It is the most wonderful time of the year with the NJPW G1 Climax 33 B Block. 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 B Block is below. This G1 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 finals on August 13th. Let us take a closer look at the stacked B Block field, which starts on July 15th.
NJPW G1 Climax 33 B Block
B Block:
Kazuchika Okada
“The Rainmaker” could create some history in this year’s G1. He is a four-time winner of the event and could become the first ever to win three in a row. If he won in 2023, he would tie Masahiro Chono as the only five-time winner of the G1. Okada seems to be just building up the accomplishments in his legendary career.
But Okada is entering this year at a bit of a crossroads. He lost the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship to SANADA in April. And most shocking of all, he tapped out to Bryan Danielson at Forbidden Door. What is his mindset heading into a deep B Block field?
NJPW G1 Climax 33 B Block
YOSHI-HASHI
YOSHI-HASHI has finally broken through in recent years after years of disappointments in NJPW. He has won the NEVER Openweight 6 Man Tag Team Champion, and STRONG Openweight Tag Team Champion and is currently half of the IWGP Tag Team Champions. It was great to see the talented wrestler break through and win titles in recent years.
However, single’s success has eluded him over the years. In his 7th G1 tournament, can YOSHI-HASHI breakthrough? In a talented B Block, it would be quite an accomplishment.
Tanga Loa
Tanga Loa is one of the most accomplished tag team wrestlers in NJPW History. As one-half of the Guerrillas of Destiny, he has won the IWGP Tag Team Championship a record seven times. However, this will be a difficult G1 Climax for Tanga Loa.
These will be his first matches since May of 2022, after he suffered a devastating knee injury. Can Loa handle such a grueling tournament after such a long absence? Those questions will be answered early in the B Block for sure.
NJPW G1 Climax 33 B Block
El Phantasmo
El Phantasmo is at a bit of a crossroads. He was booted out of the Bullet Club at Sakura Genesis after being part of the group for nearly four years. He attempted to get revenge against Bullet Club Leader David Finlay at NJPW Dominion but failed to win the NEVER Openweight Championship. Where does El Phantasmo go from here?
In his G1 debut last year, El Phantasmo fell just two points short of advancing out of the competitive D Block. He is also a two-time winner of the Super J-Cup. He is proven to be quite a tournament competitor in New Japan. Will his experience help him escape a dangerous B Block?
Taichi
Everyone’s favorite singer is back for his fifth straight G1 tournament. While Taichi had some success in his first two G1 tournaments, he has had little success in recent years. Can this member of Just Five Guys turn things around in 2023?
Taichi has focused more on singles action in 2023. He is the current KOPW champion, having defeated Shingo Takagi in late April. Can that success carry over to the G1?
NJPW G1 Climax 33 B Block
Will Ospreay
Will Ospreay finally did it. He defeated Kenny Omega in an all-time classic at Forbidden Door to win back the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. After overcoming his rival, where does Ospreay go from here?
He has a pretty big motivation heading into this year’s G1: Kazuchika Okada. Okada has always been the white whale for Ospreay. He lost to Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 16 and the G1 Climax final in 2022. Will overcame Omega this year. Can he finally defeat “The Rainmaker” as well?
Great-O-Khan
Great-O-Khan had held the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship for over 200 days. He had built up an undefeated record in the UK until losing the title just this past week to Michael Oku. Can the Great-O-Khan refocus heading into his 3rd G1 tournament?
It will certainly be a challenging block for Great-O-Khan. His best-ever record was 4-5 in 2021. With such a stacked block and his United Empire stablemate Will Ospreay in the group, can he possibly survive and advance?
NJPW G1 Climax 33 B Block
KENTA
KENTA came so close to advancing out of the G1 Climax Block in 2021 and 2022. In his 5th straight G1 appearance, can he finally break through and advance into the Elite Eight in 2023? He will certainly be coming in with a chip on his shoulder.
KENTA just lost his Strong Openweight Championship to Eddie Kingston on July 5th. Can this heartbreaking loss motivate him to succeed in the G1 Climax? He better be ready with rivals like El Phantasmo waiting in the wings.
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