The final eight of NJPW’s 2024 New Japan Cup tournament has almost been finalized.
EVIL and Shingo Takagi advanced to the tournament’s quarter-finals on Wednesday, joining four others who previously solidified their spots in the third-last round of the bracket.
Takagi overcame Bullet Club War Dogs member Gabe Kidd in the main event of Wednesday’s show from Okayama, Japan. The hard-hitting styles of Takagi and Kidd collided for 18 minutes, including a decent chunk of the bout taking place outside of the ring. Shingo put an end to the match with a Pumping Bomber and Last of the Dragon, punching his ticket into the next round.
Earlier in the night, House of Torture’s EVIL overcame Hikuleo in an interference-heavy performance that lasted 14 minutes in total. The House of Torture faction used a referee being hurt to jump Hikuleo late in the match, helping EVIL get an edge on the recently dethroned tag team wrestler. EVIL escaped a Godsend and landed his Everything Is EVIL finisher to win the match.
Six of the eight quarter-finalists for the New Japan Cup have been confirmed. SANADA, Jack Perry, David Finlay, and Hirooki Goto earned their spots earlier this week.
Friday’s NJPW card will confirm the final two entrants in the quarter-finals. Yota Tsuji will face El Phantasmo, and Ren Narita will take on Zack Sabre Jr., who had a bye past the opening round of the bracket.
The New Japan Cup quarter-finals are expected to take place this weekend, with matches being held on Saturday and Sunday. The semi-finals will take place on March 18, and the tournament winner will be determined on the 20th.
