NJPW New Beginning Tour Preview

Guerillas of Destiny v Dangerous Tekkers – IWGP Heavyweight Tag Championship – February 10

The Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa) finally broke their Wrestle Kingdom curse to win the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Championship at Wrestle Kingdom. However, Dangerous Tekkers (Zack Sabre Jr and TAICHI) declared that they want their rematch as soon as possible and that is February 10.

Although it is a bout we have seen several times in the past few months, each time has been different. It will be the case again. On top of the battle for the titles, there is the added anger from TAICHI after G.O.D stole the Iron Glove passed down to him by Iizuka. It feels like this battle has suddenly become personal.

On top of this, as both teams are pure heels, it means the match will be unpredictable. Rules will be broken in different ways. It could be from outside interference or the weapons that both teams like to use. However, there will also be some wrestling. There is the speed of Tama Tonga, the submission skills of ZSJ and the strength of Tanga Loa and TAICHI.

With so many factors, it almost seems impossible for one team to stand out as the favourites. It is a match between two men who have run the tag division for the last few years and a duo who have made the division their own and injected new life into it during a pandemic. Both teams have a lot to prove.

---

Hiromu Takahashi v SHO – IWGP Jr Championship – February 10

During last year’s Best of Super Jr, fans were shocked when Roppongi 3k’s SHO beat Hiromu Takahashi during the block matches. So, when Hiromu beat Ishimori for the title at Wrestle Kingdom, he named SHO as his first challenger for the belt.

On the surface, both men are as different as they come. Hiromu is high-risk and high-flying in the ring throwing caution to the win. Whereas, SHO is much more methodical using a power-based offence. However, if you look deeper, there are more similarities than first expected. They are two men who are very emotional and think with their hearts rather than their minds.

These are two men who also have a long history dating back to their young lion days. After both returned from excursion, the two have met on several on occasions. In particular, they have regularly met in titles matches for the IWGP Jr Tag Championship in the past with equal success. With both men knowing each other so well, it will make the match even more interesting.

There is a lot on the line in this match for both men. Hiromu needs to prove that he is worthy of being the champion and is the best in the division. SHO needs to prove that he is capable of being a strong singles competitor and his win against Hiromu was not just a one-off. With so much to prove, this match will be an explosive and unpredictable bout between two very complex athletes.

---

Kota Ibushi v SANADA – IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championship – February 11

Many fans were surprised and delighted when SANADA came out at the end of the second night of Wrestle Kingdom to challenge Kota Ibushi for his double titles. Both men are top athletes and have won the hearts of New Japan fans over the years. They are also two athletes whose journeys to the top of the company have been much slower than other members of the roster.

The match itself will be a bout between two extremely talented wrestlers with their unique style. SANADA has a style combining speed, athleticism and submissions and Ibushi utilises his fearlessness, strikes and agility. In the past, these contrasting styles have worked harmoniously together.

However, the stakes this time are much higher than their previous meetings. For Ibushi, he has finally achieved his dream to win the IWGP Heavyweight title to become ‘God’. Now, it is a matter of how long he can stay at the top. In SANADA’s case, it is a matter of always the bridesmaid and never the bride. He has been given opportunity after opportunity, but will this finally be his chance to go all the way?

This bout is another chapter in the saga between the two men after their stand-out match a few years ago in the G1. Even though many did not think that their bout during last year’s final matched up to this standard, this will be a chance to show the world their world-class in-ring chemistry. The two men are phenomenal athletes and, despite the results, it should be an amazing match.

• NEW BEGINNING
• kota ibushi
• Hiromu Takahashi
• NJPW

Share this article with friends