Really appreciate AXS showing each Quarterfinal matchs, but I have it on good authority that Tanahashi vs. Taichi and Naito vs. ZSJ are both Very good.
1. New Japan Cup – Quarterfinal: Michael Elgin vs. Juice Robinson (clips) (3/14/18)
This is just clips of a whole bunch slams and suplexes in front of a crowd that seemed like they were very quiet for anything that wasn’t a slam or a suplex. Maybe I’m wrong though. You know, before he was revealed to be a likely creep I never really liked Big Mike. He kind of feels like the epitome of Lifeless Indy Style and he looks less big killer gaijin and more bear on the toilet paper packaging. At 17 minutes, this is not a something I feel bad about only seeing a minute of. Good for Juice though!
2. New Japan Cup – Quarterfinal: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bad Luck Fale (clips) (3/14/18)
All I have to say is that Tanahashi is an over gentleman and he is one of the only guys who makes Fale seem like the beast he should be. This is also has an absolutely incredible countout finish: Fale sets up the Bad Luck Fall on the outside, but Tanahashi pushes off the turnbuckle post with his legs and uses the momentum to knock Fale over the guardrail, then sneaks in right at 20. Nice! Tanahashi rocks out post-match.
3. New Japan Cup – Quarterfinal: Toru Yano vs. SANADA (3/15/18)
Love that we get this match of all the available professional wrestling matches in full. This has lots of shenanigans but they’re combined with that good ol’ Korakuen heat and I dug it enough. Big countout teases, big near falls off of cradles. A fine Toru Yano match. **1/2
TAKA Michinoku as ZSJ hype man = magic.
4. New Japan Cup – Quarterfinal: Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (3/15/18)
A great match between two of the most fun guys to watch in professional wrestling today. ZSJ punishing Ibushi while Ibushi fired back with rapid-fire kicks and flying was such a great dynamic and Korakuen was THERE for it. ZSJ is such a fascinating guy to watch, this tall lanky prick who uses the secrets of the ring that only he knows to trap his opponents’ limbs in precarious situations. The sequence with Kota catching a PK, ZSJ casually slapping him a few times, and Kota just popping ZSJ with a palm strike to the THROAT was beautiful. Liked how ZSJ kept countering the Kamigoye (I had to look that up), towards the end it really felt like he just had his number. Some gorgeous spots here like Ibushi’s pele kick and the second-rope moonsault countered with a triangle, which looked even smoother than the amazing Charlotte/Asuka spot. The submission at the end with ZSJ not only stretching Ibushi’s shoulders out of their sockets but also stepping on his head was so awesome. Heck of a match. ****
“It’s admirable that he fights with his heart, but it’s stupid.”
