Yota Tsuji defeated defending tournament winner Konosuke Takeshita as the G1 Climax 36 began Saturday at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
Almost the entire 20-man field competed across nine tournament matches. Gabe Kidd and Drilla Moloney were the exceptions, with Kidd unable to perform in the United States because of visa issues.
NJPW presented a stripped-down show without video packages, promos or surprise angles. The compact but loud crowd fully embraced the format and remained engaged throughout the card.
Aaron Wolf won his first G1 match in the opener, while Ryohei Oiwa, Callum Newman and Zack Sabre Jr. were among the other wrestlers to collect their first two points.
Full results
- B Block: Aaron Wolf [2] def. HENARE [0]
- A Block: Jake Lee [2] def. Shingo Takagi [0]
- B Block: OSKAR [2] def. Ren Narita [0]
- A Block: Yuto-Ice [2] def. Great-O-Khan [0]
- B Block: Zack Sabre Jr. [2] def. Shota Umino [0]
- A Block: Hirooki Goto [2] def. SANADA [0]
- B Block: Callum Newman [2] def. Yuya Uemura [0]
- A Block: Ryohei Oiwa [2] def. Boltin Oleg [0]
- A Block: Yota Tsuji [2] def. Konosuke Takeshita [0]
Tsuji defeats the defending G1 winner
IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji closed the show by defeating Takeshita in a physical main event.
Tsuji had beaten Takeshita at Wrestle Kingdom 20 to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and entered Saturday with a 2-1 advantage in their singles series. Takeshita, meanwhile, came into the tournament as the reigning G1 winner and holder of both the NJPW World Television and AEW International championships.
Tsuji gained the early advantage with a hurricanrana and sent Takeshita into the barricade with a dive. Takeshita later intercepted a Gene Blaster attempt and followed with a dive of his own.
The pace increased as Takeshita connected with an exploder suplex and Blue Thunder Bomb. Tsuji responded by applying a Boston crab before transitioning into an inverted Styles Clash.
Takeshita blocked another Gene Blaster with a boot and later drove Tsuji into the mat with a Spanish Fly. Both men spilled outside and narrowly returned before the referee’s count reached 20.
Tsuji finally stopped a Power Drive Knee attempt with the Gene Blaster. Takeshita survived another, but a further Gene Blaster secured the pin and gave the IWGP champion his opening points.
After the match, Tsuji addressed the crowd and said he intended to continue carrying the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
Oiwa submits Oleg
Ryohei Oiwa changed his approach midway through his match against Boltin Oleg and earned a submission victory.
Neither wrestler could establish a clear strength advantage during the opening exchanges. Oiwa used chops and a running senton, while Oleg answered with the Boltin Shake and attempted a Boltin Bomb.
Oiwa sent Oleg into the ring post and began concentrating on his left arm. Oleg powered his way back into the contest with a pair of Kamikazes, forcing Oiwa to rely more heavily on his technical wrestling.
The TMDK member climbed onto Oleg’s back and continued attacking the damaged arm. Oleg initially resisted but eventually submitted when Oiwa increased the pressure on his elbow.
Their history dates back to Oleg’s pre-debut exhibition match at the Tokyo Dome, and Saturday’s encounter followed their previous G1 meeting in Sapporo.
Newman survives Uemura’s arm attack
Callum Newman defeated Yuya Uemura in a rematch of the 2026 New Japan Cup final.
The contest began with Newman spitting at Uemura, setting the tone for a tense match. Newman later took the action into the crowd and launched himself through the air with a dropkick that sent Uemura into a row of chairs.
Uemura repeatedly targeted Newman’s arm and shoulder. That strategy carried added significance after Newman suffered a shoulder injury during his IWGP Heavyweight Championship loss at Dominion on June 14.
Newman escaped the Deadbolt suplex and applied the Prince’s Curse, but Uemura eventually connected with the move twice. The effort appeared to drain Uemura, allowing Newman to recover and land the Excalibur.
A fast closing exchange ended with Newman hitting The Crown and Make Way to secure the victory.
Goto moves ahead of SANADA
Hirooki Goto broke a 3-3 tie in his career singles series with SANADA.
SANADA, who made his entrance draped in a gold outfit with gigantic hat, offered a handshake before attacking Goto and later trapped him in the Paradise Lock. He continued to control the match after sending Goto to the floor with a Magic Screw.
Goto rallied with an Ushigoroshi and lariat. SANADA landed a Shining Wizard and escaped one pinning attempt, but Goto caught him with the Goto Revolution to take the lead in their series and collect two points.
Sabre ends Umino’s tournament streak
Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Shota Umino after entering the match without a tournament victory over him.
Umino had won their previous four meetings in G1 Climax and New Japan Cup competition. Sabre changed that record by surviving a sustained comeback and finishing Umino with the Zack Driver.
Sabre controlled the early stages by repeatedly trapping Umino’s head, arms and legs. Umino answered with chops, a fisherman’s suplex and an attack that drove Sabre throat-first across the bottom rope.
The match became more evenly contested after Sabre delivered a sunset flip powerbomb from the turnbuckles. Umino later connected with a tornado DDT, Shota Driver and running knee.
Umino attempted Second Chapter, but Sabre countered with a Zack Driver. Sabre then turned an O’Connor roll into a rear-naked choke before hitting another Zack Driver for the pin.
The loss continued a difficult period for Umino, who entered the G1 after his violent IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship match against Kidd at Korakuen Hall.
Yuto-Ice gains revenge on O-Khan
Yuto-Ice defeated Great-O-Khan after recovering from a low blow and Rail Gun.
O-Khan and HENARE had taken the IWGP Tag Team Championship from Yuto-Ice and OSKAR at Dominion, forcing the former champions to qualify for the G1 through play-in matches. O-Khan used Mongolian chops and attacked Yuto-Ice with a chair outside the ring. Yuto-Ice responded with Bomboclat kicks, including one that caught O-Khan in the head.
Great-O-Khan landed a low blow and Rail Gun before repeatedly driving Yuto-Ice’s head into the canvas with the Iron Claw. Yuto-Ice escaped another attempted attack before hitting Cruella for the pin.
OSKAR puts Narita to sleep
OSKAR defeated Ren Narita by referee stoppage after overcoming an extended attack on his leg.
Narita immediately targeted the larger wrestler’s knee and continued his assault outside the ring, using the barricade and a chair. He later applied the Stunt Puller on two occasions.
OSKAR remained upright and used his size to regain control, connecting with a powerbomb and a heavy chop. Narita attempted Hell’s Guillotine, but OSKAR powered free.
The finish came when OSKAR trapped Narita in a headlock and swung him from side to side. The referee called for the bell after Narita stopped responding.
Both members of Unbound Co. therefore ended the opening night with victories.
Lee upsets Takagi
Jake Lee defeated Shingo Takagi in their first singles match since their rivalry intensified earlier this year.
Lee injured Takagi’s ribs with the Giant Killing knee during the Road to The New Beginning tour in January. Their subsequent meetings in tag matches repeatedly developed into fights around the ring and seating areas.
Takagi took Lee outside with a shoulder tackle and later delivered a Death Valley Driver on the floor. A superplex and Pumping Bomber brought Takagi close to victory.
Lee survived and connected with a penalty kick before catching Takagi with the Face Break Shot for the pin.
Wolf wins G1 debut
NEVER Openweight Champion Aaron Wolf opened the tournament by defeating HENARE in his first G1 Climax match and first appearance in the United States.
HENARE initially found it difficult to move Wolf, whose judo background allowed him to match the United Empire member’s strength. HENARE adjusted by striking Wolf and sending him into the ring post.
Wolf countered a lariat with a uranage and began using repeated throws. HENARE responded with a spinning heel kick and later dropped Wolf with a lariat after Wolf attempted a headbutt.
The Olympic gold medalist recovered and delivered a series of Olympic Slam-style throws to record the victory.
Initial Standings
A Block
- Hirooki Goto — 2 points
- Jake Lee — 2 points
- Ryohei Oiwa — 2 points
- Yota Tsuji — 2 points
- Yuto-Ice — 2 points
- Boltin Oleg — 0 points
- Great-O-Khan — 0 points
- Konosuke Takeshita — 0 points
- SANADA — 0 points
- Shingo Takagi — 0 points
B Block
- Aaron Wolf — 2 points
- Callum Newman — 2 points
- OSKAR — 2 points
- Zack Sabre Jr. — 2 points
- Drilla Moloney* — 0 points
- Gabe Kidd* — 0 points
- HENARE — 0 points
- Ren Narita — 0 points
- Shota Umino — 0 points
- Yuya Uemura — 0 points
* Yet to compete.
Night 2 takes place Saturday, July 18 at Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center in Sapporo.
