G1 Special In San Francisco: Last Minute Preview & Predictions

New Japan Pro Wrestling will present their third North American event in less than two hours. Here’s a last-minute rundown of the card, as well as some hurried predictions from WrestleZone’s senior NJPW Contributor Ross W Berman IV. The event is set to air at 8pm EDT on AXS TV.

CHAOS (YOSHI-HASHI, Gedo, SHO, YOH & Rocky Romero) vs. Bullet Club (Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, Chase Owens, Yujiro Takahashi & Haku)

This should be a wild opening tag match. Bullet Club’s most underrated members team up to take on CHAOS. The wild card of the match will be Haku. The elder Tongan will be a motivating force for his sons, Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa, as well as his asskicking self. Likely Gedo or Rocky Romero will take the pinfall.

Predicted Winners: Bullet Club

CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano) vs. Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & Minoru Suzuki)

A rematch of sorts for Tomohiro Ishii. The Stone Pitbull lost his British Heavyweight Championship to Minoru Suzuki at last weekend’s Strong Style: Evolved UK. Suzuki-gun are also the British Tag Team Champions. While Ishii & Yano are always a reliable tandem, I doubt that they’ll be able to overcome Sabre & Suzuki. Both members of Suzuki-gun are having a banner year, and no reason for their momentum to slow here. This match will be a good G1 Climax preview, as Sabre is in the same block as Ishii & Yano.

Predicted Winners: Suzuki-gun

Hiroshi Tanahashi & KUSHIDA vs. Bullet Club (Marty Scurll & Hangman Page)

Another G1 preview, as Page and Tanahashi are both in A Block. Scurll has been calling out Tanahashi all summer. They met briefly at Dominion, but this will be Tanahashi and Scurll chance to test each other’s meddle. KUSHIDA will also be in this match.

Predicted Winners: Tanahashi & KUSHIDA

NEVER Openweight Championship Match: Hirooki Goto (c) vs. Jeff Cobb

This match has potential to be a sleeper hit. While Cobb’s time in NJPW has been short, like his problematic tag partner Elgin, Cobb has captivated audiences. Goto needs a big win ahead of the G1, while Cobb will be looking to prove that he should’ve been in this year’s tournament. Goto is likely to hold on to the title, but Cobb will make Goto walk through the fire to do so.

Predicted Winner: Hirooki Goto

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Match: The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) (c) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (EVIL & SANADA)

A Dominion rematch. The last time these two teams fought, the result was a solid tag match that made The Bucks look like credible heavyweights. Expect this match to go the same way.

Predicted Winners: The Young Bucks

CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada & Will Ospreay) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI)

Both CHAOS members lost their title belts at Dominion, and will be looking to prove that they’re still the New Japan equivalent of the 90s Yankees. Naito will be looking to avenge his Tokyo Dome loss to Okada, as well as pick up a win after losing his Intercontinental Title to Chris Jericho. BUSHI will be looking to take out Ospreay while the former Ace of the Juniors is down. Ospreay’s neck will just be hoping to stay off the apron.

Predicted Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship Match: Hiromu Takahashi (c) vs. Dragon Lee

Now that Omega/Okada’s series is over, fans can focus on the greatest rivalry that New Japan Pro Wrestling currently has. Dragon Lee and Hiromu Takahashi are incapable of having a bad match against each other. They seemingly love each other. They also seemingly hate each other. Either way, we’re in for a true treat. Both men have been on fire this year. Hiromu won Best Of Super Juniors, while Dragon Lee just won King of Indies. Don’t be surprised if Dragon Lee finally wins the title.

Predicted Winner: Dragon Lee

IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship Match: Jay White (c) vs. Juice Robinson

Jay broke Juice’s hand. Jay will continue to go after Juice’s hand. Juice might win. Jay might win. This match is a toss up. Their rivalry goes all the way back to the NJPW Dojo. Having bested David Finlay, if Jay White beats Juice, he’ll have proven that he is truly the best of his NJPW Dojo class.

Predicted Winner: Jay White

IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Cody

A match that will determine not only the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, but also the leader of Bullet Club. Cody, the corporate profiteer, looks to prove that Kenny Omega’s obsession with Love & Friendship is a distraction. Will Cody prove that he’s best for business? Will Kenny Omega prove that the powers of Freedom, Beauty, Truth & Love are stronger than the power of multinational commerce?

Predicted Winner: Cody