NJPW New Japan Cup Round One: Predictions, How to Watch Live

On March 9th NJPW will be setting the stage for their next major shows. The New Japan Cup is a yearly single elimination tournament where the winner gets to challenge for the singles title of their choice. Up for grabs is a chance at the IWGP Heavyweight, IWGP Intercontinental, and the NEVER Openweight Championship.

Heading into the show there are several stories at play. This article will introduce you to the competitors and the brackets. If you haven’t watched NJPW before, this is a good starting point to get into the product. As always, the show can be viewed on NJPW World at 1:30 PST, 5:30 EST, and 9:30 GMT on March 9th.

The Brackets

Credit: www.njpw1972.com

Lance Archer (Suzuki-gun) vs. Bad Luck Fale (Bullet Club)

One of the things that make the New Japan Cup interesting is the addition of wrestlers that do not normally wrestle in singles matches. Here, we see Lancer Archer wrestling against Bad Luck Fale. Fale has more experience as a singles wrestler, so I expect him to pick up the win here. This shouldn’t discount Archer’s significant experience as a tag team with Davey Boy Smith Jr. With that being said, I think Fale is winning this one.

Prediction: Bad Luck Fale

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Taichi (Suzuki-gun)

This matchup is interesting for two reasons. The first is that it marks Taichi’s second match at heavyweight. While he failed to defeat Tetsuya Naito at the 16th Anniversary Show, he is looking to rebound here. However, the bad news for Taichi is that he’s facing Hiroshi Tanahashi. Tanahashi, the Ace of NJPW, is returning from injury at the hands of Minoru Suzuki. Tanahashi is one of the best wrestlers in the world and looking to return strong. After losing the IWGP Intercontinental Championship to Suzuki, the Ace might be looking to get revenge. Of course, he might have his eyes on another prize. The IWGP Heavyweight Championship and his old rival, Kazuchika Okada.

Prediction: Hiroshi Tanahashi

Yujiro Takahashi (Bullet Club) vs. Juice Robinson

Yujiro Takahashi is the Bullet Club’s resident midcarder. A decent worker that will get the occasional win over other midcarders while elevating people who moving up. Juice Robinson, the former CJ Parker in NXT, has experienced a complete career turn-a-round in NJPW. 2017 was a big year for Juice as he had a good showing in the G1, even handing Kenny Omega one of his only defeats. Juice will look to continue his wave of momentum here.

Prediction: Juice Robinson

Tomohiro Ishii (CHAOS) vs. Michael Elgin

Tomohiro Ishii is one of the best wrestlers in the world. Criminally underrated, Ishii continually produces good matches. Ishii is like a tank. An angry tank. A tank that will hit you with a well placed forearm. A tank that will hoist you up off the ground and bring you crashing down with a brainbuster. I have taken this analogy too far. You get the point though. Don’t let his height fool you. Ishii might be billed at 5’7 (though he is actually far shorter), but he hits like a man that’s seven feet tall and wrestles like one too.

Prediction: Tomorhiro Ishii

Chuck Taylor (CHAOS) vs. SANADA (Los Ingobernables de Japon)

SANADA has just lost to Kazuchika Okada in a fantastic match last month, and is looking to get another shot here. The young wrestler is mentored by Tetsuya Naito, and you can expect to see him advance here. With that being said, it is not the result I want. Chuck Taylor is replacing his injured tag team partner, and best friend, Trent Beretta. Chuck is making his major singles debut for NJPW here. I would love to see Chuck get the win here, and the reason will be clear after the next match.

Prediction: Chuck Taylor

Toru Yano (CHAOS) vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr. (Suzuki-gun)

Toru Yano is one of the best comedy wrestlers going today. While his matches are never 5 star classics, they are always fun. He is also terrified of Davey Boy Smith Jr. I expect there will be a ton of shenanigans in this match. Davey Boy will also look to make an impact like his tag partner, Lance Archer. I am predicting Yano to win here because I really want to see Yano vs. Taylor. If Taylor and Yano end up in the next round, we will be treated to one of the funniest comedy matches ever seen.

Prediction: Toru Yano

Zack Sabre Jr. (Suzuki-gun) vs. Tetsuya Naito (Los Ingobernables de Japon)

After losing at Wrestle Kingdom 12, Tetsuya Naito has displayed an even more “Tranquilo” attitude. Naito has since defeated YOSHI-HASHI and Taichi, but the threat of Chris Jericho is looming in the background. Jericho attacked Naito the night after Wrestle Kingdom, but hasn’t been seen since. Zack Sabre Jr. is one of the best technical wrestlers in the world. Last year he failed to defeat Hiroshi Tanahashi for the Intercontinental championship. Sabre will be looking to earn the biggest win of his NJPW career by defeating Naito. I think Naito will be winning this match, but never discount the possibility that Chris Jericho will get involved.

Prediction: Tetsuya Naito

YOSHI-HASHI (CHAOS) vs. Kota Ibushi

YOSHI-HASHI, much like Yujiro Takahashi, is the resident midcarder of the CHAOS group. YOSHI-HASHI will be looking to move forward, potentially challenging his stablemate, Kazuchika Okada. Kota Ibushi will be looking to establish himself firmly in the main event scene after reuniting with Kenny Omega. Ibushi, in some of the opening tags, will be teaming with Bullet Club member Chase Owens. Ibushi’s status with the Bullet Club is confusing to say the least, and this will play into the story here.

Prediction: Kota Ibushi

So that is the first round of the New Japan Cup. Furthermore, NJPW will be airing all nine shows live on NJPW World over a two week period, providing wrestling fans with a lot of great action. If you are interested in watching, this is a great place to start. Night One will be main evented by Michael Elgin vs. Tomohiro Ishii.

Next: Opinion: Brock Lesnar Isn't Leaving WWE

The most intriguing match in the first round of this tournament is Naito vs. Sabre Jr. for me. I fully expect both men to deliver a fantastic match that will leave spectators in awe. Be sure to catch all the action on March 9th at 5:30 EST, 1:30 PST, and 9:30 GMT.

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