We are at the Dolphin Arena in Nagoya, Aichi as we start the final third of B Block action. We’re now at a point where people will start getting eliminated and potential finalists start moving out in front. The big question is; can Naito all but secure his spot in the final at Ryogoku tonight?
Yota Tsuji v Gabriel Kidd
Must win time for Gabriel Kidd in our unofficial C Block competition. A lot depends on Saturday night’s result but, at the time of writing, Tsuji could be 7 points clear after tonight potentially. Either way, a crucial night for the Nottingham Young Lion from the LA Dojo against his Noge Dojo counterpart.
YOSHI-HASHI (2pts) v Zack Sabre Jr. (6pts)
Unfortunately, for Yoshi-Hashi, it’s already game over. His lowly 2 points means he’s out of the competition but his rise in performances have earned him many plaudits throughout the tournament. Will it be enough to keep a spot though next year? He may need another win under his belt for that so this match is crucial for him. For ZSJ it’s also a massive night as he really needs to finish the night on 8 points to have a chance of the final this year.
Toru Yano (6pts) v KENTA (4pts)
Manchester United’s legendary managers; Sir Alex Ferguson, once coined the term “squeaky bum time” for that time near the end of the season where defeats just cannot happen. That’s Kenta more than anyone right now. Not only does he have to win his remaining three matches but he needs other results to go his way including our main event to go to a double DQ or double countout. Probably the last person he would want to face tonight is the Sublime Master Thief but that’s the luck of the draw. Yano is the king maker and can find a way of ruining all best laid plans. Looks like it’s goodbye Kenta.
Juice Robinson (6pts) v SANADA (6pts)
We’ve mentioned before about how, despite a terrible start, Sanada has remained favourite in New Japan’s G1 poll for B Block. After a quiet year this could be a huge breakout moment for Cold Skull if he can pull off what Jay White did last year by making the Final after going 0-3 at the start. With his former IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship partner on the final night of block action at Ryogoku to come and defeats basically been out of the question now this is crucial. Less expectation on Juice but the Flamboyant one will want some revenge on LIJ after his defeat to Naito last time around.
Hiroshi Tanahashi (6pts) v Hirooki Goto (6pts)
Despite having a very lopsided record against each other (Goto has only won one of twelve singles matches between the two) one would expect a tight match here as both look to break out of the pack on six points. 8 points is going to be crucial for both guys. Tana probably has more pressure on him as he is the Ace of New Japan but Goto has a proud record in the G1 too. What we should get is a classic match between these 2 old rivals.
Tetsuya Naito (10pts) v EVIL (8pts)
Arguably the most important rivalry of the year is replayed again here in the G1. Cast your mind back to the Osaka Jo-Hall and the final of the New Japan Cup. Evil had triumphed over Okada with some help from Bullet Club. Naito had come out to congratulate his LIJ partner over his huge win. Evil was now scheduled to take on Naito for the Double Championship the following night at Dominion but Naito still put up the fist for the LIJ fistbump only for Evil to put up the 2 Sweet and nail his buddy with Everything is Evil. This signified Evil had now joined Bullet Club. With a debuting ‘Spoiler’ Dick Togo assisting at Dominion we saw Evil, and his new look, defeating Naito to take the title back to Bullet Club. Evil would keep the title until the end of the summer when he lost back to Naito in Jingu Stadium at Summer Struggle.
So, there’s enough personal issues here. But the point situation is a big deal as well. Naito wins and that takes him to 12 points and an almost unassailable lead then. With Naito then holding the tiebreaker over Evil if he wins tonight then Evil is out. Expect Evil and The Spoiler to have plenty of dirty tricks to make sure they stay in the competition as we go into the last week.
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