Ryohei Oiwa and Yuya Uemura Reach G1 Climax 36 Final

The finals of the 36th G1 Climax are set, with Ryohei Oiwa taking on Yuya Uemura in a clash between two first-time finalists.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling held the semi-finals of the G1 Climax on Saturday night from the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. Ryohei Oiwa took on Callum Newman in the first match, while Yuya Uemura faced reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji in the show’s semi-main event.

Oiwa entered his match wearing horns to commemorate Hiroyoshi Tenzan, who wrestled his final match in the show’s main event. Oiwa was formerly Tenzan’s attendant while he was a Young Lion, and the two developed a strong teacher-student bond.

Newman got to Oiwa early in the contest, using his speed to slow down the bulky Oiwa. He even sent Oiwa crashing through some chairs in the early going. Oiwa continued his strategy of targeting his opponent’s head and neck with headlocks to slow down Newman and dictate the pace. He also connected with a Tenzan Suplex during a key moment.

United Empire’s leader caused a referee bump and, just as he had done earlier in the tournament, struck Oiwa with a low blow before hitting a massive Prince’s Curse. Oiwa answered with a Big Lock that nearly ended the match. Newman would soon deliver a Kiss the Crown, but Oiwa somehow kicked out just before the three-count before hitting The Grip for the decisive victory at 18:44. Oiwa becomes the first man in NJPW history to reach the G1 Climax final after entering the tournament through the play-in.

The other semi-final of the evening saw reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji take on Yuya Uemura. The two have had a long and storied history together, with both wrestlers making their debuts in 2018 and entering this show having faced each other in 52 singles matches. Since their Wrestle Kingdom 18 meeting in 2024, Tsuji held a 3-2 advantage, including victories in an IWGP Heavyweight Championship match and a hair vs. hair match.

Tsuji targeted Uemura’s back for much of the match, looking to set up the Gene Blaster spear, while Uemura focused on Tsuji’s shoulder to weaken the Gene Blaster and create an opening for his Deadbolt Suplex.

Both men traded hellacious-looking moves from the early stages of the match. Tsuji rushed at Uemura and hit him with a crazy Gene Blaster before following it with a Boston Crab. One thing I’ve loved about this G1 is how New Japan has made some simple-looking moves feel incredibly impactful. In any other company, the grounded headlock and Boston Crab might be overlooked, but in New Japan, these moves have been given real importance.

Uemura was able to escape the Boston Crab and later hit Tsuji with a High Fly Flow. Tsuji kicked out and soon answered with another Gene Blaster, followed by a second Gene Blaster for another near fall. Unfortunately for Tsuji, he missed a Fire Blaster, allowing Uemura to strike with a Deadbolt Suplex, followed by a Shining Elbow and Lion’s Shiner to set up the match-ending Deadbolt and win at 25:10. This was another excellent match and is well worth a watch.

Elsewhere during the show, former Open the Dream Gate Champion Shun Skywalker arrived in New Japan Pro-Wrestling as a signed talent and officially joined House of Torture. You can read more about that here.

New Japan will wrap up the G1 Climax on Sunday night from the Ryogoku Kokugikan with a massive final between Ryohei Oiwa and Yuya Uemura, both of whom will compete in their first final.

For a full recap of whatever happens in that match and everything surrounding New Japan Pro-Wrestling, WrestlePurists will keep you updated.