After the excitement of Wrestle Kingdom, New Japan Pro Wrestling has its annual New Beginning Tour. These shows are the first real tour of the year bringing in new storylines and exciting title matches.
This first New Beginning tour was in 2011. Since then, these shows have created some spectacular moments in New Japan history. These shows have normally been main-evented by some of the biggest names in the company.
Here is a look at the top five moments from New Japan’s New Beginning shows.
5. Shinsuke Nakamura v Hiroshi Tanahashi in Hiroshima – 2014
When someone mentions New Japan, two of the names that will always be associated with the company is Shinsuke Nakamura and Hiroshi Tanahashi. Both men made their way through the dojo system sticking with New Japan during it’s darkest days and driving it into the product we know and love. Their rivalry is also one of the most popular with high calibre matches from their debut until Nakamura left in 2016.
One of these matches was during the 2014 New Beginning in Hiroshima show for the Intercontinental title. This belt was the centre of many of these battles drawing the crowds into a mixture of Nakamura’s Japanese Strong Style and Tanahashi’s hybrid offence. With a capacity crowd, the atmosphere was electric as two of the company’s favourites battled for the belt.
The match itself was fast-paced and dynamic from the minute the bell rang. With the crowd firmly behind champion Tanahashi, it was up to Nakamura to prove why he deserved to win back the belt he cherished so much. It was a mixture of strikes, submissions and daredevil antics between two men who complemented each other perfectly. The crowd was loving every single second of it.
In the end, after several failed High, Fly, Flows, Tanahashi hit a magnificent bridging suplex to retain the Intercontinental title. Although it was merely another page in a chapter between two of the best but is part of a much longer story between both men.
4. Jay White beats Kenny Omega for the IWGP US Championship – 2018
Credit: NJPW1972
Jay White returned from excursion in 2017 and straight away challenged Hiroshi Tanahashi to an IWGP Intercontinental match at Wrestle Kingdom 12. Although Jay failed to beat the Ace, he made an impact on New Japan fans and the wrestlers. At New Year’s Dash, Bullet Club’s leader Kenny Omega invited Jay to join the faction. However, instead of accepting his offer, White instead hit Omega with a Bladerunner and made a challenge for the United States belt
For many, the match was average. It was a combination of storytelling and wrestling allowing Jay White to showcase his talent to many new fans. As expected, Kenny started the match with an air of arrogance and belief that this match would be an easy win. However, all that did was spur White on who showed everything from suplexes, Muta locks and blistering chops.
The match went on for just under half an hour. Despite mixed reviews of the match itself, there is no denying that its result was shocking. With a single Bladerunner, White had managed to beat one of the best wrestlers in the world.
Nobody expected someone like Jay White to beat Kenny Omega, especially considering all the moment Omega had that year after winning the title and his defence against Chris Jericho. With this win, it gave the Switchblade momentum that only got stronger throughout the year.
3. Zack Sabre Jr v Will Ospreay for the Rev Pro Heavyweight Title – 2020
Credit: NJPW1972
For fans of the UK independent scene, the rivalry between Zack Sabre Jr and Will Ospreay was a staple of British Wrestling. They are two men who could not be more different from their personalities to their in-ring wrestling style. Over the years, the men have had their fair share of wars across the world in different promotions.
However, when Ospreay challenged ZSJ for his Rev Pro Heavyweight title, it felt more important and significant. Firstly, both men have a long history with this title having battled over it many times before. Secondly, it was the first time in NJPW history that two British wrestlers competed for the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship.
The match started methodically emphasising the traditional British style focused on grappling and submissions. This should have been a distinct advantage for ZSJ. However, Ospreay showed that he was a versatile wrestler able to adapt to his opponent quickly. Ospreay also ensured that he also had the chance to dictate the style and speed of the match. Due to the history between the two, it felt like each man had a counter for every move thrown at them. There was never a wasted moment.
In the end, in a match just under 30-minutes, ZSJ won via referee stoppage after locking Ospreay in a vicious submission. This was the perfect finish to the bout with ZSJ exerting his dominance and proving that, on that occasion, his submission style was superior. It was nothing short of a showcase of British Wrestling.
2. The Switchblade Shock – 2019
Credit: NJPW1972
When Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Kenny Omega for the IWGP Heavyweight title at Wrestle Kingdom 13, it was a fairy tale ending for many fans. However, there is always a villain there to ruin that dream. This came in the form of Switchblade Jay White. At New Year’s Dash, White defeated Tanahashi in a 6-man tag match. He then issued a challenge for the title at the New Beginning in Osaka.
Going into the match, many compared this scenario to what happened almost seven years previously with Okada and Tanahashi. However, many did not believe that the Ace could be dethroned. Unfortunately, Jay White thrives on proving people wrong. This match was no different.
From the very beginning, White knew how he wanted the pace of this match to go However, as always, Tanahashi showed heart. He fought with his soul and showcasing his diverse and dynamic wrestling style. Jay also showed his versatility including his submission skills. His TTO that significantly damaged Tanahashi’s leg and may have been the difference-maker. The audience realised that their beloved Tanahashi may not leave with the title.
After a gruelling 30-minute match, which could have gone either way, White hit a picture-perfect suplex before transitioning into a Bladerunner for the win. With this, Jay cemented his dominance in New Japan. It also reiterated his mantra that, whatever he says, comes true.
1. The Rainmaker Shock – 2012
When New Japan fans think of the New Beginning Tour, one match that stands out the most is Kazuchika Okada beating Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight title in 2012.
Okada returned from excursion with a new attitude and manager in the form of Gedo. After Tanahashi retained his title against Minoru Suzuki at Wrestle Kingdom, Okada came out to challenge the Ace. To many, this had to be a joke. How could someone who had just returned from a failed excursion challenge the Ace of New Japan?
However, the company set the match for the main event of the 2012 New Beginning show in Osaka. Unsurprisingly, Tanahashi came out confident in the fact that this match was going to be an easy win as did many of the fans. However, Okada came out with a purpose showcasing that, despite his arrogance, he was a force to be reckoned with. Throughout the match, it became increasingly clear that the bout would not be as straightforward as many believed.
As the clock passed the twenty-minute mark, many fans were surprised at how well Okada was doing and that he was holding his own against Tanahashi. However, that did not even touch the surprise when Okada finally hit his new finisher the Rainmaker and pinned Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the Heavyweight title.
With a single move, Okada changed the complexion of New Japan in the dubbed ‘Rainmaker Shock’. Not only did it set the path for Okada’s success in the company but was also the start of one of the most memorable rivalries in New Japan’s history.
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