We are churning our way through 2018 and the standard of wrestling, on the whole, has been incredible. There are always opportunities for outstanding wrestling but the G1 Climax always provides a host of great matches, and these days it is pretty much guaranteed to have at least one 5 star classic. With that in mind, I will look at who I would like to see in this year's tournament, and which Block I would like to see them in.
Missing The Cut
Chris Jericho - While there are a whole host of potentially great matches on offer, there are a couple of reasons why I don't think Y2J should be in this tournament. Firstly, the schedule is brutal and Jericho is a part-timer. Secondly, I feel like Jericho works better as a special attraction.
Cody - While Cody's gimmick is is brilliant, and he can be carried to a great match, the G1 is more of a showcase for the best in-ring workers, and Cody isn't that.
Chuckie T & Beretta - I love Chuckie T but he just about missed the cut here. Beretta is injured and I'm not sure he will be back in time for this tournament.
Most of the tag division - This is nothing against the wrestlers in the tag division, some of them are fantastic, but it is obvious that they aren't going to win, and their matches are often some of the more forgettable ones.
Jeff Cobb - I love Jeff Cobb, and he has already made his NJPW debut, but he just about missed the list. Having said that, I would still be a happy chap if he was in the tournament.
Tomoaki Honma - I adore Honma and it is wonderful to see him back but the G1 is not a wise idea after returning from a long injury.
Jeff Cobb - I love Jeff Cobb, and he has already made his NJPW debut, but he just about missed the list. Having said that, I would still be a happy chap if he was in the tournament.
Tomoaki Honma - I adore Honma and it is wonderful to see him back but the G1 is not a wise idea after returning from a long injury.
Block A
Kenny Omega
Kota Ibushi
Hiroshi Tanahashi
Minoru Suzuki
EVIL
Hirooki Goto
Juice Robinson
Matt Riddle
Kento Miyahara
Shingo Takagi
There are more freelancers than you would normally see in a G1 block but they all deserve a spot here. Riddle would have to stop smoking weed for a month but he would add a ton to this tournament and could have wonderful matches against all of the other wrestlers, particularly Suzuki and Omega. Miyahara and Shingo are two of the best Japanese wrestlers not contracted to New Japan and would provide a plethora of dream matches.
As far as the rest of the block goes, the possibilities are endless. Having Omega, Ibushi, and Tanahashi in the same Block pretty much guarantees something special. I honestly don't think that there is a single match that doesn't have the potential to be great. The least appealing match is arguably Juice vs Goto, and they have already produced one great match this year.
If it was up to me, and for the purpose of this article it is, the last match of the block would be Omega vs Ibushi. I would have a third wrestler (Tanahashi, Suzuki or Miyahara) head into that match as the block leader, but only by a point. This would mean that both Omega and Ibushi would have to go all out to beat the other and top the block. I would have Ibushi go over, giving him his first G1 final and setting up more matches with Omega, and if he wins the tournament we get Omega vs Ibushi to close out Wrestle Kingdom, and that will be delightful.
Block B
Kazuchika Okada
Tetsuya Naito
Tomohiro Ishii
WALTER
Zack Sabre Jr
Hangman Page
Daisuke Sekimoto
Togi Makabe
SANADA
Jay White
Once again there are a couple of freelancers on show here but Sekimoto has recently wrestled on a New Japan show, and he would be incredible in this tournament, and WALTER has fully established himself as one of the very best wrestlers on the planet. The thought of WALTER going against Okada, Ishii, or Naito should be enough for anyone to want this. Make it happen Gedo.
The rest of the block is a mixture of main eventers and up and comers that can benefit greatly from facing the company's top stars. Okada, Naito, Ishii, and Sabre are are at an incredible level and the opportunities for incredible matches are numerous. Jay White and Hangman Page have the ability to be seen as upper card talents in the company but they need to put in a number of great performances against the top talent. Page, in particular, has been showing that he has a massive upside.
Okada, Naito and Sabre Jr would be the most logical choices to top the group but I would give the nod to Ishii. He has been putting in top notch performances for a long time now and he deserves to be rewarded for that. I would still have Ibushi win the tournament but it would be a great, and fresh, final match.
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