NJPW G1 Climax 34 Format Revealed

New Japan Pro-Wrestling have revealed their plans for the upcoming G1 Climax 34 tournament.

The annual tournament will revert back to being a two-block competition with 20 entrants following two years of using a four-block format. Another change will see the G1 matches have 30-minute time limits once again instead of the 20-minute time limit that had been utilised in recent years. The points format of two points for a win and one point for a draw remains in place.

G1 Climax 34 will get underway on July 20. The top three competitors in each block will advance in the tournament, with the wrestlers in first place receiving a bye to the semi-finals. The wrestlers in second and third place in each block will face off for the right to move on to the semi-finals ,which will take place on August 17. The final of G1 Climax 34 will be held on August 18.

Almost all of the entrants in the G1 Climax will be revealed on June 16, while qualifier tournaments will be held to determine the final two entrants. The tournaments will conclude on July 5.

One wrestler who seemingly won't be in the G1 Climax is Hikuleo, with reports indicating that he has finished up with New Japan Pro-Wrestling. The former NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion is expected to join WWE.