A new era is upon New Japan.
At The New Beginning in Osaka, Jay White welcomed everyone to the Cutthroat Era by defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the IWGP Heavyweight Title. Tanahashi looked to be in control during the closing stretch, hitting a Styles Clash, back-to-back Slingblades and a dragon suplex. But nothing would keep White down. Tanahashi went to the top for High Fly Flow, but White had managed to get to his feet. Tanahashi made the jump anyway and was caught with a Blade Runner on the way down. That was all she wrote for The Ace.
Blade Runner! #NJPW #njnbg https://t.co/IKsQw9WMvw pic.twitter.com/d5zTQbon9Y
— LARIATOOOO!! (@MrLARIATO) February 11, 2019
JAY WHITE IS THE NEW IWGP WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!!! #NJNBG pic.twitter.com/clxTrcL2vo
— ------Adam Goldberg------ (@adamgoldberg28) February 11, 2019
With this victory, White becomes the 68th IWGP Heavyweight Champion in history. It's been a banner year for the leader of Bullet Club as he defeated Kazuchika Okada and Wrestle Kingdom 13 and now Tanahashi. Tanahashi's reign as champion lasted just over a month, having won the title from Kenny Omega on Jan. 4 at Wrestle Kingdom 13.
If you missed any of the action from The New Beginning in Osaka, head over to Fightful's full report.
