10 Biggest Stories From New Japan's G1 Special And What They Mean Going Forward

New Japan Pro Wrestling has captured much of the wrestling world’s attention in 2018 as they continue to put on monumental events with countless star-making contests. Furthermore, the company has continued their attempts to grow within the American market after holding two previous events in Long Beach, CA this year and last. Saturday’s G1 Special in San Francisco may have struggled to garner the same acclaim as the outstanding Dominion show from June, but it surely did its job of further cementing a fanbase on the United States’ west coast.

Much of the night's focus fell on Cody and current IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega as they set to do battle for not just the title but also for supremacy within the ever-popular Bullet Club stable. However, no one was able to predict what all would take place by night’s end.

From the fracturing of the Bullet Club, to a new champion, and even a worrying injury -- we look at not only what took place in front of six-thousand-plus fans in the famed Cow Palace, but what will be the fallout for New Japan Pro Wrestling and its stars as the year rolls on.

It was just one week again that Zack Sabre Jr. scored an upset victory over former heavyweight champ, Kazuchika Okada. While his shocking win in the UK was arguably the height of Sabre’s heavyweight tenure, his loss in tag team action at the Cow Palace may have been his lowest.

With Minoru Suzuki by his side, the two men did battle with the tandem of Tomohoro Ishii and Toru Yano. While Suzuki slugged it out with the Stone Pitbull, ZSJ was left to deal with the oft-comical and devious Yano. Unfortunately, Sabre succumbed to a rollup by Yano -- following an assist from Ishii -- and was left staring up at the lights as the referee counted three.

Zack will have his chance to atone for his loss, however, as the G1 Climax tournament kicks off in Japan later this week. In just his second match of the prestigious annual event, Sabre will stand across the ring from Yano -- who will undoubtedly be looking for another laugh at ZSJ’s expense. While Yano’s comical and frequently illegal ways have often defined his character, his in-ring skills are not to be scoffed at -- a hard lesson learned by Sabre in San Francisco. The question remains, however, will the rising British superstar be able to return the favor come 19 July when he meets Toru Yano again?