First match announced for NJPW The New Beginning USA

Konosuke Takeshita lost New Japan Pro Wrestling gold early in January. He’ll have a chance to get some back when he challenges El Phantasmo late in February. 

NJPW has announced that ELP will defend his NJPW World TV Championship against Takeshita at New Beginning USA at the CURE Arena in Trenton, New Jersey, on February 27. Tickets for the event are already on sale. 

The NJPW World TV title is contested under 15-minute time limits, which is notable given the history between ELP and Takeshita. The two have met in four prior singles encounters, with Takeshita winning twice. Takeshita also challenged ELP for the TV title last May at Dontoku, but the match went to a time limit draw. For his part, Phantasmo has one win over Takeshita, beating him in last year’s G1 Climax tournament in a match that went 15 minutes, 2 seconds. 

The two also clashed at New Year Dash on January 5, with Takeshita teaming with Rocky Romero defeating ELP and Shoma Kato in tag team action when Takeshita pinned Kato.