It all comes down to this!

Power Struggle is Saturday, and the Super Junior Tag League has reached the final round! Who scores and who strikes out in the bottom of the ninth?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Hiromu Takahashi & Yota Tsuji VS Taiji Ishimori & Gedo; Hiromu & Tsuji win.
• DDT Pro Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship Backstage Blindside: Hiromu Takahashi VS Taiji Ishimori; Ishimori wins and becomes the new DDT Pro Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion.
• Six Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Okada, Tanahashi & Ishii win.
• 8 Man Tag: Shota Umino, Ren Narita, Oskar Leube & Boltin Oleg VS The United Empire; Shota, Narita, Leube & Oleg win.
• 2023 Super Junior Tag League: Ryusuke Taguchi & The DKC VS DOUKI & Taka Michinoku; Douki & Taka win.
• 2023 Super Junior Tag League: Bushi & Titan VS YOH & MUSASHI; Yoh & Musashi win.
• 2023 Super Junior Tag League: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles & Fujita win.
• 2023 Super Junior Tag League: Intergalactic Jet Setters VS Catch 2/2; Catch 2/2 wins.
• 2023 Super Junior Tag League: Master Wato & El Desperado VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Kanemaru win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current Super Junior Tag League Standings.

Master Wato & El Desperado: 6-2, 12 points
Catch 2/2: 5-3, 10 points
Sho & Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 5-3, 10 points
Intergalactic Jet Setters: 5-3, 10 points
Clark Connors & Dan Moloney: 5-3, 10 points
Bushi & Titan: 5-3, 10 points
Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoh & Musashi: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi & The DKC: 2-6, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Douki & Taka Michinoku: 1-7, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

2023 Super Junior Tag League: Ryusuke Taguchi & The DKC VS DOUKI & Taka Michinoku!

When it comes to the tournament, this match amounts to little since both teams are out of the running. However! These four men will still fight their hearts out for pride and victory! Who finishes strong here in the ninth and final round?

The teams sort out and Taguchi starts with Taka. Fans rally as the two circle, feel things out, but Taguchi keeps switching sides on the knuckle lock. It’s almost a dance now. Taka kicks him low! Taka whips, Taguchi reverses but Taka holds ropes to avoid the hip attack. Taka runs up but Taguchi kicks low. Taguchi runs, Taka goes the other way, but Taguchi avoids the boot! Taguchi comes back to HIP ATTACK! Fans fire up as Taguchi BLASTS Douki! DKC steps in, he and Taguchi double whip Taka to DOUBLE PUNCH! Then they roll to DOUBLE KICK Taka down! Douki runs in, but into DOUBLE CHOPS!

Taguchi & DKC say OSU and rain down CHOP after CHOP! Fans fire up, Taguchi & DKC run to DOUBLE FALLING CHOP! OSU! Taguchi drags Taka up, but Taka SLAPS him! Taka runs, but Taguchi follows to dropkick the legs! Taguchi whips, but Taka reverses, wrangles Taguchi, but then Taguchi slips out to get OH MY GAH ANKLE! Taka endures, flails, reaches out, but Taguchi drags him back to chicken wings! DODON- NO, Taka victory rolls to JUST FACELOCK! Taguchi scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taka lets go, stomps Taguchi, and tags Douki. Douki brings Taguchi up to cravat, and he cranks the neck wrench.

Douki then snapmares and runs to KICK Taguchi in the back! Cover, ONE!! Fans cheer as Taguchi hangs tough, but Douki drags him up. Douki bumps Taguchi off buckles, tags Taka, and Taka stomps Taguchi. Taka bumps Taguchi off buckles, then whips him corner to corner to run and SHINING WIZARD! Snapmare and cover, TWO! But Taka SHINING WIZARDS again! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Taka stands Taguchi up to throw more knees. Tag to Douki, and he brings Taguchi around to whip to a corner. Douki runs in to clothesline! Then he brings Taguchi out, but Taguchi fights the suplex!

Douki still tries but Taguchi fights back. Douki knees low, but Taguchi suplexes! Douki slips out to roll up, TWO, but into ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Taka runs to intercept DKC, for JUST FACELOCK! Taguchi & DKC endure stereo submissions! Taguchi fades, falls over, but he reaches out for a ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Douki lets Taguchi go, and fans rally up. Douki runs corner to corner, but Taguchi BOOTS him! Taguchi runs, but the hip attack meets atomic drop! Douki runs but Taguchi follows to HIP ATTACK! Fans fire up while both men are down! Hot tag to DKC! DKC dodge Douki to CHOP, CHOP and CHOP!

DKC whips, Douki reverses but gets the DKCANNONBALL! DKC DECKS Taka, then SHOTGUN BOOTS Douki! “DK FIRE~!” DKC stands Douki up, but Douki stops the fire right away! But DKC HEADBUTTS Douki, into the CHOP CHOP CHOP CHOP CHOP CHOP CHOP! Taka run sin, DKC kicks him first, and gives him DK FIRE CHOP CHOP CHOP CHOP CHOP! DKC fires up and he DOUBLE FALLING CHOPS Taka & Douki! Cover on Douki, TWO! J5G is still in this but DKC drags Douki up. DKC wrenches and reels Douki in, but Douki blocks the suplex! Douki CLUBS away, then ducks DKC’s roundhouse!

Douki waistlocks, DKC switches but Douki elbows free. DKC reels Douki in but Douki gets free, kicks low and ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up and Douki reels DKC in to SAWAHARI SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Douki goes to the apron. DKC stands, Douki slingshots, but DKC avoids the Daybreak! Taguchi DROPKICKS Douki, BLASTS Taka, and coordinates with DKC. Taguchi whips DKC in at Douki to back body block! Then Taguchi HIP ATTACKS! Taguchi calls for it, and DKC goes up, SUPER DK FIRE! Cover, Taka breaks it! Taguchi TOSSES Taka back out and coaches DKC up.

DKC stands, he brings Douki around, and reels him in, NORTHERN- SUNSET FLIP! TWO, and both men stand. DKC BOOTS, runs, but into a BOOT! Douki is on the apron, he RAMS DKC then slingshots, DAYBREAK! Cover, Taguchi breaks it! Taka stomps Taguchi and throws him out. J5G coordinate and fans fire up. Douki wheelbarrows DKC, for SUPER- NO, DKC BOOTS Taka, gets around Douki, CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Cover, TWO! DKCRUFIXION! Taguchi catches Taka with OH MY GAH ANKLE! Douki scrambles around, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! DKC lets go in frustration but the fans fire up!

DKC kicks Douki to a drop zone and then goes up the corner. Fans fire up, DKC FLYING- NO, Douki dodges! Taka SHINING WIZARDS and CALF KICKS, Douki LARIATS! But Taguchi CHOPS Taka! And CHOPS Douki! Taguchi fires off strikes, runs, but into SUPERKICK HEADBUTT COMBO! J5G resets, SUPLEX DE LA SUPER K!! Bridging cover, J5G wins!

Winners: Douki & Taka Michinoku, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Taguchi & DKC earn 0)

Now that was a strong finish! Douki & Taka are no longer last place, will they find a way to be contenders? As for Taguchi & DKC, will they be able to stick together past Super Junior Tag League and make it work?

2023 Super Junior Tag League: Bushi & Titan VS YOH & MUSASHI!

Something feels familiar about where the Black Mask & El Inmortal are in this tournament. In fact, just last year, they were on the bubble this late in the rounds! Can they improve and actually have a chance at the finals? Or will #MUSAKO make sure to derail them the same way they’ve been taken off course?

To everyone’s surprise, even Hiromu on commentary, the rest of LIJ joins Bushi & Titan in their entrance. Hiromu hurries over so that all six men stand together! Hiromu then goes back to commentary while Naito, Tsuji & Shingo sit at ringside. The teams sort out and after LIJ fist bumps, Titan starts against Musashi. Fans rally as they circle, then approach to get face to face. They feel things out, then Titan trips Musashi. Things speed up, Titan cartwheels but Musashi whips. Titan goes up and over, handsprings away, then goes Matrix to dodge and CALF KICK! Fans fire up and Titan stomps Musashi down.

Titan whips, Yoh sneaks the tag, and Musashi reverses. They bypass, drop toehold and basement dropkick Titan! Bushi runs in, but into double hip tosses! Yoh drags Titan up and Musashi has Bushi, but Titan & Bushi take a swing! Yoh & Musashi block to knuckle lock, then they go up the corners! Fans fire up for the stereo Shinobi Walk! But Bushi and Titan each trip #MUSAKO up! Bushi goes out to stomp Musashi while Titan stomps Yoh. Bushi POSTS Musashi, Titan kicks Yoh to the back of the crowd. Titan then brings Yoh back to KNEE and CLUB and POST him! Fans rally, Titan stomps Yoh, then brings him up and into the ring.

Titan eggs Yoh on, kicks him around, then tags in Bushi. Bushi drags Yoh up, bumps him off buckles, then CHOPS! Bushi whips corner to corner, back elbows, and snapmares to then basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Bushi stomps Yoh again. Bushi drags Yoh up, wrenches, and he tags in Titan. Titan goes up to DOUBLE STOMP Yoh’s arm! Fans cheer and Yoh goes to a corner. Titan CLUBS Yoh, brings him around, and snapmares to run and redirect and SLIDING BOOT! Cover, Musashi breaks it! Titan CLUBS Musashi and kicks him down for that. Then Titan stomps Yoh some more.

Yoh growls, Titan brings him up but Yoh fires off kicks and forearms! But Titan fires off kicks and a SOBAT! Titan whips, Yoh reverses and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and fans fire up! Hot tag to Musashi and he runs to CLOBBER Titan! Bushi runs in but he gets an ELBOW! Titan is up but he gets an arm-drag! Bushi runs in, Musashi clinches, but Bushi fights it. Titan & Bushi mug Musashi, then double whip him to the corner. Bushi runs in, Musashi dodges and redirects Titan to the corner. Musashi forearms Bushi in a corner, sits him down, then baits Titan in. Musashi trips Titan and the basement dropkick hits Bushi!

Fans fire up, Musashi brings Titan around, but Titan ROCKS Musashi with a forearm! Musashi CHOPS in return! Musashi whips, Titan reverses and TORNADO- NO, Musashi powers out! Titan runs back in, Musashi clinches for an EXPLODER! Fans fire up while Titan bails out, and Musashi PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Titan! Fans fire up with Musashi and he goes back for Titan. Musashi drags Titan up and into the ring, then waits on Titan to get up. Musashi runs to dropkick the leg, then he dropkicks Titan down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Titan crawls, but Musashi drags him up into a waistlock.

Titan fights the lift! Titan throws elbows, shoots around and shoves, to then TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Titan crawls, hot tag to Bushi! Bushi runs to DROPKICK Yoh, then he and Titan get Musashi up. They double whip, Musashi crisscrosses them and CHOPS Titan down! Musashi dodges Bushi to ENZIGURI! Fans rally, Yoh is back and Musashi hurries over! Hot tag to Yoh! Yoh stomps Bushi, then brings him up. #MUSAKO double whip but Bushi ducks the lariats to shove them into each other! DOUBLE RANA! Fans fire up and Bushi calls to Titan. Titan pounds the mat and fans clap along.

Bushi helps Titan goe up and up and tightrope walk, to DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICK! Fans fire up again and Bushi goes out to ling MUSAKO back up. Titan runs to FLY! Direct hit and the Young Lions are there to keep them from falling onto fans! Fans fire up as Titan rises, and Bushi puts Yoh in the ring. They stomp Yoh, then drag Yoh up to double whip. They trip, basement dropkick, and then Titan springboards to FLYING SPLASH! Fans fire up again and rally behind LIJ. Yoh flounders to a corner, the elbow pad comes off! Titan runs in to FRAME OUT! CODE BREAKER! But Musashi uses Yoh to POETRY IN MOTION Titan down!

Fans are thunderous as Musashi takes a swing but Bushi dodges! Musashi blocks a kick and ducks the enziguri, but not the REWIND HEEL! Fans fire up and Bushi takes aim at Musashi, to CODE- NO, Musashi denies that, and MUSAKO DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Titan gets up, but gets DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Yoh drags Bushi up, Musashi goes up a corner. FALCON GOROSHI to FROG SPLASH!! Fans are thunderous and Yoh roars! Yoh drags Bushi up, underhooks, DIRECT DRIVE!! Cover, MUSAKO WINS!

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

LIJ made it to the same point, and LIJ lost at the same point! Their chances were completely derailed, will they have to try even harder next year? As for Yoh & Musashi, is this a sign that there’s potential here for Direct Drive & Dream Follower?

2023 Super Junior Tag League: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney!

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but they fell too many times to make it to the finals. Even so, can the Sniper of the Skies & Ichiban Sweet Boy shoot down THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions? Or will The Cowboy & The Criminal unload a Full Clip?

But wait, Fujita FLIES out onto Connors & Drilla! Direct hit and fans fire up! Fujita drags Drilla, puts him in, and Eagles is there. The bell rings, Eagles steps through but Drilla kicks him away. But Eagles SUPERKICKS back! Fans fire up and Eagles brings Drilla up, to ASAI- NO, Drilla pops Eagles around, DRILLA- NO, Eagles lands out of the Killa to trip Drilla! RON MILLER SPECIAL! Fans fire up as Fujita keeps Connors out of the ring with a KIMURA! Drilla flails, reaches out, but Eagles has him! Drilla claws his way forward to ropes, but Eagles drags him back!! Drilla bites his hand to fight the pain, but then Connors CLOBBERS Eagles!

Drilla is free and he clutches his knee. Connors runs up on Eagles, but Eagles BOOTS back! Eagles runs, but into a POWERSLAM! But Fujita springboards in! Connors dodges, Drilla SPINEBUSTERS and DOUBLE STOMPS! Connors runs to POUNCE Fujita all the way into the Young Lions at the front row! Then Bullet Club stands Eagles up to CHOP, and CHOP, and CHOP again! They continue to CHOP until Eagles falls! Drilla scoops to SLAM Eagles, then sits him up to run and KICK in the back! The ref reprimands as Bullet Club continues to do this 2v1. They stand Eagles up, but now Eagles CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS in return!

Eagles fires up and fans are with him, but Connors blocks the roundhouse! Drilla SUPERKICKS, Connors UPPERCUTS, and Drilla ENZIGURIS! Bullet Club locks ‘n’ loads, DOUBLE GORE!! They then drag Eagles up and Connors vows this is done! Connors climbs, Drilla suplexes, but Fujita SHOVES Connors down! Drilla lets Eagles go to GAMANGIRI Fujita, then he goes back for Eagles. DRILLA- NO, Eagles slips free, gets around, schoolboy bridge! TMDK WINS!!!

Winners: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Connors & Moloney earn 0)

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, and they catch the champions snoozing! Will Eagles & Fujita look to cash in some golden tickets before WrestleKingdom? Will the War Dogs look to take a bite out of them when they do?

2023 Super Junior Tag League: Intergalactic Jet Setters VS Catch 2/2 w/ Will Ospreay & Jeff Cobb!

With the champs taking a loss, now there’s a chance for one of these former tag team championship duos! Will Kushida & Kevin Knight take flight to the finals? Or will TJP & Francesco Akira follow through on their promise to get revenge on the War Dogs?

The teams sort out, but then the Jet Setters rush in! Catch 2/2 dodge the dropkicks, fire haymakers, and the bell rings. Catch 2/2 double whip, but the Jet Setters reverse, only for Catch 2/2 to duck the double clotheslines and DOUBLE DROPKICK! Fans fire up as the Jet Setters bail out. Catch 2/2 coordinate, build speed, but then run into DOUBLE DROPKICKS from the Jet Setters! Kushida sets up and Knight builds speed to then use Kushida as a step! Knight FLIES and wipes out both TJP & Akira! Fans are thunderous and Knight is all fired up. Knight puts TJP back in, Kushida headlocks for a takeover, and he traps an arm.

TJP endures as Kushida pulls on the neck. TJP fights up but Kushida grinds the headlock. Tag to Knight, he takes over the headlock, and he grinds TJP down. TJP fights up, but Knight wrenches and whips. Knight catches TJP to a COBRA TWIST! TJP endures, Knight flexes, “TSUYOI~!” Fans rally, TJP pries free and hip tosses Knight! TJP scrambles for his corner but Knight BLASTS Akira first! Knight puts TJP in the corner, tags Kushida, then whips TJP to ropes. Kushida now catches TJP to a COBRA TWIST! TJP endures, but Knight reaches out and links up with Kushida! Akira protests but the Jet Setters let go before the ref notices.

Kushida keeps the Cobra Twist, he reaches out and Knight links up! The ref sees it this time and reprimands! Knight lets go at 4 and apologizes, but then Kushida elbows TJP down. Kushida brings TJP up and snapmares, to then scrape his soles off TJP’s face! Tag to Knight, he drags TJP up, but TJP throws body shots. Knight kicks back, whips, but TJP goes Spider-Man! TJP BOOTS Kushida, slides under Knight, but Knight rolls through to SLIDING SHOULDER! Fans fire up and Knight covers, TWO! TJP hangs tough but Knight tags Kushida. Kushida taunts Akira while Knight throws forearms on TJP.

The Jet Setters double whip TJP, but TJP gets under the double clothesline to shove Knight into Kushida! Knight kicks and whips, TJP reverses but Kushida gives Knight the BOOST! But TJP gets under and Knight crash lands! TJP goes to a corner, Kushida runs in, but TJP goes up and over to TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up, the Empire fires up, TJP crawls his way over, hot tag to Akira! Akira fires off forearms and a CHOP on Kushida! Akira whips but Kushida reverses, only to run into a BOOT! Akira goes up to FLYING RANA! Fans fire up with Akira, “IKU ZO!” Akira waits on Kushida, then runs back in, clothesline in the corner!

Akira runs corner to corner again but Knight intercepts, only for Akira to put Knight up top! And in a Tree of Woe! UPPERCUT for Kushida, BASEBALL SLIDE for Knight! Akira then goes up to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Kushida is still in this but Akira keeps cool. The fans rally for “A! KI-RA!” and he runs, but Kushida dodges, spins, but Akira dodges the fastball to SUPERKICK! Akira keeps moving, SLIDING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Akira brings Kushida up. Akira reels Kushida in, throws knees, but Kushida stares him down. Kushida cravats to throw knee after knee! Akira roars and fires forearms! Kushida KICKS the bad arm!

Akira CHOPS, Kushida PELES! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Kushida and Akira crawl, hot tags to TJP and Knight! TJP goes up, jumps over Knight, and then comes back. Knight avoids the boot, and the haymakers start flying! Fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! TJP gets the edge, UPPERCUTS, and then runs. But Knight follows to UPPERCUT! Knight runs, into the JUMP SOBAT! But he comes back to swing, into TJP’s hooks! Knight fights free, swings again, but into a FINAL CUT! TJP goes up and fans fire up, MAMBA SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives but fans clap for “CATCH! NI NI!”

Tag to Akira and TJP Electric Chair Lifts! Knight fights it and the neck hurts! TJP lets Knight down, Akira ROCKS Knight! Akira checks TJP, then Catch 2/2 mug Knight. They whip, Knight leaps the lariats to DOUBLE PELE! Fans fire up again and Kushida runs in to go up and out. He and Knight coordinate, SPLASH ENZIGURI COMBO on Akira! Knight then puts Akira up top, for the UPPER- NO, Akira and TJP trap Knight, bring him around, and TJP Electric Chair Lifts. But Kushida shoves TJP and now Knight’s back up top with Akira! Kushida whips TJP to the far corner, Knight and Akira brawl, and Knight steps back down. But then jumps up for UPPER ROOM!

Kushida SHOTEIS TJP! And sends Akira into him, to DOUBLE SHOTEI! Kushida sits Catch 2/2 down and Knight goes to the adjacent corner. Kushida gives him the BOOST to go COAST2COAST!! Then they feed Akira to the SKY 2 HIGH!! Cover, TWO!! Akira survives and shocks everyone! Ospreay & Cobb rally the fans but Knight takes aim. SATELLITE- NO, TJP shoves Knight down! Kushida runs in but into a kick! Catch 2/2 double whip Kushida, but he slides out! Knight springboards in to DOUBLE FLYING LARIAT! Fans are thunderous as the Jet Setters regroup. Knight goes up, Kushida Electric Chair Lifts him!

The Jet Setters victory roll together, but TJP SUPERKICKS the Culture Shock apart!! TJP whips Knight into the ALLEY-OOP!! But then Kushida runs in, but into SPEEDFIRE!!! A nasty one at that! Catch 2/2 then aim at Knight, for 2 BY 2!!! Cover, Catch 2/2 wins!!!

Winners: Catch 2/2, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Intergalactic Jet Setters earn 0)

The Jet Setters crash ‘n’ burn and are out of the running! Now it all comes down to the main event! The House of Torture already lost to Catch 2/2, will #DespeWato come through for TJP & Akira and clear the way?

2023 Super Junior Tag League: Master Wato & El Desperado VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

The Way of the Grandmaster & The Rogue Luchador have had their ups and downs as a team, but fortunately there have been more ups. Will #DespeWato keep it up and be the only 7-2 team? Or will they end up losing their way as the House of Torture once again stacks the deck?

The teams sort out and Kanemaru starts against his former partner in El Desperado. Fans rally as these two, former tag team champions together, circle. They tie up, Desperado headlocks, but Kanemaru throws body shots. Desperado pries at the hold but Desperado grinds the headlock tighter. Kanemaru pulls on the mask! Kanemaru powers out but Desperado runs him over! Fans cheer, things speed up, Desperado drops down on Kanemaru’s dropdown, but Kanemaru slips out to headlock back! Desperado powers up, powers out, but Kanemaru pulls on the mask! Red Shoes reprimands, but Kanemaru gets Desperado back in the headlock.

Desperado fights up again, pries the headlock open, but Kanemaru steps on Desperado’s leg to bring him down. The headlock is back on, but Desperado throws body shots. Desperado lifts, but Kanemaru uses that for a flying takeover! Kanemaru grinds Desperado down but Desperado rolls to a cover. TWO and Kanemaru keeps the hold. Desperado fights up, powers out, but again Kanemaru pulls on the mask! But then Desperado gets around to headlock and he fires off punches! Fans cheer, Red Shoes reprimands both of them, and the two reset. Then they back off, Kanemaru tags Sho and Desperado tags Wato.

Wato and Sho rush in, but Sho avoids a boot to give a BOOT! Sho whips, Wato reverses, then Wato runs in, but is put on the apron. Wato jumps Sho’s sweep kick to ROCK Sho with a forearm, and springboards in. Sho dodges, comes back, but into a waistlock. Sho backs Wato down and Kanemaru pulls Wato’s hair! Wato elbows free, rushes Sho, but Sho waistlocks. Wato fights the suplex but Sho pushes forward. Desperado tags in as Wato bucks the O’Conner, and DespeWato runs Sho over with double shoulders! Fans fire up, Wato wants a handshake, and Desperado barely gives it. Desperado then gets Sho up to CLUB him on the neck.

Desperado stomps Sho, drags him up, but blocks the fingers to eyes! Desperado stomps Sho’s foot, whips, but Sho holds ropes to block. So Desperado stomps Sho’s leg! Desperado runs, but Kanemaru is in the way! Sho then TOSSES Desperado out, and Kanemaru POSTS him! Kanemaru then drags Desperado up and throws him into railing! And there’s the rest of the House! Fans boo as Evil, Yujiro and Dick help Kanemaru mug Desperado while Sho distracts Red Shoes. Kanemaru then drags Desperado up to throw him into a back wall! Fans boo but Kanemaru drags Desperado up and brings him back to the ring.

Kanemaru puts Desperado in, Sho stomps Desperado, and Kanemaru joins in. Red Shoes reprimands as they stomp Desperado, but they let off. Sho tags Kanemaru, Kanemaru stands Desperado up to whip him to ropes and DROPKICK! Kanemaru paces around Desperado, fans rally up, but Sho talks trash. Fans boo, but Kanemaru drags Desperado up. Desperado throws body shots but Kanemaru claws his eyes! Kanemaru puts Desperado in the corner, tags Sho, and they sit Desperado down. They both run in to DOUBLE BOOT! Sho drags Desperado to a cover, but Red shoes is busy with Wato! Sho is furious, and he BLASTS Wato off the apron!

Sho argues with Red Shoes but Red Shoes shrugs. Sho goes back to Desperado, kicks him around, but Desperado glares at Sho. Sho gives more kicks but Desperado stands to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Sho kicks low, TOSSES Desperado out, and Sho distracts Red Shoes while Dick attacks. Kanemaru pulls up floor mats and he DDTS Desperado to the floor! Fans boo but Kanemaru tags in. Kanemaru distracts Red Shoes so Sho and Evil can get some cheap shots in. Sho drags Desperado up and puts him in for Kanemaru. Cover, TWO! Kanemaru drags Desperado up as the fans rally, and Kanemaru CLUBS Desperado.

Kanemaru whips Desperado corner to corner hard, then runs in, but into a BOOT! Desperado runs, gets around Kanemaru, and back suplexes! Kanemaru lands on his feet, headlocks, but Desperado tries another back suplex. Kanemaru fights that, but Desperado tries again, to hit a BIG back suplex! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Desperado crawls, hot tag to Wato! Wato rallies on Kanemaru then whips. Wato DROPKICKS Kanemaru down! Sho runs in to kick, run, but into a scoop BACKBREAKER! Dick gets up but Wato BLASTS him! Evil & Yujiro get on the apron but Wato DOUBLE SHOTGUNS them down!

Wato then builds speed and he FLIES to take Evil & Yujiro down! The fans are thunderous as Wato goes to the corner. Wato aims as Kanemaru rises, SPRINGBOARD FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru hangs tough but fans fire up with Wato! Wato drags Kanemaru up, wrenches and clinches, but Kanemaru fights the lift! Wato knees low, whips Kanemaru but Kanemaru reverses to then dropkick Wato’s leg out! Kanemaru watches as Wato gets up, and then he dropkicks the leg out again! Kanemaru steps through to the FIGURE FOUR! Wato endures, Sho BLASTS Desperado off the apron and then plays defense.

Wato crawls for ropes, dragging Kanemaru along, but Sho distracts Red Shoes so Dick can CHOKE Wato with a shirt! Fans boo as Wato endures, and then Dick lets go for Kanemaru to drag Wato back! Fans boo, but Wato still fights around! Wato reaches out, to the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer and Kanemaru lets go in frustration. Kanemaru drags Wato up, suplexes, but Wato slips free! But the leg jams! Kanemaru kicks and runs, but Wato reels him in! Kanemaru mule kicks the leg, then runs, but Wato blocks the boot! Wato spins Kanemaru for a ZIGZAG! Fans fire up while both men are down again!

Kanemaru and Wato crawl, hot tags to Sho and Desperado! Fans fire up as Desperado rallies on Sho! Desperado whips, Sho reverses but Desperado holds ropes to BOOT back! Then SPEAR- NO! Sho blocks, throws knees, and he ROCKS Desperado! Sho runs to LARIAT Desperado down! Fans rally up as Sho drags Desperado around, but Desperado fights the lift! Sho ROCKS Desperado, brings him back around but Desperado wrenches. Desperado whips, Sho reverses but Desperado reverses back to SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO, but into STRETCH MUFFLER! Fans fire up while Sho endures and reaches out!

Desperado drags Sho away from ropes! He thrashes the leg, then gets the arm! NUMERO- NO, Sho claws Desperado’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands but Sho brings Desperado up by his mask. Red Shoes counts, Sho lets go, and reels Desperado in. But Desperado slips free, gut wrenches, but Sho fights! Even so, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Sho survives but fans fire up! Desperado roars, and he brings Sho up to reel him in. Desperado underhooks, but Sho fights the lift! Sho bends the fingers! Red Shoes reprimands, Desperado kicks low and runs, but Red Shoes is a shield! Sho SPEARS Desperado down!

Fans rally up while both men are down, and Sho watches Desperado crawl. Sho flounders his way to a corner, then staggers over to Desperado. Sho stands Desperado up but Desperado fires forearms! Sho ROCKS Desperado but Desperado swings, into a JUMP KNEE! Sho drags Desperado up and in, gets him up, for a POWER BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Desperado survives and the House is furious! Red Shoes defends his count, but Sho takes aim with his bow. Sho reels Desperado in, tucks the arms, SHOCK- NO, Desperado fights the lift! Desperado powers up to back drop Sho away! Fans fire up as both men are down again!

Kanemaru steps in to distract Red Shoes and Sho gets his Murder Tool! Fans boo as Sho takes aim, but Desperado dodges! Wato SPRINGBOARD FLYING UPPERCUTS! Kanemaru runs in but Desperado sends him to a corner! Wato UPPERCUTS, and feeds Kanemaru to Desperado’s SPINEBUSTER! Desperado sits Kanemaru up for Wato’s basement dropkick! Fans fire up for #DespeWato working as a team! Desperado then crawls, hot tag to Wato! Wato roars and fans are with him! Wato drags Sho up, wrenches, clinches, RECIENTE- NO, Sho fights it, and bends fingers! Sho swings, misses, Wato ROUNDHOUSES!

Fans fire up as Sho falls over, and Wato hauls him up! Wrench, clinch, RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO!!! Sho survives but Wato grits his teeth. Wato fires back up and he points to the sky! Wato drags Sho up, waistlocks, TSU- NO, Sho fights it! Evil reaches out for Sho, but Wato SHOVES Sho into him! TSUTENKAKU!!! Bridging cover, TWO?!? No one can believe it, especially not Wato, but Red Shoes points out Sho’s twitch of a shoulder was enough!! Wato is frustrated, but he just drags Sho back up and back in, RECIENTEMENTE MK II!!! Cover, but Kanemaru drags Red Shoes out!!! And now the House floods in!

Evil, Yujiro & Dick stomp away on Wato! Fans boo but Desperado rushes in! Desperado gets mugged 3v1, fans tell the House to go home! They don’t, they just dig boots into Wato, and Kanemaru CRACKS Desperado with the whiskey bottle! Wato fights back with forearms on everyone, but Yujiro LOW BLOWS! And EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Dick drags Sho onto the cover and the House gets Red Shoes back in! Kanemaru tells Red Shoes to count, he does, and the HOUSE WINS!

Winners: Sho & Yoshinobu Kanemaru, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Wato & Desperado earn 0)

The deck was stacked, alright! The dysfunctional duo was finally functional, but it was too little too late! What happens to #DespeWato now?

As for the House of Torture, Kanemaru gets the mic to tell everyone, “Oi! Listen carefully.” Kanemaru holds the mic for Sho as Sho laughs and says, “I’ve said this a million times, but the people of Osaka are weak!” The fans boo, but Sho says now, they’re going to face a team in the finals that they’ve already beaten! Well, no, Catch 2/2 won that. But speaking of, here comes Catch 2/2! The House bails as TJP & Akira rush in! Fans rally up for “CATCH! NI NI!” TJP has the whiskey! Sho tells them that he said it yesterday, they got beat down because they’re useless and it’s their own fault! This is the most Catch 2/2 can do, cuz they’re losers! Just like Osakans!

The fans boo but Sho says all of Osaka is making such disgusting noises. And in just two days, Sho will make Catch 2/2 into true losers, just like Osaka! The House then heads out, but then Akira gets the mic! He tells the House in Italian and then in English, that this Saturday, Catch 2/2 ends this! Fans like the sound of that! TJP takes the mic to add, “Hey, House of Torture. You’re just one stepping stone to the War Dogs. And for both of you, remember: Catch 2/2 is NOT dead!” The fans cheer that! But can the Public Enemy & Nova Fireball burn the House down again? Or will the Murder Machine & Heel Master lie, cheat and steal those Tag League trophies?

Here are the FINAL Super Junior Tag League Standings!

Catch 2/2: 6-3, 12 points [FINALIST]
Sho & Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 6-3, 12 points [FINALIST]
Master Wato & El Desperado: 6-3, 12 points [ELIMINATED]
Intergalactic Jet Setters: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
Clark Connors & Dan Moloney: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
Bushi & Titan: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoh & Musashi: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Douki & Taka Michinoku: 2-7, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi & The DKC: 2-7, 4 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

A great ninth and final round of the round robin, and I’m genuinely surprised at the results. Well, the finalists themselves, I should say. Taguchi & DKC VS Douki & Taka was good stuff for a match of eliminated teams, and good for Douki & Taka to win one more match in the end. Bushi & Titan losing here to be out of the running being just like last year seems a shame, but I guess LIJ can’t have all the things with Naito having won the G1, Hiromu still Junior Heavyweight Champion and Takagi now NEVER Openweight Champion again. TMDK getting that win off Connors & Drilla was awesome stuff, especially for how fast they did it. And while the tournament winners get their shot at WrestleKingdom, would love to see TMDK VS Connors & Drilla before then.

Catch 2/2 beating Jet Setters makes sense, the tournament story started being TJP & Akira getting the rematch for the titles. DespeWato losing was the real surprise, but I should’ve figured as much given the House of Torture cheats so darn much and no one thinks to take preventative measures. TJP & Akira VS Sho & Kanemaru again is going to be great stuff, but I’m leaning towards Catch 2/2 winning again to shut up the House and also set up an epic Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match for WrestleKingdom.

My Score: 8.8/10