Posts Tagged ‘Tanga Loa’

The Bloodline’s Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa Won’t Be Guerillas of Destiny in WWE

Tanga Loa made his WWE debut at last weekend’s Backlash PLE from the LDLC Arena in Lyon, France. He reunited with his brother, Tama Tonga, as part of the new and improved Bloodline. 

We’ve received questions from readers about whether or lot they’ll be using their old team name from New Japan Pro Wrestling, the Guerrillas of Destiny. SEScoops has confirmed with multiple sources that Tanga Loa and Tama Tonga will not carry over the GoD name into WWE.

Before joining WWE, Tanga and Tonga reigned in New Japan Pro-Wrestling as the Guerrillas of Destiny and held the IWGP Tag Team Championship an impressive seven times 

We may see the name referenced in passing, there are no plans for them to use the name regularly or as part of any merchandise. A search of the US Patent & Trademark Office database shows no current owners for the  ‘Guerrillas of Destiny’ trademark.

Guerrillas of Destiny Trademark Search

Since Roman Reigns lost the WWE Undisputed World Title to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania XL, WWE fans have witnessed a significant transformation in the Bloodline. Loa’s arrival could further reshape the landscape.

WWE Backlash signaled a significant shift for the Bloodline with the introduction of a new, powerful tag team to the WWE Universe, led by Solo Sikoa in Roman Reigns’ absence. Although Paul Heyman may be leery about things, he is still following along. 

Tanga Loa Debuts At WWE Backlash As New Bloodline Member

Tanga Loa debuted as the newest member of Roman Reigns’ stable during WWE’s Backlash event in France. The Guerrillas of Destiny are now a part of the Bloodline.

Kevin Owens and Randy Orton took on Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga in the opening match of Backlash. They started the tag team match with chaos, which led SmackDown GM Nick Aldis to declare the contest a No DQ match. During the closing moments, Tanga Loa showed up to make his mark.

Loa’s unexpected debut helped the Bloodline secure a victory. Paul Heyman stood alongside the celebrating stable, but he didn’t have the most confident look on his face.

His appearance was a surprise since there were no prior reports of him signing a deal with WWE. Jacob Fatu has also signed a new deal, and it remains to be seen how he will be integrated into the storyline.

Who is Tanga Loa

Real name Tevita Tu’amoeloa Fetaiakimoeata Fifita, Tanga Loa comes from a prominent wrestling family. He is the son of Haku and the brother of Tama Tonga and Hikuleo.

Guerrillas of dDestiny

Before his WWE debut, Tanga achieved significant success in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He won the IWGP Tag Team Championship seven times alongside Tama Tonga. So, the two have already done a ton prior to Loa’s Backlash debut.

Additionally, Loa captured the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship three times; twice with Bad Luck Fale and Tama Tonga, and once with Taiji Ishimori and Tama Tonga.

The Bloodline’s new incarnation added a seasoned tag team to the mix with Tanga and Tama. Jimmy Uso was ejected from the stable following WrestleMania XL, and it was later revealed that he suffered an injury that required surgery and a long wait until his return to the ring.

Roman Reigns still has a huge hand in the Bloodline’s creative direction, even though his absence. He is still setting the stage for the head of the table’s return, whenever that comes around. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad0wmhhHNLk

G1 Climax 31 Results (Sept. 18): Shingo Takagi vs. Tomohiro Ishii

The first night of the G1 Climax tournament has come to an end.

Night one was held inside Edion Arena in Osaka on Sept. 18. The card was headlined by an A block match between IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shingo Takagi and Tomohiro Ishii. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Tetsuya Naito served as the co-main event.

In total, there were five A block matches and one non-G1 Climax match. The non-tournament match was SHO going up against Young Lion Ryohei Owia. The other A block matches were KENTA vs. Toru Yano, Great-O-Khan vs. Tanga Loa, and Kota Ibushi vs. Yujiro Takahashi.

Here are the full results from night one of the G1 Climax 31.

  • SHO def. Ryohei Owia – non-G1 Climax match
  • Yujiro Takahashi def. Kota Ibushi
  • Great-O-Khan def. Tanga Loa
  • Toru Yano def. KENTA
  • Zack Sabre Jr. def. Tetsuya Naito
  • Shingo Takagi def. Tomohiro Ishii

Here are some highlights of the matches.

SHO vs. Ryohei Owia

Yujiro Takahashi vs. Kota Ibushi

Great-O-Khan vs. Tanga Loa

Toru Yano vs. KENTA

Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Tetsuya Naito

Shingo Takagi vs. Tomohiro Ishii

NJPW Strong to Premiere Friday, August 7th on NJPW World

Today, New Japan Pro-Wrestling released a video announcement made by NJPW of America CEO, Takami Obari. He discussed how NJPW wrestlers based in the United States are not currently able to travel to Japan to partake in NJPW events.

In the meantime, NJPW Strong will be a weekly show on NJPW World. Obari mentions that it’s difficult for US-based wrestlers to compete in Japan. Starting Friday, at 10PM Eastern, NJPW Strong will be presented on NJPW World.

It will begin with New Japan Cup USA 2020, an eight-man single elimination tournament, and the winner will be eligible to challenge for the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship, currently held by Jon Moxley, at a later date.

The first round matches are as follows, and are scheduled for the premier episode on August 7th.

August 7th: New Japan Cup USA First Round

  • Karl Fredericks vs. KENTA
  • Jeff Cobb vs. Tanga Loa
  • David Finlay vs. Chase Owens
  • Brody King vs. Tama Tonga

August 14th: New Japan Cup USA Semifinals

  • Two semifinal matches

August 21st: New Japan Cup USA Final

  • Final match

Tanga Loa On Bullet Club Splitting from The Elite

Tanga Loa who is part of Bullet Club recently talked about The Elite’s departure from the stable in an interview.

Tanga Loa has seen the faction go through a lot of changes and transitions. A member for more than five years, the 6-time IWGP Tag Team Champion talked about the major change that happened in Bullet Club.

Subgroup The Elite – comprising of The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson), Kenny Omega, Cody Rhodes, Marty Scurll and Hangman Page – officially left Bullet Club at the G1 Special in San Francisco in 2018.

The split was inevitable as The Elite had become separated from the identity of Bullet Club, according to Tanga Loa. He said that it had become necessary to establish what the faction meant to them and where they wanted it to go.

“One, I think you could see fans could see there was a real difference in the Bullet Club at that time, and Kenny [Omega] and The Bucks are amazing talents, and then Cody of course, was a part of Bullet Club at that time too. Marty [Scurll] was too, and I think when two of the members, the original members of Bullet Club feel like the club is not holding on to its roots, the tradition, that mindset of what started Bullet Club, I think they felt it necessary to pump the brakes and establish what it meant to be a part of Bullet Club, and San Francisco, I think was that point where we had to draw the line in the sand,” Tanga Loa told POST Wrestling.

After the departure of The Elite, Bullet Club is under the leadership of Jay White, who joined in October 2018. Tanga Loa has been with the faction since March 2016.

Bullet Club will be hosting Bullet Club Beach Party during WrestleMania 36 weekend in Tampa, Florida. The event is set to take place on April 4 at Whiskey Joe’s and many names from the pro wrestling world will be present. You can find more information about the event and ticketing here.

Tama Tonga Talks Bullet Club Beach Party WrestleMania Weekend

NJPW Announces New Japan Cup 2020 First Round Matches

New Japan Pro-Wrestling has announced the lineup for the first round of their annual springtime single-elimination tournament, the New Japan Cup.

NJPW has confirmed that the winner of the New Japan Cup 2020 will challenge Tetsuya Naito for his IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships at Sakura Genesis on March 31st. All days of the New Japan Cup 2020 will be broadcasted live on NJPW World with an English commentary option.

Similar to last year, the field will consist of 32 NJPW wrestlers. The first round will take place over four events on March 4, 7, 8, and 9. The second round will take place over four events as well, on March 10, 12, 13, and 14. The quarter-finals will be held over three events on March 16, 17, and 18. Finally, the semi-finals will take place on March 20th, with the final match to decide the New Japan Cup winner on March 21st.

In the 2019 New Japan Cup, Kazuchika Okada took victory against SANADA in the final, and used the victory to challenge Jay White for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. He would go on to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at the G1 Supercard event at Madison Square Garden during WrestleMania weekend.

Day 1: Round 1 (March 4)

  • Togi Makabe vs. Jeff Cobb
  • Toru Yano vs. Chase Owens
  • Colt Cabana vs. Bad Luck Fale
  • Tomohiro Ishii vs. Toa Henare

Day 2: Round 1 (March 7)

  • David Finlay vs. Tanga Loa
  • Juice Robinson vs. Alex Coughlin
  • Yuji Nagata vs. Minoru Suzuki
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Jay White

Day 3: Round 1 (March 8)

  • Mikey Nicholls vs. SANADA
  • Will Ospreay vs. Shingo Takagi
  • Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Taichi

Day 4: Round 1 (March 9)

  • Hirooki Goto vs. Yujiro Takahashi
  • Karl Fredericks vs. KENTA
  • Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. YOSHI-HASHI
  • Satoshi Kojima vs. EVIL

Ibushi and Tanahashi win IWGP Tag Team Championships

Today, New Japan Pro-Wrestling held their New Japan Road event at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. In the main event, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi won the IWGP Tag Team Championships from the champions, the Guerrillas of Destiny, Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa. The match ended when Hiroshi Tanahashi pinned Tama Tonga after a High Fly Flow, and lasted 20 minutes and 10 seconds.

Following the main event, Suzuki-Gun members Zack Sabre Jr. and Taichi, who have dubbed themselves as a tag team named “Dangerous Tekkers,” attacked the new champions, and proposed that they would be the first challengers.

The Guerrillas of Destiny’s reign lasted a mere 20 days with zero successful defenses, following winning the championships from Juice Robinson and David Finlay at a New Beginning USA show in Atlanta, Georgia.

This is Kota Ibushi’s first time as an IWGP Tag Team Champion. However, Hiroshi Tanahashi has already been the IWGP Tag Team Champion on two previous occasions in 2003 and 2004. His partners were Yutaka Yoshie and Shinsuke Nakamura, respectively.

The New Japan Road event can be watched on NJPW World with English commentary.

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14 Day 1 Coverage and Results

New Japan Pro-Wrestling is kicking off 2020 with their biggest event of the new year, Wrestle Kingdom 14. For the first time ever, Wrestle Kingdom will be a two-day event, with shows in the Tokyo Dome on January 4th and 5th. This event will be available to watch on their live streaming service, NJPW World, as well as Fite TV. Both platforms enable a choice between English or Japanese language commentary.

Pre-show start times are the following. The main show starts one hour after the listed time. Note that the dark match will start at the listed time, but it will not be live streamed, so the live stream will begin after the first match ends.

  • Pacific USA: January 3rd, 11PM
  • Eastern USA: January 4th, 2AM
  • UK: January 4th, 7AM
  • Japan: January 4th, 4PM
  • East Australia: January 4th, 6PM

Stream Links

Wrestle Kingdom 14 Day 1 Card

(Dark Match) STARDOM Women’s Wrestling Exhibition Match: Mayu Iwatani & Arisa Hoshiki def. Hana Kimura & Giulia
This match was not aired on NJPW World or televised, due to television airing conflicts. Mayu Iwatani pinned Hana Kimura after a dragon suplex and a moonsault.

Pre-Show Eight Man Tag Team Match: Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Yota Tsuji & Yuya Uemura vs. Toa Henare, Clark Connors, Karl Fredericks & Alex Coughlin
This was the first broadcasted match of the WK14 pre-show. The young lions from both teams looked motivated to perform in front of the Wrestle Kingdom crowd, and were working stiffly, especially Yota Tsuji against Toa Henare. The match was fairly brief but worked at a fast clip and the crowd was loud for it. Toa Henare pinned Yota Tsuji with the Toa Bottom. (7:36)

Pre-Show Tag Team Match: TenKoji (Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan) def. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi
It was interesting to see these once-main eventers now working a pre-show match, but probably preferable to having them still main event given their varying states of physical condition. Kojima went for his signature top rope elbow drop but Nakanishi threw him to the mat. Nakanishi put him in a torture rack, but Kojima got out of it and hit a lariat for the pinfall victory. (5:47)

Jushin Thunder Liger Retirement Match I: Naoki Sano, Shinjiro Otani, Tatsuhito Takaiwa & Ryusuke Taguchi def. Jushin Thunder Liger, Tatsumi Fujinami, The Great Sasuke & Tiger Mask IV
Kero Tanaka, the NJPW ring announcer from the 1990s, was here to announce the entrants for this match. Norio Honaga, one of Liger’s rivals from that same period, was the special guest referee as well. Most of the men in the match were clearly in the twilight years of their athletic ability, but they tried their best to pull off the spots they were remembered for decades ago, such as Sano’s dive through the ropes, Otani’s facewash, and Fujinami’s dragon screws and dragon sleeper. It was a very heartfelt match, despite the age showing, or perhaps because of the age showing, as it exemplified the effort these men were putting in for Liger’s sake. Ryusuke Taguchi pinned Liger with the Dodon. Afterwards, Liger’s team hoisted him up and celebrated as his music played. Jushin Thunder Liger’s last ever match is tomorrow. (8:52)

Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr., Taichi & El Desperado) def. Los Ingobernables de Japon (SANADA, EVIL, Shingo Takagi & BUSHI)
Notably, the Suzuki-gun team entered to Zack Sabre Jr.’s music, even though Minoru Suzuki is usually considered the faction leader. Zack defends his Revolution Pro British Heavyweight Championship against SANADA tomorrow, and the match was centered around those two. The other wrestlers will be participating in the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship gauntlet match tomorrow, with the exception of Minoru Suzuki, who does not have a match tomorrow. Hard-hitting exchanges between Shingo and Taichi were the arguable highlight for this match. Shingo was exceptional at playing to the Dome audience, despite it being only his second time wrestling for an audience of this size. Zack Sabre Jr. locked a Jim Breaks Armbar on BUSHI to get the submission victory.

CHAOS (Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & YOSHI-HASHI) def. Bullet Club (KENTA, Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi)
KENTA is defending the NEVER Openweight Championship against Hirooki Goto, while the rest of the participants are participating in the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship gauntlet match. Highlights of this match were Toru Yano trying to outpower Bad Luck Fale, whose “Ready for War” t-shirt may be unsavory considering current events, and Goto easily overpowering KENTA, but using Bullet Club’s help to even the odds, and Ishii suplexing Fale. Goto hit the Ushigoroshi and GTR to pin Yujiro for the win, but will he win tomorrow?

IWGP Tag Team Championship Match: FinJuice (Juice Robinson & David Finlay) def. Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) (c)
Juice and Finlay bravely stood outside the ring and tried to attack the Guerrillas of Destiny before the match began, but it backfired on them, leaving Juice laying after taking a painful-looking back body drop on the ramp. From there, G.o.D. dominated the early going, befitting of the fifth most dominant IWGP Tag Team Champions of all time, but they may have played with their food a bit too much. They hit the Magic Killer on Finlay but he kicked out of it, only to hit another for Juice to break up the pin, and receive a Magic Killer of his own for his trouble. G.o.D set up the top rope power bomb, but Finlay reversed it. Juice hit a punch to knock out Jado on the ring apron, enabling David Finlay to hit the Acid Drop on Tama Tonga. Juice Robinson and David Finlay are the new IWGP Tag Team Champions! G.o.D.’s reign ended at 312 days and 7 successful defenses.

IWGP US Heavyweight Championship Texas Deathmatch: Jon Moxley def. Lance Archer (c)
Jon Moxley came out wearing jeans, as is customary for a match with a hardcore stipulation, whereas Archer was wearing a leather jumpsuit and brandishing spray-painted trash can lids. Lots of weapons were used in this match, including a gnarly shot to Archer’s head with said trash can lid, and a suplex through chairs. Archer dived over the top rope and chokeslammed a young lion onto Moxley. A reverse crucifix powerbomb onto four chairs put Moxley down for a count of 8, but Moxley managed to trap Archer with an armbar. Archer put the EBD Claw on Moxley with a plastic bag on his hand, but Moxley was not defeated yet. Lance Archer set up two tables outside the ring, but he paid for it, as Moxley hit a Death Rider from the apron, putting them both through the two tables. Moxley was able to recover before the count of ten, but Archer could not. Jon Moxley wins back the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship that he never lost in a match to begin with. After the match, he said that he would settle the score with Juice Robinson. (14:26)

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Match: Hiromu Takahashi def. Will Ospreay (c)
Both men in this match put a lot of effort into their entrance outfits, with Ospreay having a white tiger’s head on his shoulder and Hiromu resembling a peacock more than a wrestler. As the match began, it looked like Ospreay was a step ahead of Hiromu at every turn, blocking his moves and stuffing his attempt at the apron sunset flip powerbomb. Ospreay made an effort to focus his offense on Hiromu’s head and neck, with this being his first major match since breaking his neck in July 2018. Arguably the highlight of this match was Ospreay going for the Sasuke Special and missing it, only to have Hiromu throw him through the ropes, after which he finally hit the move in one fluid motion. Ospreay hit the Oscutter for a near fall, and went for the hidden blade once again but missed, then being felled by a pop-up powerbomb. Hiromu hit another Canadian destroyer, but Ospreay blocked the Time Bomb. Ospreay finally hit the hidden blade, but Hiromu blocked the Stormbreaker to hit another Canadian destroyer, followed by the Time Bomb, but Ospreay kicked out of it. Hiromu hit a sliding forearm followed by a move that I can’t describe to finally get the victory. Hiromu Takahashi becomes the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.

IWGP Intercontinental Championship Match: Tetsuya Naito def. Jay White (c)
As Jay White bailed from the ring to start the match, Naito left as well to grab Gedo by his beard, which the audience enjoyed. Nevertheless, Gedo was there to hold onto Naito for brief moments, enabling White to take advantage. White was incredibly smug in this match, showboating and gloating to the crowd when he wasn’t working over Naito’s knees or his neck. Naito was able to outsmart Jay at times to take control back, and the crowd was almost entirely with him. Naito was able to reverse White’s offense at times, but his damaged knee slowed him down at times, which White capitalized on. White locked in the same leglock that submitted Tanahashi to win him the IWGP Heavyweight Championship last February, but Naito made it to the ropes, garnering a thunderous ovation. Naito managed a rolling kick into a pop-up spinebuster to make a labored but effective comeback. Naito spat in his face and then hit a top rope Frankensteiner, followed by the Gloria for a near fall. Gedo tried to hit Naito with a chair, but Naito stopped him with a kick to the groin, but left an opening for White to hit him with a chair. White followed up with sleeper suplexes, but Naito hit a flash Destino that he was too tired to capitalize on, followed by a reverse rana and another running Destino. White went for the Blade Runner, but Naito blocked it and hit a final Destino for the pinfall victory. Tetsuya Naito wins the IWGP Intercontinental Championship for the fifth time, an accolade only matched by Shinsuke Nakamura. (33:54)

IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match: Kazuchika Okada (c) def. Kota Ibushi
Kota Ibushi’s entrance music was slightly remixed, but Okada’s entrance was so over-the-top it has to be seen to be understood, but it included a white, glow-in-the-dark robe. Underestimating Ibushi, Okada attempted his first Rainmaker mere minutes into the match, but Ibushi dodged it easily. Ibushi never really seemed to intimidate Okada, who invited him to hit Okada harder. Okada locked in the Red Ink submission but Ibushi got his hand on the bottom rope to break the hold. Okada signaled the Rainmaker coming with his trademark pose, but Ibushi flattened him with a dudebuster and a double footstomp on his chest, followed by a triangle moonsault outside the ring and a missile dropkick off the ropes. Okada landed uppercuts and slaps on Ibushi, but Ibushi stood still and retaliated, even standing up after a front dropkick. Ibushi laid into a fallen Okada with strikes as the crowd began to boo him. Ibushi tried to throw Okada into the ring post from the apron, but Okada countered and hit an apron tombstone piledriver. Ibushi laid outside the ring until nearly getting counted out, only for Okada to pounce on him as he finally entered the ring. Ibushi countered with an incredible lariat and blocked Okada’s Rainmaker with another huge lariat of his own. Ibushi hit the Kamigoye but Okada barely kicked out of it, and gave him a dropkick when Ibushi attempted another. Okada attempted a missle dropkick, but Ibushi countered it into a sitout powerbomb. Ibushi went for a phoenix splash, but missed, leaving Okada the opening to hit the Rainmaker, which Ibushi kicked out of. Okada kept the pressure on and hit another piledriver followed by the Rainmaker for the win. Kazuchika Okada retains the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. (39:16)

After the match, Tetsuya Naito entered the ring to confront Okada. They posed with their respective championships, and Naito left peacefully, as Okada cut a go-home promo to end Day 1 of Wrestle Kingdom 14.

NJPW World Tag League 2019 Teams, Schedule Released

New Japan Pro-Wrestling has just announced details for 2019 edition of their annual heavyweight tag team tournament, the World Tag League.

The last major tour of the NJPW calendar, this tournament determines IWGP Tag Team Championship challengers for the following year’s Wrestle Kingdom.

This year’s World Tag League will have a single block with sixteen teams. Over the seventeen day tournament, each team will compete against each other, earning 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw.

All matches will have a 30-minute time limit. Los Ingobernables de Japon’s EVIL and SANADA have won the World Tag League for the past two years.

World Tag League 2019 Teams

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare
  • Juice Robinson & David Finlay
  • Toru Yano & Colt Cabana
  • CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI)
  • Hirooki Goto & Karl Fredericks
  • Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi
  • Jeff Cobb & Mikey Nicholls
  • Los Ingobernables de Japon (EVIL & SANADA)
  • Los Ingobernables (Shingo Takagi & El Terrible)
  • TenKoji (Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan)
  • Great Bash Heel (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma)
  • Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa)
  • Suzukigun (Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi)
  • Suzukigun (Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer)
  • Bullet Club (Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale)
  • Bullet Club (KENTA & Yujiro Takahashi)

World Tag League 2019 Schedule

November 16 Live on NJPW World

  • Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Hirooki Goto & Karl Fredericks
  • Toru Yano & Colt Cabana vs. Jeff Cobb & Mikey Nicholls
  • Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Shingo Takagi & El Terrible
  • Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. KENTA & Yujiro Takahashi
  • Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer vs. Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare vs. Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma
  • Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi

November 17 Live on NJPW World

  • Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Juice Robinson & David Finlay
  • Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare vs. Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale
  • Hirooki Goto & Karl Fredericks vs. KENTA & Yujiro Takahashi
  • Toru Yano & Colt Cabana vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
  • Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Jeff Cobb & Mikey Nicholls
  • Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi
  • EVIL & SANADA vs. Shingo Takagi & El Terrible

November 18 Live on NJPW World

  • Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Hirooki Goto & Karl Fredericks
  • Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Jeff Cobb & Mikey Nicholls
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare vs. Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan
  • Toru Yano & Colt Cabana vs. Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer
  • KENTA & Yujiro Takahashi vs. Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale
  • Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Shingo Takagi & El Terrible
  • Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi

November 19 VOD Only

  • Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Hirooki Goto & Karl Fredericks
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare vs. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi
  • Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Juice Robinson & David Finlay
  • Shingo Takagi & El Terrible vs. Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale
  • Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Toru Yano & Colt Cabana
  • Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
  • Jeff Cobb & Mikey Nicholls vs. EVIL & SANADA

November 21 VOD Only

  • Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Hirooki Goto & Karl Fredericks
  • Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan
  • Jeff Cobb & Mikey Nicholls vs. Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare vs. Juice Robinson & David Finlay
  • Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa vs. KENTA & Yujiro Takahashi
  • EVIL & SANADA vs. Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale
  • Shingo Takagi & El Terrible vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi

November 23 VOD Only

  • Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Jeff Cobb & Mikey Nicholls
  • Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. EVIL & SANADA
  • Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Toru Yano & Colt Cabana
  • Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi vs. KENTA & Yujiro Takahashi
  • Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Shingo Takagi & El Terrible
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare vs. Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI
  • Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa

November 24 VOD Only

  • Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer
  • Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare vs. Toru Yano & Colt Cabana
  • Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI
  • Shingo Takagi & El Terrible vs. KENTA & Yujiro Takahashi
  • Jeff Cobb & Mikey Nicholls vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi
  • EVIL & SANADA vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa

November 25 VOD Only

  • Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Toru Yano & Colt Cabana
  • Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Juice Robinson & David Finlay
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare vs. Jeff Cobb & Mikey Nicholls
  • Shingo Takagi & El Terrible vs. Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer
  • Hirooki Goto & Karl Fredericks vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
  • Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI
  • EVIL & SANADA vs. KENTA & Yujiro Takahashi

November 27 VOD Only

  • Hirooki Goto & Karl Fredericks vs. Shingo Takagi & El Terrible
  • Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI
  • Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer
  • Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Jeff Cobb & Mikey Nicholls
  • Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi
  • Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa vs. Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale
  • Toru Yano & Colt Cabana vs. EVIL & SANADA

November 28 Live on NJPW World

  • Hirooki Goto & Karl Fredericks vs. Toru Yano & Colt Cabana
  • Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale
  • Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. KENTA & Yujiro Takahashi
  • Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare vs. Shingo Takagi & El Terrible
  • Jeff Cobb & Mikey Nicholls vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
  • EVIL & SANADA vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi

November 29 Live on NJPW World

  • Hirooki Goto & Karl Fredericks vs. Jeff Cobb & Mikey Nicholls
  • Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Toru Yano & Colt Cabana
  • Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi
  • Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare vs. KENTA & Yujiro Takahashi
  • Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
  • Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI vs. EVIL & SANADA

December 1 December NJPW World Schedule TBA

  • Hirooki Goto & Karl Fredericks vs. Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer
  • Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi
  • Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Jeff Cobb & Mikey Nicholls
  • Toru Yano & Colt Cabana vs. Shingo Takagi & El Terrible
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare vs. EVIL & SANADA
  • Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI vs. KENTA & Yujiro Takahashi
  • Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa

December 2 December NJPW World Schedule TBA

  • Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Shingo Takagi & El Terrible
  • Jeff Cobb & Mikey Nicholls vs. Chase owens & Bad Luck Fale
  • Toru Yano & Colt Cabana vs. KENTA & Yujiro Takahashi
  • Hirooki Goto & Karl Fredericks vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
  • EVIL & SANADA vs. Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer
  • Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI

December 3 December NJPW World Schedule TBA

  • Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi
  • Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Toru Yano & Colt Cabana
  • Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. KENTA & Yujiro Takahashi
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare vs. Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer
  • Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale
  • Hirooki Goto & Karl Fredericks vs. EVIL & SANADA
  • Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa

December 5 December NJPW World Schedule TBA

  • Hirooki Goto & Karl Fredericks vs. Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI
  • Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale
  • Jeff Cobb & Mikey Nicholls vs. KENTA & Yujiro Takahashi
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi
  • Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. EVIL & SANADA
  • Shingo Takagi & El Terrible vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
  • Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer

December 6 December NJPW World Schedule TBA

  • Hirooki Goto & Karl Fredericks vs. Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale
  • Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Shingo Takagi & El Terrible
  • Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
  • Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. EVIL & SANADA
  • Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. KENTA & Yujiro Takahashi
  • Toru Yano & Colt Cabana vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi
  • Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer

December 8 December NJPW World Schedule TBA

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare vs. Hirooki Goto & Karl Fredericks
  • Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi
  • Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. EVIL & SANADA
  • Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
  • Toru Yano & Colt Cabana vs. Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale
  • Jeff Cobb & Mikey Nicholls vs. Shingo Takagi & El Terrible
  • Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer vs. KENTA & Yujiro Takahashi

The match order for the final day on December 8 will be decided based on team standings as of the final day. There is no specific Final match to determine the winners. A de facto final match will be determined based on the highest ranking teams going into the final day.

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Title Match Added To Destruction In Beppu

Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa will look to defend their IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team championships on September 15th against YOSHI-HASHI and Tomohiro Ishii. The match was made official today at a Road to Destruction event from Korakuen Hall after Ishii, Hashi, and Rocky Romero defeated the Guerrillas of Destiny and Jado.

The NJPW Destruction tour includes 3 big events on the 15th, 16th, and 22nd. The lineups for those shows are below:

Destruction in Beppu Lineup – September 15th, 2019

  • Young Lions Cup League
    Shota Umino vs Alex Coughlin
  • Young Lions Cup League
    Yota Tsuji vs Karl Fredericks
  • Yuha Uemura, Ren Narita, Ryusuke Taguchi, & Yuji Nagata vs Michael Richards, Clark Connors, Toa Henare, & Manabu Nakanishi
  • Sho, Yoh, & Jushin Liger vs Douki, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, & Minoru Suzuki
  • Robbie Eagles, Will Ospreay, Tomoaki Honma, Togi Makabe, & Kota Ibushi vs El Phantasmo, Taiji Ishimori, Yujiro Takahashi, Bad Luck Fale, & KENTA
  • Rocky Romero, Hirooki Goto, & Kazuchika Okada vs BUSHI, Shingo Takagi, & SANADA
  • EVIL & Tetsuya Naito vs Chase Owens & Jay White
  • IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships
    Guerillas of Destiny (c) vs YOSHI-HASHI & Tomohiro Ishii
  • British Heavyweight Championship
    Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs Zack Sabre Jr.

NJPW Destruction in Kagoshima Lineup – September 16th, 2019

  • Young Lions Cup League
    Ren Narita vs Michael Richards
  • Young Lions Cup League
    Yuya Uemura vs Clark Connors
  • Ren Narita, Shota Umino, Ryusuke Taguchi, & Yuji Nagata vs Alex Coughlin, Karl Fredericks, Toa Henare, & Manabu Nakanishi
  • Sho, Yoh, YOSHI-HASHI, & Tomohiro Ishii vs Chase Owens, Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga, & Tanga Loa
  • Jushin Liger, Tomoaki Honma, Togi Makabe, & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Douki, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Minoru Suzuki & Zack Sabre Jr.
  • Rocky Romero, Hirooki Goto, & Kazuchika Okada vs BUSHI, Shingo Takagi, & SANADA
  • EVIL & Tetsuya Naito vs Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships
    Robbie Eagles & Will Ospreay vs El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori
  • IWGP Heavyweight Championship Right To Challenge Contract
    Kota Ibushi (contract holder) vs KENTA (challenger)

NJPW Destruction in Kobe – September 22nd, 2019

  • Yuya Uemura, Yota Tshuji, & Yuji Nagata vs Michael Richards, Alex Coughlin, & Manabu Nakanishi
  • Young Lions Cup League:
  • Shota Umino vs Karl Fredericks
  • Young Lions Cup League:
    Ren Narita vs Clark Connors
  • Toa Henare, Tomoaki Honma, & Togi Makabe vs Chase Owens, Yujiro Takahashi, & Bad Luck Fale
  • Rocky Romero, Tiger Mask, Jushin Liger, & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Douki, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre jr.
  • Robbie Eagles, Will Ospreay, YOSHI-Hashi, Tomohiro Ishii, & Kota Ibushi vs El Phantasmo, Taiji Ishimori, Yujiro Takahashi, Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & KENTA
  • IWGP Intercontinental Championship
    Tetsuya Naito (c) vs Jay White

Tag Team Title vs Title Match Booked For G1 Supercard From MSG

When ROH and NJPW present the G1 Supercard from MSG on April 6th, the tag champs from each promotion will clash against each other. The Guerilla of Destiny will put up their titles against the Briscoes’ titles in front of a soldout Madison Square Garden.

The match came together yesterday on night 2 of ROH’s Honor Rising shows from Korakuen Hall.

Guerillas of Destiny vs The Briscoes – Title vs Title – G1 Supercard From MSG

On night 1 of Honor Rising, the Briscoes and Guerillas of Destiny teamed together. The two teams don’t get along, however, and ended up coming to blows after the match. The two teams do have history together. The Briscoes defeated GoD to win the IWGP heavyweight tag titles at Dominion in 2016. GoD took the titles back just 4 months later at King of Pro Wrestling 2016, however.

In the semi-main event of Honor Rising night 2, Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa defeated Evil & Sanada to regain the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships for the 5th time. In the main event, the Briscoes defeated Juice Robinson & Dave Finlay to retain the ROH Tag Team Championships. Following the Briscoes defeat of Fin Juice, the Tongans hit the ring and challenged the Briscoes to a match at the G1 Supercard from Madison Square Garden.

The Firing Squad To Challenge The Young Bucks in Long Beach, Confirm New Member

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.

Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa vs the Young Bucks

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.

The Firing Squad Confirm New Member

https://twitter.com/MrGinoGambino/status/1030651062674280448

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.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmsP-q0guRM/?hl=en&taken-by=mrginogambino

Bullet Club Firing Squad Win 6-Man Titles At G1 Climax 28 Final

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:

To which Tama Tonga offered up:

Bad Luck Fale chimed in as well:

Bad Luck Fale defeated Toa Henare earlier in the show.

It’s generally been an active day on social media for the Bullet Club OGs:

NJPW Bans English-Language Swearing, Additional New Rules Implemented

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.

NJPW To Impose New Rules Due To Tama Tonga’s Actions

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.

Tama Tonga and Bad Luck Fale In The G1 Climax 28

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.

Tongan Bullet Club Faction Attack Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks

Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and their father King Haku attacked Kenny Omega tonight following his victory over Cody in the Cow Palace. The G1 Special in San Francisco appeared to be over as Bullet Club celebrated in the ring but suddenly Tama Tonga attacked Omega from behind.

Even their allies in Bullet Club, Chase Owens, and Yujiro Takahashi were attacked by the Guerillas of Destiny. Cody finally came out and Tama handed him a chair to hit Omega with. Cody motioned as if to hit Omega but then tried to take out the Tongans instead. They eventually cut him off and Tama gave him a cutter. Haku then gave Cody a piledriver on a chair.

The trio left the ring area as Tanga Loa stated they are the real Bullet Club into the camera. Jim Ross speculated as to where Bad Luck Fale stands in this, as he is likely aligned with the Tongans as well. Fale is their cousin and Fale and Tonga are 2 of the 4 original Bullet Club members.

After the Tongans cleared, Cody, Omega, and the Bucks hugged it out in the ring and showed they’re solidified again. With that, the Cody vs Kenny storyline is over and it will be the Elite against the Tongan faction.

Screenshot 2018 07 08 00.25.24 e1531024204831

Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and Haku

There had been dropped hints of Tama Tonga’s dissension with Kenny Omega, the Young Bucks, and referring to themselves as “the Elite”. Tanga Loa made it clear into the camera tonight that they had no leader and that everyone is equal. Despite this, JR and Barnett speculated that Haku was the mastermind behind the attack.

Kenny Omega and Tama Tonga will meet on Saturday, July 21st, 2018 in the G1.