Which G1 Climax entrant has pleasantly surprised you thus far? For me, it would have to be Shane Haste. His match and huge upset win over Tetsuya Naito really put him on the map and he had a solid bout with stablemate ZSJ as well. The man has the tools to make a big impact in NJPW.

20 comments

1. hikuleo

2. SANADA. He was pretty meh the previous years unless his opponent is Okada or ZSJ. He made a compelling champion. Partly because of the booking but the way he presents himself now makes a big difference for me.

   As for his actual matches. I like that he doesn’t seem to be unbeatable. His opponents get significant offense in but he gets the upper hand by outmaneuvering them and not necessarily through fighting spirit.

3. I suppose its the opinion of a lot of people here, but Gabe Kidd show the world that he is the perfect addition to the Reiwa Musketeers and a future main eventer

4. I don’t care what you all say.

   EVIL will win it all.
   Because EVERYTHING IS

   #EVIL

5. Gabe Kidd has been my biggest surprise.

6. Henare has looked beastly.

7. Gabe Kidd is the standout for me.

   Though I do like that some of the percieved “throwaway” entrants have had some sort of moment to shine. Coughlin manhandling Cobb, Mikey Nicholls going way harder than expected against HENARE, Haste getting a surprise win on Naito and Gabe Kidd exuding all the hater energy.

8. Mikey Nicholls has impressed the hell out of me. Kingston has been entertaining, nothing new from him mind you, but putting on some good matches too.

9. I’m late I’m just on day 8 now, but from what I’ve seen..
   A Block : Gabe Kidd, he talked a lot so i didn’t know what to expect. Happy to see he can back it up in the ring, and he exudes dickhead charisma.
   B Block : Yoshi Hashi, he’s fucking good now. He’s been great as a tag team wrestler, and he showed out this G1
   C Block : Henare and Mikey Nicholls, they fit right in with Shingo, Ishii and Eddie. Holy meat slappers.
   D Block : Shane Haste, I always thought he had something special when I saw him in TM61. Glad to see him succeed.

10. Boring because everyone else has said it but Gabe Kidd

    The guy really let loose and gave the G1 a much needed edge, hell he’s giving NJPW a much needed edge. Last guy that genuinely looked this “real” to me was Moxley and that was 4 years ago

11. I’d say shota umino has really showed me he’s the future face of new Japan. He’s starting to get insane crowd reactions and all of his matches have had great energy. His match with Kaito is weirdly my favorite match.

12. I’ve never connected with TAICHi until this G1, switch up the gimmick and push him into the main event. The guy can go.

13. I give it to him – Shota Umino. Of course he still needs to find his own character, but his wrestling improved big time.

14. Coughlin. He’s not been booked strong, but he’s fully convincing in this new character. The viciousness, the intensity, the way he brutally picked Goto apart, being so busy trying to injure Shane Haste that he cost himself the match. Coughlin looks like he’s about to forget wrestling is fake and try to murder his opponent for real. It’s great.

15. I just wanted Alex Coughlin to win a few matches. Just a few. After that promo, he was ready. But instead…he beat Hirooki Goto. Who he’d already beaten.

16. I feel you’re all overlooking our lord and saviour Taichi.

    Really enjoyed Tsuji so far. Heck I’ve even found myself rooting for Henare.

17. Haste & Nicholls both showing out huge!!

18. Nicholls and Henare are probably my 2. The booking should have backed Henare’s reinvention more, but whatevs

19. Mikey Nicholls for sure. I’ve never seen any of his matches before this tournament but god damn that man leaves everything in the ring every single night

20. Gave Kidd and SANADA