Naomichi Marufuji’s replacement in the G1 Climax has been named as none other than the man who brought down Marufuji to end his IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title reign, Prince Devitt! The IWGP Jr. 2-crown holder will continue his big year and step into some big matches, facing Strong Man (8/6), Anderson (8/7), Makabe (8/8), Nakanishi (8/12), Naito (8/13), Tanahashi (8/14), and Yano (8/15).

President Sugabayashi said there had been a lot of candidates from inside and outside of Japan but in the end they thought they should give the chance to home-based Devitt after he did manage to beat Marufuji, as well as win the Best of the Super Jr. and recapture the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title.