NJPW New Japan Cup Schedules and 1st Round Prelims Predictions

New Japan Pro Wrestling will be holding their annual New Japan Cup beginning tomorrow, featuring the some of the top heavyweights of the Japanese pro wrestling scene. Let’s take a quick look at the tournament itself and make some (snarky) predictions along the way.

The winner of this single elimination tournament will receive a shot at either the IWGP Heavyweight Title (currently held by AJ Styles), the IWGP Intercontinental Title (currently held by Shinsuke Nakamura) or the NEVER Openweight title (currently held by Tomohiro Ishii). It can be likened to WWE’s old King of the Ring tournament, but with more prestige. You can view the current bracket here:

Let’s take a look at the preliminary matches scheduled to take place on March 6.

Match A: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Toru Yano

Tanahashi is the current ACE OF (NEW JAPAN) UNIVERSE. Yano – or YTR as we prefer to call him – has been going with a comedy wrestler-like routine for the past few years. I don’t think NJPW would be willing to give YTR the win at this juncture over the ACE.

Prediction: Tanahashi wins.

Match B: Kota Ibushi vs Doc Gallows

Ibushi is a very popular up and comer in the NJPW ranks, with a Match of the Year contender already this time of the year (the Wrestle Kingdom 9 match with Shinsuke Nakamura). Doc Gallows should be familiar to WWE fans as the former Straight Edge Society member. It’s a very interesting clash of styles, but unlike Ibushi, Gallows isn’t going to be given any singles push any time soon.

Prediction: Ibushi wins.

Match C: Tetsuya Naito vs “Machine Gun” Karl Anderson

One of the interesting match-ups in the bracket, mainly because of how the bracket is shaped. Both are also former G1 Climax winners, so they are both legit contenders for any title at any time.

Prediction: Anderson wins, but expect Bullet Club shenanigans.

Match D: Kazuchika Okada vs Bad Luck Fale

One of the matches with interesting history as Okada called out Fale back in February to avenge a previous loss (yes, there’s continuity in NJPW storylines). Also, an Okada loss would be devastating for him.

Prediction: Okada wins, but once again, expect Bullet Club shenanigans.

Match E: Togi Makabe vs Tomoaki Honma

Probably the stiffest match in the card. Both are fan favorites, and are two of the hardest workers in the NJPW roster. Not for the weak of heart.

Prediction: Honma wins.

Match F: YOSHI-HASHI vs Yujiro Takahashi

Two jobbers face each other in this filler match. YOSHI’s the fan favorite on this one as Yujiro turned his back on the Japanese fans by joining the Bullet Club.

Prediction: Yujiro wins via Bullet Club shenanigans.

Match G: Yuji Nagata vs Hirooki Goto

Another match consisting of 2 more hard workers in NJPW. This match promises to be another stiff contest for sure. Another match that is not for the weak of heart.

Prediction: Goto wins.

Match H: Satoshi Kojima vs Katsuyori Shibata

Kojima’s one of the oldest competitors in the roster (he even had matches with Macho Man Randy Savage in WCW back in the ’90s). On the other hand, Shibata is still quite young and about to reach the apex of his career.

Prediction: Shibata wins.

Here’s the schedule for the New Japan Cup:

All images courtesy of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Translated bracket courtesy of r/SquaredCircle