Meiyu Tag (NJPW)

Meiyu Tag
Meiyu Tag (Hirooki Goto and Katsuyori Shibata)
Tag team
Members Hirooki Goto
Katsuyori Shibata
Name(s) Hirooki Goto and Katsuyori Shibata
Meiyu Tag
Heights Goto: 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Combined
weight		 198 lb (90 kg)[2][3]
Debut February 9, 2014
Disbanded April 10, 2016
Years active 2014-2016
Promotions NJPW
ROH
Noah

Meiyu Tag was a professional wrestling tag team formed by Hirooki Goto and Katsuyori Shibata following the end of the feud of Goto and Shibata. Goto and Shibata won the 2014 World Tag League and the IWGP Tag Team Championship. In singles success Goto won the IWGP Intercontinental Championship and Shibata won the NEVER Openweight Championship. On April 10, 2016 Meiyu Tag splitted up when Goto joined Chaos.

History

Feud with each other

In February 2013, Goto made a challenge towards former high school classmate Katsuyori Shibata,[4] which led to a tag team match on February 10, where he and Wataru Inoue were defeated by Shibata and Kazushi Sakuraba. Afterwards, Goto and Shibata had a heated confrontation, building to a future singles match between the two.[5] In March, Goto once again made it to the finals of the New Japan Cup, before losing to Kazuchika Okada.[6] Goto and Shibata finally faced off in a singles match on May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku 2013, which ended in a draw.[7] A rematch between the two took place on June 22 at Dominion 6.22, where Shibata was victorious.[8][9] A third match between the two on July 20 ended in another draw.[10] During early August, Goto participated in the G1 Climax. On August 8, however, it was revealed that Goto had suffered a fractured jaw and was pulled from the tournament.[11] He was leading the A block with four wins (which included a big win over IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada) and two losses and had three matches left when he was pulled from the G1.[12][13]

Goto in July 2015

Goto returned on December 8, challenging Katsuyori Shibata to a match at Wrestle Kingdom 8 in Tokyo Dome.[14] On January 4, 2014, Goto defeated Shibata in his return match.[15] The match ended the rivalry between Goto and Shibata and led to the two forming a tag team.[16][17]

Teaming and Championship pursuits

The following day, Goto scored the pinfall in an eight-man tag team main event against Chaos, after which he challenged Kazuchika Okada to a match for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.[18] On February 11 at The New Beginning in Osaka, Goto received his seventh shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship,[19] but was yet again unsuccessful in capturing the title.[20][21] Afterwards, Goto and Shibata entered the IWGP Tag Team Championship picture, defeating the reigning champions, Bullet Club (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson), in a non-title match at New Japan's 42nd anniversary event on March 6.[22] They received their title shot on April 6 at Invasion Attack 2014, but were defeated by Gallows and Anderson.[23][24] From July 21 to August 8, Goto and Shibata took part in the 2014 G1 Climax, where Goto finished with a record of four wins and six losses and finished fourth in his block with a record of six wins and four losses.[25][26] During the tournament final event on August 10, Shibata and Goto faced off in another singles match, where Shibata was victorious.[27][28][29][30][31] Goto then entered a storyline, where he started leading a counterattack against the Bullet Club and Chaos stables, with the goal of revitalizing the New Japan Seikigun ("regular army"), which he represented alongside the likes of Shibata and Hiroshi Tanahashi.[32]After entering a rivalry with Shinsuke Nakamura and becoming the number one contender to his IWGP Intercontinental Championship, it was announced that Shibata would be working the full October to November "Road to Power Struggle" tour, his first full tour with New Japan since his return.[33] Shibata received his title shot on November 8 at Power Struggle, but was defeated by Nakamura and Goto received his first shot at the NEVER Openweight Championship, but was defeated by the defending champion, Tomohiro Ishii.[34][35] Later in the month, Goto and Shibata entered the 2014 World Tag League, where they opened with a three match losing streak,[36] only to come back and win their four remaining matches, winning their block and advancing to the finals.[37] On December 7, Goto and Shibata defeated Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson in the finals to win the 2014 World Tag League.[38] This led to a rematch between the two teams on January 4, 2015, at Wrestle Kingdom 9 in Tokyo Dome, where Goto and Shibata defeated Anderson and Gallows to become the new IWGP Tag Team Champions.[39][40] Goto and Shibata's reign ended in their first defense on February 11 at The New Beginning in Osaka, where they were defeated by Anderson and Gallows.[41][42]

On March 8, Goto and Shibata once again faced off in the second round of the 2015 New Japan Cup in a match, where Goto was victorious.[43] Goto eventually made it to the finals of the tournament on March 15, where he was defeated by Kota Ibushi.[44]On April 5, a rivalry ignited between Shibata and Kazushi Sakuraba,[45] after Sakuraba submitted Shibata in a tag team match at Invasion Attack 2015.[46]On May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku 2015, Goto defeated Shinsuke Nakamura to win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship for the second time.[47] Shibata and Sakuraba faced off on July 5 at Dominion 7.5 in Osaka-jo Hall in a match, where Shibata was victorious also later that night Goto made his first title defense defeating Nakamura in a rematch.[48][49] From July 20 to August 14, Goto and Shibata took part in the 2015 G1 Climax,[50] where Shibata finished in the middle of his block with a record of four wins and five losses and Goto After six victories, one of which came over reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada,[51] Goto entered the final day with a chance to advance from his block, but was eliminated after suffering his third loss of the tournament against Yuji Nagata.[52] Through NJPW's working relationship with the Ring of Honor (ROH) promotion, Goto returned to the United States on August 21, teaming with Jay Briscoe and Mark Briscoe in a six-man tag team match, where they defeated Okada, Beretta and Rocky Romero.[53] Goto's Intercontinental Championship reign ended on September 27 at Destruction in Kobe, when he was defeated by Nakamura in another title rematch.[54][55] Goto participated at the 2016 World Tag league and they finished tournament with 8 points and with 4 wins and 2 losses and the lost was against Los Ingobernables de Japon (Evil and Tetsuya Naito) and they lost due to a low blow by Naito on Goto.

Disbanding

Goto in his new look at The New Beginning in Osaka

On January 4, 2016 at Wrestle Kingdom 10, Shibata won his first singles title in NJPW, when he defeated Tomohiro Ishii for the NEVER Openweight Championship and Goto defeated Tetsuya Naito at the event.[56][57] Shibata made his first successful title defense on February 11 at The New Beginning in Osaka in a rematch against Ishii and Goto received his eighth shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship,[58] but yet again failed to win the title, being defeated by the defending champion, Okada and Goto went into the match with new attire, painting his body white and covering himself with script. Following the match, Okada offered Goto a spot in the Chaos stable.[59] On March 3, NJPW announced that Shibata had signed a one-year deal with the promotion, ending his 11-year run as a freelancer.[60][61]Over the next several events, Okada tried to shake hands with Goto and get him to join Chaos on multiple occasions, but was turned down each time,[62] and Shibata made his next title defenses against NJPW veterans, defeating Satoshi Kojima on March 19 and Hiroyoshi Tenzan on April 10 and Goto made it to the finals of the 2016 New Japan Cup, but was defeated there by Tetsuya Naito. After the final match, Goto finally agreed to shake hands with Okada, after he saved him from a post-match assault by Naito and his Los Ingobernables de Japón stable, and joined Chaos,[63][64] they disbanded.

In wrestling

Championships and Accomplishments

Goto in August 2015, during his second reign as the IWGP Intercontinental Champion
Shibata as the NEVER Openweight Champion

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "?? ??". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  2. ↑
  3. ↑
  4. ↑ "Road to The New Beginning". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-02-11.
  5. ↑ "The New Beginning". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-02-11.
  6. ↑ "New Japan Cup 2013". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-03-23.
  7. ↑ ????????? 2013. New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-05-03.
  8. 1 2
  9. ↑ "Dominion 6.22". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-06-22.
  10. ↑ "???Presents Kizuna Road 2013". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-07-20.
  11. ↑ "???????????????????????????G1????". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). 2013-08-08. Retrieved 2013-08-08.
  12. ↑ "??? Presents G1 Climax 23". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-08-08.
  13. ↑ "??? Presents G1 Climax 23". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-08-08.
  14. ↑ "World Tag League 2013". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-12-08.
  15. ↑ "???????Presents Wrestle Kingdom 8 in ?????". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-01-04.
  16. ↑ ???&???????????????. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). 2014-01-30. Retrieved 2014-02-10.
  17. ↑ "The New Beginning in Hiroshima". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-02-10.
  18. ↑ "New Year Dash !!". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-01-05.
  19. ↑ ??IWGP7?????. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2014-02-11. Retrieved 2014-02-11.
  20. ↑ "The New Beginning in Osaka". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-02-11.
  21. ↑ Namako, Jason (2014-02-12). "2/11 NJPW iPPV Results: Osaka, Japan (Okada/Goto)". Wrestleview. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
  22. ↑ ??????. New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  23. ↑ "Invasion Attack 2014". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-04-06.
  24. ↑ Caldwell, James (2014-04-06). "Caldwell's NJPW PPV results 4/6: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of "Invasion Attack 2014" - Nakamura regains IC Title, A.J. Styles big angle, new NWA tag champions, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2014-04-06.
  25. ↑ "???????Presents G1 Climax 24". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved August 8, 2014.
  26. ↑ Namako, Jason (August 8, 2014). "8/8 NJPW G-1 Climax Day 11 recap (Okada/Suzuki)". Wrestleview. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
  27. ↑ "???????Presents G1 Climax 24". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  28. ↑ Caldwell, James (August 10, 2014). "Caldwell's New Japan G1 Climax finals results 8/10: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of 2014's top tournament". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  29. ↑ "???????Presents G1 Climax 24". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-08-08.
  30. ↑ "???????Presents G1 Climax 24". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  31. ↑ Caldwell, James (2014-08-10). "Caldwell's New Japan G1 Climax finals results 8/10: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of 2014's top tournament". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  32. ↑ "Road to Power Struggle". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-10-25.
  33. ↑ "???S???????!? "????"? ????????????????????! ?Super Jr. Tag??ROH?"ReDragon"??!!". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). October 16, 2014. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  34. ↑ "Power Struggle". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-11-08.
  35. ↑ "Power Struggle". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved November 8, 2014.
  36. ↑ "World Tag League 2014". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-12-05.
  37. ↑ "World Tag League 2014". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-12-05.
  38. ↑ "World Tag League 2014". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-12-07.
  39. 1 2 "Wrestle Kingdom 9 in ?????". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2015-01-04.
  40. ↑ Caldwell, James (2015-01-04). "Caldwell's NJPW Tokyo Dome show results 1/4: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Wrestle Kingdom PPV - Tanahashi vs. Okada, Bullet Club, Nakamura, Jim Ross, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2015-01-04.
  41. ↑ "The New Beginning in Osaka". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2015-02-11.
  42. ↑ Caldwell, James (2015-02-11). "NJPW news: Bullet Club takes top titles at "New Beginning" - Styles new IWGP World Champ, other title changes". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2015-02-11.
  43. ↑ "New Japan Cup 2015". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2015-03-08.
  44. ↑ "New Japan Cup 2015". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  45. ↑ "?????·???????". Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). April 14, 2015. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  46. ↑ "?????????·????"??"". Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). 2015-04-06. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  47. 1 2 "????????? 2015". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2015-05-03.
  48. ↑ "Dominion 7.5 in Osaka-jo Hall". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2015-07-05.
  49. ↑ Meltzer, Dave (2015-07-04). "New Japan Dominion live coverage from Osaka Jo Hall - Styles vs. Okada for IWGP title, Nakamura vs. Goto for IC title and notes on biggest event since the Tokyo Dome, plus all G-1 main events". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2015-07-05.
  50. ↑ Sempervive, Mike (July 18, 2015). "The Big Audio Nightmare's Guide to the annual New Japan G1 Climax". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  51. ↑ Radican, Sean (2015-08-02). "Radican's NJPW "G1 Climax Night 8" PPV Blog 8/1: Elgin continues to impress, Okada-Goto main event, full results & analysis of G1 matches". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2015-08-15.
  52. ↑ ???????Presents G1 Climax 25. New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2015-08-15.
  53. ↑ "TV taping results - 8/21 ROH in Philadelphia, Pa.: ROH and New Japan stars meet, plus ROH Title match, Tag Title match, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. 2015-08-21. Retrieved 2015-08-22.
  54. ↑ "Destruction in Kobe". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  55. ↑ "Show results - 9/27 NJPW "Destruction in Kobe" Event: Major title change in the main event, ReDragon vs. Time Splitters, A.J. Styles's Bullet Club in action, more big matches". Pro Wrestling Torch. 2015-09-27. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  56. 1 2 Wrestle Kingdom 10 in ?????. New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  57. ↑ Meltzer, Dave (January 3, 2016). "Wrestle Kingdom 10 live results: Kazuchika Okada vs Hiroshi Tanahashi". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  58. ↑ ??? 2·11???IWGP??????. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). 2016-01-06. Retrieved 2016-02-11.
  59. ↑ "The New Beginning in Osaka". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2016-02-11.
  60. ↑ ???? 11?????????? ???????????. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  61. ↑ Rose, Bryan (March 3, 2016). "NJPW New Japan Cup results: Big announcements, first round of matches". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  62. ↑ ??? ???????Chaos????????New Japan Cup 2016. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). 2016-03-10. Retrieved 2016-03-12.
  63. ↑ Rose, Bryan (2016-03-12). "New Japan Cup Finals results: Cup winner crowned; build to Invasion Attack". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2016-03-12.
  64. ↑ ???NJC?2????V??? ?????Chaos?????. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). 2016-03-13. Retrieved 2016-03-12.
  65. ↑ "(Results) New Japan, 8/7/10". Strong Style Spirit. 2010-08-07. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  66. ↑ "(Results) New Japan, 8/13/10". Strong Style Spirit. 2010-08-13. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  67. ↑ "(Results) New Japan, 8/8/10". Strong Style Spirit. 2010-08-08. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  68. ↑ "New Japan Cup 2016". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2016-03-12.
  69. ↑
  70. ↑ ???????Presents G1 Climax 24. New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  71. ↑ ???????Presents G1 Climax 24. New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  72. ↑ "New Japan Cup 2015". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  73. ↑ ???NJC???????????. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). March 1, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  74. ↑ "NJC?? ???????????????????". Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). March 16, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  75. ↑
  76. ↑ "Katsuyori Shibata". Puroresu Central. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  77. ↑ 洋央紀＆柴田「合体リバース牛殺し」完成. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). January 30, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
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  79. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2015". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2015-10-05.
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