In the past few years, one of the criticisms fans have had about New Japan Pro Wrestling has come from the Junior Heavyweight tag division. From the lack of teams, inconsistency and short reigns, many have worried about the division.
Yet, despite all these problems, one of the oldest New Japan titles has a rich history since its conception in 1998. Throughout the title’s history, there have been 64 reigns held by 33 different teams compromised of 44 wrestlers, all weighing under 100kg.
Here is a look at the six most successful IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions in New Japan.
6. Suzuki Gun (El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)
Suzuki Gun’s El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru are two of the most underrated wrestlers in the company. Aside from their diverse in-ring style, their success in the junior tag division stands out and is what most fans remember them for.
Previously, both men had experience as part of different teams. El Desperado teamed with Kota Ibushi and Kanemaru won the titles with fellow Suzuki Gun member TAICHI. Yet, during the 2018 anniversary show, the new team of Despy and Kanemaru beat Roppongi 3K and the LIJ team of BUSHI and Hiromu to win the titles and start a reign of dominance.
For a first reign, the Suzuki Gun duo couldn’t have done any better. They cemented their dominance beating teams like Roppongi 3K and even the legends that are Jushin Thunder Liger and Tiger Mask. Not only did they have a string of successful defences. Their reign also achieved the record for longest single IWGP Junior tag title run at 304 days.
Even with El Desperado holding the IWGP Junior HEavyweight title, the tag belts will still be on both his and Kanemaru’s mind. With their years of experience and in-ring IQ, their three reigns have spread over 476 days breathing life into the division during quiet times. For many, it is when Despy and Kanemaru hold the belts that the division shines the most.
5. Shinjiro Otani & Tatsuhito Takaiwa
On August 8, 1998, New Japan introduced their IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship during a live event. In the inaugural match for the title, Shinjiro Otani and Tatsuhito Takaiwa, both men who trained in the New Japan dojo, beat Dr. Wagner Jr. and Koji Kanemoto to become the first champions.
As champions, Otani and Takaiwa ensured that the new title was given a strong platform to shine throughout both of their reigns. They defended them against teams like Chris Jericho and Black Tiger (Eddie Guerrero), El Samurai and Jushin Thunder Liger, and more. It also emphasized that they could take on all challengers and defend their title with dignity and pride.
Their second reign was just as successful. Despite only holding the titles twice, their combined number of days as champions total just under 500 days. It showcases just how solid each reign was with a good amount of defences. It also proves just how dedicated they were to ensure that this new division was able to shine!
As well as making history by becoming the first-ever IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, Otani and Takaiwa cemented their place on the list with two extremely long and successful reigns. Despite being in their late 40s, both men continue to wrestle as junior heavyweights in various promotions across Japan.
4. Roppongi 3K (SHO & YOH)
Currently in their fifth reign as IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Champions, YOH and SHO have had varied success during their time with the titles. However, it is impossible not to notice their dedication and love for Jr tag wrestling. This has been evident since they graduated from the dojo and made their debut as Roppongi 3K.
After returning from excursion in 2017, the duo made their presence known. In their first match back at King of Pro Wrestling, they beat Funky Future (Ricochet & Ryusuke Taguchi) for their inaugural title reign. They also quickly made history by becoming the first team to win the Super Jr. Tag League as champions.
The one criticism of the duo is their inability to defend their titles successfully. It wasn’t until the third reign that the duo managed to defend the titles and even after that, they could never reach more than two. Their fourth reign was their most successful as they successfully defended the titles twice. Unfortunately, they had to relinquish the belts after YOH was injured.
By training in the dojo and going on their excursion together, their in-ring chemistry is second to none despite their different styles and personalities. With so many reigns and being the only team to win the Super Jr. Tag League three times, their impact on the division is undeniable. After a roller coaster journey, the two are hoping that this reign can really showcase the duo’s chemistry in the ring and ability to elevate the division to new heights.
3. Apollo 55 (Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi)
Apollo 55 is definitely one of the most iconic New Japan tag teams in history. From Prince Devitt and Ryusuke Taguchi’s in-ring offence, personalities and ring gear, they definitely stood out from all other teams. Yet, despite all the flash, they were a phenomenal wrestling team which is why they have made it this high on the list.
The group was formed in January 2009 and within a few months, the team secured their first title reign beating Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin. This was their most successful reign at 290 days. They took challenges from all teams from Dick Togo and Gedo, Unione (Milano Collection AT & TAICHI), and Averno and Ultimo Guerrero during this time.
Even though the team only held the title four times, they have the second-highest number of combined defences at 13. Throughout this time, they used their charisma and talents to bring a new level to the tag division. With a combined 673 days holding the titles, they made each reign count.
With their larger-than-life concept and personalities, they were not only talented but won the hearts of fans. When Devitt turned heel and the team split, it was heart-breaking. Even though the team only lasted 4 years, they cemented their legacy in the junior tag division and the hearts of fans.
2. The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson)
Not only are The Young Bucks one of the most successful junior tag teams, but they are also one of the most successful tag teams in the world. Throughout their careers, they changed what it meant to be a team and what the tag division was capable of.
Nick and Matt Jackson made their New Japan debut in the 2013 Super Jr. Tag Tournament. After winning, they earned a shot at the titles at Power Struggle beating TAICHI and Taka Michinoku for their first win. During this reign, they cemented their dominance beating some of the best teams from The Time Splitters (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) and Forever Hooligans (Alex Koslov & Rocky Romero).
The Young Bucks hold the record for most reigns as IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Champions holding the belts a huge seven times. However, each reign varied in success. Some lasted only a few weeks with no successful defences and others were several months. With nine defences and their reigns lasting over 700 days, the duo brought something new each time they won the belts.
The brothers may now be firmly heavyweights, but they will forever be cemented in New Japan’s tag team division history. During their time in New Japan, they stayed focused on elevating the division and bringing their own personality to every match. For years, they remained at the top of the division and it was a loss when they bulked up and became Heavyweights.
1. Gedo & Jado
Considering how long Gedo and Jado have been in the wrestling business, is it any surprise that they have made the top of the list. The duo first made their New Japan debut in 1989 as junior heavyweights. Unlike many wrestlers, have remained in that division throughout their careers. Although only Jado had success with singles gold, Gedo and Jado became a staple part of the division’s tag division.
The duo first won the titles back in July 2001 beating El Samurai and Jushin Thunder Liger. Their first reign was extremely successful lasting just under a year. They had some impressive defences against wrestlers like Black Tiger, Minoru Tanaka and many more. It was clear that they had this rare and unprecedented chemistry not seen very often in teams.
It was just the start, and they went on to hold the titles another four times. If that wasn’t impressive enough, they showcased that the title isn’t just a hot potato. With only four reigns, they held the title for a record 960 days. They also had a record number of 15 combined defences.
Although the pair are now utilized as managers, there is no denying they made their marks in the title’s history. Gedo and Jado hold the record for most combined defences and most combined days both as a team and individually. More recent fans of New Japan wouldn’t believe it by seeing them now, but they were the junior tag division standard-bearers for a long time.
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