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A NEW YEAR DAWNS: 1/6 NJPW NEW YEAR'S DASH REPORT

The beginning of New Japan's 2021 storylines begins here.

They announced the card line up as the show opened.

Yuji Nagata vs. Gabriel Kidd

Nagata forces Kidd to tap out to a crossface.

Minoru Suzuki and DOUKI vs. Tiger Mask and Yuya Uemura

Uemura made the mistake of intentionally knocking Suzuki off the mat into the guardrail twice at the beginning of the match.  That prompted Suzuki to drag the Young Lion to the floor and beat him down.   Uemura took a vicious elbow and a hard headbutt.  Sick.  Suzuki pinned Uemura with a Gotch Piledriver.  As Tiger Mask helped his partner, Suzuki jumps on the ring apron and waves to Uemura with a sick smile.  Uemura attacked Suzuki with some fire.  These two may meet again.

Jeff Cobb,The Great O-Khan and Will Ospreay, with Bea Priestley vs. Yota Tsuji, Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyoshi Tenzan

Cobb pinned Tsuji after a triple team top rope Oscutter.   Ospreay beat down Tsuji after the match.  O-Khan hit Tenzan Tombstone Driver on Tenzan.  The Empire started stomping on Tenzan.  Kojima tries to make the save.  Ospreay hits a Hidden Blade on Kojima.   Ospreay takes the mic and asks the crowd if you think they are weak.  He says that they are pissed off.   He says this is the year they take over.  Ospreay says we are the United Empire.  The doctors brought out a neckbrace and stretcher for Tenzan.  About ten trainers were able to carry Tenzan carefully to the locker room.

Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr., El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru, with DOUKI vs. Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, Taiji Ishimori and El Phantasmo, with Jado

Taichi demanded the Iron Finger/Glove back from the Guerillas of Destiny.   Tama Tonga pretended that he did not know what he was talking about. Suzuki-Gun attacks Bullet Club immediately.  Complete chaos between these two heel teams.    Phantasmo pinned Kanemaru with a super kick with his loaded boot.  El Phantasmo and Taiji Ishimori are possible contenders for the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championship.  In earlier interviews prior to Wrestle Kingdom, El Phantasmo said he was practicing his super kick at his home in Canada.  He would kick trees as practice.  Taichi told the referee something was wrong with Phantasmo's boot.  Tama Tonga told Taichi that "the Iron Finger is mine".  Kanemaru was selling the super kick on the floor, and had to be assisted from the ring.

EVIL with Dick Togo, Yujiro Takahashi, Chase Owens, Bad Luck Fale and Jay White with Gedo vs. Toru Yano, YOSHI-HASHI, Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto and Kazuchika Okada

The announcers kept referencing a Youtube video put out by Jay White after Wrestle Kingdom, in which he was questioning his future as wrestler and in New Japan.  The announcers kept focusing on it during this match.

White attempted a Bladerunner on Ishii, who reversed out.  Ishii hits a brainbuster and pins Jay White.   There was stunned look in the faces of Bullet Club, as all of CHAOS raised their arms in victory.   White had dazed look in his face and had to be helped to the locker.  

The drama of Bullet Club will be an ongoing story.

BUSHI, SANADA, Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi and Tetsuya Naito vs. Rocky Romero, SHO, Master Wato, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Kota Ibushi

The announcers said that in a backstage interview that Hiromu Takahashi suggested SHO as his next challenger for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title.     BUSHI pins Wato after an MX.

Shingo Takagi poses with the NEVER Openweight Title in the face of Tanahashi, as a potential challenger.  BUSHI takes the mic and challenges Master Wato.   He said the focus of 2021 will be on Los Ingobernales de Japon.

The Road to New Beginning starts January 17, which will culminate at The New Beginning in Nagoya on Saturday, January 30.

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