New Japan Cup USA

Last updated
New Japan Cup USA
New Japan Cup USA Logo.jpg
New Japan Cup USA 2020 logo
Promotions New Japan Pro-Wrestling
First event 2020
Event gimmick Single-elimination tournament for a championship match

New Japan Cup USA is an annual professional wrestling tournament produced by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). The tournament is a spin-off of NJPW's annual New Japan Cup introduced in 2020. The tournament was promoted under NJPW's North American branch, New Japan Pro-Wrestling of America.

Contents

New Japan Cup USA is an eight-man, single-elimination tournament. Matches are contested through NJPW's weekly television show, Strong .

Tournaments

YearTournamentAftermath
WinnerTimes wonParticipantsChallenged forMatchResult
2020 Kenta 18 IWGP United States Championship vs. Jon Moxley on Strong
February 26, 2021
Loss
2021 Tom Lawlor 1 Strong Openweight Championship vs. Brody King on Strong
April 23, 2021
Won

History

The New Japan Cup was first held in April 2005. [1] The event then became an annual tradition for NJPW and was held every year around mid-March to mid-April, with the winner receiving a match for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. After the 2020 edition of the New Japan Cup was delayed until June due to the COVID-19 pandemic, [2] [3] [4] it was announced during a press conference on July 31 that the New Japan Cup USA would take place from August 7 to August 21 of that year, with the winner receiving a shot at the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. It was also reported that the matches would be televised on NJPW's new television show, Strong . [5] The next day, the eight-man bracket was announced. [6]

Editions

2020

New Japan Cup USA 2020
Promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling
DateAugust 7–21, 2020
City Port Hueneme, California
VenueOceanview Pavilion
Attendance0 [7] [lower-alpha 1]
Event chronology
 Previous
Summer Struggle
Next 
Summer Struggle in Jingu
New Japan Cup USA chronology
 Previous
First
Next 
2021

It commenced on August 7, 2020 and concluded on August 21, 2020.

Round 1
August 7 [8]
Semi-finals
August 14 [9]
Final
August 21 [10]
         
Karl Fredericks 9:59
Kenta Pin
KentaPin
Jeff Cobb 14:38
Jeff Cobb Pin
Tanga Loa 8:45
KentaPin
David Finlay 13:35
David Finlay Pin
Chase Owens 9:46
David FinlayPin
Tama Tonga 7:10
Brody King 7:14
Tama Tonga Pin

2021

New Japan Cup USA 2021
Promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling
DateApril 9–23, 2021
City Port Hueneme, California
VenueOceanview Pavilion
Attendance0 [7] [lower-alpha 1]
Event chronology
 Previous
Sakura Genesis
Next 
Road to Wrestling Dontaku
New Japan Cup USA chronology
 Previous
2020
Next 

New Japan Cup USA 2021 commenced on April 9 and concluded on April 23. [11] Eight qualifying matches were held from March 5–March 26 to determine the eight participants. The bracket was revealed after the eight participants were determined. [12] Originally, the winner of the tournament would receive an IWGP United States Championship title match, but this was changed when NJPW revealed the Strong Openweight Championship on April 2 and announced that the winner will become its inaugural champion instead. [13]

Qualifying
March 5, 12, 19, 26
Round 1
April 9
Semi-finals
April 16
Final
April 23
        
Clark Connors Pin [14]
TJP 9:27
Clark Connors 9:57
Lio RushPin [15]
Rocky Romero 13:57
Lio Rush Pin [16]
Lio Rush 7:38
Brody KingPin
Brody King Pin [17]
Bateman 13:25
Brody KingPin [15]
Chris Dickinson 10:42
Blake Christian 8:53
Chris Dickinson Pin [14]
Brody King 20:05
Tom LawlorSub
Ren Narita Pin [17]
Misterioso 11:12
Ren Narita 13:19
Tom LawlorSub [15]
The DKC 9:13
Tom Lawlor Pin [16]
Tom LawlorPin
Hikuleo 8:58
Jordan Clearwater 7:57
Hikuleo Pin [18]
HikuleoPin [15]
Fred Rosser 6:22
Fred Rosser Pin [18]
J. R. Kratos 14:16

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 The event was held behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Japan Pro-Wrestling</span> Japanese professional wrestling promotion

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion based in Nakano, Tokyo. Founded on January 13, 1972, by Antonio Inoki, the promotion was sold to Yuke's, who later sold it to Bushiroad in 2012. TV Asahi and Amuse, Inc. own minority shares of the company. Naoki Sugabayashi has served as the promotion's Chairman since September 2013, while Hiroshi Tanahashi has served as the president of the promotion since December 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hiroshi Tanahashi</span> Japanese professional wrestler

Hiroshi Tanahashi is a Japanese professional wrestler, sports executive and podcaster. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he serves as the president and representative director of the promotion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenta Kobayashi</span> Japanese professional wrestler

Kenta Kobayashi, known mononymously as Kenta, is a Japanese professional wrestler. He currently works for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of the Bullet Club stable. A former amateur kickboxer, Kobayashi's wrestling style is based upon strong kicks and strikes. Kobayashi pioneered both the Go 2 Sleep and Busaiku Knee kick finishing maneuvers, later popularized by CM Punk and Bryan Danielson, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hirooki Goto</span> Japanese professional wrestler

Hirooki Goto is a Japanese professional wrestler. Since his debut, he has wrestled primarily for New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

The New Japan Cup (NJC) is an annual single-elimination professional wrestling tournament held by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) since 2005. It is considered the second most prominent heavyweight tournament in NJPW, after the G1 Climax which follows a round-robin format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Finlay (wrestler)</span> American professional wrestler

David Stephen Finlay III is a German-born Irish-American professional wrestler who performs under the ring name David Finlay. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and is the seventh and current leader of Bullet Club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryusuke Taguchi</span> Japanese professional wrestler

Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). He is a former two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, seven-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion and three-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion. He was also the winner of the 2012 Best of the Super Juniors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yujiro Takahashi</span> Japanese professional wrestler

Yujiro Takahashi, is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of Bullet Club and its sub-group House of Torture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kota Ibushi</span> Japanese professional wrestler

Kota Ibushi is a Japanese professional wrestler and martial artist who is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He is best known for his tenure with New Japan-Pro Wrestling (NJPW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taichi (wrestler)</span> Japanese professional wrestler

Taichiro Maki is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Taichi, shortened from his previous ring name Taichi Ishikari. He is currently working for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of the Just 5 Guys stable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bushi (wrestler)</span> Japanese professional wrestler

Tetsuya Shimizu, better known by the ring name Bushi, is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tama Tonga</span> Tongan-American professional wrestler

Alipate Aloisio Leone, better known by his ring name Tama Tonga, is a Tongan-American professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) from 2010 to 2024, where he was a founding member of Bullet Club alongside Bad Luck Fale, Karl Anderson and Prince Devitt, as well as being a founding member of Guerrillas of Destiny (G.O.D.) alongside his brother Tanga Loa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tomohiro Ishii</span> Japanese professional wrestler

Tomohiro Ishii is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). He also makes additional appearances for All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He is also known for his work with the independent Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling promotion, where he worked backstage as the chairman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bullet Club</span> Professional wrestling stable

Bullet Club, stylized as BULLET CLUB and sometimes shortened to BC, is a professional wrestling stable primarily appearing in the Japanese promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). In the United States, the group currently appears on events run by the company's U.S. subsidiary, New Japan Pro-Wrestling of America, as well as U.S. partner promotions Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and All Elite Wrestling (AEW). The group additionally appears on events promoted by Tamashii, NJPW's Australasian affiliate, as well as on events of other Australasian independent promotions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evil (wrestler)</span> Japanese professional wrestler

Takaaki Watanabe, better known by his ring name Evil, is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of Bullet Club and the leader of its sub-group House of Torture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guerrillas of Destiny</span> Professional wrestling stable

The Guerrillas of Destiny, sometimes shortened to G.O.D., is a professional wrestling stable which consists of Tanga Loa, and Hikuleo, alongside El Phantasmo and their manager Jado. The stable originally featured Loa's Tongan-American brother Tama Tonga. Tonga and Loa originally began wrestling together in 2008 under the team name Sons of Tonga, a reference to their father, professional wrestler Tonga Fifita. After a seven-year break, the team reunited in March 2016, when Loa joined Tonga in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where they are a record seven-time IWGP Tag Team Champions. Tonga then left NJPW, leaving Loa as the sole founding member.

<i>NJPW Strong</i> New Japan Pro-Wrestling professional wrestling television program

NJPW Strong is a brand name utilized by Japanese professional wrestling promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). NJPW Strong also refers to the former professional wrestling television series produced by NJPW's New Japan Pro-Wrestling of America (NJoA) subsidiary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strong Openweight Championship</span> Japanese pro wrestling championship

The Strong Openweight Championship is a professional wrestling championship owned and promoted by the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) promotion. The title was officially announced on April 2, 2021, and the inaugural champion was Tom Lawlor. The current champion is Eddie Kingston, who is in his first reign.

Connor Deutsch, better known by his ring name Clark Connors, is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of the Bullet Club stable and is one-half of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions alongside Drilla Moloney, in their second reign. Also in NJPW, Connors was the winner of the 2020 Lion's Break Crown.

References

  1. "New Japan Cup 2005". Strong Style Spirit. Retrieved 2010-03-17.
  2. "【お詫びとお知らせ】3月1日(日)~3月15日(日)までの11大会を開催中止とさせて頂きます" (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. February 26, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  3. NJPW. "NJPW events cancelled until Saturday March 21 | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  4. NJPW. "New Japan Cup 2020 a NJPW World Special this June! | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2020-06-09.
  5. NJPW. "New Japan Cup USA announced for NJPW STRONG debut 【NJoA】 | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2020-08-01.
  6. NJPW. "New Japan Cup USA Preview 【NJoA】 | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2020-08-01.
  7. 1 2 "NJPW STRONG #1". Cagematch.net. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  8. "2020.08.07 NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 in the USA". New Japan Pro-Wrestling . Bushiroad. August 7, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  9. "2020.08.14 NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 in the USA". New Japan Pro-Wrestling . Bushiroad. August 7, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  10. "2020.08.21 NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 in the USA". New Japan Pro-Wrestling . Bushiroad. August 7, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  11. NJPW. "LEC presents New Japan Cup USA bracket 【NJoA】 | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
  12. Renner, Ethan (March 26, 2021). "NJPW New Japan Cup USA 2021 tournament bracket set". WON/F4W. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  13. NJPW. "Strong Openweight Championship revealed | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  14. 1 2 "Road to STRONG STYLE EVOLVED". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. March 26, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Lambert, Jeremy (April 9, 2021). "NJPW Strong Results (4/9): New Japan Cup USA First Round Action" . Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  16. 1 2 "Road to STRONG STYLE EVOLVED". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. March 6, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  17. 1 2 "Road to STRONG STYLE EVOLVED". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. March 20, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  18. 1 2 "Road to STRONG STYLE EVOLVED". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.