NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING



 

 
The semi main event of Wrestling World 2024 in Taiwan saw the first ever IWGP Tag Team Championship match in the region, Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI defending the gold against Yuya Uemura and SANADA.

YOSHI-HASHI and Uemura squared off to start proceedings, both trading holds and Uemura showcasing his mastery of the essentials, although neither were able to obtain a long advantage until double team offence from Just 5 Guys, including stereo planchas to the outside, gave the challengers the control they sought.

YOSHI-HASHI and Uemura swapped burning chops to the benefit of Uemura before returning to the ring, SANADA then legally entering the match for the first time to continue isolating his opponent.

SANADA would quickly trap YOSHI-HASHI in the Paradise Lock to a great reaction from the Taiwan crowd, but a Head Hunter opened the much needed door to a tag and Goto charged in to take out Just 5 Guys with a lariat and suplex.

Revenge on his mind from their semi-final match in the New Japan Cup a month earlier, SANADA outmaneuvered Goto allowing a tag to Ueumura, who wasted no time in executing a lofty backdrop.

It would be Goto’s turn to retaliate, wiping Uemura out with a decapitating lariat which saw YOSHI-HASHI re-enter the action, however Just 5 Guys dropped the champ with double dropkicks and Just 2 Boots to almost claim the tag titles.

Bishamon would show their tag team excellence, Violent Flash setting the champions up to execute Shoto were it not for SANADA breaking up the attempt and nailing Goto with the Magic Screw. At the 15 minute mark Uemura caught YOSHI-HASHI with a precise enziguri, SANADA instantly following up with a Shining Wizard and Uemura with a Falcon Arrow variant.

A perfect diving crossbody from the top rope next would see YOSHI-HASHI dig deep to kick out before three, and the champion continued to show his spirit as he avoided Ueumura’s Deadbolt Suplex with a thudding lariat.

SANADA and Uemura again sought to work together but this time YOSHI-HASHI was equal to the task, sending SANADA tumbling to the outside before changing everything in an instant by catching Ueumura with a sudden roll-up to pick up the victory and retain the IWGP Tag Team Championships.