It is the most wonderful time of the year. It is G1 Climax time! The G1 Climax is arguably the most prestigious pro wrestling tournament in the world. The 33rd edition of the G1 remains in its traditional summer schedule. This particular tournament continues the unique format from last year, with four blocks of wrestlers.
This NJPW G1 Climax A Block is below. The tournament also has the largest field, 32 competitors, in the G1’s long and amazing history. We even have competitors from Pro Wrestling Noah and All Elite Wrestling in this year’s tournament. We have the makes of a truly memorable G1 Climax tournament.
The G1 Climax tournament will have four eight-wrestler blocks competing in a very grueling round-robin tournament. The winners and runner-ups of the four Blocks will compete in the quarterfinals on August 10th, the semifinals on August 12th, and the final on August 13th. Let us take a closer look at the A Block field, which starts on July 15th.
NJPW G1 Climax 33 A Block
A Block:
SANADA
We start with the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. SANADA was always the talented pro wrestler who fell just short of his potential. That changed in 2023. He won the New Japan Cup in March and took his opportunity to win the World Heavyweight title over long-time rival Kazuchika Okada at Sakura Genesis in April. He has defended his title against Hiromu Takahashi, Yota Tsuji, and Jungle Boy in the subsequent months.
In his 8th G1, he is in an interesting position. He is no longer the hungry challenger, he has a target on his back in the A Block filled with hungry younger talent. Can he still be motivated to win the G1 while being the hunted instead of the hunter?
NJPW G1 Climax 33 A Block
Chase Owens
Chase Owens is in an interesting position in his 3rd straight G1 Climax Tournament. He hasn’t had a lot of success in the tournament and will be looking to improve on his past performances. But will he be distracted by the Bullet Club issues?
The Bullet Club is split up between War Dogs and House of Torture in Japan, Rogue Army in Australia, and Bullet Club Gold in the United States. Where does Chase Owens fit into the new Bullet Club? He might just find out when he faces Bullet Club member Gabriel Kidd on the opening night of the tournament.
Shota Umino
Shota Umino may be entering his first-ever G1 Climax, but he isn’t lacking in confidence. He has wanted to usher in a new era of NJPW wrestlers since returning to the company last November. He has fought against the likes of Will Ospreay, Tetsuya Naito, Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, and Hiroshi Tanahashi in recent months. But he hasn’t beaten any of them in singles action.
But maybe the G1 will be the breakout performance Umino desperately needs. His biggest success to date was a quarterfinal appearance in this year’s New Japan Cup. Can use that previous tournament success to springboard into G1 success? Time will tell.
NJPW G1 Climax 33 A Block
Ren Narita
Ren Narita has been looking at a “changing of the guard” for New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2023. He started to live up to his promise when he won the NEVER Openweight 6 Man Tag Team Championship at New Beginning in Osaka. While his team lost the title just three months later, it showed the promise Narita can bring to New Japan.
In his first G1 tournament, he faces a rival on the very first night. He will face off against Shota Umino. Both have promised to be the new generation of NJPW. But only one can pick up their first victory in their very first G1 match-up.
NJPW G1 Climax 33 A Block
Yota Tsuji
Yota Tsuji is another young star in his first-ever G1 Climax tournament. Tsuji returned from CMLL in spectacular fashion, challenging SANADA for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at NJPW Dominion in June. He wasn’t successful, but challenging the champion on your first night back certainly shows some heart.
Tsuji has been picking up tag team victories over SANADA on the New Japan Road Tour. Can he use that momentum in the A Block? He gets another shot against SANADA on July 21st to prove himself.
NJPW G1 Climax 33 A Block
Hikuleo
Hikuleo is another first-time entrant into the G1 Climax tournament. He is not, however, a young rookie. Hikuleo won the “Loser Leaves Japan” match over Jay White at New Beginning. Hikuleo even won the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship earlier this year.
Hikuleo seems excited for his first G1. Can the seven-year veteran take advantage of the inexperienced A Block? If he can, he could advance out of this group.
Gabriel Kidd
Gabriel Kidd shocked the NJPW fans by joining Bullet Club at NJPW Dominion. The NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champion fell short in the chance to win a second tag title, the IWGP Tag Team Championship, over Independence Day week. He even had some choice words about the company in recent weeks.
Will this newfound chip on his shoulder serve Kidd well? He might be in this first G1 but he has more experience than a majority of the A Block. As a member of the Bullet Club, we know he is willing to do anything to gain a victory in this prestigious tournament.
NJPW G1 Climax 33 A Block
Kaito Kiyomiya
Kaito Kiyomiya is the first Pro Wrestling Noah wrestler to enter the G1 since 2016. At just 26 years old, he is a former two-time GHC Heavyweight Champion and one of the best wrestlers in the world. What can he do in his first G1 tournament?
He is no stranger to tournament wrestling. He has competed in and won Pro Wrestling Noah’s N-1 Victory on numerous occasions. Can that success translate into New Japan Pro Wrestling? He has to be considered one of the favorites of the A Block.
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