Critics and fans widely praised the bout as a "best match of the year" candidate. Reviewers from NJPW and community members on Reddit noted that the match successfully established the "Strong Style" tone for the newly created TV title. Winner Zack Sabre Jr. Method Pinfall (Zack Driver) Time 14:48 (Approx. 12 seconds before the limit) Defense No. 1st successful defense of his inaugural reign
This feature highlights the defense where Zack Sabre Jr. (c) faced Tomohiro Ishii during The New Beginning in Sapporo Night 2 on February 5, 2023. Match Overview: Technical Wizardry vs. The Stone Pitbull Critics and fans widely praised the bout as
The match is a standout in their long-running rivalry, blending Sabre’s intricate catch-wrestling with Ishii’s "Strong Style" brawling. In a high-stakes encounter constrained by a , both men delivered a masterclass in pacing and storytelling. Date: February 5, 2023 Method Pinfall (Zack Driver) Time 14:48 (Approx
Sabre surprised the audience by trading heavy strikes with the veteran Ishii, including a ringing soccer ball kick to the spine. (c) faced Tomohiro Ishii during The New Beginning
Sabre targeted Ishii’s arm and joints early with signature brutal efficacy. Ishii countered by "digging deep into his bag of tricks," including an uncharacteristic Cobra Twist and even a YoshiTonic/Code Red to keep Sabre off balance.
Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center, Sapporo, Japan Stakes: NJPW World Television Championship Key Match Moments