Every New Japan Cup Participant’s Odds Of Winning

Mikey Nicholls (1/10)

First Round Opponent: SANADA

Mikey Nicholls isn’t a Young Lion but he has less than no chance of winning this tournament. Nicholls is just a body on the New Japan roster and he will be just a first-round exit in the New Japan Cup.

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Minoru Suzuki (8/10)

First Round Opponent: Yuji Nagata

Here is a darkhorse pick. Minoru Suzuki has a long history with Tetsuya Naito and he is at a high level. Suzuki is always a credible challenger for the title and is due for a push. He missed last year’s G1 Climax and this could be his time to bounce back. If he is gonna do it he will have to beat either Okada or White. Tall task but not impossible.

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SANADA (7/10)

First Round Opponent: Mikey Nicholls

SANADA is at a standstill. He is currently the only member of Los Ingobernables de Japon without a championship and he has lost many big matches in a row. He came up short in his feud with Okada in 2019 and has started 2020 with major loses to Jay White and Zack Sabre Jr.

This could be a great time for SANADA to step up in a big way. A championship match with his leader Naito would be very intriguing and if SANADA loses again it may be time for him to take a long look at himself.

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Satoshi Kojima (2/10)

First Round Opponent: EVIL

Another reign as champion could buy Satoshi Kojima a lot of bread. That being said, Kojima isn’t winning this tournament. Kojima is still a great worker but he isn’t in a position to contend for a title anymore. A good match with EVIL should be expected but that is about it.

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Shingo Takagi (4/10)

First Round Opponent: Will Ospreay

If Shingo Takagi had a different first-round opponent his odds may be higher. As Will Ospreay is set to challenge Takagi in the first-round, it makes too much sense for Ospreay to beat him and get a NEVER Openweight Championship match.

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TAICHI (3/10)

First Round Opponent: Hiroshi Tanahashi

TAICHI continues to be New Japan’s project and he has a big test in a first-round match with Hiroshi Tanahashi. He is coming off a main event loss to Kazuchika Okada and New Japan seems to have a lot of faith in him. It seems unlikely but crazier things have happened.

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Tanga Loa (2/10)

First Round Opponent: David Finlay

Tanga Loa is another person who is on the bottom of the Bullet Club totem pole. It is curious that he is in the tournament instead of Tama Tonga who has much more singles experience. He could face both members of FinJuice which could be fun but he ain’t winning.

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Toa Henare (1/10)

First Round Opponent: Tomohiro Ishii

Another guy who is just a hair above Young Lion status is Toa Henare. He is ready to take the next step but will likely need to go on excursion before being a top star for New Japan. He will have a fantastic match with Tomohiro Ishii but that will be the end of the line for him.

• New Japan Cup
• Hiroshi Tanahashi
• Kazuchika Okada
• NJPW

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