Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW AXS TV Report: Best of the Super Juniors 25, Final Round!

Published

7 years ago

June 22, 2018

The best of the Junior Heavyweight Division battled it out, and now the best two stand tall to face each other! Taiji Ishimori came to NJPW to prove he is THE best Junior Heavyweight in the world today, but he’ll have to go through Hiromu Takahashi to do it! Who will win and earn a shot at Will Ospreay’s title?

This review of Best of the Super Juniors 25 will be as broadcast by AXS TV.
Therefore, all images are courtesy of AXS TV.

Gifs courtesy of http://frentique.tumblr.com

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Best of the Super Juniors Finals: Taiji Ishimori VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu Takahashi wins and will challenge Will Ospreay for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship at Dominion.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW and AXS review what led to this final round.

“Bone Soldier” returned to Bullet Club, but it was revealed to be Pro-Wrestling NOAH’s Taiji Ishimori! Wrestling Dontaku would be where and when Ishimori attacked Will Ospreay, and making his claim to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. Both Ishimori and Ospreay participated in the premier Jr. Heavyweight round-robin tournament, and ended up tied 5-2, but one of Ospreay’s two losses was a loss to Ishimori! Not only would that help Ishimori advance, that proved he could defeat Ospreay clean.

But on the other side of things, Hiromu Takahashi, another of Ospreay’s rivals, also went 5-2 and advanced with his win over yet another of Ospreay’s rivals in Kushida! Now they meet, both determined to get one more match with the Aerial Assassin! Will the Ticking Time Bomb blow up the Bone Soldier? Or will Ishimori drive-by Takahashi on his way to the top?

Best of the Super Juniors Finals: Taiji Ishimori VS Hiromu Takahashi!

It’s a first-time-ever match-up of two of the best. Ishimori did everything there is to do as a Junior Heavyweight in Pro-Wrestling NOAH, from being a Three-Time GHC Jr. Heavyweight Champion to being a Six-Time GHC Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Champion. Meanwhile, Hiromu has only just begun his legacy. Whose legacy will grow with adding the Best of the Super Juniors trophy?

By the way, that sketch pad Hiromu has is given to commentary, and Jushin Thunder Liger takes a look inside. It seems Hiromu has written notes on his opinion of the other Super Jr. competitors. Clearly he prefers ACH more than he does Ishimori, going by that smiley face.

Hiromu’s opinions aside, Red Shoes does his check of both men and see they’re clear of anything prohibited. The bell rings, and the match begins, after the break.

NJPW on AXS returns and the fans are strongly behind Hiromu. Hiromu and Ishimori stare down, then slowly start to circle. They tie up but then back off. They approach again, but go back to circling. Finally they tie up, and are evenly matched in strength. Hiromu manages to back Ishimori up, but Ishimori turns it around to put Hiromu against the ropes. Red Shoes calls for the break, and Ishimori backs off, only to swing! Hiromu dodges and whips but Ishimori reverses. Hiromu stops himself to whip again, and reel Ishimori in for a forearm. He puts Ishimori on the second rope to then kick the rope, jacking Ishimori’s jaw. Hiromu runs and blasts Ishimori with a dropkick!

Ishimori ends up outside the ring, and Hiromu builds speed, but Ishimori comes back to headscissor Hiromu down! Ishimori goes after Hiromu in the corner for a whip, but Hiromu slides out. The chase is on as Ishimori pursues, but Hiromu leaps over! Ishimori holds ropes to prevent the sunset flip bomb. He backflips and now they start brawling with forearms! The brawl ends up going through the crowd! Hiromu knocks Ishimori down at the entrance, then drags him back up. Hiromu tosses Ishimiro over the railings, and now they go up the stairs! Ishimori breaks free of the headlock and they brawl again! Hiromu rakes the eyes, then stomps Ishimori down. Hiromu gets plenty of distance, and then runs back in for that John Woo Dropkick!

Ishimori gets blasted, and fans fire up for Hiromu. Hiromu wants everyone to clear the steps, and he brings Ishimori up by his hair. Hiromu brings Ishimori into bomb position, but Ishimori huricanranas Hiromu down those stairs!

Both men are down, but Ishimori is up first while Red Shoes checks on Hiromu. Ishimori walks down and fetches Hiromu, and the 20 count finally begins. It reaches 6 as Ishimori stomps on Hiromu. Ishimori leaves Hiromu at the mercy of the count, and he returns to the ring at 14. Hiromu scrambles to beat the count by 19! But Ishimori is upon him again, putting on a cravat hold to focus on that neck. Ishimori cranks on it, but Hiromu fights out. Ishimori snapmares, and grips Hiromu’s head with his feet. He spins around, and tweaks Hiromu’s neck! Hiromu rolls away but fans rally up for him. Ishimori just tunes it out while Hiromu gets away. Ishimori pursues and throws Hiromu into a post. Fans and Young Lions have to be careful as Ishimori bowls Hiromu into chairs!

Ishimori uses one chair to grind Hiromu into the ground, a wicked grin on his face. Ishimori backs off and returns to the ring, but Hiromu stands. Hiromu returns at the count of 9, but Ishimori is on him again. Ishimori chops Hiromu in a corner, then whips him corner to corner. Hiromu boots but is turned sideways for the swing kick! Ishimori runs, and hits Hiromu with a sliding German Suplex! Fans do applaud, giving credit where credit is due. Cover, TWO, and fans rally again for Hiromu. Ishimori drags Hiromu up, snapmare into chinlock. Hiromu endures while fans rally more. He stands up and fights out of the hold. Hiromu runs, but into the sleeper!

Ishimori gets a takedown, and turns his sleeper into a bully choke. Hiromu endures the wrenching and stretching, while also reaching and crawling for ropes. Hiromu uses his legs for the ropebreak. Ishimori lets go, but keeps his cool. He stalks Hiromu to a corner, and chops him again. He whips Hiromu corner to corner but Hiromu reverses with speed. Hiromu runs in but Ishimori slips out then back in, and then out again to shoulder Hiromu back. Ishimori springboards, but Hiromu trips him up. Hiromu runs, and gets the sunset flip powerbomb this time! The Bone Soldier just got blown up, and we go to break.

NJPW on AXS returns, and the 20 count begins again. Hiromu is up at 6, and in the ring at 10. Ishimori stirs at 13, and manages to beat the count at 19, though gingerly. Ishimori stands in a corner, but Hiromu runs in for a big clothesline. Hiromu rolls Ishimori out to then run and basement dropkick him. Cover, TWO. Hiromu keeps his cool while fans cheer for him. He stands, and toys with Ishimori. He brings Ishimori up to chop him into the corner. Then he whips Ishimori, but Ishimori reverses. Ishimori runs in, but into a boot! Hiromu grabs Ishimori for a hanging triangle headscissors! Red Shoes counts, and Hiromu lets go at 4. Then Hiromu drags Ishimori out, wheelbarrow facebuster on the floor!

But Hiromu has more in store as he gets on the apron. Ishimori stands up, and Hiromu blasts him with another John Woo Dropkick! Ishimori ends up bowling into chairs! Hiromu catches his breath before firing up. He fetches Ishimori from the front row and brings him into the ring. Hiromu climbs up, Ishimori stands, and Hiromu hits a flying cannonball! Cover, TWO, but very close. Hiromu stands while Ishimori stirs. He drags Ishimori up, fireman’s carry, but Ishimori slips out. Hiromu elbows Ishimori off the waistlock, then runs, but Ishimori follows. Ishimori handsprings, but Hiromu clobbers him out of the air! Hiromu’s seen Ospreay do that enough times to know how to counter.

Hiromu and fans fire up again, and he brings Ishimori up again. He brings Ishimori up in the fireman’s carry again, but Ishimori pops out to victory roll! TWO, into a crossface! Hiromu endures, but then Ishimori turns it into the Lebell Lock! Ishimori has that arm threaded, but Hiromu won’t quit. Hiromu drags himself with one arm and both legs, even as Ishimori wrenches back. Hiromu keeps going, and uses those legs to get the ropebreak again! Ishimori lets go, but he stomps Hiromu before bringing him up. Hiromu hits Ishimori, but Ishimori hits back. Ishimori dares Hiromu to hit him again, so Hiromu does. They brawl with forearms again, going back and forth. Hiromu hits, Ishimori hits harder, but Hiromu comes back to hit again and again and again. Hiromu runs, misses, Ishimori runs and tilt-o-whirls Hiromu into the Lebell!

Ishimori wrenches back but Hiromu drags himself around again. Hiromu inches closer and closer, but Ishimori rolls him away from the ropes! Ishimori keeps that Lebell on, but Hiromu refuses to quit! Fans are thunderous for Hiromu, and he claws at the grip. Hiromu drags himself around again, and grabs onto Red Shoes to keep himself from tapping. He then scrambles, only for Ishimori to make it Rings of Saturn! Ishimori even grabs at the legs, but somehow, Hiromu still gets the ropebreak! Ishimori lets him go, but both men are down from exhaustion. They catch their breath while rolling away from each other. Fans rally as both men drag themselves up to their feet.

Ishimori takes aim, runs in, but misses! Hiromu runs in but misses, but then he ducks Ishimori! Hiromu goes after Ishimori on the second rope, German Suplex! But Ishimori lands on his feet! He gets running, but runs into Hiromu’s overhead throw! Hiromu catches his breath while Ishimori is down in the corner. Ishimori slowly stands as Hiromu runs, and Hiromu runs Ishimori over with a powerful lariat! Hiromu drags Ishimori up, fireman’s carry, Time Bomb! Cover, TWO!? Ishimori survives?! Fans are thunderous while we go to break.

NJPW on AXS returns, and both men slowly stir. Hiromu sits up first, but Ishimori gets himself to a corner. Hiromu runs in, hits the clothesline, then hoists Ishimori up. He climbs up to join Ishimori, and hits a super wheelbarrow! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu grits his teeth as he stands up again. He brings Ishimoriu up, fireman’s carry, and then he Death Valley Drivers Ishimori right into buckles! Hiromu drags Ishimori up again, another fireman’s carry, and spins, but Ishimori slips off! Ishimori deflects the superkick but Hiromu deflects the knee strike. Hiromu SUPERKICKS this time, but then runs into a boot. Ishimori Poison-Steiners Hiromu! But Hiromu springs right up to do it back to Ishimori!

Both men are down from such damage to their heads. Fans are at a fever pitch, and still cheering Hiromu on. Both men stir and Red Shoes checks on them. They’re okay to continue, so a count begins. Hiromu and Ishimori stir, they’re up at 7. They crawl towards each other, and brawl with forearms from the mat. Hiromu hits, Ishimori hits, then back again. Hiromu grins with wild eyes as he hits Ishimori again, but Ishimori shakes his head and hits back. They brawl while standing up, and now it speeds up. Hiromu runs out of gas, and Ishimori brings him up for another shot.

Hiromu manages to stand and gets his second wind as he hits back with forearms from both sides. He spins around, but into Ishimori’s jumping knee! Hiromu staggers back, fires up, but runs into a clobbering clothesline! Cover, ONE?! Hiromu shocks Ishimori, but he’s still pretty tired. He slowly stands, but Ishimori is ready. Ishimori runs and blasts Hiromu with a dropkick, then runs corner to corner for double knees! Ishimori drags Hiromu up and into Tombstone position, but turns it into a modified code breaker! Hiromu is dazed, Ishimori covers, TWO!! The superhuman effort is keeping the fans at that fever pitch.

Ishimori gets up, and says BANG as he staggers over. He drags Hiromu up, and lifts Hiromu for a brainbuster, but Hiromu arm-drags out of it! Hiromu goes to headscissor but Ishimori counters with a powerbomb! High stack cover, TWO, and Hiromu gets Ishimori with a triangle hold! Ishimori cartwheels but Hiromu holds on. Ishimori endures, deadlifts, but is brought down again! Hiromu squeezes as tight as he can, but Ishimori tries for a cover. It doesn’t stay, so he deadlifts again, buckle bomb! Ishimori is free, but both men are out of breath. Ishimori rolls away, then runs back in, for a big clothesline. He yurinagi slams Hiromu, then fires himself up. Ishimori climbs up, takes aim, but his 450 hits knees!

Ishimori writhes in pain, but Hiromu’s legs took some damage, too. Both men slowly get up, run in, Hiromu gets around to headscissor Ishimori into the triangle hold! Ishimori deadlifts again, but Hiromu lets go to double underhook! D DRIVER!!

Hiromu can’t make the cover, he’s just too tired. So he goes for the triangle again! Ishimori fades, already dazed from that driver. Ishimori tries a second effort as he grabs at Red Shoes. He keeps moving, reaching, and gets a ropebreak! Hiromu lets him go, but he’s still focused. He brings Ishimori up, fireman’s carry, but Ishimori slips out. Ishimori wants his brainbuster but Hiromu resists. Hiromu lifts again, for another Death Valley into buckles! Hiromu drags Ishimoro up one more time, and swings him for THE Ticking Time Bomb! Cover, Hiromu wins!!

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall; wins the Best of the Super Juniors 25, and will challenge Will Ospreay for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship

For the first time in his career, Hiromu Takahashi is THE Best of the Super Juniors! The award ceremony will begin after the break.

NJPW on AXS TV returns…

Ishimori is helped out of the ring and to the back. Fans applaud, showing respect to him for his valiant effort. Meanwhile, Hiromu is presented with the Best of the Super Juniors trophy, poses for pictures, and sits down before taking the mic.

“I don’t like it. I don’t like it much at all.” That is to say, he doesn’t like saying this after the tournament. So he must apologize first. But Ospreay! Accept his challenge for that IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship! Will Ospreay comes out! He joins Hiromu in the ring, his title in hand. Aerial Assassin and Ticking Time Bomb stand, and Ospreay congratulates his rival. Everyone is so proud, even Ospreay. Hiromu won Best of the Super Juniors, well done. But that doesn’t mean a thing compared to the belt, because that means Ospreay is the real best Jr. Heavyweight.

Ospreay reminds everyone that he is already up two wins on Hiromu in the past, so Ospreay knows that Dominion will be easy. Ospreay vows to leave with his title, and proves he really is the best in the world. Champion raises his belt, challenger raises his trophy, who will be raising their hands after Osaka?

Ospreay takes his leave, and Hiromu says, “Ospreay. Thank you meow.” The Ticking Time Bomb is not intimidated, and continues to say “Did you all just see that?” Even those watching at home on TV, did they see it? For that matter, did all the Heavyweights see that? Even Liger saw that, right? This is how SUPER JUNIORS do it! Liger has to applaud for that one. “Five years ago today, in this same spot, I still remember what I said.” Hiromu still feels that way. His dream is to hold that IWGP J. Heavyweight belt, and to be a Jr. Heavyweight main event, prime timer!! “Nothing has changed! I’m exactly the same as I was then.” But even more, more, more, more, more, “Let’s have fun!” With everything he has to say already said, Hiromu finally celebrates.

But not just him, the rest of LIJ joins him! Naito, Bushi, EVIL and Sanada appear, and Hiromu shows off his trophy to them. And together, LIJ celebrate.

Hiromu kneels while Naito, Bushi, EVIL and Sanada move aside. Oops, the wing…

Well, that tarnishes the win a little bit. Hiromu kneels in apology to the hurt trophy. Is this a bad omen of things to come?

Backstage interviews.

Taiji Ishimori admits defeat. Today, Hiromu was the better man. But, Ishimori knows there’s more for him to show. There’s unfinished business. Ishimori agrees, though, it’s tough, but fun. Ishimori wants more, more, more! “New battles, exceeding our limits.” He wants to have more fun with Hiromu. “It’s reborn!”

Hiromu said this in the ring, but this tournament is more than just to name a #1 contender. He’s said it all along. Hiromu does apologize, he’s already challenged and lost to Ospreay many times this year. But just one more chance, that all he needs. Ospreay is the best, but so is Hiromu. They’ll settle this once and for all! Dominion is coming, who will truly be THE Best of the Super Juniors?

My Thoughts:

I was surprised to see AXS TV bring up the finals of the Super Juniors, but I suppose it really is the most important part of the tournament. At the same time, this does help AXS speed up their coverage of NJPW so that they can get to Dominion sooner. This is also the match that THE Dave Meltzer award 5.5 stars, thereby breaking his 5 star system, again. While Meltzer is right in giving this the best rating out of all the BOSJ matches, going over 5 stars seems a bit much. Just reaching 5 stars is more realistic, because it really did have great action and even great character and story work. They went all around the arena, and Ishimori was dead set on a submission victory, but Hiromu showed two can play that game.

It’s really great for Hiromu to go over here because his rivalry with Ospreay has been longer standing, Ishimori only just got to NJPW, and Hiromu is vastly more popular, as the fans showed tonight as they did not sway in their support of him. Hiromu’s interaction with Ospreay was great, but I’m a little sad AXS cut out the interactions with the rest of LIJ. There’s a great little bit where Naito and Hiromu were childishly fighting over the trophy until Naito hands the trophy back with a bow. It means a lot in story for Naito to give that sign of respect to his protege.

My Score: 9/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/9/25)

The opening round continues!

Published

5 minutes ago

March 9, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Will the New Japan Cup still be tranquilo?

The New Japan Cup rolls on without delay! But will Tetsuya Naito still take his time against Callum Newman? Or will he be lapped by the Prince of Pace?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kickoff – YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano VS Katsuya Murashima & Daiki Nagai; Hashi & Yano win.
Yuya Uemura & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Chase Owens; Sanada & Chase win.
Six Man Tag: TMDK VS The United Empire; TMDK wins.
Six Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; War Dogs win.
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Boltin Oleg VS Bad Luck Fale; Oleg wins and advances.
2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: El Phantasmo VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins and advances.
2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Tomohiro Ishii VS “Drilla” Moloney; Drilla wins and advances.
2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Tetsuya Naito VS Callum Newman; Naito wins and advances.
Hirooki Goto & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuji Nagata & Satoshi Kojima; Goto & Tanahashi win.

PLAY BY PLAY

2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Boltin Oleg VS Bad Luck Fale!

This is quite literally the biggest match of the tournament as two big meaty men are about to collide! But will the Rogue General be put behind BARS? Or will he bust through with a Grenade?

The bell rings and they RAM shoulders! Oleg runs, RAMS Fale, but Fale doesn’t fall! Oleg goes again, and RAMS Fale! Fale eggs Oleg on, so Oleg CHOPS! Oleg runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and he CLOBBERS Fale right out of the ring! The fans fire up and Oleg eggs Fale on. Fale snarls as he gets back up, and he drags Oleg out of the ring! Fale fires body shots, then whips Oleg hard into railing! Commentary almost topples over! Fale storms up on Oleg, talks some smack, then stomps Oleg. Fale drags Oleg up to BODY BLOW! Oleg sputters but Fale brings him up. And he RAMS Oleg into the railing! Milano Collection AT almost loses his table!

Fale storms back into the ring while Oleg crawls. The ring count climbs, Fale salutes, but Oleg stands at 5 of 20. Oleg hobbles along, slides in, but Fale stomps him down at the ropes! Fale stands on Oleg’s chest! The ref counts, but Fale steps off at 4. Fale drags Oleg up, but Oleg fires body shots! Fale BODY BLOWS in return! Fale CLUBS Oleg, then CLUBS him again! Oleg crawls, but Fale brings him up to bump off buckles. Fale fires another BODY BLOW! Fale CHOKES Oleg in the corner, but stops as the ref reprimands. Oleg fires body shots and CHOPS in return, but Fale CHOPS Oleg down! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Oleg stays in this.

Oleg crawls, the fans rally behind him, and Oleg stands to fire forearms. Fale throat chops! Fale DECKS Oleg, then drags him from the ropes. Fale flips Oleg over, then steps on him! Fale hangs ten on Oleg’s back! Fale then steps off to stand Oleg up, but Oleg fires forearms again! Oleg backs Fale down, goes to scoop, but Fale might be too big even for Oleg! Fale CLUBS away, puts Oleg in a corner, then LARIATS again and again! The ref counts, Fale stops at five big lariats, then whips corner to corner. Fale runs up, but Oleg dodges! Oleg then scoops, and he gets Fale off his feet! But not for long as Fale fights free!

Fale scoops and SLAMS Oleg! Fale then runs to ELBOW FLOP as Oleg moves! The fans fire up as both men rise up. Oleg SCOOPS AND SLAMS Fale!! The fans are thunderous and Oleg runs, runs, and SPLASHES DOWN! Cover, TWO! Fale survives but Oleg throws off the elbow pads. The fans rally behind Oleg as he gut wrenches!? Oleg hauls Fale up, but Fale’s too big for that kind of lift! Oleg CLUBS away on Fale’s back, but Fale grabs Oleg by the neck! Oleg breaks free to ROCK and CHOP Fale! Oleg runs, but into a fireman’s carry! SAMOAN DROP! Both men are down but Fale rises. The fans rally, but Fale runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!!

Oleg survives and the fans fire up! Fale is frustrated, but he vows to end this. Fale stands Oleg up, has him by the neck, and he arms the- NO, Oleg SHOTGUNS the Grenade away! And then fireman’s carries?!? KAMIKAZE!!! Cover, Oleg wins!!

Winner: Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

The bigger they are, the harder they fall, and that was certainly the case here! Oleg made big waves in the G1 Climax, will he make the biggest splash here in the New Japan Cup?

2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: El Phantasmo w/ Jado VS Great-O-Khan!

The Headbanga’s team won against the United Empire just yesterday, but now he and The Dominator go 1v1! Will the NJPW World Television Champion be the star of the show? Or will the last KOPW Champion change the channel?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. They duel between “E L P! E L P!” and “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” The Khan side seems stronger, but ELP gets his side going again. The two step up with arms crossed, then they feel out a grapple. They clinch, ELP headlocks, but Khan slips around to a waistlock. Khan keeps ELP down with a headlock but ELP slips out to facelock. Khan slips out, wants an arm, but ELP facelocks again. They go around as Khan goes for legs, but ELP stays on top. They end up in the ropes, and the ref calls the break. Khan lets go and rolls away, which the fans cheer. ELP rolls to get in Khan’s face and the fans cheer more!

Khan and ELP reset, tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, then Khan headlocks. ELP fires body shots, then powers up and out. Khan RUNS ELP over! Khan poses, but ELP kicks him from below. Khan stomps ELP, runs, but ELP drops down, then DROPKICKS! The fans cheer and ELP brings Khan up. ELP CHOPS Khan, has him in a corner, and CHOPS again! Fans “WOO~!” with ELP, then he whips corner to corner. Khan reverses, ELP goes up and over, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then springboards, but into Khan’s arms! BACKBREAKER! Khan poses and the fans cheer. Khan stomps ELP around, then clamps on with a chinlock. ELP endures, fights around, and the fans rally.

Khan grabs ELP’s arm and pulls it back, while also having a headscissors! ELP kicks around, rolls back, but Khan just shifts his angle! ELP rolls again, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Khan lets go again. ELP catches his breath while Khan looms near. ELP CHOPS, but Khan brushes that off. Khan eggs ELP on, so ELP CHOPS again! Khan grits his teeth, but then ELP ROCKS him with a forearm! And another! And another! Khan claps to fake ELP out, then he trips ELP up! Khan stands ELP up to run and BLINDSIDE FOREARM! Khan rains down more shots to the back of ELP’s neck! ELP guards but then Khan turns him over for forearms to the face!

Khan lets off and the ref checks on ELP. ELP goes to a corner so he’s still in this. Khan drags him up, ROCKS him in the back, and then stands him up. Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer while ELP flails. The ref reprimands but Khan pulls on ELP’s arms! Khan hops down as the ref counts, and Khan brings ELP around for Mongolian Chops! Khan drags ELP to a cover, ONE! Khan clamps onto ELP with a katagatame! ELP endures the head ‘n’ arm triangle, reaches out and kicks around, but Khan leans all his weight on ELP! The fans rally, Khan turns ELP away from ropes, and now it’s a standing triangle!

ELP CLUBS away on Khan’s back and is free! ELP KNEES low, then LARIATS! Khan stays standing, so ELP LARIATS again! Khan is still up, so ELP runs, only for Khan to dodge! ELP dodges back, and RANAS! Khan tumbles, the fans fire up, and ELP runs to LARIAT Khan up and out! The fans rally as Khan hits the floor! ELP builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp! The fans fire up again as ELP rises. ELP shakes out his arms, storms back to Khan, and drags him up to whip into railing! Khan hobbles forward, into a CHOP! ELP brings Khan up again, and whips him into more railing! Khan drops to his knees in front of commentary.

The fans rally up as Khan gets back to his feet, only for ELP to CHOP again! Khan flops back down, but ELP stands him back up. ELP SMACKS Khan off the apron, then shoves him aside. ELP goes up the corner, the fans rally up, and ELP is on the very top! The fans spell out “E! L! P!” ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Khan moves, ELP rolls through, but Khan scoops him! Khan hits a T T D on the floor!! Khan stares Hiroyoshi Tenzan down on commentary, having used Tenzan’s Tombstone Driver right in front of him! The fans fire up and rally while the ring count begins. Khan and ELP stir at 4 of 20, and slowly sit up at 9!

ELP and Khan stand, but only Khan gets in at 12! ELP flops back, but he rises back up at 15! ELP leans against the ring, but falls over! He flounders, springs back up, and is in at 19.9999!! Khan doesn’t even care, he just BOOTS ELP back down! Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW, and he vows to end this! ELIMINA- NO, ELP wheelbarrows and victory rolls through! TWO!! ELP fakes high, rolls Khan up again, TWO!! ELP hurries to hook the arms, but Khan fights the backslide! ELP powers Khan down into the cover, TWO!!! Khan escapes, but ELP hurries up! Mule kick, and then a front kick! But Khan BOOTS again! ELP ENZIGIRIS!

Both men are down and the fans fire up with ELP! ELP rises, he brings Khan up, and he straitjackets Khan into the torture rack! But ELP’s back isn’t letting him lift! Khan slips free, and has the IRON CLAW! ELP breaks free to ROCK Khan! ELP ROCKS Khan again, but Khan just eggs him on! Then he DECKS ELP with the IRON RIGHT!! Khan reels ELP in, and clamps on the HITSUJIGOROSHI!! Then IRON CLAW into the ELIMI- NO, ELP flips through! ELP ducks, goes up and up, FLYING TORNADO DDT! Khan flounders, ELP hurries to cover, TWO!! Khan survives and the fans fire up! Jado coaches ELP and ELP tunes up the band!

ELP watches Khan rises, and hits SUDDEN DEATH!! Cover, TWO?!?! Khan survives and the fans are thunderous! ELP feeds off that energy and vows to end this! ELP brings Khan up, but his arms really bother him. ELP still hooks Khan up, lifts, but the shoulder won’t let him! Khan clinches, COMPLETE SHOT! And then the IRON CLAW, for the ELIMINATOR!!! Cover, Khan wins!!

Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

The Headbanga’s close calls kept adding up, and in the end, he was eliminated! Will Khan keep an eye on the NJPW World Television Championship now that he has the golden ticket in his back pocket? Or will he stay completely focused on the New Japan Cup?

2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Tomohiro Ishii VS “Drilla” Moloney!

It’s a dog fight tonight as the Stone Pitbull takes on one of the War Dogs! Will Ishii bite the Bullet Club? Or will he be shot down by the 44 Caliber?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as these two step right up to center. Drilla fires a forearm, and another, but Ishii leans into them! Ishii backs Drilla down like that, then he starts throwing forearms! But now Drilla leans into them, and he backs Ishii down! The forearms go back and forth and the fans fire up! Ishii ROCKS Drilla, fires a flurry, then runs to RAM Drilla! Drilla flexes, but Ishii fires a flurry! Drilla ROCKS Ishii, then runs, but Ishii RUNS him over! The fans cheer, but then Drilla kips up! Drilla ROCKS Ishii, runs, and he RAMS Ishii! Ishii rebounds, Drilla hurdles, drops down, then DROPKICKS!

The fans fire up and Drilla stands tall. The dueling between “I-SHI-I” and “MO-LO-NEY!” gets going as Drilla stands Ishii up. Drilla CHOPS Ishii, goes to ropes, and CHOPS him again! Ishii leans against the ropes but Drilla bumps him off buckles. Drilla stomps Ishii, CLUBS Ishii, then digs his boots into Ishii. The ref counts, Drilla steps off, but then Drilla stomps Ishii more. Ishii eggs Drilla on so Drilla stomps him even harder! Drilla stands Ishii up to CHOP! Drilla snapmares Ishii, KICKS him in the back, then covers. TWO and the fans cheer. Drilla is annoyed but he keeps his eyes on Ishii. Drilla brings Ishii around to bump off buckles!

Ishii snarls at Drilla, but Drilla CHOPS him again! Drilla eggs Ishii on, CHOPS again, then CHOPS again! Ishii eggs Drilla on now! Drilla ROCKS and CHOPS Ishii much like Ishii would, then Drilla whips corner to corner. Ishii reverses, runs up, but Drilla BOOTS him! Ishii comes back, but Drilla puts Ishii up top! GAMANGIRI and a RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Ishii stays in this, but Drilla looms over him. Drilla stands Ishii up to CHOP! And CHOP! Drilla winds up to CHOP! Ishii just roars! Ishii blocks a kick, takes a swing, but Drilla shoves him into a corner! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Drilla runs, but into Ishii’s SNAP POWERSLAM!

Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Ishii rises and waits on Drilla. Ishii runs up to LARIAT! Ishii whips, Drilla reverses, and Drilla ELBOWS Ishii! Drilla reels Ishii in, but it’s Ishii who suplexes first! Ishii sits up and the fans fire up again. Ishii looms over Drilla, kicks him to a corner, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! ROCK and CHOP, on repeat! Drilla fires a forearm, but Ishii DECKS Drilla! The fans fire up again while Ishii leans on the ropes. Ishii drags Drilla up, hoists him to the top rope, then climbs up after him! The fans rally for the SUPERPLEX! But Drilla’s right up!? Drilla runs up to LARIAT, but Ishii stays up!

Ishii ROCKS Drilla, then they DOUBLE LARIAT! They stay up, Ishii swings but Drilla dodges! Drilla GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ishii’s right up to CLOBBER Drilla! Drilla’s right up to BOOT Ishii! Ishii runs, but into a GORE!! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Drilla stands, and he storms over to Ishii. Drilla drags Ishii up, waistlocks, and he deadlifts Ishii! Ishii resists the lift, so Drilla ripcords him! Ishii ducks the chop, but so does Drilla! Drilla SUPERKICKS, then he BOOTS a lariat away! Ishii spins to SOUTHPAW LARIAT! Drilla stays up, and he ENZIGIRIS! Ishii falls and the fans fire up!

Drilla pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and Drilla runs as Ishii rises. GORE is stuffed!? Ishii lifts Drilla, Drilla fights free, but Ishii HEADBUTTS!! The fans are thunderous again and Ishii winds up! Drilla rises, Ishii runs, LARIAT! Drilla stays up!? Ishii dodges Drilla, but Drilla LARIATS on the return! Drilla goes to a corner, the fans fire up, and Drilla runs in. Ishii KNEES Drilla first! Then fires boxing elbows! Ishii runs, into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ishii survives and the fans fire up again! Drilla snarls, the fans bark for the War Dog, and Drilla drags Ishii up. Drilla vows to end this, and he lifts, but Ishii fights back!

Ishii Alabama Lifts! But Drilla fights it for a SPIKE PILEDRIVER! And then a GORE!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Ishii survives all that and the fans are thunderous! And this is just ten minutes in! Drilla grits his teeth, drags himself up, and he roars! The fans bark again as Drilla stalks Ishii. Drilla brings Ishii up, gut wrenches, but Ishii fights free! Ishii blocks a superkick, gets around and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Ishii crawls to a corner, and he fires up by headbutting the buckles! Ishii aims, runs in, but Drilla JABS! JABS! ROLLING ELBOW! Ishii falls, Drilla steadies himself, and then Drilla fires up!

Drilla hauls Ishii up, military presses, and SNAKE EYES! Drilla runs, but Ishii LARIATS!! Ishii sits Drilla up, for the SLIDING LARIAT!! Cover, TWO?!?! Drilla survives but Ishii roars again! Ishii suplexes, but Drilla knees free! Drilal wrenches, Ishii spins him, but Drilla scoops! And he flips Ishii around!? DRILLA- NO, Ishii slips free to SLIDING HEADBUTT!! The fans are thunderous as Ishii stands! Ishii waits on Drilla, then he runs, to LARIAT!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Drilla survives and the fans are thunderous again! Ishii drags Drilla back up, suplexes again, but Drilla slips free! Ripcord, SUPERKICK! Ishii swings, but into a suplex! BRAINBUSTER!!! Cover, ONE?!?!?!?!

The fans are erupting and Drilla gets moving! But Ishii GORES!?!? Cover, ONE!?!?!? These guys aren’t human, they’ve got that dog in them! Ishii runs up, but so does Drilla! DOUBLE LARIATS! Ishii SLAPS, Drilla SLAPS, Ishii SLAPS and ENZIGIRIS! Drilla rebounds to V-TRIGGER! And then gut wrench, DRILLA KILLA!!!! Cover, DRILLA WINS!!!

Winner: “Drilla” Moloney, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

These two fought like animals, and but the young and hungry Drilla took the win! Will Drilla continue to eat the bracket alive until he’s drinking from The Cup?

2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Tetsuya Naito VS Callum Newman!

The opening round wraps up as these two meet again from the G1 Climax. The Uncontrollable Charisma won then, will he win now? Or will the Prince of Pace kick it up to a new gear for the New Japan Cup?

As usual, Naito takes his time with his entrance attire. Callum knows to keep cool or it’ll just take even longer. The pants are put aside and the bell rings. The fans rally behind Naito as he and Callum slowly circle. They tie up, Callum rolls Naito up, TWO! Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Naito ducks a kick to give a kick! Naito fires hands, then whips, but Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges and keeps moving to then BOOT Naito down! The fans cheer that impressive speed, and Callum walks over to Naito. Cover, TWO! Naito stands but Callum fires a forearm. Naito fires back, so Callum fires again. They fire more forearms back and forth and the fans rally up.

Callum fires a flurry, but Naito SPITS at him! The fans cheer, but Callum CHOPS! Callum whips, Naito grabs ropes to stop, and Naito BOOTS back. Callum runs up but Naito puts him on the apron! HOTSHOT! Naito then goes out after Callum and whips him hard into railing! Callum flops over and clutches his ribs, but Naito brings him back up. Naito whips Callum into more railing, and Callum falls right to the floor! Naito leaves Callum behind for the ring count to handle. Callum rises at 6 of 20, stands at 10, but needs to catch his breath. Callum rolls in at 16, but Naito stomps Callum’s leg! Callum scrambles away to a corner, clutching the knee.

Callum hobbles away, Naito storms after him, and he KICKS the leg again! Callum bails out, the ref checks on him, and Callum shakes the leg out. Callum insists he can still go, but Naito mockingly asks for a knuckle lock. Naito kicks the bad leg, then whips Callum to ropes. Callum manages to return, but Naito hits an atomic drop, then he dropkicks the legs out! Naito grabs the legs, ties then up, MODIFIED FIGURE FOUR! Callum scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, the fans cheer, and Naito lets go cleanly. Callum clutches the bad knee, but Naito drags him up. Callum CHOPS, but Naito doesn’t flinch.

Callum stands to fire forearms, but Naito kicks the bad leg! Naito fires those heavy back elbows, and kicks the leg, but then Callum ducks a shot! Callum gets around for a BIG back suplex1 Both men are down and the fans rally up. Naito goes to a corner, Callum runs up, and Callum forearm SMASHES! Callum snapmares and basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Callum keeps going, and he PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Callum shakes out the bad leg. Callum has his fans get louder, then he clamps onto Naito with chicken wings. Naito fights the lift, and he RAMS Callum into a corner.

Callum runs up but Naito ELBOWS him! Naito kicks the leg, whips, and HIP TOSSES! Then he basement DROPKICKS Callum! Callum scrambles away to ropes but Naito is on him again. Naito whips Callum, but Callum’s leg barely lets him get there. Naito runs in, Callum goes up and over, but the leg jams! Naito DROPKICKS the leg! Naito turns Callum over, KNEEBAR CALF KILLER HYBRID! Callum endures, reaches out, and almost gives in! Callum fights his way forward, drags Naito along, and has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Naito thrashes before letting go, and the fans continue to rally up.

Naito stomps Callum’s bad leg, stomps it again, then he stands Callum up for those heavy back elbows! And KICKS to the leg! Naito picks Callum apart as he puts him in the corner. Naito then goes up, reels Callum in, ESPERANZA! The fans cheer while Callum is down, but Naito wants him to rise up! The fans rally up, Callum slowly rises, and Naito runs in, but Callum denies Destino! Callum suplexes, Naito knees free, and Naito ENZIGIRIS! Callum PENALTY KICKS! Naito is up but Callum BOOTS him! Callum then hooks Naito up, for AOI- DESTINO!! Cover, TWO!! Naito almost had Callum there but Callum survives!

The fans rally as we pass ten minutes, and Naito drags Callum up. Naito wrenches, but now Callum fires heavy elbows! Callum hobbles away, runs back up, but into the SPINEBUSTER! Naito then wrenches and DESTI- NO, Callum FLAPJACKS Naito away! Callum whips, Naito reverses, and TORNADO DDT, but Callum handsprings through!? Callum springboards, but Naito dodges! Naito comes back, CORRIENDO SHIKI CRADLE!! NAITO WINS!!

Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Callum can’t believe it, but he got caught with a quick one! Now Naito moves on, but he’s running into Jeff Cobb next round! Will Naito keep things tranquilo? Or will he take a Tour of the Islands?

Hirooki Goto & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuji Nagata & Satoshi Kojima!

The Fierce Warrior and The Ace added the final chapter to their rivalry on the 53rd Anniversary Event, and now they begin a new chapter. Hontai and Chaos are now one, but this is no mere exhibition match. Blue Justice has one more shot at the gold, will he and the King of Bread stand tall? Or will Goto prove he is worthy of everything Tanahashi is entrusting him with?

The teams sort out and after Tanahashi shows off the abs, we get Goto and Nagata. The fans cheer this title match preview, and the dueling begins! “GO-TO-O!” and “NA-GA-TA!” sound pretty even as the two tie up. Goto wrenches an arm but Nagata wrenches back. Nagata wrenches again, wristlocks, then wrenches yet again. Goto rolls, wrenches, hammerlocks, then puts Nagata on ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, both men let go slowly, but still wary of the other. Goto pats Nagata on the shoulder, but Nagata SLAPS Goto! Goto kicks Nagata and they fire forearms back and forth! Goto ROCKS Nagata, headlocks, but Nagata powers out.

Goto RUNS Nagata over, but Nagata avoids the elbow! Goto avoids the kick, and the fans cheer the standoff. Goto and Nagata tag Tanahashi and Kojima. The fans cheer and duel here, too. Tanahashi and Kojima circle, feel things out, then tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. They’re in a deadlock, then they break. They circle again, tie up, and Tanahashi waistlocks. Kojima wrenches to a wristlock, but Tanahashi wrenches back! Tanahashi headlocks for the takeover, Kojima headscissors, but Tanahashi kips free! Fans cheer as Tanahashi plays air guitar. The two reset, then tie up again. Kojima powers Tanahashi to the ropes, then CHOPS!

Tanahashi gets fired up and he CHOSP! They CHOP back and forth, the fans fire up, and then Tanahashi fires a strike fest! Tanahashi whips, but Kojima RUNS Tanahashi over! And the pecs dance! The fans cheer because Kojima’s still got it! Kojima runs up, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him away! Then CROSSBODY! The fans cheer, Tanahashi gets his pecs to dance! Tanahashi tags Goto, they double whip Kojima to ropes, but he ducks their lariats! Kojima sends Goto into Tanahashi, then kicks and DDTS Goto! Then a kick and DDT for Tanahashi! The fans rally up, and Kojima tags in Nagata.

Nagata kicks and CLUBS Goto, but Goto CHOPS! Nagata and Goto go forearm for forearm, then Nagata kicks low! Nagata KICKS and KICKS Goto to a corner, then ROCKS him with a forearm. Nagata whips corner to corner, runs up and BOOTS, then he snapmares to KICK Goto in the back! Nagata drags Goto up, wrenches his arm, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Goto clutches the arm but Nagata stays on him. Nagata wrenches, he tags Kojima, and they mug Goto. They double whip Goto to ropes, then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans cheer, Kojima DECKS Tanahashi for good measure, then stomps Goto.

The fans rally as Kojima stomps Goto. Kojima fires a forearm, Goto fires back, repeat. Goto DECKS Nagata for good measure! Goto and Kojima trade shots again, the fans rally up, and Kojima ROCKS Goto! And ROCKS him again! Goto ends up in the corner, the fans fire up, and Kojima digs his knee in. Kojima tells Red Shoes to shut up, but he still lets off at the count of 4. Tag to Nagata and he stomps Goto. Nagata wrenches Goto to an ELBOW BREAKER! Goto drops to his knees and Nagata looms over him. Nagata KICKS Goto, and KICKS, and KICKS again! Goto blocks to CLUB the leg! Goto fires forearms, but Nagata fires back!

Nagata whips corner to corner but Goto reverses! Nagata comes back to BOOT! Nagata runs, Goto follows and LARIATS! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Goto crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! Tanahashi runs to FLYING FOREARM Nagata! Tanahashi DECKS Kojima in return for earlier! Tanahashi fires fast hands on Nagata, then scoops and SLAMS him down! Tanahashi goes up, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Nagata stays in this but Tanahashi stays focused. The fans rally up as Tanahashi waits on Nagata. Nagata rises, Tanahashi runs, SLING- NO, Nagata ducks that, then clinches Tanahashi for an EXPLODER!

Nagata tags Kojima and he storms up on Tanahashi. Kojima fires off the MACHINE GUN CHOPS in the corner! The fans fire up as Kojima has an extra big helping for Tanahashi here! Kojima whips corner to corner, runs up, and hits the forearm SMASH! “Icchauzo Bakayaro!” The fans fire up, Kojima climbs up, and he COZY ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi is still in this but Kojima stays focused. The fans rally as Kojima fires forearms on Tanahashi, then ROLLING- SHOTEI from Tanahashi! Kojima falls, Tanahashi drops to his knees, and the fans rally up. Hot tag to Goto and he RAMS Kjima! And DECKS Nagata!

Goto stomps Kojima in a corner, whips corner to corner, then runs up to MURAMASA! And then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Goto brings Kojima up. Kojima fights the fireman’s carry with elbows, then he kicks and COZY CUTTERS! The fans fire up and Kojima throws off the elbow pad! Kojima runs, Goto ducks and returns to LARIAT! The fans fire up with Goto and he waits on Kojima. Kojima rises, Goto runs, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And it’s Kojima who stays standing! Kojima fires up, but Tanahashi dropkicks the legs out! Nagata storms in and BOOTS Tanahashi! Nagata stomps Goto, Red shoes reprimands, but Kojima goes to get Tanahashi.

Nagata has Goto in one corner, Kojima with Tanahashi in the other. They whip, but Tanahashi and Goto both counter! Fireman’s carries, STEREO USHIGOROSHI!! The fans fire up and Goto has Kojima. Goto dragon sleepers, but Kojima fights through to suplex! Goto slips free and waistlocks, but Kojima elbows free! Only to swing into the URA G T R! And then a LARIAT! The fans fire up as Goto takes aim, BUZZSAW! Goto then hauls Kojima up while Tanahashi RAMS Nagata into railing! True G T R!! Cover, Goto & Tanahashi win!

Winners: Hirooki Goto & Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall

The Fierce Warrior takes down the King of Bread, and he stares Nagata down. These two will battle this Saturday, March 15th, the Ides of March are upon them! But for now, Goto gets the mic, and he thanks the people of Amuro for coming out tonight. The fans cheer, and Goto is also very thankful that he finally gets to wear this world title belt. Goto proudly says that from here on, you can leave the new recruits of NJPW to him. The fans cheer and Tanahashi nods. Goto promises, his Goto Revolution has only just begun. So be ready to follow him until the end! The fans cheer and the music plays, but Goto has them all hold on a moment.

Goto wants everyone to understand, this was also Tanahashi’s last match here in Amagasaki. Therefore, it is only fitting that Tanahashi closes us out, if he’d please. Tanahashi takes the mic and the fans cheer him on. Tanahashi gladly shouts, “NJPW has returned to Amagasaki!” The fans cheer again, and some already say, “Aishitemasu! <I love you!>” Tanahashi promises he’ll say that, just wait a moment. Tanahashi says he was again nominated by their champion to speak, so he will say a few words. As many of them know, Tanahashi has about 10 more months on his career. So he intends to give it his all every day, so please support him until the end.

The fans cheer Tanahashi and he takes a moment to soak it all in. Tanahashi thanks them for that, and says in closing, for the last time here in Amagasaki, “AISHITEMAAASU~!” No air guitaring tonight, as Tanahashi instead goes out to the crowd to high-five fans. He is set for one last showdown with Kojima on March 20th, will The Ace trump the King of Bread one last time?

My Thoughts:

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Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/8/25)

NJPW springs into action!

Published

18 hours ago

March 8, 2025

Steven Mitchell

“Card subject to change” indeed!

A minor setback makes for a bigger beginning to the 2025 New Japan Cup! Will Yota Tsuji make sure Everything is NOT Evil?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kickoff – Katsuya Murashima VS Daiki Nagai; Murashima wins.
8 Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Tomoaki Honma VS Yuji Nagata, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Tiger Mask; Nagata, Tenzan, Kojima & Tiger Mask win.
Six Man Tag: El Desperado, El Phantasmo & Jado VS The United Empire; Desperado, ELP & Jado win.
Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI VS Callum Newman & Francesco Akira; Newman & Akira win.
2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Yuya Uemura VS SANADA; Uemura wins and advances.
2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL; Evil wins and advances.
2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Ryohei Oiwa VS Chase Owens; Oiwa wins and advances.
2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Gabe Kidd VS Ren Narita; Gabe wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

After Six Man Tag: El Desperado, El Phantasmo & Jado VS The United Empire…

The Rogue Luchador gets the win with his Stretch Muffler Numero Dos, and his teammates shower him with praise, and The Headbanga even kisses him on the forehead. ELP picks up both his NJPW World TV Championship and Despy’s IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship while Jado helps Despy to his feet. ELP does kinda like how he looks with both belts but he still hands Despy his gold. ELP lets Great-O-Khan know that there’s more in store tomorrow in their New Japan Cup match, but Khan laughs that off. But then the lights go down, and the tron plays a message from Clark Connors!

“Desperadooo~…! I heard that you wanted a match with Clark Connors. Well, I want your title. So let’s settle this the only way that me and you can: in a HARDCORE MATCH! And this time, Despy, I’m not just gonna take your mask, I’m not just gonna take your title, I’m gonna take your effin’ life! Because you are not my dawg for real.” The fans are excited to hear that! Despy says if Clark wants it hardcore, then let’s do it! The fans are even more excited now! When and where will The Rogue Luchador shoot it out with 100 Proof?

2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Yuya Uemura w/ Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA w/ Taiji Ishimori!

What was once Just5Guys is back down to four, and misfortune struck as the Heat Storm got hurt. But Yuya is back, and he wants revenge on the traitor! Will Yuya burn hotter and brighter than ever before? Or will the heat die down against this Cold-Blooded War Dog?

Well as if Sanada wasn’t being rude and obnoxious before, he’s wearing a shirt that outright says, “Uemura, MOTHER EFFER, you’re still a Young Lion.” The bell rings and the fans rally up for “YUYA! YUYA!” Sanada and Yuya circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. They back up, circle again, and Sanada avoids Yuya shooting in. They feel things out again, knuckle lock, and then Yuya avoids Sanada shooting in. The fans cheer as the two reset again. They tie up, and Yuya wrenches to a hammerlock. Sanada endures, moves around, and he wrenches to put the hammerlock onto Yuya. Yuya endures, reaches out, but Sanada keeps him from ropes.

Yuya switches the hammerlock back onto Sanada, and he keeps Sanada from getting a leg. Sanada switches the hammerlock but Yuya switches it right back! Sanada tries again, but Yuya again puts the hammerlock on. Sanada goes around one more time but Yuya is still wise to that. So Sanada drop toeholds! Sanada floats to a headlocks, Yuya slips right out the back, and it’s back to the hammerlock! Yuya SNAPS the hammerlock, then headstands into a bridge! Yuya goes back around, grinds the hammerlock more, but Sanada reaches back. Yuya headstands out of the headlock and goes back to the start!

Sanada gets mad and gets to his feet. Sanada reaches back and SHIRANUI to get free! Sanada wrenches, Yuya wrenches back, and repeat! Sanada rolls, wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks, spins and hits a takeover, but Yuya headscissors! Sanada kips free and the fans cheer this great exchange! Yuya and Sanada catch their breath and reset while the the fans rally back up. Sanada and Yuya tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, then Sanda headlocks. Yuya powers up and out, goes the other way, slides under a boot and he arm-drags Sanada! Sanada bails out but Yuya eggs him on. Sanada paces while he cools off, so Yuya waits.

The fans rally while Sanada shakes out his arm. Yuya storms out, Sanada slides in, and now Sanada acts like Yuya’s stalling. Yuya storms in, but Sanada KICKS the ropes to jam him up! The fans boo but that should’ve been expected. Sanada then goes out to whip Yuya into railing! Sanada brings Yuya out into the crowd, brings him up the bleachers, and he fires hands! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Sanada SMACKS Yuya with a fan’s merchandise! Sanada leaves Yuya behind, the fans rally for Yuya, and a ring count starts. Yuya sits up at 4 of 20, rises but hobbles and almost falls down the steps! Taichi & Taka coach him on but we’re at 15!

Yuya hurries back in at 17 and the fans cheer, only for Sanada to basement DROPKICK! Yuya writhes but Sanada drags him back up. Sanada ROCKS Yuya with a right hand, but the ref reprimands about closed fists. Sanada ROCKS Yuya again, then stalks him to ropes. Sanada ROCKS Yuya with haymaker after haymaker, but then Yuya CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! DOUBLE CHOPS! DOUBLE CHOPS! DOUBLE CHOPS! Sanada puts Yuya in the corner to DROPKICK the leg! The fans boo but Sanada looms over Yuya in the corner. Sanada drags Yuya up, whips him corner to corner, but Yuya comes back with a FLYING FOREARM!

The fans fire up while both men are down, and they rally for Yuya. Yuya grits his teeth while Taichi & Taka coach him up. Yuya rises, storms over to Sanada, and CHOPS him! Yuya CHOPS again, then CHOPS again, again, and again! Yuya fires up, the fans are with him, and he whips Sanada, only for Sanada to reverse. Yuya goes up and over to arm-drag! And DOUBLE CHOP! The fans stay fired up, and Yuya rips off Sanada’s shirt! Yuya looms over Sanada, then he thinks about going to a corner. The fans rally, but Yuya hesitates. Isn’t going high what hurt him before? Yuya drags Sanada up but Sanada fights the lift with elbows. Yuya still hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO!

Yuya goes right to the ARMBAR! Sanada scrambles right to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts but Yuya lets go cleanly. Yuya drags Sanada up, clinches, but again Sanada fights the lift. Yuya runs but Sanada dropkicks the leg again! Yuya still comes back, but Sanada DUMPS him to the apron! And DROPKICKS him to the floor! Then Sanada PLANCHAS! Down goes Yuya and the fans are still impressed with Sanada’s ability. Sanada wants the fans to get louder like in the old days, but the fans cheer Yuya on now. Sanada says that’s fine, and he goes back to Yuya. Sanada drags Yuya up, puts him in the ring, then brings him up.

Sanada fireman’s carries Yuya, but Yuya fights free! Yuya gets under, but Sanada fights the urenage! Yuya CHOPS, whips, but Sanada BOOTS him away! Sanada QUEBRADA, for the dragon sleeper! Yuya endures, but Sanada drops into SKULL END! Yuya is caught in the body scissors but the fans rally up! Yuya reaches out, but he’s fading! Sanada lets Yuya go, puts him right on the lion logo, and goes up to ROUNDING BODY PRESS, onto knees! Yuya saves himself on that one, but it was double-edged as he clutches his knee. The fans rally up, and Yuya kips up! The fans fire up with Yuya as he drags Sanada back up.

Yuya scoops and SLAMS Sanada, then looks to the corner. Will he go for it? Yuya fires up and climbs! The fans rally, and Yuya reaches the top! But Sanada uses the ref as as shield! Taiji SHOVES Yuya down! But Taka YANKS Taiji down and whips! Taiji reverses to send Taka into railing! Taichi chases Taiji, the ref has no idea what’s going on, but at least now Sanada and Yuya are truly 1v1! Sanada hurries to go up, ROUNDING BODY- NO, Yuya dodges! And GERMAN- NO, Sanada lands out! Sanada spins Yuya, suplexes, MAGIC- NO, Yuya fights free to then URENAGE! The fans fire up and Yuya covers, TWO!

Sanada stays in this but the fans rally behind Yuya. Yuya rises, he drags Sanada up, but Sanada ENZIGIRIS! Yuya ENZIGIRIS! Sanada SHINING WIZARDS! The fans boo but Sanada brings Yuya up! Clinch and- NO, Yuya slips out to GERMAN SUPLEX! Snadaa’s right up!? But Yuya DROPKICKS him right down! Yuya fires up, and he drags Sanada into the cording hold! But Sanada fights free to DEAD- NO, Yuya slips free, waistlocks, but Sanada switches! They go to ropes, Yuya bucks the O’Conner, then Yuya SUPERMAN STACKS! Cover, YUYA WINS!!

Winner: Yuya Uemura, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Sanada is shocked! So much for “just a Young Lion!” The Heat Storm burns the Cold Blooded, and Sanada sulks off. But will Yuya be ready to do this all again against Yoshi-Hashi?

2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

The Gene Blast won last year’s tournament, and though he didn’t become IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, becoming IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion isn’t too bad. But the King of Darkness wants it all, from the Cup to the titles to being the leader of PRIME Bullet Club! Will he prove that Everything is Evil’s? Or will this ungovernable stop him before he gets started?

Evil makes his entrance first, but where is Dick Togo? Yota makes his entrance, and yep, Dick was waiting to attack from behind! The fans boo as The Spoiler already ruins the fun, but Evil storms out to add on. The ref reprimands but Evil whips Yota hard into railing! Yota flops over, Evil stands on Yota’s leg, then Evil drags Yota around to SLAM the leg against railing! And then he does it again! The ref reprimands but Evil kicks Yota around. Evil drags Yota by his leg to SLAM the leg against railing again! Evil then puts Yota in the ring, tells the ref to back off, and then shoves the ref down! The fans boo but Dick joins in!

Evil & Dick mug Yota in the ring, the fans boo, but Dick tells them to shut up. Evil & Dick put one out while they’re told to go home. Evil drags Yota up, but Yota fights off Magic Killer! Yota sends Evil into Dick, then scoop SLAMS Evil! Then Yota scoops Dick to DROP him on Evil! DOUBLE SPLASH! The fans fire up and Yota checks on the ref. The ref has the bell ring, and the fans rally behind “YOTA! YOTA!” Yota drags Evil up, whips him to a corner, and then he runs up to SPLASH! Yota reels Evil in to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Evil is tougher than that but Yota stays cool. The fans rally and Yota rises up.

Yota eggs Evil on, then runs, but Evil LARIATS first! Evil then has Yota’s legs, steps through, and steps over, SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Yota endures and the fans rally up. Yota powers up, reaches out, but Evil sits deep! Yota still fights and the fans rally harder. Yota powers up again, claws at the mat, and he fights to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Evil holds and the fans boo. Evil lets go at 4 and storms around in frustration. Evil drags Yota back up, talks trash and fireman’s carries, DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO! Yota survives and Evil is further frustrated. Evil vows to end this, and he drags Yota back up.

Evil spins Yota around, EVERY- NO, Yota flips through! And SUPERKICKS! And HEADBUTTS! Evil falls to the mat and Yota gris his teeth. Yota still has to sit back, that was one powerful shot. The fans rally again while the ref checks both men. Evil and Yota are both able to continue, and Yota goes to ropes. Yota rises up, storms over to Evil, and drags him back up. Yota whips Evil to a corner, then goes corner to corner for a LARIAT! Yota shoves Evil down, fires up, and the fans are with him! Yota goes up, up, and MARLOWE- NO, Evil dodges! Evil runs up, but Yota LARIATS! Yota roars, takes aim, but Evil sends the ref into the GENE BLAST!

The fans are shocked, Dick gets on the apron, POCKET SAND! Evil LOW BLOWS Yota, then shouts at the ref to get up! But the ref just got ran over by a truck! EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Cover, the ref is back, EVIL WINS!!

Winner: Evil, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Another miscarriage of justice as the House of Torture pulls out all the stops! Evil not only advances, but he just beat last year’s New Japan Cup Champion, and the IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion besides! And as if this isn’t enough, Evil wants to talk! “OI, last year’s winner, Tsuji Yota… TOO BAD FOR YOU~! HAHAHA! You and I are on different levels of ability! You understand that? Remember it!” The King of Darkness has his mic drop, but is it true? IS everything Evil?

2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Ryohei Oiwa w/ Hartley Jackson VS Chase Owens!

The Mighty Mullet’s team lost to The Crown Jewel on the Anniversary Event, so he’s backed against the wall. But will Ryohei get a grip and turn things around? Or will he be the victim of a Jewel Heist?

The bell rings and the fans rally up for “OIWA! OIWA!” Chase and Oiwa circle, feel things out, and tie up. They break, go again, and then break again. The two stare down, reset, and the fans rally up. The two tie up again, go around, end up on ropes and go along the ropes. The ref counts, Oiwa lets off slowly, then pats Chase on the shoulders. Chase pie faces Oiwa in return! Oiwa runs up but Chase bails out. The fans boo and Oiwa is frustrated, but Chase takes his time returning. Chase steps inside, resets with Oiwa, and the two feel out a knuckle lock. Chase kicks but Oiwa blocks! Chase apologizes, but Oiwa THROWS him down!

Oiwa runs, Chase stays low, but Oiwa fakes Chase out to then arm-drag! Oiwa stays on Chase with a wristlock, then he drops a leg on the arm! Oiwa has a short arm scissor but Chase endures. Oiwa lets go to drag Chase up, but Chase pulls hair! Chase whips Oiwa away, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Chase! Things keep moving, Chase drops but Oiwa turns hip toss into HIP TOSS! And then he DROPKICKS Chase! Oiwa handsprings, then arm-drags! Oiwa has another cording hold, but Chase fights up. Chase reaches out, Oiwa keeps him from ropes, but Chase whips Oiwa out of the ring! Chase then builds speed, but Oiwa avoids the dropkick!

Oiwa runs up, Chase sends him at railing! Oiwa stops himself short, then he dodges Chase. Chase stops short, ELBOWS Oiwa, but Oiwa ROCKS Chase! Chase BOOTS Oiwa, then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS into railing! Chase drags Oiwa back up, puts him in the ring, and the fans rally up. Chase drags Oiwa up again, half nelsons then spins to a dragon sleeper, EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, TWO! Chase quickly wrenches, hammerlocks and JEWEL HEIST! Cover, TWO! Oiwa survives some heavy fire but Chase stays cool. The fans rally while Oiwa crawls away to ropes. Chase stalks Oiwa to the apron, then drags him up.

Chase KNEES Oiwa, the ref reprimands, but Chase brushes the ref off. Chase drags Oiwa up, reels him in, and the ref says don’t do it! The fans freak out as Chase tucks Oiwa in! Oiwa fights free, but Chase ROCKS him! Chase eggs Oiwa on, so Oiwa ROCKS Chase! Oiwa ROCKS Chase again, eggs him on, but Oiwa WRINGS Chase’s arm into the apron! Chase writhes but Oiwa drags him to the corner, and he pulls the arm against the post! Then he wrenches the arm to SLAM it against the post! Gedo complains from commentary but Oiwa goes inside. Oiwa drags Chase up, wrenches the arm again and again, then whips Chase, just to YANK the arm!

Oiwa runs, UPPERCUTS Chase down, then covers, TWO! Chase is tougher than that but Oiwa stays cool. Oiwa drags Chase up, then whips him corner to corner. Oiwa runs up, and UPPERCUTS! Oiwa climbs up, and he PULLS Chase’s arm against the ropes! The ref reprimands, Oiwa backs off, but Chase SPITS at Oiwa! Chase runs up, but Oiwa BACKDROPS him! Oiwa hauls Chase up, but Chase fights the lift with elbows! Oiwa still tries, but Chase ROCKS Oiwa with a headlock punch! Oiwa goes to ropes Chase runs up, but into an ELBOW! Chase SOBATS, then SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMBS! Both men are down and the fans rally up!

Chase storms up to drag Oiwa to his feet. Chase reels Oiwa in, but Oiwa trips Chase for a jackknife bridge! TWO, and both men get to their feet! Chase swats a lariat to C-TRIGGER! Then he SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF SUPLEXES! Chase roars, runs, but Oiwa LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Chase survives but Oiwa shakes his head. Oiwa clamps on the SLEEPER! Chase sputters, rises up, reaches out, but Oiwa keeps him from ropes! Oiwa squeezes tight, and Chase is fading! But then Chase uses that to drop toehold Oiwa into ropes! Roll up with tights! TWO!! Oiwa escapes, but a C-TRIGGER finds him! Oiwa sputters, Chase reloads! C-TRIGGER!! Cover, TWO!?!

The fans fire up as Oiwa survives! Chase is furious, and he vows to end this! Chase aims and says BANG! Chase sits Oiwa up, to C-TRIGGER! Chase tucks Oiwa in, but Oiwa fights free, wrenches and WRINGS the arm! SHANKLY GATES!! Chase endures as Oiwa pulls way back on that arm! Chase TAPS, Oiwa wins!!

Winner: Ryohei Oiwa, by submission (advances to the next round)

The Crown Jewel shined, but he still cracked under pressure! Oiwa is now moving on, and will face TMDK’s Front Man! Will the Mullet get a grip on Zack Sabre Jr? Or will even Oiwa #JustTapOut?

2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Gabe Kidd VS Ren Narita!

The Bullet Club Civil War has begun, or returned, depending on how you look at history. But one thing is for sure, The Mad Man wants to take a bite out of the Souled Out Son of Strong Style! He almost got it for the Anniversary Event, will Gabe tear Ren apart tonight? Or will the House of Torture prove they are PRIME Bullet Club?

Gabe is fired up already as he makes his entrance, but here comes Ren! Gabe BOOTS Ren down first! The fans fire up as Gabe doesn’t let Ren get his receipt! Gabe then POSTS Ren, and the fans also love the Japanese on Gabe’s tights! Red Shoes reprimands but Gabe grabs a mic to say, “This is NJPW, mother effer! Narita, bring the fight, you jackass!” Ren storms up, but Gabe UPPERCUTS him! Gabe then goes to the apron, and goes up a corner?! ASAI MOONSAULT! Gabe shows he can flip with the best of them and the fans are thunderous! Gabe drags Ren up and into the ring, the bell sounds, and the main event is on!

Gabe fires forearm after forearm into Ren in the corner, then he runs corner to corner and back again! HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Gabe sits cross-legged, another message to Shibata. Ren flops out of the ring but Gabe storms over. Ren trips Gabe and drags him out! Ren whips Gabe hard into railing! The fans boo but Ren whips Gabe, but Gabe reverses! Now Ren hits railing hard! Gedo says show him that violence! Gabe and Gedo Too Sweet, then Gabe brings Ren into the crowd. Gabe makes Ren take a seat, puts his shirt over his face, and CHOPS! And CHOPS! The fans cheer as the action is right in front of them!

Gabe has fans clear out, and he stands on a chair so the crowd can see him. Gabe then brings Ren up, but Ren SMASHES Gabe with a water bottle! The fans boo but Ren drags Gabe up to throw him into barriers! Ren snarls and staggers about, but he drags Gabe up. They go around behind the bleachers, and Ren sends Gabe into the wall! And then back into the wall! Red Shoes reprimands, but Ren talks trash on Gabe. Ren drags Gabe up, brings him back to ringside, but Gabe POSTS Ren again! The fans fire up as Gabe has a wild look on his face. A fan hands Gabe their drink! Gabe cracks open the can, says cheers, then he SPITS beer at Ren!

Gabe lets Red Shoes have the rest, then he goes after Ren again. Gabe opens the gate and he drags Ren out into the crowd again! And now he whips Ren hard into the barriers! The fans fire up for their anti-hero as he leaves Ren behind. Ren writhes, Gabe brings out chairs, and Gedo loves it! Gabe sets those chairs down, then confiscates some from the fans! Gabe adds those to the pile, and has about half a dozen in all. Red Shoes reprimands but the fans like where this is going. Gabe fetches Ren back to ringside, but Ren fights back! Gabe UPPERCUTS Ren, and then lines up the shot! Red Shoes says no but Gedo says yes!

The fans bark, but Ren fights the suplex! And now SHO shows up! Gabe chases Sho back to the back! Gabe then winds up as he aims at Ren. Gabe runs up, but Ren BACKDROPS Gabe onto the chairs! Sho did his part to save Ren and turn things around, and now Gabe writhes on the floor. Ren drags Gabe up, clinches, and hits an EXPLODER onto the chairs! Gedo doesn’t like how the proverbial tables have turned, but both men are down on the outside. Red Shoes starts a ring count, and Ren hobbles up at 8 of 20. Ren rolls in at 10, but Gabe is still down! Gabe drags himself up and in at 15, but Ren covers! TWO!!

Ren is frustrated but the fans rally up. Ren drags Gabe up, whips him to ropes, then runs to NECKBREAKER DROP! Cover, TWO! Gabe stays in this but Ren stays on him with a headscissor squeeze! Gabe endures, the fans rally up, but Ren puts on the pressure! Gabe fights around, reaches out, but Ren squeezes as tight as he can! Even so, Gabe finds the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Red Shoes counts, but Ren lets go at 4. The fans boo, but Ren looms over Gabe. Ren drags Gabe up, TOSSES him out, and Gabe hits railing! Ren drags Gabe up to CLUB him, then whips him into railing! Ren runs up to BOOT Gabe over the railing!

The fans boo more while Gabe sputters near English commentary. Ren goes out after Gabe, drags him up, but Gabe is deadweight. Ren says to check him, but Red Shoes wants Ren to go to the ring. Ren drag Gabe up after all, and SMACKS him off commentary! Gabe flops onto the chairs, but Ren takes those out from under him! Ren CHOKES Gabe with a chair! Red Shoes starts a ring count, Ren leaves Gabe behind, and Ren goes back to the ring at 12 of 20. The fans rally as Gabe sits up at 13, and pushes up at 15! Gabe crawls, but we’re at 17! 18! 19!! Gabe SPRINGS in at 19.9! But Ren suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO!!

Gabe stays in this but Ren grins as he stands over Gabe. Ren kicks Gabe around, stomps him, then eggs him on. Ren stomps Gabe more, but Gabe gets up! Ren CLAWS Gabe’s eyes! The fans boo, Red Shoes reprimands, and Ren stops at 4. Ren runs, into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up while Ren flounders to a corner. Gabe sits up and snarls, then runs up to LARIAT in the corner! Gabe again puts Ren’s shirt over his face, and CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” but then Gabe HEADBUTTS! And CHOPS! And HEADBUTTS! Gabe’s neck bothers him, but he just CHOPS and HEADBUTTS again!

Gabe rolls back, runs in, but Ren runs up! Gabe catches Ren for an EXPLODER! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! The fans rally, Ren sputters, but Gabe kips up! Gabe then goes up, up, “I’m a MAD MAN!” MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Ren survives and Gabe frowns. Gabe shakes his head, and he shakes out his legs and checks his neck before he stands. Ren sputters through a bloody nose, but Gabe points to the lion mark. The fans cheer, and Gabe stands Ren up. Gabe UPPERCUTS, then puts Ren on the top rope. Gabe CHOPS, and CHOPS, and then fires the fans up more! Gabe climbs, but Ren resists the suplex!

Ren throws body shots, but Gabe HEADBUTTS him! Gabe wobbles, and then Ren CHOKES Gabe! Ren DECKS Gabe, then adjusts on the top rope. Gabe stands, into HELL’S GUILLOTINE!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives, but Ren clamps on a SLEEPER! Ren squeezes tight, but Gabe fights up to snapmare free! Gabe runs, but Ren kicks the legs out! FACELOCK GUILLOTINE!! Ren has the body scissors, Red Shoes checks Gabe, and the fans rally up. Gabe lifts Ren up off the mat! But Ren lets go to slip around, SLEEPER!! Gabe sputters again, and he’s turning reddish purple! Red Shoes checks Gabe, but Ren won’t let Gabe fall!

Ren then spins Gabe around, for the DOUBLE CROSS- NO!! Gabe slips free and PENALTY KICKS!! The fans are thunderous for “GABU! GABU!” Gabe drags Ren up, reels him in, but Ren fights the suplex again. Ren fires body shots, but Gabe powers through to BRAINBUSTER! And then he drags Ren up for a SAIDO!! Gabe crawls to the cover, TWO!! Ren survives and Gabe is frustrated, but the fans continue to rally behind him. Gabe barks, the fans bark with him, and Gabe drags Ren up. Ren is deadweight now so Gabe wants Red Shoes to check. Red Shoes checks, Ren is dazed, but he’s still deadweight.

Gabe kicks Ren around, daring him to get up. The fans fire up as Ren rises, and Gabe winds up the arm. Gabe runs, COMEBACKER into Red Shoes!! Ren uses Red Shoes as a shield, then JAMS Gabe with his pushup bar! And now Ren waves in the House of Torture! Sho AND Yujiro Takahashi show up to stomp away on Gabe! The fans boo, but Sho & Yujiro drag Gabe out to stomp him more! Gedo shouts for a ref, but Ren grabs a chair! Sho & Yujiro stand Gabe up, Ren HEADSHOTS Gabe!!! Tokyo Pimp pretends to be shocked, Ren grins and laughs, as does Sho. Young Lions check on Red Shoes, and Gabe’s been busted open!

The House of Torture laugh maniacally as they have Gabe where they want him. They put Gabe in the ring, and now Ren has his pushup bar again. The fans boo, but here come reinforcements! Drilla SUPERKICKS Ren, then fires off on Sho! Taiji is after Yujiro, and now 44 Caliber and Bone Soldier beat up on The House boys! The fans cheer as Drilla & Taiji drag them away to the back! Gabe and Ren are now alone, but what about a ref? Ren has his pushup bar, and he grins as he takes aim! Gabe stands, but he blocks the bar! Gabe overpowers Ren, and he TOSSES the bar! Ren freaks out, but he fires forearms! Gabe just takes them!

Gabe wipes the blood from his brow, and SMACKS Ren down! The fans are thunderous as Gabe barks it up! A replacement ref steps in, and Gabe brings his kneepad down! O-KNEE!! And then, a PILEDRIVER!! Gabe holds on, this is not enough punishment for what Ren has done! LEG CAPTURE DRIVER!! Cover, Gabe wins!!

Winner: Gabe Kidd, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

A standing ovation here in Korakuen as the Mad Man serves his brand of justice! Will the House of Torture back out of this Civil War while they can? As for Gabe, he stands tall with his NJPW Strong Openweight Championship, then takes a moment to catch his breath. Gabe takes the mic, and he stands on the lion mark while the fans chant his name. “<Sorry, I can only speak a bit of Japanese. But you all understand…> F HOUSE OF TORTURE!” The fans do understand and they cheer it. Gabe says there are a lot of people claiming to lead this company forward, from Shota to Tsuji to Yuya. It’s not them, it’s GABE EFFIN’ KIDD!

Gabe wants them to zoom in on his blood pouring from his forehead. Gabe BLEEDS NJPW! This is his life! It’s not a job! This is his LIFE! He ain’t going anywhere! F AEW! F WWE! NJPW ICHIBAN!!! The fans cheer that, respecting Gabe’s hardcore loyalty! Gabe says in 2025, the New Japan Cup winner will be GABE KIDD!! “Taichi, <I’m coming for you, punk!>” Mic drop and the fans go wild! Will this Mad Man truly lead the way for NJPW’s future?

My Thoughts:

A great start to New Japan Cup after an apparent broken corner post forced the actual opening night of March 7th to be canceled. Four matches for the Cup in one night is good stuff, though, really got the fans fired up. I do like that among the tune-up tag matches, we got an 8 Man Tag between members of the newly unified Hontai-Chaos faction to help hype Goto VS Nagata. And after Desperado wins his Six Man Tag, Connors calling him out for a Hardcore match with the Junior Heavyweight title on the line is good stuff. Who knows how that goes, but I could see the War Dogs grabbing up some gold real quick to spice up their feud with House of Torture.

Speaking of Bullet Club, they as a whole were 1-3 on the night, but Evil winning makes sense if he is to be strong enough to be THE leader of Bullet Club. Yuya getting that win off Sanada was great stuff, Sanada’s been building up that comeuppance karma for a long time so here it is. Oiwa VS Chase was really good, and that was a really good win for Oiwa. Gabe VS Ren was awesome stuff, even the usual House of Torture overbooking because it allowed Taiji & Drilla to make that save. Gabe winning was the right call, because despite not being a Reiwa Era Musketeer, despite being Japanese, Gabe has the hot hand, the fans love him. And though he’s an anti-hero kind of character, he really does want NJPW to be the best by still doing what made the company popular in the first place.