The time has come. We are coming off what can only be described as a sensational first half of the year for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). The promotion has found its stride after some difficult times during the pandemic era of wrestling in Japan. Most will agree that no promotion has been as good as NJPW this year and now we are heading into pro wrestling’s most prestigious tournament — the G1 Climax.
G1 Climax 33 will feature a stunning 32 competitors with many of the most exciting names in the tournament being brand-new, first-time entries. The Reiwa Three Musketeers will be one of the main stories of the entire tournament with their success (or lack thereof) being a major talking point. Other stories to follow include Kaito Kiyomiya of Pro Wrestling NOAH taking part as well as AEW’s Eddie Kingston, the potential of a three-peat for Kazuchika Okada, can Will Ospreay finally win the tournament, and who could breakout in this tournament.
The tournament is set to get underway on Saturday, June 15th, and will culminate on Sunday, August 13th. Each night will air live on NJPW World, with the option to choose between English and Japanese commentary.
Here’s a full guide to G1 Climax 33 that includes the blocks, full schedule, favorites, darkhorses, and the must-see matches you’ll want to have circled on your calendars.
G1 Climax 33 Blocks
A Block
- SANADA – IWGP World Heavyweight Champion
- Shota Umino
- Ren Narita
- Yota Tsuji
- Hikuleo
- Chase Owens
- Gabe Kidd
- Kaito Kiyomiya
B Block
- Kazuchika Okada
- YOSHI-HASHI
- Tanga Loa
- El Phantasmo
- Taichi – King of Pro-Wrestling Champion
- Will Ospreay – IWGP United States Champion
- Great-O-Khan
- KENTA
C Block
- Tama Tonga
- Tomohiro Ishii
- Shingo Takagi
- Mikey Nicholls
- Aaron Henare
- Eddie Kingston – STRONG Openweight Champion
- David Finlay – NEVER Openweight Champion
- EVIL
D Block
- Hiroshi Tanahashi
- Hirooki Goto
- Toru Yano
- Tetsuya Naito
- Zack Sabre Jr. – NJPW World TV Champion
- Shane Haste
- Jeff Cobb
- Alex Coughlin
G1 Climax 33 Schedule
July 15
- B Block: YOSHI-HASHI vs. El Phantasmo
- A Block: Chase Owens vs. Gabe Kidd
- B Block: Tanga Loa vs. KENTA
- A Block: Shota Umino vs. Ren Narita
- B Block: Kazuchika Okada vs. Great-O-Khan
- A Block: Yota Tsuji vs. Kaito Kiyomiya
- B Block: Taichi vs. Will Ospreay
- A Block: SANADA vs. Hikuleo
July 16
- C Block: Tomohiro Ishii vs. David Finlay
- D Block: Hirooki Goto vs. Toru Yano
- C Block: Mikey Nicholls vs. Aaron Henare
- D Block: Shane Haste vs. Alex Couglin
- C Block: Shingo Takagi vs. Eddie Kingston
- D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
- C Block: Tama Tonga vs. EVIL
- D Block: Tetsuya Naito vs. Jeff Cobb
July 18
- A Block: Kaito Kiyomiya vs. Chase Owens
- B Block: Great-O-Khan vs. KENTA
- A Block: Hikuleo vs. Gabe Kidd
- B Block: Taichi vs. Tanga Loa
- A Block: Ren Narita vs. Yota Tsuji
- B Block: YOSHI-HASHI vs. Will Ospreay
- A Block: SANADA vs. Shota Umino
- B Block: Kazuchika Okada vs. El Phantasmo
July 19
- D Block: Toru Yano vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
- C Block: Mikey Nicholls vs. David Finlay
- D Block: Jeff Cobb vs. Alex Coughlin
- C Block: Eddie Kingston vs. EVIL
- D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shane Haste
- C Block: Shingo Takagi vs. Aaron Henare
- D Block: Hirooki Goto vs. Tetsuya Naito
- C Block: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tama Tonga
July 21
- B Block: YOSHI-HASHI vs. Tanga Loa
- A Block: Ren Narita vs. Gabe Kidd
- B Block: El Phantasmo vs. Great-O-Khan
- A Block: Hikuleo vs. Chase Owens
- B Block: Will Ospreay vs. KENTA
- A Block: Shota Umino vs. Kaito Kiyomiya
- B Block: Kazuchika Okada vs. Taichi
- A Block: SANADA vs. Yota Tsuji
July 23
- D Block: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Alex Coughlin
- C Block: Tama Tonga vs. Mikey Nicholls
- D Block: Hirooki Goto vs. Shane Haste
- C Block: Aaron Henare vs. Eddie Kingston
- D Block: Toru Yano vs. Tetsuya Naito
- C Block: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Shingo Takagi
- D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Jeff Cobb
- C Block: David Finlay vs. EVIL
July 25
- B Block: Will Ospreay vs. Great-O-Khan
- A Block: Shota Umino vs. Gabe Kidd
- B Block: Taichi vs. KENTA
- A Block: Yota Tsuji vs. Chase Owens
- B Block: Tanga Loa vs. El Phantasmo
- A Block: Ren Narita vs. Hikuleo
- B Block: Kazuchika Okada vs. YOSHI-HASHI
- A Block: SANADA vs. Kaito Kiyomiya
July 26
- C Block: Aaron Henare vs. EVIL
- D Block: Hirooki Goto vs. Alex Coughlin
- C Block: Shingo Takagi vs. Mikey Nicholls
- D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Toru Yano
- C Block: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Eddie Kingston
- D Block: Tetsuya Naito vs. Shane Haste
- C Block: Tama Tonga vs. David Finlay
- D Block: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Jeff Cobb
July 27
- A Block: Shota Umino vs. Chase Owens
- B Block: YOSHI-HASHI vs. Taichi
- A Block: Kaito Kiyomiya vs. Gabe Kidd
- B Block: Tanga Loa vs. Great-O-Khan
- A Block: Hikuleo vs. Yota Tsuji
- B Block: El Phantasmo vs. KENTA
- A Block: SANADA vs. Ren Narita
- B Block: Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay
July 30
- C Block: Aaron Henare vs. David Finlay
- D Block: Toru Yano vs. Jeff Cobb
- C Block: Mikey Nicholls vs. Eddie Kingston
- D Block: Tetsuya Naito vs. Alex Coughlin
- C Block: Tomohiro Ishii vs. EVIL
- D Block: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Shane Haste
- C Block: Tama Tonga vs. Shingo Takagi
- D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hirooki Goto
August 1
- A Block: Hikuleo vs. Kaito Kiyomiya
- B Block: YOSHI-HASHI vs. Great-O-Khan
- A Block: Ren Narita vs. Chase Owens
- B Block: Taichi vs. El Phantasmo
- A Block: SANADA vs. Gabe Kidd
- B Block: Tanga Loa vs. Will Ospreay
- A Block: Kazuchika Okada vs. KENTA
- B Block: Shota Umino vs. Yota Tsuji
August 2
- D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Alex Coughlin
- C Block: Mikey Nicholls vs. EVIL
- D Block: Toru Yano vs. Shane Haste
- C Block: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Aaron Henare
- D Block: Hirooki Goto vs. Jeff Cobb
- C Block: Tama Tonga vs. Eddie Kingston
- D Block: Tetsuya Naito vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
- C Block: Shingo Takagi vs. David Finlay
August 5
- A Block: SANADA vs. Chase Owens
- A Block: Ren Narita vs. Kaito Kiyomiya
- A Block: Shota Umino vs. Hikuleo
- A Block: Yota Tsuji vs. Gabe Kidd
August 6
- B Block: Taichi vs. Great O-Khan
- B Block: El Phantasmo vs. Will Ospreay
- B Block: Kazuchika Okada vs. Tanga Loa
- B Block: YOSHI-HASHI vs. KENTA
August 8
- C Block: Eddie Kingston vs. David Finlay
- C Block: Shingo Takagi vs. EVIL
- C Block: Tama Tonga vs. Aaron Henare
- C Block: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Mikey Nicholls
August 9
- D Block: Hirooki Goto vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
- D Block: Jeff Cobb vs. Shane Haste
- D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tetsuya Naito
- D Block: Toru Yano vs. Alex Coughlin
August 10
- Quarterfinals: 1st Place of A Block (1A) vs. 2nd Place of C Block (2C)
- Quarterfinals: 1st Place of B Block (1B) vs. 2nd Place of D Block (2D)
- Quarterfinals: 1st Place of C Block (1C) vs. 2nd Place of B Block (2B)
- Quarterfinals: 1st Block of D Block (1D) vs. 2nd Place of A Block (2A)
August 12
- Semifinals: Winner of 1A-2C vs.Winner of 1B-2D
- Semifinals: Winner of 1C-2B vs. Winner of 1D-2A
August 13
- Finals
G1 Climax 33 Favorites
Tetsuya Naito
The goal to close out the Tokyo Dome is in Tetsuya Naito’s view once again.
The two-time G1 Climax winner is looking to add his third with the goal of becoming the top champion in New Japan once more. Naito has notably begun to show his age, there is no denying that, but he’s still one of the best in the world when he needs to be. The Los Ingobernables de Japon leader is closer to the end of his career than he is to the beginning and truthfully, this G1 Climax feels like his last real chance to win it.
The reason he’s such a favorite comes down to the potential battle with SANADA, the man who left LIJ to join Just 5 Guys and go on to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. It was a major switch for NJPW as a whole but they’ve managed to hold off from Naito’s potential redemption against his former faction mate. Maybe the only way we do get it is a Naito victory in the G1 and, if that’s what it takes, then it’s worth it.
It is Naito’s destino to close out the Tokyo Dome while giving that roll call — this is how he can earn that chance.
Kazuchika Okada
Kazuchika Okada has been better than ever before this year. That’s a big claim but one many would agree with as much of his best work has come without the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on the line.
Whether it’s Okada battling with Kaito Kiyomiya or heading the United States to compete against Bryan Danielson, he’s doing a little bit of everything. He’s done everything in his power to fight the younger generation and I think we can all acknowledge that isn’t just the gear and robe that has placed him in his “Inoki Era.”
Okada has won the last two G1 Climax tournaments and is looking to follow in Antonio Inoki’s shoes as the first three-time winner since Inoki did it in 1986, 1987, and 1988. A rematch with SANADA is surely not out of the question for “The Rainmaker” and it’s difficult to look at him as anything but a favorite to main event the Tokyo Dome once more. With all the young guys in different blocks with his new, fresh rival Kaito Kiyomiya, it’ll be interesting to see if Okada meets any of them in the semifinals when it can all line up.
Nonetheless, Okada is a favorite once again.
Will Ospreay
He has the win over Kenny Omega. So is winning the G1 Climax the next big milestone for Will Ospreay?
It was just a year ago that Ospreay came as close as anyone can to winning the G1 before falling to Kazuchika Okada in one of the greatest G1 Climax Finals ever. Since that moment, a lot has happened for Ospreay to go along with the fact that his contract is set to expire at the start of 2024. There’s no word on what “The Commonwealth Kingpin” will decide when the time is up but if Ospreay officially wants to replace Omega in NJPW, then winning the G1 Climax is step one.
There’s a history and story between Ospreay and SANADA that hasn’t been completed. The United Empire leader ended SANADA’s IWGP United States Championship reign prematurely when he broke his orbital bone in the 2022 New Japan Cup. Ospreay then won the vacant championship over SANDA at Dominion in 2022 and we haven’t revisited that story since. All signs pointed to them doing so in the New Japan Cup but injury to Ospreay made sure that did not happen.
Holding the IWGP United States Championship and the possibility of a third match with Omega shouldn’t stop Ospreay from having a shot in this tournament. It’s the best option outside of the former winners in Naito and Okada.
If Ospreay is going to ever win the G1 Climax, this feels like the most opportune time to do so.
G1 Climax 33 Darkhorses
Shota Umino
Shooter’s time is coming and his first G1 Climax tournament is essential to his rise.
When Shota Umino returned from excursion, many awaited what was to come from Jon Moxley’s former young boy who dawned a look similar to Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tetsuya Naito. Well, we’ve seen Umino grow throughout the year, finding himself as a competitor and gaining confidence every time he steps into the ring.
The focus will be on him as well as his fellow Reiwa Three Musketeers as they all have a chance to collide. Out of the darkhorses named, he’s probably less likely from a story perspective but if NJPW is serious about believing in the new generation, their next ace is ready to rise to the occasion.
Yota Tsuji
“Gene Blast” came into NJPW with a goal to instantly become IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and came up short against SANADA. It feels pretty inevitable that Yota Tsuji’s day as champion is coming soon enough and getting himself a rematch against SANADA, this time in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom feels fitting.
There’s a lot to be excited about when it comes to Tsuji in the G1 Climax as we will finally find out how complete of a competitor he is but if you were to bank on someone in the new generation, it’s hard to look past “Gene Blast” himself.
FIVE Must-See Matches
Kaito Kiyomiya vs. Yota Tsuji (7/15/23)
In a world of chaos, Kaito Kiyomiya would win the G1 Climax to face IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom. Sadly, this is not a world of chaos so their next major match will probably not feature the title nor will Kiyomiya be winning the signature tournament of NJPW.
Instead, we look to see what NOAH’s ace can do beginning on night one against Yota Tsuji, who is doing everything he can in his power to prove his spot in the promotion.
Tsuji went on a scouting trip to NOAH recently to see what Kiyomiya was all about, sitting in the crowd and all. Pretty funny when you think about how this is just one of seven matches for Tsuji, but the first is as important as any — which Kiyomiya knows. Reality will set in for both of these competitors when only one can walk out with the win but if you’re looking for a match to steal the show on opening night, look no further than the battle between the “Supernova” and “Gene Blast.”
If they click in the ring, this can be one of the best matches of the G1.
Eddie Kingston vs. Shingo Takagi (7/16/23)
The world will be watching.
When Eddie Kingston was announced for the G1 Climax, I think most will agree that there was no match more appetizing to their fandom than a bout between Kingston and Shingo Takagi.
There’s something beautiful about what these two are going to violently do in the 20 minutes they have in the ring together. After all, we are coming off Kingston’s physical match at Independence Day against KENTA where he won the STRONG Openweight Championship.
Kingston told everyone in his emotional promo after that he was willing to do anything to defend the title and really showed us all how grateful he is for the opportunity.
Every single match will get the best of Eddie and as we know with Takagi, the same goes for him. This is going to be one of the hardest-hitting matches of the tournament — no question. And you won’t have to wait long with it being on Day 2.
SANADA vs. Kaito Kiyomiya (7/25/23)
Few things are as exciting in pro wrestling as a main event match inside Korakuen Hall and that’s what this will be.
SANADA continues to try and prove to international fans that he belongs on top of NJPW as the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Kaito Kiyomiya is trying to prove to everyone that he’s as good as any wrestler in the world today. And much of them trying to prove themselves comes down to their mentor — Keiji Muto.
This match is the Keiji Muto special.
SANADA had to make a change after watching Natio, not himself, get to wrestle Keiji Muto in the final match of his career despite their relationship. Kiyomiya was viewed as a wrestler who had an identity problem for the past few years in NOAH. Muto took Kiyomiya under his wing, like SANADA long ago, and it led them to a relationship that saw Muto pass down his Shining Wizard and Dragon Screws to better the “Supernova.”
As we’ve seen throughout 2023, both men have managed to find themselves while turning to their Keiji Muto connections to better their offense and embrace being champions.
It would be wishful thinking to have Muto in the building for this match but with a NOAH guy competing against the reigning IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, that’s worth looking forward to without the outside factors. It can be special.
Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay (7/27/23)
The rematch from last year’s G1 Climax finals will again have a chance to be the match of the tournament.
Thankfully for both competitors, a loss won’t destroy one another’s chance to advance with the top two seeds of each block heading to the quarterfinals so this is more about the story between Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay.
“The Commonwealth Kingpin” has defeated “The Rainmaker” before but not in a fashion that he’s proud of. Defeating his former friend and leader clean in the middle of the ring is the goal for Ospreay who has failed in the biggest attempts at last year’s Wrestle Kingdom and last year’s G1.
With a 20-minute time limit, there’s going to be little time for them to do the usual Okada-style build. It’ll favor Ospreay in that respect but no matter what the time limit is, the match will be one of the very best of the tournament.
It’s another classic waiting to happen between Okada and Ospreay as they add to their incredible 2023 résumés.
Shota Umino vs. Yota Tsuji (8/1/23)
No offense to Ren Narita, but this is the signature match of the Reiwa Three Musketeers that everyone should have their eyes on.
For the first time since both have returned to NJPW, Shota Umino and Yota Tsuji will go head-to-head. The climb to be the new top dog of NJPW is, right now, a two-way race between these two men.
There’s an equal dislike for the Reiwa Three Musketeers nickname that they’ve been handed but at the end of the day, they know that is going to be their company to carry on their shoulders very, very soon. Shooter and “Gene Blast” are going to do everything in their power as former fellow Young Lions to show that they’re here to stay. This can easily be the best match of their careers if they fight with that fire we’ve seen previously.
And to raise the stakes of this one, this will be the final match ahead of the block finals so it’ll be a match that potentially decides their fates heading into that final night.
The G1 Climax kicks off at 4:00 a.m. EST on July 15 and ends on August 13 with the final inside Ryogoku Sumo Hall. You can check out every G1 Climax match live on NJPW World!
