El Phantasmo and Taiji Ishimori of the Bullet Club defended their IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships on the second night of Wrestle Kingdom 14, an historic show that concluded mere hours ago at the time of writing. They went up against Roppongi 3K. SHO & YOH won the Super Junior Tag Team Tournament for the third year in a row to get this title shot, a feat that has never been done before.
Ultimately, Roppongi 3K came out victories, and thus became 4 time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. This ties them for second place all-time alongside – among other teams – the original Roppongi Vice. But they’re still a ways away from touching the Young Bucks’ record of seven reigns with the belts.
SHO and YOH are effectively aces of this division, the sole bit of consistency in a scene that is otherwise known for constant fluctuation. It’s expected that at one point SHO will break out as a singles star within the Junior division. But who knows how many more times the two of them will hold these titles before that happens?
You can see an excerpt of my recap of this match below:
Tag to Phantasmo, Taiji with a Lungblower, holds SHO in place as Phantasmo comes off the top with a Shooting Star Press, nearfall! They mock 3K, try to steal the tag finish but SHO turns it into a Canadian Destroyer on Phantasmo! Taiji tries to cut him off but YOH clotheslines him out of the ring! SHO with a thrust kick to Phantasmo. Hooks both arms for a Package Piledriver. Phantasmo escapes, trips him up, hoists him up for a Styles Clash!! Nails it, nearfall! Ref gets taken out, Phantasmo grabs one of the title belts to use but Rocky Romero pulls it away from him! Phantasmo tries for the low blow instead but hurts his hand – SHO has a golden cup on! They nail the 3K on Taiji, Straitjacket Piledriver from SHO, Straitjacket German from YOH! Missile Dropkick/Package Piledriver combo for the win!
Winners: Roppongi 3K
