Ryohei Oiwa and Yuya Uemura have secured their places in the NJPW G1 Climax 36 finals.
After entering the elimination stage as runners-up in their respective blocks, both competitors secured decisive victories on Saturday to punch their tickets to the finals. Oiwa managed to overcome B Block winner Callum Newman, while Uemura earned a major upset by defeating A Block winner and reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji.
The semifinal matches took place today at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall, with the finals scheduled for tomorrow (Sunday, August 16). The Oiwa vs. Uemura match will serve as the main event. The event will be broadcast live on NJPW World at 2 a.m. Eastern time, featuring both English and Japanese commentary.
G1 Champion to Earn IWGP Heavyweight Championship Opportunity
This tournament marks a potential milestone for both men, as neither Oiwa (27) nor Uemura (31) has previously won a G1 Climax. The victor will earn the opportunity to pursue their first career IWGP Heavyweight Championship. While G1 winners traditionally receive their title shots at Wrestle Kingdom in January, recent years have seen winners opt for title opportunities at earlier dates.
NJPW also officially unveiled the logo for Wrestle Kingdom 21, which is scheduled for Monday, January 4, 2027, at the Tokyo Dome. The event will kick off the promotions’ 55th anniversary celebrations.
The official logo for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 21 #G1CLIMAX36 pic.twitter.com/sVROoG2sEC
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) August 15, 2026
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