Sho and Yoh vs. El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru

NJPW The New Beginning Osaka February 8: IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship

Preventing the typical pre-match attack by Suzuki Gun, Sho and Yoh jumped Desperado and Kanemaru before the bell. Suzuki Gun attacked Sho’s leg in all the preliminary events leading up to the New Beginning show. When action spilled to the outside, Desperado used a chair on Sho’s leg hoping for the count out. Sho made it in the ring at 19.

Eventually Sho got the tag to Yoh who ran wild on Desperado and Kanemaru. Suzuki Gun got the advantage on Yoh too, but Yoh managed to get a DDT on Kanemaru and tagged out to Sho. Sho couldn’t maintain an advantage for long as Kanemaru went right back to the knee. With the figure four locked in by Kanemaru, Sho struggled to the ropes.

Sho and Yoh eventually got the stomp assisted pile driver for the victory.

Match Ratings

Six dimensions combine to make up the overall rating. Matches score ratings of 1-10 only if the match lasts for a minimum of 5 minutes.

1. Match Quality– Was the match well wrestled or sloppy?
2. Audience Engagement– Did the live audience care about the match?
3. Competitiveness– Was the match competitive or one-sided?
4. Stakes – Did the match matter?
5. Finish– Did the match end in a satisfying manner?
6. Performance: (1) Poor (2) Below Average (3) Average (4) Above Average (5) Excellent