Coverage

Mitchell’s NXT UK Results & Report! (4/24/19)

NXT UK is still in NYC!

Published

4 years ago

April 24, 2019

NXT UK continues to spend time in the States with plenty more action! What goes down when Moustache Mountain mixes it up with Andrews & Webster?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kassius Ohno VS Ligero; Ohno wins.
Kay Lee Ray VS Xia Li; KLR wins.
Moustache Mountain VS Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews; Moustache Mountain wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Kassius Ohno VS Ligero!

The Wrestling Genius called out the Luchador of Leeds as another fraud of British wrestling. Will Ligero make Ohno see the light? Or will Ohno get a KO in NYC?

The bell rings and Ligero waits for Ohno as he stays in the corner. Ohno comes out and fans rally up as he ties up with Ligero. Ligero headlocks but Ohno powers out easy. Ohno taunts Ligero, then pie faces him. Ligero doesn’t back down so Ohno does it again. They tie up and Ohno puts Ligero in a corner. Ligero climbs up and uses the top rope to leap, but Ohno denies the arm drag to put Ligero in the corner. Ligero dodges Ohno and waistlocks then speeds up to sunset flip. Ohno stays standing and pries Ligero off to whip him to a corner. Ligero goes up and under then back in, but is put on the apron. He slingshots in, but into a BOOT! Ohno covers, ONE!

Ohno grins as he stalks Ligero and fans rally up. He drags Ligero up to club him hard on the back. Ohno brings Ligero up for a CHOP! Ligero drops to a knee and Ohno toys with him. Ohno stalks Ligero then brings him up for a back suplex. Ligero escapes and boots Ohno to then rally with kicks. Ligero runs and tilt-o-whirls to throw Ohno out! Fans fire up with Ligero as he gets on the apron. Ligero leaps and cannonballs, but also gets steel steps to the face! Ohno may have just managed to direct Ligero that way! Ohno drags Ligero’s dead weight up and into the ring at 5. He taunts Ligero having an “accident” as he stomps Ligero out. Ohno drops elbows then covers, TWO! Ohno drags Ligero up and suplexes for a big slam! Cover, TWO! Ligero lives but Ohno keeps his cool.

Ohno looms over Ligero and brings him around for a standing chinlock. Ligero endures as Ohno drags him around. Ohno drops back to bend Ligero over his knees! Fans rally for Ligero as he endures. Ligero pries Ohno’s hands apart! But Ohno brings them back to ear clap Ligero! Ohno drops knees right to Ligero’s face! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer as Ligero stays in this match. Ohno kicks Ligero while he’s down but Ligero keeps pushing back. Ohno clubs Ligero then stands on his hand! Then Ohno grabs the other arm, to stomp Ligero right in the head! Ohno mocks Ligero as he stands him up to boot him down. Ohno brings Ligero up again to boot him back down, and dares him to get up. Ligero does slowly stand, and blocks the boot! Ohno powers Ligero down but Ligero dodges the stomps and senton!

Fans rally while Ohno glares. Ligero dodges and kicks away on Ohno’s leg! Ligero brings Ohno to his knees to knee him in the face! And again! Ligero gives Ohno a third boot, but he’s not done there! Ligero goes to the apron and climbs to springboard splash! Cover, TWO! Ohno survives and gets to a corner while Ligero sits up. Ligero whips Ohno but Ohno holds the ropes. Ligero SLAPS Ohno then whips but Ohno reverses. Ohno misses as Ligero ducks, Ligero grabs Ohno, but Sliced Bread is denied. Ohno prepares a gut wrench but Ligero victory roll counters, TWO! Ligero baits Ohno in and leaps up, DESTROYER! Cover, TWO!! Ohno survives again and slumps out of the ring.

Fans fire up as Ligero builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit takes Ohno down! Ligero gets Ohno up but Ohno shoves him away. Ohno runs into an elbow and Ligero gives Ohno Sliced Bread to the floor! But the ring count is at 7! Ohno and Ligero crawl for the ring, and both get in at 9! Ligero springboards in but the stunner is blocked. Ohno goes after the mask! Ligero is busy defending his face, Ohno hits the Dream Crusher elbow! Cover, Ohno wins!

Winner: Kassius Ohno, by pinfall

The Knockout Artist redeems himself after losing to The Kiwi Buzzsaw but through cheating the Luchador of Leeds. Will Ohno move on to prove he’s the proper British style wrestler?

Exclusive interview with Jordan Devlin.

The Irish Ace will get what he wants: a match with the NEW WWE United Kingdom Champion, Walter. “What are my feelings on my big match with Walter next week in New York?” He’d normally be happy and talk a big game, but he won’t. Because to protect the rematch of the century of Dunne VS Walter II, this is a non-title match. Devlin isn’t a fool, he sees what everyone wants. Everyone wants Dunne VS Walter to tear the house down again, but Devlin doesn’t. Devlin doesn’t care about what fans want. He doesn’t care about what Dunne and Walter want. Devlin vows to beat and hurt Walter next week so that he will be the undeniable challenger to that WWE UK Championship. He will show us all why you never bet against the Ace.

The Hunt returns next week!

The Wild Boar and the Primate will return, but who will be their next prey?

Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner took a tour of Wrestlemania Axxess.

To them, this was all just a circus. And what is this? Champ Yourself? Pretend to be champions with pretend belts? The European Alliances say that’s what exactly the problem is. Playing pretend with a fake belt and a fake ring, it’s disgusting. Look at this. The fake entrance ramp, too. Fans get to do what the wrestlers work so hard to earn? No one understands, but that is the difference between you and them. Because to them, this means so much more than anyone could ever imagine. To them, the ring is sacred.

Toni Storm is here!

The Lightning from Down Under is in New York with her NXT UK Women’s Championship as she heads to the ring. “Welcome to NXT UK in New York City!” Toni feels so awesome representing this brand on the most important weekend of the year, Wrestlemania! And she successfully defended her title a few weeks ago in a close match. But that got her thinking. NXT UK is home to some of the most talented women in the world. She may not like her, but she’s had killer matches with Rhea Ripley. There’s Xia Brookside, Nina Samuels and even Piper Niven! But that said, this is Toni Storm, and she will be champion “for a long, long time.” The Mae Young Classic 2 winner is the second NXT UK Women’s Champion, but will she really be champion for much longer?

But as Toni makes her leave, Kay Lee Ray makes her entrance! The other new addition to the roster wants Toni to remember she’s here. What will KLR do to make her mark in NYC?

Kay Lee Ray VS Xia Li!

It’s another crossover of NXT UK and USA as the Killer Lass takes on the spicy martial artist! Who makes the biggest impact across both Women’s Divisions at Wrestlemania Axxess?

The bell rings on this first-ever encounter. Xia and KLR tie up and KLR gets a wristlock. KLR gives a quick shoulder breaker, then wrenches again. Xia slips through to wrench back, but KLR spins to hammerlock. Xia reaches back to headlock, then takedown. KLR headscissors back but Xia pops out, and fans cheer this early exchange. KLR calls for a test of strength, but toys with Xia by switching hands. And then she shows her height advantage. Xia jumps up to get it though! She has the knuckle locks but KLR breaks free to wrench and yank Xia around. Xia rolls and handsprings to break free, but KLR stays away from those martial arts kicks! KLR uses the corner for defense, and Xia backs off, but KLR gets a cheap shot in.

KLR throws forearms and then rams shoulders into Xia in the corner. She lets up at the ref’s count then whips corner to corner. Xia goes up and over and then comes back with a dropkick! Cover, TWO! Xia goes after KLR on the ropes but KLR holds ropes. KLR then wrenches to SUPERKICK and throw Xia into a post! KLR stomps a mudhole into Xia then drags her up. She forearms Xia hard but backs off as Xia gasps for air. Fans rally as KLR hammerlocks Xia to throw her back into buckles! KLR drags Xia up to snapmare to a seated stretch. Xia endures as KLR bends her back and digs knuckles into ribs. Fans rally harder and Xia pops out. Xia powers up and arm-drags KLR hard. KLR comes back for another hammerlock but Xia spins it around to throw KLR into buckles.

KLR comes back but gets jabs and back hands! Xia gives KLR knees to the head then a leaping snapmare! Fans fire up as Xia kicks KLR in the back! Xia dares KLR to get up, swing and a miss but the heel kick gets her! Cover, TWO! KLR lives and Xia can’t believe it! Xia heads to a corner and hops up, then leaps, only for KLR to get under. KLR CHOPS and SUPERKICKS then back hooks to hit Widow’s Peak! Cover, KLR wins!

Winner: Kay Lee Ray, by pinfall

And that’s 1-2-3 for KLR in NYC! The NXT UK Women’s Champion may have overlooked her before, but will she have to acknowledge KLR now?

NXT UK Media found Piper Niven at Wrestlemania Axxess.

The Scottish Viper was finishing up a meet ‘n’ greet as they noted her run-ins with Rhea Ripley. Rhea is definitely a phenomenal athlete, but Piper knows Rhea’s a bully. Piper doesn’t like bullies. Let’s see how Rhea likes it when she finds someone she can’t just push around. When and where will Piper and Rhea finally settle things in the ring?

Something’s happening backstage!

The Grizzled Young Veterans are throwing around the ring gear and luggage of Kenny Williams and Amir Jordan! Zack Gibson and James Drake are furious! Kenny & Amir haven’t done a thing to deserve their spots on this roster. GYV are locker room leaders. They are forcing the Lucky Yin and Bhangra Bad Boy to change in the halls! Will Gibson & Drake pay for being locker room bullies?

Moustache Mountain VS Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews!

Tyler Bate & Trent Seven are good friends with the Modfather and the High-Fiving, Stage-Diving Welsh Rockstar, but that doesn’t mean friends can’t have a friendly match. Will it be the Big Strong Boys or the Welsh Air Force take the win in New York?

The teams sort out and we start with Bate and #Mandrews with the bell. Andrews and Bate hear the fans sing as they circle. Bate and Andrews shake hands to show this is respectful. They tie up and Bate wrenches Andrews around to a wristlock. Andrews rolls and reverses the wrench to a standing armlock. Andrews brings Bate down to the mat but Bate powers his way up. Bate stands but Andrews wrenches again. Bate works his way out of the hammerlock and reverses back. Headlock takeover meets headscissors and the two stand off. Fans cheer as they approach again. Bate reels Andrews in to a keylock and down to the mat but Andrews denies the cover. Andrews knips up and uses ropes to flip through to an arm-drag. Bate blocks the next arm-drag but Andrews goes around to the other side!

Andrews arm-drags Bate to an armlock and fans applaud. Bate works his way back up but Andrews brings him to the corner. FMW tags in and drops stomps on the arm. FMW wrenches Bate but Bate rolls and then back and then handsprings to dropkick! Bate grabs FMW and tags in Seven! Seven takes the hand-off and then scoops but FMW escapes. They collide shoulders but Seven doesn’t budge. FMW tries again but still can’t get Seven off his feet. FMW tries again only for Seven to use the momentum to rebound and run FMW over! Seven runs but things speed up, but Seven blocks the hip toss. FMW hits Seven in the gut then back flips to a drop toehold! Fans cheer as FMW gets a facelock. Seven powers up as fans rally but Andrews tags in.

Andrews gets the hand-off and wrenches Seven. Seven breaks free to CHOP away on Andrews! Andrews wings, but falls for the feint and DDT! Seven covers, TWO! Seven smothers Andrews and tags in Bate. Bate headbutts Andrews’ ribs then snapmares him for a neck crank! Cover, TWO! Bate keeps Andrews from FMW with an arm wrench. Tag to Seven and Moustache Mountain coordinate for Wasteland to knee-board senton! Cover, TWO! Seven drags Andrews up for a scoop slam then drops a leg! Cover, TWO! Andrews crawls but Seven brings him back down. Fans rally as Seven pulls Andrews into a seated stretch. Seven shifts to a modified cobra clutch but Andrews works his way up. Fans rally and Andrews reaches for FMW. Andrews elbows Seven but Seven wrings him out. Andrews dodges and hot tags FMW!

The Modfather gives Seven a knee trigger! Then triangle dropkicks Bate down! FMW goes back to Seven for the quebrada! Cover, TWO! FMW keeps going as he brings Seven up. He underhooks but Seven slips out, only to fall for the bait. FMW headbutts then underhooks again, but Seven back drops out. Hot tags to Bate and Andrews! Bate throws FMW down then blocks and kenes Andrews. Bate hops up to flying European Uppercut! Fans fire up as Bate goes corner to corner for another EuroUpper. He dodges FMW and then gets them both with a EuroUpper! Bate brings FMW up for the airplane spin! Andrews comes over but Bate trips him up for a swing! The Big Strong Boy shows off his strength, then dumps FMW on Andrews. Bate brings FMW up, double underhook is countered with a headscissors!

Bate ends up on the outside, FMW DIVES but is CAUGHT! And taken for another spin! Bate tosses FMW at the apron for snake eyes! Bate returns to Andrews and catches him for an exploder! Knip up to standing Shooting Star! Cover, TWO! Andrews lives but Bate sees Seven. Tag to Seven and Moustache Mountain goes after Andrews. But Andrews fires off with CHOPS again and again and again, back and forth! But Bate and Seven kick him back then double whip. Andrews slides under to double PELE! Bate and Seven both end up outside and tag to FMW. The Welshmen both FLY and take down the Big Strong Boys!

FMW puts Seven in then uses the Moustache Mountain corner to tag! The ref waves that off, but FMW still tilt-o-whirl DDT’s Seven down. They tag in their proper corner, and FMW gives Andrews the boost for the standing 450! Cover, TWO! Andrews grows frustrated but keeps on Seven as fans rally. Andrews brings Seven up but Seven CHOPS! And CHOPS! And again and again! FMW comes in but he gets a CHOP! FMW falls for the feint now, and Seven passes him to Andrews. Seven CHOPS Andrews and makes him DDT FMW! Hot tag to Bate! Moustache Mountain has Andrews, Rebound Lariat Dragon Suplex! Cover, but FMW SWANTONS it apart! Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” as all four men regroup.

Bate grabs Andrews and drags him around for a EuroUpper and some right hands. Andrews forearms and chops back, then picks up speed as he hits from all sides! Bate shoves, Bop up, BANG hits! FMW tags in and Andrews reverses the whip. Bate rebounds but misses the lariat, gets a knee-trigger reverse-rana!! Cover, but Seven breaks it! FMW drags Bate over and underhooks, but Bate spins out. FMW baits but BANG hits! Tag to Seven, and Seven back hands FMW into a BIG dragon suplex! Tag back to Bate, and MOustache Mountain combine for the flying knee burning hammer! Cover and Seven intercepts Andrews! Moustache Mountain wins!!

Winners: Moustache Mountain, by pinfall

Bate & Seven take the win after a grueling match! Will Moustache Mountain use this to climb back up towards the NXT UK Tag Team Championships?

My Thoughts:

Another great episode of NXT UK in New York. We open with a nice bit of action of Ohno VS Ligero. A good match and it was best for Ohno to win so that his story doesn’t fall flat. Of course, he probably should’ve won against Travis Banks last time for the same reason. A Heel’s mission of establishing their own philosophy only works if it doesn’t fail until the very end. Or if it fails over and over. Either way, Ohno should’ve been on a different streak than 50-50 booking. Toni Storm had a good promo and it was timely for Kay Lee Ray to show up to bring up that she’s around. KLR VS Li was good, and naturally the NXT UK superstar wins. KLR very may well be Toni’s next challenger given Rhea VS Piper is happening and there aren’t other women ready to challenge Toni.

Devlin’s interview for his coming match with Walter was well done. It’s good story to have him be upset he’s not getting a title shot first, but who knows? Maybe he does well enough that Johnny Saint will have to grant him a shot. Maybe a triple threat for the title? Or Devlin takes on the winner of Walter VS Dunne for a rematch either way. GYV had a decent promo with throwing around Kenny’s and Amir’s gear. It still seems like their tag title match will happen after all, but I’d think GYV still wins. Moustache Mountain VS Andrews & Webster was incredible, worthy of a tag title match in itself. Bate & Seven win and should be the proper second tag team champions for NXT UK to parallel Dunne’s own reign as the second-ever WWE UK Champion.

My Score: 8.3/10

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

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Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/19/23)

The semifinals are here!

Published

12 hours ago

March 19, 2023

Steven Mitchell

The New Japan Cup 2023’s Final Four!

Four is bad luck in Japan, but these four are grateful to be in the New Japan Cup semifinals! David Finlay VS Tama Tonga, Sanada VS Mark Davis, who will win to go for it all?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Shota Umino & Oskar Leube VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; Shota & Oskar win.
Six Man Tag: Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & Ryohei Oiwa VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
8 Man Tag: Ryusuke Taguchi & Team Strong Style VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
YOSHI-HASHI & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Kyle Fletcher; Cobb & Fletcher win.
Shingo Takagi & BUSHI VS Aaron Henare & Great-O-Khan; Henare & Khan win.
YOH & Lio Rush VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Naito & Hiromu win.
New Japan Cup 2023, Semifinals: Tama Tonga VS David Finlay; Finlay wins and advances to the finals.
New Japan Cup 2023, Semifinals: SANADA VS Mark Davis; Sanada wins and advances to the finals.

PLAY BY PLAY

New Japan Cup 2023, Semifinals: Tama Tonga w/ Jado VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!

The Good Bad Guy settled things with Bullet Club, but fate has intervened to have him face the NEW leader! Will Tama get past Finlay and into the finals? Or will the Rebel take over everything?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Tama and Finlay circle, Tama claps to get the fans going more, and then he ties up with Finlay. They go around, Tama puts Finlay on ropes, but he lets off slowly as the ref calls break. Fans applaud and the two reset. They circle, fans rally up for Tama, and the two tie up again. Tama powers Finlay back but Finlay turns it around to have Tama on the ropes. The ref calls the ropebreak again, Finlay lets off slowly, but then swings on Tama! Tama dodges, then hits a headlock takeover! Tama grinds Finlay down, but Finlay keeps his shoulders up. Finlay fights to his feet, powers out, then slips around to headlock!

Tama powers out, hurdles, drops, then DROPKICKS Finlay down! Finlay bails out while fans fire up! Tama storms up to the ropes and slingshots but Finlay slides in! Tama lands on the apron, Finlay storms up but Tama ROCKS him with a forearm! Tama hurries in, and he arm-drags Finlay around! Finlay blocks the next, whips, but Tama reverses. Tama hurdles, but gets caught to a fireman’s carry! HOTSHOT, then BIG back suplex! Fans applaud, that was a good sequence, but Tama crawls to a corner. Finlay stalks Tama, drags him up, and UPPERCUTS him! Finlay whips corner to corner hard and Tama bounces off buckles! Finlay covers, TWO!

Fans rally but Finlay stomps Tama’s hand! Tama clutches that hand, but Finlay fishhooks his face! The ref reprimands, Finlay lets off, and Finlay says that was the nose, not the eyes. The ref doesn’t believe him. Finlay throws Tama out! Gedo tells the ref to leave Finlay alone, but the ref reprimands Gedo for getting on the apron. Finlay drags Tama up to RAM him into railing! No Man’s Land disappears as the railing go back! Finlay rains down fists, but fans rally up for Tama. The ref reprimands Finlay but he drags Tama up and puts him in the ring. Finlay covers, ONE!! Tama is hanging tough but Finlay is amused.

Finlay digs his knee into Tama’s face, he wants the ref to Too Sweet but the ref says no thanks. Finlay drags Tama up, whips him hard into the corner, and Tama bounces off buckles again! Fans rally while Finlay taunts them, “You think Tama’s getting to the finals?” Finlay stomps Tama, then springboard stomps! The ref reprimands, but Finlay clamps on with a cobra clutch. Finlay thrashes Tama around but Tama endures. Gedo tells Tama to give up but Jado coaches Tama to hang tough. Fans rally, Tama fights up and throws hands, but Finlay CLUBS him down! Finlay stomps and elbows Tama, but the ref counts.

Finlay lets off, he brings Tama up to whip corner to corner, but Tama comes back to CLOBBER Finlay! Fans fire up but Gedo is mad! Jado coaches Tama, Gedo coaches Finlay, but Tama is the first to stand. Tama roars, CLOBBERS Finlay, and ELBOWS him! Tama whips, Finlay reverses but Tama CLOBBERS Finlay again! OFF COMES THE VEST! Finlay goes to a corner, Tama runs in, STINGER SPLASH! And then clinch, for an EXPLODER! Finlay scrambles away and out of the ring, but Tama PLANCHAS! Direct hit this time and the fans fire up! Tama slides into the ring to let the ring count handle Finlay.

Finlay sits up at 5 of 20 so Tama goes out to fetch him. Tama puts Finlay in, stalks him to a corner, and Finlay wants mercy, but gets body shots instead! Tama whips Finlay out and then back into the corner, runs in, but Finlay elbows him away! Finlay storms up, but into a scoop! Finlay slips free to CHOP BLOCK! Tama writhes and clutches his knee but Gedo is loving this! The ref checks on Tama but Tama refuses to let this stop him. Finlay storms up on Tama to sit him up, “Look at this beautiful face!” CROSSFACE FOREARM! Gedo likes those, so Finlay sits Tama up again, to CROSSFACE FOREARM!

Finlay drags Tama up again, and he fires off MORE crossface forearms! Fans rally for Tama but Finlay looms over him. Finlay drags Tama up by his hair, sits him up, and BLINDSIDER LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Tama is still in this and Finlay is annoyed. Finlay paces around while Tama slowly rises. Finlay drags Tama up, gut wrenches and Canadian Racks, but Tama slips free! TONGAN TWIST!! Both men are down and fans fire back up! Fans rally as Tama and Finlay stir. Both men crawl over to each other, and Tama ROCKS Finlay with a forearm! Finlay ROCKS Tama right back! Finlay eggs Tama on and Tama sits up.

Tama ROCKS Finlay with another forearm, but Finlay ROCKS Tama again! Tama growls, he and Finlay sit up again. Tama ROCKS Finlay, Finlay ROCKS Tama, repeat! They throw forearms as they slowly stand, and they speed up as the fans rally! Finlay gets the edge, Tama fires off a strike fest! Finlay rebounds but into SRC!! Tama goes to a corner, fans fire up as he climbs, and Tama aims! SUPREME FLOW!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives but Jado and Tama rally the fans by pounding the mat. Finlay drags himself up with the ropes, Tama runs in, GUN- NO! Finlay rolls Tama, with tights! TWO!! GUN- NO!! Finlay blocks again!

Finlay drags Tama up with a dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, OSAKA STREET CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up while Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay aims as Tama rises, Jado warns Tama of what’s coming, but Finlay runs in, into a KNEE! Tama SUPER- NO, Finlay dodges to DEEP SIX!! Tama staggers up, into a SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!!! Tama survives and Gedo is furious! Finlay argues the count but the ref says that was all fair. Fans rally back up, but Finlay brings down the kneepad. “X marks the spot!” Finlay drags Tama up but Tama is deadweight. Finlay still hauls Tama up, suplexes, but Tama slips free!

Tama rolls Finlay, ties up the legs, and he has a SHARPSHOOTER!! Finlay endures and fans fire up! Tama sits deep on the hold, Finlay flails and fights forward! Finlay claws at the mat, but Tama goes deeper! Finlay fights back up, crawls and reaches out, but Tama drags him away again!! Finlay shouts in pain but he hasn’t given up yet! Another fight forward, and Finlay gets the ROPEBREAK! Tama lets go and Finlay writhes in pain, but the fans rally up again. Tama drags Finlay up, hooks an arm, but Finlay fights and RAMS Tama into a corner! And again and again and again! The ref counts, Finlay lets off and staggers away.

Tama runs in, but Finlay fights off the DDT! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Finlay gut wrenches to a CLIFFHANGER DDT! Cover, TWO!!! Finlay is beside himself but Tama survives again! Fans are thunderous for Tama but Finlay is right on him. Suplex and- NO, Tama fights, wrenches, but Finlay ROCKS him! But Tama cradles!! TWO!!!! Finlay escapes but the SUPERMAN PUNCH hits! BLOODY SUNDAY!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Finlay barely survives but Tama just pounds the mat. Finlay rises up, GUN- NO!! Finlay blocks, spins Tama, suplexes, GUN- NO!! Finlay blocks again and ROCKS Tama!

Tama roars, but Finlay fires off a flurry of forearms! Finlay spins, into a HEADBUTT! GUN- NO, Backslide! Deadlift TRASH PANDA!!! Cover, Finlay wins!!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Even El Phantasmo has to give old rival Finlay credit on that one. Gedo gets the mic to make the announcement official: The Rebel wins, and he just beat the NEVER Openweight Champion! Finlay will take the EFF over everything! Gedo needs the Rebel, Bullet Club needs the Rebel, and the world needs the Rebel! But will the Rebel get what he wants in the tournament finals?

New Japan Cup 2023, Semifinals: SANADA w/ Just5Guys VS Mark Davis w/ The United Empire!

New team, new look! The Cold Skull is looking sharp, but will he still bring about a Skull End? Or can Dunkzilla conquer the Cup on behalf of the United Empire?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as Davis and Sanada circle. Davis eggs Sanada on but Sanada feels things out. They keep circling, tie up, and Sanada headlocks. Davis powers out, Sanada RAMS shoulders, but neither man falls! Sanada ducks Davis’ chop, gets an arm and wrenches, but Davis whips Sanada away! Davis CHOPS this time, and Sanada is stinging. Davis whips, Sanada dropkicks the legs out! Sanada whips, Davis cartwheels, then scoops and SLAMS! And SENTONS! Fans fire up while Sanada bails out, but Davis goes out after Sanada. Davis brings Sanada up to whip him into railing!

Sanada drops to his knees, but Davis drags Sanada up to ROCK with a forearm! Great-O-Khan is on commentary and he waves the glowstick in praise. Davis puts Sanada on the apron to CLUB and KNEE and CLUB again! Davis gets space, fans rally up, and Davis runs in to KNEE LIFT Sanada into the ring! Crowns up and the Empire high-fives. Davis gets in the ring while Sanada sputters. Davis knees for the cover, TWO! Davis clamps onto Sanada’s arm but Sanada endures. Fans rally, Sanada fights up to his feet, and he throws forearms! Sanada wrenches but Davis DECKS him! Davis drags Sanada up but Sanada waistlocks!

Davis fights free of the hold, CHOPS Sanada to the corner, then whips him corner to corner. Davis runs in but Sanada dodges the splash! Sanada reels Davis in to back suplex, but Davis turns it into a CROSSBODY! Davis drags Sanada back up and back suplexes, but Sanada lands on his feet! Sanada hits the BIG back suplex! Both men are down but their teams coach them while the fans rally up. Sanada kips up, and then he fires up! Sanada DROPKICKS Davis, Davis stays up, so Sanada DROPKICKS! And dropkicks, but misses this time! Davis runs, but Sanada dropkicks the legs out! Then he DROPKICKS Davis out of the ring!

Sanada takes aim and PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Davis! Sanada stares down the Empire, but then he encourages the fans to get louder. The fans oblige and Sanada likes that. Sanada may have a new haircut but he is still Sanada. Sanada puts Davis in the ring, drags him up to fireman’s carry, but Davis fights it! Davis fireman’s carries now, but Sanada fights it! Only for Davis to rise up again! Sanada fights more, gets to the apron, and he counter punches! Sanada slingshots, but Davis HOTSHOTS him! And then TRIANGLE JUMP FOREARMS! Sanada falls, and Davis DIVES?!? Direct hit into the railing!

Fans fire up as No Man’s Land disappears again! Red Shoes checks both men, they’re both okay to continue, but their teams argue about territory. The ring count starts, Davis drags Sanada up at 7 of 20. Davis puts Sanada in at 10 of 20, aims from the corner and climbs up! Sanada rises, Davis FLYING SHOULDERS him down! Cover, TWO! Sanada is still in this but Davis keeps his cool. Davis drags Sanada up, but Sanada blocks the lift! Sanada throws down elbows, but Davis CHOPS him! Davis whips, Sanada goes up and out and springboards in to MISSILE DRPOKICK! Davis stays up!?

Davis swings, misses, and Sanada CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! But Davis KNEES low! Davis back suplexes but Sanada KNEES free! Sanada runs, into a LARIAT! Davis hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up and rally as Sanada survives. Davis drags Sanada by a leg, says it’s time to end this! But Sanada kicks Davis away, so Sanada JABS him down! Davis gets the legs, YANKS Sanada up, but Sanada rolls through! Sanada fireman’s carries to T K O!! Cover, TWO!! Davis is still in this, but Sanada goes up top! ROUNDING BODY- NO, Sanada has to roll through as Davis moves! Davis scoops to POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!!

Davis drags Sanada up, wrenches and torture racks, but Sanada slips free! Sanada ELBOWS Davis, QUEBRADAS and has the dragon sleeper! Davis snapmares free to clothesline in the corner! Sanada falls over and fans fire up! Davis climbs the corner, goes to the very top, and DIVING SPLASH, but he FLOPS as Sanada moves! Sanada goes up, ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto the knees!! Davis cradles Sanada, TWO!!! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Davis rises first, drags Sanada up, and fans rally up. Davis swings, but Sanada blocks the forearm to fire UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT!

Sanada spins, into JAB! But he still ROLLING ELBOWS! Davis ENZIGURIS!! Sanada is down and Davis fires up! Fans rally, Davis throws off the elbow pad! Davis waits, Sanada rises up, Davis keeps moving, LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!?! Sanada survives and fans fire up again! Davis stalks Sanada to the corner, then runs side to side, SLIDING FOREARM! Davis shouts “DEAD!” and he drags Sanada up into the torture rack! But Sanada slips free again! O’Conner BRIDGE!! TWO!?! Davis escapes by nanoseconds! Sanada storms up, but Davis trips him! Davis has the legs, Close Your Eyes and Count to F@#$!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? HOW?!?!?

The fans, the Empire and Just5Guys are all going nuts! Davis roars, he wrenches, torture racks, but Sanada slips free again! SIDEWINDER DDT!!! Cover, SANADA WINS!!!!

Winner: Sanada, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Davis drove the Cold Skull into the ground, but then Sanada did it back to him! Will Davis find his singles success another time?

Wait, David Finlay and Gedo make his way back out to the ring to see the other finalist in person. Gedo gets the mic to say they just want to give Sanada words of support. Gedo tells Sanada to do his best, because in Nagaoka, Finlay’s gonna beat his face in with the shillelagh, and throw him out of the ring like trash! “See You Next Time, Just Five Losers!” Gedo and Finlay leave, having copied and mocked Sanada’s catchphrase and his new team. Sanada gets the mic to say, “Oi, Finlay! And the people of Gunma. I promise I will beat Finlay on Tuesday, and come back here as the New Japan Cup winner.” Fans applaud that! Sanada then tells Gedo and Finlay to get outta here.

Finlay and Goto leave, flipping Sanada off over their shoulders. Sanada says this debut with J5G is a day he’ll never forget. Fans applaud that, and the mic is handed over to Taka Michinoku. Taka says, “Soon enough, it’ll be us who changes the scene here in NJPW! JUST! FIVE! GUYS!!” The Cold Skull is red hot, but will that heat bring him through to win it all?

My Thoughts:

A great semifinals for the New Japan Cup! Both matches were awesome stuff, and though Tama came close, I figured Finlay would win. He has been winning since his Heel turn and joining the Bullet Club, but he hasn’t quite won the Club over, yet they can’t really deny him, either, because he’s now in the finals of the tournament. The big things in Sanada VS Davis were Sanada’s new look, and that he buries that piledriver. But similarly to Finlay, Sanada’s getting a push because of the big change in allegiance, and now they’re both in this great match for the finals that honestly could go either way.

Gedo as booker does love to push the guys he backs as a manager, but Finlay’s story could be more about controlling Bullet Club than getting the title. And Sanada has openly stated he sees Okada as a rival and Okada reciprocated, so revisiting that now, with Sanada and Okada both having changed ever so slightly, we could get an awesome match for the world title.

My Score: 9/10

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/18/23)

It’s lights out, but for who?

Published

1 day ago

March 18, 2023

Steven Mitchell

Who rounds out the Final Four?

The New Japan Cup is getting closer to the end! Shota VS Finlay, Goto VS Tama, who will join Mark Davis and Sanada in the semifinals?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Oskar Leube & Ryohei Oiwa; ZSJ & Fujita win.
YOSHI-HASHI & Tomoaki Honma VS Aaron Henare & Kyle Fletcher; Henare & Fletcher win.
Six Man Tag: Team Strong Style VS Bullet Club; Team Strong Style wins, by disqualification.
Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS The House of Torture; The United Empire wins.
8 Man Tag: Chaos VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Chaos wins.
New Japan Cup 2023, Quarterfinals: Shota Umino VS David Finlay; Finlay wins and advances.
New Japan Cup 2023, Quarterfinals: Hirooki Goto VS Tama Tonga; Tama wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

New Japan Cup 2023, Quarterfinals: Shota Umino VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!

The Roughneck took The Mighty’s Front Man to the limit and then won, but now he funs into Bullet Club’s newest leader. Will #SHOOTER be the one shot down? Or will another one bite the dust as Shota brings about a paradigm shift?

The two get face to face and start shoving. Red Shoes backs them off, the bell rings and the forearms start flying! Fans fire up as they go faster and faster, and Shota gets the edge! Shota fires off in the corner, but Finlay turns things around, only to miss! Shota fires off more, and even shoves his dad aside! Shota fires off knees and he CLUBS Finlay, then ROCKS him with a forearm! Fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Finlay up. Finlay throws forearms in return, whips, but Shota reverses to ELBOW Finlay down! Shota keeps moving to BASEMENT DROPKICK! Fans fire up again while Finlay checks his chin.

Shota kicks at Finlay, stomps him, but Finlay eggs him on. Shota stomps, Finlay throws a body shot, but Shota just BOOTS Finlay into the corner! Finlay kicks back from below, and even SPITS at Shota! Shota doesn’t flinch, so Finlay steps to him. Shota DECKS Finlay, then digs his boots in! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Shota lets off at 4 and talks trash. Shota stomps Finlay, stands him up and CLUBS him! Finlay goes to ropes, Shota ROCKS him with another forearm. Fans rally, Shota ROCKS Finlay again, and then whips Finlay to ropes. Finlay reverses to TACKLE Shota to the apron! And then all the way into railing!

Gedo likes that as Finlay RAMS Shota in again! Finlay taunts Red Shoes, then throws hands on Shota. Finlay smacks Shota off the apron, follows him around the way, and claws at Shota’s face! Finlay ELBOWS Shota down, Red Shoes reprimands, but Finlay claims it was just the nose. Finlay stomps Shota around on the ramp, going after the limbs. The ring count starts and Finlay drags Shota up at 6 of 20 to put in at 8. Fans applaud and Finlay paces. Finlay stomps Shota down, gives him toying kicks, but Shota sits up with a frown. Finlay UPPERCUTS Shota in the back, but Shota doesn’t budge!

Finlay gets in Shota’s face, then DECKS him! Finlay stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! Shota goes to a corner, Finlay HEADBUTTS then stomps away! Red Shoes reprimands as Finlay digs a knee in. Red Shoes counts, Finlay lets off at 4 and talks more trash. Fans rally up as Finlay brings Shota out. Finlay taunts the fans, “This is your boy?” Shota stands to ROCK Finlay! Shota hits back! Finlay CLUBS Shota down! Shota writhes but Finlay covers, ONE! Finlay clamps onto Shota with a cobra clutch to grind him down. Fans rally and Shota endures. Finlay shakes his head and pulls harder on the hold, but Shota still endures.

Shota fights up, Finlay knees him low and then again, and again. Finlay whips, Shota reverses to scoop, TOSS and UPPERCUT! Fans fire up while Finlay sits up in a daze. Shota storms up on Finlay, whips him to a corner, then runs in to UPPERCUT! Shota FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect so Finlay escapes, but Shota keeps his cool. Shota kicks Finlay but Finlay gives a body shot. Shota kicks and kicks and CLUBS Finlay, then brings him up. Finlay fights the clinch with elbow after elbow after elbow! Finlay runs, into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up and Finlay bails out!

Shota hurries out to the apron, Finlay stands and Shota CANNONBALLS onto him! Fans fire up with Shota again as he shakes the railing! Shota drags Finlay back up, puts him in the ring, and fans rally behind Shota. Shota aims, to slingshot DDT! Finlay writhes but Shota wants him to stand. Fans rally, but Finlay blocks the kick, and he spins Shota around, only to swing into Shota’s clinch. Finlay fights free, then he clinches back, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Shota is still in this and the fans rally but Gedo argues the count. Red Shoes says that was a fair count, so Finlay drags Shota up.

Finlay makes Red Shoes watch as Finlay CROSSFACE FOREARMS Shota! And again! Gedo likes that so Finlay gives more CROSSFACE FOREARMS! Finlay then sits Shota up to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Shota is still in this and the fans fire back up! Finlay argues the count but Red Shoes defends it was fair. Finlay kicks Shota around, waits on him to rise, and the fans rally. Shota stands, ducks the lariat, and EXPLODERS! Fans fire up again while both men are down! Red Shoes checks both guys and they slowly stir. They go forehead to forehead, and Shota throws a forearm! Finlay throws it back!

Finlay eggs Shota on, Shota ROCKS Finlay! Shota eggs Finlay on, so Finlay ROCKS Shota! Shota ROCKS Finlay again, so Finlay ROCKS Shota again! They go forearm for forearm, fans rally and the two stand. The forearms keep going, back and forth, faster and faster! Finlay UPPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Shota roars and UPPERCUTS in return! And again! Finlay rebounds into another UPPERCUT! Shota UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Fans fire up but Finlay throat chops! And throat chops again! Finlay fires off HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT, then he rains down fists!

Red Shoes reprimands, those are closed fists! Finlay lets off and claims palms but Red Shoes can tell. Fans rally for Red Shoes as he argues with Finlay. Finlay goes back to Shota, but Red Shoes has him stay back to check. Shota is still in this, but Finlay thinks he’s won by knockout. Shota grabs at Finlay’s foot, so Finlay gut wrenches to a Canadian rack! But Shota slips free to CROSS RHODES! Shota holds on, he drags Finlay up, CROSS RHODES! Shota drags Finlay up again, SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives but fans are thunderous behind Shota! Shota aims from a corner, runs in, but Finlay LARIATS!

Shota stands, but into a SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives and Finlay is shocked! Finlay drags Shota up to gut wrench, CLIFFHANGER DDT! Cover, TWO!!! Shota survives again and the fans are thunderous! Finlay scowls at Red Shoes and argues the count, but the count is still fair. Fans rally behind Shota, but Finlay brings down the kneepad. Finlay slashes his throat and he drags Shota back up. Suplex to- NO, Shota cradles! TWO!! Finlay escapes, and ROLLING ELBOWS! Shota staggers to a corner and Finlay hoists him up top. Finlay climbs up after Shota, fires off forearms, then brings Shota up.

Shota throws body shots to stop the superplex! Finlay fires forearms and HEADBUTTS! Finlay brings Shota up again, but Shota SUPER GOURD BUSTERS first! Shota then hurries down and runs in, SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Shota roars and the fans are thunderous again! Shota picks Finlay up but Finlay fights free. Shota kicks low, underhooks, but Finlay powers him back. Shota sends Finlay into buckles! And then TORNADO DDTS! Roll through to the pick-up, SNAP BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives but Shota roars! Fans rally behind Shota and he aims from the corner again.

Gedo shouts at Finlay but the fans rally up. Finlay rises, Shota underhooks, but Finlay fights the lift! Finlay stomps the leg! And then HEADBUTTS Shota down! Gedo says Finlay’s got it! Suplex, but Shota fights free! ENZIGURI! Finlay rebounds, but swings into hooks! Finlay fights the backslide to backslide, but Shota rolls through! Finlay suplexes, Shota slips free, backslide and underhooks! Finlay spins Shota around, suplexes, TRASH PANDA!!! Cover, Finlay wins!!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

Another hard-fought battle, and The Rebel comes out on top! Finlay stands on Shota to add insult to injury, then he throws Shota out to just add more insult! Gedo makes the official announcement that Finlay won, and then he says what Finlay did to Shota will happen to everyone else! “Okada! Okada! Are you listening? The Rebel’s coming for you! The Rebel is taking the eff over everything! I need the Rebel, the Bullet Club needs the Rebel, and the world needs the Rebel!” Will Finlay be unstoppable until he has taken everything?

New Japan Cup 2023, Quarterfinals: Hirooki Goto w/ Yoshi-Hashi VS Tama Tonga w/ Jado!

The Fierce Warrior and the Good Bad Guy have both had their run-ins with the United Empire, and they both came out on top to make it this far. But there’s only one spot left in the semifinals, who is the final of the final four?

The bell rings and fans rally up as the two circle. Goto and Tama tie up, Goto powers Tama back, but Tama breaks free. They reset, tie up again, and Tama powers Goto back. Goto turns things around to put Tama on the ropes, and Red Shoes calls the break. Goto lets off with pats on the shoulder and fans applaud. Tama and Goto circle again, tie up, and Tama headlocks. Tama grinds the hold, but Goto powers out. They RAM shoulders, but Tama keeps moving. They RAM shoulders again, both men egg each other on, so Goto runs. Goto dodges the lariat to run Tama over! Fans fire up while Tama staggers up.

Goto whips Tama corner to corner, runs in but into an elbow! Tama runs in but into a hip toss! Tama avoids the elbow drop, headlocks, but Goto powers out, only for Tama to FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! But now Goto avoids an elbow drop and fans fire up for the standoff! Goto and Tama circle again and fans rally back up. They tie up, Goto headlocks, and Goto grinds the hold. Tama powers up but Goto holds on tighter. Tama fights up, powers up again, but still can’t power out as Goto just holds tighter! Goto grinds the headlock more, but Tama fights up to throw body shots. Tama powers out this time, and things speed up.

Tama hurdles, but Goto counter a hip toss with a hip toss! Tama goes to ropes, Goto runs in, but Tama dumps Goto out to the apron! Tama swings but Goto counter punches! But then Tama GUN STUN STUN GUNS Goto down! Goto falls to the floor and Tama waits on the ring count. Goto stirs at 5 of 20, fans rally and Hashi coaches Goto up. Goto sits up at 12 of 20, but we past 15 before he stands! Goto slides in at 18! Fans applaud, but Tama drags Goto up to COHP! Tama whips, DROPKICKS and covers, TWO! Tama keeps cool as he looms over Goto. Tama brings Goto up, then CLUBS him in the chest again and again!

Fans rally while Tama paces around. Tama drags Goto back up, snap suplexes and covers, TWO! Tama clamps onto Goto with a chinlock and grinds him back down. Fans rally as Goto endures, but Tama brings Goto down to the mat. Goto kicks and flails, fights his way back up, and he throws body shots. Tama CLUBS Goto on the back, then ROCKS him with a forearm! And then another! Goto scowls but Tama eggs him on. Tama ROCKS Goto again, but Goto snarls. Tama fires off forearm after forearm! Tama then runs, but Goto blocks the boot! Goto throws the foot down but Tama ROCKS him with another forearm!

Goto blocks another boot, waistlocks, but Tama elbows free! Tama runs, Goto follows and LARIATS Tama down! Fans fire up while both men are down! Tama crawls to a corner but Goto is right on him. Goto whips corner to corner and runs in to MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Tama survives, and Jado coaches him up. Goto brings Tama up but Tama fires body shots and low headbutts! Tama whips, Goto reverses and he runs Tama over! Fans fire up as Tama bails out, and Goto hurries to PLANCHA! Direct hit and both men go down at the railing! Fans fire up as both men stir.

The ring count starts but Goto is already up at 2 of 20. He drags Tama up at 5, but Tama is deadweight so Goto stomps him. The count passes 10, Goto drags Tama back up at 13. Goto puts Tama back in at 15 and fans applaud. Goto fires up and fans rally behind him. Goto climbs up a corner, but Tama ROCKS him first! Tama throws another forearm, but Goto hits back! Goto ELBOWS Tama in the head, but Tama throws body shots. Tama ROCKS Goto, climbs up and CLUBS Goto on the back. But Goto throws body shots and forearms! Tama and Goto fire off back and forth, and Tama gets the edge! Tama stands Goto up for the SUPERPLEX!

Fans fire up while both men are down again! Red Shoes checks, both men stir, and the fans rally up again. Goto crawls to a corner but Tama runs in, STINGER SPLASH! And then EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Goto hangs tough and the fans rally up. Tama drags himself up with the ropes, and he storms over to Goto. Tama stands Goto up but Goto throws a forearm! Tama throws a forearm right back! Goto drops to a knee, but he grits his teeth. Goto stands up to ROCK Tama with a forearm! Tama shakes that off to ROCK Goto right back! Goto ROCKS Tama! Tama ROCKS Goto! The forearms go back and forth again!

Fans fire up as Tama fires off a strike fest! Tama whips, Goto reverses, fireman’s carries and USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and Tama clutches his neck. Goto roars and fans fire up with him! Goto drags Tama up, dragon sleepers, but Tama throws hands from below! Goto blocks that, spins Tama around, but Tama fireman’s carries! SRC! Tama flounders but finds his way over to the corner! Tama goes up, for the SUPREME FLOW! Cover, TWO!! Goto is still in this, but fans fire up with Tama! OFF COMES THE VEST! Tama watches Goto stir, and Tama pounds the mat. Fans clap along and build back up.

Goto rises, Tama runs in, GUN- NO, Goto blocks! Goto shoves, runs, Tama redirects but Goto follows! Tama dodges and runs, GUN- NO! Goto blocks, then deflects the boot! But Tama jumps, VELENO! Both men are down after the satellite DDT and the fans are thunderous! Tama rises first, the fans rally back up, and Tama takes aim from the corner. Goto flounders, rises, and Tama rushes in, GUN- NO, Goto puts him in the corner! DRAPING SHOUTO!! But Goto’s too tired to make the cover! Fans rally up again and Goto rises. Goto roars and Tama rises, BUZZSAW! Goto then drags Tama back up to fireman’s carry!

USHI- NO, Tama flips through! But Goto still blocks Gun Stun! Goto drags Tama back up, spins him around, but Tama SUPER FOREARMS! BLOODY SUNDAY!! Cover, TWO!?! Goto survives Tama’s shoutout to The Prince, but Tama roars! Tama drags Goto up, underhooks, but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches and HEADBUTTS! And then LARIATS!! Fans fire up as Tama goes flipping through the air! Goto roars and gathers all his strength! BUZZSAW!! And then another dragon sleeper! G T- NO!! Tama blocks to a backslide but Goto holds that off! Tama HEADBUTTS, and GUN STUNS!!! Cover, TAMA WINS!!

Winner: Tama Tonga, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

The NEVER Openweight Champion bests one half of the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! The Fierce Warrior misses out on the final four, will he and Hashi simply regroup to focus on the tag titles for the Spring?

As for Tama, he shakes Goto’s hand to show respect, and the two hug it out. Goto raises Tama’s hand in victory, then lets him have the ring. Tama gets the mic to say, “HAMAMATSU~!” Fans cheer and Tama continues in Japanese,
“Really, thank you so much! Goto-san. That was amazing, thank you.” Fans cheer the respect shown, and Tama asks that everyone please keep supporting him! A short and sweet message from the Good Bad Guy, will he go all the way until he has his hands on the Cup?

My Thoughts:

Another really good night for the New Japan Cup, though not as shocking and wild as yesterday’s. Shota VS Finlay went about as expected in that Finlay goes over, but I am still impressed that Finlay is a Heel that doesn’t cheat to win. He didn’t need Gedo to do things for him here, Finlay just outdid Shota. And then we got a great main event where I was rather surprised that Tama won out. I thought Goto was going to go strong to the finals to put over the other side of the bracket. Instead, Tama gets a great win here and he’ll get to face Finlay next week, in a great rework of Tama taking on the Bullet Club.