For the second year in a row, the winner of New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s G1 Climax Tournament will use their IWGP World title shot prize before January’s Wrestle Kingdom event in the Tokyo Dome.

Just like last year, when G1 34 winner Zack Sabre Jr “cashed in” for a match in October rather than waiting for NJPW’s version of WrestleMania, G1 35 winner Konosuke Takeshita will challenge for the IWGP World championship at King of Pro Wrestling. In story, it’s because Takeshita wants to walk into the Tokyo Dome as champ.

Who will the AEW star be facing for the belt on Oct. 13? Well, that will depend on the outcome of another announced match in late September. That’s when Sabre Jr. will defend against Ren Narita, who beat him in the round-robin portion of this year’s G1. The House of Torture musketeer takes on ZSJ at Destruction in Kobe on Sept. 28.

Sabre Jr. successfully defended his title against Nigel McGuinness at Forbidden Door London yesterday (Aug. 24). Takeshita appeared at the event, but didn’t wrestle.

Will The Alpha bring New Japan gold back to The Callis Family before the end of the year? Let us know what you think, Cagesiders.