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

3. Sophomore Slump (Night 2)

Bad Luck Fale Will Ospreay
NJPW

The New Japan Cup's second day brought a potentially fun little lineup to the table, but ultimately took the tournament down a level following the previous show's highs.

None of up-and-comer Toa Henare's trademark Polynesian fire came out in his clash with Lance Archer, as the 42-year-old Killer Elite Squad man dominated his way to a pedestrian victory, stifling the upset. Ex-WWE man Mikey Nicholls worked hard but couldn't transcend the green HIKULEO's limitations. Will Ospreay vs. Bad Luck Fale was sloppy, sloppy, sloppy, and not helped by the Englishman's overselling, and while Kazuchika Okada vs. Michael Elgin was as solid as you'd expect from these two, it was scant reward for a tough show.

Shows like this should be expected while the field things out. Still, for New Japan Cup completionists (those who must watch every tournament bout), day two was a slog. Skip it if you're watching on demand.

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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.