New Japan Cup 2018: Finals
March 21, 2018
Ao-re Nagaoka
Niigata, Japan
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Transcription by Josh Lopez
First Match: Tetsuhiro Yagi vs. Shota Umino
Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Yagi backs Umino into the ropes. Yagi slaps Umino in the chest. Back to the collar and elbow tie up. Yagi and Umino are trading nasty open hand chops. We also have a forearm fest in the corner. Umino slaps Yagi in the face. Yagi responds with a Running European Uppercut. Yagi repeatedly stomps on Umino’s chest. Umino decks Yagi with a Running Back Elbow Strike. Umino follows that with a Hip Toss for a two count.
Umino stomps on Yagi’s back. Umino with a Back Body Drop for a two count. Yagi blocks the Boston Crab. Umino with two bodyslams for a two count. Umino bounces Yagi’s head on the turnbuckle pad. Umino starts paint brushing Yagi. Following a snap mare takeover, Umino gets Yagi in a pinning predicament. Umino rocks Yagi with a Forearm Smash. Yagi responds with a dropkick. Yagi with a Leaping Back Elbow Strike to Umino.
Yagi locks in the Cravate. Yagi with a Sliding Dropkick for a two count. Yagi drops Umino with a Elbow Knockdown for a two count. Yagi bodyslams Umino. Yagi locks in the Boston Crab. Umino crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Out of frustration, Yagi unloads more forearm shivers. Umino dropkicks Yagi. Umino follows that with a SpineBuster for a two count. Umino lands a Missile Dropkick for a two count. Umino applies the Boston Crab which forces Yagi to tap out.
Winner: Shota Umino via Submission
Second Match: Taichi vs. Tomoyuki Oka
Oka wants Taichi to bring it. Oka grabs Taichi by his hair. Taichi backs himself in between the ropes. Oka with a clubbing blows to the back of Taichi. Oka is dishing out forearm smashes. Oka drops Taichi with a shoulder tackle. Oka is putting the boots to Taichi in the center of the ring. Oka goes for a BodySlam, but Taichi blocks it. Taichi walks into more forearms from Oka. Taichi creates distance with a spinning heel kick. Following a snap mare takeover, Taichi kicks Oka in the back.
Taichi whips Oka back first to the steel guard rail. Taichi rolls Oka back into the ring. Taichi is stomping the back of Oka’s head. Taichi applies a Single Leg Boston Crab. Oka crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Taichi kicks Oka in the face. Oka with a Chop/Forearm Combination to Taichi. Taichi rocks Oka with a Buzzsaw Kick. Taichi is choking Oka in the corner. Taichi slaps Oka in the face.
Oka responds with an Arm Trapped Belly to Belly Suplex. Oka follows that with a Gut Wrench Suplex for a two count. Taichi side steps Oka into the turnbuckle pad. Taichi decks Oka with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Taichi rips off his pants. Taichi goes for a PowerBomb, but Oka counters with a SpineBuster for a two count. Taichi clotheslines Oka. Taichi with a High Leg Lariat for a two count. Taichi SuperKicks Oka to pickup the victory.
Winner: Taichi via Pinfall
Third Match: Bad Luck Fale, Tanga Loa, and Yujiro Takahashi vs. Michael Elgin, Togi Makabe, and Toa Henare in a 6-Man Tag Team Match
Takahashi and Elgin will start things off. Takahashi kicks Elgin in the gut. Takahashi and Elgin are trading forearm smashes. Takahashi tells Elgin to bring it. Takahashi thrust kicks the midsection of Elgin. Takahashi goes for a Fisherman’s Buster, but Elgin counters with a Delayed Vertical Suplex. Elgin delivers a Leaping Forearm Smash in the corner. Elgin lands a Missile Dropkick for a two count. Elgin tags in Henare. Double Hip Toss from Elgin and Henare. Elgin dumps Henare on top of Takahashi for a two count. Takahashi decks Henare with a Big Boot. Takahashi repeatedly bounces Henare’s head on the turnbuckle pad.
Henare HeadButts Takahashi. Takahashi blocks the Vertical Suplex. Takahashi bites Henare’s thumb. Takahashi tosses Henare out of the ring. A pier six brawl breaks out on the outside. Takahashi hits Henare with the pimp stick. Fale and Makabe are exchanging blows in the crowd. Fale is choking Makabe with a chair. Loa wraps Makabe’s chain around Elgin’s neck. Takahashi tags in Loa. Bullet Club are cutting the ring in half. Loa with a Running PowerSlam for a two count. Loa applies a rear chin lock. Henare heads to the bottom rope to create separation. Loa drives Henare back first into the turnbuckle pad. Loa tags in Fale.
Fale is mauling Henare on the bottom rope. Henare with Forearm Smashes to Fale. Fale responds with a Sledgehammer Lariat. Fale goes for a Body Avalanche, but Henare ducks out of the way. Henare tags in Makabe. Makabe clears the ring. Makabe with a Corner Clothesline. Makabe transitions into a Corner Mount. Makabe goes for a Northern Light Suplex, but Fale blocks it. Makabe clotheslines Fale for a two count. Fale goes for the Grenade, but Makabe counters with a Big Forearm Smash. Fale connects with the Samoan Drop. Henare and Loa are tagged in. Henare ducks a clothesline from Loa. Henare delivers Two Running Shoulder Tackles. Henare kicks Loa in the gut. Loa responds with a Big Boot.
Henare Spears Loa. Elgin knocks Takahashi off the ring apron. Team New Japan are triple teaming Loa. Henare lands a Flying Shoulder Tackle for a two count. Elgin throws Fale out of the ring. Henare goes for a Samoan Drop, but Loa lands back on his feet. Loa with a Hip Lock TakeOver to Henare. Elgin drops Loa with a Discus Forearm. Takahashi takes out the legs of Elgin. Takahashi with a Sliding Dropkick. Makabe clotheslines Takahashi. Makabe and Fale are brawling on the floor. Loa kicks Henare in the chest. Loa ducks a clothesline from Henare. Loa connects with a SpineBuster for a two count. Loa plants Henare with Ape Shit to pickup the victory. After the match, Bullet Club tries to add insult to injury.
Winner: Bad Luck Fale, Tanga Loa, and Yujiro Takahashi via Pinfall
Fourth Match: The Killer Elite Squad vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano
Yano and Smith will start things off. Yano ducks a clothesline from Smith. Yano is trying to run away from Smith. Smith is throwing haymakers at Yano. Smith drops Yano with a shoulder tackle. Smith goes for a running leg drop, but Yano ducks out of the way. Yano tags in Ishii. Ishii with a running shoulder blocks to Smith. Ishii is throwing forearm smashes at KES. Smith with an Over Head Belly to Belly Suplex to Ishii. Archer and Yano are brawling in the crowd. Archer chokes Yano with his t-shirt. Smith kicks Ishii in the gut. KES whips Ishii back first to the steel guard rail. Ishii gets back in the ring at the count of fifteen.
Archer steals a chaos towel from one of the ladies who are sitting in the front row. Smith kicks Ishii in the gut. Smith tags in Archer. Archer is mauling Ishii in the corner. Archer yells at the referee. Archer with a Running Back Elbow Strike to Ishii. Archer is choking Ishii with his boot. Ishii fires back with knife edge chops. Archer slaps Ishii in the chest. Archer tags in KES. KES with a Double Bodyslam for a two count. Smith drivers their knee to the back of Ishii. Smith applies an unorthodox arm-bar. Ishii and Smith are trading forearm smashes. Smith goes for a Double Knee Strike, but Ishii ducks out of the way. Ishii connects with a German Suplex. Ishii tags in Yano.
Yano is ripping off a turnbuckle pad. Smith attacks Yano from behind. Yano rakes the eyes of Smith. Yano sends Smith sternum first to exposed steel. Yano is trying to play mind games with Smith. Smith launches Yano to the exposed steel. Smith with a Side Russian Leg Sweep for a two count. Smith misses on The MoonSault. Yano with a double leg takedown to Smith. Yano catapults Smith face first to the top turnbuckle. Yano rolls Smith over for a two count. Smith levels Yano with a Big Boot. Smith follows that with a Belly to Back Suplex. Smith locks in the Crippler Cross Face. Yano crawls to the bottom rope to create separation.
Smith steps on Yano’s hand. Yano with an Inverted Atomic Drop to Smith. Ishii and Archer are tagged in. Archer wants Ishii to bring it. Ishii goes for Running Lariats, but Ishii stands still. Archer with a Big Boot to Ishii. Ishii responds with a Short-Arm Clothesline. Archer runs through Ishii with a big shoulder block for a two count. Smith kicks Yano out of the ring. KES connects with The Hart Attack for a two count. Yano trips Smith from the outside. Archer knocks Yano off the ring apron. Arhcer goes for Sole Food, but Ishii counters with a HeadButt. Ishii takes down Archer with a Big Lariat for a two count.
Archer blocks the Sliding D from Ishii. Ishii shoves Smith into Archer. Ishii with a Belly to Back Suplex to Smith. Ishii follows that with a Delayed Vertical Suplex to Archer. Ishii tags in Yano. Yano punches Archer. Yano won’t let go of Archer’s hair. Yano drives Archer head to the canvas. Archer responds with a Full Nelson Bomb. Archer tags in Smith. Smith with a Bridging ButterFly Suplex for a two count. Stereo Shoulder Blocks from KES. Ishii unloads chops and forearms on KES. KES takes out Ishii with another Stereo Shoulder Block. Smith low blows Yano for a two count. Smith sends Ishii back first to the steel guard rail. Yano rolls Smith over for a two count. KES plants Yano with The Killer Bomb to pickup the victory.
Winner: The Killer Elite Squad via Pinfall
Fifth Match: Hirooki Goto & Yoshi Hashi vs. Juice Robinson & David Finlay
Finlay and Hashi will start things off. Test of strength. Finlay applies a waist lock. Hashi transitions into a wrist lock. Finlay reverses the hold. Hashi applies a side headlock. Hashi drops Finlay with a shoulder tackle. Finlay leapfrogs over Hashi. Finlay dropkicks Hashi. Finlay tags in Robinson. Hashi launches Finlay out of the ring. Hashi dodges a forearm strike from Robinson. Hashi hits The Bunker Buster. Hashi tags in Goto. Goto knocks Finlay off the ring apron. Stereo Elbow Drop from Chaos. Goto hip tosses Hashi on top of Robinson. Chaos does their signature pose in the center of the ring.
Goto stomps on Robinson’s back. Goto with a Delayed Vertical Suplex for a two count. Goto applies a rear chin lock. Goto drives his elbow to the back of Robinson’s neck. Chaos are cutting the ring in half. Following a snap mare takeover, Hashi applies a rear chin lock. Hashi blasts Robinson with a knife edge chop. Hashi lays Robinson flat on the top rope. Hashi dropkicks the back of Robinson for a two count. Chaos are demolishing Robinson and Finlay. Goto locks in the Boston Crab. Robinson crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Goto tags in Hashi. Robinson with multiple bodyshots to Hashi. Hashi responds with a knife edge chop. Hashi fights out of the fireman’s carry position.
Robinson and Hashi are trading forearm smashes. Robinson connects with Juice Jabs. Hashi decks Robinson with a Spinning Heel Kick. Robinson hits The Double Knee GutBuster. Robinson tags in Finlay. Finlay knocks Goto off the ring apron. Finlay ducks a clothesline from Hashi. Finlay drops Hashi with a Running European Uppercut. Finlay lands a Flying Uppercut for a two count. Hashi goes for a Hangman’s Neck Breaker, but Finlay blocks it. Hashi SuperKicks Finlay. Robinson and Goto are tagged in. Robinson thrust kicks the midsection of Goto. Robinson follows that with Two HeadButts.
Goto clotheslines Robinson. Goto rocks Robinson with a Spinning Heel Kick in the corner. Goto with a Saito Suplex for a two count. Chaos are double teaming Robinson. Chaos with a Knee/Neck Breaker Combination to Robinson for a two count. Chaos goes for The Magic Killer, but Finlay drags Hashi out of the ring. Robinson with a Big Boot to Goto. Double FlapJack from Robinson and Finlay. Goto shoves Robinson into Finlay. Goto goes for a Ushigoroshi, but Robinson lands back on his feet. Robinson blasts Goto with a haymaker. Robinson plants Goto with Pulp Friction to pickup the victory.
Winner: Juice Robinson & David Finlay via Pinfall
Sixth Match: Minoru Suzuki, Takashi Iizuka, El Desperado, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Tetsuya Naito, Sanada, Hiromu Takahashi, and Bushi in a 8-Man Tag Team Match
Naito and Suzuki will start things off. Naito is trying to play mind games with Suzuki. Bushi and Desperado are tagged in. Kanemaru attacks Bushi from behind. Desperado knocks Takahashi off the ring apron. Bushi with a Running Haymaker to Kanemaru. Bushi follows that with a Tilt-A-Whirl Head Scissors to Desperado. Bushi is putting the boots to Desperado. Bushi tags in Sanada. Sanada applies the Paradise Lock. Sanada delivers a Basement Dropkick. Sanada tags in Naito.
Following a snap mare takeover, Naito starts pulling the back of Desperado’s mask. Sanada with another Basement Dropkick to Desperado. Naito with the cover for a two count. Naito tags in Takahashi. Takahashi slaps Bushi in the chest. Takahashi with Big Boot to Desperado. Kanemaru drags Takahashi out of the ring. A pier six brawls breaks out. Suzuki hits Naito in the back with a chair. Kanemaru whips Takahashi throat first to the steel guard rail. Suzuki and Naito are trading back and forth shots. Suzuki drops Naito with The PK on the ramp. Desperado buries Bushi under a collection of chairs. Suzuki is choking Naito with the chair. Iizuka and Sanada are brawling in the crowd. Takahashi gets back in the ring at the count of seventeen.
Desperado applies a rear chin lock on the bottom rope. Suzuki Gun are cutting the ring in half. Suzuki with a Forearm Smash to Takahashi. Suzuki applies a Rope Assisted Arm-Bar. Takahashi starts tapping, but Suzuki is not the legal man. Desperado tags in Iizuka. Iizuka bites Takahashi shoulder. Iizuka stomps on Takahashi’s back. Iizuka is biting the forehead of Takahashi. Iizuka tags in Suzuki. Takahashi fires up with open hand chops. Takahashi goes for a Hurricanrana, but Suzuki counters with a Heel Hook. Takahashi crawls to the bottom rope to create separation.
Takahashi SuperKicks Suzuki. Takahashi tags in Naito. Naito clears the ring. Naito with a back elbow strike to Suzuki. Naito follows that with a Basement Dropkick to Desperado. Naito rams his boot across Suzuki face. Suzuki is pissed. Suzuki slaps Naito in the face. Suzuki goes back to the Heel Hook. Suzuki kicks the back of Naito’s head. Naito is smiling at Suzuki.
Naito spits at Suzuki. Suzuki responds with a Knee Lift. Iizuka and Sanada are tagged in. Sanada reverses out of the irish whip. Iizuka is biting Sanada right foot. Suzuki Gun are demolishing Sanada in the corner. Suzuki and Naito are brawling in the crowd. Iizuka brings out the Iron Glove. Bushi trips Iizuka from the outside. Takahashi clotheslines Kanemaru. Desperado Spears Takahashi. Sanada floats over into Skull End which forces Iizuka to tap out. After the match, Suzuki destroys Naito in the backstage area. LIJ, Suzuki Gun and Roppongi 3K are brawling in the ring.
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, Sanada, Hiromu Takahashi, and Bushi via Submission
Seventh Match: Kazuchika Okada & Chase Owens vs. Kota Ibushi & Chase Owens
Ibushi refuses to do The Bullet Club Hand Gesture. Okada and Ibushi will start things off with a Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Okada backs Ibushi into the ropes. Okada pats Ibushi on the chest. Okada kicks Ibushi in the gut. Okada applies a side headlock. Okada drops Ibushi with a shoulder tackle. Ibushi leapfrogs over Okada. Okada goes for the Rain Maker, but Ibushi ducks out of the way. Okada dodges a leg lariat from Ibushi. Okada and Ibushi are trading deep arm-drags. Ibushi with a side headlock takeover. Head Scissors Escape by Okada. This leads us to a standoff in the center of the ring. Owens and Taylor are tagged in.
Test of strength. Owens applies a top wrist lock. Taylor reverses the hold. Taylor applies a side headlock. Taylor with a shoulder tackle to Owens. Taylor leapfrogs over Owens. Taylor floats over into a Single Leg Boston Crab. Taylor transitions into a STF. Taylor with a rolling crucifix for a two count. Owens drives his knee into the midsection of Taylor. Owens follows that with a knife edge chop. Taylor responds with a back elbow smash. Taylor dropkicks Owens. Taylor goes for a Shoulder Block, but Owens counters with a Knee Lift from the ring apron. Owens hits a SlingShot CodeBreaker. Owens knocks Okada off the ring apron. Owens kicks Taylor in the back. Owens tags in Ibushi.
Owens and Ibushi with a Standing MoonSault/Fist Drop Combination for a two count. Ibushi repeatedly stomps on Taylor’s chest in the corner. Owens and Ibushi are cutting the ring in half. Owens with a single leg takedown to Taylor. Owens delivers an elbow drop for a two count. Owens with a Back Breaker for a two count. Taylor is trying to negate the tandem offense from Owens and Ibushi. Ibushi with a Buzzsaw Kick to Taylor. Owens follows that with a Running Bulldog. Ibushi with a Standing Shooting Star Press for a two count. Taylor slaps Ibushi in the chest. Ibushi responds with a Spinning Heel Kick. Ibushi goes for a Belly to Back Suplex, but Taylor lands back on his feet. Taylor decks Ibushi with a Jumping Knee Strike. Taylor lands a Missile Dropkick. Taylor tags in Okada.
Okada with multiple back elbow strikes to Ibushi. Okada ducks a clothesline from Ibushi. Owens attacks Ibushi from behind. Okada throws Owens out of the ring. Okada with a Forearm Smash to Owens. Okada with a SlingShot Double Crossbody Block to the outside. Okada follows that with another Flying Crossbody Block for a two count. Okada goes for the Air Raid Crush, but Ibushi blocks it. Okada and Ibushi are trading back and forth shots. Ibushi drops Okada with a Back Flip Kick. Ibushi tags in Owens. Owens with a Running Forearm to Okada. Following a snap mare takeover, Owens connects with The Shining Wizard for a two count.
Owens knocks Taylor off the ring apron. Okada fights out of the fireman’s carry position. Okada with a Reverse Neck Breaker to Owens. Okada bodyslams Owens. Okada lands a Flying Elbow Drop. Okada does the Rain Maker Pose. Okada goes for The Rain Maker, but Ibushi counters with a SpringBoard Missile Dropkick. Taylor takes out Ibushi with a SlingShot Plancha. Owens kicks Okada in the gut. Owens with The Jewel Heist for a two count. Owens goes for a Package PileDriver, but Okada counters with a Back Body Drop. Owens rolls Okada over for a two count. Owens starts paint brushing Okada. Okada responds with a dropkick. Okada locks in the Cobra Clutch which forces Owens to tap out.
Winner: Kazuchika Okada & Chuckie T via Submission
Eight Match: Zack Sabre Jr vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi In The Finals Of The 2018 New Japan Cup Tournament
Sabre is measuring up Tanahashi. Sabre applies a front face lock. Sabre transitions into an arm-bar. Sabre backs Tanahashi into the ropes. Sabre applies a top wrist lock. Tanahashi drop toe holds to Sabre. Tanahashi applies the STF. Sabre reverses the hold. Sabre with a quick cover for a one count. Tanahashi tells Sabre to bring it. Tanahashi fights out of the crossface chicken wing submission hold. Tanahashi applies a Key Lock. Sabre responds with a Cross Arm Breaker. Sabre locks in a Heel Hook. Tanahashi rolls himself out of the ring.
Test of strength in the center of the ring. Tanahashi applies a side headlock. Head Scissors Escape by Sabre. Sabre rams his knuckles into the back of Tanahashi. Sabre applies a Head Scissors Neck Lock. Tanahashi floats over into the side headlock. Tanahashi drops Sabre with a shoulder tackle. Tanahashi is trying to wear down Sabre. Tanahashi with a Modified Side Russian Leg Sweep. Tanahashi goes for a Diving Senton, but Sabre counters with a Cross Arm Breaker. Tanahashi crawls to the bottom rope to create separation.
Sabre is mocking Tanahashi. Sabre starts wrenching the left shoulder of Tanahashi. Sabre and Tanahashi are trading uppercuts. We have a stalemate in the corner. Sabre repeatedly kicks the left shoulder of Tanahashi. Sabre is bending Tanahashi’s fingers. Sabre with an Over Head Kick to the bicep of Tanahashi. Tanahashi fires with a body shot. Sabre responds with a double leg takedown. Sabre applies a Bridging Fujiwara Arm-Bar. Tanahashi regains momentum with a Uppercut/Forearm Combination. Sabre kicks the right shoulder of Tanahashi. Tanahashi responds with a Running Forearm Smash. Tanahashi bodyslams Sabre. Tanahashi connects with a SomerSault Senton for a two count.
Tanahashi dishes out multiple strikes in the corner. Tanahashi blocks a Big Boot from Sabre. Sabre locks in the Octopus Hold. Tanahashi creates distance with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Tanahashi goes for a SlingBlade, but Sabre counters with a Cobra Twist. Tanahashi reverses the hold. Tanahashi with a PumpHandle Slam to Sabre. Sabre applies a Sleeper Hold. Sabre transitions into a Triangle Choke. Tanahashi locks in the Texas CloverLeaf. Sabre has Tanahashi in a Cross Arm Breaker. Tanahashi decks Sabre with another Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Sabre is trying to regain his composure on the outside. Tanahashi lands a High Fly Flow on the floor. Tanahashi rolls Sabre back into the ring. Sabre uppercuts Tanahashi. Tanahashi skins the cat. Sabre repeatedly stomps on the right arm/knee/ankle of Tanahashi. Sabre with Soccer Kicks to Tanahashi. Tanahashi is pissed.
Sabre goes for The PK, but Tanahashi blocks it. Sabre locks in the Guillotine Choke. Tanahashi with a series of Twist and Shouts for a two count. Tanahashi ascends to the top turnbuckle. Tanahashi goes for The High Fly Flow, but Sabre counters with a Heel Hook. Tanahashi desperately makes his way to the bottom rope. Following a uppercut exchange, Sabre sweeps the legs of Tanahashi. Tanahashi goes for a Dragon Screw Leg Whip, but Sabre counters with the European Clutch for a two count. Sabre with clubbing uppercut forearms to Tanahashi. Sabre goes back to the European Clutch for a two count.
Sabre drops Tanahashi with The PK for a two count. Sabre blocks the Dragon Suplex from Tanahashi. Tanahashi hits The SlingBlade for a two count. Tanahashi follows that with a Dragon Suplex for a two count. Tanahashi with a High Fly Flow to the back of Sabre. Tanahashi tweaked his knee. Tanahashi goes for the signature High Fly Flow, but Sabre ducks out of the way. Tanahashi with a Bridging O’Connor Roll for a two count. Sabre locks in Orienteering With Napalm Death which forces Tanahashi to tap out. After the match, Sabre declares that he’ll face Kazuchika Okada at Sakura Genesis for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr via Submission
