B Block
IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi
20th G1 Climax, 3x Winner (2007, 2015, 2018)
Hiroshi Tanahashi is coming into this year’s tournament with a renewed sense of purpose. No longer the Ace of NJPW, he’s instead chosen to be the Ace of NJPW’s North American extension. Since winning the IWGP United States Championship, he’s been able to beat former foe/tag partner Kota Ibushi, and now faces old rival Kazuchika Okada on night 1. Definitely not a year to count out Tanahashi.
Kazuchika Okada
10th G1 Climax, 2x Winner (2012, 2o14)
Kazuchika Okada is a reluctant star in 2021. After a few years of the likes of Ibushi, Ospreay, Takagi, and others have come for his place as the face of NJPW. After a brief flirtation with the KOPW trophy, Okada is back in the main event scene, but one wonders where he truly fits in in 2021.
NEVER Openweight 6-man Tag Champion Hirooki Goto
14th G1 Climax, 2008 Winner
Hirooki Goto has become something of a punchline since his 2008 G1 Climax win. Always the bridesmaid, and never the bride when it came to the IWGP Heavyweight Title, he looks to prove himself still worthy in this new era of the IWGP World Heavyweight Title.
EVIL
6th G1 Climax, 0 Wins
EVIL, like much of NJPW, is on shaky ground. The former-IWGP Champion has floundered since losing the belt, and is in desperate need of a big win. He recently formed the House of Torture subfaction in Bullet Club, but one must wonder what is next for EVIL if he doesn’t make it to this year’s finals?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion Taichi
3rd G1 Climax, 0 Wins
Taichi is basically the de-facto leader of Suzuki-gun, especially with Minoru Suzuki on a tour of North America. He’s developed quite a following in Japan, and is in a good position to breakout in this year’s tournament. While his tag partner, ZSJ is a usual spoiler in this tournament, Taichi might actually make a serious dent in this year’s standings.
Jeff Cobb
3rd G1 Climax, 0 Wins
Jeff Cobb might have the most momentum of anyone in B Block. A recent win over Kazuchika Okada sealed the United Empire’s path as B Block’s biggest obstacle. With Aaron Henare in New Zealand, and Will Ospreay in the states, its up to Jeff Cobb to keep The United Empire’s name ringing out during G1 Climax season.
SANADA
6th G1 Climax, 0 Wins
Once labeled the future of NJPW, SANADA has regressed over 2021. A re-entry into the tag division seemingly undid any kind of work that he put in as a singles star over the course of the past few years, and its a damn shame. Much like EVIL, SANADA needs to go big or possible go home.
Tama Tonga
4th G1 Climax, 0 Wins
One of the most decorated tag team wrestlers in NJPW, Tama Tonga heads into this year’s tournament looking to prove himself, after his last G1 Climax saw him basically throw the tournament away in the name of sewing chaos. He’s 3 years older, 3 years wiser, and motivated as ever to make the finals on Oct. 21st.
NEVER Openweight 6-man Tag Champion YOSHI-HASHI
5th G1 Climax, 0 Wins
Look, YOSHI-HASHI is gonna try hard, ok? He’s been on a career-high since winning the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Ttiles, and now he’s looking to add singles stardom to that hot streak.
Chase Owens
G1 Climax Debut
Chase Owens has been a long-time soldier for NJPW. After holding the KOPW 2021 provisional trophy for a spell, the Texas Heavyweight Champion is ready to prove why NJPW has trusted him to be a reliable member of the roster for so long.
