The opening round of the New Japan Cup continued during the promotion’s 54th Anniversary event as two wrestlers advanced.
Jake Lee and Callum Newman moved to the second round after victories on Friday’s card at Ota City Gymnasium.
Lee advanced after his win against YOSHI-HASHI, featuring all the usual tropes by Lee. He incorporated his latex glove to use on his opponent and set up for the FBS when he was interrupted by a lariat. YOSHI-HASHI hit the Loose Explosion. However, Lee countered Karma and went to a head-and-arm choke. Lee could not submit YOSHI-HASHI, but after landing the Giant Killer knee to the mid-section, the front choke that Lee has recently added was the hold that secured the submission.
Lee will advance and face Hirooki Goto next Friday in the second round.
In the other tournament match, Callum Newman got past OSKAR of the Knockout Bros. They had a wild brawl, featuring Newman being flung into a sea of chairs on the floor. Later, Newman hit a running seated dropkick that propelled OSKAR into the chairs. There was a ref bump, and OSKAR submitted Newman with a rear-naked choke without the ref’s observation. Newman escaped and capitalized by landing Excalibur (double stomp) onto a chair and a follow-up as Zane Jay rolled the referee into the ring to count the pinfall.
Newman will wrestle Hartley Jackson in the next round on March 13.
The first round continues Saturday in Hyogo with Shota Umino vs. Chase Owens and Yuto-Ice vs. Ryohei Oiwa.
