Left side of bracket full
Three more tournament matches in Korakuen Hall saw the New Japan Cup continue March 7, as the round of 16 continues to fill out.
Top of the billing on the night was David Finlay opposite Cup debutant TJP. Recently declaring himself Openweight, the United Empire member needed to strike hard and fast against the larger Finlay and did with a spectacular and high flying fast open. Yet the power advantage of the former Global Champion was felt when TJ was bodily hurled into the ringpost. Following up, Finlay was relentless in the ring before hurling the Public Enemy outside again with a massive hammer throw.
TJP was able to get quick, snapping Fi lay’s shoulder and then landing a high cross that sent both men tumbling over the ropes. A Mamba Splash across the top strand later and TJP was now in charge and exploiting the surgically repaired shoulder of Finlay; still there was enough for Finlay to again change the conversation with a crushing Irish Curse backbreaker.
As both men traded offense, TJ found more success with a flying Manji, but Into Oblivion suddenly struck out of nowhere for two. After a powerbomb effort was frustrated with a DDT by TJP, Finlay tried to strike with his shillelagh thanks to a Gedo pass, but was blinded with the Aswang blood mist, and a Mamba Splash was followed with the Pinoy Stretch. Finlay struggled to the ropes, but another try at the hard jackknife powerbomb was successful, and so was Overkill for three.
While many had Finlay as the favourite going in, few picked Tanga Loa over Great-O-Khan, but a win it was for the Silverback. The confident O-Khan looked to wear Loa out on the mat and comfortably did so for the bulk of the match, Loa breathing hard as O-Khan leaned on his martial arts skills on the canvas. At distance, Loa had some success, but a top rope flying headbutt missed wildly as O-Khan stayed on offense. Even Apesh*t, always a sure thing for Loa only got two thanks to the damage incurred as O-Khan got another near fall from a TTD. Yet it was a knee stroke Loa calls The Sacrifice that saw a shocking victory for the Guerrilla of Destiny.
The cagey Owens did everything he could to turn his match with Tomohiro Ishii to his advantage on the front end. A post match attack in Ota a night earlier had already softened Ishii, and Owens kept up the work on the floor, before taking control of the Stone Pitbull and taking the fans out of the equation. Yet when a German suplex from Owens saw Ishii roar back in response, the fans were back behind the CHAOS member.
After a second rope superplex, Ishii caught a C-Trigger attempt into a powerbomb, and it felt as if Owens’ time was running out. Yet two C Triggers and a Styles Clash got a nail biting near fall. The Package Piledriver couldn’t connect as Ishii fought free but a Vertical Drop Brainbuster was denied and after a pop up knee, a massive Package Piledriver saw Owens with the victory.
Chase Owens now faces first round bye Hirooki Goto Match 12 in Uwajima, while Tanga Loa will meet David Finlay. First round action continues Friday in Yamanashi, where Hikuleo will take on Boltin Oleg, Callum Newman and Gabe Kidd collide and Shingo Takagi takes on Yuya Uemura in the main event.
