It’s the B Block’s turn to begin the last third of this year’s G1 Climax at this show in Yokohama. Nobody in the block has been eliminated as of yet (except Shota Umino, which… you know), and there is what I would say is a fairly good chance that instead of separation, this show in particular could result in the pack getting even more bunched up than before. Let’s see what happens.

Tonight’s lucky recipient of the Shota Umino Memorial Night Off is Gabe Kidd.

B Block: Drilla Moloney [Unbound Co.] (8 points) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. [TMDK] (4 points)

Once again, Sabre must win this match, or else he is eliminated from semifinal contention.

They start off with an extended grappling sequence, and Moloney actually manages to hold his own with Sabre. Moloney gradually begins to incorporate more physical offense, but Sabre keeps going back to technical wrestling, working on Moloney’s arm throughout the match. Down the stretch, Sabre gets a near-fall with the Zack Driver; Moloney battles back and nearly hits the Drilla Killa, but Sabre shifts his weight on the way down and lands on his feet, and the two then trade roll-up attempts, which results in Sabre scoring the pinfall. This was very good, as you’d expect, although there was a little hitch with setting up the finish that was ever so slightly awkward. Regardless, both guys showed a lot, and the crowd was very into both guys, Moloney especially.

This loss is especially bad news for Moloney, since he’s only got one block match left – he was scheduled to wrestle Umino on Night 17 – and now does not control his own destiny. On the plus side, though, his tiebreakers – Uemura, Newman and Kidd – give him some hope.

What’s next? Sabre (6 points) wrestles HENARE on Night 15, which takes place on Tuesday in Tsu, while Moloney (8 points) wrestles Ren Narita on the same show.

B Block: Yuya Uemura (6 points) vs. HENARE [United Empire] (8 points)

Uemura tries to keep HENARE down early with his technical wrestling, but HENARE overpowers him with his aggressive offense and takes control. HENARE can’t put Uemura away, however, and Uemura fights back, targeting HENARE’s arm. Uemura keeps trying to put HENARE away with armlocks, but HENARE battles out each time. Eventually, though, Uemura hits the Deadbolt, the High Fly Flow and the Lion Shiner to put HENARE away. This was good, although Uemura’s technical offense isn’t quite as crisp as I think it needs to be – there were a few moments in this one when time stood still while Uemura was setting something up.

What’s next? Uemura (8 points) wrestles Gabe Kidd on Tuesday (this match seems especially important), while HENARE (8 points) wrestles Sabre on the same show.

B Block: Aaron Wolf (6 points) vs. Ren Narita [HOUSE OF TORTURE] (8 points)

While Wolf is making his entrance, Tatsuya Matsumoto, who has been seconding Wolf this entire tournament, is snatched by the HOUSE, and when Wolf goes to dap him up, he gets jumped by Dick Togo instead. However, Wolf manages to battle back, and the match gets started on roughly even footing. Narita spends most of the match working on Wolf’s knee and cheating, with Wolf periodically breaking through with his judo and mat wrestling. About 15 minutes into this one, ref Marty Asami gets hit with a chair by Matsumoto, who was swinging at Togo, and this allows Togo and Narita to beat down Wolf. Togo and Narita hit Wolf with a Magic Killer/Double Cross combo, which looks like a broken neck just waiting to happen, and then Narita applies a leglock for the submission. This was solidly okay, aside from the usual HOUSE shenanigans, but if the result means more Wolf vs. HOUSE OF TORTURE adventures in the second half of the year, I am very much against it.

What’s next? Narita (10 points) wrestles Moloney on Tuesday, while Wolf (6 points) wrestles Callum Newman on the same show.

B Block: OSKAR [Unbound Co.] (8 points) vs. Callum Newman [United Empire] (8 points)

In case you were wondering, the main event of this show was originally supposed to be Kidd vs. Umino in what would likely have been one of the key B Block matches, but it was not meant to be.

They start off quick with a brawl outside the ring, during which OSKAR takes out Zane Jay. OSKAR dominates early with high-impact moves and strikes, but Newman manages to turn the tables and takes most of the match afterward, working over OSKAR’s midsection. About 10 minutes in, they go outside the ring, and Newman sets OSKAR up for the running dropkick he’s been using throughout the tournament; however, OSKAR cuts him off, tosses him through a seating section, and then buries him in chairs in an attempt to get a countout, but Newman makes it back into the ring at 19. OSKAR tries to put him away with a camel clutch, but Newman gets to the ropes. OSKAR taunts Newman and invites a strike, and Newman uses the opportunity to recover and go back to the ribs. Newman gets two with Firebolt, but OSKAR catches Kiss the Crown and gets a near-fall of his own shortly thereafter with a one-man KOB. OSKAR applies the Nightmare Sleeper, but Newman shoves the ref, hits OSKAR low and rolls him up for the pinfall. This wasn’t bad, but it didn’t have much in the way of flow, and the finish was uninspired, to say the least.

What’s next? Newman (10 points) wrestles Wolf on Tuesday, while OSKAR gets the Shota Umino Memorial Night Off on Tuesday and wrestles Moloney on Night 17, which takes place on Thursday at Korakuen Hall.

The next G1 show is tomorrow in Gunma. I’ll see you then!