NJPW G1 Climax 36 Night 4 (July 21) Results & Review

New Japan Pro Wrestling
G1 Climax 36 Night 4
July 21, 2026
Sendai Sun Plaza Hall
Sendai, Japan

The G1 rolls into Sendai for night four, with a full night of A Block action. The tournament has been solid so far, but we’re waiting for that first great match. Did it happen in Sendai? Let’s find out!

G1 Climax 2026 Block A Match
Jake Lee [4] def. Hirooki Goto [4]

There’s very little to say about Jake Lee that hasn’t been said. The gimmick is painful and his work is weak. It’s particularly stark when he faces a proper wrestler like Goto.

It started well with some good back and forth, but Lee slowed the pace to a crawl. He spent forever setting up a table spot for it to result in a tickle.

The Goto fight back was interesting, until Lee faked an injury. He wasn’t good enough to sell it as real and took far too long to get to the punchline. He popped up to boot Goto, grabbed the three-count, and then did a Fortnite dance. This is wrestling for idiots. *

G1 Climax 2026 Block A Match
Ryohei Oiwa [4] def. Great-O-Khan [2]

We used to be unsure how much effort GOK was going to put into his matches. Now, we know it will be very little. He started this contest with a weak kick delivered with all the power of an angry pensioner. Oiwa fought back with some intensity, but it always seemed to end with GOK plodding around like a snail.

At the risk of sounding like a grognard, the use of chairs in front of the ref was silly. I understand the kayfabe explanation that the G1 is supposed to identify the best wrestler in the world, and a disqualification won’t answer that question. There have to be some rules though, and GOK swinging chairs like a baseball bat without recourse is a step too far.

Oiwa had a great showing. He’s really found his charisma over the last few months and he earned every star this match got singlehandedly. The crowd reacted willingly to every movement, and he timed his interactions perfectly. He didn’t have much to work with, but he sold GOK’s pathetic hip grab with gusto.

The ending was good, with the story settling into a heel getting his comeuppance from the valiant babyface. It just took too long to get there and GOK fluffed too many of his beats. **¾

G1 Climax 2026 Block A Match
Konosuke Takeshita [4] def. Yuto-Ice [2]

This match may be a microcosm of Yuto-Ice’s story. He was battered, again. The referee had to call the match, and he couldn’t get back to his feet at the end.

Yuto-Ice has had his honeymoon in New Japan, and this tournament is a step up for him. He looked, in kayfabe terms, overwhelmed. He appeared exhausted, having to give everything he had to stay alive. He opened this match with bravado – flashing his silly gang signs with aplomb – but was quickly taught a lesson by the cool veteran. Takeshita delivered a perfectly placed knee and dropped a devastating DDT outside the ring, taking control with ease. The lesson had started, and Yuto-Ice was forced to pay attention.

Takeshita paced his offense with this story in mind. He was consistent, using momentum to his advantage. He wrestled like a veteran working a long tour, doing just enough to dominate a less experienced opponent. The tournament was inherent to his storytelling, and it was refreshing to see.

Yuto-Ice would fight back, but he seemed slow. He wasn’t able to gather his own momentum and wrestled like he was out of his depth. He’s in the big leagues now, and he fell short for a lot of this match. The crowd willed him on, however, and he improved with each stretch.

Ultimately, he couldn’t overcome Takeshita. He was left lying on the floor unable to stand. Takeshita was brutal without the gang signs and crowd-pleasing catchphrases, showing us all that Yuto-Ice has a long journey ahead of him.

They’re starting to tell an interesting story with Yuto-Ice. I’ve enjoyed his youthful arrogance so far, but it needs to evolve if he’s going to be a star. The G1 could tell that transitional tale. ***3/4

G1 Climax 2026 Block A Match
SANADA [2] def. Yota Tsuji [4]

It has been a long time since I’ve been excited by a SANADA match. We’re too far down a long and boring road, and a massive golden sombrero has been doing little to change my mind.

This started as I would have expected. The opening was clunky and choreographed and I settled into my chair for fifteen minutes of tedious wrestling. A sloppy Skull End confirmed my fears, and I was left hoping this match would be short.

It all changed on a moonsault, however. The crowd went wild for it, and something seemed to click with SANADA. He enjoyed having the admiration of the great Sendai crowd, and the story evolved. The out-of-shape SANADA wanted to be a proper wrestler again, and I willed him on.

Tsuji and SANADA bounced out of pinning combinations, moving quickly from one move to the next. There was an unfamiliar energy to SANADA, and I was desperate for it to pay off. Tsuji locked him in a Boston Crab, and I was desperate for him not to tap.

The pace quickened, and SANADA managed a low blow while the referee was distracted. I was so invested in the story that it almost felt like a babyface thing to do.

SANADA got the win and I cheered. Bizarre! ***3/4

G1 Climax 2026 Block A Match
Oleg Boltin [4] def. Shingo Takagi [2]

Some matches just do what they say on the tin. The story of this match was written long before the bell rang, and they certainly delivered.

It opened with a shoulder block contest, and it wasn’t long before Shingo was outside the ring wondering how to deal with Boltin’s power. Boltin’s energy was palpable as he paced, and it was so satisfying to watch them slap the life out of each other.

Shingo would scrape to get something over Boltin, but Boltin always had that power move ready to go. A resurgent Shingo would be halted by a sudden dropkick, and Boltin would resume his exhibition of strength.

Boltin’s work is so satisfying. He lets you feel the moves first, adding a little build to each drop. He gives you that moment before the rollercoaster drops and it makes everything a little better.

The ending was a scrap; Shingo battered Oleg’s arm but it wasn’t enough. A sleeper was locked in and his doom was inevitable. Shingo went down fighting however, gripping the top rope in a vain attempt to avoid the Kamikaze.

Great stuff! ****

Final Thoughts

None of the in-ring action was stellar, but it was a good block night. Every match gave us a little nugget to chew on, and there were clear narratives being told in most matches. It managed to build some anticipation for future twists and turns. I want to see Yuto-Ice rise to the occasion, and I’m willing Oleg Boltin to continue his dominance. The G1 has me hooked!