Jon Moxley, Shingo Takagi, and KENTA declare for the G1 Climax

There was a recurring theme throughout the events of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall this morning (for full results, check here)— wrestlers declaring their intent to be in this year’s G1 Climax.

After defeating Young Lion Shota Umino with Death Rider, IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Jon Moxley was the first, saying he brought a message from Cincinatti, Ohio that “international purveyor of violence, gentleman, and all around sick son of a bitch Jon Moxley wants in the G1!”

Shingo Takagi would join him after defeating Satoshi Kojima with Last of the Dragon, but it’s after our tag title defense that things heated up with the entrance of former NEVER Openweight Champion Katsuyori Shibata.

Alas, no, his health hasn’t yet improved enough for a return, and I certainly wouldn’t expect him to jump right back into the G1 even if it were, but he pointed at the entry and was joined by former GHC Heavyweight Champion and ex-WWE Superstar KENTA!

Shibata gave the erstwhile Hideo Itami a proper introduction and KENTA took it from there, thanking him for the opportunity and saying he intends to show us his brand of pro wrestling in the G1 Climax as well.

Three men, none of whom have ever been in the G1 before, all of whom are very exciting additions to this year’s field. Shingo seems an obvious favorite to go deep after his 9-0 performance in the round robin phase of this year’s Best of the Super Jr., but his entry has a tinge of melancholy to it to me given how very badly former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion KUSHIDA wanted to enter the G1 before he departed for NXT.

And with Mox already showing that he’s still got it after leaving the grips of Vincent Kennedy McMahon and his good shit, one can only hope that even with all the wear and tear on his body, KENTA is ready to put some dudes to sleep once more.

There you have it, folks

Excited to see these men in this year’s G1 Climax field, Cagesiders?