Who survives to the Sweet Sixteen?

NJPW’s New Japan Cup wraps up the second round, and the main event will be explosive! Will Hiromu Takahashi survive Minoru Suzuki’s wrath?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Master Wato, Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Suzuki-Gun; Wato, Goto & Hashi win.
• El Desperado & DOUKI VS SHO & Yujiro Takahashi; Sho & Yujiro win.
• 8 Man Tag: The United Empire VS Bullet Club; The United Empire wins.
• Six Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & YOH VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; LIJ wins.
• 2022 New Japan Cup Second Round: Tiger Mask VS Chase Owens w/ Bad Luck Fale; Chase wins and advances.
• 2022 New Japan Cup Second Round: Shingo Takagi VS Tanga Loa; Takagi wins and advances.
• 2022 New Japan Cup Second Round: EVIL w/ Dick Togo VS Tama Tonga w/ Jado; Evil wins and advances.
• 2022 New Japan Cup Second Round: Hiromu Takahashi VS Minoru Suzuki; Hiromu wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

2022 New Japan Cup Second Round: Tiger Mask VS Chase Owens w/ Bad Luck Fale!

The legendary Junior Heavyweight competes in his first New Japan Cup, and stands in the way of Bullet Club’s Crown Jewel! Will Tiger Mask take a step closer to a new accomplishment? Or will Chase make things Too Sweet in the Sweet Sixteen?

The bell rings and fans rally up as Tiger Mask and Chase circle. They feel out the grapple, Tiger tests the waters with kicks but he also avoids Chase’s leg pick. They circle more, Chase avoids another kick and shoots in to waistlock. Chase slams Tiger down, floats to a facelock, but Tiger slips out to have an armlock. Chase fights up, reaches for ropes but Tiger keeps him away. Chase wrenches to wristlock, Tiger slips through to arm-drag. Tiger has the cording hold but Chase fights up. Chase pulls on the mask but Tiger cranks the arm. Chase grabs the mask again but Tiger hits a FLYING ARMBAR! Chase scrambles to the ROPEBREAK

Tiger lets off, but then KICKS Chase as he gets up. Tiger KICKS again, then KICKS again! Chase clutches his arm as he goes to the corner but Tiger ROUNDHOUSES Chase down! Then KICKS Chase out of the ring! Fans rally up and Tiger builds speed, but Chase gets up on the apron. Tiger avoids Chase throwing a shoulder, but Chase avoids the kick! Tiger avoids the forearm but Chase blocks back to bump Tiger off buckles! Chase says, “Yeah, you stupid tiger!” But Tiger blocks the buckle bump to bump Chase and BOOT Chase down! Fans rally again and Tiger builds speed, to DIVE! Direct hit and down goes Chase!

The ref has Fale stay back as Tiger gets up and into the ring. Chase wants a timeout but there’s no timeouts. The ring count starts and Fale coaches Chase up. Chase gets up at 9 of 20, staggers into the ring at 11, and Tiger sobats! Tiger runs, avoids the Shi Trigger and rolls Chase up, TWO! Chase gets up to drop toehold Tiger into ropes! Then he drags Tiger up, slingshot BACKBREAKER! Fans rally up as Chase sits Tiger Mask up and KICKS away on his back! Chase drops a knee, then bends Tiger back in a partial Bow ‘n’ Arrow. Tiger endures so Chase lets go to drag him up. Chase wrenches, scoops and BACKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO!

Chase tries another cover, TWO! Fans rally as Tiger Mask stays in this, but Chase drags him to center. Chase turns Tiger over and has the legs in a partial surfboard. Tiger endures, crawls forward and gets the ropebreak! Fans cheer and Chase lets go, to then hip drop Tiger down! And again! Chase goes to the apron then climbs a corner. Tiger stands up, Chase AX HANDLES him down! Fans rally up and Chase stalks Tiger. Chase drags Tiger up to shove him into ropes and CLUB him on the back! Fans rally for Tiger but Chase digs his boots in. The ref counts but Chase lets off. Fans still rally, but Chase CHOKES Tiger!

The ref counts, Chase lets off, to rake the eyes! The ref reprimands and counts again, so Chase stops. Chase gets in the ref’s face but he goes back to Tiger Mask. Chase scoops and SLAMS Tiger, then goes to a corner. Chase climbs again but Tiger trips him up! Tiger throws body shots, climbs up after Chase, and underhooks the arms! Fans rally but Chase resists. Chase throws forearms but Tiger grabs the arm! SUPER ARM-DRAG! Fans fire up as both men are down! Tiger gets up and fans rally behind him. Tiger drags Chase up, underhooks the arms, but Chase blocks the lift! Chase breaks free but swings into a takedown!

Tiger has the REVERSE DOUBLE ARMBAR! Chase endures, moves around, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Tiger lets off quickly. Tiger drags Chase up again and reels him in, but Chase switches. Tiger victory rolls, TWO! Chase BOOTS Tiger, rolls him then says, “SUCK IT!” before the SUPERKICK! Tiger flounders to a corner and fans rally up. Chase runs corner to corner, DOUBLE KNEES to the back! Cover, and Chase has his feet on the ropes! TWO, and fans cheer. Tiger survives Chase’s cheating, and he drop toeholds Chase into buckles! Tiger kicks low, underhooks the arms, TIGER DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Chase barely survives!

Tiger keeps his cool and fans rally back up. Tiger goes to a corner and climbs up top. DIVING HEADBUTT FLOPS as Chase moves! Chase drags Tiger up, fireman’s carries, GUTBUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO!! Tiger survives and fans fire up! Chase slashes the throat and drags Tiger back up. Chase tucks Tiger in, but Tiger fights the Package Driver! Crucifix takedown, TWO! SHI TRIGGER! Chase says, “BANG!” and tucks Tiger in, for a PACKAGE PILEDRIVER! Cover, Chase wins!

Winner: Chase Owens, by pinfall (advances to the second round)

The NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion is moving on! And biggest of all, he did it fair and square! Chase Too Sweets with Fale, will they be celebrating in the next round, too?

2022 New Japan Cup Second Round: Shingo Takagi VS Tanga Loa!

The Rampaging Dragon made it through the Stone Pitbull, but now he’s up against the Silverback! Will Takagi “welcome” Loa back by kicking him out of the tournament? Or will Loa remind him ain’t nobody better than Guerrilla?

The bell rings and fans rally up. These two tie up, are in a deadlock, but Loa finds a point of leverage to put Takagi on the ropes. Takagi turns that around, the ref calls for the ropebreak, and Takagi lets off slowly for a clean break. Takagi CHOPS but Loa doesn’t flinch. Loa shoves Takagi and says, “He said clean break!” Takagi runs and rams shoulders but Loa stays up. Takagi tries again, they ram shoulders again but still Loa stays up. Loa runs, he rams Takagi, and again, and again! Fans fire up as Takagi and Loa fire up, and they start throwing forearms! The fans rally up as they go faster and faster, back and forth!

Loa gets the edge, whips Takagi to ropes but Takagi ducks and dodges to run Loa over! Takagi then scoops and SLAMS to SENTON! Loa bails out, Takagi goes after him. Takagi CLUBS Loa, POSTS him, then digs him into the post with a headlock! The ref reprimands and counts, Takagi lets off. Takagi CLUBS Loa again, then smacks him off the apron. Loa just gets mad, so Takagi JABS and smacks him off the apron again! Loa gets angrier, Takagi knees low and whips Loa into railing! Loa rebounds to CLOBBER Takagi! Fans fire up as Loa is raging. “It’s good to be back!” Loa gets Takagi up to ROCK him with a forearm!

Loa RAMS Takagi into the railing, then CLUBS him in return. Takagi throws an elbow but Loa CLUBS him again. Loa SMACKS Takagi off the apron and puts him in the ring. Loa grins and slingshots for a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Loa keeps focus as he looms over Takagi. Loa puts Takagi on the ropes, chokes him, then lets off at 4. The ref reprimands but Loa shrugs. Loa CLUBS Takagi and Takagi throws shoulders and body shots and even a headbutt! Loa kicks low to snap suplex! Fans rally as Loa puts Takagi in a corner. Loa throws a forearm, whips corner to corner, then runs in to clothesline!

Loa whips Takagi out then back in for another clothesline! Loa scoops and carries Takagi around, for a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO, but Loa clamps on! OJK! Operation Jado Killer! Fans rally as Takagi endures the crossface, but Loa pulls him way back! Loa throws down elbow after elbow, then pulls on the crossface more! Takagi reaches out for the ROPEBREAK! Loa drags Takagi up, but Takagi blocks the clinch. Loa and Takagi fight with elbows, and Loa RAMS Takagi into the corner! Loa throws shoulder after shoulder but lets off as the ref counts. Loa whips corner to corner but Takagi dodges!

Takagi hits a BIG hip toss, then runs Loa over with a shoulder! Fans fire up with Takagi and he brings Loa up. Takagi goes to suplex but Loa blocks! Loa suplexes but Takagi fights that off to suplex Loa back! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Takagi reels Loa in. Loa fights the saido with elbows so Takagi CLUBS him down! Then SAIDO! But Loa is right up, and he catches Takagi for a T-BONE SUPLEX! But Takagi comes back with a PUMPING BOMBER! Fans fire up as Takagi shouts, “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi then sits Loa up to throw elbow after elbow into the shoulders. Takagi runs, but into a DROPKICK!

Loa fires up, he drags Takagi up but Takagi fights with elbows. Loa kicks, knees, and ENZIGURIS! Takagi staggers but Loa reels him in, BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Loa hurries to a corner and goes up top! Fans rally up and Loa leaps, DIVING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! Takagi survives and Loa is snarling. Fans rally as the two go forehead to forehead. Takagi throws an elbow, but Loa headbutts! Loa reels Takagi in but Takagi blocks the lift! Loa CLUBS Takagi on the back over and over, but Takagi still back drops free! Loa runs, into the ELBOW! JAB! YKON- SCOOP! Loa has Takagi up but Takagi slips off!

Takagi runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Fans fire up again as Loa goes to a corner. Takagi runs corner to corner to clothesline! Takagi keeps Loa up to throw some short headbutts, then he hoists Loa up top. Takagi climbs, to SUPERPLEX! Fans fire up as both men crash down! Takagi gets to the corner, he aims as Loa gets up, and Takagi runs in to LARIAT! Loa stays up, so Takagi runs again, LARIAT! Loa still stays up, so Takagi gets the “OI! OI! OI!” going again. Takagi fires off boxing elbows and then powers up, but Loa ROCKS him first! Loa runs, into a clothesline! Takagi runs, into a SPEAR!

Loa gets Takagi right up, SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and Loa grits his teeth. Loa vows to end this, and he gets Takagi back up. Scoop, but Takagi fights free again! DRAGON SLEEPER! Loa fights through but Takagi wrenches. Loa breaks free, Takagi JABS! Loa HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS! Loa ENZIGURIS! Takagi rebounds to PUMPING BOMBER! Cover, Takagi wins!!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (advances to the second round)

Takagi knew Loa was a heavy hitter, but he was able to hit harder! The Rampaging Dragon continues to soar, will he break the Crown Jewel in the next round?

2022 New Japan Cup Second Round: EVIL w/ Dick Togo VS Tama Tonga w/ Jado!

There’s been a lot of tension inside Bullet Club for some time now. The King of Darkness was accused of conspiring against Jay White, while The Good Bad Guy is coming off a conflict with Switchblade in Impact Wrestling. Will things be anything but fine between these two? Or can they reconcile all parts of Bullet Club to keep things Too Sweet?

Tama doesn’t wait for Evil to get in, he goes right after him at the ramp! So much for reconciliation… They brawl, the bell rings to get this on record, and Evil rakes eyes! But Tama keeps throwing hands! Evil knees low, CLUBS Tama, but Tama still hits back! They brawl back towards the stage, even as the ref wants them to get in the ring. Tama headbutts and CLUBS Evil back, brings Evil to the ring, and smacks him off the apron! Tama whips, but Evil reverses and Tama crashes into railing! Evil then chokes Tama with his T-shirt! But Tama gets up, to RAM Evil into the timekeeper’s area! Abe-san goes down!

Evil withes while the ref checks on Abe-san. The ref also makes sure Dick doesn’t do anything to Tama and that Jado doesn’t do anything to Evil. Tama gets up to CLUB Evil, then ROCK him with a haymaker. Tama throws another haymaker but Evil blocks to rake Tama’s eyes! Tama crawls, a ring count starts, and Evil CLUBS Tama down. Evil drags Tama up at 7 of 20 to whip into railing! The count is past 10, Evil gets in the ring to leave Tama to the mercy of the count. But then Evil goes out at 15 to CHOKE Tama again! Evil gets back in at 18, Tama hurries up and in at 19.9!! The ref gets tripped up, too!

Evil drags Tama back out, and he drags Tama up to rake the eyes again! Tama flops down, Dick keeps Jado from getting close as Evil unties the blue buckle pad. Evil is using the Bullet Club Special, but Tama dropkicks Evil down! Fans cheer as both men are down on the outside. The ref has Dick and Jado stay back again as fans rally up. Jado coaches Tama, Dick coaches Evil, and Tama gets in first. Evil drags himself up but Tama hurries back out. Evil SMACKS Tama down with the buckle pad! Evil tells the ref to shut up as he SMACKS Tama again! The ring count starts, Evil digs a chair into Tama’s neck!

The ref sees that and stops the ring count as Jado and Dick are both on the apron. Evil lets off of Tama while those two argue with the ref. Evil then drags Tama up, to bring him over and RAM him into the timekeeper! Abe-san suffers all over again! Evil then chokes Tama with the microphone cord! Tama tells Evil “F YOU!” The ref stops this and Tama is let go. Evil tells the ref to shut up about getting in the ring. Fans rally up, Evil drags Tama up and Jado has to back off again. Evil puts Tama in the ring, then stalks him as Tama crawls. Evil scuffs Tama, drags him up, but Tama throws body shots!

Evil eggs Tama on and Tama throws more shots! Evil then whips Tama into the bare buckles! Tama writhes and Evil catches his breath. Jado coaches Tama up and fans rally as Evil drags him up. Tama throws back elbows, but Tama whips him again! Tama stops himself, then dodges to send Evil into buckles! NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up while both men are down! Tama gets himself fired up and gets to his feet. Tama runs and dropkicks Evil! And again! And again! Fans fire up with Tama and they clap, “TA-MA! TA-MA! TA-MA!” Tama runs to STINGER SPLASH Evil down! Cover, TWO! Jado helps Tama focus and he goes up top!

Fans rally but Dick distracts! Jado stares Dick down, Evil gets under Tama’s leap! Tama comes back with a body shot, forearms, and then runs. Evil uses the ref as a shield, then kicks low to suplex and put Tama on the ref’s shoulders! MAGIC KILLER!! But the ref goes flying! Fans fire up as all three men are down! The ref sits up first and fans rally again. Jado coaches Tama, but Evil is up and gets the legs. SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Tama endures as Evil pulls back on the hold! Fans rally, Tama powers up and crawls forward! Tama reaches out but Dick pulls the rope back! Tama still gets the ROPEBREAK!

Evil holds until the ref counts 4, but he’s frustrated. Fans rally again, and Evil drags Tama back up. Evil fireman’s carries for DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Tama survives and fans fire up! Evil is beside himself while fans rally and Jado coaches Tama. Evil slashes his throat and drags Tama back up. EVERYTHING- NO! Tama fights that off, but Evil rakes Tama’s eyes again! The ref reprimands, Evil whips Tama, but Tama reverses! Evil reverses again and Tama hits bare buckles again! But Tama roars and comes back to LARIAT Evil down! Fans are thunderous as the two are both down and their cornermen are shouting!

Tama gets up first and runs at Evil in the corner. Evil BOOTS Tama, but Tama comes back, into another BOOT! Evil swings, into a dragon sleeper! TONGAN TWIST! Cover, TWO! Evil survives but Tama keeps focus. Tama vows to end it here, and he underhooks the arms! Dick distracts, Tama DECKS him, but Evil spins him! EVER- NO! Tama slips out to GUN- NO! Evil shoves Tama at the ref! But Tama blocks the low blow! Tama spins Evil to fireman’s carry and ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Tama goes up top and SUPREME FLOW!! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives and Tama can’t believe it! Fans are thunderous again with their claps and even stomping!

Tama calls his shot and fans fire up more! Tama pounds the mat, wanting Evil to get up. Fans clap along and they get faster and faster. Evil rises, Tama aims, GUN STUN!!! Cover, Dick drags the ref out and throws him into railing! Tama would’ve won here! Dick gets in, SPOILER CHOKER!! But Jado gets in to use his OWN choker! But here comes House of Torture! Sho and Yujiro Takahashi mug Jado! They stomp Jado out of the ring, but here comes Bullet Club prime! Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo run House of Torture out! Sho and Yujiro fall back as Taiji helps Tama up, but what is ELP doing tuning up!? SUPERKICK to Tama!?!

Taiji & ELP get the ref back in, and Evil drags himself up! Evil staggers over to drag Tama up. EVERYTHING IS EVIL! Cover, Evil wins!!

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

What is the meaning of Bone Soldier & Headbanga screwing over Tama? They and House of Torture then stomp away on Tama! Young Lions rush in but are thrown out! Jado SMACKS away with his kendo stick! He gets Sho, then ELP, then really gets Yujiro and Taiji! That kendo stick broke but the Master Heater has saved his Good Bad Guy. Wait, here comes Chase! Is Crown Jewel still- NO! SHI TRIGGER for Jado! And he’s punching away on Tama! Fale gets in, Chase drags Tama up and feeds him to Fale! But here comes LOA! Loa DECKS Chase, and tells Fale to try him! So Fale gives Loa the GRENADE!

The rest of Bullet Club drags GoD into the center to stomp away! But wait, here comes Gedo! The Blacksmith gives thumbs up and applause! Gedo gets his brass knuckles, and he DECKS Jado! Was it Gedo and Jay White who orchestrated this expulsion of the Guerrillas? Is this all because of what happened in Impact? Gedo says they’re to throw the Too Sweet UP now! Well, there was reconciliation, in that the rest of Bullet Club has gotten rid of the Guerrillas of Destiny. Will Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa come for revenge? Will they even be able to fight back against so many?

2022 New Japan Cup Second Round: Hiromu Takahashi VS Minoru Suzuki!

Los Ingobernables de Japon was successful last night, but the Timebomb was dragged away into the back by the Meanest Man in the World! Hiromu was spared so that this match could still happen, but will Suzuki put an end to him right here? Or will things stay tranquilo to the end?

“KAZE NI NARE” passes and no one attacks, but Hiromu and Suzuki stare down. Red Shoes wants the two to go to their corners, but they down, so the bell rings and fans cheer. Suzuki and Hiromu circle, feel things out, but Hiromu backs up. He and Suzuki circle more, feel out the knuckle locks, but Hiromu backs away again. Suzuki and Hiromu try a third time, and Hiromu CHOPS! Suzuki just smirks and Hiromu dares him to try. Suzuki CHOPS, Hiromu CHOPS, we have a CHOP fight already! Fans rally as the CHOPS go back and forth, again and again! Suzuki even laughs as Hiromu CHOPS more! Suzuki CHOPS and CHOPS in return!

Suzuki grins, Hiromu CHOPS him! There is already blood from broken skin on Suzuki’s chest, but he doesn’t care! Suzuki CHOPS Hiromu back, but Hiromu stays standing. Fans rally as the CHOPS continue! Suzuki laughs, Hiromu eggs him on, and Suzuki CHOPS again! Hiromu CHOPS, Suzuki CHOPS, and the two stare down while their chests are stinging. The CHOPS continue, and fans rally up again. Suzuki has a red shoulder but he just CHOPS Hiromu again! Hiromu staggers, CHOPS, but Suzuki CHOPS right back! They just keep going, and Hiromu shakes his head as he fires up. The CHOPS aren’t stopping!

Hiromu asks what’s wrong? Where’s the fire? Suzuki CHOPS again, Hiromu CHOPS and there’s even more blood! Suzuki shoves to CHOP, and Hiromu grits his teeth to stay standing. Hiromu CHOPS, Suzuki snarls but he CHOPS back. CHOP for CHOP, fans are in awe that they’re still doing this! That red shoulder gets redder, Hiromu has one, too, but they’re not slowing down! Hiromu does wobble, though, and fans cheer this exchange as it takes a moment to let off. Suzuki tastes his own blood and grins. Hiromu also laughs as he CHOPS again! Hiromu keeps egging Suzuki on so Suzuki CHOPS him again!

Suzuki eggs Hiromu on, and Hiromu winds up to CHOP! It’s been five minutes of CHOPS! Hiromu takes a moment before he CHOPS again! Suzuki CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Suzuki keeps Hiromu from falling to CHOP him again, and has him against ropes! Suzuki CHOPS away, unanswered from Hiromu! Suzuki then throws Hiromu out, but Hiromu CHOPS back! Hiromu falls over, exhausted, but Suzuki laughs as he stands him up, to CHOP again! Hiromu staggers away and fans are stunned! Suzuki brings Hiromu up but Hiromu CHOPS again! And again! Suzuki just laughs so Hiromu CHOPS more!

Suzuki starts leaning into Hiromu’s CHOPS! He’s backing Hiromu down, then CHOPS him down! Suzuki drags Hiromu up to whip him into railing! Hiromu flounders away, and Suzuki looks under the ring. Suzuki brings out a chair! Red Shoes reprimands and stops Suzuki from using the chair but Suzuki tells him to get out of his way. Red Shoes refuses to let him have the chair so Suzuki shoves him down. Red Shoes clings to the chair and fans cheer his moxie. Suzuki wants the chair back but Red Shoes is hooked into it. Suzuki stomps Hiromu then drags him up. Suzuki KNEES Hiromu hard and low and Hiromu sputters as he falls.

Suzuki drags Hiromu back up, but Hiromu CHOPS again! The ring count climbs, Hiromu CHOPS. Suzuki CHOPS back and Hiromu falls. The count is 10 of 20 already but Suzuki doesn’t look to be in any hurry. He gets in at 15 of 20 and leaves Hiromu outside. Fans rally, Hiromu is up at 18 and in at 19.9! Suzuki kicks Hiromu around, stomps him, kicks him more, then scuffs him. Suzuki mockingly asks what’s wrong and Hiromu gets up to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Suzuki eggs him on, then CHOPS again! And again! Suzuki reels Hiromu in to CHOP him again! Hiromu wobbles and flops to the mat!

Fans fire up as Suzuki stands over Hiromu. Suzuki shakes his head and he wants Hiromu to get back up. Hiromu is defiant and he CHOPS again! And again! And again! Suzuki CHOPS back, and again! And again! Suzuki brings Hiromu around just to CHOP him back down! Suzuki wants Hiromu to get up, so he applauds with the fans. Hiromu grits his teeth and Suzuki eggs him on. Hiromu just CHOPS again! And again! Suzuki just scowls as he leans into the CHOPS! Then he CHOPS Hiromu again and again! Hiromu and Suzuki trade CHOPS, Suzuki fires off a string of them, then runs. hiromu throws the first forearm!

Suzuki gets forehead to forehead with Suzuki, Hiromu runs and throws another forearm! Fans cheer as they keep going, Hiromu throws another forearm! And then a SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Suzuki ends up in a corner, Hiromu runs in to clothesline! Hiromu shoves Suzuki down, Suzuki goes out but Hiromu puts him right back in, to basement dropkick! Hiromu drags Suzuki up fast, to suplex, FALCON ARROW! Cover, ONE!! Fans rally and Suzuki shakes his head. Fans clap, “HI-RO-MU!” “SU-ZU-KI!” They both stand, Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Suzuki slips off to shove and BOOT Hiromu!

Suzuki snapmares, Hiromu comes back to SLAP! Hiromu reels Suzuki in but he breaks free to SLAP back! Suzuki says, “Okay, okay, okay.” Suzuki slaps himself a bit, then dares Hiromu to bring it. Hiromu CHOPS again! Suzuki CHOPS again! Hiromu CHOPS again! Suzuki CHOPS again! The CHOP fight returns and hits a new gear! Those red shoulders are spreading across their chests, but Suzuki dares Hiromu to bring more! Fans rally up and Hiromu comes back. Hiromu shouts as he CHOPS! It’s been fifteen minutes, 90% chops! Suzuki CHOPS again! Hiromu shakes his head, CHOPS again, but Suzuki just CHOPS back!

The CHOPS start flying again, and fans rally up as Hiromu eggs Suzuki on. Suzuki CHOPS, Hiromu leans against ropes, but Suzuki taunts him again. Hiromu comes back and gets in Suzuki’s face. Hiromu CHOPS! Suzuki CHOPS! Hiromu staggers back, and he flexes in order to stay up. Suzuki wants Hiromu to show him more of that fighting spirit! So Hiromu CHOPS! Suzuki CHOPS, and the CHOP fight continues! Hiromu gets CHOP after CHOP, then CHOPS as Suzuki winds up! Hiromu runs, Suzuki dodges and gets around, SLEEPER! Hiromu counters with a victory roll, TWO! Cradle, TWO! SUPERKICK!

Suzuki wobbles, Hiromu runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! But Suzuki stays up on pure anger! Suzuki stands Hiromu up to fire off slapping palm strikes! Hiromu wobbles, but he fires up! Suzuki throws more slapping palm strikes! Hiromu staggers and wobbles, but he powers up again! Fans are fired up as he gets in Suzuki’s face. Suzuki HEADBUTTS Hiromu, then ROCKS him with a forearm! SLEEPER HOLD! Hiromu drops to the mat but he feebly reaches out. Red Shoes checks him and fans rally up! Suzuki drags Hiromu up, spins him around, but Hiromu trips to jackknife! TWO!!

Suzuki gets up to KNEE Hiromu down! Suzuki then drags Hiromu up, but Hiromu HEADBUTTS! Hiromu wrenches, heel rolls Suzuki, HIROMU WINS!!!

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (advances to the second round)

Suzuki kicks Hiromu away but the match is already over! The “Hiromu Roll” get the better of Suzuki, and now the Timebomb is moving on to the next round! Suzuki takes his anger out on Young Lions, where will his wrath go now that he’s out of the Cup?

As for Hiromu, he catches his breath, sits with his Best of the Super Juniors trophy, and gets the mic. “Today, all you people here, and those watching on World, you may have thought that today, facing Suzuki, was just another tournament match. But for me, the feeling of beating Suzuki, and putting away a heavyweight, I’m proud of that!” Fans cheer that sentiment. “I’ve been beaten to a pulp. That didn’t look cool, but that doesn’t matter. I did what I could to win, and to be here talking right now.”

Hiromu manages to stand and says, “Really, looking around, I’m the only Junior Heavyweight still alive in this tournament. I won’t let anyone ever again say a Junior can’t beat a Heavyweight! Whatever happens, no matter what it takes, you see the result! Hiromu Takahashi will win the New Japan Cup as a Junior Heavyweight! Until then, let’s have more, more, more, more, more, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE… FUN TOGETHER~!” The Timebomb is the last Junior Heavyweight standing, will he shock us all and add the New Japan Cup to his trophy case? Or will Darkness Fall on him in the next round?

My Thoughts:

What a way to end the second round of this tournament! The tag matches were all fine from what I skimmed, and all the results made sense. Tiger Mask VS Chase Owens was a good match, but it makes sense for Chase to win. Takagi VS Loa was great stuff, they really are heavy hitters, Takagi moves on and is going to definitely get a win over Chase next round. Loa losing makes sense given what we got out of Evil VS Tama. That was a great match and then what a shocking development. I didn’t think Bullet Club would kick out GoD like that. Now the only original member left is Fale, and I don’t ever see him leaving. This isn’t really a Bullet Club Civil War anymore, and who knows where we go from here.

Hiromu VS Suzuki was one for the ages. I wrote “CHOP” 77 times in that match but that wasn’t even every chop so they probably reached 100. That was the wildest thing I’ve seen in a long time, especially in NJPW. And what’s even cooler is that Hiromu won! I did wonder if they wanted to revisit Evil VS Hiromu, here it is, and that could go either way. Evil is coming off this big win that united Bullet Club against GoD, and he could have House of Torture to screw Hiromu over, but it’d be even more awesome if Hiromu won again. Though, if that happened, Hiromu would be facing Takagi and I don’t think NJPW would do that. Takagi VS Evil would be a pretty good move.

My Score: 8.9/10