Hi guys,
It's only been a few days since my last post, but I didn't want you waiting too long for the second part of my NJPW World Tag League Preview. If you missed the last one, you can read about the first set of teams here
https://wrestling-chatter.blogspot.com/2019/11/njpw-wtl-preview-one.html . So, without further a do, here's part two and the rest of the amazing set of teams set for this year's league!
Togi Makabe/ Tomoaki Honma
Isn't it a nice surprise to see Tomoaki Honma back in tag league with his GBH partner Makabe. After being on the injured list for a long time, he wasn't in the right shape last year to compete so was replaced with Toa Henare as Makabe's partner. However, the teams back together and Honma is getting back to his old self. His kokeshi rate has improved amazingly and he's really put on some strong showings in tag matches, even if he mostly gets pinned. Yet, with Makabe by his side, there is no way that the unchained gorilla is going to let Honma get away with this. Together, the two of them compliment each other so well and it might be that fire and determination from Makabe that lights a fire under Honma's ass and leads them to victory They're not two time tag league winners for nothing!
Takagi Shingo/ Terrible
I was probably most intrigued when I saw this team and you can probably see why. I'm not surprised that Shingo didn't team with Naito, but when I heard who his partner was going to be, I was like damn. For any of you who don't know, Terrible is at the heart of the original Los Ingobernables from Mexico which eventually led to the Japon branch, but they're still as close as ever. From his name, you can tell that Terrible is a tough mother-tucker and isn't afraid to use some of that rudo style he's known for. Put him together with the Dragon Shingo who has made waves since coming to New Japan, and you've got a team made in heaven. Members of Los Ingobernables always seem to have an innate chemistry with each other and it's a team that nobody would expect, but could steal some important wins.
Chase Owens/ Bad Luck Fale
The Tongans are back together for World Tag League and their opponents better watch out! After an amazing showing from Chase Owens in the New Japan Cup and Fale's sudden technical prowess towards the end of the G1, this team is definitely on a role. With Fale's strength and undeniably huge size, it's going to be tough for his opponents to get the upper hand over the mammoth of a Kiwi. That's perfectly complimented by the amateur background of Chase Owens who combines precise strikes, speed and a whole lot of sneaky style. Owens and Fale won't be afraid to use any tactics to win, and this might be controversial but a win is a win at the end of the day. In their last tournament, they reached 6 points. With a single bracket tournament, can they beat it and get to the top of the table. With two matches against Bullet Club brothers, it will be interesting to see how they go about these matches.
KENTA/Yujiro
Like I said before, it's a Bullet Club tag league and the team of Kenta and Yujiro is the third and final Bullet Club team in the tournament. From the outset, it looks like an odd team. I mean you've got the Tokyo Pimp on one side and the newest addition to the faction Kenta. However, if you look closely it makes perfect sense. Over the past few years, Yujiro had teamed with Hangman Page getting a good number of points, but there was always something missing. Kenta might be that something. Alongside Yujiro's amazing ability in a tag team (No Limit anyone?), Kenta's technical and striking ability will work perfectly with Yujiro's more understated offence. Also, we have to remember that communication will be a lot better between the two because there won't be any language barriers, and this is a big thing! This team could really cause some upsets.
Tomohiro Ishii/ YOSHI-HASHI
Surprisingly, this is the only full Chaos team in tag league this year with Mikey and Yano teaming with ROH's Cobb and Cabana and Goto with Fredericks. It's a very odd team as Yoshi Hashi has normally teamed with the IWGP Heavyweight champ Okada and Ishii has normally tagged with good ol' Yano. However, this could be a good change for both of them. Not for Ishii as such, who really is as amazing as ever and doesn't need any help. It will probably do a lot for Yoshi Hashi who will really benefit from having someone like Ishii to team with, someone who won't take losing well and isn't afraid to kick his partner into shape. It might be the kick up the ass YH needs and to break him out of this slump he always seems to be in, no matter how hard he tries to break through. This could be a team to look out for!
Manabu Nakanishi/ Yuji Nagata
So, we have the team of Tencozy competing so why shouldn't Nakanishi and Nagata join them in representing the 3G club? Nagata and Nakanishi are again proof that, no matter how old you are, as long as you have passion and determination then you still have a place in this business. It's no secret that they are both in amazing shape with Nagata still being able to hit those spine tingling kicks and Monster Mornings still giving Nakanishi the strength and power of a young lion (especially in those black trunks). Like Tencozy, they're going to have a tough time climbing up that board with all the teams that wrestle a lot more. But, this is there chance to show that they can still hang with the new guys, even if they don't win!
Toa Henare/ Hiroshi Tanahashi
After my plea's and tweets, it turns out that Toa Henare didn't pick me as his partner for this tournament and it's his loss really, but there's nobody I would rather be replaced with than by the Ace Hiroshi Tanahashi. Putting the two of them together is going to be unpredictable and will probably do a lot better than people might firs think. Tanahashi isn't one of the main staples of New Japan for no reason because he's not only extremely charismatic, bit also so talented in the ring being able to adapt his style to his opponent with either high risk offence or mat based technical skills. Although Henare may still be counted as a Young Lion to many, over the past few months, he's showed he is anything but that. This tournament might just be his time to shine and with his talent, why shouldn't it? Strong, fast and extremely determined. Even if they don't win the tournament, it's the opportunity to not only gain experience for Henare from a legend, but maybe get a title shot - he's still owed his C Block rematch from David Finlay.
Jeff Cobb/ Mikey Nicholls
With the departure of Big Mike from NJPW, I did wonder who was going to be the partner of the huge, and very handsome, Jeff Cobb but I never once thought that his choice would be Mad Mikey Nicholls. Mikey's thoughts of teaming with Juice went out the window after Finlay returned so I guess they both needed someone. Both guys are completely different in so many ways. Mikey is mad to Jeff's calm, Jeff's both super strong and agile whereas Mikey is more unpredictable in his offence. However, it makes complete sense too. Like I've said with so many teams, they compliment each other so well and will create a strong foundation with the strength, speed, agility and a little bit of chaos that never hurt anyone. They will be at a big disadvantage compared to other teams with their lack of experience teaming together, but it could be the start of something beautiful!
Phew, so that's all of them. It is crazy to think how amazing the line up is with some regular teams and also a few new ones that are just going to make this league a lot more interesting. Within this block of teams, we've got the likes of legends Nakanishi and Nagata as well as the badass team of Shingo and Terrible and even a possible spoiler team of Henare and Tanahashi. I wouldn't count any of these teams out, but I'd love to see Chase Owens and Fale pick up a good number of wins! With the single tournament bracket, it's also going to be interesting to see all the inter-faction matches, especially with Bullet Club who don't make a habit of fighting each other!
However, because of so many amazing teams, I almost find it impossible to pick a winner out of all 16 teams! I'm not copping out, it's just too hard! So, like last year, I'm going to pick FinJuice because they have to win, I mean why wouldn't they?!
So, hopefully you enjoyed this year's tag league preview. As always, let me know what you think and let me know what you think of this years line up and make sure you keep an eye out on my podcast to keep up to date with the tournament
https://www.mixcloud.com/WrestlingChatter/! Make sure you follow me on my at:
Bye
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