While Night One of the 2020 New Japan Cup had several solid matches in the bunch, Night Two didn’t fare as well. It was a one match show when it came to highlights, but lets look into the one match by match as well.
Gabirel Kidd vs. Taiji Ishimori
Gabriel Kidd might show insane potential when it comes to NJPW, but he’s not an established star yet. He’ll lose to someone like Taiji Ishimori every time, and that was no exception tonight. Kidd had some great moments, but Ishimori easily put the rookie away in a decent if unremarkable opening match. Taiji Ishimori won in 8 minutes and 53 second with The Yes Lock. 2.5/5 (** 1/2)
Yuya Uemura vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Just like Gabriel Kidd, Uemura shows great potential within NJPW, but he’s not there just yet. Meanwhile he faced one of the best juniors in the history of Pro Wrestling NOAH, who is now a grizzled veteran. Kanemaru is a bit of a silent force in the ring these days, mainly focusing on tag matches but he’s making them most of this spotlight. Yoshinobu Kanemaru easily defeated Uemura in 9 minutes and 32 seconds with Deep Impact. 2/5 (**)
Minoru Suzuki vs. Yuji Nagata
This is the match everyone tuned into this show to see. Two of the hardest hitters in NJPW history, and old rivals having what could be their final singles match. The record was tied up 5-5 going into this match, and they would brutalize each other with hard strikes and torture with submissions. This is the must see match of Night Two, and could go down as one of the best NJPW matches of 2020. Yuji Nagata got what was arguably an upset win with a Backdrop Driver after 20 minutes and 35 seconds of amazing action. 4.75 (**** 3/4)
Kazuchika Okada vs. Gedo
If you didn’t come to this show for Nagata vs. Suzuki, you came in to see if Gedo would somehow screw his former client of Okada out of this tournament. Ever since defecting to Bullet Club, Gedo has done everything he could to make Okadas life hell. But without the full backing of Bullet Club, he’d have to work alone to beat The Ace. Gedo pulled every dirty trick in the book to try for the upset, but Okada would survive them all, make a brief comeback and force Gedo to submit. After 15 minutes and 30 seconds, and just a few moves, Kazuchika Okada would win with the Cobra Clutch. 2.25/5 (** 1/4)
Night Two Of The New Japan Cup Has Average Rating Of 2.875
Despite two matches being young lions vs. established pros, and one being Gedo trying to cheat enough to beat Okada, those were fun matches. The rating of the night was massively boosted by the instant classic that was Nagata vs. Suzuki.
This sets up Ishimori vs. Kanemaru & Nagata vs. Okada for the next round, which will appear alongside Toru Yano vs. Togi Makabe & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Tomohiro Ishii, which will be Night 5 of action.
What was your favorite match of Night Two of the New Japan Cup? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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