The Best And Worst Of NJPW: The New Beginning In Osaka 2019

Previously on NJPW: Tenzan tried to fix Iizuka’s broken cannibal brain, Taguchi taunted Ishimori with his boy band past, and L.I.J. kept all their gold.

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And now, the best and worst of the New Beginning in Osaka.

But First, What Happened On The Road To?

2018 didn’t have a televised Road To show between the New Beginning in Sapporo and the New Beginning in Osaka, but we got one this year. It mostly did not need to be televised! Yoshi-Hashi defeated a Young Lion and the first two-man tag team-up of Tetsuya Naito and Shingo Takagi was not super memorable. The most promising feature of this show was the No Time Limit Elimination Match main event in which the Home Team team of Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada, Togi Makabe, Toru Yano, and Ryusuke Taguchi took on the Bullet Club team of Jay White, Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and Taiji Ishimori. The L.I.J. vs. Suzukigun match of this kind earlier on the tour was really good, so this seemed extra promising.

After annoyingly separate entrances (WHY ARE TEAM MEMBERS ENTERING SEPARATELY NOW AND WHY DOES THIS NOT EVEN HAPPEN IN A CONSISTENT WAY? Last year Jay White coming out separately from the rest of Chaos teams was a whole thing, but now people are just coming out sometimes together, sometimes separately, for seemingly no reason at all! This is too dumb to be something that should bug me, but it’s so dumb that it’s bugging me!) all the feuding people face off. There doesn’t end up being much Real Good Wrestling in the match except a bit of Taguchi vs. Ishimori.

In the long run, the most significant part of is Tama Tonga, who starts the match in full pacifist Good Guy mode, finally being pressured into using a kendo stick. Then he just snaps and starts beating the crap out of all the good guys, even after he gets disqualified for the match’s first elimination. RIP to the Good Guy! Apart from these two moments, the match doesn’t all the memorable.

The takeaways going into the big show in Osaka and the culmination of the New Beginning’s remaining angles end up being:

• The Bad Boy is back, so maybe don’t put your money on Makabe and Yano for that upcoming tag team match!
• Ishimori claims he has been desensitized to the “Keep on Journey” dance because Taguchi’s done it so many times now!
• Remember the TTO? Remember how Tanahashi’s knees are that of a hundred-year-old man but he keeps fighting through it?

Best: Shock The System

At the New Beginning in Osaka, after a hype video that presents Tanahashi had his most godlike with an opening shot of a rising sun and then reminds us of the Rainmaker Shock and that WE’VE PUT THE TOP TITLE ON RELEVATIVE ROOKIES A COUPLE TIMES; IT ACTUALLY WOULDN’T BE THAT WEIRD FOR JAY WHITE TO WIN THIS, White and Tanahashi proceed to have a solid, exciting match.

It sets up its story early and clearly. White goes for Tanahashi’s knees in a variety of ways, but Tanahashi is ready for this and able to fight him off. A distraction by Gedo gives White the opening he needs to get some significant offense with a Saito Suplex and his signature slams from barricade to apron. Now he’s able to get in all that knee offense he wanted. The men pass control of the match back and forth and eventually White seems to kind of give up on that knee stuff, instead hitting Saito Suplexes and a DVDDT and a Kiwi Crusher. That sequence feels like filler the whole match a bit weaker, but it still ends on a strong note. A High Fly Flow snatched into a Blade Runner ends the match for a win that’s definitive, but not all that dominant. Overall, it’s a worthy main event that leaves the crowd in the exact opposite mood as the New Beginning in Sapporo, but it doesn’t make White look like a guy who’ll have an easy time remaining champion.

Pour One Out For The Complete Comeback

Chris Carlton pointed out on Twitter that this loss gave Tanahashi the first IWPG Heavyweight Championship reign without a successful defense since Nakanishi in 2009 and the shortest reign since Kensuke Sasaki in 2004. Even without knowing those stats going in, the idea of Tanahashi not retaining his title through even one defense was the one thing that made me question if White would beat him.

But Jay White did beat him to conclude the incredible story New Japan’s been telling with Tanahashi over the past year. He went from the injury by Suzuki to losing the New Japan Cup final to getting beat by Okada to winning the G1 to defending the briefcase against people who beat him before to winning the big one at the Tokyo Dome. The audience supported him every step of the way. But with the complete comeback achieved, cold reality set in. Tanahashi was still broken-down and a younger, fresher, crueler opponent was able to capitalize on that. The 2018-early 2019 story of Tanahashi delivered as saga based in both the sport and interactive theater elements of wrestling.

On Jay White’s part, he’s sure not Tanahashi. He’s also not Omega or Okada. He’s also almost definitely not a panicked, put-the-title-on-the-next-white-guy-for-the-big-America-show choice of champion, which is something that’s been said cynically by some. White’s been built as a contender since before NJPW knew Omega was leaving. While he’s not this in-ring prodigy, he’s technically solid, and he’s exceptionally talented at crowd work, as the hype video for this title match showcased. He hasn’t really dropped the ball since his first Tokyo Dome match.

His win of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship is a logical conclusion to a long-running storyline. It’s NJPW putting their confidence in a young wrestler with potential, something it’s always good to see companies do. I’m not saying you have to like him or even appreciate him, but he’s producing crowd reactions NJPW likes and matches they’re apparently happy with. He’s probably going to be fine. Also, First Heavyweight Championship reigns tend to be short just as an NJPW trope, so he probably won’t keep the belt past Dominion.

Best: The Best Ships Are Friendships

As this young man’s career ascends to the next level, an old man’s is about to end. The opening match of the New Beginning in Osaka is Iizuka’s second-to-last in NJPW, and Tenzan is very aware of this. He enters in a t-shirt for his old tag team with Iizuka, which was literally called Friendship. THE SHIRT JUST SAYS “FRIENDS” ON IT. Sadly, the retro merch is not enough to sway Iizuka, despite the VERY CONVINCING FAKEOUT that he’s going to save Tenzan from a chair attack by Suzuki, the guy who he betrayed Chaos and Yano to during this temporarily free match from 2014.

The opening tag, which otherwise includes some fun old man fighting between Suzuki and Kojima, ends in a DQ. Backstage, Tenzan gives up on Friendship Tag and apologizes to Kojima for sort of cheating on him. I thought this might all lead to one last singles match between Tenzan and Iizuka, but it’s not all that surprising the rampaging monster’s last match will be a six-man tag. I’m guessing it goes completely insane, but I’m not sure how.

If you’re feeling a Tenzan vs. Iizuka singles match though, here’s one between them from 2008, the one Kojima mentioned in his most recent backstage comments:

Best/Worst: All Of This Has Happed Before And All Of This Will Happen Again

The New Beginning in Osaka also included some solid but predictable matches, segments that made sense for popular babyface wrestlers but weren’t on the same level as others on the card.

I didn’t expect Kazuchika Okada vs. Bad Luck Fale to be bad, but I was still a little more entertaining than I anticipated. Okada looks like his old self, and gets in some dominant-looking offense early, even beating up Honorary Tongans/troops of the Rogue General Chase Owens and Yujiro Takahashi a little. After some clubs and a huge backdrop though, Fale is soon in full monster form.

Still, Okada’s biggest threat in this match might be his own arrogant need to execute his usual power moves on Fale at the risk of seriously hurting his back. His greatest strength might be his endurance, an element of the match made extra convincing by the fact that Fale is pouring sweat by the halfway point and looks pretty gassed at times. After a save by the heroic Yoshi-Hashi who I really hope is not the mole in Chaos but really might be the mole in Chaos, a spinning Rainmaker and a real Rainmaker, Okada manages to pin the big man for the win. He’s back! Well, he’s not fully back, but it’s close enough to make him a serious contender for the New Japan Cup.

Earlier in the show, IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Evil and Sanada defeat Young Lion odd couple tag team turned probably just normal tag team now Umino and Yoshida. The match is engaging for what it is and the dynamic makes sense for the characters involved. Evil and Sanada play it cool, but maybe too cool, because their trainee opponents are able to hang on for a while, get some nearfalls, and show off their fighting spirit. But when Sanada actually starts trying hard the champs are finally able to put Umino away after a Magic Killer and their amazing pose in which Sanada just does Evil’s pose next to him but with half the energy.

Evil and Sanada stay looking like superstars, and though this isn’t a breakthrough match for Umino and Yoshida, they look as good as they’ve been looking lately, which is better than they looked in World Tag League a few months ago.

Backstage, Evil again brings up that he wants the extremely money match of L.I.J. vs. Okada and Tanahashi. Are we guessing Dontaku for that? I’m going to officially guess Dontaku.

Worst: Gods And Jobbers

But first, the tag champs have to deal with the former champs, the Guerrillas of Destiny, who are supposed to be back and badder than ever, but seem about the same level of bad as they were before. Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa jump Toru Yano and Togi Makabe during their entrance, and though Yano and Makabe both have streaks of offense once the match is in the ring, this match is clearly about showing off G.o.D. as a dominant team again. It’s one of the weaker matches on the card, but by the time it ends with a kendo stick attack and a Gun Stun, Meng’s kids have been rehabbed enough to credibly challenge for the tag titles again.

For some reason, it takes them two promos to actually challenge though? Their first time in front of the cameras backstage, Tonga shows he’s realized the error of realizing the error of his ways and is back saying things like “I’m punching everybody’s dick to the dirt” and calling other teams “f*ck faces.” He is truly cured! Then in a separate video and in street clothes, G.o.D. demands a one-on-one match with Evil and Sanada specifically at Honor Rising. Since the ROH and NJPW tag team matches are the back-to-back seventh and eight matches on the second night of those shows, a challenge for some kind of tag champion vs. tag champion match at MSG seems inevitable to me.

In other Bullet Club news, Chase Owens and Yujiro Takahashi defeat Yoshi-Hashi and Tomoaki Honma in a battle of the pin-eaters, of which there have been several on this tour. It’s fine! Owens and Takahashi seem like crueler goons than usual when they hone in on Honma’s previously broken neck. Owens’ package piledriver continues to look strong, and, uh, the Tokyo Pimp gives Pieter to Owens for the night backstage for winning them this zero-stakes match because Bullet Club is gross.

Best: Blow-offs And Comebacks

One of the show’s unexpected – just because it seems like we’ve seen it several times recently – highlights for me was the trios match that pitted Naito, Bushi, and Shingo Takagi against Taichi, El Desperado, and Kanemaru. For now, at least, it looks like this is the end of the feuds involved, and the performers don’t coast for their big show encore. Kanemaru especially continues to show that amped up fire and energy he’s been displaying on this tour. Overall, the intensity of this match is really fun and L.I.J. winning via Destino from Naito after some good triple teamwork makes the crowd happy.

We don’t find out for sure what’s next for Naito after this, but we do learn the next number one contenders for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship when Roppongi 3K – or should I say either HEELPONGI 3K or ROPPONGI HEEL-K? – returns! Yoh and Sho get actually booed for taking Bushi and Takagi’s belts!

It’s clear they’re still dorks compared to a guy like Takagi (In the words of Don Callis, “Shingo is going to beat them to death”), but the conversation about the next step R3K needs to make to win these belts again and whether we could see a more aggressive version of this team has been going on since last spring. Sho and Yoh are clearly getting a title shot again now because their division has like three regular teams right, but also they pinned the champs as Fujin and Raijin during Fantastica Mania, so there’s really no excuse not to give them one. This will be the first two-on-two feud between these teams, and with the Dragon factor and this new Roppongi 3K energy, it and their title match should be extra good.

Before this confrontation, Naito and Taichi have a little Lost In Translation moment that only becomes more mysterious backstage. Taichi is on board with whatever Naito is saying… but is it “finally accept one of my fist bumps and join L.I.J.?” Is it “turn on Suzuki and form Taichi-gun?” Is it… a different thing? Who knows when we’ll find out, but I would like to know yesterday, please, and it’s good to see that the very deserved Taichi push looks like it will continue.

With Taichi out of Naito’s orbit, for the time being, this show adds another name to the New Japan Cup conversation, Kota Ibushi. It looks like he won’t be wrestling until then, which seems like a good thing for his damaged head and brain, but the crowd sure is happy to see him back and especially happy for him to say he’s staying with NJPW. He has to be a favorite to win the cup and go on to the big MSG match. Even if he doesn’t, Ibushi fully committing to the company and also being free of playing Omega’s partner-in-distress like he did for most of last year bodes well for his 2019.

Also, please mark down February 11, 2019, in your calendars as the day #IbushiDumpHim was achieved!

Best: Come Sail Away

First off, my one complaint about the Junior Heavyweight Championship match is that Kevin Kelly does not explain what Taguchi’s overalls are (Sailor Boy overalls) and what the Sailor Boys are (a goofy boy band gimmick Ishimori was part of in Toryumon about fifteen years ago.) Hopefully, most people tuning into the show had figured that out by this point, but it would have been nice to have an explanation for fans just watching the big shows on this tour who aren’t that aware of Ishimori’s early career.

The match in itself though is so fun and well-executed and tells a clear story using both the comedy and technical wrestling elements of the Taguchi vs. Ishimori feud. Taguchi’s Sailor Boys mockery reaches its peak with his entrance attire, but when he breaks out the dance taunt, Ishimori doesn’t freak out like he did on previous shows. Instead, he’s able to respond with A “KEEP ON JOURNEY” DANCE OF HIS OWN, showing that he truly has become desensitized to Taguchi’s mind games! Taguchi’s reaction to this – and in two languages! – is fantastic too.

With that mental obstacle out of the way, Ishimori now only has to fear Taguchi’s wrestling prowess, specifically that killer ankle lock that already lost him the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship. He manages to use his strength and speed to dominate the psyched-out Taguchi for a while, making the Coach’s offensive comeback extra exciting and satisfying. Every time he manages to lock on that ankle lock it looks excruciating. But eventually, Ishimori’s escapes it enough times that Taguchi just starts going for the Dodon.

Ishimori retains his championship after countering that move into the Bloody Cross and just beckons to Jushin Thunder Liger on commentary to call him out as his next opponent. Liger plays a too-old-for-this-shit veteran as he accepts this challenge that could lead to him winning the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship shortly before the thirtieth anniversary of his debut under the mask. It seems like there’s no way Liger should be able to beat this guy, but it should make for a fun Anniversary Show match. With the excellent, out-of-the-box Taguchi feud and this upcoming legend killer match, the reign of the Bone Soldier is off to a good start.

With a brand new dirtbag top champion and a growing lineup of challengers for other titles, it looks like NJPW has a fun couple shows coming up. I’ll see you back here for the Best and Worst of the first of those, which will see Iizuka retire and Ring of Honor comes to town.