Tag: new japan cup 2025

NJPW crowns New Japan Cup winner, Sakura Genesis main event set

Posted on by Joseph Currier

David Finlay is heading to Sakura Genesis with a chance to win the first IWGP World Championship of his career.

Finlay was crowned the winner of New Japan Cup 2025 on Thursday, prevailing over Shota Umino in the tournament finals. The victory has earned Finlay an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship shot against Hirooki Goto in the main event of NJPW Sakura Genesis on Saturday, April 5.

In a post-match promo, Finlay promised to end Goto’s “Cinderella run” as champion. The two had a face-to-face confrontation before Finlay celebrated with his stablemates in Bullet Club War Dogs.

“I am the Savage King. I am coming for my crown, so your fairytale is over,” the 31-year-old Finlay declared. “I am taking your title — because hate always finds a way.”

This is Finlay’s first time winning a major NJPW tournament as a singles wrestler. During his New Japan Cup run, he had victories against EVIL, Yuya Uemura, Zack Sabre Jr., and Umino.

Goto, a veteran of the NJPW roster for more than 20 years, began his first reign as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion by dethroning Sabre last month. He’s already made title defenses against Hiroshi Tanahashi and Yuji Nagata.

Sakura Genesis will air live on New Japan World from Sumo Hall in Tokyo on April 5.

New Japan Cup finals live results: Shota Umino vs. David Finlay

Posted on by Corey Michaels

The finals of the 2025 New Japan Cup take place today, with a first-time winner guaranteed.

In the tournament finals, Shota Umino faces David Finlay with a shot a the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship hanging in the balance. It’s the first career finals for Umino, while Finlay made the finals in 2023 where he lost to SANADA.

The winner of today’s New Japan Cup finals earns a shot at Hirooki Goto and the IWGP World title at Sakura Genesis on Saturday, April 5.

An NJPW World TV title match kicks off today’s main card, with El Phantasmo defending against a mystery opponent in an open challenge.

Hiroshi Tanahashi’s road to retirement continues with a special singles match on today’s card, with Tana taking on Satoshi Kojima. It will be the tenth career singles meeting between the two, and the first since 2014. Tana holds a 5-4 career edge in singles competition over Kojima.

**********

Main Card

El Phantasmo defeated TJP for the NJPW World Television Championship

Starting with a headscissor hold, Phantasmo had immediate control. TJP sent him to the mat with a DDT from the second rope. After sneaking a comeback, Phantasmo attempted a moonsault from the ropes but couldn’t put TJP away. Spinning the challenger like a rinse cycle, Phantasmo slammed him to the mat with a UFO drop. TJP spiked the champion to the mat, bringing him in for a Pinoy Stretch. This caused Phantasmo to stretch his shoulder a bit too much, as trying a punch became too much for him to do. The pair traded pins with the last one granting Phantasmo a victory despite his shoulder.

— Post-match: TJP shook hands with Phantasmo. Great-O-Khan, who’d watched the sportsmanship from the outside, greeted TJP before assaulting the champion. He declared himself next to challenge for the title, attacked him again and left. Phantasmo struggled to the back.

Phantasmo had little time to make the shoulder angle effective, but he made the most of it. Fast-paced, this was a satisfactory opener.

Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Satoshi Kojima

Kojima’s strength lent him the early advantage, but Tanahashi earned it back as he tied his opponent’s leg to the rope and dropkicked it. Kojima chopped The Ace’s chest until sore, following up with a top rope elbow drop. Kojima laid out Tanahashi with a Koji Cutter but fell back down to a Slingblade. A stiff lariat from Kojima laid out Tanahashi. Enduring the force that is Kojima, Tanahashi won the match with a High-Fly Flow.

A fun short sprint, Tanahashi’s strengths have been neatly emphasized during this final run. As someone who’d love to see one of NJPW’s legendary top stars to ride off into the sunset go peacefully, this run has been a treat.

BULLET CLUB (Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens & SANADA) defeated Just 4 Guys (Taichi, TAKA Michinoku & Yuya Uemura)

BULLET CLUB promptly took out their opponents before the bell with SANADA tossing Uemura to the chairs in the crowd. Meanwhile, Owens and Fale bullied Taichi in the ring. Uemura held the match in his hand, flattening Owens and SANADA, the latter of which suffered a back suplex. Teasing a Skull End, SANADA instead fell to Uemura’s dropkicks. Michinoku unleashed a flurry to Owens, but laid down for the 3-count courtesy of a Package Piledriver by Owens.

— Post-match: BULLET CLUB harassed their defeated foes, with SANADA teasing a guitar shot. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI, and El Desperado came to Just 4 Guys’ aid. Tanahashi shook hands with Uemura, having long mentioned that the latter being the current image of NJPW. The Ace then shook hands with Taichi and helped Michinoku to his feet.

The least exciting elements of this match were involved in the finisher. The ongoing beef between SANADA and Uemura is interesting, but wasn’t capitalized on. Tanahashi being all super wholesome in the post-match made up for any slogging.

Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito) defeated United Empire (Callum Newman, Jakob Austin Young & Jeff Cobb)

Cobb confronted Naito to start the match, only to be attacked by the present members of LIJ. Young worked on Naito’s infamously weak knees, Takahashi exploded onto the scene, meeting Newman’s speed with his own before agonizing from a roundhouse kick. Naito and Takahashi delivered karmic justice to Young by targeting his knees, the latter tapping Young out with a Maximum Beholding.

There was nothing in the way of storyline advancements to watch out for, but this was fun on its own and worth a watch.

BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Drilla Moloney, Gabe Kidd & Taiji Ishimori) defeated House Of Torture (Ren Narita, SHO & Yujiro Takahashi)

Ishimori twisted and cranked the arm of SHO. Kidd pummeled Narita in the corner, sending him to the mat with a forceful lariat. He then sent SHO and Takahashi to the same fate. Moloney unleashed a rage of forearms and chops to SHO, but lost his momentum by House of Torture interruption and a Spear from SHO. With the War Dogs intercepting any further interference, Moloney pinned SHO with a Drilla Killa.

— Post-match: Moloney fake laughed at House of Torture “kicking” the War Dogs out of BULLET CLUB. He then on behalf of Ishimori and Kidd challenged for the NEVER Six Man Tag Team Championship.

For anyone looking for a cathartic comeuppance for House of Torture, this is the fix you’re looking for. Each play made by the War Dogs was satisfying. SHO made the best of his moments, even in defeat.

Los Ingobernables de Japon (Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji) defeated House Of Torture (EVIL & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)

Tsuji endured Kanemaru and EVIL’s attempts to weaken his knee, with the latter’s Cloverleaf dramatically ended with a rope break. Takagi burst into action, bumping EVIL to the mat and proceeding to manhandle him. Kanemaru and EVIL returned once more to destroy Tsuji’s knees. They, combined with Dick Togo, unleashed a Dick-to-Dick Contact, with the referee distracted by Takagi’s endeavor to make the save. As Kanemaru saved his Whiskey Mist, it poured like a fountain after Tsuji found enough strength to power a Gene Blaster for the win.

— Post-match: House of Torture attacked Tsuji as EVIL held aloft the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship while he stood on the champ’s chest. Takagi again tried to help but Togo choked him out.

There wasn’t much to say about this bout, other than Tsuji’s selling was top notch. In a blink-and-miss-it moment, he maintained his kayfabe knee injury. That’s a level of professionalism I can appreciate.

El Desperado, Hirooki Goto & Oleg Boltin defeated TMDK (Hartley Jackson, Ryohei Oiwa & Zack Sabre Jr.)

Boltin overwhelmed Oiwa, and a chaotic brawl ensued. He and Goto pounded the back of Sabre Jr., before failing to do so on Oiwa. A helpless Desperado fell prey to the combined offense of TMDK, until he traded holds with Sabre Jr. Boltin’s might cancelled out Sabre Jr.’s technical prowess with his Flying Body Sausage maneuver. Jackson nearly had the match won over Goto with a Flying Crossbody and a team-up with Oiwa, to no avail. Jackson withstood the united front his opponents initiated, but ultimately lost to a GTR.

Featuring young acts like Boltin and Oiwa alongside the veterans adds enough fuel to position these future megastars for greatness. Now more than ever, this feels like a strong emphasis to trust tomorrow’s performers It certainly doesn’t hurt that they worked alongside the current and former IWGP World Heavyweight Champions.

New Japan Cup Final

David Finlay defeated Shota Umino

Finlay had the initial advantage in the early goings, but Umino got the better of him, working on his leg. This damage wore on, grounding Finlay’s later offense. A Fisherman’s Suplex gave Umino space to carve out control over the War Dogs leader. He continued to work the leg as Finlay screamed in dear agony. Umino combined this with a STF in the middle of the ring; Finlay desperately reached for a successful rope break. Umino flew through the air courtesy of Finlay’s uranage, sending him through a table on the outside.

Finlay broke the 20-count to seemingly help Umino to his feet. As it turned out, he used this time to slam his opponent into the ring post to earn even more time. Umino broke the count at 19. Finlay sought to damage Umino’s back more with a slam, but Umino countered into a DDT. Umino received a near count after a cacophonous vertical suplex from the top rope. He did so again after a bridging suplex. Finlay, almost running on fumes, survived lariats and a painful knee onto Umino, finally landing Oblivion. Kicking out of a reversal pin, Finlay slammed Umino with two resounding powerbombs. Umino tried an inside cradle, failing to do so. Finlay used this brief respite to crush him with an Overkill for the win. David Finlay is 2025’s New Japan Cup winner.

— Post-match: Finlay yanked the New Japan Cup away form the officials as he and Gedo celebrated. He helped Umino to his feet, harshly telling his old friend he has to work Finlay’s way to get these kinds of victories. He beckoned forth Hirooki Goto from commentary to the ring to claim his future shot. Goto responded that Finlay “can’t stop the Goto Revolution.”

The War Dogs joined their leader in jubilation. Finlay proudly carried his cup while his teammates drank in the ring.

Umino’s always been good in the ring, but his act hasn’t really stuck. However, his effort tonight gives this new baptised-in-white approach plausibility. Tremendous performance alongside Finlay still riding off of his 2024 rejuvenation. Finlay took a while to successfully reinvent himself as the War Dogs leader, and its paying off. This gives me hope for Umino.

As a whole, the show had some high points. Most of them didn’t add much in storyline but were still fun. Kojima/Tanahashi, LIJ/United Empire, and maybe even House of Torture/War Dogs are all worth watching, but the final is what will surely satisfy. Finlay denying Goto the win for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship in Autumn 2024 is sure to add a much-needed threat to the current World Heavyweight Champion’s reign.

Finals set for New Japan Cup 2025

Posted on by Ian Carey

The 2025 New Japan Cup is down to two wrestlers.

Shota Umino defeated Shingo Takagi in the final semifinal match of the tournament on Monday in Fukushima, finishing his opponent off with The Second Chapter (Northern Lights Bomb). With the win, he advances to face David Finlay in the finals on Thursday in Nagaoka.

After his win over Takagi, Umino left the ring area without making any post-match comments. However, Finlay and Gedo hit the ring afterward, and Gedo encouraged Umino to come back. Umino returned and briefly told Finlay that he will beat him in the finals before leaving again.

Umino’s three tournament wins come after a rocky start to the year, where he lost two of his first three singles matches. He lost his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match against Zack Sabre Jr. at Wrestle Kingdom, defeated Claudio Castagnoli the following night at Wrestle Dynasty, and then lost to Great-O-Khan at New Beginning in Osaka. He avenged his loss against Great-O-Khan in the opening round of the New Japan Cup and beat Jeff Cobb in the quarterfinals.

New Japan Cup 2025 Finals on Thursday, March 20, 2025:

  • New Japan Cup 2025 Finals: David Finlay vs. Shota Umino
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Satoshi Kojima

Semifinals set for New Japan Cup 2025

Posted on by Ian Carey

The 2025 New Japan Cup is down to four wrestlers.

The tournament quarterfinals took place today in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.

Shingo Takagi secured his spot in the semifinals by defeating Drilla Moloney in the first tournament match of the show. He will face Shota Umino in the next round, after Umino picked up a win over Jeff Cobb in the second quarterfinal match.

David Finlay advanced by defeating Yuya Uemura in the third quarterfinal. He will take on two-time tournament winner Zack Sabre Jr., who defeated Taichi in the final quarterfinal match.

The semifinals begin tomorrow in Shizuoka with Zack Sabre Jr. vs. David Finlay. Shota Umino vs. Shingo Takagi is set for Monday in Fukushima. The finals will take place on Thursday in Niigata, with Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Satoshi Kojima also scheduled for the show.

The tournament winner will earn the right to challenge IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Hirooki Goto at Sakura Genesis on April 5 at Ryogoku Sumo Hall in Tokyo. Goto successfully defended his title today against Yuji Nagata.

New Japan Cup live results: Goto vs. Nagata IWGP title match

Posted on by Corey Michaels

Yuji Nagata gets one more shot at glory in the main event of today’s New Japan Cup event.

56-year-old Hall of Famer Yuji Nagata, a two-time former IWGP Heavyweight Champion who most recently held the top NJPW title in 2007, challenges Hirooki Goto for the World Heavyweight title in the main event today.

All four quarterfinal bouts in the 2025 New Japan Cup tournament are also set for today’s show.

On one half of the bracket, Yuya Uemura faces David Finlay, plus Zack Sabre Jr. takes on Taichi. The winners of those bouts will meet in the semifinals on Sunday.

On the other side of the bracket, Shota Umino faces Jeff Cobb, and Shingo Takagi takes on Drilla Moloney. The winner of those matches will square off on Monday’s show in the semifinals.

Four tag team matches fill out today’s undercard from Dolphin’s Arena in Nagoya. The show stream on NJPW World beginning at 4 a.m. Eastern time.

**********

Tag Matches

Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI defeated TMDK (Hartley Jackson & Ryohei Oiwa)

TMDK remained in large part dominant. Eventually, YOSHI-HASHI and Ishii earned a reprieve when Ishii did a sliding lariat. He then followed up with a vertical suplex. Jackson suffered a mighty Brainbuster, providing Ishii with a successful 3-count.

Ishii and Jackson face-offs will forever be entertaining. If you’re looking for a brief collision of meatheads, this opener will satiate that craving.

United Empire (Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan, Jakob Austin Young & TJP) defeated El Phantasmo, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Oleg Boltin & Toru Yano

Tanahashi tagged in a fiery Yano to contend with Khan, but the United Empire flattened the eager competitor and incapacitated his team briefly. Ragdolling Newman, Boltin’s strength found him countered by a dropkick. Phantasmo seemed ready to take out TJP, but his team and United Empire interrupted, with everyone trading finishers. Amid the chaos, TJP secured the pinfall with a Hurricanrana + Rollup combination.

These matches typically boast glimpses of what everyone brings to the table, and this was no exception. Since TJP and Phantasmo had the most impactful action, their chemistry will pay off soon.

House Of Torture (Ren Narita, SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) vs. BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Chase Owens, Gabe Kidd & SANADA) ended in a Draw

The House of Torture and the War Dogs battled before the bell even rang. Kidd managed to bully Narita while Owens had been taken out of action. SANADA put in as little effort as possible. Kidd was left to his own devices until the match ended in a draw. SANADA was last seen walking to the back as the House of Torture continued picking Kidd apart.

This would’ve been a complete nothingburger, if not for plot advancement for SANADA’s desertion and the House of Torture’s ruthlessness in their unforgiving numbers game.

Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, Tetsuya Naito & Yota Tsuji) defeated House Of Torture (Dick Togo, EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi)

With his teammates incapacitated, Naito kept Takahashi at bay before BUSHI suffered a combined effort from Togo and EVIL. Tsuji became the equalizer, until the numbers overwhelmed and he met the fate of the team’s Dick-to-Dick Contact. EVIL distracted the referee while Togo choked Tsuji out, leaving Naito and BUSHI to clear the field. Togo poked Tsuji in the eyes, but it wasn’t enough to stop him from a Gene Blaster. This gave Tsuji the 3-count victory for LIJ, but EVIL got his last licks in after the bell.

While not advancing current storylines, this six-man tag justified itself with an admittedly entertaining affair. The House of Torture’s strength the past few years has been in matches that lead to the babyfaces in singles and team action getting the better of them despite the numbers game while remaining satisfying enough to have meat on the bone of the match structure.

New Japan Cup Quarter Finals

Shingo Takagi defeated Drilla Moloney

Moloney fired off, matching Takagi’s tenacious intensity. Running at each other like a freight train, stopped only by a Spinebuster. Takagi snuck in a brief babyface comeback after surviving a Drilla Killa, but suffered a Gore. On the outside, Takagi afflicted Moloney with a Death Valley Drop, leaving the War Dog to clutch his ribs. Back in the ring, the opponents traded barbs until Takagi landed a Pumping Bomber and escaping another Drilla Killa for a Sliding Bomber. A Burning Dragon saw Takagi stand victorious.

An exceptional follow-up to Moloney’s singles win over Takagi at New Beginning in Osaka. The War Dog sold like his life depended on it and made his inevitable defeat all the more believable while leaving room for more.

Shota Umino defeated Jeff Cob

Umino began hte match spry yet wary. Cobb, however, used the same technique plus his power to overcome. He rode Umino’s back as a surfboard to further mock him. Struggling to lift Cobb, Umino instead had to rely on quick instincts. A Spin Cycle momentarily dazed Umino, but he landed a Tornado DDT to spare him a moment to breathe. Cobb nearly won the match with an F-5000. Cobb hit a nasty lariat and Umino later repaid with him one of his own. A Second Chapter eventually gave Umino the win.

The crowd was into this match, so much so that I had a hard time hearing Walker Stewart announce the finisher. There’s a connection with Umino and the live crowd. However, this match moved at a slower pace than Cobb’s exciting match with Tetsuya Naito on March 14. That said, whatever Cobb’s next moves are contractually, he’s making a great case for himself. And credit where credit is deserved, Umino worked hard for that closing stretch to be as resonant as it was.

David Finlay defeated Yuya Uemura

Uemura started off hot, matching Finlay’s moves with his own dynamic prowess, but lay stunned after a Russian Leg Sweep. Uemura swung the match back in his favor with an extended armbar. On the outside, Finlay drove Uemura’s body into the barricade. Folllowing an inside cradle, Uemura fought back with a bridge suplex but was met with a Backbreaker. Frantically searching for their finishers, trading them to a high favor of the crowd, Finlay ended the match with an Overkill, securing the pinfall.

— Post-match: SANADA briskly walked past Finlay, ignoring him, and attacked Uemura before leaving. Puzzled, Gedo and Finlay watched and made their way to the back.

Finlay and Uemura had the first highlight of the night. Dominating Uemura in the early half, he left enough hope that Uemura may eke out a victory. The closing stretch featured “edge-of-your-seat” action that made each pinfall attempt so heart-pounding.

Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Taichi

Sabre Jr. urged a heavily reluctant Taichi to battle. Hesitant due to his personal relationship with Sabre and his tainted victory over Gabe Kidd the night before, Taichi steeled himself for a mad frenzy of spots with Sabre Jr. Driving the TMDK frontman into the steel barricades, Taichi was tempted by chairs and further weaponry. It was clear his mind was not in the right headspace. Fighting out of his personal foibles, Taichi kicked Sabre Jr. to the mat and ripped off his long pants. Sabre Jr. wrenched in his own comeback with kicks of his own. Now on the same page, the former tag team partners exchanged kicks, with Taichi cracking Sabre Jr.’s chest. Choking the life out of Sabre Jr., Taichi unrelented, save only for a rope break.

Sabre Jr. used a burst of energy to drop Taichi with a Sabre Driver, providing little yet enough time to catch his breath. Taichi’s Black Mephisto nearly ended the match, as did a Dangerous Backdrop. Taichi sat unfazed before collapsing after Sabre Jr. dropped him with a Gotch-style Piledriver. Sabre Jr. worked Taichi’s legs with excruciating holds. Taichi crushed Sabre Jr. with a Black Mephisto but the leg work incurred by his opponent prevented capitalization. Once more trading kicks, Taichi gained the upper-hand as he threw everything he could into each one. Just when Taichi’s kicks were giving him an advantage, Sabre Jr. quickly trounced him with a Gedo Clutch + Bridging Pin for the victory.

— Post-match: Sabre Jr. and Taichi embraced before a somber, bittersweet Taichi bowed humbly to the crowd.

While being an emotional reunion, Taichi came off as a main character here. Moreover, I’m left with hope again that the Dangerous Tekkers may reunite as tag team members once more. Win or lose, this meant so much to Taichi’s character, with Sabre Jr. pulling him into more confident territory.

Main Event

Hirooki Goto (c) defeated Yuji Nagata for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship

Nagata had control in the early goings, but Goto remained strong. He worked Blue Justice’s leg after recuperating on the outside. A Wrist-Clutch Exploder of Justice returned favor of the match in Nagata’s direction. A backdrop by Nagata left Goto weak, but unwilling to take the pin. The champion rose, meeting the challenger with a deadly lariat. Goto employed a GTR, but couldn’t keep Nagata down. The pair traded forearms until Goto used a series of headbutts to bring Nagata to the mat repeatedly. Briefly battling to flip the other over, Goto succeeded with a Shouten Kai. Nagata staggered after a lariat and ultimately fell to Goto’s GTR to finish the match.

A surprisingly short, yet thrilling conclusion to the evening. Nagata’s performance, albeit slower than his younger days, carried an energy that only a sprint like this could do. Goto sold everything to make Nagata a threat, adding an emotional layer—could Blue Justice do it? In the twilight of his career, matches like these make all the difference to conclude such a legacy.

A solid evening, but the must-see matches were definitely Finlay vs Uemura, Taichi vs Sabre Jr, and the World Heavyweight Championship Match. The final two bouts were laced with emotion and passion, the kind that leaves NJPW as the destination for art in wrestling.

Quarterfinals set for New Japan Cup 2025

Posted on by Joseph Currier

New Japan Cup 2025 is down to its final eight competitors.

The tournament continued on Friday with a show in Osaka at Kanaoka Park Gymnasium. In the main event, Jeff Cobb advanced to the quarterfinals with a victory over Tetsuya Naito. There were also wins for Shingo Takagi and Drilla Moloney that eliminated Oleg Boltin and TJP from contention.

All four quarterfinal matchups will take place in Aichi tomorrow (Saturday, March 15). They are:

  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Taichi
  • David Finlay vs. Yuya Uemura
  • Shingo Takagi vs. Drilla Moloney
  • Jeff Cobb vs. Shota Umino

The tournament runs through March 20 with the winner set to receive an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship shot at Sakura Genesis on April 5.

Though Cobb is still in contention for that title shot, there are rumors that he could be headed to WWE soon. Cobb played on those rumors before today’s show in a tweet promoting his match:

Hirooki Goto, the current IWGP World Champion, has a title defense against Yuji Nagata at tomorrow’s New Japan Cup show.

New Japan Cup live results: Four tournament matches

Posted on by Corey Michaels

Let’s try this again.

After Friday’s New Japan Cup show was unable to proceed as scheduled due to a broken ring post, tonight’s show will now feature the tournament kickoff with four first round matches set.

In the main event, Gabe Kidd faces Ren Narita. The winner advances to round two on March 12 to face Taichi, the beneficiary of a first round bye.

In the semi-main, Chase Owens will do battle with Ryohei Oiwa, with the winner moving on to face former IWGP World Champion Zack Sabre Jr. on March 11 in round two.

Originally slated for Friday’s event, Yota Tsuji takes on EVIL on today’s show. The winner will face David Finlay on March 11, with Finlay also receiving a bye.

Yuya Uemura will face SANADA in today’s remaining tournament match, with the winner taking on YOSHI-HASHI on the March 11 card.

Three tag matches fill out today’s undercard, with a Katsuya Murashima vs. Daiki Nagai Young Lions showcase set for the pre-show.

**********

Tag Matches

TenKoji (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima), Tiger Mask & Yuji Nagata defeated Hirooki Goto, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomoaki Honma & Toru Yano

Legends clashed in mighty fashion, with Nagata’s team hampered by Goto’s. Tanahashi’s heroics were thwarted by a wily combination of Kojima and Tenzan. Honma nearly ended the match with a Rocket Kokeshi to Nagata. With a Backdrop landing a resounding thud, Nagata earned the pinfall.

El Desperado, El Phantasmo & Jado defeated United Empire (Great-O-Khan, Jakob Austin Young & Jeff Cobb)

Khan held the opposing team at bay, with special harmful treatment focused on Jado. Young and Cobb continued this, but when Khan returned to the ring, Jado earned a reprieve with a lariat. Phantasmo, dispatching each active United Empire member in the match, nearly ended the match with a middle-rope moonsault to no avail.

Desperado sought to counter the newly legal Young, only to be met with the American’s spry offense and additional reinforcement by Cobb. On the cusp of victory, Young nearly tapped Desperado out with a submission hold. Desperado evaded this, and Young succumbed to the Junior Heavyweight Champion’s Numero Dos.

— Clark Connors promo video threatened Desperado as he challenged him to a hardcore match with a venue and date yet to be announced.

United Empire (Callum Newman & Francesco Akira) defeated Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI & Tetsuya Naito)

Newman began the match in excellent form, leaving Naito prone, setting Akira up for a dropkick. Naito battled out, targeting the neck of Akira, who was still feeling the knee issues from the 53rd Anniversary Show. BUSHI struggled against the high-flying antics of Akira, but was saved by Naito. BUSHI attempted to wear down Akira, punctuating his sequence with a roll-up, but Akira reversed it into one of his own for the win.

New Japan Cup: First Round

Yuya Uemura defeated SANADA

SANADA initially maintained control, but Uemura reversed his mat-work with some of his own, twisting and spinning for extra torque. Through the crowd, SANADA slowly regained momentum, using the environment to his advantage. Back in the ring, however, Uemura’s comebacks flashed into fruition courtesy of an arm drag + chest chop combination.

This renewed vigor ran out of steam, capitalized by a dropkick to the outside barricades by an arrogant SANADA. A spirited Uemura staggered but endured SANADA’s Skull End. Attempting a top rope moonsault, SANADA suffered from Uemura’s knees at the last second. Hoping for a dive on a prone SANADA, Uemura’s aspirations were thwarted by his opponent snatching the ref as Taiji Ishimori toppled him off the top rope. Taichi chased Ishimori away. Springing himself off of the middle rope, Uemura hit a Superman Pin on SANADA, gaining the first win of the New Japan Cup’s first round.

Every so often, SANADA teases his babyface attitude of the past. These small flourishes add a nice layer of detail. Contrasted by the dynamic and exciting style of Uemura, they executed this perfectly. Where he goes from here after this victory, I’d like to see. Hoping for a final round.

EVIL defeated Yota Tsuji

EVIL interrupted Tsuji’s entrance, smashing him against the barricades and tossing the referee across the ring. Dick Togo joined him in stomping Tsuji. He fired back, slamming both men and tossing himself on top of their stacked bodies. Tsuji dragged himself out of EVIL’s Texas Cloverleaf, extending it shortly after a rope break. Tsuji mounted a comeback, shifting the momentum with a sound headbutt.

Tsuji aimed for a Gene Blaster, but Dick Togo shoved referee Marty Asami into his path and threw powder into his face. EVIL gloated as Tsuji was left reeling. He finished the match with Everything is Evil as Tsuji helplessly lay beneath him.

Deflating. Not that this was an exciting match; it had no narrative other than EVIL doing his usual schtick. At least we got this out of the way.

Ryohei Oiwa defeated Chase Owens

Owens did not appreciate Oiwa’s playful nature in the opening lock-up, and attempted a low-blow during a second lock-up. Oiwa held onto Owens with a series of headlocks and wristlocks, but the BULLET CLUB member sent him to the outside where he had better luck. A Jewel Heist back in the ring kept the trajectory of the match in his favor. Evoking the style of TMDK teammate Zack Sabre Jr., Oiwa slammed Owens to the ring apron and stretched him on the ring post.

Owens angered Oiwa by an admittedly impressive projectile spit, causing him to momentarily lose focus. He could only capitalize on it for so long, as Oiwa met him with a nasty lariat. Oiwa narrowly escaped a package piledriver, positioned so threateningly. Transitioning into a wristlock, a determined Oiwa tapped Owens out for the win.

I need every subsequent Owens match in this tournament to be as brief as possible. Oiwa deserves better. Credit to him for making the most of this match.

Gabe Kidd defeated Ren Narita

Narita attempted to ambush Kidd en route to the ring, but was unsuccessful. Kidd’s offense, unforgiving and blunt, left the House of Torture member stunned. Brawling into the first row seats, Narita gained the upper-hand with benefit of the environment. They even made it into the halls of Korakuen Hall. Kidd regained control, slamming Narita into the barricade. A child handed a grateful Kidd a can of alcohol.

Borrowing chairs from the east side’s ground floor crowd, Kidd nearly dropped Narita on its strewn contents had SHO not distracted him. Narita intercepted a sprinting Kidd, flipping him over onto the steel of them and followed with another flip onto the wreckage. Back in the ring, Narita wrapped Kidd’s neck with his legs, letting go a few seconds after the resulting rope break. Tossing Kidd into the English commentary area, precariously close to Chris Charlton.

The war returned to the ring, resurrecting Kidd who yanked control of the match. Subjecting Narita’s chest to the terrors of his chops, a spiteful Kidd bullied and flipped Narita onto the cerulean square. Capitalizing on this, he sought a moonsault but it bore no fruit, much to his frustration. Narita’s top rope Hell’s Guillotine all but ended Kidd. Believing Narita to be in sight, he threw a lariat but landed it on referee Red Shoes Umino, courtesy of Narita’s shenanigans. Narita took advantage of this distraction with his push-up bar. House of Torture flocked to the ring, bloodying and assaulting Kidd’s lifeless body. War Dogs came to Kidd’s aid dragging away Narita’s stablemates. Hoping for one more strike from his bar, Kidd met him instead with a slap so strong that it flattened Narita. Kneeing Narita in the face, Kidd then proceeded with two Piledrivers for the win.

Strongest when Kidd was in control, the babyface treatment of Kidd continued. Korakuen Hall was fully behind the War Dog. Using that sparingly added excitement to the proceedings. Rather than being bored by House of Torture’s typical fare, I anxiously rooted for Kidd to put an end to Narita. While Kidd was the star of the match, Narita showed brilliant glimpses of how he’d thrive without the House of Torture.

This (real) first night was a mixed-bag. The tag matches added the right amount of anticipation for upcoming storylines and teases of future New Japan Cup matches. One would be forgiven for watching only Yuya Uemura vs SANADA, but Gabe Kidd vs Ren Narita will undoubtedly satisfy fans of the War Dog, whose stock has continued to grow post-Kenny Omega. Narita himself actually put on a solid performance as well.

Most importantly, we actually got wrestling tonight.

NJPW cancels New Japan Cup night one card due to broken ring post

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Night one of New Japan Cup 2025 didn’t exactly go as planned.

The tournament was scheduled to begin with its first matches taking place on Friday, but that didn’t end up happening. NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi appeared at the start of the show and announced that, due to a ring post breaking while the ring was being set up, there would be no matches today. Tickets for the show are being refunded, but NJPW still presented a talk show with stars from the promotion appearing.

“Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Due to a broken ring post tonight’s event in Korakuen Hall has been forced to be canceled,” NJPW wrote. “A talk show will take place in place of matches, with tickets to be refunded. NJPW deeply apologizes for the abrupt cancelation of tonight’s event and the disappointment and inconvenience caused.”

Yota Tsuji vs. EVIL and Yuya Uemura vs. SANADA were set to be today’s tournament matches. Those bouts will now happen tomorrow (March 8) in addition to the Gabe Kidd vs. Ren Narita and Ryohei Oiwa vs. Chase Owens matches that were already scheduled. A different ring will be used for tomorrow’s show.

New Japan Cup 2025 runs through March 20 with the winner receiving an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship shot in the main event of Sakura Genesis on April 5. Hirooki Goto is the current champion.

New Japan Cup night one live results: Matches canceled due to ring issue

Posted on by Corey Michaels

The 2025 New Japan Cup kicks off today with two opening round matches in the single-elimination tournament.

In the main event, EVIL will face Yota Tsuji in a Bullet Club House of Torture vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon battle. The winner will advance to a matchup against David Finlay on the March 11 event.

Yuya Uemura faces SANADA in the semi-main in the night’s only other tournament bout. The winner will move on to face YOSHI-HASHI in the second round on March 11.

Finlay, YOSHI-HASHI, Zack Sabre Jr., Taichi, Shingo Takagi, TJP, Jeff Cobb, and Shota Umino were all awarded first round byes in this year’s 24-man tournament.

The eventual New Japan Cup winner will challenge the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion at Sakura Genesis on April 5 in the main event of that show. Hirooki Goto currently holds the IWGP World title, but must defend it on March 15 against Yuji Nagata.

Five tag team matches fill out today’s undercard. The show streams live from Korakuen Hall beginning at 4:30 AM Eastern time.

**********

Special Announcement from President Hiroshi Tanahashi

Tanahashi addressed the Korakuen Hall tonight in full entrance gear. Thanking the crowd for their time, Tanahashi announced that the matches for the New Japan Cup as advertised were cancelled. Due to a broken ring post, the matches tonight couldn’t proceed as planned, for wrestler and crew safety. Members of the roster entered the ring to greet the crowd.

TAKA Michinoku and Yuya Uemura appear

Michinoku briefly addressed the crowd before leaving them with Uemura. Decked out in full gear and unsure what else to do, Uemura smiled and waved as he greeted the Tokyo crowd and left.

Hartley Jackson and Ryohei Oiwa appear

Jackson jokingly professed he broke the ring with his weight. Oiwa agreed, to which Jackson raised his can of beer. Thanking the audience for their time, the TMDK members removed their shirts and left; Hartley built up to his disrobing.

Francesco Akira, Jeff Cobb, Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman, and Jakob Austin Young appear

Khan thanked the crowd for their time, but shifted blame from Jackson to himself, due to his great love and spirit for the NJPW ring. Akira broke up Khan’s speech, declaring that the United Empire should do their “official” pose, essentially being the Ginyu Force team pose from the anime, “Dragon Ball Z.” They repeated this pose to several angles for the crowd. Cobb concluded this by slamming Young to the mat and helping him back up. Akira politely held the imaginary ropes open for his teammates so they could exit the ring.

The crowd got their money’s worth with the Dragon Ball Z reference. And now I want any and every subsequent speech tonight to have someone taking the blame way from someone else and onto themselves for the ring post’s current status.

Los Ingobernables de Japon appear

LIJ emerged, with Hiromu Takahashi and Yota Tsuji still adorned in full gear. BUSHI invasively inspected the broken ring post, tapped it lovingly, and took a photo of it. Thanking the crowd, the team said no more. Naito and BUSHI did their signature poses, while Takahashi and Tsuji held aloft their IWGP Tag Team Championship and IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship respectively.

BULLET CLUB War Dogs appear

Gedo boasted the War Dogs’s dominance and told the Korakuen Hall audience to hurry up and take their photos and leave. That was it.

Hiroshi Tanahashi reappeared

Main event Tanahashi addressed the crowd once more. With 40 minutes left to broadcast, The Ace took the time to call out Toru Yano. Yano excitedly entered the ring. He was then followed in succession by Hirooki Goto, El Desperado, El Phantasmo, and Jado.

Phantasmo asked if Desperado wanted to kiss, to which the latter became extremely bashful. Tanahashi then ordered them to kiss, further adding shyness to the grinning Desperado. They obliged, and Phantasmo proceeded to kiss Tanahashi and earned a peck on the cheek by Goto. Yano had sneakily fled to the audience, so Phantasmo searched him out and they kissed within the Korakuen Hall crowd.

Yuji Nagata, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, and Tiger Mask appear

The tone changed when Nagata addressed his ucoming match with Goto on the 15th. Tenzan, Kojima, and Tiger Mask then lightened the mood with their brief speeches.

Sit-down with Nagata, Tanahashi, and Goto

An audience member asked how Goto’s children reacted to his title win. He responded that they fell asleep at the television by the time of Goto’s match.

Nagata told stories of previous IWGP World Heavyweight Championship matches.

Goto mentioned that their upcoming match is a full-circle moment for him, as he used to carry Nagata’s bags as a younger wrestler.

Honestly, this was a relaxing two hours of non-wrestling fun with the NJPW roster. This may go on record as one of the most wholesome nights of the company. Seeing everyone peel back and have a good time was refreshing. I like how some wrestlers remained in full gear, either planned or unplanned. The crowd getting to see them in wrestling form without actually wrestling was undoubtedly a treat considering the unexpected circumstances. Send them home happy.

NJPW reveals bracket for New Japan Cup 2025

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The full field has been revealed for New Japan Cup 2025, a tournament where the winner receives an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship shot.

In total, the tournament consists of 24 entrants. Sixteen of those wrestlers have to compete in first-round matchups, while the other eight participants have randomly been selected to receive a first-round bye. David Finlay, YOSHI-HASHI, Zack Sabre Jr., Taichi, Shota Umino, Jeff Cobb, TJP, and Shingo Takagi are the wrestlers getting byes.

Here is the full bracket:

Left side —

  • Yota Tsuji vs. EVIL (winner faces David Finlay in next round)
  • Yuya Uemura vs. SANADA (winner faces YOSHI-HASHI in next round)
  • Ryohei Oiwa vs. Chase Owens (winner faces Zack Sabre Jr. in next round)
  • Gabe Kidd vs. Ren Narita (winner faces Taichi in next round)

Right side —

  • El Phantasmo vs. Great-O-Khan (winner faces Shota Umino in next round)
  • Tetsuya Naito vs. Callum Newman (winner faces Jeff Cobb in next round)
  • Tomohiro Ishii vs. Drilla Moloney (winner faces TJP in next round)
  • Oleg Boltin vs. Bad Luck Fale (winner faces Shingo Takagi in next round)

The tournament begins on March 7 and runs through March 20. At Sakura Genesis on April 5, the winner gets their match for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Hirooki Goto — the newly crowned IWGP World Heavyweight Champion — has one title defense before Sakura Genesis, facing Hiroshi Tanahashi at NJPW’s 53rd Anniversary show in March.