New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) brings Super J Cup 2020 live to fans of the company on December 12th through its own New Japan World streaming service and FITE TV. The seemingly now annual New Japan of America (NJoA) single-elimination tournament has drawn a bit of buzz due to the collective field of wrestlers from within and outside the IWGP Conception (NJPW, Ring of Honor [ROH], Revolution Pro Wrestling [RevPro], and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre [CMLL]). While travel made it nearly impossible for a CMLL or RevPro representative, the field remains quite strong.
Former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion (w/reigning two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion “Bone Soldier” Taiji Ishimori), former Revolution Pro Wrestling [RevPro] Undisputed British Cruiserweight Champion, Bullet Club member, and Super J Cup 2019 winner El Phantasmo [ELP] enters the tournament with hopes of repeating as golden jacket trophy winner.
On August 25, 2019, ELP defeated former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and reigning Ring of Honor [ROH] Television Champion Ryu Lee to win the tournament. If ELP is to repeat as tournament winner, he will have to defeat the debuting Lio Rush in the first round of the tournament. While that seems to be a tough task, ELP has not shown a lack of confidence on social media.
https://twitter.com/elpwrestling/status/1334671610083647492?s=20
After a Super J Cup promotional video featuring Lio Rush was released, ELP decided to make a few public statements as well.
The Headbanger is back. @elpwrestling returns for the Super J-Cup December 12 on FITE and NJPW WORLD!https://t.co/QMONOLj4O6#njpw #sjcup pic.twitter.com/FhCGBtRsvm
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) December 3, 2020
While considered the favorite due to his amazing form since debuting in NJPW on May 4, 2019, after a month of hype, ELP is vulnerable to be caught off guard by a motivated Lio Rush who will want to prove that he can hang inside of an NJPW ring.
Will ELP be able to make another statement on his quest to once again challenge for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, or will his ego get the best of him?
