Will The Ace run into some Bad Luck?

As the New Japan Cup rolls on, Hiroshi Tanahashi runs into a familiar roadblock! Will the Rogue General blow up Tanahashi’s tournament run?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Ryusuke Taguchi, Master Wato & Tomoaki Honma VS Suzuki-Gun; Suzuki-Gun wins.
• Six Man Tag: Chaos VS House of Torture; Chaos wins.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• 2022 New Japan Cup Second Round: YOSHI-HASHI VS Kosei Fujita; Hashi wins and advances.
• 2022 New Japan Cup Second Round: Tetusya Naito VS Gedo; Naito wins and advances.
• 2022 New Japan Cup Second Round: Satoshi Kojima VS Jeff Cobb; Cobb wins and advances.
• 2022 New Japan Cup Second Round: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Bad Luck Fale; Tanahashi wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

2022 New Japan Cup Second Round: YOSHI-HASHI VS Kosei Fujita!

The Head Hunter had a very good win in the first round, but he can’t let up just yet! Will he make sure to take the Young Lion serious?

The bell rings and Fujita rushes Hashi with forearms! Hashi DECKS Fujita in return! Fans cheer and Hashi gets Fujita up to CLUB him down. Hashi whips, Fujita comes back and ROCKS Hashi with a forearm! Fujita keeps on Hashi in the corner with more forearms, and more forearms, and more forearms! Then he switches to stomping a mudhole into Hashi! Fujita lets off and fans fire up before he drags Hashi back up. Fujita throws more forearms, then whips Hashi corner to corner. Fujita runs in but Hashi runs him over! Hashi then stomps Fujita before bringing him back up for a CHOP!

Fujita gets up but Hashi CHOPS him down! Fujita is right back up and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! Hashi eggs him on, then CHOPS him down again! Hashi stands Fujita up to snapmare, and then he clamps on a chinlock. Fujita endures as Hashi stretches him back against his knee! Fujita reaches out and his foot gets the ROPEBREAK! Hashi lets off, then brings Fujita back up. Hashi CLUBS Fujita on the neck, then brings him up. Fujita CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Hashi gets in Fujita’s face! Hashi CHOPS, but Fujita grits his teeth. Fujita CHOPS but Hashi CHOPS him off his feet! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Fujita rises.

Hashi stands Fujita up, wrenches the arm, and ROCKS him with a forearm! Then wrenches and CHOPS! Hashi then wrenches and ROCKS Fujita again, to wrench and CHOP again! Hashi wrenches but now Fujita throws forearms! Hashi ROCKS Fujita, wrenches and CHOPS! Fujita falls over but Hashi gets him back up. Hashi suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Another try, TWO! A third cover, TWO! Fujita is still in this and fans rally up. Hashi drags Fujita by a leg and turns him, but Fujira reaches out! Hashi drags Fujita from the ropes, but Fujita kicks with his free leg! Fujita gets free but Hashi stomps him back down!

Hashi drags Fujita back up as fans rally. Fujita dropkicks Hashi down! Fans cheer as both men are on the mat. Fujita fires up and storms over to Hashi. Fujita throws forearms, whips Hashi to ropes, and dropkicks him down again! Cover, TWO! Fujita keeps focus and he stands Hashi back up. Fujita throws more forearms, then SLAPS Hashi with a palm strike! Then BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO! Fujita gets the legs, BOSTON CRAB! Hashi endures as Fujita sits deep! Hashi powers up, crawls forward, but Fujita pulls back more! Hashi still reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Fujita lets go at 4!

Fujita stomps Hashi then brings him back up. Fujita throws more forearms, but Hashi blocks the scoop! Fujita throws even more forearms and runs, but into a back drop! Hashi drags Fujita up, scoops him, and SLAMS him down! Hashi then gets the leg, HALF CRAB! Fujita endures as Hashi sits deep! Fujita powers up, he crawls forward and reaches out, but Hashi drags him away! Hashi gets the other leg to use the FULL BOSTON CRAB! Fujita is caught, but he powers up! Only for Hashi to pull back even more! Fans rally as Fujita fights, ROPEBREAK! Fans fire up as Fujita shows that fighting spirit!

Hashi drags Fujita up, suplexes, but Fujita turns it into a cradle! TWO!! Fujita comes so close, but Hashi CHOPS him! And mule kicks, to then suplex, into the HEAD BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Fujita survives and fans fire up! Hashi drags Fujita into the BUTTERFLY LOCK! Fujita endures and crawls with just his legs, but Hashi cranks the hold! Fujita taps, Hashi wins!

Winner: Yoshi-Hashi, by submission (advances to the next round)

The Young Lion showed heart, and the Head Hunter shows him some respect. But as he moves on, will Hashi make sure to always #GetBackUp?

2022 New Japan Cup Second Round: Tetusya Naito VS Gedo!

Los Ingobernables de Japon was on the losing end of a tag match as Bullet Club swept the night! But now it’s 1v1 between the Uncontrollable Charisma and the Blacksmith! Will Naito keep the tournament tranquilo? Or will Gedo make things Too Sweet?

Naito takes his time with the entrance attire as usual, and Gedo gets impatient. Naito tells him to cut it out with the fake watch and he gets to the pants. If anything, Naito takes a little longer just to mess with Gedo. The bell rings, and then Gedo bails out. Gedo uses the same tactic he taught Jay White, so Naito decides to let the ring count start. Gedo is fine with that, he has plenty of time. The count reaches 7 of 20, Gedo does some calisthenics, but then Naito rushes over! Gedo runs away but Naito just rolls and tranquilos! Fans cheer and Naito sprawls out on the, but then rolls out as Gedo rushes in!

Gedo is annoyed but Naito comes back, only to roll right back out. Naito knows how to play the game the way Gedo and White do. Chase Owens is with English commentary and tells Naito to get in the ring, but Shingo Takagi is on Japanese commentary and tells Chase to watch himself. Gedo mocks Naito with the tranquilo, but Naito gets in to basement dropkick him! Naito then drags Gedo up by his beard! The ref reprimands, but Naito lets off, to grab the beard with his other hand! Naito then lets go, to grab the beard with both hands! Naito mocks Gedo’s pain, then winds back. Gedo wants mercy, so Naito doesn’t punch.

Naito YANKS the beard instead! Naito then stands Gedo up for more pulling of the beard. He asks if Gedo gives up but Gedo says no, so Naito TOSSES Gedo! Gedo bails out of the ring, Naito goes out after him, but Gedo RAMS Naito into railing! Gedo and Naito clinch at the railing, Naito pulls the beard! The ring count is climbing, Naito YANKS the beard. Gedo keeps Naito from getting in the ring and we’re at 10 of 20! Naito clubs away, the count reaches 15 of 20. Naito grabs at Gedo’s things, and he brings out the brass knuckles! Naito clangs them off the post so Gedo knows, and Gedo lets go!

The count is 17 of 20, Naito threatens Gedo. They both get in at 18 of 20, but the ref tries to confiscate the brass knuckles. Naito won’t let the ref take them, but the ref keeps trying. Naito finally lets the ref have the knuckles, and he blocks Gedo’s cheap shot! Naito then grabs and YANKS the beard again! Naito asks if Gedo gives up, Gedo tells him to shut up. Naito whips corner to corner but Gedo avoids the jump kick. Gedo blocks boots to hit a KNEE BREAKER! Gedo then drags Naito out by the leg and SLAMS the leg on the apron edge! Naito writhes but Gedo drags him to a corner. Gedo SLAMS the leg into the post!

Gedo paces while Naito clutches his leg. Gedo gets the leg again, then SLAMS the leg into the post again! This is payback for pulling on the beard! Gedo then grabs the bell hammer while the ref is busy helping Naito. Gedo HAMMERS the leg! The ref sees that and takes the hammer back. Naito flops to the floor but Gedo gets the hammer again. Gedo HAMMERS the leg more and more! The ring count starts so Gedo lets off. Gedo goes in before 9 of 20 and Naito writhes. Naito manages to get up at 14, shakes out the bad leg, and gets in at 18. Gedo is after the bad leg with a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK!

Naito endures, but he grabs for the beard. Gedo keeps his chin out of reach and he puts more pressure on the leglock. Fans rally, Naito drags himself and Gedo, but Gedo drags Naito back! Gedo puts more pressure, but Naito turns things around! Gedo turns it back to keep the pressure on Naito, but Naito gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref undoes the leglock but that’s pretty tricky. Naito is freed, but Gedo stands over him. Gedo stomps the bad leg, but Naito still grabs at the beard. Gedo toys with Naito and digs his heels into the knee at the same time. Naito grabs the ropes again so Gedo steps off.

Gedo puts the bad leg on ropes to HIP DROP it! Gedo gloats and jumps up again, but hip drops into a knee! Fans cheer while both men are down, and Naito grins even as he works on his bad leg. Naito hobbles over, and fires off forearms and kicks! Naito whips to arm-drag Gedo, then elbow him down! Basement dropkick! Naito drags Gedo up, turns him, NECKBREAKER! Cover, and pulling on the beard, TWO! Naito pulls the beard more, gets Gedo up, and then snapmares. Naito wraps Gedo up in the leg-hook full nelson! Gedo endures, Naito puts as much pressure as he can, but Gedo moves around to the ROPEBREAK!

Naito says he needs help, but he’s also pulling beard! The ref counts, Naito stops pulling beard, and he gets the legs unhooked. Naito stomps Gedo, whips him corner to corner, then runs in to JUMP KICK! Leg sweep and COMBINACION… Gedo has his guard up so Naito waits… CABRON! Fans cheer and Naito strikes his pose. Again, Naito asks if Gedo gives up but Gedo says no. Naito puts Gedo up top, climbs up, but Gedo slips out to trip Naito up! Naito hits buckles, Gedo rolls him up, TWO! Naito gets up, kicks back and reels Gedo in, but Gedo turns DDT into cradle! TWO, and Gedo pokes Naito’s eyes!

Gedo runs and sunset flips, TWO and Naito has a prawn hold, TWO! Gedo sunsets, TWO! Naito rolling jackknifes, TWO!! Gedo escapes and fans cheer that exchange. Gedo swings, into a backslide, TWO! Naito reels Gedo in, scoops, but Gedo cradles again! TWO, and Gedo mule kicks the leg! GEDO CLU- NO! Naito stands up and turns it around, NAITO CLUTCH! TWO, and Gedo gets the GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!?! Naito escapes but barely, only to swing into a COMPLETE SHOT! Now GEDO CLUTCH!, TWO!?!? Naito escapes again and fans fire up! Gedo and Naito stand up, Gedo JAWBREAKERS!

But Naito blocks the superkick! Naito CLUBS the leg, but Gedo blocks a kick to send it into the ref! Ref’s down, Gedo SUCKER PUNCHES Naito! Gedo goes to his corner and brings another pair of brass knuckles! Gedo waits for Naito to stand, Naito uses the ref as a shield! And then ENZIGURIS Gedo! Gedo stays up but swings, into a hammerlock, for a roll-up! Naito wins!!

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

Gedo thought it was Gloria but he got tricked! Naito is moving on, will he be able to keep this going in the Sweet Sixteen? Chase gets off commentary to talk with Gedo about what happened, but then Naito comes back to grab the beard! Chase tells Naito to back off and a Young Lion escorts Naito away, but will the Crown Jewel be itching to get payback down the line?

2022 New Japan Cup Second Round: Satoshi Kojima VS Jeff Cobb!

Back on the 50th Anniversary Show, the United Empire conquered Kojima, Nagata and the Young Lions, but now things are 1v1! Will Bread Style withstand the Hawaiian Hulk? Or will Cobb take Kojima on a Tour of the Islands?

The bell rings and the two stare down as fans cheer. Fans rally as the two circle, and they tie up. Cobb pushes Kojima away, but Kojima keeps cool as he circles with Cobb. They tie up again and Cobb gets under Kojima to put him right up top! The ref calls for the ropebreak and Cobb lets off. Cobb just backs away, and Kojima hops down. They circle again, tie up, and Kojima headlocks. Cobb powers out, they RAM shoulders, but neither falls! Kojima runs, he RAMS Cobb again but Cobb stays up. Kojima dares Cobb to try, and Cobb runs, to run Kojima over! Cobb shows he has dancing pecs while Kojima gets to a corner.

Cobb throws haymakers, then brings Kojima out to CLUB him down. Cobb ROCKS Kojima with a forearm, then whips him corner to corner. Kojima comes back to run Cobb over! Fans fire up as Kojima shows off his dancing pecs! Cobb bails out and cools off, but Kojima aims at the ropes! Cobb drags Kojima out first, then throws body shots! Cobb CLUBS Kojima down, whips but Kojima reverses and Cobb hits railing! Kojima leans against the apron to catch his breath but he fires off on Cobb, then POSTS him! Kojima stomps Cobb, brings him up and puts him in the ring, then stomps him more.

Kojima clamps on a chinlock and digs his knee in, but Cobb gets the ROPEBREAK. Kojima lets off, but ELBOWS Cobb in the head! Kojima stomps, tries to suplex, but Cobb is too big and strong! Cobb suplexes, but Kojima slips off! Cobb elbows free, then DROPKICKS! Cobb catches his breath, he stomps Kojima, then brings Kojima up. Fans rally but Cobb snapmares Kojima near the ropes. Cobb stands on Kojima’s chest! The ref reprimands as Cobb uses Kojima as a surfboard! Cobb hops off, stomps Kojima more, but Kojima gets up to throw body shots! Cobb headbutts Kojima in the ribs!

Cobb then JAMS his knee and throws an uppercut into Kojima’s back! Cocky cover, TWO! Cobb is annoyed but he keeps his focus. Cobb throws body shots in the corner, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! And MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Cobb smiles but Kojima turns it around to MACHINE GUN CHOP Cobb! Kojima whips corner to corner, runs in and forearm smashes! Kojima throws Cobb down and fans fire up with Kojima! Kojima climbs up, MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Kojima waits on Cobb to get up and fans rally. Kojima throws forearm after forearm, then a ROLLING ELBOW, but Cobb ROCKS him with one!

Cobb pump handles for a FALL AWAY SLAM! And GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Kojima survives but Cobb snarls as he gets up. Fans rally, Cobb waistlocks and deadlifts Kojima, but Kojima elbows free! Kojima DDTs Cobb down! Kojima and Cobb get back up, Kojima kicks low for the COZY CUTTER! Fans rally up for “KO-JI-MA!” while Cobb goes to the ropes. Kojima hobbles over, he drags Cobb up on the apron, but the ref counts. Kojima lets off and Cobb goes to the railing. Kojima goes out but Cobb kicks him and reels him in! APRON POWERBOMB! Both men are down but the ref checks on Kojima.

Kojima is okay to continue, so Cobb gets up and storms over. Cobb hauls Kojima up to fireman’s carry him into the ring! Kojima fights free and kicks back! APRON DDT! Both men fall back down and fans fire up again! Now the ref checks Cobb, but he’s somehow okay to continue. A ring count starts as the two stir. The count reaches 10 of 20, fans rally up, and Kojima gets up quick! He’s in at 14, but Cobb is still dragging himself up. Cobb gets in at 18! But he’s really only in enough to break the count, and fans rally up. Kojima gets up, throws haymakers, but Cobb gives them back! They go back and forth and fans rally up!

Kojima CHOPS, Cobb fires off many forearms. Kojima gives those forearms all back, then runs, but into an ATHLETIC PLEX! Kojima and Cobb are down again as fans rally up. Cobb and Kojima go to opposite corners, and Cobb runs in, to back elbow! Cobb CHOPS, and CHOPS, and starts up the MACHINE GUN CHOPS again! Cobb then whips corner to corner, but he redirects Kojima to forearm smash! Then he snapmares, and shouts, “CHEESY BURRITO!” Cobb is mocking Kojima, but Kojima gets up to ROCK him with forearms first! Kojima climbs up, throws down forearms, and fans fire up!

Kojima cravats, SUPER COZY CUTTER!! Both men are down and fans fire up even more! Kojima gets up and he throws off the elbow pad! Fans fire up as he runs, but Cobb dodges to come back and LARIAT! Kojima stays up but barely! Cobb pretends to take off an elbow pad, but he runs into a COZY LARIAT! Cobb falls over and fans are thunderous for Kojima! Kojima suplexes, COZY BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Cobb survives and fans rally up again! Kojima slowly gets up while Cobb goes to ropes. Kojima hobbles over, drags Cobb up, and Kojima whips. Cobb blocks the lariat! And again! But the THIRD COZY LARIAT hits!!

But Kojima can’t cover! His own momentum takes him away! And his arm is really hurting him, too! Kojima fights through the pain, gets to his feet again, and fans are thunderous as he runs! Into a TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!!! Cover, Cobb wins!!

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

Cobb snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! It was a close call against Kojima, but will Cobb be able to do much of the same to Yoshi-Hashi in the next round?

2022 New Japan Cup Second Round: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Bad Luck Fale!

The Ace and the Rogue General are no strangers, having run into each other in many tournaments before. Will the Once in a Century Talent be able to continue on with love and energy? Or will a Grenade blow up his run in the tournament?

Tanahashi shows off the muscles and fans cheer. The bell rings and fans rally up, “Let’s Go, Ace!” as Tanahashi and Fale circle. They tie up, Fale powers Tanahashi to ropes, but Tanahashi slips free. Tanahashi and Fale circle again, and Tanahashi wants a test of strength? Fans rally up for that, so Fale accepts. But he also shows off his height advantage as he holds his hand way up high. Tanahashi reaches up, they knuckle lock, and Fale uses just one hand to push Tanahashi down! Tanahashi fights up as fans rally, but Fale pushes Tanahashi down again! Fale twists the wrist but Tanahashi fights up again!

Tanahashi kicks low and breaks the knuckle lock. Tanahashi runs, but gets run over! Fale paces while Tanahashi bails out. Fans still rally, “Let’s Go, Ace!” while Tanahashi dares Fale to come out after him. Fale storms over but Tanahashi gets back in! Tanahashi runs to WRECK Fale with a dropkick! Fans cheer Tanahashi’s savvy and he stomps away at the railing. Chase Owens is back as the cornerman but Tanahashi tells him to stay back. Tanahashi puts Fale in the ring and waits on him to get up. Tanahashi kicks, and tries to scoop!? Fale is too big, though! Fale CLUBS Tanahashi down hard!

Fale brings Tanahashi up, and he scoops Tanahashi, but Tanahashi slips off! Tanahashi kicks low, tries again, and  manages to scoop, but falls over with Fale’s weight! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi survives his mistake but Fale drags him back up. Fale puts him onto the apron, then goes out to grab a chair! This is all to distract Red Shoes as Chase attacks Tanahashi! Fale throws the chair down and Chase lets off, and Fale gets back in the ring. Chase wants the ring count already, so Red Shoes starts the count. Tanahashi drags himself up at 3 of 20, fans rally up, and Tanahashi stands at 7. Tanahashi hobbles in at 8 but Fale stomps him down!

Fale gets Tanahashi’s leg and stomps it! Then he puts the leg on the ropes, for a HIP DROP! Chase applauds but no one else does. Fale stalks Tanahashi while fans rally, and Fale SLAMS Tanahashi’s leg down, then drops an elbow on it! Fale has a toehold and he pulls back. Tanahashi fights back with a chinlock but Fale keeps on the leg. Tanahashi powers his way over to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Fale lets off quickly. Fale looms over Tanahashi, brings him up, but Tanahashi fires forearms! Fale throws a body shot, then he whips Tanahashi to ropes. Tanahashi sunset flips! But Fale stays up, to then SIT on Tanahashi! Cover, TWO!!

Fans cheer as Tanahashi survives being squashed! Fale drags Tanahashi back up, puts him in a corner, and RAMS him into the corner! And again, and again! Fale puts Tanahashi’s leg on the ropes, digs his boot into it, but Red Shoes counts. Fale lets off at 4, and fans rally up. Tanahashi throws body shots but Fale hits back. Fale trips Tanahashi then drags him around to SLAM the leg into the post! Fale and Chase Too Sweet, then Fale LARIATS the leg into the post! Tanahashi clutches the knee while Chase applauds, but fans rally up for Tanahashi. Fale gets back in the ring, drags Tanahashi up, but Tanahashi throws more body shots!

Tanahashi backs Fale down but Fale CLUBS and CLUBS Tanahashi down! Fale drags Tanahashi back up to whip him to ropes. Tanahashi dropkicks Fale’s leg! Tanahashi keeps going, FLYING FOREARM! Fale staggers to a corner, and Tanahashi hurries over, and blocks a boot! He puts the leg in the ropes to dropkick it! Then DRAGON SCREW! Both men are down and fans fire up! Tanahashi gets up and fires up and the fans are with him! Tanahashi goes up the corner for the second rope SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fale gets up but Tanahashi runs, but Chase trips him! Chase drags Tanahashi out, but Tanahashi DECKS him!

Fans fire up and Tanahashi gets back on the apron. Tanahashi baits Fale, but Fale catches the shoulder for a facelock! Fale drags Tanahashi into the ring for a GUILLOTINE! Tanahashi endures, Fale puts Tanahashi in a corner and fires off big, clubbing forearms! Red Shoes counts, Fale lets off, and Fale catches his breath before he drags Tanahashi back up. Fale CLUBS away on Tanahashi more! Tanahashi sits down and Fale paces. Fans rally up and Tanahashi stands, Fale runs in to SPLASH! Tanahashi staggers into a fireman’s carry, SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi survives again and fans rally up!

Fale waits on Tanahashi to stand, and he gets Tanahashi for a choke grip! GRE- NO! Tanahashi breaks free to choke grip Fale! But Fale breaks free, only for Tanahashi to SHOTEI! Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Fale!! Fans fire up and Tanahashi fires up as he runs! SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Fale gets his arm up but Tanahashi goes to the corner! Tanahashi goes up top, Fale stands but he traps Red Shoes in a corner! Chase goes after Tanahashi and shoves him down! Fale lets Red Shoes free to run and SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi somehow gets a shoulder up and Fale can’t believe it!

Fans rally up as Fale drags Tanahashi up. Fale reels Tanahashi in and vows to end it! He gut wrenches and crucifix carries Tanahashi, but Tanahashi slips around to SLINGBLADE! Fans are thunderous for Tanahashi as he goes back up! But Chase rushes over again! Tanahashi DECKS him! Tanahashi goes to the top, HIGH FLY FLOP as Fale moves! Fale gets on his feet as fans fire up again! Fale grabs Tanahashi in a choke grip, but Tanahashi drags Fale down with a victory roll! Tanahashi wins!!

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

The Ace pulls off another big win over the Rogue General! Fale can’t believe it, either! Are more members of the Bullet Club going to drop out of the Cup?

As for Tanahashi, he gets the mic to say, “NJPW has returned to Yamanashi! Thank you all for having us here. And thank you so much to all of you for coming today. Even if you can’t cheer, your eyes and faces give us the strength to fight. So let’s all remain steadfast. And one day, everyone here, from the hearts of our bottoms- I flubbed that. We’ll enjoy wrestling from the bottom of our hearts! Thank you so much for today!” Fans applaud that sentiment, but they of course want The Ace to give them a little more. Tanahashi goes in and out of the ropes, considering their appeal. He gets back in and gets the mic again. “Sorry for always wanting more, but thank you for the applause.”

Tanahashi checks if everyone has time to spare. Does anyone have it? Check under the ring. A Young Lion checks, and he finds the air guitar! He throws it to Tanahashi and he catches it. Tanahashi says, “Boy, it’s been awhile. Yamanashi, let’s rock!” Fans applaud and clap along as Tanahashi gives them the air guitar concert! But that jump at the end kinda hurts his leg. But fans clap for “EN-CO-RU!” and Tanahashi accepts! Tanahashi continues to rock the air guitar! Tanahashi throws the air guitar to the crowd! But the fans still clap, “EN-CO-RU!” Tanahashi looks, and another fan in the crowd throws him another air guitar!

Tanahashi makes the catch and Tanahashi says here’s the last encore for the night! Tanahashi rocks out and the fans clap along! Tanahashi then thanks the fan and sends the guitar back. Tanahashi gets the mic back and apologizes, he knows they’re short on time. “But like I said earlier, no matter the situation, we have to find enjoyment in our lives. Everyone, I wish you a good day tomorrow. But finally, people of Yamanashi, I LOVE YOU~!” The Ace has plenty of love and energy, will it carry him through against Naito in the next round?

My Thoughts:

Another very good night for NJPW, but again I skipped the non tournament matches. All good momentum builders, Suzuki-Gun winning is because Taichi will lose to Okada, and in a twist, it keeps Zack Sabre Jr. and Douki even. They’re facing off, I’m very sure ZSJ wins. Chaos wins because Dick Togo was there and took the loss. United Empire wins so that all three guys get momentum, but while Ospreay is a lock against El Phantasmo and Great-O-Khan is certainly going to win against Taiji Ishimori, Henare is more than likely losing to Sanada. Then we can get Sanada VS Ospreay and that’ll be a great match.

Hashi of course wins against Fujita to open tonight’s tournament matches, but Fujita had a great match. As I said with those other Young Lion New Japan Cup matches, this is probably to make up for no excursion, and Fujita definitely got to show his stuff here. Naito VS Gedo was pretty good stuff, Naito having an obsession with Gedo’s beard was interesting. Cobb VS Kojima was great stuff, Kojima got to shine but that was a great outta nowhere victory from Cobb. Cobb VS Hashi should be great stuff, too, and as tough as Hashi will fight, I’m thinking Cobb wins.

Tanahashi VS Fale was great stuff, too, and while Fale loses, it was by a quick pin, not a finisher, so he still stays strong overall. Fale has not held many titles in NJPW, but it’s still a pretty great honor that he’s being treated as such a powerhouse and a threat that even someone as established as Tanahashi can’t take him out with a finisher. I remember their G1 Climax matches usually ending with count-outs or disqualifications. Tanahashi VS Naito is next, that one is going to be very good and could go either way.

My Score: 8.5/10