NJPW G1 Climax 29 profiles: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi

We’re taking a closer look at each competitor before heading into New Japan’s annual double round-robin tournament, the G1 Climax, that begins on July 6 live from Dallas at 6 p.m. Eastern/3 p.m. Pacific on AXS TV.

Kazuchika Okada (IWGP Heavyweight Champion)

The IWGP Heavyweight champion is in the midst of a singles rebound after a good half-year or so of eating pins following losing the title to Kenny Omega at last June’s Dominion in what many called the greatest match of all time.

Despite a loss to Jay White at Wrestle Kingdom 13, Okada has been undefeated in singles action since. He then went undefeated in this year’s New Japan Cup before winning the title from the aforementioned White at G1 Supercard in Madison Square Garden.

Okada’s fifth reign as IWGP champion is still in its early stages, though he has already successfully defended the title against SANADA in a rematch of their Cup finals and in his most recent singles brawl with Chris Jericho.

It’s not often that a sitting champion wins the G1 — the last time this happened was in 2000 with Kensuke Sasaki — though it wouldn’t be much of a surprise to anyone if Gedo and company go with Okada in the end.

Hiroshi Tanahashi

As the face of the company and the ultimate long-term drawing star, wrestling pundits now refer to Hiroshi Tanahashi as “the John Cena of NJPW.” But the fact is this: Tanahashi is finally on his way down from the NJPW mountain.

Despite winning last year’s tournament that created a tornado of momentum for him heading into Wrestle Kingdom with Kenny Omega in January, he lost the title shortly after to Jay White in Osaka at New Beginning. Aside from a handful of wins in the New Japan Cup, Tana has lost all of his singles matches in 2019.

Tana’s knees are obviously giving out and most fans have seen how it affects his in-ring quickness; watching the man run the ropes these days just looks painful.

If you’ve seen his G1 bouts from 2012-2015, you’ll soon realize just how much he has put his body through since over the years. Compared to now, he looks like a different person.

The real question: How will Tanahashi’s injuries factor into his G1 performances this year? How will affect the quality of his matches? It might finally be the time for Tana to start doing more honors and putting over those ready to run with the ball in New Japan.