Taguchi Japan (タグチジャパン Taguchi Japan) was a group, primarily appearing in the Japanese promotion New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). The group was formed the night after Wrestle Kingdom 11 on January 5, 2017. Starting out as a trio, the stable named Ryusuke Taguchi as their leader,[1] and have gone on to feud primarily with Los Ingobernables de Japon over the IWGP Intercontinental, IWGP Junior Heavyweight and NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championships.
The group was formed by Hiroshi Tanahashi, Manabu Nakanishi and Ryusuke Taguchi, and came to include, Dragon Lee, Juice Robinson, David Finlay Michael Elgin, Ricochet and Yoshitatsu. The stable found its roots as a tag team between Tanahashi and Elgin, who had teamed with Robinson in the past. After an eye injury suffered by Elgin, Tanahashi teamed with Nakanishi and Taguchi to capture the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship from Los Ingobernables de Japon. Once Elgin was healed, he was invited into the stable as well, along with Juice Robinson and Ricochet, the latter who had lost the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship to L.I.J. Their membership was certified when Ricochet teamed with Taguchi and Tanahashi to win the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship on April 4.
Taguchi Japan had an open door policy, where several wrestlers such as Yoshitatsu, Katsuya Kitamura and War Machine (Hanson and Raymond Rowe) have made one-off appearances representing the stable.[2][3]
Concept[]
Taguchi Japan was conceived by New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) in early 2017 after the Wrestle Kingdom 11 in Tokyo Dome when Hiroshi Tanahashi, Manabu Nakanishi and Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, EVIL and SANADA) for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship.[4] After the match asked what was going to be their name and who was going to be the leader and Tanahashi stated that he would announce the name. Then the trio would be with Taguchi's blue sunglasses. According to the description of the product created by NJPW employees, the image of Samurai Blue that was blue had the explanation of world so the stable was named "Taguchi Japan".
Tanahashi then tweeted the team name that was Taguchi Japan and it was decided that Taguchi would be the leader. Taguchi also suggested a possibility of adding members. In addition of being joined by Michael Elgin and Dragon Lee. Also, Jurina Matsui who is a member of Japanese idol girl groups SKE48 and AKB48 was invited to the stable, became a big professional wrestling fan and she would designate the wrestlers with most improved treatment.
Background[]
Through ROH's working relationship with NJPW, Ring of Honor mainstay Michael Elgin made his debut for NJPW by taking part in the 2015 G1 Climax between July 23 and August 15.[5] Elgin quickly became popular among Japanese crowds and his performance in the tournament was called a "career resurgence".[6][7] In November, it was announced he would team with Hiroshi Tanahashi in the 2015 World Tag League and on February 20, it was reported that Elgin had signed a two-year deal with NJPW.[8] This was confirmed by NJPW on March 3[9] and on March 20, the pair teamed with Juice Robinson to unsuccessfully challenge The Elite (Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks) for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship.[10] On April 10, Elgin and Tanahashi teamed with Yoshitatsu at Invasion Attack 2016, to win the titles from The Elite.[11] They made their first successful defence on April 23 against Bad Luck Fale, Kenny Omega and Yujiro Takahashi.[12] before losing the championships back to The Elite at Wrestling Dontaku 2016.[13]
On June 19 at Dominion 6.19 in Osaka-jo Hall, Elgin replaced an injured Hiroshi Tanahashi and defeated Kenny Omega in NJPW's first ever ladder match to become the new IWGP Intercontinental Champion.[14] On September 25 at Destruction in Kobe, Elgin lost the IWGP Intercontinental Championship to Tetsuya Naito, beginning a feud between Elgin, Tanahashi and several others with Naito's Los Ingobernables de Japon stable.[15] At Wrestle Kingdom 11, Tanahashi unsuccessfully challenged Naito for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.[16][17]
History[]
On January 5, 2017, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Manabu Nakanishi and Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Los Ingobernables de Japon (Bushi, Evil and Sanada) for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship.[4] The trio of Taguchi, Tanahashi and Nakanishi eventually became known as "Taguchi Japan".[18] They would later be joined by Michael Elgin and Dragon Lee (who were also feuding with Los Ingobernables de Japon members Tetsuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi). On February 11 at The New Beginning in Osaka Tanahashi, Nakanishi and Taguchi lost the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions back to Los Ingobernables de Japon (Bushi, Evil and Sanada) for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship.[19] Later that night Lee unsuccessfully challenged Hiromu Takahashi for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.[20] After the match, Taguchi attacked Takahashi and challenged him to a title match for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. In the main event, Elgin unsuccessfully challenged Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.[21]
On March 6 at NJPW's 45th anniversary event, Taguchi unsuccessfully challenged Hiromu Takahashi for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.[22] After the match, Kushida challenged Takahashi into a rematch for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship after their match at the Wrestle Kingdom 11 in Tokyo Dome. Later Taguchi Japan would be joined by David Finlay, Juice Robinson, Kushida and Ricochet, with Tanahashi, Ricochet and Taguchi receiving a rematch for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions. On April 4, Taguchi, Tanahashi and Ricochet defeated L.I.J. for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship.[23] Four days later Kushida challenged Hiromu Takahashi for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.[24] The following week, Yoshitatsu joined Taguchi Japan upon his return to NJPW from CMLL.[25] On April 29 at Wrestling Toyonokuni 2017, members of Taguchi Japan and L.I.J. faced off two title matches, which were both won by L.I.J. with Hiromu Takahashi retaining the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against Ricochet and Tetsuya Naito retaining the IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Juice Robinson.[26] After the match, Tanahashi challenged Naito into a title match for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.[27] On May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku 2017, Ricochet, Tanahashi and Taguchi lost the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship back to L.I.J.[28] On May 14, Kushida defeated Marty Scurll to become the new ROH World Television Champion.[29] Also in May, Satoshi Kojima joined Taguchi Japan as a replacement for an injured Hiroshi Tanahashi.[30] On June 3, Kushida defeated Will Ospreay in the finals to win his second Best of the Super Juniors. On June 11 at Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall, Kushida defeated Hiromu Takahashi to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship for the fifth time. Later that same event, Tanahashi defeated Tetsuya Naito to win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.[31]
During the G1 Special in USA, after The Young Bucks (Nick and Matt Jackson) retained their IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships against Roppongi Vice, Ricochet challenged The Young Bucks into a title match. Ricochet then announced Taguchi to his partner and the two dubbed themselves as the Funky Future. Later that month, three members of Taguchi Japan took part in the 2017 G1 Climax; Tanahashi in block A and Elgin and Robinson in block B. Tanahashi almost won his block. However he would fail to advance to the finals due to losing to Tetsuya Naito in their final round-robin match on August 11,[32] finishing with a record of six wins and three losses. Meanwhile, Elgin and Robinson finished their block with four wins and five losses.[33] On August 13, Ricochet and Taguchi defeated The Young Bucks to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship.[34]
Meanwhile, Tanahashi started feuding with Zack Sabre Jr. who scored two submission wins over Tanahashi, first in their opening tournament match on July 17 and again in a non-tournament six-man tag team match on August 13. Also, KUSHIDA also started feuding with Sabre's Suzuki-gun stablemate El Desperado and Elgin with Minoru Suzuki. This led a feud between Taguchi Japan and Suzuki-gun, with NJPW announcing four title matches between the two stables with the IWGP Intercontinental, IWGP Junior Heavyweight and Junior Heavyweight Tag Team and the NEVER Openweight Championship, on the line. On September 10, at the Destruction In Fukushima, Togi Makabe joined the stable. Later tat night, Elgin unsuccessfully challenged Suzuki for the NEVER Openweight Championship. Six days later, at Destruction In Hiroshima Taguchi Japan ended up retaining all of their titles, with Ricochet and Taguchi defeating Taichi and Kanemaru, Kushida defeating Desperado and at the main event Tanahashi defeating Sabre Jr. On September 22, 2017, at Death Before Dishonor XV, Kushida lost the ROH World Television Championship to Kenny King. On October 9 at King of Pro-Wrestling Ricochet and Taguchi lost the titles to Roppongi 3K (Yoh and Sho). Following the match, Ricochet took responsibility for the loss and thanked both NJPW and Taguchi Japan.[35] His mannerisms were interpreted as meaning he had wrestled his final NJPW match.[36] Later that night, KUSHIDA lost the title to Will Ospreay on October 9, 2017.
As part of Taguchi Japan, Taguchi and the newest member of Taguchi Japan, ACH formed a tag team named "Super 69", the two entered the 2017 Super Jr. Tag Tournament. After wins over the Suzuki-gun teams of Taichi and Taka Michinoku; and El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru, the two made it to the finals of the tournament.[37][38] On November 5 at Power Struggle, Super 69 were defeated in the finals of the tournament by the reigning IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, Roppongi 3K (Sho and Yoh).[39] As part of Taguchi Japan, Robinson and the newest member of Taguchi Japan, the debuting Sami Callihan formed a tag team named "Death Juice" in the 2017 World Tag League.[40] The team finished second in their block with a record of four wins and three losses, failing to advance to the finals.[41]
On January 4, 2018 at Wrestle Kingdom 12, Taguchi, Robinson and Makabe attempted to recapture the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship as part of a five-team gauntlet match. Taguchi Japan was the fourth team to enter the match, but was quickly eliminated by eventual winners Berreta, Toru Yano and Tomohiro Ishii. On January 27, at The New Beginning in Sapporo, Tanahashi lost the IWGP Intercontinental Championship to Minoru Suzuki. On April 1 at Sakura Genesis, KUSHIDA was nominated to be Ospreay's next challenger for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. KUSHIDA received his title match on May 4 at Wrestling Dontaku, unsuccessfully challenging Ospreay for the title. From May 18 to June 4, four members of Taguchi Japan took part in the 2018 Best of the Super Juniors with ACH in block A and KUSHIDA, Lee and Taguchi in block B. ACH finished the tournament with a record of three wins and four losses. Taguchi and Lee finished the tournament with a record of three wins and four losses with Lee winning the head-to-head match between the two, while KUSHIDA finished the tournament with a record of four wins and three losses, with Taguchi winning the head-to-head match between the two and Lee losing to KUSHIDA in their head-to-head match. KUSHIDA entered his last round-robin matches with a chance to advance to the finals, but was eliminated after losing to Hiromu Takahashi. On July 7, 2018 at G1 Special in San Francisco, Robinson defeated Jay White to win the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. From August 1 to 11, both Tanahashi and Robinson took part in the 2018 G1 Climax, wrestling in separate round-robin blocks. Robinson finished his block with a record of three wins and seven losses. Meanwhile, Tanahashi won his block with a record of seven wins, one loss and one draw, advancing to the finals of the tournament. On August 12 Tanahashi defeated Kota Ibushi in the finals to win the tournament. On August 20, Hiromu Takahashi was forced to vacate the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship due to a neck injury. [42] NJPW Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi announced a four-man single elimination tournament to crown a new champion which KUSHIDA was announced as one of the participants.[42] On September 30 at Fighting Spirit Unleashed, Robinson lost the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship to Cody. On October 8 at King of Pro-Wrestling, KUSHIDA defeated Marty Scurll in the finals to become the new champion. In October, ACH and Taguchi took part in the Super Jr. Tag League, finishing the tournament with a record of three wins and four losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. On January 4, 2019, Tanahashi defeated Kenny Omega to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship for the record-breaking eight-time. On January 7, 2019, KUSHIDA announced he would be leaving NJPW, which his last match would be against Hiroshi Tanahashi on January 29, which Tanahashi defeated him. On September 15, 2021, Taguchi confirmed that the stable had disbanded.
Members[]
| * | Founding member |
|---|---|
| I | Leader |
Members[]
| Member | Time | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Finlay | February 21, 2017–September 15, 2021 | ||
| Hanson | August 11, 2017–January 5, 2018 | ||
| Hiroshi Tanahashi | * | January 5, 2017–September 15, 2021 | |
| Juice Robinson | February 21, 2017–September 15, 2021 | ||
| KUSHIDA | March 21, 2017–January 29, 2019 | ||
| Manabu Nakanishi | * | January 5, 2017–April 7, 2017 | |
| Raymond Rowe | August 11, 2017–January 5, 2018 | ||
| Ricochet | March 24, 2017–October 9, 2017 | ||
| Ryusuke Taguchi | * I | January 5, 2017–September 15, 2021 | Leader |
| Toru Yano | January 4, 2019–September 15, 2021 | ||
| Yoshitatsu | April 14, 2017–May 4, 2017 | ||
Part-time[]
| Name | First appearance |
|---|---|
| ACH | October 10, 2017 |
| Dragon Lee | February 5, 2017 |
| Jushin Thunder Liger | May 22, 2017 |
| Satoshi Kojima | May 18, 2017 |
| Michael Elgin | February 5, 2017 |
| Katsuya Kitamura | August 12, 2017 |
| Sami Callihan | November 18, 2017 |
| Toa Henare | January 27, 2018 |
| Togi Makabe | August 10, 2017 |
Sub-groups[]
| Affiliate | Members | Tenure | Type | Promotion(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Death Juice | Juice Robinson Sami Callihan |
2017 | Tag Team | NJPW |
| Funky Future | Ricochet Ryusuke Taguchi |
2017 | Tag Team | NJPW |
| FinJuice | David Finlay Juice Robinson |
2019–2021 | Tag Team | NJPW |
| Super 69 | ACH Ryusuke Taguchi |
2017 | Tag Team | NJPW |
| War Machine | Hanson Raymond Rowe |
2014–2017 | Tag Team | NJPW ROH |
In wrestling[]
- Double-team finishing moves
- Hanson and Rowe
- Fallout (Belly-to-back suplex (Rowe) / Diving leg drop (Hanson) combination)
- ACH and Taguchi
- Super 69 (Elevated double chickenwing facebuster (Taguchi) / Sitout facebuster (ACH) combination)
- Hanson and Rowe
- Entrance music
- "Master of Dropkick" by One Track Mind
Championships and accomplishments[]
- Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
- CMLL World Lightweight Championship (1 time) – Lee[43]
- New Japan Pro Wrestling
- IWGP Heavyweight Championship (1 time) – Tanahashi
- IWGP Intercontinental Championship (1 time) – Tanahashi
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (3 times) – KUSHIDA (2) and Lee (1)
- IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship (2 time) – Robinson
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (1 time) – Taguchi and Ricochet
- IWGP Tag Team Championship (2 time) – Hanson and Rowe (1) and Finlay and Robinson (1)
- NEVER Openweight Championship (1 time) – Elgin
- NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship (2 times) – Tanahashi, Nakanishi and Taguchi (1) and Tanahashi, Ricochet and Taguchi (1)[4]
- Best of the Super Juniors (2017) – KUSHIDA
- G1 Climax (2018) – Tanahashi
- World Tag League (2019) – Finlay and Robinson
- Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
- Battle of Los Angeles (2017) – Ricochet
- Ring of Honor
- ROH World Television Championship (1 time) – KUSHIDA[29]
- What Culture Pro Wrestling
- Pro Wrestling World Cup (2017) - KUSHIDA
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- 5 Star Match (2017) Elgin vs. Tetsuya Naito on February 11[44]
- 5 Star Match (2017) KUSHIDA vs. Will Ospreay on June 3[45]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ ja:戦国炎舞 -Kizna- Presents The New Beginning in Sapporo 〜復活！雪の札幌決戦〜 (in Japanese). New Japan Pro Wrestling. Retrieved on 2017-02-08.
- ↑ ja:【いよいよ今週末！】4.22後楽園でオカダ＆石井vsファレ＆ケニー！4.23後楽園でジュース＆棚橋vs内藤＆Evil！ 5.1鹿児島にタイガーマスクW参戦！ (in Japanese). New Japan Pro Wrestling (2017-04-10). Archived from the original on 2017-04-17. Retrieved on 2017-05-01.
- ↑ Rose, Bryan 2017-08-12. NJPW G1 Climax 27 B Block finals live results: Okada vs. Omega III . Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved on 2017-08-12.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 ja:戦国炎舞 -Kizna- Presents New Year Dash !! (in Japanese). New Japan Pro Wrestling. Retrieved on 2017-01-05.
- ↑ Sempervive, Mike 2015-07-18. The Big Audio Nightmare's Guide to the annual New Japan G1 Climax . Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on 2015-07-19. Retrieved on 2015-08-15.
- ↑ Rose, Bryan 2015-08-11. NJPW G1 Climax Tournament 8-11 full report: Tanahashi vs. Makabe, Styles vs. Fale . Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on 2015-08-13. Retrieved on 2015-08-16.
- ↑ Caldwell, James 2015-08-16. Caldwell's New Japan G1 Climax finals report 8/16: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Tanahashi-Nakamura G1 Finals, plus IWGP Jr. Hvt. & Tag Title matches . Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved on 2015-08-16.
- ↑ Caldwell, James 2016-02-25. Michael Elgin update – Elgin comments on signing with New Japan . Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved on 2016-02-26.
- ↑ ja:木谷オーナーが発表！ 柴田、エルガンが選手契約！『Super J-Cup 2016』開催！「タイガーマスク」アニメ化企画進行中！ (in Japanese). New Japan Pro Wrestling (2016-03-03). Retrieved on 2016-03-03.
- ↑ Road to Invasion Attack 2016 (in Japanese). New Japan Pro Wrestling. Retrieved on 2016-03-20.
- ↑ Meltzer, Dave 2016-04-09. NJPW Invasion Attack live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Championship . Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved on 2016-04-10.
- ↑ Road to レスリングどんたく 2016 (in Japanese). New Japan Pro Wrestling. Retrieved on 2016-04-23.
- ↑ ja:レスリングどんたく 2016 (in Japanese). New Japan Pro Wrestling. Retrieved on 2016-05-03.
- ↑ Meltzer, Dave 2016-06-18. NJPW Dominion live results: Tetsuya Naito vs Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP HW Championship . Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved on 2016-06-19.
- ↑ Destruction in Kobe (in Japanese). New Japan Pro Wrestling. Retrieved on 2016-09-25.
- ↑ NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11 live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega . Wrestling Observer Newsletter (2017-01-03). Retrieved on 2017-01-04.
- ↑ ja:棚橋弘至・Kushida時代の終焉…ロス・インゴベルナブレスがベルト席巻！ (in Japanese). Battle News (2017-01-05). Retrieved on 2017-01-05.
- ↑ ja:戦国炎舞 -Kizna- Presents The New Beginning in Sapporo 〜復活！雪の札幌決戦〜 (in Japanese). New Japan Pro Wrestling. Retrieved on 2017-02-08.
- ↑ Rose, Bryan 2017-02-10. NJPW New Beginning in Osaka live results: Naito vs. Elgin . Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved on 2017-02-11.
- ↑ Rose, Bryan 2017-02-10. NJPW New Beginning in Osaka live results: Naito vs. Elgin . Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved on 2017-02-11.
- ↑ Rose, Bryan 2017-02-10. NJPW New Beginning in Osaka live results: Naito vs. Elgin . Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved on 2017-02-11.
- ↑ Rose, Bryan 2017-03-06. NJPW 45th Anniversary show live results: Okada vs. Tiger Mask W . Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved on 2017-03-06.
- ↑ ja:戦国炎舞-Kizna- Presents Road to Sakura Genesis 2017 (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved on 2017-04-04.
- ↑ ja:戦国炎舞-Kizna- Presents Sakura Genesis 2017 (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved on 2017-04-09.
- ↑ ja:【いよいよ今週末！】4.22後楽園でオカダ＆石井vsファレ＆ケニー！4.23後楽園でジュース＆棚橋vs内藤＆Evil！ 5.1鹿児島にタイガーマスクW参戦！ (in Japanese). New Japan Pro Wrestling (2017-04-10). Archived from the original on 2017-04-17. Retrieved on 2017-05-01.
- ↑ Rose, Bryan 2017-04-29. NJPW Wrestling Toyonokuni results: Naito vs. Robinson for IC title . Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved on 2017-05-01.
- ↑ ja:レスリング豊の国 2017 (in Japanese). New Japan Pro Wrestling. Retrieved on 2017-04-29.
- ↑ Rose, Bryan 2017-05-02. NJPW Wrestling Dontaku live results: Okada faces Bad Luck Fale . Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved on 2017-05-03.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Johnson, Mike 2017-05-14. Major ROH spoiler from Philadelphia . Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved on 2017-05-14.
- ↑ ja:鉄拳7 Presents Best of the Super Jr.24 (in Japanese). New Japan Pro Wrestling. Retrieved on 2017-06-03.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedDominion611WON - ↑ Rose, Bryan 2017-08-12. NJPW G1 Climax 27 B Block finals live results: Okada vs. Omega III . Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved on 2017-08-12.
- ↑ 2017 New Japan G1 Climax Standings, Results, Viewing Guide . Pro Wrestling Torch (2017-08-12). Archived from the original on 2017-08-13. Retrieved on 2017-08-12.
- ↑ Rose, Bryan 2017-08-12. NJPW G1 Climax 27 finals live results: Tetsuya Naito vs. Kenny Omega . Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved on 2017-08-13.
- ↑ King of Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved on 2017-10-11.
- ↑ Radican, Sean 2017-10-11. Radican's 10/9 NJPW "King of Pro Wrestling" PPV report – Ospreay-Kushida, Naito-Ishii, Okada-Evil . Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved on 2017-10-11.
- ↑ ja:【新日本】田口ジャパンが「スーパー６９」で鈴木軍撃破 (in Japanese). Tokyo Sports (2017-10-30). Retrieved on 2017-10-30.
- ↑ Road to Power Struggle (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved on 2017-10-30.
- ↑ Currier, Joseph 2017-11-05. NJPW Power Struggle live results: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi . Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved on 2017-11-05.
- ↑ Powell, John 2017-11-19. NJPW Tag League Day One: Death Juice, Chaos victorious . Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved on 2017-12-08.
- ↑ 鉄拳Presents World Tag League 2017 (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved on 2017-12-08.
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 en: The Junior IWGP throne is vacant. KUSHIDA, BUSHI, Ospreay, and Scurll have all entered the Junior Heavyweight championship tournament! (in English). New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2018-08-20). Retrieved on 2018-08-20.
- ↑ Astral volvió a coronarse como Mr. CMLL (in Spanish). MedioTiempo (2015-11-25). Retrieved on 2015-11-26.
- ↑ Meltzer, Dave (February 20, 2017). "Feb 20 Observer Newsletter: WWE Financials, Death of Chavo Guerrero, More". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California: 22. ISSN 1083-9593.
- ↑ Meltzer, Dave (June 12, 2017). "June 12, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Extreme Rules and Best of the Super Juniors finals reviewed, tons of news". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California: 21–22. ISSN 1083-9593.
