Coverage

Mathew’s AJPW Champion Carnival B Block Results & Review: Part 3

Another few days, Mathew brings us another part of the Champion Carnival! All Japan’s biggest tournament of the year keeps churning in quality! How is B block going?

Published

7 years ago

April 18, 2019

Mathew Sarpraicone

Another few days, Mathew brings us another part of the Champion Carnival! All Japan’s biggest tournament of the year keeps churning in quality!

Welcome back to the Carnival, as we look at the next three shows for the part of the ongoing tournament.

The last part had a lot of solid matches and some nice victories that changed the game a little bit. As we get a little bit closer to the finals, the standings for this set of matches should be interesting.

Will Yoshitatsu remain the only one undefeated now or someone breaks that? Let’s see who will move up or down in the standings as we…dive right in.

Rating System:

0 Stars: Dave Meltzer
1 Star: Vince Russo
2 Stars: Tony Schiavone
3 Stars: Eric Bischoff
4 Stars: Bruce Prichard
5 Stars: Jim Cornette

4/11/2019
Champion Carnival B Block Match
Jake Lee vs. Yoshitatsu

Review: Our first match for this show is Jake Lee taking on Yoshitatsu. Jake Lee was recently able to get his first win when he defeated Joel Redman. Yoshitatsu is currently the only one undefeated when he won against Suwama at the last show. Jake would need to have another win here to move up while Yoshi winning would move him to the top spot. Can Jake get another win or will Yoshi remain undefeated?

Yoshi, I know you spent money on Hunter Club gear and I’m sure you’re very proud of yourself but I think you should let that go. You’re not in New Japan anymore, no real need for it and just move forward. Anyway, I thought this was an enjoyable match but if I had to nitpick one thing, it would be that I wish there was a lot more intensity in the match since you kinda felt that when they had a tag match in the last big show I did for them and it didn’t feel like a grudge match or anything for the first half of it. Yoshi having good matches back to back is a very pleasant surprise and I hope that momentum keeps on going as we go forward with the tournament. The chemistry between them was a really nice touch with a great showing by both these men. Jake psyched Yoshi out with a punch to the gut and ran towards him only to get caught in a Koji Clutch which Jake rolled him up for a two count. Yoshi would eventually hook the Koji Clutch all the way after countering his Backdrop and it looked like he had him tapped but Jake answered the referee, making him break it up and pin him for a two. Jake would deliver two knees to his chest before hitting the Backdrop Driver to get the three count, ending the only winning streak we had for B Block.

Rating: Eric Bischoff and a half

Champion Carnival B Block Match
Suwama vs. Sam Adonis

Review: Our next match is Sam Adonis taking on Suwama. Suwama recently lost to Yoshitatsu but he’s still in a good position with only one win and one loss as he still has time to bounce back. Sam currently has zero wins and two losses, so he would need to get a win here if he would wanna stay in the game a little longer. Can Suwama bounce back or does Sam sweep his chances under the rug?

Suwama is a great opponent for Sam as they have similar styles, making it easier for Sam to work with and show more of what he could do in the ring as he gave a much better performance here than his previous match against Joel. They were able to showcase enough power and strikes to make it rather engaging for the audience who are fans of this type of style, to begin with. It also shows how helpful Suwama can be with his opponents to help make them look good while bringing out your potential as the match progresses. Sam would get Suwama down with a few hits such as the Blockbuster and even lifted him for a Running Powerslam as Suwama was still able to kick out and gets frustrated as he goes to grab a chair for later. Suwama would attempt another Last Ride after failing the first time as Sam would use a dirty tactic of biting his fingers to make him let go as he grabbed the chair to try and strikes him, but Suwama grabbed it and threw it to the side. When the referee wasn’t looking, Sam would hit him with a low blow and roll him up for a two count. Sam isn’t done as he hits a Lariat and a modified Brainbuster it looked like as he shocked the fans by picking up his first win in the tournament. More of this Sam and he’ll be in good shape.

Rating: Eric Bischoff and a quarter

4/13/2019
Champion Carnival B Block Match
Naoya Nomura vs. Joel Redman

Review: Onto the next show as the one opening this up is Naoya Nomura taking on Joel Redman. Nomura recently suffered his first loss when he fought Joe Doering but he’s still in a good spot as he’s still in first place with the three wins he already has under his belt. Joel recently got his first win when he defeated Sam Adonis and he now has a chance to climb up the ladder a little bit more if he can take Nomura down here. Will Nomura get another win and secure his spot or will Joel pull him down a bit?

I see Joel went back to his better gear than his previous one, thank goodness because he looks a lot better without the singlet. Speaking of Joel, he delivers another great performance in his match against Nomura who also performed just as great as Joel did. Joel was able to do arm manipulation once he threw Nomura into the turnbuckle to know where he needed to take the advantage over him. Nomura did great selling the injury and getting the crowd behind him when he hits Joel with the Spear to try and get momentum back on his side. Nomura would be able to hit a Northern Lights Suplex and another Spear with a roll-up as Joel would still kick out of it. Joel was able to catch him into the Fujiwara Armbar and it looked like he had him ready to tap but Nomura would grab the ropes. Joel saw him going towards the apron and hits a Suplex from the other side and catches him for a Spinning Tombstone and Nomura would still kick out of it, but he quickly turned it back into the Fujiwara Armbar and Nomura tapped out! I know it’s been 7 years since this match happened, but I would love to see Joel Redman fight Zack Sabre Jr again, like immediately.

Rating: Eric Bischoff and three quarters

Champion Carnival B Block Match
Suwama vs. Takashi Yoshida

Review: Our match to close our block for this show is Takashi Yoshida coming back as he takes on Suwama. Suwama has one win and two losses while Takashi is one win and one loss as of right now, so they’re pretty much about even right now. Suwama would need to win the match here though if he can stay in the game. Which one of these two giants comes out the victor in this brawl?

I wasn’t too fond of the first half of the match due to it being a little bit clunky and the fighting around the outside of the arena dragged on a little bit longer than it needed to, plus the camera angles for most of it didn’t help out at all. Outside of that though, the middle of the match was a lot better than I highly anticipated since you got two giants duking it out as best they could with the throat thrusts, Lariats, and a Powerbomb from Takashi along with other power moves. While I’m still not a big fan of Takashi, he has been performing in this tournament much better than anticipated since he used this time to actually showcase his move set properly. Suwama was also able to help Takashi out in the match to make him perform better like how he did with Sam the previous night.

Takashi would have Suwama in his clutches as he hits him with a Diving Elbow Drop for a two count and would do his throat thrusts with a Lariat as Suwama would counter the Lariat with a Lariat of his own on his arm. Suwama would be able to hit the Backdrop and Takashi would be able to kick out of it and Suwama wants to call for the finish when he sets him up for the Last Ride. Once he had Takashi up for the Last Ride, he would just drop him down without doing the full move and I’m not exactly sure what happened there. Suwama would pick him up instead of pinning him as he hits one more Backdrop to get the pinfall victory in a solid match but sloppy beginning and end.

Rating: Eric Bischoff and a quarter

4/14/2019
Champion Carnival B Block Match
Joe Doering vs. Sam Adonis

Review: Our final show for this article as our opening match is Joe Doering taking on Sam Adonia. Both of these men are currently with one win and two losses under their belt, meaning one of them is going to have to suffer a third loss and be in a rather bad position with the standings. Which one of them will be in last place?

The first minute or so was basically Sam hiding behind the rope so he wouldn’t be touched as you have Joe waiting by the ropes, not having any of his crap today as he just wants to beat him up. Which is exactly what he does do when they’re outside of the ring for a couple of minutes as the two were back and forth, but it was mostly Joe that was getting the upper hand. Joe got him back in the ring as he would look to put him away as Sam would distract the referee long enough to kick Joe in the dick and down goes the giant. Joe is unable to move as Sam would pin him down to get the pinfall victory, leaving Joe in last place with three losses.

Rating: Tony Schiavone and a quarter

Champion Carnival B Block Match
Joel Redman vs. Takashi Yoshida

Review: Our final match for this set of matches is Joel Redman taking on Takashi Yoshida. Joel is even right now with two wins and losses while Takashi only has one win still but with two losses, meaning things aren’t looking so hot for Takashi right now. Is Joel does win here, then he’ll be in first place next to Naoya Nomura and if Takashi wins, the majority of them will all be tied up except for Joe and Nomura. Which one of them will get the victory?

It’s so weird seeing Takashi trying to chain wrestle Joel at the beginning of the match and the shocking part of it is him doing it well on top of that, scary sight if you ask me. Joel is, of course, more technically sound compared to Takashi, so of course, he would win this part of the bout. Takashi performed a lot better here than he did in his previous match with Suwama from beginning to end while Joel keeps on proving his worth with all the matches he’s been in. Joel would give Takashi a couple of kicks to take him down before he does his Diving Knee Drop off the top rope for a two count. It looked like Joel was gonna go for the Spinning Tombstone but Takashi would fight out of it to pick him up as Joel gets off him to go for a Backslide with Takashi kicking out. Takashi would hit the Kong Lariat to knock him down and Joel would still kick out, leaving Takashi frustrated and would pick him up to hit the Cyber Bomb as he gets the victory over Joel.

Rating: Eric Bischoff

Overall: Aside from one match, the rest of the show was solid again as usual as I’m very happy with my results so far as it comes to the quality of the matches with an exception for a couple that happened. Our next set of shows should give us a better assessment to see where people stand and who will have no chance of making it.

Favorite Match: Joel Redman vs. Naoya Nomura

Least Favorite Match: Joe Doering vs. Sam Adonis

Score: 7/10

Current Standings:
Naoya Nomura: (3-2) (6 Points)
Yoshitatsu: (2-1) (4 Points)
Daichi Hashimoto: (2-1) (4 Points)
Suwama: (2-2) (4 Points)
Jake Lee: (2-2) (4 Points)
Joel Redman: (2-2) (4 Points)
Takashi Yoshida: (2-2) (4 Points)
Sam Adonis: (2-2) (4 Points)
Joe Doering: (1-3) (2 Points)

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Up Next

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/13/19)

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Andrew’s AJPW Champion Carnival 2019 A Block Ratings & Analysis: Part 3

Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (3/13/26)

Who’s feeling lucky?

Published

46 minutes ago

March 13, 2026

Steven Mitchell

Very superstitious~! Writing on the wall~!

Don’t worry, it IS Friday! But with Revolution on Sunday, ROH is giving us a special bonus episode tonight, free gratis on YouTube!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Ace Austin VS KM; wins.
Marina Shafir VS Danielle Kamela; wins.
Rush VS BEEF; wins.
Persephone VS ???
Wheeler Yuta VS Serpentico; wins.
8 Man Tag: Eddie Kingston, Ortiz & Top Flight VS Roppongi Vice & MXM Collection; win.

PLAY BY PLAY

[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

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! (3/13/26)

Who’s feeling lucky?

Published

6 hours ago

March 13, 2026

Steven Mitchell

It’s a mighty night for the New Japan Cup!

The New Japan Cup arrives in Osaka as round two continues. Tonight, Hartley Jackson VS Callum Newman, and Hirooki Goto VS Jake Lee!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Shota Umino & Masatora Yasuda VS Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi; Chase & Yujiro win.
Six Man Tag: YOSHI-HASHI, Satoshi Kojima & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
Six Man Tag: Hontai VS House of Torture; Hontai wins.
Yuya Uemura & Tomoaki Honma VS WarDragons; WarDragons win.
10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Callum Newman VS Hartley Jackson; Callum wins and advances.
2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Jake Lee VS Hirooki Goto; Goto wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Callum Newman w/ Zane Jay VS Hartley Jackson!

The Prince was able to slay one giant German in the first round as he made Oskar “kiss the crown.” But now he runs into TMDK’s giant Aussie! Will Callum find a way to make the mighty kneel? Or will he see that it’s Jackson Number One!

Hartley offers a handshake to show there is sportsmanship here, but Callum just flips him off. The bell rings and Callum runs up to BOOT Hartley! Callum fires off a flurry of forearms, then he mockingly says, “Jackson, gambatte yo. <Do your best.>” Callum CLUBS Hartley, runs the ropes, but Hartley follows, blows past him, then CLOBBERS him! “Jackson Number One!” The fans cheer that! Hartley stands Callum up to CHOP him down! Callum grimaces as he stands back up, but Hartley CHOPS again! Callum stands up faster this time, but Hartley CLUBS him on the back. Hartley then CHOPS Callum in a corner!

Hartley brings Callum out to suplex, but Callum slips free! Callum waistlocks, Hartley switches, but Callum elbows free. Callum then trips Hartley and KNEES him in the side! Hartley rolls away to a corner, clutching his ribs, but Callum says, “Callum Number One!” The fans are torn but Callum walks over to Hartley. Callum digs his knee into Hartley’s face but the ref counts. Callum mocks the ref, then backs off at 4. But then he digs his boots back in! The ref counts, Callum backs off and flexes. Callum KICKS Hartley, KICKS him again, and again! Callum eggs Hartley on and slaps him around. Hartley says, “Kimochi! <Feels good!>”

Callum says okay, and slaps Hartley some more. Hartley says, “Motto! <More!>” Callum fires a forearm, but Hartley dares him to headbutt?! Callum says okay! He brings Hartley out and HEADBUTTS! But Callum’s the one dazed by that! The fans cheer as Callum has to sit down! Hartley brings Callum up to HEADBUTT, and Callum staggers to a corner! Hartley storms up on Callum, ROCKS him with a forearm, then whips corner to corner. Callum sputters but Hartley SPLASHES, then short arm LARIATS! And then SENTONS! The fans cheer while Callum sputters again. Hartley covers, TWO! Callum toughs it out but the fans rally for Hartley.

Hartley drags Callum up, fireman’s carries, but Callum fights free with elbow. Callum staggers, kicks, but Hartley blocks! Callum ROCKS Hartley, ROLLING ELBOWS, then ROUNDHOUSES! The fans applaud as Hartley falls and Callum wobbles. Callum shakes out the remaining stars from those headbutts while Hartley rolls out of the ring. Callum builds speed and DIVES onto Hartley! They both hit railing! The fans fire up while both men are down! The ref checks and Callum stands up. Callum flexes, saying he’s the best. The fans rally for Hartley while Callum goes back for him. Callum stands Hartley up to whip, but Hartley blocks!

Callum kicks Hartley, whips, but Hartley reverses! Callum hits railing hard! The fans fire up as Callum bounces off and crawls on the floor. Hartley rises, and he tells fans to move aside. The fans oblige as Hartley fetches Callum. Callum fires forearms but Hartley ROCKS him in return. Hartley then BOWLS Callum into the chairs! STRIKE! The fans fire up for that one! Hartley nods, then heads over to fetch Callum. Hartley has more fans clear out as they move through the crowd. The fans cheer as Hartley CLUBS Callum, then takes aim! Hartley BOWLS Callum again! Callum slides with a chair for the second STRIKE!

The fans cheer and Hartley bows in thanks. Hartley then makes his way over to fetch Callum again. The ref wants this back in the ring already but Hartley makes Callum take a seat. Hartley CHOPS Callum, then heads back to the ring as the count starts. No, wait, Hartley turns around, and he runs up on Callum! CROSSBODY gutter ball as Callum dodges! Hartley hits chairs instead! Callum hobbles his way to railings to rest against them. Hartley crawls, and manages to take a seat, but Callum runs up to DROPKICK him right back down! The fans rally as the count climbs, and Callum is back in at 10 of 20. Hartley sits up at 11!

The fans rally harder as Hartley struggles to rise! Hartley stands at 15, and he hurries on shaky legs! Hartley returns to ringside at 18! Hartley rolls in at 19.5! Callum is beside himself, but he wants Hartley to wait. Both men sit up into a kneeling position. Callum then fires a forearm! Hartley DECKS Callum in return! Callum sits up again, and fires another forearm. Hartley DECKS Callum again! Now Callum stands and he dares Hartley to do the same. Both men stand, and the forearms keep going back and forth! The fans rally up as the shots go faster and faster! Callum fires a flurry, then runs, but into a fireman’s carry!

Callum flails and throws elbows, but Hartley puts him on the top rope. Hartley ROCKS Callum, and Callum clings to ropes to stay up. Hartley climbs, brings Callum up, but Callum fires body shots! Callum ROCKS Hartley, then hops down to GAMANGIRI! Callum then gets under Hartley, and manages a RUNNING POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO! Hartley survives but Callum PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Callum aims from a corner! Callum runs again, KNEE STRIKE! Cover, TWO!! Hartley survives again and the fans fire up! Callum grows frustrated but he then mockingly cheers Harltey on again.

Callum reels Hartley in, underhooks, but Hartley might be too big for the lift. Callum KNEES Hartley down! “Callum number one, b*tch!” Callum vows to end this, and he reels Hartley back in. But Hartley fireman’s carries! DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives and the fans fire up again! Hartley pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he torture racks Callum! BURNING- NO, Callum lands out! Callum BOOTS, HEEL KICKS, but Hartley DISCUS LARIATS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Callum sputters while Hartley again rallies the fans. Hartley drags Callum up, but Callum HEADBUTTS!

Both men wobble, Callum rebounds, but Hartley ELBOWS him down! Hartley hurries to cover, TWO!! Callum survives but Hartley hauls him right up! PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! Callum survives and the fans fire up again! Hartley shouts, “IKU ZO! <Here we go!>” Hartley drags Callum up, but Zane Jay slides a chair into the ring! Hartley picks it up, hands it to the ref, and the ref puts it outside, but Callum LOW BLOWS Hartley!! Then EXCALIBUR!! Cover, Callum wins!

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

The Prince needed help this time, but he still slayed another giant! Will Callum soon claim the Cup and the crown?

2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Jake Lee VS Hirooki Goto!

Similar to Callum Newman, the Silent Jester defeated the Headhunter, but now runs into the other half of Bishamon! Will this Smart Bastard have a plan for taking down the Fierce Warrior? Or will the Goto Revolution rise again?

The bell rings and the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Jake conducts the fans like a choir, and there are “JA-KU! JA-KU!” fans here. Jake calls for silence as the two circle, and then they tie up. They’re in a deadlock but the fans rally again. Goto puts Jake on the ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Goto obliges and the fans applaud. Jake brushes that off and the two reset. They circle again, tie up again, and are in another deadlock. Jake powers Goto to the ropes, Red Shoes calls another break, and Jake lets off slowly. The fans applaud that, and Jake mocks the zanmai “HAI~!” Goto runs up, but Jake blocks the kick!

Jake kicks Goto, whips Goto to ropes, but Goto ducks ‘n’ dodges to then RUN Jake over! The fans cheer while Jake sputters. Goto stomps Jake around, then drags him up. Goto snapmares Jake into the chinlock, digging his knee into Jake’s back. Jake endures but Goto ELBOWS him in the head! Goto stomps Jake around, then brings him up. Goto CLUBS Jake on the neck, then follows him to the ropes. Goto CLUBS Jake again, then CHOPS! Goto whips, Jake reverses and KNEES low! Jake then hoists Goto up, to crotch him on the ropes! Jake mocks Goto’s pain as Goto slumps to the apron. The fans rally as Jake goes to the outside.

Jake aims from the apron as Goto stands, and runs up to PENALTY- NO, Goto blocks the kick! Goto trips Jake and he lands hard on the apron! Goto kicks Jake, then brings him around to whip, only for Jake to reverse! Goto hits railing, but he comes back! Only for Jake to get around, lift, and SLAM Goto on the apron! Jake rolls into the ring and leaves Goto to the count. Goto stirs at 3 of 20, sits up at 7, and Hashi coaches him up. Goto manages to stand at 13, but Jake is already bringing out his black medical glove. Goto rolls in at 17, but Jake stomps him! Jake cocky covers but Red Shoes refuses to count.

Jake argues with Red Shoes, and he changes feet. No, still no good. Jake properly covers Goto, Red Shoes counts, TWO! Jake drags Goto up to CLUB him, then he puts Goto on the ropes. Jake fishhooks Goto for the Bad Vibrations! Jake stops as Red Shoes reprimands, then throws the glove away. Jake stalks Goto, kicks him around, and taunts him while the fans rally. Goto frowns while Jake laughs, and Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Jake kicks low, then whips Goto to the corner. Goto reverses, then runs in, but Jake dodges! Goto hits buckles, then Jake scoops him, to put him in the Tree of Woe!

Jake fires KNEE after KNEE into Goto, then runs corner to corner to KNEE Goto out of the Tree! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Goto survives. Goto coughs and sputters, but Jake drags him up to whip to ropes, and KNEE! Jake whips again and KNEES! Jake whips a third time, Goto reverses, but Jake still KNEES him low! Jake runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Jake checks his jaw but Goto drags him up. Goto ROCKS Jake with forearm after forearm, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs up and MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Jake is tougher than that but Goto stays focused.

The fans rally as Goto brings Jake up, but Jake fights the fireman’s carry! Jake CLUBS Goto, then waistlocks, but Goto fires elbows. Goto is free, but he runs into another KNEE! The fans are torn while Goto writhes on the mat. Jake catches his breath, then hauls Goto up for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Goto survives but Jake frowns. Jake drags Goto up, bumps him off buckles, then takes aim! Jake runs corner to corner, but Goto ducks the boot! Jake is stuck on the ropes while the fans rally again. Jake hobbles from the corner, but he dodges Goto! Guzel and CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Goto survives!

Jake is annoyed but he shakes his head as he stands back up. Jake watches Goto crawl back to the corner and reloads. Goto stands, Jake runs in, but Goto again dodges the boot! Dragon sleeper, and DRAPING SHOTO! The fans cheer while both men are down again! The fans rally up as Goto and Jake stir. They both sit up slowly, then head for each other. Both men stand, and Goto fires a forearm! Jake fires back! They trade forearms again and again, picking up speed! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, neither man backing down! Jake ROCKS Goto, CLUBS Goto, then brings him up, only for Goto to HEADBUTT!

Jake drops to his knees while the fans fire up. Goto HEADBUTTS Jake again and again and again! The fans cheer as Goto tops it off with one more HEADBUTT! But Jake goes crazy! We’ve seen Jake bring this out against Yota Tsuji and Yoshi-Hashi, and now this wild joker runs up on Goto! Goto takes a swing but Jake ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Goto spins him around, URA GTR! Goto runs, but into a BOOT! Goto RIDGE HANDS! Jake ROUNDHOUSES! Jake hurries to FACELOCK GUILLOTINE! Goto flails, but he’s dropped to a knee! The fans rally harder and harder but Goto is fading! Wait, Goto gets a second wind, but Jake KNEES him low!

Jake reels Goto in, but Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Goto grits his teeth as he rises up, and he storms over to Jake. Goto drags Jake up, fireman’s carries again, G T W! Cover, TWO!! Jake survives and the fans fire up again! Goto catches his breath before he stands up again. Goto roars and the fans are with him! Goto powers up as Jake sits up, but Jake SPITS at Goto! Goto BUZZSAWS Jake down! Then he drags Jake up, dragon sleeper, G T R!! Cover, Goto wins!

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

The Jester was defiant to the end, but his run in the New Japan Cup ends here! What will it take for Jake Lee to conquer NJPW?

As for Goto, the fans cheer him on as he gets the mic. “Everyone, thank you for coming tonight! I will definitely win this year’s New Japan Cup, and then win THE IWGP Heavyweight Championship, the belt I have never held before, and then come back here!” The fans cheer that! Goto continues by saying listen up! Follow him as he brings the Goto Revolution to another victory! The fans cheer Goto’s straightforward message, but will he truly stand on the mountaintop he has fought so long to reach?

My Thoughts:

Another very good night for New Japan Cup, though maybe not as fiery as the previous nights. Good stuff in the tune-ups again, good to see Takagi & Drilla back in action as WarDragons again. Very good match from Callum VS Hartley, and Callum is doing really well selling those chair bowling spots. Hartley did get cheated, so that protects him in the loss while building the Heel heat on Callum. Great match from Goto VS Jake, and I’m actually a little surprised this is where Jake loses. His wild joker mode is 1-2, having only worked on Hashi, but Goto is a tried and true choice so it makes sense. And Goto pointing out that, despite having the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship before, he still needs the classic IWGP Heavyweight title is great stuff.