Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 30 Results & Report! (9/27/20)

A Block, Round 3! FIGHT!

Published

2 years ago

September 27, 2020

Steven Mitchell

Can anyone pull off a hattrick in the G1?

NJPW arrives in Kobe World Hall to begin the third round of G1 Climax 30! Who will still be leading A Block? And who will fall behind?

NOTE: NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

A Block – Taichi VS Yujiro Takahashi; Taichi wins.
A Block – Jeff Cobb VS Minoru Suzuki; Suzuki wins.
A Block – Kota Ibushi VS Tomohiro Ishii; Ibushi wins.
A Block – Will Ospreay VS Shingo Takagi; Takagi wins.
A Block – Jay White w/ Gedo VS Kazuchika Okada; White wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

Will Ospreay: 2-0, 4 points
Taichi: 2-0, 4 points
Jay White: 2-0, 4 points
Minoru Suzuki: 1-1, 2 points
Kota Ibushi: 1-1, 2 points
Kazuchika Okada: 1-1, 2 points
Jeff Cobb: 1-1, 2 points
Yujiro Takahashi: 0-2, 0 points
Shingo Takagi: 0-2, 0 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 0-2, 0 points

A Block – Taichi VS Yujiro Takahashi!

The Sliest Wrestler in the World shocked us all, and no more so than Minoru Suzuki! But will he be ready for a wrestler almost as sly in the Tokyo Pimp?

Yujiro gets the jump on Taichi by attacking right after Taichi’s introduction! Yujiro uses the Tokyo Pimp cane to jam and choke Taichi! The ref rings the bell to get this on the record, and Yujiro lets up. Yujiro stomps Taichi, kicks him to a corner and then drags him up. Yujiro bumps Taichi off buckles, stomps him at the ropes, but lets up as the ref counts. Fans cheer as Taichi finally gets the jacket and knapsack off, but Yujiro snapmares to basement boot Taichi down. Taichi bails out and leans on the railing. Taichi wants time to recover but Yujiro goes out to pursue. Taichi goes around the way, the ref tells them to get in the ring, but Yujiro still chases Taichi. Yujiro argues with the ref, Taichi gets the ring hammer to CLUB Yujiro with!

The ref tries to take the hammer from Taichi but Taichi pushes him away. Taichi chokes Yujiro with the hammer but the ref counts. Taichi lets go at 3 and the hammer is confiscated. The ref tells them to get this back in the ring, but Taichi bumps Yujiro off the post! And then uses camera wires to choke Yujiro! The ref counts, Taichi only lets go with one hand! The ref counts again but Taichi just does the same trick. The ref counts and Taichi finally lets go and fans cheer while Yujiro breathes again. Taichi drags Yujiro up and puts him in the ring, covers, TWO! Taichi chokes Yujiro with his hands! The ref counts, Taichi stops and paces about. Taichi comes back, to choke Yujiro! The ref counts, Taichi stops and Yujiro sputters for air. Taichi snapmares and KICKS Yujiro in the back!

Yujiro spasms and writhes while fans cheer. Taichi toys with Yujiro and eggs him on. Yujiro gets up as Taichi pushes him around and kicks at him. Taichi kicks and slaps Yujiro and dares him to do something. Yujiro gest up, Taichi pushes him, so Yujiro kicks and throws Taichi out! Yujiro goes out, Taichi kicks and whips him to railing! But Yujiro comes back to boot Taichi! And whips Taichi into railing! Taichi staggers into Yujiro’s inverted DDT! Fans cheer as Yujiro fires up and gives the trash talking back. Yujiro puts Taichi in as fans rally. Taichi gets to a corner, Yujiro runs in, and BOOTS! Yujiro runs but Taichi boots, only for Yujiro to block. Yujiro trips Taichi, hits a basement dropkick, then a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!

Yujiro is annoyed but he keeps his focus as he drags Taichi up. Yujiro fireman’s carries, Taichi rakes eyes to fight out! The ref reprimands but the damage is done. Taichi is in the corner, Yujiro runs in but Taichi boots him. Yujiro comes back, Taichi dodges and enziguris him down! Both men are on the mat but fans build to a rally. Taichi sits up, kicks but Yujiro ducks it. Yujiro still walks into a mule kick, then BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO! Taichi brings Yujiro back up and in, thumbs down! Gut wrench lift but Yujiro blocks the bomb! And he BITES a hand! No one learns! Taichi rakes eyes to get Yujiro back! The ref counts on both men, and both men finally stop! Taichi boots but Yujiro boots back. Taichi boots, Yujiro boots again!

Yujiro eggs Taichi on, blocks the boot and throws forearms! Yujiro eggs Taichi on again, so Taichi winds up. Yujiro DECKS him first! Yujiro winds up and runs, but Taichi boots the clothesline away. Yujiro ducks and runs to LARIAT! Fans fire up as Yujiro drags Taichi back up. Taichi breaks free but Yujiro ducks the gamangiri to INCOLLE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Taichi survives Yujiro’s take on the Olympic Slam but Yujiro sits Taichi up. Taichi denies Pimp Juice to DANGEROUS SAIDO! Both men are down and fans rally up. Taichi sits up first and fires himself up. Yujiro rises, Taichi runs, AX BOMBER! Cover, TWO!! Yujiro survives but Taichi takes off the pants!

Taichi aims from the corner, Yujiro staggers over, but he blocks the superkick! Yujiro gets the fireman’s carry and MIAMI SHINE! Cover, TWO!! Taichi survives and Yujiro is furious! Fans rally as Yujiro drags Taichi back up. Yujiro talks trash before reeling Taichi in, but still no Pimp Juice! Taichi blocks the boot, shoves the ref aside and LOW BLOW KICKS! GEDO CLUTCH! Taichi wins!

Winner: Taichi, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Yujiro earns 0

The Sliest Wrestler would not be outdone! He goes 3-0, Yujiro is now 0-3! The Tokyo Pimp is out of the running! Will Taichi take the block while Yujiro is left to be a spoiler at best?

A Block – Jeff Cobb VS Minoru Suzuki!

The Hawaiian Hulk rebounded in Round 2, but he’s up against an even angrier Man with the Worst Personality. Will the former NEVER Openweight Champion withstand the current? Or will the King of Pancrase take out his rage on Cobb and everyone else at ringside?

The bell rings and fans cheer as Cobb and Suzuki circle. They feel out the grapple, Cobb swipes at Suzuki’s foot and Suzuki stumbles away. Cobb smirks but Suzuki dares him to try while having a leg guard. Suzuki gets Cobb’s leg, trips him up, and shifts to go after arms. Cobb keeps on his stomach, manages to throw Suzuki by an arm, but Suzuki headscissors back. Cobb bridges back and moves around but Suzuki has the short arm scissor. Cobb pops out, floats over, Suzuki resists the cover so Cobb goes after his arm. Suzuki resists the wristlock so Cobb shifts to a chinlock. Suzuki moves around, rolls over, pops out the back and cranks the arm. Cobb reaches around but Suzuki grabs that arm, too.

Cobb moves around in this modified chicken wing to get up and around Suzuki. Suzuki gets the leg for a heel hook! Cobb drags himself and Suzuki, and gets the ropebreak! Suzuki lets go at the ref’s count, and then grins as he tells Cobb how close that was. Fans cheer the technical exchange and the two men reset. Suzuki and Cobb feel out this next grapple, Cobb powers Suzuki to a corner but Suzuki pulls hair. The ref calls for a clean break, Cobb and Suzuki let go, and Cobb CHOPS Suzuki! Suzuki glares at Cobb so Cobb CHOPS him again! Cobb whips Suzuki corner to corner then runs in, but Suzuki dodges the leaping elbow! Suzuki gets Cobb for a DRAPING ARMBAR! The ref counts, Suzuki lets go and drags Cobb out of the ring, to whip into railing!

Suzuki brings Cobb around the way to whip into more railing! Suzuki chokes Cobb on the rails, the ref reprimands and counts, but Suzuki stops at 3. The ref tries to get Suzuki to leave Cobb alone but Suzuki knees and stomps Cobb down. Suzuki kicks Cobb, a ring count begins but Suzuki throws haymakers. Suzuki eggs Cobb on, Cobb CHOPS and forearms back. Suzuki keeps egging him on, Cobb forearms but Suzuki DECKS him! Suzuki leaves Cobb behind as the count passes 10 of 20. The count passes 15, but Cobb gets in at 16. Suzuki is on Cobb with body shots and haymakers. Suzuki has Cobb in a corner as he punches more, then goes corner to corner for a BOOT! Cobb flounders against ropes, Suzuki brings him up to snapmare, run and Penalty Kick! Fans cheer the cocky cover, TWO!

Suzuki claps and the fans rally up. Suzuki toys with Cobb, drags him up and throws knees. Suzuki whips, Cobb reverses but Suzuki boots again! Cobb stays up so Suzuki tries a third, but Cobb dodges and clips Suzuki with a shoulder! Suzuki still falls, but he gets back up, for Cobb to run him over properly! Cobb brings Suzuki up, and rams him to the corner! Cobb rams more and more, whips Suzuki out but back into the corner for the flying elbow! Cobb then lifts Suzuki for a RUNNING BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Cobb keeps his cool as fans rally up. Cobb drags Suzuki back up, but Suzuki throws body shots and forearms! Suzuki eggs Cobb on so Cobb forearms back. Suzuki forearms, Cobb hits back. Suzuki laughs as he throws more but Cobb keeps hitting back.

They brawl, the fans clap along and things get fast and furious! Suzuki ROCKS Cobb! Cobb drops to his knees, fans fire up and Suzuki runs, into a dropkick! Cobb dares Suzuki to get up, and Cobb runs, but Suzuki follows! Suzuki gets around for the sleeper hold! He doesn’t hold on long as he spins Cobb around, but Cobb back drops out of the piledriver! Suzuki is up but Cobb LARIATS him down! Fans fire up as Cobb drags Suzuki back up. Cobb gut wrenches for a suplex! Cobb holds on, rolls and gut wrenches for a second suplex! Cobb holds on to try a third, but Suzuki pries at the arms!

Suzuki digs his elbow into Cobb’s shoulder, but Cobb picks Suzuki up, pops him in and rams him in a corner! OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Suzuki survives Cobb’s showing of strength and agility! Fans fire up as Cobb drags Suzuki up. Cobb whips Suzuki, scoops him, but Suzuki fights off the Tour with a facelock! Suzuki drags Cobb down to a sleeper hold! Suzuki spins Cobb around, GOTCH PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Suzuki wins!

Winner: Minoru Suzuki, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Cobb earns 0

The King will continue on! He makes sure commentary as well as the applauds his victory, and they obey. Suzuki scares the timekeepers away before taking his leave. Will the NEVER Openweight Champion continue on all the way to the finals?

A Block – Kota Ibushi VS Tomohiro Ishii!

The Golden Star was slighted by the Switchblade and is now stuck in the middle of the block! But he might find himself between a rock and a hard place against the Stone Pitbull. Will Ishii break through and get on the board? Or will Ibushi’s determination to repeat keep Ishii down?

The bell rings and Ibushi stares down with Ishii. Fans rally as the two approach. They tie up, Ibushi manages to power Ishii back to ropes, and the ref calls for a break. Ibushi lets up, patting Ishii on the shoulders. Fans cheer as the two tie up again. Ishii powers Ibushi back now, they end up on ropes and again the ref calls for the break. Ishii pats Ibushi on the shoulder, but swings a chop! Ibushi gets under it, swings a kick but Ishii ducks it! Fans cheer the stand off. Ibushi and Ishii tie up, Ibushi headlocks but Ishii powers out. Ibushi boots Ishii but Ishii throws a forearm! Ishii blocks a kick, Ibushi blocks a forearm, Ishii ducks a haymaker to waistlock. Ibushi elbows but Ishii ducks it. Ishii swings a clothesline but Ibushi ducks it to waistlock.

Ibushi ducks Ishii’s elbow, Ishii blocks Ibushi’s kick and rocks Ibushi with a forearm! Ishii whips, Ibushi reverses, Ibushi ducks the clothesline but Ishii dodges the boot, only for Ibushi to ROUNDHOUSE him down! Ibushi standing moonsaults but Ishii dodges that. Ibushi lands on his feet but Ishii blocks his kick, and fans cheer the new stand off. Ibushi and Ishii take a breath and egg each other on. Fans rally up as they get forehead to forehead, and they start throwing forearms! These two are fast and furious already, Ishii ROCKS Ibushi with a series of forearms! Ishii mockingly asks what’s wrong, but Ibushi ROCKS him back! Ibushi runs but Ishii runs him over! Ishii steadies himself before bringing Ibushi back up.

Ibushi pushes him away but Ishii kicks at him. Ibushi eggs Ishii on so Ishii CHOPS! And CHOPS! Ibushi grits his teeth, Ishii CHOPS again! And again! Ishii gets in Ibushi’s face, Ibushi throws forearms but Ishii backs him down. Ishii corners Ibushi like he did Ospreay, and Ibushi throws forearms again and again. But like with Ospreay, Ishii just CHOPS Ibushi down! Ishii eggs Ibushi on with toying knees and kicks. Ibushi dares him to keep hitting him, so Ishii forearms him back down. Ishii drags Ibushi up, throws more forearms, and more kicks. Fans rally as Ibushi gets up. Ishii kicks him down again, and kicks him in the back! Ibushi just stares Ishii down so Ishii kicks him again.

Ibushi gets up to throw forearm after forearm but Ishii shakes his head. It’s not enough so Ibushi keeps throwing forearm after forearm. Ishii ROCKS Ibushi, runs, but Ibushi SNAP RANAS him down! Fans cheer as both men are down but stirring. Ibushi sits up, fans rally and Ibushi fires off a strike fest! ROUNDHOUSE knocks Ishii down, STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally more and Ibushi gets back up. Ibushi kicks Ishii over and over, but Ishii eggs him on. Ibushi kicks, Ishii CHOPS back! KICK, CHOP! KICK, CHOP! Faster and faster, KICK for CHOP! KICK and Ishii staggers! Ibushi KICKS him again and Ishii flops against ropes. Ibushi shows that mean streak as he kicks at Ishii at the ropes. Fans rally and Ishii grabs Ibushi by the face to throw a forearm.

Ibushi throws forearms, Ishii headbutts! Ishii whips Ibushi but Ibushi reverses, and Ishii bounces off buckles! Ibushi gets Ishii for the SPINNING POWERSLAM! Ibushi rolls to a corner, for the MOONSAULT! Ishii moves, Ibushi lands on his feet and runs in but is put on the apron. Ibushi forearms Ishii away then springboard missile dropkicks! But Ishii rolls right back up!! Ibushi turns around into Ishii’s SPINNING POWERSLAM! Fans cheer and Ibushi is up first?! Ishii runs at Ibushi, Ibushi gets around, full nelson to waistlock, SNAP GERMAN! But Ishii rolls back onto his feet, to get Ibushi for a GERMAN! But Ibushi rises! Both men block strikes, Ibushi BOOTS, Ishii runs but Ibushi dropkicks him down! Fans rally up as both men are down on the mat.

Ibushi and Ishii kick at each other on the mat, egging each other on. They sit up and start slapping each other! Ishii gets up and still slaps. Ibushi slaps from all sides, the slapping gets faster and meaner! Fans fire up as the strikes fly too fast, too furious! Ishii ROCKS Ibushi with one shot, Ibushi DECKS Ishii with the straight shot! Fans fire up again and Ibushi is back to toying with Ishii. Ibushi kicks Ishii, grabs at the wrists, but Ishii gets free to CHOP! And CHOP! He’s getting Ibushi high in the throat so the ref reprimands. Ishii pushes the ref away to corner clothesline Ibushi! Ibushi just glares at Ishii! Ishii slaps Ibushi, Ibushi STRAIGHT SHOTS again! That also got Ishii high! Ibushi ROUNDHOUSES Ishii down! And then hauls him right up, for a LAST RIDE!! Cover, TWO!!

Ibushi keeps his cool as he drags Ishii by his wrists. Ishii headbutts first! Ibushi headbutts back! Ishii ENZIGURIS! Both men are down again and the fans cheer! Ishii rises first and waits for Ibushi to stand. Ishii runs, Ibushi blocks and back kicks, but Ishii turns the huricanrana into a BOMB! High stack cover, TWO! Ishii is furious but he fires up with the fans. Ibushi rises, Ishii runs, LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Ibushi still lives! Ishii roars and fans fire back up. Ishii drags Ibushi up, reels him in and suplexes, but Ibushi fights free! Ibushi wrenches, KNEES, and now has both wrists! KAMI- NO! HEADBUTT!! Fans are thunderous as Ishii runs and SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Ibushi survives again but Ishii fires up even more!

Ishii suplexes Ibushi but Ibushi slips out. Ishii swats the roundhouse away but Ibushi PELES! Ishii wobbles, but he blocks Ibushi’s clothesline to spin Ibushi around. Ishii reels Ibushi in but Ibushi suplexes first! To STEAL the BRAIN BUSTER! Fans are thunderous again as both men are down again! The ref checks on both men, they’re okay to continue and slowly rise. Ibushi is up first, teeth grit as the fans rally behind him. Ishii rises, Ibushi runs but Ishii LARIATS! Ishii drags Ibushi back up, but Ibushi trades palm strikes again! ROUNDHOUSE!

Ibushi brings knee pads down, has the wrists and sits Ishii up, but Ishii breaks free. Ibushi still thrusts, but Ishii blocks. Ibushi forearms, hops up but Ishii pushes him off to waistlock. Ishii GERMANS, but Ibushi lands on his feet! BOMAYE!! Cover, TWO!?! Ishii survives Ibushi’s tribute to the King of Strong Style, but Ibushi keeps his focus. Ibushi grabs the wrists, sits Ishii up, but Ishii lariats! There wasn’t much to it, Ibushi KNEES Ishii again, but Ishii HEADBUTTS back! Ibushi LARIATS! Ibushi runs, V-TRIGGER!! KENYY!! KAMI-GOYE!!! Cover, Ibushi wins!!

Winner: Kota Ibushi, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Ishii earns 0

The Golden Star rebounds and breaks through the Stone Pitbull! Will Ibushi make it back to G1 Climax finals? Will Ishii be a spoiler for someone else?

Wait, wait, Ishii isn’t done fighting, at least in spirit. He keeps trying to hit Ibushi while they’re both down! Ibushi drags himself up as best he can to hit back! Young Lions get involved to separate them, and drag Ishii away. Win or lose, will Ishii and Ibushi collide again one day?

A Block – Will Ospreay VS Shingo Takagi!

The Aerial Assassin has yet to lose in this year’s G1, and the Dragon has yet to win! Ospreay beat Takagi in last year’s Best of the Super Juniors, can he do it again here? Or will Takagi turn the tables and be a speedbump on Ospreay’s road to the finals?

The bell rings and Ospreay is excited to have this rematch. The fans rally up because they’re excited, too, and the two tie up. Takagi holds firm as Ospreay tries to power him back. Takagi shoves Ospreay back, the two circle and tie up for a test of strength. Takagi bends Ospreay back, Ospreay comes back up to get a headlock. Takagi powers out, Ospreay bumps hsoulders but Takagi give sit back. Ospreay stays up and shows how strong he’s gotten. Takagi dares Ospreay to run so Ospreay does, and the two collide again. Takagi flexes on Ospreay to show how strong he still is! Ospreay dares Takagi to go but Takagi dares Ospreay to go. Fans rally, Takagi shoves, Ospreay shoves back.

Takagi runs, Ospreay hurdles but Takagi avoids the monkey flips. Ospreay avoids the sliding lariat, Takagi ducks the buzzsaw but Ospreay elbows out of the waistlock. Takagi whips, Ospreay handsprings but Takagi catches him for a GERMAN! Ospreay lands on his feet, springboards, OSCUT- NO! Takagi shoves Ospreay away, runs, but Ospreay swings around the clothesline! Ospreay reels Takagi in, but Takagi HURICANRANAS out of the powerbomb! Ospreay sweeps, covers, ONE! Both men swing strikes but the other blocks, Takagi ducks the hook kick and gets to a corner! Takagi makes sure he still has his hair and fans fire up after seeing that exchange!

Ospreay offers a handshake, but Takagi knows better than that. Ospreay says he’s honest, and the fans cheer. Takagi shakes Ospreay’s hand but then knees low! Takagi runs, Ospreay follows, Ospreay huricanranas Takagi out! Then Ospreay runs, handsprings and fakes Takagi out to superhero land. Takagi frowns and talks trash before searching under the ring. Takagi doesn’t find what he wants and Red Shoes tells him to get back in. Takagi takes his time still searching, then gets in. Ospreay is on him with stomps and clubbing forearms, and Kowata Kicks! Takagi is down, Ospreay brings him up for more kicks. Takagi blocks one to elbow th eleg! Takagki runs into an elbow! Basement dropkick! Takagi bails back out, Ospreay slingshots, but Takagi avoids the Plancha to kick back!

Takagi whips, Ospreay reverses and Takagi hits railing hard! Ospreay gets space, the fans rally, but Takagi pops Ospreay up for a Death Valley Driver! Both men are down and fans rally up. Takagi gets up first and kicks Ospreay while he’s down. Takagi puts Ospreay in the ring, brings him up, and fireman’s carries. Takagi hotshots Ospreay off ropes and then hits a DDT! Cover, TWO! Takagi keeps his cool while he brings Ospreay back up. Takagi cranks on Ospreay’s neck, shifts to a cravat to crank on the neck more. Ospreay endures, throws body shots, but Takagi wrenches harder. Fans rally as Takagi leans all his weigh ton Ospreay. Cover, ONE, but Takagi is on Ospreay’s arm. Takagi elbows away, then drops a knee on Ospreay’s head!

Fans cheer and clap with Takagi. Takagi toys with Ospreay, Ospreay eggs Takagi on. Ospreay CHOPS, Takagi CHOPS back! Ospreay CHOPS harder! Takagi CHOPS back! Fans cheer as the CHOP fight continues! Ospreay fires off many, Takagi double ax handles! Takagi whips, Ospreay handsprings, NEURALIZER! Both men are down but the fans fire up again. Ospreay sits up, Takagi gets to a corner. Ospreay runs in, Takagi dodges, blocks a boot but not the enziguri! Ospreay atomic drops, CHOPS and STANDING SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Ospreay goes right to the apron. Ospreay springboards, Takagi gets under and throws forearms. Takagi runs into the dropkick-flip and enziguri! Ospreay runs, Takagi elbows, JABS and LARIATS!

Fans cheer as Takagi fires up again. Takagi drags Ospreay up, Gory Especial, but Ospreay fights it off to kick away again. Takagi blocks the kick to DRAGON SCREW! Takagi spin toeholds but Ospreay kicks him away. Takagi comes back with a SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and Takagi keeps cool while fans cheer. Fans rally up, Takagi shakes out the cobwebs and brings Ospreay back up. Takagi pump handles but Ospreay resists. Ospreay gets around to full nelson but Takagi powers out to elbow. Takagi ducks the hook kick, Ospreay blocks the lariat but swings into Gory Especial! Ospreay slips out of that, Takagi suplexes him, STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRE! Takagi ends up in a corner and fans fire up again!

Ospreay runs corner to corner but Takagi puts him on the apron. Ospreay forearms back then springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Takagi bails out, fans fire up and Ospreay builds speed, for the SASUKE SPECIAL! Direct hit at the ramp! The ring count begins as Ospreay catches his breath. Ospreay puts Takagi in at 10 of 20 then runs corner to corner again. Ospreay BOOTS Takagi, underhooks, lifts, but Takagi gets to ropes! Ospreay puts Takagi in a Tree of Woe and kicks him! Ospreay goes to the adjacent corner, springboards, COAST2COAST!! Takagi scrambles away from the impact while fans rally. Ospreay drags Takagi up in a dragon sleeper, Bloody Sunday! Cover, TWO! Ospreay keeps his focus as he goes back to the corner. Ospreay goes up top, aims and leaps, SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO!

Takagi grits his teeth but Ospreay grins. Fans rally up again as Ospreay calls for his shot! Ospreay runs, springboards, but into the Gory Especial, for NOSHIGAMI! Both men are down but fans still rally up again. Takagi stalks Ospreay, drags him into a wheelbarrow and lift, but Ospreay elbows back. Takagi pump handles, for JAPON GUTBUSTER! Ospreay winces and Takagi fires up! Fans rally, Takagi runs corner to corner, BIG corner clothesline! BUt Ospreay fires back forearms! Takagi throws a forearm, whips Ospreay, but Ospreay handsprings, into a torture rack! Takagi tosses Ospreay at ropes and Ospreay bounces off the ropes! Takagi waits for Ospreay to rise, runs and PUMP- NO! Ospreay slips through, lifts, SIT-OUT BOMB! Cover, TWO!!

Takagi survives but Ospreay stays fired up with the fans! Ospreay runs, springboards, OSCUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives but Ospreay is too tired to be frustrated! Fans rally up as Ospreay and Takagi slowly rise. Ospreay reels Takagi in, hooks the arms but Takagi blocks the lift! Takagi powers out, wrenches through and point-blank LARIATS! Ospreay stays up, fires off forearms and spins, into a JAB! HOOK KICK! Takagi is on his knees, Ospreay Buzzsaw and Heel Kick! Underhooks, Canadian rack, but Takagi slips out! Ospreay roundhouses but Takagi ducks it to pump handle! MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Ospreay survives and fans are thunderous!

Takagi fires up again, waits for Ospreay to rise, PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, TWO?!? Ospreay survives being flipped inside-out and fans fire up again! Takagi fires himself up, drags Ospreay up and pump handle torture racks, but Ospreay fights back! Ospreay pops up on Takagi’s shoulders and punches away but Takagi pushes him away. Takagi runs, Ospreay HOOK KICKS first! POISON-RANA!! Takagi roars up to his feet, Ospreay spins, into a HEADBUTT! Both men are down again and the fans are still fired up! Red Shoes checks on both men but they’re both okay to continue. Ospreay sits up first but Takagi follows. Takagi heads over for junkyard dog headbutts.

Ospreay gets up but Takagi forearms first. Ospreay forearms back, Takagi hits him again. They go back and forth back and forth, faster and faster, but Ospreay gets the edge. Takagi grits his teeth and Ospreay eggs him on. Takagi fires elbows from all sides! Ospreay ROUNDHOUSES! Ospreay runs, Takagi follows to clothesline at the ropes! Takagi runs, into SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO to Ghost Pin! TWO, Ospreay has it again, TWO!! Ospreay LARIATS Takagi! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous once more! Ospreay drags himself to a corner and aims at Takagi. Takagi sits up, Ospreay swings but Takagi ducks Hidden Blade! Ospreay is in a corner, Takagi hurries over, Takagi blocks the boot but Ospreay breaks free to SUPERKICK! And HOOK KICK! And ROLLING ELBOW!

Ospreay knows that won’t be enough, he calls for another shot! Fans fire up as Ospreay goes up, SUPER- NO! Takagi shoves Ospreay down to block the super cutter! Takagi climbs up to waistlock but Ospreay elbows him away. So Takagi goes outside to LARIAT Ospreay down off the top!! Takagi gets back in, brings Ospreay up, fireman’s carry, and Takagi climbs up the corner?! Ospreay fights but Takagi locks him in with the wrist clutch, SUPER STAY DREAM!! Takagi has to crawl to the cover, ONE?!?! Takagi is shocked but fans are loving this! Takagi fires up, runs, Ospreay follows, PUMPING BOMBER hits through!! Cover, TWO!?!? Ospreay survives again and Takagi can’t believe it!

Takagi fires up, brings Ospreay back up for pump handle and fireman’s carry, LAST OF THE DRAGON!! Cover, Takagi wins!!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Ospreay earns 0

Best of Super Juniors REVENGE! The Dragon gets on the board, and Ospreay falls to 2-1! Has Takagi just ruined Ospreay’s chances of flying to the finals?

A Block – Jay White w/ Gedo VS Kazuchika Okada!

Once again, these two clash in the ring to revive their rivalry! Will the Rainmaker end the “Jay1” early? Or will he Breathe with the Switchblade?

White talks trash about how he beat up Okada last time they fought. White and Gedo Low Sweet and Red Shoes finishes the checks. The bell rings and White bails right out to avoid Okada’s rush. Okada gets fans to clap and stomp, and that already annoys White. White tells Okada to stay back so he can get back in. White slides but slides right out to mock the clapping and stomping. Okada keeps his cool as White paces around the corner. White gets in, ties up with Okada, and Okada powers White to ropes. Red Shoes calls for the break, Okada lets off, but White drops down and out of the ring to avoid even the fake out. White gets back up and in, circles with Okada and ties up with him. Okada puts White on the ropes but White pulls hair to turn things around.

White copies Okada’s fake out and shoulder pats. Okada ROCKS White with forearms! Okada whips, boots White and then snapmares for the running basement dropkick! White bails out again and protests to Red Shoes but Okada pursues. White runs away, Gedo sneak attacks! But Okada stays up, Gedo apologizes and runs away. Gedo gets in the ring, Red Shoes hurries after him but Okada corners Gedo! White attacks Okada from behind! White clubs Okada, Okada bails out but White goes out to whip him into railing! Okada goes down and White leaves him behind, just to mock the clapping and stomping, and then says up theirs. White goes back out to fetch Okada, and RAM him into railing! And RAM him into the apron! And back into railing!

White RAMS Okada into the apron one more time before leaving him at the mercy of the ring count. The count reaches 10 of 20 before Okada stands. The count is 15, Okada gets in at 18! White stomps Okada on his back, over and over at the ropes. Gedo applauds while White stalks Okada to a corner. Fans rally up but White mocks them right in Okada’s face. White slaps Okada to the beat then wraps on a bearhug. White grinds Okada down then drops knees. Okada endures as White continues the squeeze. Okada fights up to his feet, elbows White but White clubs him back. White scoops Okada for a backbreaker! Cover, TWO! White keeps on Okada with a half camel clutch. Fans rally as Okada endures, White hooks Okada’s nose but Red Shoes reprimands.

White brings Okada around to a chinlock, Okada starts to pry free but White rams knees in over and over! White mocks the fans again as he looms over Okada. White asks, “Is this it?” Two years ago was different, wasn’t it? White mocks the clapping and stomping, shoves Okada to ropes and CLUBS him on the back. And again! Okada goes down and White soaks up whatever applause there is. White sits Okada up, drags him up and shoves him to ropes, but Okada hits back! Okada throws forearms but White gets around to club his back again! White runs, into the FLAPJACK! Fans applaud as both men are down. White’s a bit dramatic about how badly he got hit in the stomach there, but both he and Okada rise.

Okada rallies on White with forearms and elbows. Okada whips, White reverses but Okada runs White over with an elbow! Fans fire up with Okada and he whips White corner to corner. Okada runs in, back elbows, kicks and DDT’s! Cover, TWO! Okada keeps his focus as he claps and stomps. Gedo swipes at Okada’s feet but Okada chases him again. Red Shoes sees this as they go to the ramp! White hurries after but Okada was ready! He kicks White, kicks Gedo, DOUBLE DDT to the ramp! Fans cheer as Okada puts Gedo’s hat on. Okada throws the hat away and fans fire up. Okada drags White up, brings him back to ringside, but White drags Gedo part of the way. Okada puts White in, fans rally up with “O-KA-DA” claps, and Okada Alabama lifts. White goes dead weight which makes it harder on Okada’s back. Okada throws forearms but White shoves and atomic drops to a DDT!

Both men are down and fans applaud again. Okada gets to a corner, White checks on Gedo. Gedo is back and White runs, but Okada dodges in the corner. White kicks back, and half hatch suplexes Okada into buckles! Cover, TWO! White grows frustrated but he drags Okada up to the corner. White rams into Okada, hoists him up top and throws forearms. White climbs up top, Okada forearms back and sends White down. Okada adjusts, White runs back in to European Uppercut! ANARCHY SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer as Okada is still in this. White mocks the applause again but he drags Okada by an arm. Okada fights off the urenage, White CLUBS him on the back again! Okada is in the corner but he pops White right up to the REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Fans cheer as both men are down again.

Fans rally as Okada and White slowly sit up. Okada stands first and he throws forearms at White. White comes back to forearm Okada, but Okada hits him again. Gedo coaches White up and White throws more forearms. Okada forearms back and they go fast and furious! White staggers into ropes and Okada eggs him on! White gets up and throws more forearms but Okada DECKS him again! White crawls back, says his arm is bothering him, but Okada knows Gedo is on the apron! Okada dodges White’s cheap shot, White avoids running into Gedo! But Okada dropkicks White into Gedo! Down goes Gedo, Okada whips White but White holds ropes to avoid the dropkick! White dead lift GERMANS Okada down!

White shakes out the arms and Gedo coaches White up. “Kiwi! Kiwi!” No, wait, steal the Rainmaker! White likes that idea! White mocks the pose! White drags Okada up, ripcords, but Okada boots first! And again! Okada ROCKS White with the EuroUpper, but White CHOPS back! White whips, Okada reverses, and now Okada hits the dropkick! Okada drags White in, gut wrench and TOMBSTONE! Okada has the arm, and wraps White up DEEP IN DEBT! Gedo freaks out as White endures the modified cobra clutch! Okada keeps White from ropes but White keeps reaching! White uses a leg for the ropebreak! Okada lets White go and White breathes again, but fans rally back up. Okada drags White from the ropes, gut wrenches again but White fights back.

Okada clubs White down, brings him back up, but White slips out of the gut wrench. BLADE- NO! Okada spins White, then spins, but White counters the discus into an URENAGE! Both men are down and fans fire up again! White crawls over to Okada, drags him up in a sleeper, but Okada fights off Triple S with elbows. So White fisherman’s a leg, but Okada elbows and clubs that away! Okada gut wrenches again, White turns it around! White pops Okada in place but Okada slips out of Blade Runner to dropkick! Gedo gets in but Okada shotgun dropkicks him down! Okada wrenches White to DEEP IN DEBT! White thumbs an eye! Okada spins him to DISCUS RAINMAKER! And then, DEEP IN DEBT!

White grabs for Red Shoes but Okada thrashes him around! Fans rally as White endures, and starts to fade! Gedo throws things at Red Shoes, and White LOW BLOWS Okada!! Red Shoes didn’t see it but the fans rally up again. White seethes as he drags Okada back up. White slashes the throat, reels Okada in, but Okada spins out for DEEP IN DEBT! White gets around the back for SLEEPER SNAP SUPLEX!! But Okada is up, into BLADE RUNNER!! Cover, White wins!!!

Winner: Jay White, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Okada earns 0

The Jay1 Climax continues!! White uses every trick in the book and again defeats The Rainmaker! Have Okada’s chances at redemption just been cut down? For the second time in this year’s G1, White gets the mic to speak.

“Okada, Okada, before you go. Wait, wait!” White wants to tell Okada something~! “I just want to say, thank you. Okada, thank you for coming here tonight and celebrating this night with myself and Gedo, on the two-year anniversary almost to the day, since we created the single most important moment in all of pro-wrestling.” White pretends to be emotional. White knows that night, just like tonight, didn’t go the way Okada wanted, but White hopes Okada can salvage some happiness and peace from the fact that he was part of history. Speaking of, Okada is history! White is not only the future but the present of NJPW! This is the JAY1 now! Fans applaud oddly enough.

White knows the total IQ is low in here, so let him remind you who he is! “I am the Last Rock ‘n’ Rolla! I am King Switch, baby! I am the man who single-handedly sold out Madison Square Garden! And in the JAY1, I am undefeated!” White applauds himself and the fans applaud, too. White toys with the fans like he did last round. “You fools! BREATHE with the Switchblade, because it is still and always will be MY new era!” A much shorter and sharper speech from White tonight. Will he go completely untouched in this tournament?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Taichi: 3-0, 6 points
Jay White: 3-0, 6 points
Minoru Suzuki: 2-1, 4 points
Kota Ibushi: 2-1, 4 points
Will Ospreay: 2-1, 4 points
Shingo Takagi: 1-2, 2 points
Kazuchika Okada: 1-2, 2 points
Jeff Cobb: 1-2, 2 points
Yujiro Takahashi: 0-3, 0 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 0-3, 0 points

My Thoughts:

A really strong third round here for A Block! How crazy to think that TAICHI is one of the undefeateds left in the running! Though, I didn’t expect Yujiro to win, either, so it was a given Taichi would get this one. Ospreay falls from the top but in an incredible match with Takagi that definitely matched, if not outdid, their Best of the Super Juniors finals match. If nothing else for Takagi, he kept Ospreay out of the running and we could see these two give us another match for Ospreay’s Rev-Pro British Heavyweight Championship. Ibushi VS Ishii had a great match, too, and I like that Ishii keeps trying to fight even after losing. Whether or not Ibushi wins the G1, I feel like we’re going to get more of those two on the way to other titles.

Suzuki beats Cobb so that only Taichi has beaten him so far. I feel like if Taichi doesn’t win the G1, he goes for the NEVER Openweight Championship, even though he’s also still IWGP Heayvweight Tag Team Champion with Zack Sabre Jr. If not, it’ll be the other person to beat Suzuki, but who knows who that’ll be. Okada VS White was really good but perhaps not as good as their previous matches. White wins to continue this idea of “Jay1,” and at this rate, he might be a finalist after all. He’d have to lose twice to keep him out, and now that he’s beaten both Ibushi and Okada, I can’t see that happening. Maybe he loses once with Suzuki still on his schedule, but White VS Yujiro? C’mon, that’ll be like Bullet Club Finger Poke of Doom at this point.

My Score: 9.3/10

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

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

The semifinals are here!

Published

13 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

2 days 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.