There is talk of a couple of AEW stars expected to participate in this year’s G1 Climax tournament, according to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Daily Update, with Bryan Danielson, Will Ospreay, and Kenny Omega already having filmed advertisements for the opening night of the annual NJPW competition.
The G1 Climax 36 tournament opens on July 11 at the NOW Arena in Chicago. Meltzer’s report indicates that discussions are ongoing about AEW talent competing in the event, continuing a pattern of cross-promotional participation that has characterized the AEW-NJPW partnership in recent years.
Danielson, Ospreay, and Omega filming opening-night ads suggest strong involvement from at least those three names in the tournament’s promotional campaign, though it does not necessarily confirm that all three are competitors. The specific AEW stars expected to enter the tournament have not been confirmed.
The precedent for AEW talent in the G1 is well established. Konosuke Takeshita, who holds contracts with AEW, NJPW, and DDT Pro-Wrestling, won the 2025 G1 Climax 35 tournament by defeating EVIL in the final. Takeshita also held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship for 83 days before dropping the title at Wrestle Kingdom 20 in January.
It should be noted that this also doesn’t mean Danielson is returning for the tournament, as he hasn’t wrestled in over a year due to his neck. He has stated that there is uncertainty about ever wrestling again after retiring from full-time competition.
