Tag: njpw new beginning in osaka 2026

NJPW New Beginning notes: David Finlay, Drilla Moloney, Hiroshi Tanahashi

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Notes from Wednesday’s New Beginning in Osaka.

David Finlay strongly hinted at his departure from NJPW following his match with Callum Newman, where he lost cleanly after a lariat. After Newman mocked his opponent and left the ring, Finlay recovered and quickly became emotional. He bowed to the crowd and hugged manager Gedo as he exited the ring. He then bowed in front of and hugged Hiromu Takahashi at ringside before making his exit.

Despite what seemed like a final farewell, Finlay has been announced for New Beginning USA on February 27. But the scene on Wednesday comes as reports indicate that Finlay is looking to explore free agency.

One person who is remaining with the company is Drilla Moloney. After he and Shingo Takagi were victorious in their tag match, Moloney announced that he had renewed his contract with NJPW. Additionally, he declared for the NJPW Cup tournament, which takes place next month.

Prior to the NEVER title match, Hiroshi Tanahashi made a surprise appearance and announced that their next broadcast on national television will take place at NJPW Dominion on June 14 in Osaka-jo Hall. TV Asahi aired Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, the first time the network had aired a Tokyo Dome event since 2004.

New champion crowned at NJPW New Beginning in Osaka

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A new champion was crowned at New Beginning in Osaka.

Aaron Wolf lost the NEVER title to Ren Narita in quick fashion on Wednesday. As typical with most House of Torture matches, Wolf was jumped by Yujiro Takahashi, DOUKI, and other HOT members as he made his way to the ring. He was then thrown in and was quickly choked out by Dick Togo. Ren Narita followed that with a knee from the top rope, taking out Wolf and pinning him in under three minutes, stunning the Osaka crowd.

After the match, House of Torture entered the ring and put the boots to Wolf until members of the NJPW roster came out for the save. Wolf had only held the title for over a month, winning it back at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4. He defeated EVIL in what was his first-ever pro wrestling match.

Wolf has been touted as one of more higher profile signees in recent NJPW history, having won a gold medal in judo at the 2020 Olympic games. When he made his debut in January, he revealed that he had shaved his head and wore black trunks, similar to many Young Lions in the company.

All other titles were retained at New Beginning, with Yota Tsuji successfully defending the title against Jake Lee in the main event.

NJPW reveals full card for New Beginning in Osaka

Posted on by Joseph Currier

NJPW has revealed the full card for New Beginning in Osaka, the company’s biggest event since Wrestle Kingdom.

An IWGP Heavyweight Championship match headlines the February 11 show with Yota Tsuji defending against Jake Lee. It’s the first defense for Tsuji after claiming the title from Konosuke Takeshita at Wrestle Kingdom. Lee was set up as his first challenger that night — and Tsuji finally accepted his challenge after Lee and United Empire beat down Tsuji’s Unbound Company faction.

Tsuji is a double champion now, holding both the IWGP Championship and IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship. He is not defending the latter title at New Beginning in Osaka, but there will be a number one contender’s match between Gabe Kidd and Andrade El Idolo to determine his next challenger.

Among the new additions to the card is a grudge match between David Finlay and Callum Newman, who has bragged about being the only foreigner in NJPW signed to a multi-year contract.

A rematch for the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team titles is also set after Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI & Oleg Boltin won the belts from Zack Sabre Jr., Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson earlier this week.

Edion Arena is hosting the New Beginning event, which will air live on NJPW World. Here is the full lineup:

NJPW New Beginning in Osaka 2026 (Wednesday, February 11) —

  • IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji defends against Jake Lee
  • IWGP Tag Team Champions The Knock Out Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) defend against Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura
  • NEVER Openweight Champion Aaron Wolf defends against Ren Narita
  • David Finlay vs. Callum Newman
  • IWGP Global title number one contender’s match: Gabe Kidd vs. Andrade El Idolo
  • NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI & Oleg Boltin defend against Zack Sabre Jr., Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson
  • Shingo Takagi & Drilla Moloney vs. Great-O-Khan & HENARE
  • Hiromu Takahashi & Taiji Ishimori vs. Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young

Yota Tsuji’s first IWGP title challenger confirmed

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Jake Lee is officially first in line to challenge Yota Tsuji for the IWGP Championship.

In an angle that took place today, Tsuji finally agreed to defend his IWGP Championship against Lee at New Beginning in Osaka on February 11. The match will be formally announced by NJPW when the full card is revealed in the coming days.

A match between Tsuji and Lee has been building since Wrestle Kingdom 20, when Tsuji was attacked by Lee following his victory over Konosuke Takeshita. Lee returned to NJPW that night when he was unveiled as the newest member of United Empire. Tsuji did not immediately accept Lee’s challenge, instead saying that Lee needed to show why he was worthy of a title shot.

United Empire (Lee, Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan, Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young) defeated Unbound Company (Tsuji, Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi, Taiji Ishimori & Gedo) in a 10-man tag match at today’s Road to New Beginning event. To get the victory, Lee pinned Takagi while the rest of United Empire held Tsuji back and forced him to watch.

After the match, United Empire beat down Unbound Company as they continued to force Tsuji to look on. The champion then agreed to face Lee at New Beginning in Osaka, saying he could not watch United Empire do this to his friends.

Tsuji holds both the IWGP Championship and IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship at the moment. He’s set a clear distinction between the titles, saying the IWGP Championship will be defended in Japan against the best competition NJPW has to offer. The Global title will be defended overseas and in Japan against “invaders” from outside the company.

Edion Arena is hosting the New Beginning in Osaka, with the following matches either official or having been set up:

NJPW New Beginning in Osaka 2026 (Wednesday, February 11) —

  • IWGP Champion Yota Tsuji defends against Jake Lee
  • IWGP Tag Team Champions The Knock Out Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) defend against Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura
  • NEVER Openweight Champion Aaron Wolf defends against Ren Narita
  • Global title number one contender’s match: Gabe Kidd vs. Andrade El Idolo (not yet official)