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The third day of the G1 kicks off on Monday the 16th of July and it is the second day of the A-Block, where the competitors will still be fairly fresh.
With the A-Block now purely being about points due to their being no champions in the block, the A-Block has become slightly more interesting. However, with this being the second day for the competitors, and they still being fairly fresh, let's take a look at the block matches, and see if I can possibly predict each matches outcomes.
Match 1- Yoshi-Hashi vs Evil
This match will be between possibly, the two weakest members of their respective factions. YOSHI-HASHI has had great showings the past few months against the likes of Tetsuya Naito, Kota Ibushi and in November of last year for the IWGP US Championship, Kenny Omega. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful in any of those matches, making him look weak and left fans wondering, what is next for the 'Head-Hunter'?
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EVIL, is also in a similar position, but in tag team format. He recently lost the IWGP Tag titles with teammate SANADA at Dominion 6.9, and they failed in the rematch at the G1 Special on 7th July. However in Singles this year he hasn't had much due to broken orbital, but he had a decent showing against Dalton Castle for the ROH World Title at ROH Honor United in Crystal Palace.
The match itself should be average and hopefully, the two will help each other establish why they are in the G1 again.
Prediction- EVIL. EVIL last year gave Kazuchika Okada his first loss in over a year, and if they want to continue that momentum that he had, then winning against YOSHI-HASHI is a small but key step in this. YOSHI-HASHI should have an alright showing but unfortunately, he is losing this match.
Match 2- Kazuchika Okada vs Bad Luck Fale
Okada and Fale are no strangers to one another, with their most recent singles match taking place in 2017 at Wrestling Dontaku, for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship after Fale placed second in the New Japan Cup and struck after Okada had defeated Katsuyori Shibata in a grueling match at Sakura Genesis 2017.
The pair has faced off 5 times in total, so this 6th encounter could potentially be their best. The Dontaku match last year was one of Okada's weaker defenses, but Fale still looked like the monster he is meant to portray.
However with Fale training lots and shedding weight, along with supposedly joining the Bullet Club Firing Squad, he has a lot of momentum heading into the bout, possibly more than Okada as he recently lost the IWGP Heavyweight title to Kenny Omega, and has lost to Zack Sabre Jr.
Prediction- Fale. With Okada Omega IV already done, the 5th part will be held back for a long time, and they want to slowly build Okada back up even though he still has a presence. Fale will seek vengeance, and with a new found attitude, I believe he will pull out the victory.
Match 3- Michael Elgin Vs Hangman Page
The former IWGP Intercontinental Champion and former NEVER Openweight Champion finds himself facing a young up and comer. Hangman Page in this predicament will be outpowered, and his experience will be nothing to 'Big Mike', but Page's athleticism and speed will shine.
With Bullet Club having reconciled and Page being more deranged to the Youtube Series 'Being The Elite', Hangman Page has a lot going for him, but he cannot go easy or afford a mistake against Elgin.
Elgin has many accolades, including a run as ROH World Champion and also NEVER 6-man champion on multiple occasions, so Elgin is very accomplished, and with his recent training, he is very threatening. For a true feeling on the new Michael Elgin, watch the triple threat from Dominion 6.9.
Prediction- Hangman Page. With Elgin having lost recently to Goto and this being his 4th G1 and him having wins over Kenny Omega, Minoru Suzuki and great matches with Tama Tonga and Okada, a loss to Hangman won't affect his status. Hangman with this win would establish why he is in this year's tournament.
Match 4- Togi Makabe Vs Minoru Suzuki
A rematch from NJPW 46th Anniversary show from earlier in the year, this promises to be very hard-hitting again, between the two legends, however, this time the Intercontinental title isn't on the line.
With the two participants both filling the legends role, but with Suzuki having celebrated his 30th Anniversary by having a 30 min time limit draw against Kazuchika Okada, he is clearly the favorite. Suzuki is 50 years old, is having a great mini-feud with Tomohiro Ishii and is currently the RPW British Tag Team Champion and RPW British Heavyweight Champion.
However, Makabe is accomplished as well being a former G1 winner (2009) and an IWGP Heavyweight Champion. This is bound to another stellar clash between the two veterans that the audience will thoroughly enjoy.
Match 5- Hiroshi Tanahashi Vs Jay White
Jay White returned from excursion as the 'Switchblade' at Power Struggle 2017, after Ibushi vs Tanahashi. He made his intentions clear, and after he failed at Wrestle Kingdom to claim the IWGP Intercontinental title from Tanahashi, he has been positioned for big things.
Claiming the IWGP US title from Kenny Omega at the New Beginning in Sapporo on night 2 and since then he has beaten Hangman Page, David Finlay, and Punishment Martinez in successful defenses. However, Tanahashi hasn't been as fortunate.
Tanahashi started the year as IWGP Intercontinental champion defeating Jay White at Wrestle Kingdom, however, he soon lost the belt to Minoru Suzuki. He then entered the New Japan Cup, reached the finals, but lost to Zack Sabre Jr. At Wrestling Dontaku on May 4th, he faced Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight and lost in a valiant effort, but he is the 'Ace Of New Japan' having the crowds respect and respect from his peers.
Prediction- Jay White. Jay is seeking vengeance on Tanahashi so Jay winning is most likely a guarantee. With Jay looking to have a strong showing, and redeem the performance from Wrestle Kingdom, he should win this and gain 2 crucial points, along with the accolade of beating Hiroshi Tanahashi, a 7-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and 2-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion.
