10 Reasons The G1 Climax Is Unmissable This Year
3. Kota Ibushi
Kota Ibushi is a funny chap. He seems to be as happy shooting fireworks at people and moonsaulting off rollercoasters in DDT as he would be main eventing major shows. Since he returned to New Japan he’s even been perfectly content to wrestle as Tiger Mask W - an anime character come to life.
Thankfully, the G1 will finally give fans the moment they have been clamouring for ever since W popped up and hit a rather too perfect Golden Triangle Mooonsault. Ibushi is taking off the mask and wrestling as himself, and it promises to be one hell of a sight. The Golden Star is not just a weird guy - he’s also one hell of a wrestler - and while he’d be a risky bet to win the thing, you can guarantee he’ll steal a few shows.
What this means for the long-term future of Kota Ibushi in New Japan is unknown. He might return to his alter ego, or we might finally see him have a run as himself for the first time since he walked out in 2016. Either way, we’ve got him for a whole G1’s worth of matches, and that is a call for celebration.