5 Ups & 2 Downs From NJPW New Year Dash 2019
2. Los Ingobernables De Japon Vs. Suzuki-gun
The warring factions kicked off 2019 much as they'd ended 2018 - and in brutal fashion after Taichi delivered a horrifying chairshot to Tetsuya Naito before the match began proper.
The ten-man brawl proffered greatest hits selections of spots between the group members, with commentator Chris Charlton astutely noting that Minoru Suzuki's gang were acting as violently as they had during their comeback exactly two years earlier in response to a Wrestle Kingdom rebuff for most of the members.
Suzuki himself had called his placement on the pre-show an "embarrassment", whilst only Zack Sabre Jr had a successful night on the event itself. Taichi wasn't featured at all on January 4th, but took direct revenge on Naito with the aforementioned weapon attack - the new Intercontinental Champion was a virtual non-factor for much of the clash thanks to the hideous blow.
His shocking pinfall win over the 'Tranquilo' star was followed up by a further beatdown of LIJ, their Wrestle Kingdom clean sweep quickly forgotten by 'The King's ruthless henchmen.