Lloyd Barrett@91LFB
Originally published by Puroresu Gate@purogate
Following on from my previous piece, I will now take a look at the individual combatants taking part in this year’s G1 Climax. In this particular preview I will look more in depth at the A Block entrants, their past history in the G1 and any other tournament exploits I feel could be relevant to their G1 success.
Kazuchika Okada G1 entries: 8 ( Including 2019) Previous G1 best:2xWinner (2012 & 2014)
The current reigning IWGP Heavyweight champion looks to complete an impressive double of NJPW’s heavyweight tournaments in this year’s G1, after winning the 2019 New Japan Cup back in march. Despite always being in the mix to clinch the prestigious honour, the “Rainmaker” has failed to reach the finals since his 2014 triumph. History is also heavily stacked against Okada, as whomever is holding the IWGP Heavyweight Championship heading into the G1 has failed to reach the final since Yuji Nagata was runner up in 2007, whilst the champion has not been victorious since 2000 when Kensuke Sasaki was successful in clinching the prize. However, if anyone is likely to break this lengthy streak then the argument can be made that it may well be Okada. He has had a phenomenal first half of 2019 capturing the aforementioned New Japan Cup and successfully cashing in his championship opportunity he earned from that victory, at Madison Square Garden with a win over Jay White.
Zack Sabre Jr. G1 entries: 3 (Including 2019) Previous G1 best: 4 way tie for 1st (12 points) in 2018, eliminated by tie break.
At the July 25th Kizuna Road show the submission master defeated YOSH-HASHI, in this victory he was not only successful in retaining his Revolution Pro Wrestling British Heavyweight Championship but also his spot in this year’s G1 Climax. In the 28th edition of the tournament ZSJ finished on 12 points, eliminated only by tie break due to defeats to Kota Ibushi and Kenny Omega respectively. In this year’s tournament he aims to go a step further in his attempt to become the first ever British IWGP Heavyweight champion, to do this Sabre must draw from not only his impressive previous G1 showings, but also his experience of being one of the most decorated tournament wrestlers in independent wrestling today. Sabre boasts victories in the New Japan Cup, PWG’s Battle Of Los Angeles, Progress Super Strong Style 16 and has won not only 16 Carat in wxw but also their world tag tournament and hybrid wrestling competition Ambition.
Hiroshi Tanahashi G1 entries:18 (Including 2019) Previous G1 best:3xWinner (2007, 2015& 2018)
The ace of NJPW and the winner of G1 Climax heads into this year’s edition under cloud of doubt over his health due to a long standing shoulder issue. Tanahashi is aiming to be the first man to win back to back G1’s since Hiroyoshi Tenzan achieved the impressive feat in 2003 & 2004, defeating Tanahashi in the final.
Kota Ibushi G1 entries:5 (Including 2019) Previous G1 best:Finalist (2018)
Ibushi heads in to this year’s G1 as one of the strong favourites, finally under full time contract with the promotion and with heavy crowd backing the Golden Star looks to go one better than his 2018 outing. Despite not being able to capture the G1 in his previous 4 attempts, Kota Ibushi has tasted tournament success in New Japan, winning Best Of The Super Juniors in 2011 and the New Japan Cup in 2015. Outside of New Japan Ibushi also has an impressive tournament resume which includes winning the 2009 Chikara Rey de Voladores and DDT’s King Of DDT the same year.
EVIL G1 entries:4 (Including 2019) Previous G1 best:3rd place in block 2017 (12 points)
EVIL heads into G1 Climax 29 looking to reverse a downturn in form from last year’s effort, a still impressive 10 points wasn’t enough to match his fantastic efforts of 2017. EVIL has stirred controversy amongst his faction Los Ingobernables de Japon by refusing to take part in the groups celebratory post match fist bump, EVIL will take on LIJ stablemate SANADA at the July 18th Korakuen Hall show. Despite never tasting singles tournament success, EVIL has won the NJPW World Tag League in 2017 and 2018 with the aforementioned SANADA.
SANADA G1 entries:4 (Including 2019) Previous G1 best: 8 points (2016, 2017 & 2018)
SANADA like his previously mentioned tag team partner EVIL enters his fourth G1. He is looking to break the 8 point barrier for the first time, a score he has achieved in all his previous G1 Climax attempts. Much like EVIL, SANADA’s only tournament triumph’s in New Japan have come in world tag league, however SANADA has managed to have some singles success in NJPW tournaments as he made the final of this year’s New Japan Cup. Away from NJPW SANADA has been victorious in a tournament setting, winning the GAORA TV Title Tournament with All Japan Pro Wrestling in 2012.
Bad Luck Fale G1 entries:6 (Including 2019) Previous G1 best: Joint 2nd in block in 2017 (12 points)
Bullet Club’s “Rouge General” enters his sixth G1 this year, looking to improve on his poorest outing yet in last year’s tournament, where he finished on 6 points and bottom of the block. Fale is yet to taste tournament triumph in NJPW, a beaten finalist in the New Japan Cup in 2014 and 2017.
Lance Archer G1 entries:5 (Including 2019) Previous G1 best:8 points (2011, 2012, 2013, & 2014)
Archer enters his fifth G1, but his first since 2014. Much lie SANADA, Archer has never broken the 8 point mark and has achieved this score in all previous attempts. Archer’s NJPW singles career has been reinvigorated since the departure of Killer Elite Squad tag team partner Davey Boy Smith jr. from the promotion. Archer had some impressive showings on the Kizuna Road show and is looking to continue that momentum. Archer’s only New Japan tournament victory came along side Minoru Suzuki back in 2011 when capturing the G1 Tag League, outside of New Japan he has captured the NWA World Tag Team Championship in a tournament back in 2004 with Kid Kash, whilst his only singles tournament success came for the Fighting Spirit Federation in the La Reunion World Cup in 2009.
Will Ospreay G1 entries:1 (Debut in 2019) Previous G1 best:n/a
Will Ospreay successfully defended his IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship against Robbie Eagles this past weekend in Melbourne.Ospreay will also become the first combatant to enter the New Japan Cup, Best Of The Super Juniors, in which he was victorious and the G1 Climax in the same year. As mentioned the Essex native captured the BOSJ crown this year but that is not his only tournament success in the promotion, he also captured the BOSJ in his debut entry in 2016. Outside of New Japan Ospreay has also won Progress Wrestlings Super Strong Style 16 and has been a finalist in PWG’s BOLA in 2016 and Rev Pro’s British J Cup in 2017.
KENTA G1 entries:1 (Debut in 2019) Previous G1 best:n/a
Arguably the most controversial entrant in this tournament, KENTA enters his first G1 Climax. At the Dominion event he made a shock appearance alongside Katsuyori Shibata to announce his intent to compete in this year’s G1. KENTA has previously wrestled under the New Japan banner once, vs Wataru Inoue at NJPW Cross Road in 2002. KENTA will make his long awaited NJPW re-debut in Dallas against Kota Ibushi. Despite never entering the G1, KENTA has a plethora of tournament experience in NOAH, winning the 2012 Global League, as well as multiple tag team tournament victories with the promotion.
That wraps up the round up of the A Block competitors, I will be following this up in the coming days with a run down of the B Block combatants.
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