10 Reasons The G1 Climax Is Unmissable This Year
The G1 is fast approaching and you would be crazy be miss what is set to be a great year.
On 17 July in Hokkaido, the 27th G1 Climax will kick off with a card headlined by Hiroshi Tanahashi and Zack Sabre Jr. Over the next few weeks, the biggest stars in New Japan Pro Wrestling will battle it out and a winner will be decided at Sumo Hall on 13 August, earning themselves a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom.
The biggest event in New Japan's calendar outside of the 4 January show, you only need to look at the G1's history to understand its importance. The past winners list reads like a Hall of Fame, and a big part of what pushed these men to success was the prestige of the G1. It's a tournament where excellence isn't desired but expected as every man goes out there to one-up what has come before.
Even last year's tournament could already be said to have made its mark on history as Kenny Omega's win set up his already legendary feud with Okada. It was the spark that kickstarted a year that has seen New Japan go from strength to strength with the in-ring product being arguably the best in the world right now. If the one-upmanship is to continue, who knows what will happen this year?
10. Suzuki Causing Pain
Minoru Suzuki is a scary man and after a couple of years off, 2017 sees him return to the G1. A co-founder of Pancrase, he was influential in the rise of MMA in Japan. The years have passed since then, but even as he hits 49, you probably don't want to start a fight with him. Whether he’s twisting his opponents up in knots or beating up Young Lions, he takes a sadistic delight in causing as much pain as possible.
On top of that, Suzuki is one hell of a wrestler and has had previous Wrestling Observer Match of the Year bouts with Hiroshi Tanahashi and AJ Styles. Unfortunately, despite being one of the many to have had an outstanding encounter with Okada this year, his return to New Japan has been characterised by shenanigans as Suzuki-gun has interfered in nearly all his fights.
This means Suzuki has some lost time to make up for, and you can bet he’ll take pleasure in doing so. The only thing scarier than having ‘The Man With The Worst Personality In The World’ glaring at you is having him smile, as it guarantees you will soon be screaming.