Why This Is The Most Important G1 Climax In Recent History

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As we enter the summer month there's no bigger tournament in wrestling then New Japan Pro Wrestling and their G1 Climax. The premiere tournament which the winner main events Wrestle Kingdom on January 4th. Following a weird G1 last year of 4 blocks we are back to the normal 2. With this being a G1 without Okada, Ospreay, White, Tanahashi & Ishii this will provide New Japan with a sink or swin situation.

With the G1 back to 2 blocks of 10 away from the clusterfuck of the last years 32 man tournament in 4 blocks this is the first traditional G1 for multiple wrestlers. The main one to look out for in this G1 is who does New Japan trust the most for their future. The following wrestlers are entering their first 2 block G1 (and some their first ever G1 Climax)
  • Shota Umino
  • Gabe Kidd
  • Yota Tsuji
  • Ren Narita
  • Yuya Uemura
  • Boltin Oleg
  • Callum Newman
That's over a quarter of the people invovled and with Umino & Tsuji you have two of the favourites. With New Japan wanting to usher in a new era the average age has dropped to under 34 years per group they are going full force for it.

It is also interesting that the likes of Tanahashi, Ishii & Taichi who are still contracted to NJPW are not in the G1. It is interesting but I think a needed step. If you have fan favourites in the tournament people are more likely to cheer them so by eliminating them right away you in a sense force fans to pick a new favourite and help boost your new generation. 

It should also be noted that only two former winners in in the G1 this year being Naito (last years winner) and Goto (in 2008). With Naito being champion it is highly unlikely he will win and while the G in G1 might stand for Goto I think he stands no chance. So not only are you crowning a first time winner you are crowning the face of a new generation. 

For me I'd crown the most ready new guy which is Yota Tsuji. With Naito looking more and more hurt and an eye surgery away from retirement it's time to establish the new leader of LIJ. But regardless of what I am thinking the winner needs to be one New Japan will fully back for the next decade maybe even longer. With everything this is riding on this game not just for WrestleKingdom 2025 (and then Wrestle Dynasty the day after I guess) but the company going forward I think this creates a fun tournament and a real chance for a new generation to estsblish themselves over their rivals heading into a big restructuring of the hierarchy of New Japan heading into the second half of the year, world tag league and then 2025 where you would hope New Japan has a lot of positive performances and impressions from this G1 to build upon. 

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