The NJPW Cup 2020 has its final four and that four is dominated by the Los Ingobernables de Japon stable.
Hiromu Takahashi, Evil, Kazuchika Okada and Sanada will all compete in the semi-finals which will air tomorrow.
Hiromu Takahashi will face Kazuchika Okada and in a battle of not only Los Ingobernables de Japon stablemates but two-time IWGP Tag Team Champions and two-time World Tag League Champions, tag partners Evil and Sanada will fight each other.
The finals will take place on July 11 with the winner taking on Tetsuya Naito for both the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships on July 12th.
A reminder that tomorrow’s NJPW Cup broadcast is absolutely free. It begins at 6:00 AM ET on New Japan World.
Tomohiro Ishii versus Hiromu Takahashi (IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion) – NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 QUARTER FINAL
Ishii wants to make sure the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion is paying attention. Courtesy: NJPW.
Most of the match consists of Hiromu getting the crap kicked out of him. When Hiromu’s strength fails, he goes back to his tried and true agility. Ishii still drives him to the mat like a small child. Hiromu gives it a good try but he cannot match Ishii in a chopping marathon. Hiromu keeps getting up smiling asking for more punishment. He won’t stay down. Ishii absorbs a nasty shotgun drop kick, flipping over in the air, landing on his feet, to send Hiromu flying into a corner with a shoulder tackle. Ishii kicks out of a Time Bomb.
Hiromu survives the 30 minute encounter by pinning Ishii with two Time Bombs in a row.
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi
Match Rating: 4 / 5
YOSHI-HASHI versus Evil – NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 QUARTER FINAL
Evil adjusts Yoshi-Hashi’s talocrural joint. Courtesy: NJPW.
Yoshi-Hashi looks like he is limping as he enters the ring. As Yoshi poses for the cameras Evil hits him so hard in the back with a steel chair the seat breaks off. Evil puts Yoshi’s ankle in a chair and stomps on it then smashes the chair with another chair numerous times before the official steps in. Yoshi lays on the mat clutching his leg and ankle while the official checks on him. He asks to continue the match so the bell rings. Big mistake. Within minutes, Evil slaps on the Scorpion Deathlock and Yoshi submits.
Winner: Evil
Match Rating: 1 / 5
Yuya Uemura, Sho and Hirooki Goto versus Bushi, Shingo Takagi and Tetsuya Naito
The cleaning crew goes to work between matches. Courtesy: NJPW.
As the battle rages on the floor, Bushi pins Uemura with MX.
Winners: Bushi, Shingo Takagi and Tetsuya Naito
Match Rating: 3 / 5
Kazuchika Okada versus Taiji Ishimori -NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 QUARTER FINAL
Ishimori gives Okada a run for his money but there is no denying the experience of a five-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Okada survives the Yes! Lock to Tombstone Piledrive Ishimori and lock on the Cobra Clutch. Gedo jumps on the apron. Okada flips Ishimori over but Ishimori holds onto the official arm dragging him across the ring. Ishimori taps out to the Cobra Clutch. There is no official to see him do so though. Gedo attacks Okada breaking up the hold. A shotgun drop kick from Okada prevents Gedo from using a pair of brass knuckles. Ishimori passes out to the Cobra Clutch.
Winner: Kazuchika Okada
Match Rating: 4 / 5
Sanada versus Taichi – NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 QUARTER FINAL
Taichi get some help from a ringside barrier. Courtesy: NJPW.
Both men are without their Suzuki-gun and Los Ingobernables de Japon brethren and are very cautious in starting the match. Taichi takes the match to the floor smashing Sanada’s head off some bleachers, choking him with a safety rail and ramming his shoulder into a steel post. Red Shoes refuses to count the pinfall so Taichi begins to choke Sanada in defiance.
Sanada fires back minutes later smashing Taichi’s throat off a ringside barrier and putting him into a Paradise Lock in the ropes. Sanada and Red Shoes both refuse to free Taichi.
Sanada heads to the top rope. Yoshinobu Kanemaru interferes leaping up onto the apron. Kanemaru rakes Sanada’s eyes. Taichi kicks him in the “lower abdomen”. Sanada shoves Taichi into Kanemaru. Kanemaru is knocked off the apron. Sanada rolls up Taichi for the win.
Winner: Sanada
Match Rating: 4 / 5
NJPW CUP 2020 - Night Seven
Summary
We could have done without the tag match, it really didn’t serve much of a purpose, however, the rest of the matches showed why when it comes to actual match structure, match booking, nobody touches NJPW.
