New Japan Pro Wednesday. New Beginning Fallout. New Champions Crowned. Tanahashi Injured. NJPW Issues Replacement. Omega Issues Statement.

New Champions Crowned In Sapporo

While WWE fans were sleeping, dreaming dreams of NXT and the Royal Rumble, NJPW began their annual New Beginning tour. The tour began with two live shows from Sapporo. There were four titles defended over the course of the weekend, and three new champions were crowned.

Related: 1/27 NJPW New Beginning In Sapporo Results, Shocking End To Main Event, Okada Calls Out SANADA, Cody Loves Kenny, More

The first night saw Bullet Club retain the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Championship over Taguchi Japan. Then in the main event, Minoru Suzuki became the 17th IWGP Intercontinental Championship, when he defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi by referee stoppage.

The second night saw Roppongi 3K become the 56th IWGP Jr. Tag Team Champions, when they defeated The Young Bucks. Then in the main event “Switchblade” Jay White became the 2nd IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion, after he defeated Kenny Omega.

Related: NJPW New Beginning Sapporo Results (1/28): Bullet Club Fractures, Golden Lovers Reunite, More 

https://twitter.com/njpwyohei_k/status/957559706293223424

Hiroshi Tanahashi Injured, Set To Miss New Beginning Tour

After being stretched to his breaking point by Minoru Suzuki, Hiroshi Tanahashi will miss the rest of the New Beginning tour. According to New Japan Pro Wrestling, the diagnosis is acute osteoarthritis in Tanahashi’s right knee. Whether storyline or legitimate, this will be the first tour Tanahashi has missed in quite a while. There is currently no word on how long Tanahashi will absent.

Togi Makabe is scheduled to replace Tanahashi in all of his New Beginning matches. Tanahashi joins Satoshi Kojima, who suffered an ACL injury and is currently replaced by Manabu Nakanishi.

Continue onto NEXT PAGE for the full February live coverage schedule…