Tama Tonga Wishes Finn Balor For His Match With Brock Lesnar
This week’s episode of Raw saw a big change in the Universal Championship match for Royal Rumble as Braun Strowman was removed from the bout by Mr. McMahon and Finn Balor later won a couple of matches to earn that spot.
After the show, Balor’s former Bullet Club associate Tama Tonga took on his Twitter and wished the Inaugural Universal Champion for his upcoming match, saying that everyone in New Japan believes in him:
As we noted before, reports suggest that WWE decided to remove Braun Strowman from this bout because they didn’t want Strowman to lose to Lesnar once again after his loss at Crown Jewel.
Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas On His Victory
This week’s episode of Smackdown Live saw Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas continuing his epic series with Rey Mysterio and facing the former World Champion in a one on one match.
The match was won by the former NXT Champion after Zelina Vega interfered in the bout and Almas hit a Hammer Lock DDT to Mysterio.
He was interviewed backstage after his victory and in the interview as seen below, Andrade claims that Rey Mysterio is the past while he is the future of the company:
Tama Tonga has released a video on his YouTube channel where he addresses criticism some have of Jay White being named the new leader of Bullet Club. Tonga named White as the new leader of the faction in a series of Tweets last week.
“Yes, I said all that (that Bullet Club has no leader),” Tonga says in the video. “Right after I kicked out the Elite and right before we brought in Jay White. Now, think about this. With Jay White in, we got one man covering the direct route to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, right? You’ve got my brother and I; tag team duo, holding it down for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. We got Fale the monster. We got Ishimori chasing the Junior Heavyweight. Now, if it needs to be a junior heavyweight tag-team, we also got Robbie Eagles. We’re covering all angles, that’s smart, don’t y’all think?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLEcaePQqbE
Bullet Club at Wrestle Kingdom 13
The next show for NJPW will be Wrestle Kingdom 13 inside the Tokyo Dome. Tama Tonga and his brother, Tanga Loa, will defend the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships against both the Young Bucks and Evil & Sanada in a triple threat match. Jay White will also take on Kazuchika Okada in a one-on-one grudge match.
Tama Tonga doesn’t hold much back. In the midst of all the turmoil surrounding Becky Lynch’s recent concussion, Tama managed to get in his comments to both Lynch and Nia Jax.
First, Tama offered a sign of respect to “The Man”:
Tama Tonga will be competing in New Japan Pro Wrestling’s World Tag League from November 17th to December 9th. There has been a slight change of format this year. Teams will be combined into one big group as opposed to two separate ones. This format was used for the debut of the Super Junior Tag League earlier this year.
In New Japan Pro Wrestling, a new Bullet Club has formed. Jay White, Gedo, and Jado recently joined the Tongans side of the faction. At the same time, members of “the Elite” are stating they will not be putting out any further Bullet Club style T-shirts past the ones they just released.
Tama Tonga seems convinced it was members of the Elite who made comments to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter running down the promotion’s new management. He also seems convinced the Elite are on their way to WWE when their contracts expire at the end of the year.
Tama Tonga Warns Finn Balor About the Elite
It was Tama Tonga’s birthday yesterday. Fellow original Bullet Club members Karl Anderson and Finn Balor each wished him a happy birthday. Tonga then commented there might be some “OG Business” heading their way.
Much love OG senpai. Might need you to handle some OGBC business if it goes unsettled over here ??? https://t.co/brZhlr8hCV
As with some other storylines currently playing out in wrestling, it’s not clear if this is real or not. The Elite and Bullet Club are feuding in storyline but much of what has been said online seems to go beyond what is showcased on NJPW programming.
Tonga alleges it was members of the Elite who spoke anonymously to media in regards to the company.
Lol no no no you’re fine, You know I love me a little competition…just don’t run to your boyfriend Dave Meltzer crying about how it’s not fun anymore……Bitch.. ? oops https://t.co/gn2mo2vKGO
The bad blood between The Firing Squad/Bullet Club OGs and The Elite doesn’t show any signs of slowing down, with both sides taking to social media for months in order to have their say.
The most recent addition to their incendiary feud has been cast by the “Bad Boy” Tama Tonga.
Short and sweet, unlike many of his previous barbs, Tama Tonga tweeted that “The Elite doesn’t exist without #BulletClub,” before punctuating his thought with a loaded sentiment, saying, “Good luck in WWE.”
The Elite doesn’t exist without #BulletClub . Good luck in WWE
The most notable thing about this is the direct reference to The Elite potentially going to the WWE. This has been heavily rumored despite their current success worldwide.
Further speculation could be made after members of The Elite released new shirts, highlighting that they will be the last “Bullet Club” style shirts they will offer.
Firing Squad vs The World
Since making their intentions clear at the end of NJPW’s G1 Special this past July in San Francisco, the Firing Squad have been on a tear throughout NJPW.
They recently claimed the IWGP Tag Team Championships, with the Guerrillas of Destiny besting their Bullet Club stablemates, and Elite representatives, The Young Bucks, at NJPW’s recent Fighting Spirit Unleashed event on September 30th.
Firing Squad have also recently added “Switchblade” Jay White to their ranks, bolstering their stable in the reignited civil war against Bullet Club.
What do you think? Will this new civil war lead to a satisfying payoff? Do you think we will see The Elite in the WWE?
When Tama Tonga is upset or disagrees with something, he’ll let you know…
Tonga is currently upset with a recent report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The report stated there is a morale problem backstage in NJPW and backlash against the new management team.
“There are people who in the past had never even considered WWE who are thinking about it,” the WON report reads. “And others who were completely committed to staying who are probably still leaning that way, but are considering the WWE option.”
Tama Tonga disagrees and he’s letting people know about it.
Funny reading that a lot of foreign performers are complaining about the work atmosphere not being “fun” in New Japan. What a load of shit. Plenty of great talents out there that would be grateful to have an opportunity to work in NJPW Who fed you those lies @davemeltzerWON ?
New President and management helping the company gain sponsorship with international expansion-What a time to be a part of New Japan. Traveling, big money, company growing.yeah bitch, us foreigners that have been here and worked our asses off are very proud of how far we’ve come
So to the foreigner or foreigners complaining to @davemeltzerWON that they are not having “fun” you can GTFO. I’ve never in my career here in New Japan have ever heard of a Japanese wrestler complaining about the work atmosphere not being “fun” in New Japan. GTFOUTTAHERE
There might be a morale problem in the back now as Tama Tonga goes to look for the person sending information to Dave Meltzer.
We don’t know how many wrestlers made anonymous contact with media in order to state their feelings towards the new management. Meltzer is saying, however, that it is not a member of the Elite. He also said it is NJPW wrestlers who you would never think would go to WWE.
According to the initial report, there are feelings that Harold Meij talks down to the wrestlers. The report also stated that the first round of contract offers was not met with a positive reception either.
It was an eventful night at King of Pro Wrestling yesterday. One of the most talked about moments was when Jay White, Gedo and Jado aligned with Bullet Club’s Firing Squad. The faction then attacked Kazuchika Okada.
White had been offered a spot in Bullet Club at New Year’s Dash this year. He rejected the offer, however, and then attacked Kenny Omega. White’s history with the faction actually goes back years before then, however, to when he was originally recruited for the New Japan Dojo. He was recruited for NJPW by former BC leader Prince Devitt (aka Finn Balor) and fellow New Zealander, Bad Luck Fale.
Fale posted a photo of the two taken when White was just entering into his training at the New Japan Dojo.
In addition to adding White, Gedo, and Jado, Bullet Club also added Robbie Eagles to their roster this weekend. Eagles will team with Taiji Ishimori in the Super Junior Tag Tournament taking place in the build-up to next month’s Power Struggle event in Osaka.
Tama Tonga Clashes With Rocky Romero and Others
Shortly after the conclusion of King of Pro Wrestling, Rocky Romero and Tama Tonga clashed on Twitter. As if attempting to prove to everyone that NJPW is not PG-rated content, the two posted the following back-and-forth:
NJPW broadcaster, Kevin Kelly, hasn’t been too kind on Bullet Club’s Firing Squad. Tama Tonga decided to respond to Kelly’s commentary following today’s NJPW Destruction in Hiroshima event.
“Hey, let get’s something straight, I didn’t come at anybody sideways,” Tonga said. “I came at them straight, straightforward after they started with me.”
“Roman started with me. Cody started with me. Brandi started with me and I just finish em, that’s it,” Tonga continued. “I mind my own damn business. And everybody who started with me should learn that same lesson: mind your own damn business.”
Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and “Bone Soldier” Taiji Ishimori defeated David Finlay, Juice Robinson, and Ryusuke Taguchi today to retain their 6-Man Tag-Team Championships. Tanga Loa and Tama Tonga will challenge the Young Bucks for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag-Team Championships on September 30th in Long Beach.
Also in regards to Bullet Club’s Firing Squad, the faction has announced they are recruiting. They asked their followers on Instagram and Twitter to suggest possible new members.
Bullet Club Elite’s Cody responded, “Ummm we’re good here guys. We’ve got the best wrestlers in the world, a badass queen, a crazy actor, we’ve even got a dog…”
Cody will challenge Juice Robinson for the IWGP United States Championship on NJPW’s Long Beach show as well.
“But yea I’m sure folks are chomping at the bit to join you and Mr Juicy’s bullet club?” Cody’s Tweet continued. “Go to NXT already please, nobody gives a shit.”
New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star Tama Tonga spoke to Sports Illustrated recently and discussed several professional wrestling topics. Tonga is one of the founding members of The Bullet Club. The faction is probably the largest, in terms of numbers, in professional wrestling right now.
Over the years, members of the group have come and gone. However, Tonga believes The Bullet Club’s current members have to prove their loyalties. With some stars’ contracts coming up, and potential WWE moves on the horizon, Tonga is ready to see who is really all in with Bullet Club:
“There is only one Bullet Club, and we’re fighting for it,” Tonga said. “This ignited in San Fran, and we’re at war for Bullet Club. This is where we’re at, it’s the North vs. the South fighting for the United States.
“You have their side—the ROH side—against the Japan side of me, [Bad Luck] Fale, and [Tanga] Loa. Bullet Club was born in New Japan, but the Young Bucks ain’t signed in New Japan. Cody ain’t signed in New Japan. Adam Page and Marty Scurll ain’t signed with New Japan. From my understanding, a lot of them are becoming free agents at the end of this year. So, let’s see, who really is Bullet Club?”
Recruiting Neville
Recently, at the G1 special, Kenny Omega challenged Tonga while cutting a promo. Tonga is looking to bolster up his supporting crew for his feud against “The Cleaner,” and has his eye on one recently-released WWE star:
“I love always love a challenge,” Tonga said. “Kenny Omega did a promo during the G1 and said, ‘Tama, you think you can do better than me? You think you can push Bullet Club to new levels, higher ones than I did? Go ahead and prove it.’ Challenge accepted.
“I know Neville and I’ve followed his work. He’s a phenomenal worker and he’s been here in New Japan before, I watched him in the Super Juniors in 2012. I love his work.”
What do you think about Neville potentially joining The Bullet Club?
The civil war rages on within Bullet Club. With Cody and leader of the BC, Kenny Omega, having found common ground after their war at the G1 Special in San Francisco, things finally looked – as the Club are fond of saying – fine.
That didn’t last long, as the Guerrillas of Destiny (comprised that night by Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and their father Haku) proceeded to attack their stablemates and proclaim themselves the Firing Squad.
The war of words between Tama Tonga and Cody continued today, with the latter responding to Tama’s expert baiting. The Tongan claimed that Bullet Club “belongs to New Japan – not ROH or anyone else.”
You braindead? Wtf are you talking about ROH ha?
I’m certain NJPW is happy with the Bullet Club being represented by the people drawing actual money and trying to change the status quo. We are all super impressed by your “longest employee” card. https://t.co/NWS1yr1zHM
Cody, who was commanding his own civil war against leader, Omega, finally put aside his claim for leadership of the Club after their match up back in July – with the Firing Squad forming a common enemy within their own ranks for them to now turn their attention to, if they chose.
It’s unclear as to how this secondary Bullet Club civil war will transpire. Tama has had longstanding issues with the leadership and direction of the Bullet Club, taking offence to the The Elite existing within the faction at all.
Given the betrayal at the G1 Special and their use of social media to further the division, here’s hoping that the story and payoff are as developed as the recent Cody/Omega civil war.
What do you think? Did the Bullet Club need another civil war so soon? Who will win it this time? And who do you think is coming out on top in these Twitter exchanges?
Posted September 11th, 2018 in News. Tagged: Tama Tonga.
Bullet Club’s Firing Squad is looking for new members. The group previously put out a call for new member suggestions on social media and has now produced a recruitment video of sorts. Bullet Club OG Tama Tonga posted the following earlier today:
A few names were brought up multiple times by Tonga’s followers. Jay White, Toa Henare, and Punishment Martinez were all suggested as potential new members. White had previously been offered a spot in Bullet Club by Kenny Omega. He turned down the offer in epic fashion, however, and joined CHAOS instead. Ring of Honor’s Kenny King volunteered for the role:
The Firing Squad have a few big matches coming up in September. Tonga, Loa, and Taiji Ishimori will defend the NEVER Openweight 6-Man tag-team titles on Saturday. They will face the team of Taguchi, Juice Robinson, and David Finlay.
The Guerillas of Destiny will then face the Young Bucks for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag-Team Championships on September 30th in Long Beach.
According to Tama Tonga, WWE has tried to recruit him on multiple occasions but he’s not interested. Tona was interviewed today in Chicago where he is present with other members of the Firing Squad for Starrcast weekend.
“I’m the only one who stayed loyal to that company,” Tama Tonga said during an interview with WhatCulture. “Even when WWE came to me not once but f*****g twice!”
Tonga has come under fire for his usage of social media recently. The multi-time IWGP Heavyweight Tag-Team Champion was banned by Twitter for a 12-hour period earlier this summer. NJPW President, Harold Meij, also made public statements about wrestlers being more careful on social media after Tonga’s incident.
“It’s a different time for wrestling,” Tonga said. “Everything’s changing. Start off with Starrcast and start off with All In. It’s changing, the business is changing. Wrestlers and fan interaction is changing because of social media, it’s causing us to be more ‘friends’.”
Tama Tonga On All In
While Tama Tonga and his Firing Squad allies are not booked for All In, they’ve made a point of letting people know they are in Chicago. Bullet Club’s Firing Squad might be in a feud with the Elite at the moment but that doesn’t mean Tonga isn’t impressed and respectful of what they have accomplished with All In.
“It’s very historic,” Tonga said regarding All In. “This is the biggest thing you’ve seen outside WWE and New Japan in a long time.”
Bullet Club’s Firing Squad have recently been scheduled for two upcoming title matches in NJPW. Although NJPW President, Harold Meij, threatened the group with suspensions due to their repeated interference during the G1, the faction is once again back on the promotion’s tours for September.
The biggest upcoming match for the faction will take place September 30th in Long Beach. Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa will challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight tag-team Championships at Fighting Spirit Unleashed. They will take on their rivals from Bullet Club Elite, the Young Bucks.
Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and Taiji Ishimori Defend NEVER 6-Man Championships
The Firing Squad won the NEVER 6-Man tag-team Championships on the final day of the G1 Climax tour. They then threw the belts down in front of Harold Meij. Now, Meij has scheduled for the group to defend the titles on the September 15th show from Hiroshima.
The Firing Squad will defend their titles against Juice Robinson, David Finlay, and Ryusuke Taguchi.
Since their original attack following the G1 Special in San Francisco, the group has added a few wrestlers. The original names confirmed were Haku, Tama Tonga, and Tanga Loa but quickly it would be confirmed that Bad Luck Fale and HIKULEO were both aligned with the faction as well.
The group then added Taiji Ishimori on the final days of the G1 tour. They have now added Gino Gambino from Melbourne City Wrestling. The faction, Fale most notably, spend a lot of time on the continent. Fale has a dojo in New Zealand and has worked with Gambino often. Gambino frequently tags with Bullet Club members when they tour the territory.
On their final show before a likely 3-month suspension, Bullet Club’s Firing Squad have won the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag-Team Championships. Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and the group’s newest member, Taiji Ishimori, defeated the Young Bucks and Marty Scurll for the titles.
Following their victory, however, the Firing Squad members threw the belts in the direction of NJPW owner, Harold Meij. Their status as champions remains unclear.
Their match against the now-former champions was originally scheduled to be a non-title bout. Tama Tonga then challenged them to put the titles up, however. Meij made the title match official moments before it started.
Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and Bad Luck Fale Likely Suspended?
The group is facing a likely 3-month suspension. They had received a warning that if they interfered in any B-Block matches on the final night of the round-robin they would be suspended. The faction then did interfere in Tama Tonga’s match that night.
Some of their former stablemates have ideas for their vacation. Finn Balor Tweeted out the following to his fellow Bullet Club founding members:
Bullet Club’s Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and Bad Luck Fale have likely earned themselves a 3-month suspension from NJPW. The Firing Squad members were warned to not interfere in any of today’s B-Block match-ups.
The faction did interfere during Tama Tonga’s B-Block match, however. They were then escorted from the building. This allowed the night’s main event between Omega and Ibushi to go undisturbed.
“BULLET CLUB OG; Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Bad Luck Fale have made the unfortunate decision to intervene in matches which have resulted in multiple disqualifications in this G1 CLIMAX 28,” an NJPW press release stated.
“New Japan Pro-Wrestling has made a decision to impose a three-month suspension and a fine to each member(s) of BULLET CLUB OG if they intervene in any G1 CLIMAX 28 tournament B-block match tomorrow.”
Tama Tonga lost via disqualification to Yano after repeated interference and abuse of the referee. He finished the tournament with 6pts, down from 8pts the previous two years.
Bad Luck Fale finished with 6pts as well. Previously, his worse tally had been 10pts. This was Fale’s 5th G1 tournament, with his highest total being 12pts. He hit 12 pts in 2014 and 2017 and 10pts in 2015 and 2016.
Yuji Nagata Speaks Out On Bullet Club OGs
Yuji Nagata, who had a hand in training Tonga and Fale, spoke out publicly against the group’s actions recently. Nagata spoke with Tokyo Sports recently. The former IWGP Heavyweight Champion said NJPW needs to be more selective about who is invited to participate in the G1.
New Japan Pro Wrestling released new guidelines for wrestlers yesterday. The promotion is looking to reduce the amount of English-language swearing and obscene gestures seen on their shows.
Despite this, there was still much swearing and obscene gestures present in yesterday’s show. Juice Robinson in particular, swore several times during his match and Tama Tonga gave the middle-finger to the camera on his way to the ring. Tonga does seem to have relaxed his disdain for trolls on Twitter, however.
“Those who have been swearing in English in their promos were privately spoken to and asked as best they can to clean up their promos,” Dave Meltzer wrote in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. “All the wrestlers were told this week to not swear or try not to offend people on social media.”
Kenny Omega Comments On New NJPW Rules and Tama Tonga
At yesterday’s show, Tama Tonga defeated Kota Ibushi after repeated interference. Kenny Omega attempted to stop the Firing Squad beatdown of his partner but got beaten up himself for his troubles.
The Firing Squad then interfered in Omega’s match with Yano. The actions of Tama Tonga and company caused the IWGP Heavyweight Champion to lose just his 2nd match of the tournament.
Swearing, littering, disrespecting the big dawg… I can possibly forgive all of those. But come on, don’t ruin my once a year Yano vs Kenny Omega match!!! #g128
“Swearing, littering, disrespecting the big dawg… I can possibly forgive all of those. But come on, don’t ruin my once a year Yano vs Kenny Omega match!!!”
Kenny Omega now has a 2-1 record against Toru Yano in the G1.
Who’s asking for your forgiveness? Your nose is getting mighty brown from the ‘big dawgs’ ass. Trust me, I made your match a ???????????????? . Good luck fighting your boyf….lov…partn…whatever that is.
New Japan Pro Wrestling President, Harold Meij, has handed down several new rules to NJPW athletes today. NJPW sent out a notice to fans yesterday stating there would be new guidelines issued to wrestlers. This was mentioned as having to do with the actions of Tama Tonga and the Firing Squad during this year’s G1 tournament.
The company sent out a Japanese-language press release today which will likely be sent to English-language media in the near future.
NJPW Bans English-Language Swearing and Middle Fingers
“New Japan Wrestling is about to change now,” NJPW’s press release states. “Even if you do not want to change it’s coming to a stage (scale) you have to change. It is a story of moral rather than a story of the content of the game.”
The press release continues to say certain actions of wrestlers were previously not a problem. Now that NJPW is broadcast all over the world, however, these same things will now need to change.
“Now that it has become possible to see New Japan Wrestling from all over the world,” the release continues. “There are things that can be regarded as a problem if it is from overseas.”
“For example, setting up a middle finger or emitting a broadcast prohibited word (swear word) by live broadcast is absolutely out of rule on broadcasting and ethics from overseas, even if it is not a pin for a Japanese customer.”
The press release even continues to say that wrestlers using heel-like tactics often does not translate well into society at large.
There was no mention of Tama Tonga in the press release. The release continues to say they will take action against offending wrestlers in the future. It does not appear any action has been taken against Tama Tonga or any members of the Firing Squad at this time, however.
New Japan Pro Wrestling has announced they will be issuing new guidelines to wrestlers shortly. The new rules are due to the frequent interference via the Firing Squad during the G1 Climax tournament as well as Tama Tonga’s actions outside the ring during the last few weeks.
“NJPW takes actions taken by our wrestlers seriously,” an NJPW press release reads. “In light of recent inappropriate conduct by Tama Tonga including SNS usage, the company has decided to take disciplinary actions against said wrestlers, and will issue updated guidelines to all wrestlers.”
By SNS usage, the company is referring to Tonga’s actions on the Social Network Site (SNS) Twitter. Tonga has frequently come into contact with many users on Twitter who he has later compared to a flavor of Doritos.
4 nights remain in this year’s G1 Climax tournament. The B-Block has just two remaining nights of round-robin and the A-Block only one. Then the finals of the tournament will take place Sunday in Tokyo.
Tama Tonga currently has 4pts in the tournament while his stablemate Bad Luck Fale who has 6pts.
In addition to the A Block Winner facing the B Block Winner on Sunday, Rey Mysterio is also signed on for the event. The famous luchador’s opponent has yet to be named, however.
Tama Tonga is currently competing in his 3rd G1 Climax tournament. In both his two previous tournaments (2016 and 2017) he finished with a 4W-5L record and 8pts.
With two matches remaining, Tonga currently has just 4pts. Despite his poor record thus far, it has been a memorable tournament for Tonga. Along with his stablemates in Bullet Club’s Firing Squad, Tonga has been interfering in matches frequently in contrast to what is normally seen in the annual heavyweight round-robin tournament.
His next match will be against Kenny Omega’s Golden Lovers’ teammate, Kota Ibushi. Tonga directed his most recent post-match comments towards his upcoming opponent.
“That’s nothing compared to what I’m going to do to you in Yokohama,” Tonga said in reference to the Firing Squad attack on the Golden Elite in San Francisco
Kenny Omega vs Kota Ibushi
Tama Tonga vs Kota Ibushi will be Tonga’s 2nd last match in the round-robin portion of the tournament. If he defeats Kota Ibushi and Toru Yano he’ll finish with 8pts as he has in previous tournaments.
In the opening moments their preliminary match yesterday against Ibushi and Yujiro Takahashi, Tonga and Tanga Loa offered Takahashi a spot in the Firing Squad. The brothers had previously said that had Takahashi not hesitated to join in the attack in San Francisco, he’d have been in the Firing Squad originally as well. Takahashi didn’t accept and the Guerillas attacked the two members of Bullet Club Elite from behind.
“Yujiro! What did we tell you?” Tanga Loa asked after the match. “We offered you another opportunity and you didn’t take it.”
“You should have been with us,” he continued. “You got what you deserved,” Tama Tonga added.
“Golden Lovers?” Tonga asked about his upcoming opponent’s tag-team. “This is wrestling, not a p*** flick.”
Kenny Omega has chimed in on the recent Twitter escapades of Tama Tonga and Roman Reigns. Tonga was recently suspended from Twitter temporarily and went looking for who turned him in. He eventually concluded it was Roman Reigns which led to an interesting back and forth between the two of them.
Omega took to Twitter to give his thoughts on the situation.
If the enemy of my enemy is my friend but my new friend hates me more than my enemy does, is he still my friend? pic.twitter.com/5dMq4TW2co
“If the enemy of my enemy is my friend but my new friend hates me more than my enemy does, is he still my friend?”
Omega was referring to the fact that while Tama Tonga and he are enemies in current NJPW storylines, Omega and Roman Reigns have had their issues in the past as well.
Kenny Omega and Roman Reigns Rivalry
Late last year/early this year, Omega and Roman Reigns were involved in a mild public spat as well. Their issues began after Reigns claimed he was the best in-ring performer in the world.
“I’m the best performer, in-ring, in the world right now,” Reigns said in late 2017 to the Bleacher Report. “You can go to my matches and my pay-per-views over the last three years and you can say I’m an idiot or you can be like, ‘man, he has a point.’ Do you know what I mean? I didn’t come here for any other reason.”
Omega then responded t Roman’s claims in an interview with the Bleacher Report.
“I don’t know if Roman was put up to saying a comment like that from a social media team or if it was something that he consciously thought of himself,” Omega said. “But I thought it was pretty smart of him to do — to say — that, because it became instantaneously a topic that people were talking about. And just because it sounds so ridiculous. You know what I mean? By no means do I actually think he believes in those words. There’s no possible way. … I don’t have to feel like I have to speak up about it. It is what it is, and I understand that it’s a fun thing for fans to generate interest in the product. I take absolutely zero offense in him saying it. Especially, since it’s quite clear that the fact of the matter is much, much different.”
It’s been an interesting G1 Climax tournament in New Japan Pro-Wrestling so far this summer. Easily the most talked about part of the tournament has been the actions of Tama Tonga and Bad Luck Fale, the two members of the Firing Squad entered into the tournament.
Yesterday, we reported that Twitter temporarily suspended Tama Tonga’s account. Tonga has a knack for handling trolls online and evidently, Twitter decided he needed a timeout for a little while. Once back, however, Tonga went looking for the person who turned him in. It wasn’t long until WWE’s “Big Dog” was centered on as a suspect.
Got the #Snitch. Your bark can’t seem to get OVER your Yard for me to hear you. My yard has no fences, come test your skills here anytime. “Jealousy is a bitch trait”- what album is that from? #RomanTheRatpic.twitter.com/VMTMKjlyNR
“Got the #Snitch. Your bark can’t seem to get OVER your Yard for me to hear you. My yard has no fences, come test your skills here anytime. “Jealousy is a bitch trait”- what album is that from? #RomanTheRat”
I actually doubled your lil videos views for you in like 4 hours. You should be thankful. Thanks for the laughs tho! ???? https://t.co/cfNXpUSSGd
“I actually doubled your lil videos views for you in like 4 hours. You should be thankful. Thanks for the laughs tho!”
Thanks for time keeping and view counting, must be looking for new material…writers gave up on you? If you need more laughs just continue fist cocking, it gets funnier every time. https://t.co/Nt5eR9PsOn
“Thanks for time keeping and view counting, must be looking for new material…writers gave up on you? If you need more laughs just continue fist cocking, it gets funnier every time.”
Tama Tonga and Bad Luck Fale in the G1 Climax 28
Disqualifications are rare in New Japan Pro Wrestling but they have happened multiple times in this year’s G1 tournament. Fale and Tonga, who are joined by Tanga Loa on the tour, have repeatedly used outside interference in their matches to the dismay of the live crowds.
As a result, they have only have 1 win between the two of them so far. Fale, in particular, has seemed to come into this tournament with an unsportsmanlike attitude.
Fale met Hangman Page on the first night of the tournament. It was the first match in the G1 between a member of rival Bullet Club factions. It didn’t take long for both Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa to interfere, however, resulting in a disqualification.
Tonga also got himself disqualified in his match against Kenny Omega.
Of all the things that happen on Twitter, the social media platform has decided Tama Tonga’s Tweets needed to be locked away for a little while. The founding member of Bullet Club has been temporarily suspended from the service.
Tama Tonga took to his Instagram account to reflect on the news.
It is not clear exactly what led to Tama Tonga getting suspended from Twitter. He had been handling internet trolls with some rather hilarious comebacks, however. It’s possible one of Tama Tonga’s Twitter troll victims filed a complaint.
Is Twitter Reacting To Tama Tonga’s Actions In the G1?
Tama Tonga and Bad Luck Fale have both been using interference and under-handed tactics in the G1 tournament this year. As a result of their tactics, neither has done well in the tournament thus far from a standings perspective.
Fale’s record is 1-3 and Tama Tonga is only 1-2 at this point. Tonga also dropped a match to Kenny Omega via disqualification. Had Tonga won the match with Omega he possibly could have qualified for a future IWGP Heavyweight title shot.
It appears title shots and points aren’t what the Bullet Club OGs are going for this tournament, however.
Kenny Omega defeated Tama Tonga on Saturday in NJPW’s G1 Climax 28. Tonga was disqualified after repeated interference and giving a cutter to the referee. This G1 has seen far more interference and run-ins than what is normally seen in the promotion.
According to comments Omega made after the match, he was upset at Tama for cheating but for different reasons than you might expect.
“I’m not mad that you cheated in this match,” Omega said backstage. “In fact, what I’m most mad at is that by using your friends, by using a DQ just to beat me up and leave me possibly with injury, you, my friend, have affected my average star-rating.”
The Bullet Club OGs/Firing Squad have been interfering in several matches and Bad Luck Fale has already been disqualified multiple times for his actions. On the first night of the tournament, the Firing Squad interfered early in Fale’s match with Hangman Page, who was making his debut in the tournament. The BCOGs constant cheating has been the talk of the G1 thus far.
Kenny Omega had the following to say when he got to the back after the match.
“Tama Tonga, nothing much has changed since last year, has it?” Omega said. “Last year, you yourself said the G1 didn’t mean anything. Clearly, the same is true. You don’t care about the 2 points, you don’t care about going to the finals, all you care about is making a statement that you and your boys care about each other. And oh boo f****ng hoo, there’s a group of people that are better than you that dream bigger.”
“I thought you were clever by implicating the use of your boys,” Omega continued. “But Tama, at the end of the day, it was still all to make a very immature point that blood is thicker than water.”
“Tama Tonga, all take these boys and their talent and what they bring to the table over whatever the hell it is you believe in.”
Yesterday, Tama Tonga and Kenny Omega met in the round-robin of the G1 Climax 28. Omega went into the match with a 2-0 record with victories over Tetsuya Naito and Hirooki Goto. Tonga went into the match 1-1, winning his first bout against Juice Robinson but dropping his next to SANADA.
A win for Tama Tonga likely would have led to an IWGP Heavyweight Championship opportunity for him and a big-time main event match for the Bullet Club civil war angle. It was not to be, however, as Tonga was disqualified after repeated interference by Tanga Loa and Bad Luck Fale.
Omega responded to the match result recently on Twitter.
I’m very indifferent about these 2 points, but I get it, I really do. You’re not trying to ruin it just me but for everyone. You won’t ruin it for Ibushi. Onward and upward. #g128
“I’m very indifferent about these 2 points, but I get it, I really do,” Omega Tweeted. “You’re not trying to ruin it just me but for everyone. You won’t ruin it for Ibushi. Onward and upward.”
Tama Tonga and Kota Ibushi will meet on August 8th, 2018.
Kenny Omega vs Tama Tonga
Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, Bad Luck Fale, King Haku, and HIKULEO (out with leg injury) currently comprise the Bullet Club “Firing Squad”. The Bullet Club sub-faction is still introduced in NJPW as the Bullet Club OGs, however.
Tama Tonga explained his actions in an interview shortly after the G1 Special in San Francisco.
“This has been a long time coming,” Tonga said to Sports Illustrated. “Kenny Omega started a subgroup, ‘The Elite,’ within Bullet Club. No one is the head of Bullet Club, no one ever has been, and we had a self-proclaimed leader focusing on his own ‘Super Kliq’ or whatever else nerd ass name it’s called. This war was sparked the moment ‘The Elite’ was formed.”
“We tried, over time, to give them the benefit of the doubt, but it kept getting worse,” he continued. “The ideals of Bullet Club working together, being a team, and watching each other’s backs was no longer what we stood for. We were a divided club. It was just too much to ignore.”
NJPW held a press conference today to promote the G1 Climax 28. The tournament gets started tomorrow.
One of the match-ups that everyone is looking forward to will take place on July 21st, 2018. On that night, Kenny Omega will face Tama Tonga.
Tonga was all confidence when he appeared at the G1 Climax 28 press conference today. He turned his attention to Omega shortly after he began speaking.
“You can just feel the tension right here!” Tonga said before turning to Omega (who was seated to the left of the podium). “Do you blame me for what I did?”
Bullet Club “Firing Squad” versus Bullet Club “the Elite”
“(Kenny Omega) shouldn’t be mad. He should be thanking me,” Tonga said. “I granted him his wish! I cut him away from Bullet Club so he can be the super-Kliq, no wait Golden Lovers, no wait, Golden.. whatever team he’s always wanted. Obviously, he’s never wanted to be Bullet Club. You can just tell that from the very beginning!”
With the Cody vs Omega rivalry over, it now looks as though this version of the Bullet Club civil war angle will play a key role in NJPW storylines.
“As for the G1,” Tonga continued. “I want (Kenny Omega) and he knows that. Everyone here knows that. This G1 I’ll show you how good I am.”
For his part, Omega chose not to comment on Tama Tonga or the Firing Squad. He simply promised the fans that he would put in a good performance at the tournament.
“I promise you, every match will be a best bout,” Omega said. “It will only be a race for a distant second place.”
Hangman Page vs Bad Luck Fale
While Omega vs Tonga might be the most anticipated match of the new rivalry, the first battle takes place tomorrow. The first match between the Elite and the Firing Squad will be between Hangman Page and Bad Luck Fale.
While Fale was not present for the Cow Palace attack, it’s been made clear since that he played a pivotal role in the planning. Fale also sent out the following Tweet which Page took offense to.
Fale then gave the same statement as his pre G1 speech during the press conference.
“Is there more to that?” Page asked Fale. “Is it F*** Me, is it F*** Kenny, is it F*** the Elite? Is that what you are trying to say? You’re not making it very clear, Fale. I guess we’ll find out tomorrow.”
