POWERS COMBINED:
TAG TEAM WRESTLING IN NJPW
By Jasmine Olan
Another major asset New Japan Pro Wrestling has working in its favor is its tag team division. NJPW’s roster is rich with talented teams who have found great success and are counted among the best in the world. From veteran pairings like Tencozi to groundbreaking partnerships like the Golden Lovers, War Machine, Guerillas Of Destiny, and the Killer Elite Squad, Some of the most respected tag teams in the industry have done battle inside the New Japan ring. Junior heavyweight teams like Roppongi 3K and Bushi and Shingo Takagi of Los Ingobernables de Japon have found success and critical acclaim. Both the IWGP Heavyweight and Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships are highly respected titles that carry a lot of weight in the wrestling world. Tag team wrestling is a big attraction in NJPW, and its history is filled with partnerships that have stepped up to the plate and gone on to achieve greatness.
Known collectively as Tencozi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima were among the top stars of New Japan’s third generation. The third generation was a core group of performers who carried the banner for the company during the 90s which also includes Manabu Nakanishi and Yuji Nagata. Together, Tenzan and Kojima would later forge one of the most decorated tag teams on the international wrestling scene. Tenzan himself is no stranger to championship gold, having also had a hugely successful partnership with the legendary Masahiro Chono years earlier. He is also a four time IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Kojima is also a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, having held the title twice. Their focus may now be on building up younger talent, but their partnership is nothing short of legendary. Their influence continues to be felt today.
Viewed by many as two of the best wrestlers of their generation, the Golden Lovers are one of the most groundbreaking tag teams of wrestling’s modern era. A decade ago the Best Bout Machine, Kenny Omega and the Golden Star, Kota Ibushi promise to each other that they would change the world. The Golden Lovers would ultimately do just that with their talent and a backstory that is both relatable and inspirational. Fans have been with them through ups and downs and watched them learn valuable lessons over the years. Their January 2018 reunion at NEW BEGINNING IN SAPPORO is widely regarded as one of New Japan’s most emotional moments. They’ve won championship gold in both NJPW and DDT. They’ve also earned tons of critical acclaim over the years. As one of the first and undoubtedly the best told same sex love story in wrestling history, the Golden Lovers have broken barriers and changed perceptions in a way that few other teams ever have and probably ever will.
In 2018, the most unlikely partnership was formed when long time rivals, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada joined forces against a common enemy as they went to war against the Bullet Club. The six year feud between the Ace Of The Universe and the Rainmaker is considered to be one of the greatest of all time. Their alliance shocked the wrestling world and made sense at the same time with an energy reminiscent of WWE’s Mega Powers from the 1980s. This unlikely dream team is sure to have the industry buzzing moving forward in 2019.
Junior heavyweights are also a vital part of NJPW’s tag team division. Teams like Roppongi 3K and the Young Bucks have provided a variety in style incorporating high risk aerial moves and innovative offense. They have helped show both how great tag team wrestling is and how great it can be. The newly formed tandem of BUSHI and Shingo Takagi are currently putting the industry on notice as the current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. These teams have also added a definite fun factor to their division.
As one of the international wrestling scene’s most popular factions, Los Ingobernables de Japon are dominating New Japan’s tag team division with EVIL and Sanada as the reigning IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. Their partnership was born from the close knit friendship that binds LIJ. Some of NJPW’s best teams have begun this way while others have born out of classic rivalries. However they get their starts, tag team wrestling will always be an important part of what New Japan does especially the value the promotion places on one on one competition. They can be brought together any number of ways, but the common thread as they are all born from powers combined.
