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New Japan revealed the brackets for the New Japan Cup starting on March 2. This year, there will be 48 wrestlers competing, which is the most ever. All title holders are involved, as well as Jr. Heavyweights and Young Lions. Here are my initial thoughts on this upcoming tournament:
Back from injury. Kota Ibushi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Jeff Cobb are slated to be in the NJC and were all out with injuries. Hopefully they are back to full strength. If not, I would expect them to be out in the first round.
First round byes. 16 wrestlers are getting first round byes. Highly unusual. The picking of these byes seem random. Dick Togo, Gedo, SANADA and Kosei Fujita have byes, but I read no report as to what was the reasoning for this. My best guess is that the Jr. heavyweights and young lions are spread out amongst the first two rounds of the tournament. Barring any severe injury to a heavyweight, most Jr.'s and young lions may be eliminated during the second round. When we get the Sweet Sixteen, then we will get a clear picture who has a chance of winning.
What does the winner receive? I have yet to see a report about what the winner will win besides a trophy. Last year, Will Ospreay won the NJC 2021 and went to beat Kota Ibushi for the IWGP World Title. If Kazuchika Okada were to win, then my best guess is that he will pick his next opponent to defend against.
Will Ospreay, Aaron Henare and Great O-Khan are clustered in one bracket. There is a good chance we could see United Empire teammates facing each other before the Final Four. With that said, many factions including Suzuki-Gun, Bullet Club and Los Ingobernales de Japon could see teammates facing each other in round 1, 2 or 3.
Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa will be in the tournament. Travel issues from COVID may have eased for American wrestlers flying to Japan. Chase Owens will also be in the NJC. My question is will New Japan address or follow up on the angle with Jay White, despite Jay White not being in the NJC? My biggest interest in the NJC will be the storylines that develop out of this tournament.
Most interesting matches in Round 1:
a. Kazuchika Okada vs. El Desperado. Both great wrestlers. Both champions. Yet I see Okada winning here.
b. Togi Makabe vs. Jeff Cobb. If Cobb is fully healed, he should dominate this lower bracket. He could face Okada in the Final Four.
c. Kota Ibushi vs. Great O-Khan. This will be Ibushi's second match back from his dislocated shoulder. I saw O-Khan trying to snap Satoshi Kojima's shoulder with a cross arm breaker two nights ago. This will be a big test for both men.
d. Tomohiro Ishii vs. Shingo Takagi. Both men are without titles and have been looking sharp in the ring in the past few weeks. This will be a Japanese Strong Style match.
e. Hiromu Takahashi vs. SHO. This should be a preview of the future Jr. title picture. SHO is becoming a good heel, and Hiromu is the clown prince of the Jr. Division. This could be a great match as long as the shenanigans are kept to a bare minimum.
One final thought, how will COVID impact this tournament? After defeating Tetsuya Naito, Kazuchika Okada spoke of returning to "normal", with full crowds. New Japan just canceled shows in January and February. Okada being positive is great, but being realistic, logical and safe is also a good thing. The hype of 48 wrestlers in a tournament is fine, but does anyone think that a young lion or Jado, Gedo or Togo have a chance? Why not just put on a simple 16 man tournament? Putting Jr.'s and young lions in tournament to be fodder for the heavyweights could lead to injury. Kota Ibushi dislocated his shoulder in the G1 Climax FINALS! It was an accident to be sure. However, I do not want the wrestlers to get hurt, sick or have careers ended due to the hype and the pressure performing on a big show.
Please check out the New Japan Cup 2022 at https://njpwworld.com/ beginning March 2, 2022.
Thanks for reading.
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