G1 Climax: Ranking The 9 Possible Finals

Here we go, fans. The G1 Climax is in the home stretch. Weeks of getting up early and suffering through Bad Luck Fale matches are about to pay off as the finalists from the A and B blocks are finally determined. It's been a long ride for NJPW fans, but as we approach the Budokan, the question remains: what will be this tournament's final?

The G1 Climax is the most important event on the New Japan calendar, so naturally, the final match is the most important all year. It determines half of the main event of next year's Wrestle Kingdom, so you need the right star power and story to generate interest.

And, since this is New Japan, you need excellent in-ring performers to deliver a match of the year candidate. Last year saw Tetsuya Naito and Kenny Omega break Dave Meltzer's rating system to perform possibly the greatest G1 final in history. Add in other recent classics such as Omega-Goto and Tanahashi-Nakamura, and this year's pending final has a lot to live up to.

Only one of nine possible matches will be the G1 Final. So let's find out together which is the most deserving to close what has been an amazing month of wrestling.

Jay White has been one of the breakout stars of this year's G1. While he's certainly had a good push since his return from excursion (a match with Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom, joining CHAOS, winning the US title), he had underwhelmed many. His Wrestle Kingdom match didn't light the world on fire, his US title reign was fairly quiet, and as a member of CHAOS, he teetered awkwardly on the line between face and heel.

However, for the G1, White came out in a big way, defeating Okada and Tanahashi back-to-back in dastardly heelish fashion. From there, the Switchblade has gotten incredibly over as a baddie, refining his character, and delivering quality matches throughout the tournament.

Kota Ibushi, of course, is self-explanatory. Now back together with Kenny Omega, the Golden Star is in the midst of a new renaissance as he delivers stunning match of the year candidates against the likes of Tomohiro Ishii and Tetsuya Naito. Only behind Kenny Omega as they prepare for their first one-on-one match in six years, Ibushi remains many's favorite to win the B block and the tournament itself.

While this match could certainly deliver in-ring, it just doesn't feel like a proper G1 Climax final. White has been great throughout the tour, but he still doesn't quite feel like a tippy-top guy yet. Plus, given that he has no real pre-established history with Ibushi, this matchup just feels random more than anything else.