We don’t yet have an official list of entrants or block assignments for G1 Climax 29, New Japan Pro Wrestling’s annual round robin tournament which helps sets the main event for their January Wrestle Kingdom Tokyo Dome event. But the company took the step of announcing they’d be sending four of their biggest stars to opening night of the 2019 edition, happening in Dallas on July 6.
It’s the first time any G1 Climax show has been held outside Japan, and according to Wrestling Observer, advanced ticket sales have been “disappointing”. Promoting IWGP Heavyweight champ Kazuchika Okada, IWGP Intercontinental champ Kota Ibushi and the men they beat for those belts in two of the main event matches at G1 Supercard in Madison Square Garden over WrestleMania weekend - Bullet Club’s Jay White and Los Ingobernables Tetsuya Naito...
HUGE NEWS FOR #g129 IN DALLAS!
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) April 15, 2019
Kazuchika Okada, Jay White, Tetsuya Naito and Kota Ibushi will all be in Dallas for the first day of G1 Climax 29 July 6! (tournament entrants will be announced at a later date)https://t.co/VD7bzaNWD6
Ticketmaster: https://t.co/MhwUBZjsxx pic.twitter.com/2IlzE6fXCD
... is the latest move to spur box office, following ticket price discounts.
WWE recently announced Raw will broadcast from the same building (American Airlines Center) days before the NJPW show on July 1, forcing Texas wrestling fans who can’t afford both shows to make a decision. Perhaps knowing this is their chance to see the Rainmaker, the Golden Star, the Stardust Genus and Switchblade in meaningful action could sway ticket buyers who are on the fence.
We shall see.