New Japan Cup 2018: Night 4
March 12, 2018
Takamatsu City General Gymnasium
Kagawa, Japan

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Transcription by Josh Lopez

Night 1 Results: 

Night 2 Results:

Night 3 Results: 

First Match: El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Ryusuke Taguchi & Ren Narita

Narita and Desperado will start things off. Narita applies a waist lock. Desperado and Narita are currently in a wrist lock exchange. Desperado applies a side headlock. Narita backs Desperado into the ropes. Narita slaps Desperado in the chest. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Narita with a Fireman’s Carry TakeOver. Narita applies a hammer lock. Desperado reverses the hold. Narita is dishing out back elbow smashes. We have a stalemate in the corner. Narita goes back to the hammer lock. Narita transitions into a side headlock. Narita drops Desperado with a shoulder tackle. Narita knocks Kanemaru off the ring apron. Desperado tosses Narita out of the ring.

Kanemaru bodyslams Narita on the floor. Kanemaru whips Narita back first to the steel guard rail. Kanemaru repeatedly stomps on Narita’s back. Narita gets back in the ring at  the count of fourteen. Desperado tags in Kanemaru. Kanemaru delivers a Back Body Drop. Kanemaru locks in the Camel Clutch. Narita crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Suzuki Gun are cutting the ring in half. Desperado bodyslams Narita. Desperado follows that with a Running Splash for a two count. Desperado kicks Narita in the head. Kanemaru with multiple bodyslams to Narita. Narita kicks Kanemaru in the chest. Narita goes for a dropkick, but Kanemaru ducks out of the way. Kanemaru kicks Narita in the back.

Narita responds with a dropkick. Narita tags in Taguchi. Taguchi with a series of Hip Attacks to Suzuki Gun. Taguchi connects with the Three Amigos for a two count. Taguchi is playing mind games with Kanemaru. Kanemaru dropkicks the left knee of Taguchi. Kanemaru tags in Desperado. Taguchi levels Desperado with a Big Boot. Taguchi goes for a Running Hip Attack, but Desperado counters with an Atomic Drop. Taguchi responds with a Leaping Hip Attack. Taguchi tags in Narita.

Kanemaru drags Narita out of the ring. Narita sends Kanemaru back first to the steel guard rail. Narita with a Hip Toss to Desperado. Narita stomps on Desperado back. Narita whips Desperado to the corner. Taguchi decks Desperado with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Narita follows that with an Over Head Belly to Belly Suplex for a two count. Desperado rakes the eyes of Narita. Narita with a backslide cover for a two count. Narita uppercuts Desperado. Desperado responds with a SpineBuster for a two count. Desperado locks in the Boston Crab. Desperado transitions into a Numero Dos which forces Narita to tap out. 

Winner: El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru via Submission 

Second Match: Bad Luck Fale, Yujiro Takahashi, and Tanga Loa vs. Yuji Nagata, Shota Umino, and Tetsuhiro Yagi in a 6-Man Tag Team Match

Nagata slaps Yagi in the face before the bell rings. Takahashi and Yagi will start things off. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Fale casually knocks Nagata off the ring apron. Yagi backs Takahashi into the turnbuckle pad. Takahashi slaps Yagi in the chest. Takahashi follows that with forearm smashes. Takahashi and Yagi are trading back and forth shots. Takahashi repeatedly stomps on Yagi’s chest. Takahashi is paint brushing Yagi. Nagata and Fale continues to brawl around the ringside area. Yagi delivers a Leaping Back Elbow Strike in the corner. Following a snap mare takeover, Yagi lands a Basement Dropkick.

The Young Lions with Stereo Back Elbow Smashes for a two count. Loa responds with a Double Clothesline. Takahashi kicks Yagi in the gut. Takahashi with a clubbing blow to the back of Yagi. Takahashi is lighting up Yagi’s chest. Takahashi tags in Loa. Yagi slaps Loa in the chest. Loa responds with a HeadButt. Loa decks Yagi with a Big Haymaker. Loa bodyslams Yagi for a one count. Loa drives Yagi back first into the turnbuckle pad. Loa tags in Fale. Fale is choking Yagi with his boot. Fale bodyslams Yagi. Fale with a Senton Cover for a two count. The Bullet Club continues to cut the ring in half. Takahashi with a Running Boot to Yagi. Yagi responds with a dropkick. Yagi tags in Nagata.

Nagata repeatedly kicks the hamstring of Fale. Nagata ducks a clothesline from Fale. Nagata dropkicks Fale’s right knee. Loa kicks Nagata in the gut. Nagata avoids a Tonga Splash from Loa. Nagata connects with an Exploder Suplex. Nagata with Buzzsaw Kicks across the chest of Takahashi. Nagata and Takahashi are trading big boots. Nagata locks in a Fujiwara Arm-Bar. Fale breaks the submission hold. Nagata tags in Umino. Umino with a series of running back elbow strikes to Takahashi. Umino ducks a clothesline from Takahashi. Umino drops Takahashi with a Running Forearm Smash. Takahashi knocks Umino off the top turnbuckle.

Loa with a Corner Clothesline to Umino. Takahashi follows that with a Helluva Kick. Fale inadvertently takes out Takahashi with a Body Avalanche. Nagata throws Fale out of the ring. Umino lands a Missile Dropkick for a two count. Umino locks in the Cross Arm Breaker. Takahashi rolls Umino over for a two count. Umino delivers more forearm smashes. Takahashi bits Umino’s fingers. Umino goes for a Dropkick, but Takahashi holds onto the ropes. Takahashi connects with a Sliding Dropkick. Takahashi follows that with a Fisherman’s Buster for a two count. Takahashi plants Umino with Pump Juice to pickup the victory. 

Winner: Bad Luck Fale, Yujiro Takahashi and Tanga Loa via Pinfall 

Third Match: Yoshi Hashi & Hirooki Goto vs. Michael Elgin & Tomoyuki Oka 

Goto and Oka will start things off. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Oka applies a waist lock. Goto transitions into a side headlock. Oka attacks the ribs of Goto. Goto goes for a shoulder tackle, but Oka stands still. Goto and Oka are running into each other. Goto rakes the eyes of Oka. Goto finally drops Oka with a shoulder tackle. Goto knocks Elgin off the ring apron. Goto brings Oka to the corner. Goto tags in Hashi. Stereo Back Elbow Smashes from Chaos. Goto kicks Oka in the back. Hashi follows that with a Basement Dropkick for a two count. Hashi kicks Oka in the chest. Hashi with a series of knife edge chops. Hashi kicks Oka in the face. Hashi tags in Goto.

Goto delivers a clubbing blow to the back of Oka. Following a snap mare takeover, Goto kicks Oka in the back for a two count. Goto applies a rear chin lock. Oka gets back to a vertical base. Goto and Oka are trading open hand chops. Goto decks Oka with a Spinning Heel Kick. Goto follows that with a Saito Suplex for a two count. Goto wants Oka to bring it. Oka blocks a Big Boot from Goto. Oka with a Running Lariat to Goto. Oka tags in Elgin.

Elgin with multiple back elbow strikes to Goto. Goto side steps Elgin into the turnbuckle pad. Elgin with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Elgin with a Swinging Falcon Arrow for a two count. Elgin knocks Hashi off the ring apron. Elgin is wearing down Goto with short-arm lariats. Goto levels Elgin with an Inside Out Lariat. Goto tags in Hashi. Hashi goes for a Vertical Suplex, but Elgin counters with a Falcon Arrow. Elgin tags in Hashi. Oka and Elgin are double teaming Hashi. Oka PowerSlams Hashi for a two count. Elgin rocks Goto with a Forearm Smash. Oka slaps Goto in the face. Oka with an Over Head Belly to Belly Suplex for a two count.

Oka locks in the Boston Crab. Hashi crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Oka with a Forearm Smash to Hashi. Hashi responds with a knife edge chop. Oka with a Vertical Suplex to Hashi. Oka follows that with a SpineBuster for a two count. Hashi fights out of the waist lock from Oka. Hashi SuperKicks Oka for a two count. Hashi with a Hangman’s Neck Breaker for a two count. Elgin and Goto are brawling on the outside. Hashi applies the Butterfly Lock which forces Oka to tap out.

Winner: Hirooki Goto & Yoshi Hashi via Submission 

Fourth Match: Zack Sabre Jr & Taka Michinoku vs. Tetsuya Naito & Bushi 

Sabre and Naito will start things off. Naito paint brushes Sabre. Naito tags in Bushi. Bushi attacks Sabre from behind. Sabre responds with two uppercuts. Naito kicks Sabre behind the referee’s back. Bushi wraps his t-shirt around Sabre’s neck. Sabre with a Uppercut Forearm to Bushi. Sabre tags in Michinoku. Michinoku walks into forearm smashes from Bushi. Michinoku pokes Bushi in the eye. Michinoku applies a rear chin lock. Sabre knocks Naito off the ring apron. Sabre is choking Bushi with his boot. Sabre applies a Bridging Indian Death Lock. Sabre transitions into the Kimura Lock. Bushi crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Sabre tags in Michinoku.

Michinoku delivers two arm ringers. Michinoku bounces Bushi head on the turnbuckle pad. Michinoku decks Bushi with a Running Knee Strike. Michinoku follows that with a Shining Wizard for a two count. Michinoku repeatedly kicks Bush in the face. Bushi responds with more forearm smashes. Bushi drops Michinoku with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Bushi tags in Sabre. Naito ducks a clothesline from Sabre. Naito lands a deep arm-drag. Naito Hip Tosses Sabre. Naito hits the Running Basement Dropkick. Naito does his signature pose in the center of the ring.

Naito walks into european uppercuts from Sabre. Naito with a Swinging Neck Breaker for a two count. Naito transitions into a ground and pound attack. Naito goes for a German Suplex, but Sabre counters with a Guillotine Choke. Sabre applies the Ankle Lock. Sabre floats over into the Orienteering with Napalm Death. Naito desperately crawls to the bottom rope. Sabre and Naito are trading back and forth shots. Naito with an Inverted Atomic Drop to Sabre. Naito follows that with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Naito tags in Bushi. Bushi lands a Missile Dropkick. Sabre responds with a Neck Twist. Sabre tags in Michinoku.

Bushi with rapid forearms to Michinoku. Bushi ducks a clothesline from Michinoku. Bushi goes for a Head Scissors TakeOver, but Michinoku counters with the STF.  Naito breaks the submission hold. Sabre throws Naito out of the ring. Michinoku SuperKicks Bushi for a two count. Bushi side steps Michinoku into the turnbuckle pad. Naito delivers a Rebound Dropkick. Bushi catapults Sabre into a Basement Dropkick from Naito. Bushi with a Leaping Double Knee Strike to Michinoku. Bushi connects with Lightning Spiral. Bushi plants Michinoku with MX to pickup the victory.

Winner: Tetsuya Naito & Bushi via Pinfall 

Fifth Match: Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer, Takashi Iizuka, and Taichi vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Juice Robinson, David Finlay, and Toa Henare in a 8-Man Tag Team Match 

Suzuki Gun attacks Taguchi Japan before the bell rings. A pier six brawl breaks out around the ringside area. Suzuki wants the Kagawa crowd to be quiet. Tanahashi kicks Suzuki in the gut. Tanahashi whips Suzuki back first to the steel guard rail. Iizuka with a clubbing blow to the back of Tanahashi. Taichi side steps Robinson into the turnbuckle pad. Taichi delivers a Jumping Enzuigiri. Robinson responds with Juice Jabs. Taichi begs for mercy. Robinson applies a wrist lock. Robinson dives over Taichi. Robinson with a Running Crossbody Block. Robinson tags in Finlay.

Robinson and Finlay with a Double Hip Toss to Taichi. Finlay follows that with a Leg Drop. Robinson with a Leaping Senton Splash. Iizuka is biting the left foot of Robinson. Robinson and Finlay are double teaming Iizuka. Finlay with a Forearm/Uppercut Combination to Taichi. Suzuki kicks Finlay behind the referee’s back. Suzki locks in the Rope Assisted Arm-Bar. Suzuki Gun clears the ring. Suzuki sends Finlay shoulder first to the steel guard rail. Iizuka hits Tanahashi with a folding chair. Taichi and Henare are brawling in the crowd. Suzuki launches Tanahashi into a collection of chairs. Suzuki buries Tanahashi under the steel guard railing.

Finlay gets back in the ring at the count of eighteen. Iizuka is mauling Finlay in the corner. Suzuki continues to destroy Tanahashi. Taichi tags in Archer. Finlay dishes out european uppercuts. Archer responds with a Running Shoulder Block. Archer with a Short-Arm Clothesline to Finlay. Archer tags in Iizuka. Iizuka is putting the boots to Finlay. Iizuka bites Finlay’s forehead. Suzuki Gun continues to cut the ring in half. Suzuki kicks Finlay in the back. Finlay and Suzuki are exchanging blows. Finlay takes down Suzuki with a Spinning European Uppercut. Finlay tags in Tanahashi.

Tanahashi with a Running Forearm Smash to Suzuki. Tanahashi follows that with a Hip Toss to Taichi. Tanahashi knocks Archer and Iizuka off the ring apron. Tanahashi with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Suzuki irish whips Tanahashi to the corner. Suzuki decks Tanahashi with a Helluva Kick. Following a snap mare takeover, Suzuki goes for a PK, but Tanahashi counters with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Suzuki locks in the Heel Hook. Tanahashi crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. We have ourself a forearm fest in the center of the ring. Suzuki applies The Sleeper Hold. Archer tags himself in.

Archer goes for the ChokeSlam, but Tanahashi blocks it. Archer connects with a Full Nelson Bomb for a two count. Archer with an Over Head Belly to Belly Suplex to Robinson. Archer sends Finlay crashing to the outside. Archer goes for a Brain Buster, but Tanahashi counters with Twist and Shout. Tanahashi tags in Henare. Henare clears the ring apron. Taguchi Japan are mauling Archer in the corner. Henare with a Samoan Drop for a two count. Robinson and Suzuki are brawling on the floor. Henare HeadButts Archer. Archer responds with The Winds of Change for a two count. Archer levels Henare with a Big Boot. Archer plants Henare with Blackout to pickupt he victory.

Winner: Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer, Takashi Iizuka, and Taichi via Pinfall 

Sixth Match: Kota Ibushi & Chase Owens vs. Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii w/Gedo 

Ibushi and Okada will start things off. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Okada applies a waist lock. Ibushi transitions into a wrist lock. Okada reverses the hold. Ibushi applies a hammer lock. Okada responds with a side headlock. Okada drops Ibushi with a shoulder tackle. Ibushi immediately lands back on his feet. Ibushi leapfrogs over Okada. Okada drop toe holds Ibushi to the canvas. Okada goes for a Elbow Drop, but Ibushi ducks out of the way. Okada dodges a leg lariat from Ibushi. Ibushi fails to land the Standing MoonSault. Okada goes for the Rain Maker, but Ibushi blocks it. This leads us to a standoff in the center of the ring. Ishii and Owens are tagged in.

Owens slaps Ishii in the face. Owens applies a side headlock. Owens and Ishii starts running into each other. Owens with a knife edge chop to Ishii. Ishii responds with a shoulder tackle. Ishii goes for a Vertical Suplex, but Owens lands back on his feet. Ishii and Owens are exchanging forearms. Owens connects with a Back Breaker. Owens bounces Ishii head on the turnbuckle pad. Owens tags in Ibushi. Ibushi repeatedly stomps on Ishii chest. Ibushi with stiff uppercuts to Ishii. Owens applies a sleeper hold. Owens is putting the boots to Ishii in the corner. Following a snap mare takeover, Owens applies a rear chin lock. Ishii gets back to a vertical base. Owens decks Ishii with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Owens and Ibushi connects with a Standing MoonSault/Knee Drop Combination.

Ibushi refuses to do The Bullet Club Hand Gesture. Ishii is pissed. This leads us to a long forearm exchange in the corner. Ishii kicks Ibushi in the face. Ibushi responds with a Buzzsaw Kick. Ishii PowerSlams Ibushi. Ishii follows that with a Vertical Suplex to Owens. Ishii tags in Okada. Okada with Running Forearm Smashes to Owens and Ibushi. Ibushi kicks Okada in the gut. Okada shoves Ibushi into Owens. Okada drops Ibushi with a DDT. Ibushi creates distance with a Big Boot. Okada responds with a FlapJack for a two count. Okada dives over Ibushi. Ibushi lands a Pele Kick. Ibushi tags in Owens.

Owens with a SlingShot Back Breaker for a two count. Owens brings his lighting quick offense to Okada. Owens with the Shining Wizard for a two count. Owens kicks Ishii out of the ring. Owens mocks Okada. Owens goes for a Package PileDriver, but Okada counters with a Back Body Drop. Okada dropkicks Owens. Ibushi with a Missile Dropkick to Okada. Ishii goes for a German Suplex, but Ibushi lands back on his feet. Ishii lays out Ibushi with an Inside Out Lariat. Okada goes for a TombStone PileDriver, but Okada lands back on his feet. Owens thrust kicks the midsection of Okada. Owens blocks The Rain Maker Attempt. Okada locks in The Cobra Clutch which forces Owens to tap out.

Winner: Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii via Submission 

Seventh Match: Davey Boy Smith Jr vs. Toru Yano in a First Round Match In The 2018 New Japan Cup 

Yano is throwing haymakers at Smith. Smith HeadButts Yano. Smith applies a side headlock. Smith drops Yano with a shoulder tackle. Smith with a Vertical Suplex to Yano. Smith follows that with a Forearm Smash. Yano side steps Smith into the turnbuckle pad. Yano blinds Smith vision with his t-shirt. Yano rolls Smith over for a two count. Yano rips off a turnbuckle pad. Smith sends Yano crashing into the exposed steel. Smith transitions into a Corner Mount. Smith gets Yano tied in the tree of woe. Smith repeatedly stomps on Yano’s chest in the corner. Smith bounces Yano’s head on the exposed steel.

Yano with a school boy rollup for a two count. Yano and Smith are exchanging forearms on the floor. The brawl spills into the crowd. Smith sends Yano into a collection of chairs. Smith drops Yano with a Big Boot. Smith is choking Yano with a cable chord. Yano gets back in the ring at the count of nineteen. Smith connects with the Garvin Stomp. Smith applies a rear chin lock. Yano places his bottom rope to create separation. Smith with a Gut Wrench Suplex for a two count. Smith applies a head scissors leg lock. Smith is biting Yano’s fingers. Smith starts talking smack to Red Shoes. Smith uppercuts Yano. Smith tells Yano to bring it.

Smith staggers Yano with a Forearm Smash. Smith wants the Kagawa crowd to be quiet. Yano is trying to play mind games with Smith. Smith repeatedly kicks Yano in the gut. Yano refuses the referee as a protective shield. Yano with an Inverted Atomic Drop for a two count. Yano whips Smith sternum first to the exposed steel. Smith kicks the chair out of Yano’s hand. Smith with a Bridging Saito Suplex for a two count. Smith locks in the STF. Yano uses his fighting spirt to break the hold. Smith delivers a clubbing blow to the back of Smith.

Yano catapults Smith into the exposed steel. Following a standing switch exchange, Yano connects with a low blow. Yano rolls Smith over for a two count. Smith responds with a Running PowerSlam. Smith goes for a SlingShot Suplex, but Yano blocks it. Yano rakes the eyes of Smith. Yano is trying wrap Smith ankles together with medical tape. Smith repeatedly HeadButts Yano on the floor. Yano launches Smith over the steel guard rail. Unfortunately Smith gets counted out by the referee.

Winner: Toru Yano via CountOut 

Eight Match: Sanada vs. Chuckie T in a First Round Match In The 2018 New Japan Cup 

Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Taylor applies a wrist lock. Sanada reverses the hold. Taylor transitions into a hammer lock. Sanada responds with a side headlock. Sanada drops Taylor with a Shoulder Tackle. Taylor leapfrogs over Sanada. Taylor decks Sanada with a back elbow smash. Sanada and Taylor trading deep arm-drags. Stereo Dropkicks leads us to a standoff in the center of the ring. Taylor shakes hands with Sanada. Sanada kicks Taylor in the gut. Taylor responds with a Back Elbow Smith. Taylor dives over Sanada. Taylor dropkicks Sanada. Sanada is trying to regain his composure on the outside.

Sanada rakes the eyes of Taylor. Sanada launches Taylor back first to the steel guard rail. Sanada and Taylor are brawling in the crowd. Sanada goes for a Paradise Lock, but Taylor blocks it. Sanada locks in the Cravate. Sanada dumps Taylor’s head on a row of chairs. Sanada brings Taylor back to the ringside area. Taylor brings out a table from under the ring. Sanada with a Vertical Suplex on the floor. Sanada rolls Taylor back into the ring. Sanada with a Forearm Smash across the back of Taylor. Sanada repeatedly stomps on Taylor’s chest in the corner. Sanada chokes Taylor with his boot. Taylor launches Sanada to the ring apron. Taylor kicks Sanada in the gut. Taylor fights out of the Fireman’s Carry Position. Sanada locks in Skull End on the top rope.

Sanada irish whips Taylor to the corner. Sanada delivers a Snap Vertical Suplex for a two count. Sanada applies a rear chin lock. Taylor creates distance with multiple haymakers. Sanada kicks Taylor in the face. Taylor responds with a PowerSlam. Taylor follows that with two lariats. Taylor with a Back Elbow Smash to Sanada. Taylor lands a Missile Dropkick. Taylor connects with the Falcon Arrow for a two count. Taylor applies the Figure Four Leg Lock. Sanada crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Taylor with a Chop/Forearm Combination to Sanada. Taylor goes for Awful Waffle, but Sanada lands back on his feet. Taylor thrust kicks the midsection of Sanada. Sanada leapfrogs over Taylor. Sanada sends Taylor out of the ring with a dropkick. Sanada delivers a SlingShot Crossbody Block.

Taylor kicks Sanada in the chest. Sanada goes for a TKO, but Taylor lands back on his feet. Taylor leapfrogs over Sanada. Sanada ducks a clothesline from Taylor. Sanada goes for a Hurricanrana, but Taylor counters with a SitOut PowerBomb for a two count. Sanada rolls himself out of the ring. Taylor lands a SomerSault Plancha. Taylor repeatedly throws Sanada to the steel guard rail. Taylor decks Sanada with an Avalanche Cannonball Strike. Taylor bodyslams Sanada on a collection of chairs. Sanada catches Taylor in mid-air. Sanada PowerBombs Taylor through a table.

Sanada rolls Taylor back into the ring. Sanada lands a SpringBoard Missile Dropkick. Sanada follows that with a Belly to Back Suplex. Sanada goes for Skull End, but Taylor counters with a Deep Arm-Drag. Taylor staggers Sanada with a Jumping Knee Strike. Following a long forearm exchange, Sanada uppercuts Taylor. Taylor responds with a Falcon Arrow for a two count. Taylor drags Sanada to the corner. Taylor goes for a MoonSault, but Sanada ducks out of the way.

Taylor creates distance with a Big Boot. Taylor hits Sole Food. Sanada responds with the TKO for a two count. Sanada dumps Taylor with a Cradle Back Breaker. Sanada goes for a MoonSault, but Taylor counters with Awful Waffle for a two count. Sanada floats over into Skull End. Taylor with La Magistral for a two count. Sanada ducks a clothesline from Taylor. Sanada goes back to Skull End. Sanada drags Taylor to the corner. Sanada lands a MoonSault to pickup the victory.

Winner: Sanada via Pinfall 

Checking out Episode 96 of The Josh Lopez Wrestling Podcast