Will opening night be tranquilo?

On the Road to Power Struggle, Super Junior Tag League takes over! But will Bushi help Titan recreate his BOSJ run to the top? Or will the House of Torture screw them over already?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Shota Umino, Ren Narita & Yuto Nakashima VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• SANADA & Yuya Uemura VS Boltin Oleg & Oskar Leube; Sanada & Yuya win.
• Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Taiji Ishimori & Gedo; Naito & Hiromu win.
• 2023 Super Junior Tag League: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS Catch 2/2; Catch 2/2 wins.
• 2023 Super Junior Tag League: Intergalactic Jet Setters VS DOUKI & Taka Michinoku; Intergalactic Jet Setters win.
• 2023 Super Junior Tag League: Ryusuke Taguchi & The DKC VS Master Wato & El Desperado; Wato & Desperado win.
• 2023 Super Junior Tag League: YOH & MUSASHI VS Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Connors & Moloney win.
• 2023 Super Junior Tag League: Bushi & Titan VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Bushi & Titan win.

PLAY BY PLAY

2023 Super Junior Tag League: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS Catch 2/2!

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but the Sniper of the Skies and #IchibanSweetBoy are ready to fly! However, will they be able to shoot down former tag team champions, TJP & Francesco Akira? Or will Public Enemy & Nova Fireball rise back up for the United Empire?

Tensions are running high already as Fujita wants after Akira. The ref has them all stay back, and the teams sort out. Fans rally up for “FU-JI-TA!” as he starts against Akira. The two circle and fans rally up again. They tie up, Fujita waistlocks but Akira sits down to wrench out. Fujita rolls, rolls, handsprings and wrenches back very fast and fans cheer. Akira fights up, rolls, trips Fujita and has a toehold. Akira has a standing toehold now, but Fujita turns over, reels Akira in and headlocks. Fans cheer as Fujita clearly learned a lot from Zack Sabre Jr. Akira brings Fujita to a knee, pops out the back and headlocks.

Akira hits the takeover, Fujita headscissors but Akira kips free. Fujita hits a headlock takeover, Akira headscissors, but Fujita kips free. Akira sweeps and covers, ONE! Fujita sweeps and covers, ONE! Dropkicks cancel out, both men handspring up and fans fire up for this opening exchange. Akira and Fujita reset, circle again, and tie up. Akira headlocks, Fujita powers out, but Akira runs him over! Crowns up for the United Empire, but then things speed up. Fujita hurdles and arm-drags, but Akira avoids the second. Akira drags Fujita up but Fujita arm-drags after all! And then he DROPKICKS Akira down!

Fans fire up for Fujita and he brings Akira around. Akira ROCKS Fujita, ROCKS him again, but Fujita just eggs Akira on! Akira throws another forearm, but Fujita DECKS him! Knuckle lock cover, TWO as Akira gets an arm up. Fujita pushes it down, TWO as Akira brings the other arm up. Fujita pushes both arms down, jumps up but Akira monkey flips him away! Fans applaud and they join in on “CATCH! 2-2!” Akira stands Fujita up to CHOP, then whip. But Eagles sneaks a tag! TMDK double ELBOW, then double KNEE SMASH! Eagles taunts TJP, covers, TWO! Eagles has a leg but Akira scrambles to a ROPEBREAK!

Eagles lets off by dropping a knee on the knee, then he KICKS Akira. Eagles brings Akira up, bumps him off buckles and tags in Fujita. Fujita brings Akira around to scoop and SLAM, then he runs to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Akira is still in this but the fans rally up. Fujita brings Akira around, scoops again but Akira slips out! Akira waistlocks, Fujita switches and shoves but Akira holds ropes. Akira BOOTS Fujita, TJP sneaks a tag, and Akira whips Fujita. Catch 2/2 DOUBLE HIP TOSS, basement dropkick to PENALTY KICK! TJP DECKS Eagles for good measure, then bumps Fujita off buckles.

TJP stomps Fujita, then gets to the face scrub! The fans rally with each one, and TJP runs side to side, BOOT WASH! Fujita sputters and fans rally up. They want one more, so TJP gives Fujita more scrubs. TJP runs side to side again, BOOT WASH! Fans fire up and TJP brings Fujita up. TJP wrenches an arm, tags in Akira, and they double whip. SOBAT! KICK! Trip, SHOTGUN! Cover, TWO! Akira clamps on with a chinlock and he grinds Fujita down. Fujita endures, fights up, and Eagles rallies the fans. Fujita fights up, throws body shots, but Akira ROCKS him! Fujita goes to ropes and Akira brings him up.

Akira whips, Fujita reverses to CHOP! Akira CHOPS! Akira runs, into a WHEEL KICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita and Akira stir, crawl, hot tag to Eagles! The Sniper springboards up and over Akira to BLAST TJP! Then he BOOTS Akira and RANAS! Fans rally up as Eagles throws the shirt off. Akira sits up into KICK after KICK after KICK! Eagles then runs, but TJP jumps in! Eagles dodges to then CHOP BLOCK! TJP bails out, Eagles has Akira again, LEG LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Akira is still in this but the fans rally up for Eagles. Eagles goes to a corner, runs in at Akira, and DOUBLE KNEES!

Eagles rolls back, returns, BASEMENT 619! And then one more time, but Akira BOOTS from the mat! Akira and Eagles hurry to their feet, Akira dodges to waistlock but Eagles switches. Akira victory rolls to STOMP 182! Fans fire up while both men are down! Eagles and Akira crawl, hot tags to TJP and Fujita! TJP runs in, Fujita bobs ‘n’ weaves to UPPERCUT! Fujita goes up and FLYING RANAS! TJP bails out, Akira is there, and Fujita builds sped!? Fujita FLIES! Direct hit with the tope conjilo and fans fire up! Ichiban Sweet Boy can do more than grapple, and he puts TJP in to springboards MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally up with Fujita as pounds the mat. Fujita brings TJP up to ROCK him with a forearm, and then another! TJP is in the corner, Fujita CHOPS him! Fujita whips corner to corner, runs in, and he SHOTGUNS TJP down! Fujita fires up, slashes his throat, and he brings TJP up. TJP cradle counters, TWO! TJP SUPERKICKS, runs, but Fujita CHOPS! TJP still JUMP SOBATS! Fujita drops to his knees, TJP waits for him to stand. Fujita swings, TJP gets around and backslides! TWO, and TJP hooks Fujita up in an IRON OCTOPUS! Akira intercepts Eagles to a GUILLOTINE! Akira and Eagles tumble out, TJP shifts to a MOUSE TRAP! TWO!!

Fans rally up as TJP pounds the mat now. TJP drags Fujita up, runs, but Fujita pops TJP up to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, Akira breaks it! Akira goes after Fujita but Fujita spins him to hook the arms, and Eagles SOBATS! TMDK work together, ASSISTED SLICED BREAD! Akira flops out and fans fire up! TMDK drag TJP up and call their shot! Double wrench, lift, but TJP slips free! TJP ROCKS Eagles, KICKS Fujita, but Eagles blocks a kick to hook TJP up. TJP powers out and Akira dumps Eagles out! Fujita’s alone, and runs into an ALLEY-OOP! Akira PLANCHAS Eagles, TJP goes up! MAMBA SPLASH! Cover, TWO?!?

Fans are thunderous as Fujita survives getting dunked on! But “CATCH! 2-2!” coordinate, to go 2 BY 2!! Cover, Catch 2/2 wins!

Winners: Catch 2/2, by pinfall (gains 2 points; TMDK earns 0)

The sweet boy wasn’t able to stop the former tag team champions, and now TJP & Akira have set the pace! Will the United Empire conquer the Super Junior Tag League?

2023 Super Junior Tag League: Intergalactic Jet Setters VS DOUKI & Taka Michinoku!

Kushida & Kevin Knight came close to getting the titles back before the tournament, but were shot down by Bullet Club. Will they be able to take flight again? Or will Japones Del Mal & The Blue Playmaker get that gold for Just5Guys?

The teams sort out, and Kushida starts against Taka. The fans rally as the two circle, each try a slide but each avoid it. Kushida tries using his leg guard but Taka stays back. Kushida and Taka tie up, Kushida wrenches to a wristlock and he keeps Taka from ropes. Taka rolls, wrenches, headlocks, then spins to hammerlock then headlock and takeover. Kushida headscissors, Taka kips free and kicks low. Taka headlocks but Kushida powers out, only for Taka to run him over. Fans cheer as Taka runs, then drops down on Kushida for the JUST FACELOCK! Kushida scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, and Taka lets go quickly.

Kushida bails out, fans applaud, and Kushida returns. Taka tags Douki and Kushida tags Knight. They circle, feel things out to a knuckle lock, and Douki knees low. Douki CLUBS Knight, whips, but Knight goes up and over and runs. Knight ducks, shoves, but Douki avoids the hurdle, only for Knight to dropkick the legs out! Knight runs to SPLASH! Fans cheer, Knight brings Douki up and wrenches the arm, then he tags Kushida. Kushida takes the handoff to wrench, then he tags Knight. Knight takes the handoff to wrench, then tags Kushida. Another handoff, and another, and another! Taka protests, but the Jet Setters snapmare to DOUBLE KNEE DROP!

Fans cheer and Kushida wrenches Douki again. Kushida drop toeholds, has the legs then hammerlocks an arm. Kushida SNAP LOCKS that arm, then sits Douki up with a chinlock. Douki fights but Kushida ghost pins, TWO! Kushida CLUBS the arm, wrenches it, then ELBOW BREAKERS! Douki goes to ropes but Kushida runs in. Douki does the splits and Kushida tumbles out! Taka attacks and then runs Kushida all the way to the back corner, to send Kushida into the wall! Then JUST FACELOCK!! The ref reprimands but he’s so far away! Kushida fights, Taka CLUBS him down, and a ring count starts.

Douki waits while Taka CLUBS away on Kushida! The count is 10 of 20! Knight protests, Douki DECKS him, then Taka blocks Kushida’s path with railing! Taka slides in at 16, Kushida hurries and slides under the railing! Kushida stumbles but he runs for the ring, and he slides in at 19.5! Safe! Until Taka drops on him with JUST FACELOCK!! Fans fire up but Knight gets in. Taka kicks him down, and has a TRIANGLE HOLD! Taka has both Jet Setters! Kushida kicks his way back, ROPEBREAK! Taka lets the Jet Setters go, stomps Knight out of the ring, then brings Kushida up. Taka throws knees and puts Kushida in the corner.

Tag to Douki and he stomps Kushida. Douki whips Kushida to a corner, runs in and clotheslines! Then he brings Kushida out to turn and lift, but Kushida fights! Kushida avoids the Gory Especial so Douki knees low! Douki whips, Kushida handsprings and BACK ELBOWS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Kushida and Douki stir, crawl, and hot tag to Knight! Taka runs in but Knight springboards, DOUBLE FLYING LARIAT! Knight fires up, and he rallies with clotheslines and elbows! Knight scoops Douki but Douki slips free! Douki & Taka double kick and double whip, but Knight leaps the lariats to DOUBLE PELE!

Fans fire up with Knight and he has targets in the corners. He clotheslines Taka, SPLASHES Douki, then dodges Taka to send him into Douki, for a DOUBLE SPLASH! Knight says it’s time! Knight puts Douki up top, jumps right up, but Douki slips under! Douki has a foot but Knight kick shim away. Knight CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Douki is still in this and fans rally up. Knight watches Douki as he rises, runs up, but Douki denies the DDT! Knight gets around, Douki fights the lift with elbows, but Knight keeps him from running. So Douki kicks, kicks and ENZIGURI! Douki whips but Kushida sneaks a tag!

Jet Setters bypass and DROPKICK Douki! Kushida hurries to get Douki up in an Electric Chair! But Taka drags Knight out! Douki slips down, ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Taka adds a SHOTGUN! It’s a cradle now! TWO!! Kushida escapes but Taka tags in. Taka whips Kushida to a corner, runs in and SHINING WIZARDS, HEEL KICKS, then SUPER- NO, Kushida dodges to knee low! Kushida runs, but so does Taka, BOOT! Cover, TWO! Taka keeps moving, SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! Oklahoma Roll! TWO!! JUST FACELOCK!! Knight gets caught into an ITALIAN STRETCH! Taka CLUBS Kushida, pulls way back, Kushida flails and fights!

Taka CLUBS Kushida, PULLS, but Kushida still reaches out! ROPEBREAK!! Fans fire up as Taka lets go in frustration. Taka vows to end this and fans rally up. Taka brings Kushida up and around, scoops him, but Kushida fights free! Kushida KICKS and KICKS and KICKS the arm, runs, but Taka redirects! But Knight gets in to catch Taka, SKY 2 HIGH!! Douki returns, but Knight kicks low! Douki whips Knight but Kushida helps out, BOOSTED CROSSBODY! Direct hit and fans fire up! Knight PLANCHAS to take Douki down! Kushida has Taka for the HOVERBOARD!! Taka flails, TAPS, Jet Setters win!

Winners: Intergalactic Jet Setters, by submission (gains 2 points; Taka & Douki earn 0)

Just as Taka & Douki started rolling, they get shot outta the sky! Will they have to rethink the game plan for the next round? Will Knight & Kushida set course and fly their way back to the tag titles?

2023 Super Junior Tag League: Ryusuke Taguchi & The DKC VS Master Wato & El Desperado!

What a twist of fate this is! No Six or Nine this year, the Funky Weapon now stands against the Way of the Grandmaster! Will Dylan Kyle Cox help Taguchi bring down this team of former rivals? Or can Wato and the Rogue Luchador find a way to win together?

Wait, there’s already dysfunction between Wato and Desperado. One, Desperado didn’t wanna make his entrance with Wato but Wato dragged him out here. And while Wato is wearing their “team shirt,” which is really just a picture Wato took of himself and Desperado, Desperado is still wearing the Team Strong Style stuff.  Then Desperado decides that if they’re making their entrance together, it’s to his music. Rough waters are ahead, can Wato & Desperado even survive the first round?

The teams sort out and Taguchi asks why they didn’t do Six or Nine. Wato says it’s not a big deal, this isn’t them no longer being friends. Taguchi acts like he can’t hear so Wato keeps trying to explain. The bell rings and these two end up starting. Taguchi kicks low, headlocks, but Wato powers out. They RAM shoulders, neither falls, so things speed up. Taguchi drops then hurdles, Wato leaps, and Taguchi dodges to then arm-drag! Wato arm-drags back! Taguchi arm-drags again, and has the cording hold! Taguchi shifts to a knuckle lock but Wato headscissors. Taguchi kips free, trips Wato, covers, ONE! Wato sweeps and covers, ONE!

Taguchi avoids the dropkick to give a dropkick! Fans cheer as Taguchi stands tall. Taguchi brings Wato around for a point-blank hip attack! And then another! Taguchi brings Wato up, suplexes, but Wato slips free to waistlock, Taguchi switches and shoves, but Desperado sneaks a tag before the HIP ATTACK! Desperado tells Wato to get out already but Wato asks what the heck. They argue, Taguchi runs in, Desperado dodges so the HIP ATTACK hits Wato! Desperado kicks Taguchi, then whips him to ropes, but Taguchi holds those ropes to BOOT back! DKC gets in, he and Taguchi DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!

Fans cheer on this new duo, and Taguchi starts giving DKC baseball signals for what to do next. DKC isn’t sure he got it but he goes with it! Taguchi goes to a corner, climbs up, and DKC whips Desperado. Desperado blocks, fans rally, and DKC tries again. DKC sends Desperado at the Funky Weapon but Desperado BOOTS the booty! DKC runs in but Desperado dodges, and DKC almost runs into the booty! Desperado runs in, DKC mule kicks, but then Desperado blocks the booty bump with both hands! Fans rally as the struggle continues, but then Desperado turns things around on DKC to rub him into the booty!

Taguchi thinks DKC is succeeding so he cheers “DKC! DKC! D, K, C!” Desperado then brings DKC away, Taguchi hops down to see the truth, and Desperado throws DKC into Taguchi! Fans cheer as Desperado stands tall. Desperado storms up and stomps on Taguchi, then stands him up. Desperado UPPERCUTS and Taguchi sits down. Desperado digs his boot into Taguchi, the ref counts, and Desperado lets off at 4. Wato wants a tag and Desperado just stares at him. Desperado whips Taguchi to a neutral corner to then UPPERCUT! Taguchi sits down and Desperado digs his knee in!

The ref counts, Desperado lets off, and Wato again wants a tag. Desperado just stares, but he brings Taguchi up again. Desperado scoops to SLAM Taguchi, and then grabs a leg. Desperado turns Taguchi over for a HALF CRAB! Taguchi endures, flails, reaches out, and Wato again wants a tag. Desperado just stares at Wato, then lets off in frustration. Desperado whips Taguchi to the blue corner, tags Wato in with some stank, and fans fire up. Wato brings Taguchi up, but Taguchi CHOPS! And fires off fast hands! Wato knee slow, snapmares, and then KICKS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Wato runs up to stomp Taguchi down!

Wato drags Taguchi up, scoops and SLAMS him, then covers again. TWO, but Wato keeps his cool. Fans rally as Wato stomps Taguchi more, then brings him around. Taguchi CHOPS again, and again, and again! Wato KICKS Taguchi, and KICKS again! Taguchi wobbles, but he blocks a kick! Wato ELBOWS back, runs, but into a HIP ATTACK! Both men are down and fans fire up! Taguchi and Wato crawl, hot tag to Desperado! Desperado stomps Taguchi down, whips, but Taguchi HIP ATTACKS Desperado! Roll and hot tag to DKC! DKC runs in to CHOP, CHOP and CHOP! DKC whips, Desperado reverses but DKC RANAS!

Fans rally and DKC runs in, but is put on the apron. DKC GAMANGIRIS, then springboards, FLYING ARM-DRAG! DKC keeps moving, he ducks ‘n’ dodges to CANNONBALL!? Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as DKC drags Desperado up to wrench, clinch, but Desperado fights the suplex! Desperado reaches for ropes, has to fight the lift again, and he wrenches out to hit a BIG back suplex! Wato is back and he wants a tag! Desperado rolls his way over, hot tag to Wato! Fans rally up as Wato rallies on DKC! Wato whips, DROPKICKS, and fires up again! Wato hurries to the apron, takes aim, and he springboards to FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO!

DKC hangs in there but Wato fires up more. Wato drags DKC up, reels him in, but DKC fights the suplex! DKC switches then feeds to Taguchi’s BOOT! BACKHAND! ENZIGURI! Wrench and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, Desperado breaks it! Taguchi CLUBS Desperado and TOSSES him out! DKC fires up and drags Wato to his feet. Clinch and CHOP CHOP CHOP CHOP CHOP! Fans rally with every shot! DKC keeps going over and over, to then CHOP Wato down! DKC runs, to SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Wato is still in this but DKC goes up! Fans rally as he climbs, and he DIVING-

NO, Wato dodges, to SCREW HIGH KICK! Taguchi wants to get back in but Desperado catches him by his tights! Taguchi’s undies are showing! Volt green? Wato gets DKC for the TSUTENKAKU GERMAN!! Bridging cover, Wato & Desperado win!

Winners: Master Wato & El Desperado, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taguchi & DKC earn 0)

Desperado apologizes for pantsing Taguchi, but the kids in the crowd think it was funny. Taguchi still says this is a bad example for those kids. Taguchi’s one to talk, but then wait, Desperado just heads out on his own? Wato doesn’t understand, but maybe as long as they keep winning, it’ll be okay. Will this pairing of rivals work out in the end? Or will it fall apart as soon as next round?

2023 Super Junior Tag League: YOH & MUSASHI VS Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney!

Lio Rush is out and we all wish him a speedy recovery, but the show must go on. As such, Mr. Direct Drive has called upon the Dream Follower to be his partner! Will this new team be able to take down the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships? Or will these War Dogs unload a Full Clip to start the tournament?

The teams sort out but the Abunai Gaijin rush in! Yoh & Musashi dodge then fire forearms in return! The bell rings, the brawl continues, and Bullet Club takes control. They whip Yoh & Musashi at each other, but they dosido and come back to ROCK Bullet Club! Yoh & Musashi bring Connors & Moloney out, both Connors & Moloney take swings but both Yoh & Musashi block. They wrench, knuckle lock, and go up and up and go Old School! Fans fire up for the STEREO AX HANDLES! Then the STEREO UPPERCUTS! Connors & Moloney both bail out, Yoh & Musashi both build speed, STEREO TOPE CONJILOS!

Fans fire up as the Bullet Club goes down! Yoh struts and fires up among the fans while Musashi stomps Drilla. Yoh stomps Connors then puts Moloney in. Yoh & Musashi stomp in a corner, double whip corner to corner, then Yoh sends Musashi in to ELBOW! Musashi sets up, Yoh runs in, POETRY IN MOTION! Kick and turn, NECKBREAKER to SHOTGUN! Cover, ONE!! Moloney is tough but Yoh kicks low. Yoh whips, but Connors tags in as Moloney reverses. Moloney drops, then Connors POUNCES! Moloney BLASTS Musashi, too, and Connors is all fired up. Connors keeps Yoh in the ring and covers, TWO!

Moloney goes after Musashi outside the ring, but Connors stands Yoh up to CHOP! Connors has Yoh in the corner to CHOP again, then he puts Yoh back in the corner, to CHOP again! Tag to Moloney and he fakes chop to poke Yoh in the eye! Moloney laughs, then he stomps Yoh down, to then throw down punches! The ref counts as Moloney stands on Yoh, and Moloney lets off at 4. Yoh flops out of the ring, and Connors fires off shots! The ref misses that, Moloney taunts Musashi and that distracts the ref more, so Connors CHOKES Yoh! Connors drags Yoh up and into the ring, Moloney covers, TWO! Yoh hangs tough and fans rally up.

Moloney is annoyed as he stalks Yoh. Moloney stands on Yoh’s face, tags Connors, and Connors BLASTS Musashi before he drops an elbow on Yoh! Connors taunts Musashi, Moloney mocks Yoh and flips off the fans, but the fans rally up for Yoh more. Connors stands Yoh up but Yoh kicks low! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Connors knees low, ROCKS Yoh, and he stays between Yoh and Musashi. Connors stands Yoh up, snap suplexes him down, and then takes his time before the cover, TWO! Connors mockingly applauds then drags Yoh up. Connors snap suplexes again, stares Musashi down, then covers, TWO!

Fans rally for Yoh, Connors drags him up, but Yoh fights the suplex this time! Yoh throws body shots, then suplexes, but Connors counters to snap suplex! Yoh writhes, Connors covers, but Musashi breaks it! Moloney storms in but Musashi gets away. Connors stands Yoh up, full nelsons and he thrashes Yoh around! Yoh sits down, Connors leans on the hold, but fans rally as Yoh endures. Yoh fights up, and he breaks the nelson! Yoh throws elbows, whips Connors to ropes, but Connors holds ropes to ELBOW back! But Yoh goes Matrix to dodge, then he mule kicks and NECKBREAKERS! Fans fire up while both men are down!

Yoh and Connors crawl, hot tags to Musashi and Moloney! They fire forearms on each other, fans fire up, and Moloney wobbles! He grits his teeth to kick back and CHOP! Moloney whips Musashi to a corner, runs in, but Musashi BOOTS back! And RANAS! Fans fire up and Musashi brings Moloney up. Connors CLUBS Musashi, then Bullet Club double whips. Musashi crisscrosses them to kick, CHOP and swing! Connors gets around, Moloney storms up but Musashi BOOTS him away! Moloney tries again, Musashi sends him into Connors! And then Musashi dodges to dropkick the legs, and then he DROPKICKS Moloney down!

Fans fire up as Musashi clinches to EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Moloney hangs tough but Musashi keeps cool. Musashi drags Moloney up, spins him, waistlocks, but Moloney fires elbows. Moloney goes to run but Musashi waistlocks. Moloney brings him along and Connors DECKS Musashi! Bullet Club double suplexes but Yoh saves Musashi! But Bullet Club stereo BODY SHOT! They whip Yoh & Musashi, but Yoh & Musashi both reverse to DOUBLE DROPKICK! And then STEREO FALCON ARROWS!! Musashi covers Moloney, TWO! Fans fire up as Yoh & Musashi both tune up! They aim at Moloney, to DOUBLE-

NO, Moloney dodges! Connors returns, POWERSLAM for Yoh! SPINEBUSTER and DOUBLE STOMP for Musashi! Musashi sputters and writhes but Bullet Club locks ‘n’ loads. Musashi stands, into the GORE SANDWICH! And then Connors goes up top, Moloney suplexes, but Musashi slips free! Musashi shoves Moloney, Connors leaps over, into Yoh’s SUPERKICK! Moloney returns, blocks Yoh’s superkick and gives it to Musashi so he can SUPERKICK Musashi himself! JAB for Yoh, and Moloney runs, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS!! Fans fire up as Musashi brings Moloney up and scoops. Musashi SLAMS him in the drop zone, then tags Yoh!

Yoh goes up and fans fire up for the FROG SPLASH! Cover, Connors POUNCES Musashi to break it up! All four men are down and the fans rally back up. Connors whips Musashi but Musashi reverses to TOSS Connors out. Then Musashi PLANCHAS, but Connors catches him! And POSTS him! Moloney runs in, blocks another superkick, but then Yoh blocks a kick. Moloney ENZIGURIS, runs, but into Yoh’s LARIAT!! Fans are thunderous as Yoh drags Moloney up! DIRECT- NO, Moloney fights out, wrenches, feed to Connors’ SPEAR! Connors tags in, goes up, and Moloney suplexes! FULL CLIP!! Cover, Bullet Club wins!

Winners: Clark Connors & Dan Moloney, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yoh & Musashi earn 0)

#DreamDrive almost took down the champions, but they couldn’t stop supersized Junior Heavyweights like this! Will Yoh & Musashi still find a way to the tournament finals? Or will these Abunai Gaijin prove to be the most dangerous Super Juniors of all time?

2023 Super Junior Tag League: Bushi & Titan VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

Los Ingobernables de Japon’s masked luchadores are back together again after falling just short of the finals last year! Will they make Super Junior Tag League tranquilo this time? Or will the Murder Machine & Heel Master stack the deck already?

Before the match, Sho gets a mic to say he doesn’t get why opening night is here in Kumagaya. Sho is embarrassed to even be in Saitama, and says it’s fitting that Bushi & Titan wear masks, because they don’t wanna be here, either! Fans tell Sho to go home, but Sho says what’ll really be embarrassing is LOSING in Kumagaya! Sho & Kanemaru then attack LIJ! Red Shoes reprimands but Sho TOSSES Bushi and Kanemaru snapmares Titan. Kanemaru rips at the mask! Sho does the same on Bushi! Red Shoes reprimands them both, counts, and Kanemaru lets off at 4. Sho gives up and he stomps Bushi down.

Kanemaru CLUBS Titan while Red Shoes reprimands Sho. Kanemaru DDTS Titan down! Titan writhes, goes to a corner, and Kanemaru runs in. Titan BOOTS back then goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! Tag to Bushi and he stomps Kanemaru. Bushi turns Kanemaru for a NECKBREAKER, then covers, TWO! Bushi drags Kanemaru up but Kanemaru claws the eyes! Bushi kicks back, whips, but Kanemaru reverses and Sho trips Bushi up! Kanemaru DROPKICKS Titan, Sho brings Bushi to the crowd, and BOWLS him into chairs! Kanemaru POSTS Titan, Red Shoes reprimands them both, but Sho CHOKES Bushi with a chair!

Fans rally for Bushi but Sho even stands on Bushi to make it worse. Sho still wants to take the mask! The ring count starts, Kanemaru leaves Titan alone to be in the ring. Sho brings Bushi back and puts him in. Kanemaru scrapes his sole off Bushi’s face, then drags Bushi up. Kanemaru feeds Bushi to Sho’s boot! Tag to Sho, Sho stomps Bushi around, then drags Bushi up. Sho bumps Bushi off buckles, stomps away in the corner, then stands on Bushi. Red Shoes reprimands then counts, but Sho steps off at 4. Sho drags Bushi up, bumps him off buckles, and he sits Bushi down. Sho & Kanemaru both dig their boots in!

Red Shoes reprimands, Kanemaru tags in and drags Bushi to the apron. Sho keeps Red Shoes distracted as Kanemaru DROPKICKS Bushi! Sho WRECKS Titan, Kanemaru covers, TWO! Sho complains about the count but the count is fair. Kanemaru then puts Bushi in a CAMEL CLUTCH! Sho runs around the way to BLAST Titan! Red Shoes focuses on Bushi as he endures, and Bushi gets an arm free to reach out. Kanemaru adds a chinlock to this to blind and grind, but Bushi shifts around to the ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru lets go and stomps Bushi down. Kanemaru taunts and toys with Bushi, but Bushi CHOPS back!

Bushi CHOPS again but Kanemaru claws eyes! Kanemaru throws Bushi down, then wants the mask! Red Shoes reprimands, Kanemaru stops and pushes Red Shoes away. Kanemaru stomps Bushi, tags Sho, and Sho CHOKES Bushi. Sho wants the mask! Red Shoes reprimands, Sho CHOKES Bushi more, then Sho lets off at 4. Bushi sputters but Sho kicks him around. Sho stomps Bushi, covers, TWO! Bushi hangs tough and Sho is again upset with Red Shoes. Tag to Kanemaru, he drags Bushi up and CLUBS him on the neck. Bushi goes to a corner, Kanemaru runs up and blocks a boot! Kanemaru ROCKS Bushi, BOOTS him, then whips him.

Kanemaru runs in but Bushi BOOTS back! And then RANAS! Fans fire up as both men are down! Hot tag to Titan! Fans fire up as El Inmortal rallies and whips. Kanemaru reverses, runs in, but into a BOOT, SOBAT, KICK, fast hands and a JUMP SOBAT! Sho runs in, but Titan dodges, ripcords and CHOPS! Then Titan goes up and up and tightrope walks, jumps and MISSILE DROPKICKS Kanemaru! Sho runs up again, kicks and whips, but Titan reverses. Titan goes Matrix, then CALF KICKS Sho out! Fans fire up as the House boys regroup. Titan DIVES to take them both out at the ramp!

Titan stands and fans fire up. Titan fetches Kanemaru up to knee him and put him in the ring. Cover, TWO! Kanemaru hangs tough but Titan keeps cool. Titan pounds the mat and the fans rally behind him. Titan drags Kanemaru up, reels him in, and Canadian Racks, to spin and spin and- NO, Kanemaru slips out and pulls the mask! Red Shoes reprimands but Sho tags in. Sho has Titan up to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Sho drags Titan and knuckle locks to wrench. Sho brings Titan to his knees, kicks, KICKS and- NO, Titan blocks the superkick! Sho pulls the mask! Red Shoes reprimands, Sho runs, but Titan trips him!

Bushi gets in to DROPKICK! Titan springboards to SPLASH! Cover, Kanemaru breaks it! Bushi goes after Kanemaru but Kanemaru elbow shim. But then Bushi dropkicks the legs! Bushi & Titan each get Kanemaru & Sho, for STEREO TRAILER HITCHES! Fans fire up as Sho & Kanemaru endure torture, but wait! Here’s gaddamn Dick Togo! He rings the bell to fake out LIJ! LIJ thinks they’ve won but it’s that damn Spoiler playing jokes! Bushi & Titan see that, and then EVIL & YUJIRO get in to BLINDSIDE LIJ and Red Shoes!! Fans boo as the House boys play the same old games again! They stomp away on Titan then drag him up.

Yujiro & Dick double whip, then Dick runs in to ELBOW! Yujiro runs in to BOOT Evil runs in to clothesline! Snapmare, and then Dick goes up! They set Titan up for the DICK CHOP!! Sho covers, Red Shoes is up, TWO!!! Titan survives and Sho is furious! The House protests but they’re the ones who knocked Red Shoes down to make him woozy. Sho gets Titan up, POWER BREAKER!! Cover, BUSHI BREAKS IT!! Just in time, but Kanemaru TOSSES him! Sho laughs as he aims his bow. Sho drags Titan up, reels him in, tucks the arms, SHOCK- NO, Titan fights and Alabama Lifts, to BACK DROP!

Fans fire up as Titan keeps this going! Titan runs in, Sho gets around and shoves him into Red Shoes! And Sho SNATCHES the mask!! Fans boo this utter disrespect! Sho has his Murder Tool at the ready, but Bushi BOOTS Sho! Kanemaru runs in, but Bushi ducks, WHISKEY MIST hits Sho!! Bushi BLACK MISTS Kanemaru!! The fans are thunderous, but then Evil, Dick & Yujiro rush back in to mug Bushi! Titan has his mask back on while The House whips Bushi. Bushi TOSSES Dick, dodges Yujiro and BOOTS Evil! BULLDOG DROPKICK COMBO on the King of Darkness and his Tokyo Pimp!

Bushi TOSSES Evil & Yujiro, Titan throws off the elbow pads! Titan FLIES to bring down the House!! Fans are thunderous again, Titan returns to Sho! Titan drags Sho up, but Sho rakes the eyes! Sho runs, but into the TORNADO DDT! Bushi is back, he DECKS Kanemaru, then builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Kanemaru at the ramp! Titan hurries up the corner, fans fire up and Titan ANGEL INMORTAL!! Cover, LIJ WINS!

Winners: Bushi & Titan, by pinfall (gains 2 points; The House of Torture earns 0)

The House tried all sorts of tricks, but it wasn’t enough against the Black Mask y El Inmortal! Will The Murder Machine & Heel Master just try to do even worse the next round?

As for LIJ, Bushi gets the mic to tell House, “TOO BAD, HUH!?” Bushi copies Evil’s usual insult, and the fans tell the House to go home. The House gets outta there, and Bushi says in this year’s Super Junior Tag League, they have their crucial first win! And Bushi wants everyone to welcome back LIJ’s new member, Titan! The fans cheer and Bushi tells Titan that it is thanks to him that they won. Titan then gets the mic to say, in Japanese, that he is happy to be back in Japan. Viva Mexico, viva Japon, and viva Los Ingobernables de Japon! Fans cheer that, and Bushi gets the mic back to say he didn’t quite catch that.

But this was only the beginning for them in this tournament. Bushi vows that he and Titan will fire up Super Jr. Tag League, get to the finals in Osaka, and get the trophies so they can come back to Kumagaya as the champions! They mean it! EN SERIO! MA-JI-DE!! Fans fire up, but will Los Ingo’s dos luchadores go all the way to the top?

Here are the current Super Junior Tag League Standings!

Catch 2/2: 1-0, 2 points
Clark Connors & Dan Moloney: 1-0, 2 points
Intergalactic Jet Setters: 1-0, 2 points
Master Wato & El Desperado: 1-0, 2 points
Bushi & Titan: 1-0, 2 points
Yoh & Musashi: 0-1, 0 points
Sho & Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 0-1, 0 points
Ryusuke Taguchi & The DKC: 0-1, 0 points
Douki & Taka Michinoku: 0-1, 0 points
Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita: 0-1, 0 points

My Thoughts:

A great opening night for Super Jr. Tag League, and the winning five all made sense to me. Fujita isn’t a Young Lion anymore but he isn’t as established yet, TMDK takes the loss to former tag champs Catch 2/2. Douki & Taka are familiar partners but it’s been awhile given it used to be Douki & Kanemaru, and as such, they take the loss to Kushida & Knight, who are building back up as they’re also former tag champs. The dysfunction of Wato & Desperado could’ve been played up more but they still got the point across. And much like Fujita, DKC isn’t a Young Lion or anything but he is still young and is just now teaming with Taguchi, so it makes sense Wato & Desperado win.

Bullet Club being the tag champs, they weren’t gonna lose the opening round. But they had a great match with Yoh & Musashi, helping establish Musashi for NJPW fans. And of course, great but also overbooked main event with the House of Torture. One of these days, someone in an authority position (kayfabe or otherwise) needs to say there’s just a ringside ban on the House outside of who is in the actual match, but I guess that’s not how NJPW does things. At least LIJ won out, though, to give a great start to their run. Titan made it to the Best of the Super Junior finals, I kinda hope he and Bushi make it to the Super Jr. finals, to improve upon last year’s run.

My Score: 8.9/10