NJPW Super Junior Tag League Results: Alex Zayne & El Lindaman [2] Defeat Kevin Knight & KUSHIDA [0], Wild Hips [2] Defeat Suzuki-gun [0] (11/21)

When looking at the field for Super Junior Tag League, it is easy to look at the team of KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight as an easy target. Knight is still developing in the LA Dojo, where KUSHIDA helps out as a coach. Tonight, they will kick off the tournament against the odd pairing of Alex Zayne & El Lindaman – and seek to prove that they’re not to be looked past, and are just as big a threat as any of the other teams. Zayne is debatably a heavyweight at 100kg, making his inclusion in the tournament a bit suspect – but his speed and flying will have him fitting right in. This kicks off the biggest Super Junior Tag League in history.

Undercard Rundown

Prior to this match, we’d see singles action from the Young Lions – with Kosei Fujita defeating Yuto Nakashima in 8:01. In eight man tag team action, newcomer to the roster Oskar Leube would team with Great Bash Heel & Ryohei Oiwa in a losing effort against United Empire member Kyle Fletcher, Mark Davis, Aaron Henare & Great-O-Khan in 9:27.

The final undercard match saw Los Ingobernables de Japon’s Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito go toe to toe with Suzuki-gun members El Desperado, Minoru Suzuki & Taichi, with things ending in a double countout. Taichi & Shingo were determined to just keep running into each other with lariats, leading to them ignoring the count of the referee.

KUSHIDA & Alex Zayne Previously Clashed In WWE

KUSHIDA & Zayne would kick things off, with some history here – as KUSHIDA was the final WWE opponent of Zayne, then known as Ari Sterling. Zayne would be taken down to the mat by KUSHIDA, able to use his size and power to find his feet, before slamming KUSHIDA down to the mat. KUSHIDA would head into the corner, tagging in Knight – who was met by Lindaman.

A bodyslam and sliding lariat from Knight would get a two count, before trading wrist locks with his partner. Lindaman would be hit with a double hip toss, able to kick out at two before having the incredible dropkick of Knight scouted. Zayne would hit a dropkick of his own, before Knight was cornered with some running elbow smashes and the Baja Blast for a two count.

Lindaman would bite the forearm of Knight, before putting his mouthguard back in. Knight would hit some heavy forearm smashes, before being yanked back down to the mat. A big Tilt-A-Whirl Backbreaker would allow Knight to make the tag to KUSHIDA, who would catch a rushing Zayne with a series of hard kicks before a running crossbody.

El Lindaman & Alex Zayne Flaunt Their Power

Shotei Palm Strike in the corner was followed by a knee drop to the arm, as KUSHIDA would look to soften it up for the Hoverboard Lock. Zayne avoided a kick to the arm, before taking a double team strike rush from KUSHIDA & Knight. Lindaman tried to get a Sunset Flip, with KUSHIDA blocking before a running splash from Knight. Armbar would be applied, but Zayne was able to break the submission up – kicking Knight into his partner.

Knight & Zayne would trade strikes in the middle of the ring, with Knight hitting one of his picture perfect dropkicks. KUSHIDA would hold Zayne up on his shoulders, and Knight hit a second dropkick – with Lindaman having to break the pinfall up. KUSHIDA would try for a back handspring elbow on Lindaman, but was caught in a German Suplex. Kumagoroshi into Cinnamon Twist would follow – and Zayne & Lindaman claimed their first win. They have the champions next – which could help them jump the line with a victory.

Wild Hips Successful In Tag Team Debut

Ryusuke Taguchi is one of the greatest tag team wrestlers of this generation, able to seemingly mesh with anyone – winning gold alongside the likes of Prince Devitt, Togi Makabe, Master Wato, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and more. Tonight – he debuts his latest tag team, as he unites with Clark Connors to form Wild Hips. They will start their tournament against the Suzuki-gun duo of Yoshinobu Kanemaru & DOUKI, with Kanemaru perhaps the only man in this tournament matching the experience of Taguchi.

Taguchi hit the ring in a matching hat and vest with Connors, showing unity in the debut of Wild Hips. Taguchi would hit the ring alongside Kanemaru, with DOUKI helping to drop him. Kanemaru would take Taguchi to the floor with an atomic drop, before DOUKI would follow up with a running dropkick in the ring.

Taguchi would take a rake to the eye, but was able to hit a running hip attack and make the tag to Connors. Suzuki-gun would cut Connors down, sending him to the floor as DOUKI hit a fast dive. Back in the ring, British Fall into a flying double stomp would be followed by the DOUKI CHOKEY. Connors would be able to get his foot on the bottom rope, but DOUKI was quick to set up the Daybreak DDT.

Suplex De La Luna would be blocked with some back elbow smashes, before Connors took a thrust to the throat. Taguchi would help drop a rushing DOUKI with a hip attack, before throwing DOUKI into a snap powerslam. Double running hip attacks would sandwich DOUKI in the middle, but Kanemaru made the save. Trophy Kill attempt would be countered into a roll up, before Connors nailed the spear. Trophy Kill would follow – and this one was over.

Can Wild Hips make it all the way to the finals? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.

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