The NJPW G1 Climax is a men's pro wrestling tournament held periodically by New Japan Pro Wrestling.
The competition was established on April 5, 1974, and the first edition was won by Antonio Inoki , while the last edition took place on August 18, 2024 and was won by Zack Sabre Jr. .
This tournament is for heavyweights.
From 1983 until 1987 (except for 1985), the final was directly for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Then, since 1988, the winner earns an IWGP Heavyweight Championship shot; since 2012, this shot is a rights certificate to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship (now IWGP World Heavyweight Championship) at the following January 4's Wrestle Kingdom (a certificate that can be defended).
On this page, you can find the full list of all the NJPW G1 Climax winners in history, along with dates, events, locations and statistics.
NJPW G1 Climax: Info
- Promotion New Japan Pro Wrestling
- Gender Male
- Tournament Type Round Robin
- Date Established April 5, 1974
- Notes
This tournament is for heavyweights.
From 1983 until 1987 (except for 1985), the final was directly for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Then, since 1988, the winner earns an IWGP Heavyweight Championship shot; since 2012, this shot is a rights certificate to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship (now IWGP World Heavyweight Championship) at the following January 4's Wrestle Kingdom (a certificate that can be defended).
NJPW G1 Climax: List of Winners
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N. Image Winner 50 Zack Sabre Jr. 1
- August 18, 2024
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 34 Finals
- 127+ days
Sabre announced that he will use the shot for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at King of Pro-Wrestling 2024.49 Tetsuya Naito 3
- August 13, 2023
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 33 Finals
- 144 days
Successfully used the shot at Wrestle Kingdom 18 against the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA.48 Kazuchika Okada 4
- August 18, 2022
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 32 Finals
- 139 days
Successfully used the shot at Wrestle Kingdom 17 against the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Jay White.47 Kazuchika Okada 3
- October 21, 2021
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 31 Finals
- 75 days
Successfully used the shot at Wrestle Kingdom 16 against the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shingo Takagi.46 Kota Ibushi 2
- October 18, 2020
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 30 Finals
- 78 days
Successfully used the shot at Wrestle Kingdom 15 against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion & IWGP Intercontinental Champion Tetsuya Naito.45 Kota Ibushi 1
- August 12, 2019
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 29 Finals
- 145 days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at Wrestle Kingdom 14 against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada.44 Hiroshi Tanahashi 3
- August 12, 2018
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 28 Finals
- 145 days
43 Tetsuya Naito 2
- August 13, 2017
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 27 Finals
- 144 days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at Wrestle Kingdom 12 against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada.42 Kenny Omega 1
- August 14, 2016
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 26 Finals
- 143 days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at Wrestle Kingdom 11 against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada.41 Hiroshi Tanahashi 2
- August 16, 2015
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 25 Finals
- 141 days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at Wrestle Kingdom 10 against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada.40 Kazuchika Okada 2
- August 10, 2014
- Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 24 Finals
- 147 days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at Wrestle Kingdom 9 against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi.39 Tetsuya Naito 1
- August 11, 2013
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 23 Finals
- 146 days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at Wrestle Kingdom 8 against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada.38 Kazuchika Okada 1
- August 12, 2012
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 22 Finals
- 145 days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at Wrestle Kingdom 7 against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi.37 Shinsuke Nakamura 1
- August 18, 2011
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 21 Finals
- 32 days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at G1 Climax Special 2011 against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi.36 Satoshi Kojima 1
- August 15, 2010
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax XX Finals
- 57 days
Successfully used the shot at Destruction '10 against the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Togi Makabe.35 Togi Makabe 1
- August 16, 2009
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 2009 Finals
- 5608+ days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at Circuit2009 New Japan Generation against shinsuke-nakamura for the vacant IWGP Heavyweight Championship.34 Hirooki Goto 1
- August 17, 2008
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 2008 Finals
- 35 days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at Circuit2008 New Japan Generation against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Keiji Muto.33 Hiroshi Tanahashi 1
- August 12, 2007
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 2007 Finals
- 57 days
Successfully used the shot at Explosion '07 against the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Yuji Nagata.32 Hiroyoshi Tenzan 3
- August 13, 2006
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 2006 Finals
- 57 days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at Circuit2006 Explosion against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi.31 Masahiro Chono 5
- August 14, 2005
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 2005 Finals
- 55 days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at Toukon Souzou New Chapter against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuyuki Fujita and Brock Lesnar.30 Hiroyoshi Tenzan 2
- August 15, 2004
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 2004 Finals
- 119 days
Successfully used the shot at Battle Final 2004 against the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kensuke Sasaki.29 Hiroyoshi Tenzan 1
- August 17, 2003
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 2003 Finals
- 78 days
Successfully used the shot at Yokohama Dead Out against the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Yoshihiro Takayama.28 Masahiro Chono 4
- August 11, 2002
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 2002 Finals
- 76 days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at Fighting Spirit Memorial Day against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yuji Nagata.27 Yuji Nagata 1
- August 12, 2001
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 2001 Finals
- 188 days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at Fighting Spirit 2002 partecipating in a tournament for the vacant IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, defeating Tadao Yasuda in the final.26 Kensuke Sasaki 2
- August 13, 2000
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 2000 Finals
- 144 days
Successfully used the shot at Wrestling World 2001 partecipating in a tournament for the vacant IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, defeating Toshiaki Kawada in the final.25 Manabu Nakanishi 1
- August 15, 1999
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 1999 Finals
- 57 days
24 Shinya Hashimoto 1
- August 2, 1998
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 1998 Finals
- 89 days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at nWo Typhoon 1998 against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Scott Norton.23 Kensuke Sasaki 1
- August 3, 1997
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 1997 Finals
- 28 days
Successfully used the shot at Final Power Hall in Yokohama against the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shinya Hashimoto.22 Riki Choshu 2
- August 6, 1996
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 1996 Finals
- 151 days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at Wrestling World 1997 against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Shinya Hashimoto.21 The Great Muta 1
- August 15, 1995
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 1995 Finals
- 0 days
Muta was already against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion when he won the tournament, so he didn't get the shot.20 Masahiro Chono 3
- August 7, 1994
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 1994 Finals
- 51 days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at G1 Climax Special 1994 against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Shinya Hashimoto.19 Tatsumi Fujinami 1
- August 7, 1993
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 1993 Finals
- 240 days
Successfully used the shot at Battle Line Kyushu 1994 - Grand Cross in Hiroshima against the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shinya Hashimoto.18 Masahiro Chono 2
- August 12, 1992
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 1992 Finals
- 0 days
The final of the tournament was directly for the vacant NWA World Heavyweight Championship, and Chono successfully won it against Rick Rude.17 Masahiro Chono 1
- August 11, 1991
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Violent Storm in Kokugikan - G1 Climax (1991) Finals
- 86 days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at Tokyo 3Days Battle against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Tatsumi Fujinami.16 Riki Choshu 1
- December 7, 1989
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW World Cup League (1989) Finals
- 255 days
Successfully used the shot at Battle Line Kyushu 1994 - Grand Cross in Hiroshima against the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shinya Hashimoto.15 Antonio Inoki 10
- July 29, 1988
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Summer Fight Series 1988: IWGP League '88 Finals
- 10 days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at Super Monday Night in Yokohama against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Tatsumi Fujinami.14 Antonio Inoki 9
- June 12, 1987
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW IWGP League '84 Finals
- 0 days
The final of the tournament was directly for the new IWGP Heavyweight Championship, and Inoki successfully became the first champion defeating Masa Saito.13 Antonio Inoki 8
- June 19, 1986
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW IWGP Champion Series: IWGP League '86 Finals
- 0 days
The final of the tournament was directly for the vacant IWGP Heavyweight Championship, and Inoki successfully won it against Dick Murdoch.12 André the Giant 2
- June 7, 1985
- Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan
- | NJPW IWGP & WWF Champion Series: IWGP League '85 Finals
- 4 days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at IWGP & WWF Champion Series (Night 27) against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Antonio Inoki.11 Antonio Inoki 7
- June 14, 1984
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW IWGP League '84 Finals
- 0 days
The final of the tournament was directly for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, and Inoki successfully won it defeating the champion Hulk Hogan.10 Hulk Hogan 1
- June 2, 1983
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW The 1st IWGP Championship League Finals
- 0 days
The final of the tournament was directly for the new IWGP Heavyweight Championship, and Hogan successfully became the first champion defeating Antonio Inoki.9 André the Giant 1
- April 1, 1982
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW The 5th MSG Series Finals
- 0 days
8 Antonio Inoki 6
- June 4, 1981
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW The 4th MSG Series Finals
- 0 days
7 Antonio Inoki 5
- June 5, 1980
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW The 3rd MSG Series Finals
- 0 days
6 Antonio Inoki 4
- June 7, 1979
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW The 2nd MSG Series Finals
- 0 days
5 Antonio Inoki 3
- May 30, 1978
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW The 1st MSG Series Finals
- 0 days
4 Seiji Sakaguchi 2
- March 31, 1977
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW 4th World League Finals
- 0 days
3 Seiji Sakaguchi 1
- May 11, 1976
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW 3rd World League Finals
- 0 days
2 Antonio Inoki 2
- May 16, 1975
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW 2nd World League Finals
- 0 days
1 Antonio Inoki 1
- May 8, 1974
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW The 1st World League Finals
- 0 days
NJPW G1 Climax: Names & Logos History
-
- NJPW G1 Climax August 1, 2012
- NJPW G1 Climax August 7, 1991 July 31, 2012
- NJPW World Cup Tournament November 24, 1989 December 7, 1989
- NJPW IWGP League May 6, 1983 July 29, 1988
- NJPW MSG League April 21, 1978 April 1, 1982
- NJPW World League April 5, 1974 May 30, 1977
NJPW G1 Climax: Statistics & Records
Most Victories
Rank | Wrestler | Wins | Year |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Antonio Inoki | 10 | 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988 |
2 | Masahiro Chono | 5 | 1991, 1992, 1994, 2002, 2005 |
3 | Kazuchika Okada | 4 | 2012, 2014, 2021, 2022 |
4 | Tetsuya Naito | 3 | 2013, 2017, 2023 |
5 | Hiroshi Tanahashi | 3 | 2007, 2015, 2018 |
6 | Hiroyoshi Tenzan | 3 | 2003, 2004, 2006 |