During Best of the Super Juniors, one of the most key victories from TJP came in his match with Master Wato. Add in that alongside Francesco Akira, they defeated the reigning IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions on the final night of action, and they have earned a title shot. That will come later this month on New Japan Road, but tonight they bring fellow United Empire member Aaron Henare for a six man tag team match. This is a chance for Wato & Taguchi to get back on the same page.
Aaron Henare Adds Deadly New Move To Arsenal
TJP would opt to start this match against Wato, and grabbed an early wrist lock. Wato was driven into the corner, before Team Six Or Nine would manage some tag team offence. Tenzan would hit some Osaka Castle Crashes (not Mongolian Chops) on TJP, before Taguchi tagged in.
Akira would yank Taguchi out of the ring for some quick offence, before United Empire got some tag team offence. Henare would bring some heavyweight boxing blows, before TJP hit the slingshot senton. Taguchi tried for the running hip attack but took a Manhattan Drop, before nailing the second rope diving version.
Wato would hit some fast kicks, before the Springboard Uppercut would follow. Everest German Suplex would follow, but only got a two count. TJP would outspeed both halves of Team Six Or Nine, before setting up the Fireball from Akira. Mamba Splash would follow, but Tenzan broke up the pinfall.
Leaning Tower from United Empire was blocked into a victory roll, getting a near fall. TJP would hit the face wash kicks, before taking the flying hip attack from Taguchi. Tenzan & Henare got tags and traded heavy blows, before the brainbuster landed for a two count.
Osaka Castle Crashes would be met with some body punches, before Henare would nail Rampage Tackle for a two count. Full Nelson would be applied to Tenzan, and Henare would force the submission victory. Henare wants a spot in the G1 Climax this year, and adding a new finisher doesn’t hurt his chances.
BULLET CLUB Kick Their Big Night Off With A Win
Ace Austin joining BULLET CLUB was a shock to many, especially after he built such a positive relationship with fans during the BOSJ tournament. However, he’d join the faction on the final night of the tour. Tonight the X-Division champion is here as he teams up with BULLET CLUB‘s Cutest Tag Team, to take on the Los Ingobernables de Japon trio of BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, and Tetsuya Naito.
Before the match, Naito would be amazed by the stick of Austin – before BULLET CLUB started this one with a brawl. Ishimori hit a codebreaker and held Naito in place as Austin & ELP hit dives. Some high risk back rakes would follow, and Austin pulled another stick out from his sleeve before attacking the belt. Naito would hit a back rake of his own before nailing the basement dropkick. Hiromu would get the tag and pick the pace up with some big dropkicks.
Bone Lock was attempted but Ishimori would hit the shotgun dropkick himself. ELP & BUSHI hit the ring, with BUSHI hitting a missile dropkick before the diving hurricanrana. Sudden Death Superkick would land, but Naito saved the match. Austin would kick Naito on the apron, before the Soar To Glory to the floor. CR2 in the ring, and ELP claims the win.
Gallows Get Yano’d
Doc Gallows has not wrestled a singles match in NJPW for years now, but here tonight he will face the always tricky Toru Yano. Gallows claimed that there will be no comedy in this match, even after Yano doused Gallows in disinfectant in an attempt to “clean his tiny brain”. It’s power vs. smarts in this one, and could go either way. It’s a low stakes match, but when you consider how close the G1 Climax is – this could well be part of the argument for both names being part of the prestigious tournament.
Gallows would tower over Yano especially after kicking him to the mat and pouring disinfectant all over his eyes. Yano tried to flee under the ring, but Gallows stopped him. Back in the ring, Gallows would block the bodyslam, before some heavy body shots and a throat thrust.
Headbutt would be followed by Gallows being led into the steel corner of the ring. Yano tried to pull the beard, but took a big boot instead. Chokebomb would get a near fall, Yano showing some toughness. A low blow into a roll up, and Yano steals the win before running up the ramp!
Will Toru Yano make the 2022 G1 Climax? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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