Shootkick Man
06-27-2016, 08:00 PM
A few select matches were released for the upcoming G1 CLIMAX 26. Following the announcements of the competitors in the split blocks.
Among the news is Tanahashi making his return to the ring after being taken out of action in May thanks to an assault by Kenny Omega and BULLET CLUB. He will be competing the in the A BLOCK along with the reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada. Which this marks the first time since 2013 that the two will be in the same block and the two will have their fated G1 rematch on the final day of the A BLOCK matches on August 12. The A BLOCK will feature three men from CHAOS, first being Okada, then along with Tomohiro Ishii and Hirooki Goto. This shall present an interesting dynamic in the block especially when they inevitably face Okada, vs Goto 7/25 & vs Ishii on 8/6, throughout the course of the G1. Among the debuts of the block will be BC’s Tama Tonga and the freelance mercenary of L.I.J.’s SANADA (Seiya Sanada). Tonga aims to continue claiming the ranks of the heavyweight division, while SANADA will have some key matches namely in his first ever singles match against Tanahashi on 7/18 and then a rematch against Okada on 7/23. Naomichi Marufuji will be making his long-awaited return to the New Japan ring as he will be making his second ever appearance in the G1. The “ace” of Pro Wrestling NOAH will have plenty of challenges before him, and his first ever singles match against Okada on the opening day of the G1 on 7/18.
The B BLOCK may not the bulk of the leading names, but will surely offer some of the more fierce and physical matches of their own to keep the interest high. The current NEVER Openweight Champion Katsuyori Shibata is getting the top billing along with the veteran Yuji Nagata. The two have been at odds against one other for much of this year and it seems their rivalry will end up a make or break for one of them in the G1 as they are set against each other near the end of the tournament, 8/10. The former IWGP Heavyweight Champion has also been placed in the B BLOCK as he looks to get back in the hunt to reclaim the belt. Though this means that he will be taking on his fellow “ LOS INGOBERNABLES de JAPON” teammate in EVIL, 8/7. This match could either be respectful encounter for the two or the beginning of something more. The new IWGP Intercontinental Champion Michael Elgin has been placed in the block as well as he looks to further climb the ranks. With that leaving the former IC Champion in Kenny Omega looking for revenge as he and Elgin will face on the 7/30. As for the debuts in the G1 we have the aforementioned EVIL and Kenny Omega who joins along with YOSHI-HASHI, who finally receives his long-awaited dream to be in the league, and then NOAH’s Katsuhiko Nakajima. Nakajima is known for having the heaviest kicks in Japan today, on par with his former mentor’s, Kensuke Sasaki, heavy-handed chops, and his match against Shibata on 7/24 should be garnering a bit of attention.
Among the news is Tanahashi making his return to the ring after being taken out of action in May thanks to an assault by Kenny Omega and BULLET CLUB. He will be competing the in the A BLOCK along with the reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada. Which this marks the first time since 2013 that the two will be in the same block and the two will have their fated G1 rematch on the final day of the A BLOCK matches on August 12. The A BLOCK will feature three men from CHAOS, first being Okada, then along with Tomohiro Ishii and Hirooki Goto. This shall present an interesting dynamic in the block especially when they inevitably face Okada, vs Goto 7/25 & vs Ishii on 8/6, throughout the course of the G1. Among the debuts of the block will be BC’s Tama Tonga and the freelance mercenary of L.I.J.’s SANADA (Seiya Sanada). Tonga aims to continue claiming the ranks of the heavyweight division, while SANADA will have some key matches namely in his first ever singles match against Tanahashi on 7/18 and then a rematch against Okada on 7/23. Naomichi Marufuji will be making his long-awaited return to the New Japan ring as he will be making his second ever appearance in the G1. The “ace” of Pro Wrestling NOAH will have plenty of challenges before him, and his first ever singles match against Okada on the opening day of the G1 on 7/18.
The B BLOCK may not the bulk of the leading names, but will surely offer some of the more fierce and physical matches of their own to keep the interest high. The current NEVER Openweight Champion Katsuyori Shibata is getting the top billing along with the veteran Yuji Nagata. The two have been at odds against one other for much of this year and it seems their rivalry will end up a make or break for one of them in the G1 as they are set against each other near the end of the tournament, 8/10. The former IWGP Heavyweight Champion has also been placed in the B BLOCK as he looks to get back in the hunt to reclaim the belt. Though this means that he will be taking on his fellow “ LOS INGOBERNABLES de JAPON” teammate in EVIL, 8/7. This match could either be respectful encounter for the two or the beginning of something more. The new IWGP Intercontinental Champion Michael Elgin has been placed in the block as well as he looks to further climb the ranks. With that leaving the former IC Champion in Kenny Omega looking for revenge as he and Elgin will face on the 7/30. As for the debuts in the G1 we have the aforementioned EVIL and Kenny Omega who joins along with YOSHI-HASHI, who finally receives his long-awaited dream to be in the league, and then NOAH’s Katsuhiko Nakajima. Nakajima is known for having the heaviest kicks in Japan today, on par with his former mentor’s, Kensuke Sasaki, heavy-handed chops, and his match against Shibata on 7/24 should be garnering a bit of attention.