The New Japan Cup began in 2005 and has become an annual tournament for New Japan during the spring. Unlike the G1 Climax, the New Japan Cup is a single elimination tournament that takes place over several days. Generally whoever wins the tournament gets a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship (Tanahashi did not in 2008 due to suffering an injury in the All Japan Champion Carnival that kept him out until the summer) during the upcoming tour. The New Japan Cup is an openweight tournament and generally there are a few outsiders that participate, either from an American promotion or Japanese promotion. As I have presented them below, the first round matches are found with the wrestler on top beating the wrestler under them.

2005

Participants (Single Elimination):


2006

Participants (Single Elimination):


2007

Participants (Single Elimination):


2008

Participants (Single Elimination):


2009

Participants (Single Elimination):


2010

Participants (Single Elimination):


2011

Participants (Single Elimination):


2012

Participants (Single Elimination):

2013

Participants (Single Elimination):


2014

Participants (Single Elimination):