PWInsider - WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE

NJPW G1 CLIMAX 2024 PREVIEW

G1 Climax 34 - Quick preview:

The G1 Climax 34 line-up is as follows:

A Block

Shota Umino

Tetsuya Naito

SANADA

Great O-Khan

Gabe Kidd

Shingo Takagi

Jake Lee

Zack Sabre Jr.

EVIL

Callum Newman

B Block

El Phantasmo

HENARE

Hirooki Goto

Jeff Cobb

Yota Tsuji

Konosuke Takeshita

Yuya Uemura

David Finlay

Ren Narita

Boltin Oleg

This lineup is more streamlined without any foreign talents from outside organizations.  Takeshita wrestles in AEW, but also is in DDT in Japan so his transition into this grueling tour should be easier.   This event will be easier to follow with 2 Blocks instead of 4 Blocks.

This will be a different G1 without Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano, KENTA, YOSHI-HASHI,  Guerillas of Destiny, Taichi, Chase Owens and Kazuchika Okada.   New Japan is putting the emphasis on the younger generation of wrestlers, which is a gamble.  After New Japan Soul, it is also clear that the company sees Boltin Oleg as their next big superstar.   Oleg was put over by both Tanahashi and Taichi in recent events.  Oleg clearly recognized what is being done for him, and was grateful for it as he hugged both of his opponents after the match.  His entrance video still calls him a "young lion" but he is being groomed to be a top level star.   Oleg will have to stay healthy and avoid major injuries in the G1. 

Callum Newman also got the win tonight, but he has been the fall guy in most United Empire tag matches over the past year.  He is a good wrestler and he needs to break away from the comparisons to Will Ospreay.   Newman should get a new finishing move, and use it in the G1 Climax matches.  SANADA started using the Dead Fall DDT in the G1 to pick up wins, which lead to his accension to the World TItle.  Newman should do the same.

I can see Shota Umino or EVIL winning the G1 for different reasons.   Umino wins the G1 and he and Naito can feud till Wrestle Kingdom.    EVIL could win the G1 and have a House of Torture vs. LIJ feud till January.

With the addition of Wrestle Dynasty, there could be a lot of possibilities as we head towards 2025.    

G1 Climax 34 begins on July 20 with 10 Block matches.

Thank you for reading.

 

 

If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!

• Tweet