Golden☆Ace’s tag ambitions put on hold as Zack Sabre Junior and Taichi emerge victorious. 

On a wild night in Jingu Stadium Saturday, titles changed across the card, but the one team still able to hear the call of ‘and still’ where Dangerous Tekkers. Heading reluctantly into a rematch with Golden☆Ace, Zack Sabre Junior and Taichi had consistently claimed that their challengers had neither the form nor the results in recent weeks to earn their shot.

Kota Ibushi’s redoubled commitment to Hiroshi Tanahashi, and the damage both were able to deal to ZSJ’s right knee in Korakuen Hall would refute those claims however, and the challengers would start fast and strong. Effective double team work started the match for Golden☆Ace, but that momentum was stopped on a dime by Taichi, and a Dangerous Backdrop that instantly sent all momentum into the champions’ corner. 

A high cross from Tanahashi however, and the sweltering Jingu Stadium saw an appropriately hot tag made to Kota Ibushi. Ibushi flowed effortlessly from one opponent to the other with gorgeous offense, before he and Taichi exchanged painful, heavy kicks ending with both men on the canvas.   

A fired up and rested Tanahashi would make it in the ring, and with the Briton’s knee clearly troubling him, the Ace would punish ZSJ. Dragon Screws would connect to both champions, and Golden☆Ace connected with Golden Blade. The path seemed clear for Tanahashi to score victory with a High Fly Flow, but Sabre would avoid the impact, and Taichi expertly seized the opportunity, opening the door for Zack Mephisto.

Post match, as Ibushi and Tanahashi reeled from losing a bout that was clearly in their control, a reluctant separation ensued. With the singles focused tournament of G1 Climax 30 on the horizon, Ibushi promised that he would seize back to back victories in the greatest of wrestling tournaments. Ibushi stated that he and Tanahashi would team again, but after singles glory was achieved, and Tanahashi could be in peak form once more.