6 Winners And 4 Losers From The New Japan Cup

SANADA has been in NJPW long enough to grab the brass ring but has fallen every time he reached for it. Fans are correct now more than ever to be worried that he is missing his window of top-guy caliber with the years going on, but him never able to get that signature win. Any success he may have had against Okada is instantly negated by Okada having just as much success against him.

He sticks out like a sore thumb being the only LIJ member not holding any gold, and fans used to rely on the fact that he was at least a good wrestler as consolation, clearly being the more technical and athletic half to his team with EVIL.

SANADA had his push stunted for the past few months, with him failing to win World Tag League, losing a RevPro championship bout, and a special singles match against Jay White. New Japan Could have been a good way to turn things around.

Unfortunately though when the two matched, SANADA got absolutely decimated by EVIL, getting taken advantage of during a handshake, an opening-the-ropes spot, and a ref bump.

SANADA lost in humiliating fashion in a tournament that looked to be his big coming out party.

No one in the NJPW locker room needs to get back on track in the way that SANADA does. If he fails to reach the finals of the next G1 Climax, the best he can look for is another tag team title reign.