Ladies and gentleman, the 2019 New Japan Cup is officially underway in New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
For the first-time ever, 32-competitors will compete in the elimination style tournament that will result in the winner going to the NJPW-ROH G1 Supercard on WrestleMania weekend to challenge Jay White for the IWGP Heavyweight championship. Four first round tournament matches were finalized this past Friday.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night was Chase Owens defeating current IWGP US Champion Juice Robinson. Whether Owens goes on to win the tournament or not, this most likely sets him up as a challenger for the United States title in the future:
The ultra tough Tomohiro Ishii was able to fend off Yuji Nagata, who was no slouch in the match himself:
Taichi and Yoshi-Hashi were also able to advance to the next round of the New Japan Cup tournament as well. Check out the full results of the New Japan Cup Night One, below:
Taiji Ishimori, Hikuelo, and Bad Luck Fale defeated Will Ospreay, Rocky Romero, and Mikey Nicholls.
Minoru Suzuki, Davey Boy Smith Jr., and Lance Archer defeated Toru Yano, Toa Henare, and Satoshi Kojima.
Evil and Bush beat Zack Sabre Jr. and Taka Michinoku.
Tetsuya Naito, Sanada, and Shingo Takagi beat Kota Ibushi, Hirooki Goto, and Sho.
Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe, and Hiroyoshi Tenzan beat Michael Elgin, Colt Cabana, Rysuke Taguchi, and Shota Umino.
Yoshi-Hashi beat Manabu Nakanishi in a New Japan Cup tournament first round match.
Taichi defeated Tomoaki Honma in a New Japan Cup tournament first round match.
Chase Owens defeated Juice Robinson in a New Japan Cup tournament first round match.
Tomohiro Ishii beat Yuji Nagata in a New Japan Cup tournament first round match.