Tag: New Japan Cup Winner

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.

NJPW crowns New Japan Cup 2024 winner

Posted on by Joseph Currier

It will be Los Ingobernables de Japon vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon at NJPW Sakura Genesis.

Yota Tsuji is set to challenge his LIJ stablemate Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of Sakura Genesis on Saturday, April 6. The title match was confirmed with Tsuji being crowned the winner of New Japan Cup 2024 on Wednesday.

Tsuji defeated Hirooki Goto in the finals of the tournament. In his promo after the victory, Tsuji declared himself the face of NJPW’s new era and vowed to win the IWGP World Heavyweight title.

Naito was on Japanese commentary for the New Japan Cup finals. He got into the ring for a staredown with Tsuji following the match.

During his run in the New Japan Cup, Tsuji defeated Goto, EVIL, Ren Narita, El Phantasmo, and Jeff Cobb.

This will be the second time Tsuji has ever challenged for the IWGP World Heavyweight title. He lost to then-champion SANADA at Dominion 2023.

Sakura Genesis is taking place from Sumo Hall in Tokyo on April 6.

Less than a week after Sakura Genesis, Naito is facing Jon Moxley in a special singles match at NJPW Windy City Riot in Chicago on Friday, April 12. Naito wants it to be a title match if he’s still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.