The hottest ticket of the summer is getting closer, as NJPW’s G1 Climax 35 starts on July 19. This year, the tournament banners a field of 20 wrestlers divided into two blocks. On the line is a shot to wrestle for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 20.
Here’s a look at the 10 wrestlers in the B Block.
Zack Sabre Jr.
9th consecutive entry
Last year’s winner and the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion heads into his 9th straight G1 Climax. Zack Sabre Jr. recently recaptured the World title by beating Hirooki Goto at Tanahashi Jam last June 29.
The Frontman etched his name in NJPW history as only the second non-Japanese wrestler to win the G1 after Kenny Omega did it in 2016. Can he make history again and become the first foreigner to win it back-to-back in a B Block with two other champions in it?
Gabe Kidd
3rd consecutive entry
The brash Gabe Kidd enters his 3rd straight G1 as the new Global Heavyweight champion, with one successful title defense to his name. Kidd recently defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi at New Japan Soul to clinch V1.
With all the momentum in the world and his youth, Kidd seems primed for a takeover. War Ready is definitely one to keep an eye on in his block.
El Phantasmo
4th consecutive entry
Reigning NJPW World TV champ El Phantasmo is competing in his 4th G1 in his most successful year as a heavyweight. He’s now won the TV title twice after getting diagnosed with cancer.
ELP beating cancer became the spark of what has become his best year as a heavyweight. Will that be enough fuel to win the biggest tournament in pro-wrestling?
Shota Umino
3rd consecutive entry
Although he was in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 19, Shota Umino is entering his 3rd G1 during what has been a rocky 2025. Umino suffered significant losses at Wrestle Kingdom, the New Japan Cup Final, Wrestling Dontaku, and Windy City Riot.
While such is the case, Roughneck is once again presented with a huge opportunity. The G1 is grueling, but this kind of stage might be the catapult he needs to ascend to the top.
YOSHI-HASHI
8th entry, first in two years
Headhunter enters his first G1 in two years after winning his play-in match against Chase Owens. This marks his 8th time in the tournament.
The veteran is expected to step up his performance after his tag team partner and former World Heavyweight champion Hirooki Goto had to back out due to injury. He will use Goto’s first-ever title run as inspiration to maybe pave a path towards a singles title run of his own.
Shingo Takagi
7th consecutive entry
For the first time since he signed with NJPW in 2018, Shingo Takagi will compete in the G1 unaffiliated. While he and his fellow former Los Ingobernables faction mates Yota Tsuji & Hiromu Takahashi are looking to form a new group, Takagi will represent himself in the tournament.
He will look to surpass his run from last year when he advanced in the playoffs. For better or worse, the new chapter in The Dragon’s career will unfold in the G1 Climax.
Great-O-Khan
5th consecutive entry
The Dominator will compete in the G1 for the fifth straight time, as he looks to surpass his performance last year. Great-O-Khan advanced to the G1 Climax 34 playoffs with a big win over then World Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito.
Last year’s performance was his best in all of his campaigns so far. Will this be the year we’ll see Great-O-Khan in the final?
Drilla Moloney
1st entry
One of two debutants, along with Ryohei Oiwa, Drilla Moloney will look to establish himself as a legitimate threat in the heavyweight division. He qualified through the play-in with an impressive victory over Tomohiro Ishii.
Moloney moved up to the heavyweight division this year after an equally impressive run as a junior heavyweight teaming with Clark Connors. The G1 Climax is the 44 Callibre’s chance to make his mark in the stacked weight class.
Konosuke Takeshita
2nd consecutive entry
Following a rousing tournament debut last year, Konosuke Takeshita is entering the G1 again. He lost the NEVER Openweight title to Boltin Oleg last month, but The Alpha has set his mind on bigger things.
Takeshita made the playoffs last year, and he will not settle for that same position this time. Before the tournament, he will also look to capture the ROH World Championship when he faces Bandido at Supercard of Honor during All In weekend in Texas.
Ren Narita
3rd consecutive entry
Ren Narita is one of three House of Torture members in this year’s tournament. This marks his 3rd straight G1 campaign after almost making the playoffs last year.
Narita’s technique and dirty tactics make him the most dangerous competitor in the B Block. Will those be enough for Souled Out to earn the biggest achievement of his career?
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