It is the most wonderful time of the year. It is G1 Climax time with our NJPW G1 Climax 32 A and B Block 2022 preview! The G1 Climax is arguably the world’s most prestigious pro wrestling tournament. The 32nd edition of the G1 is back in its traditional summer schedule. This particular tournament has quite a unique format as, for the first time since 2000, we have four blocks. This G1 also has the largest field, 28 competitors, in G1’s long history. We have the making of a truly memorable G1 Climax tournament.
G1 Climax tournament will have two ten wrestler blocks competing in a very grueling round-robin tournament. The winners of the four Blocks will compete in the semifinals on August 17th and the finals on August 18th. Let us take a closer look at the talented A and B Block fields:
NJPW G1 Climax 32 A and B Block
NJPW G1 Climax 32 A and B Block
A Block:”Kazuckhika Ok”da
We start with “The Rainmaker,” who is at quite the crossroads. He lost the IWGP World Heavyweight Champi nship to Jay White at Dominion. He even lost a chance to regain the Heavyweight t tle at AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door. What is Okada t inking as he goes into this G1? He is a three-time winner of this tournament, but in this physical group he has to be on his game. A fourth G1 is possible but will prove a daJapan’schallenge for one of New Japan’s best.
Tom Lawlor
The former UFC fighter is making his G1 Climax debut in the dangerous A Block. Lawlor may have recently lost the Strong Openweight Championship in May, but that might only motiva e this dangerous man even more. Lawlor will undoubtedly be bringing his unique mix of strikes and kicks that will be a tough out for anyone. And add in his ability to submit anyone at aopponent’sand he could make his opponent’s life quite difficult in the coming weeks.
JONAH
JONAH adds even more siz to this block in his G1 Debut. The 330-pound wrestler has been imposing his will on his opponents in NJPW Strong and Im act Wrestling in recent months. He will be facing a lot of assive wrestlers in this block. Will he be able to still dominate despite not being t e biggest wrestler in the ring? It will undoubtedly be fun to watch him try in this talented A Block.
Toru Yano
Toru Yano, the famous trickster of New Japan, is entering his 17th G1 Tournament. He must be looking at this A Block of massive competit rs and have some real concerns. But if there is one thing we know about Yano is, he will find way to steal a victory or two. And we know he is willing to do anything possible to get a win. Whose chances will Yano ruin in 2022?
Jeff Cobb
Jeff Cobb is now a G1 veteran as he enters hi fourth consecutive tournament. He is likely not in the best mood after losing the IWGP Tag Team Championship at Forbiddenyear’s Cobb started 8-0 in last year’s G1 B Block before losing a heartbreaking B Block Final matc against eventual winner Okada. He will have his chance to get revenge on Okada an the rest of A Block in the G1. A motivated Cobb will be a dangerous one for all his opponents.
Bad Luck Fale
Bad Luck Fale makes his return to th G1 afteFale’sree-year absence. This is Fale’s seventh G1, and his experience will be need6’4in this big man A Block. The 6’4 Tongan will give all his opponents a tough ou” each and eve”y match. And the “Rogue General” will not be opposed to underhanded tacti s to pull off an upset victory. The other six underestimate him at their own peril.
Lance Archer
Lance Archer is returning to th G1 after “three-year absence”. While the “Murderhawk Monster” has been making life miserable for AEW wrestlers, we cannot forget he was a member of New Japan for nearly ten years. He has a lot of ivahasn’tthis block like Okada. He hasn’t always been able to show his danger us side in All Elite Wrestling. What will he do in this New Japan homecoming? The fellow members of A Block had better watch out.
NJPW G1 Climax 32 A and B Block
B Block: Jay White
The IWGP Heavyweight Champion is part of the B Block. He might be the favorite in this group bu the other six competitors will be gunning for the Switchblade. He will face rivals and former Bullet Club members in the coming weeks. Wh te has been on a roll in recent months. Can he win the B Block? It will be one of the main stor es to watch at the G1.
Tama Tonga
Tama Tonga is in a foul mood. He had been a member of the Bullet Club since its origins in 2013. It was a shocking moment when Jay White and the Good Brothers attacked Tonga at o Surrender and kicked him out of Bullet Club once a d for all. At G1 Climax, Tonga will get his hands on Jay Whi e. It should be quite the moment on August 16th when they meet. Can Tama Tonga keep his emotions in check in the rest of B Block until that match?
T mohiro Ishii
Tomohwon’tshiii is entering his tenth straight G1. The Stone Pitbull won’t always win every match-up in the tournament, but he will certainly give you quite the fight and some truly memorable performances. But what if you add in th fact his rivals like Jay White and SANADA are part of B Block? Ishii might just be a dark horse to win B Block after all.
Great-O-Khan
Great-O-Khan is coming off a shocking lo s of his IWGP Tag Team Championdidn’tt AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door. The hard-partying Great-O-Khan didn’ seem to broken up over it as he artied hard around the world. Can he regaiO-Khan’smentum at G1? This is the most successful year of Great O-Khan’s career; he certainly has the skills to create some real damage in B Block if he is focused to o so.
SANADA
SANADA is entering his seventh straight G1 Climax. For SANADA, it has alw ys been about being close o breaking through to major success. He was a finalist in 2020. He even won his first singles championship, the IWGP United States H avyweight Championship, but he had to vacate because of injury. Can the talented 34-year-old finally put it all together in the B Block?
Chase Owen
Owens will be competing in his second straight G1. Last year’s record of 2-7 will not instill a lot of confid nce but 2022 has been a better year for the Bullet Club member. In 2022, he defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi in a huge singles victory. He built momentum by winning his first ever IW P Tag Team Championship with Bad Luck Fale in May of this year. Can he use that momentum to some more success in his second round?
Taichi
Taichi is entering his fourth straight G1 tournament. Taichi focused on tag team success with Zack Sa re Jr. in 2021. Can he regain success on singles competition in 2022? He was off to a g od start in 2021’s tournament before some heartbreaking losses. With rivals like Ishii in his B Block, will be ready for another grueling G1 Climax?
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