The G1 Climax 33 is finally here and we are ready to preview the A Block. Every block is exciting but this one has something special about it, this is the New Generation Block. Here we have the new Three Musketeers in Shota Umino, Ren Narita and Yota Tsuji who are joined by former Young Lion Gabe Kidd and Hikuleo making their debut. Kaito Kiyomiya from pro-wrestling NOAH will also be a part of this group. The only veterans are Chase Owens and SANADA, so a very interesting block.

This year is a little different, we have an even bigger selection of wrestlers than before while continuing the four-block format from the previous year. On top of that, the time limit for each tournament bout has been reduced from 30 minutes to 20, making for an even more fast-paced and frantic set of matches this year. The last three nights will see the top two scoring participants from each block enter the playoff stages, fighting it out to be crowned the winner of the G1 Climax 33 and a guaranteed match for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at next year’s Wrestle Kingdom.

SANADA: The Big Hitter of the G1 Climax

The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA heads into this year’s G1 Climax and A Block as the oldest competitor in his block. A Block is being billed as the block of new stars and young talent and that’s exactly what it is. SANADA might be the oldest and the most experienced in this group but he is the new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion finally making it to the top of the mountain. It has felt like he was always just on the cusp of something and this year he won the New Japan Cup going on to defeat Kazuhika Okada, but will he win the A Block?

There is every possibility that SANADA will make it to the final two in his block but will he make the final? I don’t think He will go on and win the G1 this year but he will come close. It will be interesting to see who will pin SANADA and challenge for the championship before Wrestle Kingdom.

A Block certainly has the future of professional wrestling here. But with the Reiwa Three Musketeers and everyone it seems as if SANADA is getting looked past. I am the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but I’m not going to be arrogant. I’m the oldest here, but I’ll wrestle with the energy of the youngest. 

G1 Climax 33 Press Conference [A Block]

Shota Umino: The Rougth Neck

The first of the new Three Musketeers is a strong contender to make it to the final two of the A Block this year. I have a huge soft spot for Shota Umino as I’ve seen him go from Young Lion to an absolute superstar. He has already had some high-profile matches and is aligned with the Blackpool Combat Club from AEW making him someone to watch. It would be surprising if any of the Maskaters made it to the final two but out of all of them, Shota seems like the most likely candidate.

The new generation is here in A Block. This is a battle for survival. Who is the strongest of this generation? We will find out, but all I’m thinking about is victory. I won’t be thinking of this Three Musketeer thing, only wrestling the way I want to wrestle, and winning overall.

G1 Climax 33 Press Conference [A Block]

Ren Narita: The Son of Strong Style

Ren Narita is the second Musketeer in A Block and the one who has had the least amount of praise since his return. This is something that he holds against the company, making it known of his displeaser that his return was in a tag match and not a big match like Umino and Tsuji. Will this be a problem for the Son of Strong Style?

I don’t think it will hold him back that much. Ren Narita is one of the best that the New Japan Dojo has produced in some time, choosing to move to LA and train under Katsuyori Shibata in order to hone his craft and become a submission specialist. Since returning to Japan Narita has been under the learning tree of Minoru Suzuki and El Desperado. Narita is incredible inside of the ring and I think he could make the final two but if he doesn’t wouldn’t that make for a more interesting story?

My first G1. The champion, the NOAH guy, my peers here, this loud-mouthed foreigner (Gabe Kidd), I’ll beat them all. 

G1 Climax 33 Press Conference [A Block]

Yota Tsuji: Gene 1 Blast

Yota Tsuji has really come into his own in the last few years, after Shota Umino and Ren Narita headed off on excursion, he became the star of the Young Lions. Since then he has gone off to train in both the UK and Mexico returning only in the last few months to join Los Ingobernables de Japon and challenge SANADA, unsuccessfully, for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

Will he win the G1? I don’t think so but he is in contention to make the top two of A Block. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if at least one of the new Musketeers makes it that far or even to the final, but Tsuji has had his chance at SANADA, maybe it’s time for someone else to get a look in. For now, that is.

I have to apologise for a couple of things. First for my lack of class throwing nicknames around. Talking smack about this guy who wants a paradigm shift, a guy that wants to change the guard. I talked all that mess and now look where we are. I really have to take notice of Gabe Kidd winning a belt here. Got to reflect.
Then for criticising the company about this Reiwa Three Musketeers thing. This was right when I went to see Kyopi (Kaito Kiyomiya) in NOAH and he shut me down, so I was a little frustrated and took him out on the company. Mr. Kidani, Mr. Ohbari, thank you for your work. When I went to NOAH, Kyo-pi wasn’t the bad guy. Just that green matchstick was a little dulled. But look, it got everyone talking. Tomorrow, I’ll try and get that little green matchstick lit. 

G1 Climax 33 Press Conference [A Block]

Hikuleo: The Youngest Guerrilla of Destiny 

The first member of the Guerrillas of Destiny to appear in this year’s G1 Climax is Hikuleo. He is the youngest of the Guerrillas but the one with the least experience in a tournament of this sort as this is his debut. Hikuleo has come a long way since he first appeared in New Japan but despite this, I don’t think he will be winning this year, or even making the top two. The ex-Bullet Club member will definitely pick up a few wins but won’t make a substantial mark. I predict he will be the one to play spoiler, along with the next entrant.

 Last year’s A Block had monsters, but this year, Hikuleo is the only beast. Don’t forget how I got here. I ended the Switchblade era, and now this G1 is mine. The G stands for Guerrilla. Ain’t nobody realer.

G1 Climax 33 Press Conference [A Block]

Chase Owens: The Crown Jewel of Bullet Club

Chase is on the case but will he be able to win this year’s G1 Climax? I don’t think so, sure Chase Owens is a great talent but he isn’t main event material. In saying that he will definitely be playing spoiler, especially towards the end of the tournament, so keep an eye out on that one.

My first two G1s didn’t go the way I wanted to, but the A Block, full of the future of New Japan this year, but more important is SANADA. Even if you don’t win the tournament, beat him and you get a title shot. August 5, better be ready.

G1 Climax 33 Press Conference [A Block]

Gabriel Kidd: The British War Dog

Gabe Kidd is the loudmouth Brit that has joined the War Dogs subdivision of Bullet Club. He is a fantastic young talent that built his career in the UK before joining the New Japan Dojo, he is brutal and chaotic in his approach while also being methodical at the same time. Will he win the G1, I don’t think so and I also don’t think he will make the top two, but he will have a good showing.

Real talk, name me one wrestler who went in 16 months from being locked up and sectioned to being in the G1? There’s only one, War ready Gabe Kidd. I’ve already won this. In fact- (Gabe attacked Yota Tsuji and Kaito Kiyomiya and left).

G1 Climax 33 Press Conference [A Block]

Kaito Kiyomiya: The Supernova of NOAH

The only man to be here representing Pro-Wresting NOAH in this year’s G1 Climax, Kaito Kiyomiya has a bigger hurdle than most heading into this tournament. He has been beaten by Kazuchika Okada and has his sights set on SANADA, even if he doesn’t make the top two, he will still be looking toward challenging for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

Kiyomiya has had a tough year in NOAH and is looking for redemption in this year’s G1. I think he will be a high point scorer ranking up the points but will he make the top two? He actually might, he has the skill and charisma, his time in New Japan this summer might be the spark he needs moving forward. I can see him and one of the Three Maskaters making the top two or even the final. A Block are the ones to watch and the future of New Japan and pro-wrestling.

This is my first time seeing the NJPW fans since All Together. Good evening. This is a warm welcome from you, but I have to say I’m here to be the star of this G1. There’s someone here I have unfinished business with, but first, I said I wasn’t looking at anyone but SANADA, but people have a lot more energy than I thought here. First, this ‘green boy’ Tsuji tomorrow.

G1 Climax 33 Press Conference [A Block]