NJPW New Japan Cup 2026 - Day 11 - 20/03/2026
New Japan Cup 2026 Semi Final Match: Yuya Uemura vs. Oleg Boltin
Fantastic match. Boltin has sort of struggled outside the Takeshita match, but here he showed himself a capable wrestler. And it was in the selling role once again. He came in with an injured shoulder and sold it a treat while remaining a constant threat with his size, strength and technique. And he worked so well with Uemura’s style which emphasises the smaller moments such as the scrambles at the beginning, the transition into moves, the movement between hold to hold. Uemura approaches wrestling like everything matters. Each step matters and it makes his wrestling must-see, always exciting and always present, when many are just waiting to do the spots that get them chants. And it not only enhanced Boltin’s skill, allowing his to show off his technical skill, it accentuated Boltin’s minor moments of pure passion. When Boltin blocked the Deadbolt, not by a fancy counter or some reversal into a reversal, he did it in true, pragmatic panic with a slap to the chest. And then he held on to Uemura, taking the advantage! A magical moment. And I love Uemura taking the diving cross body. It might echo Hiroshi Tanahashi a little too hard, but it’s too good of a move to let go and it fits Uemura wonderfully. ****1/4
New Japan Cup 2026 Semi Final Match: Callum Newman vs. Shota Umino
A good main event. Truly good. They landed their biggest moments with great impact and authority. Where this faltered compared to Uemura vs Boltin is bell to bell. It’s far less dramatic overall, despite having some bigger spots like the powerbomb through the table and a bit more traditional closing stretch, but didn’t have that same thrilling ride that Uemura and Boltin had where it could end with any move. Here it was a little more obvious, overall flatter, particularly early on and soft in the transitional work. Certainly not in the striking department because to their credit, they nailed each other and didn’t hold back one bit. Newman has definitely improved in the ring and there is no denying it here. While he is still far away from being great, with a little too awkward character work not landing with the crowd and far too methodical, which leaves his working feeling more empty than intended, he felt like a proper heel, had good chemistry with Umino and his move hit like they are meant to. Like I said, the work was good but the structure was flat, the pacing was a bit too slow and the transitional work compared to the prior match was men vs boys. But it was a good main event. ***3/4
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