Fantasy-Booking A WWE G1 Climax
5. Benefiting Through Wrestling
The G1 is the epitome of New Japan's stance on the 'sports entertainment' moniker. The major storyline of the tournament is the competitors' drive to capture the prestigious title, precisely the storyline found in most sporting tournaments. Most of the bells and whistles are thrown out, with a narrow focus on in-ring performance and the strive for glory. Personal rivalries are present, but take a backseat to the sporting feel of the tournament.
As a result, the G1 allows wrestlers to get over with fans simply through their ability to put on quality matches. Character, gimmick and promo-cutting don't have a significant role when there's no airtime to fill.
A perfect example of the benefits a spot in the G1 can bring is Tomohiro Ishii. At 5'7", 220lbs, the Stone Pitbull is not the picture of a pro wrestling sensation. The G1 however, is his playground, where he consistently puts on insane matches and commands the admiration of the fans.
There are plenty of maligned WWE superstars who would love a three-week wrestling showcase. Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler and Cesaro may not make huge strides in the win column of the G1, but they would dazzle the fans with their athleticism. It would certainly be one way of reigniting a superstar's fire.