NJPW The New Beginning in Sapporo Day 1 Preview

Credit: NJPW Twitter

CHAOS (Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii) vs. The Bullet Club (Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi)

This match will likely have tag title implications as the winners will likely get the next shot at the IWGP Tag Team Championships. Given the relative level of the stars in the match, I expect Ishii to go over here. We’ll have to see. This match should be of decent quality, and given that Yano is in it, it’s guaranteed to be amusing with his cheating antics.

The Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale & The Guerillas of Destiny) (c) vs. Ryusuke Taguchi, Toa Henare, & Togi Makabe – NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship

While Taguchi Japan is everyone’s favourite soccer/baseball team in New Japan, it is unlikely the fan favourites are going to win here. While the 6-Man Tag Team Championships are often hotshotted around, the truth is that they are highly unlikely to put a title on a young lion like Henare. However, since he just got a gear upgrade from his young lion trunks, it’s entirely possible that his team wins the titles here. If anything, this match will be unpredictable.

David Finaly, Juice Robinson, & Kota Ibushi vs. The Bullet Club (Marty Scrull, Hangman Page, & Cody)

This six-man tag looks to setup some interesting story transitions. After defeating Cody at Wrestle Kingdom in the best match of Cody’s career, Kota Ibushi seems pressed to move on to bigger things. However, I don’t think Cody is done with him yet. Cody’s desire to defeat Ibushi, combined with Ibushi’s friendship with Kenny Omega is putting a strain on the Bullet Club as two factions within the group are clearly forming.

Cody leading one, while Kenny leads the other. Expect there to be subtle nods to that within this match when Kota and Cody faceoff. They could also have Cody go over here to setup a match at ROH Supercard of Honor on WrestleMania weekend, where Ibushi and Cody would tear the house down again. This one is going to be very interesting to see.