Flying Tiger, Suzuki-Gun and BULLET CLUB’s Cutest sit atop the standings

The second night of the Super Jr. Tag League saw a clear disparity between the haves and have nots in terms of points, with three teams tied at the top on four, and the remaining three all at zero.

Starting tag league proceedings for the second night in a row, Dick Togo and Gedo looked to improve on their Friday night defeat against Yoshinobu Kanemaru and El Desperado. Desperado was eager to compete against two of his rudo role models, and when first contact was made, took over on Togo. Both Suzuki-Gun members worked Togo over, but a closed fist behind the referee on Desperado, and a trip from Gedo to Kanemaru opened the door for the Far East Connection to set to work on Kanemaru’s knee. 

From in ring assaults to chair attacks, the Heel master didn’t have a leg to stand on until a basement dropkick finally bought some time to tag Desperado. The masked man went right to Numero Dos on Togo, but the Spoiler showed his technical mastery with a roll-up into a Crossface. With Desperado weakened, Togo hit a Pedigree and went upstairs for a senton, but caught the former IWGP junior champion’s knees; a spinebuster for Gedo followed to create a tag to Kanemaru. 

Despite significant damage, Kanemaru was able to set up for Deep Impact, but found his efforts frustrated. A British Fall finally put Gedo down for two, but when Kanemaru went for his finisher, Gedo ‘fell’ into an ‘accidental’ low blow, and followed with a center ring Figure Four. Desperado made the save, and with Togo joining the fray, the referee was bowled over; Desperado caught Gedo’s brass knucks, but Kanemaru countered a swing with a low blow, and then Deep Impact for the win. 

The ‘Flying Tiger’ team of Tiger Mask and Robbie Eagles hit the ring next, facing a Roppongi 3K in the midst of a painful slump. Tiger Mask and SHO started off, with SHO trying to outgrapple the veteran before opting to knock him down with a tackle. YOH hit the ring to land a double dropkick, and Roppongi 3K had early control. 

Effective combinations did their damage against the living legend, but Tiger Mask cut YOH off with kicks to bring Robbie Eagles in, and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion showed no kindness to his CHAOS mate in targeting his left knee. After significant punishment, YOH finally summoned a Dragon Screw to bring in SHO, who roared in with forearms to Eagles, but it wasn’t long before the champion regained control. 

SHO found a lariat to bring YOH back inside, and RPG3K found some momentum, looking for 3K. Yet the attempt was broken up, and as the match broke down, Tiger Mask took to the air with a tope suicida that had SHO taken out of the running. YOH frustrated Eagles’ attempts at the Ron Miller Special, but after a Turbo Backpack by the Sniper, the hold would be sunk in tight, and YOH had no choice but to tap. 

The main event of the evening saw ‘BULET CLUB’s Cutest’ team of El Phantasmo and Taiji Ishimori looking to join Suzuki-Gun and Flying Tiger at four points against Master Wato and Ryusuke Taguchi. Before the match, a surprisingly gracious Phantasmo subjected himself to a check of his suspect boot, one that passed muster with Red Shoes Unno, and revealed another filthy note directed at Taguchi. 

Taguchi’s anger drove Six or Nine to an early advantage, but when Phantasmo stepped in with Wato, he stayed a step ahead and dictated the pace, before tagging Ishimori in. Wato was stuck in the BULLET CLUB corner until a leg lariat brought Taguchi in for a tag, but Phantasmo defused the B-Triggers, and Ishimori spiked the coach with an Atomic Drop.

Rallying to a series of hip attacks, Taguchi looked for the Bummer Ye, but was denied, and struck with a handspring overhead kick. Wato would bring the fire with a masterful Tornillo to the floor and springboard uppercut, but Recientemente would be cut off, and a double team Codebreaker/Moonsault combo got two for the BULLET CLUB side. 

As Taguchi joined the fray, Ishimori held the Coach back for Sudden Death, but ELP couldn’t, for some reason, hit the move. Wato connected with Receientemente in the confusion, and went for RPP, but the move missed, and CRII would connect for the win. Post match, Phantasmo held court as he mocked Milano Collection A.T. and punched young Lion Nakashima below the belt. Super Junior Tag League continues Monday.