Scheduled to run parallel alongside NJPW’s Best Of Super Junior 2020, is the NJPW World Tag League, schedule to start on the 15th of November coming to a conclusion on the 12th of December. Yesterday NJPW announced the 10 teams set to compete;
FinJuice (Dave Finlay and Juice Robinson)
The team of Dave Finaly and Juice Robinson, affectionately referred to as FinJuice, were the winners of the World Tag League 2019 and would go onto to capture the tag team gold, they will know doubt be hoping for a repeat of last year. Juice Robinson featured in this years G1 Climax and Finlay has been a regular feature of the NJPW Strong show making it to the finals of the New Japan Cup in USA, which was eventually won by Kenta.
Dagerous Tekkers (Zack Sabre Jr and Taichi)
The Current holders of the NJPW World Tag Team championships, they recently saw off the team YOSHI-HASHI and Hirooki Goto on the Road To Power Struggle Tour. The Champions will no doubt want to put in a good showing and come out on top again. This will be the 2nd time Zack Sabre Jr and Taichi have competed together in this tournament, having taken part in the World Tag League 2019.
Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa)
The Guerrillas of destiny are the former six time NJPW Tag Team Champions and this will be the 5th consecutive NJPW World Tag Team League they have entered so they have the experience factor on their side, although the pair are yet to win the world Tag League title. Both Tanga Loa and Tama Tonga have been regular features as part of NJPW Strong and have looked powerful throughout, they’ll be looking to carry that form into winning their first Tag League.
HenarAce (Toa Henare and Hiroshi Tanahashi)
This the 2nd time this pairing will compete in world tag league. Tanahashi recently failed in his attempt to gain the USA title contender brief case in his match against Kenta at Power Struggle. Toa Henare has not seen much action as of late due to the Global Pandemic, having only competed in one match since February of this year and most recently competing in a match at Warrior Wrestling on October 24th.
Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI
This will be 2nd consecutive pairing for a team who will be looking bounce back from their defeat on November 2nd when they faced off against NJPW Tag Team Champions Zack Sabre Jr and Taichi. The pair are currently Never Open Weight Trio’s champions along with Tomohiro Ishii they will no doubt be looking for a 2nd opportunity to face Dangerous Tekkers by winning the World Tag League.
Tomohiro Ishii and Toru Yano
This is not the first time this paring has competed in the NJPW World Tag League but it is the first time in two years. Tomohiro is one 1/3 of the current Never Open Weight Trio Champions with Goto and YOSHI-HASHI. Toru Yano is the NJPW King of Pro Wrestling 2020 having successfully defended his trophy against Zack Sabre Jr at Power Struggle.
Shingo Tagaki Vs Sanada
This is the first time the Los Ingobernables de Japon pair will team together for a World Tag League after Sanada’s former tag team partner Evil betrayed him and the LIJ faction. Sanada had a great showing the recent G1 Climax having started poorly he would make it to the finals only to be beaten by Kota Ibushi. Shingo Tagaki recently reclaimed the NJPW Never Open Weight championship having defeated Minoru Suzuki at Power Struggle.
Evil and Yujiro Takahashi
Having only recently joined Bullet Club this is the first time the pair of Evil and Yujiro Takahashi have competed in the World Tag Legue. Evil is a two time winner of the World Tag League along side his former partner Sanada. Since joining Bullet Club, Evil has been embroiled in a rivalry with Tetsuya Naitio. Yujiro will be hoping to have better World Tag League tournament compared his G1 Climax where he only won one match.
Bad Luck Fale and Chase Owens
This will be third time that this Bullet Club pairing will compete in the World Tag League. This will be the first time Bad Luck Fale has competed in an NJPW ring since the pandemic started but has been keeping in in-ring shape thanks to the New Zealand NJPW Dojo. Chase Owens has been a regular feature for NJPW strong but will be happy to be back teaming with regular tag team partner.
The Great O’Khan and Mystery Partner
The most intriguing entry into this tournament, with plenty of people wondering just who will be teaming with the Great O’Khan. The Great O’Khan returned to NJPW during the G1 Climax helping Will Ospreay defeat Kazuchica Okada before being announced as the first member of Ospreay’s new Empire Faction. Will Ospreay made reference to a third active member of his new Empire faction promising that he will be the Great O’Khan’s partner but who it is has yet to be revealed.
Along with the Participants the dates and match schedule was also revealed.
The World Tag League gets under way on the 15th of November running alongside the Best of Super Jr Tournament, Which tournament are you most looking forward to watching? Which team do you think will win the World Tag League?
Andrew More
@GBOtaku82
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