It’s been 17 years since CIMA wrestled TAKA Michinoku, but they will meet in the the first round of the New Japan Cup. Last time, Michinoku got the win – and tonight will look to take down the man here to represent GLEAT. A win for Stronghearts over Suzuki-Gun at the 50th Anniversary show saw CIMA pin DOUKI – so a victory tonight is not out of the question for this outsider.
CIMA Keeps The STRONGHEARTS Dreams Alive In The New Japan Cup
CIMA would kick things off with a clean headlock, before Michinoku got an armbar. Michinoku would be tossed with an armdrag, before CIMA nailed a dropkick to send him to the outside. CIMA followed with a dive, sending Michinoku into his ‘JUST Tap Out’ promotion allies.
Back into the ring, CIMA would apply a modified Octopus Stretch, before Michinoku slipped free and applied the headscissor hold. CIMA would get free before hitting a rising knee strike, before Michinoku baited him into the JUST Face Lock. The ropes made the save, and CIMA would nail a lungblower.
A double knee drop to the stomach would follow, but Michinoku would kick out at the count of two before getting a near fall of his own off a knee strike. Michinoku Driver was blocked by CIMA, but a thrust kick set up JUST Face Lock. CIMA would be trouble Michinoku moved into the headscissor while trapping the legs – but the ropes made the save.
A cross-legged Fisherman Buster and the Meteora would get the three count – with Michinoku putting up more of a fight than expected. CIMA will go on to meet Yoshinobu Kanemaru in the second round of the tournament on March 9th in Korakuen Hall.
YOSHI-HASHI Finally Notches Singles Win Over Tomoaki Honma
Two of the biggest underdogs in modern NJPW history will meet in the first round of the New Japan Cup. Tomoaki Honma has a 3-0 record over YOSHI-HASHI, with their last singles meeting being in the G1 Climax back in 2016. YOSHI-HASHI would like to finally break this record tonight. Working in his favour is Honma never getting past the opening round of a New Japan Cup.
Honma & YOSHI-HASHI started off fast with some shoulder tackles, with YOSHI-HASHI being knocked down. He’d roll away from the falling Kokeshi headbutt, before hanging Honma on the top rope for the running dropkick to the back. A DDT would drive the head of YOSHI-HASHI into the canvas, before Honma missed another Kokeshi.
Jumping Kokeshi would drop YOSHI-HASHI, and the falling variant would hit before Honma looked for Rocket Kokeshi off the middle rope, but only found the mat. YOSHI-HASHI cut Honma down with kicks, before hitting a Blockbuster off the top rope. Karma was blocked, and Honma threw his head at YOSHI-HASHI with two successful Rocket Kokeshi before hitting the falling variant off the middle rope for the near fall.
Both men hit lariats – with YOSHI-HASHI getting the worse of the exchange. They’d trade forearm blows in the middle of the ring, before YOSHI-HASHI moved to palm strikes. Thrust Kick and a rushing lariat would take Honma down for the twop count, before he’d be dumped on his head with Karma for the finish.
YOSHI-HASHI will go on to meet Kosei Fujita in the second round of the tournament. Meeting the Young Lion who got a first round bye either sets up an easy path to the third round for the victor – or a major upset on March 10th in Yamagata.
Who will win the 2022 New Japan Cup? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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