NJPW G1 Climax 35 semifinals set
Following Thursday’s show at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, NJPW G1 Climax 35 is down to its final four competitors.
Yota Tsuji and Konosuke Takeshita secured their semifinal spots with respective victories over Shota Umino and David Finlay as the G1 playoffs began. Both semifinal matches will go down this Saturday with EVIL vs. Tsuji and Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Takeshita determining which two competitors advance to the finals.
EVIL and Sabre earned byes to the semifinals by finishing atop A and B Block during round-robin competition. The semifinal bouts are both rematches from earlier in the tournament, where EVIL defeated Tsuji and Sabre defeated Takeshita.
Ariake Arena in Tokyo is hosting the semifinals on Saturday with the finals then happening at the same venue the next day.
Along with bragging rights, the G1 winner receives an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship shot that is traditionally used at NJPW’s annual Wrestle Kingdom spectacular at the Tokyo Dome in January. Sabre is the current champion, having defeated Hirooki Goto to regain the belt back in June. Sabre could choose his Wrestle Kingdom challenger if he wins the G1.
NJPW G1 Climax 35 remaining schedule —
Saturday, August 16:
- Semifinal match: EVIL vs. Yota Tsuji
- Semifinal match: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Konosuke Takeshita
Sunday, August 17:
- Tournament finals