Welcome to Fightful.com's live coverage & discussion for tonight's NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka event.
We'll be bringing you full, match by match coverage of every bout on the card and you can watch along with us, sending in your feedback on our Disqus boards below!
Jushin Thunder Liger, Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyoshi Tenzan defeated Takashi Iizuka, TAKA Michinoku and Minoru Suzuki via Disqualification
SANADA and EVIL defeated Ayato Yoshida and Shota Umino
Shingo Takagi, BUSHI and Tetsuya Naito defeated Yoshinobu Kanemaru, El Desperado and Taichi
Yujiro Takahashi and Chase Owens defeated YOSHI-HASHI and Tomoaki Honma
Guerrillas Of Destiny defeated Togi Makabe and Toru Yano
Taiji Ishimori defeated Ryusuke Taguchi to retain his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title
Kazuchika Okada defeated Bad Luck Fale
Jay White defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the IWGP Heavyweight Title.
Takashi Iizuka, TAKA Michinoku and Minoru Suzuki vs. Jushin Thunder Liger, Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyoshi Tenzan
Tenzan again incited a brawl early, talking to Iizuka until all six men fought to the floor. Eventually, Tenzan and Iizuka then returned to the ring, with Hiroyoshi quickly taking control. That allowed Liger to enter, throwing Iizuka to the floor and with Kojima's help, hitting a basement dropkick too. Suzuki soon halted his momentum though, dragging him to the outside as the crowd brawling commenced again. This included a steel chair shot from IIzuka, leaving Tenzan floored while Liger was soon controlled once more in center ring. Before long, Iizuka was going to work with his usual biting attacks next, dictating things before Suzuki's entry.
He ate some chops upon arrival but then took control, grounding Liger and bringing in TAKA. He continued Suzuki-gun's dominance but then run into Shotei, allowing Liger to bring in Kojima. He was greeted by Suzuki, with a wild strike exchange resulting in Kojima's trademark corner chops. It took three flurries to silence Suzuki and that still wasn't enough, as Minoru instead landed a big kick to regain control. From there, the legends exchanged forearms and Suzuki unsurprisingly began to dominate, rocking his foe and then catching the Rear Naked Choke.
Kojima countered the follow-up Piledriver though, creating space until Suzuki re-applied the choke again. That allowed Iizuka to come back in but Kojima cut him off, landing the Koji Cutter and tagging in Tenzan. His usual comeback followed, culminating in a suplex for 2. Before long, Tenzan applied the Anaconda Vice as well but Suzuki-gun soon cut it off. Nonetheless, Suzuki was quickly removed via Tenzan's famed Mongolian chops and he then combined with Kojima to hit 3D. With his old partner floored, Tenzan looked to remind Iizuka of their old alliance until Suzuki interrupted.
He then looked to take Tenzan out via steel chair shot but Iizuka stopped him! It was all a ploy though, with Iizuka using the chair himself to drop Tenzan. That caused the DQ finish and post-match, Iizuka flattened Tenzan with the Iron Glove.
Winners: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima and Jushin Thunder Liger via Disqualification
Ayato Yoshida and Shota Umino vs. SANADA and EVIL
Yoshida was tackled to the mat early but then fired back, landing some strikes of his own and even flooring EVIL too. Umino then came in for assistance, helping the young lions take control and hitting a bodyslam as well. EVIL quickly run him over though, next removing Yoshida from the apron and tagging in SANADA also. The champions then traded tags, entering to land single bodyslams each and eventually forcing Yoshida to break the fall. EVIL then grabbed a hold and after removing Yoshida again, applied the single leg Boston crab.
After an immense struggle, Umino made it to the bottom rope but ate some more chops for his troubles. Even still, he managed to fire back, scoring with a missile dropkick and tagging in Yoshida. He run wild on the champions, flooring both and flurrying with kicks for 2. EVIL regained control with his senton though, tagging in SANADA who immediately ran into yet another Yoshida kick. Umino then returned, continuing to build the young lions' momentum and combining with Yoshida for yet another near-fall.
EVIL and Yoshida then brawled to the floor as in-ring, Umino hit a German suplex for 2. SANADA countered the Fisherman suplex though, looking for Skull End until Umino almost caught him with two sharp roll-up pin attempts. The champions then rallied regardless, exploding with offense for 2 and closing the show via Magic Killer.
Winners: SANADA and EVIL
Yoshinobu Kanemaru, El Desperado and Taichi vs. Shingo Takagi, BUSHI and Tetsuya Naito
Suzuki-gun jumped their foes as usual, with ringside brawls getting things started as Taichi used a chair to damage Naito right away. In-ring, Taichi then began to taunt his rival, next going to work with strikes too. El Desperado then entered, going after Naito's damaged shoulder and setting up Kanemaru's usual barricade attack as well. This focused onslaught then continued, with Naito being isolated and eating Taichi's Buzzsaw Kick for 2. A Hurricanrana soon turned the tide though, with Naito creating space and tagging in BUSHI.
He was met in center ring by Desperado but ran wild regardless, flurrying bit until Kanemaru cut him off. Their double team intentions failed but a spinebuster soon halted BUSHI either way. Nonetheless, a BUSHI DDT reset things once again, allowing Takagi's arrival as he unleashed some violent strikes to rock Desperado before being floored by a spear. Kanemaru was in again next, keeping Suzuki-gun on top and scoring some tandem offense for 2. Takagi caught Deep Impact though, launching Kanemaru over his head and then hitting a vertical suplex as well.
That allowed the tag to Naito and the Intercontinental Champion went right to work, flurrying on Kanemaru while removing Taichi as well. LIJ were rolling now, taking total control and leaving Kanemaru isolated in center ring. Pumping Bomber came as a result and after it, Destino for the win.
Winners: Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi and BUSHI
Post-match, Naito and Taichi had a brief staredown before on the ramp, Yoh and Sho attacked the champions, flooring them and taking their titles as well. They then laid down an official challenge, with BUSHI and Takagi seemingly accepting their request before reclaiming their titles and heading to the back.
Yujiro Takahashi and Chase Owens vs. YOSHI-HASHI and Tomoaki Honma
Honma and Yujiro got this one started but only after a Chase Owens interference put BULLET CLUB in immediate control. Even still, Honma fired back right away, turning the tide before another interference allowed Takahashi to cut him off. With Honma isolated, Chase and Yujiro went to work, grounding their foe until he fought to his feet with a vertical suplex counter. He then tagged in YOSHI-HASHI too, and he ran wild on both BULLET CLUB members to turn the tide.
Takahashi fired right back though, hitting a Fisherman Buster that allowed both Owens and Honma to enter. Tomoaki run wild, flurrying with corner strikes and hitting a bulldog as well. However, Chase avoided Kokeshi and BULLET CLUB seized, using some tandem offense and forcing YOSHI-HASHI to break the fall. Only Owens and Honma then remained, with Tomoaki's comeback resulting in Kokeshi finally landing. Takahashi then interfered to put Owens back in control and before long, Package Piledriver closed the show.
Winners: Chase Owens and Yujiro Takahashi
Kota Ibushi is here next! He thanked the crowd for their support regarding his recent injury and said that he's happy to be here. Ibushi then announced that he's not going anywhere and moreover, he'll be entering the New Japan Cup!
Togi Makabe and Toru Yano vs. Guerrillas Of Destiny
In the midst of their entrance, Makabe and Yano were jumped here, with G.O.D. attacking them from behind to take control. The match eventually begun officially, with Tama and Tanga looking for Magic Killer early until Makabe made the save. Jado cut him off though, allowing G.O.D. to continue their onslaught on Yano. Tonga then dragged Toru into the crowd, even using a woman's purse to leave him laying. Yano barely beat the count in response but ate a salvo of strikes for his troubles.
Before long, a pull of the hair allowed Yano to reset things either way, bringing in Makabe who run wild on G.O.D. and Jado too. An exchange of strikes then followed, with Togi seemingly coming out on top until Tanga floored him with a bodyslam. A lariat then put Makabe back on top regardless, with Yano tagging in next and being met in center ring by Tama. He went right to the turnbuckle and used the exposed remains to his advantage until a Jado interference allowed Tonga to fire back.
Things then broke down , with Makabe making the save before Jado's kendo stick shot allowed Tonga to land Gun Stun in an instant. Yano then used his usual misdirections to create chaos but G.O.D came out on top, with Tonga landing a kendo stick shot and closing the show via Gun Stun. Post-match, Tama continued to flurry with the kendo, battering every young lion in his way as well as the ring announcer too. Before leaving, Tonga even pushed the camera-man off the stage.
Winners: Guerrillas Of Destiny
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title
Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Taiji Ishimori (C)
Grappling exchanges got this one started, with Taguchi taking control early until Ishimori's strength came to the fore. He soon got himself into trouble though, almost being caught in the Ankle Lock but scurrying to the outside. A dropkick then put Ishimori back on top and he taunted right back at Taguchi, frustrating the challenger in the process. Ishimori's speed then furthered his momentum, flurrying big before slowing things down as well. The champion's dominance continued too, countering Taguchi's hip attacks until a dropkick turned the tide.
A big dive to the outside followed, with an urgent Taguchi next hitting a springboard dropkick also. Another aerial attack to the floor then kept Taguchi on top, with the challenger soon returning things to the ring and hitting Three Amigos for 2. However, Ishimori fired back out of nowhere, landing a handstand kick to regain control and then hitting his sliding German suplex as well. Taguchi avoided the double knees though, scoring a counter and applying the Ankle Lock until Taiji reached the bottom rope.
Bummer Ye came next and then the Ankle Lock again but before long, Ishimori had came back, hitting Bloody Cross but being unable to get the cover. Instead, Taguchi countered, re-applying the Ankle Lock in emphatic fashion. As Ishimori approached the bottom rope, Taguchi shifted gears, hitting Dodon instead for 2. Ishimori then powered himself back into things regardless, landing a massive lariat to leave both men floored. The champion was up first though, landing his double knees in the corner and scoring with a Death Valley Driver for 2.
Taguchi briefly rallied, looking for Dodon again until Ishimori countered, hitting Bloody Cross for the win.
Winner and STILL Champion: Taiji Ishimori
Post-match, Ishimori challenged Jushin Thunder Liger and the legend accepted, saying that he's ready "anywhere, anytime."
Bad Luck Fale vs. Kazuchika Okada
Okada jumped Fale at the bell, flurrying early but then running into a big boot for his troubles. Either way, Okada then rallied, evading his foe and hitting a big dive too. However, Chase Owens' distraction allowed Fale to turn the tide, tackling Okada and retrieving a chair while in the meantime, Yujiro and Owens went to work. 'The Rainmaker' avoided a potential count-out loss but Fale continued to dominate regardless, attacking Okada's back and using strikes to stay on top. A back body drop came next, sending Okada to the floor and forcing him to barely break the count again.
After failing to do so on multiple occasions, Okada then landed the big body slam, finally turning the tide and setting up some of his signature offense. Fale's power regained him control though, landing a Samoan Drop for 2. Okada avoided the follow-up Bad Luck Fall regardless, countering and then kipping up to flurry with forearms. Fale's own forearms rocked Okada but that didn't deter the former champion, with Okada landing a dropkick and then the elbow drop also. Fale countered Rainmaker either way, landing an emphatic clothesline for 2.
The big splash came next but Okada again survived, next escaping Bad Luck Fall and hitting a missile dropkick too. As he began to think Tombstone Piledriver though, Owens interfered. In the meantime, Fale pulled Red Shoes into Okada's forearm and BULLET CLUB seized, going to work on Okada right away. However, YOSHI-HASHI then made the save, clearing the ring until Fale flattened him. With the match's participants now remaining alone, Fale scored with a sudden spear but failed to hit Bad Luck Fall again, with Okada landing a dropkick to regain control.
Fale had an answer for Rainmaker regardless, landing with his Grenade for 2. Frustrated, Fale then headed up top but Okada cut him off, heading up to land a superplex! The Rainmaker came next and as a result, Okada had scored the pivotal win.
Winner: Kazuchika Okada
IWGP Heavyweight Title
Jay White vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (C)
As the bell sounded, White opted out, bailing to the outside and taunting the champion too. The opening lock-up soon commenced either way, with White almost landing Blade Runner early until Tanahashi fought to the ropes. He then wrestled his way back into things also, taking control with a headlock until White used a pull of the hair to shift things. Tanahashi continued to evade White's focus on his knees though, constantly fighting free to maintain control until a Gedo interference allowed White to seize.
That resulted in White suplexing Tanahashi to the floor, damaging his knee in the process. At home on the outside, White now went to work, using the barricade and apron to his advantage before celebrating his handy work. The knee soon became White's focus once again also, with the challenger constantly cutting Tanahashi off while dominating proceedings too. This included a suplex onto one of the announce tables as Tanahashi landed knee-first. Tanahashi barely broke the count but rallied regardless, landing some forearms to slightly regain momentum.
The somersault senton came next and Tanahashi then focused on White's leg as well, landing a dropkick to the knee but then being stopped in his tracks via flatliner. White followed up too, landing a sharp German suplex and then the Blade Buster for 2. The challenger then unleashed a salvo of strikes, trapping Tanahashi in the ropes and battering him as a result. Tanahashi's own focused attack also continued, using the ropes to land an emphatic dragon screw leg whip. The crossbody to the floor came next but a Gedo distraction reset things.
Tanahashi used White to take Gedo out and a flurry of counters followed before eventually, the champion landed Twist and Shout on three occasions. White evaded slingblade though, stumbling around the ring as Tanahashi continued to attack the leg. A German suplex almost did the job either way, with Tanahashi next heading up top to hit a High Fly Flow to White's back. White then avoided Tanahashi's follow-up attempt though, leaving both men floored. A violent kick to the knee then put White on top, allowing him to apply TTO.
After being almost frozen in center ring, Tanahashi somehow dragged himself to the bottom rope but the damage was seemingly done. Two brutal Saito suplexes came next as well as the DVDDT for 2. Kiwi Crusher followed but Tanahashi still kicked out, even if only barely. A sleeper suplex was next but Tanahashi countered Blade Runner, almost catching a quick roll-up just as he had in October. Tanahashi then defiantly continued his own assault on White's leg, regaining momentum in an instant. That culminated in a Cloverleaf and as White finally edged towards the ropes, Tanahashi adjusted, hitting Styles Clash to leave both men floored.
Tanahashi's momentum didn't waver though, landing two slingblades as well as a dragon suplex for 2. Sensing the end, Tanahashi headed up top but his crossbody was caught, with White hitting Blade Runner to become IWGP Heavyweight Champion!!!
Winner and NEW Champion: Jay White
Post-match, White reminded the crowd that two and a half years ago, it was in Osaka that he wrestled his last match as a young lion. White then claimed that none of the fans truly believed in him and that he's champion in spite of them. He doesn't play by their rules but it doesn't matter because he's the real IWGP Heavyweight Champion. It's a new beginning, a new era.
