NJPW G1 Climax 2018: 10 Things You NEED To Know

8. It's Coming Home?

G1 Climax 28
Robyn Goding/Beyond Gorilla

With England's great footballing hopes lying tattered at Croatian feet, it'll be up to Zack Sabre Jr. to salvage his nation's sporting blushes in the G1 Climax. Fortunately, the technical wizard is on a huge upswing at the moment, and currently finds himself on the precipice of a potentially career-making year should his incredible momentum translate to a successful G1 run.

Brought into New Japan as Suzuki-Gun's clear number two last year, booker Gedo strapped ZSJ to the rocket in the 2018 New Japan Cup. Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, Kota Ibushi, and Hiroshi Tanahashi were all defeated on his road to victory. Then, after disposing of the "hunks," Sabre met IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada in an electric Sakura Genesis main event. He lost, but it didn't matter: the bout stands among the best of 'The Rainermaker's' two-year reign, and Zack had already arrived as an upper-tier star before the first bell rang.

A clean victory over Okada on NJPW's recent UK tour ensured that Sabre's G1 run would be one of the most intriguing in the whole tournament. He's not the guy, but he's certainly a guy, and a spot in the finals isn't out of the question.

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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.