Three title matches set for Ota-City
As the New Japan Anniversary event draws closer, anticipation is building for the action-packed card set to take place on March 6th at Tokyo's Ota-City General Gymnasium.
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Main Event: IWGP World Heavyweight Championship- Hirooki Goto vs Hiroshi Tanahashi
Singles record: 13-3 Tanahashi
After a 23-year journey, Hirooki Goto finally achieved his dream at New Beginning by capturing the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Having come up short in his quest for the top prize eight times, Goto overcame those past failures by defeating Zack Sabre Jr. in Osaka, realizing his lifelong ambition. Exhausted yet elated from his victory, Goto vowed during a backstage interview to grant Hiroshi Tanahashi one final shot at the belt—and what better stage than the Anniversary Show on March 6th?
Tanahashi, currently on his "Final Road" before his retirement at the next Tokyo Dome show, has had a successful farewell tour thus far. Not only has he passed on his wisdom to the next generation of Young Lions, but he has also rekindled rivalries with old foes like Togi Makabe. Now, with this potentially being his last opportunity to claim IWGP World Heavyweight gold, the question looms. Can Tanahashi defeat the newly crowned champion and end his legendary career with the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship around his waist? Or will CHAOS and Bishamon's Goto be the first obstacle on Tanahashi’s final journey? All eyes will be on the Anniversary Show to see if the Ace can defy time and capture glory one last time.
6th Match: IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship- El Desperado vs Francesco Akira
Singles record: 1-0 Desperado
Since El Desperado captured the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom in the Tokyo Dome, challengers haven’t been in short supply. After successfully defending his title against Taiji Ishimori and the up-and-coming Kosei Fujita, another young star has emerged: the Italian Fireball, Francesco Akira. Akira staked his claim for a title shot during the Road to New Beginning event at Korakuen Hall, where El Desperado seemed to take it with ease and confidence, baiting Akira into a brawl as he questioned the whereabouts of the Italian Fireball's 'boss' TJP.
However, El Desperado's nonchalant attitude may cost him. At New Beginning in Osaka, during a kickoff tag team match, Akira managed to shock the veteran champion by securing a pinfall victory over him with a well-executed roll-up, signaling that he’s not to be taken lightly.
This will be only the second time these two competitors have faced each other in singles competition, with El Desperado having previously claimed victory in their encounter at the Best of the Super Juniors 30 tournament in 2023. The agonising defeat Akira felt that night in Korakuen, hanging on in Numero Dos until his body could stand no more, has haunted the challenger ever since, and started a drive for revenge and closure. Now, Akira has momentum on his side with his recent victory, and the added motivation of being in Ota, the site of his World Junior Heavyweight Championship victory in All Japan before he steppedinto an NJPW ring. Will Francesco Akira, riding high on his newfound confidence, dethrone the experienced champion and usher in a new era for the division? Or will El Desperado once again show why he is the reigning IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion?
5th Match: Los Ingobernables De Japon (Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi, Tetsuya Naito and Yota Tsuji) vs HOUSE OF TORTURE (Dick Togo, SHO, Yujiro Takahashi and EVIL)
Following the events of New Beginning and their split from the War Dogs, HOUSE OF TORTURE finds itself at war on multiple fronts. The returning EVIL, alongside his trusted enforcer Dick Togo and fellow H.O.T members Yujiro Takahashi and SHO, aims to send a clear message: a new chapter is beginning for the faction. EVIL was specific in his disdain for IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji, and with a first round meeting in the New Japan Cup set for Korakuen Hall on March 7, we see a tournament preview tonight.
LIJ has been riding high on recent success. Hiromu Takahashi and Tetsuya Naito, despite being a mixed team of Heavyweight and Jr. Heavyweight, overcame the odds to capture the IWGP Tag Team Championship. Meanwhile, IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji retained his title in a hard-fought double KO, adding more gold to the faction's growing collection. Although Shingo Takagi suffered a loss to Drilla Moloney, he still showcased his strength and resilience in defeat.
The big question is whether HOT can remain focused amidst their numerous conflicts and prove that their new direction is one of strength and dominance. LIJ, with their momentum and championship gold, presents a significant challenge. Can HOUSE OF TORTURE, under the leadership of the returned EVIL, rise to the occasion and take down a team with such firepower, or will LIJ continue their resurgence in 2025?
4th Match: War Dogs (Drilla Moloney and Gabe Kidd) vs HOUSE OF TORTURE (Ren Narita and Yoshinobu Kanemaru)
It was a turbulent New Beginning for the War Dogs. Drilla Moloney made an emphatic statement in the heavyweight division with a singles victory over former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shingo Takagi. Meanwhile, Gabe Kidd cemented himself as a force to be reckoned with in New Japan, engaging in a brutal battle with Yota Tsuji that ended in a shocking double KO. However, what followed was something no one saw coming.
EVIL reemerged, not only attacking Yota Tsuji but also turning on his former pseudo ally Gabe Kidd. In a shocking twist, he declared that the War Dogs were no longer part of BULLET CLUB, albeit under what jurisdiction is anyone's guess.
Either way, the War Dogs are out for revenge. Their sights are set on Ren Narita and Yoshinobu Kanemaru, who played a role in the assault on Gabe Kidd. A furious Kidd would remind Narita of their Young Lion connections that stretch back to Narita's trianing in the LA Dojo on excursion. Now, what does this betrayal mean for the future of the War Dogs, HOUSE OF TORTURE and BULLET CLUB?
3rd Match Just 4 Guys (TAKA Michinoku, Yuya Uemaru and Taichi) vs War Dogs (Gedo, Taiji Ishimori and SANADA)
Frustration has been mounting for Taichi in recent weeks, as former Just 5 Guys member SANADA has consistently outsmarted him, always managing to stay one step ahead. Even when Taichi seemed poised to channel his anger into victory, SANADA resorted to his underhanded tactics once again—this time with the help of Taiji Ishimori, who interfered to ensure Taichi's defeat. After the match, SANADA added insult to injury with a vicious post-match beatdown.
However, just as things seemed bleak for Just 4 Guys, Yuya Uemura made his long-awaited return, rushing to the ring to even the odds for his faction. With two key members previously sidelined by injury, Just 4 Guys had struggled, but Yuya’s return brings a renewed sense of hope. Now, with Yuya back in the fold, and set to battle SANADA March 7 in Korakuen, can Just 4 Guys finally overcome SANADA’s dirty tactics and the relentless assault of the War Dogs, or will SANADA and his allies continue to exploit every advantage to keep Taichi and his team at bay?
2nd Match: TMDK (Hartley Jackson and Ryohei Oiwa) vs BULLET CLUB (Chase Owens and BAD LUCK FALE)
Challenging Konosuke Takeshita for the NEVER Openweight Championship at a date to be determined, Ryohei Oiwa now finds himself with a pair of golden opportunities; one against the Alpha, and another in the form of the New Japan Cup, where this weekend his first round opponent will be Chase Owens. With the promise of a second round face off with TMDK mentor Zack Sabre Jr, Oiwa will be driven to find success in tag team action tonight.
Owens, one of few member of BULLET CLUB without an allegiance to one of its splinter groups, may feel out in the cold as civil war heats up between the War Dogs and HOUSE OF TORTURE. He finds himself in good company tonight though, with his former IWGP Tag Team Champion partner Bad Luck Fale. For his part, the Rogue General will certainly appreciate an accomplished ally in the front lines; does Chase belong in the Rogue Army?
1st Match NJPW TV Championship Open Challenge- El Phantasmo vs ?
We start Anniversary with exciting title action and the NJPW TV Championship on the line. Current champion El Phantasmo, fresh off a successful second defense against Jeff Cobb, has implemented an Open Challenge, and nobody knows who will be walking down the aisle to challenge on March 6. ELP has publicly spoken of his excitement at being TV Champion, and the prospect of '15 minute, firecracker matches against diverse opponents'. Who will be that opposition at Anniversary, and will Phantasmo's reign continue, or end at V3?
