Two more qualifiers see two big additions to the New Japan Cup USA lineup

This week on NJPW STRONG, two more qualified for the second New Japan Cup USA, with Hikuleo and Fred Rosser entering the mix and a challenge made early for round one of the cup. 

First to make the cut was Hikuleo, who faced Jordan Clearwater in his qualifier. Hikuleo was the key favourite heading into the match, with Clearwater facing an uphill climb. Yet the ‘Golden Child’ set to work early, pulling BULLET CLUB’s Young Gun into the ringpost on the outside as he tried to take any advantage possible. 

Hikuleo proved too strong for Clearwater even with one bad arm. Clearwater’s offense was not enough to ‘stop the chop’ of Hikuleo, with stinging right palms doing profound damage, and while a neckbreaker against the run of the match helped Clearwater get some licks in, it was really delaying the inevitable. A big Tongan Driver from Hikuleo and the Young Gun had made the cup cut. 

Taking the fourth spot in the cup was Fred Rosser, who had an uphill climb against JR Kratos. Unused to giving up size to his opponents, Rosser reacted smartly, with a cagey start causing Kratos to be baited into a flurry of determined offense. Kratos would take over however, and showed his incredible strength and power, a release vertical suplex having Rosser reeling. 

Aiming to do further damage, Kratos took Rosser to the floor and looked to end the Suntan Superman’s night on the bare concrete floor. Rosser was able to escape and survive however, going big to land a pair of legdrops running from the apron down to the floor as he brought all he could to take out the Team Filthy member. 

Rosser would almost score victory with an incredible Gutcheck to Kratos, which got a near fall, but the ‘Most feared’ was able to blend junior heavyweight speed with his superheavyweight striking power. A rising knee rocked Rosser, and Kratos went for the kill, but ‘Mr. No Days Off’ was able to roll up his opponent and get the three count. 

With a tough loss against the run of the match, Kratos was understandably frustrated, and Hikuleo could relate. Having lost to a backslide and a handful of hair from Rosser weeks ago, the Young Gun was hungry for revenge, and as Rosser tried to leave, Hikuleo tossed him back to the wolves. The Young Gun would demand to face Rosser in the first round of the cup proper. Will the brackets give Hikuleo what he wants? And who else will join the lineup in New Japan Cup USA? We’ll find out next week.