The finals of the New Japan Cup tournament are set following Sunday’s semi-final match in Shizuoka between Sanada and Zack Sabre Jr.
The main event of the show featured Zack Sabre Jr. defeating Sanada in 26:36 with one of Sabre’s elaborate multi-dimensional submissions. The finishing hold saw Sabre begin with an omoplata to the arm, followed by a Fujiwara armbar to the other and then wrenching back on both arms, similar to the Rings of Saturn, and then locking Sanada’s free leg with his own and eventually getting the submission.
This sets up Wednesday’s final between Zack Sabre Jr. and Hiroshi Tanahashi and reigniting their feud from 2017. The winner of the match will receive a title match of their choosing at the April 1st Sakura Genesis card at Sumo Hall.
Sabre submitted Tanahashi on two occasions during last summer’s G-1 Climax and led to an Intercontinental title match in September at the Destruction in Hiroshima card with Tanahashi retaining the title.
Sabre has been heavily focused upon throughout the tournament with submission wins over Tetsuya Naito and Kota Ibushi, prior to Sunday’s wins over Sanada. Tanahashi defeated Taichi, Bad Luck Fale, and Juice Robinson to enter the finals.
The finals will stream live on New Japan World at 2 am Eastern late Tuesday night / early Wednesday morning from Niigata.
