Top 8 New Japan Cup 2022 Matches

2. Kazuchika Okada v El Desperado

New Japan fans were very disappointed when they didn’t have IWGP World Champion Kazuchika Okada face the Jr Champion El Desperado at the anniversary show. Luckily, they didn’t have to wait long and the duo had a MOTY candidate during the first round of the tournament. Their wrestling styles and personalities couldn’t be more different, but their in-ring chemistry was unreal.

The opening moments were a battle of both men trying to dictate the match’s pace. While Okada tried to pick up the speed, Desperado focused on the mat-based offence he is known for. Very quickly, this went out of the window, and both men put in their blood, sweat and tears in a dynamic bout.

One of the best moments from the entire tournament came from this match. Just after the 25-minute mark, Okada went from for an epic dropkick, but Desperado wowed viewers as he countered with a mid-air Dragon Screw. Despite being a member of Suzuki Gun, Despy showed that he is a true Jr at heart. Moments like this had fans at the edge of their seats and doubting who would win.

After the closing moments, it shocked fans as Okada managed to beat the Jr champion with his patented Rainmaker. Despite the weight difference, El Desperado put on one hell of a fight, and even Okada acknowledged his dominance. Matches like this have narrowed the space between divisions and showcased how strong all the company’s wrestlers are.

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1. Will Ospreay v Zack Sabre Jr

When it comes to some of the most iconic rivalries in wrestling, the one between Brits Will Ospreay and Zack Sabre Jr is underrated. The duo has faced each other so many times worldwide and for titles. Yet, the stakes seemed even higher this time, and this meant that the match was dynamic from the very beginning.

The match was full of light and shade, with every moment filled with action. It started with the basics in the centre of the ring, with both men trying to showcase their dominance. Yet, it quickly moved outside the ring and picked up speed and danger. At one point, their size wouldn’t have been an issue. Yet, Ospreay has continued to build weight and muscle far beyond the limits of the Vegan Hydra.

This was shown throughout the match. Ospreay utilized his new strength with the agility ZSJ is used to, and in turn, ZSJ had to adapt his own style, pulling out new and unexpected maneuvers. However, it was ZSJ’s transitions that made the match. Whenever Ospreay tried to hit offence, Zack always had the answer, putting them at an equal standing.

Just before the 25-minute mark, ZSJ managed to make Ospreay tap out even though the decision was controversial. Although the ending wasn’t what Ospreay wanted, it was the perfect way to finish. ZSJ beat one of his biggest rivals, securing a shot at the Rev Pro title, and did it by making him supposedly tap out. Ospreay did not take the news well, and any future bout between the two will be even more intense.

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• Tetsuya Naito
• New Japan Cup
• Zack Sabre Jr
• Kazuchika Okada
• NJPW

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