YOSHI-HASHI had been out since September after crashing into the edge of the ring while making his entrance at Destruction in Kobe. The CHAOS Member suffered a head and left shoulder injury due to the collision, but made his return in the main event (YOSHI-HASHI, Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Jay White, Bad Luck Fale & Gedo) at NJPW New Year Dash. Unfortunately, he would take the pin after White hit his blade-runner finisher.
Hey, it’s @YOSHIHASHICHAOS! ?? #njdash
?? https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk pic.twitter.com/hkRsrvj8No
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) January 5, 2019
It was speculated that NJPW’s New Year Dash would be Kenny Omega’s send-off before possibly signing with AEW or WWE (after receiving a “fantastic offer”). Unfortunately, Omega did not make an appearance at today’s show.
New contenders have already stepped up for NJPW’s top titles. Taichi made quite the impression by not only destroying Tetsuya Naito during a 10-Man Tag Team Match, but he picked up the pinfall victory over the weakened champion. For IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jay White made it very clear that he is coming for the title, referring to Tanahashi as an “old man” and calling this the “Switchblade Era.”
“The Switchblade will be the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion! All you can do is breathe with the Switchblade in the new year… and my new era!”
— @JayWhiteNZ #njdash
?? https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk pic.twitter.com/o6e6R3h1WC
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) January 5, 2019
.@taichi0319 makes a huge statement! #njdash
?? https://t.co/8n90d75Nfk pic.twitter.com/5cGwtZYXiJ
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) January 5, 2019
