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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 11TH: KAGAWA TAKAMATSU CITY GENERAL GYMNASIUM #1

https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1099944188651671552

TOGI MAKABE VS COLT CABANA

Another New Japan Cup debut here in Colt Cabana, the independent wrestling mainstay who’s been recently commentating on Ring Of Honor the last couple of years. It’s a nice change of pace to include him in here, and he’s got to be motivated to be in this tournament. Makabe, the sweets loving unchained gorilla, has been in the mid card of New Japan. This match is a toss up and can go either way, but in the end Togi Makabe will win as he’s the veteran.

PREDICTION: TOGI MAKABE

HIROOKI GOTO VS SANADA

A great match-up of two upper mid-carders who have a ton of upside. Goto, who had a reign with the NEVER Openweight Championship at the end of 2018,  has won this tournament 3 times in 2009, 2010, and 2012. He’s also been a finalist in another two tournaments and he’s Mr. New Japan Cup. SANADA has the most upside of the LIJ heavyweights and has been on the bench for a while waiting for his moment. SANADA is going to beat Mr. New Japan Cup and move on to the next round.

PREDICTION: SANADA

TORU YANO VS DAVEY BOY SMITH JR.

Now to the least interesting match-up of the New Japan Cup as Toru Yano faces Davey Boy Smith Jr. Yano, who has been a middling comedy guy, recently reunited with his Most Violent Players partner Togi Makabe and has taken a bit of a serious edge. Meanwhile Smith Jr, has been an uninteresting tag team wrestler who has been middling in the New Japan mid card muck. Yano is winning this match as he’s getting a bit of a push.

PREDICTION: TORU YANO

SATOSHI KOJIMA VS MINORU SUZUKI

Now onto the final first round match-up and it’s two familiar foes going at it. Kojima, who had a knee injury that kept him out the majority of 2018, is now once again in a big spot to impress and hopefully earn himself into his last G1 run. On the other hand, you have Minoru Suzuki at 50 years old, being as menacing as he’s ever been. He’s gotten a good push last year and he’s always slotted well in the New Japan hierarchy. Minoru Suzuki is winning this match, but it will be competitive as two old rivals go at it.

PREDICTION MINORU SUZUKI

This year’s 32 man New Japan Cup has raised a lot of eyebrows in what New Japan can do. They have a lot of interesting match-ups and a lot of interesting wrestlers in these slots.

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BONUS PREDICTION

The winner of the New Japan Cup could go in 2 or 3 directions. Either Okada, Tanahashi or Ibushi are the odds on favorites to win this tournament. Okada’s redemption story could come to fruition and he defeat White to set off another IWGP title reign. Then you have Ibushi, who is here long term now, who can finally get the push many people think he rightfully deserves by having him knock off White to win his first IWGP title. Then you have the ‘Ace of the Universe’ lurking, looking to be back at the top of the New Japan food chain, and they could do a Tanahashi redemption story at G1 Supercard at Madison Square Garden. In the end, Okada pulls it off and accelerates his redemption and defeats Jay White at G1 Supercard in Madison Square Garden.

NEW JAPAN CUP WINNER: KAZUCHIKA OKADA

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