NJPW The New Beginning in Sapporo Day 1 Review

credit: NJPW Global Twitter

Los Ingobernables de Japon (Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito) vs. CHAOS (Will Ospreay & YOSHI-HASHI)

This is an excellent match. It begins quickly with Naito attempting to beat on YOSHI-HASHI with his own baton. Naito is clearly embracing his tranquilo side even more, which is the story that they’re telling coming out his Wrestle Kingdom 12 loss to Okada. Right away, we can see an even bigger change in his attitude.

Hiromu and Naito get the heat on Ospreay and slow it down, trying to keep him grounded. Ospreay manages to hit a hand spring enziguri and tags out to YOSHI-HASHI who seems to be very excited in this match. He starts to take it to Naito and hit him with some high impact stuff. Naito tags out to Hiromu, and Hiromu gets hit with a massive superkick by YOSHI-HASHI. Ospreay tags in and takes it to Hiromu. We’re treated to so much quick action that it’s impossible to write it all down. Some really great stuff here from all four men.

The match breaks down into even more frantic action as all four men are flying all over the ring. Ospreay tries to finish off Naito by climbing to the top rope, but Naito stops him. Naito goes for a Frankensteiner, but Ospreay lands on his feet! Ospreay hits a German suplex on Naito and goes for the Os Cutter! Hiromu stops him and launches Ospreay over his head right into a soccer punt by Naito that hits Ospreay low. Naito rolls him up and pins him. 4 out of 5 stars

YOSHI-HASHI goes absolutely nuts attacking Naito after the bell for cheating, throwing him out of the ring, and pouncing on Naito. He throws Hiromu into the barrier, and gouges Naito’s eyes. Natio gets up and walks by him like he’s nothing. YOSHI-HASHI goes on the attack again, and Naito seems to like it. He wants this reaction. This was SO GREAT.

YOSHI-HASHI shows more charisma than ever, and Naito is so clearly becoming even more tranquilo. This was amazing. What a simple and awesome angle setting up Naito vs. YOSHI-HASHI for NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka in February. I love how NJPW has given us a reason to care about YOSHI-HASHI as he has shown more intensity here than I’ve seen on any other NJPW show.

Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, EVIL, & SANADA) vs. CHAOS (Gedo, Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto)

SANADA has new hair. I actually like this look more. More of a main event look.

LIJ looks to isolate Gedo in the early portion of this match, as he’s the oldest and smallest wrestler in the match. He eventually tags in Goto ho takes it to both BUSHI and EVIL. Goto goes all over the ring with everyone, including SANADA, and makes the tag to Okada. Okada takes it to SANADA, giving us a preview of what their match is going to be like in February.

SANADA manages to succeed with two leapfrogs and a dropkick that rivals Okada’s. Great stuff here. Okada can’t hit his own dropkick but manages to go for the Rainmaker. SANADA ducks and hits a back suplex, planting Okada into the mat. BUSHI tags in and all three men attack Okada. BUSHI goes for the MX, but Okada dodges. It breaks down with all six men in the ring. Okada hits a Death Valley Driver on SANADA, and Goto hits a Ushigoroshi. Okada grabs BUSHI and locks in his Cobra Clutch, and BUSHI taps out. 3.5 out of 5 stars

After the match, Okada grabs a mic and asks SANADA to come back to the ring and say something. SANADA returns, then leaves without saying anything. Okada runs after him and attacks. Okada takes SANADA back to the ring and hits a tombstone, before grabbing some the Okada Bucks that fall from the ceiling during his entrance and shoving them down SANADA’s throat and locking in the Cobra Clutch. The crowd was booing Okada.

This seems to further push the long term story of the crowd wanting Naito, and the immediate story of making SANADA a legitimate threat. He’s going to do something to Okada tomorrow. Another great angle. NJPW took a very big risk having Okada retain the title at Wrestle Kingdom, but it seems that this is working out quite well.