NJPW: Results, Highlights, and Review from New Japan Cup 2020 Night 1

Hiromu Takahashi vs. Tomoaki Honma

Maybe it’s just my own bias about Honma (‘not particularly a fan’ being the height of my bias) but this match drags a little bit. By virtue of the fact that Takahashi is a firecracker in every match, it’s absolutely not a wash, but it’s a little boring.

That being said, there are several good angles. A running dropkick to the sound of sparse claps from (what I assume to be) the ringside crew and commentary team, a few great suplexes, a death valley bomb onto the ring apron – it’s explosive moments between stretches of inertia that make it seem to last just a little too long.

I promise it’s not favoritism that makes me say this was the best match of the night by far.

El Desperado vs. Tomohiro Ishii

All week I’ve been preparing myself for the emotional disappointment of Desperado losing to Ishii, but I knew that the road to get there was going to be, if absolutely nothing else, really ferocious.

The best part of this fight is the overall dynamic between these two who haven’t really had the chance to go against each other, certainly not one-on-one. One of Desperado’s best tactics is to frustrate his opponent into getting sloppy, but Ishii is skilled at keeping his composure. He’s also not above matching his ruder opponents in attitude, quick to level the playing field at every opportunity.

They trade some low blows, there’s a lot of speed vs strength going on, and Desperado gets to do something he probably doesn’t get to do a lot: be taller than someone way bigger than him.

It’s a long match with many near-pinfalls. They each give as good as they get, with Ishii dropping his junior opponent with a lot of heavy moves, and Desperado catching Ishii in a few good submission holds. Ultimately, though the outcome seemed too likely in one direction, they both fought hard to get there and it kept me on the edge of anticipation throughout the last several minutes.

Overall, a fantastic final match to the first night of New Japan Cup 2020. As we gradually return to an everyday routine that’s somewhat a little more normal, it’s heartening to see my favorite promotion work well with what it’s got and succeed despite the obstacles.