NJPW G1 Climax 2019 Night 13 (August 3) - A BLOCK: Every Match Ranked From Worst To Best
4. Zack Sabre Jr. Vs. Lance Archer
An immaculately crafted big man/little man encounter, the scuffle between Suzuki-gun colleagues Zack Sabre Jr and Lance Archer progressed so logically that it actually became easier to imagine the vegan consuming the carnivore as the match wore on.
Clinging to Archer early in effort not to avoid his power moves but force him into a failing and flailing Plan B, Sabre wrestled with intelligence and ingenuity to the point where it appeared as though he may actually force his foe to tap.
Crucially, he dodged even having to work out a counter the EBD Claw - the hold is now over as a potential killer finisher, but it could have damaged 'ZSJ's submission cred had not rapidly found a way out of the mammoth Archer simply squeezing the f*ck out of his head.
A wrestler isn't accused of "stealing one" when they win a match with a roll-up in NJPW - they are instead celebrated for their positioning and smarts. Sabre typically basks in the glory of such acclaim, and earned yet more here for this one.