13 Ups & 3 Downs From NJPW Dominion 6.9 2019

Downs...

3. This Broken Tag Division

EVIL Jado BUSHI
NJPW

Guerrillas of Destiny vs. EVIL and SANADA highlighted the problems in New Japan's heavyweight tag division. Both teams are talented, and they've had some great matches, but the bout was thrown together with next to no build. The Los Ingobernables de Japon duo decided they wanted a title shot a few days before Dominion. That was the extent of the "story" leading to this fourth-from-the-top bout, emphasising the lack of care and attention NJPW's tandems are generally given.

This tweet is telling:-

That New Japan head booker Gedo was once a tag specialist himself makes the situation hard to fathom. GOD vs. LIJ is fine, but how many times do we need to see this bout before things improve? Basic A-to-B booking and a dearth of well-presented duos has created a situation dismally similar to WWE Raw and SmackDown, and NJPW shouldn't be let off the hook for that.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.