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

11. So Many Matches, So Many Stories

Chase Owens Juice Robinson
NJPW

The increased size and scope of this year’s New Japan Cup boosted the tournament’s storytelling possibilities tenfold. While last year brought us Zack Sabre Jr.’s war on the “hunks” of New Japan (Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi, and more all fell in ZSJ’s run of Handsome Battles), 2019 brought us more than that. So much more.

Giantkiller Will Ospreay battered through big lads Bad Luck Fale and Lance Storm before meeting Kazuchika Okada, a figurative giant, and falling. The cherished New Japan Dads (Yuji Nagata et al) were given something to sink their teeth into, and in his bout with Tomohiro Ishii, 'Blue Justice' brought one of the tournament's best matches. Chase Owens and Juice Robinson proved pro-wrestling stories need not be complicated with their United States Title Feud. SANADA moved closer to legendary mentor Keiji Mutoh with his increasingly slick performances. Kota Ibushi, an early favourite, fell to Zack Sbare Jr. in just the second round. The list goes on.

Booker Gedo knocked this thing out of the park, giving the majority of his tournament participants new direction for after the competition. Such multi-faceted storytelling is why websites like ours shower him with praise. Not everything he puts together lands, and he has his blind spots, but there isn't another booker like Gedo around.

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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.