Welcome to the Fightful.com recap for this week's episode of New Japan Pro Wrestling on AXS TV. Tonight is set to be a great episode as we see the finals of the World Tag League and a 8-man tag match between CHAOS and Hiroshi Tanahashi, MIchael Elgin, Hirooki Goto and Katsuyori Shibata!
Kazuchika Okada, Tomohrio Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI and Kazushi Sakuraba vs Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin, Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata
Tanahashi and Okada lock up as we start the match, Okada hitting a big boot then goes for a tombstone, but Tana reverses it. Okada tags in Ishii and Tana tags in Shibata, the two instantly exchanging right hands and forearms. Shibata keeps Yakuza kicking Ishii, then Shibata tags in Goto; Ishii tagging in YOSHI-HASHI as Shibata and Ishii go at it on the outside. Goto hits a ushigaroshi then Elgin comes in and manhandles YOSHI-HASHI, hitting a German suplex on him and every member of CHAOS, including Sakuraba who hasn't even been in the match yet. Elgin hits a powerslam for a quick 2 count as we go to commercial.
Elgin rolls YOSHI-HASHI up then YOSHI-HASHI counters with a codebreaker then tags in Okada then Elgin picks them both up and throws them both across the ring. Tana gets tagged in and he and Okada exchange strikes then Tana gets the upper hand with a dragon screw only for Okada to hit his signature reversed neckbreaker then an elbow drop. Okada goes for the RAINMAKER, but Tana counters with a slingblade. Ishii and Shibata get back in then Shibata pounds Ishii with forearms in the corner then hits a stalled dropkick into a suplex for a quick 2 count. Ishii drops Shibata with a clothesline then Shibata locks in a choke, but Ishii counters, but Shibata applies the sleeper hold, following it up with the PK for the pin and the win.
Winner: Katsuyori Shibata via pinfall with the PK
Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe vs Tetsuya Naito & EVIL
Makabe and Naito start it off, but Naito tags in EVIL, Naito attacking him from behind. The powerhouse Makabe takes out both members of Los then tags in Honma. Honma misses the diving headbutt, giving EVIL the chance to tag in Naito as EVIL puts a chair around the neck of Honma then hits him with one. Naito sets up a table and hits a neckbreaker off the apron and through the very sturdy tables they have in Japan; they may be tiny, but they're not pressed wood. Naito tosses Honma back in the ring and stomps on his lifeless body. Naito tags in EVIL who takes out Makabe on the apron then hits a spinning side slam for a quick 2 count. EVIL tags Naito back in, Naito hitting a dropkick then goes out of the ring and throws Makabe into the railing as EVIL comes in on an illegal tag. EVIL bites Honma in the neck like a vampire then hits a senton for a close 2 count. Honma shows off strength with a stalling suplex, tagging in Makabe who drops EVIL then hits stereo clotheslines to both members of Los in the corners. Makabe hits a northern lights suplex for a quick 2 count then follows it up with a lariat for another quick 2 count. EVIL hits a neckbreaker, but Makabe is right back up. EVIL hits a German suplex on Makabe as Naito and Honma are tagged back in. Naito hits a reverse neckbreaker then a missile dropkick for a quick 2 count. Honma hits a running headbutt on EVIL then Bushi spits mist in Makabe's eyes. EVIL hits EVIL on Makabe and Naito hits a huricanrrana for a quick 2 count as we go to commercial.
Naito applies a submission, but can't get the tap, Honma getting to the ropes. Naito tags EVIL back in, EVIL picking Honma back up, Honma trying to land some offense, but EVIL and Naito use some perfect team work for a very close 2 count. EVIL hits a fisherman's buster for a quick 2 count. They hit another double team move for a quick 2 count, but Makabe takes out both members of Los with a double clothesline. Honma and EVIL exchanging running lariats then Honma drops EVIL. Makabe and Honma hits a headbutt doomsday device. Makabe turns Bushi inside out with a clothesline. Makabe hits a diving headbutt on EVIL for the pin and the win. Great match, it was the beginning of the meteoric rise of Los Ingobernables de Japon.
Winner: Tomoaki Honma via pinfall
