NJPW G1 Climax 35 Preview – Day 9 & 10

A Block Standings:

G1 Climax 35 Day 9 Card:

• Main event: A Block – Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Yuya Uemura
• 8th match: A Block – Taichi vs. Yota Tsuji
• 7th match: A Block – Boltin Oleg vs. David Finlay
• 6th match: A Block – Ryohei Oiwa vs. EVIL
• 5th match: A Block –  Callum Newman vs. Sanada
• 4th match: Hartley Jackson & Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Great O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young
• 3rd match: Jado & El Phantasmo vs. Shingo Takagi & Daiki Nagai
• 2nd match: Taiji Ishimori & Drilla Moloney vs. Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero
• 1st match: Katsuya Murashima & Shota Umino vs. YOSHI-HASHI & Shoma Kato

Tsuji Aims to Gain More Distance

Yota Tsuji is having a fine G1 this year so far, having only one loss in five matches with a block-leading eight points. He has won his last three matches, the longest winning streak of any competitor in the tournament right now.

He aims to distance himself from the others in his block and get to 10 points, but to do that, he has to go through one-half of the IWGP Tag Team champions, Taichi. The Holy Emperor only has four points so far and needs more to increase his chances of qualifying for the playoffs.

Tanahashi’s Final G1 Continues

Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement road currently runs through his last G1 Climax, and it has not been a smooth ride. With only four points to show at this point, he needs to rack up more wins to be in the playoffs conversation.

It will not be any easier as he is in another main event spot against another young up and comer in Yuya Uemura, who currently has six points, tied with EVIL, Ryohei Oiwa, and Boltin Oleg. With the playoffs in sight, Uemura has to be at his best once again against Tanahashi, a man that he has yet to beat after two tries.

Must-Win Situation For Finlay

With only four matches left, David Finlay’s G1 future this year is looking quite bleak. The Rebel is currently in a three-match losing streak with only two points to show for it.

To keep his tournament hopes alive, he must win against the NEVER Openweight champion Boltin Oleg. This is only their second singles match against each other, but it is of great significance, more so on Finlay’s side.

In the other scheduled tournament matches, four men with identical records will be pitted against each other as Callum Newman faces Sanada and Ryohei Oiwa clashes with EVIL.

B Block Standings:

G1 Climax 35 Day 10 Card:

• Main event: B Block – Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Great O-Khan
• 8th match: B Block – Drilla Moloney vs. Konosuke Takeshita
• 7th  match: B Block – El Phantasmo vs. Shingo Takagi
• 6th match: B Block – Shota Umino vs. YOSHI-HASHI
• 5th match: Gedo & David Finlay vs. Dick Togo & EVIL
• 4th match: Katsuya Murashima & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Daiki Nagai & Yota Tsuji
• 3rd match: Shoma Kato & Yuya Uemura vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Sanada
• 2nd match: Masatora Yasuda & Taichi vs. Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson
• 1st match: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg vs. Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young

Moloney, O-Khan, and YOSHI-HASHI Battle For Block Supremacy

A four-way tie in eight points sees Drilla Moloney, Great O-Khan, YOSHI-HASHI, and Ren Narita on top of the B Block. After day 10, there’s a possibility that one of them will claim that spot for himself, or Narita will be left behind.

Moloney, O-Khan, and YOSHI-HASHI will all have opportunities to rise to 10 points if they all win. Moloney will face Konosuke Takeshita, who is coming off two of the best matches in the tournament so far against Shingo Takagi and Zack Sabre Jr., in a first-time encounter.

O-Khan is in the main event against IWGP World Heavyweight champion and defending tournament winner ZSJ. The Dominator hopes to finally score a win against The Frontman, who has beaten him three times before.

Lastly, YOSHI-HASHI is up against Shota Umino, who’s looking to overtake both Takeshita and Sabre and reach eight points as well.

ELP and Takagi Look To Climb Up

It’s hard to believe, but both the TV Champion El Phantasmo and Shingo Takagi are at the bottom of their block, but that’s also what makes the G1 intriguing. ELP and Takagi find themselves in an all-important faceoff that will determine who will be left alone in the cellar.

Both men have only four points apiece, but they achieved them through different trajectories. ELP is looking to bounce back after losing three straight, while Shingo is aiming for another win after just earning his first decision victory of the tournament against Shota Umino in his previous match.