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

4. Kota Ibushi Vs. Hirooki Goto (1 August)

Kenny Omega Tomohiro Ishii
NJPW1972.com

Rating: ****

A white-hot crowd awaited Kota Ibushi in his Kagoshima hometown, with the incendiary atmosphere helping carry his clash with Hirooki Goto towards excellence.

The in-ring story was tailor-made for Goto's bruising style. NJPW's perennial bridesmaid has some of the nastiest offence in the game, and everything he does looks like it was designed to kill. Thus, when he goes after Ibushi's neck, you genuinely fear for 'The Golden Star's' wellbeing.

Goto's focused assault neutralised Kota's high-flying, leaving him to resort to power moves against the brutalist. It was grinding and not entirely compelling early on, but got progressively better throughout, particularly when the big bombs started dropping.

In this post: 
NJPW
 
Posted On: 
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.