Full card set for March 27 in Osaka
After two thrilling semifinals in Osaka Jo Hall on March 26, the final card has been confirmed for March 27’s grand finals. Who lift’s spring’s most prestigious trophy, and how will it change the shape of NJPW moving into Hyper Battle ’22 on April 9?
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The main event will see the New Japan Cup final contested between Zack Sabre Jr. and Tetsuya Naito. This eighth singles meeting between the two men will see Sabre seek to even a 3-4 balance against his opposition in order to seize his second New Japan Cup, while Naito seeks to get more recent revenge on the way to his own second crown. Opening weekend in G1 Climax 31, Sabre submitted Naito and eliminated him from the entire competition in Osaka. Can Naito right that wrong and take a big step toward his ticket for the 2023 January 4 Tokyo Dome main event?
A special tag team match sees Satoshi Kojima, Tiger Mask, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada face CIMA, El Lindaman and T-Hawk of #STRONGHEARTS and the surprise addition of Tatsumi Fujinami. The legendary figure will be assisting some future legends, as Osaka gets a taste of NJPW 50th Anniversary action, but will the outsiders be able to defeat a formidable home team?
Saturday night saw a surprising violent attack from EVIL and Dick Togo after Hiromu Takahashi’s bout had ended. Apparently furious at his loss to Takahashi during the New Japan Cup, EVIL saw to it that the Time Bomb was choked out at the hands of Dick Togo and his steel wire. Now the NEVER Openweight Champion has to face some consequences for his actions, as EVIL and Togo face Hiromu and Shingo Takagi.
The United Empire side of Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan, Aaron Henare and Jeff Cobb face Tomoaki Honma, Togi Makabe, YOSHI-HASHI and Hirooki Goto. With the IWGP Tag Team Champions involved, and after Cobb and O-Khan had harsh words for YOSHI-HASHI last night, could this be a chance for one duo within United Empire to stake a claim?
TAKA Michinoku and El Desperado face off against Yujiro Takahashi and SHO. Saturday night saw SHO again make violent overtures to the IWGP Junior heavyweight Championship as HOUSE OF TORTURE emerged victorious from tag team action. Sunday, Desperado must either emphatically rebuff SHO, or have his hand forced into a title match sooner rather than later.
YOH, Tomohiro Ishii and Toru Yano will face Minoru Suzuki, Taichi and Yoshinobu Kanemaru. A pair of personal vendettas continued to develop Saturday in Osaka Jo, when Ishii and Suzuki brawled all over Oska-Jo Hall before Yano doused Taichi with whiskey in victory. Revenge is on the mind of Taichi, for whom Strong Spirits was more than just a videogame Saturday.
After a first time teaming up with Hiroshi Tanahashi on Saturday, G.o.D and Six or Nine reunite with Jado to face BULLET CLUB. After Jado was overeager to jump in the ring and beat up former partner Gedo last night, a disqualification frustrated the Hontai side as BULLET CLUB had the last laugh yet again. Can they turn the tide Sunday?
The opening match of the night sees BUSHI face Kosei Fujita. After receiving a bye to the second round of the New Japan Cup, Fujita fell to YOSHI-HASHI, but will end the tour with another singles opportunity against an established name in BUSHI. Will he step up to the task?
I actually agree with what HoHo said yesterday that the story kinda seemed to fit better with Naito getting revenge for his G1 injury last year but I dont even care lol I doubt ZSJ wins too but we didn't really need another Naito/Okada match this soon even if the last two have been great