Four Matches Announced For NJPW’s G1 Special In San Francisco

Some mega-matches made official for NJPW’s return to the states.

As New Japan Pro Wrestling is coming off the heels of their second biggest show of the year ‘Dominion’, the company held a post-‘Dominion’ press conference where the newly crowned IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega reflected on his championship win and other major news that came out of ‘Dominion’ including his fellow Canadian’s Chris Jericho and Michael Elgin bringing in championship gold. But before Omega provided his thoughts four matches were announced for NJPW’s G1 Special event in San Francisco, CA on July 7th at the ‘Cow Palace’.

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

Kenny Omega realized his dream this past Saturday as he ended the 720-day reign of Kazuchika Okada to become the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion. The fans inside of ‘Osaka Jo Hall’ went ballistic as the referee’s hand hit the mat for a third time which officially made Omega the new top dog in NJPW. As Kenny was in the ring celebrating with his newly-named faction-mates ‘The Golden Elite’ (The Young Bucks and Kota Ibushi), Kenny’s rival and an individual who shares pure hatred for Omega, Cody, made his way down the entrance ramp and stared Omega down as he stood victorious in the ring. The two men’s feud will climax soon as it was announced that at the G1 Special on July 7th Kenny Omega’s first challenger to his IWGP Heavyweight Championship will be the man who he has been at odds with for nearly six months and also the individual who defeated him two months ago at Ring Of Honor Supercard Of Honor XII, “The American Nightmare” Cody.

IWGP Tag Team Championships: The Young Bucks (c) vs. EVIL & SANADA

The former seven-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks decided to take the next step in their careers and jump up to the heavyweight tag team division. The two wasted no time in challenging for the IWGP Tag Team Championships but the then-holders of the titles were the formidable duo of EVIL and SANADA. The tranquilo L.I.J. members did not back down from the Bucks’ challenge and a match was eventually made official for NJPW’s ‘Dominion’ event. The end of the match between the two teams saw The Young Bucks connect a double “Superkick” to SANADA and execute their “More Bang For Your Buck” finishing maneuver for the victory to become the new IWGP Tag Team Champions. EVIL & SANADA will have an opportunity to get their titles back come July 7th as the two teams will meet inside of the ‘Cow Palace’ in a ‘Dominion’ rematch.

IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Championship: Jay White (c) vs. Juice Robinson

Since capturing the IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Title from Kenny Omega back in January the reinvented Jay White has been on a tear in his six-month reign as champion. At ‘Dominion’ Jay White teamed up with YOSHI-HASHI to take on David Finlay and Juice Robinson. Although David Finlay and Jay White have been taking the fight to one another for quite a long time, Finlay has not been able to best Jay White in the majority of their matches. David Finlay’s partner in the tag match at ‘Dominion’ Juice Robinson does believe he can take down Jay White and he followed up on his beliefs at ‘Dominion’ as “The Flamboyant One” pinned White in the middle of the ring. If Juice can put Jay White out for a three-count on July 7th he will have championship gold to flaunt around as the two men will square off at the G1 Special for the IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Title.

Special Tag Team Match: Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI vs. Kazuchika Okada & Will Ospreay

This tag team match features three competitors who all suffered energy-draining defeats at ‘Dominion’. Will Ospreay lost his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship to Hiromu Takahshi. Tetsuya Naito lost the IWGP Intercontinental Championship to Chris Jericho, and Kazuchika Okada lost his 720-day title-reign/streak and the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to Kenny Omega. Just six months ago Naito and Okada were in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 12 and fast forwarding to present day and both men are coming off of heartbreaking defeats. The two teams will compete at the G1 Special on July 7th to secure some momentum for their factions and their individual selves.

Fightful will have live coverage of the G1 Special when it commences. To get caught up on the action that took place at ‘Dominion’, head over to our coverage of the show.