G1 Climax Block A Preview
The G1 Climax is New Japan Pro Wrestling's most prestigious of their many tournaments and was first won by Antonio Inoki in 1974 when it was known as World League. Since then the tournament has been known as MSG League, International Wrestling Grand Prix League, World Cup Tournament, and from 1991, won by Masahiro Chono, the G1 Climax. The winner of the G1 goes on to face the IWGP Heavyweight Champion at Wrestle Kingdom the following year in contests that are always Match of the Year contenders. As is tradition, in 2018 the wrestlers have once again been split into Blocks A & B with the winners of each block facing off in the final.
Block A this year is the more star studded of the two blocks as it features previous winners Hiroshi Tanahashi (2007, 2015) Kazuchika Okada (2012, 2014) and Togi Makabe (2009), who will bring not just star-power but also the experience necessary to win such a grueling tournament, one which requires strength, endurance, technical ability, and the ability to step up to the occasion, something which all three men possess. 'The Ace' Tanahashi will be opening the competition on July 14th opposite Minoru Suzuki in what should be a thriller of a match which not just pits two of the best talents in the world against one another, but one which sees two rival faction members face off, Tanahashi representing Taguchi Japan and, Suzuki, Suzuki Gun. In terms of rookies to the tournament Block A plays host to two men that have proved over the past 12 months exactly why they deserve a place among the greats, these being the 'Switchblade' and current US Champion Jay White, and Hangman Page. The interest here is that White and Page faced off in a thriller of a match at Strongstyle Evolved earlier this year in a contest over the US Title in which Page pushed White to the limit before the Australian was able to get the victory and retain the title. We will have to wait until 30th July to find out who will win the next match between the two and whether Page can get any redemption against the Switchblade.
The biggest match of Block A will be Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi, two men that are two time G1 winners, and two men that have held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship seven and four times respectively. The Rainmaker and The Ace have faced off at shows multiple shows over the past five years including Wrestle Kingdom 9, Wrestle Kingdom 10, and Sakura Genesis 2018.
The two stalwarts, who in my opinion are the greatest NJPW wrestlers of all time, will come to blows once again on August 10th in a match that is set to thrill fans around the world.
Other wrestlers in Block A include Michael Elgin, Yoshi-Hashi, Bad Luck Fale, and Evil. Personally I can see Jay White winning in an upset victory, but who would you like to see win Block A? Please comment, like, and return soon for the Block B Preview.
Block A this year is the more star studded of the two blocks as it features previous winners Hiroshi Tanahashi (2007, 2015) Kazuchika Okada (2012, 2014) and Togi Makabe (2009), who will bring not just star-power but also the experience necessary to win such a grueling tournament, one which requires strength, endurance, technical ability, and the ability to step up to the occasion, something which all three men possess. 'The Ace' Tanahashi will be opening the competition on July 14th opposite Minoru Suzuki in what should be a thriller of a match which not just pits two of the best talents in the world against one another, but one which sees two rival faction members face off, Tanahashi representing Taguchi Japan and, Suzuki, Suzuki Gun. In terms of rookies to the tournament Block A plays host to two men that have proved over the past 12 months exactly why they deserve a place among the greats, these being the 'Switchblade' and current US Champion Jay White, and Hangman Page. The interest here is that White and Page faced off in a thriller of a match at Strongstyle Evolved earlier this year in a contest over the US Title in which Page pushed White to the limit before the Australian was able to get the victory and retain the title. We will have to wait until 30th July to find out who will win the next match between the two and whether Page can get any redemption against the Switchblade.
The biggest match of Block A will be Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi, two men that are two time G1 winners, and two men that have held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship seven and four times respectively. The Rainmaker and The Ace have faced off at shows multiple shows over the past five years including Wrestle Kingdom 9, Wrestle Kingdom 10, and Sakura Genesis 2018.
The two stalwarts, who in my opinion are the greatest NJPW wrestlers of all time, will come to blows once again on August 10th in a match that is set to thrill fans around the world.
Other wrestlers in Block A include Michael Elgin, Yoshi-Hashi, Bad Luck Fale, and Evil. Personally I can see Jay White winning in an upset victory, but who would you like to see win Block A? Please comment, like, and return soon for the Block B Preview.
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