10 Things We Learned From NJPW G1 Special 2018
5. Jay On The Juice
Critics weren't unreasonable in their assessments of Jay White's year after major matches against Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kenny Omega and David Finlay all under-delivered on their varying expectations, but the 'Switchblade' at long last cut through with a phenomenal, show-stealing performance against the equally exceptional Juice Robinson.
The pair were in a pressure spot White had failed in before - his IWGP United States Heavyweight Title match had been sandwiched between the Juniors and the Heavyweights on American soil once over, and his unfinished persona failed to shine in a dull dud against an otherwise shimmering Hangman Page then too.
Robinson's title pursuit was destined to be different from all the rest - the pair had expertly worked up the severity Juice's injured hand in the build-up and the match - thanks to a believable heat between the two so badly lacking in White's battles since returning from his Ring Of Honor excursion.
The contest was executed sensationally. A brutal can-you-top-this spot war before the work around Robinson's damaged digits, the battles around the barriers even resulted in a spot that became the talking point coming out of the show. Josh Barnett and Jim Ross were presumably grateful that something else beyond their commentary would pull focus...