Hiromu Takahashi did not have an easy path to the second round of the New Japan Cup, but now matches up with Minoru Suzuki. Ahead of this match, he joins his L.I.J allies to battle Suzuki-Gun in trios action. SANADA & Shingo Takagi will join him tonight, while Suzuki has brought Taichi & DOUKI as backup.
Hiromu Takahashi Takes A Beating From Minoru Suzuki
Calling back to his young lion days, Hiromu would open the ropes for Suzuki – prompting a brawl on the outside. Suzuki would hit a downward elbow to the nose of Hiromu, and weather the overhand chops of Hiromu before levelling him with a forearm smash. His chest was getting red, but Suzuki would take this fight to the outside all the same.
Taichi would take the tag and choke Hiromu out, before DOUKI hit the running double stomp. Suzuki was back in, and kept the heavy strikes coming to Hiromu. SANADA got the tag and would tie up DOUKI, before Taichi tagged in, and the one started to resemble AJPW.
Shingo would get the tag and keep the hard hitting action coming – with Taichi nailing a kick to the face. On the floor, Suzuki choked out Hiromu with a steel chair, while DOUKI nailed Daybreak in the ring for a near fall. Shingo shot back with a backdrop, before DOUKI was able to claim a near fall with a hurricanrana.
Pumping Bomber was blocked into a cradle pinfall, and again DOUKI almost got the pin. Shingo nailed Made In Japan, and this one was over just like that. No one told Suzuki & Hiromu however, as they kept fighting at ringside – with Suzuki locking in a heel hook while laughing away.
Hirooki Goto Pulls Out A Classic Submission To Push To Third Round
Hirooki Goto has a potentially easy path to the third round of the New Japan Cup – and a satisfying one. Dick Togo received a first round bye, but now has to deal with a man he’s terrorized for months now as part of House of Torture. Goto will relish having a chance to put a proper beating on Togo, and will be on high alert for any interference as well.
Dick Togo would hit the ring alone tonight, but Goto knows that EVIL, SHO & Yujiro Takahashi are never far. Togo would offer a handshake, but Goto wasn’t falling for that. Goto took Togo down to the mat for the PK to the back, before having his eyes raked and sent to the outside.
Togo would pull out some of his usual tricks on the floor, before going for a choke in the ring. The headlock was applied, and Togo was showing his experience in the ring… but the more he hit Goto, the harder Goto shot back with a shoulder tackle.
Sleeper Hold attempt from Togo would be blocked into a backdrop – before Togo would look to respond with the Pedigree. Goto would block and nail the Ushigoroshi, before someone turned the lights out. When they came back, the referee was down and Goto was getting choked out with the Garrote Wire.
EVIL hit the ring, but Goto was quick to use his staff to fend off EVIL before nailing the midkick. The armbar would be applied, and using the same move that beat Giant Bernard to win Goto his first New Japan Cup – pushes him to the third round.
Yoshinobu Kanemaru & CIMA Finally Cross Paths
CIMA is the dark horse pick for the 2022 New Japan Cup, coming in from the GLEAT promotion to join the mix. He’ll have his work cut out for him as he takes on the crafty veteran Yoshinobu Kanemaru in the second round. This is a first time singles match, and one that many will be watching very closely.
Kanemaru would sneak up on CIMA to start this match, having come through the crowd. CIMA would be pulled to the outside, having his knee wrapped around the barricade – before Kanemaru used a steel chair. Back in the ring, Kanemaru would bend and attack the knee, softening it up for the Figure Four Leg Lock.
On the floor, Kanemaru hit a knee breaker before hydrating with a swig of Suntory Whisky. CIMA would crawl into the ring, only for Kanemaru to ask if this is all he’s got. Responding with some heavy overhand chops and a backstabber, Kanemaru would be quickly shut up. Russian Leg Sweep would set up a cradle pin, before hitting the second rope Meteora.
Kanemaru would apply the Figure Four Leg Lock, and CIMA would consider just tapping out – but fought to the ropes instead. Moonsault from Kanemaru would follow, before the Touch Out brainbuster for the two count. Deep Impact was blocked with a shotgun dropkick, before CIMA hit the Cross Leg Fisherman Driver.
Kanemaru would again hit the leg of CIMA, this time with the shotgun dropkick. Looking for Suntory Surprise, CIMA would kick the whisky out of the mouth of Kanemaru before top rope Meteora for the victory! CIMA will now face Hirooki Goto in the third round of the New Japan Cup.
How deep can CIMA get in the New Japan Cup? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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