New Japan Pro Wrestling is back in its purest form. In their first show back with a crowd, we got a stacked card despite only having two singles matches. The crowd was ready, as were the wrestlers themselves. The finals of the New Japan Cup and the in ring debut of Master Wato took precedent, but the tag team action on the card impressed as well. How did it all rank up?
Great Bash Heel vs. Yota Tsuji & Yuya Uemura
The young lions always open the shows, and this week they clashed with former IWGP Tag Team Champions in Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma. While the result was obvious, the young lions fought like their lives depended on it, and it was a good time. Togi Makabe pinned Yuya Uemura with a German Suplex after 9 minutes and 15 seconds of action.
2.5/5 (** 1/2)
TenKoji vs. Hirooki Goto & Gabriel Kidd
Another expected part of a NJPW show is a young lion teaming with someone more established, and both Goto & Kidd have ties to the L.A Dojo making them a formidable unit. However, the six time IWGP Heavyweight Champions were too much for them, and Kidd would be the downfall of Goto. Satoshi Kojima defeated Gabriel Kidd after 9 minutes and 57 seconds of action with a Lariat.
2/5 (**)
Master Wato vs. Douki
After his laughable debut on Night Nine of New Japan Cup action, Master Wato had his chance to shine in a singles match with Douki of Suzuki-Gun. It would be an unremarkable match, with Douki controlling the pace due to his heel tactics. Wato finally got a chance to shine in the final moments, and you would see a glimmer of hope that with a better opponent, he will be a star. Yoshinobu Kanemaru attacked him after the match, so we know his next opponent. Master Wato would win after 7 minutes and 44 seconds of action with a Sprial Tap.
2/5 (**)
BUSHI & SANADA vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Taiji Ishimori
Bullet Club & Los Ingobernables De Japon would meet in a tag team action, sending one heavyweight and one junior along for the ride. Both sides showed great teamwork and chemistry, but in the end, Bullet Club would prevail, starting a very good night for them. Yujiro Takahashi would defeat BUSHI with Pimp Juice after 9 minutes and 20 seconds of action.
2.25/5 (** 1/4)
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi, Ryusuke Taguchi & Yuji Nagata vs. Suzuki Gun (El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Taichi & Zack Sabre Jr.)
With Dangerous Tekkers soon facing Golden Aces for the IWGP Tag Team Championships, and Taichi having bested both Tanahashi & Ibushi, this was the champs last time to get momentum heading into their first big defense. It would be chaotic action from start to finish, as expected from Suzuki-Gun, and in the end they’d win the match. Afterwards, Tanahashi & Ibushi would stand tall against their challengers, showing some hope of a successful defense. After 12 minutes and 43 seconds, El Desperado would defeat Ryusuke Taguchi with Pinche Loco.
3/5 (***)
CHAOS (SHO, Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito)
The main feud going into this match is SHO vs. Shingo Takagi, after SHO would eliminate Shingo from the New Japan Cup and earn a shot at the NEVER Openweight Championship at Dominion. Add in Yano & Ishii on one side, and Hiromu & Naito on the other and you get a great varied six man tag match. After 15 minutes of action, Tetsuya Naito would pin Toru Yano.
2.75/5 (** 3/4)
Kazuchika Okada vs. EVIL
The field of 32 has come down to this. With the winner going on to face Tetsuya Naito at Dominion, Okada & EVIL would clash. They’ve always had great matches against each other, and this was no exception. EVIL had only beaten Okada once before, but it was when Okada was at his absolute peak, and EVIL humbled him again tonight with some help. A shocking turn to Bullet Club after the match ahead of a match with his now former friend Naito just boosts this one higher. After 31 minutes and 50 seconds of action, EVIL would pin Okada to win the 2020 New Japan Cup.
4.25/5 (**** 1/4)
This was a one match card, but it was mainly used to set up Dominion as a super card. Matches like Naito vs. EVIL are dripping with drama, SHO & Shingo Takagi are sure to bring the excitement, and Dangerous Tekkers vs. Golden Aces has been simmering since before COVID-19. So while this show was an overall weaker affair, NJPW saved their biggest matches.
Do you think EVIL will defeat Naito and become double champion? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get TheOvertimer’s Hottest Stories, Breaking News and Special Features in your email, CLICK HERE!
