The semi-finals for the New Japan Cup commenced with Kazuchika Okada defeating Tomohiro Ishii. Not surprisingly, both men gave a strong performance that showcased why these veterans have been top notch talent for years; however, the longest reigning IWGP Heavyweight champion ultimately nabbed the victory in the end.
In arguably the biggest shocker of the tournament, SANADA defeated the former eight-time IWGP Heavyweight champion Hiroshi Tanahashi. It’s clear that the former IWGP Tag Team champion is being groomed to standout as a singles competitor in 2019 as the tournament has been a fantastic showcase for the Los Ingobernables de Japon member.
The finals of the New Japan Cup are now official as it will be Kazuchika Okada vs. SANADA on March 24
th, with the winner going on to face Jay White for the IWGP Heavyweight championship at the ROH-NJPW G1 Supercard show.