The NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championships were created in 2015 by New Japan Wrestling. Unlike the traditional tag titles in the company, these belts are contested by teams of three. Alongside the company’s NEVER singles belt, these titles have an Openweight nature. This means that both heavyweights and juniors can challenge for them.
Since its creation, it has also fallen to the curse of NEVER due to the lack of consistency from champions. Yet, after the CHAOS trio of Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii and YOSHI HASHI won the titles last year, they have gained new prestige. They have brought back the spotlight to a unique title.
Here is a look at the top six most successful NEVER Openweight 6-Man champions.
6. Bullet Club – Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa
Credit: NJPW1972
Throughout the history of the titles, Bullet Club has always been a dangerous force in the division. With so many members, they have given fans every combination of members when it came to teams. Although their reign wasn’t as long as others, the team of Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa was one of the most dangerous.
The group first won the titles in December 2017 beating Los Ingobernables de Japon. Yet, they failed to successfully defend it after falling prey to the Wrestle Kingdom 12 NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Gauntlet. The second reign was much more successful, beating several teams from Hontai and Ring of Honor across their 5 months as champions.
Although their two reigns only produced three successful defences lasting over 130 days, they will always be a tough team to beat. If the trio decides to get back together when circumstances allow, they will definitely improve on their previous record, causing havoc in the NEVER division.
5. Bullet Club – Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa and Taiji Ishimori
Credit: NJPW1972
Unlike the other Bullet Club trio, the team of Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa and Taiji Ishimori was much more successful. With only one reign as champions, the group held the belts for over 170 days with two successful defences.
The trio first won the titles during the G1 Climax in 2018 by beating the Bullet Club team of Marty Scurll, Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson. This was whilst the faction was in the midst of their civil war. It was a strong start to a solid reign. During this time, they defended the titles against two teams with wrestlers from CHAOS and Hontai. They showed off their dominance, while maintaining their Bullet Club ways.
This team was the perfect example of diverse wrestling styles within New Japan. Taiji Ishimori is one of the most diverse wrestlers in the company. He has the speed and agility of a Jr Heavyweight and the strength of a heavyweight. Similarly with Tama Tonga, with a distinct speed and agility, combining it with his brother’s strength is always a recipe for success.
With so much talent in a team, this trio would definitely be one to push forward for a title shot when travel becomes easier. With speed, power and agility, they will be a formidable opponent for any team New Japan has to offer. It could be the best team to bring NEVER gold back to Bullet Club.
4. Los Ingobernables de Japon – BUSHI, EVIL and Shingo Takagi
Credit: NJPW1972
Los Ingobernables are known for their amazing faction chemistry. It seems as if, no matter what team you put together, they create magic. The same could be said about the trio of BUSHI, EVIL, and Shingo Takagi. BUSHI and EVIL had already gained success, and Shingo was making waves with the NEVER singles title in a division he had always been passionate about.
The LIJ trio beat four other teams during the Wrestle Kingdom gauntlet to win the titles and seemed to be on track for a successful reign. They had a perfect match against the CHAOS trio of Hirooki Goto, Robbie Eagles and Tomohiro Ishii. They even got past the troublesome team of Toru Yano, Colt Cabana and Ryusuke Taguchi.
This team had everything, and their diverse wrestling styles allowed them to thrive. With EVIL’s power, BUSHI’s agility, and Shingo’s strength, they could easily dominate their opponents. What made this team even stronger was their willingness to break the rules, following their role as neither baby faces nor heels.
Unfortunately, the trio had to relinquish the titles after EVIL moved to Bullet Club. There is no saying how successful this team could’ve been if they continued as a trio because they could’ve easily continued their reign with more success.
3. Los Ingobernables de Japon – BUSHI, EVIL and SANADA
Credit: NJPW1972
Like with the previous LIJ trio, there is no denying that any combination of members can create a formidable team. When it comes to tag team wrestling, they can put any of their members in the ring. There will always be undeniable chemistry that is only ever seen in this faction. In particular, the trio of BUSHI, EVIL and SANADA found success in the NEVER Openweight division.
First winning the title at Wrestle Kingdom 11, the trio took advantage of the Openweight nature to create a strong team. EVIL had the strength and power, SANADA had the technique and athleticism, while BUSHI had the speed and unpredictability. With this diversity, they were able to beat some formidable teams from across the roster.
The trio held the titles a record three times lasting over 280 days. Although this is impressive, the only downfall comes with the lack of consistency during these reigns. Throughout their time as champions, they only had four successful defences. Three came with their reign in May 2017, which also contributed 228 days of their overall record. In particular, their first reign in January 2017 only lasted one day.
Yet, it is impossible to deny the mark they made on the title. For many, it is the championship made for a group as tight-knit and in sync with each other as LIJ. Even with EVIL now in Bullet Club, there is no denying that this team will forever be etched in the title’s history.
2. Ryusuke Taguchi, Togi Makabe and Toru Yano
Credit: NJPW1972
In 2019, when Jay White joined Bullet Club, a new alliance was formed between Hontai and CHAOS. Out of this formed one of the most successful teams in history with Ryusuke Taguchi, Togi Makabe and Toru Yano.
The trio first win the titles in January 2019, beating the Bullet Club trio of Taiji Ishimori, Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa. During their reign, they were not shy about taking on any team, from Openweight teams or heavyweight trios. The team even defended them against a Ring of Honor team during their Honor Rising tour.
Their reign came to an end at Wrestle Kingdom 14. It was only a few weeks away from holding the titles for a full year. However, the trio managed to bring more fun and light-hearted side to the belts. They made fans look forward to their defences. Even in the gauntlet match where they lost the titles, they still gave the crowd a great match with many personalities.
Although this may have a random team, there is no denying their success. With a Funky Weapon, Unchained Gorilla, and the unpredictable Yano, it was a match made in heaven. Fans would happily watch the team again in the future.
1. CHAOS – Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii and YOSHI-HASHI
Credit: NJPW1972
After the Los Ingobernables team had to vacate the title, it seemed like another turn of bad luck. Yet, during the tournament to crown new champions, the CHAOS trio of Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii and YOSHI HASHI seemed to see this slump as an opportunity.
From the minute they won the titles, the CHAOS team prioritized making sure that these belts were not forgotten about. Whether it was Suzuki Gun, Bullet Club or Los Ingobernables de Japon, they took on any combination of teams. Not only that, but these matches had a new surge of energy. With the times getting longer, the quality and quantity of action were unlike anything fans have seen.
They are days away from being the way to being the most successful NEVER tag champions. If this wasn’t impressive enough, the trio has already broken the record for most combined defences by a long stretch. With their desire to defend these belts, three wrestlers who had plateaued in their career are now on their way to making history.
With their reign close to reaching the year mark, the trio doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. They continue to take on any challengers. They also treat their matches as if they were IWGP matches at some of the biggest shows. With their combined heart, passion and determination, they are the perfect trio to take the title to new heights.
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