AEW’s Eddie Kingston Added To the 2023 G1 Climax 33
New Japan Pro Wrestling is preparing for its annual tournament, the G1 Climax 33, starting in July. The tournament winner will be able to challenge for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 18 next year. The winner last year was Kazuchika Okada, and he would win the IWGP world title by defeating Jay White at Wrestle Kingdom 17 on Jan. 4.
The G1 Climax is known to have surprise participants that will enter alongside NJPW talent. This year is no exception, as the company announced the competitors to compete in this year's tournament. One of the surprises for G1 Climax 33 is NOAH superstar Kaito Kiyomiya, who will be the first Japanese talent not signed with NJPW to enter the tournament in seven years.
Fans may remember Kiyomiya for his viral kick to the face of Okada this year, so it will be interesting to see them have a match with each other in the G1 Climax 33. However, the biggest surprise was All Elite Wrestling superstar Eddie Kingston becoming a participant in the tournament. Kingston is healing from a hernia surgery he received on May 10, so it's unclear how healthy he will be when he competes next month. Regardless, The "Mad King" will make his G1 Climax debut and try to win it on his first try.
Most of the G1 Climax 33 will have familiar faces returning to the tournament. Veterans like Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii will try their best to perform well and win the G1 Climax 33. It will be Tanahashi's 22nd entry into the tournament, and he will have the most experience than any competitor this year. Other than Kingston and Kiyomiya, eight other competitors will be making their debut in the competition.
NJPW is advertising July 15 as the beginning of the G1 Climax 33. It's expected to conclude on Aug. 13. To watch the tournament, fans will have to subscribe to NJPW World, which is $9.99 in the United States.
