G1 CLIMAX 29:
THE SEASON OF FIRE
By Jasmine Olan
With the prestigious G1 Climax set to start in just a matter of weeks, fans are on the edge of their seats with excitement. Twenty of the international wrestling scene’s best are set to do battle in what is widely known as the hardest hitting and most grueling tournament in all of professional wrestling. The ultimate prize in this fight to survive is the opportunity to challenge for the industry’s most respected title, the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in the Tokyo Dome at WRESTLE KINGDOM 14. This year’s field will include former winners and heavy favorites with seven of the competitors making their tournament debut. Among them will be two juniors who have been setting the wrestling world on fire over the past year. New Japan Pro Wrestling never disappoints with the G1, and this year’s battle of the summer is no doubt going to be amazing.
After an outstanding performance last year and a push that saw him win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, there are many eyes and hearts set on the Golden Star, Kota Ibushi to win G1 29. Given the pattern booking style often utilized for the G1, this could very easily be his year. If Ibushi were to win, he’d make history by becoming the first wrestler to win all three major singles tournaments in NJPW. He is already the first to make it to the finals of all three tournaments. Can this beautiful mad genius go all the way and make history then win it all in the Tokyo Dome? The answer to that one is most definitely yes.
Ibushi’s biggest rival at the moment, Tetsuya Naito also has his sights set on the coveted G1 trophy. Thankfully the two are in separate blocks after their rivalry was taken to pretty dangerous extremes at DOMINION earlier this month. Naito is looking to make history by becoming the first singles competitor to hold the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships at the same time. This is very interesting especially considering Naito’s complicated relationship with the Intercontinental title which he for the most part has always viewed as a means to an end. The Tranquilo one will undoubtedly have his work cut out for him given the field this year that also includes seven very hungry performers looking to make their own mark in their tournament debuts.
Among those seven are the Aerial Assassin, Will Ospreay and the Dragon, Shingo Takagi. These two are each having a banner year right now. With the hot streaks they both have been on lately their chances are looking very good. Both are looking to make the move to the heavyweight division, and this will be a great step in that direction for them. Also making their G1 debuts are Taichi, Jeff Cobb, KENTA, Lance Archer, and Jon Moxley. Each are ready to win and prove they have what it takes to hang with the best of the best. As IWGP United States Champion, Moxley especially has some big momentum behind him going in. These debuts will be a fantastic way to keep things fresh within NJPW.
G1 Climax 29 will no doubt be filled with passion and high energy. The entire tournament is bound to have people buzzing from beginning to end and then some. Everyone has their favorite to win and will be watching excitedly to find out who will be the last man standing in the end. Not everyone will agree with the final outcome, one thing that can be agreed upon is that this year’s G1 will be a season filled with pure fire.
Ross Berman talks G1 Climax Blocks, Mox, and more on this episode of WrestleZone Daily Podcast:
