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There is a unique, electric chaos that only the junior heavyweight tag team division can produce. It’s not just about speed, though the pace is blistering. It’s not just about innovation, though the moves defy physics. It’s about synergy, trust, and the beautiful, violent ballet performed by two souls moving as one. The NJPW SUPER Jr. TAG LEAGUE is the ultimate test of this partnership, a grueling round-robin tournament where every point matters, every match is a potential classic, and the winners earn a coveted spot in the hallowed halls of Wrestle Kingdom.
Tonight, on October 23rd, the tournament isn’t just continuing; it’s crystallizing. The contenders are separating themselves from the pretenders. The aches and pains are accumulating, and the pressure is mounting. This is where champions are forged.
For fans eager to catch every single moment of this high-stakes action live, ensuring you have a reliable stream is crucial. That’s why I always recommend heading over to watchwrestling.sbs. Their seamless streaming service and high-quality links make them the go-to source for NJPW events and all your professional wrestling needs.
The Tournament Landscape: A Snapshot of the Battlefield
Before we dive into the specific matchups for October 23rd, let’s assess the league table. The story of any tournament is told in its standings. As we approach this critical night, teams like Catch 2/2 (TJP & Francesco Akira) and the fiery Bullet Club War Dogs (Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney) are likely setting a fierce pace. But lurking in the shadows are perennial threats and dark horses, all with their eyes on the prize.
The beauty of the league system is its inherent drama. A single upset can completely reshape the trajectory of the entire tournament. A team on the brink of elimination can suddenly find new life, while a frontrunner can see their dreams dashed by a well-touched knee. This inherent unpredictability is what makes every event, especially this one on October 23rd, utterly unmissable.
Matchup Deep Dive: October 23rd’s Clash of Titans
The card for tonight is a deliberate masterpiece, pitting teams with contrasting styles and intersecting destinies against one another. Let’s break down the key battles that will have the Korakuen Hall (or whichever arena is hosting) on the edge of their seats.
1. The Main Event: A Clash of Philosophies
Catch 2/2 (TJP & Francesco Akira) vs. Bullet Club War Dogs (Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney)
This isn’t just a match; it’s a thesis statement. On one side, you have Catch 2/2, the embodiment of technical mastery and seamless, global fluency. TJP is a walking encyclopedia of holds, a veteran whose creativity knows no bounds. Francesco Akira is pure, unadulterated explosive energy. Together, they are smooth, they are clever, and they represent the pure sporting spirit of the tournament.
Standing across from them are the Bullet Club War Dogs. Clark Connors, a pitbull in human form, and Drilla Moloney, a street brawler with a shocking amount of agility. Their philosophy is simple: violence. They don’t just want to win; they want to break your will. They thrive in chaos and use the no-disqualification aura of Bullet Club to their advantage, constantly bending the rules to their breaking point.
The Story: This is the classic battle of Art vs. Brute Force. Can Catch 2/2’s technical wizardry and double-team sequences neutralize the raw, unhinged power of the War Dogs? For Connors and Moloney, a win over a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion team like Catch 2/2 would cement their status as true top contenders. For TJP and Akira, it’s about proving that finesse and fundamentals will always triumph over savagery. The psychological warfare here will be as compelling as the physical contest.
To understand the deep history of these factions, exploring the legacy of Bullet Club is essential. I often point readers to Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s excellent historical piece on the Bullet Club’s evolution, which provides fantastic context for the War Dogs’ mentality.
2. The Redemption Quest
Intergalactic Jet Setters (KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight) vs. The Muscular Orchestra (SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)
If there is a team of pure, unadulterated babyface fire in this tournament, it’s the Intergalactic Jet Setters. KUSHIDA, the “Time Splitter,” is a living legend on a mission to reclaim his spot at the top. Partnered with Kevin Knight, whose “Skywalker” vertical leap might be the single most exciting move in all of NJPW, they are the team you can’t help but root for. They represent hope, athleticism, and the righteous path.
Their opponents, The Muscular Orchestra, are… well, they are the opposite. SHO, since his descent into the House of Torture, has become a master of the dark arts. He is impossibly strong and impossibly cunning. Yoshinobu Kanemaru is the Heel Master, a man who has made a career out of using every shortcut, every distraction, and every foreign object to secure victory.
The Story: This is a battle of good versus evil in its most pro-wrestling form. Can the high-flying, clean-living Jet Setters overcome the cynical, rule-breaking tactics of the House of Torture affiliate? Kevin Knight’s innocence is a weapon, but it can also be a vulnerability against such seasoned villains. KUSHIDA’s experience will be paramount in navigating the inevitable shenanigans. A win for the Jet Setters keeps their dream alive; a loss could see them spiral into frustration and doubt. For SHO and Kanemaru, it’s just another day at the office—a day they plan to end with two points stolen, not earned.
For newer fans wanting to appreciate the technical genius of KUSHIDA, I highly recommend the NJPW Official YouTube Channel’s “Recollection” series, which often features classic matches showcasing his hybrid style.
3. The Dark Horse Ultimatum
TMDK (Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita) vs. The New Look Veterans (Ryusuke Taguchi & ???)
The TMDK team of Robbie Eagles and Kosei Fujita is a fascinating study. “The Sniper of the Skies” Eagles is a technical savant, while the young Fujita is a prodigy, a sponge absorbing everything and evolving at a frightening rate. They have the skill, the athleticism, and the chemistry to win the whole thing. But do they have the consistency?
They are facing a wild card in the form of Ryusuke Taguchi and a mystery partner. Taguchi, the “Funky Weapon,” is a former champion and a master of unorthodox offense. His experience is invaluable, but the success of this team hinges entirely on who his partner is. Will it be another veteran? A young lion looking to make a name? This uncertainty makes them incredibly dangerous.
The Story: This is a trap game for TMDK. On paper, they should win. They are the more cohesive, more focused unit. But Taguchi’s comedic antics can lull opponents into a false sense of security before he hits a devastating Dodon or an ankle lock out of nowhere. The mystery partner adds a layer of unpredictability that could completely throw Eagles and Fujita off their game. For TMDK, this is a test of their focus and maturity. Can they ignore the distractions and take care of business, or will they fall victim to an upset that could derail their entire tournament?
To get a better sense of the global landscape that talents like Robbie Eagles emerge from, a site like Cultaholic’s features on the Australian wrestling scene offers great supplementary reading.