20 Best Wrestling Tag Team Matches Ever

20. KENTA & Taiji Ishimori Vs. Kota Ibushi & Naomichi Marufuji (NOAH - November 5th, 2005)

Pro Wrestling Noah are struggling these days, but they were Japan’s most exciting promotion in 2005. Mitsuharu Misawa had built an exciting foundation after breaking away from AJPW a few years prior, and they were absolutely rolling at this point, with top notch matches across the board on almost every show.

This particular bout featured two men who should be familiar to anyone who has followed WWE closely over the past few years. Now known as Hideo Itami, KENTA had to wait a few more years to become NOAH’s linchpin, but was already regarded as one of the most exciting wrestlers in the world. Kota Ibushi, meanwhile, was just one year into his wrestling career, but his talent was obvious, and this was his star-making performance.

KENTA and Marufuji kicked things off with a blazing exchange, whipping the crowd into a frenzy, and ensuring they’d be on the edge of their seats throughout. Ishimori more than caught the eye too, pulling off some outrageous athletic exchanges, and holding his own throughout Ibushi’s coming out party. A tremendously well-paced match, they kept the energy and intensity high for close to 22 minutes, culminating in one of the best GTS executions of KENTA’s career.