Well, we can’t say we didn’t see it coming.
The rift between Cody Rhodes and Kenny Omega has been widening for a while, and when Kenny saved Kota Ibushi from a chair assault by The American Nightmare earlier this month at New Year’s Dash!!, fans we thrilled to see not only the Bullet Club disintegration story move forward, but a tease of a reunion between Golden☆Lovers partners Omega and Ibushi.
Both stories reached a critical point Sunday, Jan. 28 at the end of the second night of New Beginning in Sapporo. You can read a synopsis of what happened here, or just watch the entire closing angle courtesy of NJPWWorld’s Twitter account right here:
What a moment!! REUNITED AT LAST!! Watch now▶︎https://t.co/Tj7UBJ4PjP#NJNBG #NJPWWorld pic.twitter.com/mL9B6NBPiB
— njpwworld (@njpwworld) January 28, 2018
English language annoucers Kevin Kelly and Don Callis also break down what it could all mean here:
The NEW BEGINNING in SAPPORO has come to a dramatic end! @realkevinkelly and @CyrusOverHuge summarize all the action from Night 2, and what's to come for New Japan Pro-Wrestling!
— njpwworld (@njpwworld) January 28, 2018
Stay tuned on https://t.co/Tj7UBJ4PjP#NJNBG #NJPW #NJPWWorld pic.twitter.com/oDoPoXffgt
There’s a lot to unpack here with plenty of shows in the future to give us some answers- or likely raise more questions.
Of particular note is New Japan playing two of their biggest cards - a possible Bullet Club break-up and the reunion of the immensely popular and LGBT-friendly Omega/Ibushi team - on Royal Rumble day. We don’t have a Monday Night War on our hands, but NJPW is definitely making a play for hardcore wrestling fan mindshare in 2018.
Compose yourself and discuss your thoughts on Cody vs. Kenny, Golden☆Lovers vs. Young Bucks and Jay White’s rapid rise below!