Akira & TJP take first IWGP titles
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The main event of June 20’s New Japan Road event would see the United Empire side of Francesco Akira and TJP make their first challenge to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion team of Six or Nine, Ryusuke Taguchi and Master Wato.
TJP would start with Taguchi, the United Empire keeping the Coach in place before finding his wrist lock and headscissors countered. With tags both sides, Wato and Akira would have a more strike based exchange, Wato gaining an edge with a rolling sole butt, and though the United Empire side woul dfire off a double team dropkick, it would be the champions in charge as Wato dived to his opponents on the floor.
Akira and TJP would be victim of some double team B-Triggers in the ropes, but a low bridge sending Taguchi outside would turn the match in their favour. An Akira tope con giro and the challengers took over, separating the Coach from his blue haired protege, who try as he might couldn’t make the tag. Even when he did tag Wato it was out of sight of the referee who was drawn to the corner by Akira; the challengers showing chemistry well beyond their time teaming.
Taguchi was finally able to land a double DDT to his challengers, bringing Wato in for a massive tope con giro. A springboard uppercut would get two for Wato, as did an elevated German suplex, but the blue haired prodigy would taste his own German from the Italian Akira when TJP helped break up a Six or Nine double team attempt.
As the match broke down, United Empire got a near fall from a Spanish Fly/Mamba Splash combo, but Wato would counter a Detonation Kick attempt into Recientemente for two. Getting the tag Taguchi would lead with his rear, and broke up an attempt at the Leaning Tower to get Dodon for two and then Oh My and Garankle on TJP, combining with Wato for Vendeval on Akira. The double submission would be countered as both teams showed their will to win, Korakuen Hall shaking as Taguchi and Akira were both downed from an enzuigiri from the Coach.
Wato would get a tag first, landing a massive missile dropkick, but getting crushed with a double stomp from the Italian. Akira wanted Fireball but was countered into Vendeval, broken up with a Mamba Splash across half the ring to create a very near two. Setting Wato, the challengers wanted the Leaning Tower and connected on their second try scoring the pinfall to crown new champions.
