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New Japan Cup First Round Preview And Predictions

By Daniel Kuchler

OSAKA,JAPAN - FEBRUARY 11: Kazuchika Okada enters the ring prior to the match between Kazuchika Okada and Bad Luck Fale during the New Beginning of NJPW at Edion Arena Osaka on February 11, 2019 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
OSAKA,JAPAN - FEBRUARY 11: Kazuchika Okada enters the ring prior to the match between Kazuchika Okada and Bad Luck Fale during the New Beginning of NJPW at Edion Arena Osaka on February 11, 2019 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /
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The New Japan Cup is coming up and the first round brings some interesting match-ups and things to see in the landscape of NJPW.

The New Japan Cup is here and it’s the annual single elimination tournament for NJPW. For 2019, New Japan expanded the field from 16 to 32, which was an interesting decision because that means bringing in some supplementary talents to round out the field. There are a few first round match-ups that should be great and involve rarely used talents that get a chance to shine. Let’s preview the first round of the New Japan Cup.

MARCH 8TH- KORAKUEN HALL

https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1099923151557980166

YUJI NAGATA VS. TOMOHIRO ISHII

This first match-up of the New Japan Cup was supposed to happen at the New Beginning In USA shows, but after the Japanese wrestlers couldn’t get their visas because of a government shutdown, the next logical step was to move it to here. This should be an awesome match as these two have good chemistry. The logic here says Ishii wins because he’s higher in the pecking order than Nagata

PREDICTION: TOMOHIRO ISHII

TOMOAKI HONMA VS TAICHI 

This is the first of several interesting match-ups in the New Japan Cup. Honma has been relatively quiet since he returned from what many thought would be a career-ending injury. He wasn’t in Tag League partnering with Makabe and has been relegated to old man status. The crowd will get behind him though and the crowd HATES Taichi. Taichi had a stint with the NEVER Openweight and singles success over the past year since moving to heavyweight. Honma will be up for a fight, but in the end Taichi will win this and move on to the second round.

PREDICTION: TAICHI

MANABU NAKANISHI VS YOSHI-HASHI

Another member of the old guard, the former IWGP champion Manabu Nakanishi has been relegated to 6 and 8 man tags over the past few years. However whenever he’s put in a singles opportunity, he puts full effort into these matches and it’s always a marvel when he goes up the top rope and does FLYING NAKANISHI. On the other-hand, YOSHI-HASHI is the definition of just a guy. He doesn’t rattle anyone’s cages, but puts out full effort when given a match like this. Nakanishi has the chance for the upset, but in the end YOSHI-HASHI wins this decisively.

PREDICTION: YOSHI-HASHI

JUICE ROBINSON VS CHASE OWENS

Juice Robinson is the current IWGP United States Champion, a fact that even the most hardcore fans will forget as that belt has become an after thought. Juice really shines in these sorts of tournaments and has great performances. Chase Owens is now back in Bullet Club and is here for the long haul. Chase is going to be motivated to have a great match here and Juice just kills it. Juice is winning this match but Owens will put up a fight.

PREDICTION: JUICE ROBINSON

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