The New Japan Cup 2025 reached an exhilarating climax with its quarterfinal matches held on March 15, 2025, at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Japan. The event featured intense bouts, culminating in Hirooki Goto defending his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Yuji Nagata, showcasing the high stakes and talent within NJPW.
Key Takeaways
- Hirooki Goto successfully defended his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Yuji Nagata.
- Four quarterfinal matches determined the semifinalists for the New Japan Cup.
- Shota Umino and David Finlay advanced to the semifinals, setting up a thrilling final showdown.
Quarterfinal Match Results
- Yoshi-Hashi & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Hartley Jackson & Ryohei Oiwa
- Toru Yano, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Boltin Oleg & El Phantasmo vs. Jakob Austin Young, Callum Newman, TJP & Great-O-Khan
- Gabe Kidd, Sanada & Chase Owens vs. Sho, Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
- Tetsuya Naito, Bushi & Yota Tsuji vs. EVIL, Dick Togo & Yujiro Takahashi
Semifinalists Announced
The quarterfinals set the stage for the semifinals, with the following competitors advancing:
- Shingo Takagi defeated Drilla Moloney at 11:13.
- Shota Umino triumphed over Jeff Cobb at 10:25.
- David Finlay overcame Yuya Uemura at 14:59.
- Zack Sabre Jr. bested Taichi in a thrilling match lasting 26:27.
Championship Match Highlights
In the main event, Hirooki Goto defended his title against Yuji Nagata:
- Match Time: 17:37
- Goto retained his championship after a hard-fought battle, showcasing his strength and resilience against the veteran Nagata.
- The match featured intense exchanges, with Goto ultimately hitting his signature GTR slam for the victory.
Looking Ahead
The semifinals promise to deliver more action as Shota Umino faces Shingo Takagi, while David Finlay will take on Zack Sabre Jr. The anticipation builds as fans await the final showdown of the New Japan Cup 2025, with the winner earning a shot at Goto’s championship.
The New Japan Cup continues to highlight the incredible talent and storytelling that NJPW is known for, making it a must-watch for wrestling fans around the world.
Sources
- NJPW "New Japan Cup" results (3/15): Vetter’s review of Hirooki Goto vs. Yuji Nagata for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, four quarterfinal tournament matches, Pro Wrestling Dot Net.
- NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING, NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING.
- Lilian Garcia completes latest full-time run as a WWE ring announcer, Pro Wrestling Dot Net.
- NJPW NEW JAPAN CUP 2025 – NIGHT 7 RESULTS (3/16): Results of first semifinal match, a tag preview for the other, more, PWTorch.com.
