Predictions: NJPW New Beginning Tour

As New Japan wraps up the United States portion of the New Beginning tour, I figured I’d run through some of the bigger matches happening back in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Sapporo: Feb. 1

TETSUYA NAITO & SANADA VS. KENTA & JAY WHITE

This is a good set up match for the Feb. 9 show in Osaka as Naito defends the double titles against Kenta and Sanada draws Jay White. This is a rematch from the New Year’s Dash main event, where even though Sanada pinned White, it was the Bullet Club contingent that stood tall at the end of the evening. Expect a different result here with Sanada taking the pin.

KAZUCHIKA OKADA & JON MOXLEY VS. TAICHI & MINORU SUZUKI

Another preview tag match, but this is going to be a different dynamic with the unlikely team of Okada and Moxley. Could we see a stare down/action between “The Rainmaker” and “The Death Rider?” Okada is going to be dead set on getting his hands on Taichi after being laid out by the “Iron Glove” during New Year’s Dash. Meanwhile, Moxley and Suzuki are ready to tear into each other after their interaction during Wrestle Kingdom weekend. With Moxley being a known lone ranger in NJPW and AEW, there could be more to this match than meets the eye.

TOMOHIRO ISHII VS EVIL

Both men are known for putting on good to great matches so expect nothing less. Ishii is known for his hard-hitting power and Evil can keep pace with anybody in NJPW. I would like to see Evil get a win here to elevate him into the singles title picture. Ishii doesn’t need the win as he’s always a contender. NJPW needs to do a little more with Evil outside of teaming with Sanada. It’s time to let Evil reign.

NEVER OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: HIROOKI GOTO (C) VS. SHINGO TAKAGI

This is going to be good. Your body will probably ache just watching Ishii and Evil go at it, but it’ll be back and blue by the time you’re done seeing Shingo and Goto lay into each other. This isn’t even a blood feud – it’s just two men who want to prove to one another that they are the best. I’m hopeful that this will likely be Shingo’s coming out party and that he takes home the gold on this night. It can open the door for many things in New Japan, especially for the guys in the junior heavyweight division that Shingo has battled recently. Imagine Shingo and Ospreay for the NEVER title down the line in a rematch from last year’s Best of Super Juniors Final.

Sapporo: Feb. 2

TETSUYA NAITO, SANADA & HIROMU TAKAHASHI VS KENTA, JAY WHITE & TAIJI ISHIMORI

Classic Bullet Club vs. LIJ matchup. NJPW loves doing these types of matches to build toward bigger singles matches. The additions of Hiromu and Ishimori could be interesting if the “Bone Soldier” defeats the current Junior Heavyweight Champion. I’m predicting a BC win with Ishimori pulling the upset on Hiromu, so that when Takahashi retains the following weekend, his next challenger is already set on the road to Sakura Genesis or even Supercard of Honor.

REVPRO BRITISH HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: ZACK SABRE JR. (C) VS. WILL OSPREAY

These two have locked up several times in the past, but it’s hard to argue that Ospreay and Sabre aren’t at their very best right now. These two men know exactly what they are doing and, as long as they both stay healthy, have nothing but star power and opportunity ahead of them. I can’t call this one because every time I decide to go against Sabre, he proves me wrong. Ospreay doesn’t need the title, but could use a bump up into the main event picture to make a run into at the world title.

KAZUCHIKA OKADA VS. TAICHI

I’m nervous for this one because Taichi has been a great heel character, but his matches have been very hit or miss. Well, Okada can’t miss. If Okada can’t get a good match out of Taichi, then New Japan needs to just give up on him. I’m hoping that this will be good considering the story leading up and a major upset by Taichi would have to put him next in line for the world title. I’m expecting an easy Okada win, but the question is more of how good a match we will get in this main event.

Osaka: Feb. 9

If you’re going to watch NJPW: The New Beginning in Osaka, please click this link to order. You’ll be supporting us. Thank you!

SANADA VS. JAY WHITE

Sanada already pulled one over on the “Switchblade” back at New Year’s Dash by pinning him in the tag team main event. Jay White will be looking for revenge. While White faltered during his Intercontinental Title match against Naito, he did beat Ibushi on Night 2, which likely sets him up for another title shot down the line. With that reasoning alone, White will walk away with the win in this one, but Sanada will likely put on one of his best performances.

IWGP JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: HIROMU TAKAHASHI (C) VS. RYU LEE

As we all remember from July 2018, it was in a match against the former Dragon Lee that Takahashi suffered his almost career-ending neck injury. This is finally the rematch that everyone has been waiting for. This is the match that Takahashi asked for right after winning the title at Wrestle Kingdom to prove that he is back once and for all. Don’t expect a title change here, but expect a great match that could be match of the tour when all’s said and done. This is going to be a good redemption story for Takahashi, but I’d argue against doing this match so early back and not saving it for Dominion in June. Oh well, I’ll take it when I can get it.

IWGP UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP: JON MOXLEY (C) VS. MINORU SUZUKI

While Takahashi and Lee might win match of the tour, this is my pick for most anticipated match of the tour. Moxley regained and defended the U.S. Title during both nights of Wrestle Kingdom, but the celebration was cut short by Suzuki, who jumped to the head of the line to declare himself No.1 contender. It was at New Year’s Dash that Moxley responded to “The King” by coming out and laying him out with the Death Rider DDT. This match could turn violent fast and is a dream match for fans who want to see two guys absolutely destroy each other. I’m predicting a Moxley title win, but I don’t think this’ll be the last time that these two lock up.

IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT & INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP: TETSUYA NAITO (C) VS. KENTA

In a span of three minutes at the end of Wrestle Kingdom, Kenta went from maybe top five most hated man in NJPW to a far distant No.1. He interrupted the title celebration that fans had waited almost six years for when Naito became the first Double Champion. KENTA then laid Naito out with a chair attack at New Year’s Dash. This is the perfect top babyface vs. top heel that you’ll find in pro wrestling today. This is going to be a great match and a good start to Naito’s hopefully long title reign. Expect the show to close with Naito finishing his Wrestle Kingdom LIJ chant still holding both titles high above his head.