Kazuchika Okada defeats Hiromu Takahashi: New Japan Cup July 3

Result: Kazuchika Okada defeats Hiromu Takahashi

Match

• At 22 minutes, Takahashi hit the rainmaker clothesline on Okada and the Timebomb for a 2 count so close that Red Shoes’ hand actually touched the mat.
• At 25.5 minutes, Okada hit a rainmaker clothesline and cinched in the cravat. He then hit two more rainmaker clotheslines and put the cravat back on.
• Red Shoes called for the bell.
• Okada will now face Evil in the finals of the New Japan Cup.

All Matches from New Japan Cup July 3

• Full Results
  • Sanada vs. Evil
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiromu Takahashi
  • El Desperado, Taichi, Zack Sabre, and Minor Suzuki vs. Yuji Nagata, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Gabriel Kidd, and Kota Ibushi
  • Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi, and Bushi vs. Sho, Tomohiro Ishii, and Hirooki Goto

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Match Ratings

Six dimensions combine to make up the overall rating. Matches score ratings of 1-10 only if the match lasts for a minimum of 5 minutes.

1. Match Quality– Was the match well wrestled or sloppy?
2. Audience Engagement– Did the live audience care about the match?
3. Competitiveness– Was the match competitive or one-sided?
4. Stakes – Did the match matter?
5. Finish– Did the match end in a satisfying manner?
6. Performance: (1) Poor (2) Below Average (3) Average (4) Above Average (5) Excellent