Will the New Japan Cup stay tranquilo?

Another big night for the New Japan Cup as we have BIG men colliding! Can Boltin Oleg slay the Rampaging Dragon, Shingo Takagi?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 8 Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Hiroshi Tanahashi, YOSHI-HASHI & Katsuya Murashima VS Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima, Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano; Nagata, Kojima, Ishii & Yano win.
• Six Man Tag: Hontai VS The United Empire; Hontai wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; War Dogs win, by disqualification.
• David Finlay & Gedo VS EVIL & Dick Togo; changed to…
• 12 Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
• Six Man Tag: Just4Guys VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
• 2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: TJP VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Moloney wins and advances.
• 2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: Boltin Oleg VS Shingo Takagi; Takagi wins and advances.
• 2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: Tetsuya Naito VS Jeff Cobb; Cobb wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

8 Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture!

Gabe Kidd and the boys owe Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Sho the beating of a lifetime. Not only did the House screw over the War Dogs in the tag match, they made sure the Mad Man lost in the tournament, by a count out! Will tonight be the night the House gets torn down? Or will they just have more tricks up their sleeves?

GABE ATTACKS FIRST! He goes right after Ren during the House’s entrance, and then Chase, Fale & Sanada go after the rest! The fans fire up as the brawl is on all over ringside! Gabe sends Ren into the wall, then back into the wall! Ren tumbles away, Fale is after Yujiro at ringside, and Sanada chases Sho through the crowd! Gabe rains down fists on Ren, then drags him up to bring him around the back. Ren is sent into the merch area! Sho runs away from Sanada, Yujiro turns things around on Fale, hard to tell where Chase and Kanemaru went. But Yujiro grabs a chair! Yujiro JAMS Fale up, but Gabe BOWLS Ren into chairs!

Sanada keeps chasing Sho down but Sho plays hide ‘n’ seek. Gabe drags Ren up, has more fans clear out, and then BOWS Ren into those seats! Sanada spots Sho and the chase is back on! Kanemaru attacks Gabe, but Gabe UPPERCUTS him! Fale sends Yujiro into commentary! Gabe has Ren in a headlock, and then whips him into the POST! Ren tumbles away again but Gabe keeps after him. Yujiro kicks Fale, Gabe puts Ren in the ring, and finally we get the bell! The fans fire up as Gabe storms up on Ren, smothers him in the corner, then fires forearm after forearm! The fans fire up but the ref counts. Gabe lets off to run corner to corner!

But then EVIL & DICK grab Gabe in the corner! They CHOKE Gabe!! The ref sees them and calls the match!

Winners: Bullet Club War Dogs, by disqualification

The King of Darkness hands Gabe the win, but that’s not what this is about anymore! Here comes Finlay & Gedo! There’s no waiting, time for their match now!

David Finlay & Gedo VS EVIL & Dick Togo!

The Rebel CLOBBERS Evil, stomps him out of the ring, and the fans bark it up! The House of Torture regroups on the outside while Finlay & Gedo storm around the ring. Gabe gets back up, the other War Dogs join them in the ring, and then Gabe gets a mic. “Oi, did you forget where we are? Did you little pussies forget where we are?! This is OSAKA! This is War Dog Country!” Gabe barks, Osaka barks with him, and Gabe says, “Did you think we were gonna let you escape? Narita, you little pr*ck! You think I’m gonna let you escape? NO! Roku ni, roku ni! Iku zo, konayarou!!” AKA, TWELVE Man Tag, ya jerks!

And so The House of Torture and the War Dogs brawl again! And yes, it IS a 12 Man Tag, as made official right now! The Bullet Club Civil War has truly begun, but who will walk away the winners?

12 Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture!

The bell rings, Finlay and Evil CLAW at each other’s eyes, Gabe is still after Ren, but Evil sends Finlay into railing! Finlay falls over, Evil rips the railing away, and Evil aims for chairs! Finlay fights back and BOWLS Evil into the chairs! Sanada keeps chasing Sho like before, and Finlay rains down fists on Evil! Osaka barks even more, but the ref wants this to be in the ring! Kanemaru saves Evil from Finlay, Gabe keeps after Ren with a chair! Gabe JAMS Ren up, then SMACKS him down! Dick DECKS Gedo! Gabe sends Ren into the wall! Gabe fires haymakers, but Ren CLAWS Gabe’s face! Ren sends Gabe into the wall now!

Evil goes to ringside, he gathers chairs. Ren and Gabe brawl into a back hallway! Evil JAMS Gedo up with a chair! The House soaks up the heat while they bring Gedo up and into the ring. Dick stomps Gedo, the fans boo, but Dick CLUBS Gedo down. The blue buckle pad is taken away while Dick CLAWS Gedo’s eyes! The ref reprimands but he’s also busy with all the brawling on the outside. Dick snapmares Gedo, wrenches and whips, and Gedo hits bare buckles! Then Kanemaru tags in so he and Dick can split the wishbone! Kanemaru KNEES Gedo in the back, ELBOWS him in the head, then drags him up for another ELBOW!

Gedo falls to his knees but Kanemaru CLUBS him down! Evil talks trash while Kanemaru drags Gedo up. Kanemaru puts Gedo in the corner, distracts the ref by pointing to the War Dogs, but Evil CHOKES Gedo with a shirt! The fans boo but the House gets away with it all. Yujiro tags in, and he bumps Gedo off the bare buckles! Gedo staggers and falls back, Yujiro covers, TWO! Gedo is tougher than that and the fans cheer. Yujiro drags Gedo up and RAMS him into the bare buckles! Sho tags in, he stomps Gedo, then drags him up. Sho pulls Gedo’s beard, then CLUBS it! Sho wrenches and whips Gedo back into bare buckles!

Tag to Dick and he taunts Gedo. Dick sits Gedo up to throw hands and talk trash. Gedo swings back but Dick dodges. So Gedo BODY BLOWS! And then he CLAWS Dick’s face! Dick CLAWS Gedo in return! Dick JABS, JABS, and winds up, but Gedo pokes Dick in the eyes! Then Gedo UPPERCUTS! Both men fall and the fans fire up! Dick and Gedo crawl, hot tag to Evil, and the whole House BLASTS the War Dogs! Sanada protests, but he wasn’t even on the apron! The House whips Gedo to a corner, then Kanemaru runs in and ELBOWS! Sho adds a forearm SMASH! Yujiro BOOTS Gedo, Evil LARIATS, then they snapmare Gedo.

Kanemaru distracts the ref, Yujiro & Evil set Gedo up and Dick climbs up! The fans boo but the War Dogs make the save! No Dick Chop tonight! Finlay CLAWS Evil’s eyes, whips him into a corner and UPPERCUTS! Finlay LARIATS again and again and again, and fans bark all the way to TEN! Finlay then hits a GOURD BUSTER! Gedo SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Finlay brings Evil up, but Sho has the “Torture Tool!” Finlay shoves Evil down to go after Sho, but Dick LOW BLOWS Finlay! And he LOW BLOWS Gedo! The fans boo but Sho keeps the ref distracted! MAGIC KILLER on Gedo! Evil covers, House of Torture wins!

Winners: The House of Torture, by pinfall

And yet, Sanada still does nothing. He just watched the whole time as Evil cheated the War Dogs out of another win. Is he so Cold Blooded that none of this matters to him? Can the War Dogs win with everyone so out of sorts?

2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: TJP VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!

The Public Enemy got a first round bye, and ends up meeting a rival from the Junior Heavyweight Division. Will TJP be able to conquer this War Dog for the United Empire? Or will he be shot down by 44 Caliber?

Though introduced as “Captain” and “Public Enemy,” TJP is clearly invoking just a bit of the Aswang with the mask and face paint. The bell rings and TJP runs up to SHOTGUN Drilla down! Drilla bails out, TJP PLANCHAS, and down goes Drilla again! The fans fire up and TJP brings Drilla around, to RAM into railing! TJP then whips Drilla into more railing! Drilla falls to the floor, the fans clap for “T! J P! T! J P!” TJP puts Drilla in the ring, and hits a HALF HATCH! Bridging cover, ONE! Drilla goes to a corner, TJP digs his boot in, and the fans rally for the scrubbing! TJP then runs side to side, but Drilla gets up to RAM him!

Drilla RAMS TJP in the corner again and again, then picks him up just to THROW him! The fans bark for Drilla while TJP goes to a corner. Drilla storms up, but TJP CHOSP! Drilla CHOPS and ROCKS TJP on repeat! Drilla whips corner to corner and follows TJP to stay close, so that he can whip corner to corner again. Drilla still follows, and then whips TJP corner to corner hard! TJP tumbles up and out of the ring! The fans fire up while TJP flops down! Drilla goes out after TJP as the ring count begins. Drilla drags TJP up, and whips him into railing! TJP drops to his knees, we’re at 10 of 20, and Drilla leaves TJP behind.

Drilla waits as TJP crawls, but we’re already at 15! TJP rises but leans against the apron at 17. TJP stands at 18 and crawls in at 19! Only for Drilla to scoop and SLAM him! Cover, TWO! TJP is tougher than that and the fans rally up. Drilla stays calm and he drags TJP back up. Drilla CHOPS TJP to a corner, then CHOKES him as he says he’s gonna end TJP! Drilla CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Drilla then snapmares TJP to KICK him in the back! The fans rally while Drilla paces around TJP. Drilla stands on TJP’s hand, then kicks him and stomps him! TJP glares defiantly as Drilla gives more stomps, and TJP CHOPS!

TJP stands, but Drilla SLAPS! TJP SLAPS, Drilla KNEES low! Drilla runs, but into a RANA! The fans fire up while Drilla bails out. TJP builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans fire up! The ring count starts as TJP stands, and he makes his way over to Drilla. TJP drags Drilla up, puts him in the ring at 7, and the fans cheer. The fans rally behind “T! J P! T! J P!” TJP stands Drilla up, but Drilla fires a forearm! Forearms go back and forth, then Drilla fires himself up with barking! Drilla fires more shots, but TJP ducks the discus to fire a strike fest! TJP runs, but Drilla ROCKS him! TJP runs, but Drilla catches him for a suplex!

But TJP’s right up! TJP fires a forearm, Drilla fires back, and the fans rally as the shots go back and forth. TJP fires a flurry, but Drilla blocks the kick! Drilla ripcords TJP, but TJP blocks backhand, and the lariat! TJP SOBATS, but Drilla DECKS TJP! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Drilla is frustrated but the fans rally again. Drilla goes to a corner, TJP goes to another. Drilla runs up, but TJP goes up, only to get caught! DRILLA- NO, TJP slips free, shoves Drilla away, then runs up, TORNADO DDT! Drilla staggers up, but he gets running! GORE!! Cover, TWO!! TJP survives and the fans fire up again.

TJP and Drilla stir as the fans rally. Drilla roars and the fans fire up again. Drilla drags TJP up but TJP blocks the lift. Drilla stomps TJP, but then TJP flips over to victory roll! TWO, and Drilla kicks! TJP blocks to spin and fireman’s carries! DETON- NO, Drilla stops that, but TJP ducks the backhand! TJP runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up again and Drilla hauls TJP up! DRILLA- NO, TJP slips free again, and has the IRON OCTOPUS! Drilla endures but he drops to a knee! TJP pulls on the arm, but Drilla fights back to his feet! Drilla reaches out and falls into the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and TJP lets Drilla go.

Drilla goes to the apron, TJP follows him out there, and TJP brings Drilla up. TJP looks to the floor and reels Drilla in! Drilla fights the suplex, fires body shots, and then he reels TJP in! TJP fights the lift, so Drilla ELBOWS him! Drilla goes up, in, and gets running, but TJP avoids the shoulder to KNEE Drilla down! TJP then climbs, for a FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up for “T! J P! T! J P!” once again. TJP goes to a corner, Drilla goes to the other. TJP runs in, ELBOWS Drilla down, then gives him some face scrubbing! The fans rally and TJP goes side to side, for the WASH! Drilla is down so TJP climbs up!

The fans cheer as TJP reaches the top, but Drilla springs up after him! Drilla is on the very top, but TJP fires body shots! Drilla ends up in the Tree of Woe! TJP gives him WOE STOMPS!! Drilla falls out of the Tree, TJP takes aim, and he SHOTGUNS Drilla down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while TJP thinks on what else he must do. TJP goes back to a corner while Drilla flounders. TJP storms up on Drilla, brings him up, and dragon sleepers! EYE OF- NO, Drilla ducks to back suplex! TJP lands out, ducks a backhand, but Drilla catches him to spin and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! GORE!! Drilla covers again, TWO!!!

The fans fire up as TJP survives again! The barking returns as Drilla rises up. Drilla roars, then he drags TJP up. TJP again escapes Drilla Killa and arm-drags Drilla away! Drilla BOOTS TJP, runs, but into a SUPERKICK! TJP runs, but he fakes Drilla out! Drilla still SUPERKICKS back! Drilla runs, TJP hurdles and DOUBLE STOMPS! TJP then suplexes, for a FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Drilla survives and the fans rally up again. Drilla crawls to a corner, TJP runs up and DROPKICKS him down! TJP hurries up the corner, for the MAMBA SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?! But into an ANKLE LOCK, that TJP steps over, for the PINOY STRETCH!!

Drilla endures, fights around, reaches out, and he claws at the mat! But TJP drags him back, reels him in, and goes back to the IRON OCTOPUS! Drilla flails, resists, but TJP still hooks the arm! Drilla powers out, ripcords and CHOPS! Then Drilla barks and runs, but TJP fireman’s carries! DETONATION KICK! TJP isn’t done there, and the fans rally for “T! J P! T! J P!” ONE BY- NO, Drilla catches and throws TJP, then hauls him up! DRILLA KILLA!! Cover, DRILLA WINS!!

Winner: “Drilla” Moloney, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

The Captain tried so hard, but Drilla found a way to hit his target! Will there be nothing to stop this War Dog from taking that Cup?

2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: Boltin Oleg VS Shingo Takagi!

As if getting through big Bad Luck Fale wasn’t a challenge, the Kazakhstan Juggernaut now runs into a Rampaging Dragon! Can Boltin put Takagi behind BARS? Or will Takagi soon soar to the third round?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two stare down. They circle, feel things out, then grapple. They break, reset, and feel out another clinch. Boltin facelocks but Takagi slips free and uses a leg guard. Boltin just grabs the legs, then goes for the head. Takagi slips away again, but Boltin waistlocks and they end up on ropes. The fans cheer as Red Shoes calls the break. Boltin lets off and the fans cheer again. Takagi and Boltin reset, feel things out, then tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. They’re in a deadlock, but Boltin headlocks. Takagi powers up and out, but Boltin RAMS him! Takagi rebounds and RAMS Boltin!

Both men stay up, so Takagi says go again. They both run, and they both RAM shoulders! Takagi staggers back a step, but he comes back. Boltin RAMS him again, and again! Takagi steadies himself while the fans fire up. Takagi comes back to fire forearm after forearm, but Boltin ROCKS Takagi with one! Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS, then CHOPS! Boltin CHOPS! Boltin whips Takagi to a corner, runs up, but Takagi dodges, and HIP TOSSES! The fans fire up, Takagi gets moving, and he RAMS Boltin! Boltin runs through the CHOP to then CLOBBER Takagi! The fans fire up and Boltin runs to SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer and Boltin gut wrenches Takagi! Takagi fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! Boltin lets go, Takagi bails out, and the fans applaud. Takagi takes a moment to catch his breath, then has Boltin back up a bit. Boltin waits on Takagi, and Takagi slowly steps up to the apron. Takagi watches Boltin closely as he steps back inside. Boltin runs up, but Takagi HOTSHOTS him! Takagi then drags Boltin out to whip him hard into railing! Takagi then whips Boltin again, but Boltin reverses. Takagi stops himself, then he gets out of the way! Boltin crashes into railing, and tumbles over! The fans fire up with Boltin right at their feet!

Takagi goes out to stomp Boltin, then he drags him back to ringside. Takagi RAMS Boltin into the apron, then snap suplexes him to the floor! The fans rally and duel a bit while Boltin writhes. Takagi looms near as the ring count starts. Takagi brings Boltin up, puts him in, and the fans applaud. Takagi then slingshots to KNEE DROP! Takagi stands on Boltin at the ropes, but Red Shoes reprimands. Takagi steps off, drags Boltin back up, and he KNEES Boltin against the ropes! And KNEES him again! Boltin falls over, but Takagi SLAMS Boltin’s arm off the mat! And SLAMS it again! And then Takagi SENTONS! Cover, TWO!

Takagi keeps on Boltin with an ARMBAR! Boltin hurries to clasp hands, and he fights around. Takagi pulls on the arm, but Boltin scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Red Shoes counts, and Takagi lets go. Takagi kicks Boltin around, eggs him on, then brings him up. Boltin fires a body shot, Takagi fires a forearm! Takagi CLUBS the bad arm, but Boltin DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Boltin rises again. Boltin stands Takagi up but Takagi fires KNEE after KNEE! Takagi whips, but Boltin reverses to FLAPJACK! Both men are down and the fans cheer again. Boltin rises and he gut wrenches Takagi!

Takagi fights the lift by having a gut wrench on Boltin! But Boltin powers up to SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE, and then THROW! Boltin even kips up! The fans fire up as Boltin watches Takagi go to a corner. Boltin shakes out the bad arm while Takagi rises. Boltin runs in, and he SPLASHES! Boltin scoops and SLAMS Takagi into the drop zone, then he goes up, up, and VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Boltin fires back up! The fans rally, Boltin drags Takagi up, but Takagi fights the fireman’s carry! Boltin powers through again, but Takagi slips free! Takagi shoves Boltin to a corner and LARIATS!

The fans fire up and Takagi JABS! CHOPS! JABS! CHOPS! Repeat! Takagi JABS, JABS, and CHOPS! The fans cheer but then Boltin ROCKS Takagi! Takagi ELBOWS, JABS, and feints the lariat to DDT! Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Takagi rises, stalks Boltin, and brings Boltin up. Takagi suplexes but Boltin blocks! Takagi decides to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT instead! Takagi watches Boltin and the fans rally up again. Boltin stands, Takagi runs in, LARIAT in the corner! Boltin falls to his knees and Takagi roars! The fans fire up and Takagi stands Boltin for HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT, then a JAB!

Takagi hoists Boltin up top, fires a ridge hand chop again and again, then climbs the corner. Takagi goes to the very top, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Takagi crawls to a cover, TWO!! Boltin survives that fall but Takagi looks to the camera. The fans rally for “BO-RU-TIN! BO-RU-TIN!” but the “TA-KA-GI! TA-KA-GI!” emerges! As such, Takagi says, “TOKI GA KITA! <THE TIME HAS COME!>” The fans fire up, Boltin rises, and Takagi runs, but Boltin CHOPS! The fans rally as Takagi is stinging, but he keeps going! Only for Boltin to CHOP again! Boltin then CHOPS, but Takagi blocks!

Takagi UPPERCUTS and CLUBS the bad arm, then CLUBS it again! Takagi wrenches the arm, for an ELBOW- NO, Boltin gets a SLEEPER on Takagi! The fans fire up as Takagi endures, reaches out, fights forward, but Boltin turns him from the ropes! Takagi slips out the back to hammerlock! Boltin ELBOWS free, runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT! Takagi runs, but Boltin catches his crossbody! And pops him up for a SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up as both men are down, but Boltin rises up already. Boltin fires up, fireman’s carries again, KAMI- NO, Takagi fights that, so Boltin hits a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up again as Takagi stays in this. Boltin stays focused and he brings Takagi up again. Takagi fireman’s carries, but Takagi fires elbows! Takagi is free, he waistlocks, then goes for a nelson! Boltin fights that off on one side, fights it off on the other, then fights off the full nelson! But Takagi waistlocks, then HALF ‘N’ HALF SUPLEXES! SLIDING FOREARM! Boltin sputters but Takagi storms over! Takagi stands Boltin up, but Boltin DROPKICKS again! Only for Takagi to come back and SLIDING LARIAT! Takagi stands Boltin up, pump handles, MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO?!? Boltin survives and the fans fire up again!

Both men are down and the fans duel, “TA-KA-GI!” “BO-RU-TIN!” Both men slowly rise, and Takagi gives Boltin junkyard dog headbutts. Takagi stands Boltin up to LARIAT! Boltin wobbles, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Takagi ROCKS Boltin, but Boltin ROCKS Takagi! Takagi JABS, HEADBUTTS, and LARIATS! Takagi brings Boltin up, but Boltin fireman’s carries! KAMIKAZE!! Cover, TWO?!? The fans are thunderous as Takagi survives! Boltin roars, and he brings Takagi back up! Fireman’s carry, but Takagi flails! So Boltin gives him an F- DDT!! Takagi turns that around and both men are down again!

The fans rally harder as both men crawl to corners. Takagi headbutts the buckles to fire up! Takagi then runs corner to corner, but Boltin meets him! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stagger, but they run back up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Takagi drops to his knees, Boltin fires up, and Boltin runs, but Takagi dodges! PUMPING BOMBER TAKEDOWN! Cover, TWO!! Boltin is still in this, so Takagi rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Takagi stands Boltin up, but Boltin tries to fireman’s carry! Takagi fires more elbows, but Boltin powers through! KAMI- CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Takagi hurries to run, PUMPING BOMBER!!! Cover, TWO?!!?

The fans are thunderous again as Boltin survives another heavy shot! Takagi grows frustrated, but the fans duel as hard as they can! Takagi roars and brings Boltin back up. Pump handle, torture rack, and LAST FALCON DRIVER!! Cover, Takagi wins!!

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

It was a brutal battle worthy of the Cup, but that slight adjustment gave Takagi the edge! And now he is on a collision course for a rematch with Drilla! Will Takagi get even with the War Dog from the New Beginning? Or will he again be shot down by 44 Caliber?

2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: Tetsuya Naito VS Jeff Cobb!

The Uncontrollable Charisma kept up with the Prince of Pace in the opening round, but now he runs into the Imperial Unit! Takagi made it through, will the leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon join him? Or will Naito take a rather tranquilo Tour of the Islands instead?

Naito takes even more time with his elaborate entrance attire than usual, but Cobb stays calm, as we’ve all seen this before. The pants are put aside, the bell rings, and the fans rally up. Cobb and Naito stare down, then slowly circle. They feel things out, tie up, and Cobb waistlocks. Cobb wrangles Naito the mat, floats all over, then deadlifts with a waistlock, just to THROW Naito aside! The fans applaud but Naito stays calm. Cobb mocks the LIJ fist, then circles with Naito again. Naito headlocks, Cobb endures the grind, and he powers up to lift Naito! Cobb then powers out, they RAM shoulders, and then things speed up.

Naito fakes out the hurdle, then kicks Cobb out of the ring. Naito runs but Cobb is back to arm-drag! The fans fire up while Cobb builds speed, but then Naito trips Cobb up! Not even a chance to mock the tranquilo! Naito then gets in, builds speed, and rolls to tranquilo! The fans cheer as Naito shows how it’s done. Cobb runs back in, but Naito dropkicks his legs out! Cobb tumbles to the outside, Naito hurries out after him, and Naito kicks the legs. Naito whips Cobb, Cobb stops short of the railing, and Cobb kicks Naito. Cobb whips to swing Naito around, and then he sends Naito into railing! Naito tumbles up and over!

The fans rally while Naito writhes, and Cobb casually goes out to fetch him. Cobb brings Naito up, CLUBS him on the back, and Naito leans against railing. Cobb brings Naito around, puppets him into doing the LIJ fist, then he CLUBS Naito down. Naito leans against the timekeeper’s table, but Cobb tells Red Shoes he’s on the way. Cobb puts Naito in the ring and the fans applaud. Cobb shouts out O-Khan on commentary, “You like that?” And “oops,” Cobb steps on Naito! Cobb “apologizes,” then drags Naito up. Cobb ROCKS Naito, Naito ROCKS Cobb, and Naito fires more forearms. Cobb throat chops in return!

Cobb runs, but Naito ELBOWS him! And then arm- NO, Cobb stops the arm-drag to then RAM Naito into a corner! Cobb runs corner to corner and he RAMS into Naito again! Naito staggers and falls while the fans rally up. Cobb cocky covers, TWO! Naito still clutches his stomach but he’s still in this. Cobb stands Naito up to CLUB him down! Cobb then steps on Naito and stands on him! Cobb hangs ten and mocks the LIJ fist while the fans cheer. Cobb takes his time stepping off Naito’s back, and can’t believe this is one half of the IWGP Tag Team Champions. Cobb drags Naito up, then whips him to a corner.

Cobb runs up, for the JUMP KICK! Leg sweep! COMBINATION COBB-RON! The fans cheer as the “Cobby Cat” stands over Naito. Cobb then tells Naito, “ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” Cobb raises his fist, is he the one? Naito fires body shots, Cobb doesn’t budge, and then Cobb CHOPS Naito! Cobb THROWS Naito down by his hair, then says “You Can’t See Me!” GACHIMUCHI FLOP as Naito moves! The fans rally up as Cobb’s references are starting to backfire. Naito runs up to ELBOW Cobb, then atomic drop! Naito runs, ELBOWS Cobb down, then keeps moving to basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer, Naito whips Cobb to a corner.

Naito runs up, but Cobb dodges the OG Combination Cabron! Cobb hauls Naito up, but Naito fights free! Naito kicks and TORNADO DDTS! The fans fire up and Naito crawls over to cover. TWO, but Naito clamps on with a cravat! Cobb endures the neck wrench and fights up. Cobb fights to his feet, throws body shots, but Naito throws the heavy elbows! Cobb kneels, Naito brings him back up, and he fires more heavy elbows! Cobb staggers and goes to ropes while the fans rally. Naito storms up, puts Cobb on the top rope, then climbs up, only for Cobb to throw body shots! Cobb brings Naito into a clinch, and he suplexes!

The fans fire up, but Naito fights that to be back on the ropes. Naito fires body shots, then climbs to the very top again! SUPER STEIN- NO!! Cobb stops the steiner and he shouts F that! Cobb hauls Naito up, but Naito still SUPER STEINERS! The fans fire up while both men are down, but Naito crawls after Cobb. Naito pushes Cobb to a corner, then climbs up. Naito reels Cobb in, ESPERANZA! The fans cheer as Cobb is down and Naito rises. Naito watches Cobb stagger to his feet, then runs up, CORRIENDO- NO, Cobb blocks Destino to TOMBSTONE! But he holds on, pops Naito around, and has him for an ATHLETIC PLEX!

The fans fire up as Cobb then FALLING HAMMERS! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Naito survives and Cobb is furious! The fans fire up as Cobb stands Naito up, reels him in, and TOUR OF- DESTINO!! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Naito and Cobb slowly rise again, and Naito aims from a corner. Cobb is dazed, Naito runs in and CORRIENDO- NO, Cobb slips free, but Naito fires kicks! Cobb scoops, Naito slips free, and he kicks again! TORNADO CRADLE! TWO!! CORRIENDO SHIKI CRADLE! TWO!! Naito ELBOWS, ENZIGIRIS, and then wrenches!

Tilt-o-whirl and DESTI- NO!! Cobb stops it again for a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! But Cobb can’t cover! The fans rally up while both men are down again! Cobb and Naito stir as the fans rally harder, and Cobb growls as he stalks Naito. Cobb brings Naito around to wrench, but Naito ELBOWS free! And ROLLING KICKS! Naito runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Cobb LARIATS Naito down! Cobb powers up, reels Naito in, ATHLETIC PLEX again! Cover, ONE?!?! Naito shows some grit, but Cobb swings! Naito dodges, but Cobb SUPERKICKS! Wrench and RIPCORD TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, COBB WINS!!

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

Naito’s Destino was denied again and again, he is NOT moving on in the New Japan Cup! Will he just have to worry how now, Jeff Cobb has a golden ticket to the tag titles in his back pocket?

As for Cobb himself, he grabs the mic while Naito is still down in the ring. Cobb asks the Young Boys/Young Lions, “Get his ass out the ring!” The Young Lions do as told, and they usher Naito out. Cobb then asks Osaka, “Who thought Naito was gonna beat Jeff Cobb, huh? If you believed the internet that Naito was gonna beat me today, well UH-UH! So I’ll make this short and sweet to Shota, you bald b*tch! Tomorrow, you have a date with destiny! And I’m gonna make it short and sweet so myself and the Great-O-Khan go sell some sweet new United Empire goods.” Then Cobb mocks the LIJ roll call!

“Sai go wa, TJP! Jakob Austin Young! Francesco Akira! Callum Newman! Henare! Great-O-Khan! Jeff Cobb!” The fans cheer, and Khan applauds. Cobb finishes up with, “I don’t know Spanish, I’m gonna skip that part. All that’s left is UNITED EMPIIIRE~!” The fans applaud as clearly, the Imperial Unit still has time on the clock. Will he make the most of it and take that New Japan Cup for his own?

My Thoughts:

A great night for the New Japan Cup here, because we got some really good stuff on top of just the tournament matches. Great stuff with the Bullet Club Civil War story with us actually having just one big 12 Man Tag after all was said and done. But as such, the House of Torture of course won because Sanada was inactive. Like, you could even say him just stalking Sho and not running up on him is a hint that he’s just going to join the House of Torture. Then good stuff in TMDK VS Just4Guys with ZSJ and Taichi interacting ahead of their tournament match tomorrow. That is going to be great stuff.

TJP VS Moloney was really good, but I’m rather surprised TJP didn’t win. I guess TJP’s story is going to be that he really isn’t as capable of a leader as Will Ospreay and that the United Empire could be on the brink of falling apart. But that aside, Moloney winning so we can get a rematch of Moloney VS Takagi is fitting. Takagi VS Oleg was great stuff, and a great showing from Oleg in the loss. Naito VS Cobb was really good, too, and Cobb had a point in his promo. The word just went out that maybe Cobb is going to the WWE, and that’s why we thought Cobb was going to lose. Cobb did deserve this win, no matter what his contract status is.

Now, this doesn’t stop Cobb from going to the WWE in the future, we saw Jonah Rock return to the WWE as Bronson Reed after his G1 Climax run. Also, Cobb has been dropping many WWE references, even some rather strong ones tonight. It’d be so wild if Cobb got in on the Bloodline story as one of the “rogues” alongside Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga. Makes me wonder what’s going on with Hikuleo. But Cobb can certainly still make a run at the Cup and the tag titles in the near future.

My Score: 8.9/10