New Japan Cup 2018: Night 7
March 16, 2018
Korakuen Hall
Tokyo, Japan
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Transcription by Josh Lopez
First Match: Tanga Loa & Yujiro Takahashi vs. Tomoyuki Oka & Tetsuhiro Yagi
Takahashi and Yagi will start things off. Yagi dropkicks Takahashi. Yagi and Takahashi are exchanging forearm shivers in the corner. Yagi delivers a Running Back Elbow Strike. Yagi goes for a Bodyslam, but Takahashi blocks it. Takahashi stomps on Yagi’s back. Takahashi repeatedly kicks Yagi in the face. Yagi responds with an Open Hand Chop. Takahashi drops Yagi with a Big Boot. Takahashi knocks Oka off the ring apron. Takahashi throws Yagi out of the ring. Takahashi hits Yagi with the pimp stick. Loa and Oka are brawling in the ringside area. Loa HeadButts Oka. Takahashi rolls Yagi back into the ring. Takahashi bodyslams Yagi for a two count. Takahashi tags in Loa.
Loa pokes Yagi in the eye. Loa with a Corner Clothesline. Loa follows that with a Delayed Bodyslam. Loa with a Leg Drop for a two count. Loa kicks Oka in the chest. Loa tags in Takahashi. Takahashi with a knife edge chop to Yagi. Takahashi tells Yagi to bring it. Takahashi decks Yagi with a Helluva Kick for a two count. The Bullet Club are cutting the ring in half. Yagi with Open Hsand Chops to Loa. Loa HeadButts Yagi. Loa goes for a PowerSlam, but Yagi rolls him over for a one count. Yagi dropkicks Loa. Yagi tags in Oka. Oka ducks a clothesline from Loa. Oka runs through Loa with a Big Shoulder Tackle. Oka lands a Stinger Splash. Oka with a Judo Arm-Drag for a one count. Oka goes for a Bodyslam, but Loa counters with a German Suplex. Loa tags in Takahashi.
Takahashi irish whips Oka to the corner. Oka side steps Loa into the turnbuckle pad. Oka with a Running SpineBuster to Takahashi for a two count. Takahashi levels Oka with a Big Boot. Yagi responds with a Back Elbow Smash. Oka with a Diving Clothesline for a two count. Oka throws Loa out of the ring. Takahashi bites Oka’s thumb. Oka returns the favor. Oka rocks Takahashi with a Forearm Smash. Takahashi ducks a clothesline from Oka. Takahashi thrust kicks the midsection of Oka. Takahashi connects with the Fisherman’s Buster for a two count. Takahashi plants Oka with Pimp Juice to pickup the victory.
Winner: Tanga Loa & Yujiro Takahashi via Pinfall
Second Match: The Killer Elite Squad & Taichi vs. Michael Elgin, David Finlay, and Shota Umino in a 6-Man Tag Team Match
Archer attacks Elgin before the bell rings. A pier six brawls breaks out in the ringside area. Taichi is choking Finlay with the microphone stand. Smith repeatedly bounces Umino’s head on the apron. Taichi attacks the wind pipes of Finlay. Finlay dives over Taichi. Finlay dodges a Big Boot from Taichi. Finlay drops Taichi with a Running European Uppercut. Archer kicks Finlay in the gut. Finlay responds with a Uppercut. KES connects with The Hart Attack. Archer clears the ring. Archer with a Short-Arm Clothesline to Finlay. Archer tells Taichi to get in the ring. Archer tries to scare a kid. Taichi tags in Smith.
Smith delivers a clubbing blow to the back of Finlay. Smith is choking Finlay with his boot. Smith talks smack to Elgin. Elgin tags in Archer. Stereo Bodyslams from KES. Finlay fires back with multiple forearms. Archer runs through Finlay with a Charging Shoulder Block. Archer throws Finlay out of the ring. Archer teases a dive. Archer clocks Finlay with a Big Boot. Archer tags in Tacihi. Suzuki Gun are cutting the ring in half. Finlay with a Uppercut to Taichi. Taichi responds with a Spinning Heel Kick. Finlay dropkicks Taichi. Elgin and Archer are tagged in.
Elgin with Forearm Smashes to Archer. Elgin decks Archer with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Elgin follows that with a Jumping HeadScissors TakeOver. Elgin levels Archer with Two Corner Clotheslines. Archer fights out of the Fireman’s Carry Position. KES goes for The Killer Bomb, but Elgin blocks it. Elgin takes down Smith with a German Suplex. Archer responds with a Big Boot. Elgin connects with a Falcon Arrow for a two count. Elgin with clubbing lariats across the chest/neck of Archer. Archer creates distance with a Black Hole Slam. Archer tags in Taichi. Taichi starts paint brushing Elgin. Taichi goes for a PowerBomb, but Elgin counters with a Back Body Drop. Elgin applies a waist lock. Elgin with a Northern Lights Suplex to Taichi. Elgin tags in Umino.
Umino with Running Forearm Smashes to Taichi. Elgin knocks Smith off the ring apron. Taguchi Japan are triple teaming Taichi. Umino lands a Missile Dropkick for a two count. Umino locks in the Boston Crab. Archer goes for a ChokeSlam, but Umino counters with a Dropkick. Elgin with a Bicycle Kick to Archer. Umino follows that with a Dropkick to Smith. Taichi side steps Umino into the turnbuckle pad. Taichi delivers a Step Up Enzuigiri. Taichi rips off his pants. Taichi goes for a Buzzsaw Kick, but Umino counters with La Magistral for a two count. Taichi clotheslines Umino for a two count. Taichi levels Umino with a High Leg Lariat. Taichi SuperKicks Umino to pickup the victory. After the match, Lance Archer ChokeSlams Ren Narita. Archer continues to taunt a child who’s currently crying.
Winner: The Killer Elite Squad & Taichi via Pinfall
Third Match: Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano vs. Togi Makabe & Toa Henare
Henare and Ishii will start things off. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Ishii backs Henare into the ropes. We have a forearm collection in the center of the ring. Ishii drops Henare with a shoulder tackle. Henare responds with more forearm smashes. Henare delivers a Running Shoulder Tackle which sends Ishii crashing into the turnbuckle pad. Henare transitions into a ground and pound attack. Tiger Hattori is reading Henare the riot act. Makabe and Yano are tagged in. Yano is trying to play mind games with Makabe. Makabe dumps Yano back first on the canvas. Yano reverses out of the irish whips. Makabe ducks a clothesline from Yano. Double Shoulder Block from Makabe and Henare. Ishii sends Makabe sternum first to the steel guard rail. Yano and Henare are brawling in the crowd. Henare gets back in the ring at the count of thirteen.
Yano stomps on Henare’s back. Yano whips Henare into the exposed steel. Yano tags in Ishii. Ishii with knife edge chops to Henare. Ishii repeatedly kicks Henare in the face. Henare fires back with open hand chops. Chaos are cutting the ring in half. Yano is choking Henare with his boot. Yano sends Henare sternum first to the exposed steel. Yano rakes the eyes of Henare. Henare explodes out of the corner with a Running Lariat. Henare tags in Makabe. Makabe knocks Ishii off the ring apron. Makabe with a Corner Clothesline to Yano. Makabe transitions into a Corner Mount. Makabe goes for a Northern Lights Suplex, but Yano blocks it. Yano rakes the eyes of Makabe. Makabe responds with a Lariat for a two count. Yano drives Makabe head to the canvas. Ishii and Henare are tagged in.
Following a shoulder block exchange, Henare repeatedly HeadButt’s Ishii. Ishii is pissed. Ishii with a Nasty Chop/Forearm Combination to Henare. Ishii delivers a Corner Clothesline. Ishii follows that with a Saito Suplex for a two count. Yano throws Makabe out of the ring. Yano with an Inverted Atomic Drop to Henare. Yano catapults Henare into Makabe. Makabe clotheslines Ishii. Makabe and Henare are double teaming Ishii. Henare lands a Flying Shoulder Tackle for a two count. Henare connects with a Samoan Drop. Ishii HeadButts Henare. Henare responds with an Inside Out Lariat for a two count. Ishii walks into forearm smashes from Henare. Yano whips Makabe into the steel guard rail. Ishii with a Inside Out Lariat to Henare for a two count. Ishii plants Henare with The Vertical Brain Buster to pickup the victory.
Winner: Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano via Pinfall
Fourth Match: Kota Ibushi, Bad Luck Fale, and Chase Owens vs. Hirooki Goto, Yoshi Hashi, and Chuckie T in a 6-Man Tag Team Match
Owens and Hashi will start things off. Test of strength in the center of the ring. Owens kicks Hashi in the gut. Owens applies a side headlock. Owens drops Hashi with a shoulder tackle. Hashi responds with two deep arm-drags. Hashi ducks a clothesline from Owens. Owens his The Bunker Buster. Owens levels Hashi with a Knee Lift. Owens tags in Fale. Hashi side steps Fale into the turnbuckle pad. Hashi delivers a Corner Clothesline. Fale blocks the Sunset Flip. Fale goes for an elbow drop, but Hashi ducks out of the way. Chaos clears the ring. Goto kicks Fale in the back. Hashi follows that with a Basement Dropkick. Taylor with a Leaping Senton Splash. Hashi with a clubbing blow to the back of Fale. Fale runs through Hashi with a shoulder tackle. Fale knocks Goto off the ring apron. Fale tags in Ibushi.
Following a snap mare takeover, Ibushi applies a rear chin lock. Ibushi transitions into a HeadScissors Leg Lock. Bullet Club connects with a Standing MoonSault/Fist Drop Combination for a two count. Owens and Hashi are trading back and forth shots. Owens with a series of bodyslams to Hashi. Owens tags in Fale. The Bullet Club are cutting the ring in half. Fale steps on Hashi ribs. Ibushi kicks the left shoulder of Hashi. Hashi is pissed. Following a long forearm exchange, Ibushi brings his lighting quick offense to Hashi. Ibushi hits the Standing Shooting Star Press for a two count. Hashi applies a waist lock. Hashi creates distance with a Hangman’s Neck Breaker. Hashi tags in Taylor.
Taylor with multiple lariats to Ibushi. Taylor leapfrogs over Ibushi. Taylor with a SitOut PowerBomb for a two count. Taylor drags Ibushi to the corner. Taylor goes for a MoonSault, but Ibushi ducks out of the way. Taylor with a Death Valley Driver for a two count. Taylor follows that with a Jumping Knee Strike. Ibushi drops Taylor with a Back Flip Kick. Goto and Owens are tagged in. Goto knocks Fale off the ring apron. Owens thrust kicks the midsection of Goto. Owens applies a waist lock. Owens SuperKicks Goto. The Bullet Club are triple teaming Goto. Owens connects with The Shining Wizard for a two count. Fale throws Taylor out of the ring. Owens goes for a Package PileDriver, but Goto blocks it. Owens staggers Goto with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Hashi SuperKicks Owens. Ibushi rocks Hashi with The PK. Hashi responds with a Western Lariat. Goto HeadButts Owens. Goto follows that with The Ushigoroshi. Goto plants Owens with The GTR to pickup the victory.
Winner: Kota Ibushi, Hirooki Goto, and Yoshi Hashi via Pinfall
Fifth Match: Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka vs. Kazuchika Okada & Gedo
Suzuki Gun attacks Chaos before the bell rings. Suzuki is choking Okada in the corner. Suzuki kicks Okada in the face. Suzuki and Okada are trading forearm smashes. Okada with a Big Boot to Suzuki. Okada delivers a Basement Dropkick. Okada with a Delayed Neck Breaker. Okada kicks Iizuka in the gut. Following a snap mare takeover, Okada lands a SlingShot Senton. Suzuki with a Big Boot to Gedo. Suzuki applies a Roped Assisted Arm-Bar. Suzuki launches Gedo back first to the steel guard rail. Suzuki and Okada are brawling in the crowd.
Taichi hits Gedo with a folding chair. Suzuki stares at one of The Young Lions. Suzuki grabs Gedo’s beard. Suzuki breaks a water bottle over Gedo’s forehead. Suzuki slaps Gedo in the chest. Iizuka attacks Gedo from the outside. Suzuki applies an Ankle Lock. Suzuki transitions into a STF. Suzuki is wearing down Gedo with a rear chin lock. Suzuki stomps on Gedo’s beard. Suzuki tags in Iizuka. Iizuka is biting the forehead of Gedo. Iizuka rakes the eyes of Gedo. The referee yells at Iizuka. Iizuka tags in Suzuki.
Suzuki knocks Okada off the ring apron. Suzuki and Gedo are trading back and forth shots. Suzuki with a Palm Strike for a two count. Gedo dropkicks the left knee of Suzuki. Gedo tags in Okada. Suzuki ducks a clothesline from Okada. Suzuki kicks Okada in the gut. Okada responds with an Elbow Knockdown. Okada drops Suzuki with a DDT for a two count. Okada bodyslams Suzuki. Suzuki locks in the Heel Hook. Okada crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Suzuki stomps on the hamstring of Okada. Okada blocks the Figure Four Leg Lock. Suzuki is talking major smack to Okada.
This leads us to a long forearm fest. Okada uppercuts Suzuki. Okada goes for a TombStone, but Suzuki counters with a HeadButt. Suzuki applies a Sleeper Hold. Suzuki goes for the Gotch Style PileDriver, but Okada counters with a Reverse NeckBreaker. Gedo and Iizuka are tagged in. Gedo with multiple jabs to Iizuka. Gedo kicks Iizuka in the chest. Iizuka bites Gedo’s left boot. Iizuka wraps a rope around Gedo’s neck. Gedo returns the favor. Gedo side steps Iizuka into the turnbuckle pad.
Gedo is using the middle rope for leverage for a two count. Gedo with the inside cradle for a two count. Gedo rocks Iizuka with a big haymaker. Iizuka responds with an Inverted Atomic Drop. Iizuka tags in Suzuki. Suzuki sends Okada crashing to the outside. Gedo shoves Suzuki into Iizuka. Suzuki repeatedly kicks the midsection of Gedo. Suzuki slaps Gedo in the face. Okada dropkicks Suzuki. Gedo connects with The Gedo Clutch for a two count. Suzuki has Gedo trapped in the Rear Naked Choke. Suzuki plants Gedo with The Gotch Style PileDriver to pickup the victory.
Winner: Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka via Pinfall
Sixth Match: Zack Sabre Jr, El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, and Taka Michinoku vs. Tetsuya Naito, Sanada, Hiromu Takahashi, and Bushi in a 8-Man Tag Team Match
Sabre and Sanada will start things off. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Sanada with a wrist lock takedown to Sabre. Sabre reverses the hold. Test of strength in the center of the ring. Sabre applies a Standing Bow and Arrow Stretch. Sanada reverses the hold. Sabre kicks Sanada in the chest. Sanada goes for a Hip Toss, but Sabre counters with the Abdominal Stretch. Sanada lands a Hip Toss. Sabre blocks the Paradise Lock. Following an Abdominal Stretch Exchange, Naito and Desperado are tagged in.
Michinoku attacks Naito from behind. Naito drops Michinoku with a Back Elbow Smash. Naito follows that with two deep arm-drags. Naito dropkicks the back of Desperado. Naito tags in Bushi. Bushi kicks Desperado in the gut. Bushi is choking Desperado with his t-shirt. Bushi stomps on Desperado’s left shoulder. Bushi tags in Takahashi. Takahashi with a series of knife edge chops. Kanemaru drags Takahashi out of the ring. Kanemaru whips Takahashi sternum first to the steel guard rail. Kanemaru connects with a SlingShot Leg Drop. Kanemaru and Takahashi are bawling in the crowd.
Sabre locks in the Cravate on the floor. Desperado whips Naito into the ringside barricade. Naito is buried under a collection of chairs. Takahashi gets back in the ring at the count of nineteen. Desperado slaps Takahashi in the chest. Desperado tags in Kanemaru. Kanemaru is putting the boots to Takahashi. Kanemaru drives his elbow across Takahashi’s forehead. Following a snap mare takeover, Kanemaru dropkicks the back of Takahashi for a two count. Kanemaru tags in Michinoku. Takahashi fires up with open hand chops. Michinoku kicks the right knee of Takahashi. Suzuki Gun are cutting the ring in half.
Desperado locks in Numero Dos. Takahashi crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Desperado with a knife edge chop to Takahashi. Takahashi responds with a Running HeadScissors TakeOver. Takahashi creates distance with a big lariat. Takahashi makes the hot tag to Sanada. Sanada and Sabre are trading uppercuts. Sanada leapfrogs over Sabre. Sanada dropkicks Sabre. Sanada goes for the TKO, but Sabre counters with the Guillotine Choke. Sanada transitions into Skull End. Sabre floats over into the Cross Arm Breaker. Sabre delivers an Over Head Kick. Sabre dishes out clubbing uppercut forearms. Sanada catches Sabre off guard with the backslide cover for a two count. Sanada hits the Shot Gun Dropkick.
Sanada tags in Bushi. Following a snap mare takeover, Sabre delivers a neck twist. Suzuki Gun are triple teaming Bushi. Michinoku with a Bicycle Kick for a two count. Bushi goes for a Hurricanrana, but Michinoku counters with the Crippler Cross Face. Naito breaks the submission hold. Michinoku decks Naito with a Single Leg Lariat. Michinoku follows that with The Shining Wizard for a two count. Takahashi with a Corner Clothesline to Michinoku. LIJ lands The Trifecta Dropkick. SuperKick/Enzuigiri Combination for a two count. LIJ plants Michinoku with Insurgentes to pickup the victory. After the match, Roppongi 3K attacks Desperado, Kanemaru, Takahashi and Bushi.
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, Sanada, Hiromu Takahashi, and Bushi via Pinfall
Seventh Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Juice Robinson in a Semifinal Round Match In The 2018 New Japan Cup Tournament
Tanahashi refuses to shake Robinson’s hand. Test of strength in the center of the ring. Robinson backs Tanahashi into the corner. Robinson applies a waist lock. Tanahashi reverses the hold. Tanahashi floats over into a front facelock. Robinson responds with a hammer lock. Tanahashi reverses the hold. Robinson with a Fireman’s Carry TakeOver. Tanahashi applies a head scissors leg lock. Back to the test of strength. Robinson applies a wrist lock. Robinson ducks a back elbow strike form Tanahashi. Robinson leapfrogs over Tanahashi. Tanahashi delivers a hip toss. Robinson responds with a leg sweep. Tanahashi with a Side HeadLock TakeOver to Robinson. Robinson rolls Tanahashi over for a one count. We have a stalemate in the corner.
Tanahashi rocks Robinson with a big bodyshot. Tanahashi tells Robinson to bring it. Tanahashi with a Back Elbow Smash to Robinson. Tanahashi goes for a Spinning Crossbody Block, but Robinson ducks out of the way. Robinson with a cradle cover for a two count. Tanahashi is trying to regain his composure on the outside. Robinson mocks Tanahashi. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Tanahashi is teeing off on Robinson. Tanahashi repeatedly drives Robinson’s leg to the steel ring post. Tanahashi rolls Robinson back into the ring. Tanahashi isolating the left leg of Robinson. Tanahashi applies the Indian Death Lock. Robinson HeadButts the chest of Tanahashi. Robinson crawls to the bottom rope to create separation.
Tanahashi with a Leg Trip to Robinson. Tanahashi applies the Standing Cloverleaf Submission. Robinson whips Tanahashi into the ropes. Tanahashi wraps Robinson legs around the middle rope. Tanahashi goes for a Corner Clothesline, but Robinson ducks out of the way. Tanahashi kicks Robinson in the jaw. Robinson responds with a SpineBuster. Robinson is wearing down Tanahashi with multiple juice jabs. Robinson with a Running Clothesline. Robinson follows that with a Corner Clothesline. Tanahashi avoids the Running Cannonball Strike from Robinson. Robinson throws Tanahashi back first to the steel guard rail. Robinson delivers the Running Cannonball Strike on the floor.
Robinson rolls Tanahashi back into the ring. Tanahashi knocks Robinson off the top turnbuckle. Tanahashi sets up for The High Fly Flow, but Robinson shoves the referee into the ropes. Robinson and Tanahashi are trading back and forth shots. Robinson blasts Tanahashi with multiple knife edge chops. Robinson goes for a Double Knee GutBuster, but Tanahashi counters with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Robinson blocks the Texas Cloverleaf. Robinson goes for a Leg Lariat, but Tanahashi counters with another Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Tanahashi locks in the Texas Cloverleaf. Robinson desperately crawls to the bottom rope.
Tanahashi goes for the SlingBlade, but Robinson counters with a Full Nelson Bomb for a two count. Robinson with a Western Lariat for a two count. Tanahashi blocks Pulp Friction. Tanahashi ducks a clothesline from Robinson. Tanahashi hits The SlingBlade. Tanahashi ascends to the top turnbuckle. Robinson clocks Tanahashi with a Big Forearm Smash. Tanahashi blocks The SuperPlex. Tanahashi sends Robinson crashing into the canvas. Tanahashi connects with The High Fly Flow.
Robinson quickly turns Tanahashi over for a two count. Robinson goes for a Delayed Vertical Suplex, but Tanahashi counters with Two Twist and Shouts. Robinson responds with a Single Knee GutBuster for a two count. Robinson lands a Flying Crossbody Block. Robinson follows that with The High Fly Flow for a two count. Tanahashi fights out of Pulp Friction. Robinson decks Tanahashi with a Back Elbow Smash. Tanahashi slaps Robinson in the face. Tanahashi with a Dragon Suplex to Robinson. Tanahashi plants Robinson with Two High Fly Flows to pickup the victory.
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi via Pinfall
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