10 Things We Learned From NJPW G1 Special 2018
3. Special Measures
But back to Jay White. Even aside from having the time of his life winding up Josh Barnett in the aftermath of Jim Ross' unintentionally hilarious spill, White was in irresistible form in the match itself as he finally unlocked the sleazy and cynical mannerisms he'd badly lacked in prior appearances in the 'Switchblade' gimmick.
His coming out party (and to a lesser extent, the Suzuki-Gun/CHAOS Dominion tag team rematch) was just about the only thing one could tie to this year's G1 Climax despite the Cow Palace event's position as a preview show for the 14 July commencement of wrestling's greatest tournament.
Though Japanese commentary may have used some of the passing exchanges on the night as teasers for future Climax battles, the AXS television presentation had no such forethought. The card itself was short on matches that fed into the blocks despite the show-closing angle pouring gasoline on a simmering fire between two previously-thought-fine Bullet Club members.
In this regard, the show failed in its remit to provide the last big push to the New Japan's summer showcase - a further reminder of the company's continually disorganised approach to a global expansion.