New Japan Cup 2018: Night 5
March 14, 2018
Fujisan Messe
Shizuoka, Japan

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Transcription by Josh Lopez

Night 1: 

Night 2: 

Night 3: 

Night 4: 

First Match: Ryusuke Taguchi & Tetsuhiro Yagi vs. El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru 

Desperado and Yagi will start things off. Yagi applies a waist lock. Desperado transitions into a wrist lock. Yagi reverses the hold. Following a hammer lock exchange, Yagi delivers an Ankle Pick. Yagi applies a side headlock. Yagi drops Desperado with a shoulder tackle. Yagi knocks Kanemaru off the ring apron. Yagi repeatedly stomps on Desperado’s chest. Yagi is dishing out forearm smashes. Desperado throws Yagi out of the ring. Kanemaru whips Yagi back first across the steel guard rail. Desperado and Taguchi are brawling in the crowd. Yagi gets back in the ring at the count of sixteen. Desperado tags in Kanemaru.

Kanemaru with Two Bodyslams to Yagi. Kanemaru locks in the Boston Crab. Desperado is mauling Taguchi in the corner. Yagi crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Yagi with Open Hand Chops to Kanemaru. Kanemaru tags in Desperado. Desperado is lighting up Yagi’s chest. Desperado drives his knee into the midsection of Yagi. Desperado with a Back Elbow Smash for a two count. Taguchi levels Desperado with rapid fire hip attacks. Desperado rakes the eyes of Taguchi. Desperado tags in Kanemaru. Kanemaru uppercuts Yagi. Kanemaru follows that with a Big Boot. Yagi kicks Kanemaru in the jaw. Yagi dropkicks Kanemaru. Yagi tags in Taguchi.

Taguchi ducks a clothesline from Desperado. Taguchi with a series of Running Hip Attacks to Kanemaru. Taguchi takes down Desperado with a Hip Toss. Taguchi with a Hesitation Dropkick to Kanemaru. Taguchi continues the sequence with two vertical suplexes. Kanemaru goes for a German Suplex, but Taguchi counters with an Ankle Lock. Taguchi connects with a Jumping Hip  Attack. Kanemaru responds with a Basement Dropkick. Kanemaru tags in Desperado. Taguchi kicks Desperado in the jaw. Taguchi goes for a Running Hip Attack, but Desperado counters with an Atomic Drop. Taguchi responds with a Jumping Hip Attack. Taguchi tags in Yagi.

Yagi clotheslines Desperado. Kanemaru drags Yagi out of the ring. Yagi clocks Kanemaru with a Running Forearm Smash. Desperado kicks Yagi in the gut. Yagi responds with another Running Forearm Smash. Yagi and Taguchi are double teaming Desperado. Taguchi with a Step Up Enzuigiri to Desperado. Yagi follows that with a Vertical Brain Buster for a two count. Yagi with an inside cradle for a two count. Yagi kicks Desperado in the gut. Desperado responds with a SpineBuster for a two count. Desperado locks in Numero Dos which forces Yagi to tap out.

Winner: El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru via Submission 

Second Match: Yuji Nagata, Tomoyuki Oka, and Shota Umino vs. David Finlay, Toa Henare, and Ren Narita in a 6-Man Tag Team Match 

Finlay and Umino will start things off. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Finlay applies a front facelock. Umino reverse the hold. Finlay with a waist lock takedown. Umino backs Finlay into the turnbuckle pad. Narita and Oka are tagged in. Oka with a Hip Lock TakeOver to Narita. Oka is grappling around Narita. Oka with a bridging cover for a one count. Oka applies a side headlock. Narita with multiple bodyshots to Oka. Oka drops Narita with a shoulder tackle. Oka follows that with a Bodyslam for a one count. Oka locks in the STF. Narita crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Oka knocks Finlay off the ring apron. Oka tags in Nagata.

Nagata is putting the boots to Narita in the corner. Narita fires back with open hand chops. Nagata connects with an arm-ringer. Nagata tags in Umino. Umino delivers an Axe Handle Strike. Umino applies a wrist lock. The Young Lions are cutting the ring in half. Oka kicks Umino in the gut. Oka repeatedly stomps on Narita’s back. Oka goes for a Body Avalanche, but Narita counters with a dropkick. Narita tags in Finlay. Finlay levels Oka with Two European Uppercuts. Finlay lands a Flying European Uppercut for a two count. Oka fights out of the fireman’s carry position. Finlay kicks Oka in the gut. Oka responds with an Over Head Belly to Belly Suplex. Oka tags in Nagata.

Nagata with Roundhouse Kicks across the chest of Finlay. Nagata decks Finlay with The Helluva Kick. Nagata goes for an Exploder Suplex, but Finlay blocks it. Nagata rocks Finlay with a forearm smash. Nagata dropkicks the left knee of Finlay. Finlay responds with a ChokeSlam Back Breaker. Nagata hits the Exploder Suplex. Umino and Henare are tagged in. They’re exchange forearm smashes in the center of the ring. Umino dropkicks Henare. Umino fires off a Leaping Back Elbow Strike. Umino ducks a clothesline from Henare.

Umino drops Henare with a Running Forearm Smash. Nagata and Oka clears the ring. Umino lands a Missile Dropkick for a two count. Umino locks in the Cross Arm Breaker. Henare rolls Umino over for a two count. Henare goes for a Samoan Drop, but Umino lands back on his feet. Umino kicks Henare in the gut. Umino uppercuts Henare. Henare responds with an Inside Out Lariat for a two count. Henare plants Umino with The Pop Up Samoan Drop to pickup the victory.

Winner: David Finlay, Toa Henare and Ren Narita via Pinfall 

Third Match: The Killer Elite Squad vs. Tanga Loa & Yujiro Takahashi 

KES attacks Bullet Club before the bell rings. We have ourself a pier six braw in the ringside area. Smith launches Loa over the steel guard rail. Smith spits water at Loa. Archer is choking Takahashi with his boot. Loa delivers a forearm smash to the back of Smith. Takahashi rakes the eyes of Archer. Smith rolls Loa back into the ring. Smith is dishing out forearms to Loa. Loa goes for a shoulder tackle, but Smith stands still. Loa HeadButts Smith. Loa is mauling Smith in the corner. Smith reverses out of the irish whip. Loa decks Smith with a Back Elbow Smash. Loa lands a Flying Double Axe Handle. Archer kicks Loa in the back. Smith drops Loa with a Big Boot. Smith knocks Takahashi off the ring apron. Smith bodyslams Loa. Archer and Takahashi are brawling in the crowd.

Archer dumps the steel railing on Takahashi’s back. Following a snap mare takeover, Smith applies a rear chin lock. Archer is toying around with the Japanese announce table. Smith with a Vertical Suplex. Smith tags in Archer. Archer drops Loa with a shoulder tackle for a two count. Archer is yelling at the referee. Archer thrust kicks Takahashi. Archer transitions into a ground and pound attack. Archer tags in Smith. Double BodySlam from KES. Smith with a disrespectful cover for a two count. KES continues to cut the ring in half. Smith drives Loa’s head to the canvas for a two count. Smith kicks Takahashi in the gut. Smith throws Takahashi out of the ring. Smith tags in Archer.

Archer delivers a clubbing blow to the back of Loa. Loa ducks a clothesline from Archer. Loa creates distance with a dropkick. Archer responds with a Big Boot. Loa takes down Archer with a Hurricanrana. Loa tags in Takahashi. Takahashi levels Archer with a Helluva Kick. Takahashi follows that with a Running Bulldog. Takahashi takes out the legs of Archer. Takahashi knocks Smith off the ring apron. Takahashi lands a Suicide Dive. Archer goes for a ChokeSlam, but Loa gets in the way. Loa with a Corner Clothesline to Archer. Loa snap mares Archer into a Sliding Dropkick from Takahashi. Takahashi connects with a Fisherman’s Buster for a two count. Smith and Loa are trading back and forth shots. Takahashi bites Archer’s thumb. KES connects with The Hart Attack for a two count. KES plants Takahashi with Killer Bomb to pickup the victory.

Winner: The Killer Elite Squad via Pinfall 

Fourth Match: Zack Sabre Jr & Taka Michinoku vs. Kota Ibushi & Chase Owens 

Ibushi and Sabre will start things off. Sabre applies a front facelock. Sabre backs Ibushi into the ropes. Sabre dodges a roundhouse kick from Ibushi. Greco Knuckle Lock Exchange. Sabre applies a Standing Bow and Arrow Stretch. Sabre transitions into a straight jacket hold. Ibushi gets back to a vertical base. Ibushi reverses the hold. Ibushi lands a deep arm-drag. Sabre responds with an uppercut. Ibushi drops Sabre with a RoundHouse Kick to the chest. Owens tags himself in. Owens drives his elbow to the back of Sabre. Owens with a twisting neck breaker. Owens applies a top wrist lock. Sabre kicks the left shoulder of Owens. Sabre tags in Michinoku.

Michinoku is putting the boots to Owens. Owens fires back with multiple forearm smashes. Michinoku pokes Owens in the eye. Owens returns the favor. Michinoku dropkicks Owens. Michinoku knocks Ibushi off the ring apron. Michinoku steps on Owens left shoulder blade. Michinoku tags in Sabre. Sabre applies a Fujiwara Arm-Bar. Sabre with an arm twist to Owens. Sabre is choking Owens with his boot. Suzuki Gun are cutting the ring in half. Michinoku is walking into forearms from Owens. Michinoku irish whips Owens to the corner. Michinoku levels Owens with a Jumping Knee Strike. Owens and Sabre are trading back and forth shots.

Sabre with a Big Boot to Ibushi. Sabre locks in the Guillotine Choke. Owens creates distance with a Delay Vertical Suplex. Owens tags in Ibushi. Ibushi lands a Double Over Head Kick. Ibushi PowerSlams Sabre. Ibushi follows that with a MoonSault for a two count. Ibushi bring his lightning quick offense to Sabre. Ibushi drops Sabre with a Buzzsaw Kick. Ibushi goes for a Standing MoonSault, but Sabre counters with a Triangle Choke. Michinoku has Owens trapped in the Crippler Cross Face. Ibushi crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Following a Uppercut/Forearm Exchange, Sabre block the RoundHouse Kick from Ibushi. Sabre connects with The PK. Sabre tags in Michinoku.

Michinoku stomps on Ibushi back. Ibushi responds with a Buzzsaw Kick. Ibushi tags in Owens. Standing MoonSault/Fist Drop Combination from Owens and Ibushi for a two count. Michinoku fights out of the Fireman’s Carry Position. Owens goes for a SuperMan Punch, but Michinoku ducks out of the way. Michinoku rocks Owens with a Jumping Knee Strike. Michinoku follows that with a SuperKick. Michinoku delivers another poke to the eye. Michinoku with a Bicycle Kick to Owens. Owens responds with an Inside Out Lariat for a two count. Ibushi lands a SpringBoard Missile Dropkick. Ibushi takes out Sabre with a SlingShot Crossbody Block. Owens plants Michinoku with The Package PileDriver to pickup the victory. After the match, Sabre locks in the Octopus Stretch on Ibushi.

Winner: Kota Ibushi & Chase Owens via Pinfall 

Fifth Match: Tetsuya Naito, Sanada, and Bushi vs. Tomohiro Ishii, Chuckie T, and Toru Yano in a 6-Man Tag Team Match 

Sanada and Yano will start things off. Yano is already trying to rip off turnbuckle pads. Sanada delivers a clubbing blow to the back of Yano. Yano is playing mind games with Sanada. Yano rakes the eyes of Sanada. Sanada responds with a single leg takedown. Sanada goes for the Paradise Lock, but Yano blocks it. Yano tags in Taylor. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Sanada applies a side headlock. Sanada drops Taylor with a shoulder tackle. Taylor leapfrogs over Sanada. Taylor decks Sanada with a Back Elbow Smash. Taylor follows that with La Magistral for a two count. Taylor with an arm-drag takeover to Sanada. Taylor is distracted by Bushi. Taylor bounces Sanada head on the turnbuckle pad. Naito trips Taylor from the outside. Sanada delivers a Basement Dropkick. Bushi knocks Ishii off the ring apron. Naito and Ishii are brawling.

Naito hits Yano with the DVD Case. Sanada tags in Naito. Naito is putting the boots to Taylor in the corner. Naito locks in the Cravate. Naito tags in Bushi. LIJ are double teaming Taylor. Bushi applies the STF. Taylor is trying to negate the tandem offense from LIJ. Taylor SuperKicks Bushi. Taylor follows that with a Jumping Knee Strike to Naito. Taylor lands a Missile Dropkick. Taylor tags in Ishii. Ishii ducks a clothesline from Naito. Naito irish whips Ishii to the corner. Naito goes for a Satellite DDT, but Ishii counters with a Vertical Suplex. Ishii with a Chop/Forearm Combination to Naito. Naito responds with two neck breakers for a two count. Naito repeatedly kicks Ishii in the face. Following a long forearm exchange, Naito connects with a Knee/Back Breaker Combination. Naito follows that with a Basement Dropkick. Ishii tags in Yano.

Sanada ducks a clothesline from Yano. Sanada is showing off his athleticism with the gator roll for a two count. Sanada applies the Paradise Lock. Sanada with a Basement Dropkick to Yano. Sanada dishes out clubbing haymakers. Yano rolls Sanada over for a two count. Yano kicks Sanada in the gut. Yano goes for a Bodyslam, but Sanada counters with Skull End. Sanada drags Yano to the corner. Sanada tags in Bushi. Bushi lands a Missile Dropkick. Bushi with a Leaping Double Knee Strike to Yano. Trifecta Dropkicks from LIJ. Chaos clears the ring. Bushi goes for MX, but the referee gets in the way. Yano low blows Bushi. Yano connects with Uragasumi to pickup the victory.

Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, Chuckie T, and Toru Yano via Pinfall 

Sixth Match: Minoru Suzuki, Takashi Iizuka, and Taichi vs. Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, and Yoshi Hashi in a 6-Man Tag Team Match 

Suzuki Gun attacks Chaos before the bell rings. Suzuki rips off Okada’s jacket. Okada whips Suzuki sternum first to the steel guard rail. Taichi is duking it out with Yoshi Hashi. Taichi rakes the eyes of Hashi. Taichi irish whips Hashi to the corner. Hashi drops Taichi with a Running Back Elbow Strike. Hashi ducks a clothesline from Taichi. Hashi hits The Bunker Buster. Hashi is distracted by Suzuki. Hashi delivers a knife edge chop. Iizuka hits Hashi in the back with a steel chair. Suzuki and Okada are brawling in the crowd. Suzuki buries Okada under the steel guard rail. Suzuki applies a Kimura Lock. Hashi gets back in the ring at the count of eighteen. Suzuki Gun are mollywhopping Hashi. Iizuka rips off Hashi medical tape. Iizuka is biting Hashi injured shoulder. Hashi fires back with knife edge chops. Iizuka kicks Hashi in the back. Iizuka tags in Suzuki.

Following a snap mare takeover, Suzuki delivers a Reverse PK. Suzuki tells Hashi to bring it. Suzuki slaps Hashi in the chest. Suzuki knocks Okada off the ring apron. Suzuki tags in Taichi. Taichi with a disrespectful cover fro a one count. Taichi and Hashi are trading back and forth shots. Taichi with a Spinning Heel Kick to Hashi. Taichi follows that with a Corner Clothesline for a two count. Taichi goes for a PileDriver, but Hashi counters with a Back Body Drop. Taichi rakes the back of Hashi. Hashi decks Taichi with a Spinning Heel Kick. Goto and Iizuka are tagged in. Goto clears the ring.

Goto sends Taichi crashing into Iizuka with a Snap Vertical Suplex. Goto with a Spinning Heel Kick to Taichi. Goto hits The Saito Suplex for a two count. Goto goes for a German Suplex, but Taichi blocks it. Taichi with a Step Up Enzuigiri to Goto. Taichi levels Goto with a Leg Lariat for a two count. Taichi rips off his pants. Taichi goes for a SuperKick, but Goto counters with a Ushigoroshi. Goto tags in Okada. Suzuki with Forearm Smashes to Okada. Okada dodges a Big Boot from Suzuki. Okada runs through Suzuki with a Back Elbow Strike. Okada with a DDT for a two count. Okada bodyslams Suzuki. Suzuki responds with a Muay Thai Knee Strike. Suzuki delivers a Helluva Kick. Suzuki follows that with The PK. Suzuki locks in the Heel Hook. Okada crawls to the bottom rope to create separation.

Suzuki repeatedly kicks the hamstring of Okada. Okada is pissed. This leads us to a long forearm exchange. Okada uppercuts Suzuki. Suzuki responds with a Sleeper Hold. Suzuki Gun clears the ring. Suzuki Gun are mauling Okada in the corner. Taichi thrust kicks the midsection of Okada. Suzuki with his third PK of the match. Iizuka is choking Okada with a rope. Iizuka with the cover for a two count. Iizuka brings out the Iron Glove. Hashi SuperKicks Iizuka. Taichi responds with a Big Lariat. Goto throws Suzuki out of the ring. Okada lands two dropkicks. Okada locks in the Cobra Clutch which forces Iizuka to tap out.

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, and Yoshi Hashi via Submission 

Seventh Match: Juice Robinson vs. Michael Elgin in a Quarterfinal Match In The 2018 New Japan Cup 

Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Elgin applies a wrist lock. Robinson drop toe holds Elgin to the canvas. Robinson applies a front facelock. Robinson transitions into a hammer lock. Elgin creates distance with a deep arm-drag. Robinson applies a side headlock. Robinson goes for a shoulder tackle, but Elgin stand still. Robinson dropkicks Elgin. Elgin responds with a shoulder tackle. Elgin goes for a Delayed Vertical Suplex, but Robinson lands back on his feet. Robinson with a Belly to Back Suplex to Elgin. Elgin dodges a Corner Clothesline from Robinson. Elgin gets Robinson in the tree of woe. Elgin with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Elgin follows that with a SlingShot NeckBreaker Elgin delivers a Snap Vertical Suplex for a one count. Elgin with a Running Back Elbow Smash to Robinson. Elgin continues the early onslaught with a Chop/Forearm Combination.

Elgin drops Robinson with a knife edge chop. Up and Over Goes Robinson. Robinson connects with Juice Jabs. Elgin responds with a BodySlam. Elgin goes for a SlingShot Splash, but Robinson ducks out of the way. Robinson with a SlingShot Crossbody Block. Robinson rolls Elgin back into the ring. Robinson blocks a Big Boot from Elgin. Robinson with a SitOut Electric Chair Slam for a two count. Elgin fights out of the Fireman’s Carry Position. Elgin with forearm smashes to Robinson. Robinson blocks the Discus Lariat. Robinson kicks Elgin in the face. Robinson negates the Military Press Slam. Robinson with a Double Knee GutBuster for a two count.

Robinson goes for a PowerBomb, but Elgin blocks it. Elgin connects with a Running Death Valley Driver. Elgin places Robinson on the top turnbuckle. Elgin with a SuperPlex for a two count. Elgin rips off his elbow pad. Elgin decks Robinson with a Clubbing Forearm Smash. Elgin with a Tiger Driver for a two count. Elgin goes for a Phoenix Splash, but Robinson ducks out of the way. Elgin avoids a Leg Lariat from Robinson. Elgin PowerBombs Robinson. Elgin and Robinson are trading stiff lariats. Elgin SuperKicks Robinson. Elgin follows that with a German Suplex.

Robinson responds with a Big Lariat. Robinson with a Stack Up PowerBomb for a two count. Robinson goes for Pulp Friction, but Elgin counters with a Tilt-A-Whirl Side Slam for a two count. Robinson drops Elgin with a Forearm Smash. Robinson goes for Pulp Friction, but Elgin counters with a Half Nelson Suplex. Elgin delivers a stiff lariat across the back of Robinson neck. Elgin follows that with an Inside Out Lariat. Elgin BuckleBombs Robinson. Elgin goes for The Elgin Bomb, but Robinson counters with a small package to pickup the victory.

Winner: Juice Robinson via Pinfall 

Eight Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bad Luck Fale in a Quarterfinal Match In The 2018 New Japan Cup 

Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Fale backs Tanahashi into the ropes. Fale shoves Tanahashi to the canvas. Tanahashi applies a waist lock. Fale responds with a Reverse Abdominal Stretch. Fale connects with a Biel Throw. Tanahashi rolls himself out of the ring. Tanahashi with a Wrecking Ball Dropkick to Fale. Fale launches Tanahashi over the steel guard rail. Tanahashi tells Fale to bring it. Fale knocks Tanahashi off the ring apron. Fale and Tanahashi are brawling in the crowd. Fale whips Tanahashi into a collection of chairs. Fale buries Tanahashi under four steel guard rails. Tanahashi gets back in the ring at the count of thirteen.

Fale delivers a Running Splash on the apron. For the second time in this match, Tanahashi avoids the referee’s twenty count. Fale steps on Tanahashi back. Fale bodyslams Tanahashi. Fale with a Seated Senton Cover for a two count. Fale is applying pressure to the neck of Tanahashi. Fale and Tanahashi are trading back and forth shots. Fale is mauling Tanahash in the corner with Sledgehammer Lariats. Tanahashi kicks Fale in the chest. Tanahashi drop toe holds Fale into the turnbuckle pad.

Tanahashi dishes out multiple bodyshots. Tanahashi uppercuts Fale. Fale goes for a Bodyslam, but Tanahashi lands back on his feet. Tanahashi with a series of dropkicks. Tanahashi bodyslams Fale. Fale rocks Tanahashi with a Forearm Smash. Tanahashi ducks a clothesline from Fale. Fale connects with a Samoan Drop for a two count. Fale follows that with a Running Splash for a two count. Tanahashi blocks The Bad Luck Fall. Fale clotheslines Tanahashi for a two count.

Fale runs through Tanahashi with a Body Avalanche. Tanahashi negates The Grenade. Tanahashi with a German Suplex to Fale. Tanahashi follows that with a SlingBlade. Tanahashi clotheslines Fale over the top rope. Tanahashi takes out Fale with an Avalanche High Fly Flow. Fale clotheslines Tanahashi on the apron. Fale goes for The Bad Luck Fall, but Tanahashi lands on the ring apron. Tanahashi tosses Fale over the steel guard rail. Fale gets counted out by the referee. After the match, Fale attacks the referee. Tanahashi drops Fale with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip.

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi via Countout