The Suzuki-gun team of Dangerous Tekkers didn’t win the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships at the first night of NJPW’s The New Beginning in Hiroshima but Taichi got his Iron Glove back and the pair took home a loaf of bread, a boxing glove, a puppet, a ping-pong paddle, a glove, a bra and some oranges courtesy of Tama Tonga.
At the start of the championship match Jado came down with the champions Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa) and Douki accompanied the challengers Dangerous Tekkers (Zack Sabre Jr. and Taichi). Tama turned around during his entrance and headed back through the curtain. He emerged with a big plastic bag full of gift bags.
Tama Tonga has some gifts for Taichi. Courtesy: NJPW.
“Ho! Ho! Ho!” he cried as he threw it at Taichi who stood in the ring.
As Taichi went to open the bag Suzuki-gun was blindsided by Tama, Tanga and Jado. Douki got the better of Jado though during their duel leading him backstage, away from the ring and out of sight.
Taichi emptied some of the paper bags finding a loaf of bread, a boxing glove, a puppet, a ping-pong paddle and a winter glove. He chased Tama out of the ring trying to grab the final bag. It flew over the railing and landed in Yoshinobu Kanemaru’s lap. Kanemaru was on commentary. Kanemaru opened that bag to find a bra and some oranges. Tama threw the oranges at ZSJ.
“Take that soy boy!” yelled El Phantasmo who returned to the colour commentary position after retiring just a few days ago.
Tekkers looked like they had the titles won after spiking Tama with Zack Mephisto but Loa pulled the official out of the ring.
Taichi has finally been reunited with the Iron Glove. Courtesy: NJPW.
Jado reappeared carrying the Iron Glove. He threw it to Tama and the game of musical Iron Glove began. Just as Tama was going to nail Taichi with it, Douki booted him in the head. Douki gained possession of the glove only to be taken out by Loa. Tama picked up the glove but he was halted from hitting Taichi with it by ZSJ. The official returned to the ring preventing Taichi from punching Tama. Taichi shoved him away punching Loa with the glove and then Jado as well. Taichi finally slugged Tama and the Tekkers are disqualified.
Taichi appeared to be possessed by the glove and almost punched Kanemaru as he swung around wildly.
In the second title match of the evening Hiromu Takahashi defeated challenger Sho for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship. After a grueling 36-plus minute match he pinned Sho with Time Bomb 2.
Once the match was over El Phantasmo left his commentary position, dove into the ring, waited in a corner to lay out Takahashi with Sudden Death. Bushi dove into the ring tackling him into a corner. Taiji Ishimori followed Bushi punching him down then holding him in the opposite corner. Takahashi ducked Sudden Death laying in some shots on El Phantasmo and Ishimori. Phantasmo and Ishimori took a powder.
It only takes one Sudden Death says Phantasmo, Courtesy: NJPW.
“I am sick and tired of you making me look like a fool. I am sick and tired of you making him (Ishimori) look like a fool. I am sick and tired of seeing that title on your shoulder. You didn’t earn that title. You were given that title by this b——t company. I am not leaving Japan until I take that IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship from you because all it takes is one,” said Phantasmo to Takahashi.
THE NEW BEGINNING in HIROSHIMA Night One Results
Gabriel Kidd, Yuya Uemura and Yota Tsuji versus Suzuki-gun (Yoshinobu Kanemaru, El Desperado and Minoru Suzuki)
Uemura and Suzuki get close. Courtesy: NJPW.
The Young Lions jump the gun and attack Suzuki-gun immediately as that may be the only chance they have against this team. The Young Lions seem really organized and aggressive during this bout. Uemura refuses to give Suzuki an inch. Suzuki pummels the heck out of Uemura and he is KO’ed. Suzuki puts him in the single leg crab anyway. The ref calls for the bell.
Winners: Suzuki-gun (Yoshinobu Kanemaru, El Desperado and Minoru Suzuki)
Master Wato versus Bushi
Wato wastes no time. He hits a missile drop kick on Bushi before the bell and then decides to take off his robe. A very different Wato tries to rip off Bushi mask. He fails at that but he does tear his LIJ t-shirt off. Bushi reverses an Irish Whip, throwing Wato into the steel barricade hard. Bushi works over Wato’s knee using the ringside barrier to his advantage. Wato borrows Tenzan’s Tombstone Driver. Nobody is home though when Wato goes for his corkscrew senton bomb from the top rope. Wato kicks out of Terrible but not the MX. Bushi appears to help Wato to his feet. He then throws him out of the ring. The ringside barrier catches his fall. Bushi dumps an ice bag on Wato. Tenzan comes over to prevent any more shenanigans.
Winner: Bushi
Chaos (Toru Yano, Yoshi-Hashi, Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii and Kazuchika Okada) versus Bullet Club (El Phantasmo, Taiji Ishimori, Yujiro Takahashi, Jay White and Evil)
Evil gets a little help from his friends. Courtesy: NJPW.
Chaos rushes Bullet Club. Jay White is singled out for a good old stomping by Ishii, Goto and Yoshi-Hashi. Ishii, Goto and Yoshi-Hashi pull Gedo into the ring and pound on him Demolition style. Bullet Club isolates Yoshi-Hashi and he becomes the victim of a human chain as Evil puts him in an abdominal stretch and the rest of the Club lend him a hand…or is that hands?…from outside the ring. Yano shoves Yujiro into Dick Togo. Togo is knocked off the apron. Yano rolls up Yujiro for the pin.
Winners: Chaos (Toru Yano, Yoshi-Hashi, Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii and Kazuchika Okada)
Tomoaki Honma and Kota Ibushi versus Los Ingobernables de Japón (Tetsuya Naito and Sanada)
Naito lands a flying forearm and Destino to pin Honma. Natio throws Honma out of the ring while Ibushi and Sanada stare each other down before tomorrow’s big match.
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japón (Tetsuya Naito and Sanada)
Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa (champions) versus Dangerous Tekkers (Taichi and Zack Sabre Jr.) (challengers) – IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Match
Winners: Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa via disqualification
Hiromu Takahashi (champion) versus Sho (challenger) – IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship Match
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi