It will be Hirooki Goto against Yota Tsuji in the finals of the New Japan Cup this Wednesday.
Riding a wave of popularity and success in the squared circle Tsuji defeated Evil to reach the finals in one of the most chaotic NJPW matches in some time. With the lights still down for Evil’s entrance Tsuji leaped through the ropes onto Evil before he had the chance to take off his entrance gear. Dick Togo came to Evil’s aid but received a backbreaker on the floor for his efforts.
Evil whips Tsuji into barricade after barricade before the House of Torture floods the ring swarming Tsuji. The crowd boos and boos the six-on-one attack. LIJ races down to even the odds, well, make it six versus three.
The official calls for the bell and rules the match a No Contest. The fans are not happy. They boo House of Torture and the officials. Tsuji takes to the microphone as officials come to the ring to discuss the situation. He says: “This is New Japan Pro-Wrestling. It will not end like this!”.
Red Shoes directs the House of Torture traffic. Courtesy: New Japan World.
An official demands that LIJ and the House of Torture leave the ring. Red Shoes is at the entranceway making sure they all file out.
The officials call for the match to be restarted and it is. The match quickly heads to the floor where Evil whips Tsuji into the barricade which in turn knocks over the announce desk.
Tsuji is thrown into an exposed turnbuckle, hit with a clothesline and then dropped with a Fisherman’s Suplex. Evil doesn’t pin Tsuji. He lifts him up before the count of three is delivered. Tsuji kicks out of Darkness Falls. Tsuji ducks out of the way and Evil runs into the exposed buckle. Tsuji superkicks him in the face.
Evil pulls the official in the way as Tsuji delivers his top rope flying leg drop. The House of Torture returns to the ring. They attack Tsuji. LIJ does what they can but they are outnumbered even if one of those numbers against them is weeny Jack Perry.
A new official arrives. The House leaves the ring. Tsuji kicks out of Evil’s running clothesline. As he is sent round for Everything is Evil, Tsuji flips onto his feet, head butts Evil and hits a Fireman’s Carry slam. Dick Togo takes a running knee smash for Evil. Evil punches Tsuji in the “lower abdomen” from behind then throws him into the official knocking him to the floor.
Narita is about to hit Tsuji with his workout bar but Shingo Takagi steps in the way. It is Pumping Bombers for the House of Torture. Shingo and Hiromu double-team Evil. Bushi spits his mist in Evil’s face. The crowd goes insane. Shingo drops him with another Pumping Bomber. Tsuji spears Evil for the win.
In their semi-final match Hirooki Goto scored what has to be considered an upset over the longest-reigning IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Sanada. Goto received a bye into this round after David Finlay has to leave the tournament due to illness. Goto hit one GTR but Sanada kicked out. He hit it again for the win.
Here are your New Japan Cup finalists. Courtesy: New Japan World.
Tsuji came out to confront Goto after the match.
The winner of the New Japan Cup tournament will face Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
New Japan Cup Night 11 Results
Shoma Kato and Boltin Oleg vs TMDK (Mikey Nicholls and Zack Sabre Jr)
Sabre makes Kato submit to a front chancery.
Winners: TMDK (Mikey Nicholls and Zack Sabre Jr)
El Desperado, Togi Makabe and Tomohiro Ishii vs Just Five Guys (DOUKI, Yuya Uemura and Taichi)
Uemura makes Makabe submit to a cross arm breaker. Wow. NJPW is really jobbing out its older talent. Ishii and Taichi get into it after the match. They start brawling on the floor hitting each other with punches and forearms. Young Lions have to separate them.
Winners: Just Five Guys (DOUKI, Yuya Uemura and Taichi)
Ryusuke Taguchi and Tanga Loa vs United Empire (Callum Newman and Great-O-Khan)
Newman submits to Loa’s crossface.
Winners: Ryusuke Taguchi and Tanga Loa
Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Toru Yano and YOSHI-HASHI vs BULLET CLUB (Chase Owens, KENTA and Gabe Kidd)
Kenta hits Tenzan with a belt in the head. He pounds on Tenzan after the bell rings. Bullet Club puts the boots and fists to Hashi.
Winners: BULLET CLUB (Chase Owens, KENTA and Gabe Kidd)
YOH, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo and Shota Umino vs HOUSE OF TORTURE (Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Yujiro Takahashi, Jack Perry and Ren Narita)
A kid becomes part of the action. Courtesy: New Japan World.
Umino makes Yujiro submit. Yoh steals Kanemaru’s whiskey and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. As Kanemaru chases Yoh they have to dodge a young kid who has wandered in their way.
Winners: YOH, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo and Shota Umino
Los Ingobernables De Japon (BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi and Tetsuya Naito) vs United Empire (Francesco Akira, TJP and Jeff Cobb)
Hiromu rolls up Akira with his “Hiromu Roll”.
Winners: Los Ingobernables De Japon (BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi and Tetsuya Naito)
Yota Tsuji vs EVIL – New Japan Cup Semifinal Match
Winner: No Contest
Yota Tsuji vs EVIL – New Japan Cup Semifinal Match
Winner: Yota Tsuji
Hirooki Goto vs SANADA – New Japan Cup Semifinal Match
Winner: Hirooki Goto