Every NJPW G1 Climax 28 Entrant Ranked From Least To Most Likely To Win

4. Kenny Omega

Kenny Omega Young Bucks Kota Ibushi
NJPW

Though taking the G1 Climax grants the winner an IWGP Heavyweight Title match at the January 4th Tokyo Dome show, the Champion winning the tournament isn't outwith the realms of possibility. Keiji Mutoh and Kensuke Sasaki have both done it in the past, and if Kenny Omega is to triumph this summer, he'll earn the right to name his own opponent for Wrestle Kingdom 13.

'The Cleaner's' recent G1 record is tremendous, having defeated Hirooki Goto in the 2016 finals, but fallen to Tetsuya Naito in 2017. This makes it hard to rule him out, though New Japan are yet to have an IWGP Champion win the G1 since introducing the Money In The Bank-esque "challenge rights certificate" briefcase in 2012.

Omega doesn't need the victory. His June 9 win over Kazuchika Okada placed him atop the wrestling world, and Gedo will probably hand Kenny a few G1 losses, thus setting up a pre-Wrestle Kingdom title defence or two. Don't rule Omega out, though.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.