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12/8 NJPW WORLD TAG LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS REPORT FROM KAGOSHIMA, JAPAN

12/8/23 Semi Finals Results for New Japan's World Tag League 2023 from Kagoshima, Japan:

1 - Master Wato, Yuto Nakashima and Oskar Leube vs. Taiji Ishimori, Jack Bonza and Bad Luck Fale

Bonza pins Nakashima after hitting a Napalm Thunder Driver.

2 - Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer and Alex Zayne vs. Great O-Khan, HENARE and Callum Newman

Zayne hits a Baja Blast on Newman, then follows with a Taco Driver.

Zayne pins Newman

Quick Note on United Empire:  I am curious to see how New Japan will book United Empire going forward.  Will Ospreay will be leaving soon, and lose the IWGP US/UK Heavyweight Title.   TJP and Francesco Akira have their IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Title Match at Wrestle Kingdom.   At the time of this writing, Great O-Khan, HENARE, Callum Newman, and Jeff Cobb have no match at their signature event on January 4.  United Empire could be put in the KOPW Match, which usually opens the show, but that match has not yet been announced.  I think United Empire have been a consistent presence in New Japan for 2023 and they deserve to have top tier matches at Wrestle Kingdom, rather than participate a cluster match.  I hope after Will Ospreay leaves, New Japan will provide a clear direction and storyline for United Empire in 2024.

3 - Kaito Kiyomiya, Ryohei Oiwa and Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru, SHO and EVIL

Taguchi got an ankle lock on Kanemaru.   Kanemaru rolled out of it and sent Taguchi into SHO and his wrench.

Kanemaru rolled up Taguchi for the pin.

4 - Shota Umino and Tomoaki Honma vs. Ren Narita and Yujiro Takahashi

Umino came through the crowd to greet fans.   Honma came down the entryway and was attacked by Narita, Yujiro and Dick Togo.  Umino ran to save his partner but all three men beat him down.   Narita threw Honma in the ring.  Honma threw punches and a headbutt.  Narita grabbed him in a rear naked choke, then hit an X-Factor.   

Narita pins Honma with a hand on his chest.

Narita bad mouths Umino who was getting up from the floor.   Umino realizes he lost the match and charges the ring.   Narita escapes.  The rest of House of Torture comes out beats up Umino while Narita smiles.   Narita applies choke hold on Umino while House of Torture watches.   Narita flips off Umino and hits an X-Factor.   Umino is left laying for the second night in a row.

This is a good build for both wrestlers.   Turning Narita heel was unexpected, but he is getting major heat after joining the most despicable faction in New Japan.   Fans will tune in to watch Shota Umino get his revenge.   I just hope they don't rush the story and do not have to be involve any belts.   If built up correctly, Narita and Umino could be a main event match with no titles on the line.

5 - Toru Yano, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii and Kazuchika Okada vs. Soberano Jr., Atlantis Jr., Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona

Gates of Agony hit Fall from Heaven on Yano.

Liona pins Yano.

After the match, Gates of Agony and Soberano Jr. point to the NEVER Openweight 6-Man belts.   Okada, Ishii and Tanahashi hold up their belts.   

Gates of Agony, Soberano Jr. and Atlantis Jr. spend time acknowledging the fans before heading back to the locker room.

6 - SANADA, Taichi, Yuya Uemura and DOUKI vs. Shingo Takagi, BUSHI, Yota Tsuji and Zandokan Jr.

Tetsuya Naito comes to the ring with his Los Ingobernales de Japon faction.

Uemura pins Zandokan Jr. with the Deadbolt Suplex.

Uemura continues to get over in the eyes of the fans as he keeps earning wins for his faction.

After the match, SANADA takes his belt to leave ringside.  He passes and completely snubs Naito, refusing to acknowledge him. 

World Tag League 2023 Semi-Finals:

7 - Hikuleo and El Phantasmo vs. Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste

Hikuleo hits a powerslam on Haste and follows with a big chokeslam.

Hikuleo pins Haste.

Guerillas of Destiny are in the Finals of World Tag League 2023. 

Haste and Nicholls look disappointed in their loss.   ELP and Hikuleo offer to shake hands, but TMDK slaps their hands away.

ELP was hurting from his right shoulder after the match, but was able to pose for photos with young fans at ringside.

8 - YOSHI-HASHI and Hirooki Goto vs. Gabe Kidd and Alex Coughlin

War Dogs attack Bishomon on their way to the ring.  They brawl into the crowd.  

Good stiff match.   War Dogs kept trying to bring in weapons.  Bishomon would fight them off.  Lots of reversals.

Coughlin goes for a Jackhammer on YOSHI-HASHI.   Goto hits him with a headbutt.   YOSHI-HASHI rolls a stunned Coughlin into a crucifix pin.

Bishomon are in the Finals and will face Guerillas of Destiny on December 10.   The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Champs will face the New Japan Strong Tag Champs for the World Tag League 2023 Trophy.   

After the match, Kidd started throwing guardrails.  

El Phantasmo and Hikuleo come to the ring.  They wish Bishomon good luck.   Both teams lead cheers from the crowd for each other.  ELP and Hikuleo leave.

YOSHI-HASHI and Goto address and thank the crowd.

Interesting development here.  Both teams were in the B Block.   Both teams are champions.   ELP and Hikuleo beat Bishomon on the opening night of B Block on 11/20/23.   If ELP and Hikuleo win World Tag League, they will get a Tag Title shot at Wrestle Kingdom, and will have wrestled Bishomon three times in less than 2 months.   If Bishomon win, I assume they will get to pick their opponent.  OR, they could choose not to defend at all.  There are already 7 matches scheduled for Wrestle Kingdom, 6 of which are for Championships.  Another possibility is that if ELP and Hikuleo win, then there could be a unification match for both Tag Titles.  New Japan has too many title belts.  Less will mean more.     

Stay tuned for the Finals to World Tag League on 12/10/23.

Thank you for reading.

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