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The Fallout From Wrestle Kingdom 19 & Wrestle Dynasty
Chaos ensued at Wrestle Kingdom for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles, as it has traditionally gone. A 4-Way Tag Team match for the belts took place, involving the champions Intergalactic Jet Setters, the Super Junior Tag League winners Ichiban Sweet Boys, the Super Junior Tag League Finalists Catch 2/2, and the former champions the War Dogs. It was fast, frantic, and frenetic, but rising from the mayhem were the Super Junior Tag League winners, Ichiban Sweet Boys, where Kosei Fujita became the youngest ever IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.
The New Beginning in Osaka
Their first challengers wasted no time to show themselves, as YOH took some initiative, challenging the new champions on behalf of himself and Rocky Romero, sealing their challenge with a literal kiss. This would be one of two tag team title challenges for the team dubbed as Roppongi Re-Vice, as they would also challenge World Class Wrecking Crew at Battle in the Valley for the STRONG Openweight Tag Team Titles. Unfortunately, chasing two hares caused them to catch neither, as Roppongi Re-Vice was unsuccessful in both their tag title challenges, allowing Ichiban Sweet Boys to solidify their first defense.
Sakura Genesis – Jr. Genesis
Afterwards, Taiji Ishimori came down to make a challenge to the TMDK team on behalf of himself and his newfound partner, Robbie X. This would be Robbie X's first feature match in New Japan, having joined the Bullet Club last October, and only recently officially joining the War Dogs. He had a good showing, but alas, it would be for naught, as Fujita and Eagles made their second successful defense.
Hizen no Kuni
Once again, the next set of challengers made their presence known after the match, but this time, the challengers came out a bit strangely. An enthusiastic Master Wato came down to the ring, dragging with him a seemingly reluctant YOH. Master Wato announced the challenge on behalf of the two, and though YOH seemed hesitant, the moment he laid his eyes on the Jr. Tag titles, his determination seemed to manifest.
Thus, the match was set. Ichiban Sweet Boys defended their titles against Master Wato and YOH. Wato and YOH were the first product of Main Unit absorbing Chaos. Both men have held the Jr. Tag titles before, just never with each other. In fact, this tag title match would be the first time that the two would team up in a standard two-on-two tag team match. Would the first-time team be able to use their previous tag experience to get them the tag titles? As it turns out, the answer to that question was yes, as Wato and YOH were able to dethrone Ichiban Sweet Boys, ending their 100+ day reign as Junior Tag Team champions, and taking the belts with them to BOSJ.
Best of the Super Juniors 32 and Dominion 6.15
It was an eventful BOSJ for both of our tag team champions. At one point, Master Wato led A Block and was the favorite to go to the finals. However, he ended up in the 10-point schmoz that led to Kosei Fujita taking the block. YOH, on the other hand, was much more fortunate, leading the block in the final day and securing his side of the finals. While he was unable to take home the trophy, a finals appearance was still a fine accomplishment for him.
However, with the BOSJ done, new challengers had to be decided. With Kosei Fujita winning the tournament, the former champions had other business to attend to. That wouldn't be a problem, though, as different challengers stepped up to the plate.
During the BOSJ, two matches would go on to have tag team title implications. The first was in B Block, where eternal rivals SHO & YOH would fight one more time. SHO would end up taking the match, but it would not prevent YOH from making the finals. The second one was a bit more serious. Master Wato & Yoshinobu Kanemaru would end up fighting on the last day. Wato was set to take A Block, but a hyper-aggressive Kanemaru went absolutely ballistic on Wato's knee, forcing him to submit, while also refusing to let go of his submission after the match had finished. It would be this match that ultimately led to House of Torture challenging Wato & YOH for the Jr Tag titles, and wanting to avenge Wato's near broken leg, the champions accepted, so it'll be Master Wato & YOH vs Yoshinobu Kanemaru & SHO for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles at Dominion.
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Thanks for reading! See you next post.
by MarcoTalin