Another year, another double series for NJPW!

As NJPW builds towards WrestleKingdom 17 in the New Year, World Tag League AND Super Jr. Tag League team up for a double tournament series! Who come out contenders to the heavyweight and junior heavyweight tag titles during the holidays?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Yuto Nakashima VS Kosei Fujita; Fujita wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Tomoaki Honma, Togi Makabe, Ryohei Oiwa & Oskar Leube VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Suzuki-Gun; Double Count-Out Draw.
• Super Jr. Tag League 2022: KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight VS Alex Zayne & EL LINDAMAN; Zayne & Lindaman win.
• Super Jr. Tag League 2022: Ryusuke Taguchi & Clark Connors VS DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Taguchi & Connors win.
• Super Jr. Tag League 2022: Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask VS SHO & Dick Togo; Eagles & Tiger Mask win.
• Super Jr. Tag League 2022: BUSHI & Titán VS Ace Austin & Chris Bey; Ace & Bey win.
• Super Jr. Tag League 2022: YOH & Lio Rush VS TJP & Francesco Akira; TJP & Akira win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Super Jr. Tag League 2022: KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight VS Alex Zayne & EL LINDAMAN!

The Time Splitter and #Jet2Fly team up for the tournament to see how far and fast they can go! But will they get up to 88 miles per hour? Or will The Sauce and the G-Rex cause them to crash ‘n’ burn?

The teams sort out and Kushida starts against Zayne. Fans rally as they get to cheer this event. Kushida and Zayne circle, feel things out, and Kushida arm-drags Zayne down. Kushida stays on top as Zayne moves around, and Kushida facelocks. Zayne powers up but Kushida throws him down. Zayne slips away and fans cheer this opening exchange. Kushida and Zayne reset, feel things out again, and Zayne shoots around to a waistlock. Kushida tries to pry that open but Zayne lifts and SLAMS Kushida down. Zayne floats to the facelock, pushes Kushida over but Kushida uses his leg guard to scissor Zayne.

Kushida has a top mount and then shifts to get an arm. Kushida wrenches an arm and brings Zayne over to tag in Knight. Zayne slips away but fans cheer as Knight eggs him on. Zayne tags Lindaman and fans fire up! Lindaman and Knight run in and Knight runs Lindaman over! Lindaman sits up and is shocked! Things speed up, Knight leaps over but Lindaman kicks low. Lindaman slaps Knight around, runs, but Knight hurdles! Knight rolls, but Lindaman leaps over! They keep moving, and Knight scoops to SLAM Lindaman! Fans fire up, Knight keeps moving, SLIDING SHOULDER! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally up and Knight brings Lindaman up. Tag back to Kushida, and Knight wrenches Lindaman’s arm to hand it off to Kushida. Kushida wrenches, wristlocks, then tags Knight back in. Kushida hands off the wristlock and Knight wrenches it more. Knight uppercuts the arm, tags Kushida, and Kushida takes the handoff to wrench. Tag to Knight, he and Kushida wrench, handoff and repeat! Then they double wrench, double snapmare, and double knee drop on both arms! Fans applaud and Knight covers, TWO! Fans rally up as Knight stands Lindaman up. Lindaman CHOPS but Knight shakes his head. Lindaman CHOPS again, but Knight shakes his head again.

Knight blocks Lindaman’s lariat, BOOTS the arm, then whips Lindaman to ropes. Lindaman holds ropes and avoids Knight’s dropkick! Tag to Zayne and Lindaman drags Knight up by his leg. Zayne runs to leap frog dropkick! Fans fire up as Zayne whips Knight corner to corner. Zayne runs in to ELBOW! Lindaman runs in to ELBOW! Lindaman feeds Knight to Zayne’s scoop, BAJA BLAST! Cover, TWO! Knight hangs tough but fans rally as Zayne’s just heating up. Zayne brings Knight up, wrenches and wristlocks, but Knight throws body shots. Zayne kicks low, wrenches again, and brings Knight around to BITE the fingers!

The ref reprimands, Zayne lets off, and he says, “Oishi! <Delicious!>” Fans rally as Zayne tags Lindaman back in. Lindaman has the ref watch Kushida, and Lindaman takes out his mouth guard. Zayne and Knight throw hands, Zayne ROCKS Knight and Lindaman wrenches, “ITADAKIMASU~! <Thanks for the meal!>” Lindaman takes a BITE! Lindaman also says it’s delicious! Lindaman stomps Knight down, puts his mouth guard back in, but Knight throws body shots. Knight fires forearms but Lindaman gives them back. Lindaman rakes the eyes, then fires up with the fans. Lindaman suplexes but Knight blocks!

Fans rally as Knight suplexes Lindaman, only for Lindaman to fight that off. Lindaman elbows and ROLLING ELBOWS, then he runs the ropes. Knight scoops to a BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up while both men are down! Knight and Lindaman crawl for their corners, hot tags to Kushida and Zayne! Zayne runs in but into a GAMANGIRI! Kushida KICKS and KICKS and KICKS the bad arm, then whips. Zayne reverses but Kushida CROSSBODIES! Fans fire up as Kushida dodges Zayne to PELE! Zayne ends up in a corner, and Kushida runs in to SHOTEI! Zayne staggers, Kushida goes up, FLYING KNEE to the bad arm!

Kushida wrenches that arm, to an ELBOW BREAKER! Zayne drops to a knee, but he avoids the Penalty Kick! Zayne waistlocks, Kushida standing switches, they go to ropes, and Kushida Electric Chair Lifts! Tag to Knight but Zayne  fights free! Knight kicks low, he and Kushida double whip. They send Zayne through, body shot and knee lift! But Lindaman runs in to knee Knight! Lindaman kicks and hammers away on Kushida! Lindaman runs, into a back drop, but he tightly sunset flips through! Kushida stays up and rains down fists! Knight ROLLING SPLASHES Lindaman! Kushida puts on an ARMBAR!

Fans rally as Knight trips Zayne! BOSTON CRAB! Fans fire up for the simultaneous submission holds! Zayne powers up, turns back over, and he kicks Knight away! Knight falls on Kushida to break the armbar! Fans fire up while all four men are down. Fans rally behind Zayne and he hauls Knight up. Zayne throws a forearm, Knight gives it back. They go back and forth, forearm for forearm, and Knight eggs Zayne on! They pick up speed, Zayne gets the edge with elbows and a SOBAT! But Knight DROPKICKS back! Fans fire up even more as Knight kips up! Kushida returns, he Electric Chair Lifts again!

Knight and Kushida coordinate, DROPKICK LIFT SLAM!! Cover, Lindaman deadlifts Knight away! To GERMAN SUPLEX! Kushida KNEES Lindaman and whips. Lindaman reverses, but Kushida handsprings, into a waistlock! GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up as Lindaman brings Knight up. Zayne goes to a corner, Lindaman lifts Knight, KUMAGOROSHI! Zayne fires up and says, “ITADAKIMASU~!” Zayne is up top, for the CINNAMON TWIST!! Cover, Zayne & Lindaman win!

Winners: Alex Zayne & El Lindaman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kushida & Knight earn 0)

#SAUCEHEARTS has a huge first win! Will they burn up the block and take those trophies? Can #TimeJet reset next round to get to 1.21 gigawatts?

Super Jr. Tag League 2022: Ryusuke Taguchi & Clark Connors VS DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

The Funky Weapon and Wild Rhino combine forces to become the Wild Hips! Taguchi knows firsthand how powerful those buns of steel are, but will he and Connors be sitting pretty with two points? Or will Suzuki-Gun’s Japones Del Mal and Hell Master give them a spanking?

The Wild Hips are coordinating outfits now, both wearing vests and safari hats. They also both have little black bags. What’s in the bag? Taguchi brings out a bottle of water to simply take a drink. The teams sort out and Wild Hips check that their buns are ready. “Crocodile” Taguchi starts against Kanemaru and fans rally up. Taguchi makes sure he’s hearing “TA-GU-CHI!” and he circles with Kanemaru. They tie up, Kanemaru headlocks but Taguchi powers out. Kanemaru runs Taguchi over, then keeps moving. Taguchi hurdles but Kanemaru waistlocks. Taguchi elbows free, whips, but Kanemaru reverses and Douki gets in a cheap shot!

Kanemaru DECKS Connors, the ref reprimands, but Douki hops in to stomp Taguchi. Kanemaru stomps Taguchi, and Suzuki-Gun whips Taguchi to a corner. Kanemaru runs in but Taguchi dodges! HIP ATTACK for Douki! Kanemaru dodges Taguchi to throw a body shot! Kanemaru whips but Taguchi goes up and catches Kanemaru, for the BOOTY BUMP! Taguchi runs and HIP ATTACKS! Fans fire up and Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style already! “ORYA~!” But Douki dropkicks him down! Kanemaru BOOTS Connors off the apron and Douki hurries out after him. Douki stomps Connors while Kanemaru goes to Taguchi.

Kanemaru drags Taguchi up to throw him out and then go after him. Kanemaru brings Taguchi around for a BIG atomic drop! Kanemaru kicks Taguchi in the butt, then stalks him around the way. Taguchi falls over, Kanemaru kicks him around and stomps his butt! And again! Taguchi writhes and crawls but Kanemaru drags him back up. Kanemaru puts Taguchi in the ring and stalks him to the ropes. Fans rally but Kanemaru drags Taguchi up. Kanemaru whips Taguchi into the corner hard! Taguchi falls down, Kanemaru tags Douki, and Douki stomps Taguchi. Douki digs his boot in but the ref reprimands.

Douki lets off, but he has the ref busy with Connors so Kanemaru can claw Taguchi’s eyes! Douki then adds on with his boots! Suzuki-Gun lets off before the ref catches on, and Douki drags Taguchi up. Douki snapmares Taguchi, runs and SLIDING BOOTS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Taguchi but Douki drags him up. Douki bumps Taguchi off Kanemaru’s boot, then tags him in. Kanemaru stomps and CLUBS Taguchi, covers, TWO! Fans rally as Taguchi hangs in there. Taguchi throws body shots and CHOPS! But Kanemaru rakes the eye! Kanemaru runs, Taguchi leaps, but into an atomic drop! Kanemaru runs again, but Taguchi somersaults to HIP ATTACK!

Fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi and Kanemaru crawl, hot tags to Connors and Douki! The Wild Rhino rallies on Douki with shoulders and elbows, then a BIG elbow in the corner! Connors whips corner to corner, runs in and RAMS into Douki! Then Connors suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Douki is still in this but fans rally for Connors. Connors aims from the corner, but Kanemaru anchors his foot! Connors kicks Kanemaru away and runs at Douki, but Douki hurdles over. Kanemaru runs in to dropkick Connors’ legs out! Connors bails out, Douki builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and down goes the Wild Rhino!

Douki puts Connors in, Kanemaru drags Connors up and Douki climbs the corner! BRITISH FALL and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!! Connors survives, but Douki drags him into ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Kanemaru intercepts Taguchi with a chop block! Kanemaru puts Taguchi in a FIGURE FOUR! Wild Hips endure simultaneous submission holds!! Fans fire up but Connors is fading! But he springs back to life with a second wind! Connors moves around, reaches out, but he’s fading again! Connors falls over, but he uses one last gasp to get the ROPEBREAK! Douki lets go at 4, and Kanemaru lets Taguchi go.

Fans rally while Douki goes to the apron. Douki aims as Connors rises, DAYBREAKER!! Cover, TWO!!! Connors survives and fans are thunderous! Douki roars, he wheelbarrows Connors, SUPLEX DE LA- NO, Connors fights the full nelson with elbows! Connor sis free but the HELL STAB knocks him down! Douki runs, but Taguchi gets in to HIP ATTACK! HIP ATTACK for Kanemaru! Fans fire up as Taguchi brings Douki up. Feed to the POWERSLAM! Taguchi and Connors roar as they combine their powers!! DOUBLE HIP ATTACK!! Cover, but Kanemaru breaks it! Taguchi throws Kanemaru out and Connors fires back up!

Fans rally behind Connors as he drags Douki back up. Back suplex, but Douki hits a takeover! Cover, TWO?!?! Connors escapes, he sets up, and SPEARS Douki! Taguchi keeps Kanemaru outside with OH MY GAH ANKLE! Connors roars, hauls Douki up again, TROPHY KILLER!! Cover, Wild Hips win!

Winners: Ryusuke Taguchi & Clark Connors, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Suzuki-Gun earns 0)

Fans are going wild for the Wild Hips! They get those important first points, but will they be leading the pack? Will Douki & Kanemaru be able to turn things around next round?

Super Jr. Tag League 2022: Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask VS SHO & Dick Togo!

The Flying Tigers are back in action! The former IWPG Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions want those belts back, but will the House of Torture’s Murder Machine & Spoiler play spoiler already?

The teams sort out and fans cheer with Eagles, “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” But then Sho & Dick rush the Flying Tigers! The bell rings to get this on record as Dick bumps Tiger off buckles and Sho rakes Eagles’ eyes! Sho kicks low then throws Eagles out. Dick digs his boots into Tiger, then Sho adds on. Fans boo but the House of Torture mugs Tiger with haymakers. They double whip, but Tiger gets around the double clothesline to waistlock Sho. Sho switches but Tiger BOOTS Dick away. Tiger then KANGAROO KICKS Sho, and hits Dick with a BACKBREAKER! Fans rally for Tiger as he tags in Eagles.

Flying Tigers double whip Dick to double hip toss! Then KICK, KICK, repeat, and double basement dropkicks! They kick and KICK and DOUBLE KICK Sho! Cover, TWO! Eagles drags Sho around and steps through, but Sho scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Eagles lets off the legs to drag Sho up for knees! Eagles cravats but Sho stops the sliced bread! Sho wrenches an arm, bends the fingers, then whips Eagles. Eagles reverses and Sho ends up in the corner. Eagles runs in but Sho puts him on the apron. Eagles avoids the leg sweep and ROCKS Sho with a forearm, but Dick’s creeping up! Dick trips Eagles off the apron!

Fans boo as Sho DECKS Tiger! Sho distracts the ref so Dick can ROCK Eagles, UPPERCUT him, then put him in the ring. Sho ROPE GUILLOTINES Eagles! Fans boo more but Sho soaks it all up. Sho stomps Eagles, stands on his neck, but the ref reprimands. Sho steps off, drags Eagles up and wrenches the arm to a wristlock. Tag to Dick and Dick CLUBS the arm. Dick wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks and sneaks in a punch! Eagles ends up on the ropes, so Dick CHOKES Eagles! Sho adds his boot, the ref reprimands them both, but he also has Tiger stay in his corner. Fans rally for Eagles but Dick drags Eagles up to snapmare and FIST DROP! Cover, TWO!

Dick and Sho are annoyed but the ref defends his count. Dick drags Eagles to the corner and tags in Sho. Fans rally with “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” Sho laughs as he stalks Eagles and stomps him down. Sho drags Eagles up but Eagles throws body shots and CHOPS! Fans fire up, Eagles CHOPS more, but Sho rakes eyes! The ref reprimands, fans boo, but Sho whips Eagles into the corner. Sho sucker punches Tiger while Dick holds Eagles in the corner. Sho runs in but Eagles BOOTS him away! Eagles elbows Dick then RANAS Sho! Fans fire up again while both men are down! Eagles crawls over, but Sho anchors a foot!

Sho drags Eagles back from Tiger and he whips Eagles to rpoes. Eagles reverses, kicks and WHEEL KICKS! Both men are down again and fans rally up! Hot tag to Tiger Mask! Tiger KICKS and KICKS and SOBATS Sho to a corner, then he ROUNDHOUSES Sho down! Tiger underhooks but Sho wrenches out, only to swing into chicken wings! Sho fights free but Tiger kicks him again! And again! Tiger chicken wings but Sho switches! Tiger throws elbows, runs, but Sho uses the ref as a shield! Sho then runs to SPEAR! Fans rally up while both men are down! Sho grabs Tiger’s arm, wrenches and kicks, KICKS and SUPER- NO, Tiger blocks!

Tiger spins Sho, SOBATS, then runs, but into a JUMP KNEE! Sho runs in, but Tiger catches and spins Sho to the TIGER DRIVER! But Tiger can’t make the cover! Fans rally up as both men crawl, hot tags to Dick and Eagles! Eagles dodges Dick, dropkicks the leg out, then RUNNING KICKS! Dick goes to a corner, Eagles runs corner to corner, but Dick dodges the double knees! Eagles still pursues but Dick kicks a leg out and Oklahoma Rolls! TWO, but into a CROSSFACE! But Eagles rolls Dick to a cover! TWO, Dick ducks a kick but Eagles blocks Dick’s! TURBO BACKPACK! Cover, but Sho breaks it!

Tiger kicks Sho out of the ring and Eagles wraps Dick up into the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Dick endures, fans fire up, but now Evil and Yujiro Takahashi rush in! The ref stops them but he misses Dick tapping out!! Eagles complains but Sho POSTS Tiger and gets his wrench! Fans shout for Evil & Yujiro to leave, but Sho aims at Eagles! Eagles blocks the wrench attack!! But that means letting Dick go! Eagles and Sho struggle over the wrench, and then Eagles ROUBNDHOUSES Sho down! Eagles runs Evil & Yujiro off, but Dick is there to poke him in the eye! And spin him around, into a full nelson, snapmare, and ghost pin! TWO!! CROSSFACE!!

Eagles endures and fans rally up! Eagles fights around, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Tiger stomps Sho on the outside while Dick lets Eagles go. Dick drags Eagles up, reels him in, but Eagles wrenches out and gets around, schoolboy! TWO!! Eagles runs but into a LARIAT! Dick drags Eagles up, underhooks, and PEDIGREE!! But Dick goes up! Tiger ROCKS Dick first! Tiger goes up after Dick but Sho CLUBS away on Tiger! Sho Electric Chair Lifts Tiger and Dick adjusts, but Tiger victory rolls to avoid the Doomsday Device! Tiger DROPKICKS Sho out! Fans fire up as Tiger builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and down goes Sho!

Eagles SHOTGUNS Evil & Yujiro, to then DIVE and wipe them out! Fans are thunderous as Eagles GAMANGIRIS Dick, springboards in and missile dropkicks the legs! RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Dick taps, Flying Tigers win!

Winners: Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask, by pinfall (gain 2 points; House of Torture earns 0)

The deck was stacked but Eagles & Tiger still come out on top! Will the Flying Tigers fly to new heights in this tag league? Will Sho & Dick just have to cheat harder next round?

Super Jr. Tag League 2022: BUSHI & Titán VS Ace Austin & Chris Bey!

Los Ingobernables de Japon’s Black Mask & #INMORTAL were so, so close to winning the titles, but there’s always a way back! Will Bushi & Titan make this tournament tranquilo? Or will The Inevitable & The Ultimate Finesser make things just Too Sweet?

The teams sort out and Bullet Club attacks LIJ! Ace is after Bushi while Bey is after Titan! The bell rings and Ace throws Bushi out. Bullet Club put their jackets away to focus on Titan. They double whip and double dropkick! Ace then PLANCHAS to take Bushi out! Fans fire up and Bey drags Titan up. Fans rally while Bey stomps Titan. Bey drags Titan up, whips but Titan reverses to kick low. Titan runs but Bey SUPER FOREARMS! Titan staggers, Bey whips him to a corner, but Titan goes up and over and handsprings away! Fans cheer the agility, and then Titan goes Matrix to CALF KICK Bey down!

Fans fire up and Titan tags Bushi. Bushi CLUBS Bey, CLUBS him again, and stomps him down. Bushi drags Bey up to hit a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE, but fans rally for Bushi. Tag to Titan, and Bushi wrenches Bey’s arm while Titan climbs. Titan DOUBLE STOMPS the arm! Titan eggs Bey on, kicks him around, then fires off fast hands, kicks and a SOBAT! Titan runs but Ace stands in his way! Ace dares Titan to hit him, and Titan does swing, but Ace gets away. Bey KNEES Titan out of the ring, then DECKS Bushi off the apron! Ace APRON BACK SUPLEXES Titan! Bey flexes while Ace puts Titan in for him.

Bey stalks Titan to a corner, drags him up and UPPERCUTS him in the back! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Fans rally but Bey drags Titan over. Tag to Ace, Bullet Club double whips Titan to a corner. Bey sets up for Ace to pommel and ROUNDHOUSE! Ace sets up for FINESSE IN MOTION! Then feed to the drop toehold and capoeria kick! Bey runs in to DOUBLE STOMP! Ace covers, TWO! Fans rally, Ace drags Titan around and hip drops him. Ace hip drops again, then he kicks at Bushi. Fans rally as Ace gut wrench suplexes Titan! Ace drags Titan back up, bumps him off buckles, and he tags in Bey.

Ace holds Titan up for Bey to roll, handspring and CLAW Titan’s back! A shoutout to El Phantasmo! The ref still reprimands but Bey grins. Bey tags Ace and then sets Titan up. Ace slingshots, rolls, handsprings, and CLAWS Titan’s back! Fans applaud while Titan writhes. Fans rally up, Ace stomps Titan down, and then Ace drags Titan up. Ace RAMS Titan into the corner, tags Bey, and they double wrench and CHOP, to double drop toehold, and DOUBLE CLAW his back! Too Sweet~! Titan writhes and Bey mocks his pain before dropping an elbow. Bey sits Titan up and JAMS his knee into Titan’s back. Bey pulls on the arms for a motorcycle stretch!

Titan endures, fans rally, but Bey says Titan can’t hear it! Bey pulls on the arms but Titan fights to his feet. Titan turns things around but Bey uppercuts him down! Tag to Ace and Ace stomps Titan around. Ace stands on Titan at the ropes but lets off as the ref reprimands. Ace drags Titan around, covers, TWO! Fans rally up but Ace clubs Titan with crossface forearms. Ace clamps on a chinlock and even traps an arm. Then he shifts to a DRAGON SLEEPER! Titan endures and fans rally more! Titan kicks around, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Ace lets off and fans rally up. Ace looms over Titan, then drags him back up.

Ace wrenches and reels Titan in, atomic drop to back suplex! Fans still rally and Ace taunts Titan. Ace taunts Bushi, too, and Titan crawls that way. But then Ace drags Titan away, puts him in the corner, and he tags in Bey. Ace brings Titan up, Bey runs in, LOW KICK RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP COMBO! And then, STANDING MOONSAULT LEG DROP COMBO! Bey covers, TWO! Bey grows frustrated but the fans fire up! Bey stands on Titan’s head, stomps him, then taunts the fans. Fans rally but Bey kicks at Bushi. Bey drags Titan over to tag in Ace. They double back suplex but Titan lands on his feet!

Titan ends up in a corner, Bey runs in but Titan sends him out! Ace runs in but Titan dodges! Hot tag to Bushi! Bushi dodges Ace, kicks and whips, but Ace reverses. But Bushi RANAS! It wasn’t the cleanest, but Bushi goes after Ace. Bey gets in and CLUBS Bushi! Bey throws hands, he and Ace double whip Bushi to the corner, then Bey runs in. Bushi dodges and Bey hits buckles! Bushi BOOTS Ace, then hooks up Bey, BULLDOG DROPKICK COMBO! Fans fire up as Ace goes to a corner. Bushi runs corner to corner, but Ace dodges! Ace runs back in but into a SWING KICK! Bushi goes up top and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Then BUSHIROONI!

Fans fire up and Bushi catches Ace to spin and DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Bushi brings Ace back up. Bushi hooks Ace up but Ace spins out of the fisherman screw! Ace reels Bushi in to back suplex! Ace sits Bushi up for the LOW SPIN KICK! Ace tags in Bey and Bey hurries to bring Bushi up. But Bushi swings, only for Bey to knee, knee and CHOP! Bey whips, Bushi reverses and dropkicks the legs out! Fans fire up as Bushi crawls for his corner, hot tag to Titan! Titan springboards and CROSSBODIES Bey! Ace throws Titan down by his mask but Titan kips up to PELE Ace! Bey mule kicks, runs, but Titan dodges to RANA Bey down!

Fans fire up as Bushi CLUBS Bey and stands Bullet Club up. Titan builds speed to somersault and slingshot, then TOP ROPE QUEBRADA! Fans fire up for Titan as he rises and roars! Titan puts Bey in, BOOTS him to a corner, then tags Bushi. Titan SOBATS Bey, LIJ double whip Bey corner to corner, and Bushi runs in to back elbow! Bushi sets up for INMORTAL IN MOTION! Titan feeds Bey to Bushi’s lift, MISSILE DROPKICK SPINEBUSTER! Cover, but Ace barrels in to break it! Fans fire up and Titan CLUBS Ace. Titan throws Ace out and fans rally as Bushi has Bey. Bushi whips Bey corner to corner, then Titan runs in to CRAZY LARIAT!

Bushi runs in, CODE BREAKER! But Bey flips through it?! PELE for Bushi! Bey kips up and avoids Titan’s springboard! Titan goes Matrix but Bey RABBIT PUNCHES him! Tag to Ace and he steps in to FLYING CHUCK! Titan bails out, Bey builds speed, TAG AND FLY! Direct hit on Titan! Ace runs at Bushi, knees low and KNEES, to HEEL KICK! Ace runs, to BLOCKBUSTER! Fans fire up as Bey tags back in! Bullet Club aim at Bushi, BOOSTED CUTTER!! Cover, Bullet Club wins!!

Winners: Ace Austin & Chris Bey, by pinfall (gain 2 points; LIJ earns 0)

Bullet Club gets those two sweet points! Will their taking the trophy be inevitable? Or can Bushi & Titan tranquilo and turn things around?

Super Jr. Tag League 2022: YOH & Lio Rush VS TJP & Francesco Akira!

Chaos’ Direct Drive teams up with their newest member, and they’re starting against the champions right out the gate! Will Yoh & Lio be the Men of the Hour? Or will “Catch 2/2” get those first two points?

The Orchestrator, Gideon Grey, gives the introduction for the “future winners of the Super Junior Tag League,” the Public Enemy and the Nova Fireball. Gideon even introduces Red Shoes for good measure. The teams sort out and a lot of trash is talked, but we start with Yoh and TJP. Fans rally and duel as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Yoh headlocks. Yoh grinds and hits a takeover, but TJP bridges up and turns things around to headlock Yoh! TJP hits a takeover, Yoh keeps his shoulder up, and rolls TJP to a cover. ONE and TJP keeps the headlock. Yoh kicks and kicks and pops free, which fans applaud.

TJP smirks and nods as he and Yoh reset. They circle, tie up, and Yoh hits an arm-drag. TJP headscissors and he holds tight as Yoh kicks around. Yoh hops, hops and handsprings free! Fans applaud and TJP keeps his cool as he resets with Yoh again. They circle, Yoh kicks low and wrenches an arm. TJP rolls, wrenches and cartwheels to bring Yoh into the twisting headscissors! Yoh headscissors back! TJP headstands and powers free! Fans cheer while TJP pats Yoh on the knee. Yoh avoids the Penalty Kick! And the standing moonsault! Yoh sweeps the legs and covers, ONE! TJP sweeps the legs and covers, ONE! TJP handsprings and fans fire up for the standoff!

Yoh and TJP go to their corners, they tag in Akira and Lio. Fans rally for “A! KI-RA!” and he circles with Lio. They tie up, Akira powers Lio to ropes, but Akira lets off slowly. Akira gives Lio a hard pat on the shoulders but Lio keeps cool. Lio steps up but Akira kicks low and headlocks. Lio powers out but Akira runs him over! Akira flexes, things speed up, but Akira stomps Lio as he drops down. But Lio whips, only for Akira to reverse, only for Lio to reverse, only for Akira, and then Lio, and then Akira! Lio uses the ropes to get around and whip Akira away. Lio eggs Akira on but then goes the other way, and then again!

Akira drops, Lio leaps over and comes back to go up and RANA! Fans fire up as Lio handsprings under, mule kicks, ENZIGURIS, and kips up! Fans cheer Lio on as he watches Akira flounder. Lio brings Akira up, whips him to the corner and RAMS in! Tag to Yoh, Yoh whips Lio for Lio to whip Yoh. Yoh BLASTS TJP off the apron, then Lio runs and slides up to Yoh. Yoh spins Lio and Lio victory rolls with Yoh! They roll and roll, it’s a bit clunky, but they still make it to the corner so Lio can SPLASH Akira! Fans rally up and Lio fist bumps Yoh. Yoh stomps Akira, brings him up, and ROCKS Akira with forearms!

Yoh runs, Akira dodges and tags TJP! TJP runs in to whip Yoh but Yoh reverses. TJP goes Spider-Man, Yoh runs in but is dumped out. Akira PLANCHAS Yoh down! Akira hurries in and gets a boost from TJP to SHOTGUN Lio! Fans rally for the United Empire, and TJP fetches Yoh. TJP puts Yoh in, drags him up and bumps him off buckles. TJP stomps a mudhole into Yoh, and fans rally as TJP gives Yoh scrapes to the face! TJP runs side to side, for the BOOT WASH! Fans fire up, TJP drags Yoh back up, and he gives him another round of scrapes! TJP runs side to side to BOOT WASH DROPKICK!

Fans fire up and chant for TJP as he goes into the ring. TJP drags Yoh to a cover, TWO! Yoh hangs tough but TJP drags him up again. Tag to Akira, the Empire double whip Yoh to ropes, and SOBAT, KICK, KICK, BASEMENT SHOTGUN! Cover, TWO! Akira eggs Lio on, drags Yoh back up, and he CLUBS Yoh on the neck. Yoh goes to ropes, Akira CLUBS him again, and he talks trash. Yoh CHOPS, ROCKS, CHOPS again, but Akira CHOPS! Yoh sputters as he drops to his knees but fans fire up! Akira puts Yoh in the corner, TJP runs in and DECKS Lio, then Akira snapmares Yoh. Akira runs, TJP gets him up, and Akira says take pictures now! ELECTRIC CHAIR SENTON!

Fans fire up and Akira pushes Yoh to a cover. TWO, and Akira looms over Yoh. Akira kicks Yoh around but Yoh eggs him on. Akira throws forearms but Yoh just eggs Akira on! Akira CHOPS, runs, but Yoh handsprings away! Mule kick and NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up while both men are down! Yoh crawls for his corner, TJP runs in to drag him back! But Yoh BOOTS TJP away! Hot tag to Lio! Lio baits Akira in, then goes up and around him to then go up and QUEBRADA! TJP returns, he back suplexes, but Lio lands on his feet! Lio LARIATS TJP, LARIATS Akira, then LARIATS TJP and LARIATS Akira again!

Lio whips TJP to a corner, TJP reverses but Lio slides to a stop. Lio BOOTS TJP, BOOTS Akira, but Akira ducks the haymaker. Akira waistlocks, Lio elbows free, and Lio whips TJP to ropes. TJP reverses, Akira hooks Lio up and the Empire double whip. But Lio ducks the double clothesline to handspring and DOUBLE BACK ELBOWS! Fans fire up again as TJP and Akira bail out. Lio builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit on TJP! Lio hurries and DIVES on Akira! Direct hit there, too! Fans are thunderous as Lio puts Akira in. Lio brings Akira up and in, but Akira fights the back suplex. Lio powers through to BACK SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!

Akira crawls away, TJP returns and kicks low. TJP ROCKS Lio, Lio ROCKS TJP, repeat! They go back and forth, TJP gets the edge, but Lio fires back with fast hands! Lio ROCKS TJP, runs, but TJP ROUNDHOUSES! TJP fireman’s carries but Yoh brings Lio down. Yoh kicks TJP low, gives Lio a boost, but TJP avoids the scissor kick to JUMP SOBAT Lio! TJP kicks and whips Yoh but Yoh reverses! TJP holds ropes, Lio runs in to clothesline him out! Yoh hurries and PLANCHAS! Yoh puts TJP back in, Lio schoolboys and SPIN KICKS! Fans fire up while TJP flops out of the ring. Lio aims at Akira, runs in and SPEARS! Cover, TJP breaks it!

Fans continue to rally for Lio and he throws TJP out. Lio hurries over to tag Yoh, and Yoh has the fans heat up. Yoh runs in to BACK ELBOW Akira! But Akria roars! They throw forearms back and forth! Yoh gets the edge, kicks and suplexes, but Akira slips out to shove then follow. Akira wheelbarrows, into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Yoh covers, TWO!! Akira survives and fans are thunderous as they duel! Yoh goes to the corner, he tunes up the band! Akira rises, Yoh aims but TJP blocks the superkick to spin around and back suplex! Lio SHINING WIZARDS TJP! Lio kicks at Akira but Akira blocks to flip Lio to the corner! Akira runs in but he blocks Lio’s boot, only for Lio to SLAP him!

Lio goes up but Akira gets him for a SECOND ROPE SPANISH FLY! Fans fire up as Yoh runs in, but into a SNAP DRAGON! Akira fires up and runs, but Yoh SUPERKICKS Akira down!! All four men are down and Korakuen Hall is electric! Lio and TJP bail out while Akira and Yoh stir. Yoh and Akira crawl towards each other, and Yoh brings Akira up with underhooks. Akira resists, but Yoh lifts! AKira fights that to wrench out and ENZIGURI! Then chicken wings, to HIGH ANGLE GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO!! Fans are thunderous again as Akira fires up! Akira drags Yoh up, reels him in, but Yoh fights Speedfire! Akira throws knee after knee after knee, and Yoh falls down!

Akira taunts Yoh, drags him back up, but Yoh ROCKS him with a forearm! Yoh staggers over to Akira, reels him in, but Akira fights the full nelson. Akira elbows, runs, TJP tags in but Lio rushes in. TJP sends Lio out while Akira waistlocks Yoh. Akira shoves Yoh and TJP sends him to ropes, they STEAL 3K!!! But they don’t end it there, they run to give Yoh 2 BY 2!! And then Akira runs to FLY out onto Lio! TJP goes up top and he aims at Yoh, for the MAMBA SPLASH!! Cover, Lio breaks it in time!!! Fans are electric again as all four men are down! TJP pushes Lio out of the ring, then he drags Yoh back up. Akira coordinates with him as TJP Electric Chair Lifts!

Akira is up top, but Lio HEADBUTTS Akira down! Yoh victory rolls, TWO!! TJP catches Yoh to a dragon sleeper but Yoh drops! TJP drops on the cover, TWO and Yoh finishes the victory roll! TWO and Yoh runs, into a SUPERKICK! TJP fireman’s carries, but Lio SUPERKICKS TJP! Yoh & Lio DOUBLE SUPERKICK!! Fans are thunderous as Yoh pounds the mat Lio roars, Yoh roars, and they haul TJP up! Lio runs, rebounds, STUNNER! Yoh suplexes TJP for the GHOSTBUSTER!! Double cover, TWO!?!? Yoh & Rush cannot believe it! The fans are electric again as Yoh roars! Lio and Yoh three-finger fist-bump. They whip TJP, but Akira rushes in to victory roll DOUBLE STOMP Lio!

TJP sunset flips through the flapjack to then jackknife! The Empire wins!!

Winners: TJP & Francesco Akira, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Yoh & Lio earn 0)

The champions had a fight on their hands, but they come out on top! Will Chaos be able to make up for lost time in the next round?

As for the Empire, Gideon helps TJP stay up on his feet until he’s caught his breath. TJP then walks up to Lio and offers him a handshake. Lio accepts it, showing there is still respect between these rivals. Then the Empire ushers Chaos out of the ring so they can have their moment in the spotlight. TJP gets the mic to say in Japanese, “I’m tired… It hurts! In my head.” He then asks Red Shoes, in Spanish, “Help me.” Red Shoes returns to the ring, and Akira says to him, “Allow me to speak a bit of Japanese.” Red Shoes and the fans applaud. “Hey, Korakuen, our name is Catch 2/2.” Or perhaps in Japanese, Catch Ni Ni.

Red Shoes, Akira is going to tell you something to tell the fans. He whispers it to Red Shoes. Red Shoes takes the mic to first compliment Akira on his Japanese. And then he explains to the fans that Catch 2/2 want them to participate in a closing cheer. Fans like the sound of that! Akira and TJP quickly help Red Shoes know how it goes. You point to one side, shout “CATCH!” Then to this side, “NI NI!” So, get it? CATCH! NI NI! Fans applaud to acknowledge that, and the Empire would like the fans to be really loud. Okay, three, two, one! CATCH! NI NI! CATCH! NI NI! CATCH! NI NI! They keep it going around and around, and Akira thanks them all!

Gideon then gives final introductions! On behalf of TJP, Akira, himself and the entire United Empire, he says, “Good bye, MWAH! And good… No no no. THIS IS THE POWER OF THE UNITED EMPIRE~!!” A bit of a nod to the Cleaner that’s coming for Will Ospreay, but will the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions remain spotless in the Super Junior Tag League?

Here are the Super Jr. Tag League standings!

TJP & Akira: 1-0, 2 points
Zayne & Lindaman: 1-0, 2 points
Taguchi & Connors: 1-0, 2 points
Eagles & Tiger Mask: 1-0, 2 points
Austin & Bey: 1-0, 2 points
Yoh & Lio: 0-1, 0 points
Bushi & Titan: 0-1, 0 points
The House of Torture: 0-1, 0 points
Suzuki-Gun: 0-1, 0 points
KUSHIDA & Knight: 0-1, 0 points

My Thoughts:

A great opening night for this new tradition of NJPW’s. Super Jr. Tag League opening was a bit of a surprise, but we got great stuff up and down the block. Great looking combinations, too, especially “Wild Hips” and Taguchi dressing up like Connors. And I feel like the only result that surprised me was LIJ losing to Bullet Club’s Impact branch. Not that Ace and Bey aren’t great in their own right, I just thought LIJ would start strong to keep pace with the champions. But maybe LIJ will have a great comeback story to become a surprising finalist. But the champions win, and they get to debut their new team name and team chant, they’re definitely going to be a finalist with some great matches all through this tournament.

My Score: 8.6/10