It is time for the annual New Japan Cup tournament! The New Japan Cup 2020 Right Bracket tournament field was announced in early March. Then the Pandemic shut down New Japan and the entire world. After nearly a four-month break, New Japan came back last week with its annual New Japan Cup as the first signature event. It has certainly has had a different feel so far.
The New Japan Cup will continue to have no fans. It is an Openweight Tournament for the first time. The biggest change of all is the winner will get a shot at Tetsuya Naito’s IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships at Dominion in Osaka Jo Hall on July 12 in front of fans. The stakes couldn’t be higher for the first major shows of New Japan’s return. It will be another exciting tournament from thirty-two men who are likely more then ready to compete again after such a long layoff.
Let us look at the New Japan Cup 2020 First Round for the Right Side of the Bracket. The Left Side of the Bracket was filled with some great matches last week. What will occur this time around? This first-round matches will occur on June 22nd and June 23rd:
New Japan Cup 2020 Right Bracket
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Taichi
This is an intriguing first-round match-up. It is amazing to think Tanahashi hasn’t won a New Japan Cup in twelve years now. He has always found himself in marquee matches but Hiroshi Tanahashi is now 43 years old. Can “The Ace” possibly make a deep run in New Japan Cup at this point in his legendary career?
Taichi has always not taken very seriously because of his singer gimmick. He became less of a joke in 2019 when he feuded with Naito and won the NEVER Openweight Championship. He seems to have his sights of Tanahashi’s IWGP Tag Team Championship now. Can he pull off a big surprise against one of New Japan’s greats?
Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
It is the battle of two former New Japan Cup winners and long time rivals. Kota Ibushi is coming off a tough loss to Okada at Wrestle Kingdom in early January. Can he get his 2020 back on track in a major way on Monday night?
Zack Sabre Jr. actually holds just two singles victories over Kota Ibushi. Those two victories both occurred at the New Japan Cup. This match could be a potential show-stealer between two of New Japan’s best.
New Japan Cup 2020 Right Bracket
Ryusuke Taguchi vs. SANADA
SANADA is always pushed as the next big thing in New Japan Wrestling. Last year, he lost an amazing New Japan Cup Final to Okada. He is certainly one of the favorites this year. Can he finally breakthrough in this year’s unique tournament?
His first-round opponent is Ryusuke Taguchi. Taguchi is usually portrayed in a comedic role. But that would be ignoring the fact that he has actually won Best of Super Juniors Tournament before in 2012. SANADA might be one of the favorites but he shouldn’t overlook Taguchi.
Shingo Takagi vs. SHO
It will be the New Japan Cup debut for these two talented stars. SHO and Takagi had an excellent match last year to open the Best of Super Juniors tournament. Takagi went on to be a part of the G1 Climax tournament and become part of the Heavyweight division after his victory. He is now the NEVER Openweight Champion.
Most of SHO’s success is in the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Division. He seems interested in getting some real revenge against Takagi. Can he pick up a victory in the New Japan Cup and get himself a future shot at the Openweight Championship?
New Japan Cup 2020 Right Bracket
Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. YOSHI-HASHI
YOSHI-HASHI is always the perennial runner-up it seems. He had one of his best showings in last year’s New Japan Cup. He won two matches on his way to a close loss in the quarterfinals against Ishii in an excellent match in 2019’s Cup. Can he possibly improve on that good performance in 2020?
His first-round opponent is the four-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hirotoshi Tenzan. He has won major tournaments before but the last one was the G1 Climax in 2006. Can the 49-year-old veteran pull off a major upset at this point in his career?
YOH vs. BUSHI
It is the battle of the Juniors in their New Japan Cup debuts. They are both known for their tag team accomplishments. They are also tied at one win each in their singles matches against each other. Who will take the led in their rivalry in this single-elimination tournament match?
This might be one of the hardest matches to call in the entire tournament. It doesn’t seem like either have a real advantage going into this show. Both could use a big victory in the New Japan Cup. It will be a fast-paced first round match-up for sure.
Satoshi Kojima vs. EVIL
It is another match-up between a NJPW veteran and one of the bigger stars in New Japan. EVIL hasn’t had the success of his Los Ingobernables De Japon colleagues. He recently lost a big match-up to his rival Ishii in February. Can he possibly get back on track?
Satoshi Kojima is another former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion in this tournament. He is 49 years old and is trying to recreate some magic from earlier in his NJPW career. Can he pull off a major upset versus a determined EVIL? It should be another hard-hitting affair.
New Japan Cup 2020 Right Bracket
Hirooki Goto vs. Yujiro Takahashi
Goto is the only three-time New Japan Cup winner. He had taken those three victories and lost his three chances at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. It has been eight years since Goto’s last Cup victory. Can he recreate some magic again in his favorite event?
He is fighting Yujiro Takahashi in the first round. Goto has dominated this rivalry in the past. Takahashi is better known as the “Tokyo Pimp”. He isn’t really known for his singles success. Can he possibly change that against Goto?
