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Post by henriquesser on Mar 5, 2022 21:16:50 GMT 1
New Japan Cup Day 4 27/3/2006, Aichi Perfectural Gymnasium Attendance: 7 515 (SOLD OUT) Naofumi Yamamoto, Wataru Inoue and Masayuki Naruse vs KAMIKAZE, Tatsutoshi Goto and Hiroshi NagaoThe opener didn’t really surprise anyone, with Yamamoto, Inoue and Naruse keeping control of the match from the start. Wataru Inoue locked the Triangle Lancer on Nagao and the young lion quickly tapped out, netting the win for the junior heavyweights. Time: 8:22 Winners: Naofumi Yamamoto, Wataru Inoue and Masayuki Naruse Shiro Koshinaka, Tatsuhiko Taikawa and El Samurai vs CTU (Jushin Liger, Jado and Gedo)This tag match could be seen as another preview of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament, with every man involved in it being likely involved in it. It was some crisp, well-paced junior heavyweight action all throughout the match, which was appreciated by the crowd. Liger would pick up the win for his team, following a missed Moonsault from El Samurai with his trademark Liger Bomb for the 3-count. CTU continued their good momentum and are looking dangerous. Time: 9:06 Winners: Jushin Liger, Jado and Gedo Riki Choshu, Shinjiro Otani and Daisuke Sekimoto vs BLACK (Masahiro Chono, Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Black Strong Machine)Chono and Tenzan were in a bad mood after both being eliminated from the cup in the last shows due to the Most Violent Players’ shenanigans, so they decided to take their frustrations out in this match. But it’s not like you’d expect Choshu, Otani and Sekimoto to just take it all lying down, and of course that’s not what happened as they took the fight to their opponents for a pretty back and forth 6-man tag. Everybody got some offence in, but the BLACK members just had that extra edge tonight, and Tenzan put away a very game Sekimoto with his Inverted Piledriver. After the match, Chono grabbed a mic, and him and Tenzan would stare a hole into the camera as they said: “Makabe and Yano, you two punks wanted our attention? Well, now you got it! But we’re not gonna fight tonight though. We’re not assholes like the two of you, we actually respect these fans. And since they came here to watch you two in singles matches tonight, we will stay out of the way. We’re gonna sit in the back and watch you get your asses kicked like the no-good punks you are. But someday soon, we will fight you. We will put our titles on the line and prove that you’re not on our level. And most importantly, we’re gonna kick your punk asses so bad that you’ll never want to mess with us again!” Time: 12:54 Winners: Masahiro Chono, Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Black Strong Machine Toru Yano vs Shinsuke Nakamura (New Japan Cup Quarter Finals)This promised to be an interesting matchup between two young stars, with both Nakamura and Yano being in good form as of late. Nakamura came out with Tomohiro Ishii beside him, probably as an equalizer in case Makabe also came out, but when Yano came to the ring alone, Shin told his fellow RISE stablemate to get back to the locker room. But it’s not like Yano needs Makabe to cheat, and he looked for every possible chance to get an advantage, even starting the match with a cheap shot. Nakamura’s awareness was also very much tested here, as Yano tried to utilize his cradles to surprise him. Nakamura is a resilient man though, and so the opposite of the first round happened, with Yano slowly getting more frustrated. That frustration meant he got more aggressive, but he also made more mistakes, and Nakamura utilized the openings to execute his offence, less aggressive but more precise. The biggest opening happens when Yano goes for a Lariat… but Nakamura counters into the Rolling Armbar! That’s exactly how he beat Choshu! But he can’t get the full extension, Yano rolls through into a pin and grabs the tights! 1…2… Nakamura breaks the hold to kick out. Yano starts grabbing his arm as he goes to the corner and asking for the doctor, with Red Shoes coming to check on him. But Yano pushes Red Shoes into Nakamura, and with the ref down he hits a low blow! He picks Nakamura up… Powerbomb! But there’s no ref to count the pin! Yano slaps Red Shoes awake and covers Nakamura again… 1…2…kick out! Yano goes outside and grabs a chair, he’s gonna hit Nakamura with it! But Red Shoes grabs the chair to stop him! Yano shoves him away, goes to clatter Nakamura… but he ducks! The chair hits the ropes and bounces right back to Yano’s face… and he tumbles back right into… Landslide! 1...2...3! It’s a gutsy win for Shinsuke Nakamura and he’s going to the semifinals! Time: 13:43 Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura Yuji Nagata vs Togi Makabe (New Japan Cup Quarter Finals)
Much like his partner, Makabe has come to these matches with a particular strategy, clearly wanting this match to break down into a brawl. But he quickly remembered that Yuji Nagata can go strike for strike with anyone, with his particularly stiff kicks always drawing big damage. So Makabe changed his approached, trying to exert his power advantage instead. Meanwhile, Nagata used his skill to try and counter. It was a clash of styles and Nagata maybe did come out on top slightly more often, but you’d be wrong to think Makabe is an easy matchup for anyone in the roster, he just keeps fighting as hard as ever. Nagata is going for an Exploder… but a nasty headbutt from Makabe breaks it! And a sudden follow up with the Death Valley Driver! 1…2… kick out by Nagata! But Makabe has this in the bag now, he signals for the finish, he props Nagata up in the turnbuckle for the Spider German… but Nagata rolls through and lands on his feet… following it up with a Knee Strike to the corner to an upside down Makabe! He waits for Makabe to get back up… another Knee Strike, this time to the face! Nagata goes for the pin… 1…2… kick out! Nagata transitions right into the Fujiwara Armbar… he rolls back the eyes, is Makabe gonna tap? He reaches for the ropes… but Nagata rolls him back to the center of the ring and transitions into the Nagata Lock II! Is this it? Makabe is crawling to the ropes again… and this time he does get there after a long struggle! What toughness by the Unchained Gorilla! Nagata now has to break the hold and he does… but he rushes right back at Makabe as he’s getting up! Oh no! Makabe sees him coming and it’s a huge Back Body Drop over the top! Nagata flips over and lands hard, splatting back first on the floor! A dazed Makabe goes outside and throws Nagata back into the ring and slowly climbs the turnbuckles again. Could it be… Makabe is going for the King Kong Knee Drop again! But Nagata is back up! He goes to the top… Avalanche Exploder! He picks Makabe up… Backdrop! 1…2…3! Another war for Nagata, and another win! Time: 24:47 Winner: Yuji Nagata
Predictions: Asaemon - 5/5 Moore - 5/5 Congrats on the perfect scores! |
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Post by henriquesser on Mar 5, 2022 21:59:21 GMT 1
March 31st 2006, Nagoya Rainbow Hall
New Japan Cup - Day 5 Fergal Devitt vs Karl Anderson
Shinjiro Otani and Takashi Uwano vs Takao Omori and Daisuke Sekimoto
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kenzo Suzuki and Naofumi Yamamoto vs Takashi Iizuka, Manabu Nakanishi and Koji Kanemoto
Yutaka Yoshie, Wataru Inoue and Tiger Mask vs Tomohiro Ishii, CIMA and Ryusuke Taguchi
KENTA vs Giant Bernard (New Japan Cup Semi Final)
April 1st 2006, Nagoya Rainbow Hall New Japan Cup - Day 6 BLACK (Akebono, Ryoji Sai and Black Tiger) vs Akyia Anzawa, Mitsuhide Hirasawa and Yoshihito Sasaki
CTU (Jushin Liger, Minoru Tanaka, Gedo and Jado) vs Koji Kanemoto, El Samurai, Masayuki Naruse and Tatsuhito Taikawa
Tomohiro Ishii vs Kenzo Suzuki
BLACK (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Masahiro Chono) vs Riki Choshu and Shinjiro Otani
Yuji Nagata vs Shinsuke Nakamura (New Japan Cup Semi Final)
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Post by Asaemon on Mar 6, 2022 16:47:55 GMT 1
March 31st 2006, Nagoya Rainbow Hall
New Japan Cup - Day 5
Fergal Devitt vs Karl Anderson
Shinjiro Otani and Takashi Uwano vs Takao Omori and Daisuke Sekimoto
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kenzo Suzuki and Naofumi Yamamoto vs Takashi Iizuka, Manabu Nakanishi and Koji Kanemoto
Yutaka Yoshie, Wataru Inoue and Tiger Mask vs Tomohiro Ishii, CIMA and Ryusuke Taguchi
KENTA vs Giant Bernard (New Japan Cup Semi Final)
April 1st 2006, Nagoya Rainbow Hall
New Japan Cup - Day 6
BLACK (Akebono, Ryoji Sai and Black Tiger) vs Akyia Anzawa, Mitsuhide Hirasawa and Yoshihito Sasaki
CTU (Jushin Liger, Minoru Tanaka, Gedo and Jado) vs Koji Kanemoto, El Samurai, Masayuki Naruse and Tatsuhito Taikawa
Tomohiro Ishii vs Kenzo Suzuki
BLACK (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Masahiro Chono) vs Riki Choshu and Shinjiro Otani
Yuji Nagata vs Shinsuke Nakamura (New Japan Cup Semi Final)
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Post by henriquesser on May 15, 2022 20:09:19 GMT 1
New Japan Cup Day 5 31/3/2006, Nagoya Rainbow Hall Attendance: 9 478 Fergal Devitt vs Karl AndersonAn interesting matchup featuring two newcomers, with Devitt making his debut as an official member of the NJPW roster against Anderson, who has seemingly been taken up as a protegé by the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar. It was a good, competitive matchup that maybe went a little longer than usual for a singles bout between rookies, as they both showed a lot of upside. Devitt was close to the win on multiple occasions but it was not to be, as Karl Anderson paid the ultimate tribute to his mentor and hit… the Verdict, to get the pinfall on the debuting Irishman. Time: 9:32 Winner: Karl Anderson Shinjiro Otani and Takashi Uwano vs Takao Omori and Daisuke SekimotoAn interesting tag match followed, pitting pairs of rookies and more established names against each other. Otani had a crisp performance and Sekimoto looked dangerous as usual, but the big talking point of this match was Takao Omori, once again putting up an intense display. He’s certainly changed following his clash with Nagata in the opening round. And that was proven once the match reached its conclusion, as Otani and Uwano were unable to deal with him. Omori hit the Ax Bomber on Uwano for a convincing win. Time: 8:48 Winners: Takao Omori and Daisuke Sekimoto Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kenzo Suzuki and Naofumi Yamamoto vs Takashi Iizuka, Manabu Nakanishi and Koji KanemotoAn important match to pick up some momentum, with Tana, Suzuki, Nakanishi and Iizuka looking to make up for early NJ Cup eliminaions and Yamamoto and Kanemoto gearing up for the BOSJ tournament. There’s no surprise in this match being highly competitive, as even supposed weaker link Yamamoto stepped up his game. It was generally a good effort for everyone, but a good combo from the Kings of the Hill would be enough to end this match, as Kenzo Suzuki would catch Nakaniski with the STO, and quickly tag Tanahashi for the High Fly Flow, and the win. Time: 13:09 Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kenzo Suzuki and Naofumi Yamamoto Yutaka Yoshie, Wataru Inoue and Tiger Mask vs RISE (Tomohiro Ishii, CIMA and Ryusuke Taguchi)The three members of RISE not in the tournament had another 6-man tag, with youngsters CIMA and Taguchi facing top junior heavyweight competition in Tiger Mask and Inoue. Meanwhile the tough Tomohiro Ishii had a size disadvantage against the big heavyweight Yutaka Yoshie. But even then, the RISE youngsters were once again impressive, never looking out of their depth against very capable opposition. And it’s a motivation boost for KENTA and Nakamura as RISE picked up the win, with CIMA pinning Tiger Mask with the Meteora for a big upset! Time: 14:18 Winners: Tomohiro Ishii, CIMA and Ryusuke Taguchi But that wasn’t all, as Takao Omori would come back out after the match. Everyone seemed a little dumbfounded as to why, until he picked up the mic: “It’s no secret that I was feeling a little lost in the NJPW ring before this tour started. But that all changed once I had that match with Yuji Nagata. So now I think I’ve found my goal in NJPW, and it’s to be in the ring with Nagata again. There’s only one little problem though… I haven’t earned that yet. Because Yuji Nagata is in the NJ Cup semifinal, and I’m not… so now I have to prove myself, and that’s why I’m out here. Because I’m gonna prove myself by beating all of Yuji Nagata’s allies! So, Yoshie, I want a match against you. How does Sunday sound?”Yoshie looks Omori in the eye and nods, accepting his challenge. KENTA vs Giant Bernard (New Japan Cup Semi Final)It was a big David vs Goliath feel as the first semifinal approached, with the massive size difference between KENTA and Bernard being apparent with just one glance. But you’d be wrong to think that the RISE youngster is easily intimidated, as KENTA didn’t seem to be taken aback one bit. And he proved so right as the match started, running right at Bernard with a Shotgun Dropkick that sent the big man into the corner. He follows it up with a vicious lariat, and then a couple of corner knees… Bernard is dazed! A third knee… and Bernard is down! Hesitation Dropkick! And KENTA drags him off the corner for the pin! 1..2… kick out! KENTA has Bernard on the ropes and this match only just started! Giant Bernard looks like he’s already bleeding, he might have a broken nose. KENTA has to continue the onslaught, and he goes up for the Double Foot Stomp! 1…2… another kick out! He doesn’t give up though, he’s looking to make this a short night… and he’s trying to lift up Bernard for the GTS! But he’s too big... and eventually Bernard manages to fire back at KENTA and take control. Now it’s Bernard’s turn to give KENTA some punishment as he throws the smaller competitor around. Bernard is a dominant force and he crushes KENTA over and over. But KENTA is tough and fires back at every opening, always stiff and intense. But even so, he’s fighting a monster and Giant Bernard dominates most of the match. Bernard looks for the Baldo Bomb… but KENTA knees him right in the face to block the move! Palm strikes and stiff kicks to Bernard… following up with his signature combo! Bernard looks out on his feet and KENTA signals for the end! KENTA has him up for the GTS! What strength! But he can’t hold him up for long KENTA collapses down with Bernard on his shoulders. I think that was the last gasp from the underdog… and Bernard thinks so to as he sizes him up… Bicycle Kick! 1…2… KENTA kicks out! Bernard yells and picks KENTA back up for the… Baldo Bomb! 1…2… another kick out! What can Giant Bernard do to put away KENTA? He picks him up again for a Powerbomb! 1…2… kick out again at the last moment! How does KENTA keep doing this? Bernard can’t believe it and he tells KENTA to stay down as the youngster staggers back up, leaning on Bernard to get back on his own two feet. But as soon as he stands he drops right back to his knees. Bernard uncharacteristically offers him a hand to help him up… but KENTA flips him off and slaps him right in the face! Bernard is incensed and drops KENTA with a stiff lariat… he picks him up one last time… Sitout Last Ride! It’s the Bernard Bomb for the 1…2…3! Giant Bernard is in the final! Time: 16:44 Winner: Giant Bernard |
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Post by henriquesser on May 16, 2022 19:07:17 GMT 1
New Japan Cup Day 6 1/4/2006, Nagoya Rainbow Hall Attendance: 9 712 BLACK (Akebono, Ryoji Sai and Black Tiger) vs Akyia Anzawa, Mitsuhide Hirasawa and Yoshihito SasakiThe opener saw the younger members of BLACK take on a team of young lions. The latest trend of dissent between Black Tiger and the rest of the faction continued, with Akebono, Sai and Yanagisawa, who was in their corner, seemingly displeased with the performance standard of the former Junior Heavyweight Champion, with the consensus seeming that he’s lacking some killer instinct. But overall it was an easy win for the faction, with Akebono getting the pin after a ring rattling Musou on Sasaki. Time: 6:54 Winners: Akebono, Ryoji Sai and Black Tiger CTU (Jushin Liger, Minoru Tanaka, Gedo and Jado) vs Koji Kanemoto, El Samurai, Masayuki Naruse and Tatsuhito Taikawa
CTU has been undefeated in this tour, and they looked to carry that momentum into a difficult matchup against four well ranked juniors from the Main Unit, including the Junior Heavyweight Champion Koji Kanemoto. It served as another preview of the upcoming BOSJ, with good technical wrestling and some high flying moves in show. CTU would continue on their roll, but the finish was one that surprised many. With everyone else down, Kanemoto would go high risk for a moonsault on Liger, but the veteran would move out of the way and then nail him with a perfect Liger Bomb, earning the junior legend a pinfall win over the champ! Time: 14:10 Winners: Jushin Liger, Minoru Tanaka, Gedo and Jado Tomohiro Ishii vs Kenzo Suzuki
Throughout this tour Ishii and Suzuki have had a few run-ins, and they’ve always been intense and very much well received by the crowds. So, the NJPW matchmakers decided to let them slug it out in a singles match here. It’s a big opportunity for both to gain some traction, as singles matches are a rare opportunity to shine. Ishii’s stock has been on the rise lately, despite being omitted from the 16-man field he’s been putting up some good performances, and his physical style has been appreciated by the crowds. Meanwhile Kenzo arrived earlier this year to much fanfare, and has also looked strong despite an early NJ Cup exit. Both men have been looking good as part of the RISE and Kings of the Hill teams, respectively. So there was a lot at stake here tonight, and both men fought tooth and nail in a fiery, competitive matchup. Kenzo Suzuki would get the win after countering a Brainbuster from Ishii into an STO, and following it up with the Hagakure for the pin. Time: 13:27 Winner: Kenzo Suzuki BLACK (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Masahiro Chono) vs Riki Choshu and Shinjiro OtaniIn the semi-main event we saw Cho-Ten taking on Choshu and Otani again, this time in tag team action instead of a trios match. The veterans are always stiff competition, but the tag champs are still a very pissed off tandem after getting screwed over by Makabe and Yano, and were not in the mood to mess around here. A vicious Kenka Kick from Chono was enough to get the win over Otani, and Cho-Ten look psyched up for their upcoming title defence. Time: 10:06 Winners: Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Masahiro Chono Cho-Ten’s celebration didn’t last very long though though, as they get attacked from behind by Makabe and Yano. The MVPs put the boots to the tag champions and lift their belts high, before the rest of BLACK comes out to make the save. Yuji Nagata vs Shinsuke Nakamura (New Japan Cup Semi Final)A big fight feel in this semi-final, as two of the early favorites to win the whole tournament clashed here to see who gets to go to the decisive match. Despite their difference in experience, Nakamura and Nagata are quite similar wrestlers when it comes to their approach, so there was never much of a doubt as to what kind of match this would be. It was pure strong style, with snug strikes, painful holds and stiff moves being exchanged. One thing that seemed apparent from early on was that the physicality of earlier matches could be catching up to Yuji Nagata. His matches have gone the longest time out of all the competitors on the field, while Shinsuke Nakamura has made much quicker work of his opponents. And so the longer this match went, the more Nakamura seemed in control. But these fights have built a lot of toughness in Blue Justice, and eventually he would start to answer back with more venom each time. We see the intensity pick up and the match getting more violent by the minute! Another strike exchange! But Nakamura ducks a shot and locks in a sleeper! Is Nagata finally going to submit? It looks possible, but he eventually gets to the ropes. Nakamura senses the urgency, he needs to finish Blue Justice off quick, and he immediately rushes after Nagata with a big knee strike right to the stomach… and he lifts him up for Landslide! But Nagata slips out from the back… Backdrop! 1…2… Nakamura just barely gets the shoulder up! But Nagata maintained control of his waist, is he going for a second Backdrop? Ooooh but Nakamura blocks it with elbows, and then a strike combination dazes Blue Justice. But what’s this now? Nakamura with a Backdrop of his own! 1..2… Nagata kicks out! Nakamura again going for Landslide… countered into a victory roll! 1…2… Nakamura kicks out! But Nagata almost caught him again! Nakamura goes back at him with strikes! And Nagata answers back! They’re trading bombs in Nagoya! High Kick from Nagata! A second one! Nakamura looks knocked out! Backdrop by Nagata! He holds on for the pin! 1…2…3! Yuji Nagata wins his third war in a row and he’s going to the final! Time: 23:49 Winner: Yuji Nagata After the match Yuji Nagata sees his celebration interrupted by his fellow finalist Giant Bernard, and the two have a tense staredown. |
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Post by henriquesser on May 16, 2022 19:17:48 GMT 1
April 2nd 2006, Nagoya Rainbow Hall
New Japan Cup - Day 7
Shinjiro Otani, Fergal Devitt and Akyia Anzawa vs KAMIKAZE, Mitsuhide Hirasawa and Yoshihito Sasaki
CTU (Jushin Liger, Gedo, Jado and Minoru Tanaka) vs Apache Army (Tetsuhiro Kuroda, Kintaro Kanemura, GENTARO and BADBOY Hido)
Takao Omori vs Yutaka Yoshie
Brock Lesnar and Karl Anderson vs Riki Choshu and Daisuke Sekimoto
Giant Bernard vs Yuji Nagata (New Japan Cup Final) |
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Post by Asaemon on May 16, 2022 19:30:10 GMT 1
Shinjiro Otani, Fergal Devitt and Akyia Anzawa vs KAMIKAZE, Mitsuhide Hirasawa and Yoshihito Sasaki
CTU (Jushin Liger, Gedo, Jado and Minoru Tanaka) vs Apache Army (Tetsuhiro Kuroda, Kintaro Kanemura, GENTARO and BADBOY Hido)
Takao Omori vs Yutaka Yoshie
Brock Lesnar and Karl Anderson vs Riki Choshu and Daisuke Sekimoto
Giant Bernard vs Yuji Nagata (New Japan Cup Final)
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Post by henriquesser on Jun 22, 2022 1:04:26 GMT 1
New Japan Cup Day 7 2/4/2006, Nagoya Rainbow Hall Attendance: 10 000 (SOLD OUT) Shinjiro Otani, Fergal Devitt and Akyia Anzawa vs KAMIKAZE, Mitsuhide Hirasawa and Yoshihito SasakiThe opener kicked off this big night with a quick pace and good wrestling. After a disappointing few months, Shinjiro Otani got to stand out here, and he pinned Hirasawa with the Spiral Bomb. Time: 9:02 Winners: Shinjiro Otani, Fergal Devitt and Akyia Anzawa CTU (Jushin Liger, Gedo, Jado and Minoru Tanaka) vs Apache Army (Tetsuhiro Kuroda, Kintaro Kanemura, GENTARO and BADBOY Hido)The bad blood between these two factions continued as CTU and Apache turned this 8-man tag into a brawl. From start to finish we had action all over the place. And while Apache Army put up a fight, there has been no stopping CTU lately, and their form continued here as Gedo pinned Kuroda with a Complete Shot to get them the win. Time: 11:14 Winners: Jushin Liger, Gedo, Jado and Minoru Tanaka After the match, Liger picked up a microphone: “During this tour we’ve proven to you all why we’re the top four junior heavyweights in the world. We’ve gone undefeated during the entire tour, and we’re all gonna take the BOSJ tournament by storm. And after tonight, we’re done with Apache too… is what I’d like to say, but I can’t. I can’t say it because you robbed those tag titles away from us, so until we get them back, we can’t be done. But with this match, I think we’ve earned a shot. So Kanemura and Kuroda, if you got the guts, you’ll get your asses handed to you by Jado and Gedo again at Sakura Genesis! And… speaking of Sakura Genesis…I want a date with you too, champ. I pinned you yesterday, and I want to do it again. And this time, Kanemoto, I’m taking your belt with me!”Takao Omori vs Yutaka YoshieThis match was the first step of Omori’s quest for another chance at Yuji Nagata, as he faces off against Nagata’s ally Yoshie. Omori continued with his wild, reinvigorated performances here, and that gave him the edge in this match. Omori got the win after hitting a Nagata-esque backdrop driver, and following it up with a vicious Axe Bomber on Yoshie. After the match, Omori looks at the camera with a determined look and just says “Iizuka, you’re next!” Time: 13:53 Winner: Takao Omori Brock Lesnar and Karl Anderson vs Riki Choshu and Daisuke SekimotoThe heavyweight champ made his first appearance since New Beginning, so he figured he might as well get in the ring tonight. Lesnar teams up with his protégé Karl Anderson against veteran Riki Choshu and rookie Sekimoto. As expected, Anderson and Sekimoto were well matched, but Lesnar had the upper hand whenever he was in the match, looking dominant. And while Choshu and Sekimoto both had a courageous display, neither was really able to threaten the champion that much, and Brock won the match for his team when he hit the Verdict on Sekimoto for the win. Time: 9:34 Winners: Brock Lesnar and Karl Anderson Giant Bernard vs Yuji Nagata (New Japan Cup Final)This match felt like a big occasion, with the second ever final of the New Japan Cup being one of the promotion’s most important matches of the year, and with the added gravitas of the winner getting a title match at Sakura Genesis. There was even a video package highlighting each man’s path in the tournament, and they both got here in pretty different ways. Bernard scored hard-fought but dominant wins over Takashi Iizuka, Akebono and KENTA while Nagata survived long, physical wars against Takao Omori, Togi Makabe and Shinsuke Nakamura. And it was clear from the early exchanges of this match that Nagata might not be in top condition due to the fatigue from his matches, especially only 24 hours after the intense match with Nakamura. Bernard looks much fresher, despite the busted nose suffered at the hands (or rather, knees) of KENTA 2 days ago, and so the big man had the better of Blue Justice from the start. But Yuji Nagata is no common man, and he will never be an opponent that is easy to beat. Nagata stays in it despite receiving most of the offence. Eventually he is able to score with a big kick, and Bernard finally looks stunned. Nagata goes for the Backdrop… but he can’t lift him, he’s too heavy! Bernard nails him with a headbutt and Nagata crashes to the mat. Bernard loading up for that deadly bicycle kick… but Nagata ducks! And he locks in the crossface! It’s the Nagata Lock II! Is Bernard gonna tap? He’s struggling… but he gets to the ropes! Bernard staggers to the corner… but you don’t wanna be there against Yuji Nagata… he’s going for the Shining Wizard, but Bernard knows it and catches him with the Bicycle Kick! He picks Nagata up straight away… Bernard Bomb! 1! 2! NOOOO! Yuji Nagata kicks out! How the hell did he kick out of that Bernard Bomb?! Giant Bernard can’t believe it, he pounds the mat in frustration. Nagata is getting back up… and eats another Bicyle Kick! Bernard is signaling for the Baldo Bomb… no! Nagata counters with a knee strike to the face as Bernard lifted him up! Giant Bernard is dazed and Nagata goes in from behind… BACKDROP DRIVER! He finally hit it! But how much did that take out of Yuji Nagata, he’s down and can’t capitalize! Both men start stirring to get up… Nagata full of fight! Bernard looks almost out of his feet, how the hell did he get up? Nagata wrestles him down and gets the crossface, Nagata Lock II once again! Bernard is in so much pain, that neck has to be a mess, but still trying to get to the ropes… but Blue Justice manages to roll away, back to the middle of the ring… and he hooks the other shoulder… Nagata Lock III! Yuji Nagata has Giant Bernard in one of his most painful submissions! Nagata ripping it… and the big man looks like he might pass out from the pain! He’s losing consciousness… and he taps out! Yuji Nagata has won the New Japan Cup! Time: 22:13 Winner: Yuji Nagata A beaten-up Yuji Nagata receives the trophy as confetti falls, Blue Justice deserves this so much! He’s won both the tournament and a shot at IWGP Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar at Sakura Genesis! But as he’s about to address the crowd, he gets interrupted… not by Brock, but by… his wife? Rena Lesnar gets into the ring to congratulate Nagata and gives him a kiss on his cheek. But rather than a congratulatory kiss, that was more like a kiss of death, as Brock Lesnar comes out and stands on the entrance ramp with a grin, with a piercing glare at his next challenger. |
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Post by henriquesser on Jun 22, 2022 1:37:34 GMT 1
April 9th 2006, Ryogoku Sumo Hall
NJPW Sakura Genesis
Pre-Show:
Shiro Koshinaka, El Samurai and Tatsuhiko Taikawa vs Akyia Anzawa, Fergal Devitt and Takashi Uwano
Apache Army (GENTARO and BADBOY Hido) vs RISE (CIMA and Ryusuke Taguchi)
Main Card:
BLACK (Akebono, Ryoji Sai, Black Tiger and Ryushi Yanagisawa) vs Manabu Nakanishi, Yutaka Yoshie, Wataru Inoue and Masayuki Naruse
Apache Army (Tetsuhiro Kuroda and Kintaro Kanemura) (c) vs The World Class Tag Team (Jado and Gedo) (IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship)
Takashi Iizuka vs Takao Omori
Kings of the Hill (Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kenzo Suzuki) and Naofumi Yamamoto vs RISE (Shinsuke Nakamura, KENTA and Tomohiro Ishii)
Koji Kanemoto (c) vs Jushin Liger (IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship)
Cho-Ten (Masahiro Chono and Hiroyoshi Tenzan) (c) vs Most Violent Players (Togi Makabe and Toru Yano) (IWGP Tag Team Championship)
Brock Lesnar (c) vs Yuji Nagata (IWGP Heavyweight Championship) |
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Post by Asaemon on Jun 22, 2022 8:16:23 GMT 1
Pre-Show:
Shiro Koshinaka, El Samurai and Tatsuhiko Taikawa vs Akyia Anzawa, Fergal Devitt and Takashi Uwano
Apache Army (GENTARO and BADBOY Hido) vs RISE (CIMA and Ryusuke Taguchi)
Main Card:
BLACK (Akebono, Ryoji Sai, Black Tiger and Ryushi Yanagisawa) vs Manabu Nakanishi, Yutaka Yoshie, Wataru Inoue and Masayuki Naruse
Apache Army (Tetsuhiro Kuroda and Kintaro Kanemura) (c) vs The World Class Tag Team (Jado and Gedo)
Takashi Iizuka vs Takao Omori
Kings of the Hill (Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kenzo Suzuki) and Naofumi Yamamoto vs RISE (Shinsuke Nakamura, KENTA and Tomohiro Ishii)
Koji Kanemoto (c) vs Jushin Liger (IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship)
Cho-Ten (Masahiro Chono and Hiroyoshi Tenzan) (c) vs Most Violent Players (Togi Makabe and Toru Yano) (IWGP Tag Team Championship)
Brock Lesnar (c) vs Yuji Nagata (IWGP Heavyweight Championship)
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