Hi guys,
A few days ago, I published a look at the G1 Climax 30 A Block participants (https://wrestling-chatter.blogspot.com/2020/09/g1-participants-preview-block.html) and what a line-up it was. Well, I'm back with a comprehensive guide to the B Block which is as equally exciting and has some huge names.
Here is a look at your participants in this years B Block!
Tetsuya Naito
After narrowly missing out on yet another G1 victory, current IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental champion Naito has more on his mind than just points. Going into a tournament with one title is bad enough, but going in with the top two is going to be a nightmare. As well as trying to win and pick his own WK opponent, he is going to need to beat everyone. The Ungovernable One has a massive target on his back and everyone will be putting their heart into trying to pin the champ. By pinning Naito, they don't even need to win the G1 for a title shot.
However, Naito isn't going to let this stress get to him. People have been underestimating this man for years and, whenever he seems to be down, the LIJ leader manages to get back on top. Within this block, there are so many amazing matches we're going to be treated too against Hiroshi Tanahashi, Zack Sabre Jr and a rematch with his nemesis Toru Yano. Also, I get the best birthday present on the 1st October with SANADA v Naito - a proper faction v faction fight - lucky me!
Hiroshi Tanahashi
I mean with 19 consecutive G1's under his belt, could we really have the tournament without the Ace of the Universe? After winning in 2018 and then narrowly missing out on two consecutive wins, Hiroshi Tanahashi will be out to prove his worth. It will be especially important this year considering the last few months. When he was part of |Golden Ace with Ibushi, Tana was definitely seen as the weak link of the duo. Dangerous Tekkers (ZSJ and Taichi) have even made the point that the Ace is past his prime.
As much as I love DT, I can't agree less with them. Tanahashi is as talented as ever and, despite several injuries, always puts on an amazing match. This year's G1 will be no different with so many amazing matches for Tana's hybrid style. I'm especially looking forward to his match against SANADA because it's something I don't think we've seen that often. Also, Tanahashi v Zack Sabre Jr is always a pairing that creates magic. This is the year for the Ace to prove his worth and I believe in him!
Juice Robinson
Juice Robinson is another name that I'm glad to see because we haven't seen anything out of him since way back in February. In terms of G1's, Juice has always had mixed results. He has never been the bottom of his block, but then he has never been at the top. However, in the midst of these matches, he has managed to pick up some important wins over some big names like Kenny Omega and Jon Moxley. With his gritty but charismatic style, Juice has the potential to win this tournament as much as the next person. Maybe, after his epic feud with Moxley, it might have been enough to light an even bigger fire under his butt.
With matches against fellow Hontai member Tanahashi but also against the likes of Naito, SANADA and KENTA, this is going to be an interesting block for the Flamboyant One. However, no matter what happens, he is going to go out there and make sure he puts a smile on everyone's face.
Hirooki Goto
Handsome Hirooki is back in the G1 and, as much as I love this man, I don't think this is the year NJ will grant my wish and make him the champ! Throughout his time in the company, we've seen some fantastic matches from Goto against some of the biggest names not only in Japan but in the world. He's held numerous titles from the Intercontinental title to making his mark on the NEVER division. Yet, why do people not believe in him?
Well, I do and I know that this year Goto is going to put on even more epic matches because this block has so much potential in it. If he manages to pin Naito, it's an automatic title shot. If he beats KENTA, it's a shot at his briefcase. if he beats YOSHI HASHI or Yano, it's a win for the battle of Chaos superiority. But, none of them will be easy opponents. Even with all of that, I know that this man is tough af and is going to put on some amazing matches throughout. Also, as part of the NEVER 6-man tag champs, he will have to pick up those wins to avoid any potential challengers to his belt.
Toru Yano
It's the Master Spoiler Toru Yano back for yet another G1. I mean is it even a tournament any more if Yano doesn't cause some chaos in some way. In the past, we've seen him spoil the dreams of Minoru Suzuki, Tetsuya Naito and Hiroshi Tanahashi - who is going to be his victim this year? Well, I feel sorry for them... because there are some big fan favourites in this block.
Last year he beat Tetsuya Naito and didn't get a shot at the IC title. If he pins Naito this year, he has to be in line for some sort of title shot and can you imagine, Yano as IWGP Heavyweight champion. What about the matches against fellow CHAOS members Goto and Yoshi Hashi? And even the Submission Master Zack Sabre Jr! He is definitely going to rustle some feathers and could Toru Yano finally win the G1 through a series of flukes and sneaky style? Well, 2020 has been bizarre so a Yano G1 win wouldn't be that surprising really...
YOSHI-HASHI
Honestly, in the past few months, YOSHI HASHI has really become one of my favourite New Japan wrestlers for so many reasons. He is the real underdog and is more relatable than any wrestler I've seen - honestly, the man is an inspiration. He may not be the most talented or best looking or most impactful but he has heart and soul which is what we love to see. Also, with his first title reign underway, I can see this new fire in YOSHI HASHI's eyes and a determination to reach new heights.
We need to also remember that, as well as being on a roll, he has caused G1 upsets in the past. It's impossible to forget his win against Kenny Omega a few years ago after debuting his new Karma finisher. Although I can't see the Head Hunter winning the whole thing, like Yano, I can see him playing spoiler and making sure that people take notice.
SANADA
Even after not doing so well in last years G1, the past 12 months have been a crazy and stand out year for SANADA. He finally picked up a win against rival Kazuchika Okada in the tournament and went on to have a phenomenal title match at King of Pro-Wrestling. With a style that combines athleticism and a submission-based style, there is nothing that I don't love about SANADA. Yet, like many on this list, he's been given opportunities but has never been able to capitalise on them.
Maybe 2020 is his year! After EVIL betrayed LIJ a few months ago, SANADA had the chance to focus on singles competition and this tournament has some amazing wrestlers to challenge the Cold Skull. We've got matches against his old favourite Zack Sabre Jr, then there's his former partner EVIL who will deserve an ass-kicking and then Tetsuya Naito. We haven't seen the two in a singles match in what seems like forever... could SANADA pin the IWGP Heavyweight champ two years in a row or is it just a matter of winning the whole tournament?
Zack Sabre Jr.
After a pretty shocking G1 last year, Suzuki Gun's Submission Master will be out to redeem himself. Zack Sabre Jr is one of the most unique and talented wrestlers in the world priding himself on a mat-based offence. Normally, this makes him one of the most dangerous men in a ring. However, last years G1 seemed to be an exception. He's probably hoping for a better year built on the momentum he's had in the past few months teaming with Taichi.
As part of the, ZSJ and Taichi have claimed that the G1 doesn't mean anything to them because they 'have a tag team division to save in the middle of a global pandemic' which is obviously important. But, I can't see ZSJ taking this tournament lightly because imagine ZSJ as the first-ever British IWGP Heavyweight champ? With matches galore, I'm excited to see the Vegan Hydra against the likes of SANADA, Naito and of course Toru Yano!
KENTA
After winning the New Japan Cup US, KENTA is definitely on a roll and probably has a lot of moment going into this years G1. Hopefully, that will be enough to get him a bit higher than his debut tournament last year which started promising but ended in more losses. With his amazing wrestling style that combines strikes, submissions and a traditional Japanese style, KENTA is always going to be a tough opponent.
This is a very exciting block to be in for KENTA with opportunities to go up against some of the best and most versatile wrestlers New Japan has to offer. Not to mention the fact that there's an opportunity to go up against the reigning champion which is always a bonus. Can KENTA win yet another briefcase or is that just being greedy?
EVIL
Normally, I am Team EVIL because you know, EVERYTHING IS EVIL. Since he turned his back on Los Ingobernables de Japon and defected to Bullet Club, I'm still bitter. However, I can't let my personal opinions get in the way of saying that EVIL is still an amazing wrestler and probably one of the favourites to win. This is because, even though he lost his titles, he's still been on a roll this year and has a new wave of momentum.
In this block particularly, there is a lot of chance for the King of Darkness to Shine. He's got another chance against Naito, a match against his former tag partner SANADA and a bout between KENTA. It will be interesting to see whether faction loyalties suddenly arise with KENTA because EVIL has never shown them before in tournament settings. So, even with EVIL looking strong af, I still don't want him to win. Come on New Japan, grant my wish because there's only one member of Bullet Club who deserves to win.
Prediction: This block is full to the brim of amazing athletes, champions and legends. However, despite all of this, there is only one man I could see winning this block. It has to be SANADA. After years of working his butt off producing 5* matches, he deserves to be at the top of New Japan with a spot at the main event of Wrestle Kingdom! However, like I said in my last piece, Jay White will win the whole thing but a SANADA/ White final is my dream!
Well, that's all of them; all 20 participants for this year's New Japan G1 Climax 30! It's crazy how much talent there is in one tournament and I am so excited to spend the next month immersed in wrestling!
Let me know what you think of this year's line-up! What matches are you looking forward to the most and who do you want to win? Similarly, who do you think is going to win and is it different from your choice?
Until next time,
Bye
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