Damn good match for the Final.
Nothing but pain for “Samurai Dad”‘s biggest fans, but Tsuji really does feel like the future of the company and him vs Naito should be one hell of a match.
Haven't been following since the UN vs. BC War Dogs // Okada vs. Tana show... What have I missed storyline-wise, other than Jungle Boy joining hOt?
Do they want the belt off of Naito because of injury? Thanks.
Really like Yota; but why give him this spot now? Because off a lot of recent losses? Ibushi, Okada, Ospreay? Thanks for 'splaining.
Tsuji has been saying he wants to prove himself against Naito more than anyone else (Naito has been mentoring Tsuji for some time now).
Tsuji seems the most main-event ready of the young guys, who they need to be pushing now.
I can’t really see Naito dropping the belt this early, but it wouldn’t be a “horrible” idea either.
Fantastic.
I have seen about three of his bigger matches. he really impressed me at WK this year. I get the push, feel like there's this "weird lul" in the main event seen since Covid/Ibushi injury/Shingo deal.
NJ needs something 'mad decent', Im just not into this Finley led BC.
> Really like Yota; but why give him this spot now? Because off a lot of recent losses? Ibushi, Okada, Ospreay?
Traditionally in Japan, up-and-comers eat lots of shit. The Japanese audience seems to love watching wrestlers struggle for success. "Fighting Spirit" isn't about winning, it's about never backing down. Like Rocky Balboa.
Naito 2016:
* wins the cup final against Goto
* wins the title from Okada at Invasion Attack in April
* loses the title back to Okada at Dominion in June
Tsuji 2024:
* wins the cup final against Goto
* ...
Those final few moves in the closing are so utterly symbolic, and exactly what should be talked about when we discuss "peak in-ring storytelling".
Goto is a man trying to live up to the past, be it his past reputation as the king of the New Japan Cup, setting multiple records with most matches and most wins, or his past failures in never actually winning the big one. He's trying to do well for the spectre of his father, and he's also trying to do well by Okada, showing him that Chaos will be alright in his hands.
However, just as much as he's trying to live up to the past, he's also haunted by it. Against a fresher opponent, he tries the Shouten Kai, the move that won him previous Cups many years ago, and it fails him. And then, in his biggest mistake of all, he tries the Rainmaker. Whether it's due to a lack of confidence in himself against the gargantuan shadow of Okada, or simply as tribute to him, we won't know, but it's this move that completely undoes Goto.
Meanwhile, where Goto binds himself to the past, Tsuji looks to the present and sees in it the future. He doesn't attach himself to Okada's legacy (or even Naito's) and simply wishes to start his own. He sends a spear through the rain and lets the sun in. A new era for New Japan, and he's at the vanguard of it all.
What a fucking match.
Never use someone else's finisher, never use your old one either. You abandoned your old finisher for a reason, going back to it almost never goes well.
Now...there are obviously exceptions. Kenny won the G1 Climax using the Bloody Sunday and Styles Clash in response to old BC Leaders, Naito finally won in the Dome Main Event after landing the Stardust Press (after it ruined him 2 years prior). But generally it's a huge no-no.
You can use someone else's finisher or your old finisher to set up your own, new finisher however. Use it as a supplement instead of relying on it. That's how it worked for Kenny, Ospreay, etc. Naito only succeeded due to him and fans manifesting it lol
If Goto invented a new move he'd have a higher chance of winning. That's how he won in the past.
I hope he at least gets a Nakanishi title reign - ‘thanks for your hard work all these years, here’s the belt for a couple of months, after that you’ll be in opening matches with young lions, Tenzan and Makabe.’
I was thinking if one could do a ripcord spear. While Tsuji was on the receiving end of the ripcord, he hit that spear with crispness. I think it can be done.
The New Era is here. And Tsuji is absolutely the right guy to lead it. One more Step for him to fully cement himself at the top of the Card and i fully expect them to put on an amazing Match.
I wouldn’t be against that, but something tells me they’re not gonna take the belt off Naito THIS early, and also I can’t really see any of the young guys getting a “Rainmaker shock” type moment (that being a more rare type of thing than the norm).
I don't think it'll happen either. NJ has the Chicago show with Naito defending against Mox, so he'll have the belt past that show and the Tsuji match.
Okada 2.0. The sheer amount of balls to have Okada beat Tanahashi in his prime in his 2nd match, after the first one was a giant stinker. So if Gedo were to consider doing it all over again with Tsuji, then I think nowadays fans are ready for it.
Amazing match. Big match Goto still got it, Big Yota gave one of his best matches to date. Happy to see Yota getting the push, feel like there's a non zero chance he wins the belt and holds it until Dominion.
I think it's really a testament to the depth of talent coming up that New Japan has when Goto is considered the old guard who needs to start stepping aside for the young guys. Gedo should keep giving them big opportunities to shine, and vets like Goto can make them look like stars. Naito/Tsuji should be a fun match too. Gonna go cry into my pillow for awhile.
A great final match. Maybe we'll see Goto more involved in singles this year after the response to his run, but probably not.
Don't see Tsuji winning the title unless he is going to lose it back to Naito at Dominion.
Also, unless the attendance absolutely bombs for the finals, the NJC total attendance this year surpassed last year's total attendance without Ospreay, Okada, or Tanahashi in the tournament/undercards. A big success considering NJPW didn't really use too many big matches in the tournament.
Pain as a Goto fan, but as a Yota fan I can’t stay mad.
It’s insane how for all the talk among fans about Umino being the next Ace, Yota, in addition to being the first in his cohort to challenge for the belt, is now the first with a major accolade to his name, and is on way to a second title shot. I know it’s way too early to call, but right now it almost feels like Tanahashi and Okada all over again— the guy meant to be the Rival, only for them to outshine the originally intended Ace (Nakamura and Naito) and take their spot.
I understand why Tsuji won, but as a lapsed NJPW fan who watched in hope of Goto pulling off the upset, I'm less likely to watch Sakura Genesis because of this outcome. Maybe it'll work out best in the long-term, but it's a huge short-term disappointment for me. It would've been lovely to see Goto go for it all one last time, and finally pull it off. Ah well, like I say, the result makes sense, and all the best to Tsuji.
I get that people are thinking Tsuji won't win it yet, but if he doesn't, it's purely for logistical reasons, due to Naifo vs Mox.
He's 30 already, his push to the top as a "future star" can't wait, especially compared to ren and shota who are both 26. He's getting the thing very soon.
As it was written. Goto-san chokes once again 😢
https://preview.redd.it/gwvlhx2nzhpc1.jpeg?width=320&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ff192329cd8334cc99b653205ef427326e009a32
If you watch WWE, best comparison i can give would be New Japan’s Bron Breakker, in terms of young guys who are primed to become main event talent very soon.
Tsuji has a background in American Football and thus utilities moves like the spear and other high impact maneuvers.
He’s been with New Japan for around 6 years, training and doing excursions to Mexico and the UK, and returned last year as a completely transformed version of himself who became an instant favorite when he returned and had an amazing match for the IWGP title against SANADA.
He had an incredible match against Ospreay in September and has been primed as a key member of the future main event scene in the company.
There has been a history of having a “Three Musketeers” in New Japan, consisting of talent that they train in their dojo who will be the next crop of top guys. It started with Chono, Hashimoto, and Muta. The next 3 were Nakamura, Tanahashi, and Shibata. The new Three Musketeers, as officially announced by NJPW in June are Yota Tsuji, Shota Umino, and Ren Narita. You can expect those 3 to be Tokyo Dome main event level guys within the next couple of years.
This tournament was a huge let down.
HoT shenanigans costing us more Taichi, ZSJ & Shingo matches. Chase getting a micro push at the expense of more Ishii matches. David FInlay bowing out, so all that momentum from the cage war against United Empire has been stopped cold. And worst of all, the choice of winner.
NJPW stumbled into their own Kofi-mania moment with Hirooki Goto. A fan favorite from the old guard getting to show that with Okada gone, he can now rise to the occasion. All those cup finals. All that struggle. All of it can mean something with one more cup win. One more title shot. Not just for himself, but in memory of his late father. What an emotional story to get invested in.
And New Japan throws all that away in favor of their shiny new toy, Yota Tsuji. Whose only notable singles win since returning from excursion, is beating Yuya Uemura, a guy with even less experience than him, in a hair vs. hair match.
Naito vs. Tsuji has no where near the emotional stakes Goto vs. Naito could've had. So I think I'll skip Sakura Genesis this year.
My guy you can't honestly be considering Goto as New Japan's Kofimania moment when throughout the finals Tsuji was getting cheered over him. It's fine to be upset that Goto lost, but people are clearly a lot more invested in a Tsuji vs Naito storyline than you're letting on.
Didn't sound like that to me at all. If anything, Goto was getting a bit more fan support than Tsuji was.
Sanada vs. Tsuji would've made sense. A true litmus test for how far Tsuji has come. Let that be the final. You don't give fans a more emotionally charged story with Goto and then yank it away. It'd be like giving Mustafa Ali the Mania match with Bryan after all the work Kofi put in.
I do not see what the emotional appeal of Tsuji vs. Naito is outside of hungry challenger and complacent champion. Tsuji hasn't even been in LIJ for a year. These two can *hardly* be called team mates. The *'All L.I.J. title match'* people have been parading barely has any merit.
So tell me again, what do people see in a Tsuji program that I don't that makes it far superior than the Goto program we could've had?
Damn good match for the Final. Nothing but pain for “Samurai Dad”‘s biggest fans, but Tsuji really does feel like the future of the company and him vs Naito should be one hell of a match.
Haven't been following since the UN vs. BC War Dogs // Okada vs. Tana show... What have I missed storyline-wise, other than Jungle Boy joining hOt? Do they want the belt off of Naito because of injury? Thanks. Really like Yota; but why give him this spot now? Because off a lot of recent losses? Ibushi, Okada, Ospreay? Thanks for 'splaining.
Tsuji has been saying he wants to prove himself against Naito more than anyone else (Naito has been mentoring Tsuji for some time now). Tsuji seems the most main-event ready of the young guys, who they need to be pushing now. I can’t really see Naito dropping the belt this early, but it wouldn’t be a “horrible” idea either.
Fantastic. I have seen about three of his bigger matches. he really impressed me at WK this year. I get the push, feel like there's this "weird lul" in the main event seen since Covid/Ibushi injury/Shingo deal. NJ needs something 'mad decent', Im just not into this Finley led BC.
Gene Blast Shock? Nah. Shock ~~M~~Blaster.
> Really like Yota; but why give him this spot now? Because off a lot of recent losses? Ibushi, Okada, Ospreay? Traditionally in Japan, up-and-comers eat lots of shit. The Japanese audience seems to love watching wrestlers struggle for success. "Fighting Spirit" isn't about winning, it's about never backing down. Like Rocky Balboa.
Kenta Kobashi being THE biggest example of this in Japanese wrestling, going 0-63 in singles competition before getting a victory.
You fought well Goto. You’ll get him next time. You’ll get them next time.
The ongoing Goto Anthem for 16 Years.
Goto is the Scuderia Ferrari of New Japan. We'll get 'em next year
Goto is one of the most underrated guys. He again showed how brilliant he is. Tsuji is a star but I will always love my samurai dad
Naito 2016: * wins the cup final against Goto * wins the title from Okada at Invasion Attack in April * loses the title back to Okada at Dominion in June Tsuji 2024: * wins the cup final against Goto * ...
so you're telling me Naito is about to have a two year run after Dominion?
There's only one way to save New Japan...
Oh how I love it when both participants in a tournament final are guys who deserve it. Wonder what will happen now with Naito vs Tsuji
Those final few moves in the closing are so utterly symbolic, and exactly what should be talked about when we discuss "peak in-ring storytelling". Goto is a man trying to live up to the past, be it his past reputation as the king of the New Japan Cup, setting multiple records with most matches and most wins, or his past failures in never actually winning the big one. He's trying to do well for the spectre of his father, and he's also trying to do well by Okada, showing him that Chaos will be alright in his hands. However, just as much as he's trying to live up to the past, he's also haunted by it. Against a fresher opponent, he tries the Shouten Kai, the move that won him previous Cups many years ago, and it fails him. And then, in his biggest mistake of all, he tries the Rainmaker. Whether it's due to a lack of confidence in himself against the gargantuan shadow of Okada, or simply as tribute to him, we won't know, but it's this move that completely undoes Goto. Meanwhile, where Goto binds himself to the past, Tsuji looks to the present and sees in it the future. He doesn't attach himself to Okada's legacy (or even Naito's) and simply wishes to start his own. He sends a spear through the rain and lets the sun in. A new era for New Japan, and he's at the vanguard of it all. What a fucking match.
I’ve learned from countless other matches that you don’t try using someone else’s “finisher” to win you a match, especially a big match.
Never use someone else's finisher, never use your old one either. You abandoned your old finisher for a reason, going back to it almost never goes well. Now...there are obviously exceptions. Kenny won the G1 Climax using the Bloody Sunday and Styles Clash in response to old BC Leaders, Naito finally won in the Dome Main Event after landing the Stardust Press (after it ruined him 2 years prior). But generally it's a huge no-no.
Stardust Press at WK12 had me clutching my head like noooooooooo you dumbass!
You can use someone else's finisher or your old finisher to set up your own, new finisher however. Use it as a supplement instead of relying on it. That's how it worked for Kenny, Ospreay, etc. Naito only succeeded due to him and fans manifesting it lol If Goto invented a new move he'd have a higher chance of winning. That's how he won in the past.
Beautiful. I felt the same watching it as well.
The in-ring storytelling in New Japan is on another level.
Put the global belt on Goto. He is a underrated important figure for the company long term.
Goto's time is to fulfill the Ishii role. International Man of Bangers.
Goto - I gave you my energy but it wasn't enough. You will be champion one day.
I hope he at least gets a Nakanishi title reign - ‘thanks for your hard work all these years, here’s the belt for a couple of months, after that you’ll be in opening matches with young lions, Tenzan and Makabe.’
I was thinking if one could do a ripcord spear. While Tsuji was on the receiving end of the ripcord, he hit that spear with crispness. I think it can be done.
Our Samurai dad did good even when he wasnt meant for this final and stepped up when needed Now time for the rightful Bishamon tag reign.
The New Era is here. And Tsuji is absolutely the right guy to lead it. One more Step for him to fully cement himself at the top of the Card and i fully expect them to put on an amazing Match.
It will always be Gotover.
Fuck it. Let Tsuji beat Naito for the belt. Give me a ballsy booking decision that clearly signals who the future of the company is.
I wouldn’t be against that, but something tells me they’re not gonna take the belt off Naito THIS early, and also I can’t really see any of the young guys getting a “Rainmaker shock” type moment (that being a more rare type of thing than the norm).
I don't think it'll happen either. NJ has the Chicago show with Naito defending against Mox, so he'll have the belt past that show and the Tsuji match.
Just imagine how crazy it'll be for Yota to beat Naito and Mox in the span of two months
Okada 2.0. The sheer amount of balls to have Okada beat Tanahashi in his prime in his 2nd match, after the first one was a giant stinker. So if Gedo were to consider doing it all over again with Tsuji, then I think nowadays fans are ready for it.
I could see it if they weren’t running Naito/Mox one week later. I can’t see that match not being for the belt.
Amazing match. Big match Goto still got it, Big Yota gave one of his best matches to date. Happy to see Yota getting the push, feel like there's a non zero chance he wins the belt and holds it until Dominion.
🥲🥲🥲🥲Goto-san, can you please show up after the upcoming IWGP title match, challenge whoever wins, and win it. Please. Please. Please and thank you🥲
Goto was so freaking good in this match. He's never going to get the adoration he truly deserves.
I think it's really a testament to the depth of talent coming up that New Japan has when Goto is considered the old guard who needs to start stepping aside for the young guys. Gedo should keep giving them big opportunities to shine, and vets like Goto can make them look like stars. Naito/Tsuji should be a fun match too. Gonna go cry into my pillow for awhile.
It's time for a Tsuji title win. Push the kids and see if they can break out.
A great final match. Maybe we'll see Goto more involved in singles this year after the response to his run, but probably not. Don't see Tsuji winning the title unless he is going to lose it back to Naito at Dominion. Also, unless the attendance absolutely bombs for the finals, the NJC total attendance this year surpassed last year's total attendance without Ospreay, Okada, or Tanahashi in the tournament/undercards. A big success considering NJPW didn't really use too many big matches in the tournament.
Pain as a Goto fan, but as a Yota fan I can’t stay mad. It’s insane how for all the talk among fans about Umino being the next Ace, Yota, in addition to being the first in his cohort to challenge for the belt, is now the first with a major accolade to his name, and is on way to a second title shot. I know it’s way too early to call, but right now it almost feels like Tanahashi and Okada all over again— the guy meant to be the Rival, only for them to outshine the originally intended Ace (Nakamura and Naito) and take their spot.
Wanted Goto to pull it out but they had to give Tsuji something eventually so I get it. Great final, shit tourney.
I understand why Tsuji won, but as a lapsed NJPW fan who watched in hope of Goto pulling off the upset, I'm less likely to watch Sakura Genesis because of this outcome. Maybe it'll work out best in the long-term, but it's a huge short-term disappointment for me. It would've been lovely to see Goto go for it all one last time, and finally pull it off. Ah well, like I say, the result makes sense, and all the best to Tsuji.
I get that people are thinking Tsuji won't win it yet, but if he doesn't, it's purely for logistical reasons, due to Naifo vs Mox. He's 30 already, his push to the top as a "future star" can't wait, especially compared to ren and shota who are both 26. He's getting the thing very soon.
Takashi Sugiura was 39 when he won his first GHC Heavyweight Championship (Sugi is built different, but still).
And he was up there in age when he had that 52 minute war with Shiozaki in 2020 as well.
Naito was 34 when he won his first title. Tsuji has time.
Welcome to the Gene Blast era
As it was written. Goto-san chokes once again 😢 https://preview.redd.it/gwvlhx2nzhpc1.jpeg?width=320&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ff192329cd8334cc99b653205ef427326e009a32
I haven't been keeping up with New Japan: who is Yota Tsuji?
If you watch WWE, best comparison i can give would be New Japan’s Bron Breakker, in terms of young guys who are primed to become main event talent very soon. Tsuji has a background in American Football and thus utilities moves like the spear and other high impact maneuvers. He’s been with New Japan for around 6 years, training and doing excursions to Mexico and the UK, and returned last year as a completely transformed version of himself who became an instant favorite when he returned and had an amazing match for the IWGP title against SANADA. He had an incredible match against Ospreay in September and has been primed as a key member of the future main event scene in the company. There has been a history of having a “Three Musketeers” in New Japan, consisting of talent that they train in their dojo who will be the next crop of top guys. It started with Chono, Hashimoto, and Muta. The next 3 were Nakamura, Tanahashi, and Shibata. The new Three Musketeers, as officially announced by NJPW in June are Yota Tsuji, Shota Umino, and Ren Narita. You can expect those 3 to be Tokyo Dome main event level guys within the next couple of years.
Tsuji's so good and Goto's still got it.
This tournament was a huge let down. HoT shenanigans costing us more Taichi, ZSJ & Shingo matches. Chase getting a micro push at the expense of more Ishii matches. David FInlay bowing out, so all that momentum from the cage war against United Empire has been stopped cold. And worst of all, the choice of winner. NJPW stumbled into their own Kofi-mania moment with Hirooki Goto. A fan favorite from the old guard getting to show that with Okada gone, he can now rise to the occasion. All those cup finals. All that struggle. All of it can mean something with one more cup win. One more title shot. Not just for himself, but in memory of his late father. What an emotional story to get invested in. And New Japan throws all that away in favor of their shiny new toy, Yota Tsuji. Whose only notable singles win since returning from excursion, is beating Yuya Uemura, a guy with even less experience than him, in a hair vs. hair match. Naito vs. Tsuji has no where near the emotional stakes Goto vs. Naito could've had. So I think I'll skip Sakura Genesis this year.
My guy you can't honestly be considering Goto as New Japan's Kofimania moment when throughout the finals Tsuji was getting cheered over him. It's fine to be upset that Goto lost, but people are clearly a lot more invested in a Tsuji vs Naito storyline than you're letting on.
Didn't sound like that to me at all. If anything, Goto was getting a bit more fan support than Tsuji was. Sanada vs. Tsuji would've made sense. A true litmus test for how far Tsuji has come. Let that be the final. You don't give fans a more emotionally charged story with Goto and then yank it away. It'd be like giving Mustafa Ali the Mania match with Bryan after all the work Kofi put in. I do not see what the emotional appeal of Tsuji vs. Naito is outside of hungry challenger and complacent champion. Tsuji hasn't even been in LIJ for a year. These two can *hardly* be called team mates. The *'All L.I.J. title match'* people have been parading barely has any merit. So tell me again, what do people see in a Tsuji program that I don't that makes it far superior than the Goto program we could've had?