Tag: njpw cup 2026

Tomohiro Ishii out of NJPW Cup tournament due to neck injury

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Tomohiro Ishii is out of the NJPW Cup.

NJPW announced on their website that Ishii will be out for the duration of the tour and will be replaced by Satoshi Kojima. Ishii originally had a bye in the tournament and was set to face the winner of the match between Ren Narita and Taichi on March 12.

“Tomohiro Ishii, who was scheduled to wrestle in the New Japan Cup this month after a first round bye, has sustained a neck injury and will be absent for the duration of the tour. We apologise to fans looking forward to seeing Ishii wrestle and appreciate your understanding. Satoshi Kojima will substitute for Ishii during the New Japan Cup tournament, and will face the winner of Ren Narita and Taichi in round two on March 12 in Takamatsu. NJPW joins fans in wishing Ishii a speedy, full recovery,” they wrote.

Ishii wrestled this past Friday, dropping the NJPW Strong Openweight title to Boltin Oleg. He had previously been out of action in October after suffering a dislocated right shoulder while wrestling for AEW, but returned at Wrestle Kingdom 20 as part of the multi-team Ranbo match for the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team titles.

Dates & locations revealed for 2026 NJPW Cup tournament

Posted on by Bryan Rose

NJPW has revealed dates and locations for the upcoming New Japan Cup tournament.

The company announced on their website that the 2026 tournament will begin on March 4 at Korakuen Hall and will run through March 21 at Aore Nagoka in Niigata. Tickets for these shows will start going on sale next month, with general sales starting late in January.

Here is the full schedule for the single-elimination tournament:

  • March 4 at Korakuen Hall
  • March 5 at Korakuen Hall
  • March 8 at Baycom Gymnasium in Hyogo
  • March 10 at Shigeto Arena in Okayama
  • March 12 at Takamatsu City Gymnasium in Kagawa
  • March 13 at Kanaoka Park Gymnasium in Osaka
  • March 14 at Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena in Aichi
  • March 15 at I-Messe Yamanashi in Yamanashi
  • March 17 at Big Palette Fukushima in Fukushima
  • March 20 at Aore Nagoka in Niigata
  • March 21 at Aore Nagoka in Niigata

2025 saw David Finlay win the 24-man tournament, defeating Shota Umino in the finals. He would go on to challenge IWGP World Champion Hirooki Goto in a losing effort at Sakura Genesis the following month.