Show is available at NJPWWorld.com.
FIRST MATCH: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Michael Elgin, Colt Cabana, Yuya Uemura & Yota Tsuji
Hard-hitting opening contest. Cabana, Elgin & The Young Lions are up against nearly a century’s worth of experience. A war ensues.
Need To Watch Rating: (5.0)
SECOND MATCH: Shota Umino & Ren Narita vs. Los Ingobernables (BUSHI & Shingo Takagi)
A very good tag match. Umino & Narita are both future stars. Takagi & BUSHI feel like they’ve been tagging for ages, they’ve grown so cohesive so quickly.
Need To Watch Rating: (5.0)
THIRD MATCH: Togi Makabe, Toru Yano & Toa Henare vs. Suzuki-gun (Davey Boy Smith Jr., Lance Archer & Minoru Suzuki)
Everyone in this match should be in the G1. Make it happen, Gedo.
Need To Watch Rating: (4.0)
FOURTH MATCH: Ryusuke Taguchi & Will Ospreay vs. Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi)
Taichi and Ospreay pick up where they left off last year. Fun, if inessential tag match.
Need To Watch Rating: (3.4)
FIFTH MATCH: Kota Ibushi & Tomoaki Honma vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito & EVIL)
Honma is teaching Ibushi to destroy himself which…makes sense I guess. Naito and EVIL are a fun tandem as always.
Need To Watch Rating: (4.5)
SIXTH MATCH: Juice Robinson, Mikey Nicholls, YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto vs. Bullet Club (Jay White, Chase Owens, Bad Luck Fale & Hikuleo)
Juice Robinson and Chase Owens continue to pour gasoline on their rivalry before Sunday’s title match. White and YOSHI-HASHI have some good exchanges as well.
Need To Watch Rating: (5.5)
SEVENTH MATCH: New Japan Cup Semi-Final Match: Kazuchika Okada vs. Tomohiro Ishii
This is possibly the best match of the year. Okada holds his own against Ishii in a true-blue striking contest. An absolute war, that should be seen by any means necessary.
Need To Watch Rating: (12.15)
MAIN EVENT: New Japan Cup Semi-Final Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. SANADA
Tanahashi and SANADA have amazing chemistry and have a match who’s only crime is following the masterpiece that was Okada/Ishii. Definitely a must see match, an absolute masterpiece.
Need To Watch Rating: (10.0)
