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.
Since returning from an excursion, EVIL has been the muscle of Los Ingobernables de Japon (LIJ). Over the past year, he and SANADA have seen their stock rise after impressive G127 performances. Together the LIJ tandem won the World Tag League and the IWGP Tag Team Championship since the conclusion of last years G1 tournament.
Despite losing their championship recognition in June at Dominion against The Young Bucks; same night EVIL saved LIJ leader Tetsuya Naito from a further beating at the hands of new IWGP Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho, and losing a rematch at the G1 Special Show in San Francisco — EVIL has a lot of momentum coming into the G128.
The LIJ bruiser was able to obtain two shocking upsets during last years G1 tournament when he defeated current RevPro Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion Minoru Suzuki [8:38] and Kazuchika Okada [22:47] who the IWGP Heavyweight Champion at the time.
EVIL has been a great G1 performer, but he has struggled in singles competition this year. Never Openweight Champion Hirooki Goto successfully defended the championship against him [20:19] at New Beginning In Osaka in February. He also fell to Dalton Castle [15:33] when he challenged for the ROH World Heavyweight Championship at Honor United in May.
EVIL has been a G1 entry the past two years. Below is a list of his ‘A Block’ G1 opponents, the date he wrestles them, and his G1 record against them:
Michael Elgin, July 14th, 1-1
Yoshi-Hashi, July 16th, 0-1
Togi Makabe, July 20th, 0-0
Bad Luck Fale, July 22nd, 0-0
Hangman Page, July 27th, 0-0
Minoru Suzuki, July 30th, 1-0
Hiroshi Tanahashi, August 2nd, 0-0
Kazuchika Okada, August 5th, 1-0
Jay White, August 10th, 0-0
His stretch of tough competition has likely prepared him for the G1. His July 22nd match against Bad Luck Fale, July 30th match against Suzuki, and his final three matches against Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada, and Jay White are all intriguing matches to watch.
EVIL’s record from his two G1 entries is as follows:
10 Total Wins
9 Total Losses
52.6 Winning Percentage
With the recent neck injury to LIJ stablemate Hiromu Takahashi, EVIL has extra motivation to bring his fighting spirit to the G1. Will light shine on the G1 or will we bask in the darkness and learn that everything is indeed EVIL?
