New Japan Pro Wrestling’s G1 Climax 31 kicks off with the first night of A Block action from Osaka on September 18th. The main event will feature IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Shingo Takagi matching up with perennial G1 Climax MVP, Tomohiro Ishii. The semi-main event will pit longtime rivals, Tetsuya Naito and Zack Sabre Jr against each other in their second singles match this year. In the middle of the card, we’ll find the antics of Toru Yano mixing it up with KENTA, Great-O-Khan and Tanga Loa making their G1 Climax debuts against each other, and two-time defending tournament Champion, Kota Ibushi beginning his quest for a three-peat against last year’s block basement-dweller, Yujiro Takahashi.
If you’re looking for a G1 Climax primer or some deeper historical data points or facts you can find that for the A Block in this post. There will be some redundancies between that post and this one as some of those notes are the most relevant bits that I have for this particular night. For that, I apologize for repeating myself. You will also find tournament-to-date results included in today’s post, though there have been no matches completed. Enjoy the zeroes now, because they’re never coming back.
This, of course, isn’t the last you’ll hear from me for this year’s G1. In daily preview posts, I’ll dissect each tournament matchup, including 2021 and recent singles performance, individual head-to-head histories and miscellaneous applicable research. Round robin tournaments are great equalizers for data: each wrestler competes in the same schedule throughout the tournament by facing each other wrestler once. So, as the tournament goes on and data points become more relevant, I’ll be including some advanced metrics and probabilities for each card as well. I’ll also help to dissect the complicated tiebreakers and other tournament nuances as they come up. I’ll also be back tomorrow with a similar preview of B Block.
Of course, you can find interactive tables for NJPW’s 2021, detailed results and statistics of all 1551 G1 Climax matches to date, and This Year’s Tournament at SportOfProWrestling.com, and you can let me know what you find when you drill down by dropping me a line on Twitter @TheChrisSamsa.
NJPW G1 Climax 31 Night One (A Block)
Date: September 18, 2021
City: Osaka
Venue: EDION Arena Osaka
Time: 5:00pm JST
Watch: NJPWWorld (With Live English Commentary)
Local Time Conversions:
G1 Climax 31: A Block Results To Date
G1 Climax 31: A Block Table
Main Event
G1 Climax 31 A Block Match
Shingo Takagi [0] vs. Tomohiro Ishii [0]
In the main event, Shingo Takagi looks to get his first G1 Climax tournament as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion off on the right foot against a familiar foe in Tomohiro Ishii. In last year’s G1 Climax, Ishii snapped a three-match losing streak by defeating Shingo in Korakuen Hall, so Shingo looks to avenge their most recent meeting with a win in Osaka.
Recent History – 2021 Singles
- Shingo Takagi has been the most dominant and the most active singles wrestler in NJPW this year. His 13 singles victories this year are the most in 2021. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi, and Will Ospreay each have the second-most wins at 8.
- Shingo’s 6 hours, 33 minutes, and 13 seconds of Singles Match Length is more than two hours longer than Hiroshi Tanahashi who is the next highest in NJPW.
- Shingo Takagi has been the toughest wrestler to defeat in NJPW this year. His 36 minute and 53 second average losing match length is the longest in NJPW. All three of Shingo Takagi’s singles losses in 2021 have surpassed the G1 Climax time limit of 30 minutes, maxing out with the second longest singles match in NJPW this year, his 44 minute and 53 second loss to Will Ospreay at Wrestling Dontaku.
- Tomohiro Ishii has also been challenging to defeat in singles action. His 8 minute and 28 second win/loss differential is fifth best in NJPW.
Recent History – Last 365 Days Singles
- Shingo Takagi’s 18 victories in the last 365 days are the most in NJPW.
- Takagi’s 9 hours, 43 minutes, and 34 seconds of Singles Total Match Length is over two hours longer than Kota Ibushi, who is the next highest.
Recent History – Last 90 Days Singles
- Shingo Takagi is the only wrestler who has wrestled in five NJPW singles matches in the last 90 days.
Recent History – 2021 Individual Overall
- Shingo Takagi and Tomohiro Ishii are both within the top 10 in NJPW in Overall Total Match Length this year, and total NJPW Matches.
Head To Head History
History in EDION Arena Osaka
- Shingo Takagi is just 1-3 with NJPW in EDION Arena Osaka, including an 0-3 record in the G1 Climax here. His only victory here with NJPW was his NEVER Openweight Championship victory over Minoru Suzuki at Power Struggle last year.
- Tomohiro Ishii is 5-3 in G1 Climax Matches at EDION Arena Osaka, including losses to Jeff Cobb and Minoru Suzuki in last year’s tournament.
G1 Climax 31 – Tournament To Date
G1 Climax – All Time
Shingo Takagi – G1 Climax 31
Schedule
September 18, EDION Arena Osaka: Shingo Takagi vs. Tomohiro Ishii
September 23, Ota City General Gymnasium: Shingo Takagi vs. Zack Sabre Jr
September 26, Kobe World Hall: Shingo Takagi vs. Tetsuya Naito
September 30, Korakuen Hall: Shingo Takagi vs. KENTA
October 3, Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium: Shingo Takagi vs. Kota Ibushi
October 7, Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall: Shingo Takagi vs. Toru Yano
October 9, EDION Arena Osaka: Shingo Takagi vs. Tanga Loa
October 13, Xebio Arena Sendai: Shingo Takagi vs. Great-O-Khan
October 18, Yokohama Budokan: Shingo Takagi vs. Yujiro Takahashi
- Shingo Takagi’s .818 winning percentage against this year’s A Block is the highest in this year’s tournament.
- There are seven wrestlers in the A Block who have not defeated Shingo Takagi in a singles match.
- Two of Shingo’s first three opponents HAVE defeated him in singles matches though. Tomohiro Ishii and Tetsuya Naito are the only two in this block who have beaten the champion.
- Shingo has scored 8 points in each of his first two G1 Climax tournaments. The IWGP Heavyweight Champion has averaged 12.2 points in over the last 10 G1 tournaments.
- Yujiro Takahashi and Tomohiro Ishii are the only two wrestlers in A Block that Shingo has faced more than once in singles matches.
- In the A Block, only Toru Yano (.429) and Yujiro Takahashi (.328) have lower all-time G1 Climax winning percentages than Takagi’s .444.
- With just 18 G1 Climax matches, only the tournament debuts of Great-O-Khan and Tanga Loa have less G1 Climax experience than Shingo.
- Shingo Takagi’s 18 minute and 28 second average G1 match length is the highest ever among wrestlers with over 10 G1 matches and is the longest among this year’s field.
Tomohiro Ishii – G1 Climax 31
Schedule
September 18, EDION Arena Osaka: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Shingo Takagi
September 23, Ota City General Gymnasium: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Kota Ibushi
September 26, Kobe World Hall: Tomohiro Ishii vs. KENTA
September 30, Korakuen Hall: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tanga Loa
October 3, Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Zack Sabre Jr
October 7, Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Great-O-Khan
October 9, EDION Arena Osaka: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tetsuya Naito
October 13, Xebio Arena Sendai: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Yujiro Takahashi
October 18, Yokohama Budokan: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Toru Yano
- Tomohiro Ishii enters his 9th consecutive G1 Climax tournament and his 9th overall.
- Ishii’s first time matchups in this year’s tournament are Great-O-Khan and Tanga Loa.
- Ishii is looking for his first career victories over KENTA, Great-O-Khan, and Tanga Loa during this year’s tournament.
- Tomohiro Ishii only has a winning record against two of this year’s block opponents, Toru Yano and Yujiro Takahashi.
- Ishii has averaged 8.4 points over the last five tournaments.
- Ishii’s 18 hours, 26 minutes, and 47 seconds of total G1 match length are the second highest in the A Block. Only Tetsuya Naito has more G1 ring-time than Ishii.
Match Five
G1 Climax 31 A Block Match
Tetsuya Naito [0] vs. Zack Sabre Jr [0]
Tetsuya Naito has defeated Zack Sabre Jr in three consecutive singles matches, including two matches that took place in tonight’s venue, EDION Arena Osaka. ZSJ and Tetsuya Naito aren’t exactly generational rivals, but each of their in-ring wit and creativity is sure to be on display in a match is just as likely to end in 14 minutes as it is to go to a time limit draw.
Recent History – 2021 Singles
- Tetsuya Naito has the second lowest 2021 singles winning percentage among this year’s A Block wrestlers.
Recent History – Last 365 Days Singles
- Tetsuya Naito’s 6 hours, 48 minutes and 8 seconds of Singles Total Match Length is the fourth most in NJPW over the last 365 Days.
Recent History – 2021 Individual Overall
- Tetsuya Naito’s 25 hours, 33 minutes, and 33 seconds of Overall Total Match Length is the second highest in NJPW this year. His 93 matches are also second highest in NJPW this year.
- Zack Sabre Jr’s 10 submission victories in NJPW in 2021 are the second highest this year.
Head To Head History
- Tetsuya Naito leads the all-time series with Zack Sabre Jr 4-2, including a 2-1 lead in G1 Climax matches.
- Naito has won his last three singles matches with Zack Sabre Jr.
- History in EDION Arena Osaka
- Tetsuya Naito is 14-8 in singles matches in EDION Arena Osaka, including a 3-3 record in G1 Climax matches.
- Zack Sabre Jr is 4-3 in NJPW singles matches in EDION Arena Osaka, including a 3-0 record in G1 Climax matches.
- Naito and ZSJ’s 28 minute and 28 second G1 Climax match last year was the fourth-longest G1 Climax match ever to render a decision.
G1 Climax 31 – Tournament To Date
G1 Climax – All Time
Tetsuya Naito – G1 Climax 31
Schedule
September 18, EDION Arena Osaka: Tetsuya Naito vs. Zack Sabre Jr
September 23, Ota City General Gymnasium: Tetsuya Naito vs. Tanga Loa
September 26, Kobe World Hall: Tetsuya Naito vs. Shingo Takagi
September 30, Korakuen Hall: Tetsuya Naito vs. Yujiro Takahashi
October 3, Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium: Tetsuya Naito vs. Toru Yano
October 7, Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall: Tetsuya Naito vs. KENTA
October 9, EDION Arena Osaka: Tetsuya Naito vs. Tomohiro Ishii
October 13, Xebio Arena Sendai: Tetsuya Naito vs. Kota Ibushi
October 18, Yokohama Budokan: Tetsuya Naito vs. Great-O-Khan
- Tetsuya Naito enters his 12th consecutive G1 Climax, the fourth longest streak among this year’s entrants.
- There is only one wrestler in Naito’s block that he hasn’t defeated and that is Tanga Loa. Their block match will be their first time meeting in a singles match.
- Tetsuya Naito’s .600 G1 winning percentage is second highest among this year’s A Block competitors, only behind Kota Ibushi.
- Naito’s 60 G1 wins are the highest among this year’s A Block competitors and fifth most all-time. Naito can expect to pass Shinsuke Nakamura (62) and possibly Yuji Nagata (65) and Hiroyoshi Tenzan (66) with a good tournament this year.
- Naito’s 26 hours, 15 minutes, and 3 seconds of total G1 match time is fourth highest all time.
- At 3 hours, 27 minutes, and 41 seconds of total match length during the 2021 tournament was the longest G1 Climax tournament ever for a single wrestler.
- Over the last 5 tournaments, Naito has averaged 12 points. Only Kazuchika Okada has averaged higher at 12.6.
Zack Sabre Jr – G1 Climax 31
Schedule
September 18, EDION Arena Osaka: Zack Sabre Jr vs. Tetsuya Naito
September 23, Ota City General Gymnasium: Zack Sabre Jr vs. Shingo Takagi
September 26, Kobe World Hall: Zack Sabre Jr vs. Kota Ibushi
September 30, Korakuen Hall: Zack Sabre Jr vs. Great-O-Khan
October 3, Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium: Zack Sabre Jr vs. Tomohiro Ishii
October 7, Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall: Zack Sabre Jr vs. Yujiro Takahashi
October 9, EDION Arena Osaka: Zack Sabre Jr vs. KENTA
October 13, Xebio Arena Sendai: Zack Sabre Jr vs. Toru Yano
October 18, Yokohama Budokan: Zack Sabre Jr vs. Tanga Loa
- Zack Sabre Jr enters his fifth consecutive G1 Climax tournament.
- ZSJ has two first time matchups in this year’s tournament: Great-O-Khan and Yujiro Takahashi. This year will also be the first time Sabre faces Shingo Takagi in an NJPW ring, they met once previously in wXw.
- Zack Sabre Jr has averaged 10 points in his four previous G1 Climax appearances. His 10 point average is the third highest in his block, only behind Tetsuya Naito (12), and Kota Ibushi (11.6)
- Zack Sabre Jr has won 9 G1 Climax matches by submission, that is the most in this year’s tournament, and 5 more than the next highest in the A Block (KENTA-4).
Match Four
G1 Climax 31 A Block Match
Toru Yano [0] vs. KENTA [0]
Toru Yano and KENTA first met in a GHC Heavyweight Championship match in 2013. Last year’s G1 Climax match was something of a reunion for the two, though Yano’s style has evolved, and KENTA has adapted to his Bullet Club surroundings. The last time we saw Toru Yano, he was threatening to stab Chase Owen’s eyes out with a pair of scissors. Will we see the playful Yano return for the G1, or will he continue his hardcore throwback for a different look during this G1?
Recent History – 2021 Singles
- In 2021, Toru Yano has won a YTR Style Texas Strap Match, Two New Japan Cup matches, a creation of darkness blindfold match, an I quit match and a four-way match.
Recent History – Last 365 Days Singles
- Incredibly, KENTA and Toru Yano have the exact same singles record over the last 365 days.
Recent History – 2021 Individual Overall
- Toru Yano’s +22 Fall Differential is fourth best in NJPW this year.
Head To Head History
- Toru Yano and KENTA have met twice in singles matches. Once in 2013 when KENTA defended the GHC Heavyweight Title in one of the longest singles matches of Toru Yano’s career and again during last year’s G1 Climax. KENTA won both matches.
History in EDION Arena Osaka
- Toru Yano is 12-18 overall in EDION Arena Osaka including a 7-9 record in G1 Climax matches here.
G1 Climax 31 – Tournament To Date
G1 Climax – All Time
- Toru Yano is 3-11-1 in his opening G1 Climax matches.
- KENTA began his G1 Climax career by going 4-0 in G1 Climax 29 and he continued his winning ways by winning his opening match in last year’s G1 Climax 30.
Toru Yano – G1 Climax 31
Schedule
September 18, EDION Arena Osaka: Toru Yano vs. KENTA
September 23, Ota City General Gymnasium: Toru Yano vs. Great-O-Khan
September 26, Kobe World Hall: Toru Yano vs. Tanga Loa
September 30, Korakuen Hall: Toru Yano vs. Kota Ibushi
October 3, Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium: Toru Yano vs. Tetsuya Naito
October 7, Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall: Toru Yano vs. Shingo Takagi
October 9, EDION Arena Osaka: Toru Yano vs. Yujiro Takahashi
October 13, Xebio Arena Sendai: Toru Yano vs. Zack Sabre Jr
October 18, Yokohama Budokan: Toru Yano vs. Tomohiro Ishii
- Toru Yano enters his 16th G1 Climax, tying Masahiro Chono for the fourth-most G1 Tournaments. Only Hiroyoshi Tenzan (21), Hiroshi Tanahashi (20), and Yuji Nagata (19) have participated in more G1 tournaments than Yano.
- Over the last ten G1 Climax tournaments, Toru Yano has averaged 7.8 points per year. He has not scored less than 6 and he has not scored more than 10.
- Tanga Loa is Toru Yano’s only first-time match up in this year’s G1.
- Yano is still seeking his first victory over four of his nine block competitors this year (Shingo Takagi, Tomohiro Ishii, KENTA, Tanga Loa).
- Toru Yano’s 121 G1 Climax matches are fourth most all-time.
- Toru Yano’s 67 G1 Climax losses leave him tied with Yuji Nagata and Hiroyoshi Tenzan for the most G1 losses all-time. His first loss in this year’s tournament will make him the losingist wrestler in G1 history.
- Toru Yano’s 51 G1 Climax victories are the ninth most all-time. He is only likely to move up one spot on that list this year, with two wins he will surpass Togi Makabe for eighth most all-time.
- Yano has lost eight G1 matches by submission, that is tied for third most all-time.
- Yano has lost 53 G1 matches by pinfall, that is second all-time, and only three behind Yuji Nagata.
KENTA – G1 Climax 31
Schedule
September 18, EDION Arena Osaka: KENTA vs. Toru Yano
September 23, Ota City General Gymnasium: KENTA vs. Yujiro Takahashi
September 26, Kobe World Hall: KENTA vs. Tomohiro Ishii
September 30, Korakuen Hall: KENTA vs. Shingo Takagi
October 3, Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium: KENTA vs. Great-O-Khan
October 7, Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall: KENTA vs. Tetsuya Naito
October 9, EDION Arena Osaka: KENTA vs. Zack Sabre Jr
October 13, Xebio Arena Sendai: KENTA vs. Tanga Loa
October 18, Yokohama Budokan: KENTA vs. Kota Ibushi
- KENTA enters his third consecutive G1 Climax and his second as a member of Bullet Club.
- Only KENTA, Kota Ibushi, and Shingo Takagi have a winning percentage against A Block opponents above .500.
- KENTA has three first time matchups in this year’s G1 Climax: Great-O-Khan, Tanga Loa, and Yujiro Takahashi.
- Among wrestlers that he has faced, KENTA is only looking for his first win over Shingo Takagi.
Match Three
G1 Climax 31 A Block Match
Great-O-Khan [0] vs. Tanga Loa [0]
Great-O-Khan and Tanga Loa both enter the first G1 Climax match of their career with very little singles competition under their belts. Both of these wrestlers have found most of their success in tag matches, but certainly have the skill set and upside to do some damage in their first G1 Climax tournament.
Recent History – 2021 Singles
Recent History – Last 365 Days Singles
- The last 365 days represent the entirety of Great-O-Khan’s NJPW singles career.
- Tanga Loa has wrestled in four singles matches in his New Japan Pro Wrestling career. Three of them have occurred between August 2020 and today.
Recent History – 2021 Individual Overall
Head To Head History
- This will be the first singles match between Great-O-Khan and Tanga Loa.
History in EDION Arena Osaka
- Great-O-Khan is 0-1 in EDION Arena Osaka, he lost to Kazuchika Okada at Power Struggle 2020.
- This will be Tanga Loa’s first singles match in EDION Arena Osaka
G1 Climax 31 – Tournament To Date
G1 Climax – All Time
Great-O-Khan – G1 Climax 31
Schedule
September 18, EDION Arena Osaka: Great-O-Khan vs. Tanga Loa
September 23, Ota City General Gymnasium: Great-O-Khan vs. Toru Yano
September 26, Kobe World Hall: Great-O-Khan vs. Yujiro Takahashi
September 30, Korakuen Hall: Great-O-Khan vs. Zack Sabre Jr
October 3, Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium: Great-O-Khan vs. KENTA
October 7, Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall: Great-O-Khan vs. Tomohiro Ishii
October 9, EDION Arena Osaka: Great-O-Khan vs. Kota Ibushi
October 13, Xebio Arena Sendai: Great-O-Khan vs. Shingo Takagi
October 18, Yokohama Budokan: Great-O-Khan vs. Tetsuya Naito
- Great-O-Khan enters his first G1 Climax tournament after making a splash by joining Will Ospreay during the final block night of last year’s G1 Climax tournament.
- Great-O-Khan will have six first-time singles matches in this year’s tournament. He has only faced Tetsuya Naito, Toru Yano and Yujiro Takahashi among this year’s A Block competitors. His matches against Yujiro were all prior to his excursion to RevPro, so O-Khan was still a Young Lion at that time.
- Tetsuya Naito is the only wrestler among this year’s A Block that Great-O-Khan has defeated.
Tanga Loa – G1 Climax 31
Schedule
September 18, EDION Arena Osaka: Tanga Loa vs. Great-O-Khan
September 23, Ota City General Gymnasium: Tanga Loa vs. Tetsuya Naito
September 26, Kobe World Hall: Tanga Loa vs. Toru Yano
September 30, Korakuen Hall: Tanga Loa vs. Tomohiro Ishii
October 3, Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium: Tanga Loa vs. Yujiro Takahashi
October 7, Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall: Tanga Loa vs. Kota Ibushi
October 9, EDION Arena Osaka: Tanga Loa vs. Shingo Takagi
October 13, Xebio Arena Sendai: Tanga Loa vs. KENTA
October 18, Yokohama Budokan: Tanga Loa vs. Zack Sabre Jr
- Seven time IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion Tanga Loa enters his first G1 Climax tournament.
- Tanga Loa is, by far, the least experienced singles wrestler in this year’s G1 Climax. Entering the tournament, he hast just one singles match among this year’s A Block competitors.
Match Two
G1 Climax 31 A Block Match
Kota Ibushi [0] vs. Yujiro Takahashi [0]
Kota Ibushi has lost the first match of his G1 Climax tournament in both of the years that he went on to win the tournament. Given Yujiro Takahashi’s performance in last year’s G1 Climax Tournament (2 points, 1-8), it seems unlikely that that trend will continue for Ibushi. But, of course, anything can happen on any night and Yujiro has strengthened his bond with Bullet Club – House of Torture members EVIL, SHO, and Dick Togo, so there’s a non-zero chance that one of them shows up to try to ruin Kota Ibushi’s night. Ibushi is still on the upswing after battling an illness that left him out of action for over two months. He seems to have drawn the perfect first opponent for this year’s tournament in Yujiro.
Recent History – 2021 Singles
- Kota Ibushi’s 8 singles victories in 2021 are the second most in NJPW, tied with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Will Ospreay, and behind Shingo Takagi.
- Kota Ibushi has only wrestled once since July 2nd.
Recent History – Last 365 Days Singles
- Kota Ibushi’s 16 singles victories over the last 365 days are second highest in NJPW, just two wins behind Shingo Takagi’s 18 in that time period.
Recent History – 2021 Individual Overall
Head To Head History
- Kota Ibushi and Yujiro Takahashi have split their career series, both in G1 Climax matches, seven years apart.
History in EDION Arena Osaka
- The last time Kota Ibushi wrestled here; he lost his #1 Contendership Briefcase to Jay White at last year’s Power Struggle
- Kota Ibushi is 10-4 in singles matches in his career at EDION Arena Osaka including a 4-1 record in G1 Climax matches here. He has won his last four G1 Climax matches here.
- Yujiro Takahashi is 3-11 in singles matches at EDION Arena Osaka including a 2-6 record in G1 Climax Matches.
G1 Climax 31 – Tournament To Date
G1 Climax – All Time
Kota Ibushi – G1 Climax 31
Schedule
September 18, EDION Arena Osaka: Kota Ibushi vs. Yujiro Takahashi
September 23, Ota City General Gymnasium: Kota Ibushi vs. Tomohiro Ishii
September 26, Kobe World Hall: Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr
September 30, Korakuen Hall: Kota Ibushi vs. Toru Yano
October 3, Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium: Kota Ibushi vs. Shingo Takagi
October 7, Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall: Kota Ibushi vs. Tanga Loa
October 9, EDION Arena Osaka: Kota Ibushi vs. Great-O-Khan
October 13, Xebio Arena Sendai: Kota Ibushi vs. Tetsuya Naito
October 18, Yokohama Budokan: Kota Ibushi vs. KENTA
- Kota Ibushi enters his seventh G1 Climax and his Fifth Consecutive.
- Ibushi has reached the finals in his last three G1 Climax tournaments. He is the only wrestler to ever reach three consecutive finals.
- Ibushi won the last two G1 Climax tournaments, he is one of three wrestlers (Chono, Tenzan) to ever go back to back in the prestigious tournament.
- Kota Ibushi is looking for his first victory over Shingo Takagi as well as first-time matchups Great-O-Khan, and Tanga Loa during this year’s tournament.
- Ibushi’s .614 G1 winning percentage is the highest in A Block.
- Ibushi’s 17:08 average G1 winning match length is the highest in the A Block. Kenta’s 16:21 is the second highest.
- Kota Ibushi’s stamina and conditioning has been impressive through the last three G1 tournaments. His 2018, 2019, and 2020 tournaments are three of the six longest individual tournaments in G1 History.
Yujiro Takahashi – G1 Climax 31
Schedule
September 18, EDION Arena Osaka: Yujiro Takahashi vs. Kota Ibushi
September 23, Ota City General Gymnasium: Yujiro Takahashi vs. KENTA
September 26, Kobe World Hall: Yujiro Takahashi vs. Great-O-Khan
September 30, Korakuen Hall: Yujiro Takahashi vs. Tetsuya Naito
October 3, Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium: Yujiro Takahashi vs. Tanga Loa
October 7, Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall: Yujiro Takahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr
October 9, EDION Arena Osaka: Yujiro Takahashi vs. Toru Yano
October 13, Xebio Arena Sendai: Yujiro Takahashi vs. Tomohiro Ishii
October 18, Yokohama Budokan: Yujiro Takahashi vs. Shingo Takagi
- Yujiro Takahashi enters his second consecutive G1 Climax after a four year hiatus.
- The only wrestler in the A Block that Yujiro Takahashi has a winning record against is Tetsuya Naito. 16 of those victories occurred before 2012 and his most recent win was in 2014.
- Yujiro Takahashi has four first time matchups in this year’s A Block: Zack Sabre Jr, KENTA, Great-O-Khan, and Tanga Loa.
- Yujiro’s 9 minute and 37 second average G1 match length is the second shortest among this year’s G1 competitors. Only Toru Yano’s 7 minute and 51 second average is lower.
Match One
SHO vs. Ryohei Oiwa
Young Lion Ryohei Oiwa will have his first match against a seasoned roster member as he takes on SHO in the opening match on the card from Osaka. SHO will look to establish his new ways as this will be his first singles match since defecting from CHAOS and joining Bullet Club – House of Torture.
Recent History – 2021 Singles
Recent History – Last 365 Days Singles
Recent History – 2021 Individual Overall
