The former Hideo Itami was announced for this year’s G1 Climax tournament today in Japan. Katsuyori Shibata made a surprise appearance at NJPW’s Dominion event today in Osaka and accompanied KENTA to the ring. KENTA then declared he will enter this year’s G1 Climax tournament.
The 38-year-old KENTA last competed for WWE in January. He dropped a match to Akira Tozawa on an episode of 205 Live from January 29th. News of his release broke the following day.
G1 Climax Tournament
The first night of this year’s tournament will be on July 7th from the American Airlines Arena in Dallas. The tournament will then resume in Japan the following week. Following the 1st night in Dallas, the tournament will run from July 13 to August 12th. The final 3 nights of the tournament will all be held in the Nippon Budokan.
New Japan has yet to confirm a list of participants for this year’s tournament.
KENTA In New Japan Pro Wrestling
KENTA has previously only wrestled 2 matches in New Japan Pro Wrestling. He lost a match to Wataru Inoue at NJPW Cross Road in 2002. KENTA also competed in a multi-tag match at a joint NJPW/NOAH/AJPW show titled “All Together” from 2011.
