Who stays alive in round five?

NJPW isn’t slowing down, they’re just speeding things up with another night of the Super Jr. Tag League! Will Ace Austin & Chris Bey be the ONLY 5-0 team?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS Yuto Nakashima & Oskar Leube; Shane & Mikey win.
• 8 Man Tag: Toru Yano, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Ryohei Oiwa & Kosei Fujita VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Suzuki-Gun; Suzuki-Gun wins.
• Super Jr. Tag League 2022: Ryusuke Taguchi & Clark Connors VS KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight; Taguchi & Connors win.
• Super Jr. Tag League 2022: TJP & Francesco Akira VS SHO & Dick Togo; TJP & Akira win.
• Super Jr. Tag League 2022: Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask VS Alex Zayne & El Lindaman; win.
• Super Jr. Tag League 2022: BUSHI & Titán VS DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Bushi & Titan win.
• Super Jr. Tag League 2022: YOH & Lio Rush VS Ace Austin & Chris Bey; Yoh & Lio win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current Super Jr. Tag League standings!

Austin & Bey: 4-0, 8 points
Bushi & Titan: 3-1, 6 points
TJP & Akira: 3-1, 6 points
Zayne & Lindaman: 3-1, 6 points
Yoh & Lio: 3-1, 6 points
Eagles & Tiger Mask: 2-2, 4 points
KUSHIDA & Knight: 1-3, 2 points
Taguchi & Connors: 1-3, 2 points
Sho & Dick: 0-4, 0 points
Douki & Kanemaru: 0-4, 0 points

Super Jr. Tag League 2022: Ryusuke Taguchi & Clark Connors VS KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight!

The Wild Hips and the #TimeJet are both down after round four, and are walking on the edge of elimination! Who stays alive in round and who runs out of time?

Knight shows off his new orange sweatpants, and says it’s for their team, “Time 2 Fly.” Taguchi doesn’t understand why, but Kushida says Taguchi is just jealous. Taguchi offers a beer? Fans applaud and Knight accepts it. He and Connors toast, crack ’em open and sip. Fans applaud the sportsmanship, and the fans sort out. Taguchi and Knight start, fans rally as they circle. They both show off their footwork, Taguchi tests the water with a jump and Knight backs away. Then Knight jumps and Taguchi backs away. Fans applaud as both men are aware of the other’s air moves.

Knight and Taguchi circle, tie up, and Taguchi waistlocks. Knight switches, Taguchi wrenches out and has the wristlock. Knight rolls, handsprings and wrenches back! Fans applaud as Knight has the wristlock. Taguchi rolls and trips Knight to a toehold. Knight endures, gets Taguchi with a chinlock and brings him down. Taguchi rolls but Kushida stays on him! They stand and Knight wrenches to another wristlock. Knight whips, Taguchi reverses and Taguchi runs in, but Knight dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Taguchi up but Taguchi pushes him away, and both men go to their corners.

Kushida tags in, Connors does, too. They circle, tie up and Kushida headlocks. Connors powers out but Kushida runs him over. Things keep moving, Connors hip tosses but Kushida makes that an arm-drag! Connors runs back in but into another arm-drag! Kushida goes for another but Connors avoids the arm-drag, to CLUB Kushida down! Fans applaud as Connors brings Kushida up. Knight tags in as Connors whips, and Kushida reverses the whip. Time Jet bypasses Connors, Knight drop toeholds and wrenches the arm. Kushida knocks Taguchi down then PENALTY KICKS Connors’ arm! Fans fire up as Time Jet have a secret handshake!

Knight drags Connors up and wrenches the arm, then tags Kushida back in. Knight hands off the arm for Kushida to wrench, then he tags back in. Kushida hands off the arm for Knight to wrench. And then they handoff the wrench over and over and over! Then they double wrench, snapmare and double knee drop the arms! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Knight drags Connors up. Knight has an armlock and he grinds the shoulder but Connors fights up. Connors throws body shots, but Knight knees low! Knight says its time, he runs, but Connors drops and POUNCES! Fans fire up while both men are down!

Connors and Knight crawl for their corners, hot tags to Kushida and Taguchi! Kushida dodges to kick and run, but into a HIP ATTACK! Fans rally as Taguchi HIP ATTACKS Kushida against ropes! And again! And then the baseball slide and APRON HIP! Fans applaud, Taguchi covers, TWO! Taguchi brings Kushida up, fans rally, and Taguchi snap suplexes! Uno Amigo! Another snap suplex for Dos Amigos! But Kushida slips free of the third for a ROLLING ELBOW! Kushida runs but Taguchi mule kicks him! But Kushida winds up, only for Taguchi to block the fastball! Taguchi winds up, SIDE ARM BODY SHOT!

Fans fire up while Taguchi tags in Connors. Wild Hips put Kushida in the corner and Connors ROCKS him. Wild Hips coordinate, for the WHIP HIP! And then another! Knight comes in, but he gets a WHIP HIP! Then Taguchi whips Connors to WHIP HIP Kushida! And WHIP HIP Knight! Fans fire up with Wild Hips and Connors whips Taguchi in, but Kushida dodges! Kushida elbows Taguchi to keep him in the corner, then sits him down. Connors runs in, but Kushida drop toeholds Connors into Taguchi’s gooch! Connors sits up in a daze, Kushida whips and hip tosses to handspring basement dropkick!

Tag to Knight and he runs at Connors to SPLASH! Knight runs to SPLASH Taguchi! And SPLASH Connors again! Taguchi runs in but Knight dodges, the HIP ATTACK hits Connors! Knight SPLASHES them both! Taguchi falls down, Knight scoops and SLAMS Connors! Knight then runs from the corner, SPINNING SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as Knight brings Connors up. Knight scoops but Connors slips out. Knight switches, shoves, and DROPKICKS! Kushida hops in and Electric Chair Lifts Connors. Knight says it’s time to fly! DROPKICK ELECTRIC CHAIR DROP! Cover, but Taguchi barrels in to break it!

Fans fire up, Kushida brings Taguchi up but Taguchi ENZIGURIS! Knight drags Connors up to UPPERCUT! Knight dodges Taguchi again, but Connors gives Taguchi the boost, POUNCE HIP! Fans fire up again and the Wild Hips combine their powers! “ORYA~!” CROSS HIPS!! Cover, but Kushida breaks it! Kushida throws Taguchi out then runs at Connors. But Connors dumps Kushida out! Connors drags Knight up, snap suplex! Connors says HE is too fly! Connors goes up the corner and fans rally. But Knight springs up after him! Connors throws body shots and shoves Knight away! Knight comes back, into a FLYING SPEAR!!

Connors drags Knight up, reels him in, TROPHY KILLER!! Cover, Wild Hips win!

Winners: Ryusuke Taguchi & Clark Connors, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kushida & Knight earn 0)

It may have been #Time2Fly, but it wasn’t their time to win. Will the Wild Hips be untamable on their way to a comeback?

Super Jr. Tag League 2022: TJP & Francesco Akira VS SHO & Dick Togo!

Catch 2/2 may not be the top of the block, but they’re not out of the running either. Can they stay close to the front of the pack? Or will the Murder Machine and Spoiler be a huge spoiler for the United Empire?

As always, Gideon Grey is here to make the introductions for the Public Enemy & Nova Fireball. But Sho & Dick attack right at the end! Sho stomps Akira while Dick stomps TJP, but Gideon jumps on Sho! Fans cheer the Orchestrator on but Dick drags him off Sho to SLAP him down! Now Dick & Sho stomp away on Gideon! But Catch 2/2 DOUBLE DROPKICK them out! And then DOUBLE PLANCHA! Fans fire up with the champs and the bell rings to get this on record. Catch 2/2 put Sho in the ring and they whip him to ropes. SOBAT, KICK, KICK and BASEMENT SHOTGUN!

TJP snapmares Sho, steps on his face, then covers, TWO! Sho crawls away but TJP is right on him. TJP drags him up, tags in Akira, and fans clap for “CATCH! NI NI!” as they double whip to double atomic drop, and then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP NECKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, TWO! Akira taunts Dick then has the ref stop him from getting in. Akira drags Sho up, brings him over, and tags TJP in. TJP sits Sho down and fans fire up as TJP scrapes Sho’s face. TJP then runs side to side to BOOT WASH! TJP gets fans on the “CATCH! NI NI!” rhythm. TJP drags Sho up and around to whip to ropes, but Sho reverses.

TJP holds ropes then BOOTS Sho, but Sho distracts the ref from seeing Dick DECK TJP! Sho DECKS Akira, and if only fans could boo, they would. Sho throws TJP out and distracts the ref again so Dick can DECK TJP! Dick then sets TJP up for a PENALTY KICK from the apron! Sho talks trash to the timekeeper, and then Dick sets Akira up for a PENALTY KICK! The ref reprimands but Sho just laughs. Dick rakes TJP’s eyes, ROCKS him with an uppercut, and he CHOKES TJP before putting him in. Dick holds TJP down, the ref reprimands, but Sho ROPE GUILLOTINES! Sho covers, but the ref refuses to count because of the shenanigans!

Sho throws a fit but fans applaud the ref standing up for the rules. Sho tags Dick but fans rally for “CATCH! NI NI!” Dick and Sho tell the fans to shut up, and Dick headlock punches TJP down! Dick pushes TJP to a cover, but the ref notices it’s a choke! Dick lets off, but he chokes TJP with his knee! The ref reprimands again and Dick lets off to put on a headscissor squeeze. Fans rally as TJP endures. TJP reaches out, turns things over, and he pops out the back. TJP goes for an arm, but Dick slips out to hammerlock TJP back! Dick drags TJP up, snapmares and then FIST DROPS! Cover, TWO! Dick & Sho are frustrated but the fans fire up.

Fans rally for “CATCH! NI NI!” but Dick stands on TJP’s hands. Sho tags in and stands on TJP’s hands. Akira protests, but Sho claws TJP’s face! Akira protests more and the ref finally notices. Sho shifts to have a chinlock so that it’s all legal. Sho digs his knee in and cranks the hold, but fans rally with “CATCH! NI NI!” TJP fights up, throws body shots and is free. TJP runs, kicks Sho’s back drop away, and even dodges Dick’s sucker punch to dropkick him down! Sho runs in, TJP goes up and over and TORNADO DDTs! Both men are down, fans fire up as TJP crawls over! Hot tag to Akira! Akira runs in at Sho to clothselien in the corner!

Akira keeps moving, he back elbows in the corner! Akira goes up top but Dick anchors a foot! Akira kicks Dick away, jumps over Sho, but Sho hits low. Sho runs, Akira follows and wheelbarrows to STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Fans continue to rally and Akira brings Sho up. Akira chicken wings the arms, lifts and HIGH- NO, Sho fights the suplex to wrench an arm. Sho bends the fingers! The ref reprimands, Akira swings on Sho, but Sho rakes Akira’s eyes first! Sho runs, but Akira BOOTS him! Akira runs, but Sho uses the ref as a shield! Sho SPEARS Akira down! Fans rally as Sho and Akira stir. Sho tags in Dick!

Dick and Sho stomp Akira around, then drag him up. They double whip him corner to corner, Sho runs in but Akira BOOTS him! Dick runs in but into a backslide! Dick rolls through but Akira uses him as a step to SHOTGUN Sho! Fans fire up but Dick rakes Akira’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Dick ROCKS Akira then whips him to ropes. TJP sneaks a tag, Akira catches Dick, then TJP rushes in. Dick ducks the superkick but Akira catches that! Akira sends the kick at Dick but Dick blocks that, so Akira ENZIGURIS Dick! Fans fire up as TJP brings Dick around to springboard FLYING FOREARM! And off comes the shirt!

TJP goes to the corner, climbs up top and fans fire up! MAMBA- NO, TJP has to roll through as Dick dodges! Dick CLOBBERS TJP! Dick fires up and he stomps TJP around. Dick ROCKS TJP to a corner, whips him corner to corner but TJP reverses and runs in. Dick BOOTS TJP, runs to sunset flip, TWO! TJP sits on it, TWO! Ghost pin from Dick, TWO! CROSSFACE!! TJP endures as Dick pulls back on the hold! Fans rally for “T! J P!” and he reaches back, ROPEBREAK! Dick lets go and he drags TJP up. Dick underhooks the arms, but TJP blocks the Pedigree. Dick CLUBS TJP, hooks him up again, but TJP slips out!

Dick blocks a kick but TJP Rolls to drag Dick down into a PINOY STRETCH!! Akira intercepts Sho with a GUILLOTINE! But Evil & Yujiro grab Gideon! They threaten him, so Catch 2/2 let Sho & Dick go! They say okay, but then here comes AUSSIE OPEN! Davis & Fletcher dodge Evil & Yujiro, pick them up and SANDWICH them! Fans fire up as the Empire stands together! Catch 2/2 focus on Sho & Dick but then Sho & Dick rake their eyes! Dick & Sho whip the champs at each other but they reverse and send Sho & Dick into each other! Akira tosses Sho out, then he and TJP focus on Dick.

TJP brings Dick around to Electric Chair Lift and Akira climbs! Fan sfire up but Sho shoves Akira down! Dick slips off to rake TJP’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Dick stops, and Dick argues with the ref while Sho gets his wernch! Wait, It’s not there?! Akira has it!! Fans cheer, Akira throws the wrench to TJP! TJP drops the wrench, and plays like he got hit! Fans fire up as Sho & Dick defend their innocence! But Akira then SHOTGUNS Dick into Sho! TJP rolls Dick up, TWO!! Dick swings, into a SUPERKICK from Akira! The champs fire up and run, 2 BY 2!! Cover, Catch 2/2 wins!

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

The House of Torture keeps trying tricks to win, but they continue to fail! They’re out of the running, will they have even one win before this is done? As for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, can they finish strong and conquer the finals?

Super Jr. Tag League 2022: Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask VS Alex Zayne & El Lindaman!

The Flying Tigers are right in the middle of it all, but that means they still have an outside shot! Will the Sniper of the Skies and the living legend make that shot? Or will they get burned by the #GLEATSAUCE?

The teams sort out and Eagles starts against Zayne. Fans rally and Eagles encourages them to get louder. The fans get louder and Eagles circles with Zayne. They tie up, Zayne powers Eagles back and headlocks, but Eagles powers out. Zayne turns that around but Eagles holds ropes to block the whip. Zayne keeps trying but Eagles holds on. So Zayne wrenches the arm, whips, but Eagles reverses to go up and around and arm-drag Zayne! Things speed up, Eagles RANAS but Zayne manages to to handspring through! Fans applaud as Zayne wags his finger. Things speed up again, Zayne rolls off Eagles back!

Things keep moving, Eagles handsprings over the dropdown to strut! Fans applaud, but Zayne sweeps the legs! Cover, ONE! Eagles sweeps the legs, covers, ONE! The dropkicks cancel out, and both handspring up to pose! Fans fire up as Eagles aims his finger gun while Zayne twirls his hair. Zayne and Eagles fist bump to show respect and fans cheer that, too. Lindaman and Tiger tag in and they rush in! Lindaman knees low, CLUBS away, then brings Tiger around. But Tiger clinches! Lindaman ROCKS and whips Tiger, but Tiger reverses, only for Lindaman to come back and pick him up! Tiger fights free to get a SLEEPER!

Lindaman endures, fights up and JAWBREAKERS free! Fans rally and Lindaman wants a very special challenge. The ref is to judge who has the better… back muscles? The ref has them stand side by side and he looks them over, and declares TIGER the winner! Lindaman can’t believe it! He boos, then kicks low. Lindaman CLUBS away, runs, but Tiger scoops him for a BACKBREAKER! Tiger tells Lindaman he’s a sore loser, then tags in Eagles. Flying Tigers kick, KICK and DOUBLE KICK Lindaman down! Zayne runs in, into a DOUBLE HIP TOSS! The Flying Tigers KICK, KICK and DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK!

Fans fire up as Eagles brings Lindaman up and bumps him off buckles. Eagles CHOPS and then he bumps Lindaman off buckles. Eagles says one more time, and he CHOPS again! Tag to Tiger, he snapmares Lindaman and JABS him in the head with an elbow. Tiger clamps on a chinlock and digs his knee into Lindaman. Lindaman talks smack even now and Tiger ELBOWS him again! Tag to Eagles and he brings Lindaman up. Fans rally, Eagles whips but Lindaman blocks. Lindaman UPPERCUTS, spins, but Eagles avoids the discus to mule kick! Eagles whips Lindaman but Lindaman reverses! Lindaman runs in, blocks the boots, puts Eagles in the rope to DRAPING NECKBREAKER!

Fans fire up as Lindaman rolls and tags Zayne. Zayne ELBOWS Tiger off the apron, he blocks Eagles’ kick and spins Eagles around to LARIAT! Fans fire up more and Zayne fires off forearms and elbows! Zayne mule kicks, runs, but Eagles avoids the somersault kick! Zayne avoids the Penalty Kick to roll Eagles into an EDDY GORDO KICK! Fans fire up as Zayne scoops for the BAJA BLAST! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Eagles goes to a corner. Zayne runs in to ELBOW him, then puts him up top. Zayne climbs up but Eagles throws body shots. Eagles shoves Zayne away but he flips and lands on his feet! Zayne comes back, Eagles leaps, but Zayne blocks the rana!

Zayne swings Eagles back up to POWERBOMB him down! Zayne then hurries to drag Eagles up. Zayne whips but Eagles reverses to kick, but Zayne ducks under it! Zayne hooks Eagles up, TACO- NO, Eagles slips free! Eagles cravats, ASAI DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Eagles and Zayne stir, Eagles crawls to hot tag Tiger! Tiger KICKS Zayne to a corner, whips him corner to corner, then storms up to ROUNDHOUSE! Tiger brings Zayne back out, underhooks, but Zayne fights free! Tiger gets around, Zayne switches but Tiger victory rolls, TWO! Tiger chicken wings but Zayne breaks free.

Tiger kicks Zayne, rolls and drags Zayne down to a KNEEBAR! Zayne reaches out, but Lindaman CLOBBERS Tiger! Eagles gets in to ROCK Lindaman and throw him out! Flying Tigers double whip Zayne to a corner, then Eagles goes to the apron. But Zayne slips away before the kick combo connects! Eagles ends up stuck up top, Tiger storms after Zayne and kicks him low. Tiger whips but Zayne reverses, Tiger runs into Eagles’ knees! Zayne runs in, uses Tiger as the boost to SUPER STEINER Eagles! Zayne waistlocks Tiger but Tiger fights the German Suplex. Tiger switches, but right into Lindaman’s waistlock! Zayne SUPERKICKS, but Tiger ducks so it hits Lindaman!

Tiger runs, crucifix takedown, TWO! Tiger underhooks the arms, TIGER DRIVER!! High stack, but Lindaman breaks it! Eagles kicks Zayne out, fans rally, “GO GO TIGER! GO GO TIGER!” Tiger SOBATS, Eagles mule kicks, and DOUBLE BUZZSAWS take down Zayne! Cover, TWO!! Zayne survives and fans fire up again! Flying Tigers coordinate and put Zayne in the corner. They double whip again, then Eagles goes to the apron. BOOT GAMANGIRI COMBO! Tiger then hoists Zayne up top and climbs up after him. Tiger underhooks the arms, but Lindaman CLUBS Tiger down! Tiger fires forearms on Lindaman, but runs into a DROPKICK!

Eagles springboards but Lindaman catches him for an EXPLODER! Tiger swings, into an EXPLODER! Fans fire up and Zayne adjusts while up top. Lindaman drags Tiger over, KUMAGOROSHI! Lindaman FLIES to take out Eagles! Zayne aims, “ITADAKIMASU~!” CINNAMON TWIST!! Cover, #GLEATSAUCE wins!

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

A GLEAT win for Lindaman & Zayne! They’re still hot in the block, but will they stay hot all the way until the finals? As for the Flying Tigers, have they been grounded once and for all? Or can they reload and try again next round?

Super Jr. Tag League 2022: BUSHI & Titán VS DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

Black Mask & El Inmortal are in a great position, having beaten the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions and still strong in the block. But will they be careful not to stumble before the end? Or will Japones Del Mal & The Heel Master be a roadblock to the finals?

The teams sort out and Douki is calling out Titan. Titan accepts the challenge and fans rally at the bell. Douki and Titan circle, tie up, and Douki waistlocks. Titan spins through to facelock, but Douki wrenches out to wristlock. Douki keeps Titan from ropes, but Titan spins and slips through to wrench back. Titan wristlocks but Douki slips through to wrench and wristlock back. Douki twists the wrist, keeps Titan from ropes again, but Titan rolls, handsprings and arm-drags free! Fans fire up as Titan DROPKICKS Douki out of the ring! Titan builds speed, but he rolls and backflips out of the ring as Douki moves.

Titan raises the LIJ fist but Kanemaru BOOTS him down! Kanemaru stomps Titan, Douki ROCKS Bushi, then they switch. Kanemaru CLUBS Bushi, Douki POSTS Titan! Titan staggers to the timekeeper’s table but Douki puts him in the ring. Douki drags Titan around while Kanemaru puts Bushi in. Suzuki-Gun goes after LIJ’s masks! The ref reprimands but Douki and Kanemaru undo the laces! The ref counts and Douki leaves Titan alone. The ref has to count at Kanemaru, too, and then Kanemaru lets off of Bushi. Douki drags Titan up, puts him up top in the corner, and climbs up after him, to go after the mask!

The ref reprimands and counts again, Titan fights to keep his mask on, and he throws elbows! Douki falls back, he CLUBS Titan, and then tags Kanemaru. Titan is put in a Tree of Woe for a basement dropkick from Kanemaru! Kanemaru drags Titan to a cover, TWO! Fans rally for “L I J!” but Kanemaru CLUBS Titan down then stomps him. Kanemaru drags Titan back up, and hits a DDT! Tag to Douki and Douki kicks Titan around. Douki drags Titan up but Titan ROCKS Douki back! Douki slaps Titan around but Titan ROCKS Douki again! Douki still slaps Titan, then drags him up. Fans rally, Douki scoops and SLAMS, then runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO!

Douki keeps on Titan, bumps him off Kanemaru’s boot, then Kanemaru tags in. Fans still rally for LIJ as Kanemaru whips and ELBOWS Titan down! Kanemaru BOOTS Bushi for good measure, then he stomps Titan down. Kanemaru stomps Titan and talks trash, then keeps on stomping. Fans rally but Kanemaru just stomps away on Titan! Kanemaru drags Titan up, CLUBS him on the neck, and then stalks him. Kanemaru drags Titan up, whips him corner to corner, then runs in to BOOT Titan down! Kanemaru drags Titan back up but Titan blocks the suplex! Kanemaru gets Titan up but Titan slips out to CLUB Kanemaru!

Kanemaru knees low, whips, but Titan reverse, then goes Matrix to CALF KICK! Fans fire up while both men are down! Titan crawls, hot tag to Bushi! Bushi kicks Kanemaru, whips, but Kanemaru reverses, only for Bushi to RANA! Douki gets in to kick low and CLUB Bushi! Douki & Kanemaru double whip, but Bushi gets around to shove Douki into Kanemaru! Then Bushi DOUBLE RANAS them down! Fans fire up and Bushi drags Kanemaru up. Kanemaru swings but Bushi spins him to a DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Bushi runs corner to corner but Kanemaru dodges. But then Bushi SWING KICKS him away!

Bushi climbs up to MISSILE DROPKICK! And Bushirooni! Kanemaru bails out, Bushi builds speed but Douki cheap shots him! And HOTSHOTS him! Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Kanemaru crawls, hot tag to Douki! Douki stomps Bushi in the corner, whips him corner to corner, but runs into a BOOT! Bushi goes up to FLYING RANA! Fans fire up again as both men are down! Bushi crawls over, hot tag to Titan! Titan springboards to CROSSBODY Douki! Kanemaru throws Titan down but Titan kips up to PELE! Douki storms up and kicks low, but Titan fires back a flurry of palm strikes! SOBAT, then Titan runs, but is put on the apron!

Titan GAMANGIRIS Douki in return, springboards and FLYING RANAS! Douki bails out, fans fire up, and Titan builds speed! TOPE CONJILO! Direct hit and fans fire up as Titan rises! Titan roars and he brings Douki back up. The ring count climbs but Titan puts Douki in at 11 of 20. Titan and Bushi coordinate, double whip Douki to ropes, and SOBAT, sunset flip, and SPRINGBOARD SPLASH into boots! Titan staggers away, Kanemaru BOOTS Bushi down! Kanemaru tilt-o-whirl DDTs Titan down! Douki is up top, DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO, but into ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Kanemaru dropkicks Bushi’s leg!

Kanemaru trips Bushi into the FIGURE FOUR! LIJ endure simultaneous submissions! And with Bushi in the way, Titan can’t get to the ropes on that side! Titan heads the other way but Douki rolls Titan away! ITALIAN STRETCH! Fans rally, Bushi grabs the ref and shoves him into Douki! Titan is free, Bushi and Kanemaru go outside. Kanemaru stomps Bushi down, Douki goes to the apron. Douki slingshots to hit DAYBREAK!! Cover, TWO!! Titan survives and fans fire up! Douki roars and he reels Titan into the wheelbarrow. Full nelson, but Bushi runs in! Douki drops Titan to HELL STAB Bushi! Douki runs, but Bushi spins him to a BACKSTABBER!

Bushi DECKS Kanemaru off the apron, he sunset flips Douki and Titan SPRINGBOARD SPLASHES again! Cover, but Kanemaru breaks it! Bushi throws Kanemaru back out to then DIVE! Direct hit and a Young Lion has to keep Kanemaru from hitting the front row! Titan runs corner to corner at Douki, LOCO LARIAT! CODE BREAKER! ANGEL INMORTAL!! Cover, LIJ wins!

Winners: Bushi & Titan, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Douki & Kanemaru earn 0)

That was the strongest showing from Douki & Kanemaru yet, but it wasn’t strong enough! Are they relegated to simply spoiling another team’s run in the later rounds? As for LIJ, they stay strong, just behind the front of the pack. Can Titan & Bushi take over and guarantee a spot in the finals?

Super Jr. Tag League 2022: YOH & Lio Rush VS Ace Austin & Chris Bey!

The Men of the Hour have perhaps the match of the tournament on their hands! The #InevitableFinesse have been unstoppable so far, but will they make it to 5-0? Or will there be chaos in the block?

Bullet Club Too Sweets, and the teams sort out. Lio calls out Bey and Bey obliges, but then they argue about the other partners stepping out. Yoh and Ace exit at the same time and the bell rings. Fans rally as Bey talks trash with “The Bad Child.” Bey says it’s all about Bullet Club for life! Lio says Chaos for life, then he pie faces Bey with the three fingers. Bey and Lio start throwing forearms! Fans rally, Bey mule kicks and runs, but Lio follows! Bey ducks under the clothesline but Lio comes back to springboard and whip! Lio then redirects, Bey keeps up, but Lio ducks under. Bey ducks under, both men block kicks and both men SLAP!

Bey and Lio get forehead to forehead and talk more trash! Ace and Yoh shout to their guys to cool it off. Bey and Lio point to each other’s corners, and they both back away . Tag to Ace and Lio eggs him on. Ace wags his finger, he wants Yoh! Lio asks the crowd and they applaud. Lio says fine and heads for his corner, but then Ace pulls Lio’s hair! Lio kicks, Ace blocks and flips him, but Lio lands on his feet! Yoh tags in, Ace runs in, but Yoh ROCKS Ace! Yoh clinches but Ace throws body shots and forearms. Ace runs, Yoh drops then sidesteps to drop toehold! Yoh keeps moving to basement dropkick! Fans rally as Yoh stays between Ace and Bey.

Yoh clinches but Ace cradle counters, TWO! Ace kicks low, CHOPS Yoh to the corner, then shoos Lio. But Yoh fights back with elbows and forearms! Ace swings, misses, but he ELBOWS Yoh! Ace runs, but Yoh dumps him out! Yoh builds speed, but Bey trips him up! Bey drags Yoh out but Lio rushes over to slide! But Bey avoids the dropkick! Bey shoves Lio at Yoh but Lio stops himself. Bey whips but Lio reverses to send Bey at the apron, only for Bey to tiger feint kick! Lio ducks it, Yoh kicks Bey low! Ace rushes over but Lio moves! Yoh swipes at Ace but he handsprings over to SUPERKICK Yoh away! But Lio gets in the ring to HANDPRING KICK Ace down!

Lio builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit with the tope and fans fire up! Lio calls to Yoh to get Ace and Yoh drags Ace up. Yoh puts Ace in, then CLAWS Ace on the back. Yoh stomps Ace, bumps Ace off buckles, and tags in Lio. Lio & Yoh double whip Ace corner to corner, Lio whips Yoh in to back elbow! Lio SPLASHES, then he hooks up with Yoh, ROLLING- GAMANGIRI from Bey! Ace pushes Yoh over to BUZZSAW! Bey kicks Lio away, then tags in, and Bullet Club double whip Lio to a corner. Bey sets up for Ace’s POMMEL KICK! Ace sets up, FINESSE IN MOTION! Drop toehold, EDDY GORDO and a DOUBLE STOMP!

Fans applaud the great combinations, and Bey isolates Lio’s arm! Bey STOMPS the elbow! Lio clutches his arm but Bey drags him around. Bey wants Lio to look into the camera to “say hello to The Elite!” Bey then CLUBS Lio with a crossface forearm. Bey talks more trash, but Lio fires back with forearms! Bey ROCKS Lio, then stomps a mudhole into him in the corner! Red Shoes counts but Bey lets off at 4. Fans rally with claps for “LI-O RUSH! LI-O RUSH!” Bey shakes his head, drags Lio up but Lio ROCKS Bey! Bey CLAWS Lio’s face! Red Shoes reprimands and Bey lets off. Bey talks trash, pulls on Lio’s ear, then brings him up to ROCK with a haymaker!

Lio flops to ropes, Bey drags him back up and whips him into the corner. Tag to Ace, he and Bey DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Ace drops a knee on Lio’s head and digs it in. Ace stalks Lio and deadlift GUT WRENCH SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Ace stays between Lio and Yoh, and he makes Lio look at Bey as he flexes. Ace bumps Lio off buckles, Bey digs his boot in, then Ace bumps Lio off Bey’s boot. Fans rally, but Ace sucker punches Yoh! Bey tags in, he brings Lio up, but Lio fights the suplex. Lio cradle counters, TWO! Bey escapes, and he ELBOWS Lio down! Fans rally back up as Bey tells Yoh to “SUCK IT!”

Bey drags Lio up, brings him over, and bumps him off Ace’s boot. Tag to Ace, he and Bey both dig their boots in. Red Shoes counts, Bullet Club lets off, and Ace tags Bey back in. Ace & Bey double whip, but Lio stops himself and goes to where Red Shoes is! Lio BOOTS Ace away, he BOOTS Bey away, Red Shoes slips away as Lio handsprings to dodge the lariats! Lio kicks but Ace blocks and hands it off to Bey. Lio ENZIGURIS but Bey ducks, so Ace takes the hit! Fans fire up and Lio crawls for his corner! Bey rushes in, Lio slides under and KANGAROO KICKS! Hot tag to Yoh! Direct Drive rallies on Bey with big forearms!

Yoh whips, Bey reverses but Yoh ducks ‘n’ dodges to FLYING FOREARM! Ace returns, into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up for Yoh as he scoops Bey. Yoh SLAMS Bey down, goes up the corner, TWISTING SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans continue to rally and Yoh brings Bey back up. Yoh reels Bey in, suplexes, but Bey slips out to waistlock. Yoh switches, Bey elbows free, but Yoh reels him back in, only for Bey to break free and PELE! Bey crawls to the cover, TWO! Fans rally back up, and Bey drags Yoh up. Tag to Ace, Ace brings Yoh around, SLIDE KICK RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP COMBO! Then the STANDING MOONSAULT LEG DROP COMBO! Cover, TWO!

Fans applaud as Yoh is still in this, but Ace CLUBS Yoh in frustration. Ace puts Yoh in a corner, he tags Bey, and Bullet Club double wrench to CLAW his back! Then they double drop toehold, to DOUBLE CLAW him again! And Too Sweet. Yoh writhes but Bey looms over him. Fans rally up, Bey drags Yoh up and suplexes, Uno Amigo! Bey suplexes again, Dos Amigos! But Yoh fights the third to suplex and FALCON ARROW! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Bey and Yoh crawl, hot tags to Ace and Lio! Lio rallies on Ace with big lariats! Lio whips, Ace reverses but Lio stops with a slide! Lio bobs ‘n’ weaves to fire off fast hands and a BIG forearm!

Ace staggers, Lio whips but Ace reverses. Lio springboards, but Ace blocks Rush Hour! Ace waistlocks, Lio switches and rolls Ace, for the SPIN KICK! Fans fire up again as Lio covers, TWO! Lio is surprised, but then he calls to Yoh. Yoh tags in, they high-three and then double whip Ace. Bey stops Ace, Yoh runs in but blocks Ace’s boot. Yoh flips Ace to the apron, but Ace avoids the shoulder! Ace & Bey DOUBLE KNEE Yoh down! Lio runs in but Ace blocks the handspring kick! Bey slips in to SUPERKICK Lio! Bullet Club fires up, Bey tags back in, and they drag Yoh up. Spin and SMASH to a YOYO SLAM! Then a BLINDSIDE SUPERKICK to the HOUSE OF CARDS! Bey covers, TWO!!

Fans fire up as Yoh survives the onslaught! But Bullet Club fires back up and the fans rally with them. They line up the shot, ONE TWO S- NO, Lio saves Yoh to shove Bey into Ace! Bey switches with Lio but Lio victory rolls and uses Bey for the ROLLING STUNNER! Fans fire up as Lio mule kicks Bey. Bey ducks the heel kick, rolls Lio up, but Lio avoids the Superman Punch and Yoh SUPERKICKS Bey outta the air!! Then Lio runs, RUSH HOUR!! Yoh hooks Bey up for the FALCON USHIGOROSHI! Fans fire up as Lio tags back in and climbs up! But Ace anchors Lio! Yoh SUPERKICKS Ace, then PLANCHAS! Direct hit!

Fans fire up as Lio aims, FINAL HOUR!!! Cover, CHAOS WINS!!

Winners: Yoh & Lio Rush, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Ace & Bey earn 0)

What a shocker! The hot hand finally busts, Ace & Bey are no longer the top of the block! But with four rounds left, can they still cash in on a spot in the finals?

As for the Men of the Hour, Lio is the first to get the mic. He tells Yoh in English, “Very tired. Very tired. Very hot. Very hot!” Then to the crowd, “Konnichiwa~!” Fans applaud, knowing Lio knows Japanese. Lio returns to English to say that Yoh knows, and maybe some fans know, that Lio Rush knows very little Japanese. “But I hope you can understand when I say, I love NJPW.” Fans applaud as they do understand that. Lio also hopes the fans understand when he says, “I love my new partner, Yoh.” Fans again applaud, and Lio says, “Me and Yoh, very good tag team, but very new. And this was a learning experience for the both of us.

“But… We are on our way to being Super Junior Tag League Champions.” Lio tells Yoh that they are number one, all the way! “My friend, arigato gozaimasu. <Thank you very much.>” Fans applaud, and Lio lets Yoh take the mic. Lio know the fans want it, and the fans applaud to agree. Yoh takes up the mic and says that since Lio asked, he’ll speak. “Well, not just speak. I’ll ask a question. Do you all like NJPW?” Fans applaud because they do! “Do you like the NJPW Junior Heavyweights?” Fans applaud again because they do! “Do you like Yoh & Lio Rush?” And again, fans applaud because they do!

“Then it’s no problem if we win the Super Junior Tag League, right?” Fans applaud once again because they’d love to see it. “Thank you. Let’s do it!” Yoh & Lio high-three again, will they truly be the Men of the Hour and take the whole tournament?

Here are the NEW Super Jr. Tag League standings!

Yoh & Lio: 4-1, 8 points
Austin & Bey: 4-1, 8 points
Bushi & Titan: 4-1, 8 points
TJP & Akira: 4-1, 8 points
Zayne & Lindaman: 4-1, 8 points
Eagles & Tiger Mask: 2-3, 4 points
Taguchi & Connors: 2-3, 4 points
KUSHIDA & Knight: 1-4, 2 points
Sho & Dick: 0-5, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Douki & Kanemaru: 0-5, 0 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

Another great event and another great round for Super Junior Tag League. Also of note, Suzuki-Gun beat LIJ straight up, Taichi got the Gedo Clutch on Takagi without a restart. But anyway, I expected the bottom of the block to stay the bottom of the block, and mathematically, they are out. Only four rounds left, no way either of those teams will be a finalist by this point. But FIVE teams at 4-1, that’s wild stuff. These last four rounds are going to get wild because of that, and that’s really exciting.

I like that Zayne & Lindaman are in that mix, both guys are kinda underappreciated. Everyone in this has great ring work, but they’ve got great character work and energy. They’re up against LIJ next, that’ll be a big one, but I feel like LIJ will win to keep their chance alive. Yoh & Lio get a great upset win, I said just yesterday that I didn’t see Ace & Bey losing in the fifth and here we are! I like Lio more or less sharing some real feelings in the promo, he is getting to do great stuff here in NJPW and has blended really well with Yoh already. They really could be a dark horse candidate for the finals, but maybe Sho & Dick in the next round could be a “trap game” given the history between Yoh and Sho.

My Score: 8.8/10