The G1 Climax, the biggest tournament of the year in New Japan Pro Wrestling, is a marathon for both the wrestlers and the fans alike. This year's version, G1 Climax 26, features two 10-man pools of wrestlers competing in a round-robin tournament that will include 19 events before the G1 champion is crowned.
The winner of the tournament receives a title shot against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, whomever that might be, at Wrestle Kingdom on January 4 from the Tokyo Dome -- annually the biggest event for New Japan.
On Thursday, the 12th event of the tour took place. G1 competitors each will have three more matches before the two block winners go one on one at the G1 Climax finals on August 14 from Tokyo's Sumo Hall. Participants receive two points for each win, one point for a draw and zero points for a loss. Head-to-head results break all ties.
A BLOCK
Kazuchika Okada: 10
Naomichi Marufuji: 8
Togi Makabe: 8
Hirooki Goto: 6
Bad Luck Fale: 6
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 6
Tomohiro Ishii: 4
Hiroyoshi Tenzan: 4
SANADA: 4
Tama Tonga: 4
Okada, the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion, not only has the lead but has lost just once thus far in the G1 -- to Marufuji, on the first night. A reigning IWGP champ has not won the G1 since 1997, and the title holder has not made it to the finals since 2007 when Yuji Nagata did it. Keep an eye on a potential late "Cinderella" run by Tenzan, who has made more G1 appearances (19) than anyone and has said this would be his last year in the tournament.
B BLOCK
Michael Elgin: 8
Tetsuya Naito: 8
Yuji Nagata: 6
Katsuhiko Nakajima: 6
YOSHI-HASHI: 6
Kenny Omega: 6
Katsuyori Shibata: 6
Toru Yano: 6
Tomoaki Honma: 4
EVIL: 4
Elgin, the former ROH World Champion and current IWGP Intercontinental Champion, currently shares the top spot in Block B with Naito, who was dethroned by Okada as IWGP Champion earlier this summer. Naito holds the head-to-head win over Elgin so, if they end up tied, Naito would advance to the finals.
