After SHO & Hiromu Takahashi broke the time limit record for a Junior Heavyweight Championship match on Night One of New Beginning in Hiroshima, it’s time for the action of Night Two! This post will be focused on the undercard of the show, which is some six-man tag team action with the likes of Minoru Suzuki, and Tetsuya Naito in action. Coverage of matches like Kota Ibushi vs. SANADA for the IWGP Double Gold can be found here. Without further interruption, let’s get right into the first half of this card!
Six Man Tag Team Match: Yuya Uemura, Yota Tsuji & Gabriel Kidd vs. Suzuki-Gun (Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr. & DOUKI)
Last night, Yuya Uemura was bold as he charged forward at Minoru Suzuki in the opening match, only to be knocked out and stuck in a submission hold. Now, he’s back to lead the young lions against Dangerous Tekkers, who won’t be pleased after failing to become two time IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions last night. Taichi did get back his Iron Fingered glove however, which led to him being DQ’d.
Tsuji would start alongside DOUKI, and be attacked from behind, before slamming him into the mat. Taichi came in, and was dropped with a running dropkick. Uemura got the tag, before running into a choke from Taichi, freeing himself and hitting a running forearm.
Kidd tried to save Uemura from being choked out in the Suzuki-Gun corner, only to be thrown across the ring. Uemura missed a dropkick on DOUKI and took a double stomp to the back, before ZSJ tagged in alongside Kidd. Kidd got ZSJ in the Boston Crab, but ZSJ was able to counter out into an armbar, but Tsuji broke the submission.
ZSJ was almost pinned by Kidd, before countering the double underhook suplex into a violent submission and forcing the submission.
If NJPW are smart, they’ll book Kidd vs. ZSJ in the upcoming New Japan Cup, as these two showed excellent chemistry in their final segment of this match. Young Lions always bring a fun showing, and this was no exception. Match Rating: 3/5 (***)
Six Man Tag Team Match: Suzuki-Gun (Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) vs. SHO, Master Wato & Tomoaki Honma
While this match was going to see SHO, Master Wato & Tomoaki Honma face off against Tetsuya Naito, BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi, things changed after the main event of last night. Instead they will meet Minoru Suzuki, Desperado & Kanemaru in six man tag team action.
Honma & Suzuki butted heads before the bell even rang, so they started the match by exchanging blows. Prior to injury, Honma could hang with Suzuki, but his body no longer matches his fighting spirit. He’d manage to take Suzuki down with a shoulder block, but he’d kicked in the head instead of hitting Kokeshi. A brawl outside ensued, where Honma took more blows. He would find himself isolated from his partners until he’d hit a running Kokeshi and land nearby SHO.
SHO was met by Desperado, and despite his long match last night, he was as good as ever here. Desperado has been on a hot streak as well since Best of Super Juniors though, making him an equal match as they exchange blows. A cheap shot from Kanemaru allowed Desperado to hit the spear, but SHO took Kanemaru out and tagged in Wato. A brawl broke out, with Wato being run over by Kanemaru & Suzuki. Kanemaru hit the Deep Impact, but SHO broke the pinfall up. Wato came back with a rollup for the win.
A fairly basic six man tag team match, with some fun segments between Honma & Suzuki being the highlight. Match Rating: 2.5/5 (** ½)
Six Man Tag Team Match: Los Ingobernables De Japón (Tetsuya Naito, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI) vs. Bullet Club (Yujiro Takahashi, Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo)
After Phantasmo & Ishimori attacked Takahashi & BUSHI after last night’s main event, the path was clear. Phantasmo wants a shot at Takahashi, but in exchange? BUSHI & Takahashi get a chance to become tag team champions. Add in former No Limit partners Naito & Yujiro, and you have the recipe for a fun six man tag.
Phantasmo & Hiromu got right into a brawl on the outside, while BUSHI faced Ishimori in the ring. Hiromu was downed, and BUSHI quickly found himself isolated by the tag champions, taking a top rope… back scratch. Phantasmo cleared Hiromu & Naito off the apron while BUSHI was held in place, he flopped around for about thirty seconds building up momentum for another back rake. Yujiro tagged in, hit the sliding dropkick for a near fall.
BUSHI was hung up in the corner and had his groin crushed while Yujiro choked him, and it was clear BUSHI needed a tag badly. Phantasmo got fancy again, allowing BUSHI to break free and make the tag to Hiromu, who came in with his usual energy. He’d take out both tag champions before going for some forever lariats, a shotgun dropkick, and a Falcon Arrow on Phantasmo. Phantasmo hit the spin out neckbreaker, but was unable to make the cover.
Former tag champions Naito & Yujiro would meet in the ring, Naito winning out before Yujiro bit the thumb during a neckbreaker attempt. Yujiro got the Fisherman Buster for a two count, before El Phantasmo came in for the Sudden Death Superkick. Hiromu & BUSHI stopped him, before L.I.J went to work on Yujiro with a super dropkick. BUSHI dove to the outside, Naito hit Destino, and this one was done.
The chemistry between the champions and challengers for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champions was on full display in this match, and that pushed it above the usual level of an undercard six man tag team match. Can’t wait to see their coming matches, plus it’s always fun to see Naito & Yujiro work together. Match Rating: 3.75/5 (*** ¾)
What was your favorite match from the undercard of this show? For main event coverage, check here! Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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