NJPW G1 Climax 2019 Night 5 (July 18) - A BLOCK: Every Match Ranked From Worst To Best

5. Kazuchika Okada Vs. Bad Luck Fale

A half-decent attempt at a half-baked idea, Bad Luck Fale’s loss against IWGP Champion Kazuchika Okada had echoes of last year’s atrocious BC OGs G1 arc rather then the surprisingly enjoyable title clash they contested for the top title at Wrestling Dontaku 2017.

The story was simple enough - Fale and Bullet Club cronies Chase Owens and Jado cheated relentlessly in order to try and close the gulf in quality between the ‘Rogue General’ and the ‘Rainmaker’. To this end, the trio decked him before the bell, consistently distracted the official to allow for double-teams and weapon shots, and even hit the ring the second referee Red Shoes was indisposed.

None of it worked of course - as an evil scheme or as a smoke and mirrors exercise in trying to make the match entertaining - but it was easier to view this match through the prism of reality rather than kayfabe. It was a rest for Okada's body ahead of a bruising follow up against Chaos apprentice Will Ospreay on Saturday. He'll go into that end-of-the-world war in better shape than his opponent.