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DETAILED PREVIEW OF NEW JAPAN CUP TOURNAMENT KICKING OFF TOMORROW

By Matthew Macklin on 2015-03-04 09:41:47

The first round of the New Japan Cup kicks off on Thursday morning (March 5th) at 19.00 JST in Tokyo at Ota-ward synthesis gymnasium

The New Japan Cup is a single elimination tournament (like the King of the Ring) and has  been known for producing some upsets and a platform for guy’s to be elevated without winning the tournament.  Last year it saw Bad Luck Fale cause some upsets and surprisingly make his way to the final.  This led to Fale getting somewhat of a push and a reign as IWGP Intercontinental championship.  Shelton Benjamin caused an upset last year when he beat one of the favourites, Katsuyori Shibata.  In 2013 Davey Boy Smith Jr took out Shinsuke Nakamura in the first round.  This year the winner has the option to challenge for any title of their choosing, including the NEVER Openweight championship.  All three singles heavyweight champions are therefore not in the tournament.

Kazuchika Okada is the obvious favourite this year as he looks to make his comeback after being thrown into a tail spin after losing to Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom. There is a chance Okada and Tanahashi will meet in the semi finals as it would be fitting for Okada to beat Tanahashi on his way back to the top. However I have a feeling that Kota Ibushi might upset Tanahashi before he can get there, and I think he should.  I would like to see Katsuyori Shibata make it to the final.  Okada winning is very predictable and it would be nice to see them pull off a huge upset and have Ibushi or Shibata win the whole thing.

The card for the first round is:

Jushin Thunder Liger, KUSHIDA, Yohei Komatsu & Jay White vs. Tiger Mask IV, Ryusuke Taguchi, Mascara Dorada & Sho Tanaka

On paper this one looks like a serious amount of fun.  With Dorada having a junior title shot coming up soon he will probably be spotlighted.  The young lions always shine and let’s not forget Liger vs Tiger for the NWA junior title is coming up soon.

First Round Match

YOSHI-HASHI vs Yujiro Takahashi (faces winner of Makabe/Honma)

These two had a really fun match last year for the NEVER title and the crowd really got into YOSHI’s mini push.  Yujiro has been pretty awful in the ring lately and always looks like he is going to kill someone.  Hopefully YOSHI will get the big win here as he is one of the more overlooked talents on the roster that always shows lots of potential.

First Round Match

Togi Makabe vs Tomoaki Honma

This clash of GBH team mates should be an all out war! Honma is fresh off his classic match with Ishii and Makabe has a point to prove now that he’s back from his short illness.  These two might be friends but don’t think it will stop them beating the hell out of each other.  Honma is pro wrestlings greatest underdog and what would it mean if he got his first major singles win over his buddy Makabe? It’s unlikely, but it has to happen sometime.  A Makabe win won’t stop HonmaMania from running wild.

First Round Match

Katsuyori Shibata vs Satoshi Kojima (faces winner of Goto/Nagata)

Shibata needs to win this.  Meiyu Tag’s tag title reign was cut short, so hopefully that means Shibata will go far here.  These two have had great matches in G1 tournaments and Kojima never fails to deliver in these type of matches, and won’t be afraid to give as good as he gets from Shibata.

First Round Match

Hirooki Goto vs Yuji Nagata

There is a strong chance that Meiyu Tag will collide in round two. This one could go either way with Nagata having a recent resurgence. These two haven’t had many recent singles matches, so this one will be fresh at least.  Goto likes to hit hard and as we know, Nagata is as good as anyone even at his age.

Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Manabu Nakanishi & Captain New Japan vs Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiri Ishii & Kazushi Sakuraba

Who the hell knows what to expect here.  That’s all I’ve got.  Hopefully Ishii will forearm Captain into retirement.

First Round Match

Kota Ibushi vs Doc Gallows (faces winner of Tanahashi/Yano)

Ibushi must win.  This however could be the sleeper match of the show as the clash of styles between the two might be interesting.  If Gallows wins it will be a huge mistake, as this tournament should be a tool to propel Ibushi coming off his Wrestle Kingdom momentum.

First Round Match

Tetsuya Naito vs Karl Anderson (faces winner of Okada/Fale)

These are another two guys that have had great tournament matches in the past and are two of NJPW’s best workers that don’t get as much praise as they should.  This one again could go either way, although the winner is likely to put over Okada in the next round.

First Round Match

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Toru Yano

If Yano wins this it will be some sort of miracle. Yano can have a decent serious match when he isn’t goofing around.  This will probably be given some time as it is the semi main event of the card, so it could be surprisingly good.  The outcome isn’t in doubt though.

First Round Match

Kazuchika Okada vs Bad Luck Fale

Okada’s comeback journey has led to this match.  Fale got two straight pins over Okada in tag matches and as a result Okada gained all sorts of sympathy.  Okada has gotten back on track with some wins, but won’t be happy until he defeats the giant Fale.  Fale can be carried to a good match, and Okada is good enough to do so.  Okada will get his win here.

This show will be live and on demand on NJPW World.

 

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