14 Ups & 4 Downs From NJPW's New Japan Cup 2019

8. David & Goliath (Night 6)

Lance Archer Will Ospreay
NJPW

Physically and in terms of status, night 6 was all about underdogs stepping to wrestlers far above their kayfabe stature.

The best example saw former Junior Heavyweight standout Will Ospreay clash with the 6'8" Lance Archer. The match was f*cking awesome. A sleeper 'best of the tournament' contender, it saw the Killer Elite Squad man excel as a big, terrifying monster tossing the NEVER Openweight Champion around. It was a fully-faceted, three-dimensional performance from a man who doesn't get many singles opportunities, but shined against the hard-bumping Ospreay, who threw his body around like a ragdoll en route to defeat, nailing his opponent with an impressive Stormbreaker for the 1-2-3.

Kazuchika Okada vs. Mikey Nicholls was less spectacular, but still watchable. Working his first full New Japan tour, Nicholls was made to face his CHAOS stable leader and one of the best wrestlers in the world in 'The Rainmaker,' and raised his game accordingly. Having struggled against HIKULEO, Nicholls looked strong here. He's a solid, solid worker, though he'll need to add some new wrinkles to his game if he's to carve out a niche on a roster this talented.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.