Quarterfinals set for New Japan Cup 2025

Originally posted on F4WOnline.com | By Joseph Currier | Last updated Mar 14, 2025 8:35 AM ET

New Japan Cup 2025 is down to its final eight competitors.

The tournament continued on Friday with a show in Osaka at Kanaoka Park Gymnasium. In the main event, Jeff Cobb advanced to the quarterfinals with a victory over Tetsuya Naito. There were also wins for Shingo Takagi and Drilla Moloney that eliminated Oleg Boltin and TJP from contention.

All four quarterfinal matchups will take place in Aichi tomorrow (Saturday, March 15). They are:

Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Taichi
David Finlay vs. Yuya Uemura
Shingo Takagi vs. Drilla Moloney
Jeff Cobb vs. Shota Umino

The tournament runs through March 20 with the winner set to receive an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship shot at Sakura Genesis on April 5.

Though Cobb is still in contention for that title shot, there are rumors that he could be headed to WWE soon. Cobb played on those rumors before today’s show in a tweet promoting his match:

Geez guys relax! I just woke up and holy hell! Look at all these notifications! I guess I have some explaining to do. Well let me calm everyone’s nerves….. the rumors are in fact 100% TRUE.

I will be eliminating Naito from the New Japan cup LIVE TODAY! So tune in to njpwworld!… pic.twitter.com/mNzHWmzrdn
— Jeff Cobb (@RealJeffCobb) March 14, 2025