Catch 2/2 vanquish HOUSE OF TORTURE at Power Struggle
Power Struggle saw a key step on the road to Wrestle Kingdom when Francesco Akira and TJP, Catch 2/2 faced HOUSE OF TORTURE’s SHO and Yoshinobu Kanemaru in the final of the Super Junior Tag League.
Before Catch 2/2 could even enter the ring they were jumped from behind by EVIL, Yujiro Takahashi and Dick Togo, HOUSE OF TORTURE wasting no time in showing their true colours. Despite being outnumbered TJP and Francesco Akira were able to overcome the odds, Akira soaring with a spectacular dive taking out all five members of HOUSE OF TORTURE which allowed the match to begin. The action officially being underway didn’t stop SHO and Kanemaru’s usual tricks, two lethal DDT’s on the outside crushing TJP’s already withered neck. With a clear target set Kanemaru continued to take aim at TJP’s neck with the British Fall and a leg scissors, SHO continuing the damage with a sinister slingshot under the bottom rope.
TJP’s veteran instincts finally allowed him to strike back, a suplex opening the door for a tag to Akira to be legal for the first time. The Nova Fireball instantly showcased his unmatchable speed, darting around the ring before dazzling with a springboard moonsault to the outside and a perfect crossbody back in the ring. Fireplex landed true in the centre of the ring for a near fall, but as Catch 2/2 sought the Leaning Tower TJP’s neck crumpled under the weight and gave HOUSE OF TORTURE the time to counter with a cross-arm piledriver, suplex from the second rope and Powerbreaker. The Boston Crab in the centre of the ring had Kanemaru tormenting Akira, the Heel Master maneuvering into the Figure Four leglock to exert even more cruel punishment. Finally though, TJP would break up the submission with the Mamba Splash.
Kanemaru would thrust TJP into the referee, and with nobody to stop them EVIL, Yujiro and Togo rushed to the ring to once again implement their cheating ways. Just as things looked bleak Callum Newman and Jeff Cobb charged in to assist their United Empire allies and send HOUSE OF TORTURE packing. The referee still down Kanemaru and SHO turned to their trusty whisky and wrench, only for Akira to catch both with decapitating thrust kicks. Meanwhile TJP slyly took his own swig of whisky to spew into Kanemaru’s face, the following roll-up almost gaining the victory. A tornado DDT from TJP and Speedfire from Akira left Kanemaru powerless, Catch 2/2 flying in with 2×2 from the same corner to secure the victory and win Super Junior Tag League.
As the tournament winners looked to celebrate with their trophies, the IWGP Junior Tag Team Champions struck from behind. Drilla Moloney would disrespectfully spit on one of the trophies with Clark Connors tossing the prize out of the ring, the War Dogs then locking their jaws in deep with Hit and Run to Akira. As they sought to unleash Full Clip on TJP, United Empire once again made the save as Newman and Cobb returned to the ring to drive the War Dogs away, Catch 2/2 with revenge firmly on their mind ahead of their title challenge at Wrestle Kingdom 18.
