By: Sonal Lad
After the whirlwind Wrestle Kingdom 17 show in January, New Japan Pro Wrestling returned for its New Beginning Tour. On February 4 and 5, the company had two big shows in Sapporo for special singles and title matches, along with crowds being allowed to cheer.
Here is a look at the results of the main matches during the first two shows.
At both the Super Jr Tag League and New Year’s Dash, DOUKI and Yoshinobu Kanemaru pinned champions TJP and Francesco Akira to earn a title shot. Despite being fairly new teams, both pairings showcased a lot of skill in their matches and a wealth of experience.
Unsurprisingly, the dynamic throughout the match was picture-perfect. While TJP and Kanemaru focused on a more mat-based offense, the youngest of each team showed off more athleticism and speed. Throughout the tour, Kanemaru had targeted TJP’s knee, which continued throughout the match, making it hard for the veteran to pull off even the most straightforward moves or tag team offense with Akira.
Yet, with TJP’s knee injured, the young Akira took it upon himself to get the match done by weakening DOUKI enough to hit the fireball for the win. With The Empire succeeding in their fourth title defense, the duo continued to increase the prestige of a division that was often forgotten about. Yet, the new team of DOUKI and Kanemaru also proved that the tag teams are also getting stronger and the belts have become a must-have in NJPW.
Credit: NJPW1972
The match between TAICHI and Will Ospreay saw no titles on the line but a fight for pride. In the warm-up matches, the animosity between the two was intense. With such anger, it isn’t shocking that it started with a battle of forearms and kicks. It set a precedent for the rest of the match. Despite the difference in size, it was a battle of strength throughout.
After a series of Kawada kicks, the two had another face-off, with Ospreay’s chops battling TAICHI’s kicks. With each hit, the other seemed more determined to continue the onslaught on their opponent. Even with different goals for the match, they had the same passion and threw everything at each other.
At one point, TAICHI seemed to gain momentum after reversing a Hidden Blade and Storm Breaker.
Yet, after a tough match, Ospreay finally got the win after a poison-rana, and Oscutter allowed the wrestler to hit his Stormbreaker. It was a must-win match for Ospreay and showed his determination to succeed is strong as ever.
Credit: NJPW1972
Shota Umino had a main event match against Tetsuya Naito, who made him want to become a wrestler. Yet, it didn’t seem to faze the young wrestler in the first show. Shota came out as cool as a cucumber, seemingly resembling the presence of Naito. Even when both men entered, the striking similarities between both Naito and Shota’s gear were unmissable. They both had white sparkles and removable pants.
The match itself was pretty straightforward and saw both wrestlers showcase their best but also push the limits of what was allowed. Whether it was going high-risk or taking the match to the mat, it was a match with different layers. Considering how athletic both Naito and Shota are, it isn’t surprising that the match went over 30 minutes.
In the end, Shota’s determination meant that it took two Destinos for Naito to get the win. Although the match didn’t need to go over 30 minutes, their rivalry is far from over. Shota put up an intense fight. With Naito set to face Keiji Mutoh in his final match, the result was almost expected before the match started.
Credit: NJPW1972
After winning the titles at Wrestle Kingdom, Hirooki Goto and YOSHI HASHI quickly found their next opponents in Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste. On the surface, the four wrestlers couldn’t be more different in styles and treated fans to speed, strength, and athleticism.
The crucial part of this match was teamwork. Rather than it being a match with four wrestlers, each team focused on their tandem offense and worked as one with their partner. Even though Bishamon has teamed less than TMDK, the CHAOS duo’s history proved vital in the match. The only mistake in the match came when YOSHI HASHI misread Goto’s signals for their finisher.
Despite the minor mishap, Bishamon was able to maintain their advantage to get the win. For many, it was one of the best tag matches seen in a long time between four of the best tag team wrestlers. With Bishamon and Catch 2/2 holding the tag titles, the division is the strongest it has been for a long time.
Credit: NJPW1972
After Zack Sabre Jr became the inaugural NJPW WORLD TV Champion at Wrestle Kingdom, his first opponent was rightly Tomohiro Ishii. Considering the match’s 15-minute time limit, it wasn’t surprising that the match was fast from the minute the bell rang.
Although Zack and Ishii couldn’t be more different, their styles were truly diverse as the pace of the match continued to change. One minute they would be striking; the next would see submissions. At one point, there was an even more dangerous move from Ishii that Chris called an “Ishii-Tonic.” With less than two minutes left, both wrestlers were exhausted but determined to win. It led to a number of near falls.
In the end, it came down to the last few seconds when ZSJ was able to hit the Zack Driver for the win. The 15-minute time limit is a refreshing stipulation and creates more urgency within a match. While it might not be for everyone, this match allowed Zack Sabre Jr and Ishii to shine while showcasing their diverse wrestling style and passion for the business. Compared to the likes of the KOPW title, the NJPW WORLD TV title has fans excited.
Credit: NJPW1972
To finish the second night, Hiromu Takahashi defended the IWGP Jr Heavyweight title against YOH. As a true fan favorite, it was surprising that the crowd seemed largely in favor of YOH. They were chanting his name from the beginning. As expected, it was a fast and unpredictable match from the offset.
Whether it was chops, forearms, or drop kicks, it was an incredibly dynamic bout. It showcased the best of the Junior division. As time passed, it seemed more likely that YOH would win as he showcased a passion and determination not seen in a long time. The longer the match went on, both men kept getting more adrenaline and energy.
In the end, Hiromu won with his patented Time Bomb II. Although it wasn’t surprising that Hiromu successfully retained, YOH had the crowd firmly behind him and believed he could win. It cements the high caliber of athletes in the junior division, especially ahead of the big junior show coming up.
Credit: NJPW1972
Date:
February 5, 2023
Category:
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