“Card subject to change” indeed!

A minor setback makes for a bigger beginning to the 2025 New Japan Cup! Will Yota Tsuji make sure Everything is NOT Evil?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Katsuya Murashima VS Daiki Nagai; Murashima wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Tomoaki Honma VS Yuji Nagata, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Tiger Mask; Nagata, Tenzan, Kojima & Tiger Mask win.
• Six Man Tag: El Desperado, El Phantasmo & Jado VS The United Empire; Desperado, ELP & Jado win.
• Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI VS Callum Newman & Francesco Akira; Newman & Akira win.
• 2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Yuya Uemura VS SANADA; Uemura wins and advances.
• 2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL; Evil wins and advances.
• 2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Ryohei Oiwa VS Chase Owens; Oiwa wins and advances.
• 2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Gabe Kidd VS Ren Narita; Gabe wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

After Six Man Tag: El Desperado, El Phantasmo & Jado VS The United Empire…

The Rogue Luchador gets the win with his Stretch Muffler Numero Dos, and his teammates shower him with praise, and The Headbanga even kisses him on the forehead. ELP picks up both his NJPW World TV Championship and Despy’s IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship while Jado helps Despy to his feet. ELP does kinda like how he looks with both belts but he still hands Despy his gold. ELP lets Great-O-Khan know that there’s more in store tomorrow in their New Japan Cup match, but Khan laughs that off. But then the lights go down, and the tron plays a message from Clark Connors!

“Desperadooo~…! I heard that you wanted a match with Clark Connors. Well, I want your title. So let’s settle this the only way that me and you can: in a HARDCORE MATCH! And this time, Despy, I’m not just gonna take your mask, I’m not just gonna take your title, I’m gonna take your effin’ life! Because you are not my dawg for real.” The fans are excited to hear that! Despy says if Clark wants it hardcore, then let’s do it! The fans are even more excited now! When and where will The Rogue Luchador shoot it out with 100 Proof?

2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Yuya Uemura w/ Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA w/ Taiji Ishimori!

What was once Just5Guys is back down to four, and misfortune struck as the Heat Storm got hurt. But Yuya is back, and he wants revenge on the traitor! Will Yuya burn hotter and brighter than ever before? Or will the heat die down against this Cold-Blooded War Dog?

Well as if Sanada wasn’t being rude and obnoxious before, he’s wearing a shirt that outright says, “Uemura, MOTHER EFFER, you’re still a Young Lion.” The bell rings and the fans rally up for “YUYA! YUYA!” Sanada and Yuya circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. They back up, circle again, and Sanada avoids Yuya shooting in. They feel things out again, knuckle lock, and then Yuya avoids Sanada shooting in. The fans cheer as the two reset again. They tie up, and Yuya wrenches to a hammerlock. Sanada endures, moves around, and he wrenches to put the hammerlock onto Yuya. Yuya endures, reaches out, but Sanada keeps him from ropes.

Yuya switches the hammerlock back onto Sanada, and he keeps Sanada from getting a leg. Sanada switches the hammerlock but Yuya switches it right back! Sanada tries again, but Yuya again puts the hammerlock on. Sanada goes around one more time but Yuya is still wise to that. So Sanada drop toeholds! Sanada floats to a headlocks, Yuya slips right out the back, and it’s back to the hammerlock! Yuya SNAPS the hammerlock, then headstands into a bridge! Yuya goes back around, grinds the hammerlock more, but Sanada reaches back. Yuya headstands out of the headlock and goes back to the start!

Sanada gets mad and gets to his feet. Sanada reaches back and SHIRANUI to get free! Sanada wrenches, Yuya wrenches back, and repeat! Sanada rolls, wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks, spins and hits a takeover, but Yuya headscissors! Sanada kips free and the fans cheer this great exchange! Yuya and Sanada catch their breath and reset while the the fans rally back up. Sanada and Yuya tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, then Sanda headlocks. Yuya powers up and out, goes the other way, slides under a boot and he arm-drags Sanada! Sanada bails out but Yuya eggs him on. Sanada paces while he cools off, so Yuya waits.

The fans rally while Sanada shakes out his arm. Yuya storms out, Sanada slides in, and now Sanada acts like Yuya’s stalling. Yuya storms in, but Sanada KICKS the ropes to jam him up! The fans boo but that should’ve been expected. Sanada then goes out to whip Yuya into railing! Sanada brings Yuya out into the crowd, brings him up the bleachers, and he fires hands! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Sanada SMACKS Yuya with a fan’s merchandise! Sanada leaves Yuya behind, the fans rally for Yuya, and a ring count starts. Yuya sits up at 4 of 20, rises but hobbles and almost falls down the steps! Taichi & Taka coach him on but we’re at 15!

Yuya hurries back in at 17 and the fans cheer, only for Sanada to basement DROPKICK! Yuya writhes but Sanada drags him back up. Sanada ROCKS Yuya with a right hand, but the ref reprimands about closed fists. Sanada ROCKS Yuya again, then stalks him to ropes. Sanada ROCKS Yuya with haymaker after haymaker, but then Yuya CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! DOUBLE CHOPS! DOUBLE CHOPS! DOUBLE CHOPS! Sanada puts Yuya in the corner to DROPKICK the leg! The fans boo but Sanada looms over Yuya in the corner. Sanada drags Yuya up, whips him corner to corner, but Yuya comes back with a FLYING FOREARM!

The fans fire up while both men are down, and they rally for Yuya. Yuya grits his teeth while Taichi & Taka coach him up. Yuya rises, storms over to Sanada, and CHOPS him! Yuya CHOPS again, then CHOPS again, again, and again! Yuya fires up, the fans are with him, and he whips Sanada, only for Sanada to reverse. Yuya goes up and over to arm-drag! And DOUBLE CHOP! The fans stay fired up, and Yuya rips off Sanada’s shirt! Yuya looms over Sanada, then he thinks about going to a corner. The fans rally, but Yuya hesitates. Isn’t going high what hurt him before? Yuya drags Sanada up but Sanada fights the lift with elbows. Yuya still hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO!

Yuya goes right to the ARMBAR! Sanada scrambles right to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts but Yuya lets go cleanly. Yuya drags Sanada up, clinches, but again Sanada fights the lift. Yuya runs but Sanada dropkicks the leg again! Yuya still comes back, but Sanada DUMPS him to the apron! And DROPKICKS him to the floor! Then Sanada PLANCHAS! Down goes Yuya and the fans are still impressed with Sanada’s ability. Sanada wants the fans to get louder like in the old days, but the fans cheer Yuya on now. Sanada says that’s fine, and he goes back to Yuya. Sanada drags Yuya up, puts him in the ring, then brings him up.

Sanada fireman’s carries Yuya, but Yuya fights free! Yuya gets under, but Sanada fights the urenage! Yuya CHOPS, whips, but Sanada BOOTS him away! Sanada QUEBRADA, for the dragon sleeper! Yuya endures, but Sanada drops into SKULL END! Yuya is caught in the body scissors but the fans rally up! Yuya reaches out, but he’s fading! Sanada lets Yuya go, puts him right on the lion logo, and goes up to ROUNDING BODY PRESS, onto knees! Yuya saves himself on that one, but it was double-edged as he clutches his knee. The fans rally up, and Yuya kips up! The fans fire up with Yuya as he drags Sanada back up.

Yuya scoops and SLAMS Sanada, then looks to the corner. Will he go for it? Yuya fires up and climbs! The fans rally, and Yuya reaches the top! But Sanada uses the ref as as shield! Taiji SHOVES Yuya down! But Taka YANKS Taiji down and whips! Taiji reverses to send Taka into railing! Taichi chases Taiji, the ref has no idea what’s going on, but at least now Sanada and Yuya are truly 1v1! Sanada hurries to go up, ROUNDING BODY- NO, Yuya dodges! And GERMAN- NO, Sanada lands out! Sanada spins Yuya, suplexes, MAGIC- NO, Yuya fights free to then URENAGE! The fans fire up and Yuya covers, TWO!

Sanada stays in this but the fans rally behind Yuya. Yuya rises, he drags Sanada up, but Sanada ENZIGIRIS! Yuya ENZIGIRIS! Sanada SHINING WIZARDS! The fans boo but Sanada brings Yuya up! Clinch and- NO, Yuya slips out to GERMAN SUPLEX! Snadaa’s right up!? But Yuya DROPKICKS him right down! Yuya fires up, and he drags Sanada into the cording hold! But Sanada fights free to DEAD- NO, Yuya slips free, waistlocks, but Sanada switches! They go to ropes, Yuya bucks the O’Conner, then Yuya SUPERMAN STACKS! Cover, YUYA WINS!!

Winner: Yuya Uemura, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Sanada is shocked! So much for “just a Young Lion!” The Heat Storm burns the Cold Blooded, and Sanada sulks off. But will Yuya be ready to do this all again against Yoshi-Hashi?

2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

The Gene Blast won last year’s tournament, and though he didn’t become IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, becoming IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion isn’t too bad. But the King of Darkness wants it all, from the Cup to the titles to being the leader of PRIME Bullet Club! Will he prove that Everything is Evil’s? Or will this ungovernable stop him before he gets started?

Evil makes his entrance first, but where is Dick Togo? Yota makes his entrance, and yep, Dick was waiting to attack from behind! The fans boo as The Spoiler already ruins the fun, but Evil storms out to add on. The ref reprimands but Evil whips Yota hard into railing! Yota flops over, Evil stands on Yota’s leg, then Evil drags Yota around to SLAM the leg against railing! And then he does it again! The ref reprimands but Evil kicks Yota around. Evil drags Yota by his leg to SLAM the leg against railing again! Evil then puts Yota in the ring, tells the ref to back off, and then shoves the ref down! The fans boo but Dick joins in!

Evil & Dick mug Yota in the ring, the fans boo, but Dick tells them to shut up. Evil & Dick put one out while they’re told to go home. Evil drags Yota up, but Yota fights off Magic Killer! Yota sends Evil into Dick, then scoop SLAMS Evil! Then Yota scoops Dick to DROP him on Evil! DOUBLE SPLASH! The fans fire up and Yota checks on the ref. The ref has the bell ring, and the fans rally behind “YOTA! YOTA!” Yota drags Evil up, whips him to a corner, and then he runs up to SPLASH! Yota reels Evil in to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Evil is tougher than that but Yota stays cool. The fans rally and Yota rises up.

Yota eggs Evil on, then runs, but Evil LARIATS first! Evil then has Yota’s legs, steps through, and steps over, SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Yota endures and the fans rally up. Yota powers up, reaches out, but Evil sits deep! Yota still fights and the fans rally harder. Yota powers up again, claws at the mat, and he fights to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Evil holds and the fans boo. Evil lets go at 4 and storms around in frustration. Evil drags Yota back up, talks trash and fireman’s carries, DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO! Yota survives and Evil is further frustrated. Evil vows to end this, and he drags Yota back up.

Evil spins Yota around, EVERY- NO, Yota flips through! And SUPERKICKS! And HEADBUTTS! Evil falls to the mat and Yota gris his teeth. Yota still has to sit back, that was one powerful shot. The fans rally again while the ref checks both men. Evil and Yota are both able to continue, and Yota goes to ropes. Yota rises up, storms over to Evil, and drags him back up. Yota whips Evil to a corner, then goes corner to corner for a LARIAT! Yota shoves Evil down, fires up, and the fans are with him! Yota goes up, up, and MARLOWE- NO, Evil dodges! Evil runs up, but Yota LARIATS! Yota roars, takes aim, but Evil sends the ref into the GENE BLAST!

The fans are shocked, Dick gets on the apron, POCKET SAND! Evil LOW BLOWS Yota, then shouts at the ref to get up! But the ref just got ran over by a truck! EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Cover, the ref is back, EVIL WINS!!

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

Another miscarriage of justice as the House of Torture pulls out all the stops! Evil not only advances, but he just beat last year’s New Japan Cup Champion, and the IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion besides! And as if this isn’t enough, Evil wants to talk! “OI, last year’s winner, Tsuji Yota… TOO BAD FOR YOU~! HAHAHA! You and I are on different levels of ability! You understand that? Remember it!” The King of Darkness has his mic drop, but is it true? IS everything Evil?

2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Ryohei Oiwa w/ Hartley Jackson VS Chase Owens!

The Mighty Mullet’s team lost to The Crown Jewel on the Anniversary Event, so he’s backed against the wall. But will Ryohei get a grip and turn things around? Or will he be the victim of a Jewel Heist?

The bell rings and the fans rally up for “OIWA! OIWA!” Chase and Oiwa circle, feel things out, and tie up. They break, go again, and then break again. The two stare down, reset, and the fans rally up. The two tie up again, go around, end up on ropes and go along the ropes. The ref counts, Oiwa lets off slowly, then pats Chase on the shoulders. Chase pie faces Oiwa in return! Oiwa runs up but Chase bails out. The fans boo and Oiwa is frustrated, but Chase takes his time returning. Chase steps inside, resets with Oiwa, and the two feel out a knuckle lock. Chase kicks but Oiwa blocks! Chase apologizes, but Oiwa THROWS him down!

Oiwa runs, Chase stays low, but Oiwa fakes Chase out to then arm-drag! Oiwa stays on Chase with a wristlock, then he drops a leg on the arm! Oiwa has a short arm scissor but Chase endures. Oiwa lets go to drag Chase up, but Chase pulls hair! Chase whips Oiwa away, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Chase! Things keep moving, Chase drops but Oiwa turns hip toss into HIP TOSS! And then he DROPKICKS Chase! Oiwa handsprings, then arm-drags! Oiwa has another cording hold, but Chase fights up. Chase reaches out, Oiwa keeps him from ropes, but Chase whips Oiwa out of the ring! Chase then builds speed, but Oiwa avoids the dropkick!

Oiwa runs up, Chase sends him at railing! Oiwa stops himself short, then he dodges Chase. Chase stops short, ELBOWS Oiwa, but Oiwa ROCKS Chase! Chase BOOTS Oiwa, then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS into railing! Chase drags Oiwa back up, puts him in the ring, and the fans rally up. Chase drags Oiwa up again, half nelsons then spins to a dragon sleeper, EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, TWO! Chase quickly wrenches, hammerlocks and JEWEL HEIST! Cover, TWO! Oiwa survives some heavy fire but Chase stays cool. The fans rally while Oiwa crawls away to ropes. Chase stalks Oiwa to the apron, then drags him up.

Chase KNEES Oiwa, the ref reprimands, but Chase brushes the ref off. Chase drags Oiwa up, reels him in, and the ref says don’t do it! The fans freak out as Chase tucks Oiwa in! Oiwa fights free, but Chase ROCKS him! Chase eggs Oiwa on, so Oiwa ROCKS Chase! Oiwa ROCKS Chase again, eggs him on, but Oiwa WRINGS Chase’s arm into the apron! Chase writhes but Oiwa drags him to the corner, and he pulls the arm against the post! Then he wrenches the arm to SLAM it against the post! Gedo complains from commentary but Oiwa goes inside. Oiwa drags Chase up, wrenches the arm again and again, then whips Chase, just to YANK the arm!

Oiwa runs, UPPERCUTS Chase down, then covers, TWO! Chase is tougher than that but Oiwa stays cool. Oiwa drags Chase up, then whips him corner to corner. Oiwa runs up, and UPPERCUTS! Oiwa climbs up, and he PULLS Chase’s arm against the ropes! The ref reprimands, Oiwa backs off, but Chase SPITS at Oiwa! Chase runs up, but Oiwa BACKDROPS him! Oiwa hauls Chase up, but Chase fights the lift with elbows! Oiwa still tries, but Chase ROCKS Oiwa with a headlock punch! Oiwa goes to ropes Chase runs up, but into an ELBOW! Chase SOBATS, then SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMBS! Both men are down and the fans rally up!

Chase storms up to drag Oiwa to his feet. Chase reels Oiwa in, but Oiwa trips Chase for a jackknife bridge! TWO, and both men get to their feet! Chase swats a lariat to C-TRIGGER! Then he SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF SUPLEXES! Chase roars, runs, but Oiwa LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Chase survives but Oiwa shakes his head. Oiwa clamps on the SLEEPER! Chase sputters, rises up, reaches out, but Oiwa keeps him from ropes! Oiwa squeezes tight, and Chase is fading! But then Chase uses that to drop toehold Oiwa into ropes! Roll up with tights! TWO!! Oiwa escapes, but a C-TRIGGER finds him! Oiwa sputters, Chase reloads! C-TRIGGER!! Cover, TWO!?!

The fans fire up as Oiwa survives! Chase is furious, and he vows to end this! Chase aims and says BANG! Chase sits Oiwa up, to C-TRIGGER! Chase tucks Oiwa in, but Oiwa fights free, wrenches and WRINGS the arm! SHANKLY GATES!! Chase endures as Oiwa pulls way back on that arm! Chase TAPS, Oiwa wins!!

Winner: Ryohei Oiwa, by submission (advances to the next round)

The Crown Jewel shined, but he still cracked under pressure! Oiwa is now moving on, and will face TMDK’s Front Man! Will the Mullet get a grip on Zack Sabre Jr? Or will even Oiwa #JustTapOut?

2025 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Gabe Kidd VS Ren Narita!

The Bullet Club Civil War has begun, or returned, depending on how you look at history. But one thing is for sure, The Mad Man wants to take a bite out of the Souled Out Son of Strong Style! He almost got it for the Anniversary Event, will Gabe tear Ren apart tonight? Or will the House of Torture prove they are PRIME Bullet Club?

Gabe is fired up already as he makes his entrance, but here comes Ren! Gabe BOOTS Ren down first! The fans fire up as Gabe doesn’t let Ren get his receipt! Gabe then POSTS Ren, and the fans also love the Japanese on Gabe’s tights! Red Shoes reprimands but Gabe grabs a mic to say, “This is NJPW, mother effer! Narita, bring the fight, you jackass!” Ren storms up, but Gabe UPPERCUTS him! Gabe then goes to the apron, and goes up a corner?! ASAI MOONSAULT! Gabe shows he can flip with the best of them and the fans are thunderous! Gabe drags Ren up and into the ring, the bell sounds, and the main event is on!

Gabe fires forearm after forearm into Ren in the corner, then he runs corner to corner and back again! HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Gabe sits cross-legged, another message to Shibata. Ren flops out of the ring but Gabe storms over. Ren trips Gabe and drags him out! Ren whips Gabe hard into railing! The fans boo but Ren whips Gabe, but Gabe reverses! Now Ren hits railing hard! Gedo says show him that violence! Gabe and Gedo Too Sweet, then Gabe brings Ren into the crowd. Gabe makes Ren take a seat, puts his shirt over his face, and CHOPS! And CHOPS! The fans cheer as the action is right in front of them!

Gabe has fans clear out, and he stands on a chair so the crowd can see him. Gabe then brings Ren up, but Ren SMASHES Gabe with a water bottle! The fans boo but Ren drags Gabe up to throw him into barriers! Ren snarls and staggers about, but he drags Gabe up. They go around behind the bleachers, and Ren sends Gabe into the wall! And then back into the wall! Red Shoes reprimands, but Ren talks trash on Gabe. Ren drags Gabe up, brings him back to ringside, but Gabe POSTS Ren again! The fans fire up as Gabe has a wild look on his face. A fan hands Gabe their drink! Gabe cracks open the can, says cheers, then he SPITS beer at Ren!

Gabe lets Red Shoes have the rest, then he goes after Ren again. Gabe opens the gate and he drags Ren out into the crowd again! And now he whips Ren hard into the barriers! The fans fire up for their anti-hero as he leaves Ren behind. Ren writhes, Gabe brings out chairs, and Gedo loves it! Gabe sets those chairs down, then confiscates some from the fans! Gabe adds those to the pile, and has about half a dozen in all. Red Shoes reprimands but the fans like where this is going. Gabe fetches Ren back to ringside, but Ren fights back! Gabe UPPERCUTS Ren, and then lines up the shot! Red Shoes says no but Gedo says yes!

The fans bark, but Ren fights the suplex! And now SHO shows up! Gabe chases Sho back to the back! Gabe then winds up as he aims at Ren. Gabe runs up, but Ren BACKDROPS Gabe onto the chairs! Sho did his part to save Ren and turn things around, and now Gabe writhes on the floor. Ren drags Gabe up, clinches, and hits an EXPLODER onto the chairs! Gedo doesn’t like how the proverbial tables have turned, but both men are down on the outside. Red Shoes starts a ring count, and Ren hobbles up at 8 of 20. Ren rolls in at 10, but Gabe is still down! Gabe drags himself up and in at 15, but Ren covers! TWO!!

Ren is frustrated but the fans rally up. Ren drags Gabe up, whips him to ropes, then runs to NECKBREAKER DROP! Cover, TWO! Gabe stays in this but Ren stays on him with a headscissor squeeze! Gabe endures, the fans rally up, but Ren puts on the pressure! Gabe fights around, reaches out, but Ren squeezes as tight as he can! Even so, Gabe finds the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Red Shoes counts, but Ren lets go at 4. The fans boo, but Ren looms over Gabe. Ren drags Gabe up, TOSSES him out, and Gabe hits railing! Ren drags Gabe up to CLUB him, then whips him into railing! Ren runs up to BOOT Gabe over the railing!

The fans boo more while Gabe sputters near English commentary. Ren goes out after Gabe, drags him up, but Gabe is deadweight. Ren says to check him, but Red Shoes wants Ren to go to the ring. Ren drag Gabe up after all, and SMACKS him off commentary! Gabe flops onto the chairs, but Ren takes those out from under him! Ren CHOKES Gabe with a chair! Red Shoes starts a ring count, Ren leaves Gabe behind, and Ren goes back to the ring at 12 of 20. The fans rally as Gabe sits up at 13, and pushes up at 15! Gabe crawls, but we’re at 17! 18! 19!! Gabe SPRINGS in at 19.9! But Ren suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO!!

Gabe stays in this but Ren grins as he stands over Gabe. Ren kicks Gabe around, stomps him, then eggs him on. Ren stomps Gabe more, but Gabe gets up! Ren CLAWS Gabe’s eyes! The fans boo, Red Shoes reprimands, and Ren stops at 4. Ren runs, into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up while Ren flounders to a corner. Gabe sits up and snarls, then runs up to LARIAT in the corner! Gabe again puts Ren’s shirt over his face, and CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” but then Gabe HEADBUTTS! And CHOPS! And HEADBUTTS! Gabe’s neck bothers him, but he just CHOPS and HEADBUTTS again!

Gabe rolls back, runs in, but Ren runs up! Gabe catches Ren for an EXPLODER! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! The fans rally, Ren sputters, but Gabe kips up! Gabe then goes up, up, “I’m a MAD MAN!” MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Ren survives and Gabe frowns. Gabe shakes his head, and he shakes out his legs and checks his neck before he stands. Ren sputters through a bloody nose, but Gabe points to the lion mark. The fans cheer, and Gabe stands Ren up. Gabe UPPERCUTS, then puts Ren on the top rope. Gabe CHOPS, and CHOPS, and then fires the fans up more! Gabe climbs, but Ren resists the suplex!

Ren throws body shots, but Gabe HEADBUTTS him! Gabe wobbles, and then Ren CHOKES Gabe! Ren DECKS Gabe, then adjusts on the top rope. Gabe stands, into HELL’S GUILLOTINE!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives, but Ren clamps on a SLEEPER! Ren squeezes tight, but Gabe fights up to snapmare free! Gabe runs, but Ren kicks the legs out! FACELOCK GUILLOTINE!! Ren has the body scissors, Red Shoes checks Gabe, and the fans rally up. Gabe lifts Ren up off the mat! But Ren lets go to slip around, SLEEPER!! Gabe sputters again, and he’s turning reddish purple! Red Shoes checks Gabe, but Ren won’t let Gabe fall!

Ren then spins Gabe around, for the DOUBLE CROSS- NO!! Gabe slips free and PENALTY KICKS!! The fans are thunderous for “GABU! GABU!” Gabe drags Ren up, reels him in, but Ren fights the suplex again. Ren fires body shots, but Gabe powers through to BRAINBUSTER! And then he drags Ren up for a SAIDO!! Gabe crawls to the cover, TWO!! Ren survives and Gabe is frustrated, but the fans continue to rally behind him. Gabe barks, the fans bark with him, and Gabe drags Ren up. Ren is deadweight now so Gabe wants Red Shoes to check. Red Shoes checks, Ren is dazed, but he’s still deadweight.

Gabe kicks Ren around, daring him to get up. The fans fire up as Ren rises, and Gabe winds up the arm. Gabe runs, COMEBACKER into Red Shoes!! Ren uses Red Shoes as a shield, then JAMS Gabe with his pushup bar! And now Ren waves in the House of Torture! Sho AND Yujiro Takahashi show up to stomp away on Gabe! The fans boo, but Sho & Yujiro drag Gabe out to stomp him more! Gedo shouts for a ref, but Ren grabs a chair! Sho & Yujiro stand Gabe up, Ren HEADSHOTS Gabe!!! Tokyo Pimp pretends to be shocked, Ren grins and laughs, as does Sho. Young Lions check on Red Shoes, and Gabe’s been busted open!

The House of Torture laugh maniacally as they have Gabe where they want him. They put Gabe in the ring, and now Ren has his pushup bar again. The fans boo, but here come reinforcements! Drilla SUPERKICKS Ren, then fires off on Sho! Taiji is after Yujiro, and now 44 Caliber and Bone Soldier beat up on The House boys! The fans cheer as Drilla & Taiji drag them away to the back! Gabe and Ren are now alone, but what about a ref? Ren has his pushup bar, and he grins as he takes aim! Gabe stands, but he blocks the bar! Gabe overpowers Ren, and he TOSSES the bar! Ren freaks out, but he fires forearms! Gabe just takes them!

Gabe wipes the blood from his brow, and SMACKS Ren down! The fans are thunderous as Gabe barks it up! A replacement ref steps in, and Gabe brings his kneepad down! O-KNEE!! And then, a PILEDRIVER!! Gabe holds on, this is not enough punishment for what Ren has done! LEG CAPTURE DRIVER!! Cover, Gabe wins!!

Winner: Gabe Kidd, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

A standing ovation here in Korakuen as the Mad Man serves his brand of justice! Will the House of Torture back out of this Civil War while they can? As for Gabe, he stands tall with his NJPW Strong Openweight Championship, then takes a moment to catch his breath. Gabe takes the mic, and he stands on the lion mark while the fans chant his name. “<Sorry, I can only speak a bit of Japanese. But you all understand…> F HOUSE OF TORTURE!” The fans do understand and they cheer it. Gabe says there are a lot of people claiming to lead this company forward, from Shota to Tsuji to Yuya. It’s not them, it’s GABE EFFIN’ KIDD!

Gabe wants them to zoom in on his blood pouring from his forehead. Gabe BLEEDS NJPW! This is his life! It’s not a job! This is his LIFE! He ain’t going anywhere! F AEW! F WWE! NJPW ICHIBAN!!! The fans cheer that, respecting Gabe’s hardcore loyalty! Gabe says in 2025, the New Japan Cup winner will be GABE KIDD!! “Taichi, <I’m coming for you, punk!>” Mic drop and the fans go wild! Will this Mad Man truly lead the way for NJPW’s future?

My Thoughts:

A great start to New Japan Cup after an apparent broken corner post forced the actual opening night of March 7th to be canceled. Four matches for the Cup in one night is good stuff, though, really got the fans fired up.  I do like that among the tune-up tag matches, we got an 8 Man Tag between members of the newly unified Hontai-Chaos faction to help hype Goto VS Nagata. And after Desperado wins his Six Man Tag, Connors calling him out for a Hardcore match with the Junior Heavyweight title on the line is good stuff. Who knows how that goes, but I could see the War Dogs grabbing up some gold real quick to spice up their feud with House of Torture.

Speaking of Bullet Club, they as a whole were 1-3 on the night, but Evil winning makes sense if he is to be strong enough to be THE leader of Bullet Club. Yuya getting that win off Sanada was great stuff, Sanada’s been building up that comeuppance karma for a long time so here it is. Oiwa VS Chase was really good, and that was a really good win for Oiwa. Gabe VS Ren was awesome stuff, even the usual House of Torture overbooking because it allowed Taiji & Drilla to make that save. Gabe winning was the right call, because despite not being a Reiwa Era Musketeer, despite being Japanese, Gabe has the hot hand, the fans love him. And though he’s an anti-hero kind of character, he really does want NJPW to be the best by still doing what made the company popular in the first place.

My Score: 9/10