NJPW G1 Climax 2018, Week 4: Every Match Ranked From Worst To Best

6. EVIL Vs. Kazuchika Okada (5 August)

Kenny Omega Tomohiro Ishii
NJPW1972.com

Rating: ****

There were real stakes to this bout, as Okada lost last year's meeting between the two, and a repeat of that result would've seen him eliminated from this tournament. This meant the broken 'Rainmaker' had to work extra hard against the Los Ingobernables de Japon bruiser to keep his Tokyo Dome hopes alive.

It manifested not only in a sick shotgun dropkick on the ramp, but blatant finisher theft. EVIL responded in kind, taking the Rainmaker and using referee Red Shoes' shoulders for a solo Magic Killer. He was presented on Okada's level throughout, and can consider himself unfortunate to run into the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion just as he's starting to feel like his old self again, though his slide to madness is far from resolved.

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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.