NJPW The New Beginning In Tokyo: Night 1
February 5, 2018
Korakuen Hall
Tokyo, Japan

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Transcription by Josh Lopez

First Match: Ren Narita, Tetsuhiro Yagi and Shota Umino vs. Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask and Jushin Thunder Liger 

Liger slaps Narita in the face before the bell rings. Liger starts grappling around Narita. Liger applies a quick Triangle Choke. Narita escapes. Narita applies a side headlock. Liger turns Narita over for a two count. Liger applies a HeadScissors Leg Lock. Narita crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Liger with a Double Leg TakeDown to Narita. Liger is targeting the left leg of Narita. Liger tags in Tiger Mask. Tiger Mask repeatedly kicks the back of Narita’s hamstring. Tiger Mask delivers a Knee Drop. Tiger Mask is mauling Narita in the corner. Narita creates distance with a back elbow strike.

Narita dropkicks Tiger Mask. Narita tags in Yagi. Yagi with multiple Over Hand Chops to Tiger Mask. Yagi follows that with forearm shivers. Tiger Mask responds with Two Muay Thai Knee Strikes. Tiger Mask lands a Spinning Heel Kick. Tiger Mask drops Yagi with a DDT. Tiger Mask with a Running Knee Drop for a two count. Tiger Mask applies a Reverse Wrist Lock. Tiger Mask stomps on Yagi’s shoulder. Yagi dropkicks Tiger Mask. Yagi kicks Tiger Mask in the gut. Tiger Mask responds with a Leg Lariat. Tiger Mask tags in Taguchi.

Taguchi is putting the boots to Yagi in the corner. Yagi kicks Taguchi in the jaw. Yagi lands a Missile Dropkick. Yagi tags in Umino. Umino fires up with a series of Running Back Elbow Strikes. Umino with a Forearm TakeDown for a two count. The Young Lions are triple teaming Taguchi. Umino delivers a Missile Dropkick of his own for a two count. Umino locks in the Boston Crab.

Liger sends Narita face first to the steel ring post. Liger drops Umino with a Big Boot. Yagi attacks Liger from behind. Umino fights out of the Ankle Lock. Umino connects with a Basement Dropkick. Umino rolls Taguchi over for a two count. Umino with rapid fire uppercuts to Taguchi. Taguchi decks Umino with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Taguchi plants Umino with Dodon to pickup the victory.

Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask and Jushin Thunder Liger via Pinfall 

Second Match: Hikuleo & Yujiro Takahashi vs. Tomoyuki Oka & Manabu Nakanishi 

Hikuleo and Oka will start things off. Takahashi attacks Oka from behind. Hikuleo knocks Nakanishi off the ring apron. Hikuleo tosses Oka out of the ring. Hikuleo lands a knife edge chop. Hikuleo sends Oka back first to the steel guard rail. Takahashi rakes the eyes of Nakanishi. Hikuleo drives Oka back first to the ring post. Hikuleo continues to annihilate Oka on the outside. Oka gets back into the ring at the count of eighteen. Hikuleo stomps on Oka’s back. Hikuleo is choking Oka with his boot. Hikuleo tags in Takahashi.

Takahashi with a Helluva Kick to Nakanishi. Following a snap mare takeover, Takahashi applies a rear chin lock. Takahashi with a Running Leg Drop for a two count. Takahashi tags in Hikuleo. Hikuleo slaps Oka in the face. Oka responds with forearm smashes. Hikuleo goes for a DeadLift German Suplex, but Oka blocks it. Oka connects with a Judo Throw. Oka tags in Nakanishi.

Nakanishi is lighting up Hikuleo’s chest. Nakanishi knocks Takahashi off the ring apron. Nakanishi with a Running Splash for a two count. Nakanishi goes for The Mountain Bomb, but Takahashi takes out his legs. Takahashi tags himself in. Nakanishi drops Takahashi with a Knife Edge Chop. Nakanishi tags in Oka. Nakanishi and Oka are double teaming Takahashi.

Oka connects with a Gut Wrench Suplex. Oka follows that with a Delayed Vertical Suplex to Hikuleo. Nakanishi sends Hikuleo out of the ring. Oka with the cover for a two count. Takahashi bites Oka’s fingers. Oka uppercuts Takahashi. Takahashi responds with a Big Boot. Takahashi lands a Sliding Dropkick. Takahashi connects with the Fisherman’s Buster for a two count. Takahashi plants Oka with Pimp Juice to pickup the victory.

Winner: Hikuleo & Yujiro Takahashi via Pinfall 

Third Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Katsuya Kitamura 

Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Tenzan shoves Kitamura. Tenzan tells Kitamura to bring it. Tenzan kicks Kitamura in the gut. Tenzan dishes out Multiple HeadButts. Tenzan starts running into Kitamura, but it’s to no avail. Tenzan is wearing down Kitamura with more HeadButts. Kitamura drops Tenzan with a Running Shoulder Block. Tenzan rolls himself out of the ring. Kitamura is lighting up Tenzan’s chest. Tenzan throws Kitamura back first to the ringside barricade.

Tenzan whips Kitamura face first across the steel ring post. Tenzan rolls Kitamura back into the ring at the count of sixteen. Tenzan connects with a Mountain Bomb. Tenzan follows that with a Head Drop for a two count. Tenzan applies a rear chin lock. Tenzan rams his elbow across the forehead of Kitamura. Tenzan with an elbow drop for a two count. Tenzan fires up with a series of Mongolian Chops. Tenzan is putting the boots to Kitamura in the corner.

Tenzan levels Kitamura with a Body Avalanche. Tenzan with an Exploder Suplex for a two count. Kitamura side steps Tenzan into the turnbuckles. Kitamura runs through Tenzan with a Running Shoulder Block for a two count. Kitamura PowerSlams Tenzan. Kitamura Spears Tenzan for a two count. Kitamura goes for the Jack Hammer, but Tenzan blocks it. Tenzan drops Kitamura with a DDT for a two count. Tenzan goes for a Western Lariat, but Kitamura counters with a knife edge chop. Tenzan decks Kitamura with a Spinning Heel Kick for a two count. Tenzan connects with a Uranage Slam. Tenzan locks in the Anaconda Vice which forces Kitamura to tap out.

Winner: Hiroyoshi Tenzan via Submission 

Fourth Match: Roppongi 3K & Rocky Romero vs. Taka Michinoku, El Desperado and Taichi 

Suzuki Gun attacks R3K before the bell rings. Michinoku bounces Yoh’s head on the steel ring post. Desperado rips off Sho’s jacket. Desperado rolls Sho back into the ring. Michinoku repeatedly stomps on Sho’s back. Sho launches Desperado out of the ring. Sho Spears Michinoku. Sho leapfrogs over Taichi. Sho dropkicks Taichi. Sho almost lays out Taichi and Tiger Hattori with a Double German Suplex. Tiger shoves Taichi. Sho delivers a flurry of forearm shivers. Taichi attacks the injured back of Sho. Taichi whips Sho out of the ring. Taichi drives Sho shoulder first to the steel guard rail. Taichi and Sho brings their brawl into the Korakuen Crowd.

Taichi breaks a folding chair over Sho’s back. Suzuki Gun is controlling the early stages of this match. Sho gets back into the ring at the count of nineteen. Taichi tags in Michinoku. Michinoku rips off Sho’s medical tape. Sho with Over Hand Chops to Michinoku. Michinoku pokes Sho in the eye. Michinoku floats over into a Crippler Cross Face. Suzuki Gun clears the ring. Desperado is distracting Tiger Hattori.

Taichi hits Sho in the back with the Bell Hammer. Taichi with a Corner Clothesline to Sho. Taichi rips off his pants. Taichi blocks a Basement Dropkick from Sho. Taichi tags in Desperado. Desperado locks in the Gory Special. Sho creates separation with an arm-drag takedown. Sho with a Vertical Suplex to Desperado. Sho tags in Romero. Romero knocks Suzuki Gun off the ring apron. Romero has Desperado doing the splits in the center of the ring. Romero uppercuts Desperado. Romero goes for a MoonSault, but Taichi ducks out of the way. Romero ducks a clothesline from Taichi. Romero with a HeadScissors TakeOver. Romero fires up with Forever Clotheslines.

Romero tags in Yoh. Yoh sends Michinoku crashing into the steel guard rail. Yoh with a Running Hip Attack to Desperado. Desperado launches Yoh to the ring apron. Yoh creates distance with an enzuigiri. Yoh rams his shoulders into the midsection of Desperado. Yoh with a SlingShot Double Foot Stop for a two count. Desperado rakes the eyes of Yoh. Desperado connects with a SpineBuster. Suzuki Gun are triple teaming Yoh in the corner. Following a snap mare takeover, Michinoku levels Yoh with a Running Knee Strike for a two count.

A donnie brook breaks out in the ringside area. Michinoku SuperKicks Yoh for a two count. Michinoku tags in Taichi. Sho drags Desperado out of the ring. Romero dropkicks Taichi. Michinoku decks Yoh with a Bicycle Kick. R3K and Romero drops Michinoku with Stereo Knee Strikes. Romero lays out Taichi and Desperado with a Double Suicide Dive. Sho connects with a BackStabber. Yoh follows that with a Single Leg Dropkick. R3K plants Michinoku with The 3K to pickup the victory.

Winner: Roppongi 3K & Rocky Romero via Pinfall 

Fifth Match: Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano vs. Juice Robinson & Toa Henare 

Henare is talking trash to Ishii before the bell rings. Robinson and Yano will start things off. Robinson with a quick bodyshot to Yano. Robinson applies a wrist lock. Robinson with the AirPlane Spin. Robinson tags in Henare. Henare goes for a Running Haymaker, but Ishii stands still. Henare repeatedly HeadButts Yano. Henare knocks Ishii off the ring apron. Henare rams Ishii’s back around the ringside area. Henare and Ishii are trading back and forth forearms. Ishii hits Henare with a chair. Yano rips off a turnbuckle pad. Ishii rolls Henare back into the ring. Yano whips Henare back first across the exposed steel in the corner. Yano tags in Ishii.

Ishii is walking into forearm shivers from Henare. Ishii drops Henare with a knife edge chop. Ishii is choking Henare with his boot. Henare HeadButts Ishii. Henare fires off multiple knife edge chops which seem to have zero affect on Ishii. Yano and Ishii are cutting the ring in half. Henare ducks a clothesline from Yano. Henare delivers a Flying Shoulder Tackle. Henare tags in Robinson. Robinson knocks Ishii head to the canvas. Robinson mocks Yano. Robinson with a Leaping Senton. Robinson dishes out Juice Jabs. Robinson shoves Yano into Ishii.

Robinson connects with a SpineBuster. Robinson follows that with a Corner Clothesline. Robinson with a Running Cannonball Strike. Robinson continues the sequence with the Vertical Suplex for a two count. Yano regains momentum with an Inverted Atomic Drop. Yano tags in Ishii. Robinson ducks a clothesline from Ishii. Robinson with a Belly to Back Suplex to Ishii. Robinson tags in Henare.

Henare with a Body Avalanche to Ishii. Ishii is lighting up Henare’s chest in the corner. Ishii with a Corner Clothesline for a two count. Yano tosses Robinson out of the ring. Ishii locks in the Boston Crab. Henare crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Ishii goes for a Brain Buster, but Henare lands back on his feet. Henare with knife edge chops to Ishii.

Yano trips Henare from the outside. Robinson levels Ishii with a Big Lariat. Robinson knocks Yano off the ring apron. Robinson throws Ishii into a Flying Shoulder Block from Henare for a two count. Following a long striking exchange, Henare clotheslines Ishii for a two count. Ishii and Henare are trading Back and Forth HeadButts. Ishii with an Inside Out Lariat. Ishii plants Henare with The Vertical Brain Buster to pickup the victory.

Winner: Tomohiro Ishii  & Toru Yano via Pinfall 

Sixth Match: Minoru Suzuki, Takashi Iizuka and Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Togi Makabe, Michael Elgin and Kushida 

Suzuki Gun attacks Makabe, Elgin and Kushida before the bell rings. Suzuki with Forearm Smashes to Makabe. Suzuki sends Makabe sternum first to the steel guard rail. Iizuka and Elgin are brawling in the crowd. Makabe is choking Suzuki on the floor. Kushida with a CartWheel Dropkick to Kanemaru. Kushida dives over Kanemaru. Following an Falcon Arrow, Kushida locks in the Cross Arm Breaker. Kanemaru places his boot on the bottom rope. Kushida applies a Reverse Wrist Lock. Suzuki is distracting the referee. Kushida rams his elbow across the back of Kanemaru’s neck. Iizuka hits Kushida with a chair. Suzuki clears the ring.

Suzuki kicks Makabe in the gut. A pier six brawl breaks out in Korakuen Hall. Suzuki is choking Makabe with a chair. Desperado is also attacking Kushida on the outside. Suzuki rolls Kushida back into the ring at the count of eighteen. Kanemaru bodyslams Kushida. Kanemaru tags in Suzuki. Suzuki kicks the left knee of Kushida. Suzuki locks in the Heel Hook. Suzuki bounces Kushida head on the turnbuckle pad. Iizuka starts biting Kushida’s injured knee. Suzuki applies a Draping Cross Arm Breaker from the second rope. Suzuki bites Kushida’s toes. Iizuka knocks Elgin off the ring apron. Kushida lands a Hip Toss. Kushida is throwing forearm shivers at Iizuka.

Kushida connects with a HandSpring Back Elbow Strike. Kushida tags in Elgin. Elgin fires up with two corner clotheslines. Elgin places Iizuka on the top turnbuckle. Elgin with a Press Slam to Kanemaru. Elgin decks Iizuka with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Elgin follows that with a Falcon Arrow for a two count. Elgin levels Iizuka with three short-arm lariats. Iizuka wraps a rope around Elgin’s neck. Elgin kicks Iizuka in the gut. Elgin is biting Iizuka’s shoulder. Iizuka with an Inverted Atomic Drop to Elgin. Suzuki and Makabe are tagged in.

Suzuki lands a Helluva Kick. Following a snap mare takeover, Makabe blocks the PK Kick. Makabe dishes out with a flurry of forearm shivers. Makabe transitions into a Corner Mount. Makabe with a Northern Lights Suplex for a two count. Suzuki fights out of the waist lock. Suzuki and Makabe are trading back and forth shots. Suzuki locks in the Rear Naked Choke. Kanemaru clears the ring.

Suzuki goes for The PileDriver, but Makabe counters with a Back Body Drop. Suzuki goes back to the Sleeper Hold. Suzuki tags in Kanemaru. Suzuki Gun are triple teaming Makabe. Iizuka chokes Makabe with a rope behind the referee’s back. Suzuki delivers the PK Kick. Kanemaru follows that with a Sliding Dropkick. Kanemaru connects with Deep Impact for a two count. Iizuka brings out The Iron Glove. Kushida gets in the way. Makabe clotheslines Iizuka. Makabe levels Suzuki with a Western Lariat. Makabe continues this fun sequence with an Inside Out Lariat to Kanemaru. Makabe lands a King Kong Knee Drop to pickup the victory.

Winner: Togi Makabe, Michael Elgin and Kushida via Pinfall 

Seventh Match: Jay White vs. David Finlay 

Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Finlay backs White into the ropes. White grabs on Finlay’s beard. Finlay shoves White. Finlay applies a side headlock. White leapfrogs over Finlay. White goes for The Blade Runner, but Finlay blocks it. White also negates The Stunner. White is talking trash to Finlay. White and Finlay are trading back and forth shots. White fires off blistering knife edge chops. White drops Finlay with a Running Forearm. Finlay clotheslines White over the top rope. Finlay bodyslams White on the floor. Finlay throws White into a collection of chairs.

White sends Finlay shoulder first to the ring post. White with a Saito Suplex on the floor. White rolls Finlay back into the ring. White the cover for a one count. White with a Modified Dragon Screw Leg Whip to Finlay. White with an Last Chancery/Indian Death Lock Combination. Finlay crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Finlay uppercuts White. White responds with an cavalcade of kicks. White dropkicks the back of Finlay’s head for a two count.

Finlay rams White’s back across the turnbuckle pad. Finlay kicks White in the jaw. Finlay creates distance with a back elbow strike. Finlay lowers the top rope which sends White crashing to the outside. Finlay lands a SlingShot Crossbody Block. Finlay with a Running European Uppercut to White. Finlay follows that with a Flying European Uppercut for a two count. White applies a waist lock. White delivers another Saito Suplex. Finlay responds with an Uranage BackBreaker for a two count.

Finlay wants White to bring it. Finlay staggers White with a Running Lariat. White drops Finlay with a FlatLiner. White connects with a German Suplex for a two count. White slaps Finlay in the face. White with a Saito Suplex which sends Finlay out of the ring. White continues the onslaught with a Vertical Suplex into the turnbuckle pad. Finlay spits at White.

White brings his lighting quick offense to Finlay. White repeatedly rams Finlay’s face across the turnbuckle pad. Red Shoes is trying to snatch the chair away from White. Finlay Spears White for a two count. Finlay throws the chair out of the ring. White goes for The Blade Runner, but Finlay counters with The Lumbar Check for a two count. White blocks The Stunner. White plants Finlay with The Blade Runner to pickup the victory. After the match, White destroys Finlay.

Winner: Jay White via Pinfall 

Eight Match: Gedo, Will Ospreay, Yoshi Hashi, Hirooki Goto and Kazuchika Okada vs. Bushi, Hiromu Takahashi, Tetsuya Naito, EVIL and Sanada in a Special Elimination Match 

Takahashi trips Red Shoes before the bell rings. Ospreay and Takahashi will start things off. Ospreay with a Running Knee Strike to Takahashi. Ospreay is mauling Takahashi in the corner. Ospreay kicks Takahashi in the face. Takahashi responds with a Corner Clothesline. Takahashi goes for a Basement Dropkick, but Ospreay ducks out of the way. Takahashi dodges a leg lariat from Ospreay. Ospreay misses on a MoonSault. Ospreay ducks a clothesline from Takahashi. Ospreay goes for a HandSpring Back Elbow Strike, but Takahashi counters with a Waist Lock. Following a standing switch exchange, Ospreay decks Takahashi with an enzuigiri. Chaos clears the ring.

Goto with a Back Elbow Strike to Takahashi. Gedo rams his boot across Takahashi’s face. Okada with a Basement Dropkick. Ospreay continues the sequence with a Standing MoonSault. Chaos does their signature pose in the center of the ring. Gedo avoids elimination. Naito and Ospreay are brawling on the outside. Sanada and Okada are brawling in the upper deck section of Korakuen Hall. Takahashi is choking Gedo with his boot. Takahashi grabs Gedo by his beard. Takahashi chops the beard. Takahashi tags in Bushi. LIJ are double teaming Gedo. Naito with an Flying Axe Handle to Gedo’s beard. Bushi locks in the STF. Gedo crawls to the bottom rope to create separation.

Bushi tags in Naito. Sanada knocks Okada off the ring apron. Sanada drops Gedo with a Knife Edge Chop. EVIL goes for a Running Senton, but Gedo ducks out of the way. Gedo with a thrust kick across the midsection of Sanada. Gedo tags in Okada. Okada clears the ring. Okada kicks Sanada in the chest. Okada shoves EVIL into Sanada. Okada with a DDT to EVIL. Bushi kicks Okada in the gut. Okada responds with a back elbow strike. Okada levels Sanada with a FlapJack for a two count. Okada and Goto are double teaming Sanada. Okada with a Big Boot to Sanada. Goto follows that with a Running BullDog for a two count. Goto with Over Hand Chops to Sanada. Sanada responds with a Basement Dropkick. Sanada tags in EVIL.

EVIL with a Corner Clothesline to Goto. Goto blocks the Fisherman’s Buster. Goto and EVIL are running into each other. Goto clotheslines EVIL. Goto goes for the Ushigoroshi, but EVIL lands back on his feet. EVIL thrust kicks the abdomen of Goto. EVIL tags in Takahashi. Takahashi fires off a knife edge chop. Goto responds with an Inside Out Lariat. Goto tags in Ospreay. Ospreay drops Takahashi with a Leaping European Uppercut. Takahashi avoids a Corner Dropkick from Ospreay. Ospreay levels Takahashi with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Ospreay delivers the HandSpring Rolling Kick. Ospreay with a Standing Spinning CorkScrew Splash for a two count. Ospreay goes for a Reverse Bloody Sunday, but Takahashi blocks it.

Ospreay with a High Kick to Takahashi. Ospreay ducks a clothesline from Takahashi. Takahashi connects with a Pop Up SitOut PowerBomb. Takahashi follows that with an Falcon Arrow for a two count. LIJ knocks Goto and Okada off the ring apron. Ospreay eats a back elbow strike from Takahashi. Ospreay repsonds with The Cheeky Nandnos Kick. Takahashi trips Ospreay on the top rope. Ospreay is distracted by Bushi. Takahashi inadvertently g eliminates himself and Ospreay with the Avalanche SunsetFlip PowerBomb to the outside.

Hashi with a HeadScissors TakeOver to Naito. Hashi launches Naito to the ring apron. Bushi with an enzuigiri to the back of Hashi’s head. Naito drops Hashi with an NeckBreaker. EVIL with a Corner Clothesline to Hashi. Naito follows that with a Single Leg Dropkick for a two count. Naito goes for the Tornado DDT, but Hashi blocks it. Naito blocks the PowerBomb. Step Up Enzuigiri by Naito. Naito goes for The Satellite DDT, but Hashi counters with a Vertical Suplex that sends Naito to the ring apron. Hashi with Two Wrecking Ball Dropkicks which sends Naito crashing to the outside. Tetsuya Naito is officially eliminated.

Hashi connects with the Bunker Buster on Bushi. Hashi tags in Gedo. Gedo drops Bushi with a Jaw Breaker. Gedo SuperKicks Bushi. Gedo starts ripping off Bushi’s mask. Gedo is distracted by Red Shoes. Bushi with the CodeBreaker for a two count. Gedo fully rips off Bushi mask in mid-air. Hashi throws Bushi over the top rope. Bushi is officially eliminated. Hashi tags in Okada. Okada and Sanada are trading back and forth shots. Sanada uppercuts Okada. Okada responds with a Reverse NeckBreaker. Okada lands a Top Rope Elbow Drop. Okada does the Rain Maker Pose. Okada goes for The Rain Maker, but Sanada counters with Skull End. Hashi breaks up the submission attempt. Sanada rakes the eyes of Hashi. Sanada tosses Hashi out of the ring.

Okada delivers a Forearm Smash that has Sanada holding on for dear life on the top rope. Sanada uses the lower bridge, but Okada avoids touching the floor. Okada goes for a TombStone, but Sanada counters with Skull End. Okada with a Back Body Drop which sends Sanada tumbling to the outside. Sanada is officially eliminated. EVIL eliminates Okada with a Running Haymaker. Goto dishes out a flurry of forearm shives. Goto connects with a Corner Clothesline. Goto follows that with a Saito Suplex for a two count. EVIL blocks the German Suplex. Goto with The Ushigoroshi for a two count. Goto goes for the GTR, but EVIL blocks it. Hashi knocks Naito off the ring apron. Goto and Hashi with a Knee Lift/NeckBreaker Combination.

Goto and Hashi goes for The Magic Killer, but EVIL blocks it. EVIL shoves Hashi into Red Shoes. Naito rams Hashi back first to the steel guard rail. EVIL wraps a chair around Goto’s neck. EVIL connects with the Conchairto. EVIL clotheslines Goto over the top rope. Hirooki Goto is officially eliminated. We’re down to Yoshi Hashi and EVIL. EVIL levels Hashi with Darkness Falls for a two count. EVIL goes for the STO, but Hashi counters with a SuperKick. EVIL decks Hashi with a Discus Elbow Smash. Hashi responds with the Western Lariat. Hashi with a Running SitOut PowerBomb for a two count. Hashi delivers a spinning heel kick. Hashi goes for Karma, but EVIL counters with the STO to pickup the victory.

Winner: EVIL via Pinfall 

Check out Episode 91 of the Josh Lopez Wrestling Podcast