Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Report! (3/14/18)

Published

6 years ago

March 14, 2018

Steven Mitchell

All images courtesy of the WWE Network streaming service

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round Match: SAnitY VS Tino Sabbatelli & Riddick Moss; SAnitY wins and advances to the next round.
Dakota Kai VS Lacey Evans; Dakota wins.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round Match: The Street Profits VS Heavy Machinery; The Street Profits win and advance to the next round.
WWE United Kingdom Championship: Pete Dunne VS Adam Cole w/ The Undisputed Era; Dunne wins by disqualification, and retains the WWE UK Championship.

PLAY BY PLAY

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round Match: SAnitY VS Tino Sabbatelli & Riddick Moss!

Without their rematch clause, Eric Young & Alexander Wolfe must fight their way back to the NXT Tag Team Championships that were taken from them by the Undisputed Era. Can their madness move the big money Sabbatelli & Moss aside on the Road to New Orleans?

Meanwhile, Moss & Sabbatelli were looking on the outs after losing to Heavy Machinery, but they seem to have patched things up in time for this tournament. Wolfe starts with Moss at the bell, and the two tie up. Moss knees low then goes to put Wolfe in a corner, but Wolfe blocks to turn that around! He bumps Moss off buckles then whips him corner to corner. Moss reverses, but Wolfe elbows out. Tino runs at Wolfe but Wolfe boots him down, Moss pounces with a flapjack hotshot! Wolfe writhes as he gasps for air, and now Tino wants in. Moss drags Wolfe over, tags in Tino, and Tino rains rights down on Wolfe.

The fans chant “Tino Sucks!” as he whips Wolfe corner to corner then dropkicks him down. Tino brushes himself off, then brings Wolfe up for a forearm. Moss wants in now, Tino gives the tag, and Moss whips Tino in for a big forearm before adding a shoulder tackle of his own. Moss covers, TWO. The fans rally for Wolfe but Moss brings him up, hangman’s neckbreaker and cover, TWO. Tino applauds Moss but fans rally for Wolfe some more. Moss gives Wolfe a punch then tags Tino so that the two can mug Wolfe in the corner. Moss trash talks then throws a forearm, but Wolfe dodges and Tino takes the hit!

Tino goes down and asks what that was about. Moss tries to explain, but in that time, Wolfe tags in Eric! Eric rallies on the Blue Chip Boys, knocking Moss down and then throwing haymakers on Tino. Eric whips and dropkicks Tino down then hiets him with a back elbow. Tino reverses the whip but Eric tumbles to the apron. Eric shoulders in then slides in to scoop and slam. Eric hurries to the corner, climbs up and hits a manic Macho Elbow!

Cover, but Moss drags Eric off! Wolfe protests but Moss puts into the ring. Nikki Cross climbs up onto the apron to then jump on Moss!

Nikki’s running wild and fans fire up while Wolfe tags in. Wolfe brings Tino up, Eric hops up, and they hit the flying neckbreaker backbreaker combo!

Cover, now SAnitY wins! Chaos continues on, can they capture the tag team titles once again?

Tommaso Ciampa suddenly appears!

The Sicilian Psycho is back again after being booed out of the building last week. He’s still getting booed this week, too. Every fan holds up the Johnny Gargano face at him.

This time, even with the fans booing and jeering, Ciampa grabs a mic to try again. However, the fans chant “Johnny! Johnny!” and “Johnny Wrestling!” to troll him. He shakes his head, then shouts “Stop! Stop!” The fans don’t hear him, they keep chanting. Ciampa tries again, but only more boos and jeers meet him. He drops the mic, and they cheer. They even chant, “YES! YES!” as he leaves the ring. One fan tries to appease Ciampa, but it doesn’t do any good. The other fans chant “Ciampa Sucks!” as Project Blackheart passes by. Then they chant “We Want Johnny!”, which only upsets Ciampa. He walks back up the steps, and to the stage, so the fans sing the familiar “Nana na na, Hey Hey Hey, Good Bye~!” Ciampa leaves again, without a word. What will he have to say when he finally does speak his mind?

Dakota Kai VS Lacey Evans!

The Model Soldier has made it her mission to straighten out the NXT Women’s Division to be more proper and classy. She failed when going up against SAnitY’s twisted sister in Nikki Cross, but perhaps she’ll fare better against the recovering Captain of Team Kick, whose arm is only now returning to 100% after what Shayna Baszler did to it.

The bell rings and Lacey gets a waistlock. Dakota trips her up and runs, but Lacey avoids the kick. Lacey retaliates with an arm wring,er then goes after that bad arm with a knee drop. She drops more knees, then wrenches it again as she bends Dakota back. Fans rally, and Dakota fights her way out to then roll up Lacey, Dakota wins!!

Both women are surprised, but it’s true. Dakota won super quick, and has her hand raised. Can Lacey ever successfully carry out the mission she put on herself?

However, Dakota doesn’t get to enjoy the moment long, because Shayna Baszler appears!

And she’s heading for the ring! Dakota only just returned from what The Queen of Spades did to her, and she backs away from the brutal Baszler. The referee keeps Shayna back but not by much. Shayna creeps closer to Dakota, but Ember Moon appears!

The War Goddess finally shows herself, she’s who Shayna really wants to go after. Ember joins Shayna in the ring, armed with a mic. The fans cheer for the NXT Women’s Champion as she tells Shayna, “You really want to do this again?” It doesn’t matter if Ember has one arm or two, she’s going to end what Shayna started! TakeOver: New Orleans will see a rematch for the title, but the fight continues right now! Ember throws hands, Shayna gets a takedown! Shayna rains hands but Ember gets her ina facelock before giving back hammering hands! Referees work to separate them, but the fans want to “Let Them Fight!”

Ember and Shayna break, come back, but are pried apart again. Shayna gets a sucker punch that rocks the champ! Fans boo and jeer while Ember staggers, and Shayna lets her hair down before loading up again, only to run into a boot from Ember! Ember climbs up to the top rope and takes aim at her upstart challenger. Shayna springs up to rock her with a knee! Now Shayna puts Ember in the Kirafuda while she’s on the top rope. But Dakota makes the save with a running boot!

Ember is free thanks to that, and now she finishes aiming, for a one-armed ECLIPSE!

The Prophecy of Flame has downed the Submission Magician! She stands over her foe tonight, but will Ember be standing at all when they have their rematch?

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round Match: The Street Profits VS Heavy Machinery!

Both Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford and Tucker Knight & Otis Dozovic have gone up against The Authors of Pain in the past, only to fall like all the rest. Akam & Rezar have already gotten through to the next round, who will win here tonight to try their hand at taking them on again?

Things are already ready to go off as “Dozer” gets in Ford’s face and Ford tries to kung-fu fight him back. Tucker and Dawkins bring their teammates back, and the bell rings. Ford and Otis stay in, and fans chant “Steaks and Weights!” for Heavy Machinery. Dozer lunges at Ford, but Ford evades to get a headlock. Otis powers out and runs Ford over, to then back him down into his corner. Ford picks up his cup and takes a sip. He offers it to Otis, and carefully slides forward to hand it over. The fans chant “Drink! Drink!” and Otis sips. Otis likes what he tastes, and finishes it. He starts revving up, Ford revs up with him. Otis tosses the cup up, and then runs Ford over! He scoops and slams Ford, Ford slips out while Otis tags Tucker.

Dawkins runs in but gets a dropkick from Tucker, and then go after him in the corner. They spread Dawkins wide like a certain son of Dusty would, but then Ford runs in. Tucker throws him out but Ford holds on, only to come back in and be caught by Heavy Machinery! Ford realizes what he’s in for, as does Dawkins, but they can’t do anything about it as Heavy Machinery gives them a heavy duty version of Shattered Dreams!

Both Street Profits go down, Tucker covers Ford, TWO. Tucker brings Ford up and hoists him into a big bearhug. He even hops around as he squeezes Ford. Ford fights out with haymakers, but then Tucker suplexes him. Ford slips out and tags in Dawkins! Dawkins rallies on Tucker, big dropkick and then a bigger back elbow! The Curse of Greatness hits Tucker with the spinning splash, then keeps moving, only to take a big Thesz Press! Dawkins ends up in Heavy machinery’s corner, Tucker splashes him while tagging Otis. Otis picks up Dawkins and Tucker gets moving, but Ford lowers the ropes to dump Tucker out! Dawkins fights out and DDT’s Dozer down. Tag to Ford, who climbs up, and hits a big frog splash!

Cover, Street Profits win! Ford & Dawkins take down bigger, stronger opponents tonight, can they do it again against the dominant Akam & Rezar?

WWE United Kingdom Championship: Pete Dunne VS Adam Cole w/ The Undisputed Era!

The British Bruiserweight may only be the second WWE UK Champion ever, but he’s proven himself the more dominant. He has retained against not just the former champion in Tyler Bate, but also against every other man in the WWE UK Division. As such, he’s been left with American challengers such as Johnny Gargano and Roderick Strong, yet still defended successfully against them, too. Now after getting in Dunne’s face in passing, the Panama City Playboy gets his shot as the third Yank to challenge for the UK belt. Can the third time be the charm in favor of Adam Cole BAYBAY!?

The bell rings and the fans already rally as Cole and Dunne circle. They tie up, Dunne backs Cole into a corner but Cole turns it around. Cole lets Dunne out, but Dunne sees reDRagon lurking. So he goes out and backs them down! Fish & O’Reilly stay back and remind Dunne to be more worried about Cole. As such, Cole pounces as Dunne reenters the ring. He brings Dunne up but Dunne gets to ropes. Cole backs off, but then Dunne rocks him with a forearm! Dunne dares reDRagon to try something, but they stay outside the ring. Dunne stomps Cole, wraps one arm in a hammerlock and sits on it while bending back the other arm. He even bends and stretches Cole’s fingers back, one at a time! Cole kicks and flails, but Dunne puts his arm in the hammerlock, to stomp on it!

The fans applaud the Bruiserweight’s brutality while he brings Cole up to work on the other arm. Fish coaches Cole but Dunne hammerlocks that other arm and kicks it! Cole scrambles to the apron, Dunne follows him out, and Dunne grabs Cole in a waistlock. Cole elbows Dunne away, but Dunne stays standing. Dunne hops up onto a corner, and come down on Cole’s left arm!

Cole goes down, clutching that arm, but Dunne isn’t done. He glares at reDRagon, while he X-Plexes Cole to the apron! O’Reilly & Fish protest, but Dunne just smirks at them as he follows Cole back into the ring. Dunne hops up again, but Fish & O’Reilly get up onto the apron to distract Dunne. Cole pounces, shoving Dunne over the top rope, and Dunne ends up in a Tree of Woe! The referee sees what’s happened, but Cole finishes dumping Dunne over. Dunne clutches his leg while we go to break.

NXT returns, and Cole still has control of Dunne as he brings him up for a suplex. Dunne counters with an X-Plex outta nowhere! Both men are down while the fans rally, but Dunne stands first. He chops Cole, Cole forearms back, and they continue back and forth. Dunne gets the edge with furious punches, but Cole knees low. Cole whips but Dunne flips up and over to enziguri Cole down! Dunne hops up again, to again stomp the arm! Dunne brings Cole up, sit-out powerbomb and pin, TWO!

Fish & O’Reilly coach Cole but Dunne is first up again. The fans chant for the Bruiserweight as he kicks Cole right in the head! Dunne keeps going, bringing Cole up for the pumphandle. Dunne lifts but Cole slips out and hits a backstabber! Cole can’t cover from the pain in his arm, but he recovers while the fans rally. He stands and drags Dunne up, but Dunne again counters the suplex, but into a guillotine-bodyscissors-Kimura combo!

Cole endures the Hoverboard, and powers through to at least throw Dunne off. Dunne comes back but into Cole’s bicycle boot! Cole lifts Dunne in the fireman’s carry, for the Ushigoroshi! Cover, TWO! The Undisputed Era is frustrated, but Cole takes off his elbow pad while fans rally. Dunne stirs while Cole toys with him. Cole pie-faces Dunne and even calls him a “chump”! “You’ve got nothing! You’ll never be better than me.” Cole keeps pie-facing Dunne, but then Dunne forearms Cole so hard, he ends up in a corner!

Fish & O’Reilly check on Cole, and the referee backs Dunne down. The ref tells reDRagon to back away, Cole throws a sucker SUPERKICK, but Dunne blocks! Dunne spins Cole around for the waistlock, Cole breaks loose and hits an enziguri! Dunne still forearms Cole in the back of the head, Cole SUPERKICKS on the rebound, but Dunne enziguris back! Cole staggers but side steps Dunne, Dunne back flips, Cole SUPERKICKS him out of the air!

Cover, TWO! Cole can’t believe it, but the fans chant “NXT! NXT!” Fish & O’Reilly still coach Cole on while Dunne stirs. The fans declare “This is Awesome!” while Cole pulls down his knee pad. Cole runs for the Shining Wizard but Dunne ducks and shoves Cole forward. Dunne German Suplexes Cole on the rebound! He fires up, and then drags Cole up, but reDRagon stand on the apron again. Dunne rushes them, giving O’Reilly a forearm smash, and tripping Fish up on the apron. Dunne reenters, but Cole SUPERKICKS him! Cole keeps going, and hits the Last Shot!!

Cover, TWO!? Cole really can’t believe this one. Somehow Dunne survived one of Cole’s best moves, but the fans hope they “Fight Forever!” Dunne revives and grabs the fingers, to snap them! Cole writhes, but Dunne grabs the other hand! Cole swings a kick, but Dunne ducks it to get the pumphandle position. But then O’Reilly slips in and kicks Dunne! The match is disqualified, but the Undisputed Era keeps up the beating, 3v1!

Cole has reDRagon bring Dunne up, and Cole bicycle kicks Dunne down. But in comes Strong to fight the Undisputed Era off!

That’s still a 3v1 situation, though, and Strong ends up beat down and stomped out like Dunne. Cole has reDRagon bring Strong up, but then Dunne revives, and the 3v2 brawl is a bit better for the Bruiserweight and the Messiah of the Backbreaker. The Undisputed Era retreats, and Dunne holds up his title. Does the WWE UK Champion have an American ally in his fight against Cole, Fish & O’Reilly?

Strong offers Dunne a handshake, but Dunne brushes it off. Maybe he views it as more every man for himself. Will Strong get another chance at Dunne’s title down the line?

NXT General Manager, William Regal, is in the ring.

He is here to preside over the contract signing for the NXT Championship match at TakeOver: New Orleans. That match will of course have the champion, El Idolo, and “this man”, Aleister Black!

The Embodiment of the End dispatched Killian Dain last week to earn the right to be #1 Contender. He makes his way to the ring, and circles the table in the center. Regal then introduces the champion, Andrade “Cien” Almas!

Or rather, his manager, Zelina Vega. She makes her way to the ring without El Campeon, which is a bit confusing to both Regal and Aleister. Vega explains, “The NXT Champion, Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas, is not here tonight.” The fans boo and jeer, but Vega continues to say that if Almas were here, “he would destroy you until there’s nothing left.” Aleister ignores her while he seems to be searching for something. Vega continues by saying that as Almas’ manager, it is her job to “ensure that he saves humiliating you for TakeOver: New Orleans.” Aleister tells her to hush with a hand to he face. He hands Vega the contract, then moves the table aside. Aleister walks up to Vega, but realizes how much shorter she is, so he sits down, cross-legged.

Aleister says now they’re on the “same level”, and lets her continue. She does not stand for this insult, and promises that Almas will destroy him like he was never here. Aleister will “reap what you sow”, and then signs the contract on Almas’ behalf. The fans tease Vega by chanting “Too Short! Woop Woop!” Aleister checks the contract and then wonders, “Humiliate me?” Almas is not here, so that he doesn’t humiliate Aleister? Or rather, is Almas not here tonight because he fears in New Orleans, he–much like Vega–will “come up a little short”? Or perhaps more, in comparison to Aleister, he doesn’t “measure up.” Vega really doesn’t stand for these insults, she slaps Aleister!

Vega demands he sign the contract, but he just smirks. He does sign, making things official as he hands it to Regal. Vega insists “you have made the biggest mistake of your life” and that Aleister is “nothing compared to Almas”! However, Aleister just walks out of the ring, and lets Zelina know that he’s happy she came here alone. Because it turns out, he didn’t. Candice LaRae runs out!

Mrs. Wrestling still owes Vega for what she and Almas did to Mr. Wrestling! She rushes the ring and tackles Vega to then rain down furious rights! Vega trise to run but Candice yanks her down and hammers away more. Candice chases Vega around the corner and then they end up on the announce table, Candice still furiously throwing hands. Vega shoves her away but can’t escape, they end up back in the ring! Candice brings Vega up, for a tornado bulldog!

Candice promises Vega this is far from over! Can she avenge her husband at the expense of the woman behind El Campeon?

My Thoughts:

This was a packed episode, at almost a full hour long! And ever minute was great! NXT wastes little time getting to action with SAnitY VS Sabbatelli-Moss, which was really great. There was a bit of reference to the possible break-up story of Sabbatelli & Moss, in that miscommunication causes them to lose. Though, they probably weren’t going to win even if they were perfectly in sync as SAnitY is just that good. They await the winners of the final opening round match, Mustache Mountain VS Burch & Lorcan, another good match-up. I expect Mustache Mountain to win and we’ll get an even greater match-up on that side of the bracket.

Street Profits VS Heavy Machinery was probably the best match either team has put up on NXT TV, especially for the first time these two teams have met. It’s really big for Street Profits to go over, to be the underdogs to the monstrous Authors of Pain. Tommaso Ciampa having another speechless promo was once again very smart to do. The fans would not stop booing, jeering and chanting, so Ciampa storming out again was a good move. I can’t wait for the third time to be him having an outburst in anger. Dakota winning against Lacey so quickly was surprising, but very fitting for the story brewing with Lacey and her newest angle as a Heel. Then Shayna coming out, fighting Ember, and Dakota helping Ember out, I sense a tag team match to build towards TakeOver, Ember & Dakota VS Shayna & Lacey.

While the WWE UK Division is spinning its wheels in limbo, at least the WWE UK Championship matches are amazing. Cole having reDRagon nearby is business as usual but kinda took away from what Cole VS Dunne alone could’ve been. Great to see Strong making the save, keeping his feud with Undisputed Era going. Also good to see Dunne keeping in character by not really thanking Strong for the save. Unless NXT wants to try two tag team matches where there are uneasy alliances (this and the women’s tag), I expect a Triple Threat for the title coming to up the difficulty for Dunne.

Tonight’s contract signing was probably the best contract signing segment in a long time on any WWE program. It was interesting to see Aleister be the jocular Face when he’s always so stoic and serious. I suppose he just couldn’t resist poking fun at Zelina since he knew he had an ace up his sleeve in Candice. Great to see the brawl that happens in this contract signing is with people not involved in the contract match. This will definitely turn into Zelina VS Candice at TakeOver, though I expect each of them to have one match against other women superstars before then so Zelina can prove herself in the Women’s Division before taking Candice on.

My Score: 8.5/10

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (12/1/23)

SmackDown hears voices!

Published

38 mins ago

December 1, 2023

Steven Mitchell

The Viper is here for The Bloodline!

He returned at WarGames, he returned to Monday Night Raw, and now, The Apex Predator, Randy Orton, returns to Friday Night SmackDown! Will he be able to strike at The Bloodline tonight?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kevin Owens VS Grayson Waller; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

[Due to the scheduling choices of KFOX14 (El Paso & Las Cruces), coverage of SmackDown will not begin until 9PM Eastern]

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (12/1/23)

A Block, round 5!

Published

57 mins ago

December 1, 2023

Steven Mitchell

Will it be Chaos for the Reiwa Musketeers?

Shota Umino & Ren Narita are just outside the top spot in A Block, can they take over and truly lead NJPW’s future in World Tag League?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Six Man Tag: El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & Jado VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
Six Man Tag: Just5Guys VS Tiger Mask, Atlantis Jr. & Soberano Jr; Just5Guys win.
Six Man Tag: Master Wato, Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki VS Ryusuke Taguchi, Lance Archer & Alex Zayne; Wato, Nagata & Suzuki win.
8 Man Tag: Yoh, Bishamon & Boltin Oleg VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Yoh, Bishamon & Oleg win.
2023 World Tag League, Block A: The Gates of Agony VS EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi; Evil & Yujiro win.
2023 World Tag League, Block A: TMDK VS Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa; TMDK wins.
2023 World Tag League, Block A: Great-O-Khan & Henare VS Gabe Kidd & Alex Coughlin; Kidd & Coughlin win.
2023 World Tag League, Block A: Shota Umino & Ren Narita VS Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii; Yano & Ishii win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings.

TMDK: 3-1, 6 points
Shota Umino & Ren Narita: 3-1, 6 points
Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa: 2-2, 4 points
War Dogs: 2-2, 4 points
The United Empire: 2-2, 4 points
Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii: 2-2, 4 points
The House of Torture: 1-3, 2 points
The Gates of Agony: 1-3, 2 points

2023 World Tag League, Block A: The Gates of Agony VS EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi w/ The House of Torture!

Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona finally got on the board, beating the War Dogs. Meanwhile, the House of Torture is falling apart as they just keep losing! Will the Gates slam shut on them, too? Or will the King of Darkness & Tokyo Pimp find a way to lie, cheat and steal a win once again?

Wait, the Gates are coming out wearing House of Torture shirts? And then they wait for the House to make their entrance? Is this a sign that they’ve become allies? Dick Togo, Sho, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, and of course Evil & Yujiro all come out together and they seem pretty chummy with the Gates. All seven go to the ring now, and this is a rather interesting development. Did Prince Nana approve this deal? Everyone shakes hands and “put one out” so clearly there’s something to this. They even pose for photos! But then Kaun & Liona quickly and quietly TOSS Sho & Kanemaru, then they TOSS Dick! Yujiro & Evil don’t understand!

Kaun & Liona throw forearms, the bell rings and the Gates whip Evil & Yujiro. Yujiro & Evil hold ropes to then BOOT in return! But they run into double scoop SLAMS! The Gates tear off the House of Torture shirts, and Liona even wipes his butt with it! Evil & Yujiro are in opposite corners, Kaun runs in to ELBOW Yujiro and Liona SPLASHES Evil! Then the Gates trade, ELBOW for Evil and SPLASH for Yujiro! And back the other way! Fans fire up as the Gates tricked the tricksters! They fire each other up, and Kaun sends Liona into SPLASH Evil! The fans rally up, the Gates run in to SPLASH SANDWICH Evil!

Liona stands Evil back up, he and Kaun OPEN- NO, Yujiro saves Evil and they bail out. The House falls back, daring the Gates to come out after them. The Gates storm out after them, but going all the way to the entrance is suspicious. Sho & Kanemaru attack from behind with chairs! Fans boo as Dick distracts the ref so that the House can mug the Gates! Sho CHOKES Liona with his chair, but Liona bench presses it away! Yujiro helps Sho while Evil drags Kaun around, to RAM into the timekeeper’s area! Poor Abe-san! The fans boo but Evil gets on the mic to basically say this is what they get for messing with the House!

Yujiro SMACKS Liona off the timekeeper’s table, but Liona roars! So Yujiro POSTS Liona to knock him down! Evil drags Kaun up, puts him in the ring, and fans rally up. Evil CLUBS Kaun, CLUBS him again, and calls to the ref. Marty Asami returns and Evil stomps Kaun. Evil drags Kaun up, wrenches the arm and tags in Yujiro. Yujiro CLUBS Kaun’s arm, then reels him in to snapmare and ROCK with a haymaker. Yujiro looms over Kaun to rain down more fists but the ref reprimands. No closed fists! So Yujiro fishhooks Kaun’s nose! Yujiro sits Kaun up to run and basement BOOT! Cover, ONE!!

Yujiro is annoyed but he drags Kaun back up. Yujiro wrenches, wristlocks, and he CLUBS the arm. And stomps it! Kaun clutches the arm, it is taped up from that fight with the War Dogs. Yujiro wraps the arm around ropes! The ref counts, Yujiro lets off at 4 but the House all complains. Tag to Evil and he throws his shirt at Liona. Now the ref has to keep Liona out, and Evil throws Kaun out for the boys to stomp away on! Fans boo these vultures, but then Sho puts Kaun back in for Evil. Cover, TWO! Evil argues with the ref but the fans rally up. Evil tags Yujiro then runs to BLAST Liona! Liona stays up and roars, so Evil pokes him in the eyes!

Evil and Yujiro drag Kaun up, whip him to a corner, and Yujiro runs in but into Kaun’s BOOT! Kaun catches Evil for an URENAGE! Then Kaun uses Evil as a step to SHOTGUN Yujiro! Fans fire up while they’re all done, and Kaun crawls over. Hot tag to Liona! Liona rallies on Yujiro, BOOTS him, then catches Evil for a spin and LARIAT! Fans fire up more and Liona has targets in opposite corners. Liona roars, then SPLASHES Evil! SPLASH for Yujiro! SPLASH for Evil! SPLASH for Yujiro! Liona just keeps going, then he whips Evil into Yujiro! Fans fire up with Liona, and he runs back in, but both Yujiro and Evil dodge!

Yujiro & Evil kick low, double whip to ropes, but Liona breaks the line to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Fans fire up again and Liona roars for Kaun! Kaun rises and tags in, and the Gates get Yujiro up! But Yujiro moves, the double lariats collide! Kaun hurries to grab a leg but Yujiro BOOTS Kaun into Liona! Evil tags in and he storms up to CLUB Kaun! Evil stomps Kaun, Yujiro joins in, and the ref reprimands. Yujiro drags Kaun to a corner, he and Evil double whip Kaun corner to corner. Yujiro runs in to BOOT! Evil runs in to clothesline! Snapmare and then they set Kaun up while Sho distracts! Dick hops up, DICK CHOP!!

Fans boo as Evil covers, TWO!! Kaun survives and the fans fire up again! Evil slashes his throat, drags Kaun up, and spins him around, but Liona is back! HELL STAB! Then a HEADBUTT for Yujiro! Liona & Kaun BLAST Dick & Sho off the apron! The fans fire up as now Evil is alone! Kaun & Liona high five and LARIAT SANDWICH! They roar again and they get Evil up. HEAVEN’S GATES!! Cover, but Dick YANKS the ref out!! Fans boo, but Yujiro slips back in to CLUB the Gates! Kaun ROCKS Yujiro in return! Kaun & Liona set Evil & Yujiro up, but they block double low blows! Kanemaru and Sho get in, they DOUBLE LOW BLOW!!

Fans boo as the House stomps away on the Gates! Yujiro has his cane, Dick has the Spoiler Choker. Liona shoves Sho aside but gets the CANE SHOT! Dick CHOKES Kaun, Kanemaru gives him WHISKEY MIST! And then Sho CLOBBERS Kaun with his wrench! Dick gets the ref back in as Evil hits EVERYTHING IS EVIL on Kaun!! Cover, The House wins!

Winners: Evil & Yujiro Takahashi, by pinfall (gain 2 points; The Gates of Agony earn 0)

Kaun & Liona lured the House in, but one good trick wasn’t enough to beat the numbers game. The House even mugs the Young Lions trying to help The Gates! Will this be the beginning of the most unwanted comeback in World Tag League history?

2023 World Tag League, Block A: TMDK w/ Kosei Fujita VS Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa!

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls did fall for the trickery of Toru Yano. Will TMDK be able to rebound and stay at the top of the block? Or will the Green Supernova and his protege still #CreateTheFuture?

The teams sort out and Mad Mikey starts against Oiwa. They tie up, fans rally up, and Oiwa pushes Mikey back, only for Mikey to put him on ropes. Mikey lets off but shoves Oiwa. Oiwa shoves back! They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Mikey claws eyes, headlocks, and brings Oiwa over. Shane tags in, Oiwa gets away, and then Oiwa arm-drags Mikey! Shane runs in, but into an arm-drag! Oiwa wrenches and whips Shane to ropes, Kaito joins in so they can DOUBLE ARM-DRAG! And then DOUBLE DROPKICK! The fans fire and Oiwa has Shane in a corner. Shane throws a chop, but Oiwa stomps and ROCKS Shane in return.

Oiwa drags Shane up to wrench and wristlock, then he scoops to POWERSLAM! Oiwa runs, but Shane gets up to DROPKICK back! Shane puts Oiwa on ropes, stomps away, and then BLASTS Kaito! Mikey smothers Oiwa on the apron, lets off before he gets caught, and then Shane slides to SHOVE Oiwa to the floor! The ref has to keep Kaito back, so that lets Mikey stomp Oiwa. Mikey puts Oiwa in, Shane covers, TWO! Shane drags Oiwa up, brings him around and bumps him off buckles. Tag to Mikey and he CHOPS! Fans rally, Mikey eggs Oiwa on then CHOPS him again! Mikey ROCKS Oiwa, Oiwa ROCKS Mikey!

Oiwa fires off on Mikey but Mikey ROCKS him right back! And CHOPS him right down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Mikey sits Oiwa up and runs. Oiwa avoids the sliding lariat! Mikey hobbles up, throws a forearm but Oiwa throws back a flurry! Mikey fires a flurry of his own! Mikey runs, into an UPPERCUT! Oiwa runs and ROLLING ELBOWS Mikey down! Fans fire up as both men crawl, hot tag to Kaito! Kaito rallies on TMDK, whips Mikey and DROPKICKS him down! Shane kicks and runs, into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up again and Kaito whips corner to corner. Mikey reverses but Kaito comes back to NECKBREAKER DROP! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally up again as Kaito drags Mikey up and reels him in. Mikey fights the suplex, but Kaito fires forearms! Kaito reels Mikey in but Mikey suplexes! Kaito slips free, ducks Mikey’s elbow, but Mikey DDTS! Fans fire up while both men are down, Mikey crawls to hot tag Shane! Shane UPPERCUTS again and again on Kaito, whips him to a corner then BLASTS Oiwa before he UPPERCUTS Kaito! Shane keeps moving, CANNONBALL! Fans fire up with Hysterical Haste and he drags Kaito up, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Kaito survives and fans rally up. Shane calls his shot and he drags Kaito back up to reel him in.

Shane underhooks the arms, lifts, but Kaito fights free to chicken wing! Shane fights that to ROCK Kaito! Shane eggs Kaito on then UPPERCUTS him! Kaito comes back to UPPERCUT Shane! Shane UPPERCUTS Kaito! Kaito grits his teeth and shakes his head. Kaito UPPERCUTS, Shane UPPERCUTS, repeat! Fans rally, Shane gets the edge with UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT, but Kaito rebounds to RUNNING UPPERCUT! Both men are down again, and the fans fire up! Shane crawls to an open corner, Kaito crawls to hot tag Oiwa! Oiwa runs in to forearm smash, then he whips Shane corner to corner. Oiwa runs in to DROPKICK!

Fans rally up again as Oiwa clamps on a gut wrench, for a GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Oiwa drags Shane up again, GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Oiwa isn’t done, he drags Shane up for a GUT WRENCH BRIDGE! Cover, TWO! Oiwa BLASTS Mikey and Kaito slides in. They double whip Shane, then Kaito sends Oiwa in to ELBOW! Kaito runs in to forearm! Feed to the SPIN POWERSLAM! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Kaito TOSSES Mikey and Oiwa fires up! Oiwa drags Shane up in a waistlock but Mikey makes the save! Mikey CHOPS and Shane LARIATS! They coordinate, fireman’s carry, HIGHWAY TO HELL! Cover, Kaito breaks it!

The fans fire up again but Mikey tosses Kaito out. Shane kicks Oiwa around, eggs him on, but Oiwa sits up. Kaito gives more kicks, and a boot! Shane aims from a corner, runs in, but Oiwa dodges the Shane-ing Wizard to single leg, ANACONDA SUPLEX! Shane staggers back up, Oiwa gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, but Mikey sweeps Oiwa’s legs! Mikey whips, Oiwa reverses and DROPKICKS! Oiwa calls to Kaito and he returns. They get Shane up and fans fire up with them. Oiwa Electric Chair Lifts while Kaito climbs. But Shane victory rolls under the crossbody! TWO!! Mikey catches Kaito for a MIKEY BOMB!

Oiwa fires off on Mikey and DOUBLE CHOPS! But Shane SUPERKICKS! Mikey scoops, TANK BUSTER!! Cover, TMDK wins!!

Winner: TMDK, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kaito & Oiwa earn 0)

A powerful battle from both teams, but only one team was mighty! Will Shane & Mikey still be the A Block finalists

2023 World Tag League, Block A: Great-O-Khan & Henare w/ Callum Newman VS Gabe Kidd & Alex Coughlin!

The Dominator & Face of Fury are holding on at 2-2, but so are #WarReady and the Dreadnought! Will the United Empire conquer these War Dogs and stay strong? Or will Kidd & Coughlin win won for the Rebel?

But of course the War Dogs attack at the ramp! But the Empire is ready, and Khan JAMS Kidd with his banner’s staff! Henare fires hands on Coughlin, HEADBUTTS him, and Khan CHOKES Kidd with the staff! Khan throws Kidd down, Henare CLUBS away on Coughlin, and the Empire gets the Dogs set up for Callum! Callum FLIES! Direct hit and he even lands on his feet! Fans fire up with the Empire and they throw the crowns up. Khan CLUBS Kidd, Henare LASHES Coughlin with his vest, and then Khan whips Kidd hard into railing! Red Shoes says fine then, and the bell rings to get this on record.

Fans cheer while Henare puts Coughlin in and throws forearms. Henare runs to then run Coughlin over! Fans cheer more, and Henare aims. Henare KICKS Coughlin in the back! And KICKS him again! Henare snapmares Coughlin to KICK him again! Then he SENTONS onto knees! Coughlin deadlifts and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Coughlin stomps Henare while Kidd whips Khan hard into railing, sending him up and out! Kidd then drags Khan to the back area of the stands, and whips him all the way into a wall! Coughlin digs his boots into Henare in a corner, then his knee. Red Shoes reprimands and Coughlin lets off.

Kidd and Khan keep brawling in the back as Coughlin CHOPS Henare! Coughlin whips Henare corner to corner then clotheslines! Coughlin then scoops Henare, and hits a FALL AWAY SLAM! Henare tumbles and writhes while fans applaud the show of strength. Coughlin covers, TWO! Tag to Kidd, and the War Dogs get Henare up. Coughlin holds the arms back so Kidd can CHOP Henare! And CHOP again! Kidd then stands on Henare’s head but Red Shoes reprimands. Kidd steps off to storm around. Kidd mockingly asks where Will Ospreay went. Kidd says he’s beating up Ospreay’s boys like they’re his b*tches!

Kidd DECKS Henare, then digs his knee in again. Tag to Coughlin, he drags Henare up, and says “Knock knock” as he taps Henare on the head. Henare snarls but Coughlin SLAPS him down! Coughlin says Henare’s supposed to respond, “Who’s there.” Coughlin kneels on Henare but Khan knocks him over! The War Dogs mug Khan, Kidd drags him out of the ring, then whips him hard into railing! Kidd even DECKS Callum for the hell of it! Fans boo but Kidd says he’s a madman! Coughlin stomps Henare, drags him up, and RAMS him into the corner. Tag to Kidd and Kidd RAMS into Henare. Kidd then snapmares Henare to drop an elbow! Cover, TWO!

Khan runs back in but Kidd DECKS him! Kidd drags Khan up to throw him out, and Coughlin hauls him up to whip hard into more railing! Kidd storms around, kicks Henare, but Henare grits his teeth. Kidd eggs Henare on, kicks again, but Henare blocks! Henare steps over to WHEEL KICK! Both men are down and fans fire up! Henare crawls, Khan drags himself up! But Coughlin runs in to BLAST Khan off the apron! Coughlin then goes out to stomp on Khan, and Kidd CLUBS Henare. Coughlin sends Khan into railing again! Kidd drags Henare up, ROCKS him, then bumps him off buckles. But Henare just growls!

Kidd bumps Henare off more buckles, but Henare just headbutts the buckles! Kidd eggs Henare on, CHOPS him, then whips him. But Henare reverses to SAMOAN DROP! Fans fire up as Henare crawls for his corner. Hot tag- NO, Coughlin YANKS Khan down! Red Shoes reprimands, Coughlin whips, but Khan reverses to send him into railing! And then Khan BOOTS Coughlin down! The fans fire up, hot tag to Khan! Khan runs Kidd over, whips him to a corner and clotheslines! Then torture rack and swing, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Kidd is still in this but the fans rally behind Khan. Khan sits Kidd up, into the IRON CLAW SLEEPER!

Kidd BITES the fingers! And SNAPS them! Kidd runs, rebounds, but Khan gets under! Henare runs in, ASSISTED SITOUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Kidd survives but Henare and Khan coordinate. Shoutout to Aussie Open, RUNNING KICK SANDWICH! Scoop, HEEL KICK T T D!! Cover, Coughlin breaks it! Coughlin and Henare trade big forearms! Fans fire up as they go back and forth! Coughlin gets the edge, but Henare BODY BLOWS! And ULTIMA- NO, Coughlin fights the full nelson! So Henare shoves him to a corner for a SHINING WIZARD! Then snapmare and RUGBY KICK! And then the Monster Rage boils over!

Henare drags Kidd up, fireman’s carries, and Khan runs. But Kidd slips free to shove Henare into Khan! Kidd BITES Henare, TOSSES him out, talks trash, but turns around into the HELL STAB! IRON CLAW, but Kidd grabs at Red Shoes! RIGHT HAND!! Kidd and Khan fall over after that closed fist shot! Fans rally up as hard as they can but Kidd snarls as he drags Khan up. Kidd runs, springboards, OSCUTTER?!? Kidd sends a message to Ospreay, and Coughlin is back in! Gut wrench, Coughlin goes up, HIJACK TOMBSTONE!! Cover, War Dogs win!!

Winners: Gabe Kidd & Alex Coughlin, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Khan & Henare earn 0)

That madman tells Ospreay that he’s dead when they finally face off 1v1! December 16th is still two weeks away, is Kidd going to overlook the rest of the WTL all because he wants after the Kingpin?

2023 World Tag League, Block A: Shota Umino & Ren Narita VS Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii!

The Reiwa Musketeers are coming off a big main event win last round, and are near the top of the block! But the Clown Prince & Stone Pitbull just took down the top of the block last round against TMDK! Will Yano & Ishii pull off another shocker to get to the front of the line? Or will the Roughneck & Son of Strong Style make it through the Chaos?

The teams sort out and Ishii starts against Narita. The fans rally, the two tie up, and they’re in a deadlock. Every step Narita pushes Ishii back, Ishii pushes Narita back. Ishii uses his stockier frame to keep pushing Narita, and they end up on ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, Ishii lets off, but Narita intercepts the forearm with a forearm! Narita fires off more shots, but Ishii eggs him on! Ishii and Narita trade forearms back and forth, fans fire up as they pick up speed! Narita ROCKS Ishii, runs, but Ishii avoids the boot. Narita avoids the lariat to BOOT Ishii down after all! Fans fire up and Narita stomps Ishii. Narita then stands Ishii up to bump off buckles.

But then Ishii hits Shota! Shota hits back, Ishii fights both Musketeers at once! That doesn’t go well and they mug him 2v1. Tag to Shota and he digs his boots in while Narita BLASTS Yano! Red Shoes counts, Shota & Narita double whip Ishii to ropes, then DOUBLE ELBOW! SENTON! SOMERSAULT SENTON! Then they shake hands to DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Shota kicks Ishii around, eggs him on, but Ishii stands. The two stare down, and Shota throws a forearm. Ishii eggs Shota on now, so Shota throws more forearms. Ishii leans into the shots and backs Shota down like that! Shota keeps throwing shots, but Ishii DECKS him!

Fans fire up and Ishii rains down more shots on Shota! Red Shoes counts, Ishii lets off, and then Ishii eggs Narita on. Red Shoes keeps Narita back and Yano tags in. Yano fires up, and he unties a buckle pad! Then he throws it to Shota and tattles on him to Red Shoes! Shota gives the buckle pad over, and Yano SLAPS Shota in the head! Fans cheer but Shota scowls. Yano claws the eyes! Yano runs, Shota ELBOWS him then runs to basement dropkick! Tag to Narita, and Narita whips Yano to ropes, for a NECKBREAKER DROP! Cover, TWO! Yano is still in this and fans rally up. Narita brings Yano up but Yano pulls hair!

Narita kicks and whips but Yano reverses to throw Narita down by his hair! Yano drags Narita up and whips him into the bare buckles! Narita writhes, Yano BLASTS Shota, and Ishii rushes over to go after him! Yano throws Narita out and then goes out after him. Yano whips Narita hard into railing! Ishii whips Shota hard into railing, too! Yano drags Narita back up, puts him in the ring, and he stomps Narita around. Yano drags Narita up, tells haters to shut up, then tags in Ishii. Ishii CHOPS Narita, stalks him, and CHOPS him against the ropes! Ishii eggs Narita on and CHOPS him again. Ishii continues to egg Narita on, so Narita throws a forearm!

Ishii slaps Narita around, Narita throws more shots, but Ishii CHOPS him back down! Fans applaud, and Ishii taunts Shota. Shota coaches Narita but Ishii gives Narita toying kicks. Ishii HEADBUTTS Narita, CHOPS him, then CHOPS and CHOPS again! Narita roars but Ishii CHOPS him back down! Ishii whips Narita corner to corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Narita runs up, Ishii ROCKS him! Ishii swings, but into a HALF HATCH! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Hot tag to Shota! Shota fires off on Ishii, whips him to ropes, but Ishii reverses. Shota CLOBBERS Ishii, then BLASTS Yano! Fans fire up behind Shota and he sends Ishii to a corner.

Shota runs in to UPPERCUT, then FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Shota keeps going, and he turns Ishii over into an STF! Yano stomps Shota, so Shota kicks Yano and tosses him out. Shota goes back to Ishii, stands him up, and clinches. Ishii fights the lift with elbows! Shota ROCKS Ishii, gives him taunting kicks, but Ishii ROCKS Shota back! Shota and Ishii stare down, and Shota fires off forearm after forearm! Shota has Ishii in the corner for more shots! Red Shoes reprimands but Ishii roars and turns things around to CHOP and ROCK Shota on repeat! The fans rally up as Shota sits down, only for Ishii to stand him back up for more!

Ishii CHOPS and ROCKS Shota into sitting down again, and the fans fire up! Ishii eggs Shota on, kicks him around, slaps him even, and Shota scowls. Shota storms up on Ishii, Ishii throws a forearm. Shota eggs Ishii on, and leans into the shots a la Ishii. Shota then ROCKS Ishii and he staggers away! Ishii comes back, Shota clinches but Ishii slips around. Shota elbows Ishii, whips, but Ishii reverses to SAIDO! Fans fire up while both men are down! Shota and Ishii crawl, hot tag to Yano! Yano fires up and whips Shota, but Shota reverses. Yano avoids the bare buckles, to then bait Shota into them! Roll up, TWO!

Yano runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him down! Fans fire up again, and Shota crawls to hot tag Narita! Narita runs up on Yano, BACK ELBOW! Then HALF HATCH BRIDGE! Cover, TWO! Yano escapes, but Narita BLASTS Ishii to cut off the tag. Narita clinches but Yano fights the lift! So Narita trips Yano, and rolls him, CROSS ANKLE CLOVERLEAF! Yano endures, the fans rally up, but Narita drags Yano from ropes! Yano keeps fighting around, he reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Narita lets off in frustration but the fans rally up again. Narita stands Yano up, reels him in, COBRA TWIST! But Yano powers free with a hip toss!

Narita runs in but Yano trips him! CATAPULT into the bare buckles!! Ishii clotheslines Narita, too! Then he BLASTS Shota! Yano fires up and he hauls Narita up. ONI- NO, Narita fights free! Narita gets around, SLEEPER! Yano is fading fast, but Narita goes to the COBRA TWIST now! Yano endures, fans rally up, and Yano fights his way around. Shota keeps Ishii out, and Narita brings Yano away with the SLEEPER! Then back to COBRA TWIST! Yano is turning red like his favorite chair! But Ishii sends Shota into railing, to then TACKLE Narita! Fans fire up while Narita tosses Ishii back out. Narita roars and goes back for Yano.

Narita drags Yano up but Yano fights the suplex. Narita knees low, runs, but Yano avoids the boot to clinch and BELLY2BELLY! Fans fire up while both men are down! Yano and Narita crawl, hot tag to Ishii, and he BLASTS Shota! Ishii drags Narita up, throws him into Shota, then runs, but Narita BOOTS! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Ishii escapes and the fans fire up again. Narita crawls, hot tag to Shota! Shota aims at Ishii, BANG and V-TRIGGER! Shota then slingshots to APRON DDT Ishii!! Fans are thunderous and Shota stands tall as Ishii flops over. Red Shoes checks but Ishii is somehow still in this.

Shota drags Ishii up as the ring count begins. Shota puts Ishii in, climbs up a corner, and he MISSILE DROPKICKS Ishii down! Then Shota resets, to slingshot CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and the fans fire up again! Shota drags Ishii up, dragon sleepers, but Ishii fights free. Ishii runs, into a snap cradle, that then shifts into a BONE LOCK!! Ishii endures the over-the-shoulder crossface, but Narita keeps Yano out! Shota pulls on the hold, but Ishii still fights around! Ishii reaches out, but Shota pulls back more! Ishii flails and kicks around, to have the ROPEBREAK! Shota lets go and the fans fire up again.

Narita slides in, he and Shota coordinate. Shota wrenches Ishii, dragon sleepers, and then gets Ishii up. Narita runs, BOOT into SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and the fans are thunderous again! The Musketeers stay focused, though, and they haul Ishii up. They double whip him to a corner, Shota runs in to ELBOW! Narita runs in to JUMP KICK! Feed to Shota’s forearm! Narita’s BOOT! Shota’s ROLLING ELBOW! Another BOOT! And then the lift, for the HART ATTACK! Cover, YANO BREAKS IT! Fans fire up but Narita fires off on Yano! Yano gets around, fireman’s carry takeover! Yano kicks and whips Shota, but Shota reverses!

But Yano denies the tornado DDT! Yano atomic drops Shota, then pops him up. Shota fights the Onigoroshi, underhooks Yano, but Yano RAMS Shota into bare buckles! Ishii reels Shota in, hoists him up, POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans fire up again! Ishii roars, the fans duel, and Shota flounders up. Ishii runs, Shota BOOTS him, blocks the lariat, and ENZIGURIS! Narita is back to WHEEL KICK! Narita hurries to get Ishii up and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Then a clinch, but Ishii HEADBUTTS free! Narita ENZIGURIS, Shota full nelsons! Narita runs, but Ishii gets free, the BOOT hits Shota!

Ishii shoves Shota into Narita, Yano drags Narita out! LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!?! Shota survives and fans are thunderous again! Ishii grits his teeth and he stands back up. Ishii roars and looks to finish this off. We’re at 20 minutes, Ishii suplexes, but Shota slips free! HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Ishii gets right up to CLOBBER Shota! But Shota’s right up to SHOTGUN Ishii! Ishii’s back, but Shota pop-up KNEES, and LARIATS! Fans fire up again and Shota drags Ishii up. HALF ‘N’ HALF BRIDGE! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous and Shota just fires up again! Shota aims from a corner, vowing to end it here!

Ishii slowly rises, Shota runs in, BLAZE BLADE!! But Shota isn’t done! Underhooks and- NO, Ishii wrenches out to PELE!! Both men are down and the fans are electric! Ishii goes to the corner while the fans duel, and he SLIDING LARIATS!! Cover, NARITA BREAKS IT! Yano runs in to toss Narita out! Ishii roars and he drags Shota back up. Ishii suplexes, but Shota fights free! Shota wrenches, ROCKS and ROLLING- NO, Ishii ROCKS Shota! But Shota catches Ishii, only for Ishii to wrench out! Shota POP-UP UPPERCUTS! And then V- NO, Ishii blocks to HEADBUTT! And then Ishii spins Shota to a BRAINBUSTER!!! Cover, CHAOS WINS!

Winners: Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Narita earn 0)

There weren’t any tricks needed here, Ishii & Yano beat the Musketeers straight up! Is it still too soon for Shota & Narita to say the Paradigm Shift is coming?

And because it’s Ishii who won this, he’s a true strong silent type, so he and Yano just get outta here! No closing address tonight, but will actions speak louder than words for the Stone Pitbull in this tournament’s second half?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

TMDK: 4-1, 8 points
Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii: 3-2, 6 points
Shota Umino & Ren Narita: 3-2, 6 points
War Dogs: 3-2, 6 points
Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa: 2-3, 4 points
The United Empire: 2-3, 4 points
The House of Torture: 2-3, 4 points
The Gates of Agony: 1-4, 2 points

My Thoughts:

Another great round for World Tag League and this block, with some rather shocking moves. I really thought The Gates were going to get going after their win last round, but I guess the House of Torture couldn’t just drop off that badly so they had to win this here. And as we saw in that main event, Yano & Ishii are making a go of it in this block. They beat Shota & Narita, who are certainly still frontrunners, but that was great stuff to make a point that Shota & Narita aren’t ready to beat the real “old guard” they’re talking about replacing here. War Dogs beating the Empire seems fine, they’re mostly just keeping pace so they could cost somebody later.

And great match from TMDK VS the Noah duo, and a great win for TMDK to again be the clear first place team. 4-1 at the halfway point, this block is on Shane & Mikey to win or lose, and as I’ve been saying, TMDK as both a group and as just these two, the OG members, have been solid a long time. It’d be great if they got to the tournament finals here, maybe even get that title shot at WrestleKingdom.