Possible 2003 G1 Climax participants

[Luds]

It's pretty obvious that Chono, Tenzan, Nagata, Nakanishi & Akiyama will be in the G1. Tanahashi also won his spot by winning the G2 U30. SSS reports that Shamrock & Barnett will also be in, and we can speculate that Takayamka will be in as he holds all the singles gold in NJ...

Hopefully, Nishimura who had a strong showing last year will be in. This will leave 2 spots... I also assume that someone from the Makai Club will make it (Yasuda probably, or Yanagisawa or Murakami) and Iizuka or Fujinami...

Now try to pick the winner!

[Sofa Kingdom]

I'm look at either Tenzan or Nagata to win it all.

[edgehead1984]

I'm picking Nagata, to atone for his Tokyo Dome loss

[OldSchoolFan]

Even though it should be Tenzan I pick Nagata

[Luds]

Year of Tenzan... Now who will he defeat in the final? I'd say Nagata...

BLOCK SEMI: Tenzan > Chono
BLOCK SEMI: Nagata > Akiyama

FINAL: Tenzan > Nagata

[GlobalHonored]

Here's how I see it:
Semis- Nagata over Akiyama, Nakanishi over either Tenzan/Takayama(who reportedly believes champ should not be in G1)
Finals-Nakanishi over Nagata

I think this is the chance for Nakanishi to make his run at the belt after putting together the hour long classic with Nagata not long ago, fighting valiantly in mma loss to Fujita, and having everyone's attebtion focused on Tenzan or Akiyama. Nagata will get his revenge for Akiyama loss so that will be enough to satisfy his G1 run opening the door for someone else to get the crown. Chono is hurt and has enough wins so I don't see him being a factor. Nakanishi-Takayama could be a terrific and brutally stiff match up.

[Pheonix_Chi25]

Originally posted by GlobalHonored
Here's how I see it:
Semis- Nagata over Akiyama, Nakanishi over either Tenzan/Takayama(who reportedly believes champ should not be in G1)
Finals-Nakanishi over Nagata

I think this is the chance for Nakanishi to make his run at the belt after putting together the hour long classic with Nagata not long ago, fighting valiantly in mma loss to Fujita, and having everyone's attebtion focused on Tenzan or Akiyama. Nagata will get his revenge for Akiyama loss so that will be enough to satisfy his G1 run opening the door for someone else to get the crown. Chono is hurt and has enough wins so I don't see him being a factor. Nakanishi-Takayama could be a terrific and brutally stiff match up.

Takayama is my guy, but for him to think that the IWGP Champion shouldn't be involved, that's just downright naivete. I feel if he enters he would have more of a feel for New Japan's other stars and not just who he wrestled so far, if this makes sense.

[GlobalHonored]

I see what you're saying. This would be an opportunity for him to get in-ring experience to scout his future competition without having to put his title on the line so he's not gambling or losing his championship even if he drops a match or two in the league. It does however put the legitimacy of his reign on the line though if he has a poor showing. If you have a champ and then he doesn't win the league then it looks like your champ or belt even is not legitimately awarded, especially if he doesn't even come in second. That is one way to look at it. Personally, with Takayama trying to get over as a true (double might I add) champion then he is in a no win situation. If he enters, it's likely he won't be victorious, so that will look poorly on him, and if he doesn't enter then he looks like he dodged the competition. Takayama being champ and winning G1 ruins an opportunity for NJ to put over other worthy guys as well. It would work if he lost to Nagata, Nakanishi, etc. who later went on to win it then revenged loss later or started feuding with them in good competition to drop belt to them in future. Of course by this time Tenzan could very well be IWGP champ and Takayama would need the G1 to get another go at belt.

[Luds]

I agree, It looks weak if Takayama doesn't participate. I wrote earlier that Chono would face Tenzan in the semis, but I think it will be Takayama instead facing Tenzan

[Pheonix_Chi25]

Cool,
I feel Takayama should enter anyway. Learn your competition as you go, someone posted that Takayama has a Lennox Lewis arrogance to him. After this, it should be asked if he does.

[edgehead1984]

Takayama will participate in my view, but it will be interesting situation to see how he does in the G1 league.

[StrongStyleKid]

Shamrock is now out of the running so to speak, due to an injury, Shamrock tore an ACL and will be out from anywhere from 6-12 months, but now that Shamrock has injured himself so late in his career, he's 38 now, there are doubts he will return or if he does rarely participate in any tough battles

[GlobalHonored]

That's rough considering NJ just brought him back and had him go over Iizuka.

[Pheonix_Chi25]

So does this mean Shamrock is done with NWA TNA?

[edgehead1984]

He hasn't been on a PPV since he lost the title to Killings.