NJPW Reveals Cards for Upcoming G1 Special in the US

New Japan Pro Wrestling announced yesterday the cards and wrestlers appearing for both nights of their upcoming G1 Climax Special in the United States.

The July 1st show will be shown on AXS TV for those without a NJPW World account and headlined by Cody facing off against champion Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Also announced for the show was the first round of the US Championship tournament which is now a single elimination tournament.

* WGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada defending against Cody
* Michael Elgin vs. Kenny Omega in a US title first round match
* Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tetsuya Naito in a US title first round match
* IWGP Tag Team Champions Guerrillas of Destiny defending against War Machine
* David Finlay, Jay White, KUSHIDA & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Sho Tanaka, Yohei Komatsu, Yoshitatsu & Billy Gunn
Juice Robinson vs. Zack Sabre Jr. in a US title first round match
* Jay Lethal vs. Hangman Page in a US title first round match
* Titan, Dragon Lee, Volador Jr. & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Hiromu Takahashi, BUSHI, EVIL & SANADA
Roppongi Vice, Will Ospreay & The Briscoes vs. The Young Bucks, Marty Scurll, Yujiro Takahashi & Bad Luck Fale

The July 2nd show was announced to be having Billy Gunn facing off against champion Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. Also announced for the card was the semi-finals and finals of the United States Championship tournament.

* The semifinals and finals of the US title tournament
* IWGP Intercontinental Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi defending against Billy Gunn
* IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks defending against Roppongi Vice

*** More matches to be announced later

NJPW will also be building towards their regular G1 Climax tournament with three Road events prior to the US Special. The blocks and competitors for this year’s tournament is expected to be revealed during these shows.

Source: Wrestling Observer