NJPW G1 Climax 36 Winner

NJPW

There are now only three shows remaining in the NJPW G1 Climax 36 tournament.

Now that the A Block matches are over, the focus turns to the B Block final night to determine our other two semifinalists.

From the A Block winners to those who advance out of the B Block, there could be any number of stars who might pull out a win in this year’s G1.

Here are eight potential options for the NJPW G1 Climax 36 winner.

8. Callum Newman

Earlier this year, Callum Newman made history by becoming the youngest winner of the New Japan Cup tournament.

Once again making history, Newman went on to defeat Yota Tsuji to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at NJPW Sakura Genesis 2026.

Now with one B Block night remaining, Callum finds himself with 10 points and needing a bit of help to make it to the semifinals.

Considering his success this year, Newman has to be a favorite to win the NJPW G1 Climax 36 tournament.

7. Drilla Moloney

There is a plenty of new stars who have started to break out on the New Japan Pro Wrestling roster in 2026.

Drilla Moloney has been showcased himself to be someone to watch in the company.

With the final B Block night on the horizon, Moloney finds himself with 10 points and a chance at a semifinals spot.

Looking to make his first NJPW G1 Climax 36 finals, Moloney could elevate himself into the upper echelon of the roster with a win to make it to the semifinals.

6. Ren Narita

One of the youth movement on the NJPW roster that has not stepped in the same way as Yota Tsuji, Shota Umino and Yuya Uemura is Ren Narita.

Over the course of the past few years, Narita is a former NEVER Openweight Champion, NJPW World TV Champion and NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champion.

The House of Torture leader could be on the verge of his biggest win yet if he moves on to the G1 Climax 36 semifinals.

Placing his name with the rest of the main event level talent in NJPW, Narita could make it to the finals and pull out the victory this year.

5. Zack Sabre Jr.

In 2024, Zack Sabre Jr. made history by becoming the first British star to win the NJPW G1 Climax 34 tournament.

The TMDK leader went on to beat Tetsuya Naito to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

Starting this year’s G1 Climax 36 tournament, Sabre Jr. started out 0-4, but he somehow finds himself in the final mix with three straight wins.

With a win over Aaron Wolf, ZSJ has a very good chance to win his second G1 this year.

4. Gabe Kidd

Ahead of the NJPW G1 Climax 36, Gabe Kidd defeated Shota Umino to win the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship on one of the Road To shows.

During the G1, Kidd has been on a roll and pulled off consecutive wins to kickstart the tournament.

Coming back to New Japan, Kidd has been disrespecting the company and talking down to the entire roster.

“The Mad Man” could win his last B Block match to make his way to the semifinals and finals where he has everything it takes to win the G1 Climax 36 tournament.

3. Yota Tsuji

At NJPW Dominion 2026, Yota Tsuji defeated Callum Newman to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

Enjoying his second reign as champion, Tsuji came into the NJPW G1 Climax 36 tournament with a chip on his shoulder.

Proving to be one of the best in this year’s tournament, Tsuji picked up a win over Jake Lee on the final A Block night to move on to the G1 Semifinals.

With 12 points and finishing first place in the block, Tsuji could make history by becoming the first IWGP Heavyweight Champion since 2000 to win the G1 Climax tournament.

2. Ryohei Oiwa

From one A Block semifinalist to the other, Ryohei Oiwa has made it to his first G1 Climax playoffs this year.

“The Grip” has been one of the most fascinating NJPW stars in this year’s tournament.

Oiwa’s “headlock-based” offense has helped to propel him to the next level and elevated him to a big spot in the G1.

Considering the youth movement for NJPW, Oiwa has all the makings of being this year’s G1 Climax 36 winner.

1. Yuya Uemura

In this year’s New Japan Cup Finals, Callum Newman defeated Yuya Uemura to win the trophy.

“The Heat Storm” has become one of the most popular babyfaces on the NJPW roster today. Becoming a flagbearer for this generation of strong style, there is no denying that Uemura has cemented his place in New Japan.

After coming up short in the New Japan Cup, Uemura now finds himself with 10 points and in control of his destiny heading into the G1 Climax 36 tournament.

Uemura winning the G1 Climax 36 feels like his destiny that has been what his whole career has been building to this whole time.

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• G1 Climax 36
• NJPW G1 Climax 36

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