Nic Nemeth has challenged NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi to an IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship bout.
After picking up a victory in a tag team contest at Saturday’s The New Beginning in Sapporo, Nemeth challenged Tanahashi to be his first challenger for the Global title. Tanahashi was at ringside on commentary, and answered “I agree with you” in English to Nemeth.
No date has been set for the bout.
Tanahashi had been scheduled to wrestle on Saturday’s event as part of Kazuchika Okada’s team in Okada’s farewell 10-man tag, but was pulled from the show just prior to bell time with a right ankle injury.
There have been no reports as of yet to the severity of the injury to Tanahashi, but the fact that the Nemeth match was agreed to indicates that he is not expected to miss a lot of time.
Nemeth defeated David Finlay in the main event of Friday’s The New Beginning show to win the Global title in his in-ring debut for NJPW. On the same show, Tanahashi dropped the NJPW World TV title to Matt Riddle.
Also on Saturday’s show, YOH stole SHO’s IWGP Junior Heavyweight title belt in an angle to set up a future championship bout between the former tag partners.
Saturday’s event also featured Okada and Tama Tonga’s farewell matches for the promotion.
Our full coverage of The New Beginning in Sapporo is here.
Video of Nemeth’s challenge to Tanahashi is embedded below.
Kazuchika Okada is leaving NJPW on a winning streak.
The Rainmaker scored a pinfall victory in his final match as a full-time member of NJPW’s roster at Saturday’s The New Beginning in Sapporo event, pinning United Empire’s Callum Newman in a 10-man tag in his swan song.
In the bout pitting Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, and Toru Yano of CHAOS against United Empire’s Matt Riddle, Jeff Cobb, Great-O-Khan, Francesco Akira, and Newman, Okada landed all of his signature offense including his trademark dropkick, a landslide, and finished the bout with his Rainmaker lariat.
Okada won all of his final four matches with NJPW, including a NEVER Openweight Six-Man title defense where he vacated the title immediately after, a singles win over Hiroshi Tanahashi, plus wins in multi-man tags on both nights of The New Beginning in Sapporo this weekend.
Tanahashi had originally been slated to team with Okada in his finale, but an ankle injury forced Tana off Saturday’s card and he was replace by Yano.
A vignette for “Scapegoat” Jack Perry aired during Saturday’s NJPW The New Beginning in Sapporo event following Umino’s participation in a tag team match in the main card opener.
Umino responded to the video provocation with an interesting threat to Perry:
In Perry’s surprise appearance at NJPW Battle in the Valley last month, the former Jungle Boy attacked Umino and proceeded to tear up his AEW contract.
The “Scapegoat” moniker is an inside reference to Perry being suspended indefinitely by AEW following a backstage altercation with CM Punk at All In last August, with the tearing of the contract an attempt at a worked shoot angle.
Perry has been announced for NJPW Windy City Riot on Friday, April 12 in Chicago. A matchup against Umino on that show appears the likely direction. Tetsuya Naito vs. Jon Moxley, plus Hiromu Takahashi have officially been announced for the Windy City Riot card.
Perry’s vignette is embedded in the NJPW World social media post below.
Hiroshi Tanahashi will not take part in Kazuchika Okada’s NJPW farewell match due to a right ankle injury.
NJPW announced just prior to bell time for night two of The New Beginning in Sapporo that Tanahashi would not be able to take part in Okada’s farewell 10-man tag match due to a right ankle injury.
Toru Yano will replace Tanahashi in the tag match, which now consists of Okada, Yano, Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Matt Riddle, Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb, Francesco Akira & Callum Newman.
Tanahashi presumably suffered the injury in his match on night one of The New Beginning in Sapporo on Friday in his NJPW World TV Championship defense against Riddle.
NJPW’s statement:
Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
Hiroshi Tanahashi, who was scheduled to wrestle on today’s card in Sapporo, has sustained an injury to his right ankle and will be unable to compete.
We apologise to fans who were looking forward to seeing Tanahashi wrestle, and appreciate your understanding.
The following change has been made to tonight’s card:
Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, YOSHI-HASHI, Hirooki Goto & Tomohiro Ishii vs Callum Newman, Jeff Cobb, Matt Riddle, Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira–>
Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano, YOSHI-HASHI, Hirooki Goto & Tomohiro Ishii vs Callum Newman, Jeff Cobb, Matt Riddle, Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira
Okada will officially enter free agency following tonight’s NJPW event. His NJPW deal originally expired at the end of January, but he agreed to work three final dates for the company this month.
Our live coverage of night two of The New Beginning in Sapporo is here. The show is headlined by Tetsuya Naito vs. SANADA for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, plus a Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura hair vs. hair match.
Kazuchika Okada will say goodbye to NJPW on tonight’s The New Beginning tour closer in Sapporo.
Okada will leave the company and officially enter free agency following tonight’s show after a 12-plus year run as the promotion’s biggest star, seven IWGP Heavyweight title reigns, plus four G1 Climax wins.
Okada’s farewell match goes on second on the main card, as he teams with Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto, and YOSHI-HASHI against United Empire’s Matt Riddle, Jeff Cobb, Great-O-Khan, Francesco Akira, and Callum Newman.
Hiroshi Tanahashi was originally scheduled to be part of Okada’s team, but was pulled from the card due to injury.
Tetsuya Naito will defend the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against SANADA in the main event.
A hair vs. hair match with Yota Tsuji facing Yuya Uemura is in the semifinal position.
A series of LIJ vs. Just Five Guys bouts are the other featured singles matches on the show, with Shingo Takagi vs. Taichi, Hiromu Takahashi vs. DOUKI, and BUSHI vs. TAKA Michinoku.
New IWGP Global Champion Nic Nemeth tags with Ryusuke Taguchi against David Finlay & Gedo.
Tama Tonga also bids farewell to NJPW after today’s show, teaming with brother Tanga Loa against brother Hikuleo & El Phantasmo.
Shota Umino, El Desperado, Togi Makabe, YOH & Boltin Oleg take on House of Torture’s EVIL, SHO, Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Yoshinobu Kanemaru in the main card opener.
The Frontier Zone pre-show match begins at 11:30 p.m. Eastern time.
El Desperado, Oleg Boltin, Shota Umino, Togi Makabe & YOH defeated House of Torture (EVIL, Ren Narita, SHO, Yujiro Takahashi, & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)
This match opened with a brawl on the outside. In the ring, the babyfaces established control, with Oleg connecting with huge offense against HoT, forcing EVIL to take him out with a low blow. HoT then worked to isolate Oleg, whipping him into exposed corners and choking him with weapons.
After the tag to Shota, HoT continued using their usual tactics to maintain control. Oleg hit the ring to challenge HoT, leading to a match breakdown. Shota emerged from the chaos alone with Kanemaru. He hit Kanemaru with Death Rider and won the match.
After the match, YOH stole SHO’s belt, perhaps setting up a title challenge in the future.
A video teasing “the scapegoat” Jack Perry played. After the video ended, Shota asked English coms if that was “Jungle Boy”.
CHAOS (Hirooki Goto, Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano) defeated United Empire (Francesco Akira, Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman & Jeff Cobb) & Matt Riddle
Riddle opened the match by hammering Okada with strikes. Okada didn’t fall but failed to connect with much before tagging out.
Akira and Goto tagged in next. Akira gained success against the heavyweight early, but O-Khan hit the ring, leading to a full, CHAOS-favored breakdown. Once CHAOS left the ring, Akira was able to regain his footing before escaping to Cobb.
Cobb and Ishii traded a couple of strikes before Cobb dropped Ishii with a big suplex. Cobb hit Ishii with a tour of the islands and another suplex. Ishii powered through, hitting a suplex of his own, initiating a back-and-forth. Once both men were exhausted, YH and O-Khan tagged in.
O-Khan and YH hit each other with chops before YH dropped O-Khan with a suplex. Now that O-Khan was down, Okada was willing to tag in. Okada tried to find the tombstone, but O-Khan escaped. O-Khan dropped Okada with a lariat before tagging out to Newman.
Akira cleared the apron of CHAOS before hitting the ring with the rest of UE. They worked together to take out Okada, but Okada held on, removing all of UE from the ring singlehandedly. Okada hit Newman with a landslide, an elbow drop, and a rainmaker before pinning Newman in the middle of the ring.
Okada beat down all of UE like a bunch of geeks and dipped. Incredible.
After the match, each of Okada’s teammates hugged him with tear-filled eyes. Okada grabbed a mic, thanked the crowd for 17 years, and promised they would see more of him. There will never be another Kazuchika Okada.
El Phantasmo & Hikuleo defeated Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
Before the match began, Jado came to the ring dressed in referee attire. To prove his loyalty to both pairs, Jado played the middleman and officiated the match.
Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa came to the ring wearing their old face paint.
Tama and Hikuleo started the match. After a short back-and-forth, ELP and Loa tagged in. They traded quick pin attempts, tiring Jado. All four men hit the ring and started arguing over Jado, but his request for a “clean fight” calmed the tensions.
ELP and Hikuleo established a lead. ELP worked over Loa for some time, setting up the hot tag to Tama. Tama gained a substantial lead until Hikuleo hit the ring, leading to a match breakdown.
Tama and Loa emerged from the chaos with the lead. They hit Hikuleo with Magic Killer and a splash for a nearfall. In their attempt to follow up, Hikuleo hit a suplex and a scoopslam. Hikuleo and Tama went back and forth, trying for their finishes, but neither could connect.
Hikuleo hit a clothesline, but Tama kicked out at one. Hikuleo then hit a giant powerbomb, but again, Tama kicked out. Finally, Hikuleo hit Tama with his God Send chokeslam and pinned Tama to win the match.
After the match, a teary-eyed Tama shared a moment with his brothers, ELP, and Jado.
Nic Nemeth & Ryusuke Taguchi defeated BULLET CLUB (David Finlay & Gedo)
Taguchi and Nemeth gained an immediate lead by hitting Bullet Club with their rear ends rapidly. Taguchi eventually missed a B-Trigger, opening the door for a Finlay comeback. Finlay and Gedo worked to isolate Taguchi while attacking his butt.
Once Nemeth tagged in, the match turned around for the babyfaces. Nemeth cleared the ring of Finlay and dropped Gedo with Danger Zone. Nemeth pinned Gedo, winning the match.
After the match, Nemeth grabbed a microphone and requested that Tanahashi challenge for the Gloabal Championship. Tanahashi accepted the challenge, but, due to his injury, who knows when it’ll happen.
BUSHI defeated TAKA Michinoku
The opening moments saw BUSHI trying for a dive immediately. TAKA tried taking the match to the mat, but BUSHI continued to escape into the ropes. BUSHI ended TAKA’s control with a dropkick to the knee and his signature tope.
BUSHI’s control was short-lived, ending once TAKA returned to the mat. Once BUSHI escaped, TAKA tried for the Michinoku driver, but BUSHI reversed, hitting one of his own. BUSHI then tried for MX, but TAKA cut him off with a superkick.
BUSHI continued attacking the knee, landing multiple dropkicks before securing a leglock. TAKA tried everything to escape, but in the end, he was forced to tap out.
LIJ leads the series 1-0.
DOUKI defeated Hiromu Takahashi
This match opened fast, with DOUKI launching an attack before the opening bell sounded. Hiromu matched his energy, taking the fight to the floor. Hiromu drove DOUKI into the barricade, establishing the first lead of the match.
Back in the ring, Hiromu landed a falcon arrow, but DOUKI was quick to answer with a dropkick and a springboard elbow. DOUKI then hit a dive to the floor and a double stomp before locking in the DOUKI-chokey.
DOUKI went to the apron to further his offense, but Hiromu cut him off with a sunset flip powerbomb. Back in the ring, both men were on equal footing, leading to a struggle for control, with neither man landing something substantial. Eventually, Hiromu hit a Dynamite Plunger, but DOUKI kicked out. Both men then traded lariats before Hiromu landed Timebomb; DOUKI kicked out.
Hiromu was now desperate to close. He reached down to grab DOUKI, but DOUKI caught him in a deep DOUKI-chokey. Hiroumu escaped but was immediately planted with a massive DDT. DOUKI then hit Suplex de La Luna and pinned Hiromu for one of the biggest wins in his career.
The score is even. 1-1.
Taichi defeated Shingo Takagi
This match opened with both men trading strikes. This continued to escalate with both men going for bigger and bigger moves. Shingo eventually established a lead with a suplex. With Taichi on the back foot, Shingo took a second to plug his YouTube.
Taichi answered Shingo’s control with an air raid crash. Taichi then paused to remove his pants dramatically. This gave Shingo time to land a DDT, reseting the match.
Both men met in the corner, where they traded headbutts and strikes before Shingo hit Taichi with a drop from the top rope. Taichi powered up, leading to a couple of quick back-and-forth suplexes between the pair.
With both men on their last legs, they began trying for lariats. After minutes of running into each other, both men collapsed to the mat. Eventually, Shingo tried again for pumping bomber, but Taichi ducked and hit his dangerous backdrop to win the match.
J5G leads, 2-1.
Hair vs. Hair: Yota Tsuji defeated Yuya Uemura
This match was horrificly boring. I expected a little life for a match with so much on the line, but this was dreadful.
This match opened slow, with both men trying to find an opening. Yuya found a little early on utilizing basic offense. Tsuji broke this advance but kept the pace slow as he picked apart Yuya.
Tsuji eventually kicked Yuya to the floor, giving Yuya time to recover. Once Yuya returned to the ring, he retook the lead again, utilizing simple maneuvers.
Yuya worked on the mat, targeting Tsuji’s arm. Tsuji escaped but remained on the mat, locking Yuya in a Boston crab. The pair continued going tit-for-tat like this for some time.
Eventually, Yuya landed a double under-hook suplex. He then climbed to the top rope, where Tsuji met him. Tsuji hit a Spanish fly from the top, but Yuya kicked out. Yuya then fired back, hitting the deadbolt, but he failed to follow up. With both men down, the referee began a double count, forcing both men to their feet.
With five minutes left in the time limit, both men began to rally. Yuya hit a backdrop and tried for a crossbody, but Tsuji reversed into a curb stomp. Tsuji tried for a gene blast, but Yuya reversed into an arm drag. Tsuji tried again, but Yuya reversed into a cutter. Yuya hit a German, but Tsuji popped up, hit a gene blast spear, and won the match.
After the match, Tsuji cut Yuya’s hair in the center of the ring. Yuya cut him off and cut some of the hair himself.
The score is even heading into the main event, 2-2.
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Tetsuya Naito (c) defeated SANADA
This was easily the best match on the card. It was a big step down from their WrestleKingdom match, but it was still enjoyable.
This match opened with a standard feeling-out process from this pair. SANADA switched things up by attacking Naito on the floor, but Naito welcomed the attack, taking control and landing a DDT on the floor. From here, Naito continued focusing the neck with high-impact offense.
SANADA bounced back with a plancha. Instead of keeping up the pace, SANADA turned his attention to the crowd. This allowed Naito to retake the lead and keep focus on SANADA’s neck.
A dropkick in the corner sent Naito crashing into the ring post. SANADA then drove Naito’s neck into his knee to establish control. SANADA locked in Skull End, tiring Naito. SANADA then attempted a moonsault, but Naito blocked with his knees.
Naito hammered SANADA’s neck before hoisting him back to the top rope. This time, Naito was able to connect with an avalanche rana. Naito then tried for Destino, but SANADA slipped free. Both men then began attempting their finishes, but neither could connect. After a prolonged struggle, SANADA dropped Naito and hit two moonsualts. Naito held on long enough to respond with a partial Destino.
Naito wanted a full Destino, but SANADA slipped free, hitting a shining wizard. SANADA then tried for Deadfall, but Naito reversed into a choke. Naito then hit a Deadfall of his own, but SANADA responded with a pair of shining wizards. SANADA then tried for Deadfall again, but Naito reversed into a tornado DDT/inside cradle combination, earning him a sudden win.
Naito is still IWGP World Heavyweight champion. LIJ wins the series 3-2.
In his show-ending promo, Naito called attention to Okada, thanking him on his last night in New Japan. He then welcomed Okada to the ring. He offered Okada the LIJ salute. Okada accepted, but Naito spit in his face. The two had a playful scramble before Okada left the ring for the last time.
A NEVER Openweight Championship bout, plus a special singles match in the junior heavyweight division have been added to NJPW The New Beginning in Sapporo.
EVIL will defend the NEVER Openweight title against Shota Umino on night one of the event on Friday, February 23. The promotion made the announcement late Wednesday.
EVIL defeated Tama Tonga to win the NEVER title at The New Beginning in Nagoya on January 20. Umino defeated Ren Narita in a singles match in the main event of Wednesday’s Road to The New Beginning show at Korakuen Hall.
Also added to the February 23 lineup, El Desperado will face SHO. Desperado, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, refused to put his title on the line against SHO, but agreed to a match after SHO and Bullet Club’s House of Torture stole Desperado’s mask in an angle on Wednesday’s show.
The New Beginning in Sapporo will feature Kazuchika Okada’s final NJPW appearances in matches yet to be announced on the two-night event.
The updated lineups:
NJPW The New Beginning in Sapporo, Friday, February 23 —
Kazuchika Okada match TBA
IWGP Global Champion David Finlay defends against Nic Nemeth
NJPW World TV Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi defends against Matt Riddle
NEVER Openweight Champion EVIL defends against Shota Umino
El Desperado vs. SHO
Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi, Yota Tsuji, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI vs. SANADA, Taichi, Yuya Uemura, DOUKI & TAKA Michinoku
Toru Yano & Tomoya vs. TBA
NJPW The New Beginning in Sapporo, Saturday, February 24 —
Kazuchika Okada’s final NJPW appearance
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito defends against SANADA
Shingo Takagi vs. Taichi
Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura
Hiromu Takahashi vs. DOUKI
BUSHI vs. TAKA Michinoku
Nic Nemeth & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. David Finlay & Gedo
New champions were crowned at Saturday’s NJPW The New Beginning in Nagoya event.
EVIL defeated Tama Tonga in the main event to win the NEVER Openweight Championship in what might have been Tama’s NJPW swan song.
The main event originally ended in a double disqualification after Bullet Club, Guerrillas of Destiny, and Hontai members hit the ring as EVIL and Tama brawled. Tama then insisted that the match be restarted as a lumberjack match with the factions ringside. EVIL then pinned Tama in the restart after interference from Dick Togo and Ren Narita to win the title.
An emotional Tama cut a promo thanking the fans after the match after announcing earlier this month that he would be leaving NJPW at the end of January.
The provisional KOPW 2024 title was also switched on the show, with Great-O-Khan defeating Taiji Ishimori to claim that championship.
In the evening’s other title bout, El Phantasmo & Hikuleo retained the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship by defeating KENTA & Chase Owens.
Saturday’s tour opener also featured Kazuchika Okada’s final NJPW match in Nagoya, as the star announced Thursday that he is departing NJPW after three dates next month.
NJPW has booked the final singles match between career rivals Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi.
In light of the announcement that Okada is departing the company after his contract expires, NJPW has revealed changes to the upcoming The New Beginning tour, including one last Okada vs. Tanahashi battle for February 11 at The New Beginning in Osaka.
Osaka was the site of the first post-excursion Okada vs. Tanahashi singles match at The New Beginning in 2012 where Okada shocked the world by defeating Tanahashi to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Their last singles match will take place in the same building at the EDION Arena on Sunday, February 11.
The February 11 show is still scheduled to be headlined by a Bullet Club vs. United Empire 5-on-5 steel cage match, Will Ospreay’s final match for the promotion. Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr. is also set for that card.
Okada’s final NJPW match in Korakuen Hall will take place on Wednesday, January 24, as Okada, Tanahashi, and Tomohiro Ishii defend the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship against TMDK’s Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls, and Kosei Fujita. That match was originally set to take place in Osaka.
As announced on Thursday, Okada’s final NJPW dates will be at The New Beginning in Sapporo on Friday, February 23 and Saturday, February 24. NJPW says that more details regarding those final appearances will be released at a later date:
Okada will be making his final NJPW appearances in Sapporo on February 23 and 24. More details will be released at a later date.
Okada’s NJPW contract expires on January 31, 2024, but he will work the three announced dates in February.
NJPW’s full announcement regarding changes to The New Beginning:
In the wake of the announcement earlier today that Kazuchika Okada will be leaving NJPW at the conclusion of his contract on January 31, with his final appearances scheduled for February 11 in Osaka and 23 and 24 in Sappoto, changes have been made to the New Beginning series cards.
January 24 will see Okada in his last NJPW match in Korakuen Hall. There, the NEVER Openweight 6 Man Tag team Championship match, previously scheduled for New Beginning in Osaka will take place, Okada teaming with Tomohiro Ishii and Hiroshi Tanahashi to face TMDK’s Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls and Kosei Fujita. The TMDK side, and the impetuous Kosei Fujita in particular will not be looking to let a symbol of NJPW for the last decade leave with a title in his grasp. Yet with the vice like grip the champions have had over the gold to date, is this too tall of a mountain for TMDK to climb?
The freed up Zack Sabre Jr will now be facing Tiger Mask in a unique singles match to start the night’s main card action, while the scheduled opening bout pitting Katsuya Muraashima and Toru Yano against Shoma Kato and Boltin Oleg is now a special bonus kickoff.
February 11 will see the New Beginning in Osaka, and a special singles matchup for Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi. New Beginning in the EDION Arena in 2012 was the start of it all for the Rainmaker and the Ace. 12 years on, they face off one last time on a night that will be full of emotion.
Okada will be making his final NJPW appearances in Sapporo on February 23 and 24. More details will be released at a later date.
In addition to the full card being announced for The New Beginning in Osaka, NJPW announced full cards for the three combined New Beginning shows in Nagoya and Sapporo that will follow.
The Sunday, January 22nd Nagoya show will see a variety of tag team matches in addition to the King of Pro Wrestling title being defended as champion Shingo Takagi defends against Great-O-Khan.
Here’s the full card:
King of Pro Wrestling Champion Shingo Takagi defends against Great-O-Khan
YOH, Ryusuke Taguchi, Shota Umino & Kazuchika Okada vs. Los Ingobernables De Japon (Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI)
United Empire (Francesco Akira, TJP, Aaron Henare & Will Ospreay) vs. Just Four Guys (Taka Michinoku, DOUKI, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Taichi)
Jado, Master Wato & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bullet Club (KENTA, Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo)
Tomoaki Honma, Ren Narita, El Desperado & Minoru Suzuki vs. House of Torture (Dick Togo, EVIL, SHO & Yujiro Takahashi)
Toru Yano & Togi Makabe vs. Oskar Leube & Yuto Nakashima
Then, NJPW heads to Sapporo for two nights of New Beginning shows starting on Saturday, February 4th.
The first night will see Will Ospreay in action against Taichi, Shota Umino against Tetsuya Naito, and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles being defended.
Here’s the card for Saturday, February 4th:
Shota Umino vs. Tetsuya Naito
Will Ospreay vs. Taichi
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Francesco Akira & TJP defend against DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
YOH, Ryusuke Taguchi, Toru Yano & Kazuchika Okada vs. BUSHI, Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi & SANADA
Master Wato, Hikuleo, Tama Tonga, & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bullet Club (Taiji Ishimori, El Phantasmo, KENTA, & Jay White)
Yuto Nakashima, YOSHI-HASHI, Tomohiro Ishii, & Hirooki Goto vs. Kosei Fujita, Mikey Nicholls, Shane Haste & Zack Sabre Jr.
Ryohei Oiwa, Ren Narita, El Desperado, & Minoru Suzuki vs. Dick Togo, SHO, Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL
Oskar Leube vs. Great-O-Khan
It continues on Sunday, February 5th in the same venue. The night will feature three championship matches which includes the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, the IWGP Tag Team titles, and an NJPW TV title match where Zack Sabre Jr. defends against Tomohiro Ishii.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi defends against YOH
NJPW TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defends against Tomohiro Ishii
IWGP Tag Team Champions Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) defend against TMDK (Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls)
The first of three New Beginning shows take place this morning in Sapporo, with the key matches being more of a preview for the other two cards set to take place this month.
In the main event, Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi will team up to take on Jay White and Bad Luck Fale. This will serve as a high-profile preview for their upcoming singles bouts on 2/21, with Okada facing Fale and White challenging Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight title.
There will also be two singles matches featuring the participants in the IWGP tag team title match on 2/3. EVIL will take on Zack Sabre Jr. in the co-main event, while SANADA will face Minoru Suzuki.
Join us for live coverage of the show starting at 4 a.m. Eastern. There will be English commentary for both weekend shows, with Kevin Kelly and RevPro announcer Andy Simmons calling the action.
**********
REN NARITA DEFEATED YUYA UEMURA (9:45)
This was a slightly better and longer version of the match that these two had on the January 29 show. A really good opener. I’ve been impressed with Uemura of late.
They exchanged standard Young Lion offense. Both sold well. Narita took the victory with a bridging belly-to-belly.
MANABU NAKANISHI & TOA HENARE DEFEATED SHOTA UMINO & AYATO YOSHIDA (8:54)
This was a showcase for Umino, more than anything. His offense looked great. His selling was excellent. His intensity was on point. Good stuff.
Umino got some early offense in on Henare, and earned a nearfall off a tackle. Henare was able to tag Nakanishi, who took control of the match for his team. Nakanishi hit some clubbing blows, and used a splash for a nearfall.
Yoshida got a tag, and hit a vertical suplex on Nakanishi for a two count. Nakanishi hit a lariat for a nearfall. Henare and Umino got tags. Umino hit a suplex for a nearfall, then applied a cross armbreaker. Henare rolled to the ropes.
Umino hit a missile dropkick off the top. He went for a fisherman buster, but Henare blocked it. Umino applied a flying armbar that threatened to end the match, but Nakanishi broke up the hold.
Henare and Yoshida brawled to the floor. Henare hit a Samoan drop for a two count, then hit a big spear for another. Henare used a uranage for the pin.
This wasn’t very good. They’re preparing for Iizuka’s retirement show later this month and trying to put a little steam behind this Iizuka/Tenzan thing to make the retirement show meaningful. It’s hard to be too critical given that they’re trying to give a veteran a nice sendoff.
Tenzan cut a promo before the match and said he wants to go one-on-one with Iizuka once more before Iizuka retires. Iizuka attacked him before the bell.
This broke down into a standard Suzuki-gun ringside brawl right away. Iizuka used a chair on Tenzan. They teased a countout, but Tenzan RACED back to the ring as fast as he could, which was not very fast, to beat the count at 19.
Iizuka and TAKA took turns working over Tenzan. Tiger got a tag and hit a high cross, but TAKA rolled through for a two count. Tiger used a crucifix hold for a nearfall, but it was quickly back to Iizuka and TAKA working him over.
Tiger hit a Tiger Driver, but Iizuka broke up the ensuing pinfall. Tenzan tagged in and hit a brainbuster, but TAKA kicked out. Tenzan hit a mountain bomb for a two count, then used the Anaconda Vice. Iizuka broke up the hold with stomps.
Iizuka and Tiger brawled on the floor. In the ring, Tenzan teased a moonsault, but Iizuka jumped in with a chair for the DQ. Iizuka attacked Tenzan with the iron glove after the bell.
Tama Tonga’s “Good Guy” shtick is really funny, but it’s taken away whatever edge his character had and made him a comedy act. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad. At least it seems he’s having a good time.
Tonga and YH did some spots. Honma and Owens tagged in. Honma hit the ropes, and Jado hit him with a kendo stick from the floor. Owens worked Honma over while the other eight guys brawled on the outside.
Loa and Yujiro got tags and continued assaulting Honma.
Tonga hesitated when given the chance to attack Honma, allowing Honma to hit a suplex and tag out. Ishimori and Taguchi got tags. They traded ankle locks. Ishimori reached the ropes. Ishimori hit a handspring kick. Makabe and Loa tagged in.
Makabe hit ten punches in the corner. He teased a northern lights suplex, but Loa cut him off. Loa blocked a lariat and hit a headbutt. Makabe was finally able to connect with a lariat, and tagged Yano in. Loa hit a neckbreaker, then tagged Yujiro.
Yujiro, Ishimori and Owens worked over Yano three on one. Yujiro hit a fisherman buster for a two count. YH jumped in for a lariat. Owens hit a backbreaker. Honma hit a kokeshi. Makabe hit Tonga and Loa with a double lariat. Taguchi hit a hip attack on Jado, then hit Ishimori with a plancha. Yano used a low blow and a schoolboy on Yujiro for the pin.
This was just kind of there. Naito didn’t do much, saving himself for the IC title match tomorrow.
Despy and Kanemaru attacked Shingo and BUSHI before the bell and brawled to the floor, leaving Taichi and Naito to face off in the ring. Taichi offered a handshake. Naito offered a fist bump, then spit in Taichi’s eyes. They both hit tranquilo poses.
Desperado and BUSHI tagged in. BUSHI hit a flying headscissors, and Shingo jumped in for the illegal double team. Shingo tagged in legally, and continued to work on Desperado. Desperado came back with an eye rake. They traded chops. Shingo hit the ropes, Kanemaru tripped him from the floor, then pulled him outside.
Kanemaru hit a legdrop as Shingo was draped over the barricade. Taichi threw Naito over the barricade and sent him flying into the audience. Taichi slipped while hitting Naito with a chair. Back inside, Taichi teased hitting Shingo with Naito’s title belt, but decided against it.
Suzuki-gun cut the ring in half and went to work on Shingo. Shingo came back with a brainbuster on Kanemaru, and made a tag to Naito. Naito cleared the apron, then hit a dropkick in the corner on Kanemaru.
Kanemaru tagged Taichi, who attacked Naito with a series of kicks. Taichi hit an enziguri, while Desperado and Kanemaru cleared the apron. Taichi removed his pants. Taichi hit a dropkick, into a double down.
Naito tagged BUSHI, while Kanemaru and Desperado jumped in. BUSHI took them out, then went for an MX on Taichi. Kanemaru spit whiskey in BUSHI’s eyes while Taichi took the ref. Taichi hit BUSHI with a lariat for a nearfall. Taichi followed with a high-angle suplex, then covered for the pin.
Desperado unmasked BUSHI after the bell. Miho Abe put the mask on. Taichi posed with Naito’s belt.
MINORU SUZUKI DEFEATED SANADA (19:41)
This was very good. They worked a slower pace, but it worked well.
Suzuki went for a running kick right off the bat, but SANADA blocked it. They traded side headlocks. SANADA went for the paradise lock, but Suzuki fought it off. He went for it again, but Suzuki turned it into an armbar. SANADA used the armbar to successfully apply the paradise lock, which got a great reaction.
SANADA broke the hold with a dropkick, which allowed Suzuki to attack with kicks. SANADA rolled outside, and Suzuki hit him with a PK from the apron. Suzuki turned it into a brawl around ringside. Suzuki used a chair shot to the back. Suzuki left SANADA buried under a stack of chairs and barricades. Suzuki had a cut on his cheek. SANADA beat the count back inside.
Suzuki used a kimura, but SANADA was able to reach the bottom rope. Suzuki lit SANADA up with kicks. They traded chops. SANADA went for a dragon screw, but Suzuki turned it into an armbar. SANADA again reached the ropes.
Suzuki worked on SANADA’s right arm. SANADA dodged a kick, hit a dropkick to the knee, then a dragon screw. SANADA hit a leapfrog dropkick, then a plancha as Suzuki rolled outside. Back in the ring, Suzuki hit a PK and earned a nearfall.
They exchanged chops again. SANADA went up and over into the corner. He went for a springboard dropkick, but Suzuki cut it off and used a rear naked choke. Suzuki went for the Gotch Piledriver, but SANADA slipped out and applied Skull End. He didn’t have the hold fully applied, and gave it up.
SANADA went for a moonsault, but Suzuki got his knees up. Suzuki sold the damage to his knees while they exchanged more strikes. Suzuki hit a huge forearm, dazing SANADA. Suzuki hit two more big shots, dropping him. The crowd had been quiet for some time, but they really got into it here.
Suzuki hit a bunch of palm strikes to the face. SANADA hit the ropes, and bounced right into a dropkick from Suzuki. Suzuki hit another series of strikes. Suzuki used a rear naked choke, then transitioned to the Gotch Piledriver. SANADA fought it off, and backdropped out.
They used a series of misdirection spots. SANADA used a European Clutch for a nearfall. SANADA escaped another choke, and applied Skull End. Suzuki slipped out, applied another choke, then hit the Gotch Piledriver for the pin.
EVIL DEFEATED ZACK SABRE JR. (22:02)
I would have put this on before the previous match. The pace was even slower than the Suzuki match. Sabre is a master at what he does, but that doesn’t always translate to exciting matches if he doesn’t have the right opponent. The last couple of minutes were great, but this dragged in spots.
They exchanged holds at the outset. Sabre was not able to lock on anything of significance, and the sequence ended with EVIL hitting a shoulder block. EVIL controlled a knuckle lock, stretching Sabre. EVIL maintained wrist control. Sabre finally flipped out and countered with a heel hook. EVIL reached the ropes.
Sabre sold the damage to his arms from EVIL’s stretching. Sabre attacked both of EVIL’s arms with stomps. Sabre applied a wristlock over the ropes. Sabre attacked EVIL’s right arm with kicks. Sabre hit a pair of uppercuts. He raked the face, then torqued on EVIL’s neck with his legs.
Sabre used a cravate. EVIL transitioned to an abdominal stretch, then hit a sidewalk slam. EVIL used a wristlock, but Sabre reversed it into Hurrah! Another Year, Surely This One Will Be Better Than the Last! The Inexorable March of Progress Will Lead Us All to Happiness!, before EVIL reached the ropes.
Sabre used a triangle, but EVIL powerbombed out. Sabre rolled to the apron, and EVIL hit him with a shoulder tackle, knocking him to the floor. They brawled to the ramp, and EVIL hit a fisherman buster. They beat the count back inside.
EVIL hit Darkness Falls for a two count. He went for Everything is EVIL, but Sabre escaped, and hit a PK. They exchanged strikes. EVIL dropped Sabre with a forearm, then a double sledge to the chest. EVIL hit a big lariat in the corner.
Sabre came back with a mid kick, then hit a PK for a two count. Sabre used a one-arm guillotine. He went for the Zack Driver, but EVIL escaped and hit a kick. EVIL hit another corner lariat. They went to the top rope. EVIL went for a superplex, but Sabre used an abdominal stretch.
They traded strikes, still on the top rope. EVIL hit a superplex. EVIL hit a lariat for a two count. EVIL went for Everything is EVIL, but Sabre turned it into a European Clutch for a nearfall. Sabre hit a PK, then used a rollup into a bridge for a two count.
EVIL blocked a kick and hit a headbutt. EVIL hit a lariat. After a series of reversals, EVIL hit Everything is EVIL and got the pin.
SWITCHBLADE JAY WHITE & BAD LUCK FALE DEFEATED HIROSHI TANAHASHI & KAZUCHIKA OKADA (24:36)
White and Tana started off. They locked up. White backed Tana into the corner, but broke cleanly. He went for a right hand, but Tana ducked and grabbed a side headlock. Each pulled the other’s hair. Tana hit a second rope springboard crossbody, then tagged Okada. Okada and Tana both hit sentons.
White backed Okada into the corner, and made a tag to Fale. Fale whipped Okada into the corner. Okada slapped on a sleeper, and jumped on Fale’s back, but Fale slammed him off. Fale and White took the fight to the floor. Fale choked Okada with a towel, and White used a camera cable to choke Tanahashi.
White left Tana laying in the aisle, buried under pieces of barricade. Back inside, Fale slowly worked over Okada. Fale sent Okada to the floor, and White sent Okada into the ring frame and the barricade, repeatedly.
White got a tag and picked up a nearfall on Okada. He knocked Tana off the apron, then used a single-leg crab on Okada. Tana jumped in to break it up. Fale sent Tana over the top rope to the floor, then tagged in and went to work on Okada.
Fale and White cut the ring in half, and worked Okada over. White used a chinlock. Okada broke free, then made a tag. Tana hit a flying forearm on White, then knocked Fale off the apron with a leg lariat. Tana hit a somersault senton from the second rope for a two count.
Tana ran into a pair of chops from White. White grabbed a waistlock, then hit a chop block on Tana’s right leg. White hit a Saito suplex, then tagged Fale. Fale went for a suplex, but Okada jumped in, cut him off, and Okada and Tana hit a tandem suplex on Fale.
Okada got a tag and hit Fale with a back elbow and a DDT. Okada slammed Fale. Okada went to the top, but Fale cut him off. He hit a Samoan drop and a big splash for a two count. Fale went for a Grenade, but Okada hit him with a dropkick. Okada escaped a Bad Luck Fall, but Fale hit him with a tackle into a double down.
White and Tana got tags. They traded strikes. White kicked at the right knee. Tana hit Slingblade for a two count. Okada and Fale brawled to the floor. Tana went for a cloverleaf, but White escaped. Tana hit a Dragon Screw. Fale jumped in, but Okada hit him with a dragon screw.
Tana ran the ropes, but Gedo tripped him. White hit a flatliner, then a bridging suplex for a two count. Tana hit Fale with Slingblade. Okada hit a dropkick on White. Okada hit a Tombstone on White, and handed him off to Tana, who hit a Styles Clash. Okada hit a top rope elbow on White.
Tana went to the top for High Fly Flow, but Gedo cut him off. Fale hit Grenades on both Okada and Tana. White picked up Tana and hit a DVD for a nearfall. White went for the Blade Runner, but Tana turned it into Twist and Shout. Fale also ate a Twist and Shout.
Gedo passed White a chair. White swung it, but Tana ducked and hit Slingblade. Tana hit Fale with a suplex, then decked Gedo. White hit Tana with the chair, then hit a series of dragon screws. White used an inverted figure four. Okada tried to break it up, but Fale hit him with a splash and a Bad Luck Fall.
With Okada taken out, Tanahashi tapped out to the inverted figure four. White kept the hold applied after the bell.
White cut a promo running down Tanahashi, hit him with a Blade Runner, and posed with the IWGP title to close the show.
