The sixth episode of New Japan Strong saw New Japan Cup 2020 USA winner Kenta face Jeff Cobb. The two met in the semi-finals of the tournament, and the match was for the right to make the V3 challenge of Jon Moxley’s second reign of the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship.
As expected Kenta attempted to play mind games with his larger opponent, wasting time before finally locking up with Cobb. Recently, both were announced as taking part in G1 Climax 30, yet they will compete in separate brackets. Cobb will take place in the A bracket while Kenta will do battle in the B bracket.
Kenta would take advantage of a bandaged Cobb knee and thigh during the early portions of the match as he used his kickboxing background to wear down on the weakened area.
However, Cobb would not be denied as he battled back using his Greco Roman background to slow down Kenta with suplexes.
It wouldn’t be long until Kenta went to the underhanded tactics that have been long attached to the Bullet Club. Even at that point, Cobb was able to fight through the leg pain and garner a visual pinfall on Kenta, but the referee was out of commission after a run-in with Cobb, orchestrated by Kenta.
With the help of fellow Bullet Club member, Kenta was able to gain the fall over Cobb at the 17 minutes and 52-second mark with the Go2Sleep. The victory for Kenta is his second straight over Cobb after blatantly cheating, yet he will move on to challenge Jon Moxley at some point in the future for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship.
It will be interesting as to the timing of Moxley defending the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship against Kenta. Moxley is unable to wrestle for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) in the United States due to his contract with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), and a quarantine period is necessary for anyone from the United States to travel to Japan currently.
