NJPW News: New Japan to hold 2017 G1 Climax shows in California
As per the reports of PWInsider, New Japan Pro Wrestling will start hosting their shows at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California. A part of the Japan-based company’s legendary G1 Climax tournament will also be shot in the States as well.
Takaaki Kidani, the president of Bushiroad (New Japan Pro Wrestling's parent company), recently expressed his desire to host NJPW shows in the United States, from the beginning of 2017 on his blog.
However, it will not be New Japan's first visit to the United States, as the company previously hosted their shows on the East Coast in 2011, in affiliation with Jersey All Pro Wrestling. The event saw Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) being crowned as the inaugural IJPW Intercontinental Champion.
Over the course of three years, NJPW has presented the "Global Wars/War of the Worlds" tour with Ring of Honor in Canada and the United States. This will be the first time that a foreign wrestling promotion would host their shows in the States without a promotional partner.
The G1 Climax is a round-robin tournament, which is considered the most unadulterated wrestling competition in the entire history of the sport. The tournament is a month long affair and is generally presented from mid-July to mid-August, every year.
The winner of the elite competition is presented with an IWGP Heavyweight Championship opportunity, and as per general consensus, the chances of becoming a Champion after winning the tournament are much higher.
This year, Kenny Omega, the winner of 2016's G1 - the 26th edition of the tournament will confront Kazuchika Okada, come Wrestle Kingdom on January 4th in the new year.
Relive the tournament final of G1 Climax 2016, as it happened!
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