Will tranquilo trump the Ace?

The New Japan Cup continues in the Sweet Sixteen! Will Tetsuya Naito upstage Hiroshi Tanahashi-senpai going into the quarterfinals?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Tiger Mask & Tomoaki Honma VS Ryusuke Taguchi & Ryohei Oiwa; Tiger Mask & Honma win.
• Master Wato & Kosei Fujita VS El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori; ELP & Ishimori win.
• Six Man Tag: Guerrillas of Destiny VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
• Six Man Tag: Suzuki-Gun VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS House of Torture; LIJ wins.
• Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Suzuki-Gun; Chaos wins.
• 2022 New Japan Cup Third Round: YOSHI-HASHI VS Jeff Cobb; Cobb wins and advances.
• 2022 New Japan Cup Third Round: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Tetsuya Naito; Naito wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

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

Hiromu Takahashi is probably still stinging after his 20 minute fight with Minoru Suzuki that was 75% chops, but he, Sanada, Takagi and Batman- er, Bushi, are always ready to fight the traitor, EVIL! Will the Ticking Timebomb strike the King of Darkness down before their New Japan Cup match? Or will Darkness Fall on Evil’s past once more?

The entrance attire is all put aside, and the ref keeps Hiromu back as he stares Evil down. The House of Torture Too Sweet, and then attack! Evil kicks Hiromu out, Yujiro is after Takagi and Dick kicks out Bushi, but Sho bumps Sanada off buckles. The bell rings to get this on record while Evil stalks Hiromu around the way. Evil CLAWS Hiromu’s back, Sho digs his boots into Sanada, but the ref counts. Sho lets off, Dick gets in to help him mug Sanada, and Evil CLUBS Hiromu down. Sho and Dick double whip Sanada but Sanada dodges Dick to dropkick Sho’s legs! Sanada then trips Dick to tie him up in Paradise!

Fans rally as Sanada gets Sho, too! Sho gets put in Paradise next to Dick! Sanada encourages the fans to get louder and Takagi digs his boots into their heads, Sanada dropkicks Dick and Sho out of Paradise! Fans rally up, “L I J!” “SA-NA-DA!” and Bushi tags in. Bushi stomps Sho then hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Bushi stomps Sho, brings him up, but Sho bends fingers! The ref reprimands and counts, so Sho whips Bushi at the HOT corner. Surprise, it’s an exposed corner! The Bullet Club Special comes into play and Bushi hits bare buckles! The rest of the House goes after LIJ!

Evil, Yujiro and Dick stomp LIJ down while Sho puts Bushi in a corner for stomps. Sho digs his boots in, the ref counts but Sho lets off at 4. Bushi writhes, Sho stomps Bushi down. Fans rally up and Sho tries to tune them out. Sho drags Bushi over, tags Evil in, and they mug Bushi. Dick distracts the ref so that Evil can choke Bushi with a House of Torture shirt! Hiromu attacks Evil but Evil rakes eyes, then whips Hiromu into the bare buckles! Hiromu writhes and flops out of the ring, Evil tags in Dick. Dick stomps Bushi around, then rakes Bushi’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Dick stops and he snapmares Bushi for a fist drop! Cover, TWO!

Fans fire up but the House is furious! Dick drags Bushi up, he wrenches an arm and tags in Yujiro. They mug Bushi, Yujiro scoops and SLAMS, then covers, TWO! Fans rally for Bushi but Yujiro drags him up. Yujiro knees low, puts Bushi on ropes, then backs up to run in and BOOT! Yujiro then runs, into an ENZIGURI! Bushi crawls but Yujiro drags him away. Yujiro scoops but Bushi slips out and spins Yujiro around for a DDT! Both men are down and fans rally up! Hot tags to Evil and Hiromu! Hiromu rallies on Evil, whips but Evil reverses. Hiromu ducks and dodges to RANA! Hiromu DECKS Dick, kicks Sho and whips Sho into Evil!

Hiromu goes corner to corner to clothesline them both! Then again to SHOTGUN Sho into Evil! Fans fire up as Hiromu keeps moving, another corner clothesline, and a basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Hiromu fire sup more and fans are with him! Hiromu drags Evil up, suplexes, but Evil fights that off and pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Hiromu breaks free to mule kick! Hiromu runs, but Evil throws him right out! Yujiro is there to RAM Hiromu into railing! And then Yujiro puts Hiromu in for Evil to cover, TWO! Evil is frustrated but fans applaud and rally up. Evil drags Hiromu up and reels him in, FISHERMAN-

NO! Hiromu fights that off and gets a leg! But Evil rakes eyes! Evil runs, but Hiromu dropkicks the legs out! Fans rally up and Hiromu crawls, hot tag to Takagi! The Rampaging Dragon runs in, blocks a boot and clotheslines Evil in the corner! Takagi runs but Yujiro is there with his pimp cane! Takagi stops and Evil waistlocks, but Takagi elbows free! Takagi runs but Dick is there with a chair! Evil whips Takagi into bare buckles! Tag to Dick, the House knocks LIJ down again! Dick whips Takagi to a corner, runs in and back elbows! Sho adds a forearm smash and Yujiro adds a BOOT! Evil runs in to clothesline, then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Dick covers, TWO!

Fans fire up as Takagi survives the onslaught! But Dick gets the Spoiler Choker while Evil distracts the ref! Dick CHOKES Takagi! Fans rally up, Takagi fights up and pries the choker away! Takagi kicks Dick, tosses the choker, then fireman’s carries. Evil runs in but Takagi kicks him first, then SMACKS Evil with Dick’s boots! Then SAMOAN DROP for Dick! Sanada dropkicks Yujiro out then Bushi DECKS and DIVES into Sho! Sho crashes into railing and fans fire up! Hiromu shouts, “HERE WE ARE!” for Takagi, and Takagi gets fans rallying behind, “OI! OI! OI!” Dick begs for mercy but he gets whipped corner to corner.

Hiromu clotheslines Dick, Sanada back elbows, then Takagi clotheslines! Feed to Hiromu’s SUPERKICK! Takagi runs to PUMPING BOMBER! Cover, LIJ wins!

Winners: LIJ, by pinfall

And the House falls! Will LIJ take over the tournament with this momentum? Or will the King of NEVER show Hiromu that Everything is Evil?

2022 New Japan Cup Third Round: YOSHI-HASHI VS Jeff Cobb w/ Will Ospreay & Great-O-Khan!

The Head Hunter was able to #GetBackUp taking headbutt after headbutt from Tomoaki Honma, and the Hawaiian Hulk conquered the Runaway King Kong. But will Yoshi-Hashi be able to get up at all after this one? Or will he take a Tour of the Island and be out of the tournament?

The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. Cobb and Hashi approach, tie up, and go around. Cobb puts Hashi on ropes and the ref calls for the break. Cobb lets off, and throws up the United Empire hand sign. Fans cheer and Hashi circles with Cobb. Hashi kicks low, headlocks and grinds Cobb down, but Cobb powers up and out. Hashi rams Cobb but Cobb stays put. Hashi runs again, rams Cobb again, but still Cobb stays up. Hashi shows off his dancing pecs, rums, and rams Cobb again! Cobb smiles now, and Hashi tries again. Hashi still can’t knock Cobb over, so Hashi dares Cobb to try. The Empire laughs at that but Cobb gives it a go!

Cobb runs, but Hashi follows to back elbow! Hashi runs, but Cobb runs him over! Hashi bails out and Cobb paces. Hashi dares Cobb to come out after him but Cobb wants the ring count. The count begins, Cobb goes to a corner and climbs up. But then Hashi eggs him on, and Cobb rushes over. Hashi slides back in and now dares Cobb to get back in. Fans rally up, Cobb is annoyed but he box jumps up! But then Hashi trips him up! Hashi RAMS Cobb into railing! Hashi POSTS Cobb and fans fire up! Hashi runs in to SHOTGUN dropkick Cobb into railing! Cobb falls and fans fire up while the Empire is shocked!

Ospreay checks on Cobb and Khan talks trash on Hashi. Hashi storms over and the Empire has to back off. Hashi gets Cobb up to CLUB Cobb, then Hashi CHOPS Cobb! Fans fire up and Hashi puts Cobb in the ring. Hashi gets on the apron, Cobb BLASTS him off! Hashi hits railing and falls in a heap! Hashi writhes and Ospreay checks with commentary. Look how far the railing was moved back! Cobb goes out to get Hashi and DECKS him with a forearm! Cobb resets the railing, then stands on Hashi’s ribs! The ref reprimands, Cobb lets off but Khan doesn’t get what’s the problem. Fans rally up and Cobb drags Hashi up, to fake the commentary out and put Hashi back in.

Ospreay laughs at Milano Collection AT’s reaction, and Cobb gets in. Cobb stomps Hashi around, drags him back up, and JAMS his knee in again and again, before a EuroUpper to the back! Hashi writhes and Cobb stalks him to a corner. Cobb drags Hashi up, suplexes him, and walks around with Hashi before the SLAM! Cobb has a cocky cover, TWO! Hashi is annoyed and fans rally up, but Cobb drags Hashi up. Hashi throws body shots, but Cobb CLUBS Hashi right down! Cobb drags Hashi up, whips him to ropes, but Hashi dropkicks a leg out! Then gets that leg for a DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up as Cobb falls over!

Cobb drags himself to a corner, Ospreay and Khan coach him up, but fans rally for Hashi. Hashi runs in at the corner to CHOP! Hashi whips Cobb to CHOP then mule kick! Hashi has Cobb in the corner and he puts the bad leg around ropes! Ospreay protests but Hashi runs side to side to dropkick the leg! Cobb falls over and Hashi heads up top! Fans fire up and Hashi BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Cobb is still in this but fans rally behind Hashi. Hashi drags Cobb up, fisherman, but Cobb is too big for that! Cobb throws body shots to get free, and then he CHOPS Hashi! Cobb storms up but Hashi dumps him out!

Cobb hobbles up but Hashi is there to PLANCHA! Cobb catches Hashi and pops him around, to POST him! The ref checks on Hashi as he clutches his back! Cobb also falls from the bad leg, but Khan fans him off with the United Empire towel. Cobb hobbles over, drags Hashi up and puts him in, then drags him back up to SINGLE LEG SUPLEX! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives and fans fire up while both men are down. Cobb gets up in a huff and he vows to end this! Fans rally and Hashi throws body shots. Cobb knees low, reels Hashi in, but Hashi gets free of the bomb to dropkick the leg!

Hashi reels Cobb in, for a DESTROYER!?! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives, but Hashi has a KNEEBAR!! Cobb endures, Ospreay is freaking out and shouting to Cobb! Cobb powers his way around, then CLUBS away on Hashi’s head! Hashi lets go, Cobb DEADLIFT POWERBOMBS!! But he can’t make the cover! Fans fire up again as both men are down! Cobb drags himself over to Hashi, they sit up, and Cobb throws a forearm! Hashi and Cobb each pull the other’s hair, Hashi throws a forearm. Cobb throws another forearm, and the two stand. Hashi throws another forearm, so Cobb throws another!

Fans pick up speed with the forearms, and they hit harder and harder! Cobb ROCKS Hashi, but Hashi fires off fast strikes! Hashi CHOPS, dodges Cobb and DRAGON SUPLEXES! Cobb gets up, Hashi runs in, Cobb LARIATS Hashi down! But Hashi gets back up!! Fans are thunderous as Hashi LARAITS! Cobb stays up to DECK Hashi! Cobb drags Hashi back up, whips him just to reel him in, for an ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives and fans are thunderous! Cobb drags Hashi back up, whips him to ropes, but Hashi LARIATS! Hashi fires up to body scissor takedown to the KNEEBAR!!

Cobb endures, the Empire is freaking out, and Hashi pulls hard on the leg! Fans rally, Cobb reaches out, crawls, but Hashi hooks up the legs in a TRAILER HITCH! Cobb endures and even bites his fingers to ignore the pain! ROPEBREAK!! Hashi lets go in frustration but fans are fired up for him. Hashi drags Cobb up with a waistlock, full nelson then pump handle, but Cobb elbows free! Hashi dropkicks the bad leg again! And then LARIATS! Cobb stays up to ROCK Hashi! Hashi stays up and SUPERKICKS! Hashi runs to LARIAT! Cobb goes down!! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives and the fans are thunderous again!

Hashi gets Cobb up, fisherman to KUMAGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!!! Cobb survives again and again the fans are drumming with their feet! Hashi drags Cobb up, full nelson to pump handle, but Cobb pops free! Pop-up HEADBUTT! Cobb staggers but he gets Hashi up! TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, Cobb wins!!

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

The Head Hunter was able to #GetBackUp a few times, but not enough times to come out on top! Will Cobb be able to crush whoever it is he meets on the way to the Cup?

2022 New Japan Cup Third Round: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Tetsuya Naito!

To many fans, he is The Ace of NJPW and the Once in a Century Talent. But to the Uncontrollable Charisma, he is “Tanahashi-senpai,” and maybe begrudgingly at that. Will Tanahashi-senpai be able to teach Naito a thing or two? Or will LIJ sweep the night and make things truly tranquilo?

The entrance attire is put aside, Naito of course taking his time. Tanahashi sits back and waits before showing off his muscles. Fans cheer, and then the bell rings. Fans rally up already, “Let’s Go, Ace!” “NA-I-TO!” Naito and Tanahashi stare down, then Tanahashi approaches. Naito stays still, then starts to circle with Tanahashi. The fans continue to clap, “Let’s Go, Ace!” “NA-I-TO!” Naito and Tanahashi approach, then tie up. Tanahashi powers Naito back step by step, and puts him on the ropes. Red Shoes calls for the break and Tanahashi lets off right away. The fans cheer and Naito resets with Tanahashi.

They tie up again, are in a deadlock, but Naito uses leverage to push Tanahashi back to the ropes. Red Shoes calls for another break, Tanahashi turns it around but Naito turns it back. They go around again, Naito ends up in control, but he lets off to pat Tanahashi on the shoulder. Fans cheer and the two reset again. “Let’s Go, Ace!” “NA-I-TO!” Naito offers his senpai a handshake? Tanahashi isn’t sure if he should trust that. Fans applaud as Tanahashi takes the handshake! But then he reels Naito in! Tanahashi headlocks, grinds Naito down, but Naito pries at the hold. Naito manages to get halfway but Tanahashi clamps back on tighter.

Naito powers up, pushes Tanahashi to ropes but can’t power up as Tanahashi holds tight! Naito fights back up, but Tanahashi hits a takeover! Naito makes it a cover, ONE! Naito tries again, ONE! Tanahashi cranks the headlock, but Naito endures. Naito pushes back with forearms but Tanahashi shrugs that off. Naito fights up to his feet, and he pulls hair to put Tanahashi in a corner! Red Shoes reprimands, Naito lets off so he can stomp a mudhole and CLUB Tanahashi down! Naito then bumps Tanahashi off buckles, whips him corner to corner, but he runs into an elbow! Tanahashi goes up, CROSSBODY! Tanahashi copies tranquilo!

Fans cheer and the two get back up. Tanahashi runs in at the corner but only gets buckles! Naito hip tosses then basement dropkicks! Naito shows Tanahashi how to tranquilo properly! Naito then drags Tanahashi out to whip him into railing! Naito leaves Tanahashi down to writhe on the outside. Red Shoes starts the ring count and fans rally up. Tanahashi sits up at 7 of 20, gets to his feet at 10, and in at 12. Naito stomps Tanahashi down at the ropes, then stomps him more! Naito drags Tanahashi up to cravat and neck wrench. Tanahashi endures, but Naito snapmares into the leg hook full nelson!

Tanahashi endures and fans rally up. Tanahashi moves around while Naito is tranquilo. Naito asks if Tanahashi quits but Tanahashi keeps moving around. Tanahashi reaches out with a leg for the ROPEBREAK! Naito lets Tanahashi free to bring him up and whip to a corner. Naito runs in to JUMP KICK! Leg sweep! COMBINACION CABRON! Fans fire up as Naito strikes his pose! Naito then drags Tanahashi back up for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Naito keeps cool and he brings Tanahashi up as fans rally. Tanahsahi throws body shots, then forearms and fast hands! Naito kicks back to fire off on Tanahashi!

Naito CLUBS away on Tanahashi, then stands on Tanahashi’s head. Red Shoes reprimands but Naito steps off. Naito drags Tanahashi back up to whip him corner to corner. Naito runs in but into FLYING FOREARMS from Tanahashi! Fans fire up with Tanahashi and he waits on Naito. Naito gets up, Tanahashi throws more body shots! Red Shoes reprimands about Tanahashi using closed fists. Naito gets to a corner, Tanahashi runs in but he blocks a boot! Tanahashi puts the leg on the ropes and Tanahashi dropkicks it! Then Tanahashi gets the bad leg for a DRAGON SCREW!

Fans fire up and Tanahashi goes up, for the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi keeps his cool and he waits on Naito again. Fans rally up, “Let’s Go, Ace!” “NA-I-TO!” Tanahashi runs, Naito gets around and throws back elbow after back elbow! Naito keeps Tanahashi up to hammerlock the arm and half nelson. Tanahashi fights Gloria to then duck a back elbow. Naito CLUBS away on Tanahashi to block Tanahashi’s next move! Naito reels Tanahashi in, but no tornado DDT! Naito kicks, Tanahashi blocks, and Tanahashi ducks the enziguri while hitting a DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up for that innovative counter!

Naito clutches his leg and gets to the apron. Red Shoes checks on him but Naito isn’t out of this. Tanahashi rallies the fans and he goes to the corner! Tanahashi goes up top, takes aim, ACES HIGH FLY ATTACK! Direct hit and fans fire up as both men go down! The ring count starts and both men stir. Tanahashi drags himself over to the ring at 5 but he still drags himself up in at 12 of 20. Naito is still down but slowly sitting up. Naito isn’t even up before 17! We’re at 19, Naito springs to life to get in at 19.9! Tanahashi storms over and drags Naito up. Tanahashi reels Naito into the full nelson! But Naito fights that!

Tanahashi waistlocks now, but Naito fights the suplex! Naito reaches for ropes with a foot but Tanahashi brings him backwards. Naito still fights forward, but Tanahashi still pulls him back! STRAIJTACKET GERMAN SUPLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives and fans fire up again! Tanahashi stands and powers up! “LET’S GO, ACE!” “NA-I-TO!” Tanahashi runs, SLINGBLADE! Naito goes spinning, Tanahashi hurries to cover, TWO!! Naito survives but Tanahashi goes right up top! Tanahashi wants Naito to stand, but Naito whips Red Shoes at the ropes! It trips Tanahashi up and he falls onto the corner!

Naito smirks as he goes to position Tanahashi on the ropes. Naito goes up, to SUPER STEINER! Tanahashi hits hard and fans fire up again! Naito catches his breath in the corner while Tanahashi slowly rises. Naito runs in, but into a back elbow! Tanahashi runs in, but Naito slips around, ROLLING LIGER KICK! Naito goes up, reels Tanahashi in, ESPARANZA! Naito isn’t done there, he gets Tanahashi up to scoop, but Tanahashi slips off! Tanahashi waistlocks, but Naito switches to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Tanahashi is right up! Tanahashi runs in, into back elbow and ENZIGURI! Naito whips, Tanahashi reverses but Naito FLYING FOREARMS!

Fans fire up as Naito gets Tanahashi back up! Naito wrenches, tilt-o-whirls, but no Destino! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And a THIRD TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Both men are down after the hat trick and fans are thunderous! The fans rally as the two stir and slowly rise. Tanahashi growls as he gets to his feet, and he powers up to run, but Naito slips around. Tanahashi ducks a back elbow to SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi goes to the corner and goes right up top! HIGH FLY ATTACK! And then back to the corner! HIGH FLY FLOP!! Rolling jackknife!! Naito wins!!

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

Naito beats Tanahashi-senpai! It wasn’t with Destino, but a win is a win! Will Tanahashi have to admit he’s no longer The Ace?

As for Naito, he gets the mic to say, “Beunas noches, Okayama~! Even on a weekday, you guys came out here to watch NJPW in ZIP Arena Okayama. For that, I thank you. Gracias, amigos.” Fans cheer that sentiment while Naito takes a moment to catch his breath. “In the first round, Yujiro Takahashi. In the second round, Gedo. And in the third round, Hiroshi Tanahashi. Now I’m in the New Japan Cup quarterfinals. I’ll keep winning and take that New Japan Cup trophy, right? Everyone, enjoy the wait! That is to say… Until Tetsuya Naito wins the Cup for the second time… TRANQUILO! Assen na yo.

“Well then, until next time, Okayama. Let’s end this New Japan Cup Okayama show the only right way. Bushi! Sanada! Hiromu! Takagi! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! Los Ingoberrrrrrrnables~! DE! JA! PON!” The Uncontrollable Charisma has made it through three round but he is running into the Hawaiian Hulk next! Will Naito be able to stay tranquilo? Or will this ungovernable be conquered by Cobb?

My Thoughts:

Another great event for NJPW but that is par for the course with as many nights in a row they’ve gone. Young Lions take losses in the first couple of matches, so skipped those. Chase Owens got to be the one to pin Jado in that Six Man, very fitting given their NJ Cup match. Taka takes another pin for Suzuki-Gun as United Empire keeps strong. I covered the 8 Man Tag of LIJ VS House of Torture because it was going to be a good indicator of the next part of the Sweet Sixteen. Takagi pins Dick Togo, he’s keeping pace with Chase before their match, and Hiromu stands tall here because I’m still confident Evil cheats him.

I skipped the Six Man of Chaos VS Suzuki-Gun because Okada was the only one still active in the tournament, so his team definitely wasn’t losing. Hashi had probably his best singles match in a bit against Cobb tonight, and for a moment I thought he was getting the upset, but instead, Cobb snatches the victory away. Naito VS Tanahashi was great stuff, with story of Tanahashi going after legs but Naito just kinda letting Tanahashi push himself to his limits. Naito gets the win, and a pretty straightforward promo from him. Naito VS Cobb is going to be another hard one to call.

Also, definitely check out Tanahashi’s backstage comments. He was definitely emotional given the passing of Scott Hall and made a reference to their meeting when Tanahashi was a brand new wrestler. It’s really a powerful example of one person’s life impacting so many, because Hall encouraged Tanahashi and Tanahashi is now here as a big name in NJPW helping get other guys up to that level.

My Score: 8.8/10