FanSided was in attendance at the New Japan G1 Dallas press conference and was able to get some questions in for the FanSided readers.
The event took place at the Bob Duncan Center in Arlington, Texas and was in a small gymnasium-type room with member of the press intermixed with a huge group of fans.
The event began at noon and the room quickly filled up with the stars of New Japan who each had things to say about the upcoming tournament.
Hiroshi Tanahashi
Press conference:
The Ace of New Japan began his time on the microphone by stating “I’m Tanahashi” which was followed by an eruption of applause. Tanahashi reminded the fans that he won last year’s edition of the G1 and he says will do it again.
Media room:
Tanahashi came into the room with the glorious-looking G1 Climax trophy and a made a joke that he has never been tired. Tanahashi explained that his matches with Kazuchika Okada are important and he wants to bring the value of that feud and his matches in general to the United States. Tanahashi ended his time in the media room by giving his trophy a kiss and saying “It’s mine”.
Kazuchika Okada
Press conference:
As Okada approached the microphone a fan yelled “Tanahashi’s better!” which prompted Okada to act like he wasn’t going to answer any questions.
Okada explains how he is very excited for the tournament.
Media room:
We asked Okada if he has tried Whataburger since he has been in Texas? “Yes and I said what a burger!”
Okada talked up how he wants to show that a champion can win the G1 and how enjoys the unique chants that the American fans bring to the shows.
Okada also stateed that if he were to win the G1 he would challenge the runner-up of the tournament at Wrestle Kingdom.
Tetsuya Naito
Press conference:
“Hola Amigos”
Naito talked about how he has a lot of ambition in this year’s G1 and he reiterated his interest in becoming the holder of both the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and the Intercontinental Championship. He also stated that his motivation is very high and he is focused on the task at hand.
Media room:
We asked Naito what his thoughts are heading into his match with his stablemate Shingo Takagi.
Naito stated that LIJ get better and better due to their competitiveness and he has always had a special feeling about Shingo. He also stated that his match with Shingo is the match he is most looking forward to in the tournament.
Naito also talked about Okada and how he feels he is destined to beat him after he wins the G1.
In the final question of his time in the media room, Naito was asked who he thinks will win in the contest pitting EVIL against Sanada. Naito says that both men have a chance to win but EVIL may have the advantage due to his pent-up frustrations.
Juice Robinson
Press conference:
“‘Imma give her hell this year.”
And that’s it.
Media room:
We asked Robinson if he has a different game plan going into his rematch with Jon Moxley?
His answer: “I think I’m going to have to try and outwrestle him.”
Robinson explained that he thinks he can’t beat Moxley in a brawl, but in a more technical match he may have the advantage.
Juice answered several more questions about Moxley as he sat looking very somber. He also explained that he cut his dreads to separate himself from the last clinging elements of his former persona, CJ Parker.
Juice stated that he’s starting off the tournament taking on Shingo Takagi and he’s going to leave it all in the ring.
Jay White
Press conference:
White started off his speech by spitting on the floor which really endeared himself to the fans. White stated that he is the No. 1 contender to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and he doesn’t care about this G1. He then gave his answers to what he views as the generic questions that people are going to ask him.
What is your goal in this year’s G1? “To win.”
Who are you looking forward to facing? “No one.”
What does it mean for you personally that the tournament is in the US this year? “Nothing, I’m not from here.”
He then ran down the United States and the U.S. fans and blew a kiss to the booing fans as he sat down.
Media room:
We asked White what his thoughts are on returning to Dallas for the first time since his ROH excursion.
“I have no connection to this city and I had forgot I had even been here until you said that.”
White roasted several journalists while calling their questions “repetitive” and “dull” and he only really perked up when he was asked about Bullet Club.
Shingo Takagi
Press conference:
Shingo talked about how he is immediately going from the Best of the Super Juniors tournament to this year’s G1. He claimed he is aiming for the top and sees a lot of opportunities, such as his match with Naito and his matches with the other two champions in his block. Shingo ended his time on the mic by promising to showcase the type of wrestling that only he can deliver.
Media room:
Shingo Takagi did not make an appearance in the media room.
Will Ospreay
Press conference:
Ospreay took a quick shot at WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins before going into his G1 presser. Ospreay stated that he is nervous for this year’s tournament but he is having a hell of a 2019.
He then stated that he and the Junior Heavyweight division belong on the main stage of New Japan and when he wins the G1 he will be the king of both divisions.
Media room:
Ospreay got a bit emotional when he started discussing the toll his mental health has taken on him recently. He brought up how wrestling is what helps cure his depression and in a New Japan ring he feels invincible.
Jeff Cobb
Press conference:
“Aloha you beautiful people.”
Cobb stated that it is an honor to be in the G1 this year. He also said he is totally different from any other foreign wrestler that has been in the G1. He then invited the rest of his block to a party he’s throwing — a suplex party.
Media room:
Jeff Cobb did not make an appearance in the media room.
Sanada
Press conference:
Sanada hyped up the tournament and his opponents by calling the G1 the biggest and best tournament in the world.
Media room:
Sanada did not make an appearance in the media room.
EVIL
Press conference:
EVIL started off his monologue by pulling out a deck of tarot cards and slowly rifling through them. EVIL ran down New Japan’s excessive inclusion of foreigners in this year’s G1 and New Japan’s supposed disinterest in him as a star. He then claims he will color his block in darkness.
“This is Evil! Everything is Evil!”
Media room:
EVIL did not make an appearance in the media room.
Lance Archer
Press conference:
Archer listed off the participants in his block and welcomed them to his home state of Texas. He then talks about how this is his fifth G1 and he’s going to start this year off right by killing Will Opsreay at the American Airlines center.
Archer ended his promo by calling out Okada and letting the fans know he intends to win the G1, beat Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and bring the title back to Texas.
Media room:
Lance Archer did not make an appearance in the media room.
KENTA
Press conference:
“What’s up Dallas?”
KENTA says he is happy to be here and is very excited for the G1 Climax. “I came to New Japan to show who I am. I am f—ing KENTA!”
KENTA ended his promo by stating he will “kick Ibushi’s ass tomorrow night.”
Media room:
We asked KENTA what his thoughts are going into this first match with such a great striker like Kota Ibushi.
He responded by saying, “I am also a great striker”
KENTA explained that he believes Ibushi is the best opponent for him right now to showcase what he can bring to the wrestling world.
KENTA also stated that he is looking forward to fighting Okada and Tanahashi and the fans will definitely see his infamous finisher, The Go 2 Sleep, on Saturday night.
Bad Luck Fale
Press conference:
Fale kept it short and sweet as always, with the now infamous quote “F–k em again!”
Media room:
Bad Luck Fale did not make an appearance in the media room.
Kota Ibushi
Press conference:
Ibushi made his way up to the mic showered in chants and cheers.
Ibushi talked about how he was last year’s runner-up and how he was going to win this year. He ended his time by saying he’s not going to give up and he will give it all he’s got this year.
Media room:
Kota Ibushi did not make an appearance in the media room.
Hirooki Goto
Press conference:
Goto detailed his issues with Jay White and his motivation to beat him in this year’s G1. He then goes on to mention his reinvigorated training regime.
Media room:
Hirooki Goto did not make an appearance in the media room.
Tomohiro Ishii
Press conference:
Ishii states that he is “going to make an impact.”
And that’s all.
Media room:
We asked Ishii which opponent he is most looking forward to face in the G1 this year.
Ishii stated that he has “no one particular in mind” and he will smash everyone.
Ishii is asked about his popularity in the U.S., his legacy, and his game plan in this year’s G1. He answered all the questions with simple brash answers of “It does’t matter,” and “I will try my best”.
Toru Yano
Press conference:
Yano shilled his infamous DVDs in which he is the producer.
Yano talked about how his recent DVDs cover CHAOS’s 10th anniversary as a group as well as … curry rice?
Yano then stated that this year’s edition of the G1 will be spicy as well as eye-opening and he will try his best.
Media room:
Toru Yano did not make an appearance in the media room.
Taichi
Press conference:
Taichi walked up to the mic amidst a shower of boos. He expresses his dissatisfaction with his G1 opponent Jon Moxley and his absence at the press conference: “I came all the way here from Japan.”
Taichi also detailed his hatred of airplanes while continuing to run down Moxley and his “superstar” treatment. Taichi then claimed that next year he will be the one receiving the special treatment.
Media room:
Taichi did not make an appearance in the media room.
Zack Sabre Jr.
Press conference:
Sabre started off his appearance by shooting down fan chants.
He then ran down the NJPW office, other wrestlers and fans who he calls “cretans”. ZSJ says his goal is to sweep his block and make everyone tap out. He then stated that he has more submissions than Ospreay has bad tweets, which elicited a great pop.
Sabre’s big statement is that if he won the G1 he wouldn’t take his title shot at Wrestle Kingdom but at Royal Quest in the UK.
Media room:
We asked Sabre which UK talents he sees coming to Japan soon. Sabre said, “I am excited for Gabriel Kidd to join the LA Dojo.”
When asked about how he would define his style of wrestling Sabre calls it “socialist realism.” Sabre reiterated his distaste for the Tokyo Dome and how he wants to bring the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to the UK.
Sabre ended his time in the media room by flipping the crass two fingered British hand gesture.