As New Japan Pro Wrestling bring the G1 Climax tournament to Dallas, American fans will be treated to the latest chapter of a celebrated rivalry. See it happen on July 6 live from Dallas at 6 p.m. Eastern/3 p.m. Pacific on AXS TV.
On July 6, American pro wrestling fans will be treated to another chapter in one of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s most celebrated rivalries as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi will meet in the opening round of the 29th G1 Climax. Dallas will play host to the first night of this year’s G1 and the main event of the evening will feature another in a storied line of matches between two regarded as the best in the world.
At a time when interest in Japanese pro wrestling was at its lowest, Tanahashi put NJPW on his back, becoming the company’s ace competitor. Rivalries with Toru Yano, Hirooki Goto, AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura and eight separate reigns as the IWGP Champion help solidify his legend. With his frosted tips, superhero-esque wardrobe and sweet air guitar moves, Tanahashi has been called New Japan’s John Cena. In 2010, Takahashi had a match with a relatively new young lion named Okada that acted as just another stop during the Yano feud.
Following his loss to Tanahashi, Okada was sent on excursion to the U.S. and to TNA, where he was terribly miscast as Green Hornet knock-off Okato. Okada returned to New Japan with a new look. With Gedo (NJPW’s booker) and CHAOS in his corner, Okada became “the Rainmaker,” with bleached hair and ornate multicolored robes, golden dollar bills falling as he walks to the ring. This might seem a bit ostentatious, but with Okada being largely considered the best wrestler in the world, it works.
Their rivalry truly began in 2012 when Okada first wrested the IWGP title from Tanahashi for the first time at that January’s New Beginnings show. Tanahashi regained the title at that year’s Dominion in a match that truly showed the world that this was just the beginning of their feud.
Heading into Dallas, Okada and Tanahashi have traded the IWGP belt five times and main evented Wrestle Kingdom three times. While Okada, currently in his fifth reign as IWGP Champion, has the edge in their feud, injuries — particularly an elbow injury — have limited Tana’s performances in the past year. However, the former eight-time champion does have an advantage in this year’s G1.
Only twice has the current IWGP Champion won the G1: Keiji Mutoh in 1995 and Kensuke Sasaki in 2000. Plus, Tanahashi has the extra incentive of winning the tournament, an opportunity to face the champion at Wrestle Kingdom in January.
Expect these two legends to add to their already fabled rivalry in Dallas.