New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) began its annual World Tag League (WTL) tournament on November 16th. This entry looks at the teams who currently have the best chance to win tournament glory. All pictures are property of NJPW.
Thus far the teams only tournament defeat came at the hands of Toru Yano and Colt Cabana. However, with upcoming marquee bouts against Minoru Suzuki and IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Lance Archer (December 2nd), TenCozy (December 6th) [Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyoshi Tenzan], and FinJuice (December 8th) the defending champions could easily find themselves out of the finals if they drop several matches. GBH (Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma) could even upset them on December 5th.
The challenges have just begun for Evil and Sanada.
Before they get there they will have to face current IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa) on December 1st, Tomohiro Ishii and Yoshi-Hashi (December 2nd), Toru Yano and Colt Cabana (December 3rd), Minoru Suzuki and Lance Archer (December 5th), and Kenta and Yujiro Takahashi (December 6th).
It will take FinJuice continuing their hot streak (or a little help) for them to make it all the way to the World Tag League finals. However, they are likely one of the favorites to do so.
Despite their recent loss to Cold Darkness, Tomohiro Ishii and Yoshi-Hashi still have 14 tournament points and an impressive 7-2 tournament record.
Their upcoming marquee matches are against FinJuice (December 2nd), Toru Yano and Colt Cabana (December 3rd), and G.O.D (December 8th). Meaning their path to a top 2 finish and a finals appearance will need a strong finish from the CHAOS team.
With their hot start and strong showing throughout the World Tag League, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the team continue to do well throughout the tournament.
Toru Yano and Colt Cabana have already completed the most challenging part of their tournament matches, yet still, sit near the top of the standings with 14 points. The team managed upset victories over Cold Darkness, G.O.D., and Ishii and Yoshi-Hashi.
On paper, their most challenging matches are against Double Rampage (December 1st) [Shingo Takagi and Terrible] and Danger Tekkers (December 6th). However, their matches against Bullet Club teams Kenta/Yujiro Takashi (December 6th) and Bad Luck Fale/Chase Owens (December 8th) could be ‘trap’ matches for the new tag-team.
Yano and Cabana are in a pretty comfortable spot in comparison to those bunched at the top of the tournament standings, including G.O.D. who remain on the outside looking in with 14 points and a loss to the aforementioned team.
