New Japan Cup 2018: Night 3
March 11, 2018
Baycom Gymnasium
Hyogo, Japan
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Transcription by Josh Lopez
First Match: Ren Narita & Tetsuhiro Yagi vs. Yuji Nagata & Tomoyuki Oka
Oka and Narita will start things off. Quick standing switch exchange. Narita goes for a single leg takedown, but Oka blocks it. Oka applies a front facelock. Narita transitions into a waist lock. Oka breaks the hold. Oka applies a hammer lock. Narita drop toe holds Oka to the canvas. Oka is grounding Narita with the side headlock.Following a snap mare takeover, Oka applies a rear chin lock. Narita rolls Oka over for a one count. Nagata tags himself in.
Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Nagata applies a wrist lock. Yagi responds with a wrist lock takedown. Nagata kicks Yagi in the chest. Nagata with a side headlock takeover. Yagi rolls Nagata over for a two count. Nagata locks in the Crippler Cross Face. Narita breaks the submission. Nagata repeatedly stomps on Yagi’s chest. Nagata launches Yagi to the corner. Narita tags himself in. Nagata kicks Narita in the gut. Following anoter snap mare takeover, Nagata kicks Narita in the back. Nagata tags in Oka. Oka kicks Narita in the shoulder. Oka starts applying pressure on Narita’s wrist. Narita crawls to the bottom rope to create separation.
Oka applies an arm-bar. Oka tags in Nagata. Nagata kicks Narita in the ribs. Nagata follows that with an Arm-Ringer. Nagata is mauling Narita in the corner. Narita fires back with a Chop/Forearm Combination. Nagata whips Narita sternum first to the turnbuckle pad. Yagi tags himself in. Yagi and Nagata are trading back and forth shots. Nagata repeatedly kicks Yagi in the back. Nagata goes for a Big Boot, but Yagi counters with a dropkick. Nagata blocks the bodyslam attempt. Yagi with Open Hand Chops to Nagata. Nagata responds with Muay Thai Knee Strikes. Yagi dodges a roundhouse kick from Nagata. Yagi slaps Nagata in the face. Yagi drops Nagata with a shoulder tackle. Yagi tags in Narita.
Narita knocks Oka off the ring apron. The Young Lions are double teaming Nagata. The Young Lions with a Double Vertical Suplex for a two count. Nagata applies a Bear Hug. Narita delivers a series of forearm smashes. Nagata decks Narita with a High Knee Lift. Nagata tags in Oka. Oka with a Back Elbow Smash to Narita. Oka follows that with a Running Elbow Drop for a two count. Oka goes for the Over Head Belly to Belly Suplex, but Narita counters with a HeadButt. Narita starts paint brushing Oka. Narita with a Side Belly to Belly Suplex for a two count. Following a long chop/forearm exchange, Narita uppercuts Oka. Oka responds with an Over Head Belly to Belly Suplex. Oka connects with a Delayed PowerSlam for a two count. Nagata takes out Yagi with the Exploder Suplex. Oka locks in the Boston Crab which forces Narita to tap out.
Winner: Yuji Nagata & Tomoyuki Oka via Submission
Second Match: El Desperado vs. Shota Umino
Umino applies a waist lock. Desperado transitions into a wrist lock. Umino kicks Desperado in the gut. Umino applies a wrist lock. Desperado bites Umino’s fingers. Desperado applies a hammer lock. Umino creates distance with multiple back elbow smashes. Desperado stomps on Umino’s foot. Following a long hammer lock exchange, Desperado throws Umino out of the ring. Desperado launches Umino back first to steel guard rail. Desperado repeatedly whips Umino’s left leg across the steel ring post.
Desperado kicks Umino in the head while drinking a bottle of water. Desperado is lighting up Umino’s chest on the floor. Umino gets back in the ring at the count of nineteen. Desperado steps on Umino’s left knee. Desperado connects with a Knee Breaker. Desperado follows that with a Knee Whip for a two count. Desperado sends Umino crashing into the ringside barricade. Umino fires back with a series of Open Hand Chops. Desperado goes for a Vertical Suplex, but Umino lands back on his feet.
Desperado slaps the back of Umino’s head. Umino responds with dropkick. Umino with Running Elbow Strikes to Desperado. Desperado side steps Umino into the turnbuckle pad. Umino lands a Missile Dropkick for a two count. Umino locks in the Cross Arm Breaker. Umino repeatedly stomps on Desperado’s shoulder. Desperado rakes the eyes of Umino. Umino with a Backslide Cover for a two count. Umino uppercuts Desperado. Desperado responds with a SpineBuster. Desperado locks in Numero Dos which forces Umino to tap out.
Winner: El Desperado via Submission
Third Match: Bad Luck Fale, Tanga Loa, Yujiro Takahashi, and Chase Owens vs. Michael Elgin, Juice Robinson, David Finlay and Toa Henare in a 8-Man Tag Team Match
Takahashi shoves Robinson before the bell rings. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Takahashi grabs the pig tails of Robinson. Robinson kicks Takahashi in the gut. Takahashi bites Robinson thumb. Takahashi delivers a Heluva Kick. Takahashi thrust kicks the midsection of Robinson. Robinson leapfrogs over Takahashi. Robinson with a Hip Toss to Takahashi. Robinson tags in Finlay. Robinson and Finlay clears the ring with Stereo Dropkicks and Bulldogs. Fale runs through Robinson and Finlay with a Double Shoulder Tackle. Takahashi whips Finlay face first across the steel ring post. Takahashi hits Finlay with the pimp stick. Takahashi dishes out clubbing haymakers. Takahashi tags in Loa.
Loa bodyslams Finlay. Loa follows that with a Leg Drop for a two count. Loa tags in Owens. Owens rakes the back of Finlay. Owens with a series of bodyslams for a two count. Owens tags in Fale. Fale bodyslams Finlay. Fale with the disrespectful cover for a two count. Fale tags in Owens. Owens mocks Robinson with Chase Jabs. Owens follows that with a Corner Clothesline. Robinson thrust kicks the midsection of Owens. Finlay explodes out of the corner with a Running European Uppercut. Finlay tags in Elgin.
Elgin with a SuperMan Punch to Owens. Elgin bodyslams Owens. Elgin hits a SlingShot Splash. Elgin applies a waist lock. Owens creates distance with multiple back elbow smashes. Owens goes for the O’Connor Roll, but Elgin holds onto the top rope. Elgin PowerSlams Owens. Elgin fires up with Two Corner Lariats. Elgin goes for a SuperPlex, but Takahashi gets in the way. Elgin with a Double PowerSlam to Owens and Takahashi for a two count. Elgin knocks Fale off the ring apron. Elgin levels Owens with Short-Arm Lariats. Elgin blocks a Big Boot from Takahashi. Elgin is dishing out forearms to Owens and Takahashi. Elgin clotheslines Takahashi. Owens drops Elgin with a SuperKick. Elgin responds with an Inside Out Lariat. Henare and Loa are tagged in.
Henare with Forearm Smashes to Loa. Henare ducks a clothesline from Loa. Henare with a Running Shoulder Tackle. Henare follows that with a Back Body Drop. Robinson with a Body Avalanche to Fale. Taguchi Japan are mauling Loa in the corner. Henare Spears Loa for a two count. A pier six brawls breaks out in the ringside area. Henare ascends to the top turnbuckle. Loa with an Avalanche Belly to Belly Suplex to Henare. Loa ducks a clothesline from Henare. Loa connects with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count. Loa plants Henare with Ape Shit to pickup the victory.
Winner: Bad Luck Fale, Tanga Loa, Yujiro Takahashi and Chase Owens via Pinfall
Fourth Match: The Killer Elite Squad & Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, and Toru Yano in a 6-Man Tag Team Match
Smith is talking smack to Yano before the bell rings. Yano is trying to rip off a turnbuckle pad. Smith attacks from behind. Smith kicks Yano in the gut. Yano is playing mind games with Smith. Smith drops Yano with a shoulder tackle. Ishii and Archer are tagged in. Ishii with a series of knife edge chops to Archer. Archer wants Ishii to bring it. Ishii responds accordingly with forearm smashes. Archer decks Ishii with a Discus Forearm. Ishii goes for running shoulder tackles, but Archer stands still. Ishii dodges a Big Boot from Archer. Archer drops Ishii with a shoulder tackle. Ishii sends Archer to the turnbuckle pad. Ishii goes for a Vertical Suplex, but Archer counters with a BodySlam. Suzuki Gun clears the ring.
Archer stomps on the midsection of Ishii. Archer transitions into a ground and pound attack. Archer yells at the referee. Kanemaru drags Ishii out of the ring. Kanemaru whips Ishii shoulder first to the steel guard rail. Smith rolls Ishii back into the ring. Archer with a Short-Arm Lariat for a two count. Archer tags in Kanemaru. Kanemaru is choking Ishii with his boot. Kanemaru rams his elbow across Ishii forehead. Kanemaru tags in Smith. Smith applies a side headlock. Smith transitions into a ground and pound attack of his own. Smith steps on Ishii left hand. Ishii is pissed.
Smith is trying to wear down Ishii with forearm shivers. Ishii wants more punishment. Smith delivers a Big Boot. Ishii responds with a German Suplex. Archer knocks Goto and Yano off the ring apron. Archer goes for a Vertical Suplex, but Ishii lands back on his feet. Archer kicks Ishii in the face. Ishii connects with a Vertical Brain Buster. Ishii tags in Goto. Goto sends Kanemaru crashing to the outside. Smith kicks Goto in the gut. Smith applies a side headlock. Goto whips Smith back first to exposed steel. Goto decks Smith with a Spinning Heel Kick. Goto follows that with a Saito Suplex for a two count. Smith with a Vertical Suplex to Goto. Smith and Goto are trading back and forth lariats.
Goto tags in Yano. Smith inadvertently knocks Archer off the ring apron. Smith HeadButts Yano. Yano responds with an Inverted Atomic Drop. Smith takes down Yano with a Big Boot. Smith tags in Kanemaru. Kanemaru dropkicks the right knee of Yano. Kanemaru with a Snap DDT. Suzuki Gun are mauling Yano in the corner. Stereo Bodyslams from KES. Suzuki Gun with a Pop Up Frog Splash for a two count. Yano rakes the eyes of Kanemaru. Yano uses the referee as a protective shield. Yano low blows Kanemaru behind the referee’s back. Yano plants Kanemaru with Uragasumi to pickup the victory.
Winner: Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, and Toru Yano via Pinfall
Fifth Match: Taichi & Takashi Iizuka vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Ryusuke Taguchi
Suzuki Gun attacks Taguchi Japan before the bell rings. Taichi applies a side headlock. Tanahahsi whips Taichi back first to the steel guard rail. Iizuka his putting the boots to Taguchi. Iizuka blocks a Big Boot from Taguchi. Iizuka is biting Taguchi right foot. Taguchi and Tanahashi are delivering multiple hip attacks. Tanahashi attacks the midsection of Iizuka. Taichi drags Tanahashi out of the ring. Iizuka bites the back side of Taguchi. Taichi and Tanahashi are brawling in the crowd. Taichi hits Tanahashi with the steel railing. Iizuka launches Taguchi into a collection of chairs. Iizuka is choking Taguchi with a chair. Taguchi gets back in the ring at the count of nineteen.
Iizuka bounces Taguchi head on the turnbuckle pad. Taichi knocks Tanahashi off the ring apron. Taguchi repeatedly slaps Taichi in the chest. Taichi levels Taguchi with a Spinning Heel Kick. Taichi follows that with a Corner Clothesline for a two count. Suzuki Gun are cutting the ring in half. Taichi tags in Iizuka. Taguchi is having a really hard time getting back on his feet. Iizuka bites the forehead of Taguchi. Taguchi regains momentum with a Leaping Hip Attack. Taguchi tags in Tanahashi.
Tanahashi with a flurry of strikes to Taichi. Tanahashi uppercuts Taichi. Iizuka trips Tanahashi from the outside. Tanahashi bodyslams Taichi. Tanahashi with a SomerSault Senton for a two count. Tanahashi goes for a Stinger Splash, but Taichi ducks out of the way. Taichi with Two Buzzsaw Kicks for a two count. Taichi rips off his pants. Taichi goes for a SuperKick, but Tanahashi counters with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Tanahashi locks in the Texas CloverLeaf. Tanahashi with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip to Iizuka. Tanahashi tags in Taguchi.
Taguchi with a Leaping Hip Attack in the corner. Taguchi ducks a clothesline from Taichi. Taguchi dropkicks the right knee of Taichi. Taguchi with the La Magistral for a two count. Taguchi gets Taichi trapped in the Ankle Lock. Taichi crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Taguchi Japan are double teaming Taicihi. Taguchi connects with a SpringBoard Hip Attack for a two count. Tanahashi throws Iizuka out of the ring. Iizuka sends Tanahashi crashing into the steel guard rail. The referee is distracted by Taichi who brings a microphone stand. Iizuka clocks Taguchi with The Iron Glove. Taichi SuperKicks Taguchi to pickup the victory.
Winner: Taichi & Takashi Iizuka via Pinfall
Sixth Match: Sanada & Bushi vs. Kazuchika Okada & Chuckie T w/Gedo
Taylor and Sanada will start things off. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Sanada applies a waist lock. Taylor responds with a wrist lock. Taylor floats over into a front facelock. Sanada reverses the hold. Taylor has Sanada in a side headlock. Taylor drops Sanada with a shoulder tackle. Bushi kicks Taylor behind the referee’s back. Taylro knocks Bushi off the ring apron. Sanada with a single leg takedown to Taylor. Taylor blocks the Paradise Lock. Taylor locks in the Octopus Stretch. Sanada dumps Taylor on the canvas. Taylor decks Sanada with a back elbow smash. Taylor dives over Sanada. Taylor dropkicks Sanada for a one count. Taylor goes for a Falcon Arrow, but Sanada lands back on his feet. Bushi trips Taylor from the outside. Sanada delivers a Basement Dropkick. Sanada knocks Okada off the ring apron. Sanada rakes the back of Taylor. Sanada tags in Bushi.
Bushi is choking Taylor with his t-shirt. Bushi applies a rear chin lock. Bushi transitions into the STF. Taylor crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Bushi with a Double Axe Handle Strike. Bushi tags in Sanada. Sanada rakes the eyes of Taylor. Sanada gets Taylor trapped in the Paradise Lock. Sanada with a Running Basement Dropkick for a two count. Taylor is throwing forearm smashes at Sanada. Taylor kicks Sanada in the face. Taylor lands a Missile Dropkick. Taylor tags in Okada. Okada with multiple strikes to Sanada. Okada drops Sanada with a Running Back Elbow Smash. Okada follows that with a DDT for a two count. Okada knocks Bushi off the ring apron. Okada throws Sanada out of the ring. Okada takes out LIJ with a SlingShot Crossbody Block.
Okada dives over Sanada. Okada uppercuts Sanada. Sanada responds with a Hurricanrana. Sanada tags in Bushi. Bushi with a Rolling Kick to Okada. Bushi lands a Missile DropKick. Bushi with a DDT to Taylor. Bushi with a Double Knee Strike to Okada. Sanada follows that with a Big Boot. Bushi connects with a BackStabber for a two count. Bushi goes for MX, but Okada ducks out of the way. Taylor with an Elevated Leg Lariat to Bushi. Sanada locks in Skull End. Taylor breaks the hold with a Falcon Arrow. Taylor with a SlingShot Crossbody Block to Sanada. Okada goes for Reverse NeckBreaker, but Bushi lands back on his feet. Bushi with a Step Up Enzuigiri to Okada. Okada responds with a dropkick. Okada locks in the Cobra Clutch which forces Bushi to tap out.
Winner: Kazuchika Okada & Chuckie T via Submission
Seventh Match: Kota Ibushi vs. Yoshi Hashi in a First Round Match In The 2018 New Japan Cup
Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Ibushi backs Hashi into the ropes. Ibushi pats the chest of Hashi. Hashi applies a hammer lock. Ibushi responds with a wrist lock. Hashi reverses the hold. Ibushi with a single leg takedown. Ibushi applies a leg lock. Hashi transitions into a Cross Arm Breaker. This chain grappling exchange continues the center of the ring. Hashi rolls Ibushi over for a one count. Hashi kicks Ibushi in the gut. Hashi applies a side headlock. Hashi drops Ibushi with a shoulder tackle. Ibushi immediately gets back on his feet. Ibushi leapfrogs over Hashi. Hashi lands a deep arm-drag. Hashi follows that with a Back Elbow Strike. Hashi goes for a BodySlam, but Ibushi lands back on his feet. Ibushi delivers a Buzzsaw Kick. Ibushi stomps on Hashi shoulder. Ibushi is applying pressure to the injured shoulder of Hashi.
Ibushi locks in the Anaconda Vice. Hashi crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Hashi and Ibushi are trading forearm smashes. Hashi dropkicks the left knee of Ibushi. Hashi levels Ibushi with a DDT. Hashi with a Chop/Uppercut Combination to Ibushi. Hashi hits a Running Head Scissors TakeOver. Hashi places Ibushi on the top rope. Hashi dropkicks the back of Ibushi for a two count. Hashi goes for a PowerBomb, but Ibushi counters with a Back Body Drop. Ibushi brings his lighting quick offense to Hashi. Ibushi with a Standing MoonSault for a two count. Following a standing switch exchange, Hashi SuperKicks Ibushi. Ibushi blocks The Bunker Buster. Ibushi decks Hashi with The Bomaye. Hashi launches Ibushi to the ring apron. Hashi with a Apron Suplex to Ibushi. Hashi launches Ibushi over the steel guard rail. Hashi and Ibushi are brawling in the crowd.
Ibushi connects with a Hurricanrana on the floor. Ibushi lands a MoonSault off the second deck. Ibushi rolls Hashi back into the ring at the count of twelve. Ibushi with a SpringBoard Missile Dropkick. Ibushi follows that with a Half Nelson Suplex for a two count. Ibushi goes for The Kamigoye, but Hashi counters with a series of HeadButts. Following another forearm exchange, Hashi slaps Ibushi in the face. Ibushi responds with multiple open hand slaps. Hashi lightly kicks Ibushi in the face. Ibushi is pissed. Ibushi drops Hashi with a Leg Lariat. Hashi fires off a Spinning Heel Kick. Hashi blocks The Buzzsaw Kick. Ibushi with a RoundHouse Kick to Hashi. Ibushi goes for a Last Ride PowerBomb, but Hashi counters with a X-Factor. Hashi follows that with a Sunset Flip PowerBomb for a two count. Hashi applies the Butterfly Lock.
Ibushi breaks the submission hold. Hashi delivers a Release German Suplex. Hashi with Chakram for a two count. Hashi goes for Karma, but Ibushi lands back on his feet. Ibushi starts paint brushing Hashi. Hashi lands The Western Lariat for a two count. Hashi with a Running SitOut PowerBomb for a two count. Hashi goes back to the Butterfly Lock. Hashi transitions into a Sleeper Hold. Hashi with a BackStabber to Ibushi. Hashi follows that with a Running Double Knee Strike for a two count. Hashi goes for Karma, but Ibushi counters with an Inside Out Lariat. Hashi dodges The Kamigoye from Ibushi. Hashi goes for another Western Lariat, but Ibushi counters with a Bridging German Suplex for a two count. Ibushi finally connects with Kamigoye to pickup the victory.
Winner: Kota Ibushi via Pinfall
Eight Match: Tetsuya Naito vs. Zack Sabre Jr in a First Round Match In The 2018 New Japan Cup
Naito ducks a clothesline from Sabre. Sabre attacks Naito from behind. Sabre applies a side headlock. Naito throws Sabre to the ring apron. Naito bounces Sabre head on the top rope. Naito does his signature pose int he center of the ring. Sabre is trying to regain his composure on the outside. Naito kicks Sabre in the chest. Naito is putting the boots to Sabre on the bottom rope. Naito locks in the Cravate. Naito decks Sabre with multiple back elbow smashes. Naito goes for a Rebound Dropkick, but Sabre counters with an Over Head Kick. Sabre is working on his joint manipulation game.
Sabre repeatedly stomps on Naito’s shoulder. Sabre applies an arm-bar on the floor. Sabre transitions into a Kimura Lock. Sabre with The European Clutch for a two count. Sabre dishes out clubbing uppercuts. Sabre steps on the back of Naito’s injured shoulder. Sabre lightly kicks Naito in the face. Sabre with a Double Wrist Lock. Naito creates distance with multiple haymakers. Naito drops Sabre with a Neck Breaker. Naito brings his lighting quick offense to Sabre.
Naito kicks Sabre in the jaw. Naito with a Knee/Neck Breaker Combination. Naito follows that with a Running Basement Dropkick. Naito with a Leg Sweep to Sabre. Naito lands a Rebound Dropkick for a two count. Naito applies a head scissors leg lock. Naito goes back to the cravate. Naito goes for a Hip Toss, but Sabre counters with an Over Head Kick. Naito with a Forearm Smash to Sabre. Sabre responds with a Northern Light Suplex. Sabre floats over into the Wrist Clutch Octopus Hold. Naito crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Sabre and Naito are trading back and forth shots.
Sabre goes for a Dragon Suplex, but Naito counters with a deep arm-drag. Sabre locks in the Octopus Stretch. Sabre uppercuts Naito. Naito responds with a Satellite DDT. Naito blocks a Big Boot from Sabre. Naito with a Draping Knee/Neck Breaker Combination. Following a Elbow Smash Exchange, Sabre locks in the STF. Sabre transitions into a Dragon Sleeper/Fujiwara ArmBar Combination. Sabre stomps on the back of Naito’s knees. Sabre takes out the legs of Naito. Naito fights out of the Heel Hock from Sabre. Naito levels Sabre with an Inverted Atomic Drop. Sabre responds with a Guillotine Choke. Sabre applies an Ankle Lock.
Sabre repeatedly slaps Naito in the face. Naito creates distance with a German Suplex. Naito follows that with a SpineBuster. Sabre catches Naito off guard with the European Clutch. Sabre hits Naito with The PK. Sabre locks in the Heel Hook. Striking fest in the center of the ring. Naito decks Sabre with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Naito connects with Gloria for a two count. Naito follows that with a Leaping Shoulder Tackle. Naito goes for Destino, but Sabre blocks it. Sabre locks in Orienteering with Napalm Death which forces Naito to tap out.
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr via Submission
Check out Episode 96 of The Josh Lopez Wrestling Podcast
