Hi guys,
So I first wrote this post almost 5 months ago and because of a certain worldwide pandemic, I couldn't really do anything with it after New Japan cancelled all of their events.
However, I'm over the moon after NJPW announced that they were going to start putting on shows again and returning with the New Japan Cup next week. What's even more exciting is that they've changed it up a bit and sort of combined the New Japan Cup with the BOSJ giving us a mix of matches between Jrs and Heavyweights. Normally, you might see the odd Jr, but this is a distinct split between the divisions. Because of the times we're in, the brackets also have a distinct lack of Gaijins due to travel restrictions but the bracket is still amazing and all I've had to do is make some adjustments to matches.
So, with all that said and done, here' s a look at the New Japan Cup first-round matches. Like last year, because the field is so huge, I'm going to look at each side of the bracket separately starting with the left side of the bracket!
Togi Makabe v Yota Tsuju
At first, we all expected the battle of the big guy with Togi Makabe facing the one and only Jeff Cobb. However, this matchup might be slightly more interesting if you think about it. On one side, we've got the veteran that is the unchained gorilla Togi Makabe who takes no shit from anyone. His opponent comes in the form of Young Lion Yota Tsuji. What makes this so interesting is that fact that the two have had their rivalries in the past with Tsuji never missing a chance to go up against one of his senpai's. In return, Makabe never treats Tsuji as just a Young Lion and expects the very best and his full force, which he returns in an even more brutal fashion. For me, although the winner of this match is obvious, it's going to be an amazing experience for the Young Lion and, despite experience levels differing, it's still a battle of the big men in more ways than one.
Winner: Togi Makabe
Tomohiro Ishii v El Desperado
Like I said in the intro, this NJ Cup is even more exciting than before with Jr Heavyweights being allowed to compete. This match is the first example of that with the Stone Pitbull Tomohiro Ishii going against my boy El Desperado. If there is ever a contrast in styles and personality's, then this is it. Ishii is big, strong and above all, he's very honest in his style of wrestling most of the time. For Ishii, he always wants a clean win which proves his strength and talent. On the other hand, El Desperado is Suzuki Gun through and through using all means to win whether it's a chair, title belt or low blow and that doesn't even take into account the size difference. However, despite their differences, they both have a more brutal and fundamental style of wrestling utilising that basic but so effective move-set. As much as I love El Desperado with a burning passion and, even with his trickery, Despy will have a tough fight against Ishii which probably won't end in a win *sad tears*.
Winner: Tomohiro Ishii
Toru Yano v Jado
This match was initially meant to be Toru Yano versus the Bullet Club's Crown Jewel Chase Owens. However, with travel issues, he's been replaced with fellow Bullet Club member Master Heater Jado. First of all, let's talk about the fact that this is Yano's 15th consecutive G1 and that he can be a real spoiler in this tournament again. With his sneaky style and loveable nature, he can do no wrong on the eyes of New Japan fans and this basically gives him free rein. However, despite Jado's size and lack of experience in heavyweight tournaments, he is also a man who isn't scared of breaking the rules with that damn kendo stick. This match also has a history with the fact that both were Chaos members until Jado turned on his stablemates to join Bullet Club. You know Yano would love some retribution for this and will let all hell break.
Winner: Toru Yano
Tomokai Honma v Hiromu Takahashi
So, this is one of the first completely new matches announced and it's definitely interesting. First thing, this is going to be a battle of who has the most colourful entrance jackets if the promo picture is to go by. Secondly, it's a complete contrast of styles. Hiromu is crazy, unpredictable and risk-taking whereas Honma is still sometimes wary with a distinct disadvantage in speed and agility to the Ticking Time Bomb. Then we look at their history of injuries. We've got Tomoaki Honma who has been trying to build his strength and power back up since his neck injury and Hiromu Takahashi who bolted straight back to the top of the company after his neck injury. Two similar stories but different outcomes. So, despite the distinct size advantage, like many people, we think that it could be the year a Jr heavyweight actually wins the tournament and it could definitely be Hiromu. I know that we're all dying to see Naito v Hiromu for the IWGP title and this is his first step to that goal.
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi
At first, this was meant to be a match with so much history and one of my favourites of the entire tournament. We were going to start the tournament with my favourite Jay White and his arch-nemesis Kazuchika Okada. For me, this was going to be the match of the first round because I love these two whenever they're in the ring together. There is so much history between the two and they create magic. However, this match might not be the technical masterpiece we should've had but it's the revenge match we all want. After turning their backs on Chaos and stabbing Okada in the back, the Rainmaker finally gets his chance to go one on one in the ring with his former manager and advocate Gedo. For years, the two worked perfectly together and, under the tutelage of Gedo, Okada grew into the worldwide star we see. After all the success Okada brought Gedo, I was as surprised when he turned his back on Chaos and sided with Jay White. So, this match is probably just going to be Okada kicking the crap out of Fredo and I am all for that. Without help, Gedo has no chance and, because the rest of the Bullet Club will be busy that night, he's all alone! It's time for Okada's revenge train to leave the station.
Winner: Kazuchika Okada
Yuji Nagata v Minoru Suzuki
One matchup that's stayed the same is this one and I am always so happy seeing the veterans of New Japan getting their shot at the tournament. With his stiff chops and blistering strikes, there is still this fire inside Nagata that rivals even the Young Lions and it's great to see what he can do in this years NJ Cup. However, what an opponent he has in the first round in Minoru Suzuki If Nagata is still as good as ever, then Suzuki is better than ever still putting the fear into wrestlers across the world. With his strikes, kicks and amazing submission ability, there is a reason why Suzuki has been so successful and is really popular in places like the UK. Even though both men are well into their 50s, this might be one of the most intense and violent matches in the first round. There won't be even a second to blink because you might miss something whether it's a fake-out or Minoru Suzuki taking the fight outside the ring in traditional Suzuki Gun style. No matter who wins, it will be nice to see someone a little older advance far in the tournament and for me, #SuzukiGunIchiban.
Winner: Minoru Suzuki
Yuya Uemura v Yoshinobu Kanemaru
First Uemura got the shot to be in the Super Jr Tag League and now he's got a shot in the New Japan Cup. Lucky boy. It's so rare that Young Lions get the chance to compete in any tournament so the fact that he's got into two in the space of a year is going to do so much for his experience levels. We've seen him improve so much finding the style of wrestling he loves and fans have really fallen in love with him (not just me right?) However, as much as he's improved and is constantly getting better, you can't have a tougher opponent than Suzuki Gun's Yoshinobu Kanemaru. As a legend of the Jr heavyweight division in both New Japan and Pro Wrestling NOAH, Kanemaru is such an underrated wrestler combining skills and smarts which is always a lethal combo. Despite climbing to the top of NJ's Jr Tag division, he's yet to achieve singles success and this could be the start! As much as I love Uemura, I love Kanemru as much and would love to see him progress in the tournament.
Winner: Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Gabriel Kidd v Taiji Ishimori
The last matchup of the first round of this bracket is another Young Lion v Jr Heavyweight match. For me, it's really exciting in so many ways. I've been following Gabriel Kidd for years on the British Indy scene and even got the chance to interview him. It was crazy to hear how much he wanted to wrestle for New Japan and then for it to happen a few months later after joining the New Japan LA Dojo. Although going back to basics, he still has an advantage over the other Young Lions with more experience. He's living his dream now being able to be part of one of the biggest tournaments of the year. However, if there's one person who would be happy to crush that dream, it's the Bone Soldier Taiji Ishimori. One of my all-time favourite wrestlers, he's so talented combining speed, strength and agility which makes him a formidable opponent for a wrestler of any weight class. I would love this to be Ishimori's chance to shine! Also, if my predictions for the last two matches are right, we'll see another addition to the much loved Ishimori/ Kanemaru saga and that's something everyone wants to see.
Winner: Taiji Ishimori
Final Prediction:
So, despite the vast changes, this is definitely going to be an interesting bracket with old, new and upcoming talent. I don't really see the YL's going very far at all and it will be the battle of Jrs and Heavyweights. Despite some amazing talent in the form of Suzuki, Ishimori and Ishii, my money is on Hiromu winning this block and preferably the whole thing!
So, that's the preview for the first half of the New Japan Cup bracket! What does everyone think of the line-up so far? I'll put my full match predictions in tomorrow with the edited version of the right bracket. Hopefully, it will show you exactly how I think the matches will go!
Make sure to keep an eye out for the next part of this preview and you can do that by following me on my social media:
Also, if you don't know, I started a YouTube channel so you should all subscribe because I'm not that bad and you'll finally get to actually see and hear me rather than just read what I write at
SonalsLife96
Until next time,
Bye
Comments
Post a Comment