G1 Climax 35 kicks off on July 19th, where NJPW’s brightest stars battle for the ultimate prize: a shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom next year. This year, the tournament will use its natural format of two blocks, dividing its 20 participants. The top 3 wrestlers in each block will enter into a six-man playoff, with the block winners earning a bye into the semifinals, a change in the format introduced in 2022.
Here’s a preview of the 10 wrestlers slated in the A Block.
Hiroshi Tanahashi
3-time winner, 23rd entry, first in two years
The Ace and President of NJPW enters the G1 Climax tournament for the 23rd time after having his consecutive streak of entries broken last year. He looks to win the prestigious tournament for a fourth time, something only two other wrestlers have done (Masahiro Chono & Kazuchika Okada).
One could argue that out of all the times Tanahashi participated, this is his biggest G1 yet, as he is entering it in his final six months as an active wrestler. He is also the only participant this year to have won the tournament more than once, which means all eyes will be fixed upon him once again in his illustrious career.
Taichi
6th entry, first in two years
After losing to Callum Newman in one of this year’s play-in matches to qualify for this year’s tournament, Taichi’s G1 hopes were dashed. However, in a bittersweet turn of events, he was given another chance in a four-man last chance gauntlet after Hirooki Goto had to back out due to an elbow injury.
He would go on to win that gauntlet, where he had to go through his IWGP Tag Team Champion partner Tomohiro Ishii to complete the A Block. As a last-minute entry, the Holy Emperor looks to make history as the first play-in entrant to win the whole thing.
Yuya Uemura
2nd consecutive entry
Yuya Uemura’s G1 debut last year was marred by a torn tricep, which prevented him from finishing the tournament. This year, he’s seeking redemption and proving that he has what it takes to finish strong.
He will have to go through an A Block filled with other up-and-coming stars like himself to crack the top 3. This time around might be even tougher for him, making it more exciting to see how much fire Heat Storm would bring.
Boltin Oleg
2nd consecutive entry
The Kazakhstan native is entering his 2nd G1 as the NEVER Openweight Champion after beating Konosuke Takeshita at Dominion last month. His rise as a young lion to champion has been fun to watch, and in this G1, he will have to prove that he is deserving of his success.
Oleg brings his exceptional grappling skills and strength to the A Block, making him a legit threat. However, being a champion does make him a huge target, which means most of, if not all, the other A Block competitors are looking to beat him.
Yota Tsuji
3rd consecutive entry
Last year’s finalist, Yota Tsuji, enters his third G1 after losing the Global title to Gabe Kidd at Dominion and the disbandment of Los Ingobernables de Japon. This year, the G1 will be a bounce-back opportunity for Gene Blast.
Tsuji has a huge chip on his shoulder, as fans expect him to do well because of his recent performances in tournaments, winning the New Japan Cup and being a G1 finalist last year. It will be interesting to see where he goes as he continues to go on in another eventful year of his career.
Ryohei Oiwa
1st entry
TMDK’s Ryohei Oiwa qualified for this year’s G1 by beating Satoshi Kojima in a play-in match. This will be his tournament debut, and we can expect that he’s raring to make a mark.
Oiwa’s edge over the others in his block is strength, with only Boltin Oleg matching him. Can The Grip show out and prove that he belongs in NJPW’s elite?
Callum Newman
2nd consecutive entry
United Empire’s Callum Newman will compete in the G1 for the 2nd time with more experience in his belt. He’s coming off a reign as IWGP Tag Team champion with Great O-Khan and a main event title match against former World Heavyweight champion Hirooki Goto.
Those matches showed how much Newman has grown as a wrestler, and this G1 campaign will make him even better. Can the Prince of Pace shine in the big time once again?
David Finlay
4th consecutive entry
A semi-finalist last year, David Finlay finds himself with another chance to climb the ranks of NJPW. However, he will have to do it this time without the Global title on his waist.
Before the G1, Finlay was busy with the War Dogs’ conflict with House of Torture, whom they finally ousted from the Bullet Club last May. He’ll be facing two HoT members in the A Block, but The Rebel must not use that as an excuse to lose focus on the bigger prize.
EVIL
10th consecutive entry
The King of Darkness heads into his 10th straight G1, ushering in a new era of House of Torture. They are now free of the Bullet Club affiliation and have grown larger with the addition of Don Fale, Chase Owens, and DOUKI.
He also has bragging rights and a bit of momentum after besting David Finlay in their Dog Collar match last month. Make no mistake that, other than winning the G1, he’s also looking forward to the opportunity of embarrassing Finlay again.
SANADA
10th consecutive entry
SANADA will compete in his 10th straight G1 after switching factions twice since last year’s tournament. He’s now with the House of Torture after betraying the War Dogs, seeking to reclaim his lost glory.
A finalist five years ago and a World Heavyweight champ back in 2023, Cold-Blooded aims to prove that he is still one of NJPW’s best. Will reuniting with EVIL be the final piece to the puzzle?
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