Old news maybe to some, but its about time the International post go up in number, and this is a good place to start. With puroresufan.com as a source I’ll try and keep you, the RWW readers, up-to-date with the big annual tournament from New Japan Pro-Wrestling. The current line up is as follows:

Block A:
1. Hiroshi Tanahashi
2. Manabu Nakanishi
3. Wataru Inoue
4. Giant Bernard
5. Togi Makabe
6. Shinjiro Otani
7. Satoshi Kojima

Block B:
1. Hiroyoshi Tenzan
2. Yuji Nagata
3. Shinsuke Nakamura
4. Hirooki Goto
5. Toru Yano
6. Toshiaki Kawada
7. Yutaka Yoshie

This years tournament promises to be yet another classic, with some of NJPW’s top stars competing in it alongside three big name outsiders (including the legendary Kawada). There is still yet to be the 7th participant of Block A to be announced. It’s worth noting that this year there is an absence of the reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion, a title currently held by All Japan’s Keiji Mutoh. Though as said, there is still one participant to be announced and that could still be either the champ, or maybe yet another outsider – we’ll have to wait and see about that.

With the current participants, I think the returning Hiroshi Tanahashi (former 2-time IWGP Heavyweight and last years G1 winner) will be looking to come back strong and win the tournament, which will give him a chance to not only be a 2-time G1 winner, but also will give him a shot at whoever is the champ post-Nakanishi Vs. Mutoh. Tanahashi has proved he’s got all the tools to go far, after all he has already won this years New Japan Cup and was a finalist in AJPW’s Champions Carnival.

Though Tanahashi is my current prediction, there is so much talent with a whole lot to prove in the current line up. You’ve got the current contender for the belt, Nakanishi, who’s been on an epic roll of late, cutting down all competition in his path. Since Tenzan’s return he’s yet to grab something big, so winning yet another G1 would give him that main event boost he must be looking for. You’ve got the young Goto, who’s shown so so much promise, but perhaps not been able to capitalise in the best way just yet, though is on course to be getting that big win he deserves. Let’s also not forget the former champion Nakamura will be on the hunt to getting his title back, after the expecting long reign was cut short as the once supernova was beaten by the legend that is Mutoh. With so much talent as said, and a few dark horses (Makabe, Yano and the always viable Kawada for example) this is going to be yet another interesting and unpredictable G1 Climax.

IceChris is likely to write his opinions at a later date, but if you wish to add comments, please don’t be afraid to do so – just go ahead and post your thoughts and opinions on everything G1!

Thanks.