Welcome to the Fightful.com recap for this week's episode of New Japan Pro Wrestling on AXS TV! This week sees the start of the World Tag League Tournament and it's off to a good start as our first match of the night is Los Ingobernables de Japon vs The Bullet Club, then we have Hiroshi Tanahashi and Michael Elgin vs Kazuchika Okada and YOSHI-HASHI!
Tetsuya Naito & EVIL w/BUSHI vs Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows
Naito and EVIL go right after Guns and Gallows, but they're quickly overwhelmed by the much larger G&G. Everyone goes outside as Doc grabs a chair before throwing EVIL into the railing while Naito and Karl are way out in the crowd, Karl throwing Naito out of the door as he comes back to the ring. Doc keeps throwing a chair onto EVIL then they toss him back in the ring. Naito starts making his way back to the ring as Doc tags in Karl, Tetsuya sitting in the crowd on some lucky fan's lap as remakes his way back to the ring. EVIL knocks Doc off the apron then tosses Karl outside and got a back out, putting the a chair around Karl's neck and throws him into the ring post. They skip ahead with EVIL biting Karl then hits a Denton for a quick 2 count, EVIL choking Karl as we go to commercial.
Karl tries hard to get some offense, but EVIL quickly drops him. EVIL goes for a lariat, but Karl drops him with a spinebuster. Karl tags in Doc who takes out both Naito and EVIL as he gets a quick 2 count. EVIL tags in Naito finally who takes out both members of the Bullet Club. EVIL holds Gallows as Naito beats on him then Guns & Gallows get a close 2 count off of some double team moves. G&G go for the Gun Stun, but EVIL hits EVIL. BUSHI hits Doc with mist then Naito hits Destino for the pin and the win. Great match, my first experience with Los was the tag league last year and the match was just as good; they went on a real run during it.
Winner: EVIL & Tetsuya via pinfall with Destino
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin vs Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI
YOSHI-HASHI and Elgin start it off, YOSHI starting off aggressive, until Elgin drops him with a powerslam. Elgin follows it up with a suplex that Okada tries to stop multiple times, showing off the ridiculous power Elgin has. Elgin tags in Tanahashi then YOSHI tags in Okada. Tanahashi goes right at Okada who tries to get him up for a tombstone, but Tanahashi counters. Okada sends him to the outside and into the crowd. Okada beats on Tanahashi then gets him back in the ring, hitting a sliding dropkick. Okada tags in YOSHI who drives Tana into Okada's boot, tagging him back in. Tana hits a back body drop, tagging YOSHI back in, keeping Tanahashi away from Elgin. Tana finally gets the tag then Elgin hits a springboard splash over the top rope, showing off ridiculous athleticism for such a big guy. YOSHI turns a powerbomb into a codebreaker, tagging in Okada. Okada hits a flapjack for a quick 2 count, Elgin tagging Tanahashi back in. Tana hits a dragon screw leg whip then applies a cloverleaf, but YOSHI saves Okada. Okada hits a DDT then a flying reverse forearm for a close 2 count. Okada goes for the tombstone, but Tana counters then is dropped with a beautiful dropkick. Tana counters an attempted RAINMAKER as we go to commercial.
Okada tags in Elgin, Tanahashi tagging in Elgin. YOSHI sets Elgin on the top rope then hits a dropkick for a quick 2. YOSHI hits a blockbuster on Elgin for another quick 2. Elgin picks up both Okada and YOSHI-HASHI then hits a fall away slam; Elgin has such amazing power. Elgin hits an avalanche falcon arrow off the top rope for a very close pin, but Okada breaks it up. YOSHI hits a reverse DDT then comes off the top rope, but Elgin rolls out of the way. Elgin and YOSHI exchange forearms then a lariat drops Elgin, getting a close 2 count that Tanahashi breaks up. Elgin picks up Tanahashi and throws him out of the ring onto Okada. Elgin hits a corner powerbomb then a sitout powerbomb for the pin and the win. Good match by these guys, YOSHI actually did pretty well.
Winner: Michael Elgin & Hiroshi Tanahashi via pinfall
