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FIRST MATCH: YOSHI-HASHI, Yuya Uemura, Michael Elgin & Juice Robinson vs. Bullet Club (HIKULEO, Bad Luck Fale, Taiji Ishimori & Chase Owens)
Good opener. YOSHI-HASHI and Chase Owens are brewing a mini-feud that is delightful. Yuya Uemura has star potential. HIKULEO is a pretty entertaining big man.
Need To Watch Rating: (5.0)
SECOND MATCH: Ren Narita, Manabu Nakanishi, Yuji Nagata & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, BUSHI & Shingo Takagi)
Hectic, fun match. The New Japan Dads kinda let Narita do the work. LIJ was cohesive, but one forgets how SANADA really holds the team together in the ring.
Need To Watch Rating: (4.9)
THIRD MATCH: Kota Ibushi & Tomoaki Honma vs. Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & TAKA Michinoku)
Sabre and Ibushi have amazing chemistry, leading to a solid preview of their 2nd round match. TAKA and Ibushi have some fun exchanges too. Tomoaki Honma is also there.
Need To Watch Rating: (4.5)
FOURTH MATCH: CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & Will Ospreay) vs. Suzuki-gun (Taichi & Lance Archer)
Everyone in this match is good. Everyone. Great undercard tag. Give it a watch.
Need To Watch Rating: (6.9)…nice
FIFTH MATCH: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada & Shota Umino vs. Ryusuke Taguchi, Mikey Nicholls & Toa Henare
Tanahashi, Okada and Umino are the past, present, and future of New Japan. Taguchi, Nicholls & Henare are a damn effective version of Taguchi Japan. Nicholls continue to shine in his NJPW return.
Need To Watch Rating: (6.0)
SIXTH MATCH: New Japan Cup First Round: Toru Yano vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.
I mean, this was technically a match…I guess.
Need To Watch Rating: (5.0)
SEVENTH MATCH: New Japan Cup First Round: Togi Makabe vs. Colt Cabana
A way better version of the Yano/Davey match. Cabana brings out a hilariously deadpan side of Red Shoes Uno that is pretty delightful. Makabe is also a great straight-man to Cabana’s wacky antics.
Need To Watch Rating: (7.05)
EIGHTH MATCH: New Japan Cup First Round: Satoshi Kojima vs. Minoru Suzuki
This is an absolute war. Definitely could’ve been longer, but a solid Dad Fight. Kojima has lately been on fire and Suzuki is not afraid to get burned.
Need To Watch Rating: (8.0)
MAIN EVENT: New Japan Cup First Round: Hirooki Goto vs. SANADA
Match of the night by far. These two are so damn good together. Goto and SANADA have a very similar style and it leads to some pretty sensational one-upsmanship.
Need To Watch Rating: (9.8)
