Well it’s that time again, where I, Callum Owen aka The Wrestling Brain and Colin Hebert aka The Curtain Jerker give our predictions for an upcoming NJPW show. This time round we are discussing the G1 Climax but instead of predicting every match in both brackets, we’re just going to run through the must see matches. Look at the possible break outs stars and predict who we think will reach the final and end up as the winner of the G1 Climax to go on to main event Wrestlekingdom 12.
The Must See Matches
The Wrestling Brain: The one match as a wrestling fan that stands out straight away is the 3rd encounter between Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada in the past seven months. In the first classic at Wrestlekingdom 11 Okada retained his title, then at the NJPW Dominion show in June, both man fought to a 60 minute draw. So what will happen in the G1 Climax? I believe Omega will win, so the series is all level at 1-1-1, possibly setting up for a decideder down the line.
Last year in the Cruiserweight Classic, many fans including myself had hoped we’d see a match between Zack Sabre JR and Kota Ibushi, sadly we didn’t get our wish, until now as they will clast at G1 Climax, in what I think will be a match of the tournament contender, with Ibushi winning.
The Curtain Jerker: Obviously, everybody wants to see Okada-Omega III, but this time it isn’t for the belt, so that takes away a little of its mystic. I do want to see it though and do believe Omega will go over Okada big time to set himself up as the force of the tournament. Any match with Okada is must watch these days.
Also, this could be Hiroshi Tanahashi’s last appearance in the G1 Climax. He is the IWGP Intercontinental Champion, but plays the role of aging veteran looking for one last shot at glory. His match with Zack Sabre Jr. has people around the world salivating due to Tanahashi’s ability to still fly and Sabre Jr.’s technical excellence.
If you are into the super-heavyweights, Bad Luck Fale against Tomohiro Ishii will be a fascinating event. Ishii is having one of the best years of anybody on the planet, and Fale moved into the main event scene earlier this spring. Ishii is a favorite to win the tournament, but Fale could play spoiler for somebody in Block A.
The Break Out Stars
The Wrestling Brain: In the last few years, Juice Robinson formerly known as CJ Parker in NXT, has improved leaps and bounds since moving to Japan, so I anticipate him to have a break-out performance in the G1 Climax and have memorable matches against Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada in the future. This may seem biased with him being British, but I do hope Zack Sabre JR has a break-out showing in this tournament, He is fairly new to NJPW and a strong performance here will allow him to make his name in Japan.
The Curtain Jerker: My prediction for breakout star of the tournament is someone who is 40 years old, but has been left behind in New Japan due to all the new blood coming in, Tomohiro Ishii. Ishii has come oh-so-close to being a main-event guy this year. He started the year as one-half of the IWGP Tag Team Champions, went to the finals of the New Japan Cup in March (defeating Kenny Omega in the first round), had an epic encounter with Omega in May at Wrestling Dontaku, and then went to the finals of the inaugural IWGP U.S. Championship tournament, only to lose to, yes, Omega.
I also believe Zack Sabre Jr. will have a major say in the tournament. He’s been on the cusp of super-stardom for years and we all thought last year at this time it would be in a WWE ring. New Japan’s style just fits him and he will be a champion in New Japan by the end of 2018.
Who will be in the Final?
The Wrestling Brain: Which two wrestlers will battle it out in the final of the G1 Climax? Who will top Block A and who will top Block B? Here’s my predictions, Kota Ibushi will face his former tag team partner Kenny Omega for the right to face the IWGP Heavyweight Champion at Wrestle Kingdom 12. I personally think Omega is the likely favourite to win here and go on to face his arch rival Kazuchika Okada one final time at Wrestle Kingdom 12.
The Curtain Jerker: I was thinking about Tomohiro Ishii to face Kenny Omega for the G1 Climax briefcase, but I have to agree with Callum and say it will be Ibushi versus Omega in the finals. Omega wins to face Okada for a 4th time for the title at the Tokyo Dome for Wrestle Kingdom 12, and Omega will finally win the big one.
So that’s what we think will happen, do you agree? Let us know in the comments below!
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