New Japan kicked off the 2026 New Japan Cup today, the annual March tournament and first of the year in the promotion. This is a single-elimination bracket format Heavyweight tournament with a field of 24 this year. Before the event a new Young Lion began his journey to superstardom.
Today’s event was held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on New Japan World. You can also watch the pre-show match FOR FREE on YouTube.
The announced paid attendance was 1136.
There were late changes to the tournament due to Tomohiro Ishii being pulled from the tournament. Neck injury likely suffered Friday. He was to have gotten a free pass to Round 2 but will be unable to compete. Satoshi Kojima is the replacement.
Pre-show match: Taisei Nakahara Debut Match: Tatsuya Matsumoto beat Taisei Nakahara. Nakahara began training in 2023 after needing two attempts to pass the introductory testing and finishing college, so at 25 he’s unusually old for a rookie.
Match 1: Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens beat Masatora Yasuda & Shota Umino. Takahashi pinned Yasuda after Pimp Juice.
Match 2: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg beat Jado & El Phantasmo. Yano pinned Jado.
Match 3: Daiki Nagai, Drilla Moloney, Shingo Takagi & OSKAR (The Grouch) beat Zane Jay, HENARE, Jake Lee & Callum Newman. Moloney pinned Jay after Drilla Killer.
Match 4: Tomoaki Honma, Master Wato & Taichi beat Dick Togo, DOUKI & Ren Narita. Taichi beat Togo with Holy Emperor’s Cross Mahsoleum.
Match 5: Hartley Jackson, Zack Sabre Jr., Kosei Fujita, Robbie Eagles & Ryohei Oiwa beat Gedo, Yota Tsuji, Robbie X, Taiji Ishimori & Yuto Ice (Ice Baby).Jackson pinned Gedo after Death Valley Bomb.
New Japan Cup Round 1:
Match 6: Don Fale beat Aaron Wolf. As a result, Fale advances to Round 2 and will face Shingo Takagi.
Main Event: Yuya Uemura beat Great-O-Khan. As a result, Uemura advances to Round 2 and will face Drilla Moloney.
The next event is tomorrow with 2 more Round 1 matches, the rest of the card is TBA. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 1:30 AM PT/4:30 AM ET. This will also be a live Samurai! TV broadcast in Japan.