Guest Dangerous A Report post Posted June 21, 2003 Here are the Blocks for the 2003 G-1 Climax Tournament Block A: 1. Masahiro Chono (13th participation, 1991, 1992, 1994 & 2002 winner) 2. Hiroyoshi Tenzan (9th participation) 3. Osamu Nishimura (5th participation) 4. Hiroshi Tanahashi (2nd participation) 5. Ken Shamrock (1st participation) 6. Jun Akiyama (1st participation) Block B: 1. Yuji Nagata (5th participation, 2001 winner) 2. Yoshihiro Takayama (2nd participation) 3. Yutaka Yoshie (3rd participation) 4. Shinsuke Nakamura (1st participation) 5. Tadao Yasuda (7th participation) 6. Inoki Recommended Wrestler ("X") Thoughts: Block B is pretty predictable unless the Inoki recommended wrestler gets pushed past Nagata. It's pretty much a lock for Takayama to make it to the final four. Nagata should get the second spot from Block B, but you never know, especially if they decide to push Yasuda for the umpteenth time. Block A is a lot more harder to predict. Tenzan, Chono, Akiyama, and even Nishimura stand a chance to get out of that block. If I had to pick, I'd go with Tenzan and Akiyama with Tenzan having to beat Chono in an extra match to qualify for the final 4. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Black Tiger Report post Posted June 21, 2003 Nakamura is sadly going to be the Block B wrestler who comes in last and will get a total of maybe two wins for the whole tournament. The final four will come out to be Akiyama, Tenzan, Nagata, and Takayama. The finals will come down to Tenzan vs either Nagata or Akiyama. I think Shamrock will be the man who gets last place in Block A, he may get a win over Nishimura or Tanahashi but I can't see him beating any of the big names in the block. Tanahashi will come out of the G-1 looking really good, he may not get a lot of wins, but he'll put up a hell of a fight and get the fans behind him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dangerous A Report post Posted June 21, 2003 A thing to look out for is if Shamrock can even compete. He was diagnosed with a torn ACL 2 weeks ago and may not have told NJ officials. I hope he is out and they give someone like Makabe the slot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EL DANDY~! 0 Report post Posted June 21, 2003 Block A is fuckin STACKED. Tenzan/Akiyama in Block A Nagata/Takayama in Block B Nagata will get his win back from Takayama, and then Nagata will beat Akiyama in the finals to get his win back from the 1/4/02 Dome Show. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dangerous A Report post Posted June 21, 2003 Actually Dandy, First place in Block A will face second in Block B and First in B will face second in A. The only way Nagata will get his win back is if he beats Takayama in their initial match or if they meet in the finals. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest NoSelfWorth Report post Posted June 21, 2003 I see Tenzan winning this, with consecutive wins over Nagata and Takayama. This will enable them to have his IWGP Title shot headline a Dome Show. I think that if this happens, Chono will pin him in their singles match to set up a IWGP Title match, should Tenzan beat Takayama for the belt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Black Tiger Report post Posted June 22, 2003 On paper this G-1 looks to be even better than last years. The only possible problem would be if Nakanishi wins his VT fight and gets to be the X. We all know how Inoki is, Nakanishi will plow through the whole field and win it all. I see the semi finals as Tenzan vs Takayama, and Akiyama vs Nagata with the finals coming down to Akiyama vs Tenzan. This will FINALLY be the time for Chono to put over Tenzan in the middle of the ring. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dangerous A Report post Posted June 25, 2003 Katsuyori Shibata was just announced as Inoki's X recommendation for the G-1 open spot. Interesting that he will face fellow Makai club member and leader, Tadao Yasuda. If he and Nakamura can have good matches with each other in the tourney, this could be a preview of the future for NJPW. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Hollywood Fashion Plate Report post Posted June 26, 2003 So everyone in each block fights and the top 2 from each side have a mini-tournament to determine a winner? (you can just put a one word response if you like.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dangerous A Report post Posted June 26, 2003 Correct Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Hollywood Fashion Plate Report post Posted June 26, 2003 Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shuriken Report post Posted June 26, 2003 ''X'' was announced as Katsuyori Shibata. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites