While New Japan has used this year to place more emphasis on tournaments like Best Of The Super Juniors, the New Japan Cup and now the Super Junior Tag League, it’s still safe to say they don’t hold half of the esteem the G1 does. That’s why we get shows like this one in which the two matches taped aren’t aired live and are recorded with the most basic of production values. It’s safe to say you’re not going to get five-star classics on these shows, although that doesn’t stop them having the potential to be fun.
Jushin Thunder Liger and Tiger Mask (2-1) defeated Los Ingobernables de Japon (Shingo Takagi and BUSHI) (2-1)
Naito is a good boss and was in the corner of his Junior pals. That’s why my favourite Ingobernables are the best faction, they’re always looking out for each other.
Do you know who has had a sneaky good year? Tiger Mask. He had a relatively strong Super Juniors while he and Liger have been putting on some fun undercard matches. In this one, we got to see him deck it out with Shingo and it was a cool combo. The grumpy kitty is at his best when he’s in there with someone that he can kick and Shingo turned up to be that guy.
That aside, this felt like a house show match. Liger pulled out the greatest hits while no-one else was busting a gut to impress. The only shock was the Junior legends being the ones to come out victorious after Tiger wrapped BUSHI up in a ball. Then again, LIJ had to lose somewhere and dropping a fall to Liger and Tiger won’t hurt them.
Verdict: Two And Three Quarter Stars
Super 69 (Ryusuke Taguchi and ACH) (1-2) defeated Suzuki-gun (Yoshinobu Kanemaru and El Desperado) (1-2)
The Junior division has got to start watching tapes. If they did, they might be prepared for Despy and Kanemaru attacking them during their entrances. Although there’s not much Taguchi could have done to get ready for getting a rugby ball booted into his, well, balls.
You know all that stuff that Taguchi and ACH do in their matches? Good. Now, you know all the things that Desperado and Kanemaru do? Great. Can you imagine what it would be like if you put those together? You can? Wow, you’re smart. You also now know exactly what this match was like. Well done you.
It was fine. Another house show special with ACH ‘s performance being the highlight. Your enjoyment of it will come down to your tolerance for Taguchi. If you’re a fan, you’ll have fun. If you’re not, you’re probably better off skipping it.
Verdict: Two And A Half Stars
Overall Show
I’m just going to keep saying the words house show because that’s what this felt like. Which, to be fair, it basically was, so I don’t think you can bash anyone for it. The wrestlers did what they needed to do, and no-one will have woken up feeling too sore the next day.
Watch Super Junior Tag League: https://njpwworld.com/
Ramblings About Wrestling 
Leave a Reply