The 2024 New Japan Cup final could have been another showdown between two former tag team partners and teammates whose paths have diverged completely over the past few years. Instead, NJPW sent the other semifinalists through, setting up an intriguing clash between past and present this Wednesday in Nagaoka.
Hirooki Goto and Yota Tsuji will meet in the final after both were victorious Monday in Fukushima. Goto defeated Sanada in one semifinal, while Tsuji was able to overcome the usual copious amounts of House of Torture interference to take down EVIL in the other.
The victory for Goto means the 44-year-old can potentially add to his own bit of company history. He’s already the only three-time New Japan Cup winner (he also won in 2009, 2010 and 2012), and can add to his record with a fourth triumph.
In contrast, this is uncharted territory for Tsuji, who is being counted on as one of the performers to carry the banner for New Japan after the recent departures of stars like Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay.
Tsuji would also arguably have the more interesting storyline if he won the Cup, as it would set up a showdown for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Sakura Genesis against his LIJ teammate Tetsuya Naito. Fans might be invested in Goto getting that shot too, though it’s worth noting that he didn’t capitalize on the world title opportunities he received from any of his three prior New Japan Cup wins.
The New Japan Cup 2024 final will take place Wednesday at Ao-re Nagaoka. The only other match currently announced is YOH vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru.