:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46959096/tanahashi_20vs_20AJ_zps4pm9gojm.0.0.jpg)
We're almost to the end of one of the most thrilling events on the pro wrestling calendar, New Japan Pro Wrestling's G1 Climax.
This year's version, the 25th annual, will feature a 20 men competing across 19 dates - the most in history - for a spot in the finals. Each show will be broadcast worldwide on New Japan's streaming service, NJPW World. Here at Cageside, we'll have open threads & results for each show, so you can watch along with the best pro wrestling community on the internet.
A primer for the event can be found here; a full schedule, more information on how to watch and some predictions here.
The seventeenth day of action takes place at Sumo Hall, as we're in that venerable Tokyo venue all weekend. Today, it's time to determine the winner of A Block, one of two men who will face off in the finals...this Sunday, August 16!
Toru Yano vs. Bad Luck Fale
Katsuyori Shibata vs. Doc Gallows
Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Testuya Naito
Togi Makabe vs. Kota Ibushi
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. A.J. Styles
Enjoy the show!
Day 16 Results:
Doc Gallows pinned Katsuyori Shibata with a chokebomb.
I'm liking this match a fair bit, Gallows best of the #G125 so far #NJPW
— LARIATOOOOO!!! (@SenorLARIATO) August 14, 2015
Gallows defeated Shibata again. WHYYYYY? #G125
— G1 CliMac (@RappersRActors) August 14, 2015
Every time Gallows wins an angel throws up. #g125
— The 4th Ninja (@TheKoalaMask) August 14, 2015
Shibata's out of contention and G1 losses don't matter in the grand scheme of things, but that victory definitely gives Gallows some shine.
— LARIATOOOOO!!! (@SenorLARIATO) August 14, 2015
Probably Gallows' best G1 outing. #g125 pic.twitter.com/tJGURJvOXw
— DTAM (@DeathToAllMarks) August 14, 2015
i don't even think gallows was outright bad this tournament. enjoyed his matches with kota, yano, aj, and now shibata
— el ingobernahble (@bruiserbrady) August 14, 2015
Toru Yano defeated Bad Luck Fale by count-out after a low blow.
Not the DVD! #g125 pic.twitter.com/40NvnVM0Hc
— DTAM (@DeathToAllMarks) August 14, 2015
HAHAHA, #G125 #NJPWWorld pic.twitter.com/Kou0d9Eoqv
— Jocay (@Jocay19) August 14, 2015
Yano with the first count out victory in G1. Dude has been a blast this year. #g125
— DTAM (@DeathToAllMarks) August 14, 2015
yano had a GREAT tournament. i hope you people who were dreading yano in this feel like fools
— el ingobernahble (@bruiserbrady) August 14, 2015
Last year Fale beat Shibata via count out, this year he's the one to suffer the count out loss everyone was waiting for. Full circle. #g125
— STRIGGA (@STRIGGA) August 14, 2015
Hiroyoshi Tenzan submitted Tetsuya Naito with the Anaconda Vice.
This new Naito petulant teenager gimmick is wonderful.
— Allan Blackstock (@allanblackstock) August 14, 2015
Naito submits to the Anaconda MAX! #NJPW #G125 pic.twitter.com/B4ayXTC8ng
— LARIATOOOOO!!! (@SenorLARIATO) August 14, 2015
Tenzan's best outing in over a year here.
— Allan Blackstock (@allanblackstock) August 14, 2015
Naito doing everything to piss off Tenzan and getting his ass kicked for it. I really liked that match. #g125
— DTAM (@DeathToAllMarks) August 14, 2015
figured naito was losing but it still sucks. now he can't actually run in on the main event and cause a no contest and win the block smh
— el ingobernahble (@bruiserbrady) August 14, 2015
Kota Ibushi defeats Togi Makabe via pinfall following a Phoenix Splash
Phoenix Splash!! #NJPW #G125 pic.twitter.com/NJYmjRL6B2
— LARIATOOOOO!!! (@SenorLARIATO) August 14, 2015
Shibata & Ibushi both could go for the NEVER title after defeating Makabe. Not only would a run with the belt be good for them (neither have
— LARIATOOOOO!!! (@SenorLARIATO) August 14, 2015
Even Ibushi couldn't get a good match out of Makabe, & the man had 5 star matches with a blow up doll. #G125
— skillcrane (@naturalbornheel) August 14, 2015
#g125 is almost wrapped but I know my biggest takeaway: This was a huge missed opportunity to elevate Kota Ibushi into main event status.
— Nagata Lock II (@NagataLockII) August 14, 2015
Match felt like they held back a lot. I reckon the title match will be mad. Glad Ibushi won. Best Phoenix splash in the business.
— gbm (@tolivefreeordie) August 14, 2015
Hiroshi Tanahashi defeats A.J. Styles via pinfall following High Fly Flow to win A Block
AJ is so good. #g125 pic.twitter.com/UNBq0plOeB
— DTAM (@DeathToAllMarks) August 14, 2015
AJ is so direspectful RT @SenorLARIATO: HIGH FLY FLOW! #NJPW #G125 pic.twitter.com/mdHUGe1cTk
— Prince Pretty (@ajisreal) August 14, 2015
STYLES CLASH!! #NJPW #G125 pic.twitter.com/nw0IlAaX0b
— LARIATOOOOO!!! (@SenorLARIATO) August 14, 2015
Possibly the most heel thing Tanahashi has ever done #G125 #NJPWWorld pic.twitter.com/WpbU9COlSY
— Darren Dyer (@AxelMulligan) August 14, 2015
Tanahashi and Styles get all of the stars. #G125 #njpwworld
— Michael Sempervive (@Sempervive) August 14, 2015
NOTHING CHANGED! THANKS GEDO FOR BOOKING THE SAME OLD SHIT FOR YEARS! THANK YOU! pic.twitter.com/pr7Z4JiNGV
— DANSHOKU ✨ (@NatsuDDT) August 14, 2015
Tanahashi has won the G1 ONCE. EIGHT YEARS AGO. https://t.co/0hwISNxxaU
— STRIGGA (@STRIGGA) August 14, 2015
So, those who may be upset w- Tanahashi possibly winning the G1 & maybe going on to WK - u know Okada has to slay him there, one day, right?
— Michael Sempervive (@Sempervive) August 14, 2015
Constantly in awe at Tanahashi's genius, constantly deflated when he wins. Weird. #g125
— chris charlton (@reasonjp) August 14, 2015
The older generation is mad about the Young Bucks and the younger generation is mad about Tanahashi. Welcome to Twitter in 2015
— SeanRadican (@SeanRadican) August 14, 2015
Styles is a top 5 all-time great worker. I'll argue to the death with anyone. This G1 alone is a great body of work for his portfolio.
— Taylor C. Mitchell (@MrTCMitchell) August 14, 2015
Damnit.... That was so good. If AJ Styles isn't your pick for "Most Outstanding Wrestler" in 2015 then you're watching the wrong wrestling.
— Taylor C. Mitchell (@MrTCMitchell) August 14, 2015
____________________
Final standings in Block A:
Hiroshi Tanahashi 14
A.J. Styles 12
Tetsuya Naito 10
Bad Luck Fale 10
Katsuyori Shibata 8
Togi Makabe 8
Toru Yano 8
Kota Ibushi 8
Doc Gallows 6
Hiroyoshi Tenzan 6
Current standings in Block B:
Kazuchika Okada 14
Karl Anderson 12
Hirooki Goto 12
Shinsuke Nakamura 12
Michael Elgin 8
Tomohiro Ishii 8
Yujiro Takahashi 4
Satoshi Kojima 4
Yuji Nagata 4
Tomoaki Honma 2