Originally published at https://www.postwrestling.com/2018/03/16/first-finalist-confirmed-for-the-new-japan-cup/
The first finalist for the 2018 New Japan Cup is Hiroshi Tanahashi, who defeated Juice Robinson in the main event of Wednesday’s card at Korakuen Hall.
The two had a match that went 29:53 with Tanahashi winning with the High Fly Flow.
The final ten minutes of the match were solid following a prolonged period of Robinson selling his knee and Tanahashi focusing his offense on the injured body part.
Robinson’s big spot of the match saw him hit his own High Fly Flow for a great near fall and the audience was roaring for Tanahashi during the closing minutes of the match. Tanahashi connected with a High Fly Flow to the back and immediately followed the proper version to get the pinfall.
Tanahashi will meet the winner of Sunday’s semi-final match between Sanada and Zack Sabre Jr with the finals taking place next Wednesday.
The winner will receive a title match of their choosing at Sakura Genesis on Sunday, April 1st at Sumo Hall.
If they go with Tanahashi, there are two options as you could have the first singles match between Kazuchika Okada and Tanahashi since 2016 or have Tanahashi seek revenge against Minoru Suzuki for the Intercontinental title.