Naito, Tsuji leave with upper hand on SANADA, Uemura
The semi main event of the World Tag League Finals on December 10 in Kumamoto saw a preview of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship main event on January 4, with Tetsuya Naito leading an LIJ side against SANADA’s Just Five Guys.
Returning to the ring for the first time in over a month, Tetsuya Naito started proceedings against SANADA in a teasing preview of their upcoming match at Wrestle Kingdom. However, after just one lock-up, tags were made on both sides. Yota Tsuji and Yuya Uemura briefly collided before making way for Shingo Takagi and Taichi. Quick tags allowed Just Five Guys to combine well and isolate the NEVER Openweight Champion.
Shingo Takagi’s power proved too much for DOUKI, as he took control of the match with a thudding lariat. Meanwhile, LIJ attacked Just Five Guys on the outside of the ring, with Naito even strangling SANADA using Taichi’s microphone stand.
Zandokan Jr. kept the momentum for his team with a picturesque Lionsault. The match saw SANADA and Naito enter the action once again. The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion showcased his speed, taking out every LIJ member as they charged in before returning his focus to Naito with a dropkick. Naito retaliated with an arm drag onto his knee, leaving SANADA vulnerable for BUSHI to soar with a top rope dropkick.
A tag to TAKA saw Just Five Guys land tandem offense culminating in a superkick and the Michinoku Driver. However, just as the match looked over, Tsuji made the save.
The match broke down entirely as all ten men barrelled into the ring to make their mark. Naito landed his wicked swing DDT on SANADA, and Zandokan Jr. impressed with a topé suicida. With Just Five Guys scattered, it left TAKA alone for BUSHI to strike with MX and pick up the win for the LIJ team.
Hiromu Takahashi entered the ring from commentary as the united LIJ raised their fists, leaving Zandokan Jr. standing to the side. The CMLL man was ultimately invited to join the celebration as well. Although it was clarified backstage that he is not LIJ’s latest pareja, he certainly has allies to fight alongside him next time he comes to Japan.
For the full match, you can watch the replay in English here.
Make sure to stay tuned to ProWrestlingWars.com for more updates on the World Tag League and the upcoming Wrestle Kingdom event on January 4th.
Originally posted at NJPW1972.com.