Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW WTL x BOSJ Results & Report! (12/5/20)

There’s a special bonus to BOSJ Round 8!

Published

2 years ago

December 5, 2020

Steven Mitchell

Round 8 is going to be great for Best of the Super Juniors!

BOSJ 27 enters round 8, but there’s a special Six Man Tag, featuring IWGP Double Champion, Tetsuya Naito, and G1 Climax winner, Kota Ibushi! Will all of Los Ingobernables de Japon win today?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Best of the Super Juniors 27: Yuya Uemura VS SHO; Sho wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 27: BUSHI VS DOUKI; Douki wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 27: Robbie Eagles VS El Desperado; Desperado wins.
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Kota Ibushi, Tomoaki Honma & Satoshi Kojima; LIJ wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 27: Master Wato VS Taiji Ishimori; Ishimori wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 27: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current Best of the Super Juniors 27 standings!

El Desperado: 5-2
SHO: 5-2
Hiromu Takahashi: 5-2
Taiji Ishimori: 5-2
BUSHI: 4-3
Master Wato: 4-3
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-4 [ELIMINATED]
Robbie Eagles: 3-4 [ELIMINATED]
DOUKI: 1-6 [ELIMINATED]
Yuya Uemura: 0-7 [ELIMINATED]

Yuya Uemura VS SHO!

The Young Lion is done at 0-7, but High Voltage is still charging up towards the finals! Will Sho keep going or end up running into a spoiler?

The bell rings, fans rally and the two circle. They feel out the grapple, go around and Sho facelocks only for Uemura to waistlock. Sho facelocks again, Uemura slips out to clinch with Sho, but Sho fights off the arm-drag to wrangle Uemura down. Uemura spins but Sho facelocks then waistlocks then floats back to a facelock. Sho drags Uemura down again, Uemura slips out to facelock, and the two get up. Sho waistlocks, Uemura sits to break it and they clinch again. Uemura holds off the judo throw so Sho facelocks. Sho underhooks to wrangle Uemura down but Uemura gets out to gut wrench. Uemura works to get Sho up off the mat but Sho gets ropes before the suplex.

Fans cheer as the two are wary of the other at the break. Uemura CHOPS Sho to show him this Young Lion isn’t going to be a pushover. Fans cheer that as Sho and Uemura reset. Uemura and SHo tie up, Uemura headlocks but Sho powers out. The two ram shoulders but neither falls and fans cheer. Uemura goes again, they ram shoulders again then the forearms start flying! Uemura runs but Sho elbows him! Sho runs but Uemura dodges and runs Sho over! Uemura gut wrenches again but Sho fights off the suplex! Sho goes to gut wrench but Uemura fights it off. The two go around, struggling for suplex control. Sho scoops instead, and POWERSLAMS Uemura down! Fans cheer as the senpai shows his strength!

Sho drags Uemura back up, whips him, and elbows him down! Sho sits Uemura up to KICK him in the back, then covers, TWO! Sho keeps his cool as he sits Uemura up into a chinlock. Uemura endures the knee in his back, fights towards ropes but Sho turns him over for a Camel Clutch! Fans rally as Uemura continues to endure. Uemura gets one arm free but Sho cranks tighter to keep the other trapped. Uemura gets both arms free but Sho goes way, way back! Uemura uses that to slide back and he gets the ropebreak! Sho lets off and fans cheer the kouhai’s toughness. Sho bumps Uemura off buckles, stomps and forearms him down, then brings him up for more forearms and stomps.

Sho digs his boots in, staring Uemura in the eye as he does. The ref counts and Sho lets off for Uemura to get up. Uemura throws forearms but Sho just eggs him on. Uemura keeps throwing forearms, Sho eggs him on more, then ROCKS him with a forearm of his own! Sho brings Uemura up, suplexes, but Uemura slips out to waistlock. Sho fights that off with elbows then runs, but Uemura dropkicks him down! Fans cheer as both men are down! Sho gets to a corner, Uemura runs corner to corner, and hits a big back elbow! Uemura throws forearms on Sho, over and over and over, and fans rally up behind him!

The ref reprimands because Sho is on the ropes, so Uemura whips Sho corner to corner. Uemura runs back in to dropkick Sho down! Cover, TWO! Uemura keeps focus as he grabs Sho’s legs! Sho resists the Boston Crab to get the arm, but Uemura makes it a cover! TWO and Uemura knees low. Uemura runs, Sho drops then runs to run Uemura over! Sho drags Uemura back up, whips him to a corner, and hits a clothesline! Sho whips, wrenches and kicks away, to KICK Uemura down! Uemura slowly rises and Sho takes aim, but Uemura blocks that kick! Uemura fires up, gets up and under Sho in a modified Alabama Slam! To the HALF CRAB!

Sho endures, crawls, reaches, but Uemura drags him away from ropes! Uemura stomps Sho, gets both legs and has the FULL CRAB! Sho endures, fans rally, and Sho powers up! Sho crawls for ropes but Uemura sits back deeper! But Sho keeps going, and he gets the ropebreak! Uemura lets go, and grows frustrated, but he drags Sho back up. Uemura wrenches, cording holds, but Sho throws forearms to get free. Uemura throws a forearm back, so Sho gives another forearm. Uemura forearms, Sho forearms, and fans rally as the two pick up speed! Sho gets the edge, eggs Uemura on, and Uemura throws a forearm back!

Sho throws another, Uemura wobbles but roars, and Uemura throws several forearms in a row! Sho throws forearms from all sides! Sho gives Uemura about a dozen, then one more to top it off! Sho isn’t done, he just keeps throwing forearms! Uemura flops over, Sho drags him back up and KICKS him! And KICKS! And KICKS! Sho makes sure Uemura sits up to take the KICKS! The ref wants Sho to hold off for a moment to check on Uemura. Fans cheer as Uemura is okay to continue, so Sho fires off more forearms! Sho runs, but Uemura spins him to the TRAPPED ARM SUPLEX! Where did that come from!? Uemura crawls to cover, TWO! Both men are down but fans fire up!

Uemura staggers to his feet, roars, and brings Sho up. Sho fights off the arm traps this time, but Uemura throws headbutts! But then SHO suplexes Uemura up and over! Sho drags Uemura back up, and hits a LUMBAR CHECK! Sho has the legs, turns Uemura over and uses the BOSTON CRAB! Fans rally as Uemura endures his favorite hold! Uemura powers up, crawls and reaches, but Sho drags him away! Sho sits deep but Uemura refuses to give up just yet! Uemura powers up, crawls and reaches, but Sho sits so deep!! Uemura grabs at the ref to keep from giving up, and he gets the ropebreak! Fans are thunderous as Sho lets Uemura go.

Sho drags Uemura back up, waistlocks, but Uemura victory rolls! TWO!! Sho escapes, Uemura dodges the to ROCK Sho with a forearm! And another! And then the PALM STRIKE! Sho staggers, Uemura runs corner to corner, but into a JUMPING KNEE! Sho runs, and he LARIATS Uemura down! Sho drags Uemura back up, reels him in, but Uemura fights off Power Breaker! Sho tries again, gets Uemura up, POWER BREAKER HITS! Cover, TWO!?! Uemura shocks Sho! Sho aims his bow, drags Uemura back up and reels him back in for the double pump handles! SHOCK ARROW!! Cover, Sho wins!

Winner: Sho, by pinfall; now 6-2, Uemura is now 0-8

And High Voltage is still running hot! The Young Lion gave it his all, but is he going to go completely winless in the tournament? Is Sho going to be a lock for the finals?

BUSHI VS DOUKI!

Death Mask is still on the edge but Japones de Mal is creeping as a spoiler in the making! Will Douki ruin both Bushi’s run and LIJ’s hopes of sweeping the night right here and now?

Bushi is on the corner and Douki tries to attack but Bushi jumps over! Bushi kicks and whips but Douki reverses with the bell. Bushi huricanranas Douki out and fans cheer as Bushi SLINGSHOT RANAS! Bushi gets up and finally undoes his tie. Douki stirs but Bushi stomps him down. Bushi brings Douki up to whip him into railing! Douki stumbles and writhes while Bushi finishes taking off his entrance attire. Bushi stomps Douki, puts him back in the ring, and fans cheer as he stomps Douki more. Bushi drags Douki up to drop him with a neckbreaker. Cover, TWO!

Bushi keeps his cool as he stomps Douki to the ropes. Douki eggs Bushi on so Bushi elbows him. Bushi runs, but Douki flapjack hotshots him down! Douki drags Bushi up by his mask and throws him out. Douki then brings Bushi up to whip him into railing! Bushi writhes now, but Douki takes Bushi’s shirt off to choke him with it! That’s Bushi’s move! The ref counts, Douki stops at 3 and argues with the ref, but then goes back to Bushi. Douki drags Bushi up, and picks him up to POST Bushi’s nuts! Bushi is down and Douki leaves him to the mercy of the ring count. The count is already 10 of 20 before Bushi sits up. Bushi stands up at 15, hobbles and flounders but gets in at 19!

Douki stomps Bushi down, digs his boot into Bushi’s head and talks trash! The ref reprimands and Douki lets off, to then drag Bushi back up. Douki hoists Bushi onto the top rope backwards, then goes up behind him. Douki pulls at Bushi’s mask strings! The ref reprimands, Bushi holds onto his mask desperately, but Douki keeps clawing at the strings! The ref counts, Douki stops at 4. Bushi tumbles down, quickly fixes his mask, but Douki is on him to scoop and slam him. Douki runs to DOUBLE STOMP Bushi down! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer as Bushi crawls. Douki taunts Bushi more and slaps him around!

Douki brings Bushi up but Bushi throws a forearm! Douki forearms back, but Bushi gets the edge. But Douki rakes Bushi’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Douki brings Bushi up and whips him corner to corner. Douki runs in but Bushi boots him! Bushi hops up to hit a FLYING RANA! Fans cheer as both men are down again. Bushi gets up first and fans rally up. Bushi brings Douki up to throw forearms, then whips him, but Douki reverses. Douki runs in but Bushi swing kicks! Bushi goes up top, leaps, and missile dropkicks Douki down! To then Bushirooni! Bushi dropkicks Douki’s legs out, and hits a DDT! Cover, TWO!

Fans cheer and rally as Bushi keeps his cool. Bushi drags Douki up, hangs Douki out to dry then goes to the corner. Bushi hops up for another missile dropkick! Douki flops down, Bushi drags Douki through the ropes, APRON DDT! Douki is stuck and Bushi gets back in. Bushi drags Douki out of the ropes, and hits FISH- NO! Douki slips out to get the ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Bushi stays up, moves around, and manages the ropebreak just as he falls over! Douki lets go but he vows to end this! Douki goes to the apron, dares Bushi to stand, and then slingshots, into CODE BREAKER! Fans fire up for that counter!

Bushi brings Douki up, sticks him in the corner, DRAPING BACKSTABBER! Fans fire up, Bushi aims from a corner, and Douki stands, to get the RUNNING- NO! Douki fights the Code Breaker off to get the ITALIAN STRETCH! Fans rally as Bushi endures, but Douki pulls harder! Then he drags Bushi from ropes, to reapply the Italian Stretch! Bushi gets a second wind, moves around, but he’s fading again! Bushi gets the ropebreak again as he’s falling over! Douki fires up as he goes back to the apron. Douki aims, slingshots, DAYBREAK! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives and fans rally up, and Douki vows to end this!

Douki drags Bushi into the wheelbarrow, suplexes, but Bushi victory rolls! TWO!! Douki escapes, and ROCKS Bushi with the uppercut! Douki runs, into an enziguri! But Douki enziguris back! Douki runs, but Bushi dropkicks him down! Fans fire up as Bushi goes back to a corner. Douki flounders up, Bushi runs at him, RUNNING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Douki survives but Bushi goes to the corner. Fans fire up as he calls for it, M- NO! Douki drags Bushi down to the Dragon’s Lair! DOUKI WINS!!

Winner: Douki, by pinfall; now 2-6, Bushi is now 4-4

And the spoiler is in! Bushi can’t make the finals now and all because of Douki! Will Douki rub this in Bushi’s face until the next Best of the Super Juniors?

Robbie Eagles VS El Desperado!

The Sniper of the Sky has already made sure the Funky Weapon misses the finals, and he could take down an even bigger target this round! Will Eagles outdraw Desperado and hurt his chances at the finals?

The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. Desperado laughs and then bails out to quiet the fans down. But the fans still clap, “EA-GO-SU! EA-GO-SU!” Desperado gets in out of annoyance and circles with Eagles. They tie up, go around, and Eagles wrenches to a wristlock. Desperado rolls, wrenches back, but Eagles rolls, rolls and handsprings to wrench to a wristlock. Fans cheer the exchange, but Desperado rolls and trips Eagles up to a toehold. Desperado cranks on the leg but Eagles uses his other leg to bring Depserado down. Eagles wants the armbar but Desperado fights that and the leg guard to get a headlock.

Eagles gest up, puts Desperado on ropes, and the ref calls for the break. Eagles honors the break cleanly and fans cheer again. Desperado just sneers and circles with Eagles again. They approach, Eagles rolls to get the leg and makes Desperado do a standing splits, to then trip him up! Ron Miller Special but Desperado gets the ropebreak fast! Eagles lets go and says it was that close. Desperado nods but then pokes Eagles in the eye! And clubs him on the back! Eagles holds ropes to block the whip, so Desperado stomps Eagles’ foot. Eagles reverses the whip to go up and around and arm-drag! Eagles keeps moving, ducks and dodges to headsicssors! And windmill kick! Eagles kips up an dfans fire up!

Desperado bails out, Eagles builds speed but Desperado runs out of range. Desperado dares him to dive to the ramp. Eagles goes out after him, dodges and CHOPS! Eagles CHOPS Desperado more but Desperado rakes Eagles’ eyes! Desperado clubs Eagles, wrenches the arm, then goes for the post. Eagles goes up the apron and flips over to arm-drag Depserado down! Fans cheer for that amazing escape! Eagles rallies the fans up as he brings Desperado up. The count climbs to 8 of 20 but Eagles puts Desperado in. Eagles then gets in, but Desperado kicks the rope! Eagles tumbles down from getting hit in the nest eggs! Desperado tauntingly asks what’s wrong as he covers, TWO!

Desperado continues to taunt Eagles and mockingly ask what happened. Desperado has the legs, Eagles guards the groin but Desperado stomps him in the stomach! Eagles grits his teeth but Desperado JAMS his knee! And then drops knees on the knee! Eagles crawls as Desperado again mockingly asks what’s wrong. Desperado stomps the leg, stomps Eagles at the ropes and digs a boot in. The ref counts, Desperado stops at 4, but then drags Eagles for the toehold leg drop! Desperado finishes up with the butterfly deathlock! Fans rally as Eagles endures but Desperado puts more pressure on the legs!

Eagles keeps his shoulders up, reaches for ropes but Desperado puts more pressure on! But Eagles still gets the ropebreak! Desperado “needs help” getting free and then “GOMEN!” he drops a knee on the knee! Desperado again mockingly asks Eagles what’s wrong, while slapping him around. Eagles throws forearms back and fans rally, but Desperado knees low. Desperado back suplexes, Eagles lands on his feet, rolling chop bock to blindside lariat! Fans cheer as both men are down now. Desperado works to get his bad leg moving and Eagles stands first. Eagles KICKS and KICKS Desperado in the chest, but Desperado blocks the third, to kick the bad leg. Desperado runs, into a calf kick!

Fans fire up as Eagles aims from a corner. Desperado is in the other so Eagles runs corner to corner, but misses the double knees! Eagles hits buckles, Desperado throws a forearm but Eagles SWEEP-1-9’s! Then Eagles builds speed to TOPE CANNONBALL! Direct hit at the ramp and both men are down! Fans rally as the ring count climbs. Eagles sit up at 6 of 20, drags Desperado up at 11, and puts him in at 14! Fans cheer and Eagles keeps close. Eagles CHOPS Desperado, CHOPS again, and CHOPS again! Eagles whips corner to corner, then runs in for double knees! Desperado sits down, Eagles hits METEORA! Cover, TWO!

Eagles keeps his focus and he rallies the fans up. Eagles climbs, even with one good leg, WARP 4- No! He has to roll through as Desperado moves, and the leg gives out! Eagles runs back at Desperado but is put on the apron. Eagles forearms Desperado away and springboards, but the leg gives out again! Eagles falls, the ref checks with him, but Desperado doesn’t give him time! Desperado stomps the leg, drags Eagles around, but Eagles cradles! TWO and Eagles tries to schoolboy bridge! TWO, Eagles cravats but no Sliced Bread! The leg jams, Desperado dropkicks it out! STRETCH MUFFLER!

Eagles shouts in pain and fans rally, but Desperado cranks on the leg! He gets the arm, NUMERO DOS! Eagles continues to endure and fans continue to rally, but Desperado keeps him from ropes! Eagles rolls Desperado to a cover, TWO!! Eagles runs into a roll up, and STRETCH MUFFLER! Desperado has the arm, NUMBER DOS! Eagles endures but Desperado gets BOTH arms! Eagles gets one free, reaches, crawls, and manages the ropebreak!! Desperado lets go and is frustrated. Fans rally for Eagles but Desperado says he’ll end this now. Desperado brings Eagles up but Eagles back drops to bridge, TWO!! Desperado has the underhooks, PINCH- But Eagles huricanranas to a cover, TWO!!

Eagles ROUNDHOUSES, HEEL KICKS, and PELES! Desperado drops to his knees and Eagles fires up to run, into a pop-up! Eagles fights the waistlock but Desperado rakes eyes! GUITARRA- Eagles slips out, avoids the mule kick and hits a DRAGON SCREW, into the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Desperado endures now and fans fire up! Eagles cranks as hard as he can, Desperado crawls but Eagles drags him from ropes! Desperado slams the mat but that wasn’t at tap! Desperado reaches back to rake Eagles’ eyes! The ref reprimands but Desperado is free! Both men stand up, Desperado runs into a dropkick to his legs!

Eagles fires up and the fans follow with him! Eagles makes sure the bad leg is working, and he kicks, but Desperado gets under! Desperado pushes Eagles into the ref, then turns Eagles around, STRAIGHT RIGHT!! Desperado underhooks, PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, Desperado wins

Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall; now 6-2, Eagles is now 3-5

And the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion is still in the running! But damage was done, will Desperado make it through round 9 in one piece?

Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Kota Ibushi, Tomoaki Honma & Satoshi Kojima!

Jay White may have robbed the Golden Star of his G1 Climax Right to Challenge contract prize, but Tetsuya Naito makes it up to Ibushi by giving him a match for the titles on night one of WrestleKingdom 15! As such, this is the last chance to tune up! Will Naito, Sanada and Takagi gain momentum together against Ibushi, The Innovator of Lighttube Deathmatches and the Cozy Strong Arm?

LIJ waits until all three are together on stage before going to the ring. LIJ also take off their elaborate entrance attire, with Naito taking his time as always. Ibushi’s team waits as patiently as possible, and then the trios sort out. LIJ gives the fist bump, and Naito starts with Ibushi to give us a WK15 preview!

Fans fire up as Naito and Ibushi circle, and the clapping is “I-BU-SHI!” “NA-I-TO!” Naito and Ibushi circle, Naito backs up but then approaches, but then backs up again. Ibushi keeps calm as the fans change to regular clapping, and the two tie up! Naito headlocks, Ibushi powers Naito to ropes but Naito turns things around. Naito still has the headlock but the ref reprimands and counts. Naito lets go cleanly, and gives Ibushi pats ont he shoulder. To then kick low! Naito fires off elbows, whips Ibushi to ropes, but Ibushi reverses. Naito sunset flips, Ibushi rolls through but Naito avoids the Penalty Kick to arm-drag! But Ibushi headscissors and Naito pops out, and the fans cheer as the two stand off. Ibushi smirks but Naito says he’s watching him.

The claps return to “I-BU-SHI!” “NA-I-TO!” but Naito tags out to Takagi. The rhythm still works, but not Kojima tags in! Well, that also still works. Fans fire up as Takagi and Kojima tie up and Takagi headlocks. Kojima powers out and the two ram shoulders, and Takagi dares Kojima to try again. Kojima does, and they ram shoulders again. Neither falls, and Kojima CHOPS! Takagi CHOPS, they go back and forth with CHOPS, but then Takagi JABS, JABS and JABS! Takagi whips, Kojima runs him over! Kojima makes the pecs dance and fans cheer. Kojima stomps Takagi, tags in Honma, and they double whip to double shoulder Takagi down! Honma runs, falling headbutt! Naito gets in, Honma knocks him over and runs, falling headbutt!

Fans fire up more as Honma goes back to Takagi. Honma throws forearms, then CHOPS Takagi in the corner. Honma whips corner to corner, Takagi reverses and runs in, but Honma elbows him away. Honma goes up and leaps, but Takagi dodges the flying headbutt! Sanada basement dropkicks outta nowhere! Takagi elbows Kojima and Ibushi off the apron! Honma shakes out the cobwebs but Takagi wrenches his arm and tags Sanada in. Sanada goes up and drops ax handles on Honma’s arm. Sanada wrenches now, clubs the arm, and brings Honma back up to wrench the arm again. And again, and again! Tag to Takagi and Takagi Tomahawks the arm!

Honma gets to ropes and LIJ double whips him to double elbow! Then they drop elbow after elbow, and Takagi drops the senton! Naito keeps guard as Takagi covers, TWO! Naito stomps Honma on his way back out, and Takagi drives elbows into Honma’s shoulder. Takagi suplexes Honma up and over! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Takagi drags Honma to the LIJ corner. Tag to Naito, and Naito stares Ibushi down a moment before going to Honma. Fans rally up as Naito gives toying kicks. Honma throws forearms but Sanada clubs Honma down! The ref reprimands LIJ but he keeps Kojima and Ibushi in their corner.

LIJ whips Honma to the open corner and Sanada runs in but Honma boots him away! Naito catches Honma and Takagi runs in, but Honma boots Takagi away! Honma slips out to get Naito and Takagi, COMPLETE SHOT DDT IN STEREO! Fans fire up as Honma crawls, hot tag to Ibushi! Fans fire up as Ibushi fires off on Naito! Naito reverses the whip but Ibushi FLYING KICKS himdown! Ibushi hits Sanada for good measure then goes back to Naito. Naito swings, Ibushi fires off a strike fest and then KICKS Naito down! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Ibushi stalks behind Naito and reels him in.

Naito fights off the waistlock with elbows, blocks a kick and spins Ibushi for the backbreaker and basement dropkick! Fans rally as Ibushi goes to a corner. Naito kicks at Ibushi, then whips him corner to corner. Naito runs in to rocket kick, sweep and dropkick, Combinacion Cabron! Naito keeps on Ibushi with a neckbreaker, cover, TWO! Ibushi rolls away but Naito catches up to him. Naito throws elbows in the corner over and over, then hoists Ibushi up top. Naito climbs up to join Ibushi but Ibushi resists. Ibushi and Naito brawl with big forearms and Ibushi sends Naito down! Naito staggers up, runs back in but Ibushi goes up and over and SNAP RANAS! Fans fire up as both men are down!

Ibushi and Naito head for their corners, hot tags to Sanada and Kojima! Sanada kicks and whips Kojima to a corner but Kojima dodges! Kojima fires off the MACHINE GUN CHOPS!! Kojima whips Sanada corner to corner, runs in and forearms Sanada down! Fans fire up and Kojima climbs up, for the DIVING ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Kojima keeps his focus and he drags Sanada back up. Kojima fires off forearms, but Sanada ducks the discus. Kojima elbows out of the waistlock and runs, but Sanada dodges to dropkick the legs out! Kojima bails out, Sanada takes aim, and PLANCHAS! Direct hit and fans fire up! Sanada encourages them to get louder and the fans oblige.

Sanada drags Kojima up and in, goes to the apron and springboards but Kojima dodges! Kojima kicks and DDT’s! Ibushi gets in to intercept Takagi! Honma drags Sanada up and headbutts! Ibushi ROUNDHOUSES! COZY CUTTER! Cover, but Naito slips in to break it up! Honma keeps Takagi out, Ibushi throws Naito out, and they keep LIJ down against the railing! Kojima runs but into a dropkick! Kojima stays up but Sanada deflects the lariat! Sanada ducks, O’Conner, TWO, into the dragon sleeper! But Kojima slips out to BRAIN BUSTER! Naito fights Ibushi off but Kojima covers, TWO!

Kojima keeps his focus then fires up! Kojima runs, but Sanada ducks the lariat to full nelson, then shiranui, to dragon sleeper! Sanada feeds Kojima to Naito’s atomic drop! Naito enziguris and Sanada dropkicks, then Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! Sanada hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, but Ibushi and Honma both break it! Naito throws Ibushi out and Takagi is after Honma. Sanada has Kojima for a scoop and backbreaker! Sanada goes up top, for the ROUNDING BODY PRESS MOONSAULT! Cover, LIJ wins!

Winners: Los Ingobenables de Japon, by pinfall

Naito taunts Ibushi about the win, but a Six Man Tag is far from 1v1. Will Naito still be on the winning end against Ibushi, only to then face Jay White on WK15 Night 2? Naito also insists he raise Sanada’s and Takagi’s hands, and then he kicks the ref out of the ring, literally! As for Sanada and Takagi, will they use this momentum to help in World Tag League’s 9th and final round?

Master Wato w/ Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Taiji Ishimori!

The Way of the Grandmaster may be just off course of the top spot, but he could jump the line with a win against THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion! Will Bone Soldier Reborn make sure to stop Wato’s rise before it begins?

The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. Ishimori taunts Tenzan and Tenzan gets on the apron, but then Ishimori sucker punches Wato! Ishimori bumps Wato into Tenzan as he whips him away! Ishimori drops then hurdles, but Wato leaps over to shotgun dropkick Ishimori out! Fans fire up as Wato builds speed, but Ishimori avoids the baseball slide. Ishimori goes in and baseball slide dropkicks Wato back! Ishimori drags Wato up to whip him into railing! Wato drops to his knees but Ishimori brings him up to whip again. Wato leaps over the railing! And forearms back, to use the railing to springboard, flying uppercut!

Fans cheer Wato as he puts Ishimori back in the ring. Wato stomps Ishimori then drags him back up for a cravat and snapmare. Wato KICKS Ishimori in the back, covers, TWO! Wato keeps his cool as he brings Ishimori up and wrenches. Wato clubs the arm, cravats again then clubs Ishimori again. Wato has Ishimori in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs in only to be put on the apron. Wato forearms Ishimori away but Ishimori trips up the springboard! Ishimori looms over Wato, clubs him down, then drags him up. Fans rally as Ishimori wrenches and clubs the arm again. Ishimori drags Wato down and keeps on the arm, and drops knees on the shoulder!

Ishimori pulls on the arm, Wato moves around and fans rally up. Wato reaches with his legs but Ishimori hammerlocks and stands Wato up. Ishimori RAMS the arm into buckles! Wato clutches that arm but Ishimori gives toying knees to the shoulder. Wato CHOPS, Ishimori clubs Wato and wrenches the arm to snapmare Wato down. Ishimori pushes Wato down and rolling wrings out the arm! Ishimori drags Wato around to put on the double wristlock. Fans rally as Wato endures and moves around. Wato fights up and throws body shots. Ishimori throws Wato down and keeps on the arm, but Wato gets the ropebreak with a leg!

Red Shoes counts, Ishimori lets off. Ishimori drags Wato back up, and throws Wato shoulder first into buckles! And then again! Ishimori drags Wato back up to wrench the arm and clamp onto the shoulder. Ishimori drives elbows in, but Wato tries to fight his way up. Ishimori drives in more elbows, then drags Wato into a ghost pin, ONE! Wato is on his stomach and Ishimori pulls the arm back, and YANKS on it! Wato clutches the shoulder, but Ishimori looms over him. Ishimori brings Wato up, Wato throws forearms, but Ishimori CHOPS him off his feet! Fans cheer that chopping power, and Ishimori drives elbows in. Wato back elbows, back hands and SOBATS!

Both men are down and fans rally up! Wato and Ishimori rise at opposite ends, and Ishimori runs in, but Wato dropkicks him down and out! Wato fires up and builds speed, to TORNILLO! Direct hit at the ramp! Wato fetches Ishimori and throws elbows before he puts Ishimori back in the ring. Wato aims from the apron, fans rally again, and Wato springboards for the flying uppercut! Cover, TWO! Wato grits his teeth and shakes out the bad arm as he drags Ishimori back up. Wato wrenches, reels Ishimori in but Ishimori fights off the Mouse Trap. Wato knees Ishimori but Ishimori blocks a kick. Wato dodges the jumping knee and only gets Ishimori with a glancing blow on that sobat.

Wato KICKS Ishimori off his feet, covers, TWO! Wato kicks Ishimori’s right side from both front and back, then kicks Ishimori’s left side from front and back. Ishimori ducks the buzzsaw, rolls Wato up, TWO! Wato rolls Ishimori, Ishimori slips out but Wato KICKS him down! Fans fire up with Wato as he drags Ishimori back up. Wato scoops, but Ishimori slips out to waistlock. Wato elbows free, runs, but into a scoop! SHOULDER BUSTER! Ishimori is after the arm and rolls into the YES LOCK! Wato endures, reaches and crawls, and gets the ropebreak! Ishimori lets go and catches his breath. Fans rally up, Ishimori stalks Wato and drags him back up.

Ishimori kicks low then rakes eyes! Red Shoes reprimands but Ishimori aims from a corner. Ishimori runs to JOHN WOO SHOTGUN! Wato ends up in the corner, Ishimori runs in to METEORA! Cover, TWO!! Wato survives but Ishimori keeps his focus. Fans rally as Ishimori drags Wato up again. Ishimori gut wrenches but Wato slips out and ROUNDHOUSES Ishimori down! Wato fires up and drags Ishimori into a lift, but Ishimori counters the bomb to a DDT!! Both men are down, fans fire up and the two crawl at each other. Wato fires off a forearm but Ishimori gives it back. Wato gives another forearm, so Ishimori gives it back again.

Fans rally as they pick up speed and get to their feet! Ishimori fires off several but Wato KICKS back! Ishimori BOOTS and throws elbows over and over! Ishimori runs but into Wato’s tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Wato drags Ishimori up into an ANACONDA CROSS! Another move Tenzan has passed down to Wato! Ishimori endures the hold, and arm-drags out of the slam! Ishimori KNEES, Wato DREAMCAST KICKS! Both men are down and fans fire up! Wato gets up first and he drags Ishimori up to wrench the arm. Wato reels Ishimori in, MOUSE TRAP DRIVER! Cover, TWO!?! Ishimori escapes at perhaps 2.9 because Wato thought he had it!

Wato drags Ishimori back up, scoops him, but Ishimori fights off TTD to gut wrnech and CIPHER UTAKI! Both men are down again and fans fire up more! Ishimori throws off his own KT tape on his shoulder as he gets up with the ropes. Ishimori aims at Wato and says BANG before he drags Wato back up. BLOODY- NO! Wato slips out, tilt-o-whirls and rolls Ishimori, but gets caught into the omoplata! Ishimori shifts sides to get the BONE LOCK!! Wato crawls, reaches, but Ishimori rolls him away! And drags him up for BLOODY CROSS!! Cover, Ishimori wins!

Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by pinfall; now 6-2, Wato is now 4-4

The Bone Soldier is still going strong! But those two losses are going to hurt him. Can he stay strong to the end and be a finalist?

Ryusuke Taguchi VS Hiromu Takahashi!

The Funky Weapon won’t have a spot in the finals, but the Timebomb hasn’t punched his ticket yet, either! Will Taguchi spoil things for Hiromu this close to the end?

The bell rings and Taguchi’s using his fancy footwork again. Taguchi tests the waters with a spinning hip attack, but Hiromu copies him! Taguchi sees if Hiromu can keep up, and Hiromu can. It’s becoming a dance contest now, and the fans don’t mind! Hiromu copies Taguchi’s wave hand two step, and then feels like he just took critical damage. Fans cheer as Hiromu gets up, and both he and Taguchi want Red Shoes to do the dancing. Red Shoes politely declines so Taguchi starts running the ropes. Hiromu runs the ropes, too! They keep going and going, but then Taguchi starts passing Hiromu on faster and faster.

Hiromu keeps going, and going, and now Taguchi is the one lost. Hiromu SHOTGUN DROPKICKS Taguchi! Taguchi ends up on the apron and Hiromu finally catches his breath. Hiromu runs and sunset flips! Taguchi holds onto ropes, then drops down on Hiromu! Hiromu staggers away from that funky drop, and Taguchi pursues at the rope, BIG hip attack! Fans cheer and clap “TA-GU-CHI!” as a ring count starts. Taguchi drags Hiromu up at 7, but puts on OH MY ANKLE LOCK! Hiromu endures, the count climbs to 12 and Taguchi hurries to the ring! Taguchi is in at 15 and thinks he’s won! Hiromu hobbles and gallops to the apron! Hiromu is up at 18 but Taguchi hip attacks him down!

Taguchi wants the last two counts to go but Red Shoes says that was a reset. The count starts from 1 and climbs to 7 before Hiromu gets up. Taguchi hip attacks Hiromu down, but he’s stuck in the ropes! The count is 15! Hiromu flounders up at 18, in at 19, and yet Taguchi is still stuck! Red Shoes points out one of Taguchi’s feet is hooked on the bottom rope, and Hiromu sees this for himself. Hiromu asks what the heck. Hiromu goes out to the apron and dropkicks the funky weapon! And then he unhooks Taguchi, drags him out and whips him into railing! And more railing!

Hiromu gets space and Taguchi slowly sits up. Hiromu runs back in and JOHN WOO SHOTGUNS Taguchi into railing! Taguchi slumps down and Hiromu drags him up. Hiromu puts Taguchi in, covers, TWO! Fans cheer but Hiromu keeps his cool. Hiromu stands Taguchi up to CHOP to a corner, then whip him corner to corner. Hiromu hits a clothesline, rolls Taguchi and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Hiromu puts on the headscissor squeeze! Taguchi endures and fans rally up. Taguchi moves around but Hiromu squeeze tighter. Taguchi keeps reaching and gets a ropebreak with a foot. Hiromu holds on until Red Shoes counts.

Hiromu keeps cool, paces and has Red Shoes check on Taguchi. Taguchi sputters but he’s okay to continue. Hiromu drags Taguchi up, but Taguchi CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Taguchi runs, but the hip attack gets an atomic drop! Hiromu runs, and atomic drops the hip attack again! Taguchi goes to a corner, Hiromu runs in but Taguchi boots him! Taguchi runs, dodges and ducks to hip attack, and miss! Hiromu lets Taguchi crash ‘n’ burn and fans cheer. Hiromu drags Taguchi back up and CHOPS him! Hiromu whips, Taguchi reverses but Hiromu avoids the spinning hip attack! Only to run into a spinning hip attack anyway!

Fans fire up as Hiromu bails out and Taguchi TRIANGLE PLANCHAS! Direct hit and Taguchi gets Hiromu in. Taguchi springboards for a missile hip! Hiromu flounders out of the ring and Taguchi FLIES!! Direct hit with the tope conjilo! Fans fire up and Taguchi gets to his feet. Commentary lets Taguchi know that was amazing. Taguchi brings Hiromu up and puts him in the ring. Taguchi suplexes Hiromu for a gourd buster, then rolls to the corner! Taguchi powers up, “ORAYO!” BUM- NO! Hiromu rolls it away, but it comes back! BOOMERANG BUMAYE! Cover, TWO! Hiromu survives but Taguchi takes aim again.

Taguchi runs in but he fakes out the overhead throw! And then gets OH MY ANKLE LOCK! Hiromu has the ropebreak already so Taguchi lets go in frustration. Taguchi brings Hiromu up, chicken wings but Hiromu elbows free. Taguchi deflects the superkick and dropkicks the leg out! OH MY ANKLE LOCK! Hiromu endures, fans rally, and Hiromu rolls to throw Taguchi away. Taguchi comes back, but Hiromu sees the feint coming this time. Taguchi still dodges the clothesline, but then Hiromu fakes Taguchi out on trying to steal the overhead throw! Hiromu asks if Taguchi is okay, and then drags him up. Taguchi CHOPS, runs, but into the POP-UP BOMB! Cover, TWO!

Taguchi survives and fans cheer! Hiromu keeps his cool and brings Taguchi back up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, for a CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Fans fire up with Hiromu and he drags Taguchi back up. Hiromu fireman’s carries again, but Taguchi does some kind of Superman planking to get free. Hiromu just lets him hit the floor and then he stomps Taguchi down. Hiromu drags Taguchi up, fireman’s carries again, but again Taguchi goes Superman to escape! Taguchi says he’s got the perfect counter strategy! Hiromu suplexes but Taguchi blocks and suplexes back! Uno amigo! Dos amigos! Hiromu slips out of the third amigo to waistlock but Taguchi rolls, to OH MY ANKLE LOCK!

Hiromu rolls but Taguchi holds on tight! Hiromu turns over, kicks Taguchi away, but Taguchi runs in, but into the fireman’s! Taguchi slips out, ducks the elbow and gets a leg for a DRAGON SCREW! To OH MY ANKLE! Fans rally and Hiromu crawls and gets up, to reel Taguchi into D! The triangle hold brings Taguchi down! Taguchi endures, fans rally up, and Taguchi fights up. Taguchi tries to dead lift but Hiromu wrangles him back down. Hiromu holds tight but Taguchi gets the ropebreak! Hiromu lets go and Taguchi stays put. Hiromu slaps Taguchi around and eggs him on. Does Taguchi not take this serious?

Hiromu slaps Taguchi again, Taguchi SLAPS Hiromu! Taguchi’s getting serious for once as he slaps and kicks Hiromu to a corner then stomps away! Taguchi stands on Hiromu’s head, Red Shoes reprimands but Taguchi asks who isn’t taking this serious now?! This “Scary Taguchi” keeps standing on Hiromu’s head! Taguchi stomps Hiromu in the chest! Red Shoes finally gets Taguchi to let off and fans rally up. Taguchi waits for Hiromu to get up, and he reels Hiromu in. Hiromu CHOPS, runs, but Taguchi dropkicks! Taguchi drags Hiromu up, Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Taguchi stays up, Hiromu runs, and Taguchi dropkicks Hiromu again!

Taguchi drags Hiromu back up, chicken wings, DODON- No, Hiromu victory rolls but Taguchi holds it off! Hiromu pulls Taguchi’s tights down! Taguchi stays standingand he SITS on Hiromu! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and Taguchi reveals it’s a FUNDOSHI he’s wearing! A black fundoshi?! Taguchi tucks it all back into his tights as fans cheer. Taguchi drags Hiromu up, and torture racks! But Hiromu victory rolls, only for Taguchi to sit on it again! TWO, OH MY ANKLE!! Hirom screams, reaches for the ropes, but Taguchi drops an elbow on the leg! OH MY ANKLE! Hiromu claws his way over as fans rally up but Taguchi brings him away.

Taguchi ducks the enziguri and cranks on the hold! Hiromu pulls at his hair, even as Taguchi twists the ankle! Hiromu claws, and gets the ropebreak! Fans are thunderous as Taguchi lets Hiromu go. Taguchi looms over Hiromu, drags him up and brings him in to chicken wing. DODON- NO, Hiromu pops out to suplex. Taguchi slips out, wrenches but Hiromu forearms! Taguchi hip attacks, bops and hip attacks! Hiromu fires up and fires off forearms! Hiromu runs, into a hip attack! Taguchi runs, and hip attacks into a GERMAN! But Taguchi pops right up! Taguchi watches Hiromu rise and the fans fire up. Thumbs up, but he plans to use it as a weapon!

Hiromu dodges the thumb lariat, but then runs into a LEFT LARIAT! Taguchi drags Hiromu up, chicken wings but Hiromu counters again to a WHEELBARROW COMPLETE SHOT! Fans fire up, Hiromu and Taguchi rise, and Hiromu runs to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Hiromu drags Taguchi up, VICTORIA! Hiromu fires up more and dragon sleepers, inverted suplex, but Taguchi slips out to hit a reverse DDT! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Taguchi rises, drags Hiromu up but Hiromu throws a forearm. Taguchi throws a forearm back, but Hiromu gives another. Fans rally as the forearms fly back and forth, faster and faster!

Taguchi ROCKS Hiromu, then drags Hiromu up again, but Hiromu fires off furious forearms! Taguchi blocks the superkick but Hiromu ducks the enziguri! Hiromu runs into an ENZIGURI! But he SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS! Taguchi stays up but wobbles, Hiromu runs into Taguchi’s THUMB BOMBER! Taguchi drags Hiromu up, DODON- No, it’s a TIGER SUPLEX! Taguchi knew Hiromu was expecting the Dodon so he changed it! Taguchi drags Hiromu up and chicken wings, to DODON BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and fans are thunderous again!

Taguchi keeps his focus and he drags Hiromu back up. Taguchi fireman’s carries, for a CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Taguchi used Hiromu’s move! But then he calls he’s going to steal! Fireman’s carry, TIME- SUNSET FLIP! HIGH STACK, Hiromu wins!!

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall; now 6-2, Taguchi is now 3-5

Maybe Taguchi shouldn’t have given away his plan. Taguchi was so close to blowing up Hiromu’s chances, but now it all blows up in his face. Hiromu gets the mic before Taguchi leaves and says, “Taguchi-san, I was wrong about you. You aren’t just an ordinary pervert. You’re a fantastic pervert.” Thta’s a compliment? Hiromu does say he has learned a lot from Taguchi in this match. Or not. But please, go. Please go. Please, be on your way. Yes, thank you. So he’s just a normal pervert after all.

Hiromu says now that it’s just him, he’ll let us in on something: yesterday was his birthday! He knows the fans can’t sing a birthday song for him, so he’ll sing it himself. “Happy Birthday to me~! Happy birthday to me~! Happy birthday dear Hiromu-chawawawawawan~ awoo~! Happy birthday to meeeeeee~!” Thanks, everyone! The Super Juniors are almost over, and Hiromu just needs to win two more times! So let’s have more, more, more, more, more, MORE, MORE, MORE FUN TOGETHER! Will Hiromu get himself the best birthday present of all in the BOSJ 27 trophy?

Here are the current Best of the Super Juniors 27 standings!

El Desperado: 6-2
SHO: 6-2
Hiromu Takahashi: 6-2
Taiji Ishimori: 6-2
BUSHI: 4-4 [ELIMINATED]
Master Wato: 4-4 [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-5 [ELIMINATED]
Robbie Eagles: 3-5 [ELIMINATED]
DOUKI: 2-6 [ELIMINATED]
Yuya Uemura: 0-8 [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

A great round eight and there are FOUR at 6-2! Naturally the champion, Ishimori, is still in the running, but with Hiromu and Desperado also in the running, he’d basically have to be the only one to win to be a finalist. And as I said last round, I feel like WrestleKingdom 15’s IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship match(es) have to come down to combinations of Ishimori, Hiromu and Desperado. Ishimori faces Sho, and I feel he will win that to put pressure on the other two. Hiromu faces Wato, who just lost to Ishimori and could try to be a spoiler. El Desperado faces Bushi, and to help Hiromu, Bushi will definitely give it his all so that Hiromu has a chance.

Uemura looked strong even in defeat again, but he might be Eagles’ last win of the BOSJ. It was also fun to have the Six Man Tag to act as the closest thing to a “go-home” for Naito and Ibushi. They of course weren’t involved in the finish, keeping the math for their WK15 match even. It mostly gave more momentum to Takagi and Sanada as they go for the World Tag League win. And Taguchi VS Hiromu was great stuff for a great main event. I feel I was proven right from last round that Taguchi is a master of doing both the comedic and the serious. He literally did both in that match with Hiromu! Taguchi’s last match is with Douki, so he should end his BOSJ 27 with a win.

My Score: 9.1/10

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

11 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.