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[Complete Results]
The most important heavyweight tournament in wrestling, the G1 Climax, returned for it's twelfth installment in August, 2002. Featuring twelve of the toughest heavyweights on the planet in two blocks, the 2002 G1 Climax was separated this year into two phases; "BATTLE TYPHOON G1 CLIMAX 2002" hosted the group stages, five events in total, and then it was on to "FINAL HURRICANE G1 CLIMAX 2002" for the finals at Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Special participation:
Yoshihiro Takayama: All shows
Billy Ken Kid (Osaka Pro): 8/8 only
Ebessan (Osaka Pro): 8/8 only
Kuishinbo Kamen (Osaka Pro): 8/8 only
Super Delfin (Osaka Pro): 8/8 only
Tigers Mask (Osaka Pro): 8/8 only
Azteca (KAGEKI): 8/7 only
Cosmo*Soldier (KAGEKI): 8/7 only
Diablo (KAGEKI): 8/7 only
Azumi Hyuga (JWP): 8/10 only
Command Bolshoi (JWP): 8/10 only
Kaori Yoneyama (JWP): 8/10 only
Kayoko Haruyama (JWP): 8/10 only
Ran Yu Yu (JWP): 8/10 only
Tsubasa Kuragaki (JWP): 8/10 only
G1 Climax 2002 scoring system: Win (2 points), draw (1 point), loss (0 points)
Block A:
1. Kensuke Sasaki (9th participation, 1997 & 2000 winner)
2. Shiro Koshinaka (8th participation)
3. Yutaka Yoshie (2nd participation)
4. Hiroshi Tanahashi (1st participation)
5. Hiroyoshi Tenzan (8th participation)
6. Yoshihiro Takayama (1st participation)
Block B:
1. Yuji Nagata (4th participation, 2001 winner)
2. Manabu Nakanishi (6th participation, 1999 winner)
3. Osamu Nishimura (4th participation)
4. Kenzo Suzuki (2nd participation)
5. Masahiro Chono (12th participation, 1991, 1992 & 1994 winner)
6. Tadao Yasuda (6th participation)
Points of note:
(8/3) "BATTLE TYPHOON G1 CLIMAX 2002". Tanahashi, in his first G1 Climax, got off to a great start, pinning veteran, Koshinaka, to earn his first points!
(8/3) Aiming at his first G1 championship win, Tenzan downed a bold Yoshie when he debuted a new version of the Buffalo sleeper, which forced a referee stoppage.
(8/3) Kenzo used Yasuda's own technique of showing up late for matches, confusing Yasuda. Tanahashi appeared, distracting Yasuda, as Suzuki rushed through the crowd, into the ring, and hit a spear for the unbelievable 37 second win!
(8/3) In a battle of Gotch-ism, Nakanishi and Nishimura wrestled to a 30 minute draw. With a nostalgic quality, this technical epic saw the two exchange holds for half an hour, but neither was able to break down the other man enough to win.
(8/3) New Japan leader, Yuji Nagata, met Team 2000 leader, Masahiro Chono, in a big match. It was an even bout that could have gone either way, but their see-saw series continued when the reigning champion forced a submission out of Mr. G1.
(8/3) The main event defined the term "slugfest" as Kensuke and Takayama, in his first G1, met for the first time in about seven years. In a physical war that awed the crowd, Sasaki would defend New Japan against the outsider by defeating him.
(8/4) After his opening day loss, Koshinaka picked up his first victory of the G1, defeating the winless Yoshie in a close fight.
(8/4) Kenzo couldn't make it two in a row, but took Nagata to a near-15 minute match, vital experience as he continues to climb the ladder. Nagata submitted Kenzo to go 2-0 and threaten an IWGP/G1 monopoly in New Japan.
(8/4) In perhaps the biggest upset in G1 history, Tanahashi defeated his SWING-LOWS leader, Kensuke, in just 100 seconds! Sasaki dominated his young disciple, but was surprised when Tanahashi countered a Northern Light bomb with an inside cradle for the incredible win, putting him in top spot!
(8/4) The diabolical Yasuda again broke the rules to claim victory, using a vital part attack and straight right punch, then covering Nakanishi with one foot for the dirty win. Yasuda claimed he was using any means necessary so that he could preserve his strength.
(8/4) Mr. Muga, Osamu Nishimura, again wrestled to a time limit draw, taking Chono to 30 minutes in another technical battle. Chono had his STF locked on at the end, but the bell saved Nishimura.
(8/4) In another physical clash, Takayama picked up his first win of the G1, and dealt Tenzan his first loss, winning a close match with a German suplex hold.
(8/5) In another big upset, Kenzo scored his first ever singles win over Nishimura, inside cradling him while in a spinning toehold, for the sudden 3 count! Like Tanahashi, Kenzo found himself in a great position, with qualification to the finals a possibility.
(8/5) After his humiliating loss to Tanahashi, Kensuke fired back with a 41 second win over fellow power fighter, Yoshie, who was still without a win.
(8/5) In somewhat of an upset, Koshinaka dealt Tenzan his second loss in a row and dented the Team 2000 star's chances of advancing.
(8/5) Takayama's sudden rampage continued when he handed Tanahashi his first loss of the tournament, but Tanahashi left a positive impression by showing great fighting spirit.
(8/5) Nakanishi found himself still at the bottom of Block B following a loss to Chono, who scored the win by slipping out of an Argentine backbreaker and hooking on a front cradle.
(8/5) Yasuda again picked up a big, but dirty victory, straight right punching the man who took the IWGP Heavyweight Title from him in April, Nagata, off the apron for a countout victory. A lifeless Nagata was stretchered to the back following the match.
(8/7) Azteca's Fukuoka-based small independent, Pro Wrestling KAGEKI, had it's offer match, facing a New Japan team. This was Azteca's second New Japan appearance, after Liger invited him to compete on the 6/29 show in Hirata City. Liger, El Samurai & Tanaka defeated Azteca, Cosmo*Soldier & Diablo in a fast paced match, Samurai pinning Soldier.
(8/7) Takayama moved a step closer to the semi final round, fending off another strong threat, this time from Yoshie, in another tough battle for the outsider.
(8/7) Yasuda's odd run in the G1 Climax continued when he submitted to Nishimura's Octopus hold in just 96 seconds! This was a major blow for Yasuda, coming one day before his UFO fight with Kazuyuki Fujita, and put Nishimura back in contention.
(8/7) Chono became the first man to secure a definite place in the semi final round after a win over Kenzo. Although with another loss he could be overtaken by several wrestlers, his predetermined forfeit victory over Yasuda on 8/8 prevented that possibility.
(8/7) Tenzan kept his hopes alive by defeating a spirited Tanahashi to tie on points with the young lion. However, a win over Kensuke would be required the following day for Tenzan to have any chance of qualification.
(8/7) Kensuke continued to bounce back after his shock loss to Tanahashi, today defeating his former IWGP Tag Team Title co-holder, Koshinaka.
(8/7) Just like in last year's G1, Nakanishi defeated his best friend, Nagata, the two waging a true Strong Style war that could have gone either way, Nakanishi pinning the IWGP Heavyweight Champion with a German suplex hold.
(8/8) Osaka Pro returned to New Japan for it's offer match, with some of it's brightest stars involved in a charming match that also featured Liger. Kuishinbo Kamen, Billy Ken Kid & Tigers Mask beat Liger, Super Delfin & Ebessan, Kamen pinning Ebessan after his spectacular Kankuu Tornado.
(8/8) Although Chono defeated Yasuda by forfeit, Yasuda sent three masked assassins to face him. Led by former New Japan star, Kantaro Hoshino, the masked men were each distinct by their height and weight. The taller of the three controlled Chono, but when Chono mounted a comeback, the others interfered, giving Mr. G1 a DQ win. They left, but a dark shadow loomed over New Japan...
(8/8) Yoshie managed his first win of the tournament on the final day of group matches, defeating Tanahashi, who he developed a bitter feud with on the previous series. After such a strong start, Tanahashi suffered three consecutive losses, but had a positive G1 overall.
(8/8) Like Tanahashi, Kenzo suffered some crucial losses later on to prevent him for advancing, but wins over Yasuda and Nishimura meant great progress for the big man. A hot summer for Tanaken, who's ascent up the ladder continued.
(8/8) Takayama won Block A with a win over Koshinaka in Hiroshima. Koshinaka would not go down easily, and seemed intent on breaking Takayama's nose during their match.
(8/8) Amazingly, after such a strong start, Nagata failed to qualify, even with only one loss. His 30 minute draw with Nishimura meant he was shuffled beneath Nakanishi and Nishimura by the elimination system. A decision match between Nakanishi and Nishimura was forced to determine who would advance to the semi final round.
(8/8) Tenzan squeezed past Kensuke to finish as Block A runner-up, scoring his first singles win over Sasaki since the 1995 G1 group stages. Both finished on six points, but again the process of elimination ruled Kensuke out, and Tenzan advanced, setting up a semi final clash with his mentor, Chono. The other would pit Takayama against the winner of Nakanishi vs. Nishimura.
(8/10) "FINAL HURRICANE G1 CLIMAX 2002". The third offer match of the series saw small joshi group, JWP, entertain fans with a six woman tag match on the undercard. They became the third female promotion to have a match on New Japan shows in 2002, following All Japan Women's, NEO Ladies and Jd'.
(8/10) What appeared to be developing into another long technical war between Nakanishi and Nishimura suddenly moved up several gears, as both men raced towards a semi final spot. In under 6 minutes, Nishimura cradled his close friend to secure a huge upset win and a match with Takayama later that night!
(8/10) The first semi final was a mat-based battle between mentor and disciple, Chono and Tenzan, in a very even confrontation. It could have gone either way, but like last year, Chono's experience was too much for his pupil, a cross-style STF submitting Tenzan and causing bitter disappointment as he again just missed out on G1 success.
(8/10) The foreign threat reached new heights when Takayama defeated a brave Nishimura in the main event and second semi final. After defeating Nakanishi, Nishimura waged an epic 22 1/2 minute fight against his bigger opponent, often dominating and having the full support of the 10,000 assembled fans. However, Takayama's "Everest" German suplex hold put him away, setting up an important final between Chono and Takayama!
(8/11) The large sized masked man from 8/8 was revealed as former Pancrase and RINGS star, Ryushi Yanagisawa, who was Yasuda's mystery partner in a tag today. They made short work of Nakanishi & Naruse, despite Nakanishi outwrestling them several times, Naruse falling to a Yanagisawa sleeper hold in under 4 minutes.
(8/11) The semi final saw four of New Japan's top heavyweights go at it in a tag, as Nagata & Sasaki defeated Tenzan & Nishimura. Nagata submitted the man who cost him a G1 semi final spot, Nishimura, putting him away with the Nagata Lock II.
(8/11) With the mighty Inoki at ringside, and Kazuyuki Fujita also looking on, Chono and Takayama wrestled a G1 final for the ages, battering each other in a war of endurance. After taking Takayama's stamina with an STF, Chono demolished the outsider with a flurry of Yakuza kicks. Takayama wouldn't go down easily, but he eventually succumbed to New Japan's foreman, staying down for the 3 count! Mr. G1, Mr. August, Masahiro Chono, won his fourth G1 Climax, defending the pride of New Japan in the process!
(8/11) The foreign enemy trio of Fujita, Yasuda and Takayama confronted New Japan wrestlers following the match. Fujita declared "we will show true fighting!", which outraged the proud home wrestlers. On August 11th, 2002, New Japan vs. Team 2000 came to a halt, as Chono, Nagata, Tenzan, Nakanishi, and much of New Japan, shook hands and united for a common cause, to destroy this new outside enemy. Inoki appeared to side with the new faction, led by his pupil Fujita, and got into a shouting war with ace Nagata. Despite Chono's G1 win, the battle was only just starting...
Miscellaneous:
The final standings of the 2002 G1 Climax looked as follows,
Block A:
1. Yoshihiro Takayama [8]
2. Hiroyoshi Tenzan [6]
3. Kensuke Sasaki [6]
4. Hiroshi Tanahashi [4]
5. Shiro Koshinaka [4]
6. Yutaka Yoshie [2]
Block B:
1. Masahiro Chono [7]
2. Osamu Nishimura [5]
3. Manabu Nakanishi [5]
4. Yuji Nagata [5]
5. Kenzo Suzuki [4]
6. Tadao Yasuda [4]
Block B Semi Finalist Decision Match: Osamu Nishimura beat Manabu Nakanishi (5:49) with a Japanese leg roll clutch hold.
Semi Final: Masahiro Chono beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan (22:03) with a cross-style STF.
Semi Final: Yoshihiro Takayama beat Osamu Nishimura (22:38) with a German suplex hold.
Final: Masahiro Chono beat Yoshihiro Takayama (20:23) with a Yakuza kick.
The Nagata/Nakanishi/Nishimura situation was a little confusing. Nagata was eliminated by a somewhat complex elimination system, where he was the only one to lose in a pairing of the three (Nakanishi drew Nishimura, Nishimura drew Nagata, Nakanishi defeated Nagata). Unbelievably, despite wins over Nagata and Nakanishi, Yasuda finished on the bottom of Block B, because the only other man on four points, Kenzo, beat him early in the tour. It was a very close event overall, with three of the four finals places being decided on the last day of group action. Chono truly lived up to the Mr. G1 billing with his unprecedented fourth tournament victory.
Stuart's 2002 G1 Climax Awards:
MVP: Masahiro Chono
Best Bout: Yuji Nagata vs. Osamu Nishimura (8/8)
Outstanding Performance Award: Osamu Nishimura
Fighting Spirit Award: Hiroshi Tanahashi
Most Inspirational Award: Yoshihiro Takayama
Back to: "SUMMER FIGHT SERIES 2002" (6/20/02 to 7/20/02)
Forward to: "CROSS ROAD" (8/29/02)