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The G1 Climax is the top wrestling tournament in not just Japan - but the whole world. It’s the professional wrestling equivalent of the World Cup.
Unlike WWE’s King of The Ring which is a tournament for up and comers, the G1 has all of New Japan’s big guns; Kenny Omega, Kazuchika Okada and the other top NJPW heavyweights will all compete in the round-robin contest.
Alongside NJPW’s regulars, there’s usually at least one or one or two surprise entrants. It can be a junior heavyweight moving up, like Prince Devitt in 2010 who picked up a surprise win over a prime Hiroshi Tanahashi during that G1. Or it could be a wrestler from another promotion; In 2016, Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Naomichi Marufuji tangled with NJPW’s best and got a victory over then-IWGP Heavyweight Champion Okada.
The final three nights usually take place in Sumo Hall, but due to renovation works, the last portion of the tournament will be held in the larger Budokan Hall. NJPW will surely need something special to fill those extra seats.
This Sunday, NJPW will announce the G1 Climax 28 participants. Here are some possible outside entrants for the G1 ranked from least likely to most.
#7: Neville
Neville walked out of WWE way back in October, and nobody has heard anything from him since. If Neville truly wants out, why hasn't WWE released him? He's a fantastic wrestler and improved immensely as a character in 2017, but he's not exactly indispensable, WWE has functioned just fine without him. There's certainly more to this situation then we know.
If Neville is granted his release, NJPW would be a likely destination. His scowling face and deliberate verbal delivery would be perfect for Japanese audiences. The expectation would be that Neville joins NJPW’s junior heavyweight division, but I'm sure 'The King of the Cruiserweights' is ready to abdicate his throne and challenge for bigger honors.
For this to happen, a lot of pieces must fall into place by Sunday which leaves this entry highly unlikely.
Chance: 10%
#6: Chris Jericho
The new IWGP Intercontinental Champion seems to be in NJPW for a couple of big matches at least; the promotion wouldn’t have given him their second most prestigious title if he wasn’t. However, there's little to no chance Jericho will be competing in the G1.
The tournament is notorious for its grueling schedule and list of injuries. Jericho's match with Kenny Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 12 showed he can still deliver, but the G1 would require him to wrestle nine more of those matches in a month’s span. Coupled with his various other commitments - most notably his upcoming cruise and age (47), this is a no-go.
Chance: 15%
#5: Kento Miyahara
This is the one surprise entrant fans should be most excited about. NJPW established a working relationship with All Japan Pro Wrestling last year. NJPW loaned the promotion their young lions and a few veterans for major shows (Yuji Nagata is currently one-half of AJPW's All Asia Tag Team champions).
Kento Miyahara is AJPW's 'ace' (top star) and has been tearing it up in All Japan rings. Many expected Miyahara to be in last years G1 but NJPW instead went with Ibushi for the outsider slot. This year should be Miyahara's time.
Hardcore fans have been clamoring to see Miyahara tangle with Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tetsuya Naito and others. The big match would be Miyahara vs Kazuchika Okada. Both men are similar in age, stature and skill. It would be a classic bout.
However, there’s one big stumbling block, and it’s wrapped around Miyahara’s waist, the Triple Crown Championship. AJPW wouldn’t want their champion losing to NJPW’s wrestlers multiple times in a month. To appease AJPW, New Japan may have to send over more than just a few youngsters and old timers. Hopefully, the two companies can work out a deal for the fans sake.
Chance: 35%
#4: Will Ospreay
On Jericho's podcast, Ospreay mentioned that one of his goals is to enter the G1 Climax. Only 24 and standing at a strapping 6'1, Ospreay will undoubtedly move up to heavyweight one day, he may get his wish sooner than later.
Ospreay is in contention to be Wrestler of The Year, coming off his classic bouts against Kushida, Hiromu Takahashi and Marty Scrull. ‘The Aerial Assassin’ is red-hot, having him in the G1 would attract a lot of attention.
Ospreay dropped the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship to Takahashi last Sunday at Dominion. Free from any championship commitments, that loss may have been a set-up for Ospreay’s entry into the G1.
The big question would be if Ospreay’s body could handle the G1 Climax? Ospreay’s had a rough 2018, he landed right on his head in a title defense against Marty Scrull, and he just finished competing in the Best of The Super Juniors (the junior heavyweight’s G1 equivalent). Having watched Ospreay, the fearless high flyer would jump at the chance to compete in the G1 despite his various aches and pains.
Chance: 60%
#3: Kushida
At Wrestle Kingdom this year, Kushida didn't receive cheers or boos, the reaction he got was worse - apathy. 'The Timesplitter' has been overshadowed by Will Ospreay, Marty Scrull and Hiromu Takahashi in the junior heavyweight division. It's time for Kushida to move up.
Despite standing at 5'7, his submission-based style would offset his diminutive stature. He's also excelled in the heavyweight ranks elsewhere; He won Ring of Honor's Television Title and the WCPW World Cup last year.
Moving up to the heavyweight ranks opens a bevvy of new matches for Kushida and the opportunity for him to tangle with a former junior heavyweight rival, Kenny Omega. Kushida defeated Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 10 in 2016. In a promotion where wins and losses matter - that's big.
Chance: 65%
#2: Cody
Cody was meant to enter last years G1 Climax, but that plan was scuppered when he won the Ring of Honor World Championship. Fast forward to today, and the ROH title may again halt Cody from entering the G1.
At ROH’s Best in The World show on June 29th, Cody will challenge current ROH World Champion, Dalton Castle. If Cody is not announced for the G1 this Sunday, it’s likely that’s he’s regaining ROH’s main strap in two weeks.
ROH title or not, Cody is an integral part of NJPW’s storylines; he is new IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega’s chief rival and frequently featured on major shows. The G1 would be amiss without ‘The American Nightmare’.
Cody in the G1 opens up many tantalizing matches, including bouts against Tetsuya Naito or Hiroshi Tanahashi - two men he's never wrestled one-on-one. Cody could rematch Omega and Kazuchika Okada.
If ROH has no objections, Cody in this years G1 will make whatever group he's in worth watching.
Chance: 80% (50% if he wins the ROH title)
#1: Kota Ibushi
Hard to believe, but Ibushi is still a freelancer. He could pop up on 205 Live any day but why would he? He's on the verge of NJPW superstardom. Ibushi competed in last years G1 and revitalized his career after an odd turn as Tiger Mask W. His entry into this year's G1 is an almost lock and some predicate that the final at Budokan Hall will come down to The Golden Lovers - Omega vs Ibushi - a rematch of their bout for DDT at the same arena six years ago.
There's one hiccup though, Ibushi is banned from the arena.
After performing a dive off the balcony in the aforementioned match, the aghast staff blocked Ibushi from the Budokan.
However, this is not a DDT show; this is NJPW. The company will probably use their considerable muscle to convince Budokan Hall staff to allow Ibushi back in. Just keep him away from high places.
Chance: 90%
