NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13 For Beginners Part One

Suzuki-gun vs Roppongi 3K vs Los Ingobernables de Japon – IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Titles

Laura: I’ve already waxed lyrical elsewhere about my irritation at the inclusion of Los Ingobernables de Japon to make this a three-way for the Jr Heavyweight Tag Titles. And that’s not a slight towards LIJ: Shingo has been an inspired addition to the stable – though I remain unconvinced that he’s a ‘Junior’ Heavyweight – and he works very well with Bushi – the big strong guy/small fast guy formula led to some strong showings during the Jr Tag League. But to throw them into the mix despite ultimately losing out to Roppongi 3K in the Jr Tag League finals only serves to undermine the importance of winning the tournament. That they weren’t pinned by R3K seems like flimsy reasoning: by that logic, Taguchi and ACH have as much right as LIJ to be in the finals, since neither R3K nor LIJ pinned them.

Technical quibbles aside, there’s also the story to consider. If winning back-to-back Jr Tag League tournaments and progressing to challenge the title holders at Wrestle Kingdom represents the opportunity for redemption for Roppongi 3K, then LIJ are still the odd men out in this equation. Suzuki-Gun have been the thorns in R3K’s side since the Roppongi boys first lost their titles to El Desperado and Kanemaru. Suzuki-Gun’s willingness to resort to heel tactics has kept them ahead of Roppongi 3K at ever step. And while Sho and Yoh are heading into this match with momentum on their side, LIJ represent a wildcard element which may ultimately hinder the Roppongi boys in their quest for redemption. Whether this extra dimension to the story helps or hinders is ultimately a matter of individual taste, and it remains to be seen whether LIJ add anything to proceedings in practice, or whether NJPW just really, really wanted to give Shingo something interesting to do.

As your resident Roppongi 3K mark, I’m obviously rooting for Sho and Yoh: winning the tag belts has been easy for them, but retaining them for any length of time is a challenge they’re yet to overcome. With an impressive year under their belts, this is surely R3K’s time to shine – singles success is calling, but as one of NJPW’s sole dedicated Junior Heavyweight tag teams, it would feel like a huge oversight to let them split without a solid tag title run.

Josiah’s Prediction: LIJ
Laura’s Prediction: LIJ
Laura’s Big Wish: Roppongi 3K

Recommended Viewing:

Roppongi 3K vs LIJ (Bushi & Hiromu) Road to Power Struggle 2017 – 30/10/17
LIJ (Bushi & Shingo) vs Roppongi 3K vs Suzuki-Gun, Power Struggle 2018 3/11/18
Suzuki-Gun (El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) vs Roppongi 3K vs LIJ (Bushi & Hiromu) NJPW 46th Anniversary, 6/3/18