It is the most wonderful time of the year with NJPW G1 Climax 35 B Block. It is G1 Climax time! The G1 Climax is arguably the most prestigious pro wrestling tournament in the world.
The 35th edition of the G1 remains in its traditional summer slot. This particular tournament will continue the G1’s traditional format of two ten-wrestler blocks.
We even have a competitor from All Elite Wrestling in this year’s tournament. We have the makings of another truly memorable G1 Climax tournament.
G1 Climax tournament will have two ten-wrestler blocks competing in a very grueling round robin tournament. The top three wrestlers from each block will compete in the playoffs on August 14th, the semifinals on August 16th, and the finals on August 17th. Let us take a closer look at the loaded B Block field which starts on July 19th.
NJPW G1 Climax 35 B Block:
Zack Sabre Jr.
Zack Sabre Jr. is in a much different place heading into this year’s G1 Climax tournament. He is the defending G1 Champion and the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. It is certainly a much different role for Sabre Jr. to be the hunted one in 2025.
The problem with being the current champion is everyone will give you their best shot. Lose in your Block matches and you will likely have to give your opponent a future World title opportunity. Can Sabre Jr. possibly repeat with all this added pressure?
Gabe Kidd
Gabe Kidd has always seen himself as not getting the respect he truly deserves. But he has certainly had some major breakthroughs in 2025.
He finally won the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship and had wrestled in some of the biggest matches in NJPW and AEW this year. Will all the success prove a distraction?
One place Kidd has not had as much success is in the G1. It is his third G1 and his best result was eight points. Can he finally get the “monkey off his back” and break through the dangerous B Block?
El Phantasmo
It has been an emotional rollercoaster for El Phantasmo in the past year. In October 2024, he was diagnosed with cancer. He returned just two months later and quickly won the NJPW World Television Championship for his first singles title in New Japan. He is now a two-time NJPW World Television Champion.
With his success in 2025, can this be his breakthrough year in the G1? He is making his fourth appearance in the tournament, but his best finish ever was just three wins. Can he make it to the playoffs this time around? It will take quite a performance in a tough B Block.
Shota Umino
It has been a year of heartbreak for Shota Umino. He lost in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 19. He lost in the final of the New Japan Cup. He even lost a second World Heavyweight Title opportunity in Chicago in April.
Can Umino turn the year around? He will have plenty of opportunities for revenge. He will face Zack Sabre Jr. and Shingo Takagi in B Block, two competitors who gave him his most heartbreaking losses of 2025. If Umino is to turn around his fortunes, this will be his best opportunity.
NJPW G1 Climax 35 B Block
YOSHI-HASHI
YOSHI-HASHI is back in the G1 Tournament for the eighth time. The best that this New Japan Veteran has ever done is 3-3 in 2022. Can the 43 year old veteran improve his performance in 2025?
YOSHI-HASHI might have some additional motivation. His frequent tag team partner, Hirooki Goto, will be out of the tournament.
And the man that took his title, Zack Sabre Jr, is also in B Block with YOSHI-HASHI. Can YOSHI get revenge for his friend?
Shingo Takagi
Will the seventh time be the charm for Shingo Takagi? It is amazing to think the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion’s best ever finish was his semifinal appearance just last year. Can the “Rampage Dragon” do even better in 2025?
He will have some big rivals in B Block this year. Konosuke Takeshita, Shota Umino and Zack Sabre Jr. all have defeated Takagi in the past year in big matches and are part of B Block too. If that cannot motivate Shingo, what truly can?
Great-O-Khan
Great–O-Khan hadn’t had a lot of success in the G1 Climax. That is until 2024. Great-O-Khan actually made it to the playoffs for the first time. He lost to Shingo Takagi.
Can Great-O-Khan improve on his performance at G1 Climax 35? He did defeat El Phantasmo earlier this year for the NJPW Television Title but also lost it back to El Phantasmo just 24 days later.
He can get revenge against El Phantasmo, Shingo Takagi and even YOSHI-HASHI in B Block this year. It will still be hard to improve on his 2024 run. But Great-O-Khan certainly has the talent to do so.
NJPW G1 Climax 35 B Block
Konosuke Takeshita
Konosuke Takeshita was nothing short of spectacular in his first G1 in 2024. He made it all the way to the playoffs. “The Alpha” had shown no signs of slowing down in New Japan or AEW since last August.
Takeshita was the AEW International Champion for nearly 150 days. He was even a double champion for a while holding the NEVER Openweight Championship for 162 days until Dominion.
Will he take all his success in 2025 and improve in his second G1 appearance? It would be a mistake to bet against Konosuke for sure.
NJPW G1 Climax 35 B Block
Ren Narita
The dangerous Ren Narita is back for his third consecutive G1 Climax. The vicious House of Torture member came so close to the playoffs in 2024 with a 5-4 record. Can he make the next step in a loaded B Block?
He will have a big rival in B Block, Gabe Kidd. Kidd defeated Narita in the New Japan Cup just to watch Ren cost him in a later New Japan Cup match.
At Wrestling Dontaku, Kidd drove Narita through a barbed wire table in the Steel Cage Match. Will Narita and House of Torture get their revenge yet again, this time in the G1?
NJPW G1 Climax 35 B Block
Drilla Moloney
Drill Moloney is making his G1 debut in the very experienced B Block. But despite his limited tournament experience, it would be a mistake to dismiss the 28-year-old Englishman at G1 Climax 35. He is a former two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.
At New Year’s Dash 2025, Moloney announced he was moving to the Heavyweight division. In just a few short months, he has defeated Shingo Takagi and Tomohiro Ishii twice in singles action. He is capable of winning big matches and will have the chance to prove it yet again in the G1.
