NJPW Strong Results and Grades: New Japan Cup USA Semis, ACH Debuts

KENTA vs. Jeff Cobb

Result: KENTA advances

While Jeff Cobb and Bullet Club have had no official issues with one another before the tournament they certainly do now. Jeff Cobb played the spoiler in week one of the tournament stealing a win from Bullet Club member Tanga Loa and preventing a near sweep of the semi-finals for the Bullet Club. Chase Owens, also a member of Bullet Club, lost out on his spot in the finals by falling to David Finlay in the first round.

The match, which was slow to start, came to a screaming halt when KENTA delivered an insane power slam to the much larger Cobb just past the 10-minute mark. The match came to an end a few minutes later when Cobb fell victim to a low blow when the referees back was turned leading KENTA to pin him and move on to the finals of the New Japan Cup USA tournament.

Grade: B+ 

This was a very good match that fell victim to the fact that there are no fans around the ring cheering on the performers and covering for the down moments with cheers. Simply an A to A-plus match in front of a crowd that suffered from the lack thereof.

KENTA, in his post-match press conference, commented on his reason for cutting corners in the match against Jeff Cobb and addressed the fans directly. “I am here to win the tournament, not to give you a great match. I don’t care – shut up!”

The finals of the tournament will air next week Friday, August 21st at 10/9c exclusively on NJPWWorld.com.