10 Reasons Why January 2018 Was The Best Month In Wrestling History
4. The New Beginning In Sapporo
Surprisingly delivering a payoff long-destined to be one of the best of the year at the end of 2018's first month, New Beginning's magnificent finale again reset the table for New Japan Pro Wrestling's year ahead.
Tensions between Cody Rhodes and Kenny Omega finally boiled over after the Bullet Club boss shockingly lost his United States title to upstart Jay White. White's next opponent Hangman Page joined Marty Scurll and The Young Bucks in trying to keep the two apart before Omega lashed out at Matt Jackson. Shoving his 'Elite' colleague to the ground, Omega felt instant heartache over his rash outburst as Nick carried his brother to the back.
This freed the ring for Cody to brutally swerve-turn on Omega, ostensibly ousting 'The Cleaner'. Before he could hammer Omega with a chair thanks to a reluctant assist from Page, Kenny's 'Golden Lovers' partner Kota Ibushi made the save, running off the heels to set up a tearful reunion between the two. It was a Sports Entertainment spectacle Vince McMahon himself would be proud of.
It being New Japan, it was merely the icing on a too sweet cake. Hiroshi Tanahashi's Intercontinental Title loss to Minoru Suzuki was a masterclass from both, continuing Suzuki's perfect start to 2018. Elsewhere The Young Bucks had an even better match with Roppongi 3k than their Wrestle Kingdom blinder. Matt Jackson's selling of his still-injured back again flew in the face of their remaining critics, and fed into the aforementioned show-closing drama.