Tag Team Turbulence

The logo of the Tag Team Turbulence

**Tag Team Turbulence** was a singles-elimination tournament produced by New Japan Pro-Wrestling's sub-brand New Japan Pro-Wrestling of America (NJoA). The tournament started on July 16, 2021 and was concluded on July 30, 2021. The winner was crowned the best duo in Strong. The tournament matches were contested through NJPW's weekly television show, *NJPW Strong* series.

## Background

Since 2019, NJPW began holding the Super J-Cup in the United States, becoming one of NJPW's most prominent tournaments, after the Best of the Super Juniors, which is held in a round-robin format, being held usually in May, except in December 2020 due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, with the winner receiving an opportunity at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship since 1994. In 2020, NJPW's American sub-brand New Japan Pro-Wrestling of America (NJoA) began holding the New Japan Cup USA a spin-off version of its counter Japan version due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, ever since NJPW also held the Lion's Break Crown as way showcase their Young Lions. On July 13, NJPW announced the Tag Team Turbulence due to their tag team competition fiercely growing.

## Participants

It was announced that the tournament would feature participants from two American promotions; Impact Wrestling (Impact), Ring of Honor (ROH). The full list of participants was also revealed with multiple spots from NJPW (with one spot designated to the Young Lions), one from Impact Wrestling, one from ROH, and two freelancers. It was also announced the return of The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows) to the promotion after five years.

## Information

### City

Los Angeles, California, U.S

The first round of the Tag Team Turbulence was held at the Thunder Studios in Los Angeles, California, United States on July 16, 2021. The show kicked off with the first match of the first round featuring the team of The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows) taking on the team of Clark Connors and TJP, this marked Anderson and Gallows's NJPW in ring return after five years. Near the end, TJP took out Anderson with a springboard uppercut followed by a dropkick on the apron to Gallows. In the end, Anderson and Gallows hit a Spinning spinebuster on TJP while Gallows hit Connors with a Big Boot to throw him out of the ring. Anderson and Gallows hit TJP with the *Magic Killer* for the win to advance in the tournament.

The second match featured another tournament first round match with Yuji Nagata and Ren Narita taking on Fred Yehi and Wheeler Yuta. The end saw, Yuta hitting a Bridging German Suplex for a near-fall. Narita then a Wristlock Suplex followed by a High Front Suplex for a near-fall after Yehi stepped in to break the pin. Afterwards Nagata took Yehi, Narita threw Yuta into the ropes and hit the Narita Special #4 to win the match for his team and advance in the tournament.

In the third match saw another first round match featuring the West Coast Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson and Royce Isaacs) taking on L.A Dojo's Kevin Knight and The DKC. The end saw, Nelson pinning Knight with *Movie on the Roof* for the win to advance in the tournament. The last match of the night saw the last first round match with Violence Unlimited (Brody King and Chris Dickinson) taking on Team Filthy's (JR Kratos and Danny Limelight). The end of the match saw King throwing Kratos to the floor and King hitting a *Tope Suicida* on Kratos. Meanwhile, Limelight went for a low blow, only to Dickinson block it and hit him with a *Lariat*. Dickinson hit a *Deadlift German Suplex* followed by the *Running DVD* for the win to make into the next round.

## Tag Team Turbulence (Day 2)

Promotional card featuring Satoshi Kojima and Tom Lawlor

## Information

### City

Los Angeles, California, U.S

The semifinals of the Tag Team Turbulence was held at the Thunder Studios in Los Angeles, California, United States on July 23, 2021. The show kicked off with the first match of the semifinals featuring the team of the West Coast Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson and Royce Isaacs) taking on the team of Violence Unlimited (Brody King and Chris Dickinson). Near the end, King lifted Dickinson and hit a back suplex splash onto Isaacs, afterwards King hit the *Black Hole Slam followed* by a *Lariat* on Isaacs for the win to advance into the finals. After the match, King and Dickinson on NJPW's tag team competition atmosphere and saying to be what they were looking for.

The second match featured another tournament first round match with Yuji Nagata and Ren Narita taking on FThe Good Brothers (Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows). The end saw, Anderson and Gallows hitting Narita with the *Magic Killer* for the win. After the match, The Good Brothers commented on their opponents and their upcoming match.

#### Non tournament match

The event also featured a non tournament match with "Flithy" Tom Lawlor defending the Strong Openweight Championship against Satoshi Kojima. Near the end saw Kojima going for the *Lariat*, only to Lawlor reverse and trap Kojima in a *Rear Naked Choke*, Kojima would slam Lawlor off his back to break the hold, only to Lawlor hit a *Uranage*. Lawlor would trap Kojima in a guillotine choke, only ton Kojima get out of it and hit a *Vertical Suplex* for a near-fall. The end saw Kojima going for the *Lariat*, only to JR Kratos grab Kojima’s ankle and trap him, this allowed Lawlor to recover and hit a knee strike. Lawlor would trap Kojima in the *Rear Naked Choke*, making Kojima fade and forcing the referee to stop the match, awarding the victory to Lawlor, thus retaining the Strong Openweight Champion. After the match, Lawlor asked anybody to challenge him. Afterwards, Lio Rush appear and challenge Lawlor for the title. Lawlor and Kratos looked surprised to Rush and after a brief moment, Rush praised Lawlor's shorts and Lawlor thanked him, Lawlor consulted Kratos and left without leaving an answer, leaving Rush to appeal them to notify him, thus ending the show.

## Tag Team Turbulence (Day 3)

Promotional card featuring Violence Unlimited and The Good Brothers

## Information

### City

Los Angeles, California, U.S

The finals of the Tag Team Turbulence was held at the Thunder Studios in Los Angeles, California, United States on July 30, 2021. The show kicked off with the first match of the night featuring young lion Kevin Knight taking on Bateman. Near the end, Knight landed a dropkick followed by a spear for a near-fall. In the end, Bateman hit a rolling elbow strike followed by the *This Is A Kill* for the win.

The second match featured another non-tournament match with Karl Fredericks, Fred Rosser and Adrian Quest taking on the team of Jorel Nelson, Royce Isaacs and Misterioso. The end saw, Fredericks hitting Misterioso with the *MD* for the win.

#### Finals

The event also featured the finals of the tournament match with Ring of Honor's Violence Unlimited (Brody King and Chris Dickinson) taking on Impact Wrestling's The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows). Near the end, King landed Anderson with a *Black Hole Slam* for a near-fall. King tagged to Dickinson and hoisted Anderson for another slam, only to Anderson rake King's eyes, forcing him to let go, and letting him tag with Gallows. Gallows and Anderson hit Dickinson with a Back Suplex/Neckbreaker combination for another near-fall. Dickinson hit a swinging DDT followed by a *Running DVD* attempt, only to Gallows break the move. In the end, Anderson and Gallows hit the *Magic Killer* on Dickinson for the win to win the tournament. After the match, NJoA COO, Kaname Tezuka presented The Good Brothers the trophies of the tournament. As Anderson and Gallows were cutting a promo challenging for the IWGP Tag Team Championships, Jon Moxley appeared in a pre-taped video challenging them to a match at Resurgence, while also promising to bring a surprise partner to his team.

## Results

### Night 1

 2
 3
 4

### Night 2

 2
 3

### Night 3

 2
 3

## See also

* Lion's Break Crown
* Super J-Cup
* New Japan Cup USA

## Notes

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The tournament was held behind closed doors due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic in the United States.