July 18th 2016 beckons in the 26th edition of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s most prestigious tournament, the G1 Climax. In order to get you in the mood for this festival of wrestling here is a guide on the tournament and its competitors, as well as my personal picks to win the event.

What is the G1 Climax?

The G1 (or Grade One) Climax is a 20-man round-robin tournament, split into two equal groups of 10 each. Everybody in each group battles one-another once and pick up points for their efforts; 2 for a win, 1 for a draw (all matches have a 30-minute time limit) and 0 for a loss. Once all matches are completed an overall table for each group is formed, with the winner of each advancing to the final on August 14th.

Whoever takes the victory in this final match will become the number-one contender for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 11 (essentially New Japan’s Wrestlemania), but given that this event this held in January, the contendership briefcase is defended until then.

Last year saw Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Shinsuke Nakamura in the final but he succumbed to a loss against Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 10, but who are the entrants this year? And who is likely to perform well in the tournament?

Block A Competitors

Bad Luck Fale

The huge Samoan enforcer of the Bullet Club hasn’t had the best of years so far and has little momentum coming into the G1. Given his size and lack of technical ability he is unlikely to steal the show with any of his matches and I imagine Tanahashi will break his run of bad luck against Fale and pick up a G1 victory against him this year. Overall, I feel it will be a small year for the big man.

Most Anticipated Match: versus Hiroshi Tanahashi on July 28th – Fale seems to have the better of the face that runs the place, but this year things could, and should, be different.

Overall Standing Prediction: 9th in Block A with 2 points (1 win versus Tonga)

Hirooki Goto

Former G1 winner Hirooki Goto has a chunk of momentum coming into this year’s tournament after joining CHAOS, finishing 2nd in the New Japan Cup and currently engaging in a brutal feud with EVIL so far in 2016. He’s been a main event player in Japan for some time but has never won the company’s top prize, this year is unlikely to be his but he should have a solid showing overall and will probably beat a big star, maybe even Okada.

Most Anticipated Match: versus Tomohiro Ishii on July 23rd – Both are CHAOS members which adds spice to the match up and with them both being stellar performers this one should be tastiest than your finest Japanese ramen.

Overall Standing Prediction: 6th in Block A with 10 points (5 wins versus Fale, Ishii, Makabe, Okada and Tonga)

Tomohiro Ishii

Say hello to the 4-star machine, Tomohiro Ishii. This guy has been one of the most consistent performers on the planet the past few years and has produced a plethora of 4-star and above matches, including a 5-star bout against Shibata in 2013’s Climax. Basically, if Ishii is on the card, watch his fucking match. Similarly to Goto he has never held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and he is the dark horse to top his block this time around.

Most Anticipated Match: versus Togi Makabe on August 12th – I could have put so many matches down for this but I’ve landed on Makabe and Ishii as they are not ones to do things by halves and will beat the absolute hell out of each other in order to get the win.

Overall Standing Prediction: 3rd in Block A with 12 points (6 wins versus Fale, Makabe, Marufuji, Sanada, Tenzan and Tonga)

Togi Makabe

The first of our former champions to appear this year, Togi Makabe last won the Heavyweight title in 2010 when he defeated Shinsuke Nakamura at Dominion but he has recently held the IWGP Tag Team Championships with Honma so he still has a great deal of stature in NJPW. His knees are a bit shot-at now and he’s not going to pull up any tress this year but he will likely still wrestle to the highest level and pick up a few victories along the way.

Most Anticipated Match: versus Hiroyoshi Tenzan on July 28th – I didn’t want to cheat by picking the Ishii match again and this one should be a belter; two big old dudes battering each other, yes please.

Overall Standing Prediction: 8th in Block A with 6 points (3 wins versus Fale, Marufuji and Sanada)

Naomichi Marufuji

One of a two Pro Wrestling NOAH wrestler who has been invited to take part in this year’s events. Marufuji has held their top belt 3 times and is currently their tag champ alongside New Japan favourite Toru Yano so he will probably be smartly booked throughout and pick up a big victory somewhere. There’s almost zero-chance that he will reach the final but be sure to check out his matches as he is a top-notch professional.

Most Anticipated Match: versus Hiroshi Tanahashi on August 6th – It’s rare that we get a treat as sweet as this match so you’d be crazier than Beyonce in love to miss it.

Overall Standing Prediction: 4th in Block A with 10 points (5 wins versus Fale, Goto, Okada, Tenzan and Tonga)

Kazuchika Okada

The new face of comapny and your current IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Okada has it all and consistently works great matches against whoever may challenge him at the top of the New Japan tree. I’d be shocked if he wasn’t still the champion going into next year’s Wrestle Kingdom so he surely won’t win this tournament or his block – a strong second place showing with a selection of top-drawer matches is nailed on in my eyes.

Most Anticipated Match: versus Hiroshi Tanahashi on August 12th – How could I not pick the match that has main evented the last 2 Wrestle Kingdom PPVs? Their feud has been one of the all-time greatest and I don’t think I will ever get bored of seeing their battles.

Overall Standing Prediction: 2nd in Block A with 14 points (7 wins versus Fale, Ishii, Makabe, Sanada, Tanahashi, Tenzan and Tonga)

SANADA

SANADA has recently returned to Japanese wrestling after a notable spell in TNA and his character is far more serious and sinister than his orange-haired run in America as he is the latest component of the Los Ingobernables de Japon stable. Some are predicting SANADA to really break out in this Climax but with so many big names in his group he could struggle to reach the top half, no matter where he finishes though, it’ll be wonderful to see him display his skills in more singles matches in NJPW.

Most Anticipated Match: versus Tomohiro Ishii on August 8th – SANADA facing off against any of the 3 CHAOS members in this group could have been my pick here; hopefully Ishii’s pitbull-like style blends well with SANADA and gives us an entertaining contest.

Overall Standing Prediction: 7th in Block A with 8 points (4 wins versus Fale, Goto, Marufuji and Tonga)

Hiroshi Tanahashi

You may know him as the John Cena of New Japan; this guy almost single-handled pulled the company from its darkest period into the current prosperous times and deserves all of the accolades he receives as he is arguably the best wrestler on the globe. Tanashashi has the most IWGP Heavyweight Championship reigns of all-time, is already a 2-time G1 winner and he is my pick to win it again in 2016, whether he keeps the title shot until January remains to be seen however…

Most Anticipated Match: versus Kazuchika Okada on August 12th – I didn’t want to pick the same match twice for any of these but as I said before how could I not? Their storyline is a modern day Japanese Rock v Austin and you do not want to miss it.

Overall Standing Prediction: 1st in Block A with 16 points (8 wins versus Fale, Goto, Ishii, Makabe, Marufuji, Sanada, Tenzan and Tonga)

Hiroyoshi Tenzan

A late replacement for Kojima who forfeited his G1 place to his long-time friend at the recent Kizuna Road PPV. Tenzan is a true veteran and I wouldn’t expect him to get too many victories, however, since this storyline between Kojima and Tenzan has arisen, with former telling his friend he has to win it, I can see Tenzan finishing in a much more favourable position than before. Will he win it? Definitely not, but this new development is very intriguing.

Most Anticipated Match: versus Tomohiro Ishii on July 18th – Two huge warriors will collide on the very first day of the tournament and hopefully they will set and impressive marker for others to beat.

Overall Standing Prediction: 5th in Block A with 10 points (5 wins versus Fale, Goto, Makabe. Sanada and Tonga)

Tama Tonga

Coming out of an impressive performance in the New Japan Cup, Tama Tonga looked a likely breakout star in 2016. Since that showing though, he has been teaming with his brother and new Bullet Club member Tanga Roa as the Guerrillas of Destiny; they won the IWGP tag titles but their run was awful, their matches were lame and they’ve now dropped the belts to the Briscoe Brothers, with Tama losing all his momentum in the process.

Most Anticipated Match: versus Kazuchika Okada on July 28th – None of Tonga’s matches are all that interesting as he looks set to pick up many losses, hopefully this one will the pick of the bunch.

Overall Standing Prediction: 10th in Block A with 2 points (1 win versus Makabe)

Block B Competitors

Michael Elgin

Last year’s big revelation, Elgin quickly became a fan-favourite in Japan thanks to his superb showings in this competition and it is safe to say he has gone from strength to strength as he is now the IWGP Intercontinental Champion having won the belt in an amazing ladder match at Dominion. Big Mike is more than capable of having a top-class match with many foes in his block and I hope he leaves the contest in an even stronger position than his current stature if possible.

Most Anticipated Match: versus Kenny Omega on July 30th – They didn’t just tear the house down at Dominion, they ripped it from its foundations; hopefully they can have a similar barn-burner without the ladders.

Overall Standing Prediction: 4th in Block B with 13 points (6 wins versus Evil, Honma, Nakajima, Nagata, Yano and Yoshi-Hashi, 1 draw versus Shibata)

EVIL

Another member of Los Ingobernables de Japon – he’s had a decent year after a highly entertaining feud with Goto but I can’t see him going too far in this tournament as most of his focus will lie with Naito’s confrontations and EVIL will probably forfeit a loss to boost his leader’s points total. Not much to shout about here then, but watch out for his entrance, he has a giant scythe and laser pointers, it’s bloody brilliant.

Most Anticipated Match: versus Tetsuya Naito on August 7th – I can’t see this being much of a match, if we get one at all, but the intrigue around it has me more hyped than Mojo Rawley, what will EVIL do? I cannot wait to find out.

Overall Standing Prediction: 5th in Block B with 8 points (4 wins versus Honma, Nakajima, Yano and Yoshi-Hashi)

Tomoaki Honma

After picking up his first G1 win against Ishii last year and winning the IWGP Tag Team Championships with Togi Makabe at Wrestle Kingdom it’s been the best year of Honma’s career. Can he build on that in this series? Probably not, but I can see him picking up another shock win this time around, my money is on him hilariously going over Omega and giving the fan’s another memorable moment to relish in. Oh and headbutts, expect many headbutts.

Most Anticipated Match: versus Michael Elgin on August 10th – Seeing these powerhouses face-off will be an absolute joy and I really hope that they capitalise on the face v face dynamic to give us a fun altercation.

Overall Standing Prediction: 10th in Block B with 2 points (1 win versus Omega)

Tetsuya Naito

In my opinion, Naito is easily the most entertaining wrestler in the world right now – think Kevin Owens but turned up to 11, this dude just doesn’t give a single fuck. Due to his incredible character and work rate he won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship for the first time this year and, though I don’t think he will be victorious in the G1, I can fully see him sneaking his way into the Wrestle Kingdom main event and walking out a deserving 2-time champion.

Most Anticipated Match: versus Kenny Omega on August 14th – A match between two leaders of heel stables that could potentially decide who advances to the final? Count me in boys. I fully expect a ton of shenanigans and insane reversals on the final day of the round-robin stage.

Overall Standing Prediction: 3rd in Block B with 14 points (7 wins versus Elgin, Evil, Honma, Nakajima, Nagata, Yano and Yoshi-Hashi)

Katsuhiko Nakajima

The other half of the two NOAH wrestlers appearing in this tournament. Nakajima is a multi-time Junior Heavyweight Champion who is seemingly set to make the great jump towards bigger and better things over there. I cannot see him doing quite as well as Marufuji in his block but picking up a win against an established star or veteran such as Nagata could really boost his stock and help him rise like a delightful cake.

Most Anticipated Match: versus Yuji Nagata on July 30th – This is the match where Nakajima could really announce himself against a guy who has done it all, hopefully they give him the win too.

Overall Standing Prediction: 6th in Block B with 8 points (4 wins versus Honma, Nagata, Yano and Yoshi-Hashi)

Yuji Nagata

Talking of Yuji Nagata, here he is. At 48 years of age he has zero chance of winning his group but he’s no mug as he won the NEVER Openweight Championship as recently as May this year until Shibata reclaimed it in June. He’s mainly there to put over some of the younger guys but hopefully he can show what he is made of against some of the powerful group participants such as Elgin, Shibata and Evil.

Most Anticipated Match: versus EVIL on July 24th – Hopefully these fellas will do what is excpected and beat the crap out of one another; it’ll be brutal but fruitful.

Overall Standing Prediction: 8th in Block B with 6 points (3 wins versus Evil, Honma and Yoshi-Hashi)

Kenny Omega

If you put charisma, ability and a whole heap of hairspray into a blender and mixed it all up, out would pop the endlessly entertaining Kenny Omega. Now the leader of the Bullet Club and having held the IWGP Intercontinental Championship for the first time, it’s been a year to remember for him; can he go one step further and win the G1? I feel it may be a bridge too far but many people are backing Omega to reign victorious and advance towards the Wrestle Kingdom 11 main event so definitely don’t count him out.

Most Anticipated Match: versus Katsuyori Shibata on August 4th – This could quite possibly be the best match of the entire tournament and is another feast of wrestling from this G1 that you dare not miss out on. Make sure you mark this one in your calendars.

Overall Standing Prediction: 2nd in Block B with 14 points (7 wins versus Elgin, Evil, Naito, Nakajima, Nagata, Yano and Yoshi-Hashi)

Katsuyori Shibata

Another fighter who many folks are plucking to be the overall winner of this year’s contest and while I’m not sure if I would go that far (largely due his past actions in New Japan) I reckon he will just outshine his fellow professional and top the Block B table. Well-known for his lethal in-ring style and insanely good matches against Tomohiro Ishii, Shibata is the current NEVER Openweight Champion and is looking to confirm his spot within the company’s main event scene.

Most Anticipated Match: versus Yuji Nagata on August 10th – Nagata and Shibata are no strangers as we’ve seen them clash many a time already in 2016. The new-found respect between the pair adds fuel to the fire of what will surely be another hard-hitting encounter.

Overall Standing Prediction: 1st in Block B with 15 points (7 wins versus Evil, Honma, Naito, Nakajima, Nagata, Omega and Yoshi-Hashi, 1 draw versus Elgin)

Toru Yano

Fan-favourite Yano is more-widely regarded for his comedic abilities and crazy victories rather than his technical wrestling ability. He is almost guaranteed to pick up a big victory over a top star via the daft combination of low blows and roll ups and I reckon Shibata’s seriousness may result in his downfall against Yano. He is however, a current NOAH Tag team Champion with Marufuji so he is certainly not to be messed with.

Most Anticipated Match: versus Tomoaki Honma on July 30th – Probably the most ridiculous yet wonderful pro-wrestling match you will witness all year.

Overall Standing Prediction: 7th in Block B with 6 points (3 wins versus Honma, Nagata and Shibata)

YOSHI-HASHI

The final CHAOS member to enter this year’s G1 Climax and arguably the least interesting of them all. Hashi hasn’t really achieved anything from his partnership with Okada’s faction and isn’t very likely to many victories in the round-robin. That said, he is a solid hand and can hopefully have an outstanding match with at least one opponent in order for him to begin breaking out as a star of his own. Finally, he has some fancy pants.

Most Anticipated Match: versus Kenny Omega on July 22nd – Can Omega be the foe that Hashi could really shine against? I certainly hope so. He’s unlikely to get the pinfall a decent match is to be expected.

Overall Standing Prediction: 9th in Block B with 4 points (2 wins versus Honma and Yano)

There you have it then folks, I’m going Tanahashi to beat Shibata in the final before losing the title shot to Naito later in the year. I hope you all enjoy the G1 again this year, it should be a cracker!