TRENTON, NJ— New Japan Pro-Wrestling made its return to the United States on Friday night for the PPV event “The New Beginning USA.”
The stacked card featured some of the company’s biggest stars.
Results below:
Match 1
Fred Rosser vs David Finlay
The card opened with New Jersey’s own Fred Rosser taking on former Bullet Club leader David Finlay. The match featured plenty of activity outside the ring, with both competitors gaining the upper hand at different points.
The crowd was firmly behind Rosser, erupting as he locked Finlay in a chicken wing submission and chanting, “Please don’t tap!” in hopes of extending the contest. Despite multiple opportunities for Rosser, Finlay secured the pinfall to win the first match of the night.
Finlay may have wrestled his final match in New Japan, as rumors continue to swirl about his future.
Match 2
Tomohiro Ishii (c) vs. Bolten Oleg
NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship
The New Japan legend defended the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship for the second time in his current reign. The bout was a hard-hitting battle filled with heavy shots back and forth.
In an absolute chop fest, Kazakhstan’s Bolten Oleg emerged victorious, capturing the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship.
Match 3
Taiji Ishimori vs. Ricochet (c)
AEW National Championship
The inaugural AEW National Champion, Ricochet, faced stiff competition in Ishimori. The crowd was rowdy throughout, directing chants at the heel champion.
In the end, the high-flying Ricochet retained his title and continues to build momentum.
Match 4
Kushida & El Desperado vs. Alec Price & Jordan Oliver
Price and Oliver came out swinging, firing shots before the bell even rang. The veteran duo of Kushida and El Desperado weathered the early storm and pushed the young team to the limit before ultimately capturing the victory.
Match 5
El Phantasmo (c) vs. Konosuke Takeshita
NJPW World TV Championship
Konosuke Takeshita faced a difficult task in attempting to pry the TV Championship away from El Phantasmo. The champion’s seventh title defense resulted in a time-limit draw. While he did not earn a decisive victory, El Phantasmo retained his championship.
Unsatisfied with the result, El Phantasmo requested five more minutes. That decision proved costly, as Takeshita connected with “Raging Fire,” securing the victory and becoming the new NJPW World TV Champion.
Match 6
OSKAR & Yuto-Ice (c) vs. Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun
IWGP Tag Team Championship
OSKAR and Yuto-Ice endured significant punishment against the much larger Liona and Kaun. At times, the challengers appeared poised to capture the gold.
Ultimately, the champions retained, keeping the IWGP Tag Team Championships in their possession.
Match 7
Syuri vs. Athena
IWGP Women’s Championship
The sole women’s match on the card delivered in a major way, as Syuri and Athena went to war inside the ring. Athena controlled stretches of the match, but Syuri refused to back down.
After trading heavy blows, Syuri sealed the victory with a “Syu-Sekai,” retaining her championship.
Match 8 (Main Event)
Yota Tsuji (c) vs. Andrade El Idolo
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship
The highly anticipated main event saw Yota Tsuji defend the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship — one of his two titles. Andrade had multiple opportunities to secure the win, but Tsuji escaped each time.
At one point, Andrade paid tribute to Eddie Guerrero by hitting the “Three Amigos,” prompting loud “Eddie!” chants from the crowd.
The title nearly changed hands, but Tsuji countered with his finishing move, the “Gene Blaster.” When that didn’t put the challenger away, he followed up with a double-legged Boston crab to earn the victory and secure his third successful title defense.
A great showing from New Japan Pro-Wrestling at Cure Insurance Arena, igniting a new era within the company that is expected to bring more shows to the United States following the retirement of “The Ace,” Hiroshi Tanahashi.
Best Match: Konosuke Takeshita vs. El Phantasmo
