New Japan Cup action kicks off with a former World Champion losing in round one.
During the 2021 NJPW Anniversary event, the opening round action of the New Japan Cup got underway. Jeff Cobb was able to defeat Satoshi Kojima with his Tour of the Islands finisher to advance to round two in the first match and in the second match, one of the pillars of New Japan was forced to give up his championship chase due to a referee stoppage.
JEFF COBB DEFEATS KOJIMA TO ADVANCE TO THE 2ND ROUND TO FACE @151012EVIL
— Mark Lee Griffith (@MarkLeeGriffit2) March 4, 2021
------ @RealJeffCobb sent a MESSAGE TO ALL OF NJPW #njpw49th ---------------- pic.twitter.com/YYpUPqqjXs
Tetsuya Naito, the former IWGP World Champion lost to Great-O-Kharn when the referee stopped the fight due to the damage to Naito’s badly injured knee. During the match, Great-O-Kharn was also able to withstand Naito’s finisher, Destino.
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— njpwworld (@njpwworld) March 4, 2021
---- 旗揚げ記念日-- in 日本武道館
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『NEW JAPAN CUP 2021』1回戦
O-カーンのエグい膝攻めに苦しむ内藤
場外カウントが進む中、内藤は戻ることができるのか
-- @s_d_naito × @Great_O_Khan
-- #njpwworld で配信中--
-- 登録&視聴https://t.co/CcdQ1XrpWA#njpw49th #njpw pic.twitter.com/uJUXUbV1hR
Action in the tournament will continue tomorrow. To get a full look at the bracket, click here.