CM Punk wanted to wrestle for New Japan Pro Wrestling in this year’s G1 Climax, Dave Meltzer has revealed.
The tournament was won by Tetsuya Naito, and featured AEW Star Eddie Kingston in a featured role.
CM Punk only returned to the ring in May this year, but had ambition of travelling to Japan to wrestle in the legendary tournament.
This year’s G1 Climax was the 33rd in NJPW’s history, and was the biggest tournament yet.
The tournament had 32 of the top stars in New Japan and beyond, battling it out in 4 groups of 8.
The tournament features thirty-two wrestlers, divided in four blocks of eight (A, B, C and D). Each wrestler faces everyone in his block once.
Each winner is awarded with two points, with one point awarded for a draw and none for a loss. When all matches have been completed, the wrestlers with the most points in their block move forward to the semi-finals.
The two winners of the semi-finals then wrestle in the final match, to determine the winner of the G1 Climax 33. The victor earns a briefcase that guarantees a IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match at Wrestle Kingdom 18, although they will have to defend the briefcase in matches prior to the event.
During a discussion about CM Punk’s attempt to be included in a meeting with FTR and The Young Bucks, Dave Meltzer revealed CM Punk had ambitions of being in this year’s G1 Climax tournament.
He went on to say that he heard CM Punk Wanted it wrestle for New Japan in the tournament, but eventually did not.
Meltzer noted how it didn’t make “any sense business wise”, despite Punk’s ambition to wrestle in the G1.
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer revealed CM Punk’s ambition to wrestle for NJPW in the G1 Climax 33.
“I heard he [CM Punk] was interested in going into the G1 [Climax 33 Tournament] .”
“I heard the story and was like ‘he’s not going in the G1’. That would defeat the whole purpose, and wouldn’t be a good idea anyway.”
“In any way, shape or form, it doesnt make any sense business wise.”
Obviously, CM Punk did not take place in the G1 Climax, nor in the Blood and Guts match in AEW as he requested.
He is set to take on Samoa Joe in a huge match at All In at Wembley Stadium.