After a month of marathon tournament matches and insane performances from all competitors, we finally have a winner of this year’s G1 Climax. Kota Ibushi defeated ‘Switchblade’ Jay White in an incredible match, awarding himself the chance to face the IWGP World Champion at Wrestle Kingdom next year.
Since making his return to New Japan, Ibushi has been on a long road to his return to prominence. The former IWGP Intercontinental Champion has faced some of the greatest performers in New Japan, including Kenny Omega, Tetsuya Naito and none other than Kazuchika Okada, who he defeated to gain entry into the G1 finals.
With this win, Kota Ibushi becomes the first competitor in history to win not only the G1 Climax, but also the Best of Super Juniors and New Japan Cup. What a challenger to Okada’s dominant reign.
In other G1 finals news, a shocking turn of events for KENTA, who made his return as part of this year’s tournament. KENTA competed in a huge tag match between himself, Ishii and Yoshi-Hashi, and the Bullet Club. Towards the end of the match, KENTA abandoned his partners and aligned himself with the Bullet Club.
Following the betrayal, KENTA’s mentor – Katsuyori Shibata – entered the ring and tried to talk some sense into the NJPW newcomer, but it was to no avail. For the first time since his retirement, Shibata threw down with the Bullet Club but was taken down by KENTA who stood dominant over his former friend.
Some huge news to come out of New Japan, as well as a potential main event championship match for the upcoming Royal Quest pay-per-view in London between Minoru Suzuki and Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Championship.
What are your thoughts on the G1 finals? Let us know in the comments below.
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