NJPW G1 Climax 2018, Week 2: Every Match Ranked From Worst To Best

16. Hiroshi Tanahashi Vs. Bad Luck Fale (20 July)

Hangman Page Kazuchika Okada
NJPW

Rating: ***

Bad Luck Fale's 'Bad Match Fale' tag hasn't been without merit in 2018's tournament thus far, despite the substantial weight loss revealed shortly before it's commencement. "F*ck Em" was a meme-friendly and t-shirt-selling catchphrase delivered at the pre-show press conference, but it's since become the collective mission statement towards the entire fanbase from the 'BC OG's as they look to wreck the entire event in a confused frenzy.

Fale's loss to Hiroshi Tanahashi did at least provide a brief payoff to their laboured assaults - repeated threats and acts of violence towards Red Shoes resulted in the referee throwing double birds up and the match out. It was yet another reminder that the Tongans don't really care about points this year, but their actual goal beyond needless roughhousing remains unsatisfying and vague.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett