10 Best Matches From The NJPW G1 Climax 2018

There is nothing in professional wrestling quite like the G1 Climax.

In both kayfabe and reality, it is an incredible test of endurance and mettle. The month-long round robin tournament asks an unfathomable amount from its competitors, offering only the slimmest grasps at glory in return. Only one from the 20-strong field can prevail, though many more lay out their near future by virtue of the booking and their performances in the gruelling battles within.

It's much the same for fans exhaustedly attempting to follow along. If watched unspoiled and in order, New Japan Pro Wrestling requests its viewership to endure 91 matches in under 30 days, and that's without the preliminary tag team scraps that pad out the five-match cards. Not all of the contests are classics, but it makes those than excel all the more satisfying when unearthed. Particularly when the quality bar is set so high as it was this year.

The lows (documented elsewhere on this site) were basement-level, but the highs smashed ceilings. For those who care about star ratings, prepare for a storm of snowflakes. For those that don't, consider dedicating the next free evening to indulging in the finest professional wrestling in the world. Being "Elite" isn't just a catchphrase for Kenny Omega and chums on their YouTube smash - it's a mantra practiced in ernest by NJPW's best of the best.

Note: This list uses rankings and reviews from WhatCulture.com's weekly G1 write-ups which can be found here, here, here, here and here.

Rating: ****3/4

Tetsuya Naito's G1 Climax was the most rewarding period of his entire 2018 following a series of destabilising losses he's since gamely attempted to no sell.

Small gains getting hampered by significant defeats had become something of a pattern for the LIJ leader, to the point where even exceptional contests such as the Wrestle Kingdom clash with Kazuchika Okada battle or his G1 opener with fellow 2017 finalist Kenny Omega (more on that later) both ended in crushing disappointment. A Dominion Intercontinental Title loss to Chris Jericho has gone forgiven but not forgotten too, looming over the 'Tranquilo' star since the sweary 'Y2J' stormed out of Osaka with his strap.

Victory over Tomohiro Ishii during the G1 was, in every sense, sweet vindication. Naito got his first points on the board, earned unrequested sympathy as a gutsy warrior in the face of the 'Stone Pitbull's rock hard attacks, and even stole the show out from under the 'Best Bout Machine' that had to follow him on the night.