[ROH & NJPW] Discussão Geral

[Carson Wentz]

New Japan Cup - Night 4 (11 de março, 9:30 da manhã)

@ZIP Arena, Okayama

After an electric start to the New Japan Cup on March 8, and the round of 16 seeing completion the next night in Hyogo, it's off to Okayama on March 11 for night three. Three second round matchups will see the first three entrants into the elite eight, and there is plenty of intrigue surrounding al the bouts on deck. 

Hirooki Goto, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima vs Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima & Daiki Nagai

We get started with another double preview of big matches to come, as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Hirooki Goto meets his challenger Saturday in Nagoya in Yuji Nagata, and Satoshi Kojima looks to get licks in on Hiroshi Tanahashi before their singles match on Cup final day March 20. Sunday in Hyogo, it was Goto and Tanahashi on top, but will the same be the case with their Young Lion partners also involved Tuesday? 

United Empire (TJP, Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman) vs BULLET CLUB (Drilla Moloney, Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale)

A preview of second round action sees TJP square off with an opponent he knows very well indeed in the form of Callum Newman. Both will look to set the pace for round two, while Jeff Cobb wants to assert himself ahead of his own second round fight with Tetsuya Naito- he just might do that if he can give the huge Bad Luck Fale a little Tour of the Islands...

Jado, Toru Yano, El Phantasmo & Boltin Oleg vs Los Ingobernables De Japon (Shingo Takagi, Tetsuya Naito, Yota Tsuji & BUSHI)

Eight man action will see a preview of Wednesday's battle between Boltin Oleg and Shingo Takagi. Boltin was hugely impressive in his first round Cup outing, able to lift the mammoth Bad Luck Fale and drop him with the Kamikaze to advance to the final 16. Shingo will have to respect Boltin's mighty power, and will be eager to test his own against the Big Man From Kazakhstan. 

Just 4 Guys (TAKA Michinoku & Taichi) vs War Dogs (SANADA & Gabe Kidd)

A battle denied by the block draws in World Tag League last year, the TAKA Taichi team of Michinoku and Taichi face off with SANADA and Gabe Kidd tonight. Kidd and Taichi's battle Wednesday night in the second round of the New Japan Cup is likely to be more sportsmanlike than that between SANADA and the Holy Emperor back in Osaka last month, but that doesn't mean we'll get a clean fight bell to bell, and neither will we in this tag encounter. Both sides will be taking a liberal approach to the rules, and that's a situation nobody involved minds a bit; least of all when that means Taichi can get his hands on SANADA once more.

Tomohiro Ishii & Shota Umino vs United Empire (Jakob Austin Young & Great-O-Khan)

A very highly anticipated tag bout sees the return to action after one month away for Shota Umino. Back at New Beginning in Osaka, it seemed as if Umino couldn't sink any lower, defeated in short order by Great-O-Khan. Acknowledging his own position, Shota shaved his own head, and has been radio silent ever since. One has to wonder in what state he will appear Tuesday in Okayama, knowing full well he has a matchup with the very man who put him in this position barely 24 hours later in the New Japan Cup. For Umino tonight might be the first step to redemption, or it might be the further unravelling of the Roughneck.

New Japan Cup Second Round- Yuya Uemura vs YOSHI-HASHI

A first time singles matchup sees Yuya Uemura opposite YOSHI-HASHI in the second round. After defeating SANADA in the first to advance with an impressive Superman pin, Uemura will feel somewhat closer to 'tidying up' the past of Just Five Guys, and moving on with the now four man group with himself at the forefront. Uemura wants to keep his momentum going, having now had wins over current and former IWGP World Heavyweight Champions as well as the current IWGP Global and NEVER champs in the last seven months alone. 

Yet Uemura's opponent certainly has his own motivation at an all time high. With best friend Hirooki Goto having finally captured IWGP World Heavyweight gold, YOSHI-HASHI will want to challenge his Bishamon tag team partner, and winning the New Japan Cup will be the perfect way to do just that. Last May, Uemura and then ally SANADA challenged Bishamon for the IWGP tag team Championships in Taiwan; tonight, it's a singles environment that sees the Heat Storm and Headhunter battling to move closer to Goto and Ryogoku Sumo Hall. 

New Japan Cup Second Round- Ryohei Oiwa vs Zack Sabre Jr.

Singles Record: 3-0 Sabre Jr.

After Ryohei Oiwa advanced past Chase Owens in Korakuen Hall Saturday night, his first ever time in the second round of the New Japan Cup sees him up against the man who eliminated him in his debut tournament, and faction Frontman, Zack Sabre Jr. 

It was that test in the 2022 tournament that allowed ZSJ to recognise the potential in the young man, and to forge a link with Oiwa that later saw him join TMDK on return from loan to Pro-Wrestling NOAH. At the very start of that domestic excursion, Oiwa got another shot at the Briton, this time for the NJPW World TV title as a late substitution for an injured Boltin Oleg. Each time the two men faced off, Oiwa's progression was evident, but so was his inferiority to the man who would become IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Now, in a New Japan Cup where Oiwa has been very vocal about needing to go deep and show he's capable of getting big results, the Grip has declared he will be wrestling 'as if we're on different teams', and there'll be no love lost between the teammates tonight. 

Main event: New Japan Cup Second Round- EVIL vs David Finlay

Singles Record: 1-0 Finlay

EVIL advanced to the second round of the New Japan Cup March 8 in Korakuen, but as expected, it was far from a deserved victory. Everything from Dick Togo's liberal interference to a downed referee, a low blow and powder to the eyes was needed for EVIL to advance past the current IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, but now he has to contend with the prior champion in David Finlay. 

On EVIL's return to action at New Beginning in Osaka, he 'ousted' the War Dogs from BULLET CLUB, barking to an indignant Gabe Kidd that he should 'make sure Finlay gets the message'. The actual leader of BULLET CLUB ever since the New Japan Cup of 2023, Finlay hadn't been seen in NJPW since New Year Dash himself, after his Global title was taken from him by Tsuji, but it was clear EVIL's ludicrous comments had pressed the buttons that the King of Darkness had wanted to press. A tag team bout in Hyogo on Sunday saw EVIL high tailing away from Finlay, Gabe Kidd and Gedo, but will he have a plan up his sleeve in our main event tonight?

Editado 11 Março 2025 por Carson Wentz

[Carson Wentz]

Depois de ter sacado um combate jeitosinho do SANADA, o Yuya teve outra vez um banger, desta vez com o YOSHI-HASHI. Pena pelo facto de quase de certeza irmos ter o combate dele na próxima ronda marcado por shenanigans, mas pela positiva, abre-lhe caminho para possível dream match contra Gabe Kidd ou ZSJ na meia-final. Recomendo vivamente. O ZSJ vs. Oiwa também foi bastante bom, principalmente tendo em conta que foi entre stablemates sem tensão entre eles.

O Main Event, foi o clusterfuck que se esperava e mais um prego no caixão do que é o SANADA em 2024/2025. Deve estar em águas de bacalhau até regressar o Jake Lee, é o que me faz querer parecer. E o Finaly, apesar de ter melhorado muito, também tem o azar de ser agora overshadowed pelo Gabe Kidd. Oh well, vamos a ver no que isto dá.

 

[Carson Wentz]

New Japan Cup - Night 4 (12 de março, 10 da manhã)

@Uwajima-city General Gymnasium, Ehime

The New Japan Cup rolls on to Uwajima in Ehime on March 12, with two more second round matchups seeing the quarterfinal lineup fill up further. 

Daiki Nagai & YOSHI-HASHI vs Just Four Guys (Yuya Uemura & TAKA Michinoku)

Kicking off the night, Yuya Uemura and YOSHI-HASHI tie up once more following their Cup matchup Tuesday. Obviously one competitor will enter in higher spirits than the other, and will be looking to conserve momentum heading into quarterfinal Saturday in Nagoya. 

Hirooki Goto, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima vs Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima & Tomohiro Ishii

It's another preview of Nagata versus Goto and Tanahashi versus Kojima to come in six man action for our second bout of the night. This time, Katsuya Murashima joins the mix for an up close and personal education, with some harsh lessons to be taught as Tomohiro Ishii joins the opposite corner. 

TMDK: (Zack Sabre Jr., Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson) vs United Empire (TJP, Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman)

Six man action will see TMDK facing United Empire. By the time the bell sounds in Uwajima, only one TMDK member will remain in the New Japan Cup hunt. Ryohei Oiwa or Zack Sabre Jr. will be looking ahead while the losing party will have some ground to regain tonight. In the meantime, both TJP and Jeff Cobb have hopes high for their own second round matches Friday, and a chance for some indirect friendly competition in the days to come. 

Boltin Oleg, El Phantasmo, Toru Yano & Jado vs Los Ingobernables De Japon (Shingo Takagi, Tetsuya Naito, Yota Tsuji & BUSHI)

Ahead of Friday's New Japan Cup second round meeting for Shingo Takagi and Boltin Oleg, this eight man tag team preview is sure to see heavyweight sparks fly. Meanwhile, Tetsuya Naito has his own second round match with Jeff Cobb to be thinking of, and ELP and Yota Tsuji have champions' pride to maintain. 

BULLET CLUB (David Finlay, SANADA, Drilla Moloney, Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens) vs HOUSE OF TORTURE (EVIL, Ren Narita, Yujiro takahashi, SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)

One day after EVIL and David Finlay collide in the second round of the New Japan Cup, ten man action sees a blended War Dogs and Rogue Army BULLET CLUB side face what EVIL deems to be the true BULLETC LUB in HOUSE OF TORTURE. Ill feeling is sure to still run rampant after Tuesday's main event in Okayama, and there's little indication this faction warfare will blow over quickly.

New Japan Cup Second Round- Gabe Kidd vs Taichi

Second round cup action sees a first time ever singles confrontation for Gabe Kidd and Taichi. Saturday in Korakuen Hall, Kidd overcame the HOUSE OF TORTURE numbers game and an incredible effort from Ren Narita to advance in the tournament, and there was no doubt the fans in Korakuen Hall were firmly at the side of the War Ready mad man. Tonight, Kidd's seconmd round opponent commands a good deal more respect from the fans than his first, but respect is rarely an issue that troubles the NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion.

After a run of bad form compounded by the betrayal of SANADA in November of 2024, Taichi was finally buoyed by the return of Yuya Uemura, and the Heat Storm's subsequent success in Korakuen Hall to advance into the second round. With a little light in a long tunnel for Just Four Guys finally visible, Taichi looks to make good on forward momentum in this bout with Kidd, which is sure to be a heated and hard hitting match between two men who rarely back down from anyone. 

Main event: New Japan Cup Second Round- Shota Umino vs Great-O-Khan

Singles Record: 2-1 O-Khan

The New Japan Cup is a single elimination, win or go home affair, but that has been the mentality of Shota Umino for a while longer than just the month of March. Embittered by a loss in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 19, Umino defeated Claudio Castagnoli the next night at Wrestle Dynasty, but then had any momentum regained taken from him by Great-O-Khan. From gifts from children to his own merchandise being torn away, O-Khan looked to peel the layers away from Shota Umino one by one, until he was left with no accoutrements, at his most solitary and vulnerable  at New Beginning in Osaka.

After O-Khan put Umino away in under ten minutes, he went to give the Roughneck his final humiliation, looking to shave Umino's head, before the young man who not one year prior had declared himself the 'new Ace for the new generation of New Japan' seized the clippers and performed the deed himself. From Tokyo Dome main eventer to resembling a Young Lion once more in a one month span, Umino disappeared from public view After February 11, only to reappear for his preview tag on March 11, and to face O-Khan here tonight. Will this be the resurrection, or the further unravelling of the Roughneck?

[Carson Wentz]

Hoje foi o show mais fraquinho da New Japan Cup até agora. O Gabe Kidd vs. Taichi estava a ser bom até à inevitável intervenção da HoT, que matou de vez um público que já não estava brilhante. Era expectável que o Kidd não fosse muito mais longe que isto, não só porque não valia a pena dar "de borla" um Gabe Kidd vs. ZSJ mas também devido ao Kidd ser campeão e à storyline do BULLET CLUB, mas ainda assim é pena, ele e o Yuya têm sido os pontos altos deste tour. Pela positiva, temos reunião dos Dangerous Tekkers na próxima ronda!

O GOK vs. Shota foi... esquisito. Combate estruturado de forma muito estranha, com o O-Khan por cima 95% do tempo e o Shota a ganhar meio do nada. Ele continua sem me convencer e sinceramente não percebi muito bem porque decidiram acabar o interregno dele após o meltdown no New Beggining em tag matches que não interessam basicamente para nada em vez de ele regressar só aqui. Era uma diferença de uns dias apenas e acho que tinha benificiado este combate que bem precisava.

O show final da segunda ronda tem tudo para ser melhor. O Cobb é sempre entretido em ringue, mesmo contra a figura de corpo presente que é o Naito nesta fase da carreira, curioso para ver o Drilla demolir o TJP (não aceito outro resultado que não este) e Oleg vs. Shingo tem tudo para ser do crl (devia ser main event, mas desconfio que vai ser o Naito).

[Carson Wentz]

New Japan Cup - Night 5 (14 de março, 9:30 da manhã)

@Kanaoka Park Gymnasium, Osaka

The initial field of 24 in the 2025 New Japan Cup will shrink down to just eight this Friday March 14. With less than one week to go until we find out who will be the spring survivor and get a shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in Ryogoku, three critical second round matchups sees the second round come to a close.

Hirooki Goto, Hiroshi Tanahashi, YOSHI-HASHI & Katsuya Murashima vs Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima, Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano

It's the final preview for Yuji Nagata and Hirooki Goto in our opening bout ahead of their IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match Saturday in Nagoya. Who will make the last statement before the title is on the line?

Shota Umino, El Phantasmo & Jado vs United Empire (Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young)

Shota Umino certainly showed a new side to himself on his return to the ring Tuesday in Okayama, with a completely shaved head, and pure white ring gear indicating a complete start from scractch. At time of writing, we still await news of whether that new approach has taken him to the quarter finals of the New Japan Cup, but he and Great-O-Khan won't be entirely done yet either way. Six man action sees Hontai and United Empire battle Friday in Osaka. 

War Dogs (Gabe Kidd, SANADA, Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens) vs HOUSE OF TORTURE (Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi, SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)

Fans in Uwajima Wednesday were subject to an incredible war with Gabe Kidd and Taichi that started hot and kept getting hotter. Kidd and Taichi put both their personal pride and fighting spirit on the line in an intense matchup that seemed to be reaching a rollercoaster conclusion when Ren Narita made a sudden appearance. Narita, still sore after being eliminated from the Cup by Gabe Kidd, was joined by the rest of HOUSE OF TORTURE to put the boots to Kidd and ensure he suffered a countout loss. An incensed Kidd demanded he get his hands on Narita and that's what will happen tonight in Osaka, as H.O.T seem to have hell to pay. 

War Dogs (David Finlay & Gedo) vs HOUSE OF TORTURE (EVIL & Dick Togo)

The growing feud between David Finlay's War Dogs and EVIL's HOUSE OF TORTURE continues to brew, as tempestuous skies hang over the fate of BULLET CLUB. After the events of this week, a lot of questions still buzz around this faction civil war. Even as David Finlay can take credit for removing the blight opf HOUSE OF TORTURE from the Cup, what steps will EVIL take in repsonse?

Just 4 Guys (Taichi, Yuya Uemura & TAKA Michinoku) vs TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson)

It was a spot not entirely earned, and after a set of circumstances Taichi by no means approved of, but the Holy Emperor has advanced to the quarterfinals of the New Japan Cup on Saturday in Nagoya. there he will face his former three time IWGP Tag team Championship winning partner in Zack Sabre Jr. for their first singles match in nine years, and the first time in New Japan. While unforseen and unwelcome circumstances in the form of Ren Narita's interference has brought this match about, Taichi will be resetting and refocusing on a match he and his opponent Saturday have wanted for years.

New Japan Cup Second Round- TJP vs Drilla Moloney

After Catch 2/2 feuded with Drilla Moloney and Clark Connors for the best part of two years in the junior heavyweight tag team division, this is far from an unfamiliar contest in the second round, but intriguingly enough, actually the first time ever TJP and Moloney have been in singles action. After a win over Shingo Takagi in Osaka at New Beginning and a rousing victory over Tomohiro Ishii in the first round of the Cup, Moloney wrestles TJP tonight with a heavyweight power and overflowing confidence that the United Empire Capitan may not be familiar with; can he put a stop to the Drilla's impressive hot streak?

New Japan Cup Second Round- Boltin Oleg vs Shingo Takagi

A first time ever singles match sees Boltin Oleg and Shingo Takagi battling to get through to the second round. Shingo Takagi, a runner up in the New Japan Cup in 2021, knows what it takes to get through the field to reach the final, but has an immense task in front of him in the form of the Big Man From Kazakhstan. Boltin defeated Bad Luck Fale to advance to the round of 16, hoisting the immense BULLET CLUB OG to land a sensational Kamikaze. Will a spot in the quarters prove to be Made In Japan, or Made in Kazakhstan?

Main event: New Japan Cup Second Round- Tetsuya Naito vs Jeff Cobb

Singles Record: 4-1 Naito

After Tetsuya Naito advanced past one United Empire member in Callum Newman to advance through the first round, he now takes on the group's Imperial Unit in Jeff Cobb. From Kobe to the Tokyo Dome, Naito has made optimal use of Cobb's momentum against him in four separate victories over the powerhouse, but G1 Climax in 2023 saw Cobb prove to himself that he can defeat El Ingobernable. 

Tonight, the main event spot, a berth in the quarterfinals, vengeance for teammate Callum, and the prospect of a victory over an IWGP Tag Team Champion all sound like very attractive inspiration for Cobb. For Naito the prospect of a step closer to the trophy coming home for the first time in nine years. Who will advance to the elite eight?

[Carson Wentz]

Hoje foi consideravelmente melhor que ontem. Dos combates da New Japan Cup o Drilla vs. TJP até acabou por ser o mais fraquinho, algo ali não funcionou muito bem entre os dois, o que até estranho porque a feud entre os Catch 2/2 e os War Dogs pelos Jr. Tag titles até teve combates bem entretidos. O Shingo vs. Boltin foi stiff como se esperava e o Cobb até conseguiu estrair um combate bem aceitável do Naito (e os rumores deram-lhe uma cockiness neste combate que foi bem-vinda).

Amanhã tem tudo para ser fantástico, com os quatro combates da terceira ronda mais o combate pelo IWGP Heavyweight (curioso ver o que o Nagata faz em singles, num combate que acredito tenha pelo menos uma dúzia de minutos, após estes anos todos).

A minha previsão para as meias é ZSJ vs. Yuya e Shota vs. Shingo, com a final a ser eventualmente o Yuya a ganhar contra o Shota.

Editado 14 Março 2025 por Carson Wentz

[Carson Wentz]

New Japan Cup - Night 6 (15 de março, 8 da manhã)

@Aichi Perfectural Gymnasium, Aichi

Ainda não há preview no site, como habitualmente, mas fica aqui o line-up para amanhã. (É provável que ainda acrescentem umas tag matches a abrir).

New Japan Cup Third Round - Shota Umino vs Jeff Cobb

New Japan Cup Third Round - Shingo Takagi vs Drilla Moloney

New Japan Cup Third Round - Yuya Uemura vs David Finlay

New Japan Cup Third Round - Zack Sabre Jr. vs Taichi

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Match - Yuji Nagata vs Hirooki Goto (c)

Singles Record: 7-4 Goto

[Carson Wentz]

Foi fantástico hoje, de longe o dia que mais aconselho até agora.

Até o Shota vs. Cobb que foi o mais fraquinho nas singles matches foi bem razoável. De notar com agrado também a não existência de interferências nos combates para a New Japan Cup, o que é demais também é abuso. Shingo contra Drilla é fantástico como sempre e via estes dois lutarem um contra o outro todos os dias da semana.

Muito bom também o main event, mesmo com os dads da NJPW o Goto tem estado a alto nível e props também para o Nagata que esteve bem melhor do que estava à espera e ao booking que fez com que o combate tivesse excelente intensidade e storytelling sem os wrestlers terem que se andar a matar fisicamente.

[Carson Wentz]

E teremos então Finlay vs. Shota na New Japan Cup Final. Desde que nenhum deles tire o título ao Goto, para mim está tudo bem.

[Ed]

Shota para falhar outra vez. 

[Carson Wentz]

New Japan Cup - Final (20 de março, 8 da manhã)

@Aore Nagaoka, Niigata

After an intense fortnight of action, the New Japan Cup finally comes down to it's last battle. Aore Nagaoka plays host to the Cup finals as we find out just who is the spring survivor for 2025.

Kickoff Match: Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii vs YOSHI-HASHI & Katsuya Murashima

A bonus kickoff match will see Tomohiro Ishii and Toru Yano take on YOSHI-HASHI and Katsuya Murashima. As Murashima continues to progress as a Young Lion, his power has been of note, even able to powerslam the likes of Satoshi Kojima and Hartley Jackson. Can he and YOSHI-HASHI prove their worth against former IWGP Tag Champions in Ishii and Yano?

ELP NJPW World Open Challenge- El Phantasmo vs ?

We'll start the main card in Nagaoka with the return of El Phantasmo's NJPW World Open Challenge. Last time out at Anniversary, Master Wato's sudden appearance to challenge was a real surprise, but this time, there might be more grounds to speculation. Great-O-Khan defeated ELP in the New Japan Cup to stake a claim to the TV gold, while TJP scored his own pin on the TV Champion with a hurricanrana in Nagoya Saturday. Phantasmo would welcome either, both, or someone completely different Thursday night; who will it be?

Hiroshi Tanahashi Final Road ~Kinship~ Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Satoshi Kojima

Singles Record: 5-4 Tanahashi

For the first time in close to 11 years, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Satoshi Kojima go head to head as Tanahashi's Final Road continues. Tanahashi's history with Kojima is deep and complex; in 2001, Kojima left New Japan for All Japan along with Keiji Muto, an opportunity that was offered to Tanahashi as well, but turned down. As the future Ace was on the rise, Kojima hit his prime in the mid 2000s, and drew the ire of Tanahashi in his disrespectful actions after becoming the first to hold AJPW's Triple Crown and the IWGP heavyweight Championship. 

Years later, Kojima would meet Tanahashi in the finals of the 2010 G1. Kojima was victorious, making history again as the only non contracted NJPW wrestler to win the summer tournament. Tanahashi felt aggrieved that he was unable to protect NJPW's standing, especially as Kojima went on to win the IWGP Heavyweight title once more, but as Kojima officially re-entered the NJPW fold, it was at Wrestle Kingdom V that Tanahashi defeated the Strongest Arm at last and set the pace for a year long and then record V11 IWGP reign. 

Fast forward past their last encounter in the 2o14 G1 and to 2025, where Tanahashi and Kojima tangle for the 10th and final time. There's opportunity for Kojima tonight to tie up the career score with the Ace, while Tanahashi seeks to show his superiority once and for all. 

Just Four Guys (Yuya Uemura, Taichi & TAKA Michinoku) vs BULLET CLUB (SANADA, Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale)

Bad blood continues to simmer around SANADA's November betrayal of what is now Just Four Guys, and his jealousy that stemmed from Yuya Uemura eliminating him from the first round of the New Japan Cup. After SANADA delivered a post match Deadfall to Uemura Saturday in Nagoya, it's clear these personal issues are not over. Meanwhile, the members of Just Four Guys received an intriguing offer from none other than Hiroshi Tanahashi himself backstage Monday night. The Ace invited Just Four Guys to join forces with Hontai and present a united front against BULLET CUB in all of its forms. Might a decision be made tonight?

Los Ingobernables De Japon (Tetsuya Naito, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI) vs United Empire (Jeff Cobb, Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young)

Hiromu Takahashi makes his return to action tonight, and not a moment too soon for Tetsuya Naito, who has been put in a tight spot by Jeff Cobb and Callum Newman of late. Despite advancing past Newman in the New Japan Cup, he fell to Cobb in the second round, and ever since, the United Empire duo has been pressuring Naito for an IWGP Tag Team title shot. Naito for his part has said that he cannot act without the 'team captain's permission, and hasn't been able to get hold of Hiromu through the presumed traditional means of tin cans on the tendedero. Will there be an answer for the prospective challengers tonight?

War Dogs (Gabe Kidd, Drilla Moloney & Taiji Ishimori) vs HOUSE OF TORTURE (Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & SHO)

It would be one thing to say War Dogs and HOUSE OF TORTURE's factional war has spiraled out of control, but the truth is control didn't exist from the outset. In a tour marked with disqualifications and countouts on a daily basis, what has escalated is the level of reckless abandon both teams have had as their hatred continues to mount. As Taiji Ishimori re-enters the fray tonight, it seems unlikely this six man bout will put an end to the hostilities, but will there be an in ring result this evening? 

Los Ingobernables De Japon (Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji) vs HOUSE OF TORTURE (EVIL & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)

Ever since EVIL defeated Yota Tsuji in the first round of the New Japan Cup, thanks in no small part to Dick Togo and a handful of powder to the eyes, the King of Darkness has tried to assert his claim to the IWGP Global heavyweight Championship on the Gene Blast's shoulder. The only problem is that in Nagoya Saturday and Fukushima on Monday night, Tsuji has very physically rebuffed those claims, and shown in the process he's not above giving EVIL a much needed boot in his particularly dark regions. This might be the last shot for EVIL to make a statement at the champion's expense, but can he finally take the smile of Tsuji's face?

El Desperado, Boltin Oleg & Hirooki Goto vs TMDK (Hartley Jackson, Ryohei Oiwa & Zack Sabre Jr.)

For the first time since losing the IWGP World Heavyweight title at New Beginning, former champion Zack Sabre Jr. meets current champ Hirooki Goto tonight in Nagaoka. Meanwhile El Desperado returns to action after a deathmatch sojourn last week to mark Barb Sasaki's anniversary, and with a hardcore match against Clark Connors for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight gold approaching fast. Plus, as Ryohei Oiwa continues to try and cement his NEVER intentions, what message can he deliver to champion Konosuke Takeshita tonight?

Main event: New Japan Cup Final- Shota Umino vs David Finlay

Singles Record: 1-0 Finlay

Our main event will determine who the spring survivor will be for 2025 as David Finlay takes on Shota Umino. Neither man's path to the final has been easy, with Finlay advancing past EVIL, Yuya Uemura and Zack Sabre Jr., while Shota Umino has gotten past Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb and Shingo Takagi to reach this point. For Umino, it's been addition via subtraction that has seen him progress; after a month of soul searching, he returned to action with shaved head, and stripped back ring gear, coupled with an added determination and stubbornness that has proven effective. 

It's hard to outdo Finlay in the determination stakes, however. After losing the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship to Yota Tsuji at Wrestle Kingdom, Finlay has decided that he will stop at nothing until he has the IWGP World Heavyweight gold, and can think of nothing finer than defeating Hirooki Goto in Ryogoku, repeating his feat from King of Pro-Wrestling last year, to do so. This is Finlay's second cup final, with his first coming in 2023, and after a quarterfinal success in that year's tournament over Umino. Will Shota avenge that defeat and score the biggest win of his career, or does the cup belong to the Savage King?

Editado 19 Março 2025 por Carson Wentz

[Kev]

Foi o esperado, mas foi uma excelente final. 

Editado 20 Março 2025 por Kev

[Carson Wentz]

Muito bom! Nunca fui o maior fã do Finlay mas é impossível não reconhecer o quanto evoluiu no último ano. Carregou o Shota para aquela que foi de longe a melhor exibição dele este ano.

Finlay vs. Goto vai ser porreiro também, eles têm boa chemistry e acho que, apesar de tudo, com o Finlay a ganhar é mais provável que o Goto continue o título, já que derrota no ME no Tokyo Dome mais derrota após ganhar a Cup era enterrar de vez o Umino. O Finlay pelo menos tem o BULLET CLUB Civil War que pode dar um out em termos de storytelling sem ser demasiado mau para ele.

Falando de Umino, na conferência de imprensa após o show há um "confronto" entre ele e o Tanahashi que dá todo o ar de ser mais um (largo) passo para o heel turn.

Excelente também o Despy, Oleg e Goto vs. TMDK e mesmo o Tanahashi pareceu bastante mais certinho do que me lembro de o ver nos últimos seis meses.

Para terminar, tirem-me o TJP do posto de liderança do United Empire, por amor de santa, é impossível levá-lo a sério.

[Carson Wentz]

Esta semana que vem começa o Sakura Genesis Tour, que culmina com dois eventos na próxima sexta-feira e sábado, o Junior Sakura Genesis e o Sakura Genesis, respetivamente.

Segunda-feira coloco aqui os cards porque com a mudança da hora troco-me todo.

Entretanto foi também anunciado um combate entre o David Finlay, vencedor da New Japan Cup, e o ex-IWGP Champion Zack Sabre Jr. para o Windy City Riot que, caso o Finlay vença o título no Sakura Genesis, será pelo IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

[Carson Wentz]

Road to Sakura Genesis - Junior Genesis (4 de abril, 10:30 da manhã)

@Korakuen Hall, Tokyo

As the Road to Sakura Genesis continues, Korakuen Hall will host two title matches on April 4 as the junior heavyweights take center stage. One match will see the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championship defended, while the other will be for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship, where the stakes will be raised in a Hardcore bout.

Katsuya Murashima & Ninja Mack vs Yuya Koroku & MAO

It isn't just NJPW that's marking junior genesis tonight, as Korakuen action will kick off with special guests from DDT. One of the brightest and most charismatic fan favourite members of the DDT roster, MAO might be familiar to NJPW fans for his appearances in All Star Junior Festival USA and the Despe Invitacional last year, and he's sure to bring the spectacle to the already striking Ninja Mack and the rapidly progressing Murashima. Less than four years in the business, MAO's partner Yuya Koroku is less familiar, but well worth keeping one's eye on; the winner of DDT's youth focused D-Generations Cup this February, Koroku now looks to make an impact in the cerulean blue for this special guest appearance.  

Hiroshi Tanahashi Final Road ~Kinship~ Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Ryusuke Taguchi

Singles Record: 5-0 Tanahashi

The Final Road of Hiroshi Tanahashi hits a speedbump, or perhaps that should be a pair of them in the form of the buns of steel on Ryusuke Taguchi. From a battle over the old IWGP U-30 Championship to New Japan Cup clashes and most recently New Year Dash 2024 for the World TV title, Tanahashi and Taguchi have been in opposite corners five times in the past, and all of them in favour of the Ace. Yet on this Junior Genesis, will the junior heavyweight Taguchi be able to make the most of his last chance to get a first win on Tanahashi?

Los Ingobernables De Japon (BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito) vs United Empire Jeff Cobb, Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young)

Callum Newman & Jeff Cobb have one more chance to impress themselves upon the IWGP Tag team Champions Tetsuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi ahead of their title match at Sakura Genesis. Can the challengers set the pace for the Ryogoku showdown? Meanwhile, as Best of the Super Jr. looms on the horizon, will Jakob Austin Young be able to state his case for inclusion this year?

Los Ingobernables De Japon (Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji) vs HOUSE OF TORTURE (Dick Togo & EVIL)

Tag competition sees a final preview for Yota Tsuji and EVIL ahead of Sakura Genesis. EVIL and Dick Togo have a rough road ahead of them on paper against the impressive combination of Tsuji and Shingo Takagai, but one can never discount the potential havoc HOUSE OF TORTURE tactics can bring to any situation. Will EVIL have the last pre title match laugh?

Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, YOH & Master Wato vs. War Dogs (David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Drilla Moloney & Gedo)

The final preview for the main event of Sakura Genesis will see Hirooki Goto face off against David Finlay once more. Goto, who has personal issues to settle with the War Dogs' leader after being humiliated by him in front of his crying children last October, knows he must keep a cool head ahead of this intensely personal battle. Meanwhile, Gabe Kidd and Drilla Moloney have their sights set on further gold with the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship. This multi-man match against experienced tag team wrestlers like Bishamon serves as perfect preparation for their upcoming showdown at Sakura Genesis against HOUSE OF TORTURE.

IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championship - TMDK (Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita) vs. War Dogs (Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X)

The IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championship will be on the line as reigning champions Robbie Eagles and Kosei Fujita defend their titles against Taiji Ishimori and Robbie X. This will mark the Ichiban Sweet Boys' second title defense, after successfully defending against Roppongi ReVICE at New Beginning in Osaka, having won the belts at the Tokyo Dome. The War Dogs have faced both members of TMDK in multiple singles matches, with Ishimori and Robbie X securing the majority of victories. However, tag team matches aren't won by individuals, and this bout will test which team operates more cohesively as a unit. Will the champions' experience in tag competition tip the scales in their favor?

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship Hardcore Match - El Desperado vs. Clark Connors

Singles Record: 2-0 El Desperado

Our main event sees the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title on the line in a battleground familiar to the champion, but not to the title- a hardcore match. Collisions between Clark Connors and El Desperado during Best of the Super Jr. and Super Jr. Tag Leagues past have always had an extra heated edge to them, but it was in Osaka during Best of the Super Jr 31 that the two crossed a line. With a powerbomb through a table from Connors to Desperado and a brutal assault on the floor, Connors and Desperado's fight grew out of control before being thrown out entirely, but the two still weren't done, and a violent fight would end with Desperado getting unmasked. 

As the two men were separated in subsequent tours, Desperado would win the BOSJ tournament overall, and claimed the junior title on two separate occasions: unforgivable to a War Doig convinced he can defeat the masked man in a fight.  During the New Japan Cup, Clark Connors issued a challenge for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship to El Desperado, demanding things to be settled in a Hardcore match. El Desperado, fresh off brutal encounters with hardcore legends Jun Kasai and Masashi Takeda at Barb Sasaki's Crazy Fest, still bears the scars from his battles involving fluorescent lights and glass boards. Naturally, he welcomes this kind of stipulation. However, the War Dogs member is no stranger to extreme match types either. While the outcome is unpredictable, we do know that this will be a brutal and violent contest.

Editado 4 Abril 2025 por Carson Wentz

[Carson Wentz]

Sakura Genesis (5 de abril, 9 da manhã)

@Ryogoku Sumo Hall, Tokyo

As the Road to Sakura Genesis continues, Korakuen Hall will host two title matches on April 4 as the junior heavyweights take center stage. One match will see the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championship defended, while the other will be for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship, where the stakes will be raised in a Hardcore bout.

Kickoff Match: Katsuya Murashima vs Daiki Nagai

Singles Record: 2-0 Murashima

Before main card action, our kickoff sees Daiki Nagai and Katsuya Murashima one on one. Murashima has twice bested Nagai, who has yet to win a match under his own power in NJPW. With Nagai's first career anniversary approaching in June, can he get the job done here in Ryogoku?

Yuya Uemura vs SANADA

Singles Record: 1-0 Uemura

Main card competition gets underway with Yuya Uemura taking on SANADA. Uemura's first order of business on his return from injury this spring was addressing SANADA's betrayal of Just Four Guys to join the BULLET CLUB War Dogs. It led to a singles match int he New Japan Cup that saw Uemura victorious with a Superman Pin, but with plenty of ill feelings in place. When Uemura was knocked out of the cup by David Finlay in the quarterfinals, SANADA would attack the Heat Storm with Deadfall, and maintained aggressions for the rest of the series; now both seek to put a decisive end to this feud in another special singles encounter.

NJPW World TV Championship- El Phantasmo vs Great-O-Khan

Singles Record: 2-0 O-Khan

After losses to both Great-O-Khan and TJP during the New Japan Cup tour, speculation heading into the final night's ELP Open Challenge for his TV title was less around whether a United Empire member would challenge, and more about which one. It was TJP who took the opportunity, leading to a hard fought retention for Phantasmo, but there was more to come in the post match.

During the bout, as he laboured in TJP's Pinoy Stretch, it seemed as if Phantasmo had tweaked his neck, and was in visible pain for the close of the contest before winning with a roll up pin. After his victory, Phantasmo shook hands with his challenger, but was blasted from behind by O-Khan, who was quick to declare they wanted next. A pair of TTDs saw to it that if Phantasmo's neck wasn't a significant concern before, it would be for this title encounter. ELP has never bested O-Khan in singles competition, and after the Dominator's attack, the odds look long of the third time being the charm. Can the champ retain?

Hiroshi Tanahashi Final Road Connection- Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Shota Umino

Singles Record: 1-0 Tanahashi

Shota Umino's February 2024 declaration that he would be the 'new Ace for a new era in New Japan' was a clear lesson of words having consequences for Umino, Hontai and New Japan at large. Self determination on the part of Umino was decried by many a wrestler and fan, and made his uphill climb in the rest of 2024 all the harder mentally. It all led to Umino taking  a hiatus in the wake of defeat to Great-O-Khan at New Beginning in Osaka, and returning with a shaved head, a pared back presentation and the beginning of his 'second chapter'. 

A planned redemption story for Umino in the New Japan Cup had a sour twist when Finlay defeated the Roughneck in the New Japan Cup final. Once upon a time close friends in their younger days, and both men having known the unique pressures of being born into the wrestling business, an emotionally charged battle preceded an emotionally charged aftermatch. Right after the match, Finlay clearly stated to Umino that 'my way is the only way', indicating the success Umino could have if he took up the ways of the War Dogs. Umino seemed to nod assent before going backstage, where Hiroshi Tanahashi asked for this singles match on his Final Road: a battle of the Ace against the would be future 'ace'. More than one more match in Tanahashi's last run, this feels like a fight for the future, and the very soul of Shota Umino.

NEVER Openweight 6 Man tag team Championships- HOUSE OF TORTURE (SHO, Yujiro Takahashi & Ren Narita) vs War Dogs (Gabe Kidd, Drilla Moloney & Taiji Ishimori)

All spring long, the faction war between BULLET CLUB's War Dogs and HOUSE OF TORTURE, stemming from EVIL's attempts to excise the War Dogs from the Club, has waged with violent results. Or it should be said 'violence', but not necessarily 'results'. Undercard matches during New Japan Cup saw the two groups fight to a streak of countouts and disqualifications, much to the rage of the War Dogs and Gabe Kidd in particular. Yet it was the NJC finals night that finally saw Kidd, Drilla Moloney and Taiji Ishimori score a result, and a definitive one over HOUSE OF TORTURE in non title action, and it was a matter of moments before the Dogs called their title shot. 

HOUSE OF TORTURE took the NEVER 6 belts all the way back during the Road to New Beginning, and have effectively held the titles in purgatory since, but will have to put in the work tonight against a pack of dogs hungry for gold and bodies in Ryogoku Sumo Hall.

NEVER Openweight Championship- Konosuke Takeshita vs Ryohei Oiwa

The NEVER title is on the line in Ryogoku when Ryohei Oiwa challenges Konosuke Takeshita. In the wake of a stunning battle over the NEVER gold for Takeshita against Boltin Oleg in February, Oiwa was motivated to call his shot against the Alpha. Takeshita took an interest in the young TMDK member, and with Oiwa having taken an alternate path to the traditional Young Lion route in NJPW, a certain respect underlay his accepting the challenge. 

In just a few short weeks after capturing the NEVER title at Wrestle Kingdom 19, Takeshita has defended against Tomohiro Ishii, KUSHIDA, Boltin and Angel Del Oro, putting him already at V4 and even with the most successful title reign of all time for a belt that is notoriously hard to keep a firm hold of. A win would see another history making moment for this one of a kind phenom. Meanwhile Oiwa has admitted to some extreme stress at having challenged for NEVER, NJPW STRONG and TV gold, as well as this year's New Japan Cup all in the last six months, with no hardware to show for it. For that situation to change tonight, he'll have to put up the performance of his career against one of the world's pre-eminent talents.

IWGP Tag Team Championships- Los Ingobernables De Japon (Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi) vs United Empire (Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman)

Hiromu Takahashi and Tetsuya Naito seek their first defence of the IWGP tag team titles in Ryogoku when they take on Callum Newman and Jeff Cobb. In the aftermath of Naito and Hiromu capturing tag team gold at New Beginning in February, further tag team ambitions took the back seat to the singles New Japan Cup. There, Naito defeated Callum Newman in the first round, but fell to Jeff Cobb in the second. For days afterward, Cobb would pressure for an IWGP Tag title shot, citing the fact that with Great-O-Khan, the Imperial Unit was a two time tag team champion, but had never been beaten for tag gold, as both reigns had ended in three way matches. His strength and speed combination with Callum Newman certainly seemed like valid challengers, but it wasn't until Naito's 'team leader' Hiromu Takahashi gave his official approval at the New Japan Cup final that this match could be made. 

Six man action at the New Japan Cup final saw the new challengers struck by the fearsome Tendedero double team. Will they have an answer in Ryogoku, or will the champions clinch their first defence?

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship- Yota Tsuji vs EVIL

Singles Record: 1-1

It's another rubber match covering two years of New Japan Cup fallout in our semi main event as Yota Tsuji faces the challenge of EVIL with the Global title on the line. 2024 New Japan Cup saw HOUSE OF TORTURE at their overbearing worst, as a multitude of members with deep runs in the tournament saw a wave of interference and frustration. With the aid of the rest of Los Ingobernables De Japon, Tsuji vanquished EVIL, and went on to win the whole tournament, but the King of Darkness was not about to forget his grudge. 

At New Beginning in Osaka, EVIL returned after a month away and instantly targeted Tsuji. The first round of the New Japan Cup saw EVIL victorious over the Global Champion, albeit thanks to a handful of powder to the eyes from Dick Togo, and it seemed as if there was a clear claim to the Global gold, but EVIL's path to the white belt was still to see some trials and tribulations. In repeated nights, EVIL tried to assert a more physical claim to the gold in post match attacks, but all were thwarted by Tsuji until the Cup final night, where Togo's steel wire choked the champion out and EVIL added a vile exclamation point. 

Tsuji responded to the attack in his backstage comments by saying he 'saw no value' in facing EVIL for the Global title in his current form, but that there was value in facing the 'old' EVIL. Pre-HOUSE OF TORTURE, EVIL was the very first pareja in Los Ingobernables De Japon, and was a popular figure in the group that Tsuji would call home years later. Tsuji has made a direct appeal to face 'Everything is' EVIL, but which version of the King of Darkness will battle the Gene Blast for Global gold?

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship- Hirooki Goto vs David Finlay

Singles Record: 1-1

The after effects from two years of New Japan Cup finals sees a rubber match for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship between David Finlay and Hirooki Goto. The 2024 New Japan Cup, saw a health concern necessitating Finlay's withdrawal, while a Hirooki Goto motivated by his father's then recent passing reached the finals. Goto maintained his forward momentum later into the summer, where Korakuen Hall had him face Finlay. The Rebel had made it very clear that Goto had taken the New Japan Cup final spot that should have been his, and looked to prove that point; in the end though it was Goot victorious in one of the most emotionally rousing moments of the summer. 

To Finlay, every loss represents a 'moment of weakness', and that meant the BULLET CLUB leader was eager to make sure he got his win back in the most definitive form possible. In Ryogoku in October, Finlay wanted to see to it that Hirooki Goto's children were sitting ringside for a rematch over the IWGP Global title that the Rebel held at the time; Finlay was victorious as promised and Goto's children left in tears. 

Still, Goto kept moving forward, and in February, finally claimed the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. With Finlay having captured the New Japan Cup on March 20, we come full circle back to Ryogoku, now with Goto as a champion and Finlay the challenger. Finlay has promised that Goto's children will be in tears again as the champion's 'Cinderella story' comes to an end. Can Goto's revolution continue, or will it meet a hard stop at the hands of the Rebel King?

Editado 4 Abril 2025 por Carson Wentz

[Ed]

Uemura, ELP, Shota, HoT, Takeshita, LIJ, Yota e Goto.

[Carson Wentz]

Citação de Ed, há 2 horas:

Uemura, ELP, Shota, HoT, Takeshita, LIJ, Yota e Goto.

Concordo com tudo menos o ELP. Cheira-me que é aqui que perde o título e posicionam o GOK para tomar as rédeas dos United Empire.

[Ed]

Citação de Carson Wentz, há 16 horas:

Concordo com tudo menos o ELP. Cheira-me que é aqui que perde o título e posicionam o GOK para tomar as rédeas dos United Empire.

Também não ficaria surpreendido com isso... Eu acho é que os United Empire não vão durar muito mais tempo, estão a precisar de algum star power, digamos, ou apostam as fichas todas no GOK ou até mesmo no Henare.

[Carson Wentz]

Citação de Ed, há 2 horas:

Também não ficaria surpreendido com isso... Eu acho é que os United Empire não vão durar muito mais tempo, estão a precisar de algum star power, digamos, ou apostam as fichas todas no GOK ou até mesmo no Henare.

O Henare tem mais caruncho que o Naito, o que não é dizer pouco. Eu também acho que os UE estão basicamente sem direção desde que o Ospreay saiu, mas duvido que queiram estar a mexer noutra fação em tão curto espaço de tempo, com o fim dos CHAOS, os J4G meio que absorvidos pelos Hontai e a civil war entre o BULLET CLUB e HoT.

[Ed]

CHAOS e UE têm/tiveram o mesmo problema, saídas dos líderes, Ospreay e Okada, e não tinham ninguém diretamente para os substituir. J4G foi um erro de casting com o SANADA, e espero que civil war dê algo de jeito para compensar o fiasco da anterior.

[Carson Wentz]

Despy vs. Clark Connors ❤️

[Kev]

NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 32 Roster Announced

1) El Desperado

2) Ryusuke Taguchi

3) YOH

4) Master Wato

5) KUSHIDA

6) Kevin Knight

7) Ninja Mack

8 ) Kosei Fujita

9) Robbie Eagles

10) Hiromu Takahashi

11) BUSHI

12) Francesco Akira

13) Taiji Ishimori

14) Clark Connors

15) SHO

16) Yoshinobu Kanemaru

17) CMLL Luchador TBA

18) Dragon Dia [Dragon Gate]

19) MAO [DDT] - Debut

20) Nick Wayne [AEW] - Debut

Removed from last year: TJP, HAYATA, Blake Christian, DOUKI (injured), Drilla Moloney (switched to heavyweight), Titán (if not announced as CMLL rep)

Editado 5 Abril 2025 por Kev

[Carson Wentz]

Ficava algo surpreendido se não fosse o Templário a representar a CMLL, principalmente com o TJP de fora.

MAO e Dragon Dia hype!

Editado 5 Abril 2025 por Carson Wentz

[Carson Wentz]

Muito bom show! O Takeshita vs. Oiwa em particular foi banger. E estava correto em relação ao GOK + bónus para o United Empire a ganhar os Tag Titles.

Pela negativa, continua o flip flop do SANADA e o crl do Shota que nos continuam a tentar enfiar pela goela abaixo à força toda. E o Goto vai para o recorde de defesas cum crl. Ganhou o título em fevereiro e já vai para a quarta!