The field for the 2020 G1 Climax has been set, and there are more surprise names than expected. Despite travel restrictions being in their way, Jay White, Will Ospreay, KENTA, Juice Robinson, and Jeff Cobb are in G1 Climax 30. Fans had hoped to see some old favorites get some more time in the spotlight, men like Yuji Nagata & Satoshi Kojima.
Nagata was ready to enter another G1 following his retirement from the tournament, and his recent wars with Minoru Suzuki showed he can still go. Satoshi Kojima on the other hand, is really taking not being chosen very hard.
Yujiro Takahashi Was Picked Over Satoshi Kojima
Being a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kojima has a hefty legacy within New Japan Pro Wrestling, but that doesn’t mean much as you get older. The master of the Cozy Lariat might be one of the best in company history, but even Yujiro Takahashi got picked over him. Takahashi has been having a slight resurgence in a feud with Kazuchika Okada after all.
Kojima has taken this hard, going to Twitter and saying the following. “Not selected for G1 Climax 2020. In fact, at this point I think I’m inferior to any of the other participating members. I’m sorry, but that’s the reality. Then, I have no choice but to polish myself and look back. As a professional wrestler, I have no choice but to expose everything and see it. I will do my best from tomorrow.”
There Is Always Next Year
This could be the start of one final storyline push for Satoshi Kojima leading into his 30th anniversary year in professional wrestling. He’s at rock bottom, and has two roads ahead of him. The first leads him to retirement, helping train the next generation at the New Japan Dojo alongside men like Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger. This could be a retirement on his own terms, something rather rare in professional wrestling.
The second road, sees him refocus and build himself up once again. Despite his age, this is Satoshi Kojima, a man who’s lariat can drop just about anyone if swung hard enough. He’s a battle tested veteran, not your average old man. If Minoru Suzuki & Yuji Nagata can still compete at high levels, why can’t he?
It seems he’s taking the second road. He’s dusting himself off, focusing on the future, and hopefully getting a spot in the G1 Climax 31. It won’t be an easy road for the legend, but it’s one he knows he can walk.
Do you see Satoshi Kojima getting into the 2021 G1 Climax, or has he had his last chance? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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