10 Best Wrestling Pay-Per-Views Of 2018

9. NJPW Sakura Genesis

Omega Okada IV
NJPW1972.com

We've selected Sakura Genesis here - but really, two ultra-rare clunkers excepted, virtually any of New Japan's B shows merits inclusion; the company offers incredible action all year 'round. Well, except for the World Tag League. Nobody cares about the World Tag League, even (especially) its top stars.

Sakura Genesis gets the nod here because it reflected, brilliantly, so much of what makes New Japan Pro Wrestling great in 2018 - and subverted what elsewhere dragged it down.

The fruits of Gedo's genius approach to the push ripened in the headliner between Kazuchika Okada and main event newcomer Zack Sabre, Jr. This was a relentlessly gripping war - a description that fits also Zack's awesome Venus fly trap submission game - that underscored the effectiveness of legitimate wins and protective, stature-enhancing losses.

They were likely motivated by the death-defying IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title match between Will Ospreay and Marty Scurll. That famous rivalry was shaped elsewhere, but Gedo allowed it to reach a crescendo in a New Japan ring. And why not? Why not put the power into the hands of this ridiculous generation of talent? He afforded similar creative license to the Golden Lovers, who continued their own, self-devised reunion in a d*mn good match against Cody and Hangman Page.

Elevated by a sterling undercard, on which the divisive Suzuki-gun operated at their best, Sakura Genesis was outstanding.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!