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We are one-third of the way through NJPW's yearly tournament and another step closer to finding out who will be main eventing the Tokyo Dome come January 4th 2019. With day 6 being the B-block, and the matches taking place at the legendary Korakuen Hall, this day should be exciting.
Day 2 of the G1 indicated that every match-up will be worth-watching as Ishii, Yano, SANADA and Goto all surprised fans, meanwhile matches such as Ibushi vs Sabre Jr and Omega vs Naito all lived up to the fans expectations.
With the ensuing days, we will be seeing the toll the wrestlers' bodies take over this tournament and whether or not they will be healthy or injured. The G1 Climax is grueling, but let's see the oncoming matches we s fans get to look forward to in the B block.
Match 1- Toru Yano Vs Kota Ibushi
Yano has stuck to his word thus far and has been honorable, even though he has shown signs of going back to his devious ways. Yano had a splendid, albeit surprising match with CHAOS teammate, Tomohiro Ishii and has shown his technical prowess against Sabre Jr in tag team matches, so Yano is an underlying secret.
On the flip side though, you have Kota Ibushi. Known for his stellar matches against Nakamura, Tanahashi and others as a heavyweight, he hasn't achieved anything of value in the division, which is why he is the fan favorite to win. He could face his Golden Lover Kenny Omega for the title at Wrestle Kingdom 13, or he could fail in his journey.
Whatever happens though, this match should be a hidden gem worth watching, as the two could have fluid chemistry and could see Yano use moves we've never seen before, in a last-ditch effort for victory.
Prediction- Yano. I believe this could be Yano's upset moment in the tournament, as beating Juice Robinson, Kenny Omega or Goto is unlikely, but beating the clear favorite to win sends a message and if Ibushi does win, Yano has an opportunity the briefcase containing the contract for the Wrestle Kingdom Main Event. YTR I believe will win this and cause the upset in the B Block.
Match 2- SANADA Vs Zack Sabre Jr
The second encounter between the two this year, this match could prove to be a true clash of styles, as Sabre Jrs technical prowess, coupled now with his new impact finisher the 'Zack Driver' (Michinoku Driver 2) makes him that much more fierce and the dark horse again in the tournament.
SANADA on the other hand is more athletic and to be feared for his speed and abilities are a marvel to behold. After a tremendous showing against Hirooki Goto on night 2 of the G1 Climax, SANADA is also a dark horse in the tournament, so this is a matchup between the two unexpected members to pick up wins against bigger names in New Japan.
With SANADA being Los Ingobernables and Zack being Suzuki-Gun, this also harkens back to a feud earlier in the year between the two factions. With Zack having beaten both SANADA and Naito in the New Japan Cup, one of them will seek revenge, but who?
Prediction- Sabre Jr. New Japan is looking to keep Sabre looking strong and after a valiant losing effort against Kota Ibushi on night 2 of the G1, Sabre will be looking to get back in the race and gain 2 points. The Technical Wizard should be victorious in this but if not, SANADA may have just proved that he is capable of being a main eventer in the future.
Match 3- Juice Robinson vs Tetsuya Naito
The last time this bout took place was last year when the former CJ Parker was still blooming into what we now know as 'Flamboyant'. Juice has slowly been climbing up and now as the 3rd overall and 1st American IWGP US Champion. He has been wowing fans with his mannerisms and his charismatic in-ring style, but how will his charisma fair when facing 2017's most charismatic man according to the Wrestling Observer, Tetsuya Naito.
Naito has hit a huge slump over this year, losing to Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 12, losing to Chris Jericho at Dominion 6.9 and now losing to Kenny Omega in night 2 of the G1 Climax. Naito has lost a huge amount of status but he is still amongst the top fan favorites. Naito's Tranquillo style and Juices classic old-school style will blend well in this match but I'm more concerned about who will, as Juice lost to Tama Tonga on night 2, so down the line, the underrated Tongan has a chance at the title.
Prediction- Juice Robinson. This was a tricky one to call but to make Juice look like a credible champion and gain back the victory, Juice is winning and Naitos downward spiral will continue. I can see Naito's story being a pivotal point in 2019, and this is a step in helping aid that story, so I believe Robinson will win.
Match 4- Kenny Omega Vs Tama Tonga
If anything this match should be main eventing this night. The heated rivalry between the two former comrades has now boiled over and Tama is looking to assert his dominance and remind Bullet Club of its former role in New Japan.
Kenny is the champion, and Tama Tonga despises this as he believes it should be him and that he ultimately granted Kenny's wish by exiling him from Bullet Club so that he can find his group whether it be 'The Elite', 'The Golden Lovers', 'The Luxury Trio', or 'The Golden Elite'.
Tama since the split in San Francisco has become a favorite in the G1 and if he wins, he'll challenge Omega at Wrestle Kingdom. This G1 is Tama Tonga's big break, but if Kenny wants to achieve his goal and win the G1 as champion, will he be able to defeat his former comrade?
Prediction- Tama Tonga. Tama Tonga, in order to justify his betrayal, must defeat Kenny, as if he doesn't it makes him look foolish. This G1 is Tama Tonga's showcase and by beating Omega, he would've asserted himself s Kenny's second defense, possibly at NJPW King Of Pro Wrestling. Whatever happens though, the 'Badboy' will be walking away with a victory.
Match 5- Hirooki Goto Vs Tomohiro Ishii
The two big men of CHAOS face off once again. Ishii has slowly become somewhat of a global sensation after matches against the likes of Keith Lee in RPW, Jeff Cobb in OTT and Wrestle-con, Matt Riddle in OTT, Rampage Brown in WCPW and soon WALTER at RPW Summer Sizzler 2018. Ishii has become a traveled man who the fans respect and love to watch. Ishii has grown a reputation of a man to look out for, and even though he is 42, he moves like he's 30.
Goto is the current NEVER Openweight Champion and has beaten Elgin, Cobb and now SANADA in night 2 of the G1 Climax. He has a fan following but no way near as big as his CHAOS comrade, however you never count out Goto as he is a fairly successful man, winning the New Japan Cup on multiple occasions and made it to the final of the round robin in 2016, before losing to Kenny Omega.
This match will a clash of two big men, physically hurting one another, in an effort to prove whose more resilient and can endure the pain?
Prediction- Tomohiro Ishii. After Jay White said why can't faction members challenge another for a title, this has to be a step towards that. With Ishii beating Goto he'll have the right to challenge for the NEVER Openweight Title. 'The Stone Pitbull' will regain the title that ultimately put him on the map, but when is the big question.
