12 Ups & 5 Downs From NJPW The New Beginning In Osaka 2019

2. A Turgid Journey To A Worthwhile Destination

Hiroyoshi Tenzan Takashi Iizuka
NJPW

We'll talk about the ongoing Takashi Iizuka storyline later (spoiler: it isn't a Down), but the opener, predictably, didn't hit the mark.

It was Iizuka and Suzuki-gun stablemates Minoru Suzuki and TAKA Michinoku versus Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, and Jushin 'Thunder' Liger. Average age: 49 years old. No disrespect to these guys - each has had a long, successful career, a handful are legitimate legends, and some can still go - but their combination isn't exactly a recipe for an action-packed opener.

Storyline considerations aside, the bout was stodgy. Suzuki was content to dog it. He barely broke a sweat, and while Kojima and Tenzan showed fire, it wasn't strong enough to save a subpar scrap between six New Japan dads, all of whom have seen better days.

The DQ finish keeps the Iizuka/Tenzan story going, but the 13 minutes it took to get there were tough.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.