The semi-finals of the New Japan Cup are finally here, and only 8 men remain in a field which once featured 32. Hiromu Takahshi, Tomohiro Ishii, EVIL, YOSHI-HASHI, Taiji Ishimori, Kazuchika Okada, SANADA, and Taichi are all that’s left. It’s becoming clear who the finalists will be, with men like YOSHI-HASHI, Ishimori and Taichi having little chance of reaching the finals, while Okada, SANADA, and Takahashi still look like potential winners. How would things pan out?
Hiromu Takahashi vs. Tomohiro Ishii
From the moment the brackets were announced, people knew this would be one that New Japan couldn’t resist doing. Two of the best wrestlers in the company meeting in an open-weight clash. Ishii has long been praised as perhaps the best gatekeeper in wrestling history, as if you can’t have a classic with him? You’re not ready to be at the top of this company.
Takahashi might be undersized compared to most heavyweights, but he makes up for this in his erratic and fast paced movements leading to high impact action. Ishii on the other hand? He more just wants to headbutt people and chop them in the throat.
This match was every bit as good as expected. They would take a breakneck pace from the start, with it quickly becoming the best match of the tournament yet. Heavy strikes, suplexes leaving both men on their necks, submissions, 2.9 kickouts, all the trademarks of something incredible. Ishii would take everything Takahashi had to deliver, and that went in the other direction too. After 19 minutes and 29 second of non-stop action, Hiromu Takahshi would win with Time-Bomb II to advance.
4.75/5 (**** 3/4)
EVIL vs. YOSHI-HASHI
YOSHI-HASHI has been having a good run in this tournament, one of his best ever. He’s made it all the way to the final eight, and beat a legend in Hiroyoshi Tenzan along the way. His was the underdog story of the tournament, and it was going great. He just has to win three more matches, and he gets a chance to become IWGP Heavyweight Champion. The first of those three was against EVIL, and it would also be the last.
This was less of a match, and more YOSHI-HASHI getting mauled before the bell could even ring, and the referee stopping the match before his career would be ended. The knee was hurt from his match with BUSHI a few nights prior, and that was the instant target in this beatdown. It was catharic, and shows just how dangerous EVIL truly is. The underdog was put down as after just 2 minutes of action, EVIL would win by referee stoppage while the Scorpion Death Lock was applied.
2/5 (**)
Taiji Ishimori vs. Kazuchika Okada
Kazuchika Okada is looking to make sure the rest of 2020 is something for fans to remember, and him winning the New Japan Cup is just the first part of this plan. He’s beaten his old manager in Gedo, and the legendary Yuji Nagata, so a junior heavyweight like Taiji Ishimori wouldn’t be much trouble, right?
With Gedo by his side, Ishimori wouldn’t just lay down for The Rainmaker. He gave Okada a helluva fight, using his speed, dirty tactics and outside interference to his advantage. In the end, after a back and forth contest, Okada would come out on top with his impeccible ability not being topped. He kept the Rainmaker stored away yet again, and won with submission. After 16 minutes and 52 seconds of action, Okada would win with the Cobra Clutch.
3.5/5 (*** 1/2)
SANADA vs. Taichi
Taichi has knocked off two of the biggest names in the companies to get this far, and he could go all the way. If you can beat Kota Ibushi & Hiroshi Tanahashi? You can probably beat SANADA as well. SANADA has faced junior heavyweights to this point, and despite Taguchi & SHO giving a great fight against him, they weren’t in his league. Taichi would give SANADA a proper fight.
A slow start lead to a back and forth contest, as the two methodical wrestlers picked each other apart. Taichi cheated plenty as expected, before eventually deciding to wrestle a proper match. Once this came, SANADA was ready to show Taichi how it’s done. Kicks and forearms would fly, suplexes would be launched, and signature moves would be attempted in the finishing stretch. After 22 minutes and 50 seconds of action, SANADA would slip away with a win off an O’Connor Roll.
3.5/5 (*** 1/2)
The Average Rating For Night Seven Of New Japan Cup Is 3.4375
This show had possibly the best match of the entire tournament in Ishii vs. Takahashi, as well as great showings from Okada & SANADA. Add in Evil mauling YOSHI-HASHI, and our final four make for two interesting matches. Okada vs. Takahashi, and EVIL vs. SANADA. They could go either way of course, but a familar match looms for Dominion.
What was your favorite match of Night Seven? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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