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#2. Tomohiro Ishii - NJPW G1 Climax 31
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The G1 Climax 31 has become known for some of the best pro wrestling of the year and for Tomohiro Ishii being the very best of the competitors. This marked another year where The Stone Pitbull was a standout. He once again got out of the gate slowly as far as wins, suffering three straight losses.
In those losses, he had a Match of the Year candidate against IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shingo Takagi, a hard-hitting clash with Kota Ibushi and a great battle with KENTA. Most competitors had their best match of the G1 Climax 31 against Ishii this year. Yujiro Takahashi and Tanga Loa were able to show a new side of themselves against The Stone Pitbull.
Tomohiro Ishii had a barnburner against Zack Sabre Jr. on Night Nine of the G1 Climax 31. Their style clash had the fans on the edge of their seats and they showed their amazing chemistry with one another. He had another strong style battle with Great-O-Khan after that and even had a non-tournament gem against Hiromu Takahashi along the way as well.
#1. Zack Sabre Jr.
It would take a lot from any competitor to outdo the G1 Climax 31 tournament that Ishii had, but Zack Sabre Jr. wouldn't be denied. The Submission Master came out on the first night and made a statement. He faced Tetsuya Naito in a tremendous contest that saw ZSJ tap out the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion and injure him so badly that he had to back out of the tournament completely.
This totally changed the dynamic of the G1 Climax 31 with the rest of the A Block participants receiving byes due to Naito's forfeit. ZSJ continued on his magical start by submitting IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shingo Takagi in an excellent main event to Night Three. On Night Five, he added Kota Ibushi to his list of victims.
On Night Seven, Sabre Jr. had the most unique bout of the entire G1 Climax 31 tournament against Great-O-Khan. It was a grappling and mat wrestling clinic that showed the technique of both men. Neither man even hit the ropes or went to the floor during this clash with ZSJ submitting his opponent for four straight to start the tournament.
Zack Sabre Jr.'s streak ended against Tomohiro Ishii on Night Nine in an outstanding contest. However, his best match of the tournament had to be against KENTA on Night 13 of the G1 Climax 31. It was a heel vs. heel battle that had terrific storytelling and character work throughout. Whether it be in a win or a loss, ZSJ stood out the most and has to be considered the G1 Climax 31 MVP.
