The team of Okada/Tana/Ishii has had some terrific matches for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship, most recently their successful defense last week against MCMG & Josh Alexander.

11 comments

1. I don’t know if it’s the Okada/Tanahashi effect, but I’ve enjoyed this NEVER 6 Man title reign. It’s the most invested I’ve been in them since the run with Bishamon and Ishii.

   At first, I thought Strong Style should’ve held onto the titles a little longer because I liked what they were building there, but then we wouldn’t have gotten these great matches against BCC and the MCMG Team. I wonder who finally ends the reign.

2. Would really love a match with Alex, Gabe and Clark. Would make a ton of sense thematically

3. New Japan Dads erasure you hate to see it

4. It really goes to show you that with a bit more effort and basically 3 of the best wrestlers in a trio. The belts have been elevated far more than we expected.

5. Okada going from the main event to one of the least valuable belts and helping to elevate them is cool as fuck

6. That middle match was so good

7. Each member of this trio managed to land a pin to win/ retain the titles so far >! Okada pins Umino and Narita, Ishii pins Tenzan, and Tanahashi pins Shelley!<

   Edit: I am so looking forward to a future Bullet Club or United Empire challenge. For UE, the trio of O-Khan, Henare, and Jeff Cobb looked promising. As for BC, Finlay, Alex, and Gabe would be a dominant set of champions. Plus it gives the latter two something to do to ready them for a future IWGP Tag Team title run.

8. i dunno, it’s kind of nice to see Okada not in the heavyweight title picture for once? im liking this never 6 man tag title reign, my favourite defense so far might be the dominion one

9. All I know is, ever since they took the NEVER titles, this is the most I’ve ever cared about those belts. I love the New Japan Dads, but I’ve never really been excited to watch NEVER six man title matches, and I am now.

10. Ishii is just the best.

    Saw him this weekend at RQ3 again for the umpteenth time and every time I think this might be the last I see of him at this high level, but nah, he outdoes himself again and again.

    A man that despite his size shows that he has presence and a pure belief that in ring charisma the way he carries himself makes him that performer.

    Everyone deserves to see an Ishii match live once in their life just for that kick out at 1

11. I’m still wating for matches against Tsuji/Naito/Shingo & Uemura/SANADA/Taichi. Hopefully they happen next year.