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The G1 Climax is a yearly tournament in New Japan Pro Wrestling calendar that takes place from mid-July to early August. Usually, there are 20 participants and each match has a half an hour time limit.
This year's G1 Climax is looking to be quite special, with two new participants co. This will create new match possibilities, and with the blocks already being announced at the time of this writing, we can see and review which matches could steal each day (Ibushi vs Omega, Omega vs Sabre Jr etc.) or be unsuspecting matches that could perhaps be instant classics.
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With the usual likes of Okada, Tanahashi, Naito, Kenny Omega, Ibushi and others, many rof the scheduled matches might actually be a repeat encounter, such as Okada vs Tanahashi, Naito vs Omega, Ishii vs Naito and a few more, but that doesn't mean that they will ball be disappointing.
For example, take a look at the match between Tanahashi and Okada at Wrestling Dontaku from earlier this year. However, we are not here to look at the standout matches, as that has been done a several time.
Instead, here we will take a look at the matches that could be taking place for the first time or could be lost in the shuffle but turn out to be amazing matches that no one might remember. With this let's get onto the list and see what matches have the potential to be gold on the rough road ahead.
#5 Juice Robinson vs Tama Tonga (Day 2)
Even though this match did happen last year, I believe this year it could be a hidden secret. Juice Robinson (the former CJ Parker in NXT) has quickly become a fan favourite with the Japanese crowd, and after a great match with Hirooki Goto at Dontaku and now facing a clash with Jay White at the G1 Special in San Francisco, he is showing no signs of slowing down. Last year Juice picked up solid 8 points during the G1 with his biggest win being over the then IWGP US Champion, Kenny Omega.
On the other hand, Tama Tonga is one of the quickest and most underrated guys in New Japan, and he has nothing to prove. With great matches last year against the likes of Michael Elgin and Okada, Tama Tonga has shown that he isn't just a tag team specialist.
I am sure that he and Juice with work a great match that fans will be talking about for a little while. It may be on the same day as Kenny Omega vs Tetsuya Naito, but it can't be denied that the way in which Juice is developing, and Tama Tonga's slick in-ring movements are improving, they will deliver nothing short of an epic bout.
Prediction- Juice Robinson wins. I believe Juice will win this match to keep his momentum going and also to tie up his record with Tama Tonga to one a piece.
#4 Michael Elgin vs Jay White (Day 5)
Jay White returned to New Japan at 2017 Power Struggle, after a tremendous match between Tanahashi and Ibushi. Jay White challenged Tanahashi and the match that followed at Wrestle Kingdom 12, was lacklustre, to say the least.
Jay White has been proving himself though in singles competition, through matches with the likes of Kenny Omega, Hangman Page and more recently, David Finlay, his longtime friend and rival from when they were young lions. White has something to prove in this years G1 Climax. That he can have consistently good matches with just about anyone.
With Michael Elgin entering his fourth G1, and him being a favourite, he doesn't have anything to prove as he has become a mainstay with NJPW. I believe Elgin's style will blend well with Jay White and they will have a fun match that I believe could be unbelievably fast-paced, due Elgins training as of late.
Prediction- Jay White will win. White is a big prospect for NJPW as the higher-ups seem hot on pushing him. With a win over Michael Elgin, a former IWGP Intercontinental Champion and former NEVER Openweight champion, that could provide him with a certain edge in the tournament.
#3 Tetsuya Naito vs Tama Tonga (Day 8)
This match could be very similar to a match later on in the tournament, Tetsuya Naito vs SANADA, but that match is being highlighted due to it being members of Los Ingobernables de Japon facing each other (much like EVIL vs SANADA from last year).
This match is a first time for both competitors and I reckon it will be an interesting fast competition, where they will be looking to outshine their opponent in every sequence. A big factor in this will be if Naito will remain Tranquillo, as he failed against Okada due to him reverting to being the Stardust Genius.
Another factor will be Tama Tongas attitude, as he seems to be a man unhinged, with almost nothing to lose. With Bullet Club civil war on his mind, we could see a chill man versus a man with nothing to lose as his loyalty is keeping him alive.
Prediction- Tetsuya Naito will pick the win. I am picking Naito in this as he had a losing streak through 2018, apart from an upset win over Minoru Suzuki. Naito is looking to gain some momentum, and with him being the biggest fan favourite in all of NJPW, it's hard to say he's going to be losing.
#2 Hangman Page Vs Minoru Suzuki (Day 15)
So I am calling this match 'The man who figuratively chokes people' versus 'The man who literally chokes people'. This match is going to be a huge test for Hangman Page in the G1. Suzuki has the experience, skills and presence on his side, as he recently celebrated his 30th anniversary, and had a 30 min time limit draw with Kazuchika Okada, again.
Suzuki is showing no signs of slowing down even at his age and with the RPW Tag Titles that he currently holds with Zack Sabre Jr, he is a threat.
Hangman Page, on the other hand, has had a great 2018. With Being The Elite giving him exposure and with him having great matches against the likes of Kota Ibushi, Kenny Omega, Jay White and most recently Hiroshi Tanahashi, he is a bright star that is likely to pick up a few wins in his first G1.
Hangman's athleticism and age are on his side against the leader of Suzuki-Gun, and I'm sure that this match will not only be a test or a 'rite of passage' for the young Page but a challenge that will push him to the limits of his being.
Prediction- Minoru Suzuki stands tall. I believe that Suzuki will come out on top, but will look startled at how impressive Page is. The match I believe with it being late in the tournament will be short and sweet, but provide fans with an insight that Page is the future which is evident from the way he's getting there is through legends like Suzuki.
#1 Tomohiro Ishii vs SANADA (Day 18)
Now, this match has happened twice in the past and is taking place on the last night of block matches in the G1. However, with Ishii currently being RPW British Heavyweight Champion and SANADA, coming off of matches with the likes of Okada and through the G1 he will face the likes of Ibushi, Naito and Goto, this match could be that unsuspecting match that many fans will talk about even though it's on the same card as Ibushi vs Omega and Naito vs Sabre Jr.
With Sanada's speed and ability to take hits as shown through his tag matches with EVIL against Suzuki-Guns K.E.S(Killer Elite Squad), and Ishii being the toughest guy and most likely the best seller in NJPW, this could be a war and a true contest of what attribute wins, Power or Speed?
With this being the last night of block matches, I know that they will be exhausted due to the toll the G1 takes on its participants, but they will still give a great match that will push them both to their limits.
Prediction- SANADA wins this bout. I believe SANADA will take this one and be the surprising upset no one expects. It's a big deal when Ishii loses as well, as he's built as this unbeatable boulder, the immovable object.
Also with SANADA winning it could finally fully put him in the main event singles scene or at least in the IWGP Intercontinental or IWGP US Title scene where he could win a big singles title.
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