Yota Tsuji vs Konosuke Takeshita is the biggest G1 Climax opener in years

The Corporate Shift and the Forbidden Friction

Professional wrestling is a game of control, and when NJPW transitioned to new ownership earlier this year, it sent shockwaves through the industry. As Wrestling Inc reported, Bushiroad Inc. sold its shares to TV Asahi, shifting a 70% majority stake to the broadcaster. This corporate transition raises immediate questions about the future of New Japan's international alliances.

AEW President Tony Khan remains publicly unbothered by these changes. During the media call ahead of Forbidden Door in June, Khan dismissed concerns about a shift in day-to-day operations. He noted that his primary contacts within the Japanese promotion remain unchanged.

"It's definitely something to keep an eye on, and it has not changed any of the day-to-day work with New Japan Pro Wrestling. Hiroshi Tanahashi – the president of New Japan Pro Wrestling – and Gedo are people I continue to work with."

Khan is banking on continuity, but the locker room is showing signs of resistance. IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji raised eyebrows by boycotting the recent Forbidden Door event. Tsuji publicly criticized the partnership, arguing that AEW treats New Japan like a secondary feeder system.

Tsuji is not just fighting for tournament points. He is fighting to defend the honor of the home guard against an invading force. And that invading force is represented by NJPW World Television Champion Konosuke Takeshita.

The Invasion of the Foreign Gold

Tsuji's frustration is backed by undeniable evidence. A significant portion of the promotion's championship gold is currently held by wrestlers contracted to or associated with AEW. This level of dominance has left local fans and talent uneasy.

Consider the list of current champions holding New Japan titles. The list spans multiple divisions and styles.

• Mistico is one-half of the current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
• Konosuke Takeshita reigns as the NJPW World Television Champion.
• Will Ospreay is a NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion.
• Alex Windsor holds the Strong Women's Championship.

As Wrestling Inc detailed, this heavy distribution of gold highlights the deep integration between the two companies. But there is a negative side to this booking strategy. When champions reside in Jacksonville rather than Tokyo, domestic tours suffer.

The TV Championship, designed for high-speed defenses on every tour, has been locked away in America. This keeps the title away from NJPW's rising young talent who need the ring time. Takeshita is a phenomenal athlete, but his absence from the regular Japanese touring loops hurts the mid-card.

The TV title is defined by its strict 15-minute time limit. This restriction forces champions to wrestle with urgency, a trait that Takeshita has mastered. However, his defenses have been sparse, leaving domestic contenders with few opportunities to climb the ranks.

Now, he enters the G1 Climax 36 with a target on his back. His opening match against Tsuji is a direct clash of booking philosophies. The stakes are massive.

Tactical Breakdown: The Rematch of Wrestle Kingdom 20

To understand what will happen in Chicago, we must look at their last singles meeting. At Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, 2026, Tsuji defeated Takeshita to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. That match was a masterclass in modern heavy-hitting style.

The match went 22:15 and pushed both men to their physical limits. Takeshita controlled the early portions of that match with superior pacing. His vertical-drop brainbuster at the 12-minute mark almost secured a three-count.

He excels at cutting off his opponent's momentum with a sudden jumping knee strike. If Tsuji gets sloppy with his spacing, Takeshita will exploit it immediately. Tsuji won that match by adapting his offense in the final five minutes.

He stopped trying to trade forearm strikes with the Callis Family member. Instead, he relied on explosive, singular bursts of power. A Spanish Fly off the top rope shifted the momentum, followed by a thunderous Gene Blaster spear.

It was a tactical adjustment that Takeshita failed to counter. In Chicago, the dynamic will be different. The G1 Climax block matches feature a strict 30-minute time limit.

The pressure is on both men to secure a decisive victory quickly. A draw is a disaster for both champions in a short block format. Takeshita will likely target Tsuji's neck to set up the German Suplex.

He will try to slow down the match and wear the champion down. Tsuji must keep the pace fast and avoid getting trapped in the corners. If Tsuji allows Takeshita to dictate the tempo, he will find himself in deep trouble.

The Clash of Styles and Spacing

Spacing will determine the winner of this match. Takeshita is a master of using the ropes to generate velocity. His rebound lariat is one of the most dangerous moves in the business.

Tsuji must remain in the center of the ring to neutralize this threat. Tsuji has the advantage in raw strength. His giant swing can disorient even the most experienced wrestlers.

If he can ground Takeshita early, he will limit the challenger's aerial offense. But Tsuji has a habit of showjumping. He sometimes wastes time playing to the crowd, a mistake he cannot afford against a striker as precise as Takeshita.

Tsuji's recent rivalries show a pattern of emotional vulnerability. Earlier this year, he lost his title to Callum Newman at Sakura Genesis before regaining it at Dominion. This inconsistency is something Takeshita's manager, Don Callis, will undoubtedly exploit.

Gedo's booking patterns also suggest a tactical battle. The booker loves to establish hurdles for his top champions early in the tournament. A loss for Tsuji on night one would create a compelling chase narrative.

However, a loss to an AEW wrestler in front of an American crowd might send the wrong message to the domestic fanbase. The Chicago crowd will be split. Takeshita has built a loyal following in the United States.

Tsuji represents the proud, defiant spirit of New Japan. The atmosphere at the NOW Arena will be electric. This match will not be a technical exhibition.

It will be a brutal, physical war between two of the best heavyweights in the world. Both men have everything to lose. Tsuji's pride is on the line, while Takeshita needs to prove he belongs at the top of the New Japan hierarchy.

A Bold Prediction for Opening Night

Takeshita will dominate the mid-match sequences. He will hit his signature blue thunder bomb and a series of devastating German suplexes. But Tsuji's resilience is his greatest weapon.

He will survive the onslaught and find his opening. My prediction is a victory for the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Tsuji will counter a running knee strike into a snap powerbomb at the 18-minute mark.

He will then execute a brutal Gene Blaster spear to secure the three-count. It will be a hard-fought win that cements his position as the true leader of the new generation. The G1 Climax is the toughest tournament in wrestling.

Starting it with a victory over Takeshita will send a clear message to the office in Tokyo. Tsuji is the present and the future of New Japan, no matter who owns the company.