Since the start of the pandemic, New Japan Pro Wrestling has had to adapt to a much smaller roster due to travel restrictions.
This can be seen the most in the Junior division which has seen its wrestlers diminish in size due to both the pandemic and injury. Yet, despite everything, the company has announced its annual Super Jr. Tag League.
With a shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships on the line, five teams are fighting for the chance to earn a title opportunity against the champions and fellow competitors Taiji Ishimori and El Phantasmo.
Here is a look at all the teams involved in this year’s Super Jr. Tag League tournament.
Robbie Eagles and Tiger Mask
After being away due to surgery last year, Tiger Mask is back in the Jr competition. This time, he is teaming with IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Robbie Eagles for this tournament.
Due to the lack of wrestlers, this team is the perfect example of New Japan throwing together Junior wrestlers. However, it is not a pairing that should be underestimated.
Since coming to New Japan, Eagles has proved how exceptionally talented he is. With his mixture of submission and high-flying, he is one of the most diverse wrestlers in the company.
This has led him to be a deserving champion. Despite his age, Tiger Mask can still go with the best of them.
With an extra saltiness since returning to New Japan after surgery, he will be showcasing his Japanese Strong Style.
With a huge target on his back, Robbie Eagles will be eager to start his Junior reign with wins. He won’t want anyone to have a claim to his title once the tournament ends.
Tiger Mask is out to prove that he deserves a place in these tournaments. He will also want to show that he can still wrestle with the best the company has to offer.
With both men having so much to prove, they shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Gedo and Dick Togo
At first glance, most New Japan fans might laugh at the idea of seeing Gedo and Dick Togo in the tournament. Since making the move to Bullet Club, Gedo has been the fall guy.
He has focused on propelling Jay White’s career rather than his own. After joining New Japan, Dick Togo has become EVIL’s right-hand man and, like Gedo, favored cheating over true wrestling.
Yet, it makes perfect sense if you look at both men’s careers.
Despite their place on the roster now, both Togo and Gedo are accomplished Jr tag team wrestlers. Along with Jado, Gedo holds the record for the longest time as tag champion.
Dick Togo also had success in New Japan, with TAKA Michinoku holding the belts for 270 days. They have also been in the business for decades, with a wealth of knowledge very few can rival.
Although it is unlikely that the two will even win a match, it could be a chance to show that they can still wrestle.
It will be interesting to see how their matches go ahead, particularly against their fellow Bullet Club members.
Roppongi 3K (SHO and YOH)
During the past few weeks, Roppongi 3K have struggled to pick up any momentum and wins in matches.
However, despite this, their chances should not be underestimated. Yet, as the only team to have won three Super Jr Tag Leagues, this is their forte and many see them as the front runners for this year’s tournament.
As with many groups in this league, the two wrestlers have very different wrestling styles and personalities. SHO is much more of a power-based wrestler and the more unpredictable and passionate out of the two.
On the other hand, YOH has a style that mixes Jr wrestling and Japanese Strong Style and has a more laid-back attitude. Together, the two balance each other out, creating a team that works in perfect harmony most of the time.
Although many teams have voiced their opinions about the lack of tag-team chemistry between SHO and YOH, they have had success in the past.
Unfortunately, a series of bad bookings and injuries have impacted them. This tournament could either be the thing to make or break the team.
Master Wato and Ryusuke Taguchi
Many New Japan fans will be gutted not to see the Mega Coaches teaming. However, with Rocky Romero in the US, the Funky Weapon is teaming with Master Wato.
Although it is an odd pair, the two have teamed many times before and have even challenged for the title together. It is a team celebrating the past and future of the company.
Sometimes Taguchi can be seen as a comedy character in New Japan. However, he is an amazing singles wrestler but he had an extremely successful tag run with Prince Devitt as part of Apollo 55.
With years of experience, fans will see some fun and good wrestling combined in one. This experience will also be vital for Wato, who, although he has improved since returning, is not as consistent in the ring and has been criticized for his in-ring style and character.
It might not be the year for Taguchi and Wato to win the tournament. Yet, it will be an amazing experience for Wato. For Taguchi, he will be able to not only show his personality but remind people how proficient a tag team wrestler he is.
He might also help Wato find a way to connect to the crowds, which has been lacking since his return.
El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Despite being one of the most successful Jr tag teams in New Japan, El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru have not won a Super Jr. Tag League.
With three reigns lasting over 476 days, they continue to have reigns that elevate a division sometimes forgotten about.
Unlike many teams in this tournament, Desperado and Kanemaru have wrestling styles that are very similar and stick to the image of Suzuki Gun.
Both wrestlers have a solid submission-based style that predominantly stays on the mat. Yet, the small differences balance the team out, making sure they can be a true threat to their opponents. With Despy’s strength and Kanemaru’s athleticism, they have all bases covered.
What makes this team so special is that they are the opposite of most junior teams. With their no-nonsense in-ring style and lack of flash, they aren’t full of smoke and mirrors but are a genuinely talented team.
Their chemistry is second to none, and with several thrown-together teams, this will definitely work to the group’s advantage.
El Phantasmo and Taiji Ishimori (c)
The IWGP Junior Tag Team Champions are going into this tournament with a lot of momentum behind them.
After beating Roppongi 3K at Sakura Genesis and defending them at the Tokyo Dome, they strongly started the third reign. Yet, winning won’t be as easy as they expect with more varied teams during this tournament.
Taiji Ishimori is no doubt one of the best Junior wrestlers in the world. Despite his small frame, he has the strength and power of a heavyweight with the athleticism of a Junior.
Even with his ego, ELP is also one of the most innovative wrestlers with a diverse wrestling style. Combine that skill with their willingness to break the rules and they are going to be tough to beat.
Although all the teams in the tournament want a shot at the Jr titles, the champions have more on their mind. ELP and Ishimori have already stated that if they win, they don’t want to pick their opponents but have a shot at the Heavyweight titles instead.
With both divisions lacking teams due to the pandemic, a win for this team could lead the company to a single Openweight tag team division.
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