Day three of the New Japan Cup took place this morning and the main event continued Yuya Uemura’s disappointing start to 2024.
Before we got to the main event Hikuleo and Gabe Kidd advanced to the second round, eliminating Boltin Oleg and Callum Newman respectively.
Shingo Takagi defeated Uemura to close the show and Takagi now heads into the second round to face Kidd.
The match began with both men testing each other’s strength and some chain wrestling. Things picked up when Uemura delivered three arm drags and a hip toss, he then began to focus on Takagi’s left arm. Takagi battled back by dropping Uemura from a backpack position, he continued with a back elbow and lariat. Things now spilled to the outside where Takagi repeatedly threw Uemura into the steel barricade and then slammed Uemura’s head into the ring apron.
Back in the ring, Takagi drove knees into Uemura’s mid-section and sent Uemura into the mat with a shoulder tackle followed by a suplex. Takagi then dropped a senton and locked in the STF, but Uemura reached the ropes. Uemura now embarked on a comeback beginning with a springboard crossbody, a dropkick and a back suplex. He was now back on Takagi’s left arm spiking it into the mat and locking in a wrist lock.
Pumping Bomber. Credit: NJPW
The hold was eventually broken and Uemura responded with chops and driving Takagi’s head into the turnbuckle. However, all that did was fire up Takagi and he dropped Uemura with a DDT. He then hit a corner clothesline before placing Uemura on the top rope to deliver a superplex into the middle of the ring. Takagi next went for Made in Japan, but Uemura blocked and both men were now trading chops in the centre of the ring.
Following this exchange, Uemura hit Takagi with a German suplex and a dragon suplex. He then delivered a running dropkick and a side slam before attempting the Deadbolt Suplex, but Takagi blocked and sent Uemura flying with a belly-to-belly. Takagi now connected with a Pumping Bomber and Made in Japan, but Uemura somehow kicked out. Uemura now hit an enzigiri, a hurricanrana and locked in a cross-arm breaker, but Takagi got his foot on the ropes.
Takagi heading to round 2. Credit: NJPW
Uemura then delivered a headbutt and went for his finish again, but Takagi fought his way out and delivered a Pumping Bomber to Uemura’s back. Takagi now power-bombed Uemura before hitting his best Pumping Bomber of the match. Takagi then finished Uemura off with a Last of the Dragon to get the victory and advance to round 2.
Confirmed Second Round Matches so far:
- Sanada versus Yoshi-Hashi
- Jack Perry versus Toru Yano
- David Finlay versus Tanga Loa
- Chase Owens versus Hirooki Goto
- EVIL versus Hikuleo
- Gabe Kidd versus Shingo Takagi
New Japan Cup 2024 Night 3 Results
Ryusuke Taguchi, Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto vs. Bullet Club (Gedo, Chase Owens, KENTA & David Finlay)
Bishamon worked together to hit Gedo with Shoto and get the victory.
Winners: Ryusuke Taguchi, Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto
Tomoaki Honma & El Phantasmo vs. TMDK (Mikey Nicholls & Zack Sabre Jr.)
Nicholls caught Honma with a big clothesline followed by the Mikey Bomb to secure the win.
Winners: TMDK (Mikey Nicholls & Zack Sabre Jr.)
YOH, El Desperado & Shota Umino vs. House of Torture (Dick Togo, Jack Perry & EVIL)
YOH super kicked Togo in the face before dropping him with Direct Drive for the finish.
Winners: YOH, El Desperado & Shota Umino
Just 5 Guys (DOUKI, Taichi & SANADA) vs. House of Torture (Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Yujiro Takahashi & Ren Narita)
DOUKI dove onto Kanemaru so SANADA could lock Takahashi into Skull End to get the win. Taichi launched Narita into the chairs at ringside after the match.
Winners: Just 5 Guys (DOUKI, Taichi & SANADA)
Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, Yota Tsuji & Tetsuya Naito) vs. United Empire (Francesco Akira, TJP, Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb)
Cobb caught BUSHI’s double-knees and reversed him into the Tour of the Islands to get the United Empire the victory.
Winners: United Empire (Francesco Akira, TJP, Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb)
New Japan Cup 2024 1st Round Match: Boltin Oleg vs. Hikuleo
Hikuleo moves on to round 2. Credit: NJPW
Despite an impressive showing from Oleg, it was Hikuleo advancing to the second round following a Godsend.
Winner: Hikuleo
New Japan Cup 2024 1st Round Match: Callum Newman vs. Gabe Kidd
Piledriver. Credit: NJPW
This match adds more to the War Dogs and United Empire feud that has been going on since late last year. Today it was Kidd of the War Dogs knocking off Newman with the Drill a Hole Piledriver.
