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NJPW G1 Climax 28: The Favorites, The Dark Horses, and The Longshots

By Weston Gibbon

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The Longshots:

Hirooki Goto

Goto probably isn’t much of a threat since he’s busy having an excellent NEVER Openweight Championship reign. If he wasn’t, he’d definitely be a top pick to win this G1 Climax. Never say never with someone as important to the company as him, but it honestly wouldn’t make much sense.

Chance to win B Block: 3%

Chance to win G1 28: 1%

EVIL/SANADA

These guys are, without a doubt, a massive part of New Japan’s bright future. It just isn’t quite their time yet. Both of them just entered into their thirties, so they’re sure to start becoming more regular main eventers soon enough. I’d guess they’ll really start getting pushed higher when guys like Tanahashi and Suzuki start to phase out of the top of the card in the coming years.

There’s a chance that the trigger could be pulled now on a huge push for either, but I doubt it. Give it a couple more years and they’ll both consistently be top G1 contenders.

Chance to win A/B Block: 3%

Chance to win G1 28: 1%

Yoshi-Hashi

I can’t remember exactly what show it was on, but Kevin Kelly recently suggested on English commentary that Yoshi-Hashi is on thin ice with the company. I don’t know how true this is, but it wouldn’t be surprising as, apart from a couple great matches with Nagata and Ibushi, he’s been one of the most underwhelming wrestlers on the whole roster over the past couple years.

I’d love to see Yoshi-Hashi show some fire and reinvent himself in this G1. He’s shown flashes of potential, but he may need to start delivering more consistently to keep his job. Anyways, unless Gedo wants to shock everyone, YoHa isn’t a threat to win anything anytime soon.

Chance to win A Block: 1%

Chance to win G1 28: 1%

Toru Yano

Regardless of if Yano is his usual self, or if he brings a more serious tone to his matches (as he’s said in interviews), there’s little to no chance for him to win this G1. It’s just not going to happen.

Chance to win B Block: 1%

Chance to win G1 28: 1%

Michael Elgin

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There’s no denying that Elgin is an unbelievable in-ring performer. However, he comes along with heaps of controversy. I don’t think folks in Japan care quite as much as most fans in the States, but I have to think the company is aware enough to avoid the potential PR nightmare that would come along with pushing Big Mike to the main event. Even without any controversy, I wouldn’t consider Elgin much of a factor. So with the controversy, there’s no next to no chance.

Chance to win A Block: 1%

Chance to win G1 28: 1%

Bad Luck Fale

Maybe skinny Fale will get a mega push, but probably not. As always, expect him to pick up some big wins and be in contention, but in the end it won’t be enough.

Chance to win A Block: 1%

Chance to win G1 28: 1%

Hangman Page

I gotta be honest, I don’t get Hangman. I think he’s fine, but forgettable in the ring. And I don’t get the gimmick at all. With that being said, I probably haven’t seen enough of him to be giving a fair judgement. I’m excited to see what he can do in the G1, and I hope to have my mind changed about him by the end of the tournament.

Anyways, yeah. He almost definitely isn’t winning the G1. I’ll climb Mount Everest naked if he does.

Chance to win A Block: 1%

Chance to win G1 28: 1%

Juice Robinson

JUICE-S-A! JUICE-S-A!

I love Juice as much as you do… probably more, but he doesn’t have much of a chance. He has the United States Championship to worry about. Just like Goto, if he didn’t have a title I might consider him a dark horse, but he does. So yeah, probably not.

Chance to win B Block: 1%

Chance to win G1 28: 1%

Togi Makabe

Makabe’s best days are behind him. He proved he can still go in the ring with that match against Suzuki at the 46th Anniversary Show, but he just isn’t a factor New Japan’s main event anymore. Outside of a miracle, there’s no way he’s getting close to winning the G1 Climax.

Chance to win A Block: 1%

Chance to win G1 28: 1%

Next: NJPW G1: Who's Who in Block A?

Who’s your favorite to win the NJPW G1 Climax this year?

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