Top 10 New Japan Cup 2020 Matches

3. EVIL v Kazuchika Okada – New Japan Cup Night 9

Going into the final of the tournament, nobody knew which way the match could go. EVIL had been on a roll during the tournament beating his opponents swiftly and without any remorse for the rules. However, his opponent Okada was not only a previous New Japan Cup winner but has always been in the main event of Dominion as long as it has been held in Osaka-Jo Hall.

This determination from both to win was on show from the minute the bell rang. The two seemed to stick to their strategy through the tournament. EVIL continued using everything and anything to get the advantage and Okada stuck to a more mat-based offence to set up for his Cobra Clutch submission. For a while, it seemed to be working with EVIL slowly getting weaker as the hold was kept on for longer.

Yet, just when it seemed like Okada was on the path to winning two New Japan Cup’s in a row, something happened which changed the complexion of the match. Gedo and Yujiro came running to the ring and made the perfect distraction for Red Shoes to allow EVIL to catch his breath. It seemed odd but many passed it off as the Revenge of Gedo. After this, EVIL hit Okada with at least 3 low blows and won the match with Everything is Evil much to the disgust of the crowd who started the night wanting.

However, the reason for its place on the list was more to do with the aftermath. When EVIL called out Naito and the LIJ leader raised his fist for the handshake, Evil threw up a Too Sweet and revealed that he has now joined Bullet Club. It was a shocking moment for fans and one that viewers will not forget.

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2. SHO v Shingo Takagi – New Japan Cup Night 3

After the announcement of first-round matches, this bout was one that caught a lot of peoples attention. Ever since Shingo came to New Japan nearly two years ago, he had been a thorn in the side of Roppongi 3K’s (SHO and YOH) side. In all the tag and singles matches they’ve had; the Gold Standard Sho was never been able to get a win over the Dragon.

This was his chance for redemption.

As expected, it was full-on from the start to end. Both wrestlers made sure to utilise what they knew best to get the advantage over their opponent. Shingo used his strength and huge build to block SHO’s advances but also counter them quickly and effectively. SHO used a style based more on his submission and martial arts skills which took Shingo by surprise. However, despite this heavy-hitting style, the entire match was dynamic, fast-paced and a combination of speed, strength and agility.

For many, the essence of this match was heart. No matter how much either men got beat up, they got straight back up whether it was from a suplex, forearm or one of the many clotheslines. After a match that lasted just over 17 minutes, SHO managed to hit one last Shock Arrow to get that much-needed win and advance to the second round.

Not only was the win was so well deserved but it also showed just how talented SHO is in the ring with his hybrid Jr Heavyweight style. The only downside was that there was no crowd there because the arena would’ve have gone crazy. It was a fairytale ending.

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1. Tomohiro Ishii v Hiromu Takahashi – New Japan Cup Night 7

If there was ever a contrast of offence style and personalities going into a match, then this was the epitome of this. Hiromu is fearless and slightly erratic in his style. Ishii is serious and hard. The Ticking Time Bomb is bright and colourful. The Stone Pitbull is darker and more sombre. However, this didn’t matter when the two entered the ring and put on a potential match of the year contender.

It started with both in the centre of the ring trading strikes and forearms around the ring. Like with Suzuki v Nagata, the emptiness of the arena just made these exchanges even more dynamic as the sounds of these strikes echoed throughout the large space.

From there, the match was filled with action. Even with both men known to have problems with their necks, neither held back with their offence. Hiromu flew around the ring with reckless abandon hitting Reverse-Ranas and Ishii threw suplexes with ease. However, neither man would stay down even whether it was Hiromu hitting Ishii with his finishers the D and Time Bomb multiple times or those vicious power moves the Stone Pitbull is known for. Throughout, the match could go either way with pinfalls left, right and centre.

After one of the toughest and most brutal matches of the tournament lasting just under 20 minutes, Hiromu managed to hit one last Time Bomb II to get the win over Ishii. Despite so many people wanting Hiromu to get to the final, many didn’t see the smaller Hiromu winning. It was an amazing match between two superb wrestlers who shone very brightly.

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• new japan pro wrestling
• New Japan Cup
• EVIL
• Kazuchika Okada
• NJPW

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