Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE 205 Live Results & Report! (6/5/20)

It’s a Cruiserweight Championship Encore!

Published

3 years ago

June 6, 2020

Steven Mitchell

It’s a new era in the Cruiserweight Division!

After Wednesday’s NXT, we have a NEW (interim) Cruiserweight Champion! Relive that match, plus new action from Oney Lorcan, Jack Gallagher and more!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Oney Lorcan w/ Danny Burch VS Tehuti Miles; Lorcan wins.
Jack Gallagher VS Isaiah “Swerve” Scott; Swerve wins.
Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament Finals: Drake Maverick VS El Hijo del Fantasma; Fantasma wins and becomes the interim NXT Cruiserweight Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

Oney Lorcan w/ Danny Burch VS Tehuti Miles!

The Govenah was shocked by the young upstart in last week’s main event, but now it’s the Boston Brawler’s turn! Will Tehuti complete the sweep on the One Two combination?

The bell rings and Oney circles with Tehuti. The crowd duels as the two tie up. Oney powers Tehuti to the ropes but lets off fast to circle with him again. They tie up, Oney goes after the arm but Tehuti powers him away. Tehuti checks his hair while circling with Oney again. They tie up, Oney goes after the arm and gets an arm-drag takedown to headscissors! Tehuti works to get up and around and kips out of the hold! Tehuti fixes his hair but Oney CHOPS his chest! Oney whips and kitchen sink knees Tehuti down! Oney CHOPS Tehuti more and Burch likes what he sees as Oney throws European Uppercuts. Oney whips Tehuti but Tehuti grabs ropes and bails out. Burch talks some smack but Tehuti tells him to back off. Tehuti turns around to get Oney’s CHOP!

Oney puts Tehuti in and stalks him to ropes. Oney CHOPS again, and Tehuti is doubling over. Oney whips again, but Tehuti reverses, only for Oney to dodge and run, but into a flapjack! Tehuti goes after Oney in a corner with clubbing forearms and furious stomps, but he lets up at 4 to then scrape his boot off Oney’s face. The ref reprimands Tehuti for the face washing, but Oney’s more concerned about the bicep he landed on earlier. The crowd rallies for Oney as Tehuti brings him up and clubs him down. Tehuti kicks Oney in the back and follows him to ropes. Tehuti chokes Oney on the ropes but lets up at 4. Burch tells Oney to fight back but Tehuti runs and hits a straddle attack! Tehuti fixes his hair while choking Oney more, but he still lets up at 4.

Tehuti drops an elbow, then another, but stops to run his hands through his hair again instead of dropping another. Oney CHOPS Tehuti and that stings just as bad as the first one! Tehuti kicks Oney down and gets mad now. He kicks Oney around then brings him up for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Tehuti grows frustrated and he slaps Oney on the back of his head. Tehuti talks trash while slapping Oney around but the crowd and Burch rally up. Oney gets to ropes but Tehuti whips and runs him over with an elbow! Cover, TWO! Tehuti is seething as he grabs Oney’s arm and wrenches. Tehuti goes after that bad bicep as he leans on the armlock. Oney endures and the crowd rallies again. Tehuti shifts to a Fujiwara armbar and he cranks back hard!

Oney continues to endure, and the fury starts to build! Oney powers his way up but Tehuti knees low. Tehuti clubs Oney again, but Oney snarls at him. Tehuti smirks as he toys with Oney and CHOPS him! Burch coaches Oney but Tehuti tells him to shut up. Tehuti CHOPS but Oney snarls more. The crowd rallies again as Oney glares at Tehuti. Tehuti says he isn’t scared, and chops, but it only makes Oney angrier! Oney CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS again! Oney runs and EuroUppers Tehuti off his feet! The crowd fires up with Oney as he goes corner to corner for a back elbow! Oney wrenches and reels Tehuti in, but Tehuti slips out of the Half ‘n’ Half to roll him up! But he’s grabbing the tights again! Burch points that out and the ref stops the count! Tehuti shouts at Burch but Oney rolls him up! Oney wins!

Winner: Oney Lorcan, by pinfall

Tehuti couldn’t pull off the sweep and his win streak of one is all he has. Will Burch and Oney get themselves back on track in their own right after this?

Jack Gallagher VS Isaiah “Swerve” Scott!

It was thanks to the Premier Athlete that the gentleman turned jackal beat Swerve in the NXT Cruiserweight Championship round robin. But it was thanks to Gallagher that Swerve beat Tony Nese just last Wednesday. Now Gallagher and Swerve get to settle things on their own end. Will they be able to wrap things up cleanly? Or will we see Nese try to return the favor?

The bell rings and Gallagher circles with Swerve. The crowd chants, “Swerve’s House!” but Gallagher keeps his distance. Swerve gives a testing kick but Gallagher comes back with one of his own. Gallagher and Swerve tie up, go around, and Gallagher throws Swerve to the mat. Swerve hooks the legs to bring Gallagher down, but Gallagher resists the full mount. Gallagher has Swerve’s leg and wrenches to then get a cover. ONE, but Gallagher stays on top of Swerve with a chinbar. Swerve gets up, Gallagher snapmares him back down, but Swerve rolls around to get a very unique, very capoeria style takedown, into a short arm scissor! The crowd cheers but Gallagher works his way up and around. Gallagher pops out the back and has the legs to then rear mount. Gallagher throws crossface forearms then half nelsons Swerve to a spin. He brings Swerve up to whip but Swerve ducks under and capoeria headscissors!

Swerve bobs ‘n’ weaves and fires off strikes to dropkick Gallagher to a corner! Swerve runs in to uppercut, then he rolls Gallagher for the falling EuroUpper! Cover, TWO! Gallagher grits his teeth and Swerve keeps his cool as the crowd fires up. Swerve goes up top fast but Gallagher bails out to the apron. Swerve just adjusts to hop down and join him, but then Gallagher gets around a corner. Swerve runs along the apron, but Gallagher blocks the boot to JAM Swerve into the buckles! Gallagher drags Swerve up for clubbing forearms! The ref reprimands Gallagher and Gallagher argues back. Swerve gets in to get a Penalty Kick! Gallagher toys with Swerve in the corner, then stomps him to the apron! The ref backs Gallagher off and Gallagher taunts Swerve to get back into this. The crowd rallies for Swerve as he stands, but Gallagher swats him back down.

Gallagher toys with Swerve more, fires off palm strikes and sharp kicks, but Swerve KICKS back! And again! Gallagher blocks a kick to uppercut over and over! Swerve shoves, fakes Gallagher out, sweeps the legs, HOUSE CALL! Gallagher bails out but the crowd fires up again! Swerve spots Gallagher, goes to the apron, and BOOTS him down! Swerve drags Gallagher up and into the ring, then aims from the corner. He somersaults and COMPLETE SHOTS! Cover, TWO!! Gallagher survives and Swerve grows frustrated, but the crowd keeps rallying. Swerve and Gallagher get up, and Swerve KICKS Gallagher in the chest! And again! And again! Swerve runs to the ropes, but into Gallagher’s guillotine! Gallagher drags Swerve to the mat and the crowd shouts as Swerve endures. Swerve powers his way back to his feet and he pries Gallagher off for a BRAIN BUSTER!

Both men are down but Swerve shakes the cobwebs out. Swerve and Gallagher rise as the crowd rallies up. Swerve throws a haymaker, then whips Gallagher hard to a corner! He runs in but into an elbow! Gallagher climbs up top but Swerve trips him up! Swerve and Gallagher brawl and Swerve climbs up behind. Swerve brings Gallagher up, but Gallagher turns the super back suplex into a crossbody! Cover, TWO!! Both men are down again and the crowd rallies again. Gallagher brings Swerve up for a HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO!! Gallagher can’t believe it! He snarls and glares at Swerve as Swerve gets up. Swerve glares back but Gallagher kicks him down. Gallagher brings Swerve up for elbows and knees, but Swerve blocks the kick! Gallagher uses that for a takedown, wants the armbar, but Swerve makes it a roll-up! Swerve wins!!

Winner: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, by pinfall

Gallagher refuses to believe it, but Swerve gets away with the win. Gallagher still wants to fight, but Nese BLASTS Swerve for him! Nese throws Swerve into steel steps! Deja vu from the tournament, and Swerve is no longer celebrating. Gallagher doesn’t seem to mind, either. He “applauds” Swerve. “You did so well, but it didn’t work out, did it?” Gallagher tells Swerve to stop running his mouth so much then heads off. Nese and Gallagher are standing tall, but what of their own issues with each other?

Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament Finals: Drake Maverick VS El Hijo del Fantasma!

Rockstar Spud pulled of a #MiracleontheMat in Group A, but the Son of the Phantom handled his business in Group B. Relive the historic clash between the former 205 Live GM turned unwavering underdog and the second-generation lucha libre icon!

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this last step to the title finally begins! The crowd duels as Maverick and Fantasma shake hands. But then Fantasma spins and rolls Maverick up, TWO! Maverick scrambles away, shocked he got away. Maverick cools off and circles with Fantasma. They tie up, go around, Fantasma waistlocks and slams then floats on Maverick. Maverick slips out to get the armlock and hammerlock. Maverick goes after the other arm but Fantasma fights his way up. Fantasma trips, covers, TWO, and Maverick backs away again. Maverick resets and ties up with Fantasma again. Fantasma puts Maverick in a corner but gives him a clean break. They go again, Fantasma hooks Maverick and drives him into the mat for the armlock.

Maverick endures and gets up, but gets a jamming monkey flip for it. Ghost pin, TWO but barely! Fantasma says it was that close and Maverick grows frustrated. Maverick backs off to cool down and come back. They tie up, Fantasma powers Maverick back then wrenches to whip. Maverick ducks, tilt-o-whirls, and headscissors Fantasma out of the ring! Fantasma staggers up, perhaps a bit surprised. Fantasma sees the slide coming and ducks under. He kick slow and powerbomb lifts but Maverick gets to the apron and fights free. Maverick leaps and CANNONBALLS Fantasma down! Maverick has control, but while NXT went to break, 205 Live keeps going!

Maverick fires off body shots and forearms in the corner! The ref counts but Maverick lets up at 4 to whip Fantasma corner to corner. Fantasma reverses but Maverick goes up and over to then bait him into a dropkick that sends him into buckles! Maverick kicks the rope to jam Fantasma, then hops up top to missile dropkick Fantasma down! Fantasma bails out while Maverick checks his legs. Maverick hurries to pursue but Fantasma pops him up for a SIT-OUT BOMB on the floor! Maverick writhes and screams in pain but Fantasma puts him in the ring. Cover, TWO!! Maverick survives and Fantasma can’t believe it! Fantasma stalks up behind Maverick and then drags him up for a shove and forearm to the back!

Maverick screams in pain but Fantasma shoves and forearms him again! Fantasma hooks up the legs and goes after the arms. Maverick can’t fight off the Romero Special! The floating surfboard pulls at all his limbs but Maverick refuses to quit, even as Fantasma move shim up and down! And then back for a cover, ROPEBREAK! Fantasma drops an elbow right on the back, not giving Maverick time to rest. Fantasma drags Maverick up and back suplexes for a back drop driver! Cover, TWO! Maverick continues to tough it out and the crowd is rallying behind him. Fantasma drags Maverick back up to throw forearms and then back suplex again. Maverick fights out and hurries to a corner, to then boot Fantasma, and again send him into buckles! Another kick to the ropes and Maverick goes up again. Maverick leaps, but Fantasma catches him for a takedown! BOSTON CRAB!

Maverick screams as Fantasma sits deep! But Maverick refuses to let the ref talk him out of this, and he claws to the ROPEBREAK! Fantasma lets go fast and is shocked Maverick isn’t done. Maverick manages to say, “I’m not gonna quit!” and he crawls back towards Fantasma. Fantasma asks if Maverick wants more, and Maverick pushes him. So Fantasma SIT-OUT POWERBOMBS him again!! Cover, TWO!?! Maverick doesn’t know how to give up and the crowd hasn’t given up on him, either! Fantasma watches Maverick stagger and hobble to the corner. Maverick SLAPS Fantasma, so Fantasma turns him around for forearm after forearm to that lower back! Fantasma brings Maverick up and whips him to the corner. Maverick comes back to LARIAT!

Maverick fires up and fires off on Fantasma in a corner! The ref counts and has to pull Maverick off. Maverick is reaching a boiling point, and he runs to wheelbarrow, for a BULLDOG! He keeps going and gets to the corner. Maverick climbs up and leaps, for the MACHO ELBOW! Cover, ONE?! So close and yet so far, but “This is Awesome!” all the same. Maverick drags Fantasma up but gets a jawbreaker, to a SPINE BUSTER! Fantasma flounders to a corner and climbs up top. Maverick trips Fantasma up and heads to the apron! The crowd hopes they “Fight Forever!” at this point, but it has to end somehow. Maverick climbs to join Fantasma but Fantasma headbutts! Maverick headbutts back! They headbutt each other and they both fall down! But Fantasma ends up on the outside and Maverick is inside!

The ring count climbs, but the gold masked luchadors appear?! Are they finally going to capture Fantasma?! But Maverick DIVES onto them first!! He won’t let them ruin his match! He boots and punches and chops them down, but then turns around into Fantasma’s SUPERKICK! Fantasma fireman’s carries, for the PHANTOM DRIVER! Fantasma wins!!

Winner: El Hijo del Fantasma, by pinfall (NEW NXT Cruiserweight Champion)

One dream comes true as another ends! Fantasma is the winner and has the title, but must oddly thank the wrestler-abducting men that appeared. Will Fantasma be able to hold onto this title and his freedom? And what is the fate of Drake Maverick? Is this loss the last one he suffers in the WWE? Or has he at least won a place on the roster? At the very least, he has won the respect and admiration of his peers here at Full Sail. Maverick thanks the WWE Universe while the crowd chants, “Thank You, Drake!”

But wait! As Maverick makes his way up the ramp, Triple H appears! And as he shakes Maverick’s hand, he presents him with an NXT contract! Maverick signs on the dotted line, and is officially back! Is this just the beginning of a new chapter for Rockstar Spud?

My Thoughts:

A good episode, but I’m a bit disappointed they used Wednesday’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship match to bolster the episode size. Maverick VS Fantasma was a great match from NXT, but even for those without cable providers, NXT was put on the WWE Network and so fans would’ve already seen this match anyway. The new matches we did get were both pretty good. Oney VS Tehuti worked with having Burch ringside to ruin Tehuti’s attempt at cheating. Oney might win but this is going to be more about Tehuti’s story of dealing with this loss after his first big win. Then Swerve VS Gallagher was a great match, definitely worthy of being the unofficial main event for the taping. I said before that this should result in a Triple Threat of Swerve, Gallagher and Nese to crown a new contender, and I stand by that even more now.

My Score: 8.1/10

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.