New Japan Pro Wrestling
World Tag League 2018 Night 12
December 2, 2018
Osaka Prefectural Gym #2
Osaka, Japan

Watch: NJPW World

WORLD TAG LEAGUE 2018 MATCH
Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. (12) Def. Shota Umino & Ayato Yoshida (0)

This was a mauling by K.E.S. They took probably 90% of this match and it was 4 minutes long, so at least it was different to the previous 8 Young Lion league matches. Wasn’t anything special though. **1/4

WORLD TAG LEAGUE 2018 MATCH
EVIL & SANADA (14) Def. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi (2)

Not even with EVIL & SANADA could this really keep much of my interest. I mean, there was nothing bad but Nakanishi is so slow, it’s like watching paint dry. **1/2

WORLD TAG LEAGUE 2018 MATCH
Juice Robinson & David Finlay (12) Def. Hangman Page & Yujiro Takahashi (6)

A good match, but a bit underwhelming considering these have been two of the more entertaining teams of this tour so far. Surprisingly short, only going around 7 minutes and even more surprisingly, Hangman took the pin. ***

WORLD TAG LEAGUE 2018 MATCH
Togi Makabe & Toa Henare (8) Def. Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka (8)

Argh, this was so mediocre. Actually, this was below mediocre. This has left my memory banks, lucky I wrote down these notes and rating. **1/4

WORLD TAG LEAGUE 2018 MATCH
Michael Elgin & Jeff Cobb (10) Def. Beretta & Chuckie T (10)

I suppose this was the best match of the night. Even before Chuckie started smacking Elgin with a chair. Yes, the Chuckie angle continues and it’s actually interesting. This was pretty much a carbon copy of the night 10 angle, with Chuckie getting hit in the head then losing his mind and causing the disqualification, the wrinkle this time was that instead of Chuckie hitting Beretta he gave him a hug instead. ***1/4

WORLD TAG LEAGUE 2018 MATCH
Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano (14) Def. Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan (6)

Um, this was good…I guess. The ref distraction -> low blow -> clothesline -> roll up finish is kind of stale. It is pleasantly surprising to see Ishii (and Yano) at the top of the table with four matches to go in the tournament. ***

WORLD TAG LEAGUE 2018 MATCH
Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa (14) Def. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi (10)

Good match, nothing special. Zack and Taichi actually play pretty entertaining babyfaces. This show has drained my energy. ***

Jay White, Taiji Ishimori, Bad Luck Fale & Gedo Def. Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, KUSHIDA & Rocky Romero

Oh my gosh has this main event been underwhelming all three nights its been on, the finish has also been exactly the same. There are bits and pieces of these matches that make me look forward to the Okada/White Wrestle Kingdom match but as a whole, it hasn’t done a heap for my anticipation for that match. Speaking of Wrestle Kingdom, I know the Ishimori/KUSHIDA match will be really good but right now it’s the match I care least about so far. ***1/4

Final Thoughts

Abort, Abort! Do not watch this show! The matches were boring, the crowd was uncharacteristically quiet and it was just a pain to get through. I have to be honest; I don’t care that much about the Okada/Tana team up, I got into New Japan when Tana was already well and truly the ace and just don’t really have that love and affinity for him that a lot of longer-term fans have. Just bring back the LIJ multi-mans, I miss Naito.