NJPW’s A New Beginning In USA

Author’s Note: This is a revised version of the same article posted on Wednesday. As of Jan. 23, NJPW announced that Kota Ibushi was pulled from the tour due to the flu. New matches have been announced. If a match on this list wasn’t changed, then the original post has been kept.

As New Japan invades the United States this week with the New Beginning tour, I figured I’d run through some of the bigger matches on each show. There’s not too much beef here, but it could make for some good storylines throughout the year.

Tampa, FL: Jan. 24

ELIMINATION MATCH: HIROSHI TANAHASHI, JUICE ROBINSON, DAVID FINLAY & ROCKY ROMERO VS. TAMA TONGA, TANGA LOA, YUJIRO TAKAHASHI & CHASE OWENS

On paper, it has the potential to be a very entertaining match. Usual elimination rules entail that someone is eliminated when pinned, submitted or thrown over the top rope. With a focus on this tour being on these men and the Tag Team Titles currently held by Robinson and Finlay, I’d expect FinJuice to likely be eliminated by G.O.D. (Tama and Loa) to build some heat for Atlanta. At New Years Dash, Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi challenged for a title shot, so it could be interesting to watch the chemistry between Tanahashi and the champs. Many different dynamics and storylines in this match.

Nashville, TN: Jan. 26

JUICE ROBINSON, DAVID FINLAY & ROCKY ROMERO VS. TAMA TANGA, TONGA LOA & CHASE OWENS

For this, it’s one fall to a finish and we take out both Tanahashi and Yujiro. I expect more build towards the Tag Titles match in Atlanta days later and some build for Chase and Romero. I’d like to see Chase get the win here and maybe get some kind of push moving forward and a pinfall win here would be a good start for him.

Durham, NC: Jan. 27

HIROSHI TANAHASHI, JUICE ROBINSON, DAVID FINLAY & YOSHI-HASHI VS. TAMA TONGA, TANGA LOA, YUJIRO TAKAHASHI & CHASE OWENS

This is the final preview match before we get to the bigger shows and top matches on the tour. Putting Yoshi-Hashi into the mix instead of Rocky Romero changes things a bit, but this being a rematch from the Tampa show isn’t too thrilling. It could provide some good wrestling from all involved, though.

Miami: Jan. 30

HIROSHI TANAHASHI & ROCKY ROMERO VS. TAMA TONGA & TANGA LOA

I’d originally consider this the big match of the weekend, but with Ibushi now out and Rocky in, it’s just another match for a main event spot. I don’t doubt that this will be a good match, but there is little to anticipate here since the team of Kota and Tana is broken up. I’d expect the original match of Kota and Tana vs. G.O.D. to take place in a late February tour or even maybe the final big show for the New Japan Cup pending who makes it down to the end.

Atlanta: Feb. 1

ROCKY ROMERO VS. CHASE OWENS

Let’s make this match a showcase for Chase Owens. I originally had Ibushi winning but hoped for a good showing from Chase. Now “The Crown Jewel” of Bullet Club has to win this match. He is one of the most underutilized talents in New Japan and a win somewhere on this tour over a Kota Ibushi-caliber wrestler could be something for him to run with, elevating him to eventual NEVER, Intercontinental or United States title contention. Doing this puts another weapon into the arsenal as another member of Bullet Club captures more gold while “Switchblade” Jay White, G.O.D. and KENTA run roughshod everywhere else.

IWGP TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP: JUICE ROBINSON & DAVID FINLAY (C) VS. TAMA TONGA & TANGA LOA

The main event of the tour is a rematch from Wrestle Kingdom and what was considered by some to be the biggest upset of that weekend: FinJuice captured the titles from G.O.D. after winning World Tag League. Juice and Finlay are both on a career high right now, but G.O.D. have been the most consistent tag team in NJPW for years. The brotherhood of the Guerillas could outlast the friendship of Juice and Finlay, but heart and determination will always prevail. If FinJuice is ready to take a beating and last through that punishment, then I expect Juice and Finlay to retain. Coming out of this tour I see two teams in major contention for tag team gold, but we’re more likely to see Juice and Finlay square off with Tanahashi and Ibushi as the fans pick their favorite.