Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 32 Results & Report! (8/14/22)

Go Ace, or Go To Sleep?

Published

7 months ago

August 14, 2022

Steven Mitchell

When facing the Fang Revived, will The Ace survive?

After losing the IWGP US Championship, Kenta has wanted payback on Hiroshi Tanahashi! Will he get it through NJPW’s biggest G1 Climax ever?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

8 Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Kosei Fujita, Ryohei Oiwa & Yuto Nakashima VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
Bad Dude Tito & JONAH VS Will Ospreay & Aaron Henare; Ospreay & Henare win.
8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Suzuki-Gun; Chaos wins.
Tama Tonga & Jado VS Jay White & Gedo; Tama & Jado win.
G1 Climax, D Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS David Finlay; Hashi wins.
G1 Climax, B Block: Taichi VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins.
G1 Climax, A Block: Tom Lawlor VS Jeff Cobb; Lawlor wins.
G1 Climax, C Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS KENTA; Kenta wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current standings!

A Block

Kazuchika Okada: 4-1, 8 points
Lance Archer: 3-2, 6 points
JONAH: 3-2, 6 points
Jeff Cobb: 3-2, 6 points
Bad Luck Fale: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Tom Lawlor: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Toru Yano: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

B Block

Jay White: 5-0, 10 points
Tama Tonga: 4-1, 8 points
SANADA: 3-2, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Taichi: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Chase Owens: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Great-O-Khan: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Tomohiro Ishii: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

C Block

Zack Sabre Jr: 4-1, 8 points
Hirooki Goto: 3-2, 6 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-2, 6 points
Tetsuya Naito: 3-2, 6 points
EVIL: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
KENTA: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Aaron Henare: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

D Block

David Finlay: 3-2, 6 points
Shingo Takagi: 3-2, 6 points
Will Ospreay: 3-2, 6 points
Yujiro Takahashi: 3-3, 6 points
El Phantasmo: 2-3, 4 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 2-3, 4 points
Juice Robinson: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED?]

G1 Climax, D Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS David Finlay!

The D Block is insane right now! Are all seven men still viable for the semifinals? Will the Headhunter plunge things into chaos with a win over The Rebel? Or will Finlay make things clear and establish himself as THE semifinalist?

The bell rings and fans rally as the two stare down. Finlay encourages the fans to get louder and they oblige, then Finlay and Hashi tie up. They’re in a deadlock until Finlay finds a point of leverage. Finlay puts Hashi on the ropes, wants after the bad arm, but the ref counts. Finlay lets off at 4 and fans applaud as the two reset. Hashi kicks low, headlocks, but Finlay rolls Hashi to a cover, TWO! Hashi grinds the headlock, Finlay fights up and powers out, but Hashi runs Finlay over! Fans applaud and Hashi runs again, but Finlay drops to hurdle, but Hashi waistlocks. Finlay elbows free, runs, but Hashi CLOBBERS him with the elbow!

Hashi shakes out that bad arm while fans rally up. Hashi stands Finlay up to CLUB him on the back, and has Finlay in the corner. Finlay kicks back but Hashi blocks to CLUB the leg and CHOP Finlay! Finlay is stinging already, but he CHOPS back. Hashi CHOPS again and Finlay drops to his knees! Hashi shakes out the bad arm, drags Finlay up and reels him in. Fans rally again as Finlay fights the suplex. Hashi wrenches but Finlay ROCKS Hashi first! Then he hits an ARMBREAKER DDT! Hashi clutches that bad arm while fans fire up. Finlay storms over to get the arm and drops a knee on it! Then Finlay clamps on with a double wristlock! Hashi scrambles to the ROPEBREAK!

Fans applaud as Finlay lets off, then Finlay stomps the arm. Finlay throws Hashi out then PLANCHAS! Direct hit and Hashi is down! Fans fire up and Finlay paces. Hashi clutches the bad arm but Finlay puts him in the ring. Finlay SLAMS the arm on the mat and Hashi clutches it. Finlay brings Hashi up to EuroUpper then forearm and stomp in the corner. The ref counts, Finlay stomps harder and harder, and fans clap along until Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay eggs Hashi on and fans rally up. Hashi sits up, Finlay brings him around to snapmare and trap the arm in a chinlock! Hashi endures, fights to move around, but Finlay twists Hashi from the ropes!

Hashi keeps kicking and reaching out, to the ROPEBREAK! Finlay lets off, but with a stomp! Fans rally while Hashi still shields his bad arm. Finlay looms over Hashi, brings him up and cranks on the bad arm. Hashi resists the takedown and throws body shots. Finlay knees low, whips Hashi to ropes, but Hashi dropkicks the legs out! Finlay clutches the knee while getting away to a corner. Fans rally up and Hashi shakes the bad arm. Hashi runs in at the corner to CHOP! Hashi whips Finlay out to CHOP, mule kick and then turn, but Finlay fights the neckbreaker. Finlay swings but Hashi dodges the lariat to come back with the HEADHUNTER!

Fans fire up as Finlay goes to another corner. Hashi shakes the arm, goes back in and clotheslines with the good arm! Then the NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Hashi keeps his cool while fans rally up. Hashi drags Finlay up, reels him in and hooks the leg, but Finlay fights the fisherman suplex. Hashi throws a forearm but Finlay gives it back, and fans rally as they pick up speed! The forearms go back and forth, Finlay gets the edge, but Hashi ROCKS and CHOPS! Finlay ROCKS, UPPERCUTS, but Hashi backslides! TWO! Hashi swings, but into the IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Finlay holds on, and he hits another IRISH CURSE! And then a THIRD IRISH CURSE! Cover, TWO!

Fans fire up as Hashi survives that hattrick but Finlay tells Hashi to just give up already! Fans rally, “GET BACK UP! GET BACK UP!” for Hashi but Finlay slashes his throat to say this is over! Finlay drags Hashi up and reels him in, but Hashi fights the suplex to SPIN BACK KICK! Finlay tumbles to the apron and fans rally again. Hashi shakes out the bad arm, storms over to the ropes, but Finlay gets him for an ARM HOTSHOT! Finlay steps in, into the SUPERKICK! Fisherman to KUMA- STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRE! Cover, TWO!! Not quite Prima Nocta but Finlay says he’s gonna bring Hashi around for the drop!

Finlay drags Hashi up, cravats and goes up, but no Acid Drop! Finlay blocks Hashi’s superkick and rolls him up, TWO! Hashi is up but he runs into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! High stack, TWO! Finlay grows frustrated while the fans rally up again. Finlay vows to end it this time, and he gets Hashi up to suplex. TRASH- NO, Hashi slips out to a waistlock! Finlay throws elbows into the bad arm then runs, into a SUPERKICK! But Finlay LARIATS on the rebound! Cravat, ACID- NO, Hashi fights the drop and full nelsons, KARMA CRADLE! Cover, HASHI WINS!!

Winner: Yoshi-Hashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Finlay earns 0)

Chaos it is, then! The Headhunter beats The Rebel who beat the Kingpin, the Dragon and the Booster, but the Rebel lost to the Headbanga and the Tokyo Pimp, so what does any of this mean for the semifinals?!

G1 Climax, B Block: Taichi w/ Miho Abe VS Great-O-Khan!

The B Block is almost the opposite of the D Block. We know it comes down to Jay White or Tama Tonga, so the Holy Emperor is fighting the Dominator for pride. Will Taichi take out his frustrations from yesterday on Khan here? Or will this emperor be conquered by the United Empire?

Khan patiently waits as Taichi takes off his cloak and shows off the dancing pecs. Fans applaud, Taichi still wins something here. The bell rings and Khan waits on Taichi again. Taichi takes his time stepping out of the corner to circle with Khan, but Taichi avoids Khan’s advances on the legs. Fans applaud as Taichi drops back to a corner, and Khan sits with his leg guard. Khan dares Taichi to try something but Taichi smirks. Taichi isn’t going to fall for Khan’s technical trap, and he takes his sumo stance instead. Now Taichi dares Khan to try something. Sumo versus ground wrestling? Fans rally up, wanting to see what wins.

Khan sits back more but Taichi leans forward, each still egging the other on. It’s a mental game here, and it seems to be in a deadlock. Taichi hits his three point stance but Khan sits with one leg forward. The ref tells them to break this inactivity! Fans applaud as both men stand up and reset. Taichi and Khan circle slowly but Taichi is still doing sumo body slaps. They rush each other, and Khan is trying a sumo clinch just like Taichi! They move around, each trying to get a better grip. They circle, Khan goes for the arm but Taichi fights it off! Taichi tries now but Khan fights it off! Fans applaud as they return to the deadlock.

Khan and Taichi keep feeling out the situation, and Khan has a grip on the waistband! Khan starts pushing Taichi back, but Taichi digs in his heels. Taichi then goes after Khan’s waistband, but Khan digs his heels in! They go back to a deadlock, Khan gets a body clinch! BEARHUG! Taichi fights it with the sumo clinch! Taichi THROWS Khan! Fans are fired up while Taichi goes to a corner. Khan staggers up, fans rally, and Taichi runs in but Khan RAMS shoudlers with him! And again! And again! Khan runs, but into a BOOT! Khan BOOTS back, so Taichi SOBATS! Khan Mongolian CHOPS! AX BOMBER outta nowhere!

Fans fire up with Taichi! He hits the three point stance, YOKOZUNA- SAYANAGI from Khan! Khan drags Taichi into the HITSUJIGOROSHI LUNA! Taichi endures the Sheep Killer Rack as Khan thrashes him around! Fans rally up, “TA-I-CHI!” “SU-BA-RU!” Er, wait, “GREAT-O-KHAN!” IRON CLAW! Khan drags Taichi up, but Taichi breaks free! Khan thrusts but into an Alabama Lift! Taichi adjusts for BLACK- IRON CLAW! Khan fights free and he squeezes Taichi’s head! But Taichi CHOKES Khan! The ref reprimands, but Khan squeezes harder! Khan’s claw is winning out! Taichi fades, Khan drags him back up into the ELIMI-

NO, Taichi gets around, GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!! Khan gets up and shoots in but into a sprawl! But Khan still SNAP SUPLEXES! Fisherman bridge, KHAN WINS!!!

Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taichi earns 0)

Adding insult to injury, Khan wins with the “Pancake Hold!” Will Taichi live it down that he lost to a move with such an adorable name?

G1 Climax, A Block: Tom Lawlor w/ Royce Isaacs VS Jeff Cobb!

The Filthy One is out of the running with his big losses to Okada, Jonah and Archer, but he could get a big win right here! Will Lawlor spoil things for the Imperial Unit? Or will his G1 end with a Tour of the Islands?

Fans rally for “TOM! LAW-LOR!” already and spins around and around! He does some drop steps, then OFF COME THE SHORTS! Luckily, he’s still got the denim tights underneath. Wait, Cobb starts spinning? Oh, to take off his wrist tape. This is getting serious already! The bell rings and Cobb circles with Lawlor. Fans rally up as the two feel out the grapple. Lawlor rushes in but Cobb blocks and gets around to a waistlock. Lawlor spins around to try again but Cobb still blocks the leg pick. Cobb gets around and wants a leg, but Lawlor moves up so Cobb gets the waistlock again. Lawlor turns around, they clinch and end up against the ropes.

Fans applaud and Red Shoes calls the ropebreak. Cobb lets off and Lawlor applauds the clean break. They go again. Lawlor tries the fireman’s carry but Cobb is too sturdy for that. Cobb tries for an armlock, Lawlor moves around so Cobb tries for a gut wrench, but Lawlor manages a low back drop! Cobb gets the waistlock and gator rolls with Lawlor! Lawlor slips out, waistlocks back but Cobb uses that to push Lawlor over. Lawlor shifts up to get a SLEEPER, but Cobb scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls the break and Lawlor lets off with a pat on the shoulder. Fans applaud as Lawlor gives Cobb space, and they reset again.

“TOM! LAW-LOR!” waits on Cobb, they tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and Lawlor wrenches an arm. Cobb ROCKS Lawlor with the other, but Lawlor wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, then kicks, kicks and KICKS! Lawlor leaps, but into Cobb’s arms! FALL AWAY SLAM! Fans fire up as both men are down on the mat! Lawlor gets himself to the corner and Cobb gets the claps going for him! “JEFF! COB-BU!” runs corner to corner to back elbow, into a SLEEPER! Lawlor hops on to be a backpack, but Cobb RAMS him into the corner! Lawlor holds on, Cobb goes to the ropes, and then he throws Lawlor off! Lawlor tumbles to the floor!

Fans rally while Cobb sputters and coughs. Lawlor staggers up but Cobb is there to ROCK him! Lawlor throws a forearm back so Cobb throat chops! Cobb puts Lawlor in the ring, but Lawlor comes back for a TRIANGLE HOLD! Cobb stays up as Lawlor tries to drag him down, and Cobb deadlifts for an APRON BOMB! Lawlor flops down and writhes while Cobb sputters again. Fans rally up, Cobb brings Lawlor up to ROCK him in the back! Cobb ROCKS Lawlor again, then follows him around the corner. Lawlor gets in the ring and Cobb follows. Cobb brings Lawlor up to CLUB him down, and Cobb brings Lawlor up.

Cobb waistlocks and RAMS Lawlor into the corner. Cobb whips corner to corner and Lawlor hits hard! Cobb runs in to FLYING UPPERCUT! Fans fire up and Cobb covers, TWO! Cobb drags Lawlor around, stomps on him, and then stands on him to go surfing! Fans clap for “JEFF! COB-BU!” and he steps off. Lawlor grits his teeth and sits up to throw a heavy body shot! And another! Cobb HEADBUTTS Lawlor then reels him in for a short arm LARIAT! Cobb claps along but Lawlor grabs a leg! Cobb stomps Lawlor but then Lawlor grabs that leg in a grapevine! Cobb CLUBS away on Lawlor and Lawlor lets go, but then Lawlor KICKS the leg!

Lawlor KICKS the leg again and again, then kicks up at Cobb! Lawlor draws Cobb in and balances Cobb on his feet! And then drops Cobb into the ARMBAR! Fans rally as Lawlor clubs Cobb’s grip to the rhythm! The grip breaks and Lawlor has the ARMBAR!! But Cobb moves around! Cover, ONE, and Lawlor has a KNEEBAR HEADSCISSOR COMBO! Cobb fights up and out of the headscissors to then CLUB away on Lawlor! Cobb is free of the kneebar but then he CLUBS Lawlor, clamps on both hands, and DEADLIFTS to the OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Fans fire up for that wild display of strength! And then fans rally as both Cobb and Lawlor rise.

Cobb drags Lawlor up, pump handles and lifts, but Lawlor kicks off the ropes for an ARMBREAKER DDT! Lawlor then omoplatas one arm, but Cobb won’t let him have the other, so Lawlor gets an ANKLE LOCK! Cobb kicks free, rolls Lawlor away, but swings into an URENAGE! Fans fire up again as both men are down! Lawlor crawls to the cover, TWO! Lawlor pounds the mat and fans clap along again, “TOM! LAW-LOR!” Cobb goes to a corner, Lawlor aims from the opposite. Lawlor runs in to forearm smash! Lawlor keeps moving, another forearm smash! Lawlor goes the other way, one more FOREARM SMASH!

Lawlor reels Cobb in, TORNADO- NO, Cobb puts Lawlor on the ropes! But Lawlor BOOTS the haymaker away! Lawlor LEAPS, GUILLOTINE!! But Cobb powers up and out to SUPLEX! Fans fire up again as the two are down again! Fans rally, Lawlor flounders and Cobb crawls after. Cobb SLAPS Lawlor, Lawlor SLAPS Cobb. Both men sit up, Cobb throws a forearm but Lawlor gives it back. Fans rally as the forearms keep going, Cobb wobbles a moment but he ROCKS Lawlor. Lawlor fires off body shots! Cobb and Lawlor stand, the forearms keep going, Lawlor fires off kicks and a KNEE, then an ENZIGURI!

Lawlor fires up, runs, and BLINDSIDE WHEEL KICKS! Cover, TWO! Cobb is still in this and Lawlor is surprised. Lawlor gets the fans rallying again, then wrenches Cobb into an ELBOW BREAKER! And another, and then a hammerlock. Lawlor fires off “TOM! LAW-LOR!” forearms over and over! Lawlor roars, spins, but into a SUPERKICK! Lawlor staggers but roars, to SLAP Cobb down!! Lawlor also falls over and fans rally up again. Lawlor pushes himself up, he brings Cobb around, and Lawlor runs to PENALTY- NO, Cobb ducks, rolls Lawlor then DEADLIFT GERMANS! Cobb holds on to try again, but Lawlor pries at the arm!

Cobb GERMAN SUPLEXES with one arm! But Lawlor wrenches the other arm! Cobb tries but he can’t complete the suplex, Lawlor has the DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Cobb CLUBS away, rolls and throws Lawlor off, but Lawlor KNEES the bad arm! Then V-TRIGGERS Cobb up close! Lawlor gets the arms, KAMI-GOYE!! Cover, TWO!!! Cobb survives and fans fire up again! They clap as “TOM! LAW-LOR!” stands back up. Lawlor grabs at Cobb’s arms to tie Cobb up in the straitjacket. But Cobb stands up, reels Lawlor in, but Lawlor slips off the scoop! COBRA CLUTCH SUPLEX! Fans fire up while both men are down again!

Lawlor pounds the mat and fans clap along again! Lawlor drags Cobb up, straitjackets the arms, for NKTOB!!! Cover, Lawlor wins!!!

Winner: Tom Lawlor, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Cobb earns 0)

The Nasty Knee On The Brain finishes off the Imperial Unit! Both men end 3-3, meaning The Filthy One just spoiled Cobb’s run, who will take the A Block now?

G1 Climax, C Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS KENTA!

The Ace and the Fang Revived meet in both their last G1 match this year, and Tanahashi is on the bubble. Will Kenta avenge himself from their IWGP US Championship feud? Or will the Once in a Century Talent refuse to #GoToSleep?

Tanahashi shows off the muscles and fans applaud. The bell rings and fans rally, “Let’s Go, Ace! Let’s Go, Ace!” as Tanahashi and Kenta circle. Kenta gets fans to shift to his, “KEN-TA! KEN-TA!” claps, but Tanahashi gets “Let’s Go, Ace!” going pretty easily. It’s a clapping duel but it seems the Ace’s side wins out. So Kenta bails out of the ring to go looking under it. Kenta brings out a chair, but it has no seat. Kenta is annoyed and he goes looking for another. Red Shoes says to get in the ring, but Kenta hops the rails and snatches a chair from the timekeeper’s area. Kenta puts that chair in the ring, but Red Shoes says no, this isn’t a No Disqualification match.

Kenta is annoyed but he throws the chair aside. Tanahashi picks the chair up, to use it as a guitar! Kenta sucker punches Tanahashi! Kenta CLUBS Tanahashi, CHOPS him, throws uppercuts, then brings Tanahashi around to bump off buckles. Kenta ROCKS Tanahashi with a body shot, then ROCKS him with a haymaker! And another! Kenta whips corner to corner, then runs in to forearm smash! Kenta snapmares Tanahashi, KICKS him in the back and covers, TWO! Fans rally while Kenta clamps on a chinlock. Tanahashi endures and fights up but Kenta shifts to a headlock. Tanahashi pulls hair, and then he gets the headlock!

Red Shoes reprimands but Kenta powers up. Tanahashi holds on tight and grinds Kenta. Kenta rolls to a cover, TWO! Tanahashi holds onto the headlock and fans rally up. Kenta fights up to his feet, powers Tanahashi into a corner, and Red Shoes calls the break. Tanahashi grinds the hold but lets off at 4, to throw body shots! Tanahashi fires up and whips Kenta corner to corner, but Kenta reverses! Kenta runs in, but into an elbow! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Fans fire up and Tanahashi strums the air guitar. Kenta gets to the apron but Tanahashi drags him up. Kenta HOTSHOTS Tanahashi down, then drags him to the apron. But Tanahashi BOOTS Kenta into railing!

Tanahashi goes out after Kenta, drags him up, and puts him back in the ring. Fans rally up, but Tanahashi sees Kenta is already rolling to the adjacent side. Tanahashi hurries around the way to meet Kenta there! Tanahashi throws body shots and he puts Kenta in the ring again. Fans rally up, but Tanahashi again hurries to block Kenta from rolling out. Kenta rolls the other way and Tanahashi gets in, but Kenta BOOTS Tanahashi down! Tanahashi tumbles to the floor and Kenta goes out after him. Kenta whips Tanahashi hard into railing! Tanahashi falls over but Kenta drags him back up, and out into No Man’s Land! DDT to the floor!

Red Shoes reprimands but Kenta leaves Tanahashi behind. Fans rally up, “Let’s Go, Ace!” but Kenta refreshes the count to fetch Tanahashi. Kenta KICKS and KICKS and KICKS Tanahashi! Tanahashi falls over, Kenta drags him back to ringside and puts him in, only to drag him back out! The count is refreshed again, Kenta whips Tanahashi hard into more railing! Tanahashi falls over again and Kenta soaks up the applause. Kenta stomps Tanahashi around, then drags him up by his hair. The ring count starts again and Kenta POSTS Tanahashi! Kenta drags Tanahashi back up at 9 of 20 and puts him in at 11. Kenta pushes Tanahashi to a cover, TWO!

Fans rally up but Kenta drops an elbow, and then another elbow! And then he DOUBLE STOMPS! Tanahashi writhes but Kenta wraps him up in a body scissors! Tanahashi endures the squeeze, he pries at the hold, then drags himself forward to get the ROPEBREAK! Kenta holds on but Red Shoes counts. Kenta lets off at 4, drags Tanahashi up and turns him, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Tanahashi snarls, but Kenta stomps him. Tanahashi fires off fast hands! Tanahashi runs but into a kitchen sink knee! And then Kenta drops knees onto Tanahashi’s ribs! Kenta wraps Tanahashi back up in body scissors and the fans rally up!

Tanahashi endures all over again as Kenta puts on the squeeze! Tanahashi pulls on a leg for a toehold! Kenta scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Tanahashi pulls harder on the leg until 4! Kenta hobbles up and he KICKS Tanahashi! And BOOTS him! And KICKS! Tanahashi drops to a knee but he grits his teeth. Kenta kicks but Tanahashi block to CLUB the leg and fire off forearms! Kenta knees low, whops Tanahashi to a corner, but Tanahashi blocks his running boot! Tanahashi then shifts to have the leg for a DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up and Tanahashi drags Kenta back up to fire off fast hands!

Tanahashi whips, Kenta reverses but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up more as Tanahashi fires off more fast hands! And then scoop SLAMS Kenta into a drop zone! Tanahashi hops up and SUNSET SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Kenta is still in this but Tanahashi keeps his cool. Tanahashi waits on Kenta to rise, then he runs, but into a BOOT! Tanahashi rebounds to ROCK Kenta! Kenta rebounds to BOOT! Tanahashi rebounds, into Kenta’s POWERSLAM! Fans fire up while both men are down! Kenta sits up fast and he hurries to drag Tanahashi up. Kenta reels Tanahashi in but Tanahashi throws back elbows.

Tanahashi and Kenta go to opposite corners, and Tanahashi runs corner to corner, into a BOOT! Kenta goes up, he reels Tanahashi in, TORNADO STUNGUN! Tanahashi falls down and Kenta goes back up. Tanahashi stands, Kenta hits a FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Kenta rains down fists on Tanahashi! Red Shoes reprimands over closed fists and Kenta lets off, to then rain down more fists! And then he lets off, to rain down more fists! Red Shoes reprimands, Kenta’s throwing too many closed fists! Kenta stands up while fans rally, and Tanahashi snarls as he sits back up. Kenta gives him toying kicks but Tanahashi eggs him on!

Kenta kicks Tanahashi more but Tanahashi throws a forearm! Kenta throws it back, Tanahashi throws another! Fans fire up, Kenta ROCKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi ROCKS Kenta! They go again, Tanahashi eggs Kenta on, and Kenta fires another shot! Tanahashi fires another, Kenta fires another, repeat faster and faster! The fans fire up and then both men grab each other’s hair! Red Shoes reprimands, but they both shove him away! Kenta kicks low, but then he ducks and Tanahashi’s SHOTEI hits Red Shoes!! Down goes the referee! Kenta hits a DDT! Kenta then sees Red Shoes is down and realizes Tanahashi did that!

Kenta goes outside and he goes looking under the ring. Kenta brings out a CRUTCH! Kenta brings that crutch into the ring and he SMACKS Tanahashi across the chest with it! And then SMACKS him on the back! Fans fire up as Kenta SMACKS Tanahashi again! The crutch has bent, but Kenta just SMACKS Tanahashi again and again and again! Kenta throws the bent-up crutch away, drags Tanahashi up and throws Tanahashi out. Kenta then goes out after Tanahashi, and he drags Tanahashi around for a DDT to the ramp! The Ace is down and Kenta clears off the timekeeper’s table to confiscate it! Kenta wants to turn the tables on that No DQ match finish!

Kenta does his best to set this table up by the ramp, and he stomps Tanahashi for good measure. The table stands at the ready right by the ring, and Kenta drags Tanahashi over to it. Kenta SMACKS Tanahashi off the table, puts him on it, and rains down more fists! Kenta goes up the corner while fans rally up! But Tanahashi hurries up after Kenta! Tanahashi ROCKS Kenta, climbs up after him, and fans anticipate a new crash landing! Kenta resists the superplex and throws body shots! Kenta HEADBUTTS Tanahashi again and again and again! Tanahashi falls to the apron and Kenta hurries in to drag him through the ropes! BRAINKILLER!

Fans fire up as Kenta shouts to Red Shoes. Red Shoes is up and Kenta aims from a corner. Fans rally, “LET’S GO, ACE!” but he’s still down. Kenta waits, and he makes sure Red Shoes is focused on the match. Tanahashi slowly sits up in the corner, and Kenta runs in to FLYING BOOT! And then SOARING DROPKICK! Kenta fires up and fans fire up, too, as Kenta climbs up! COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives, and his kick-out sends Kenta into Red Shoes! Kenta drags Tanahashi onto the ropes and then goes to the apron. The table is there, and Kenta picks it up to SMACK Tanahashi with it! That’s thinking outside the box!

Kenta gets in the ring, he tells Red Shoes to get up already, and then he slashes his throat. Kenta fireman’s carries Tanahashi, GO TO- NO, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi turns things around and fans fire up again! Tanahashi roars, runs, but Kenta fireman’s carries! GO TO- SLINGBLADE!! Fans fire up more and Tanahashi roars! Tanahashi runs, SLINGBLADE again! Cover, TWO!! Kenta survives and Tanahashi goes to a corner! Tanahashi climbs up, Kenta stands, HIGH FLY ATTACK! And Tanahashi goes back up, to HIGH FLY FLOW onto knees!! Kenta saves himself, then hurries to a corner! Fans rally but Kenta runs in, BUSAIKU KNEE!! Cover, TWO!!

Fans are thunderous but Kenta is furious! Kenta fireman’s carries Tanahashi for the GO TO- SMALL PACKAGE! Tanahashi turns things around to a cover, TWO!!! Kenta escapes and fans are thunderous again! Kenta CROSS COUNTERS! And again! And again! And again, again, again, again!! SHOTEI!! SHOTEI CROSS COUNTER! ANOTHER!!! Tanahashi falls over but Kenta drags him back up! POINT-BLANK KNEE! And then the fireman’s carry, GO TO SLEEP!!! Cover, KENTA WINS!!

Winner: Kenta, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Tanahashi earns 0)

The Ace has fallen! The Once in a Century Talent is out of the running! The Worst Invader has done his job spoiling Tanahashi’s run! And he gets the mic to say, “It’s been a long time since we’ve been in Nagano. And I bet you all wanted to hear Tanahashi say he loves you. Well too bad~!” Fans applaud, because he is right. Kenta says they’re getting an advertisement for his book instead! Fans laugh but we all know Kenta means it. “Anyone have a copy?” A fan does, and Kenta tells the Young Lions to grab it from them. The fan, who is a child, does hand it over and the book is brought to the ring.

Kenta says his dream was to “win the main event and then plug my book.” Fans laugh and applaud that hilarious dream. “If you’ve got a copy, hold it up now.” No one does… “OI, NAGANO! Do you not have bookstores here? Okay, you don’t have bookstores here, but… No internet, either? Get it on Amazon and Rakuten! Those are websites, if you didn’t know. And I’m sure it’ll hit the Tokon Shop very soon. You’re all interested, aren’t you? Aren’t you?” Fans applaud, because yes, they’re interested. Kenta says he’ll remember everyone here clapping, so they better buy it.

So, his book is out, his G1 has ended, and he put his all into every match. “Not like that concerns you. But whatever. The G1 rolls on, so keep enjoying it. I see plenty of LIJ shirts, and others. Not a lot of my own…! Well, it’s been awhile, Nagano, but what I really wanted to say was… Next time we’re back, you’ll wanna all come out again.” Fans applaud because that is definitely true. Will Kenta have more than just a book to plug when NJPW does return to Nagano?

Here are the NEW standings!

A Block

Kazuchika Okada: 4-1, 8 points
Lance Archer: 3-2, 6 points
JONAH: 3-2, 6 points
Tom Lawlor: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Jeff Cobb: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Bad Luck Fale: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Toru Yano: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

B Block

Jay White: 5-0, 10 points
Tama Tonga: 4-1, 8 points
SANADA: 3-2, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Chase Owens: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Great-O-Khan: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Taichi: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Tomohiro Ishii: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

C Block

Zack Sabre Jr: 4-1, 8 points
Hirooki Goto: 3-2, 6 points
Tetsuya Naito: 3-2, 6 points
KENTA: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
EVIL: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Aaron Henare: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

D Block

Shingo Takagi: 3-2, 6 points
Will Ospreay: 3-2, 6 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 3-3, 6 points
Yujiro Takahashi: 3-3, 6 points
David Finlay: 3-3, 6 points
El Phantasmo: 2-3, 4 points
Juice Robinson: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED?]

My Thoughts:

Another great go for the G1, though I should’ve expected a few of those results. Hashi VS Finlay was great stuff, and Hashi wins to plunge D Block into madness! It will all come down to Tuesday, Takagi VS ELP and Ospreay VS Juice on Tuesday, 8/16. Now, I don’t know the likelihood of Ospreay advancing as he and Ospreay also have to the States to be part of AEW’s Trios Championships tournament. There is no way Ospreay can fight in a G1 semifinal and in Albany, New York on the same day. So chances are, Takagi wins the D Block and advances, possibly as the ONLY one with a 4-2 record in the block.

We got a great match out of Taichi and Khan, and Khan winning was quite the surprise. But they both finish 2-4, and who knows where either guy goes from here. Lawlor VS Cobb was great stuff, too, that is big for Lawlor. The only way Jonah gets in is if he wins against Fale while Archer and Okada have a draw. If Jonah loses, it all comes down to Archer VS Okada, the winner advancing. And of course, great stuff out of Tanahashi VS Kenta, both for the G1 and to build upon their IWGP US Championship No Disqualification match. Kenta winning was the logical move, Tanahashi winning here would deflate the drama of Naito VS ZSJ. Kenta had a hilarious promo to end the night, he really should move up in the rankings.

My Score: 8.8/10

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

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Coverage

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

The semifinals are here!

Published

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

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.