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NJPW King of Pro Wrestling 10/14/2019

Matt Davis steps back into the spotlight with his review and recap of New Japan’s King Of Pro Wrestling!

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New Japan King Of Pro Wrestling Okada Ibushi

Matt Davis steps back into the spotlight with his review and recap of New Japan’s King Of Pro Wrestling!

Welcome to the event everyone has been waiting for since the G1 Climax ended! Annually this show is held in October, and features marquee rivalries coming to ahead as we set the stage for WrestleKingdom. Due to inclimate weather surrounding Typhoon Hagibis, several announced talent were not able to travel to Japan for this show. Due to time constraints of my own I will jumping into the action after the first couple matches with full details and summarizing the openers.

1) El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs SHO & YOH

Originally advertised as a six man tag featuring Zack Sabre Jr, this was turned into a regular tag team match and a preview for next weeks Super Jr Tag League Tournament. El Desperado made his return to NJPW after suffering a broken jaw in May. Suzuki-gun looked like they never missed a beat and picked up the opening win after a Pinche Loco at 10:55

Winners: El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Rating: **
Thoughts: Average junior tag match between two experienced teams. There was no doubt Desperado wasn’t winning his return. Let’s see what happens next week in the Super Jr Tag. I think these guys have to be favorites after their dominant run with the Tag Titles last year.

2) Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomoaki Honma vs Togi Makabe & Toru Yano
“20th Anniversary Hiroshi Tanahashi NJPW Debut Match”

This was a cool match which was the fourth in a series of anniversary matches for The Ace, honoring his longevity and loyalty to the company he helped rejuvinate over a decade ago. Makabe and Toru Yano have been with him along the way in the company, and Honma is a long time tag parter of Togi Makabe, so seeing the four veterans go at it with low stakes was fun. Tanahashi picked up the win after a High Fly Flow on Yano in under 10 minutes.

Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomoaki Honma
Rating: *1/2
Thoughts: Nothing wrong with it, nothing special about it either. I’m not a huge fan of Tanahashi at this stage of his career. Other people love him, it’s fine. He hit his spots, was a basic tag with NJPW veterans.

3) Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi vs DOUKI & Taichi

Early heel action by DOUKI and Taichi, because everyone hates Taichi. The feud with Naito and Taichi goes way back, when both were juniors. Taichi upset Naito in the G1 this year. With Takagi moving to the heavyweight division, there was a lot of story here and a proving ground for Taichi and Takagi as they tried to earn a reputation as guys that can “go”. Noshigami got a near fall at the end, but Taichi broke it up. Taichi attacked Shingo with his microphone for the rare disqualification finish in under 9 minutes.

Winners: Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi
Grade: *
Thoughts: So far this card has been extremely dull, and outside some excitement that we had near the end of this, there wasn’t much to it. I wished we got some more story. Disqualifications are extremely rare in New Japan, and it really sucks the finish away. No reason Naito couldn’t have gotte a pin on DOUKI and told the same story. As we head towards WK, I have to wonder if they’re building to Naito vs Taichi.

4) KISHIN Liger vs Minoru Suzuki

This is the match we’ve all been waiting for, and where I will begin reviewing the show. For those who need some background on why the title of this match says “KISHIN” and not “Jyushin”: In October 1996, The Great Muta had ripped off Liger’s mask during a match, but Liger stood up and revealed an all white painted face with red streaks, and white body paint, which was a much more aggressive version of Jushin Liger. He named this character KUSHIN Liger. He used the character again in 2006 in a feud with Bad Boy Hido, and again in 2012 against Taichi. In 2019, Minoru Suzuki assaulted Liger during his 30th anniversary, tearing at his mask, telling Liger he did not want to face Jushin, he wanted KISHIN. On September 22nd, the demonic alternative version of Thunder Liger finally returned, attacking Suzuki with a railroad spike, trainers, young lions, and even Hiroshi Tanahashi. Suzuki got his wish, and the match was made for tonight. Jyushin Thunder Liger will be retiring at WrestleKingdom in 2020, this being one of his final single matches.

Kevin Kelly tells us that this match could be considered a blood feud, dating back 17 years. Kelly tells us that Suzuki beat Liger in an MMA match in 2002, which was Liger’s only MMA match in his career. We are told that tonight Jyushin will be wrestling as Battle Liger tonight, which is a different character than either other character we’ve seen leading up to this match, only seeing it in 2012, and only two other times prior to tonight (against Tiger Mask and in 2002 and Hashimoto in 1994). We are told Liger might kill Minoru Suzuki tonight.

They circle around each other, trying to look for any advantage. Liger spits at Suzuki, and lays down on the mat, taunting Suzuki to wrestle him. Suzuki gets on the mat trying to twist him like a preztler and they square away to cheers. Liger into a drop toe hold but Suzuki blocks into a wristlock early! Suzuki is trying to break Liger’s arm, finally Liger gets to the ropes ad Minoru Suzuki is pissed. He lays flat on his mat now, but feigns out and tries to sweep Liger. Liger mounts now, as Suzuki cradles into a leglock but LIier reverses into a TRIANGLE! Suzulo frantic and backs up and gets a break. Liger refuses to break, as the referees warns him several times before breaking. Dropkick rolls Suzuki under the bottom rope. They begin to brawl outside. OW! Liger launches Suzuki chest first at full speed into the barricade. Liger smashes a chair on the cold steel as the referee stops LIger from using it, and Suzuki boots the chair into Liger now. Suzuki crashes Liger into the barricade now, cracking a chair across his back several times and then in the shoulder!

Suzuki wraps Liger’s arm and shoulder around the barricade and tries to break his arm again. Referee breaks it up, and Suzuki berates and chokes the referee. Suzuki begins tearing at the Battle Liger mask to boos. They stand face to face as Suzuki tries to rip it off again as they exchange slaps and chest strikes. On the apron, Suzuki tries to unmask Liger again, and drapes Liger’s arm across the top rope with a cross armbreaker screaming “IM GOING TO BREAK HIS ARM!” swinging back and forth on the ropes to boos. Liger rolling around in a lot of pain. Suzuki is really targeting the arm here.We are reminded that 7 years ago Suzuki wrestled one of the finest wrestling matches ever at King of Pro Wrestling against Hiroshi Tanahashi, but tonight it will be far from that. Huge headbutt drops Liger, before a hard right hand drops him again. Suzuki tells Liger to get up and stops the referee from counting him down. Liger up and open palm strikes, Suzuki with a boot and Liger collapses against the ropes. In the corner, huge boot by Suzuki, LIger blocks the PK! Running forearm chop across the nose and Suzuko shrugs it off and charges out of the corner! FIGHTING SPIRIT!!

Suzuki with elbows and is caught with a hard clothesline by Liger across the jaw to cheers! Capo Kick! Liger tries the Brainbuster into the rear naked choke! Suzuki doesn’t want it to end as he drops a limp Liger, Liger playing possum into a deep octopus double arm bar! Suzuki screaming in pain as Liger twists the shoulder and arm. He’s screaming “ASK HIM!” Suzuki somersaults out of of the hold into the ropes for a break. Liger with a hard kick on the shoulder he just twisted. Twisting armbreaker! Suzuki blocks, but Liger does it again! Suzuki in tremendous amounts of pain. Liger with a third one- NO BLOCKED INTO THE CHOKE! Liger escapes with a snapmare, and Suzuki holds onto the choke on the mat! Liger is fading… Referee lifts the limp arm twice and Liger gets to his feet. Suzuki teases a Gotch, and Liger blocks as the crowd starting to cheer. Liger back body drop! Lou Thesz Press into a pin for two and Suzuki gets out! VERTICAL DROP BRAINSBUSTERRRRRR!!!!! SUZUKI KICKS OUT!!!! ONE OF THE MOST PROTECTED MOVES IN JAPAN!!!! Suzuki kicked out! Liger signals for the end, and Suzuki with a hard dropkick!! Open palm strikes to a prone Liger who can’t protect himself as he stumbles, but roars back with his own fighting spirit! Crowd erupts! Suzuki slaps his own face! This is insane! Liger with his own chest strikes and slaps! Suzuki stares into Liger’s soul and smiles! Suzuki reponds with lightning fast strikes! Liger drops and stands again to cheers, but stumbles before he can connect with a strike. Liger with a slap! Suzuki says more! Forearm! Slap! Slap! Suzuki wants more! HARD STRIKE BY LIGER! Suzuki elbows Liger flat. Referee checking on Liger. Liger up with strikes and they yell in each others face. As hard as anyone can strike, Liger breaks sweat off Suzuki’s chest with an open palm strike, and Suzuki with a quick elbow strike into the Stalling Gotch Style Piledriver. Suzuki gets three for the win in 18 minutes.

Winner: Minoru Suzuki
Grade: ***
Thoughts: I honestly went from super excited about this match to disappointed before the bell rang, as I thought this would be Kishin Liger against Suzuki. Battle Liger still was a good character to use, as they absolutely kicked the crap out of each other here. Big, big difference between what we saw here and Liger’s usual stuff. The crowd loved it, it was reminiscent of older New Japan stuff, and both of them knew that. I can’t believe Suzuki kicked out of the Brainbuster. It’s one of the most protected moves in Japanese wrestling. This match was different for so many reasons, but it wasn’t a epic, so I gave it three stars out of five. Great story, electric atmosphere, great strong style, but it ended a little quicker than I was expecting, and as I mentioned, slightly disappointed that it was Battle Liger and not Kishin.

After the match Minoru Suzuki gets a chair and gets in the ring as the young lions tend on Liger, Suzuki tries to destroy Liger once and for all as he raises the chair above his head, and throws it away. He kneels in front of a prone Liger, and bows down to Liger as the fans erupt with cheers! A moment that this crowd will remember forever. The ultimate form of respect. Suzuki marches away quickly as Liger gets helped to his feet. Liger takes a microphone and says “Suzuki, thank you” and throws the mic down as his music hits for one of the last times. The crowd is chanting “LIGER LIGER” as he walks away.

5) El Phantasmo vs IWGP Jr Champion Will Ospreay
IWGP JR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

El Phantasmo won the Super J Cup in August, eliminating Ospreay in the semi-finals. Phantasmo has been haunting and attacking Ospreay at every corner. After Ospreay and Robbie Eagles couldn’t beat Phantasmo and Ishimori for thr Jr Tag Titles, Ospreay said Phantasmo will never beat him for the Jr Heavyweight Title. We are told ELP was able to make it to the show as he was training in the NJPW Dojo when the typhoon hit as the Doho was flooded and the moved memorabilia upstairs all night protecting the history of New Japan. Kevin Kelly told us Bullet Club will not be at ringside during this match as Phantasmo wanted to prove he could beat Ospreay by himself and clean. Ospreay won the Best of the Super Juniors in June, and won the IWGP Jr Championship at Dominion, but if Phantasmo can win here, he would be the reigning RevPro Cruiserweight Champion, one half of the IWGP Jr Tag Champions, the Super J Cup and British J Cup winner. He could sweep all the junior accolades with a win here.

Ospreay refuses a handshake as they lock up. Against the ropes, ELP breaks and taps Ospreay on the chest. Armdrag into a headlock into a press, snapmare, both men flip around to cheers, monkeyflip, missed clothesline, hurricanrana by ELP, Ospreay misses a roundhouse kick to cheers and ELP backs up. Ospreay says he was inches away from winning. Ospreay again refuses a handshake. ELP wants a test of strength and Ospreay accepts as they clash together. ELP forces down Ospreay at first but he fights back and drives ELP down into a bridge. They exchange rolls and flips into a double pin. Both escape into mirror bridges, eyes locked. ELP with a slap in the bridge. Both men up and The Aerial Assassin with his own slap! ELP with a knife edged chop! Ospreay with his own and ELP drops! They exchange forearms and ELP stumbles. Ospreay is fighting for his life, as they come to blows. Ospreay accuses ELP of hitting him in the eye as he drops down. ELP says it was an accident and offers his hand and respectfully lifts Ospreay to his feet to cheers before driving Ospreay throat first in the corner to boos! ELP blocks a forearm, and walks the ropes launching Ospreay outside. Handspring into the ropes, backflip into the superhero pose mocking Ospreay!

Ospreay with a quick Pip Pip Cheerio! HANDSPRING BACK FLIP MOONSAULT OVER THE TOP ROPE! Ospreay drags ELP around ringside to cheers. Ospreay tosses ELP into the crowd!! WOW! He tossed him over ten feet into the commentary teams. Phantasmo with a chair shot out of no where! He says “Whoops” (hahahahah). They’re brawling in the crowd now. Commentary is limited. Phantasmo climbs into a stairwell, as Ospreay meets him on the other side. They’re standing ten feet above concrete. Both of them teetering, Ospreay flips but fights back. OSPREAY TEASES THE STORMBREAKER BUT ELP BLOCKS! Ospreay slips and falls down to the walk way below. SUICIDE CROSSBODY DIVE TO THE FLOOR BY EL PHANTASMO!!!!!! ELP drags Ospreay back to ringside and is in complete control.

Cover in the ring, and Ospreay barely kicks out. ELP sends Ospreay chest into the opposite corner and rakes his back. Ospreay put in the tree of woe. Dropkick to the face! Phantasmo fakes another one and drops a boot in the groin. As Phantasmo poses, Ospreay lifts himself up ad nails a german suplex while in the tree of woe! HARD KNIFE EDGE CHOP in the corner by Ospreay! Ospreay blocks a springboard strike with a dropkick to the chest! Twisting handspring kick to the face! Ospreay poses on the corner, misses a moonsault, misses a standing moonsault, nails a standing shooting star, and a second rope moonsault for two! Ospreay tries a Stormbreaker but ELP blocks. Ospreay signals for the Hidden Blade but ELP blocks. They dodge attacks and ELP with an enzuguiri in the corner! Phantasmo with a Frankensteiner and OSPREAY LANDS ON HIS FEET! ELP escapes the dragonsuplex, ducks the hook kick, step up enzo by ELP! Ospreay blocks a move into a cutter, ELP blocks the OsCutter into a reverse airplane spin! Both me down!

On the apron, El Phantasmo in control, Ospreay blocks the CRII as both men fight on the apron. Ospreay blocks the CRII again, and knocks ELP silly with a roundhouse kick! OS CUTTER TO THE OUTSIDE!!! Both men down as the count begins. Ospreay in at 11, ELP in at 19.98! COAST TO COAST BY OSPREAY! SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Phantasmo kicked out at two and a half! Robinson Special connects! OS CUTTERRRRR!!!! Hooks the leg and Taiji Ishimori pulls the referee out to a lot of boos! Ishimori grabs the IWGP Jr Championship, but Robbie Eagles makes the save and destroys Ishimori with a cannonball through the ropes and drags Ishimori to the back!
ELP grabs the IWGP Jr Championship now, ELP swings, Ospreay ducks, HOOK KICK! ELP is done! HIDDE BLADE MISSES! LOW BLOW BY ELP! Shot with the title to the face! He throws the title outside. ELP to the top, diving splash! Ospreay out at two! Cheeky Nando kick by ELP mocking Ospreay using his own move. Both men up top now. ELP with a spinning reverse fireman carry! Ospreay kicks out again! ELP tries the CRII. Ospreay blocks, BUT ELP NAILS THE STYLES CLASH!!!! OSPREAY KICKS OUT!! V TRIGGER BY ELP! Ospreay reverses the One Winged Angel into a cradle! Kickout! SUPERKICK BY ELP! SPANISH FLY BY Ospreay and both men down!
They’re exchanging blows in the middle of the ring as both men exhausted. They’re empting all they have. ROUNDHOUSE! Forearm! HOOK KICK! ELP is dazed! ROUNDHOUSE! ELP drops to his knees! CANADIAN DESTROYER DDT SPIKES ELP! Ospreay covers and Phantasmo kicks out! Ospreay to the top rope to cheers. Phantasmo kicks the referee into the ropes and Ospreay crumbles. Ospreay blocks the Super CRII on the top rope. Headbutt by ELP! OSPREAY BLOCKS THE SUPER FRANKENSTEINER WITH A POWERBOMB!!!!! Ospreay pulls the elbow pad down…. HIDDEN BLADE! ELP HEAD FELL OFF HIS SHOULDERS! STORMBREAKER! WIN! 28 minutes

Winner AND STILL IWGP Jr Champion: Will Ospreay
Grade: ****1/4
Thoughts: You ever watch a match and know you’re watching a breakout match for someone? Think Kenny Omega against KUSHIDA at Dominion 2015, you knew Omega was going to be special soon. This match was that moment for El Phantasmo. Several iconic moments, the suicide crossbody into the walkway was absolutely insane. You don’t see that too much in Japan, and haven’t in a major professional wrestling promotion in a while. They brought out tributes to multiple famous junior heavyweights through wrestling history. The Hidden Blade at the end was brutal. I really don’t like matches that get dirty, but the very minor interference and cheating didn’t affect this match in the least bit, so it’s okay. What a great match between two guys who work so well together. Ospreay’s offense is just so crisp and devestating. His striking ability is unlike anyone else in wrestling. Not KENTA, not Shibata, not Ibushi, no one can compare to how fast he can strike. The Roundhouse near the end was one of the stiffest shots I’ve ever seen, clean on the ear. Really fun stuff.

6) “CHAOS” Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, & YOSHI-HASHI vs “Bullet Club” Jay White, KENTA, Yujiro Takahashi

This is going to be another quick review, as six man tag matches are often dull affairs, with some stories, but not much consequence. Not sure why this match wasn’t fourth on the card. If anything, a true definition of a crowd break match. Jay White defeated Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Championship at Destruction in Kobe on September 22nd, so Bullet Club has some gold around their waists here (coming up short of another in the previous match).
KENTA dominated most of the match, after beating Ishii for the NEVER Open Championship at Royal Quest, KENTA looks to prove a statement to CHAOS and future NEVER Openweight challengers, but it was Hirooki Goto who laid claim to an opportunity as he pinned Yujiro Takahashi with the GTR as KENTA and Jay White looked on in 12 minutes.

Winners: Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, & YOSHI-HASHI
Grade: **
Thoughts: Average six man tag between two groups of upper mid card guys. You get the usual Bullet Club/Jay White dirty stuff, and KENTA being a prick, but the fans went home happy with this one as Yujiro Takahashi ate the pin. Killed the flow of the show having this here, even if it involves some of the bigger names in the company.

7) Lance Archer vs Juice Robinson
IWGP UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP [vacant]
NO DISQUALIFICATION

This match was supposed to be Jon Moxley against Juice Robinson but Moxley could not travel to Japan due to the typhoon. This match was made instead. Lance Archer stepped into this opportunity due to a strong showing in G1 and the Fighting Spirit Tour. Juice Robinson is a former 2 time IWGP US Champion. Lance Archer is a former 3 time IWGP Tag Team Champion, former 4 time NWA Tag Team Champion (2 with Davey Boy Smith and 2 with Kid Kash), former 2 time GHC Tag Team Champion in NOAH, but he’s never held singles gold in a major promotion. Jon Moxley has now missed AEW’s All Out and NJPW’s King of Pro Wrestling in six weeks time for various reasons.
Archer starts trying a chokeslam, Juice a low blow and with an inside cradle for two! Juice with a spear to the outside! Juice immediately grabs a chair and drives it into Archer’s ribs and back! Juice throws Archer full speed into the barricade!! He posts him! Archer down! Juice tries a cannonball but Archer with a big boot on the outside! Juice blocks a chokeslam, but Archer gets it a second time through a table in the crowd! Archer with a steel chair across the back and holds the US Championship up to cheers. Archer tears off the turnbuckle pads in all the corners as this match is about to get dangerous.

Archer gets a chair and threatens the referee as Juice is still crawling around outside. Archer takes chairs and sticks them between the turnbuckles. He assaults Juice one more time for good measure. Archer gets another table and slides it in the ring as Archer is creating his own Murder House now. EVERYBODY DIES as he assaults the Young Lions at ringside. He puts the tables in the corners that don’t have chairs. Archer throws Juice face first into one of the chairs. Juice Robinson dislocated one of his fingers as he looks to be in a bit of pain, showing the finger to the camera. Archer sends Juice into the second chair, and tries a pin but Juice kicks out. Juice’s nose is now busted open as well. Archer grabs Juice’s arm and walks the top rope half way around the entire ring. Juice finally trips him up to cheers. Juice with a headbutt. Robinson tries a superplex and drops Archer back first!! Juice tries a pin and Archer kicks out! Juice with the Dizzy Jabs! Juice tries Left Hand of God, Archer blocks, RIGHT JAB! LEFT HAND OF GOD CONNECTS! Cannonball through the table! Juice with a pin and Archer kicks out.

Juice plays the crowd, Archer reverses Pulp Friction, POUNCE THROUGH THE TABLE IN THE CORNER! Both men down and dazed. Archer rolls outside and goes under the ring looking for more destruction. Juice is outside throwing chairs in the ring on the other side. Archer is getting more chairs. Both in the ring with chairs, Archer misses a swing, Juice misses, Archer with a right hand through the chair into Juice’s face! Juice is flat out! Chokeslam reversed. EBD CLAW! NO JUICE REVERSES INTO THE JUICEBOX! Hooks the leg and Archer kicks out! Juice is stacking chairs in the middle of the ring. Juice sets Archer and tries Pulp Friction, reversed into a Chokeslam onto the pile of chairs!! Archer piles them back together and grabs Juice as he teases the Blackout off the top through the chairs… MURDER HOUSE OPEN FOR BUSINESS!! Archer pins and JUICE KICKS OUT!!!!! Archer slamming Juice’s head into the chairs. EBD CLAW! Three count in the middle of the ring and we have a new IWGP US CHAMPION in 15 minutes!! Lance Archer has done it! WOW! What a upset!

Winner AND NEW IWGP US CHAMPION: Lance Archer
Grade: **1/2
Thoughts: For a impromptu brawl, this was fun. There was a lot of destruction, several tables went kaboom, several chairs were destroyed, and Juice’s finger and face also had better days. Juice wrestled with a dislocated finger most of a match against an opponent he wasn’t planning on facing. Gritty performance for Juice here. Archer gets a great moment as he has arrived in Japan as a singles star.

8) Kota Ibushi vs EVIL
TOYKO DOME CONTRACT MATCH

Kota Ibushi defeated Jay White in the finals of the G1 on August 12th, guaranteeing an opportunity to face the IWGP Champion at WrestleKingdom. He must defend that opportunity here against who many regard as the spiritual successor to big brawlers like Masahiro Chono and Hiroyoshi Tenzan in New Japan; “The King of Darkness” EVIL.

EVIL attacks at the bell trying to gain an immediate upper hand to head to the Toyko Dome. EVIL with a strong side headlock early on, wearing down Kota. Kota tries to fight out but EVIL locks it in tighter and harder. Ibushi finally escapes, EVIL with a strong shoulder tackle, Ibushi kips up, and EVIL with another side headlock, dragging this one to the mat. Ibushi up, strikes and kicks EVIL hard. He follows up with multiple mid kicks. EVIL blocks another and drives Ibushi upside down over the top rope with a clothesline! Ibushi back first into the ringside barricade crashing in hard! EVIL with a receipt!

EVIL in control in the ring, swinging neckbreaker and Kota kicks out at one easily. EVIL with knee in the back, angling pressure betwee the shoulder blades but Ibushi powers out but EVIL with a double wrist lock and Ibushi can’t escape. Ibushi tries to leverage. He finally outpowers, and EVIL reverses again, dropping Ibushi to the mat, driving the knee in deep. Ibushi with a desperation mid kick! Martial art kick combo, powerslam, into the moonsault and EVIL kicks out! They exchange tie ups, Ibushi misses a springboard kick, and EVIL ties Ibushi in the corner and drives Ibushi into the mat with a stomp to the heart. EVIL tries a bronco buster, and Ibushi counters into his own double stomp! On the apron, EVIL counters a deadlift german ito a cutter across the top rope! EVIL down outside, Ibushi down inside. EVIL wraps a chair around Ibushi’s head and hits a homerun! Its gone! EVIL crushes Ibushi i the corner and is in complete control. Superplex by EVIL, and Ibushi kicks out at two and a half!
EVIL dodges a dropkick at the 10 minute mark, and EVIL stalks the G1 winner, tries a misdirection lariat, but Ibushi with a headscissors! Both men on the top rope, EVIL with a devestating headbutt, but Ibushi with a springboard hurricanrana off the top! Two count! EVIL blocks the Kamigoye. German suplex by EVIL but Ibushi lands on his feet! Both men try hard forearms and are blocked! LARIATTTTTTTTTTTTT BY EVIL! HOOKS THE LEG! KICK OUT!! EVIL connects with Darkness Falls, Ibushi kicks out! Ibushi reverses Everything Is Evil into a roll up, two! KOTA IBUSHI WITH A BASTARD DRIVER!!!! Ibushi can’t make the cover. LAST RIDE! EVIL kicks out at 2.9! SO CLOSE! Shinsuke Nakamura tribute, LARIAT KILLS IBUSHI DEAD ON HIS FEET TURNING HIM INSIDE OUT!! Both men down! PUMPING BOMBER CONNECTS! EVIL hooks the leg, Ibushi kicks out! IBushi blocks Everything Is Evil, wristlock, waistlock briding german! EVIL rolls through, Kamigoye blocked! Half and half suplex by EVIL! Another half and half suplex! EVIL can’t get the pin… The rug was pulled out from Ibushi as he thought he had it won. LARIAT BY KOTA IBUSHI!!! EVIL flips inside out! Kamigoye reversed into Everything Is Evil but Kota blocks, tries a standing Kamigoye, EVIL WITH A HEADBUTT! Kota with a headbutt! High kick! Jumping Knee, KAMIGOYE! EVIL KICKED OUT!!!!!! EVIL KICKED OUT!!! KAMIGOYE AGAIN! That’s it at 24 minutes.

Winner: Kota Ibushi
Grade: ***3/4
Thoughts: This match started so unbelievably slow, it was grueling, but the second half was worth the wait. The winner was basically undeniable, I don’t think we will ever see a G1 winner dropping the contract at King of Pro Wrestling, but if they can give us matches like this, that’s perfectly fine. EVIL dominated this match, one of his best matches of all time. His thunderous powerful offense has begun to find its spot here in New Japan and the crowd just loves him. Ibushi played the come from behind guy well, hitting several quality spots. The last three minutes is just so crisp and exciting.

9) SANADA vs IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada
IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

This is the seventh singles meeting between these two, with Okada holding a 5-1 all time record against SANADA, but that one loss is what led to this title match, with SANADA all but eliminating Okada from the G1 (after a 6-0 start) with his upset victory over The Rainmaker. The IWGP Championship has not changed hands at KIng of Pro Wrestling since 2014, when Hiroshi Tanahashi beat AJ Styles.

Okada tries to start off hot with a shotgun dropkick but SANADA side steps, both men with bombs right away. SANADA dodges the Dropkick multiple times. SANADA to the top with the Muta Moonsault but misses, Rainmaker misses, Skull End escaped, and both men miss dropkicks as they square away.

Okada tries a waistlock but SANADA controls and gets up. SANADA with a slow pace, trying to gain any advatage. Okada reverses into a wristlock and SANADA reverses into a backlock, headlock by SANADA, both men against the ropes. Okada teases a strike and taps SANADA’s chest. Hard shoulderblock by Okada knocking SANADA off his feet. Slow neckbreaker by Okada, pins, and SANADA kicks out. Okada with a chinlock and SANADA gets to the ropes, dropkick to the ear knocks the challenger outside, and Okada follows. They exchange blows outside the ring. SANADA back first ito the barricade ad boots SANADA into the crowd! Draping DDT and SANADA reverses, twisting suplex off the barricade face first into the floor! SANADA with a fireman carry dropping Okada rib first on the barricade. Okada rolls in at 17. SANADA pins and gets two. Hard crushing back elbow in the corner by SANADA, snapmare into a pin press and gets two. Headlock by SANADA trying to weaken and drain the life from the champion. Okada blocks a splash with a boot, both men exchange maneuvers, SANADA misses the standing moonsault and Okada with an uppercut and both men down…

Okada kips up first, running forearm, forearm, ducks clotheslines, and drops SANADA with a hooking clothesline of his own! Thumping collison in the corner, SPIKING DDT by Okada, into the cover and SANADA kicks out at two. SANADA Flair flops to the apron, but Okada dropkicks him off the apron to the floor into the barricade. SANADA again into the barricade and again with a boot into the crowd. Okada HIGH SPEED DIVING CROSSBODY OVER THE BARRICADE SENDING SANADA INTO THE CROWD!!! Referee starts to count SANADA out… Okada stops the referee from counting SANADA out at 17 as SANADA stumbles into the ring and collapses at Okada’s feet. A hard right forearm drops SANADA. SANADA to his feet trying to fight back but OKada is just too much dropping SANADA again, followed by a powerslam. Okada to the top rope, SANADA up and leapfrogs Okada into a Dropkick! Springboard suicide splash to the floor byh SANADA as the crowd chanting and cheering for the challenger. SANADA plays up the crowd walking around the ring..

SANADA rolls Okada under the bottom rope and gets Okada in the Paradise Lock to cheers! SANADA plays up the crowd who loves is, SANADA sets and dropkicks the quad, freeing Okada, into the pin for two. Both men exchange counters, SANADA misses the moonsault prelude to Skull End, Shotgun Dropkick sends SANADA into the corner! Okada climbs to the top rope.. MISSILE SHOTGUN DROPKICK FROM THE TOP! Powerslam and Okada back to the top rope. Diving elbowsmash! RAINMAKKKKKKEERRRRRRR POSE!!!!!!!! SANADA ducks the Rainmaker into Skull End, Okada escapes, back into Skull End, cradle for two by Okada, SANADA tries a TKO, Okada escapes, Skull End! Okada reverses into a tombstone attempt but SANADA reverses and drops the champion with a spiking tombstone! TKO! Lateral press pin and two and a half! SANADA locks in the Bodyscissor Skull End in the middle of the ring. Okada trying to flail but SANADA trying to drain the life from Okada. Okada slowly fading… Okada slips out but SANADA locks it back in!! Okada is worse for wear, Okada going limp. Okada slips out again, trying to get to the ropes, but SANADA LOCKS IT IN A FULL BODYSCISSORS! NOT TODAY! SANADA YANKS BACK! This match should be over! Okadas’ eyes are fading. Referee checking on Okada. One hand up and down. Two hands up… Okada fights out into a roll up! Two! SANADA continues the ground mount, maintaining arm control. Okada blocks Skull End. OKada trying for leverage, SANADA trying for SKull End, flips and RAINMAKER!!!!!!! Okada took a few extra moments before trying a pin and SANADA kicked out!

Both men on their knees giving each other their all as we approach the 30 minute mark.. SANADA with hard forearms. Okada with an elbow. SANADA with a strike, Both men up. Okada with a hard forearm to the chin. Forearm by SANADA! Back and forth! Faster and harder! Uppercut by Okada! SANADA with an uppercut of his own. Okada with an uppercut. SANADA stumbles Okada with a uppercut! Okada with another! SANADA responds! Okada drops to the mat! Okada ducks a rolling elbow, SANADA ducks Rainmaker, Okada reverses Skull End into his own! Dropkick to back of the head! DROPKICK OFF THE ROPES! SANADA ducks Rainmaker, cutter out of the corner into the SKULL END! Okada fading! His arm dropping limp. SANADA spins the champion and drops in the hooks! Okada looks out! His eyes are grey! SANADA rolls Okada away from the ropes! Referee checking on Okada….. is he out? Okada eyes are closed. Referee asking Okada if he’s still with us. Referee checks the hand… Okada waving a fourth of a inch in a circle. SANADA tries a cover and OKADA KICKS OUT! MUTO MOONSAULT!!!!!! TRIES ANOTHER AND OKADA GETS THE KNEES UP! Both me down! SANADA could have gone to WrestleKingdom right there but he wanted to send a message and paid the price! Okada is out, stumbling around, barely able to grab the ropes, dazed. SANADA first to his feet as the crowd erupts. Okada with a defensive desperation boot, Moonsault into Skull End! Okada reverses into his own Skull End, TOMBSTONE! RAINMAKER BLOCKED WITH A BOOT! Rainmaker ducked! O’connor roll and the crowd is going crazy! TWO! ONLY TWO! RAINMAKER DUCKED! Tombstone reversed into Skull END! SANNADA SPINS THE CHAMPION AROUND, Okada armdrags out! Dropkick at the 35 minute mark! Rainmaker ducked, Okada ducks SANADA’s Rainmaker, popup dropkick! ROLLING ELBOW BY SANADA! OKada blocks the twisting cutter into the tombstone but SANADA tries to choke him, Michinoku Driver by OKada RAINMAKERRRRRRRRRRR GETS THREE! And still IWGP CHAMPION AT 37 MINUTES KAZUCHIKA OKADA!

Winner AND STILL IWGP Champion: Kazuchika Okada
Grade: ****1/2
Thoughts: They were testing the waters here, this was a fantastic match that told an awesome story. For all intents ad purposes if we were grading points, SANADA would be our new champion after this, after countering everything Okada had at every step of the way, completely draining him not once but twice with Skull End. But it wasn’t enough, and the Rainmaker finally connected for the successful defense as we look forward to Kazuchika Okada vs Kota Ibushi. Honestly, I’m not looking forward to that and I don’t think Ibushi will win. I would really love to see these two at it. I loved their New Japan Cup match, I loved their G1 match, and I loved this match. SANADA is often criticized for sandbagging matches, but Okada brings the best out of him. I think we saw the dawning of SANADA here and I think he will win G1 in 2020. Okada is still our champ, SANADA won our hearts and minds.

Overall Show Grade: 6/10
Overall Show Thoughts: King of Pro Wrestling is often regarded as a premier event, citing Minoru Suzuki/Tanahashi in 2012, and Tanahashi/Okada in 2013 as examples of some of the best matches in the modern era, in wrestling period both taking place at this event. Tonight had some amazing matches, but it also had it’s fair share of clunkers. All the tags were less than special, really not moving the meter much.

Top 5 Stars:

1) SANADA
2) Minoru Suzuki/Jyushin Liger
3) El Phantasmo
4) Will Ospreay
5) Kazuchika Okada


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Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/20/24)

The moment of truth!

Published

on

Past clashes with present to create the future of NJPW!

Hirooki Goto seeks his FOURTH New Japan Cup championship while Yota Tsuji wants his first. Who will face Tetsuya Naito at Sakura Genesis?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi VS Shoma Kato & Katsuya Murashima; Bushi & Hiromu win.
  • Six Man Tag: Tomohiro Ishii, Tanga Loa & Ryusuke Taguchi VS The United Empire; The Untied Empire wins.
  • Zack Sabre Jr. & Mikey Nicholls VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; ZSJ & Mikey win.
  • Six Man Tag: YOSHI-HASHI, Togi Makabe & Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
  • Six Man Tag: Shota Umino, El Desperado & Yuji Nagata VS The House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
  • YOH VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Yoh wins.
  • 10 Man Tag: Just5Guys VS Hikuleo, El Phantasmo, Jado, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg; Leo, ELP, Jado, Yano & Boltin win.
  • Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi VS EVIL & Dick Togo; Naito & Takagi win.
  • 2024 New Japan Cup Final: Hirooki Goto VS Yota Tsuji; Tsuji wins and will challenge Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Sakura Genesis.

PLAY BY PLAY

YOH VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

Direct Drive wants after the Murder Machine, but Sho is claiming he’s all hurt from his match against Tetsuya Naito back at the Anniversary Show. However, the Heel Master is looking to stop Yoh before he ever gets close to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship! Will Kanemaru protect Sho from Yoh? Or will nothing stop the Roppongi 3K grudge match?

Yoh walks out, showing off the belt he stole as payback for all of Sho’s messing around, but wait! SHO attacks?! He’s not hurt at all! We should’ve known that was all a farce! Kanemaru joins in but the ref reprimands Sho for even showing up! The fans boo but Kanemaru gets Yoh in the ring. Sho then joins in and the mugging continues! The fans continue to boo, the ref continues to reprimand, and he tells Sho he has to get out. Sho exits the ring but Kanemaru still stomps Yoh. The bell rings to get this on record, and Kanemaru stomps Yoh more. Kanemaru uses Yoh’s own jacket to CHOKE him!

The ref reprimands and the fans boo, but Kanemaru lets off at 4. Yoh coughs and sputters, Kanemaru brings him up, and Kanemaru CLUBS Yoh on the neck. Kanemaru whips corner to corner, then runs to BOOT! Kanemaru brings Yoh out but Yoh fires forearms in return! Kanemaru knees low, runs, but Yoh drops to then bypass and drop toehold! Kanemaru stays up, grabs at the ref, but Yoh gets away fast! Yoh throws hands, whips, but Kanemaru reverses and Sho trips Yoh up! The fans boo as Kanemaru keeps the ref from seeing Sho whip Yoh into railing! Yoh falls in a heap but Sho hauls him up, to whip into more railing!

The fans boo but Sho acts like he is concerned for the ref. Kanemaru goes out to drag Yoh up and scoop to SLAM! Kanemaru then slides back into the ring, the ring count begins, and Yoh writhes at 5 of 20. Yoh grits his teeth, drags himself up, and slides in at 14! Kanemaru brings Yoh up to TOSS back out, and then Kanemaru distracts the ref so Sho can attack! The fans boo again but Sho puts Yoh in the ring. Kanemaru covers, TWO! The fans cheer, but then Kanemaru suplexes Yoh high and hard! Yoh writhes, Kanemaru KNEES him in the back again and again and again! Kanemaru grabs the arms to make it a motorcycle stretch!

Yoh endures, the fans rally, and Yoh fights around. But Kanemaru wrangles him and then stands on the shoulder blades! Yoh endures, kicks and flails, but Kanemaru keeps Yoh down. Yoh still fights over, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, but then Kanemaru distracts and Sho drags Yoh out! Sho RAMS Yoh into railing and the fans boo again! Kanemaru goes out to get Yoh, and whips him hard into railing! Yoh staggers out through the gate into No Man’s Land, but Kanemaru pursues. Kanemaru stomps Yoh around, then drags him back up. Kanemaru brings Yoh over to APRON BACK SUPLEX!

Yoh writhes and flops off the apron while Kanemaru rolls back into the ring. The fans rally as the ring count begins again. The ref also makes sure Sho stays back, but Yoh is still down at 10 of 20. Yoh grabs at the apron skirt, drags himself up, but is still down at 15! And then 18! Yoh springs in at 19! The fans cheer, Sho is upset, but Kanemaru clamps right on with a CAMEL CLUTCH! The fans rally as Yoh endures being bent way back! Yoh kicks around again, and has another ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru kneels on Yoh as he lets off, but stands up at 4. Kanemaru then stomps Yoh around, but Yoh eggs him on.

Kanemaru stomps Yoh in the corner, but Yoh fires forearms in return! Kanemaru claws the eyes! Kanemaru whips, Yoh holds ropes, and then Yoh BOOTS! Yoh runs up but Kanemaru BOOTS! Kanemaru kicks but Yoh blocks to DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Yoh and Kanemaru stir, and Yoh goes to a corner. Yoh stands, runs up, and he CLOBBERS Kanemaru! And CLOBBERS him again! Yoh whips, Kanemaru reverses but Yoh FLYING FOREARMS! The fans rally and Yoh grits his teeth while clutching his back. Kanemaru is in a corner, Yoh fires up and the fans are with him!

Yoh runs in to ELBOW Kanemaru, then reels him in for the NECKBREAKER! Yoh keeps going, HALF HATCH BRIDGE! TWO, but the fans rally up again. Yoh drags Kanemaru up, kicks low and scoops to SLAM him in the drop zone. Yoh goes up and up, but Kanemaru avoids the twisting senton! Kanemaru drags Yoh back up, whips corner to corner, then back drops Yoh on the rebound! Kanemaru scoops to SLAM Yoh into the drop zone, then flips him over. Kanemaru goes up to MOONSAULT onto Yoh’s back! And then, BOSTON CRAB! Yoh endures and the fans rally as Kanemaru sits deep on the hold!

Yoh grits his teeth and powers up! The fans rally as Yoh fights his way around, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru lets go in frustration but he goes right up top! Kanemaru tells Yoh to get up, and Yoh stands, into the DEEP- NO, Yoh gets around to waistlock! Kanemaru grabs the ref! The ref slaps Kanemaru’s hands away and Yoh GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Kanemaru survives but Yoh keeps his cool. Yoh drags Kanemaru up, reels him in and suplexes, but Kanemaru slips free! He shoves Yoh into the ref! Kanemaru ENZIGIRIS Yoh, and Sho unties the blue buckle pad!

Kanemaru crawls over there and eggs Yoh on. Yoh runs in, and the buckle pad goes away! Yoh hits bare steel! Kanemaru whips Yoh back into the buckles, then trips him for the BOSTON CRAB!! Yoh endures, the fans rally, and the ref is back. Sho taunts Yoh but Yoh fights his way over. Kanemaru drags him back! HALF CRAB! Yoh endures, Kanemaru steps over to have a deep angle, but Yoh scrambles forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Kanemaru lets go in frustration. Kanemaru drags Yoh up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Yoh fights it! Yoh suplexes to FALCON GOROSHI! Cover, TWO!

Kanemaru survives but the fans rally behind Yoh as he goes to ropes. Yoh drags himself up and fires up! The fans cheer as he tunes up the bad! But then Sho gets on the apron! The ref stops Sho, Yoh runs up at him! Kanemaru storms up, turns Yoh around, but Yoh body shots first! The WHISKEY MIST hits Sho! The fans fire up as Yoh SUPERKICKS Kanemaru, then uses the ropes in the O’Conner, FIVE STAR CLUTCH!! YOH WINS!

Winner: Yoh, by pinfall

The Heel Master and Murder Machine get outsmarted and outmaneuvered, and Yoh snatches the belt back! He even taunts Sho with it! But when and where will Yoh get the chance to truly own the title?

 

Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi VS EVIL & Dick Togo!

While it won’t be The Uncontrollable Charisma VS The Rampaging Dragon for the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, they are going to team together to take the fight to the House of Torture! Will The King of Darkness pay for cheating Takagi? Or will Darkness Fall even now?

The moment Takagi steps into the ring, Evil & Dick attack! Naito hurries up but Dick knocks him down! The bell rings to put this on record, and Evil CLAWS Takagi’s eyes! Dick sends Naito into railing then stomps him down while Evil runs, only for Takagi to run him over! The fans fire up, Takagi puts his robe aside and he storms up on Evil. Takagi KNEES Evil against ropes again and again, but lets off as the ref counts. Takagi whips to KNEE Evil, but then Evil bails out to avoid getting run over again. Dick is still after Naito, and he whips Naito into more railing! Takagi whips Evil but Evil reverses to send Takagi into railing!

Evil CLAWS Takagi’s eyes, the fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Evil tells them all to shut up. But Takagi throws body shots, knees low, then POSTS Evil! The fans rally up but then Evil keeps Takagi from the ring to bring him into the crowd! Evil CLUBS Takagi, fans move aside, and Evil SMACKS Takagi off chairs! Evil then uses a chair to SMACK Takagi! Takagi is down and the ring count starts. Dick sends Naito into more railing while Evil CHOKES Takagi with a chair! Evil SMACKS Takagi again, kicks him around, and we pass 10 of 20. Evil CHOPS Takagi, CHOPS him again, but Takagi hits back!

Takagi SMACKS Evil off a chair and we pass 15 of 20! Takagi hurries to leave Evil behind! But Dick stops Takagi! The count hits 20, it’s a DRAW!

Double Count-Out Draw

The fans boo and Takagi is frustrated with the House of Torture all over again! Naito didn’t even get his entrance attire off! Takagi gets a mic to shout, “Oi! Where do you think you’re going?! This is a big event here in Nagaoka! This is the final night of the series! It can’t end like this!” Evil & Dick have made their way to the ramp but Takagi gets in the ring to tell them to get back here! They’re gonna keep going, just like the No Contest last time! Oh, well, if you’re going home, guess that’s fine. Takagi has the NEVER Openweight Championship! Does Evil not want it? Evil gets mad, so Takagi says come get the belt back!

Evil & Dick are upset but they won’t leave without the belt, so they rush back in! Dick goes after Naito and sends him out again, the bell rings to restart this match! Takagi fires JAB after JAB, then CHOPS! Evil goes to a corner, and Naito sends Dick into railing now! Takagi kicks Evil, whips corner to corner then runs in. Takagi blocks the boot to clothesline through! Takagi keeps moving, Evil ducks but runs into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint into the DDT! The fans fire up and Takagi calls to Naito. Naito has his entrance attire put aside, and he helps Takagi get Evil up for the double whip. Takagi KNEES, snapmares, and Naito basement dropkicks!

Takagi gets Evil up to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi looks around, finds the camera, and says “TOKI GA KITA! <THE TIME HAS COME!>” The fans fire up with “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi brings Evil up. Takagi reels Evil in but Evil fights the lift! Takagi fights the headlock but Evil CLAWS Takagi’s eyes! Evil whips Takagi into the corner and surprise, the buckle pad is gone again! Takagi hits bare buckles, Dick BLASTS Naito, and Evil brings Takagi out. Evil RAMS Takagi into the timekeeper! Down goes Abe-san and the fans boo! Evil gets the mic, Dick has the buckle pad, and Dick SMACKS Takagi while Evil insults him and stomps him!

The fans boo but Evil says let’s see Takagi take the belt now! Evil leaves Takagi behind while the ref sorts things out. The ring count starts, Takagi writhes, and he rises up at 9 of 20. Takagi checks on Abe-san, he’s alright, so Takagi hurries in at 14! Evil wrenches the bad arm, and RAMS it into the bare buckles! Dick tags in, he stomps Takagi then brings him up. Dick CLUBS Takagi’s arm, CLUBS it again, then wrangles Takagi to the mat. Dick drops knees on the shoulder, then drops knees again! Dick stands on Takagi at the ropes but the ref counts. Dick steps away at 4 while the fans boo. Dick then drags Takagi around, and he drops a fist! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally up but Dick stomps Takagi. Tag to Evil and Evil drags Takagi up to CLUB the bad arm. Takagi falls and Evil looms over him. Evil tosses Takagi out, gets in the ref’s face, and Dick hammerlocks Takagi to POST the bad arm! Dick then puts Takagi back in, Evil covers, TWO! Evil covers again, TWO! Deep cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and Evil is furious, but the fans rally up. Evil kicks Takagi around, CLUBS him, but Takagi eggs Evil on! Takagi CLUBS the bad arm, CLUBS it again, but Takagi fires forearms, knees, and CLUBS in return! Evil CLAWS Takagi’s eyes! Takagi kicks but Evil blocks, and hands it to the ref!

But then Takagi blocks Evil’s kick! The ref lets Takagi go, and Takagi DRAGON SCREWS Evil! The fans fire up and Takagi reaches out for his corner! Hot tag to Naito! The fans fire up as Naito kicks Evil, CLUBS away on him, then whips. Naito arm-drags Evil, ELBOWS him down, then basement dropkicks! Naito DECKS Dick, too! The fans rally as Naito whips Evil to a corner, runs in, and JUMP KICKS! Leg sweep! COMBINACION feint, then DROPKICK, cabron! The fans fire up as Naito poses, and Naito even SPITS at Evil! Naito drags Evil up, SPITS at him again, then turns him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!

Naito keeps cool and he brings Evil up. Naito cravats to neck wrench but Evil endures. Dick attacks to save Evil! Dick holds Naito back but Naito BOOTS Evil away! Naito ELBOWS Dick then dodges Evil to waistlock. Evil switches, Naito throws elbows to get free, then Naito runs. But Dick trips him up! Dick tags in, he and Evil stomp away on Naito! But Takagi comes back, so the ref has to stop him. Evil CHOKES Naito with a House of Torture towel, then sends Naito into the ref and Takagi! LOW BLOW on Naito! Dick wraps the SPOILER CHOKER onto Naito! The fans boo but Naito fights the choker!

Naito stands, pries free, and arm-drags Dick away! The fans fire up as Naito ELBOWS Dick, then uses the SPOILER CHOKER on him! Dick tastes hist own medicine, then Naito shoves Dick to ropes! Pop-up LOW BLOW! Dick falls, Naito runs, ROLLING JACKKNIFE! The ref is back to count the cover, LIJ wins!

Winners: Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi, by pinfall

But Evil storms in to CLAW Naito’s eyes! Evil runs, but into an atomic drop! Feed to the LARIAT, then clothesline in the corner! Feed to the ENZIGIRI, then PUMPING BOMBER! The fans fire up as LIJ stands tall here, and Takagi gets the mic back! “OI, EVIL! I think it’s over between you and I. Next, we do this for the NEVER Openweight Championship!” The Rampaging Dragon wants gold back one way or another, so will he once again be on top of the Openweight Division?

 

2024 New Japan Cup Final: Hirooki Goto w/ YOSHI-HASHI VS Yota Tsuji!

It’s the moment of truth! The Fierce Warrior wants to have that feeling of holding up the trophy one more time, but Gene Blast wants to bring about a new era! Who wins their way into the future of NJPW?

The fans are all already dueling between “GO-TO-O!” and “YO~TA!” The bell rings and the two stare down. The cheering gets even stronger, and Red Shoes determines that it is more in Goto’s favor. Goto and Yota circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Goto powers Yota to ropes but lets off with a pat on the shoulder. Yota grins and the fans applaud. Yota and Goto circle again, tie back up, and Goto waistlocks. Yota wrenches, wristlocks, and Goto rolls. Goto wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks and hits the takeover. Yota endures the grind and rolls Goto to a cover, ONE! Goto grinds the hold, Yota fights up and he pops out the back to hammerlock.

Yota SNAP LOCKS the hold, but Goto endures. Goto fights around, gets the ROPEBREAK, and Yota lets off slowly. Yota pats Goto on the shoulder, then CHOPS him! The fans cheer and Yota grins. The two reset and Yota calls for knuckle locks. Goto obliges, they tie up, and they go shoulder to shoulder in a test of strength! Yota uses his height for leverage here and he brings Goto to his knees. The fans rally, Goto fights up, and Goto kicks low to headlock again. Yota powers up, throws body shots, then powers out. They RAM shoulders but neither falls! The fans cheer, Yota eggs Goto on, so Goto runs. They RAM shoulders, but still neither falls!

Yota fires up but Goto kicks low. Goto whips, Yota reverses, but Goto counters hip toss with hip toss! Goto runs to run Yota over! The fans fire up again as Goto stands tall! Goto then stomps Yota, brings him up and snapmares him into a chinlock. Yota endures the knee in his back, grabs at Goto, but Gota cranks the hold. The fans rally as Yota fights around, stands up, and throws body shots. Goto lets go to swing, but Yota spins him and arm-drags him! And BOOTS him right down! The fans fire up while Goto bails out, and Yota encourages the fans to get louder. The fans oblige, and Yota builds speed! Yota DIVES and sends Goto into railing!

The fans are thunderous as Yota walks around the outside. Red Shoes checks Goto but he’s still in this. Yota returns, glances at Naito on commentary, and he brings Goto up to put in the ring. The fans cheer and Yota steps inside. Yota covers, ONE!! Goto is tougher than that but Yota keeps cool. Yota grins as he stands over Goto. The fans rally and duel, but Yota CLUBS Goto on the neck. Yota then scoops and SLAMS Goto, covers, TWO! Yota is a little annoyed but he brings Goto back up. Goto CHOPS! Yota brushes that off and pushes Goto around. Goto CHOPS again, so Yota stands him up to CHOP!

Goto staggers to a corner and the fans fire up! Yota grins as he stands Goto up for a cravat. Yota snapmares then puts on the body scissors! Goto endures the squeeze and the fans rally. Goto drags Yota along as he crawls forward, but Yota puts on the pressure! Yota hooks an arm, but Goto still fights to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Yota lets go cleanly. The fans duel again while Yota paces around. Yota grins while Goto sputters, and Yota kicks Goto around. Yota brings Goto up but Goto pushes him away, so Yota kicks Goto. Goto CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS in return! But Yota knees low! Yota whips Goto corner to corner but Goto reverses!

Goto runs up, but into a BOOT! Yota runs but Goto follows to LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Goto drags Yota up, fires forearm after forearm, then whips him to a corner. Goto runs in to MURAMASA! And SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Goto is frustrated but the fans continue to rally behind him. Goto drags Yota up, fireman’s carries, but Yota fights it! Goto swings, but into the BACKBREAKER, COMPLETE SHOT and STOMP! The fans fire up and Yota sits as he catches his breath, but he still smiles. Goto crawls to a corner but Yota fires up! The fans fire up as Yota aims and Goto rises!

Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH! Yota keeps moving, he ducks ‘n’ dodges to run Goto over! Then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Yota brings Goto up again. Yota reels Goto in, but Goto fights the suplex! Yota still tries but Goto suplexes him first! Yota fights that off, suplexes Goto, but Goto slips free to waistlock. Yota elbows free, runs, but Goto follows! Yota dodges Goto, Goto follows again, but Yota redirects! Yota ducks ‘n’ dodges to SUPERKICK! Goto roars, but Yota ROCKS him with a forearm! Yota roars, but runs into the fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! The fans are thunderous while both men are down!

The fans fire up and the “YO~TA! YO~TA!” is now stronger than the “GO-TO-O!” Goto crawls his way over to Yota, sits him up, and he fires a forearm! Yota grits his teeth to forearm in return! Goto throws another forearm! Yota sits up to fire another back! Goto fires another, Yota falls back, and the fans rally up. Goto eggs Yota on and Yota sits back up. Yota stands to fire another forearm! Goto growls, then forearms back! Yota forearms again and he eggs Goto on! Goto ROCKS Yota! Yota ROCKS Goto! The forearms keep going, they pick up speed, and the fans rally up! Goto ROCKS Yota, Yota wobbles and drops to a knee!

Goto drags Yota back up, but Yota fires forearm after forearm! Yota roars, but Goto catches him to spin and URA GTR! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! Goto rises and roars! Goto brings Yota up, fireman’s carries, G T W!! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives and the fans are thunderous again! Goto drags Yota up, dragon sleepers, and TRUE G T- NO! Yota catches Goto, backslides, but Goto rolls through! So Yota suplexes to the ORANGE CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! Yota grits his teeth, stands, and even Naito is amazed at how the fans now support Yota.

Yota aims, runs up, and he CURB STOMPS Goto in the face!! But Yota isn’t done there, he just huffs and puffs and storms back over to Goto. Yota drags Goto up, brings him to a corner, and then Yota jumps up and up and FLYING CURB STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives and the fans are electric! Yota hurries to haul Goto right up! Fireman’s carry, but Goto slips free to a SLEEPER! Goto squeezes tight as Yota reaches out! Yota pries at the hold but he’s fading! Goto sits Yota down and leans on the hold! But Yota gets a second wind! Yota stands, but then he sputters right back down!

Goto wants Red Shoes to check so Red Shoes picks up Yota’s hand. It drops once, and Goto lets go to run and PENALTY KICK! The fans fire up, Goto hauls Yota into the dragon sleeper! But Yota manages to fire hands from below! Goto grabs the arm, uses that to ripcord, but Yota HEADBUTTS Goto down! The fans fire up again as Goto still holds onto the wrist. Yota nods and he brings Goto up. But Goto HEADBUTTS back! Both men lean on each other while the fans fire up! Goto HEADBUTTS again, and again, and again! And again, and again, and again! Goto lets Yota fall and the fans are electric!

Goto drags Yota up, reels him in, and roars as he suplexes, for SHOUTEN KAI!! Cover, TWO!!!! Yota survives and shocks everyone! Goto’s classic move didn’t finish this, but he focuses and stands back up. Yota also rises, and Goto powers up! BUZZSAW! But Yota’s right up!? V-TRIGGER!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Yota drags himself to a corner, drags himself up to his feet, and he aims at Goto. Goto slowly rises, turns around, GENE- LARIAT!!! Goto turns Yota inside-out and the fans are volcanic! Goto staggers around, powers back up, and ripcords to- GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?!

Goto survives and everyone is shocked again! Goto grits his teeth as he and Yota both rise. Yota is on wobbly legs but he finds Goto! Yota reloads to GENE BLASTER!!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!!

Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (2024 New Japan Cup Champion)

This battle of generations was truly a battle for the ages! Goto came within moments of his former glory, but will he have to leave the past in the past?

As for Yota Tsuji, he stands to have his hand raised, all while Naito watches on from commentary. The trophy is brought in and is presented to Yota by NJPW Chief of Business Production and representative of TV Asahi, Hitoshi Matsumoto. They have the photo op, and Yota carefully sets the trophy down. Yota then takes a moment to catch his breath before he gets the mic. “The door to a new era has now opened.” The fans cheer that! “The rain has stopped, the king of the empire has left. But I am here. I am the symbol of the new era.” The fans cheer that, too! Yota asks the fans, “What will the future look like? Are you waiting for me? Let’s walk together.”

The fans applaud and Yota continues by saying there is still one more thing he has to do. And he points to Naito! The fans applaud and Yota asks Naito to join him in the ring. The fans cheer, and Naito takes a quick swig of water before leaving commentary. Naito steps into the ring with the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, and the fans cheer as champion and challenger stand face to face. Yota reminds us that he said he’d have results in the New Japan Cup. Now, he’ll stand across from Naito in Ryogoku and take the world title in the Spring. Yota then offers Naito the mic and the fans cheer.

Naito sets the belt next to the trophy, takes the mic, and he tells Yota, “Are you ready?” The fans like the sound of that! Naito says on April 6th, in Ryogoku, in the main event of Sakura Genesis, Naito will show NJPW and Los Ingobernables why HE is on top. The fans cheer and Naito picks the belt up. Naito takes his leave, but will he be leaving Ryogoku still holding onto the title? As for Yota, he picks the mic back up to say that in this cerulean blue ring, the best pro-wrestling takes place. And Yota will take NJPW to new and greater heights. Are they ready? Because the new era has begun!

Yota sure looks ready, but as he holds up the Cup and the streamers fly, will he soon have it all within his grasp?


My Thoughts:

A great final night for the 2024 New Japan Cup series. Yes, I still skimmed a lot but I did see great builds in these other stories. While his team lost, Yoshi-Hashi afterwards fought off Kenta & Chase Owens all by himself, so clearly we’re getting Bishamon VS Kenta & Chase for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. Likewise, House of Torture may have won (with Narita shockingly making Yuji Nagata submit), it was after much cheating and Shota Umino calls them out on it. Shota also challenges them to a match for Sakura Genesis, promising a surprise. Can’t wait to see if Shota makes that into some kind of No Disqualification match.

Yoh VS Kanemaru with Sho all over that one was good stuff, and great win for Yoh with that. Yoh VS Sho for the Junior Heavyweight Championship match is definitely coming, and who knows which way that goes. Good win for Guerrillas of Destiny and friends, maybe something could build there with Just5Guys for the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag titles but who knows. Great match out of Naito & Takagi VS Evil & Dick that of course sets up a NEVER Openweight title match. I wonder if Takagi wins and redesigns the belt given how Evil spray-painted the current belt all over with black.

And of course, just an awesome New Japan Cup finals match, with Goto looking amazing even in defeat, which of course helps Yota look amazing in his win. First try, first win for the Reiwa Musketeer, and we got a really good promo from him and Naito to add to the hype. Naito VS Yota is going to be awesome, and I want to say Naito is retaining, but Yota losing two world title matches in his “rookie year” just feels odd to me. Though, so does Yota winning the title already in his rookie year, as wild as that would be.

My Score: 9.1/10


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Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/18/24)

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

Cold Skull faces The Fierce Warrior, and Gene Blast faces The King of Darkness, and when the smoke clears, we will have our New Japan Cup finalists!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Boltin Oleg & Shoma Kato VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Mikey Nicholls; ZSJ & Mikey win.
  • Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Tomohiro Ishii & Togi Makabe VS Just5Guys; Just5Guys win.
  • Tanga Loa & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman; Loa & Taguchi win.
  • Six Man Tag: YOSHI-HASHI, Toru Yano & Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
  • 8 Man Tag: Shota Umino, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & YOH VS The House of Torture; Shota, ELP, Leo & Yoh win.
  • Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; LIJ wins.
  • 2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL; Tsuji wins and advances to the finals.
  • 2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto; Goto wins and advances to the finals.

PLAY BY PLAY

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

The Gene Blast overcame the tricks Ren Narita tried, but that’s because the House of Torture was saving all the good stuff so they could slay the Rampaging Dragon. Will the deck be even more stacked to make sure Everything is Evil’s? Or will Yota be one step away from LIJ VS LIJ at Sakura Genesis?

Well, Dick is making his way out here, but where is Evil? Oh, there he is. No tricks just yet it seems. But then Yota DIVES onto Evil! The fans fire up but Dick attacks Yota! Dick whips, Yota stops himself, and then scoops Dick for a BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Yota wants the bell. The ref says yes, ring the bell, and this is on the record! Yota stomps and CLUBS Evil, then whips, but Evil reverses! Yota hits railing, and then Evil whips him into more railing! Evil CHOKES Yota against the railing, Yota fights back, but the ref gets knocked aside! Evil puts Yota in so he and Dick can stomp away!

The fans boo but here comes the rest of the House already! Narita, Yujiro, Kanemaru and Jack all stomp away on Yota, but here come Bushi & Hiromu! It’s a replay of yesterday as LIJ fights off the House, but the numbers are still against them! The ref rushes in to tell everyone to stop! Evil shoves the ref out of the ring, Yota fires off on him, but Evil CLAWS Yota’s eyes! The House CHOKES LIJ, but the ref says stop! The bell rings, but what is the decision!? NO CONTEST!?

No Contest

What does this mean!? Someone has to advance, right? The finals aren’t until the 20th, how can there be a no contest? The House started this, where’re the consequences?! Yota gets up but Evil TOSSES him back out! LIJ regroups and Yota asks for a mic. Yota tells Evil that he’s sick and tired of this! They ARE gonna finish this match! The fans like the sound of that! All the refs come out, including Red Shoes, to discuss how this will be handled. For starters, they tell all the extras to get outta here! LIJ is cool with that, and Hiromu tells the House to come along. Evil says fine, and Jack, Kanemaru, Narita, Yujiro and even Dick reluctantly exit.

The announcement is officially made, and the bell rings! Yota and Evil rush in, Evil kicks low but Yota CLUBS away on Evil! Evil CLAWS the eyes! Evil kicks, runs, RAMS, but Yota rebounds to run Evil over! Then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Yota fires up and the fans are with him! Evil bails out but the fans rally for Yota. Evil wants Yota to stay back, then he slides in, only to slide right out! Yota runs out after Evil, but Evil kicks him! Evil RAMS Yota into the timekeeper! Abe-san and his table go flying! Evil gets the mic to tell Yota that this is what he gets! The fans boo but Evil tells them off, too! Evil stomps Yota then soaks up the heat.

Evil unties the blue buckle pad himself, then waits in the ring. The ref checks Yota and the fans rally up again. The Young Lions help Abe-san while Yota drags himself up. Yota slides in, the fans cheer, but Evil pulls on Yota’s hair! Evil wrenches the hair, then wrenches it again! And again! Evil CLUBS the hair! The ref reprimands but Evil just dusts off his hands. Evil covers, but the ref refuses to count! Evil is furious but he’s the one up to no good! The ref still says no, so Evil stands on Yota’s head. The fans rally up, Yota rises, and he grins as he winds up to ROCK Evil with a forearm! And ROCK him with another!

Yota ROCKS Evil again, but Evil whips him into the bare buckles! Yota falls and the ref reprimands about the missing buckle pad. Evil stomps Yota, covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Evil is annoyed. Evil scuffs Yota, taunts him, and drags him up. Evil CHOPS, Yota drops to his knees, but Evil stands him back up. Evil CHOPS again and Yota grits his teeth as he drops to his knees! Evil stands Yota up again, to fake the chop to CLAW the eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil lets off, and then Evil stands on Yota in a corner. The ref counts, Evil lets go of the ropes but that’s not the problem! Evil steps away, drags Yota up but claims he’s dead weight.

The ref checks, Evil stands Yota up and wrenches an arm. Evil whips Yota into a corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Evil runs in again, blocks the boot, but Yota brings Evil in for the STOMP! The fans fire up while Yota rests on the mat. The fans rally up and Yota rises again. Evil’s in the corner, runs out, but into the BACKBREAKER! COMPLETE SHOT! STOMP! The fans fire up again as Yota stands back up. Yota runs, to CURB STOMP!! Yota roars and the fans fire up again! Evil flounders while Yota aims. Yota runs in, but the ref is used as a shield! Evil kicks Yota low, then uses the ref in MAGIC KILLER!

All three men are down while the fans rally up again. Evil stands, he brings Yota up, and the ref also rises. Evil whips Yota into the bare buckles, then clotheslines him in! Then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, but Evil lets off?! Evil wants to torture Yota but it’s hard to say if Yota is still even in this. Yota opens his eyes, rises up, but Evil fireman’s carries! DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives, the fans fire up, but Evil is furious! Evil slashes his throat and vows to end this now! Evil drags Yota up, spins him around, but Yota fights the STO with elbows! Evil kicks low, whips again, but Yota stops from hitting buckles!

Evil runs in, Yota dodges and Evil hits the buckles! SUPERKICK!! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! We’re only ten minutes into this new match but this is on top of the madness from earlier. Evil drags Yota up, but Yota ROCKS Evil! Evil fights Yota’s fireman’s carry and CLUBS him, but both men wobble. Evil LARIATS, but Yota stays up! The fans fire up but Evil swings to LARIAT again! Yota drops to a knee, but he grins through the pain! Evil says alright, and he throws off his elbow pad. Evil runs to LARIAT! Yota grits his teeth to stay up! V-TRIGGER! Yota brings Evil in, suplexes, ORANGE CRUSH! Cover, TWO!!

Evil is still in this but the fans rally behind Yota again. Yota rises, drags Evil up, and then goes to the corner. Yota goes up and up and Evil moves the ref into the way! The ref takes the FLYING CURB STOMP!!! And now the House returns! The fans boo as Kanemaru, Dick, Yujiro, Narita & Jack all stomp away on Yota again! The fans tell them to go home, again, but these guys don’t care! They just put one out on Yota. They whip Yota to a corner, then DIck runs in to ELBOW! Kanemaru ELBOWS! Yujiro BOOTS! Jack SPLASHES! Narita ELBOWS! Then they snapmare and set Yota up! Dick climbs for the DICK CHOP!!

The fans boo but the House applauds their own dirtiness. But here come Bushi & Hiromu again! But they just get mugged again! They set Hiromu up for the DICK CHOP, while Bushi gets a JACK CHOP! The House then slithers away before a replacement ref rushes out here. Evil drags Yota up, winds up and runs, to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!! Yota survives and the fans are thunderous! Evil is at a loss for words, but he slashes his throat! He vows to end it for real, and he reels Yota in. EVERYTHING IS- Yota flips through!? And HEADBUTTS!! The fans fire up as Yota reels Evil in for a fireman’s carry! 70 CROSS!! Cover, TWO!!

Evil survives the swinging spinebuster and the House cheers! Yota drags himself to a corner, drags himself up with the ropes, and roars as he takes aim! Evil rises, but Yujiro distracts! Dick runs in, but gets a V-TRIGGER! The ref sees Dick, but misses the LOW BLOW! Then Evil RAMS Yota into the ref! That’s the second ref this match! Narita gets his push-up bar! The others set Yota up, but here comes SHINGO TAKAGI! The Rampaging Dragon has seen enough, and he’s still pissed from yesterday as it is! He dodges Narita to PUMPING BOMBER! Kanemaru & Yujiro kick Takagi, double whip, but he DOUBLE PUMPING BOMBERS!!

Jack gets in, but he gets ELBOW, JAB and YUKON LARIAT! Evil runs up but Takagi SWATS Evil’s lariat to JAB! Then feed to Hiromu’s SUPERKICK! Hiromu & Takagi set Evil up for Bushi’s BLACK MIST!! Evil can’t see, the PUMPING BOMBER turns him inside-out!! The fans are thunderous as LIJ helps Yota up! Red Shoes hurries out here, and Yota aims at Evil! GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, Yota wins!!!

Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

The House of Torture ran out of tricks, and now there is light at the end of the tournament! Will Yota do LIJ proud and bring home the Cup?

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

One down, one to go. Yota Tsuji has made it through, now we see who joins him in the finals! Will the Cold Skull or Fierce Warrior be the one that steps closer to former glory?

The bell rings and the fans duel between “GO-TO-O!” and “SA-NA-DA!” Red Shoes measures the levels, and it seems to slightly favor Goto. Goto and Sanada circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Goto gets some leverage to put Sanada against ropes, but he lets off slowly. Goto pats Sanada on the shoulders and the fans cheer. The two reset, circle again, and tie up again. It’s another deadlock, but again Goto finds a way to put Sanada on ropes. Sanada turns things around, lets off slowly, and also pats Goto on the shoulders. The fans applaud and the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, then move to a clinch.

They fight for control, Sanada starts pushing Goto towards a corner but Goto slips away. They feel things out, knuckle lock again, then break. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, Goto waistlocks, but Sanada wrenches to wristlock. Goto rolls, wrenches, wristlocks, but Sanada spins, wrenches, only for Goto to roll! Goto gets a leg to trip Sanada up, and he has a toehold. Sanada fights back with a chinlock but Goto pulls on the leg. Sanada uses his free leg to hook Goto into an ARMBAR, but Goto clasps hands! Goto moves around, pops free, then headlocks. Sanada fights up, Goto grinds the headlock, but Sanada throws body shots.

Sanada powers up and out, but Goto runs him over! The fans rally as things speed up, and Goto counters hip toss with hip toss! Goto runs and he clotheslines Sanada up and out! The fans fire up and Goto slides out after Sanada. Goto stomps Sanada, drags him up, then CLUBS him on the neck! Sanada staggers, Goto CHOPS him, then kicks him, then CLUBS him! Goto whips but Sanada stops himself from hitting railing! Goto runs in but Sanada drop toeholds him into the railing! Goto goes down in a heap, but Sanada opens the gate. Sanada brings Goto through, then to the crowd! PILEDRIVER to the bare floor!

The fans are stunned but Red Shoes reprimands. Sanada leaves Goto behind and slides into the ring. The fans rally for Goto as the ring count begins. Goto crawls at 5 of 20, finds his way to ringside at 10, but still hobbles and crawls. He stands at 17 to slide in! The fans cheer, but Sanada stomps Goto. Sanada drags Goto up, CLUBS him on the neck, then brings him back up to CLUB him again. Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! Sanada eggs Goto on so Goto CHOPS again! Goto whips, Sanada reverses to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Sanada keeps cool and sits Goto up into a chinlock. Goto endures and the fans rally again.

Goto kicks forward, reaches out, but Sanada cranks on the hold! Goto keeps fighting, and has the ROPEBREAK! Sanada lets go cleanly, but then he stomps Goto while he’s down. Sanada then stands Goto up to CLUB him on the neck. Goto CHOPS in return! And CHOPS, and CHOPS, and has Sanada in a corner! Goto CHOPS again, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, but Sanada BOOTS first! Sanada runs, Goto follows, and Goto LARIATS Sanada down! The fans fire up and Goto rises, clutching his neck. Goto stands Sanada up to fire off forearms, then he whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, MURAMASA!

Sanada wobbles, into the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while Goto grits his teeth. Goto drags Sanada up, fireman’s carries, but Sanada fights free! Sanada waistlocks, Goto throws elbows, then runs. Sanada hurdles, hurdles, and DROPKICKS! Goto tumbles out of the ring, Sanada PLANCHAS him down! The fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans get louder and Sanada appreciates it. Sanada then goes back for Goto, brings him up and puts him in the ring. Sanada fireman’s carries but Goto throws elbows! Sanada turns around into Goto’s fireman’s carry, but then slips out into the dragon sleeper!

But Goto arm-drags free! Sanada kicks low, runs, but Goto follows! Sanada dodges this time, runs again, but Goto still follows! Sanada sidesteps this time, but Goto holds ropes to avoid the hurdle! Goto runs in, but Sanada fireman’s carries! T K O! Cover, TWO! Goto is still in this and the fans rally up! Sanada goes up the corner, ROUNDING BODY- NO, Sanada has to land out as Goto moves! Sanada runs in, but into the fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! They cheer on “GO-TO-O!” but the “SA-NA-DA!” chants are still there. Red Shoes checks them both, and both men slowly rise.

The two crawl towards each other, and Goto fires a forearm! Sanada shakes his head, eggs Goto on, so Goto throws another! Goto eggs Sanada on, so Sanada fires a forearm! Goto fires a forearm back, and the two stand. Sanada UPPERCUTS! Goto comes back to forearm! Sanada UPPERCUTS again, and Goto drops back to a knee! The fans rally, Goto stands again, and he forearms! UPPERCUT, forearm, repeat! Goto growls, fires a flurry of forearms, and he ROCKS Sanada! Sanada drops to his hand and knees but Goto powers up! Goto KICKS but Sanada blocks! Goto fires more forearms, then waistlocks, but Sandaa fights free!

Sanada runs, but Goto fireman’s carries! And he throws Sanada into the dragon sleeper! But Sanada turns around and suplexes, for MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Sanada roars as he rises up, and he aims from a corner. Sanada wants Goto to get up, and Goto sits up, into the SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then dragon sleepers, for the SKULL END!! Goto endures, flails, reaches out, but he’s caught in the body scissors! Goto fights around but he’s fading! The fans rally, Goto’s hand drops! Sanada lets him go to then climb! ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Goto survives but Sanada storms around. Sanada drags Goto up, reels him in and clinches, but Goto slips free to shove Sanada away! Sanada forearms, ROLLING- HEADBUTT from Goto! The fans fire up and duel, and Goto drags Sanada up. But Sanada breaks free! Goto HEADBUTTS again! Sanada falls back down and Goto steadies himself. Goto roars, the fans are with him, and Goto sits Sanada up. Goto runs to PENALTY KICK! Shoutout to Shibata and the fans fire up more! Sanada grits his teeth as he sits back up but Goto takes aim! BUZZSAW! And then he hauls Sanada up to dragon sleeper! G T- BACKSLIDE COUNTER! TWO!!!

Sanada and Goto hurry up, Sanada dodges to O’Conner BRIDGE!! TWO?!!? Goto escapes and shocks everyone! Sanada resets, runs in, SHINING WIZARD!! The fans are thunderous as Sanada roars and drags Goto back up! Clinch and DEAD- NO, Goto slips around to ripcord and fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Sanada survives but Goto is all fired up! The fans are thunderous as Goto dragon sleepers for G T R!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Don’t call it a comeback, Goto’s been here for years! Sanada’s hopes of being IWGP World Heavyweight Champion again have been delayed, how long must he wait for another chance?

As for Goto, he’s going back to the New Japan Cup Finals for the first time since 2016, and his seventh overall! But before he can get the mic to speak, Yota makes his way back out here. Yota steps into the ring and he gets the mic first. Yota tells Goto, “In order to open the door to a new era, we must do this.” The fans applaud that, and Yota continues by asking Goto, “Are you ready?!” Yota drops the mic at Goto’s feet, and Goto stands up to speak. “I also have something I want to show you. As a three-time New Japan Cup Champion, I will show you my strength.” The fans like the sound of that!

The Fierce Warrior stares down with Gene Blast, a true generational showdown on the horizon! Will Goto return not juts to former glory, but finally ascend to top of NJPW? Or will Yota make it LIJ VS LIJ for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?


My Thoughts:

A great semifinal round for this tournament, with quite a surprising main event. Sanada VS Goto was great stuff, and while I felt Sanada wasn’t winning the Cup, I didn’t think he’d be out this round. Yota VS Evil was rather creatively put together, too. I did not think the House would get so involved that at first it was a No Contest but then they restart under a ringside ban. Takagi making sure Yota won was good stuff, too, maybe we can get Takagi VS Evil for the NEVER Openweight Championship if they’re not gonna circle back to more Shota Umino VS House of Torture stuff.

Goto VS Yota is going to be great stuff, and Goto is clearly a top utility guy. He’s had so many New Japan Cup finals appearances, certainly among the most ever, but I don’t think he gets a fourth Cup win against Yota, one of the “new era Musketeers” that NJPW clearly loves. Yota VS Naito is definitely the title match for Sakura Genesis.

My Score: 8.9/10


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