Time to bust some brackets!

The New Japan Cup has returned for 2024, and this is going to be some March madness! We have one month until Sakura Genesis, who heads for the world title?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Boltin Oleg VS El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & Jado; Bishamon & Boltin win.
• Toru Yano & Togi Makabe VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Mikey Nicholls; ZSJ & Mikey win.
• Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Bullet Club; The United Empire wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Shota Umino, El Desperado, YOH & Tomoaki Honma VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
• 10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Just5Guys; LIJ wins.
• 2024 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Tomohiro Ishii VS Chase Owens; Chase wins and advances.
• 2024 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Tanga Loa VS Great-O-Khan; Loa wins and advances.
• 2024 New Japan Cup Opening Round: TJP VS David Finlay; Finlay wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

2024 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Tomohiro Ishii VS Chase Owens!

Chaos and Bullet Club battled last night and they’re continuing to battle now! Will the Stone Pitbull join Toru Yano and Yoshi-Hashi in the next round? Or will the Crown Jewel avenge his tag partner, Kenta?

The moment Chase’s introduction is done, Ishii DECKS him! Bullet Club struck first last night so Ishii’s getting the jump on Chase! The bell rings and Chase bails out but Ishii pursues! Ishii ROCKS Chase, whips him hard into railing, and then brings him around to whip into more railing! Ishii then goes through the gate, grabs a chair, but the ref reprimands. Ishii lets the ref have the chair and he stalks Chase into the crowd. Ishii CLUBS Chase, then ROCKS him with a forearm. Chase staggers but Ishii reels him in. The ring count begins while Chase fights a suplex! Chase grabs a Young Lion, too!

Ishii lets Chase go, takes a swing, but the Young Lion is used as a shield! Chase then shoves the Young Lion into Ishii and the count is 10 of 20! Chase hurries back to ringside, and Ishii stands back up at 16! But another Young Lion is thrown into Ishii! Chase slides in at 17, but Ishii manages to slide in at 19! But then Chase Oklahoma Rolls him! TWO! Ishii escapes but Chase rolls him back up, TWO! Chase kicks low, snapmares, and then uses his feet in a NECK SNAPPER! Ishii writhes and the fans rally up but Chase looms over him. Chase steps on Ishii’s face, then brings Ishii up to throw him out. Chase then goes out to whip Ishii into railing!

Ishii slumps down, feeling the receipt for earlier. Chase leaves Ishii behind, the count begins, but Ishii is in at 3 of 20. Chase stands on Ishii at the ropes, the ref counts, but Chase only lets off the ropes with his hands. The ref reprimands, Chase steps away and brings Ishii up. Chase whips corner to corner hard, and Ishii staggers around. Chase has Ishii on the ropes and brings him up, but Ishii CHOPS! And CHOPS! Chase CLAWS Ishii’s face! The ref reprimands but Chase takes off his shirt, to CHOKE Ishii with it! The ref counts, Chase lets off, and he stalks Ishii. Chase drags Ishii up to ELBOW him right on the head!

Ishii growls, but Chase ELBOWS him on the neck! Ishii shakes his head, so Chase kicks low and hits a NECKBREAKER! Chase brings Ishii around to clamp on a neck wrench! Ishii endures, the fans rally up, and Chase pushes Ishii down. Chase drags Ishii back up, headlocks, and claims a hair pull so that he can get away with a headlock punch! Ishii snarls and headbutts the mat to fire himself up! Chase kicks Ishii around, eggs him on, but Ishii just scowls. Ishii stands and Chase BOOTS, but Ishii just eggs him on! Chase BOOTS, forearms, and whips, but Ishii comes back to run Chase over!

The fans fire up for Ishii and he brings Chase up. Ishii reels Chase in but Chase fights the back suplex with elbows! Chase whips, Ishii reverses then reels Chase in, SAIDO! Cover, TWO! The fans rally, Ishii brings Chase back up and in, but Chase fights the lift. Chase wrenches free, Ishii blocks the lariat to spin him, but Chase suplexes! Ishii fights that off, swings but into the full nelson! Chase then spins Ishii around, but Ishii suplexes Chase up and over! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ishii rises while Chase flounders and Ishii runs in at the corner. But Chase catches Ishii to BUCKLE SHOT, STO, and SENTON!

Both men are down again and the fans rally up. Ishii goes to the corner, Chase runs in, and forearm smashes! Chase snapmares and runs, “I hate your face!” KNEE! Chase then full nelsons, spins and NECKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Ishii stays in this, but Chase keeps his cool. The fans rally up, Chase brings Ishii in for the nelson, but Ishii resists! Ishii elbows free but Chase fires a strike fest! Ishii blocks the boot to ROCK Chase! Ishii runs, but Chase BOOTS him! Chase runs, but Ishii ROCKS him at the ropes! Ishii runs, fakes Chase out, but Chase still gets aounnd to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Ishii’s right up!

Ishii GERMAN SUPLEXES Chase! Chase stands, rebounds, but Ishii SWATS the lariat to LARIAT! Chase BOOTS, runs up, but into a LARIAT! The fans fire back up while both men are down! Ishii rises and the fans rally behind him. Ishii storms up on Chase, but Chase fires a forearm! Ishii doesn’t budge! Chase sighs, and he forearms again! But Ishii leans into the shot! And again! Then Ishii DECKS Chase! The fans fire up again while Chase falls into the corner! Ishii storms up on Chase, drags him up to put on the top rope, then climbs up after him. Ishii brings Chase to the very top, but Chase fires body shots!

Ishii still lifts Chase! Chase fights more, Ishii lifts again, and still hits the SUPERPLEX! The fans fire up, Ishii covers, TWO!! Chase stays in this and Ishii roars! Ishii drags Chase up, reels him in, but Chase fights the lift! Chase back drops, Ishii sunset flips but Chase sits on it! TWO, and Ishii stands, into a SPINNING ELBOW! Chase runs up, C-TRIGGER- NO!! Ishii blocks to pop Chase up, POWERBOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Chase survives and the fans fire up again! Ishii sits Chase up, runs, but Chase ducks the sliding lariat! Chase BOOTS, wrenches, hammerlocks, JEWEL HEIST! Cover, TWO!!

Both men are down, the fans rally up again. Ishii goes to ropes and Chase runs in, C-TRIGGER! But Ishii just snarls at Chase! Chase SOBATS, swings, but Ishii SWATS the lariat to HEADBUTT Chase down! Ishii staggers to a corner, leans on the buckles, and he fires himself back up! The fans are with Ishii as he roars! Chase rises, Ishii runs, but Chase C-TRIGGERS!! Chase hurries to set Ishii up again, C-TRIGGER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Ishii survives and the fans are thunderous! Chase is shocked but he hurries to reload! Chase fires himself up, brings Ishii up, and reels him in! Chase tucks the arms, but Ishii fights the lift!

Ishii Alabama Lifts, but Chase fights that! Chase steps through, STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Ishii survives again and Chase can’t believe it! Chase isn’t phenomenal but he thought he had it! Chase stands back up, he goes back for Ishii, and he drags Ishii up. Chase reels Ishii in but Ishii HEADBUTTS! Chase rebounds to LARIAT! Ishii’s right up! Ishii swings, into a HALF ‘N’ HALF!! And then Chase runs to C-TRIGGER!!! But he’s not done there! Chase tucks the arms for the- NO, Ishii fights the lift! Chase powers through, but Ishii powers out! Chase ROCKS Ishii, ROLLING- ENZIGIRI!! Chase goes down and the fans are thunderous again!

Ishii throws off his elbow pads and drags himself up with the ropes. Chase rises, Ishii SLIDING LARIATS!! Cover, TWO!! Ghost pin!! TWO!! Ishii escapes, and RAMMING HEADBUTTS!! Cover, TWO?!?! Chase survives but Ishii roars! the fans are thunderous again as Ishii hauls Chase back up. Ishii runs to LARIAT!! Ishii isn’t done there, either! He drags Chase up to suplex, and- NO, Chase wrenches out to pop-up C-TRIGGER!! And then Chase tucks the arms! PACKAGE PILEDRIVER!! Cover, CHASE WINS!

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

The Crown Jewel did not crack under pressure, and he just broke through the Stone Pitbull! Is Chase Owens going to finally show his true worth in the New Japan Cup?

2024 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Tanga Loa w/ Jado VS Great-O-Khan w/ Jeff Cobb!

While Tama Tonga may be moving on from NJPW, the Silverback is looking to move up within NJPW! Will he make the climb towards the world title? Or will be eliminated by the United Empire’s Dominator?

The bell rings and Loa RAMS Khan right into the corner! Loa RAMS in again and again, but the ref counts. Loa lets off at 4, then apologizes to the ref. Loa storms back up but Khan TACKLES him! Khan goes for the arms as they go around on the mat. Khan has a top wristlock, but then shifts to a waistlock and roll. Loa fights around, Khan goes back for arms, then facelocks. Khan has a cording hold, then floats around to chinlock. Loa endures, Khan shifts to gut wrench and roll with Loa. Loa blocks so Khan shifts around again to rear mount. Khan hooks Loa with a leg and brings him down, but Loa avoids the armbar.

Khan shifts again, lateral press cover, ONE! Khan keeps Loa down with a facelock but Loa endures. Jado coaches Loa but Khan shifts to for a CROSSFACE! Loa endures, even as Khan digs his knuckles into Loa’s forehead. Khan focuses on the headlock but Loa rolls to a cover! TWO, and Khan still holds on tight. Loa pulls at hair and beard but the ref reprimands. Khan brings Loa up as he grinds the headlock, and smothers him with his iron fist. Loa still fights up, and he throws body shots. Loa powers up and out and ELBOWS Khan down! Khan is right up but Loa LARIATS! Khan stands up again but Loa scoops and SLAMS him!

The fans fire up as Loa paces around. Loa drags Khan up, but Khan CLAPS to fake him out! Khan then brings Loa up, and DUMPS him out of the ring! The fans rally while Loa tumbles to the floor. Jado coaches Loa but Cobb applauds Khan. Khan makes his way out after Loa, stands on Loa’s leg, but lets off to BOOT Loa down! Khan drags Loa back up, brings him around, and whips him hard into railing! Loa tumbles up and over into the front row! Khan storms out after Loa, and has a fan move aside to he can use his chair! Khan CHOKES Loa with the chair, the ref reprimands and Khan stops. The ref gives the fans his seat back while Khan brings Loa to ringside.

Loa shoves Khan so Khan kicks Loa down. Khan drags Loa back up, clamps on a chinlock to drag him along, and then squeezes him int the gateway! The ring count is climbing, Khan SLAMS the gate on Loa! Khan leaves Loa behind as we pass 10 of 20. Loa sputters and rises at 15, hobbles in at 16, and the fans cheer. Khan stands on Loa for a cocky cover, ONE! Khan kicks Loa around, drags him up by an ear, but Loa throws body shots! Khan eggs Loa on, Jado coaches Loa, and Loa throws more shots. Khan BOOTS Loa down! Khan then drags Loa back up, bumps him off buckles, and fires the fans up!

Khan hops up the corner and sits on his throne! The ref reprimands and counts while Loa flails, but Khan pulls the arms back! The ref reprimands and counts again, but Khan lets off at 4. Jado coaches Loa, but Khan brings Loa around to suplex! FALCON ARROW, then a cocky cover, ONE! Khan is annoyed so he covers properly, TWO! Loa is still in this but Khan flexes to say this is easy. Khan kicks Loa around, toys with him, but Jado tells Loa to fight back. Khan just looms over Loa, puts some stank on his hands, and grins as he winds up, Mongolian Chop! Loa snarls and shakes his head, so Khan Mongolian Chops again!

Cobb says keep on Loa, but Loa back hands! And UPPERCUTS! And back hand, and uppercut, and repeat! Loa backs Khan up with strike after strike, faster and faster! Loa fires up and says F U! CHOP!! The fans fire up with Loa and he brings Khan up to whip corner to corner. Loa runs up to A-LIST LARIAT! Khan staggers away while Loa climbs up, then Loa MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Loa covers, TWO! Loa fires up more and the fans are with him! Loa drags Khan up, scoops him, but Khan slips free! Khan waistlocks but Loa switches. Khan wrenches to facelock then shift, and he drags Loa down!

Khan facelocks Loa, drags him back up, throws some short knees, then hits a SAYANAGI! The fans rally again while Loa is down. Khan catches his breath and waits on Loa to rise. Loa stirs, Khan storms up and clamps onto an arm. Khan wrenches then hits fireman’s carry takeover. Then a MONKEY FLIP! Khan has both wrists, and whips for a SAYANAGI! The fans fire up, Khan covers, TWO! Khan clamps onto Loa with the IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Loa flails, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Khan lets off. Khan elbows Loa then drags him back up. Khan reels Loa in to a torture rack, but Loa fights the lift!

The fans rally, Loa pries at the grip and throws some elbows! Khan lets go, to ROCK Loa with a forearm! Loa grins and chuckles, then ROCKS Khan in return! Khan nods and grins, and he comes back to ROCK Loa! Loa nods, and he fires a forearm! The forearms keep going back and forth and the fans rally up as they pick up speed! Khan gets the edge, then UPPERCUTS! Then ROLLING ELBOWS! Loa wobbles and staggers but stays on his feet! Loa growls, kicks, KICKS and ENZIGIRIS! Loa scoops Khan for a POWERSLAM! Loa then goes to a corner and climbs up! DIVING HEADBUTT FLOPS as Khan moves!

Khan hurries to clamp onto Loa, KATAGATAME! Loa resists the head ‘n’ arm triangle, but Khan shifts. Loa has the ROPEBREAK, but Khan won’t let go! Khan clinches to EXPLODER! And back to the KATAGATAME!! Loa endures as Khan leans all his weight on the hold! Loa reaches out but Khan headstands and then drops back down for more pressure! Jado coaches Loa, Loa fights his way around, and uses a leg for the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Loa survives by a literal foot! Khan lets Loa go, brings him back up, and clamps on the IRON CLAW SLEEPER Then the F G O PLEX! Khan fires up, runs, but Loa LARIATS first!!

Loa hurries to scoop Khan, for APE SHID!! Cover, TWO!!! Khan survives and the fans are thunderous! Loa and Khan flounder around but Loa stands first. Loa suplexes, but Khan kicks to fight it off! Khan then scoops, for T T D!! Cover, TWO?!? Loa survives but Khan is too tired to be shocked! The fans rally up, both men stir, and Khan rises first. Khan roars with the Monster Rage! Khan drags Loa up, reels him in, and has the HITSUJIGOROSHI! Khan throws some knees and elbows, then he twists the Sheep Killer! Loa endures, so Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW, for the ELIMIN- NO! Loa arm-drags free! And SPEARS!!

Loa hurries to haul Khan up with both hands, for KAMI-GOYE!!! Cover, LOA WINS!!!

Winner: Tanga Loa, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

The Silverback gives a shoutout to the Golden Star, and that helps him win! He has a golden ticket to the KOPW Championship in his back pocket, but will Loa head right for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion?

2024 New Japan Cup Opening Round: TJP w/ Francesco Akira VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!

While Will Ospreay has moved on from NJPW, there is still much for the United Empire and Bullet Club to fight over! The Aswang is still out for blood, will he get his pound of flesh from The Rebel? Or will Finlay unleash his fury over losing his IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship?

The moment Finlay is ringside, TJP WRECKS him with a dropkick! Finlay hits railing and the fans fire up while TJP puts him back in the ring! The bell rings and MAMBA SPLASH!! Finlay flounders away but TJP goes up and out to WRECK him with another dropkick! The fans fire up behind “T J P! T J P!” and TJP POSTS Finlay! Finlay staggers away but TJP puts him in the ring again. Gedo protests but what does he expect after everything Bullet Club’s done? TJP has Finlay in a corner, scrapes and scrubs his face, and the fans fire up for the BOOT WASH! TJP says one more time and the fans like that!

TJP scrubs Finlay again and again, then runs side to side to BOOT WASH! And with some extra stank! TJP soaks up the cheers, rallies the fans again, and he goes back to the corner. But Finlay YANKS TJP down! TJP tumbles out to the floor, but Finlay goes out to fireman’s carry, and POST him! The fans boo but Finlay soaks up the heat. Finlay leaves TJP behind and wants the count, so the count begins. Akira coaches TJP up and TJP sits up at 10 of 20. TJP still crawls his way over to the ring, and he drags himself up at 15. But he flops back over! The count is 18, TJP springs in at 19.5! And Finlay ELBOWS him down!

Finlay SENTONS then rains down fists! Gedo likes it but Akira protests and the fans boo. Finlay claims he runs NJPW, and he suplexes to BROKEN ARROW! TJP flounders, Finlay flexes, but the fans rally behind TJP. Finlay drags TJP up, whips him hard into a corner, and TJP falls in a heap! Finlay eggs TJP on, then asks where the fighting spirit went. Finlay whips TJP back in hard, and TJP tumbles up and out to the floor! Gedo mocks TJP, Akira checks on TJP, but Finlay says he’s just too strong. The fans boo but Finlay says he is the future world champion! Finlay drags TJP up to RAM him into railing!

Finlay fires off hands and CLUBS TJP down! Gedo likes what he sees, and the ring count starts. Finlay tells Red Shoes to stop, they don’t need it. The count still reaches 10 of 20 by the time Finlay puts TJP in. Finlay stalks TJP, has him at the ropes, and then UPPERCUTS him down! Finlay says this is too easy, he’s too strong. Finlay whips TJP but TJP goes Spider-Man! TJP then slips under, around, and wrangles Finlay to get an arm! TJP traps that arm to get the other! DARK ARMBAR!! Finlay flails and writhes and the fans fire up! Gedo is upset now but TJP runs to CROSSBODY Finlay and himself out of the ring!

The fans rally while both men are on the floor. TJP sits up first, and the fans rally behind him as he and Finlay stand, Finlay slides in but TJP takes aim from the apron. Finlay runs up to fire a forearm but TJP gives it back! The fans fire up as the brawl continues, but then Finlay CLUBS TJP’s hand! Finlay goes to suplex but TJP wrenches out and ELBOW BREAKER HOTSHOTS! Finlay is stuck, TJP goes up the corner! GUILLOTINE MAMBA SPLASH! The fans are thunderous as TJP puts Finlay in! TJP then climbs again, for the FLYING FOREARM! Finlay flounders around and TJP pounds the mat. The fans rally up and TJP aims from a corner.

TJP runs corner to corner to GAMANGIRI, then he puts Finlay in a Tree of Woe! Gedo protests but TJP scrubs Finlay again! TJP runs side to side, BOOT WASH! TJP then goes up the corner, and he sits Finlay up so he can drop WOE STOMPS on him!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives but TJP keeps his cool. TJP watches Finlay rise and Akira joins in on drumming, “T! J P!” TJP runs from the corner, but Finlay clinches! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Finlay turns things around but it isn’t feeling so easy anymore. The fans rally as both men stir, and they go to opposite corners. TJP rises, Finlay runs in, but TJP goes up!

Finlay catches TJP before he can get over, and hits a DOMINATOR! Cover, TWO!! TJP survives and Gedo is furious with Red Shoes! Finlay drags TJP up, suplexes, but TJP fights that! TJP BOOTS Finlay, but Finlay rebounds and LARIATS! Finlay then scoops TJP, and spins around for the SWINGING IRISH CURSE!! Cover, TWO!!! TJP survives and the fans fire up again! Finlay is frustrated but then he laughs it off. Finlay slashes his throat, fans boo, but Finlay flips them off. Finlay suplexes, but TJP slips free! IRON OCTOPUS!! The fans fire up while Finlay endures the stretch! Finlay moves around, pops free, and gives TJP SNAKE EYES!

Finlay runs, but TJP gets around to IRON OCTOPUS again!! Finlay is brought to his knees and Gedo panics! Finlay crawls on his knees, then falls into the ROPEBREAK! TJP lets go in frustration but the fans are still with him. TJP drags Finlay up and YANKS the bad arm! Akira says break that arm! TJP YANKS the arm again, then scuffs Finlay. TJP wrenches to ELBOW BREAKER, but he doesn’t let go! The fans fire up as TJP wrenches and crisscrosses the arms. Finlay powers out but TJP SUPERKICKS! TJP runs, into an ELBOW! Finlay runs, into a ROLLING SOBAT! Finlay ROLLING ELBOWS in return!

Finlay keeps moving, but TJP catches him, spins him, and DISCUS LARIATS!! The fans fire up and TJP hauls Finlay up. TJP crosses the arms, but Finlay suplexes, INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!!!! TJP survives and the fans fire up! Gedo is frustrated and Finlay goes to a corner. Finlay wants TJP to get up so he can take his head! Finlay runs up, but TJP ducks the blindside lariat to ghost pin! TWO!! Finlay escapes, then scoops, DEEP SIX!! Finlay drags TJP back up, and has him up, POWER- SATELLITE DDT!!! The fans are thunderous as TJP turns things around! Akira coaches TJP and TJP goes to a corner, but Gedo gets on the apron!

The fans boo as Finlay gets his shillelagh! Finlay takes a swing, but TJP blocks with a headscissors! And SPITS BLOOD MIST!! The fans fire up as TJP then BLINDSIDE BUSAIKU KNEES!! Cover, TWO?!?! Finlay survives but TJP DROPKICKS Gedo down! The fans fire up and TJP hurries to the corner! TJP climbs, aims, and MAMBA SPLASHES!!! Cover, TWO?!?! But into the STF, then PINOY STRETCH!!! Finlay freaks out, flails, reaches out, and drags TJP along with him! Finlay has an arm free but TJP grabs for it! TJP keeps the crossface, but Finlay still gets the ROPEBREAK! TJP lets go in frustration but the fans still rally behind him.

TJP drags Finlay up, crosses the arms, but Finlay NORTHERN LIGHTS out! Bridging cover, TWO, and TJP still has the arms! Finlay RAMS TJP, runs back in, but TJP goes up and over! TORNADO- NO, Finlay blocks the DDT! And suplexes TJP into buckles! Finlay hauls TJP up to POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! TJP survives and Finlay is beside himself! Finlay hauls TJP up, slashes his throat, and suplexes INTO OVERKILL!! Cover, Finlay wins!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

TJP put up an incredible fight, but he just couldn’t conquer The Rebel! What will it take for TJP to finally reach that next level?

As for Finlay, he and Gedo have the ring and Finlay gets the mic. Finlay says, “Hey, where’s everybody going? Sit down, sit down, The Rebel has something to say! One down, four to go. I promise you people, I will leave five bodies in this ring! Last year, I made it all the way to the finals. This year, I win the whole damn thing!” Now, Finlay knows Naito is back there watching, so let him say this: After Finlay becomes the 2024 New Japan Cup Champion, he is gonna SMASH Naito into a thousand pieces and take the world championship! Fans boo but Finlay says after that, Finlay is going after Nic Nemeth for revenge!

Gedo takes the mic now to say, “OI, that was just the first round and the first demonstration of what Finlay has! Finlay will take the Cup, then Naito’s belt, then Nemeth’s belt! The Rebel’s taking the F over everything! I need The Rebel, NJPW needs The Rebel, and the world needs The Rebel!” The alpha War Dog wants to be the alpha of wrestling, will he prove to be the most dangerous man in all of NJPW?

My Thoughts:

A great official start to the 2024 New Japan Cup series, though only three tournament matches was a bit of a surprise to me. Well, I guess that makes it six in total so far with three more just yesterday. Anyway, great and rather surprising wins for Chase and Loa here. I suppose both IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions can’t lose with Kenta already out against Hashi last night. But between the two, I would’ve thought Kenta was moving on and Chase would bite the bullet against Ishii. And I suppose in how NJPW has been essentially thanking Hashi for his dedication by giving him accolades and wins, it’s the same for Chase. Chase has stuck it out despite being used as sorta the low man on the Bullet Club totem pole, and now he’s a tag champion and getting some great wins.

And an awesome main event match for TJP and Finlay. I should’ve figured Finlay would win, and I do have to give him some credit that in character, he isn’t actually moving on from the Global Championship, he’s just doubling down. To be fair, more wrestling champions need to be written like that, especially the Heels. Why stop at being world champion when you can be THE champion with as many belts as you are eligible for? Granted, I don’t think Finlay is winning the Cup, but I do think he’s going to go far. He might be one of the semifinalists, possibly running into Takagi or Yota as they also go for the Cup to give Naito his LIJ VS LIJ Sakura Genesis match.

My Score: 8.7/10