Isaacs and Nelson finally bring STRONG Tag gold to the West Coast

The first of three championship matches at Strong Style Evolved December 15 saw the NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag team Championships at stake, new champions Grizzled Young Veterans defending against West Coast Wrecking Crew.

Watch the replay!

James Drake started for the champions, and took down Royce Isaacs early; though Jorel Nelson had his partner’s back, a blind tag saw Zack Gibson come in with European uppercuts. A change of levels, and the West Coast Wrecking Crew were able to separate Gibson from Drake, Isaacs showing his insane strength with a squatting gutwrench suplex.

For the second time in the match, a blind tag came in handy for the champions, who turned the tables on an increasingly frustrated Isaacs. Nelson encouraged his partner from the apron as Gibson ground down the powerhouse and was a ball of fire once finally tagged in; a recovered Isaacs came clubbing with lariats in the corner and then a front suplex to Gibson.

In trouble with his partner on the floor, James Drake tried to restrain Isaacs with a front chancerie before a splash in the corner and then a Koji Clutch on Isaacs. Without the benefit of a tag, Gibson put the boots to Royce, but the big man was able to summon up a standing slam to Drake onto his own partner at the ten minute mark, the match continuing to escalate.

With the match decidedly broken down, all four men traded right blows; the challengers gaining control and landing sensational double teams on Gibson. When Isaacs landed a big Superman punch on Gibson, the titles were within reach, but a sudden attack from Drake with his scarf stunned Isaacs; just as the GYV went for Grit Your Teeth though, Nelson grabbed Drake from the floor, and Isaacs rolled into a schoolboy with a handful of tights to take the gold.

The new champions didn’t have long to celebrate their long awaited accomplishment, as they were greeted by Rocky Romero. Romero congratulated Nelson and Isaacs before saying that as a tag specialist he wanted to be his first challenger along with YOH at Battle in the Valley January 11. Isaacs answered with a thunderous German suplex and the match has apparently been made.