Inside G128 is an in-depth look at the 20 participants of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s 2018 version of the G1 Climax tournament. The G1 is considered to be the most prestigious tournament in wrestling. Every individual in the field has their own unique story, as they prepare to make their claim as the best endurance wrestler in the world.
“The Underboss” Bad Luck Fale has undergone a serious training regime as he has prepared for this years’ G1 Climax. From recent photos, it looks as if Fale has lost approximately twenty to thirty pounds since we last saw him inside a New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) ring. Fale has been a G1 entry every year since 2014 and is looking to win his first singles championship since defeating Shinsuke Nakamura (WWE) [17:56] for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship in June 2014 at Dominion.
The ‘A Block’ entry is in the best shape of his career and that may help him make a run through block competition. While he and the Gorillas of Destiny (G.O.D.) recently dropped their Never Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship to the Young Bucks and Marty Scurll in May during the Wrestling Dontaku tour, Fale has to be seen as one of the favorites in his block.
Despite the ongoing Bullet Club drama, Fale is coming into the G1 with a new focus and still has the size to make life difficult for each of his opponents. Since debuting in NJPW Fale has been a force in tournament competition. Reaching the finals of the New Japan Cup in 2014 and 2017. He was also one win away from reaching the G1 finals each of the last two years. A costly loss to YOSHI-HASHI last year would keep him from squaring off against fellow Bullet Club member and current IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega in the finals.
Below is a list of Fale’s G1 opponents, the date he wrestles them, and his G1 record against them:
Hangman Page, July 14th, 0-0
Kazuchika Okada, July 16th, 1-0
Hiroshi Tanahashi, July 20th, 2-2
Evil, July 22nd, 0-0
Jay White, July 27th, 0-0
Togi Makabe, July 30th, 3-0
Michael Elgin, August 2nd, 0-0
Yoshi-Hashi, August 5th, 0-1
Minoru Suzuki, August 10th, 0-0
Fale’s stretch of matches between Kazuchika Okada, his G1 rival Hiroshi Tanahashi, EVIL, and Jay White will ultimately decide his fate. Okada will want to avenge his 2016 G1 loss against Fale, while his encounters against Tanahashi are always toss-ups.
EVIL is prime to have another breakout performance and Jay White who may or may not be the IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion will provide stiff challenges for the Bullet Club OG.
Fale has the following impressive G1 resume:
22 Total Wins
15 Total Losses
59.5 Winning Percentage
Fale has the opportunity to prove himself as being a threat for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and with improved cardiovascular performance, he may have found the addition needed to help him reach the finals.
If he is unable to make the finals, Fale will definitely spoil the G1 for another top performer. Could that end up being Minoru Suzuki? That would definitely be a spot of bad luck for newly dubbed “King.”
