Opinion

The Book Club: Rebooking The G1 Climax

Published

7 years ago

August 16, 2018

Welcome to The Book Club! This is where I try to take current talent, storylines, and events and book them to their maximum potential. To get a better understanding, you can read through last week’s installment on Roman Reigns. This week we’re taking a look at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s G1 Climax 28 which just concluded on Sunday. For an in-depth breakdown of every night of G1 action, check out the coverage of The Chairshot’s Andrew Balaz and Mathew Sarpraicone. If you watched and followed along for the past month you’re probably thinking that there isn’t really anything that needs to be improved on. And I agree. New Japan has a knack for consistently providing the best product in the world. With that being said, instead of wiping the G1 clean and stating how it should have been booked, I’m going to give a few proposals on how it could have been booked. Whether these proposals are better than what actually happened are completely up to you.

Proposal #1: The Path of Kota Ibushi

In the first booking article I wrote back in May, I stated how I hoped Kota Ibushi would win the G1. My feelings remained the same up until the start of the tournament. If you’re reading this then you probably know that he lost in the finals. My big goal would have been to save the Kota Ibushi and Kenny Omega match for the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 13. Keeping Hiroshi Tanahashi in the finals is fine with me but I probably would have booked Ibushi to win. In order to preserve the match against Kenny and still have Ibushi win the finals, I would keep everything the same except move Ibushi to the A Block and Tanahashi to the B Block. If you watched the final night of the B Block then you heard the commentary team mention how the venue was above capacity just because of the Omega-Ibushi main event event. Imagine if you could channel that type of demand for a match and pair it with a 5 month build to the Tokyo Dome.

Proposal #2: Kenny Omega Loses His First Match

We saw Taiji Ishimori defeat Will Ospreay in the first night of the Best of the Super Juniors. This was shortly after Ishimori was revealed as the new Bone Soldier of the Bullet Club. I thought we would see something similar since Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa turned on the rest of the Bullet Club right before the G1. The win wouldn’t have been without outside interference, of course. Tama did win his first match but didn’t beat Kenny and didn’t finish with a great record. I was a little disappointed because I thought this would be the start of a big push for him. I understand that Tama and Bad Luck Fale cared more about their impact than scoring points but I think their top priority should have been to ruin Kenny’s tournament hopes. Regardless, Kenny Omega starting the tournament 6-0 as the company’s new champion was still a strong choice.

Proposal #3: Same B Block, Different Outcomes

This proposal works as an alternative to the last one. Kenny Omega won his first six matches but lost his last three. That worked just fine but I would have had his final three opponents be Zack Sabre Jr., Tama Tonga, then Kota Ibushi. News broke last month that Kenny had been wrestling with a fractured heel. With this news public, the heel would have been the perfect target for Zack Sabre Jr. He could have targeted it with submissions throughout the match which would eventually lead to a referee stoppage. This would then give Tama Tonga a path to cleanly defeat a hobbled Omega. They could have a rematch for the belt later when Omega is healthy and able to retain. That leaves us with the Ibushi v Omega match. I mentioned wanting to preserve that encounter. I would accomplish that with a draw via an assault from the Firing Squad. The assault would need to be long and violent enough to warrant a draw like the one in San Francisco. The points would also need to be in a situation like in the A Block to where Ibushi only needs a draw in the final match to win the block. Even though it makes sense, I ultimately decided against this idea because calling off that main event would basically be robbing the capacity crowd of their money. That’s why I preferred the option of moving Ibushi to the A Block so his bout with Omega could wait for Wrestle Kingdom.

Proposal #4: Chris Jericho

I didn’t mind Jericho not being part of the G1. He has a ridiculous schedule and his mystique within NJPW remains in tact. However, it would have been nice to see him make an appearance on the final night to target his next opponent. Kazuchika Okada and Jay White have the perfect characters at the moment to match Jericho’s insanity. There’s already a story going on between Okada and White for control of CHAOS. Maybe the Intercontinental Championship could alternate between the three of them until the score can be settled between two of them at Wrestle Kingdom.

Proposal #5: The Kick Out

Kevin Kelly addressed it during their match. Kota Ibushi is the only person on record to kick out of Kenny Omega’s One-Winged Angel back in DDT. Now that they’ve grown much closer since then, Kota should remain as the only person to do it. The reasoning could be that perhaps Kenny doesn’t want to hurt him or that only Kota knows the intricacies of Kenny’s moveset like no other. I wouldn’t have been surprised if it ending up happening in their match last week. If they meet again on a big stage, Kota Ibushi kicking out toward the end of an arduous match would be beautiful.

Proposal #6: Juice in the A Block

Chris Jericho’s absence from the G1 means the second biggest belt in the company was left out of the blocks. The B Block had three champions and the A Block didn’t have any. I thought that was a bit of a peculiar decision. Those that defeat champions during the G1 usually get rematches for the title later on. That means the A Block competitors didn’t have any consolation belts to chase on their journey. Since Juice Robinson lost many matches due to his injured hand, he may have been better served as the only champion in the A Block. They tried to create the narrative that he has a long line of opponents waiting for title shots after the G1 but Kenny Omega and Hirooki Goto are bigger names that suffered losses to similar people. So it would make more sense for guys like ZSJ and Ibushi to chase Goto instead. In fact, Tomohiro Ishii has already hinted at a rematch for Kenny Omega’s heavyweight strap. If Juice was the lone champion in the A Block, it truly would have felt like him versus the world. He’s a bright babyface on the rise and just won his first championship. Successful defenses against everyone in the A Block would have been a fun thing to get behind in the coming months.

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Related Topics:Chris Jericho G1 Climax 28 Hiroshi Tanahashi Jay White Juice Robinson Kazuchika Okada Kenny Omega Kota Ibushi NJPW Tama Tonga Zack Sabre Jr

Up Next

Carmella Could Use A New Sidekick

Don't Miss

RING RIFFS: Arn Anderson vs. Johnny B. Badd – Boxer vs. Wrestler Match

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY – 4 Corners Podcast (sports)

WEDNESDAY – The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY – POD is WAR (Los Tres Friends)

FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network
Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts… Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Listen on your favorite platform!

iTunes | iHeart Radio | Google Play | Spotify
Listen, like, subscribe, and share!

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1