We are halfway through the first round of action in the New Japan Cup, with Night Three airing this evening in Japan, and tomorrow morning in most of the world. It is the most stacked night yet, but the first two nights had their heights as well. In this post, we will break down the first night of action from the 2020 New Japan Cup.
Togi Makabe vs. Yota Tsuji
In one of three bouts that seen Young Lions clash with experienced talent, Tsuji would look to unseat a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion. He showed great offense, but was unable to topple Makabe yet. It was a good way to start the tournament, and we almost believed Tsuji would win on a few occassions. Makabe won using a German Suplex after 8 minutes and 41 seconds of action. 2.75/5 (** 3/4)
Toru Yano vs. Jado
If he’s able to be involved, it’s not a real tournament in New Japan Pro Wrestling without Toru Yano going out and embarrasing someone with comedy antics. His first victim in the New Japan Cup was Jado, and if you enjoy comedy wrestling, this is a great one. However, comedy is incredibly subjective making comedy matches hard to rate. Yano won using a roll up after 9 minutes and 7 seconds of action. The in ring action gets 1/5 (*), but it did make me laugh.
Hiromu Takahashi vs. Tomoaki Honma
Seeing Honma in singles action following his neck injury isn’t the best experience, but the put his all into this match with the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Great back and forth action, and Honma had fans beleving he was going to beat a tournament favorite. Hiromu Takahashi did a lot of the heavy lifting here, got the win, and it was a really good match. Takahashi won with the Time Bomb after 18 minutes and 45 seconds of action. 3.25/5 (*** 1/4)
Tomohiro Ishii vs. El Desperado
This was the first must see match of this years New Japan Cup. Any NJPW purist will talk your ear off about how good Ishii is, but Desperado is almost the Ishii of the juniors. He shines when the spotlight is given, yet spends most of the year in tag matches. They tore the empty arena down in a classic match, which will surely help more eyes get onto Desperado, though Ishii will be the one to face Takahashi in the next round. If you watch any match from Night One, make it this one. Ishii won after 20 minutes and 47 seconds of action with the Vertical Drop Brainbuster. 4/5 (****)
New Japan Cup Night One Has A 2.75 Average
This rating was held down by Yano vs. Jado being less of a match than a comedy segment, but it was a solid enough start to the tournament with a great main event. The New Japan Cup gets better as the weaker options are removed, and matches like Makabe vs. Yano & Ishii vs. Takahashi will make for great matches in Round Two.
What did you think of Night One of the New Japan Cup? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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