NJPW has booked the final singles match between career rivals Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi.
In light of the announcement that Okada is departing the company after his contract expires, NJPW has revealed changes to the upcoming The New Beginning tour, including one last Okada vs. Tanahashi battle for February 11 at The New Beginning in Osaka.
Osaka was the site of the first post-excursion Okada vs. Tanahashi singles match at The New Beginning in 2012 where Okada shocked the world by defeating Tanahashi to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Their last singles match will take place in the same building at the EDION Arena on Sunday, February 11.
The February 11 show is still scheduled to be headlined by a Bullet Club vs. United Empire 5-on-5 steel cage match, Will Ospreay's final match for the promotion. Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr. is also set for that card.
Okada's final NJPW match in Korakuen Hall will take place on Wednesday, January 24, as Okada, Tanahashi, and Tomohiro Ishii defend the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship against TMDK's Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls, and Kosei Fujita. That match was originally set to take place in Osaka.
As announced on Thursday, Okada's final NJPW dates will be at The New Beginning in Sapporo on Friday, February 23 and Saturday, February 24. NJPW says that more details regarding those final appearances will be released at a later date:
Okada will be making his final NJPW appearances in Sapporo on February 23 and 24. More details will be released at a later date.
Okada's NJPW contract expires on January 31, 2024, but he will work the three announced dates in February.
NJPW's full announcement regarding changes to The New Beginning:
In the wake of the announcement earlier today that Kazuchika Okada will be leaving NJPW at the conclusion of his contract on January 31, with his final appearances scheduled for February 11 in Osaka and 23 and 24 in Sappoto, changes have been made to the New Beginning series cards.
January 24 will see Okada in his last NJPW match in Korakuen Hall. There, the NEVER Openweight 6 Man Tag team Championship match, previously scheduled for New Beginning in Osaka will take place, Okada teaming with Tomohiro Ishii and Hiroshi Tanahashi to face TMDK’s Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls and Kosei Fujita. The TMDK side, and the impetuous Kosei Fujita in particular will not be looking to let a symbol of NJPW for the last decade leave with a title in his grasp. Yet with the vice like grip the champions have had over the gold to date, is this too tall of a mountain for TMDK to climb?
The freed up Zack Sabre Jr will now be facing Tiger Mask in a unique singles match to start the night’s main card action, while the scheduled opening bout pitting Katsuya Muraashima and Toru Yano against Shoma Kato and Boltin Oleg is now a special bonus kickoff.
February 11 will see the New Beginning in Osaka, and a special singles matchup for Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi. New Beginning in the EDION Arena in 2012 was the start of it all for the Rainmaker and the Ace. 12 years on, they face off one last time on a night that will be full of emotion.
Okada will be making his final NJPW appearances in Sapporo on February 23 and 24. More details will be released at a later date.
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