You know that G1 season is ready to kick off when New Japan Pro Wrestling the line-up is announced. During a New Japan Road show, the company treated fans to the full list of twenty participants who will participate in the 30th annual G1 Climax.
Luckily, the change of season to Autumn seems to be the only difference in this year’s tournament. Despite everything going on in the world, both of the blocks are jam-packed with wrestlers from across the world.
With so many amazing athletes, it almost seems impossible to pick a winner. So, here are five wrestlers who have the potential to be this year’s G1 Climax winner.
5. TAICHI
For many, this will not be a welcomed choice and will not be many fans’ choice to win this year’s G1. There was once a saying that said, ‘Anyone but TAICHI’. Yet, there is no denying that New Japan’s resident Holy Emperor TAICHI is on a roll this year with a string of victories and being one-half of the IWGP Heavyweight tag champions.
He is charismatic, and he is a decent wrestler. We’ve seen it time after time. When put against some of the best the company has to offer, he produces spectacular matches without the need for dirty tactics. With some of the wrestlers in his block, this is going to be easy. Tomohiro Ishii always brings out the best in TAICHI and can you imagine what would happen when he faces off with his boss Minoru Suzuki. They will be nothing short of brutal fights.
Also, imagine what the G1 briefcase would look like in the hands of TAICHI. I’m seeing black and gold embellishments which would make it look stylish and evil looking at the same time. It might break some hearts, but it would be worth it.
4. Tomohiro Ishii
It is no secret that Tomohiro is always a stand-out when it comes to New Japan tournaments. However, this makes it even more surprising to hear that the ‘Stone Pitbull’ has yet to win the G1 and achieve his dream of becoming the IWGP Heavyweight Champion and headlining Wrestle Kingdom.
Whether it’s in tag matches or singles bouts, Ishii manages to produce picture-perfect matches and bring out the best in whoever he’s fighting. There is a raw determination and passion from the ‘Stone Pitbull’ rivalled by only a few. With a gritty wrestling style that borderlines a brawl, it surprisingly blends with his opponents and creates a match that is spine-tingling.
For Ishii to finally win the G1 and put his name in the Wrestle Kingdom main event position would be welcomed by fans from across the world. It would be a fairy tale ending for New Japan’s resident workhorse.
3. Tetsuya Naito
Despite being the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion, it might surprise many to say that Tetsuya Naito is a dark horse for winning the G1. Since it’s conception, only two men have ever won the tournament as champion in the form of Keiji Mutoh and Kensuke Sasaki. Yet, if anyone can be added to that exclusive list, then it’s the Ungovernable One.
Despite failing to reach the final last year as the Intercontinental champion, he has had one of the best years in his career. That doesn’t even take into consideration just how talented Naito is. The LIJ leader has this talent in the ring which, combined with his Tranquilo personality, makes him a lethal opponent.
Also, considering that he was the first-ever double IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental, I can imagine that the prospect of being the champion and winning the G1 is something that excites Naito. This is not a bad idea as it’s his 11th consecutive G1, but it’s also a tournament that he’s won twice before in 2013 and 2017. So, despite everything, maybe we shouldn’t underestimate Naito and he could become an even bigger part of the New Japan record books.
2. Jay White
It is not far-fetched to say that Jay White has dominated New Japan since returning from his excursion nearly three years ago. He’s managed to win all three of the top IWGP singles titles in the company and is now the leader of one of the most well-recognized factions in the world. However, despite being dominant in his last two tournaments and even making the final last year, he’s been unable to win the G1 but this could be the year.
It seems as if, every time White gets in the ring, he gets better and better with a more brutal style and a lot more ring-smarts than his opponents. Whether it’s executing spectacular suplexes or making use of his surroundings (and manager Gedo), White can produce top-quality matches no matter who his opponent might be.
Whatever the Switchblade says comes true, and hopefully this year his prediction of winning the G1 will also be a reality. It might not be the fans’ choice, but fairy tales don’t always come true and White would relish breaking the dreams of his fellow wrestlers. Sometimes it’s just easier to accept the fate that we will all have to breathe with the Switchblade.
1. SANADA
Even though SANADA may not have picked up many points during last year’s tournament, he has proved time after time that he is worthy of main event status. After a year with some stand out matches against the likes of Kazuchika Okada, Jay White and SHO, it seems like the ‘Cold Skull’ has something to prove this year. However, he has all the potential with a diverse style combining a high-flying and submission-based offence.
We also need to remember that, after EVIL betrayed Los Ingobernables de Japon, it left SANADA without a tag team partner and taken him out of the division he dominated for years. Now seems like the perfect time to establish SANADA as a singles competitor and it is the right time to give him that much-deserved push. What better way than to have him win the G1 and go on to dominate Wrestle Kingdom and become IWGP Heavyweight champion.
If SANADA does somehow beat a very tough block, are many fans would welcome the rise of the Cold Skull. Also, it would be beautiful to see thousands of lights shining across Nippon Budokan as SANADA raises the G1 trophy on the final night of the tournament!
Who do you think will win the G1 Climax? Let us know on Twitter!
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