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The month-long G1 Climax 29 ended a few days ago. Kota Ibushi captured the briefcase, to nearly stamp his shot for the main event at WrestleKingdom 14. He'll have to protect the briefcase in the coming months, but what he won't have to defend is his loyalty to New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Proving that he is here full-time, it has resulted in Ibushi capturing the faith of NJPW and the fans to claim his stake at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. At the same time, he thanked the other competitors in the field because the G1 Climax would have been nothing without them. It also wouldn't have been anything without Gedo's genius booking tactics as well as storytelling.
While the G1 climax is known as pro-wrestling's greatest tournament for its pure wrestling endurance test, it's also a terrific storytelling device. Gedo's intuitive ability to build a story around the tournament and for the year going forward, just ramps up the enjoyment of the G1 Climax.
Some stories are left hanging for the future, while others gain great conclusion at the finals of the tournament. Not every storyline is equal, just as every wrestler isn't. However, the ones that are, really steal the show and make the G1 Climax a classic affair. The G1 Climax 29 is no different, so let's see which stories defined this year's G1 Climax.
Honourable Mentions
With a stacked G1 Climax, there are just not enough moments and stories to crack the top ten this year. Still, these narratives are strong enough to get a discussion;
G Stands for Goto
With his training at the LA Dojo under old high school friend Katsuyori Shibata, Hirooki Goto promised a turn around to what has been a lackluster G1.
Taking the monkey off his back that was Jay White, seemed like we'd get just that. However once again inconsistency reared its ugly head, placing Goto at the mercy of others come the final day. Still with KENTA (another Shibata recruit) joining Bullet Club, maybe something big is in the offing for the samurai.
Battle Between Taichi and Dangerous T
For the better part of a year since turning heavyweight, Taichi's looked to elevate his status in New Japan despite what he perceives is management's bias against him.
With a chip on his shoulder from his days as a student to Toshiaki Kawada, Taichi's beaten off the true path to give way to deceit.
This reflects in a lot of his contests, but when it doesn't, then out comes Dangerous T who proved not only that he can go but gain the appreciation of fans. This struggle needs a resolution or compromise so Taichi can prove his potential we all know he has.
The Mythical C Block
With new signings and juniors taking up spots in the G1 Climax, it has become that much more important to keep a winning momentum going through the year so as you can make it to wrestling's premier tournament.
Weirdly enough NJPW left out Minoru Suzuki from the field of 20. To offset these statistics, fans, the commentators and the lower card wrestlers placed their belief on the C Block.
What this is, is an unofficial ranking of the men that win and dominate the G1 Climax tag team preview matches to prove that they have what it takes to make the field of 20 next year. A fun little side project, with great stakes; Gedo and New Japan better watch out.
#10 Dark Horse Lance
Despite the lack of Minoru Suzuki and a poor run from Zack Sabre Jr., Suzuki Gun can walk away from the tournament knowing one man of theirs had the world buzzing.
After his partner Davey Smith up and left the company, it seemed like Lance Archer might float around. With the G1 Climax set to open in Texas for the first time, Lance Archer found himself invited into the field of 20 as the hometown hero.
A surprising addition that at first seemed like a tactical decision by New Japan, turned out to become one of the best talking points of the G1 Climax.
Though it was obvious Lance could go with his staggering rematch (of the New Japan Cup, early this year) against Will Ospreay in Texas.
He proved just as adaptable with the other eight men in Block A. With each match Lance Archer has won over the Japanese crowd, including at Korakuen Hall against Hiroshi Tanahashi.
Though it may not show in the points tally, Lance Archer is in line for a huge boost as a singles competitor after this G1 Climax.
Not only would he make an excellent fit for the US Heavyweight division lacking in mainstays beyond Juice, but more isn't far out of reach.
With Bad Luck Fale proving a bust these past few years, maybe it is time New Japan and the G1 got itself a new monster Gaijin to take over.
#9 White Lies!
Whenever Jay White has promised on accomplishing something, it has most definitely come true. He promised to destroy The ELITE, and that happened. He promised to betray CHAOS, and that happened.
He promised to beat Tanahashi and Okada and it happened. Finally, he promised to take away the Heavyweight championship from Tanahashi; this too happened.
While the complete veracity of these statements requires confirmation, Jay White has always lived up to his promises. He may lie about his motives and actions but his Nostradamus like predictions always hold true.
This was deeply scrutinized on the last night, where never for once did White mention winning against Ibushi. He promised to destroy him, not beat him and lo and behold it happened. Though Ibushi walked away on the sheer rush of his victory, there's no doubt White took a big chunk out of him.
Above all else, in a tournament that saw CHAOS exorcise the demons of White's defection to Bullet Club; White held true to the promise of a six-match winning streak en route to the finals.
White's cursed black tongue could find him at the top of the heavyweights soon, but for now, he remains the biggest snake New Japan has to deal with (along with KENTA).
#8 Attack of the Next Generation
Before his history-making dream match against Tanahashi, Will Ospreay cited 'The Aces' motto when he first rose the ranks of New Japan as a young gun.
In the mid-2000s amidst the failures and dark days of New Japan, Tanahashi rose from this wilderness to take over the company and push into the new direction it is in today.
Fitting then that in a tournament that has seen the Ace experience his existential crisis, Will Ospreay was the one to bring about this point towards a career-making victory against Tanahashi. For the incredible year, he has enjoyed, this was the cherry on top of that.
Yet it isn't just about Ospreay, the G1 Climax this year saw him and fellow "junior heavyweight" Shingo Takagi take the tournament by storm with their bold moves and hard-hitting strikes.
Alongside them, Jeff Cobb made a decent if muted début, Juice put in the effort to make a claim as the top face Gaijin for the company.
Meanwhile, two Ingobernable men who have repeatedly taken to the G1 Climax might have finally signaled to Gedo and company that they are ready to become New Japan's next big stars.
SANADA showcased how popular he is as a Superstar, while EVIL once again spurred by this took to claiming his own spot at the top as well. They are primed and New Japan must strike while the iron is hot, the next generation will tear down the doors if they have to.
#7 Where does KENTA belong?
Though KENTA started with an incredible fire in the G1 Climax, it seemed apparent that he wouldn't feature as a viable winner of the tournament.
The result of this ended with KENTA at a disappointingly mild five losses to four wins. The burden of bearing the G1 Road felt intolerable by the end. It is especially true when considering the KENTA that has returned from his jinxed foray in the States.
This is no longer the hitting and kicking KENTA of old, injuries have taken its toll.Though arriving in cheers with each match, we were also reminded that KENTA is a former NOAH mainstay who decided to leave his home promotion for WWE glory.
None of it worked out and especially in his opening with NJPW loyalist Tanahashi. It seemed no one at the back would let him forget his misplaced loyalties against the Japanese wrestling scene as well as Noah.
That is except for the man who brought him into New Japan and understands what it means to return to the company after turning his back on it. Katsuyori Shibata gave KENTA a chance, despite the better judgment of Hiroshi Tanahashi.
On the explosive night of the final day, Shibata paid a hefty price for this with KENTA choosing the easier path of joining the agenda of the outsiders; the Bullet Club. The merciless KENTA fits perfectly with the chaos courting outliers of the New Japan roster.
Now it's up to the New Japan home team and possibly Shibata (if healthy) to once more seep out the toxic poison that is Bullet Club. Bullet Club where finally after years in the wilderness, KENTA feels at home.
#6 NO! Tranquilo Assen Na Yo!
What is going on with Naito and Los Ingobernables de Japon, remains the burning question of the G1 Climax. From the onset it looked like Naito could never win this year's G1, nor fulfill his promise of becoming Naito two belts.
Prior to the start of the tournament, slighted by the favors SANADA courted with Kazuchika Okada; EVIL decided to keep his distance from the group. SANADA seemed more inclined to rally the cheers of the crowd while Shingo came in indestructible, walked out a bit vulnerable yet strong.
EVIL gained a measure of redemption by defeating SANADA, SANADA finally won one over Kazuchika Okada. Despite losing a 20-year dream match against Naito, Shingo has made a stellar transition into the heavyweights.
It's not all bad then, yet the question remains; is the Tranquilo brotherhood on shaky ground and is Naito in trouble for being too relaxed with everything? After all, it is he who remains directionless despite nearly making the finals.
The non-story of the story is what is troublesome. It seems like Naito may forever have to remain content at the level of the Intercontinental championship or actually, finally do something about it.
#5 Ace no More?
The dagger of whether Hiroshi Tanahashi can live up to his moniker has hung over him for the better part of three years.
At last year's G1 Climax, he silenced the critics and the fans who just didn't believe. This year at the Dome, he put finality on this statement until Jay White stole the title from right under him. Since then it's been an up and down rollercoaster to this year's G1 Climax.
An opening day loss to Kazuchika Okada may not seem big on any other occasion anymore, but at the G1 where they've been near equals; it signified something huge and unusual. That Tanahashi lost to the Junior Heavyweight champion on the last night is a big deal.
That he was a non-factor going in, is also a big deal. Not to mention finally losing to Kota Ibushi and disappointing against KENTA of all people. The question now grows stronger and more pertinent; is Tanahashi truly no longer the Ace?
Just when the chips are down Hiroshi Tanahashi rises to the occasion, but maybe this time it's not just time. This time it sincerely feels like the sun is about to set on the Ace's glorious career or at least the portion of it where he may remain at the top.
The slow march back down promises a tragedy full of bumps, with a few lingering rays of hope. Yet now more than ever the chants of 'Go Ace' grow faint each passing match, this one's a tough one. An arc with a definite end but a long mystical journey.
#4 The Real Rainmaker Rises
A year ago, Kazuchika Okada was staring down the barrel of the gun in his depressing slide to obscurity after losing the championship. A slow build to confidence has seen his large ego broken and a new refined Okada, as the champion of champions.
This year's G1 Climax a game Okada entered with zen-like confidence to win the tournament, that hadn't been won by a champion since 2000.
For a moment Okada had the world believing he could do it, an impressive 6-0 run came to a startling halt against SANADA.
Yet Okada finds himself with an old essence of his renewed to match the matured game he found in the past year in his exodus from championship glory. Facing a slew of performers better liked than him, particularly Sanada and Will Ospreay; Okada returned to form as the real Rainmaker.
Though this ego is now tempered, Okada is at his best when woefully superior and arrogant against lesser opponents. Both men took it to him as did others, despite some losses Okada, has walked out the better man.
Finding his ego shattered then piecing it back together was the bigger ask, but balancing between the new Ace of New Japan and the confident upstart of old; New Japan might finally have a Rainmaker that could break beyond this universe. Considering what he has already accomplished, now imagine this!
#3 Juice's Redemption
New Japan's Western expansion took a huge hit with the exit of the ELITE, or so the wrestling world thought. With a decent crop of foreign wrestlers to build from, New Japan doesn't need to fear.
Luckily they built ahead with one such wrestler in Juice Robinson. The deflating loss to the debuting Jon Moxley in a US Heavyweight championship match left Robinson on a different mindset going into the G1 Climax.
While he's still as showy as ever, Juice's hair cut and stoic silence backstage up to the final day spoke far more.
Here was a Juice ready to prove his worth not just to New Japan and the fans, but to himself as well. While a rocky road with some tough losses, Juice really brought it to the likes of Jay White and Tomohiro Ishii.
All this lead to his big night on the final day, a rematch against Jon Moxley and a chance to spoil the coming-out party of his former FCW brethren.
Juice finally pulled out the big one and once again build towards the US Heavyweight championship.
This measure of redemption coupled with his new attitude can propel Juice even higher in the Lion's Den. Thankfully he still hasn't lost the party flavor that makes him who he is. No one's had a more touching story.
#2 Mad Mox and the G1 Road
With the chains broken out from, Jon Moxley entered the G1 Climax back in his original form and flavor. As the purveyor of violence, he took his classic character to even greater extremes.
Yet Moxley didn't seem content on relying upon classic hits, instead, when needed he brought a bit of the silly Dean Ambrose edge as well. More importantly, though Moxley came into Japan and the G1 to prove that he is more than a one-trick pony.
Pulling out tricks from the bag no one had ever seen, Moxley struck hard, dealt great powerhouse blows and even brought in some technical finesse unexpected of him. This benefitted the situation early on in his favor as he had a game plan for every major player in the G1.
Meanwhile, they could barely latch onto the version of Moxley that would face them. That is until he hit the roadblock that is Toru Yano and with it one of the greater curses of the G1 Climax.
As an untested novice of the tournament, you might get a blistering high early on, but the real test of the G1 Climax is endurance.
Bouncing at full speed after running quarter power for the better part of half a decade, Moxley's engine gave way from the shock loss to Yano. It then sputtered out by the end of the line.
It's a powerful showing and the perfect showcase for the new and improved Jon Moxley. It is also a reminder of why the G1 Climax is all about the elite of the elite in pro-wrestling.
Hopefully, a second go-round is possible in the future. Till then, please Gedo, can we get Moxley and Shota (Shooter) Umino into World Tag League.
#1 The Golden Star is NJPW's Golden Lion
Of course, no storyline in the G1 Climax can top that of the winner. With so many big plot threads playing out and a few surprise entrants, it was hard to predict the road to the G1 Finals.
Yet, there is one story that has played over since last years G1 Climax. That has been Tanahashi's near decade long insistence that Kota Ibushi is his successor. With it Kota's growing loyalties to New Japan after being aloof for most of his wrestling career.
After his Wrestle Kingdom 13 loss to Will Ospreay, Kota Ibushi declared with all heart that he shall stay in NJPW until the end of his wrestling days. This is a huge deal, considering Ibushi has always refused to tie himself down to any place or any time.
In a tearful goodbye to his Golden Lover, Kenny Omega stated Ibushi had only done this to pursue the IWGP Heavyweight Championship he so long ago sought.
Now after a frantic tournament riddled with injury and the fear of losing out. Kota snuck by the champion Okada himself and the devious acts of Jay White to lay his claim at the Tokyo Dome main event.
His loyalty to NJPW is out of the question, his quest is clear and though Kota hopes to also take back his IWGP Intercontinental Championship; the result isn't far off.
The Golden Star after beating the Ace as well is finally ready to fulfill the promise Tanahashi once saw in him. He is now and forever New Japan's Golden Lion.
