwa in first place at 12 points. He said afterward that despite leading the block, he could not afford to lose the final encounter.
Ryohei Oiwa vs. Jake Lee
Oiwa reached 10 points and eliminated Jake Lee by continually attacking his opponent’s right leg.
Lee entered using music and attire associated with his time in Pro Wrestling NOAH, where Oiwa spent part of his excursion. The two initially wrestled on the mat before Oiwa began targeting the knee.
After the fight moved outside, Lee applied his face paint and adopted a more aggressive approach. He landed several kicks after returning to the ring.
Oiwa caught an attempted knee strike and delivered consecutive dragon screws. He then applied the TM Clutch and forced Lee to submit at 12:47.
Standings
A Block
- Konosuke Takeshita — 12 points (6-2)
- Boltin Oleg — 10 points (5-3)
- Ryohei Oiwa — 10 points (5-3)
- Yota Tsuji — 10 points (5-3)
- Shingo Takagi — 8 points (4-4)
- Yuto-Ice — 8 points (4-4)
- Hirooki Goto — 6 points (3-5)
- Jake Lee — 6 points (3-5)
- SANADA — 6 points (3-5)
- Great-O-Khan — 4 points (2-6)
B Block
- Callum Newman — 10 points (5-2)
- Gabe Kidd — 10 points (5-2)
- Ren Narita — 10 points (5-2)
- Drilla Moloney — 8 points (4-4)
- HENARE — 8 points (4-3)
- OSKAR — 8 points (4-4)
- Yuya Uemura — 8 points (4-3)
- Aaron Wolf — 6 points (3-4)
- Zack Sabre Jr. — 6 points (3-4)
- Shota Umino* — 0 points (0-9)
*Withdrew due to injury; remaining tournament matches recorded as forfeits.
The G1 Climax 36 continues Tuesday, August 11, at Nissho Highway Arena in Mie with the penultimate round of B Block matches:
- Zack Sabre Jr. vs. HENARE
- Drilla Moloney vs. Ren Narita
- Aaron Wolf vs. Callum Newman
- Yuya Uemura vs. Gabe Kidd
