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Divided into two equal seeming Blocks of ten competitors each, the G1 Climax is unlike any wrestling tournament in the world. It runs for weeks and is an endurance test of the utmost degree. Whoever survives it, is definitely among the elite of professional wrestling. The winner to borrow a word from WWE is effectively immortalized.
Stacked to the rafters is Block B and as such many individuals are sleeping on block A for the reason that it seems predictable Kazuchika Okada will reign supreme, the same cannot be said for Block B. The G1 climax despite being a fight for a shot at the world championship, features the champion himself.
With his consistency in the past tournaments, there's some that would peg Omega as a top-tier competitor and even a possibility to make it to the finals. The twist in the tale is that Block B features far greater challenges to the championship come time for Wrestle Kingdom 13.
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Omega will have to contend with the rising star of Zack Sabre Jr., Tetsuya Naito seeking redemption and above all else his golden lover Kota Ibushi. It's hard to imagine which one of them could walk into the finals.
Any of the three or all, among other competitors across this board, could upset Omega. As such whether a G1 Climax win or not, they will effectively able to challenge Omega for the world title ruining his chances to main event Wrestle Kingdom.
This caveat adds an interesting wrinkle to an already intense tournament. It's the best of its kind for the world to enjoy, from 14th July to 12th August where the winner of Block A will face the winner of Block B.
So let's find out who might actually walk out of Block B to fight for the chance to main event Wrestle Kingdom 13.
10. Toru Yano
Block B will provide the most intense of competitions with the hard-hitting styles of Ishii, Goto and Tonga mixed with the world-beating styles of Ibushi, Omega, and Naito. As such Yano provides a beat of rest for the field at varied points.
The fun-loving Japanese superstar is always set to provide a game-changing upset in the contest, but also help give pause to what is fast becoming a dangerous run of matches. That the G1 Climax has always caused a few superstars some strain means that Yano is just the perfect buffer.
More importantly, this field allows him to elevate some of the lower tier competitors while also providing a range of fun matches with the likes of Ibushi, Omega, Sabre Jr and most importantly his partner Tomohiro Ishii. Eventually, none of it will really matter for Yano, at least.
Best Possible Match: vs. Tomohiro Ishii, Night 2
For all the fun he can have with the likes of Omega or Naito, Toru Yano, and Tomohiro Ishii will no doubt tear the house down with a contest equal parts rough and fun. Yano meshes well with Ishii, it's why they make such an incredibly weird tag team. While Ishii is bound to win when Yano wants he can get a few licks in making this something worth waiting for.
9.Tama Tonga
It's hard to make sense of the holding pattern Tama Tonga is currently in. Once touted as the dark horse future of NJPW's upper card/main event scene, Tonga has laid low in the tag division. His role in the Bullet Club civil war hinted at an uprising by the original members backed by him.
Nothing since has happened of that, though Tonga and crew could be gearing for an 'All In' surprise. Either way with new leads coming in fast and furious, it seems doubtful that Tonga could walk away with any semblance of a rise in the NJPW ranks.
He'll make an impact no doubt, with specifically interesting matches against Omega and Ibushi. There's little doubt any longer however that Tonga will gather the necessary victories, to finally live up to his supposed potential.
Best Possible Match: vs. Zack Sabre Jr, Night 10
He had an exciting match against Omega last year, brutal but crisp and so it'll be fun to see what magic Tonga can create up against Sabre. The two men are vicious in their own right, yet hold contrasting styles that could make a fantastic clash. When Tonga can go, he can really go and Sabre is one of the worlds best technicians. Watch this one cause it's going to get really brutal.
8. Juice Robinson
In his G1 Climax debut last year, Juice Robinson shocked the world with a great showing and a top class win against Kenny Omega. Positioned in the same block as the champion, much like last year this will be a great testing ground for the former CJ Parker.
It seems however unlikely that Robinson much like last year will get too far, there's a chance for some intriguing hope spots in his matches but not real victories. He's improved to the level from driven underdog to smooth lovable babyface. Yet one doubts he gets a surprising win of that level like last year.
He's not beating Omega, because that would mean an automatic world title show. Look to Juice being primed enough for his upcoming US. title bout against Jay White, during the American G1 Special. Regardless here he's a tough but inevitably losing competitor, maybe he takes a shock win against Sabre at the least.
Best Possible Match: vs. Kenny Omega, Night 8
Neither Omega nor Juice is going to quite forget last years unbelievable upset. This will, however, be a far more even leveled match with Juice winning Omega's respect, cementing his spot as well as The Best Bout Machines redemptive turn. That Robinson has a range to play with is great, but Omega will remain his greatest feat; win or lose.
7. Tomohiro Ishii
Ishii is in an interesting position in his career. There's no doubt he's a great asset for NJPW, considered by many fans as the uncrowned greatest wrestler today. He is however so perfect at embodying his hard man underdog persona (a beautiful contradiction), that there remains no doubt he will find it difficult to rise above his current position.
Primed for a great challenge to top stars, Ishii might get a few high-profile wins in the tournament. Yet there's no doubt he isn't going to reach far up the ladder. The best thing about this field is the varied competitors Ishii will battle against.
There are chances of stellar bouts against Naito, Omega and SANADA. Ishii will contend with his CHAOS stablemate Hirooki Goto, fight Kota Ibushi and battle eternal rival Zack Sabre Jr. Hard hitting doesn't even begin to define it.
Best Possible Match: vs. Zack Sabre Jr, Night 8
On any given night Ishii is a consistent player, getting the best out of about anyone including Yano. Yet who is it that will get the best out of Ishii. None other than perennial rival Zack Sabre Jr. In the Rev Pro Wrestling circuit, the two men are at each other's throats, this has carried over to New Japan. After a riveting title match at this years Wrestlemania weekend, there's no doubt this could be a show-stealer.
6. Hirooki Goto
The adage always the bridesmaid and never the bride, come to mind when one looks at Hirooki Goto. The samurai warrior has often found himself just too close to the sun before his wings got burned, much like Icarus. All these metaphors amount to a sum total of nothing.
What's basically being said is that for all purposes, while mincing no words is that Hirooki Goto might just go down as wrestling greatest loser. The CHAOS member rides a touch about four men including stablemate Ishii, simply on the basis of his reputation.
Yet it is that very same reputation that puts him below the next five. He's like an upper mid-card talent, a jobber to the stars but much more than that. That's what makes Goto a somewhat sore spot for any fan of the underdog, he comes close but one fears he may never win the big one.
Best Possible Match: vs. Kenny Omega, Night 4
The underrated final from two years back, Hirooki Goto has another chance at redemption and even more if he were to defeat Kenny Omega. Look to this being a classic throwdown in the early stage of the tournament. A match few will speak about and even fewer will remember, but whosoever does will have relived a gem.
5. SANADA
Like his counterpart in block A, SANADA can look to an eventful G1 Climax and improvement over previous years. It's time for a promotion and one can come no better way than in a Block featuring the worlds best including his Los Ingobernable de Japon leader Tetsuya Naito.
The main story heading into this block apart from the Golden Lovers face off, is Naito's journey to redemption after a year of failures. That many are hinting at tensions between him and future world champion SANADA, speaks volumes of this group collision.
Look to SANADA coming out the unlikely victor, yet still not making a great inroad into the tournament. The fact that he will push past not only Naito but champion Omega as well, will be enough for this time around.
Best Possible Match: vs. Tetsuya Naito, Night 16
As aforementioned, there's a lot at stake for Tetsuya Naito and LiJ. The group might be tranquilo, but easy losses won't endear Naito to anyone above all else SANADA. The main event awaits the Cold Skull blue-chip prospect. If Naito's in his way, then expect their late tournament bout to inform his intentions as well as Naito's redemption.
4. Zack Sabre Jr.
Matching his mentor toe to toe from Group A, Zack Sabre Jr. shall prove his mettle come to the G1 Climax. Already having won the New Japan Cup this year, there's no doubt that Zack Sabre Jr is a pet project for New Japan for the next few years.
The British submission specialist is a devastating challenge to anyone in the block. His toughest competitors lie above him, but there's no doubt one of the men will be a loser in front of his twisted moves. Most likely Kenny Omega, setting up a second title challenge for Sabre within the year.
Zack's positioning is likely to propel him to a showcase match come to Wrestle Kingdom 13. Meanwhile, he can rest easy knowing he left quite the damage and impact on this tournament. The best of which will be a grand victory over archrival Tomohiro Ishii.
Best Possible Match: vs. Tomohiro Ishii, Night 8
Not Omega, Not Ibushi and definitely Not Naito, none of them can bring out the best of the dickish Zack Sabre Jr like Tomohiro Ishii can. Playing the stone cold pitbull underdog against Sabre's ruthless submission specialist, the Brit and Japanese fit each other perfectly. In the past their collisions have been near five-star clashes, don't expect any less of this one
3. Kenny Omega
As World champion, it's time for Kenny Omega to take a step back from the glorious G1 years he has had since he joined the NJPW's heavyweight division. With the gold around him, he has no reason to win the competition or reach even close to the finals.
Unless NJPW really wants to strap a rocket on his back, though if they didn't do it with Okada in previous years it's doubtful the same happens for Omega. Most likely Kenny will look super strong heading into a rough road towards Wrestle Kingdom 13.
The question is who will beat Kenny to send him stumbling to the third spot because whoever they are will gain the right to challenge Omega for the championship. The most likely candidates of whom are Tetsuya Naito, Zack Sabre Jr, maybe a lower tier surprise such as Ishii or Sanada and one golden lover.
The most anticipated match against Kota Ibushi shall be Omega's real test this tournament.
Best Possible Match: vs. Kota Ibushi, Night 18
At this point in his career, all nine of Kenny Omega's Block B matches can turn into five-star classics. Yet there's no doubt there is one match he is going to go all in (pun intended) for. That his bout against recently reunited partner Kota Ibushi. The two men have waited for such a stage and spotlight in New Japan's heavyweight division, no doubt they'll put their best foot forward. Look for this to steal the show and the tournament.
2. Kota Ibushi
Reunited with his Golden Lover, Ibushi undoubtedly now seems set to finally make it fulltime with New Japan. If that is the case, it's interesting that New Japan is willing to have his first-time collision against Omega in a G1 tournament match.
Granted the tournament is a vaunted competition, but with Omega holding onto the title and Ibushi likely a top-tier competitor; a win for Ibushi makes the most sense, adding another match to their repertoire just before Wrestle Kingdom.
It thus seems doubtful the two Golden Lovers will square off at Wrestle Kingdom 13 unless Omega loses the title later on, which is a possibility. If that's the case, a quick trilogy seems like an odd decision. Regardless Ibushi's bound to have a dream run towards a new future with New Japan.
Best Possible Match: vs. Kenny Omega, Night 18
Is there anything left to say about this? Except that Ibushi and Omega are at this point two of the greatest wrestlers in the world and this dream match unlike others this year is most likely to live up to expectations. Whether as a trilogy or a one-off, this is undoubtedly the match of the tournament.
1. Tetsuya Naito
Last year's G1 Climax winner is in a very intriguing slump. After losing his faithful redemption Wrestle Kingdom main event against Kazuchika Okada. Naito's sweet victory for the Intercontinental strap didn't last long, once Chris Jericho got a hold of him.
Questions now arise whether Naito has lost his 'Tranquilo' spirit. The former winner must now face his greatest challenge in a stacked field including SANADA hounding at his feet. It's hard to not read this as a redemption arc with just one-speed bump for Naito.
Naito is most likely to beat Omega, earning himself a future title shot while also losing the G1 tournament to none other than Kazuchika Okada. Another close loss to Okada will prove the impetus for Naito to secure the title, the main event, and redemption against Okada finally!
This is the best story to tell.
Best Possible Match: vs. Kenny Omega, Night 2
Last year's erratic and fascinating final gets an early rise in the tournament, being the first main event of Block B. While there's little doubt that Natio will have an enriching tournament, nothing he faces will top this blockbuster showdown. The two men know one another quite well and will steal the show come curtains for the G1 Climax.
