Rebel or Roughneck, who wins the New Japan Cup?

The 2025 New Japan Cup comes to a close, and only one can raise the trophy! Will David Finlay or Shota Umino head for Hirooki Goto’s IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano VS YOSHI-HASHI & Katsuya Murashima; Ishii & Yano win.
• NJPW World Television Championship Open Challenge: El Phantasmo VS TJP; ELP wins and retains the title.
• Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Satoshi Kojima; Tanahashi wins.
• Six Man Tag: Just4Guys VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; LIJ wins.
• Six Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; War Dogs win.
• Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi VS EVIL & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Tsuji & Takagi win.
• Six Man Tag: Hontai VS TMDK; Hontai wins.
• 2025 New Japan Cup Finals: David Finlay VS Shota Umino; Finlay wins and will challenge for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW World Television Championship Open Challenge: El Phantasmo w/ Jado VS ???

The Headbanga is back, and he gets the mic to say, “Nagaoka! Lemme hear you guys! Are you ready for NJPW?” The fans cheer that! Jado translates for the fans, and they cheer even more. Then let’s begin tonight’s ELP Open Challenge! ELP says Jado took the words right out of his mouth! Papa Jado is right! Who is gonna step up to the E L P? And right away, here comes GREAT-O-KHAN and TJP?! They both beat ELP during the New Japan Cup series, but which one is taking up the Open Challenge? Khan takes lead going into the ring, to hold the ropes open! TJP steps in, waving the United Empire banner! Will the Public Enemy become the star of the show?

The fans rally and duel between “E L P!” and “T J P!” and Khan decides to join commentary. The bell rings and we’re on the clock! ELP and TJP circle, the fans rally up more, and the duel is strong. ELP offers a handshake, TJP takes it, and the fans cheer the sportsmanship. The two tie up, TJP waistlocks, but ELP standing switches. TJP wrenches and wristlocks, keeps ELP from ropes, but ELP rolls, handsprings and arm-drags to have the armlock! ELP rolls, turns TJP over, hooks both arms, and has a ghost pin! TWO and TJP has the cover, ONE! TJP keeps ELP down with a wristlock and the fans cheer this technical exchange.

ELP fights up, TJP holds on with a hammerlock but ELP reaches back to wrench and wristlock. TJP rolls, spins, cartwheels, then drops down to catch ELP into the TWISTING HEADSCISSORS! The fans cheer while EJP kicks around. ELP catches TJP with headscissors, but TJP moves around. TJP headstands, but ELP JAMS him up! ELP keeps on the squeeze and wags his fingers. TJP moves around again, headstands, but ELP CHOPS him on the back! EJP pushes TJP back down then does push-ups to put on the pressure. ELP even shows off doing clap push-ups. TJP moves around, turns ELP over, and rolls back to BOW ‘N’ ARROW!

ELP pops free to cover, ONE, and TJP ducks a superkick! The fans cheer as the two back off. TJP and ELP circle while the dueling returns. They tie up, TJP wrenches and hammerlocks but ELP switches that onto TJP. TJP reaches back for a flying-mare! ELP runs back, dodges TJP, but TJP handsprings over ELP. Things keep moving, TJP RANAS and ELP slides out! The fans fire up and TJP builds speed. But ELP returns and he RANAS TJP out! Then ELP PLANCHAS! Direct hit and the fans fire up again! ELP and Khan get into it for a second but the ref has them both back off. ELP drags TJP up to put TJP in the ring.

ELP tells Khan he’s watching him. ELP then goes up the ropes, but TJP trips him up! ELP blocks a kick, but TJP avoids the shoulder to DROPKICK! TJP then drags ELP onto the ropes, he stares Jado down, DRAPING DDT! TJP stares down the Master Heater after using his signature, and the fans rally up for “T! J P! T! J P!” TJP drags ELP up, snapmares and then steps on ELP’s face! The ref reprimands but TJP has ELP’s legs. TJP ties him up and turns him over into a DEATHLOCK! TJP SNAPS the lock, then SNAPS it again! ELP endures, so TJP stands up and leans back! MUTA LOCK! ELP endures, reaches out, and ELP crawls forward to the ROPEBREAK!

TJP lets go and the fans applaud. TJP stalks ELP, drags him up, but ELP fires body shots. TJP cravats and grinds the neck wrench. TJP UPPERCUTS, then goes corner to corner. The fans rally as TJP runs back in and ELBOWS ELP down! The fans rally more as TJP gives ELP the face scrubbing! TJP runs side to side, for the WASH! The fans cheer and want it “MOI KAI! MOI KAI! <ONE MORE TIME!>” TJP obliges and scrubs ELP more. TJP runs, but ELP slips outside! TJP goes through the ropes, and ELP goes up! ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit into TJP and the fans fire up all the same! ELP drags TJP up to put back in the ring.

ELP goes up the ropes, and he SWANTON BOMBS! Then he somersaults to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! TJP stays in this and ELP stays cool while the fans rally up. ELP stands TJP up for the straitjacket and torture rack, but TJP slips free to have the IRON OCTOPUS! The fans rally as ELP endures and pries at the hold. TJP holds on tight, but ELP steps around. ELP powers through to fireman’s carry, but TJP slips free again to shove ELP. TJP SUPERKICKS! TJP runs, but ELP SUDDEN DEATH! Both men are down and the fans fire up! ELP crawls his way over, drags TJP up into the straitjacket torture rack, and swings out for BRAIN SALAD! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as TJP stays in this. ELP drags TJP to center, then goes to the apron. ELP goes up the ropes for a “E! L! P!” THUNDERKISS- FLOP as TJP moves! TJP runs in, ONE BY ONE!! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives the knee but TJP drags him into the drop zone! The fans rally for “T! J P!” as he climbs up top. MAMBA- NO, TJP has to bail out as ELP moves. ELP runs in at the corner, TJP goes up and over! TJP reels ELP in for a TORNADO DDT! TJP hurries to the apron and takes aim. ELP stands, TJP springboards, DEEP IMPACT!! Cover, TWO?!? ELP survives, but TJP holds onto a leg! TJP steps over, ELP reaches out, and we hit 10 minutes!

TJP has the arm, and then the PINOY STRETCH!! The fans fire up as ELP endures and reaches out again! ROPEBREAK by fingertips! TJP lets go, the ref checks ELP, and the fans rally up. ELP is still in this so TJP drags him up. ELP shoves TJP away, but TJP fires forearms! TJP goes to fireman’s carry but ELP fights that. ELP ROCKS TJP, but then he falls over! ELP rises up but TJP fires as strike fest! The fans duel as TJP WHEEL KICKS ELP! TJP then hurries to get ELP up in a fireman’s carry! DETO- NO, ELP sunset flips and high stacks! TWO, TJP trips ELP and jackknife bridges! TWO and ELP sunset! TWO and TJP has the sunset, TWO!! ELP hurries to ghost pin! ELP WINS!!!

Winner: El Phantasmo, by pinfall (still NJPW World Television Champion)

Captain TJ pushed The Headbanga there, but ELP offers a handshake to show respect. TJP accepts it, but now Khan steps off commentary. The Dominator attacks! The fans boo as Khan knocks ELP and Jado over, then scoops ELP! T T D!! Khan shows no mercy, and TJP hands the belt to him. Khan grabs the mic to tell TJP, “Well done. That was a nice effort, working over ELP’s neck.” And then Khan tells ELP, “Do you need a stretcher? You fought hard, but if you’re still healthy enough, perhaps you will accept another challenge. Then you can bow down to me!” Khan stands ELP up to T T D again!! And with that, TJP & Khan take their leave.

ELP is in rough shape, but the challengers keep lining up. Is the NJPW World TV Championship about to belong to The United Empire one way or another?

Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Satoshi Kojima!

The Final Road Connection continues with one last showdown between legends! Will the King of Bread trump The Ace? Or will Tanahashi still be the Once in a Century Talent?

Tanahashi shows off the abs and the Nagaoka crowd gets to cheer one more time. The bell rings and the fans rally for Tanahashi as he and Kojima circle. They tie up, break, and then tie up again. Kojima waistlocks, Tanahashi switches, but Kojima wrenches out to wristlock. Tanahashi wrenches back to wristlock, then headlock for the takeover. Kojima headscissors, Tanahashi kips free, and the fans cheer this opening exchange. The two reset and circle again. They feel things out, tie up, and Kojima headlocks. Tanahashi fires body shots, then powers up and out. Kojima runs Tanahashi over! And he makes the pecs dance!

The fans fire up, and Tanahashi goes to a corner, Kojima runs in, Tanahashi ELBOWS him away, and then Tanahashi goes up! CROSSBODY! The fans fire up again, and Tanahashi plays some air guitar. Tanahashi kicks Kojima, bumps him off buckles, then kicks the leg. Tanahashi puts the leg in the ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Tanahashi lets go, but then he DROPKICKS the leg! And DROPKICKS it! And DROPKICKS it again! The ref reprimands, Tanahashi apologizes, but Tanahashi runs corner to corner. Kojima dodges to CHOP! CHOP! MACHINE GUN CHOP! The fans fire up as Kojima gives Tanahashi an extra helping!

Kojima whips corner to corner, runs in, and forearm smashes! The fans join in for “ICHAZOU, KONYAROU!” Kojima goes up, copies the Ace pose, and then ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi is tougher than that, but the fans rally with Kojima now. Kojima stands Tanahashi up for forearms and a ROLLING ELBOW! And a kick to a DDT! The fans fire up again while Tanahashi writhes. Kojima brings Tanahashi back up, but Tanahashi fires the snapmare. Tanahashi fires body shots, then shoves Kojima. Tanahashi dropkicks the leg, then blocks a kick! DRAGON SCREW! The fans cheer and Tanahashi powers up.

Tanahashi runs, Kojima dodges the Slingblade to kick and COZY CUTTER! The fans fire up while Tanahashi is down. Kojima throws off the elbow pads already! Kojima runs, but into a SLINGBLADE! But Kojima’s right up! Tanahashi catches him, but Kojima fights the Twist ‘n’ Shout! Kojima suplexes, for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi survives and the fans fire up again! Kojima drags Tanahashi up, but Tanahashi fires a forearm! Kojima fires back, the two go back and forth, and the fans rally up! Tanahashi roars as the forearms keep going! Kojima grits his teeth as the shots get harder and harder, and Tanahashi wobbles!

Kojima fires a flurry, but Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Kojima COZY LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men fall! The ref checks, both men are still in this, so the fans rally back up. Kojima rises, powers up, and he runs, but Tanahashi LARIATS first! Tanahashi roars and the fans are with him! Tanahashi goes up top, HIGH FLY ATTACK! Direct hit, and Tanahashi goes up top! He has the hot hand as he HIGH FLY FLOWS!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall

These two went fast ‘n’ furious down the Final Road Connection, but The Ace still ends up on top! Both men show each other great respect with their deep bowing, and the fans cheer again. What will be the next stop on Tanahashi’s retirement tour?

After Six Man Tag: Just4Guys VS Bullet Club War Dogs…

Chase Owens wins it for the team with a Package Piledriver on Taka Michinoku, but that wasn’t enough for the War Dogs. They stomp Taka out 3v1, but Yuya Uemura gets back in the ring! Yuya DECKS Chase, goes after Sanada, but Sanada takes a swing! Yuya catches him to a cording hold, but Sanada fights the second! Sanada clinches, but Yuya swings out of Deadfall! Yuya shoves Sanada, runs up, but into a POP-UP LOW BLOW! The Cold-Blooded Sanada gets the better of the Heat Storm, Chase kicks Taichi to scoop and SLAM! Fale runs up to ELBOW DROP! The fans boo but The War Dogs soak up the heat.

Chase drags Yuya back up, brings him over for Sanada, and Sanada has his guitar! The fans boo as Sanada takes aim, but then HONTAI rushes in! Tomohiro Ishii, Yoshi-Hashi, El Desperado, and even Hiroshi Tanahashi make the save! The War Dogs back off with The Ace and team here. Will Sanada play his smash hit some other time? As for Hontai, they make sure J4G is alright. Tanahashi helps Yuya to his feet, the fans cheer them on, and Tanahashi offers a handshake! Yuya is surprised, but he shakes Tanahashi’s hand! Could this be the next stop on Tanahashi’s Final Road Connection? Tanahashi also offers a handshake to Taichi, and Taichi takes it!

The fans cheer as Tanahashi also offers a handshake to Taka. Taka nods and takes it, and Tanahashi helps him stand. Hashi shakes hands with Taichi, Desperado hugs it out with his old friends, but Ishii still has some scores to settle with Yuya and Taichi. Even so, the Stone Pitbull offers a handshake, and the Holy Emperor takes it! The fans cheer that Hontai and Just4Guys are respectful allies, will they stand together against the bullies in Bullet Club?

After Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire…

Hiromu Takahashi wins it for LIJ with Maximum The Holding on Jakob Austin Young, but Tetsuya Naito grabs a mic. “Buenas noches, Nagaoka~! Sorry I don’t speak a lot of English, but it would seem Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman want their shot at the IWGP Tag Team Championships. What should we do, leader?” Naito is asking Hiromu for what to do, so Hiromu asks for the mic. Fans cheer “LEADER! LEADER!” Hiromu has the mic to say, “Everyone, good evening. It has been awhile, but this is LIJ’s leader, Hiromu Takahashi.” And what? Cobb & Callum want their shot? Hmm… What should they do~…?

Hiromu says naturally, TENDEDERO! Or that is to say, the next challengers are Cobb & Callum, so they’re gonna have some fun! The match is on the books, so when and where will LIJ and the Empire put the gold on the line?

After Six Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture…

It’s a team effort as Taiji Ishimori hits Sho with Cipher Utaki, and then “Drilla” Dan Moloney deadlifts Sho into DRILLA KILLA! War Dogs win, but they pick up those NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships. Drilla gets the mic to say, “OI! You think you can kick us out of the Bullet Club? HAAA HAAA HAAA! That’s the  funniest s*it I ever heard! You can’t kick us out of the Bullet Club, because War Dogs ARE the Bullet Club!” Fans cheer that! “So, Ryogoku Sumo Hall, Sakura Genesis, War Dogs have one rule: Bring bodies, and bring gold! So we’re gonna beat the life out of you, and then bring your gold back to the dog pound!”

The fans bark it up with the War Dogs, and the challenge has been made! Will Sho, Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi be ready to fight with everything on the line?

2025 New Japan Cup Finals: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS Shota Umino!

The Rebel made it through TMDK’s Front Man while The Roughneck slayed LIJ’s Rampaging Dragon. That is to say, both men defeated former IWGP World Heavyweight Champions to be right here, right now. Who will raise the Cup and head for their own world title opportunity?

The bell rings and the fans rally and duel already. Finlay and Shota stare down as they approach, and then nod. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Finlay digs in his heels to push Shota back. Finlay has Shota on the ropes, Red Shoes counts the break, but then Shota puts Finlay on ropes. Red Shoes continues to tell them to back off, and Shota gives Finlay a clean break. Finlay takes a swing! Shota dodges, but then Finlay dodges. Finlay headlocks, Shota powers up and out, but Finlay runs him over! The fans cheer, Finlay swaggers around, but Shota stands back up. Shota and Finlay reset and circle again.

The fans rally as the two feel things out. Finlay kicks low, then headlocks. Shota powers up and out to then headlock back. Finlay powers up but Shota holds on tight! The fans rally, Finlay fights up and powers out, but Shota runs him over! Things keep moving, Shota runs Finlay over again! Shota keeps moving, Finlay drops down, but Shota dropkicks Finlay’s legs out! The fans fire up while Finlay shakes out the leg. Shota stomps Finlay’s leg, stalks him, and then kicks Finlay around. Shota grabs the leg but Finlay pulls on Shota’s ear! Shota CLUBS Finlay’s leg, turns him over, but Finlay has the ROPEBREAK!

Shota steps over but Red Shoes reprimands. Shota lets off as he’s just making a point. The fans applaud as the two reset again. Shota runs up, but Finlay FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS Shota, then clinches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Finlay is a bit annoyed but the fans rally up. Finlay pushes Shota down to rain down fists! Red Shoes counts, Finlay lets off, and Finlay claims those weren’t closed fists. Finlay drags Shota up, whips him to a corner hard, and Shota falls to the mat! Finlay has a cocky cover with one finger, but Shota has the ROPEBREAK! Finlay drags Shota up, to whip him hard into the other corner!

Shota falls in a heap again and the fans fire up. Finlay flexes, Gedo applauds and the fans rally up. Finlay claims Shota’s already giving up, then he storms over. Finlay drags Shota up to clinch, but Shota fights with elbows! Shota ROCKS Finlay, then ROCKS him again! Finlay throat chops! Red Shoes reprimands but Finlay stomps Shota in the corner. Shota kicks from below, Finlay eggs him on, then stomps a mudhole into Shota! Finlay digs his boot in, Red Shoes counts, but Shota grabs the foot! Finlay tries to kick free but Shota holds on! Shota shifts up the leg to hit a KNEE BREAKER! And then a SHIN BREAKER!

Finlay hobbles away and Shota goes back to the corner. Shota runs up, but Finlay alley-oops him into buckles! Finlay scoops Shota to BACKBREAKER! Shota writhes, Finlay covers, TWO! The fans applaud as Shota stays in this. Finlay stays on Shota with a chinlock! Shota endures, the fans rally up, but Finlay squeezes tight. Finlay CLAWS Shota’s eyes, but stops as Red Shoes reprimands. Shota fights up to fire body shots, then he CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” and Shota CHOPS again! Finlay eggs Shota on, so Shota CHOPS again! “WOO~!” Finlay CLAWS Shota’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands, Finlay SPITS as he lets off.

Finlay whips, Shota reverses, and Shota dropkicks the legs! Then a turn and NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Shota scowls. Finlay sits up, Shota rises, and Shota stalks Finlay to a corner. Shota drags Finlay up and around to UPPERCUT! Finlay staggers back, but Shota UPPERCUTS again! And UPPERCUTS again! Shota whips corner to corner, then runs in, and UPPERCUTS again! Shota then FISHERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let that bother him. Shota drags Finlay up, waistlocks, but Finlay fights the hold. Shota slips around, drop toeholds, and rolls Finlay around to KNEEBAR!

Finlay endures, pries at the hold, but Shota just shifts to an ANKLE LOCK! Finlay flails and reaches out, but Shota drags him into the STF! The fans fire up again as Finlay endures all over again! Finlay still fights, still reaches out, and he claws his way forward. Shota lets go just to drag him back, and back into the STF! The fans rally even harder while Gedo coaches Finlay up. Finlay endures, grits his teeth and fights his way over, but Shota pulls back on the hold! Gedo shouts for Finlay to keep moving, and Finlay reaches out. Shota drags him back again, and SMASHES the knee of the mat! Then back into the STF!

The fans rally even harder as Finlay continues to endure! Shota pulls on the crossface while Gedo shouts for Finlay to keep moving! Finlay fights, pries at the crossface, and he claws at the mat! Shota puts his all into pulling back, but Finlay gives one last gasp to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Shota lets go, and Finlay sputters and coughs while clutching his leg. Shota drags Finlay up, reels him in, but Finlay wrenches out. Shota ducks the lariat and has a half nelson! Finlay arm-drags and covers, TWO, and Shota has a ghost pin! TWO, and Shota runs into the clinch! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! But that was double-edged given the damage to Finlay’s leg!

Shota crawls away and the fans rally up. Finlay waits on Shota to stand, then he runs in! Finlay LARIATS Shota and himself up and out of the ring! Both men hit the floor, and Finlay again clutches the bad leg. The fans rally, Finlay sits up first, and he hobbles away. Shota rises, Finlay runs in, and Finlay RAMS Shota into railing! The fans fire up while Shota slumps down. Finlay then clears off the timekeeper’s table! Finlay drags Shota over, Red Shoes reprimands, but Shota grabs the railing. Shota fires elbows into Finlay, then fires forearms! Finlay wobbles and Shota ROCKS him! But now Shota looks to the table…

Shota hauls Finlay up, but Finlay fights free! Finlay RAMS Shota into the apron! Then Finlay fireman’s carries so he can POST Shota! Shota falls, but Finlay hauls him up! URENAGE through the table!! The fans go nuts and Red Shoes reprimands, but Shota is already down in the wreckage! Finlay hobbles away while Red Shoes checks on Shota. Finlay goes to the ring, and a ring count starts. Shota is still down at 5 of 20, stirs at 7, but Finlay stops Red Shoes at 10. Finlay goes out to fetch Shota, promising to bring Shota inside. Finlay drags Shota up, but reels him in and POST BOMBS him! The fans are torn but Finlay is sure proud of himself.

Finlay leaves Shota behind and the ring count starts again. Shota is down at 5 of 20, stirs at 7, and slowly rises up at 10. But then he flops over at 12! Shota flounders at 15, the fans rally harder, and Shota springs up at 19! The fans cheer as Shota makes it back in, and he glares up at Finlay. Finlay storms over, eggs Shota on, and Shota rises. Finlay drags Shota up to UPPERCUT! But Shota smiles?! Finlay UPPERCUTS again! Shota still smiles, so Finlay UPPERCUTS again! Shota staggers to a corner, and Finlay UPPERCUTS! Then BROKEN ARROW! The fans fire up and Finlay flexes, then he covers, TWO!

Shota is still in this, but Finlay drags him back up. Finlay reels Shota in, hauls him up, Canadian Rack for- NO, Shota slips free to hook the arms! Finlay fights the backslide, and he flips the hooks to backslide Shota! Shota rolls through, Finlay reels him in, POWER- DDT COUNTER! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Shota rises up and roars! The fans fire up with Shota and he hurries to get Finlay up. Shota whips Finlay into a corner, then BLINDSIDE SHINING WIZARDS! Shota goes corner to corner and back again while Gedo freaks out, BLINDSIDE KNEE! Shota drags Finlay up and puts him right up top!

The fans rally as Shota climbs up after Finlay. Shota goes to the very top, and he brings Finlay up to join him! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Both men writhe and the fans fire up! Shota crawls to the cover, TWO! Finlay stays in this, but Shota aims from a corner. Shota powers up and runs, but Finlay ducks the lariat! Only to run into a DROPKICK! Shota hurries to half nelson, but Finlay fights with elbows! Shota waistlocks, Finlay still fights, and he bucks the O’Conner. Shota ELBOWS, ENZIGIRIS, but Finlay rebounds! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls and the fans fire up! DOUBLE LARIATS collide again, and Finlay slumps down!

The fans fire up as Shota stands Finlay back up. Finlay LARIATS! He keeps Shota standing and LARIATS again! And LARIATS again! Finlay runs, but Shota slips around to HALF ‘N’ HALF! And then HALF ‘N’ HALF again! And then HALF ‘N’ HALF BRIDGE! TWO!! Finlay survives that hattrick but the fans are thunderous as Shota rises! Gedo panics, Shota runs, but Finlay SPEARS!! Both men are down as Finlay can’t make the cover! The fans rally as hard as they can, Gedo coaches Finlay, and Finlay stands back up. Finlay staggers, but he storms his way over to Shota. Finlay hauls Shota up to BUCKLE BOMB!

Shota comes back to SHOTGUN! And then he POP-UP POWERBOMBS Finlay, flips him over, and just POWERBOMBS him again! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous as Finlay survives, but then they rally as Shota brings Finlay up. Shota winds up to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally harder again as Shota hooks a leg! SECOND- NO, Finlay slips out the back and reels Shota in! CANADIAN HAMMER! But Finlay falls back! The fans fire up and rally again as Finlay rises back up. Finlay slashes his throat, vowing to end this! Finlay suplexes, INTO- STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Shota turns that around with something he learned from Ospreay!

Shota drags Finlay back up, the fans rally again, but Finlay is a ragdoll. Even so, Shota drags Finlay up and hooks a leg. Finlay fights the lift, we pass 25 minutes, and Shota fires body shots! Shota powers up, but Finlay fights to suplex, OVER- NO! Shota stops Overkill, but Finlay fires a flurry of forearms! Shota winds up to ROCK Finlay, then ROCK him with the left! ROLLING- NO, Finlay ROCKS Shota back! Finlay ROLLING- HEADBUTT from Shota! Both men stagger back, run back in, SPEAR INTO A KNEE!! Shota intercepts that shot and then fires up! Shota runs to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO?!?! Finlay survives and the fans are electric!

Shota roars and Gedo freaks out! Shota suplexes, SECOND- NO, Finlay flips through, INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!?!? Now Shota shocks everyone, and the fans continue to go nuts over this! Finlay huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes back to Shota. Finlay drags Shota up, reels him in, and POWER- RANA! Shota has Finlay in the cover, TWO! Finlay rolls through to lift and POWERBOMB!! Then a high stack, deadlift, and POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Shota survives again and Finlay is beside himself! Finlay staggers around, drags Shota back up, and points at Goto on commentary. OVER- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!!

Shota has Finlay for the SECOND- NO, Finlay fights that, gator rolls with Shota, OVERKILL!!! Cover, FINLAY WINS!!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (2025 New Japan Cup Winner)

After falling short again and again in this tournament, Finlay finally has his moment! Shota could not punctuate the Second Chapter, but will he still bring about a Paradigm Shift?

As for Finlay, NJPW Vice President Matsumoto brings him the New Japan Cup itself, and Finlay rudely snatches it away. Finlay holds it up to show it off, then he carefully sets it down. Finlay looms over Shota as Shota struggles to sit up. Shota grabs at Finlay, but Finlay stands Shota up! Finlay tells Shota that Finlay won tonight. If Shota wants to be a winner like Finlay, then follow his example. Shota takes his leave, but will he really resort to being like Finlay just to get ahead?

Finlay then grabs the mic, and he says, “And just like that, I am your New Japan Cup Champion!” The fans cheer that, and Finlay says to get to business, he calls out Goto. “Mr. Champion, if you would, please get your old ass in this ring right mother effin’ now.” And so, Goto puts the headset aside and leaves commentary, world title on his shoulder. The fans cheer for Goto as he joins Finlay in the ring. Finlay tells Goto, “I keep hearing all this BS about some Goto Revolution. But quite frankly, you cannot have a revolution with a Rebel. So the revolution, baby boy, is not yours. The revolution is all mine!”

Finlay shoves the mic into Goto while the fans cheer. Goto says his Goto Revolution cannot be stopped. This is HIS time! And in Ryogoku, Goto will prove it. Goto shows off the belt, Finlay holds up the cup, and Sakura Genesis is where Rebel clashes with Revolution! Goto takes his leave, but Finlay invites the War Dogs out. Taiji, Drilla & Gabe return to ringside, everyone barks it up, and Gabe already has the champagne! Finlay says hold on, they’ll get to that. But Finlay says he beat Goto in front of his own children. Finlay made Goto’s daughter cry, and did it with a smile on his face. Goto’s Cinderella story is coming to an end.

“I am the Savage King, I am coming for my crown, so your fairytale is over. I am taking your title because Hate Always Finds as Way. Tell ’em, Gedo!” Gedo says in Japanese that Finlay is coming after Goto and the title in Ryogoku! And there is nothing he can do about it! “The Rebel is taking the eff over everything! I need The Rebel! NJPW needs The Rebel! And the world… needs The Rebel!” The fans cheer, the War Dogs stand together, and the champagne sprays as the streamers fly! Will there be an even bigger celebration once Finlay takes the world title? Or will the Fierce Warrior tame this War Dog?

My Thoughts:

A great finale for the 2025 New Japan Cup, with a lot of stuff set up for Sakura Genesis at the same time. ELP VS TJP was a great NJPW World TV Championship match, and while ELP won, it was a great segue into Khan calling his shot. Who knows if Khan wins that title, but Khan would have quite the resume adding that title to being IWGP Tag Team Champion and the final KOPW Champion. Very good match from Tanahashi VS Kojima, and of course Tanahashi won. Tanahashi leading the save for Just4Guys against Sanada was good stuff. Tanahashi could have some great final matches with a lot of these guys, from Yuya to Taichi to Sanada, I hope we get to see them.

Naturally, the feud of War Dogs and House of Torture escalates to be over some championships, and with their win tonight, Gabe, Drilla & Taiji are going for those NEVER Openweight Six Man titles. That will very good, but hard to say if the War Dogs win those belts when the House can cheat super hard to retain the belts. Naito & Hiromu of course give Cobb & Callum a shot at the tag titles, and that will be a lot of fun, but I can’t be sure the odds of Cobb & Callum winning. And while Tsuji & Takagi win the match, Evil stands tall as we head into the Global Heavyweight title match. I think this also indicates Tsuji retains, but Evil will probably pull out all the tricks.

Goto led Hontai in the win over TMDK so that Goto can have momentum going into the title match. Shota VS Finlay was a great main event, and I suppose Finlay is the right choice. Shota is still exploring this new attitude, perhaps he’ll start to change up his gear like I was hoping he would tonight. Plus, Finlay brought it up himself, he beat Goto in front of Goto’s kids, this is really more for Goto to get his payback on Finlay than Finlay to get the title. At least, I’m thinking Goto wins. It really depends on what plans there might be for Finlay as the Bullet Club Civil War heats up. I said last time that it’d be wild if Evil was a transitional champion for Finlay to get the Global title back, but it’d be even wilder if Finlay was world champion so that he could become a double champion.

My Score: 8.9/10

One step away from the Cup!

David Finlay awaits in the New Japan Cup finals, and will either face Shota Umino or Shingo Takagi! Can the Roughneck slay the Rampaging Dragon?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata; Kojima & Nagata win.
• 10 Man Tag: The United Empire VS El Phantasmo, Jado, Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Daiki Nagai; The United Empire wins.
• Six Man Tag: Hontai VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
• Six Man Tag: Just4Guys VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win.
• Six Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; Double Count-Out Draw.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
• 2025 New Japan Cup Semifinal: Shota Umino VS Shingo Takagi; Shota wins and advances to the finals.

PLAY BY PLAY

Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS House of Torture!

Yota Tsuji was cheated out of the New Japan Cup by the King of Darkness, but that’s no surprise. However, that means Evil has a golden ticket to the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship. Will Dick Togo & Yujiro Takahashi help Darkness Fall? Or can Testuya Naito & Bushi help Yota keep everything tranquilo?

Even now, Naito takes his time with his elaborate entrance attire. Eventually, the pants are put aside, and Naito is wearing the new Tendedero merch shirt. LIJ fist bumps, but The House attacks! The fans boo but the bell rings so this is on record. Evil has Yota on the outside and he CLAWS Yota’s eyes! Yujiro CHOKES Naito, Dick bumps Bushi off buckles, and then Yujiro TOSSES Naito! Dick CHOKES Bushi now, then he and Yujiro double whip. Dick runs corner to corner but Bushi dodges! Bushi BOOTS Yujiro, then headlocks Dick! BULLDOG DROPKICK COMBO! The fans fire up and Bushi hurries to tag Naito.

Naito stomps Yujiro, Bushi joins in, and Evil protests. Evil runs in, but into an atomic drop! Evil staggers away to a corner, Naito & Bushi whip Yujiro into him! Evil falls, Naito kicks Yujiro, and holds him in place, for the NECKBREAKER! Naito poses and the fans cheer. Naito then covers, TWO! Tokyo Pimp is tougher than that, but Naito drags Yujiro up to cravat. Yujiro endures the neck wrench, Naito CLUBS him then whips. Yujiro reverses and Dick gets a cheap shot in! Yujiro runs, but Bushi gets as cheap shot in! Naito runs but Evil trips him up! Dick BLASTS Bushi, Yujiro BLASTS Yota, and Evil drags Naito out.

Evil RAMS Naito into the timekeeper! Abe-san again suffers at the hands of Evil! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Evil drags Naito up. Evil pushes Naito into the ring, then he and Dick loosen the blue buckle pad. Yujiro covers Naito, TWO! Yujiro drags Naito up while the fans rally, but Yujiro snapmares to drop a leg! And he drops another leg! And another leg! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer, but Yujiro taunts LIJ. Yujiro drags Naito up, bumps him off Evil’s boot, and then he tags Evil in. Evil CLAWS Naito’s eyes then stomps away on the legs! The ref reprimands, Evil drags Naito out, and then Evil stomps the leg more!

Evil drops an ELBOW on the knee! Evil pulls on the leg in a toehold, then traps the leg in a leg scissors! Yota runs in and stomps Evil, but Dick TOSSES Yota back out! Evil pulls on the leg, almost has an ankle lock, but Naito has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Evil lets go, and he tags in Dick. They split the wishbone on Naito! The fans rally for Naito but Dick throws down fists. Cover, TWO! Naito is tougher than that and the fans continue to rally. Dick is annoyed, but Naito fires body shots on him! Dick CLAWS Naito’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Dick whips. Naito reverses and ELBOWS Dick, to then arm-drag him!

Naito dropkicks Dick’s legs out! The fans rally, Dick and Naito crawl, hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota CLOBBERS Dick, then BLASTS the House! But Dick CLAWS Yota’s eyes! Yota runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Yota runs corner to corner, to SPLASH! Yota scoops and SLAMS to then run and BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he paces around. Yota drags Dick up, suplexes, but Dick fights that! Dick wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks, then punches Yota! Tag to Evil and they mug Yota! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Dick & Evil stand Yota up.

Dick & Evil double whip to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Yota down! Cover, TWO! Yota is tougher than that and the fans rally up, but Evil tells them to shut up. Evil drags Yota to his feet, talks more trash on the fans, but the fans give that back. Evil “puts one out” on Yota, then fireman’s carries! Yota slips free to ROCK Evil! The fans fire up with Yota, he runs, but Evil goes the other way! But Yota catches the pounce into a clinch! BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER, and STOMP! The Gene Combination hits and the fans fire up! Evil sputters, Yota rolls and tags in Bushi. Bushi runs up to dropkick Evil’s legs out! Then Bushi BLASTS Dick!

Yujiro kicks Bushi, whips him to ropes, but Bushi reverses to dropkick the legs out! Evil is back but Bushi DECKS him! Bushi then builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and Evil is sent into railing! The fans fire up, Bushi puts Evil back in, and Bushi aims from a corner. Bushi runs corner to corner to ELBOW Evil, then he puts a leg in the ropes to DROPKICK it! Bushi brings Evil out and has the leg, but Evil pulls on the mask! Bushi breaks free, kicks, but Evil blocks, hands it to the ref, and mule kicks Bushi down! Dick & Yujiro BLAST Naito & Yota off the apron! They then double whip Bushi to a corner! Dick ELBOWS Bushi! Yujiro BOOTS! Evil LARIATS!

Dick goes up, Evil & Yujiro hold Bushi open, and the ref reprimands! No one to distract him this time! But then Evil just grabs the ref and turns him around! The ref can’t get free, Bushi suffers the DICK CHOP! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives and the fans fire up! Evil is stunned but he brushes that off. Evil paces around Bushi, slashes his throat, and vows to end this! Evil drags Bushi up, spins him, EVERY- NO, Naito gets in to kick Evil down! Yujiro is in, Evil distracts the ref, and Yujiro blocks a kick to LOW BLOW Naito!! The fans boo, but Yota runs up! Yujiro blocks his kick, and trips him up, to FALLING HEADBUTT LOW BLOW!!

The fans boo but Evil still holds onto the ref. Bushi stands, Evil shoves the ref at him! Bushi pushes the ref aside, and he blocks the low blow! But Dick LOW BLOWS from the other side! Evil & Dick get Bushi up, for MAGIC KILLER!! Cover, the House of Torture wins!!

Winners: House of Torture, by pinfall

But they’re not done, as they beat up on Yota now! They snatch the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship from him, and Evil holds it up. The fans boo, but Evil takes aim at Yota! But Yota LOW BLOWS Dick! And he dodges Evil’s attack to then pop-up LOW BLOW! Yujiro has his pimp cane! Yota blocks that, takes the cane, and LOW BLOWS Yujiro with it! The fans fire up behind Yota as he takes his belt back. Yota holds it up to show that not everything is Evil! Will the Gene Blast stop the House of Torture from having more gold?

2025 New Japan Cup Semifinal: Shota Umino VS Shingo Takagi!

The Paradigm Shift has certainly taken a turn after The Roughneck gave up his fiery red locks. Shota has changed up his style in the ring to match his new look, but will this Second Chapter lead to the Cup? Or will this young hero fail to slay the Rampaging Dragon?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. They’re strongly behind “TA-KA-GI! TA-KA-GI!” but Shota doesn’t let that bother him. Shota and Takagi slowly step forward, feel things out, then clinch. Takagi waistlocks but Shota turns around to facelock. Takagi wrenches out and has a wristlock, but Shota rolls, wrenches back, and then hammerlocks. Takagi reaches back to headlock and he hits the takeover, but Shota headscissors. Takagi kips free and the fans cheer the standoff. The two reset and feel things out again. They knuckle lock, then go shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength! Shota has the leverage but Takagi powers up.

Takagi breaks a grip, wrenches, headlocks, and he grinds the hold. The fans rally up while Shota endures. Shota pries at the headlock but Takagi keeps it on tight. Shota powers up and out the back, then headlocks in return. Takagi endures the grind now, and he powers up and out! They RAM shoulders, Shota keeps going to RAM Takagi! Takagi rebounds to RAM Shota, but Shota stands his ground! Shota fires a forearm, Takagi fires a DOUBLE CHOP! Takagi whips, but Shota reverses to scoop, HOTSHOT, and then he RUNS Takagi over! The fans fire up while Takagi bails out. Shota waits on Takagi, and the fans rally up again.

Takagi takes his time stepping back inside, and he resets with Shota. They knuckle lock, but then Shota shoots in and trips Takagi up. Shota stomps that leg, then he SMASHES the knee off the mat! Shota stalks Takagi to a corner, then puts the leg around ropes. The fans rally, Red Shoes reprimands, but Shota pulls on the leg. Shota then brings Takagi out to trip him, and Shota stomps away on the leg. Shota drops an ELBOW on the knee, and pulls on the toehold! Takagi endures, works his way back, and has the ROPEBREAK! Shota lets go, but then he drops a knee on the knee! Red Shoes reprimands but Shota stomps Takagi’s leg again.

Shota drags Takagi up, facelocks and turns him, but Takagi elbows free! Takagi runs in at the corner but Shota BOOTS him! Shota runs, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint and DDT! Shota staggers around while the fans fire up, and Takagi LARIATS Shota up and out! Shota staggers into railing then slumps down. The fans rally behind Takagi while he shakes out the bad leg. Takagi goes out to fetch Shota, and he drags Shota back up. Takagi RAMS Shota into the apron, then RAMS him in again! Takagi whips Shota hard into railing and Shota slumps down! Red Shoes wants Takagi to get this back in the ring, so Takagi rolls in.

The fans applaud and the ring count begins. Shota is still down at 5 of 20, sits up at 8, and he rises up at 10. Shota stands at 13 and hobbles his way over. Shota rolls in at 15, but Takagi stands on him! Red Shoes reprimands but Takagi marches in place before he steps off. Takagi KICKS Shota in the back, then drags him up to whip. Takagi KNEES Shota at the ropes, then runs to CLOBBER Shota! The fans fire up and Takagi flexes. Takagi drags Shota up, reels him in and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Shota is tougher than that, but Takagi looks to the camera. Then he wags his finger, it’s not time yet.

Takagi clamps onto Shota with a chinlock and squeezes tight. Shota endures, so Takagi sits him up and shifts around to also trap an arm. Shota endures being twisted and turned, and he kicks his way forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud, and Takagi lets go, only to BELL CLAP! Red Shoes reprimands but Takagi brings Shota around to SENTON! The fans cheer more and Takagi stands back up. Takagi looms over Shota, kicks him around, but Shota just gets mad. Shota glares at Takagi so Takagi eggs him on. Shota stands to fire a forearm! Takagi shakes his head, so Shota fires another forearm! And another!

Takagi wobbles a bit and Shota fires a flurry! But then Takagi blocks one to wrench and knuckle lock! Takagi goes up the ropes!? The fans fire up, but Shota breaks free! Takagi gives thumbs down, and the fans boo, but Takagi HIP ATTACKS Shota down! Takagi rallies the fans behind him, then reels Shota in. But Shota BACKDROPS free! Takagi gets up fast, but Shota dropkicks the legs! Shota turns Takagi for a NECKBREAKER! Shota snarls, goes to a corner, and the fans rally again. Takagi stands, Shota runs corner to corner and UPPERCUTS! Then FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Shota stays clam.

Shota drags Takagi up and reels him in, but Takagi fights the lift! Shota CLUBS Takagi, whips him to a corner, then runs up, but he blocks a boot! KNEE JAMMER, and then a SHIN BREAKER! Shota turns Takagi over for the STF! The fans rally as Takagi endures and Shota pulls on the hold! Takagi reaches out, crawls his way over, and fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Shota lets go in frustration. Shota stands Takagi back up to reel him back in, but again Takagi fights the lift! Shota KNEES Takagi again and again, then tries again. Takagi still fights that lift! Takagi CLUBS at the legs, but Shota CLUBS away on Takagi’s back!

Shota UPPERCUTS into a spin! Takagi suplexes, Shota fights it, so Takagi hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Both men are down and the fans rally back up. Shota crawls away to a corner while Takagi slaps his leg into working. Takagi watches Shota stand, then he runs in. Takagi blocks a boot, CLUBS the leg, and he LARIATS Shota down! The fans fire up and Takagi gets them even more fired up. Takagi stands Shota up, but Shota fires forearms! Takagi SHOVES Shota down, but Shota is right up to fire more forearms! Takagi THROWS Shota down, but Shota’s right up to fire forearms! Takagi YUKON LARIATS outta nowhere!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi rises and grabs at Shota but Shota shakes him off. Takagi still tries to stand Shota up but Shota kicks him now! So Takagi short arm LARIATS Shota down! And he short arm LARIATS again! Then a scoop for a SLAM, and Takagi goes up! YUKON ELBOW DROP! Takagi hauls Shota up, and hits a POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Into an STF! Takagi gives Shota a taste of his own medicine! Shota endures, the fans rally, and then Takagi shifts to Just Facelock! Shota still endures, then fights around and reaches out. Takagi shifts to a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Shota still endures!

Shota reaches out but Takagi pulls on that arm! The fans rally, Takagi puts as much as he can into the Fujiwara, but Shota fights and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud while Takagi lets off, and he throws some elbows down for good measure. Takagi then brings Shota up, puts him on the top rope, and he fires ridge hand chops! Takagi climbs up, goes to the very top, and hits a SUPER DUPER PLEX! The fans fire up and Shota writhes! Takagi covers, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans fire up again. Takagi finally says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has finally come! They then join in with “OI! OI! OI!”

Takagi stalks Shota, brings him up, and pump handles, only for Shota to fight the lift! Shota slips free, half nelsons, but Takagi elbows free! Shota UPPERCUTS, then UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Shota winds up and runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT at the ropes! Takagi keeps moving, Shota gets around to SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Takagi’s right up to SNAP GERMAN! Shota’s right up, ducks a lariat, and he SNAP GERMANS! Shota roars, runs up, but into a PUMPING BOMBER!! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Takagi and Shota go to opposite ends, and the fans rally up.

Takagi goes to a corner, drags himself up, and Shota is in the other corner. The fans rally harder, and they both run in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! So they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Both stay up, Takagi SWATS a lariat to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Then he whips Shota, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Takagi’s right up!? But Shota LARIATS him back down!! Shota also falls and the fans rally back up! Takagi and Shota stir, and Shota crawls his way over to Takagi. The “SHOTA! SHOTA!” fans are showing up now, and he reels Takagi in, for a POWERBOMB!! High stack cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up again and Shota fires himself up. Takagi slowly rises up, Shota runs, but Takagi swats the lariat! ELBOW! JAB! YUKON- SHOTGUN! But Takagi’s up to PUMPING BOMBER again!! Both men are down again as we hit 20 minutes! Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and Takagi crawls over to Shota. The dueling is starting to sound even, and Takagi brings Shota up. Shota fires boxing elbows, then a ROLLING- NO, Takagi catches him! Pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN! Cover, TWO!! Takagi shouts out Milano Collection AT with how he tucks Shota’s arms! TAKAGI DRIVER 98!! Cover, TWO!!

Shota survives but Takagi keeps moving, SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Takagi gets going again, and he PUMPING BOMBERS!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Shota survives and shocks everyone! Takagi thinks on what he must do now, and he brings Shota back up. The fans rally, Takagi pump handles and torture racks! But Shota kicks and flails to get free! Shota LARIATS, but Takagi stays up while Shota drops to his knees! Takagi shakes his head, brings Shota up again, but Shota ENZIGIRIS! Takagi goes to a corner, Shota fires forearms and an elbow, then a ROLLING ELBOW! Takagi stays up to ELBOW! JAB! And whip!

Shota reverses, and DROPKICKS! The fans fire up, Shota brings Takagi to his feet for the fisherman and SECOND- NO, Takagi fights that to scoop Shota! LANDSLIDE DRIVER!! The fans rally up again and Takagi watches Shota rise. Takagi runs, Shota dodges, but then Takagi dodges! DOUBLE LARIATS!! Shota falls on the cover, ONE?!?! Shota gest going again, SHOTA BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!!! Takagi will not be beat at his own game and the fans fire up! Shota goes to a corner as the fans are dueling, and Shota BUSAIKU KNEES! Then he hooks the leg, SECOND CHAPTER!!! Cover, SHOTA WINS!!

Winner: Shota Umino, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

The Rampaging Dragon has been slain! Perhaps if this was the Shota from before New Beginning, the story would be different, but the Second Chapter writes Takagi out of the tournament. Will Takagi battle his way to the top from a different path?

As for Shota, he decides not to say anything, and exits the ring. But wait! David Finlay & Gedo make their way out here! Gedo grabs the mic to ask, “Oi, kid, where’d you go? Get back out yere, you punk! Get back here, kid!” Shota responds to that taunting and makes his way back out. Gedo tells Shota, “I don’t know what’s going on in your head, but do you realize who you’re facing in the finals? The Savage King, David Finlay! He’s crazy strong, kid! Tougher than you can imagine! Whatever it took for you tog et here, in an instant, it’ll be destroyed! Get over here, ya punk! Get over here! I wanna know how much you want this!”

“You want to come in here, say your piece? Just try!” Gedo drops the mic for Shota, and then Shota stares Finlay down. Shota picks the mic up, and he tells Finlay, “I promise I will beat you.” Finlay likes the sound of that. These two stare down, and we are just days away from them battling for it all! Who will be the 2025 New Japan Cup Champion, and the man aimed squarely at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?

My Thoughts:

Another great night for New Japan Cup, but with as much filler as yesterday’s event. The War Dogs sure have their hands in many things, as does the House of Torture with how Evil is building to a title match with Yota Tsuji. The War Dogs and House of Torture going to Double Count-Out Draw again was a good move, it keeps both sides equal as we wait for them to do whatever huge faction warfare match they’re planning. As for Yota VS Evil, hard to say at this point as House of Torture won the match but then Yota stood tall after that scrap. It’d be really weird if Evil gets that title off Yota just to be a transitional champion to Finlay so that Finlay can get “his” title back.

Shota VS Shingo was a great match, but the crowd really took a second to get into it. There still seems to be a number of fans who are uncertain on Shota so they didn’t feel like cheering right away, but Shota got them on his side as things heated up. Shota winning makes sense, he’s got this new attitude and so that’s part of the push. I hope he changes his aesthetic enough once we get to the finals on March 20th. Take those all white paints, airbrush something on them that helps represent what “Second Chapter” Shota is about, or even just go with a solid color like red or blue to indicate the change visually. As for who wins, that is anyone’s guess, as Finlay will have to circle back to the Bullet Club Civil War at some point.

My Score: 8.8/10