New Year Dash happened today in Japan, the event that directly follows up Wrestle Kingdom for NJPW and effectively kickstarts the new year for New Japan, in many ways what the first Raw and Smackdown after WrestleMania do for the WWE. And much like 2016’s Dash that saw AJ Styles ejected from the Bullet Club or last year’s Dash that saw Suzuki-Gun return from a year exile in Pro Wrestling NOAH, this year’s held no expense – in fact it may have been the most shocking yet. If you missed it, here’s a recap of the most shocking moments.
TANAHASHI vs. SUZUKI
Still reigning IWGP Intercontinental Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi teamed up with Michael Elgin and War Machine (who are all most likely gone from NJPW) against Suzuki-Gun, with Minor Suzuki singling out the IC champ with his brutality. Now that Suzuki is away from the NEVER Openweight title, a feud between the Ace and New Japan’s most vicious striker is on the cards, in what should be a very interesting contrast of old school New Japan with the new.
次の標的は@tanahashi1_100 か!?@suzuki_D_minoruが棚橋の脚を執拗に狙う!?
視聴＆登録▷https://t.co/NxJKtVK94f #njdash #njpw #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/fTN9Y5xjTe— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 5, 2018
JERICHO ATTACKS NAITO
It appears all that build-up and back and forth in the media for weeks lead right into where we predicted back in late December, as “The Alpha” Chris Jericho, hot after losing his contest with Kenny Omega last night, stormed the ring after Los Ingobernables de Japon big 10-man victory over CHAOS and attacked Tetsuya Naito mercilessly. Looks like we’ve got Jericho’s next battle in New Japan.
Oh!My God!! @IAmJericho surprises @s_d_naito and the Korakuen crowd at New Year's Dash! The legend seems to have had enough of Naito's attitude! Watch Now（English Commentary）▶︎https://t.co/fEh4jA7fML#njpw #njpwworld #njdash pic.twitter.com/b3KeNBcEL0
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 5, 2018
A BULLET CLUB REJECTION
Cody Rhodes continued his battle against Ibushi in a tag match, but when he went to continue his beat down, Ibushi’s old tag partner and Bullet Club leader Kenny Omega came down to make the save for Ibushi, angering Cody in the process.
Tensions boil over once again within the #BulletClub, as @CodyRhodes and @KennyOmegamanX have a heated exchange over how to attend to unfinished business! Watch Now（English Commentary）▶︎https://t.co/fEh4jA7fML#njpw #njpwworld #njdash pic.twitter.com/GHO6MqLyn6
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 5, 2018
Omega decided that in order to create more unity, the Bullet Club needed more members, and called out “Switchblade” Jay White to don the colours.
The #BulletClub leader, @KennyOmegamanX, reaches out to a strong young hopeful in order to bolster his ranks! Watch Now（English Commentary）▶︎https://t.co/fEh4jA7fML #njpw #njpwworld #njdash pic.twitter.com/HeElTGskGV
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 5, 2018
@JayWhiteNZ の答えはNOだ！
US王者@KennyOmegamanXを、必殺技のブレードランナーで沈める！
視聴＆登録▷https://t.co/0vr5Zf84ta #njdash #njpw #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/eFa6X1qPBF— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 5, 2018
With a quick rejection from “Switchblade”, it appears we have Omega’s next challenger for the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship.
