NJPW G1 Climax 2018: 10 Things You NEED To Know
9. Tama Tonga: Breakout Star?
Long considered one of NJPW's most underrated wrestlers, Tama Tonga is still waiting for a breakout moment that may never come.
The self-proclaimed "Bullet Club OG" has been typecast as a tag wrestler. He's a three-time IWGP Tag Champion with brother Tanga Loa, though the foul-mouthed duo have fallen from the spotlight in 2018, replaced by teams like Los Ingobernables de Japon duo EVIL & SANADA, and The Young Bucks. Still, his G1 runs are always peppered with greatness. This is typically the only time of year Tama gets the opportunity to flex in singles competition, and he'll be in there with the likes of Kenny Omega, Zack Sabre Jr., and Kota Ibushi this year, giving him countless opportunities for great bouts.
If Tama is ever going to break out in New Japan, this is it. He's 35 years old, and the events of G1 Special In San Francisco finally positioned him as a purposeful player, ensuring he'll play a key role on the ongoing Bullet Club civil war. Whether or not that results in a stronger push remains to be seen, but his stock is rising.