Though wrestling isn’t a form of entertainment that holds much interest for me anymore, I still follow Japanese wrestling religiously. This is one of the most exciting weeks in the Japanese wrestling calendar since new stars are made and classic matches always happen.
Since 1991 this tournament has been the high point of the summer in terms of wrestling. Even when the company had it’s disastrous flirtation with MMA in the early 2000s, the G1 was still able to be a showcase of Strong Style and the spirit of wrestling. Since one on one matchups are a bit rare in Japan and usually saved for special occasions. The G1 is one of those times where special one-off matches take place. There are always upsets every year. A top star will drop his opening match to a young lion then go on to win the rest of his matches, meaning the young lion looks strong and the star doesn’t seem any weaker. The G1 is when these New Japan stars really shine, determined to make an impression on the fans and the company in order to secure their future. Only the January 4th Tokyo Dome show can even compare to the atmosphere of the G1.
The last two years have seen upsets in the final winner. Two years ago it was the young lion Hirooki Goto, fresh from his excursion to Mexico, who went on to win the tournament. It was unprecedented for a young lion that hadn’t even made it to a secure spot on the midcard to take the prestigious G1. It turned out for the best since Goto now leads NJPW Sekigun against the heels and outsiders, alongside Hiroshi Tanahashi of course. Last year it was Togi Makabe picking up the unlikely win over Shinsuke Nakamura in the final. It had seemed to be Nakamura’s year to win. He was the ace of the company, he hadn’t won the tournament before, he had several IWGP reigns behind him, he had gone undefeated through the preliminaries and it was his time. That is what made Makabe’s win all the more important. It set up a top-level heel by dashing everyone’s hopes and expectations. Rarely does a heel win the G1 as the tournament either cements or creates a company ace. Last year it created a top villain. As Togi Makabe is the current IWGP champion and gets a huge reaction, I’d say the plan worked.
This year we have a lot of strong contenders to look at, from former champions to top outsiders. I’ll group them and discuss their prospects.
THE ACES
Hiroshi Tanahashi
He’s the face of NJPW right now and has returned from several recent injuries to be in this tournament. Not likely to get to the end but will have a strong showing that he can build off in order to get back to the top of the card after his injuries.
Hirooki Goto
His momentum is huge at the moment it seems. He won two years ago and turned that into major success. Might make the semis and might not. He’s doing well enough on his own not to need the win. It wouldn’t hurt him to win and would certainly mean a title reign by the end of the year. I just don’t think he’ll need the win to continue his success.
Shinsuke Nakamura - My pick to win the whole tournament. I think he’ll start off weak and then go undefeated all the way to the final. He’s going to make a showing for sure. The most important New Japan star that hasn’t won the G1. It’s his time. Hell it was his time last year, but that was fine as I’ve said. This time it’s Nakamura’s year to win. He’s one of the most visible stars in New Japan and that always equates to success.
THE YOUNG LIONS
Tetsuya Naito - He’s one half of the tag champions and has been more successful than young lions 10 years ago. Not likely to get higher than midtable in his group. He’ll be an impact in a few years, but won’t manage much this time.
Yujiro Takahashi - Naito’s partner will fare about the same. Probably will go bottom of the group. Don’t expect too much from this young lion just yet. Watch out down the line, though.
THE OUTSIDERS
Satoshi Kojima - Surprise inclusion this year as he makes his G1 return after just leaving AJPW. Outside wrestlers never win the tournament, wouldn’t make sense. Sometimes they make the finals and lose to make a winner look strong against other feds, but that’s it. Don’t think he’ll make the final this year. If he’s in New Japan, he’ll have to start from the middle.
Go Shiozaki - If an outsider had a chance to make the finals it would be Shiozaki. He probably won’t, though, as NOAH and New Japan aren’t really feuding. Likely he’s just their to focus on the Tanahashi-Shiozaki feud. Maybe make the finals, maybe make the semis.
THE JUNIORS
Prince Devitt - The Irish sensation is setting New Japan on fire recently. He’s one of the token juniors that made the G1, though he was a last minute replacement for Naomichi Marufuji. Like all juniors in the G1 (except Koji Kanemoto that one time) he isn’t far. Devitt IS the junior division right now so it won’t hurt him to do poorly in the heavyweight-centric division.
Wataru Inoue - I still consider him a junior. Not going to do well at all. Doesn’t have a great record against heavyweights. Filler, really. He’ll compete with Yujiro for bottom of his block.
THE FOREIGNERS
Giant Bernard - The top foreigner in New Japan since Scott Norton, even bigger than Sapp or Lesnar (Bernard is sticking around and making an impact, rather than fucking no-showing title matches). If any of the foreigners are going to get far it’s going to be Bernard. He’s never going to win the thing but he could certainly be in the finals. He has won the New Japan Cup in the past but is unlikely to win the big one. He’ll make a great impact.
Strong Man - I don’t even know who this is, and I don’t care. He’s pure filler. I’m sure they could’ve found someone better to take his spot but there it is. He’ll lose and never be seen again.
Karl Anderson - The Machine Gun is Bernard’s number 2 in the company. He’s made a name for himself by winning the tag titles with Bernard. In this tournament he might get a win or two but nothing more.
THE VETERANS
Yuji Nagata - The Blue Justice leader is always a strong contender in these tournaments. He won in 2001 I believe and has had two reigns as champion and was the ace in the early 2000s. Past his prime now for sure, but that doesn’t mean a thing when it comes to this tournament. Though recent trends in Japan have shifted towards youngsters, the tradition in the company is that the veterans are the winners. Age = strength. Simple as that. Chono won a few years ago and he wasn’t favored at all due to age. What I’m saying is that I think Nagata has a chance to win this. It could propel him towards a match with Makabe and could lead to a third IWGP reign or a solid defense for Makabe. I think he’s got a chance.
Manabu Nakanishi - Won the G1 in 2000 but never won the title until 2008 (or was it 2009?) so he has a history of success. Doesn’t have a lot of momentum right now and is getting older, but neither of those mean a thing as a G1 win could turn everything around. I’m not sure he wins it this time, but maybe he will 10 years after winning his first one. Or he could be a solid opponent and wall in the semis for one of the finalists. Whatever happens I’m sure he’ll do well.
THE VILLAINS
Togi Makabe - Last years winner and the current champion. He won’t win it because that wouldn’t make any sense. The tournament creates a challenger for the champion, so having the champ win the thing would be counterproductive. He’ll definitely look good coming out of the tournament but won’t win it. Has no chance.
Toru Yano - I’ve always liked Yano. He’s that sort of heel that is like a street thug. He has an attitude and you don’t fuck with him. He’s always scowling too. He has a permanent scowl! Sadly he’s not due to make it to the top at any point in his career. It’ll be tag reigns and midcard feuds with other stars. He’ll make the mid-table, maybe lower, this year and won’t even have a sniff of the overall win. It won’t stop him though since he doesn’t even need wins to keep up his place.
That’s it for the contenders. Check out Strong Style Symphony for daily updates on all the action. It’s the best New Japan website and the one I personally go to. I’ll be back after the tournament to talk about the winner.
BOM-BA-YE!!!!
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