B Block
Tetsuya Naito – Faction: Los Ingobernables de Japon
Naito is distinguished not only as of the leader of Los Ingos, but also as the first man to hold (and win back) both the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles at the same time. It is in this happy state as ‘Naito Two-Belts’ that our beloved, baseball-capped antihero enters this year’s G1. As such he is the man everyone aims to beat. Naito is the most popular Japanese wrestler on the planet and his finishing move, a spinning DDT romantically named Destino, appears hailed from thunderous gods overhead. Naito will doubtless focus on EVIL, the former Los Ingos faction member who betrayed him.
EVIL – Faction: Bullet Club.
EVIL was both the first pareja to join Naito and thus form Los Ingos, and also the first (and only one so far) to betray him. EVIL’s heel turn both shocked and delighted fans as he took his rightful place as being truly evil, a real rotter. His entry into Bullet Club has sharpened the edge of EVIL’s wrestling. Adept to using the chair with devastating effect, everything he does means more now because he’s, well, EVIL. In B Block, EVIL, Naito and SANADA (EVIL’s former tag partner) will be the ones to watch.
Hiroshi Tanahashi. Faction: none.
Tanahashi is the Ace of New Japan. He has held both tag team and singles gold as well as the record for most times winning the IWGP Heavyweight belt. His moves – the High Fly Flow, the Beatles-inspired Twist and Shout – are all delivered with the brandish of an air guitar. However, Tanahashi is much more than wrestling Rockstar. He is Zeus in mortal form, god-like, worshipped by fans. Tana is now in the twilight of his heavenly reign with knees that no longer hold up. His earthly body failing him, Tanahashi cannot be considered a favourite. Regardless, he will still have one of the best runs of the G1.
SANADA – Faction: Los Ingobernables de Japon
Ah, SANADA. Cold Skull. EVIL’s former tag partner is, alongside Shingo Takagi, the best heavyweight in New Japan. SANADA’s athleticism is beyond reproach. Just watching this guy’s neck flexibility has you disbelieving he is human. But thing is, he’s just so damn cool that you don’t know whether to get excited. SANADA’s problem is that he’s so good he doesn’t really have to try. Maybe that’s why few talk about him as a heavyweight champ. That, and the fact he loves to goof (when you see his Paradise Lock, you’ll understand). Nevertheless, the Mutoh-mentored SANADA is a future IWGP Heavyweight titleholder. Not through this G1, but sometime in the next three years.
KENTA – Faction: Bullet Club
Yes, that KENTA. The KENTA you might know as Hideo Itami. Better, much better than that, the KENTA who dominated Pro-Wrestling NOAH for years with his killing kicks and originator of the GTS. KENTA’s entry into New Japan at Dominion last year was a surprise. But what should not have been a surprise was him turning on those who invited him. KENTA’s heel-turn entry into Bullet Club suits him. He solicits boos from the crowd like a lord expecting his dues. His entry into the G1 has minds boggling at the in-ring wonders he’ll weave and has lips pursing, ready to go ‘BOOOOOO!’.
Zack Sabre Jr – Faction: Suzuki-gun
Zack Sabre Jr. is Britain’s Greatest WrestlerTM. Sabre brings technical knowledge, or the ‘tekkers’ as he calls it. He is from the school of British catch wrestling. The self-proclaimed ‘Submission Master’, Sabre will grapple you into oblivion with a series of holds in seamless transition. Truly, you will not know where this man’s limbs begin and end by the time he is through. Sabre’s style harks back to NJPW’s early years, recalling greats such as Karl Gotch and Billy Robinson. Sabre won the New Japan Cup in 2018 and is now the holder of the Heavyweight Tag Team title with Taichi. A challenge to anyone in the ring, Sabre is still unlikely to emerge as G1 victor.
Hirooki Goto – Faction: CHAOS
Goto is no stranger to this competition, making his G1 debut 12 years ago as the tournament winner. Goto went on to secure the Intercontinental title twice, the NEVER title five times but has never repeated his debut G1 success. Goto isn’t the most exciting pick on the card but he is solidly dependable. His training last year under Shibata at New Japan’s LA Dojo certainly put fire into his belly. He now holds the NEVER 6-Man belt with his stablemates. His best matches are likely to be those against CHAOS – Yano and YOSHI-HASHI. Inter-faction fighting seems to bring out the best in Goto.
Juice Robinson – Faction: none.
Juice is the second and final foreigner in B Block. This is Robinson’s fourth G1. His showing so far is average, his best result being eight points. But that does not reflect the wrestler Robinson is. Juice isn’t a technical master, neither does he dazzle with high-flying moves. Instead, Robinson is a puncher, an elbow-dropper. He brings his best to your face, usually by planting said face into the mat. He has an endearing honesty and flamboyant life force which lights up a room. Juice embodies that ‘Saturday mornings spent watching WWF repeats as a kid’ appeal. Will he make a better showing this time around? In this field, probably not, but you will still cheer for him nonetheless.
Toru Yano – Faction: CHAOS.
Yano is the Joker of New Japan. He represents CHAOS in its true meaning. His schtick is always the same – shouting, unsheathing the turnbuckles, tying up wrestlers and referees in tape. But somehow it’s always hilarious. Yano’s matches are among the most memorable in the G1. Hitherto stone-cold-killer opponents act as straight men to his routine, joining in the hilarity. Yano is the true Joker, a wildcard giant-killer with the record of shortest victories (in seconds) against wrestling gods such as Kota Ibushi.
YOSHI-HASHI
YOSHI-HASHI is NJPW’s biggest mystery. He is a puzzle which the fan would love to piece together. Watch the Yosh walk to the ring and he looks on edge. His seeming anxiety makes you anxious. And then as he wrestles you think, ‘This isn’t very good’, but you wish him to do better. On those occasions when he manages to make it work you will be in tears. You’re not alone in this. On Yosh’s recent victory, his first-ever title win, a member of the commentary team cried. Will YOSHI-HASHI win the G1 30? No. Will watching him be worthwhile? Absolutely yes. Weirdly, YOSHI-HASHI embodies New Japan. The company and his faction never stop believing in him. This is because his fighting spirit does not waver. And this – never giving up, battling through despite your shortcomings – is what the G1 Climax is all about.
L.B. Artist
You can watch the G1 Climax 30 by subscribing to New Japan World at njpwworld.com. It costs 999 yen per month, approximately £7.40.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
L.B. Artist watches New Japan, draws New Japan and now writes about New Japan. She has published comic books and is now working on a New Japan zine. You can find L.B. on Twitter: @LadyBArtist.