10 NJPW Stars Who NEED A Memorable G1 Climax Run

7. Tama Tonga

Tetsuya Naito Table
njpw1972.com

Tama Tonga is a cult favourite within the NJPW fandom, particularly the western chapter; absolutely unflappable, the guy positively radiates no-f*cks-given cool.

He is also very talented - a talent that he has thus far only shown within the tag team division, in explosive cameos that showcase a literally hidden-in-plain-sight slithering menace coiled to unleash the massive mark-out moment that is his rocket-powered Stinger splash. During last year's tournament, Tonga failed to make an impression on either the Block standings nor its blinding in-ring legacy. He was there to literally make up the numbers, sad as that may read for those who gravitate towards Tonga even when he does nothing, like when he hilariously no-sold the squabbling between Cody and Kenny Omega earlier this year. It seems like now or NEVER for Tama Tonga, at 36; he has improved exponentially within New Japan, but New Japan's main event scene improves exponentially in parallel, leaving him in an endless pursuit.

Either he does enough to secure something in the manner of an Intercontinental Title programme come August, or is destined to roam the NEVER regions.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!