Josh Alexander wants to compete in a NJPW G1 Climax.
In October 2023, former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Josh Alexander made his debut at NJPW's Destruction In Ryogoku event. Alexander has mixed it up with NJPW standouts like Will Ospreay and Tomohiro Ishii, and competing in the G1 Climax tournament is one of his goals for 2024.
Speaking with Monthly Puroresu, Josh Alexander discussed his hope to compete in the G1 Climax. He was asked to describe what about the G1 gave him the desire to compete in it.
"I’ve been a wrestling fan for a very long time. When I was a teenager I discovered Japanese wrestling. The first DVD I got was the AJPW Champion Carnival. Then I discovered the NJPW G1. The who’s who of the best in-ring talents from around the world have competed in the G1. I’d like nothing better than to test myself in one and show the world how good I am," Alexander said.
Alexander was then asked whether he feels like he could step in and fill the void left by departing NJPW stars Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay and Tama Tonga. He made it clear that those were big shoes to fill, but he would like to try.
"I’d absolutely say I could step in and fill part of the void left over from their departures from a match quality perspective. Of course, those are some enormous shoes to fill as far as their equity and star power built up across the world from their tenures in NJPW. But I’d love to try," he said.
When asked about Will Ospreay saying that he thinks Alexander should be in the G1, Alexander highlighted the importance of that endorsement. He noted that people notice when Ospreay speaks, so everyone would have to see whether his competing in a G1 becomes a reality.
"Of course it’s huge. Will is one of the best in the world – a top guy in NJPW and known around the world. His endorsement carries weight. When he speaks people take notice. Now we wait and see if it is what can make it happen I suppose," Alexander said.
Alexander looked back on his previous trip to Japan and stated that it left him hungry for more. He was then asked to name his ideal G1 Finals scenarios, and he named Shingo Takagi, SANADA, Tomohiro Ishii, and Shota Umino as some competitors he would like to face, but he made it clear that he was eager to face anyone. The TNA star was also asked whether he would consider it a disappointment if he did not get to compete in the G1 Climax in 2024.
"No. This wrestling business is unpredictable. I’ve learned over the years to not get your hopes up unless the flights are booked. To even compete in the G1 would take a lot of coordination and planning with regards to my other commitments. So I can cross my fingers. But I won’t be let down. Everything happens as and when it should," Alexander said.
On February 20, TNA Wrestling announced that they exercised their option to extend Josh Alexander's contract. More information is available here.
Fightful Select reported more information about Josh Alexander's TNA contract.
