The first match for Hiroshi Tanahashi as president of NJPW is a title shot, though it’s no easy one since Zack Sabre Jr. has been the one and only NJPW World Television Champion. Sabre’s entrance video is cool because it features the names of everyone he’s beaten defending his title, eventually all getting crossed out.
The president wastes no time getting fans to chant for him as he warily locks up with ZSJ. That’s really the only way one should do that, honestly.
Sabre shows off a cool escape by sliding back between the Ace’s legs, then gets the better of him briefly with a hammerlock before taking repeated Twist and Shouts and a Sling Blade for a near fall.
Tanahashi heads right up top for a high cross body, but he catches knees on the High Fly Flow and is nearly beaten by a reverse bridge by Sabre. Tana blunders into a leg triangle but slowly turns it into a submission of his own … which of course Sabre reverses into an armbar.
The champ flows form one hold to another until Tanahashi can get a foot to the ropes for a break. A ZSJ kick to the chest is answered by a running dropkick before the men exchange holds again. Tanahashi keeps rolling his foe up for potential pinfalls to escape an armbreaker, which is a good idea.
Near falls are coming fast and furious and from both men. Sabre applies the octopus hold, and he escapes a dragon screw so he can do a few neck screws of his own. A PK connects, and Sabre looks like he’s working for the kill now.
A Zack Driver is countered to set off a crazy back and forth sequence, and it’s Tanahashi who is able to hold his opponent’s shoulders down for the three count. Though he looks astonished, Sabre respectfully hands the title belt to the president and walks out with TMDK.
The Ace gets the mic after his victory and says it’s been a while since he’s been a singles champion. He wishes the fans a Happy New Year
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