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

Tanahashi's IWGP Intercontinental Championship win shows that New Japan still value the drawing power of The ACE. He's a main-event stalwart, and can make magic with whomever he's paired with. Add to that his two previous G1 Climax trophies and you've got yourself a contender.

Being Intercontinental Champion should rule Tanahashi out of this year's competition, but his experience in the Tokyo Dome main event is the envy of most wrestlers. He is a proven commodity in the eyes of the Japanese fans, and while he has stepped away from the IWGP Heavyweight Title picture since Wrestle Kingdom 10, he won't be gone forever.

A resurgent Tanahashi could win a future G1 as his last gasp effort at Okada's belt. A feud like theirs must be rekindled eventually, and while Wrestle Kingdom 12 is perhaps too early, the NJPW bookers may not think so.