The opening round of the New Japan Cup ended on Friday with the final two participants advancing.
In the main event of Friday’s show at Aimesse Yamanishi in Kofu, Aaron Henare scored a major singles win in his career, pinning Shingo Takagi for the second time this week.
After Henare pinned the former IWGP champion in a six-man tag at the 51st Anniversary card on Monday, Henare repeated that accomplishment by defeating Takagi with the Streets of Rage.
The match between the two saw Henare survive Made in Japan and execute his finisher to end the match at 20:46.
Henare will advance to challenge Tama Tonga in the second round of the tournament.
In other action, Kyle Fletcher pinned YOSHI-HASHI after hitting Grimstone at 10:06 of a heated match.
After pinning one-half of the IWGP tag champions, Fletcher will face the other member of Bishamon, Hirooki Goto, in the second round of the New Japan Cup.
Below is the schedule for the remainder of the tournament:
Second round:
*SANADA vs. KENTA (3/11)
*Chase Owens vs. Tetsuya Naito (3/11)
*Hirooki Goto vs. Kyle Fletcher (3/12)
*Aaron Henare vs. Tama Tonga (3/12)
*EVIL vs. Jeff Cobb (3/13)
*Mark Davis vs. Will Ospreay (3/13)
*David Finlay vs. Great O-Khan (3/15)
*Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Shota Umino (3/15)
Third round:
*SANADA/KENTA vs. Naito/Owens (3/17)
*EVIL/Cobb vs. Davis/Ospreay (3/17)
*Goto/Fletcher vs. Henare/Tonga (3/18)
*Finlay/O-Khan vs. Umino/ZSJ (3/18)
The semi-finals will be on 3/19, and the final is on 3/21 in Niigata.
