In addition to the heavyweight focused World Tag League, New Japan Pro Wrestling has a big tournament set for the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team division. This tournament had just six teams in the 2021 tournament – which was mainly notable for the split of Roppongi 3K, with SHO joining BULLET CLUB. NJPW has done a lot to help the division over 2022, and this tournament shows that growth first hand.
Ten Teams Bring Unique Teams, Only One Set Of Former Champions
The 2021 winners of El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru are not in the mix for this years tournament, with El Desperado set to be involved in the Fatal Four Way match over the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 17. Instead, Kanemaru will test his luck teaming with the always improving DOUKI.
The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions of Francesco Akira & TJP will be in the field, with them able to name their challengers should they win the tournament. Recent challengers BUSHI & Titan will represent Los Ingobernables De Japon in the tournament, while BULLET CLUB is represented by Ace Austin & Chris Bey from Impact Wrestling.
HOUSE OF TORTURE will be represented by SHO & Dick Togo, while CHAOS brings new recruit Lio Rush teaming with YOH. Former champions Flying Tiger (Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask IV) are in the field, being the only former champion duo in the field. Alex Zayne & El Lindaman will be an odd duo in the mix, likewise with Ryusuke Taguchi & Clark Connors. KUSHIDA drew a short straw, and will team with LA Dojo young lion Kevin Knight.
Super Junior Tag League Is The Most Unpredictable Tournament Of The Year
With this being such a fresh look for the division, very few of these teams have proven track records to choose a potential winner right out of the pack. Eagles & Tiger Mask stand out with a previous reign as champions, the current champions continue to improve – and Titan & BUSHI have meshed well in their short time teaming.
While World Tag League brings higher name value with the likes of Aussie Open in the mix – this tournament is unpredictable. Any of these teams could win, even KUSHIDA & Knight have a very strong fighting chance. This field bodes well for the future of these titles, which many argue should have been unified with the IWGP Tag Team Championships years ago.
Who will win the Super Junior Tag League and get the chance to face TJP & Akira at Wrestle Kingdom? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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