NJPW G1 Climax 2018: 10 Things You NEED To Know
4. Lovers Collide
The Golden Lovers' history is as rich as it is complex as it is progressive.
It was Kota Ibushi who inspired Kenny Omega to first come to Japan in 2008, and they fast became friends, capturing DDT's KO-D Tag Team Championships. In kayfabe, they were lovers and professional rivals. Ibushi eventually outpaced his hard-working partner, besting him in their second singles match in 2012, and by 2014, Omega had departed for NJPW. The Golden Lovers were done.
Kenny would then betray Kota by costing him the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in January 2015. Years of separation followed, with Kenny thriving in Bullet Club, and a freelance Ibushi burning himself out, suffering a neck injury, and leaving both NJPW and DDT. He returned, but made enemies of Cody-led strand of the fragmented stable. Omega defied his group to rescue 'The Golden Star,' and here we are: Omega and Ibushi are back together, and for the first time in his career, Kenny is the one on top.
The duo have been holding off on a New Japan singles matches for years, but will finally meet on 11 August. It is easily the G1's most compelling bout. In all likelihood, we'll get a neat, tidy, sporting affair, complete with before and after handshakes, but the forlorn glances Kota has been giving Kenny's IWGP Heavyweight Championship are telling. Something is afoot...