Yota Tsuji Wins NJPW New Japan Cup 2024

Following two weeks of matches, New Japan Pro-Wrestling held the final of the 2024 New Japan Cup on Wednesday, March 20 in Niigata. The tournament came down to Los Ingobernables de Japon's Yota Tsuji vs. CHAOS' Hirooki Goto, who was looking to win his first New Japan Cup since 2012 and his fourth overall. 

Goto came close down the stretch following repeated headbutts and a Shouten Kai, the move that delivered him New Japan Cup wins in the past. Yota Tsuji managed to kick out, though, and Goto tried to follow up with a Rainmaker following a monster Lariat, only for Tsuji to counter with a Spear. It was then Goto's turn to kick out but Tsuji followed up with his Geneblaster Spear and after the referee counted the pin, Yota Tsuji was the winner of the 2024 New Japan Cup. 

As a result of his win, Yota Tsuji will challenge his fellow Los Ingobernables de Japon faction mate Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Sakura Genesis on Saturday, April 6. 

Hirooki Goto made it to the New Japan Cup final following wins over Chase Owens in the second round and a semi-final victory over former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA. Goto received a first-round bye and then won his quarter-final match by forfeit after David Finlay was hospitalised.

Yota Tsuji defeated Jeff Cobb, El Phantasmo, Ren Narita, and EVIL to reach the New Japan Cup final.