11 Ups & 2 Downs From NJPW King Of Pro-Wrestling 2018

1. Stuck In First Gear

Toa Henare Togi Makabe
NJPW

The surly veterans vs. spirited youngsters format usually works well in New Japan, because while these bouts typically follow the same framework, the up-and-comers up their fighting spirit, while the old dues compensate by working with a harder, grumpier edge, showing the upstarts who's boss.

Great Bash Hell vs. Toa Henare and Juice Robinson unfortunately presented this story in its least interesting form. Though it pitted two of the most fiery babyfaces in the company against a beloved set of veteran grumps in Tomoaki Honma and WhatCulture office favourite Togi Makabe, and the diminished stalwarts struggled greatly against their spirited opponents.

Honma showed flashes of his former self throughout, though the Kokeshi-throwing star has lost much through his battle with temporary paralysis. As for Togi? Let's just say bouts like this are the reason for his lazy reputation.

Honma's signature headbutt would set Makabe up for the King Kong Knee Drop on Henare, and GBH scored a predictable victory in this filler bout. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't anything close to exciting either, even though the crowd loved GBH.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.