Semifinals Set For NJPW New Japan Cup 2022
Who advanced to the Semifinals of the New Japan Cup?
The quarterfinals of the New Japan Cup took place on Sunday, March 20, and Monday, March 21, in Niigata as eight men looked to advance to the semifinals.
At Sunday's show, it was IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito who advanced to the semifinals following their wins over CIMA and Jeff Cobb respectively.
On Monday, meanwhile, Shingo Takagi defeated his Los Ingobernables de Japon faction-mate Hiromu Takahashi to move on to the semifinals.
Monday's other quarterfinal match between Zack Sabre Jr. and Will Ospreay ended in controversial circumstances, though.
ZSJ applied a Coquina Clutch in the final moments and Ospreay appeared to tap out instantly, with Red Shoes Uno immediately calling for the bell. The Commonwealth Kingpin has since claimed he was striking his opponent's leg and not tapping out, though.
NJPW President Takami Ohbari had little sympathy for Ospreay, simply tweeting: "Referee's decision = Justice."
The semifinals of the New Japan Cup will take place on Saturday, March 26, at Osaka-Jo Hall. Kazuchika Okada will square off with Tetsuya Naito, while Zack Sabre Jr. will face Shingo Takagi.
Written by Aidan Gibbons
Editor-in-Chief of Cultaholic.com Twitter: @theaidangibbons