7 Best Moments From NJPW New Beginning 2021

2. Shingo Takagi v Hiroshi Tanahashi – NEVER Openweight Championship (January 30)

Credit: NJPW1972For years, the NEVER Openweight title was as a mid-card title. Many forgot about it due to the lack of consistency with champions. However, when Shingo Takagi won back the title late last year, it had a new lease of life. It was shown when the Ace Hiroshi Tanahashi accepted Shingo’s invitation to challenge for the title.

As soon as the bell rang, the match started quickly. With two men as diverse as Shingo and Tanahashi, the opening minutes were key in determining the pace and who would gain an early advantage. However, it soon became less a battle to get the upper hand but to survive.

It seemed as if neither man had regard for their health and safety, putting their hearts and bodies on the line. By the 10-minute mark, they had sustained damage to their legs. It made even the simplest offence hard to execute. Yet, even with this pain, both continued to throw everything into the match. They took risks seen in IWGP title matches.

In the final moments of the match, Tanahashi and Shingo seemed as energised as ever. They both flew across the ring and took even more punishment from their opponents and managing to kick out of them as if they felt no pain. In the end, it took a series of High Fly Flow’s for Tanahashi to finally get the win and his first reign as NEVER champion.

The match was impeccable and one of the best NEVER matches fans have seen. Going over 35 minutes, it was a spectacular mixture of two diverse wrestling styles from two of the best athletes in the company who fans would gladly see wrestle again.

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1. SHO v Hiromu Takahashi – IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship (February 10)

When Hiromu Takahashi beat Taiji Ishimori for the IWGP Jr Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 15, he quickly named his next opponent. After being one of his only losses during last year’s Best of Super Jr tournament, Roppongi 3k’s SHO was declared his next challenger. The lead up to this title match was hot. Both men showcased what they had to offer and trying to weaken their opponent.

However, none of this mattered when both men stood in the ring alone. As soon as the match started, Hiromu and SHO started throwing forearms in the centre of the ring. Yet, this quickly became high-risk and moved across the ring and to the outside. It felt as if neither man had any regard for their health or that of their opponent. It included a nasty looking sunset powerbomb on both the outside of the ring and on the ring apron.

As time went on, it felt like both men seemed to get a new surge of adrenaline and energy. Despite their differences, Hiromu and SHO adapted to each other’s offence. They found ways to counter everything thrown at them. The crowds were electric clapping and stamping their feet to the extent that El Phantasmo on commentary claimed the floor shook.

However, as the match reached the 35-minute mark, Hiromu hit one final Time Bomb II to retain. It also became the longest Jr title match in the history of the championship. Fans across social media prthis match and called it a showcase of what the Jr division has to offer. It mixed hard-hitting action but also the unpredictability and speed people love.

• NEW BEGINNING
• Hiromu Takahashi
• Sho
• NJPW

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