MAIN EVENT: New Japan Cup Final Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Sabre wins a chain wrestling exchange but Tanahashi fights to the ropes. Tanahashi locks in a top wristlock, but sabre counters with a top wristlock of his own. Sabre maintains arm corntrol but Tanahashi fights to his feet. Tanahashi breaks the hold and locks in a stepover toehold. Sabre rolls into control and gets a nearfall.
Tanahashi evades a lock up. Tanahashi ducks a test of strength, but Zack maintains ground control. Tanahashi tries for a Kimura, but Sabre keeps him from locking it in completely. Sabre counters with an armbar, but Tanahashi gets to the roples, Sabre locks up the ankle but Tanahashi gets to the ropes anyway. Tanahashi leaves the ring.
Tanahashi gets back in the ring. Tanahashi locks in a headlock. Sabre tries to power out. Tanahashi maintains control. Sabre locks Tanahashi in a headscissors. Tanahashi tries to rollout but Sabre starts using his elbows to find pressure points. Sabre cinches the headscissors deep. Tanahashi reverses with a Side Headlock. Sabre grasps at Tanahashi’s hair. Tanahashi drops Sabre with a shoulder tackle. Sabre goes for Tanahashi’s leg, but Tanahashi locks in a headlock. Sabre tries to counter with headscissors, but Tanahashi won’t release the hold. Tanahashi hits a Side Russian Legsweep.
Tanahashi goes for a Senton, but gets two knees to the back. Sabre locks in an armlock, but Tanahashi fights to the ropes. Sabre works the injured arm, while Tanahashi’s on the ropes. Red Shoes checks on Tanahashi’s arm. Sabre hits a European Uppercut. Then another. Sabre goes after Tanahashi’s leg and locks in an armlock and headlock. Tanahashi fights to the ropes.
Sabre locks in a cross armbreaker. Sabre manipulates the fingers. Sabre bends Tanahashi’s bicep back and forth. Sabre hits a Pele Kick to Tanahashi’s arm. Sabre stands on Tanahashi’s arm. Red Shoes checks on Tanahashi. Sabre locks in an Oolmoplata. Sabre locks in another cross armbreaker variation. Tanahashi gets to the ropes.
Tanahashi fights to his feet and beats on Sabre. Sabre kicks Tanahashi’s arm. Tanahashi hits a running forearm. Tanahashi hits body strikes on Sabre. Tanahashi body slams Sabre. Tanahashi hits a Somersault Senton for two.
Tanahashi goes for Dragon Screw, but Sabre locks in an Octopus Hold. Tanahashi counters with a Dragon Screw. Both men trade Cobra Twists. Tanahashi hits a Pumphandle Slam. Sabre locks in a Rear Naked Choke. Sabre transitions into a Triangle Choke. Tanahashi tries to powerbomb Sabre but Sabre hooks the leg to keep the triangle locked in. Tanahashi goes for the powerbomb again, and kicks at Sabre’s head. Tanahashi transitions into a Cloverleaf. Sabre fights to the ropes, but Tanahashi drags him center ring and sits down. Sabre transitions into a triangle, and then into a cross armbreaker, but Tanahashi won’t release the grip. Tanahashi counters with a Dragon Screw. Sabre rolls to the floor.
Tanahashi hits High Fly Flow crossbody to the outside. Tanahashi rolls Sabre into the ring. Tanahashi goes for Sling Blade but eats an uppercut. Sabre throws Tanahashi out of the ring, but Tanahashi skins the cat back in the ring, where Sabre locks in a leg lock. Tanahashi fights to the ropes.
Sabre stomps away on the grounded Tanahashi. Sabre stands on Tanahashi’s injured leg. Tanahashi goes for Dragon Screw but Sabre locks in a Guillotine Choke. Tanahashi hits Twist And Shout. Tanahashi hits Twist And Shout again. Sabre counters with a pin for two.
Tanahashi misses a High Fly Flow, and Sabre locks in a Heel Hook. Tanahashi fights to the ropes. The two exchange uppercuts. Tanahashi ducks a headkick, but Sabre sweeps the leg. Sabre goes for Penalty Kick but Tanahashi catches it. Sabre counters with European Clutch for two.
Sabre hits furious forearms on Tanahashi, but falls from just one strike from Tanahashi. Tanahashi hits a European Uppercut. Sabre goes for a Backslide. Tanahashi powers out but Sabre locks in another wristclutch for two. Sabre hits the Penalty Kick for two.
Tanahashi counters a triangle choke. Tanahashi goes for a Dragon Suplex. Sabre powers out. Tanahashi hits Sling Blade for two. Tanahashi hits a Dragon Suplex for two. Tanahashi hits High Fly Flow to Sabre’s back. Tanahashi rolls him over. Tanahashi goes for High Fly Flow but Sabre rolls out of the way. Tanahashi grasps at his injured knee.
Sabre goes for a Dragon Screw but Tanahashi goes for an O’Connor Roll for two. Sabre locks in a leglock. Tanhashi tries to fight to the ropes. Sabre gets both legs locked up and drags Tanahashi to the center. Tanahashi tries to kick out but Sabre locks in Orienteering With Napalm Death. Tanahashi submits.
2018 NEW JAPAN CUP WINNER: Zack Sabre Jr.
After the match, Zack Sabre Jr. says “No question: I want Okada.” Okada and Gedo come to the ring and the match is seemingly official for 4/1.
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