As the New Beginning 2021 tour ended in Hiroshima, New Japan Pro Wrestling was already setting up for its Castle Attack Tour. With challenges set and feuds reignited, the new and inaugural Castle Attack shows are underway.
Alongside singles matches, there are title matches across the tour involving some of the biggest names in New Japan.
Here is a look at all of the championship matches that fans can see on this tour!
Toru Yano vs Chase Owens – KOPW 2021 – February 27
Credit: NJPW1972
The King of Pro Wrestling title is one of New Japan’s most unique championships. With wacky stipulations, there is no better person to hold that title than the unpredictable Toru Yano. Yano went into Wrestle Kingdom 15 and defended his crown to become both the 2020 and provisional 2021 KOPW champion.
Chase Owens believed he was cheated out of the title by Yano at Wrestle Kingdom. He has now challenged for the KOPW title with a Texas Strap Match. After winning the poll, Yano added his own stipulation. To win the match, one man has to remove each turnbuckle. However, the catch is a leather strap will tie together both men.
With both men contributing to the stipulation, neither man is at any advantage. However, Yano has proved that he will do anything to retain his precious trophy. No doubt it will be brutal and chaotic, the perfect combination for this title.
El Phantasmo and Taiji Ishimori v El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships – February 25
Credit: NJPW1972
After Hiromu Takahashi injured his pectoral muscle, sidelining him for at least six months, the IWGP Jr tag title match seemed off the cards. However, El Phantasmo should know better than to brag about the match getting cancelled during a Road To show. El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru came out during the promo to attack the duo and issue their rematch.
This bout is retribution for the Suzuki Gun duo who lost their titles to Bullet Club during the New Beginning Tour. Apart from that, there is also the added history between Kanemaru and Ishimori, which is always interesting to watch. As always, when it comes to heel v heel matches, there is no saying what might happen. There will be a mixture of high-flying, submission skills, and sneaky style with four very different athletes.
The one difference lies in ELP and his Sudden Death superkick. In their last match, this was the difference maker allowing Bullet Club to pick up the win. Yet, after a lot of experience with the brutal kick, you can bet that Despy and Kanemaru have something up their sleeve to counter it. It might be the key for the Suzuki gun duo to win back the titles they know so well.
Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) vs CHAOS (YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto) – IWGP Tag Team Championships – February 28
Credit: NJPW1972
During last year’s World Tag League, fans were shocked when YOSHI HASHI managed to pin Tama Tonga in their match. There was even more surprise when HASHI then pinned Tanga Loa during their NEVER Openweight 6-man title bout during the New Beginning Tour. With this, he rightly demanded a shot at the Guerrillas of Destiny’s titles teaming with fellow CHAOS member Hirooki Goto.
In the past, YOSHI HASHI has unsuccessfully challenged for these titles several times with various partners. As brothers, G.O.D has held the titles seven times and are the most successful team in New Japan history. It means that Tama and Tanga Loa very confident, but this might be their downfall. Since winning the NEVER title, YOSHI HASHI has a newfound confidence and works very well with Goto who is talented.
The presence of Jado on the outside will be a game-changer in the match giving G.O.D an advantage over the CHAOS duo. However, YOSHI HASHI has pulled bigger upsets in the passed and Tama and Tanga should remember this before underestimating their opponents.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Great-O-Khan – NEVER Openweight Championship – February 28
Credit: NJPW1972
Despite losing to Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 15, Great O-Khan is out for the Ace’s newly won NEVER Openweight Championship. In the past, the NEVER title has been passed from wrestler to wrestler. It has only recently gained any sort of stability. Yet, O-Khan will be out to ruin that and add yet another defenceless title reign after the Ace’s last IWGP Heavyweight rein.
The two men are as different as possible in both personalities and styles. Tanahashi is a fair fighter who has a diverse style mixing high-flying and Japanese Strong Style. Whereas, O-Khan is ruthless with a power-based offence willing to break some rules. It will be a battle of generations with O-Khan trying to prove that Tanahashi is no longer fitting to be the face of the company.
Going into the match, Tanahashi will have the experience advantage and the support of the crowd. However, with the NEVER division created for the newest stars of New Japan like O-Khan, it could be destiny for the Empire member to win his first New Japan title.
El Desperado v BUSHI v El Phantasmo – IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship – February 28
Credit: NJPW1972
During a Road To Show, Hiromi Takahashi vacated his IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship due to a pectoral injury which will keep him out of action for six months! He then requested that BUSHI take his place against El Phantamso on Sunday for the vacated championship. El Desperado then came out declaring that, with a win over El Phantasmo and Taiji Ishimori during their IWGP tag title match, he deserved to have a shot!
The first thing that is going to make the match interesting is the willingness of all three men to break the rules! El Desperado and El Phantasmo are firm heels and make no secret of doing anything to get the win. However, BUSHI is also known for breaking the rules as part of Los Ingobernables de Japon’s “rudo” style. With history between El Desperado and BUSHI and the addition of ELP, anything is possible!
Although triple threat matches are rare in New Japan, non-single bouts are not as uncommon for the Jr division. This will be a new fresh up between three men who could easily become the face of the Jr division. Also, with three very different athletes, anyone could go out with the win depending on who gets the advantage!
Kota Ibushi vs Tetsuya Naito – IWGP Intercontinental Championship – February 28
Credit: NJPW1972
Since the unification of the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles at Wrestle Kingdom 14, there have been discussions over the state of the belts. Kota Ibushi stated his desire for the two belts to be unified. Others believe they should remain as independent championships. One of those men is Tetsuya Naito.
Naito came out at the end of the New Beginning to make a challenge. However, after losing to Ibushi at Wrestle Kingdom, he claimed that he only deserved to challenge for one title. Despite his rocky history with the title, he picked the Intercontinental belt. The same belt which has been attracted to the Ungovernable One since its conception.
His relationship with Ibushi is similar and is one of the most well-known and dangerous feuds in New Japan. The duo is drawn together in some way. They have this unrivalled chemistry from best friends to enemies and now two men with mutual respect. Over the years, they have had some outstanding bouts across the world that borderlines insanity as they throw themselves across the ring in reckless abandonment.
Due to their similar personalities and in-ring ethos, fans hold their breath as caution is thrown to the wind, and safety is ignored in their matches. However, their in-ring chemistry is undeniable. This match will be no exception. It may also be the solution to the issues of the double titles that have been present since Wrestle Kingdom 14.
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