Since 2020, NJPW has unable to run events with a full arena capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions.[4] The New Beginning is NJPW's first major show after their annual January 4 Tokyo Dome Show, which is their biggest show of the year. On December 25, NJPW announced Castle Attack for February 27 and 28, 2021.[5]
Storylines
Castle Attack featured twelve professional wrestling matches across both days that involve different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers portray villains, heroes, or less distinguishable characters in the scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches.[6]
Since New Year Dash!!, Kazuchika Okada has been asking for a match with Evil.[7] On night two of The New Beginning in Hiroshima, Okada teamed with Toru Yano to take on Evil and Dick Togo but the match ended due to a double countout as Evil attacked Okada outside of the ring with a steel chair. After the match, Okada asked for an impromptu match with Evil which he accepted; although the match ended by disqualification after inference by Togo.[8] NJPW later announced a rematch between Okada and Evil was scheduled for Castle Attack.[3]
After winning the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and IWGP Intercontinental Championship from Tetsuya Naito at Wrestle Kingdom 15, Kota Ibushi declared that he wants to unify the championships into one belt.[9] At The New Beginning in Hiroshima, Ibushi made his first successful defence for both championships against Sanada. After the match, Naito came out and challenged Ibushi for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship; stating that since he lost at Wrestle Kingdom 15 that he feel that he doesn't has the right to challenge for both championships but he doesn't want Ibushi to unify the titles, deciding to only challenge for the Intercontinental Championship; Ibushi accepted Naito's challenge.[8] The match was scheduled for Castle Attack.[3]Hiromu Takahashi was originally scheduled to face El Phantasmo for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, but on February 22, it was learned that Takahashi suffered a left pectoral tear, which will leave him out of action for six months.[10] On February 25, Takahashi vacated the championship, and a three-way match between El Phantasmo, El Desperado, and Bushi for the vacant title was announced.[11]