Bishamon retain tag gold in Hokkaido

The Bishamon combination of Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI retained their IWGP Tag team Championships against HOUSE OF TORTURE’s EVIL and Yujiro Takahashi at new Year’s Golden Series in Sapporo on February 19, despite the very worst efforts of their challengers, and the remainder of the BULLET CLUB sub group. 

Despite Tomohiro Ishii and YOH’s presence at ringside in the corner of the champions, Goto and YOSHI-HASHI were in trouble from jump when Dick Togo and SHO attacked the duo from behind during their entrance. So began a concerted effort from HOUSE OF TORTURE to break every rule in front of them in their attempt to wrest tag gold, with turnbuckles removed and a steel chair assault doing a number on the Headhunter. 

YOSHI-HASHI would use EVIL’s own illegal referee assisted kick against him, allowing a tag to Goto, who tore into the King of Darkness before being run into the exposed steel. A lariat to Yujiro, and a tag would be made though, YOSHI-HASHI striking in combination before having his heel hooked from the floor to create an Intercollegiate slam from Takahashi. 

Goto would come in for support, allowing a thrust kick for YOSHI-HASHI to Yujiro, but just as the Headhunter went for Karma, a Togo distraction led to a low blow and then a downed referee. All of HOUSE OF TORTURE tried to put a stop to YOSHI-HASHI, but Goto would make the save, arming himself with a staff to take down the opposition. 

GYR scored on Yujiro, and then the Goto-Goto Hunter for EVIL. Yujiro would battle back with a fisherman’s buster, and after a chair shot from EVIL, Pimp Juice, but the challengers were unable to pick up the win. Instead, Goto took down EVIL with GTW, before the Violent Flash and then Shoto connected on Yujiro to bring the champions victory. 

Goto, YOSHI-HASHI and YOH challenge NEVER 6 Man Tag Team Champions EVIL, SHO and Yujiro Takahashi Sunday in Sapporo.