Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images

New Japan Need To Watch (3/23) New Japan Cup Semi-Finals *No Spoilers*

Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images

Show is available at NJPWWorld.com.

FIRST MATCH: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Michael Elgin, Colt Cabana, Yuya Uemura & Yota Tsuji

Hard-hitting opening contest. Cabana, Elgin & The Young Lions are up against nearly a century’s worth of experience. A war ensues.

Need To Watch Rating: (5.0)

SECOND MATCH: Shota Umino & Ren Narita vs. Los Ingobernables (BUSHI & Shingo Takagi)

A very good tag match. Umino & Narita are both future stars. Takagi & BUSHI feel like they’ve been tagging for ages, they’ve grown so cohesive so quickly.

Need To Watch Rating: (5.0)

THIRD MATCH: Togi Makabe, Toru Yano & Toa Henare vs. Suzuki-gun (Davey Boy Smith Jr., Lance Archer & Minoru Suzuki)

Everyone in this match should be in the G1. Make it happen, Gedo.

Need To Watch Rating: (4.0)

FOURTH MATCH: Ryusuke Taguchi & Will Ospreay vs. Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi)

Taichi and Ospreay pick up where they left off last year. Fun, if inessential tag match.

Need To Watch Rating: (3.4)

FIFTH MATCH: Kota Ibushi & Tomoaki Honma vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito & EVIL)

Honma is teaching Ibushi to destroy himself which…makes sense I guess. Naito and EVIL are a fun tandem as always.

Need To Watch Rating: (4.5)

SIXTH MATCH: Juice Robinson, Mikey Nicholls, YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto vs. Bullet Club (Jay White, Chase Owens, Bad Luck Fale & Hikuleo)

Juice Robinson and Chase Owens continue to pour gasoline on their rivalry before Sunday’s title match. White and YOSHI-HASHI have some good exchanges as well.

Need To Watch Rating: (5.5)

SEVENTH MATCH: New Japan Cup Semi-Final Match: Kazuchika Okada vs. Tomohiro Ishii

This is possibly the best match of the year. Okada holds his own against Ishii in a true-blue striking contest. An absolute war, that should be seen by any means necessary.

Need To Watch Rating: (12.15)

MAIN EVENT: New Japan Cup Semi-Final Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. SANADA

Tanahashi and SANADA have amazing chemistry and have a match who’s only crime is following the masterpiece that was Okada/Ishii. Definitely a must see match, an absolute masterpiece.

Need To Watch Rating: (10.0)

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