NJPW STRONG defeat IWGP Tag Team Champions in Korakuen
November 21 saw night two of World Tag League, as B Block took center stage with a champion versus champion main event. IWGP Tag Team Champions Bishamon would face the NJPW STRONG Tag Team Champions of El Phantasmo and Guerrillas of Destiny, and despite a sportsmanlike open that saw each team cheer on the other, they soon got down to business. Phantasmo would cut to the quick and flowed between offense on YOSHI-HASHI, but the CHAOS member found his own mark with a Headhunter to ELP, and later a top rope version to take down Hikuleo. With Goto’s Muramasa and vicious hits making Phantasmo pay the price for engaging in the standup, Bishamon had the upper hand until a hot tag to Hikuleo lying in wait and coming in hot.
Partner suffering from the after effects of a crushing powerbomb and Swanton combination, YOSHI-HASHI’s back was against the wall in the face of speed and power from GoD. Yet as Goto made the save, a familiar gear change saw momentum with Bishamon. The Violent Flash should have spelled disaster for Hikuleo and ELP as Bishamon toon over on Phantasmo now, but Hikuleo came in with expertly timed support. In the end Sudden Death saw YOSHI-HASHI recoil into Godsend, and after Goto was wiped out on the floor, Phantasmo took flight with a massive Thunder Kiss 86 from Hikuleo’s shoulders for the victory.
All eyes were on Yuya Uemura and Yota Tsuji’s continuing rivalry when Uemura and Taichi faced Tsuji and Zandokan Jr. That rivalry would continue in violent form when Tsuji and Iemura fought around the ringside area, leaving Taichi in the hands of Zandokan. Those hands would split open the chest of Taichi, and together with some work over the Holy Emperor’s knee, put the Just Five Guys reps in danger.
More danger ensued when Tsuji responded to Uemura’s classical armdrag by again going to the outside. Holding Uemura in place over the guardrail, Tsuji called Zandokan in for a sickening dive to crush the rib cage, and left Taichi in a handicap position. After tasting the Anclar from Tsuji and Zandokan, his fate would surely be sealed by an ambitious dove from the heavens by Tsuji, but Uemura somehow made the save. As Uemura landed a tope suicida on his rival, Zandokan was left with Taichi and Black Mephisto secured the two points.
Bad Luck Fale and Jack Bonza of the Rogue Army would take on the Monstersauce combo of Lance Archer and Alex Zayne. The combination of Bonza’s techniques and some innovative transitions together with Fale’s overwhelming power would have Monstersauce troubled, but when Archer scored with Blackout on Bonza, the Cinnamon Twist follow up brought the two points.
The first WTL match in B Block pit Yuji Nagata and Minoru Suzuki against Soberano Jr and Atlantis Jr. Despite the best efforts of the CMLL pair, as well as the worst teamwork for Nagata and Suzuki, the odd tandem of veterans had the distinct advantage. A sleeper from Suzuki on Soberano, combined with Nagata Lock II on Atlantis could have ended the match, but as pace quickened at the end, Soberano was just fast enough to get a surprise pinfall on the King.
World Tag League continues in Yokohama Thursday. TMDK face HOUSE OF TORTURE, BULLET CLUB War Dogs meet Umino and Narita, HENARE and O-Khan face Kiyomiya and Oiwa and the Gates of Agony will meet Yano and Ishii.
