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January 27 and 28 sees a first for New Japan, as New Beginning in Sapporo expands to two nights for the first time. Both cards are now locked down, with some huge matches on both.
On January 27, the main event will see Minoru Suzuki challenge Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. At Wrestle Kingdom, Tanahashi successfully defended the Intercontinental title against a game Jay White. The young New Zealander, now transformed into the imposing Switchblade, sought to make a triumphant return by becoming IC champ, but despite some heavy damage done to Tanahashi’s knee in the match, Tanahashi picked up the win with a High Fly Flow.
The next night saw Tanahashi lead a team into eight man tag action against Suzuki Gun. Post match, Suzuki would assault Tanahashi’s injured knee with a steel chair before declaring the Intercontinental Champion his ‘next target’. The prior night at Wrestle Kingdom, Suzuki lost both his NEVER Openweight Championship and his hair to Hirooki Goto. Yet this only seemed to make Suzuki more fearsome and more driven in his invasion of New Japan. With Suzuki and Tanahashi facing off for the first time since Suzuki Gun returned in 2017, it’s not hard to imagine a new champion in Sapporo. Can Tanahashi continue to rebuild the ‘Ace age’?
The semi main event sees a six man tag match with implications for the next night in Sapporo. IWGP US Champion Kenny Omega, and Junior Tag Team Champions the Young Bucks will face their respective challengers in Jay White, SHO and YOH. The Switchblade was part of the same impressive dojo class as Roppongi 3K, and the young team will have to make use of their past history and chemistry if they’re to topple The Elite.
January 27 will also see two big previews of huge singles matches signed for New Beginning in Osaka on February 10. Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto and Gedo will face SANADA, EVIL and BUSHI in six man tag action, while Will Ospreay and YOSHI-HASHI will take on Tetsuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi. In the six man contest, IWGP and NEVER champions Okada and Goto face their challengers EVIL and SANADA, while Gedo will square off against his opponent for February 10 in BUSHI as both groups seek to build momentum. Then Hiromu will seek to make a statement ahead of his IWGP Junior Heavyweight challenge against Will Ospreay as Naito clashes with YOSHI-HASHI.
On January 5, confusion seemed to reign over the Bullet Club. After Kota Ibushi defeated Cody in a hard fought Wrestle Kingdom match, the American Nightmare sought revenge in the form of a steel chair assault in Korakuen. Making the shocking save for Ibushi though was Kenny Omega, who butted heads with Cody. Cody would later claim on social media that the issues within the Bullet Club have been resolved, and now they’ll have to make a show of unity as Cody, Marty Scurll and Hangman Page face Ibushi, Juice Robinson and David Finlay.
We’ll also see the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships on the line in Sapporo as champions Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa face Taguchi Japan in Ryusuke Taguchi, Togi Makabe and Toa Henare. The Bullet Club team lost their belts in a gauntlet match at Wrestle Kingdom, but immediately snatched them back the next night in Korakuen at New Year’s Dash. Now they seek to retain the hot potato titles against new challengers, including Toa Henare, the ‘Valiant Maori’ looking to make a huge impact.
Rounding out the card, the opening match sees Katsuya Kitamura’s seven match proving series continue as he faces Michael Elgin. Two powerhouses will lock horns in what’s sure to be a thrilling opener.
Not able to come to Hokkaido Kitayell? NJPW World has you covered! Both The NEW BEGINNING in Sapporo shows on January 27 and 28 will air live on NJPW World with English commentary! Don’t miss 2Days!! https://njpwworld.com/
