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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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MARCH 10TH: HYOGO BAYCOM GYMNASIUM

https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1099934225749426176

HIROYOSHI TENZAN VS DAVID FINLAY 

This is another interesting match-up that will tell very little about the pecking order, but will tell a lot about who David Finlay is as a wrestler. Finlay has been twiddling his thumbs in the mid card of New Japan over the past couple of years and he’s just waiting for his moment.  His moment has finally come in the New Japan Cup with Hiroyoshi Tenzan. Tenzan has had a relatively quiet past couple of years. His G1 days are over and he has been in 6 and 8 man tags for the better part of five years. This is David Finlay’s moment to get a win in the first round of this tournament against an experienced opponent.

PREDICTION: DAVID FINLAY

HIROSHI TANAHASHI VS SHOTA UMINO

This is freaking awesome. Shota Umino, a young lion and son of Red Shoes, has been killing it as a young lion. They let him grow out his hair and he now has kneepads which are big steps for young lions. This is his moment versus the former IWGP Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi in a first round match of the New Japan Cup. Tanahashi, who beat Kenny Omega at Wrestle Kingdom and then lost to Jay White at New Beginning in Osaka is ultimately going to win this match, but this should be awesome and a great moment for the future of the company to see if Umino really has it.

PREDICTION: HIROSHI TANAHASHI

EVIL VS ZACK SABRE JR.

Last year’s winner Zack Sabre Jr is facing off with EVIL in a really awe inspiring match-up for the first round of the New Japan Cup. Sabre has been looking to get back into the IWGP Championship picture since winning last year, and has had some great performances in G1 and other areas of New Japan competition. On the other hand, you have EVIL who has been sort of in a limbo state since challenging Okada at King of Pro Wrestling 2017. He’s been in the tag team scene as well as having wrestled Chris Jericho at King of Pro Wrestling 2018. This match could go either way, but in the end Zack Sabre Jr wins and tries to defend his New Japan Cup.

PREDICTION: ZACK SABRE JR.

KOTA IBUSHI VS TETSUYA NAITO 

Wow, this is a first round match-up in the New Japan Cup. Two of the odds on favorites to win the New Japan Cup competing in the first round. These two have great chemistry and a five star match is incoming. Ibushi recently signed a multi year deal with New Japan, assuring him to finally get his push in NJPW after many start-stop pushesi. Naito is currently the Intercontinental Champion and doesn’t really have a challenger set for MSG. These two are going to kill each other, but in the end Kota Ibushi wins this match and loses a future match to set up this title program for MSG.

PREDICTION: KOTA IBUSHI

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