On the road to New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom show, one of the staple tournaments is the annual World Tag League tour.
Like last year, it is being held alongside World Tag League and will consist of one block of teams going against each other to win points.
With new and returning faces alongside veterans, the line-up is as stacked as possible.
With 12 very unique and different combinations of wrestlers participating, it will undoubtedly showcase the best of its division.
Also, with a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Championship held by Zack Sabre Jr and TAICHI, the stakes are as high as ever. Here is a look at all the teams involved ranked!
12. Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma
After a small break, the Great Bash Heel (GBH) is back in World Tag League and as motivated as ever.
Since returning from injury, there is no denying that Tomoaki Honma hasn’t had the best luck picking up many losses and being the target in matches.
However, could being back with Togi Makabe be a way to break that bad luck that’s surrounded him.
Although they most likely won’t pick up many, if any points, it will be nice to see the duo back together and hopefully gain some momentum as a team.
They can also show why they are former World Tag League winners and IWGP tag champions.
11. Minoru Suzuki and TAKA Michinoku
After over two years away from New Japan, TAKA Michinoku is returning to participate in World Tag League with Suzuki Gun leader Minoru Suzuki.
After a trip to the US, Suzuki will be back for some vengeance. TAKA will want to remind fans why he is a true junior veteran and belongs in a New Japan ring.
However, despite the years of experience between them, the fact that TAKA is a junior might work to their disadvantage.
As someone known for taking the fall in matches, it will be even tougher against much bigger men.
It might be the one flaw that is enough to cost them a lot of points. In particular, fans will be looking to see how he interacts in his match against his former protegee and tag champion Zack Sabre Jr.
10. Bad Luck Fale and Chase Owens
Aside from TAKA Michinoku, another wrestler making their return is Bullet Club’s Bad Luck Fale.
Since focusing on the Fale Dojo and due to the pandemic, New Japan fans haven’t seen the Rogue General in a long time, but where better than to make his return than World Tag League.
He will be teaming with Chase Owens again and the two have great chemistry built on a mutual love for pain.
With two other Bullet Club teams in the tournament, how will the duo cope after some time apart?
9. Yuji Nagata and Tiger Mask
Like Suzuki and TAKA, the team of Nagata and Tiger Mask is unconventional because it is a team with a Jr heavyweight.
Since debuting in 1992, Nagata has proved why he is one of the best wrestlers in the world.
Holding the IWGP Jr tag belts, Tiger Mask will want to showcase that juniors are just as good and can hold up against much bigger men.
With nearly have a century of experience between them, they will be out to prove that they can still go.
If Tiger Mask can give some of his saltiness to Nagata, they have the potential to cause some upsets, even if they can’t win the whole thing.
8. Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima
When it comes to iconic tag teams in New Japan, you can’t forget Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima, aka Tencozy!
Despite their age, the members of the Third Generation Club are back after two years to prove that they still have it.
Satoshi Kojima continues to prove that he can hang with the fresh talent as he travelled to America and wrestled some of the best in All Elite Wrestling.
Tenzan continues to stick to his roots and utilise his Mongolian Chops.
Together, they are still a force to be reckoned with and, although they might not win, they will show that they can still go at a top-level.
7. Hiroshi Tanahashi and Toru Yano
If there was ever an odder team in New Japan, then it’s Hiroshi Tanahashi and Toru Yano.
After Jay White joined Bullet Club, an unofficial alliance was formed between Hontai and CHAOS. This team is pure evidence of that.
After losing the US title to KENTA, Tanahashi will be out to prove he still belongs in the title picture.
Yano will want to go unbeaten to protect his beloved KOPW trophy, but can the two work together?
Despite their differences, this chaotic pairing could be underestimated.
With Tanahashi’s heart and popularity with Yano’s willingness to break the rules, this team could be a match made in heaven.
6. EVIL and Yujiro
After beating CHAOS for the NEVER 6-Man titles, EVIL and Yujiro are going into this tournament with momentum.
The two have got into a stride that focuses on using Bullet Club tactics, including Dick Togo, to get the win.
However, with many wrestlers aware of their rule-breaking, it could be a case that their tactics have worn thin.
All of the teams involved will need to keep a close eye on this duo. They might not gain many points but could impact other teams’ chance of winning.
5. Great O-Khan and Aaron Henare
Both Great O-Khan and Aaron Henare have experience in this tournament. Last year, the two were opponents but this year, the tables have turned.
Henare is going into the tournament with a very different mindset and a successful run with O-Khan.
With both men bringing a style focused on strength and power, they will definitely be a tough team to beat.
Their one downfall might be the lack of experience teaming together.
However, with the power and determination of New Japan’s newest faction, they can play spoiler in this and ruin a lot of teams’ tournaments.
4. Hirooki Goto and YOSHI HASHI
Despite losing the NEVER 6-Man Championships, Hirooki Goto and YOSHI HASHI have proved they are a formidable team.
After winning his first championship, YOSHI HASHI has gained a new burst of energy in his career.
He has been putting on consistently high-quality matches. Despite struggling as a singles wrestler in the G1, Goto has proved that his teamwork with YOSHI HASHI is special.
With a point to prove, this CHAOS duo will be as determined as ever. They will want to show that they deserve to be at the top of the division.
If they can work together and overcome the odds, they might have a shot to win, or at least play major spoiler.
3. Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa
For many fans, when they think of New Japan tag teams, they think of Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa.
The Guerrillas of Destiny (G.O.D) are seven-time tag champions. They also broke their curse last year by winning the tournament and succeeding at the Tokyo Dome.
With all that momentum plus the experience from both men competing in the G1, they are hotter than ever.
Nobody can rival the sibling’s chemistry, with their diverse wrestling style and ability to work effortlessly together.
Could G.O.D win the league again and continue to cement themselves as one of the best tag teams in the world?
2. Zack Sabre Jr and TAICHI
Despite the momentum Zack Sabre Jr and TAICHI achieved, they are going into the tournament with a target on their back.
As IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, everyone will want to get a win over the Suzuki Gun duo and earn a shot at the titles in some way.
Despite TAICHI’s rough G1, Zack has seen a lot of success. They have definitely shown that they are stronger together.
With unrivalled chemistry and respect, they have an excellent chance at winning. It will help to continue their task of saving New Japan’s tag team division.
1. Tetsuya Naito and SANADA
After pulling out of the G1 due to injury, Tetsuya Naito returns to New Japan by teaming with SANADA.
Most fans might assume that Naito might need time to get back into shape. Yet, it is never smart to doubt the Ungovernable One.
With a partner in two-time Tag League winner SANADA, the combination of speed, athleticism, and unpredictability from the two will be hard to beat.
With unfinished business against some of the teams and particular wrestlers, SANADA and Naito will be out to prove why LIJ is known for teamwork.
This passion and determination could be enough to win the whole tournament.
It is also their chance to get another shot at the titles they were never really beaten for.
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