Kevin Wilson Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Tournament season has begun in Japan, as in the next five months there will be half a dozen tournaments of varying popularity. In an attempt to get people watching and actively engaged, I decided to have a pick'em contest for the New Japan Cup. Even though its a small tournament, they always throw in some upsets so it never goes 'chalk', but we will have some tie-breakers just in case. Here is the official bracket, from New Japan's website: First Round Results (3/15/14) - Shelton Benjamin defeated Yujiro Takahashi (6:21) with the Paydirt - Minoru Suzuki defeated Toru Yano (8:01) by European Pinfall - Katsuyori Shibata defeated Karl Anderson (9:14) with a Octopus Hold - Hirooki Goto defeated Doc Gallows (6:59) with the Goto Shiki - Prince Devitt defeated Lance Archer (7:57) with the Bloody Sunday - Bad Luck Fale defeated Togi Makabe (9:36) with the Bad Luck Fall - Tetsuya Naito defeated Tomohiro Ishii (12:55) with a Stardust Press - Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Davey Boy Smith Jr. (14:59) with the Boma Ye Second Round Results (3/22/14) - Shelton Benjamin defeated Katsuyori Shibata (10:06) with the Paydirt - Bad Luck Fale defeated Tetsuya Naito (11:29) with the Bad Luck Fall - Minoru Suzuki defeated Hirooki Goto (12:27) with a Gotch-Style Piledriver - Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Prince Devitt (10:23) with the Boma Ye And... wow. Semi Final and Finals (3/23/14): Semi Final: Bad Luck Fale defeated Shelton Benjamin (4:13) with the Bad Luck Fall Semi Final: Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Minoru Suzuki (13:12) with the Boma Ye Final: Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Bad Luck Fale (15:20) with the Boma Ye 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Wilson Posted March 6, 2014 Author Share Posted March 6, 2014 MY PICKS OF AWESOMENESS: - Togi Makabe vs. Bad Luck Fale - Teysuya Naito vs. Tomohiro Ishii - Katsuyori Shibata vs. Karl Anderson - Yujiro Takahashi vs. Shelton Benjamin - Hirooki Goto vs. Doc Gallows - Toru Yano vs. Minoru Suzuki - Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Davey Boy Smith - Prince Devitt vs. Lance Archer Quarterfinals (3/22): - Makabe/Fale vs, Naito/Ishii - Shibata/Anderson vs. Yujiro/Benjamin - Goto/Gallows vs. Yano/Suzuki - Nakamura/Smith vs. Devitt/Archer Semifinals (3/23): - Makabe/Fale/Naito/Ishii vs. Shibata/Anderson/Yujiro/Benjamin - Goto/Gallows/Yano/Suzuki vs. Nakamura/Smith/Devitt/Archer Final (3/23): - Makabe/Fale/Naito/Ishii/Shibata/Anderson/Yujiro/Benjamin vs. Goto/Gallows/Yano/Suzuki/Nakamura/Smith/Devitt/Archer Tie-Breakers: First Tie-Breaker - Naruki Doi and BxB Hulk Second Tie-Breaker (if still tied) - Doi pins Tozawa Third Tie-Breaker (if still tied) - 14:29 Hmm that was harder than I thought. I have no idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raziel Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 (edited) Screw secretive, I'll post them publicly Round One (3/15): - Togi Makabe vs. Bad Luck Fale - Teysuya Naito vs. Tomohiro Ishii - Katsuyori Shibata vs. Karl Anderson - Yujiro Takahashi vs. Shelton Benjamin - Hirooki Goto vs. Doc Gallows - Toru Yano vs. Minoru Suzuki - Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Davey Boy Smith - Prince Devitt vs. Lance Archer Quarterfinals (3/22): - Makabe vs, Ishii - Shibata vs. Yujiro - Goto vs. Suzuki - Nakamura vs. Devitt Semifinals (3/23): - Ishii vs. Shibata - Goto vs. Nakamura Final (3/23): - Shibata vs. Goto Tie-Breakers: First Tie-Breaker - Doi and Hulk Second Tie-Breaker (if still tied) - Doi pins Shingo Third Tie-Breaker (if still tied) - 18:32 (which is 15 minutes too long) EDIT: 3/13, changed the Goto/Nakamura Semi result that puts Goto into the finals. Edited March 13, 2014 by Raziel403 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Wilson Posted March 6, 2014 Author Share Posted March 6, 2014 I PICKED SHIBATA FIRST! DON'T STEAL MY PICKS! People are going to think he is the favorite because we went first. I hope most people will just post them but I wanted to leave that option so people didn't feel forced to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raziel Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Well, I mean, Shibata's a friggin no brainer here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultimoDANK Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Round One (3/15): - Togi Makabe vs. Bad Luck Fale - Togi - Teysuya Naito vs. Tomohiro Ishii - Naito - Katsuyori Shibata vs. Karl Anderson - Shibata - Yujiro Takahashi vs. Shelton Benjamin - Shelton - Hirooki Goto vs. Doc Gallows - Goto - Toru Yano vs. Minoru Suzuki - MinSu - Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Davey Boy Smith - Nakamura - Prince Devitt vs. Lance Archer - Devitt Quarterfinals (3/22): - Makabe vs, Naito - Naito - Shibata vs. Benjamin - Shibata - Goto vs. Suzuki - Goto - Nakamura vs. Devitt - Devitt Semifinals (3/23): - Naito vs. Shibata - Shibata - Goto vs. Devitt - Goto Final (3/23): Shibata over Goto - Yeah this one is a no brainer. I'd be shocked if we don't see Okada vs. Shibata at Invasion Attack. Title change? Tie-Breakers: First Tie-Breaker - Who will win this match for the Dragon Gate Open The Twin Gate Championship on 3/16: Shingo Takagi and Akira Tozawa vs. Naruki Doi and BxB Hulk - No idea. Tozawa over Hulk. Second Tie-Breaker (if still tied) - In the previous tie-breaker, who will get the pinfall and who will get pinned (.5 points for each) Again Tozawa over Hulk Third Tie-Breaker (if still tied) - What will be the official match time for the Triple Crown match of Akebono vs. Miyahara in All Japan on 3/18? Miyahara over Akebono in 1:48 with his brand new, not over armbar!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raziel Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Doubt that Shibata wins the title at Invasion Attack. He'll get there, but they seem to be building a slightly bigger Okada/Tanahashi "My belt is better than your belt" angle, where Hash is looking like a whiny bitch because if it, since its basically "I can't beat Okada for the Heavy, so I'll win the IC and try to pimp it like its the bigger deal". Hence why the winner of the NJ Cup gets to pick who he faces (which has been telegraphed as Shibata challenging Okada), and the loser of the finals gets the other champ (its why Tanahashi isn't in it) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hagan Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Awesome idea. I'm posting mine without reading what anyone else has predicted, so not stealing picks. Round One (3/15): - Togi Makabe over Bad Luck Fale - Teysuya Naito over Tomohiro Ishii - Katsuyori Shibata over Karl Anderson - Shelton Benjamin over Yujiro Takahashi - Hirooki Goto over Doc Gallows - Minoru Suzuki over Toru Yano - Shinsuke Nakamura over Davey Boy Smith - Lance Archer over Prince Devitt Quarterfinals (3/22): - Naito over Makabe - Shibata over Benjamin - Suzuki over Goto - Nakamura over Archer Semifinals (3/23): - Shibata over Naito - Suzuki over Nakamura Final (3/23): - Shibata over Suzuki Tie-Breakers: First Tie-Breaker - Who will win this match for the Dragon Gate Open The Twin Gate Championship on 3/16: Shingo Takagi and Akira Tozawa vs. Naruki Doi and BxB Hulk Second Tie-Breaker (if still tied) - In the previous tie-breaker, who will get the pinfall and who will get pinned (.5 points for each)? Tozawa over Noi Third Tie-Breaker (if still tied) - What will be the official match time for the Triple Crown match of Akebono vs. Miyahara in All Japan on 3/18? 13:22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Wilson Posted March 8, 2014 Author Share Posted March 8, 2014 First post updated with prizes, as promised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mokujin Scott Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Round One (3/15): - Bad Luck Fale over Togi Makabe - Teysuya Naito over Tomohiro Ishii - Katsuyori Shibata over Karl Anderson - Shelton Benjamin over Yujiro Takahashi - Hirooki Goto over Doc Gallows - Minoru Suzuki over Toru Yano - Shinsuke Nakamura over Davey Boy Smith - Prince Devitt over Lance Archer Quarterfinals (3/22): - Naito over Fale - Shibata over Benjamin - Goto over Suzuki - Nakamura over Devitt Semifinals (3/23): - Shibata over Naito - Nakamura over Goto Final (3/23): - Shibata over Nakamura Tie-Breakers: First Tie-Breaker - Who will win this match for the Dragon Gate Open The Twin Gate Championship on 3/16: Shingo Takagi and Akira Tozawa vs. Naruki Doi and BxB Hulk Second Tie-Breaker (if still tied) - In the previous tie-breaker, who will get the pinfall and who will get pinned (.5 points for each)? Shingo over Hulk Third Tie-Breaker (if still tied) - What will be the official match time for the Triple Crown match of Akebono vs. Miyahara in All Japan on 3/18? 13:00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John E. Dynamite Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Round One (3/15): - Togi Makabe vs. Bad Luck Fale - Teysuya Naito vs. Tomohiro Ishii - Katsuyori Shibata vs. Karl Anderson - Yujiro Takahashi vs. Shelton Benjamin - Hirooki Goto vs. Doc Gallows - Toru Yano vs. Minoru Suzuki - Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Davey Boy Smith - Prince Devitt vs. Lance Archer Quarterfinals (3/22): - Fale vs, Naito - Shibata vs. Benjamin - Goto vs. Suzuki - Davey Boy vs. Archer Semifinals (3/23): - Naito vs. Shibata - Suzuki vs. Davey Boy Final (3/23): - Shibata vs. Suzuki Tie-Breakers: First Tie-Breaker - Shingo Takagi and Akira Tozawa Second Tie-Breaker (if still tied) - Tozawa over Doi Third Tie-Breaker (if still tied) - 14:59 This is all based on the idea of "giving guys their wins back". Also, the idea of "post-big show smark booking" that plays in to a Shibata/Suzuki match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Wilson Posted March 9, 2014 Author Share Posted March 9, 2014 I honestly didn't know when I picked Shibata that he was such a favorite to win it all. It just seemed like he should be the next one in line for a title shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan4L Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Round One (3/15): - Togi Makabe - Teysuya Naito - Katsuyori Shibata - Yujiro Takahashi - Hirooki Goto - Minoru Suzuki - Shinsuke Nakamura - Prince Devitt Quarterfinals (3/22): - Naito - Shibata - Suzuki - Nakamura Semifinals (3/23): - Shibata - Suzuki Final (3/23): - Shibata Tie-Breakers: First Tie-Breaker - Who will win this match for the Dragon Gate Open The Twin Gate Championship on 3/16: Shingo Takagi & Akira Tozawa Second Tie-Breaker (if still tied) - In the previous tie-breaker, who will get the pinfall and who will get pinned (.5 points for each)? Shingo Takagi over Hulk Third Tie-Breaker (if still tied) - What will be the official match time for the Triple Crown match of Akebono vs. Miyahara in All Japan on 3/18? 12:58 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Round One (3/15): Togi Makabe Tomohiro Ishii Katsuyori Shibata Yujiro Takahashi Hirooki Goto Minoru Suzuki Shinsuke Nakamura Prince Devitt Quarterfinals (3/22): Ishii Shibata Suzuki Nakamura Semifinals (3/23): Shibata Suzuki Final (3/23): Shibata Tie-Breakers: First Tie-Breaker - Who will win this match for the Dragon Gate Open The Twin Gate Championship on 3/16: Shingo Takagi & Akira Tozawa Second Tie-Breaker (if still tied) - In the previous tie-breaker, who will get the pinfall and who will get pinned (.5 points for each)? Shingo Tozawa over Hulk Third Tie-Breaker (if still tied) - What will be the official match time for the Triple Crown match of Akebono vs. Miyahara in All Japan on 3/18? 12:55 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hagan Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 When Shibata goes out in the first round we're all boned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Wilson Posted March 12, 2014 Author Share Posted March 12, 2014 I got a few emails the picked Ishii. The issue is of course is that he just won a secondary title so I don't see them giving him a shot at a bigger title so soon after that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Clingman Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Round One (3/15): - Togi Makabe vs. Bad Luck Fale - Teysuya Naito vs. Tomohiro Ishii - Katsuyori Shibata vs. Karl Anderson - Yujiro Takahashi vs. Shelton Benjamin - Hirooki Goto vs. Doc Gallows - Toru Yano vs. Minoru Suzuki - Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Davey Boy Smith - Prince Devitt vs. Lance Archer Quarterfinals (3/22): - Fale vs, Ishii - Shibata vs. Yujiro - Goto vs. Suzuki - Nakamura vs. Devitt Semifinals (3/23): - Ishii vs. Shibata - Goto vs. Devitt Final (3/23): - Shibata vs. Devitt This is, of course assuming that Devitt has resigned with NJPW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raziel Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Kev, can I go and change my ballot, I want to change on of my Semi results, more for wishful thinking than anything else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Wilson Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 Sure, knock yourself out, just no changes once the tournament starts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultimo The Great Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Round One (3/15): - Togi Makabe vs. Bad Luck Fale - Teysuya Naito vs. Tomohiro Ishii - Katsuyori Shibata vs. Karl Anderson - Yujiro Takahashi vs. Shelton Benjamin - Hirooki Goto vs. Doc Gallows - Toru Yano vs. Minoru Suzuki - Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Davey Boy Smith - Prince Devitt vs. Lance Archer Quarterfinals (3/22): - Makabe vs, Naito - Shibata vs. Yujiro - Goto vs. Suzuki - Nakamura vs. Devitt Semifinals (3/23): - Naito vs. Shibata - Goto vs. Nakamura Final (3/23): - Shibata Tie-Breakers: First Tie-Breaker - Shingo Takagi and Akira Tozawa Second Tie-Breaker (if still tied) - Tozawa over Doi Third Tie-Breaker (if still tied) - 16:32 ---- I'm thinking most of my predictions are just me hoping for the best matches Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Wilson Posted March 15, 2014 Author Share Posted March 15, 2014 Everyone's picks were recorded. Not that I don't trust you guys or anything Apparently this contest was mentioned on a blog podcast (Voice of Wrestling, or so I was advised, I don't know if one of you guys runs that site) so I got a bit more entries than I expected. Who knew people liked free stuff. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mokujin Scott Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 8 for 8 first round! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 I'm speaking for myself and probably others like me....fuckin' Naito! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raziel Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 I got equally burnt by Fale over Makabe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Shit. Now you mention it, think I did as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now