10 Absolute Worst Matches From The NJPW G1 Climax 2018

8. Zack Sabre Jr. Vs. Tama Tonga (28 July)

Tama Tonga Taka Michinoku
NJPW

Rating: *3/4

A superb idea in theory wrecked and ruined in practice, Tama Tonga's disqualification loss to Zack Sabre Jr was the worst singles match 'ZSJ' is likely to have this year.

Sound familiar? The identical description fit Tonga’s bout with Kenny Omega, but submission specialist Sabre getting dragged into a brawl with The Firing Squad only reduced his aura rather enhancing that of the supposed heel squad. Zack couldn’t even claim the win as a scalp - Tama was saved from the tap by his goon squad’s interference.

Like many of the Tongan 'efforts', it was forgotten almost immediately after it happened, but the submission specialist didn't deserve to get dragged in to the mess quite as easily as he was.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett