Are the Reiwa Musketeers truly mighty?

World Tag League continues into the home stretch, and TMDK is at the top of Block A! But will Shota Umino & Ren Narita make The Mighty kneel?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current 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

2023 World Tag League, Block A: The Gates of Agony VS Great-O-Khan & Henare w/ Callum Newman!

Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona pulled one over on the House of Torture but couldn’t pull out the win. And the United Empire is holding on by a thread after the War Dogs took a bite out of them. Will one team’s run in the block end right here and now?

The teams sort out and though Henare and Liona stare down and egg each other on, Khan and Kaun start. That’s not gonna be confusing… Fans make sure to chant for “O-KHAN!” so we know the difference. The bell rings, Khan and Kaun circle. They tie up, Khan puts Kaun on the ropes, then lets off, to pull Kaun’s ear! Kaun breaks free but Khan ROCKS him! Khan whips, Kaun reverses then hurdles to ELBOW Khan down! Fans cheer, and Kaun builds up energy to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Kaun drags Khan up, whips him to the corner and tags Liona. The Gates double whip, then they double shoulder Khan down!

Liona & Kaun then clamp on DOUBLE CLAWS into Khan’s shoulders! Henare CLUBS Kaun down and he eggs Liona on again. The ref keeps them back, only Liona is legal. Henare has no choice but to go back, and Liona tags Kaun back in. The Gates mug Khan in the corner, RAM and CLUB on repeat! The ref counts, Liona lets off and then Kaun slingshot sentons! Fans cheer the agility, Kaun covers, TWO! Kaun drags Khan up, reels him in, underhooks, but Khan fights his way to ropes! Khan back drops Kaun up and out! Henare rushes over to get Kaun up and sends him into railing! Henare HEADBUTTS Kaun while Khan goes after Liona!

Khan RAMS Liona into railing, through the gate! Henare throws up the crown, the fans rally up, and Khan slides back into the ring. Kaun crawls while the ring count starts, but Kaun rolls in at 6 of 20. Khan clamps on the HITSUJIGOROSHI! Kaun endures, but Khan scoops him for a SLAM! Cover, TWO! Khan taunts Kaun, sits him up and clamps on the claw into a shoulder! Henare joins in to clamp onto the other shoulder! Liona CLUBS Khan, and again Liona and Henare shout at each other! The ref gets between them, they yell at him now, but he asserts his authority. Henare backs off again while Khan stands on Kaun.

Henare tags in, he stomps Kaun, then he drags Kaun up to snapmare and KICK! And SENTON! Fans fire up while Henare taunts Liona, then covers. TWO, but Henare drags Kaun back up. Henare bumps Kaun off buckles, tags Khan, and Khan puts some stank on his Mongolian Chops! Then he turns Kaun around to Mongolian Chop again! Fans fire up as Khan hops up, and sits on the Cameroonian Prince like a throne! Kaun flails, the ref reprimands, but Khan pulls the arms back! The ref counts, Khan hops off at 4, to then HIP TOSS Kaun down! Cocky cover, ONE!! Khan ROCKS Liona, but Liona just roars!

The ref has to keep Liona back, and Khan drags Kaun up. GERMAN- NO, Kaun fights that and switches. Khan switches back, back suplex, but Kaun lands on his feet! Kick and DDT! Both Khan and Kaun are down but Henare storms in to stomp Kaun! Henare whips Kaun to a corner, but Kaun dodges the Shining Wizard and runs the ropes, to LARIAT Henare down! Fans fire up and Kaun crawls for his corner! Hot tag to Liona! Liona CLOBBERS Khan, CLOBBERS him again, then whips to ropes. Khan KNEES low! Liona comes back to LARIAT! Fans fire up with Liona and he sees Khan go to the open corner.

Liona fires up, runs in, back body block! Liona goes corner to corner but Khan follows to clothesline! Khan fakes Liona out, ROCKS him, but Liona ROCKS him back! Khan fires another forearm, Liona fires back! They go back and forth, fans rally up, and Liona fires a flurry! Liona roars, but Khan Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian Chops! And then UPPERCUTS! Khan UPPERCUTS again, then winds up, but Liona scoops him! SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Khan saves himself but Liona shouts to Kaun! But Henare SMACKS Kaun off the apron then throws Kaun into railing! Khan CLUBS Liona, and clamps on the IRON CLAW SLEEPER!

Liona flails, endures, throws elbows, and breaks free. But Khan UPPERCUTS him in the back! Liona stays up and Khan eggs him on. But Henare shouts, he wants in! The fans fire up because they want to see that, too! Khan says okay, and he tags in Henare! Fans fire up as the Māori Face of Fury circles with the Samoan Lion! Henare shows off his Haka, so Liona responds in kind! They then fire off fast hands! The fans fire up as this is fast and furious! Henare ROCKS Liona, Liona ROCKS Henare, repeat! Fans rally as the forearm shots go back and forth! Henare HEADBUTTS, but then Liona HEADBUTTS!

Henare HEADBUTTS again, but Liona HEADBUTTS again! Kaun and Khan coach their teammates on, Henare fires a flurry of HEADBUTTS! Both men wobble, the fans fire up, and Liona comes back to JUMPING HEADBUTT! Henare staggers to a corner, Liona runs in, but into a KNEE! Henare runs, into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Henare survives and fans fire up! Liona roars, he tags in Kaun, and Liona BLASTS Khan! The Gates drag Henare up, HEAVEN’S- NO, Henare slips free and ELBOWS Kaun down! Liona runs in but Henare ELBOWS him, too! Henare goes up to FLYING CHUCK!

Fans fire up and Liona roars! Henare dodges Liona, to RAMPAGE outta nowhere!! But Henare can’t make the cover, so he crawls to hot tag Khan! Khan storms up on Liona to fire off forearms! But Kaun CLUBS Khan, and then Liona CLUBS Khan! The Gates double whip, but Khan slips around to shove Kaun into Liona! Then Khan puts Kaun on Liona’s shoulders and he sweeps the leg to make Liona POWERBOMB Kaun! Fans fire up and Khan aims at Liona, LARIAT! The fans fire up more and Khan storms up on Kaun in the corner. Khan whips corner to corner and clotheslines! Then torture racks!

Kaun endures being bent, and then Khan hits a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Kaun is still in this but Khan hauls Kaun up. Kaun slips out of the scoop, knees low, and whips, but Khan reverses. Kaun goes up and over, runs back in and SHOTGUNS Khan down! Kaun roars, Liona joins in, HIP ATTACK to METEORA! The Gates then haul Khan up, LARIAT SANDWICH! Cover, Henare breaks it! Liona TOSSES Henare then coordinates with Kaun again. But Henare drags Liona out! Kaun fireman’s carries, GUTBUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO! Khan is still in this and Kaun calls to Liona. Liona gets back in and the Gates haul Khan up.

But Henare saves Khan from Heaven’s Gates! WHEEL KICK for Kaun, and HEEL KICK for Liona! Liona stays up so Henare BODY BLOWS and HEADBUTTS! Liona HEADBUTTS back! The fans fire up as all four men are down at the 15 minute mark! Kaun rises, and he drags Khan back up. Fireman’s carry, but Khan slips free, IRON CLAW SLEEPER! F G O PLEX! Both men are down again, but Khan drags Kaun up. IRON CLAW, but Kaun DECKS Khan! Only for Khan to rise! Khan blocks a kick, clinches, IRON CLAW URENAGE!! Cover, the Empire wins!

Winners: Great-O-Khan & Henare, by pinfall (gain 2 points; The Gates of Agony earn 0)

The Dominator upgraded his Eliminator and proved he is the GREATER Khan/Kaun! Is there still a chance for the Empire to take over World Tag League?

2023 World Tag League, Block A: Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii VS Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa!

The Clown Prince & Stone Pitbull pulled off a shocker in last round’s main event by beating the Reiwa Musketeers! As for The Green Supernova and his protege, they learned The Mighty Don’t Kneel. Can Yano & Ishii build upon their momentum and head for the top? Or will Kaito & Oiwa still #CreateTheFuture?

Ishii and Kaito stare down, then start pushing each other. The ref has them back down, the teams sort out, and Kaito starts against Ishii. They rush in to tie up, then Kaito fires a forearm! Ishii eggs him on so Kaito throws more forearms! Then Ishii throws forearms in return! Fans fire up as the shots keep going! Ishii ROCKS Kaito, fires more forearms, then runs to run Kaito over! But Kaito’s right up to DROPKICK Ishii down! But then Ishii’s right back up and they go back to throwing forearms! Kaito gets the edge, but Ishii ducks the lariat! Ishii swings but Kaito ducks the lariat! But Ishii spins Kaito around to suplex!

Kaito fights free but Ishii ROCKS him! Ishii swings but into an arm-drag! Fans cheer and Kaito steps over for the armlock. Ishii endures, but Kaito wrenches and YANKS the arm! Tag to Oiwa, they mug Ishii, and then double whip. They DOUBLE ARM-DRAG Ishii, then Yano runs in. But he gets DOUBLE ARM-DRAGS, then DOUBLE DROPKICKS! Fans fire up with Team Noah and Oiwa drags Ishii up. Oiwa tries to scoop but Ishii fights it. Oiwa throws forearms but Ishii eggs him on. Ishii leans into the shots and he backs Oiwa down! Oiwa ends up cornered as he throws more forearms! Ishii then CHOPS!

Ishii CHOPS, the ref warns those are really high, but Ishii shoves him aside to CHOP again! Kaito protests, but Ishii tells him to shut up. Kaito storms in, the ref keeps him back, and Ishii bumps Oiwa off buckles. Tag to Yano and Ishii tells Kaito to shut up. Yano eggs Kaito on now, then he whips Oiwa into bare buckles! When did Yano take the buckle pad off?! Fans cheer while Oiwa writhes, and Kaito protests about the buckle pad. Now Yano tells him to shut up! Yano whips Oiwa back into bare buckles! Oiwa falls back and writhes, but Yano drags him up again. But Oiwa suplexes first! Fans fire up while both men are down!

Kaito coaches Oiwa on and Oiwa crawls over, hot tag to Kaito! Fans fire up as Kaito DROPKICKS Yano, and he DROPKICKS Ishii! Then he arm-drags Yano, and he arm-drags Ishii! Kaito whips Yano, Yano reverses but Kaito comes back to NECKBREAKER DROP! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up and Kaito storms back up on Yano. Kaito chicken wings the arms but Yano fights the lift! Yano breaks free but Kaito CLUBS him! Kaito runs, into an atomic- NO, Kaito CLUBS Yano first! Kaito whips, Yano holds ropes and taunts him! Kaito runs in, misses, and Yano SLAPS him! Kaito runs in, blocks a kick, to DRAGON SCREW!

Kaito keeps hold of Yano’s leg but Ishii CLUBS him! Kaito CLUBS Ishii in return! Fans fire up as Kaito sends Ishii out and whips Yano. Yano reverses to throw Kaito by his hair! Both men are down, Yano crawls, hot tag to Ishii! Ishii storms up on Kaito, sits him up, and KICKS him in the back! Kaito stands up in anger and he fires forearm after forearm! Ishii ROCKS Kaito with just one! Kaito UPPERCUTS, whips corner to corner, but Ishii comes back! Only for Kaito to DROPKICK him! Fans fire up while both are down, and they crawl again. Kaito hot tags Oiwa! Oiwa runs in at Ishii to forearm smash!

Oiwa keeps moving but Ishii ROCKS Oiwa back! Oiwa ROCKS Ishii again, scoops, and POWERSLAMS! Then SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer and Oiwa drags Ishii up. Oiwa gut wrenches but Ishii fights the suplex! Ishii reels Oiwa in, sends him into Kaito, then runs. But the Noah boys DOUBLE DROPKICK him! Yano gets on the apron but Oiwa BLASTS him down! Oiwa & Kaito drag Ishii up, they double whip corner to corner, then Kaito sends Oiwa in to ELBOW Ishii! Kaito forearm smashes, then feeds to the SPIN POWERSELAM! Cover, TWO!! Ishii escapes in time and the fans fire back up!

Oiwa drags Ishii up while someone is sent into railing! Oiwa waistlocks, but Ishii fights with elbows! Oiwa ROCKS Ishii, Ishii ROCKS Oiwa, but Oiwa CHOPS back! Oiwa runs but Yano trips him! Yano gets in, Oiwa fires forearms but Yano hits a fireman’s carry takeover! Kaito runs in to fire off forearms! Kaito runs, but Yano dodges to clinch and BELLY2BELLY! Fans fire up and Yano watches Oiwa. Yano atomic drops then trips Oiwa, to CATAPULT him into the bare buckles! Ishii is back to GERMAN SUPLEX Oiwa! Fans fire up again as Ishii drags Oiwa up. Ishii reels Oiwa in, hoists him up, POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!!

Fans fire up as Oiwa survives but Yano keeps after Kaito on the outside. Ishii waits on Oiwa, runs, but Oiwa stops the lariat! And he ducks the next, but not the third LARIAT! Cover, Kaito breaks it! Fans fire up as Ishii ROCKS and whips Kaito. Kaito ROLLING- NO, Ishii dodges, but then Kaito dodges, JUMPING SHINING WIZARD! Then Kaito chicken wings Ishii! Ishii mule kicks free! But Kaito dropkicks the leg! And the other leg! And then he dropkicks Ishii into Oiwa’s roll-up! TWO!! Ishii survives but the Noah boys fire up! Fans rally, Kaito goes up and Oiwa drags Ishii up into the Electric Chair! DOUBLE IMPACT DOOMSDAY!!

Oiwa fires up and he hauls Ishii back up! Deadlift GUT WRENCH KNEE COMBO! Bridging cover, but Yano breaks it! Fans fire up again, and Kaito throws Yano back out. Oiwa snarls, drags Ishii back up, and reels him in. Ishii fights free, dodges Oiwa’s lariat but Oiwa dodges back! ANACONDA SUPLEX! High stack, TWO!! Ishii survives again and fans fire back up! Oiwa roars, waistlocks and deadlifts, but Ishii fights! Oiwa wrenches, but Ishii HEADBUTTS! Oiwa SLAPS, ROLLING ELBOWS, but Ishii HEADBUTTS again! Fans fire up as Oiwa is down and Ishii staggers back! Ishii slaps himself awake and then builds speed, to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!!

Oiwa survives and fans are thunderous! Yano drags Kaito away to send him into railing! Ishii drags Oiwa up to suplex, but Oiwa fights free! Oiwa gets around Ishii, Kaito returns, ROLLING ELBOW into the GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, Kaito intercepts Yano, TWO!!! Ishii still survives but Oiwa fires up! Oiwa waistlocks and he drags Ishii up again, to full nelson! Ishii fights that, breaks free and gets around, but Oiwa spins him! Ishii fights the suplex but Oiwa DROPKICKS! Ishii SLIDING D!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa survives and Ishii roars! Ishii hauls Oiwa up, suplex, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Chaos wins!

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

Another gritty fight and another victory for Ishii & Yano! Will they fight their way to the front of the line? Are Kaito & Oiwa all but done in their run?

2023 World Tag League, Block A: EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi w/ Dick Togo VS Gabe Kidd & Alex Coughlin!

The House of Torture made the Gates of Agony pay for tricking them, and the War Dogs brought down the United Empire. But now, related branches of the Bullet Club meet at a crucial point in the tournament. Will things still be Too Sweet after this? Or is one side going to be very bitter?

Well, seems the House doesn’t care for David Finlay’s pets as they all step on War Dogs towels. But then Kidd runs out there with a chair! The House gets away, but Coughlin comes up to CLOBBER them from behind! Coughlin CLUBS away on Tokyo Pimp, CHOKES him, then ROCKS him with a right! Kidd JAMS Evil with a chair, then goes out after Yujiro! But Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER! Kanemaru CLUBS Coughlin with his whiskey bottle! And Evil JAMS Kidd with the chair! Evil CHOKES Kidd, Kanemaru stomps Coughlin, and then Yujiro drags Coughlin up. The House puts Coughlin in the ring and the bell rings.

Yujiro drags Coughlin up, knees him low, and CLUBS him on the neck! Coughlin ROCKS Yujiro, Yujiro claws the eyes! Yujiro whips Coughlin and surprise! The blue buckle pad goes away! Coughlin hits bare buckles, and Yujiro drags him up. Yujiro bumps Coughlin off the bare buckles, the ref reprimands, but Yujiro snapmares Coughlin to run and basement BOOT! Cover, TWO! The House is annoyed but the Dreadnought is tougher than that. Evil tags in, and he drags Coughlin up to whip back into bare buckles! Coughlin writhes, Evil grabs a War Dogs towel but says the ref has to stop Kidd. Then Evil CHOKES Coughlin!

Kidd gets past the ref but Evil kicks him down! Evil drags Coughlin to a cover, ONE! Another cover, ONE! A third cover, TWO!! Coughlin is still in this and fans applaud. Evil kicks Coughlin around, stands on him, but Coughlin bench presses the foot away! Coughlin trips Evil then deadlift GUT WRENCH SUPLEXES him! Kidd BLASTS Yujiro for good measure! Kidd drags Evil up, throws him out, and then goes out after him to RAMS into the timekeeper! Abe-san still suffers, even when Evil is the victim! Kidd puts Evil in for Coughlin to CHOKE! The ref reprimands, Coughlin lets off at 4 and Evil sputters.

Coughlin stomps Evil, drags him up, and then RAMS him into the red corner! Kidd tags in, and he BITES Evil! The ref counts, Kidd lets off, but now Coughlin BITES Evil! They’re dogs for real! Kidd stomps Evil, tags Coughlin, and Kidd digs his boots in. The ref reprimands, Kidd lets off, Coughlin then digs his boots in! The ref counts, Coughlin lets off and tags Kidd in. Kidd mocks the former world champion, “What you got?!” Evil stands up and puts some stank on clawing the eyes! But Kidd grabs those fingers and bends them! Kidd says hush, and then he SNAPS a finger! Evil clutches his hand, but uses the ref as a shield!

Kidd pushes past the ref but Evil blocks the kick, hands it to the ref, and mule kicks Kidd down! Evil tags Yujiro and Yujiro BLASTS Coughlin before he goes for Kidd. Yujiro TOSSES Kidd out, then distracts the ref so Dick can DECK Kidd! Kanemaru pulls up floor mats!? Kanemaru & Dick DOUBLE SNAP SUPLEX Kidd onto the bare floor! Coughlin gets after Yujiro and reels him in, but Yujiro BITES Coughlin’s hand! Yujiro’s got that dog in him, too! Yujiro then whips Coughlin into the bare buckles! Coughlin falls and writhes, flops out of the ring, but Kanemaru puts Kidd in. Yujiro stands Kidd up so he can BOOT him!

Yujiro reels Kidd in, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Kidd hangs in there and the fans rally up. Yujiro drags Kidd up and reels him in, but Kidd fights the lift! Kidd throws down elbows, but Yujiro kicks low. Yujiro whips but Kidd reverses and Yujiro hits the bare buckles! Kidd BITES Yujiro on the head! The ref reprimands, Kidd lets off at 4, but Dick distracts! Kanemaru grabs Kidd by the hair and turns him around, but Kidd UPPERCUTS the whiskey mist into the air! Down goes the Heel Master and the fans fire up! Kidd runs at Yujiro but Yujiro sends him into the ref! Down goes Marty Asami and Evil attacks Kidd!

Evil claws Kidd’s eyes, Dick joins in as they stomp away in the corner! Kidd flops out of the ring but Evil goes out after him. Evil & Dick haul Kidd up to bring him around, and then to the bare of the crowd! Yujiro keeps on Coughlin by sending him into railing! Evil & Dick go all the way to the back, to an exit! They throw Kidd out of the arena and block the door! Or rather, they LOCK the door!? How is Kidd gonna get back? Yujiro keeps beating down Coughlin and Evil goes over to help him out. The House mugs Coughlin 4v1, but he still fights back! Fans fire up as Coughlin ROCKS Dick but Evil kicks Coughlin!

Evil brings Coughlin around the way, claws the eyes, and then puts him in the SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Yujiro digs a chair into Coughlin’s head! Fans clear out, the bell rings! Wait, what? Did the House win? No, that’s just Dick doing that, because he thinks the House should win already. Wait, what’s Kidd doing up in the balcony area?! Fans fire up as Kidd SUPER CORSSBODIES the whole House down!! Kidd rises and fans actually cheer! Kidd drags Yujiro up and brings him around the way, to then run him all the way to ringside, and POST him!! Kidd then shoves Yujiro into the ring, waits on him to stand, and ROCKS him with a haymaker!

Kidd suplexes, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, the ref is back, TWO!!! Yujiro survives but Kidd shakes his head. Coughlin is back, the fans rally up and the War Dogs get Yujiro up. They reel Yujiro in, DOUBLE MUSCLE BUSTER!! Cover, Evil breaks it! Coughlin kicks Evil, TOSSES him out, then the War Dogs fire up again. Coughlin goes up a corner, Kidd gut wrenches Yujiro, but the lights go down!! And then the House attacks in the dark! The lights come back up, the House is standing tall, and guess what? Sho finally appears, disguised as a ring staff member! That’s where the Murder Machine was this whole time!

The House now mugs the War Dogs 5v2, and then they all focus on Kidd! Fans boo, the House is up to their old tricks. Evil hauls Kidd up, he and Kanemaru whip him into a corner, then Dick runs in to ELBOW! Kanemaru ELBOWS! Sho forearm smashes! Evil clotheslines! Snapmare, and then they set Kidd up for the DICK CHOP!! Yujiro covers and Kanemaru puts the ref back in, TWO!?!? Kidd survives and the House is furious! Yujiro sits Kidd up, PIMP JUICE!! Cover, Coughlin YANKS the ref out! Kanemaru attacks Coughlin, and Sho helps out! They POST Coughlin! Evil stands Kidd up, but here comes Gedo!

Gedo has a SLEDGEHAMMER!! The Blacksmith chases off the extra House boys, and Coughlin puts Yujiro in for Kidd! Kidd LOW BLOWS Yujiro! Then the War Dogs get the pimp cane! CANE SHOT for the Tokyo Pimp!! Turnabout is fair play, and the War Dogs get Yujiro up! HIJACKER TOMBSTONE!!!! Cover, Coughlin puts the ref back in, War Dogs win!!

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

If all’s fair in love and war, then the House can’t complain that their own tricks got used against them! But will this be the last straw in the dysfunction between Bullet Club sub units? Will Kidd & Coughlin focus on finishing WTL on top first?

2023 World Tag League, Block A: Shota Umino & Ren Narita VS TMDK w/ Kosei Fujita!

It’s a battle for the top of the block! Will it be the Reiwa Musketeers that lead the way into the future? Or will Hysterical Shane Haste & Mad Mikey Nicholls refuse to kneel even now?

The teams sort out and Shane starts against Shota. The fans rally and duel as the two circle. Shane is a little annoyed by that but he and Shota tie up. Shota waistlocks, Shane switches, but Shota headlocks. Shane pops out the back, wrenches to a wristlock, then YANKS the arm. Shota rolls, slips around, spins Shane and cravats, but Shane fights around. Shane slips through, hammerlocks then headlocks for the takeover. Shota headscissors and he holds tight. Shane moves around, pops free and headlocks, but Shota headscissors again. Shane turns Shota over, traps the legs and pulls hair! Red Shoes reprimands but Shane shifts to a chinlock.

Shota endures as Shane bends him back, fishhooks him a bit, then clamps on for a neck wrench. But Shota fights free, trips Shane and has the toehold. Shane reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Shota lets go cleanly and the fans applaud. Shane and Shota reset, tie up, and Shota wrenches to a wristlock. Shane reaches out but Shota keeps him from ropes, so Shane rolls, kips up, and snapmares. Shota avoids the dropkick, but then so does Shane! Shane UPPERCUTS, snapmares and basement dropkicks! Fans cheer and Shane flexes. Shane then whips, but Shota reverses to ELBOW Shane down and basement dropkicks!

Fans cheer again as Shane backs off. Shota obliges, and they tag Narita and Mikey. Mikey and Narita go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Narita headlocks, Mikey powers out, and they RAM shoulders! They throw forearms back and forth again! Mikey headlocks, Narita powers out, and Mikey runs Narita over! Narita gets up, Mikey kicks and runs, but Narita dodges to NECKBREAKER DROP! Fans fire up and Narita stomps Mikey. Narita bumps Mikey off buckles, then tags Shota. Shota BLASTS Shane, then he and Narita double whip. DOUBLE ELBOW! SENTON, then SOMERSAULT SENTON!

The Musketeers shake hands and DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Shota stares Shane down, then goes back to stomp Mikey. Mikey ROCKS Shota, Shota UPPERCUTS Mikey! Shota then brings Mikey over, tags Narita, and they mug Mikey. Narita CLUBS Mikey, CLUBS him more, then BLASTS Shane for good measure. Shane gets back up to distract Narita, and Mikey CLUBS Narita out of the ring! Mikey eggs Shota on and distracts Red Shoes, Shane hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane then puts Narita in for Mikey to drop a knee! And another knee! Tag to Shane, then Mikey BLASTS Shota! TMDK double whip to DOUBLE ELBOW Narita!

SENTON FIST DROP COMBO! Cover, TWO! Narita is still in this but Shane clamps on with a chinlock. Narita endures, but Shane makes him smile using fishhooks. Red Shoes reprimands, Shane lets off to KICK Narita in the back! Fans rally up, Shane scuffs Narita, then stomps him! Shane drags Narita up, bumps him off buckles, and tags in Mikey. Shane CHOPS, Mikey CHOPS, and Narita flounders away! Mikey eggs Narita while Shane mockingly wishes Narita luck. But Narita fires forearms! Mikey CHOPS Narita down! Mikey brings Narita over, tags Shane, and TMDK mugs Narita. Shane CHOPS Narita, then kneels on him!

Narita gets the ROPEBREAK, Red Shoes reprimands and counts, and Narita lets off at 3. Shane KICKS Narita around, fans rally up, and Shota coaches Narita. Shane gives more kicks, but Narita blocks one! But Shane ROCKS him first! Shane runs, but into the WHEEL KICK! Narita and Shane are down, the fans fire up, hot tag to Shota! Shota fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses. Shota ducks ‘n ‘dodges to LARAIT! Mikey runs in, into a scoop and DROP! Shota then runs to basement dropkick Mikey out of the ring! Fans fire up with Shota and he goes after Shane. Shota whips Shane corner to corner, runs in and UPPERCUTS!

Shota reels Shane in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota keeps his cool. Shota clinches but Shane fights the lift. Shota knees low, tries again, but Shane arm-drags free then DROPKICKS! Both men are down, hot tag to Mikey! Mikey runs in to clothesline! Then a whip back to the corner, but Shota dodges this time. POP-UP KNEE! And EXPLODER! Fans fire up and Shota crawls for his corner, hot tag to Narita! Narita storms up to whip Mikey to a corner, then runs in to BACK ELBOW! HALF HATCH BRIDGE! Cover, TWO! Mikey is still in this but Narita drags him up.

Mikey fights the clinch with elbows but Narita trips him. Mikey boots Narita away, swings, but into the waistlock! Mikey fights the lift, Narita avoids the elbow but not the DDT! Both men stir, rise back up, and Mikey fireman’s carries. Narita fights free, to get a SLEEPER! Shane storms in but Narita sends Mikey into him! And back to the SLEEPER for Mikey! Shota keeps Shane down on the outside as Narita shifts to the COBRA TWIST! Mikey endures while fans fire up! Shane gets in to CLUB Narita! Shota CLUBS Shane and tosses him out, and Narita roars! Narita drags Mikey back up, clinches, but Mikey BELL CLAPS free!

Narita BOOTS Mikey, runs, but into a LARIAT! But Narita’s back up! GERMAN SUPLEX! But Mikey’s back up! Fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Both men are down, the fans rally up, and they both crawl, hot tag to Shane! Shane BLASTS Shota to cut off Narita. Shane UPPERCUTS Narita again and again, then swings, into the EXPLODER! Both men are down again and fans rally back up! Narita crawls, hot tag to Shota! Shota UPPERCUTS Shane again and again! Shane UPPERCUTS back! Shota rebounds to SHOTGUN! Shane flounders to ropes, fans rally and Shota runs in, SLINGSHOT APRON DDT!!

Fans fire up with Shota while Shane flops out of the ring! Red Shoes checks Shane but he’s somehow okay to continue. The ring count begins, Shota drags Shane up at 5 of 20, puts him in, and then aims from a corner. Shota climbs, to MISSILE DROPKICK! And then Shota goes back to the apron, slingshot and CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Shane is still in this but Shota dragon sleepers! SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO!! Shane survives again but Shota steps through to the STF! Narita catches Mikey in an COBRA TWIST! But Mikey powers out to SLAM Narita onto Shota! Mikey throws Narita out and stands Shota up.

But Shota fights off the combo move! Narita drags Mikey out while Shota drags Shane down, STF!! Shane endures, flails, reaches out, and Narita keeps Mikey out with a SLEEPER! Shota pulls on the hold but Shane fights around! Shane goes to his left but Shota pulls him back more! Shane still fights to the ROPEBREAK! Shota lets off and fans cheer. Narita is back, he and Shota coordinate. They whip Shane to a corner, then Shota runs in to ELBOW! Narita runs in to JUMP KICK! Feed to the FOREARM, BOOT, ROLLING ELBOW, BOOT and HART ATTACK!! Cover, TWO!!! Shane survives and fans fire up again!

Shota and Narita drag Shane up to try again. DOUBLE EXPLODER!! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Narita kicks Mikey and throws him out, and Shota takes aim from a corner! Shane rises, into IGNITION! Cover, TWO!! Shane survives and fans fire up as Shota still has ammo. BLAZE- NO, Shane ducks! Shota SWATS the lariat then ENZIGURIS! Shota fires up, fans fire up, and Shane staggers around! Narita and Mikey crash into railing as Shota reels Shane in, HALF NELSON BRIDGE! Cover, TWO!! Shane reloads in the corner, runs back in, BLAZE- LARIAT from Shane!! Shane hauls Shota up, to LAST RIDE POWERBOMB!! Cover, Narita breaks it!!

Mikey whips Narita to scoop, MIKEY BOMB!! Fans fire up as Mikey kicks Narita out and Shane drags Shota up. They call their shot, fireman’s carry and HIGHWAY TO HELL!! Cover, TWO?!? Shota survives and the fans fire up! TMDK is frustrated, but they still have their best shot to try! They drag Shota up, Mikey scoops and Shane again calls the shot. But Shota slips free, shoves Mikey into Shane and tosses Mikey out! TORNADO DDT for Shane! And then underhooks, but Shane wrenches out! ROUNDHOUSE! Mikey sends Narita into railing, slides back in, Shota swings on Shane! Shane ducks, sends Shota to Mikey, scoop and TANK BUSTER!!! Cover, TMDK WINS!!

Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Narita earn 0)

The Musketeers fall again! They’re 3-3 with time running out, is the future not here just yet?

As for TMDK, Shane gets the mic to say, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, baby! That’s another one of the new generation down to TMDK. We are still here, and we are at the top, top of the pop, baby, yeah!” Fans cheer that. Shane says TMDK will be A Block winners, TMDK will be World Tag League winners, and soon TMDK will be IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! “JA MATTE NE~!” Fans cheer as Shane swings the mic and air guitars! Will nothing stop TMDK from winning it all?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

TMDK: 5-1, 10 points
Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii: 4-2, 8 points
War Dogs: 4-2, 8 points
Shota Umino & Ren Narita: 3-3, 6 points
The United Empire: 3-3, 6 points
Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
The House of Torture: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
The Gates of Agony: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

A great round for A Block here, and we’re almost at the end! Gates are out, the House is out, Kaito & Oiwa are out, and really, only The House can play spoilers from here. Gates VS Kaito & Oiwa is next, so it doesn’t matter who wins there. The House can ruin things for Shota & Narita in the seventh round, keeping them from the semifinals on Friday. Awesome win for the Empire over the Gates, great stuff that Yano & Ishii are still in this, and we’ll see Khan & Henare VS Yano & Ishii face off to see who stays alive a little longer. TMDK being 5-1, they’re definitely in the semifinals, so I hope they make it to the finals.

My Score: 8.9/10

Will Bishamon have to tranquilo?

The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions fought to a time limit draw last round, will Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi be able to #GetBackUp this round? Or will Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr. sink their ship?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii VS Yuto Nakashima & Oskar Leube; Yano & Ishii win.
• Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS The Gates of Agony & Boltin Oleg; The Gates of Agony & Oleg win.
• 8 Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
• Six Man Tag: Master Wato, Shota Umino & Ren Narita VS TMDK; Wato, Shota & Narita win.
• 2023 World Tag League, B Block: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo VS Bad Luck Fale & Jack Bonza; ELP & Leo win.
• 2023 World Tag League, B Block: Taichi & Yuya Uemura VS Atlantis Jr. & Soberano Jr; Taichi & Yuya win.
• 2023 World Tag League, B Block: Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki VS Lance Archer & Alex Zayne; Nagata & Suzuki win.
• 2023 World Tag League, B Block: Bishamon VS Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr; Bishamon wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current B Block standings.

Alex Zayne & Lance Archer: 4-0, 8 points
Taichi & Yuya Uemura: 3-1, 6 points
Atlantis Jr. y Soberano Jr: 2-1-1, 5 points
Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr: 2-2, 4 points
ELP & Hikuleo: 2-2, 4 points
Bishamon: 1-2-1, 3 points
Bad Luck Fale & Jack Bonza: 1-3, 2 points
Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki: 0-4, 0 points

2023 World Tag League, B Block: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado VS Bad Luck Fale & Jack Bonza!

The Headbanga & Young Guerilla survived the murder grandpas but are still a long way from the front of the block. Though that’s a touch better than the Bullet Club’s Rogue Army, who only just got on the board! Will the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions stay strong? Or will they end up on the bottom of the block?

Fans rally up as ELP builds up the energy to high five Leo! The teams sort out and ELP starts against the Red Commando, who mockingly builds up energy to salute the Rogue General. The bell rings, and the fans rally up while ELP swivels as he takes off his shirt. ELP and Bonza circle, tie up, and Bonza waistlocks. ELP switches, Bonza pries free to switch back and wrench to a wristlock. ELP rolls, trips Bonza, and then hooks up the legs to get Bonza in a BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Fans rally, Bonza pops free to a cover, ONE! Fans applaud as the two reset. Fans rally behind ELP but Bonza tells them to shut up. That only makes them chant harder!

ELP and Bonza reset, tie up, and Bonza headlocks. ELP throws body shots, powers out, but Bonza runs him over! Things keep moving, ELP avoids the elbow drop to hit an elbow drop, but Bonza makes it a ghost pin! TWO and ELP rolls Bonza up, TWO! ELP reels Bonza in, spins him but Bonza fights the backslide! ELP still gets the shoulders down, TWO! ELP stomps the hands! ELP knuckle locks, CHOPS, and goes up, up and jumps around, to FLYING RANA! Fans fire up and ELP handsprings to his feet. ELP CHOPS Bonza to the red corner, then CHOPS him again. Tag to Leo, and Leo hushes the crowd. But Bonza avoids the chop!

Bonza tags in Fale, and fans rally up as the big guys stare down. Leo offers a handshake, but Fale just pie faces Leo. So Leo fires forearms! Fale throws them back! ELP leads the fans in the “YAY! BOO!” as the two giants go back and forth! Leo gets the edge but Fale kicks a leg. Fale RAMS Leo, but Leo stays up! Fans rally up as they RAM again! Leo eggs Fale on, they RAM shoulders again! Leo then kicks low, and goes to scoop! But Fale’s so bulky! Leo gets Fale up!! But Bonza CHOP BLOCKS a leg and Leo falls back! Fale covers, TWO! Bonza drags Leo to the blue corner and Fale tags Bonza in. The Rogue Army mugs Leo in the corner!

Leo crawls, Bonza turns him over and keeps him from ELP. Bonza steps through, SPINNING TOEHOLD! Leo clutches the knee and Bonza talks some trash. SPINNING TOEHOLD! Bonza pie faces Leo, eggs him on, then mocks the heart hands. Leo CHOPS Bonza! Bonza kicks Leo down, stomps him around, then even springboard stomps him! Tag to Fale and Bonza rushes ELP. ELP avoids getting blasted off the apron, but Fale stays between ELP and Leo. Fale then stands on Leo as a surfboard! ELP CLUBS Fale, so Fale DECKS ELP! Fale tags Bonza, and Bonza CLUBS Leo down. Fans rally up but Bonza CLUBS Leo more.

Bonza drags Leo up, whips him to the corner, but Leo BLASTS Fale away! Leo then BOOTS Bonza, hurries for his corner, but Bonza dropkicks the legs out! Bonza snarls, backs ELP off, then he reels Leo in. Bonza finger guns and calls his shot, but Leo’s too big to bomb! Leo back drops Bonza away! Fans fire up while both men crawl, hot tag to ELP! ELP fires off on Bonza, whips him to ropes, but Bonza reverses. ELP ducks ‘n ‘dodges to CLOBBER Bonza! And kip up! Fans fire up as ELP atomic drops Bonza, then mocks his pain. Bonza swings, into another atomic drop! ELP hobbles, but he still hooks Bonza up, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP!

ELP cartwheels to the corner, goes up and takes aim, FALLING AX HANDLE! Fans rally as ELP tunes up the band. SUDDEN- NO, Bonza blocks, then DISCUS LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Bonza is frustrated but he drags ELP up and calls another shot. Bonza suplexes, holds, but ELP kicks free to DDT! Fans fire up again as Bonza and ELP crawl. ELP drags Bonza from Fale, straitjacket and torture rack, then tag to Leo. Leo BLASTS Fale, BOOTS Bonza, into the BRAIN SALAD! Leo covers, TWO! Bonza survives being scrambled but the fans rally with E-Leo-P! They coordinate, tune up, and Bonza rises. But Fale CLOBBERS Leo!

Bonza ROCKS and KNEES ELP, into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Fale runs corner to corner to SPLASH Leo! And then fireman’s carry, SAMOAN DROP to MACHO ELBOW! Cover, ELP breaks it! Fans fire up but Fale kicks ELP. Fale drags ELP up but he fires forearms and CHOPS on the Rogue Army! ELP runs, but into double shoulders! Leo rises while ELP flounders out of the ring, and the Rogue Army mugs him at the ropes. The Rogue Army double whips, but Leo breaks the line to DOUBLE LARIAT! Only Bonza falls, but Leo roars as he SPLASHES Fale in a corner! Leo scoops?! AND SLAMS!! Fans fire up with Leo as the alpha giant!

Leo drags Bonza up, choke grip, but Bonza knees free! SUDDEN DEATH! Choke grip, and ELP DIVES onto Fale! Leo hits GODSEND!! Then ELP climbs onto Leo’s shoulders for the SUPER THUNDER KISS 86!! Cover, ELP & Leo win!

Winners: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Rogue Army earns 0)

Just as Fale & Bonza were locked and loaded, they misfire and fall back down! Will they have to shift into spoiler mode in the tournament’s second half? As for the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions, do they still have an outside shot at those WTL trophies?

2023 World Tag League, B Block: Taichi & Yuya Uemura VS Atlantis Jr. & Soberano Jr!

The Holy Emperor & Heat Storm took a loss to Monster Sauce, but they’re still near the front of the block! But the sons of lucha libre are right behind them! Will this match go a long way to determining B Block’s finalists?

The teams sort out and Soberano starts against Yuya. The fans rally up as Soberano offers a handshake. Yuya reaches out but then Soberano leaves him hanging. The two circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yuya waistlocks, but Soberano wrenches out to wristlock. Soberano YANKS the arm, but Yuya rolls, wrenches, hammerlocks and he brings Soberano around. Soberano rolls, drop toeholds and then has the legs tied up to go after the arms. Soberano has a modified Queen Angelito but Yuya fights up. Soberano stands on Yuya’s shoulders for a modified motorcycle stretch, to then shift to a headlock.

Fans rally as Yuya fights up but Soberano grinds the hold. Yuya pries free, but Soberano pulls hair! The ref reprimands but Soberano snapmares Yuya. Yuya gets right up and the fans applaud. Yuya and Soberano reset, circle, and feel things out. They knuckle lock, but Soberano steps on an arm and double wristlocks the other. Soberano then spins Yuya, arm-drags him, but Yuya arm-drags back! Soberano sweeps and covers, ONE! Yuya hits a headlock takeover, but Soberano headscissors, so Yuya kips free. Both men stand back up and fans applaud the standoff. Soberano offers the handshake for real and Yuya takes it.

Fans applaud the sportsmanship as the two then back down, and they tag in Taichi and Atlantis. The KOPW Champion and NWA World Historic Light Heavyweight Champion RAM shoulders again and again! Then Atlantis runs to RAM Taichi! Taichi rebounds to BOOT! Atlantis rebounds to CHOP! Atlantis eggs Taichi on, so Taichi CHOPS back! Fans fire up as Taichi eggs Atlantis on, and he comes back to CHOP! Fans cheer more, and Taichi CHOPS again! Atlantis CHOPS, it’s a CHOP fight! They go back and forth faster and faster, but Taichi sputters. Atlantis eggs him on, so Taichi KICKS and KICKS!

Atlantis blocks a kick, dodges the forearm and RANAS! Fans fire up while Taichi goes to a corner. Atlantis runs in, but Taichi puts him on the apron. Atlantis counter punches then goes up top to CROSSBODY! Atlantis is right back up to run in, but Taichi BOOTS him! Atlantis returns but Taichi sends him into the corner for the GAMANGIRI! Yuya then runs in to BLAST Soberano! Fans rally up as Yuya coaches Taichi. Taichi and Atlantis rise, but Taichi brings Atlantis around to bump off buckles. Tag to Yuya and he CLUBS Atlantis down. Yuya whips Atlantis to ropes, DOUBLE CHOPS him down, then covers, TWO!

Fans rally as Yuya keeps cool. Yuya brings Atlantis around, snapmares and CLUBS him! Yuya then clamps onto an armlock and he grinds that taped shoulder down. Atlantis reaches out, but Yuya drags him from ropes to keep on that arm. Atlantis endures, Yuya floats to a cover, TWO! Yuya keeps on the arm with a double wristlock now but Atlantis continues to endure. Atlantis fights up, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! But Taichi tags in, and he CLUBS Atlantis on the back. Taichi snapmares Atlantis to KICK him in the back, and fans rally up. Taichi drags Atlantis around for Kawada Kicks, egging him on at the same time.

Atlantis stands right up to fire off forearms! Taichi kicks low and gives more Kawada Kicks! Atlantis sits up, and blocks the buzzsaw! He dodges the Ax Bomber to SUPERKICK! Both men are down and the fans rally back up! Atlantis crawls, hot tag to Soberano! Soberano goes up and CROSSBODIES Taichi down! Soberano then runs corner to corner, but into a BOOT! Taichi runs, Soberano dodges, goes up and over and dodges a boot to ENZIGURI! Fans fire up, and Yuya CLUBS Soberano. Yuya runs, but into a SOBAT! Step-up FAMOUSER! Soberano TOSSES Yuya, sidesteps Taichi, and SPIN POWERSLAMS!

Soberano sets Taichi in the middle of the ring to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Taichi stays in this, and Soberano keeps his cool. Soberano stomps Taichi, drags him up, and fireman’s carries. Taichi fights free but Soberano kicks low again. Soberano talks some trash, runs but into a BOOT! Soberano comes back, but Taichi gest around, only for Soberano to fight the saido! Soberano whips, Taichi reverses and avoids the handspring to AX BOMBER! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Soberano and Taichi crawl for their corners, hot tag to Yuya and he stops Soberano! Yuya CHOPS but Soberano eggs him on!

Yuya CHOPS again, whips, but Soberano reverses. Yuya FLYING FOREARMS! And arm-drags! And DOUBLE CHOPS! Fans fire up with Yuya and he drags Soberano up again. Yuya whips to a corner, runs in and SPLASHES! Then BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! Yuya looms over Soberano, stands him back up, and he traps the arms! But Soberano fights the suplex with knees! Yuya CHOPS, runs, but Soberano DROPKICKS him down! Fans fire up again as both men crawl! Yuya goes to a neutral corner, Soberano hot tags Atlantis! Atlantis runs to BLAST Taichi, then he runs to kick Yuya! Atlantis whips, Yuya reverses!

Atlantis dodges Yuya in the corner, and he SPIN POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! Yuya hangs in there but Atlantis stays focused. The fans rally up, Atlantis whips and Soberano joins in, TU LO SABE! Cover, Taichi breaks it! Soberano kicks Taichi out then goes out after him. Yuya goes back to a neutral corner and Atlantis storms over. Soberano dribbles Taichi off the apron as Atlantis stands Yuya up and scoops. Yuya fights free, and he CHOPS! Taichi sends Soberano into railing! Atlantis CHOPS Yuya! Yuya CHOPS Atlantis! They go CHOP for CHOP, the fans rally up, and Yuya sputters. But he dodges to waistlock!

Yuya sends Atlantis into Taichi’s RIDGEHAND! Yuya CHOPS again! Taichi SOBATS! Yuya BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! Atlantis survives the assault and fans rally up. Yuya fires up and he climbs a corner! CROSS- NO, Atlantis moves and Yuya has to roll through! But then Soberano CROSSBODIES! Taichi storms in to kick Soberano, but Atlantis scoops to BACKBREAKER! Taichi bails back out and Soberano builds speed! FOSBURY FLOP! Direct hit and fans fire up! Atlantis scoops Yuya, MICHINOKU DRIVER! Atlantis hurries up top, FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Yuya survives and Atlantis is furious!

The fans fire up for Yuya but Atlantis refocuses. Atlantis vows to end this and he drags Yuya back up. Atlantis whips, Yuya holds ropes to BOOT back! Atlantis scoops Yuya and then gut wrenches, but Yuya RANAS free! Atlantis stands, into an arm-drag! Ghost pin, and Taichi keeps Soberano out! JUST5GUYS WIN!

Winners: Taichi & Yuya Uemura, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Atlantis & Soberano earn 0)

Taichi is so proud of Yuya! Not only did he win this for the team, he just pinned the NWA World Historic Light Heavyweight Champion! Too bad he’s just outside the weight requirements to challenge for that belt. But that aside, will this help Yuya & Taichi secure a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions?

2023 World Tag League, B Block: Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki VS Lance Archer & Alex Zayne!

In a shocking twist, Blue Justice & The Meanest Man in the World are 0-4 this deep into World Tag League! But will Nagata & Suzuki finally make it work at the halfway point? Or will Monster Sauce continue their hot streak and be the only 5-0 team in the entire tournament?

Surprisingly, the Murderhawk Monster doesn’t maul Young Lions at ringside. But perhaps that is because he is saving all his energy for Suzuki. As such, he doesn’t even budge as Suzuki steps into the ring for “KAZE NI NARE~!” The former boss and subordinate stare down, so Nagata and Zayne let them start. The fans cheer as Archer brings out a Suzuki-Gun shirt! Archer then throws the shirt aside as he tells Suzuki, “Tonight, we fight. So you better bring it our I’m gonna knock your teeth out! Let’s go, Suzuki!” The bell rings and the fans fire up with Archer! Suzuki ROCKS him with a forearm already!

Suzuki eggs Archer on, and Archer grins as he comes back. Archer ROCKS Suzuki right back! Suzuki staggers, stays standing, and he also grins! Archer laughs, he and Suzuki start trading forearms! The fans fire up as the shots keep going! Suzuki gets the edge, then BOOTS! Archer wobbles but he BOOTS right back! Down goes Suzuki! Fans cheer, Suzuki stands up, and Nagata tags himself in. Zayne also tags in, and now fans rally as these two circle. They tie up, Zayne waistlocks but Nagata wrenches to a wristlock. Zayne spins, wrenches, wrangles Nagata, but Nagata kicks him away. The fans cheer as the two reset.

Nagata and Zayne tie up, Zayne headlocks, but Nagata throws body shots. Nagata powers out but Zayne runs him over! Things speed up, Zayne IMPLODER KNEE DROPS onto Nagata’s dropdown! Then he STANDING MARIPOSAS! Fans fire up and Zayne drags Nagata up. Zayne puts Nagata in a corner, tags to Archer, and he taunts Suzuki with “You Suck!” Suzuki says shut up, but Archer stomps away on Nagata. Red Shoes counts, Archer lets off and says Suzuki’s next. Suzuki says to still shut up, but Archer snapmares Nagata. Archer continues to taunt Suzuki then he CLUBS away on Nagata’s chest! Cover, TWO!

Archer is mad at Red Shoes, and Suzuki steps in just to flip Archer off. Archer tags Zayne, and scoops him to SLAM him onto Nagata! Cover, TWO! Zayne stays between Nagata and Suzuki, then bumps Nagata off buckles. Zayne ELBOWS Nagata, tags Archer, and Archer CHOPS Nagata! Nagata eggs him on so Archer CHOPS again! Even Zayne felt that one. Nagata still eggs Archer on, but Archer eggs Nagata on, so Nagata fires forearms! Archer knees low, whips Nagata to a corner, then runs in, but Nagata BOOTS him! Nagata fakes the dropkick high to dropkick low! Archer hobbles, Nagata tags in Suzuki!

Fans rally up as Suzuki fires forearms on Archer. Suzuki backs Archer down, but Archer tells him to hit harder! Suzuki fires off even more shots and he sits Archer down in a corner! Suzuki growls and the fans fire up. Suzuki knees low, whips corner to corner, then runs in to BOOT! Suzuki cravats but Archer fights the snapmare. Archer whips Suzuki to a corner, ELBOWS him, “Ichi!” Archer keeps moving to ELBOW again! “NI!” Archer keeps going, “SAN!” Hattrick achieved, and then a KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Archer ROCKS Suzuki, puts him on the top rope, and then lifts with the inverted crucifix!

But Suzuki fights free! Archer choke grips, but Suzuki breaks free to ROCK Archer! Archer ROCKS Suzuki! Suzuki laughs as they trade forearms back and forth again! Fans rally up, Suzuki keeps laughing, but both men ROCK the other! Fans fire up as Archer and Suzuki stand back up! They egg each other on, and the forearms fly again! They go back and forth, faster and faster! Archer wobbles, Suzuki taunts him, but then the forearms start up again! Suzuki gets the edge but Archer ROCKS him! Suzuki rises right up to ROCK Archer! Both men fall over and the fans are thunderous! Suzuki and Archer crawl, hot tags to Zayne and Nagata!

Now Zayne and Nagata trade forearms! Nagata ROCKS Zayne, KICKS him, and KICKS him! And KICKS again! Zayne ends up in a corner, Nagata fires up and whips corner to corner. BOOT! Zayne fights the clinch, suplexes, but Nagata fights that. Nagata suplexes Zayne, for MAGIC SCREW! And then an EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! But into CROSSFACE! Suzuki intercepts Archer into a SLEEPER! Monster Sauce endures stereo submissions! The fans rally, Suzuki keeps adjusting his grip, but Archer fights up! Archer storms over to BOOT Nagata, then he RAMS Suzuki into buckles! Zayne gets the boost, HIP TOSS CANNONBALL!

Archer ELBOWS Nagata down, then Zayne runs in, tilt-o-whirl RANA CANNONBALL for Archer! Fans fire up as Archer gets Zayne, CHOKE SLAM SAULT! SENTON! Cover, TWO!! Nagata survives but Archer BLASTS Suzuki back down! Zayne goes up and gets as lift from Archer, but Suzuki stops the Blackout Swanton! Suzuki DECKS Zayne, Archer knees Suzuki and TOSSES him! But Suzuki gets Archer’s legs! APRON KNEEBAR! Archer endures, Nagata cradles but Zayne smothers it into his own cover, TWO!! Nagata is free again, but Zayne kicks low. Zayne straitjackets but Nagata fights free!

Zayne fires boxing elbows, back elbow, mule kick, only to run into a WHEEL KCIK! SAIDO BRIDGE! MURDER GRANDPAS WIN!!

Winners: Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Monster Sauce earns 0)

The top team finally falls, and it was to the two most grizzled and experienced men in the whole tournament! Suzuki tells Archer & Zayne to still take this thing, and they fist bump as the old Suzuki-Gun theme plays. Will Monster Sauce still burn B Block and head for those trophies?

2023 World Tag League, B Block: Bishamon VS Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr!

Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi have been struggling, but they always #GetBackUp. Will they be able to #TurnItAllAround and make the threepeat a reality? Or will Gene Blast & The King of the World make the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions tranquilo?

The teams sort out and Tsuji calls out Hashi. Fans cheer as Hashi accepts, and the bell rings. Hashi and Tsuji circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Hashi headlocks and grinds the hold, but Tsuji fights up with body shots. Tsuji powers out but Hashi RAMS shoulders with him! Tsuji dares Hashi to bring it, so Hashi runs. But Tsuji follows to then RANA! Fans cheer and Tsuji smiles. Tsuji stomps Hashi, drags him up at the ropes, and CHOPS! Hashi staggers but Tsuji is on him to whip to ropes. Hashi holds ropes, Goto tags in, Bishamon double shoulder tackles Tsuji down! Hashi runs for Goto to hip toss, ZANMAI!

Zando runs in but Bishamon kicks him first. They then HAMMER away on Zando’s back! The fans fire up while Goto & Hashi flex. Zando bails out and Goto stomps Tsuji. Goto drags Tsuji up, CLUBS him, fireman’s carries, but Tsuji fights with elbows. Goto ROCKS Tsuji, runs, but Zando trips him and Tsuji basement dropkicks! Tsuji BLASTS Hashi, Zando drags Goto out to throw him into railing! Tsuji goes out after Hashi, drags him up, and we hear Zando send Goto into more railing. Tsuji whips Hashi into railing, too! Fans rally up, Zando gets a chair and he SMACKS Goto with it! It wasn’t even a folding chair, it was a spare chair from the crowd!

Red Shoes reprimands, Zando puts Goto in for Tsuji, but Red Shoes won’t count the cover with all the shenanigans. Tsuji stomps Goto, tags Zando, and they double whip Goto to POP-UP KICK! And then DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Zando covers, TWO! Hashi gets up but Zando boots him off the apron. Zando snapmares Goto into a chinlock, but he also fishhooks the mouth! Red Shoes reprimands, Zando lets off to tag Tsuji, and they set Goto up on the ropes. Fans rally but Hashi is in Tsuji’s way. Red Shoes reprimands and Hashi moves so Tsuji can run and LEAP FROG ATTACK! Goto falls and fans fire up.

Zando BLASTS Hashi, Tsuji covers Goto, TWO! Tsuji still smiles and he drags Goto up. Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Tsuji knees low! Tsuji whips but Goto reverses. Goto runs in but Tsuji BOOTS him away! Tsuji runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! Hashi runs up to run Tsuji over, then he BLASTS Zando! Tsuji kicks back, whips Hashi to a corner, but Hashi returns to CHOP! Fans fire up as Hashi mule kicks then turns Tsuji, but Tsuji fights the neckbreaker. Hashi dodges the lariat to hit the BLOCKBUSTER! Fans fire up with Hashi as Tsuji goes to a corner.

Hashi runs corner to corner to clothesline, then he reels Tsuji in for the NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Hashi looms over Tsuji. Hashi drags Tsuji up, reels him in, but Tsuji blocks the suplex! Hashi keeps trying, the fans rally, and Tsuji hoists Hashi up! Hashi fights that, tries again, but Tsuji slips free. Hashi elbows Tsuji, runs, but into a BOOT! Fans fire up and Goto coaches Hashi. Hashi and Tsuji both crawl, hot tag to Goto! Goto KICKS Tsuji down then BLASTS Zando! Goto drags Tsuji up, fires off forearms, then whips Tsuji corner to corner. Goto runs, blocks a boot but Tsuji DOUBLE STOMPS him down!

Tsuji calls to Zando, hurries over, and fans fire up for the hot tag! Zando storms up on Goto, but Goto fires off CHOP after CHOP! Zando winds up to CHOP back! Fans fire up while Goto is stinging. Zando BLASTS Hashi, then he and Tsuji get Goto up. They double whip, double hip toss and cradle, for a DOUBLE SLAM! Tsuji SPLASHES, Zando goes up the ropes to LIONSAULT! Zando just makes it, then covers, TWO! Fans rally up while Tsuji paces around. Zando drags Goto up, he and Tsuji hook Goto up but Hashi saves Goto from the Anchor! Hashi fires forearms, Tsuji kicks low and whips Hashi to a corner.

Tsuji sends Zando in but Hashi dodges to then LARIAT Tsuji! Zando UPPERCUTS Hashi! Goto runs in but Zando kicks and runs. But Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Fans fire up while all four men are down! Goto roars and rises, and he drags Zando up. Goto reels Zando in, dragon sleepers, but Zando drops to victory roll! TWO!! Goto escapes, hurries to a corner, and Zando runs in to clothesline! And then he undoes the wrist tape so he can run in again, and CHOP! Fans fire up and Zando says “UNO MAS!” Zando runs but Goto follows to MURAMASA! And then SAIDO! Both men are down again and the fans rally back up.

Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! Hashi runs to BLAST Tsuji, then he goes back for Zando. Hashi runs, but Zando BOOTS! Hashi spins through to CHOP! Zando staggers, roars, and CHOPS in return! Zando fireman’s carries, but Hashi fights free and feeds him to Goto’s forearm! Mule kick and then the clinch, GOTO GO TO HUNTER! Cover, Tsuji breaks it! Goto tosses Tsuji, and Bishamon coordinates. Goto goes up a corner, but Tsuji GAMANGIRIS him down! Zando TOSSES Hashi, and fans fire up as the amigos coordinate. Zando DIVES onto Goto, Tsuji CROSSBODIES Hashi and Young Lion Boltin Oleg!

Fans fire up as Tsuji & Zando rise! Tsuji drags Hashi up, he and Zando get him in the ring. Tsuji & Zando stand Hashi up, hook him up, ANCHOR!! Zando covers, TWO!! Hashi survives but Tsuji is already at the corner. Tsuji climbs, he stands on Zando’s shoulders, VAMOS FLOP as Hashi moves! Goto TOSSES Tsuji, and he LARIATS Zando! Zando stays up to LARIAT back! GOto drops to a knee, Zando runs again, but Goto SWATS the lariat! Goto suplexes, Zando slips free, but Goto puts him in the corner! Hashi runs in to clothesline! Tsuji runs in, but into the FIERCE FLASH! Goto clotheslines Zando, Hashi clotheslines, too!

Hashi hoists Zando up, Goto climbs, BULLDOG FLAPJACK COMBO! The fans fire up with Bishamon as they hoist Zando up and call their shot! Dragon sleeper and leg lift, SHOTO!!! Cover, BISHAMON WINS!

Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Tsuji & Zando earn 0)

The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions shine through as they turn the lights out on LIJ! Will Tsuji & Zando be able to stay afloat in WTL’s second half?

As for Bishamon, Hashi gets the mic first to say, “Oi, Tsuji! How was Bishamon? Was it sweet? Was it spicy? Or maybe salty?” Tsuji walks back to the ring and Hashi lets him have the mic. Tsuji says, “Now that I’ve faced Bishamon, I’ve learned… that you guys are amazing.” Fans cheer that! But Tsuji also knows Bishamon can’t stay like this. He’s sure they’ll make it back to the WTL finals. Tsuij then sends the mic back as he takes his leave, and Hashi thanks him.

Hashi continues to say that he can’t be sure if WTL can get more exciting, but if the fans aren’t already excited, then there’s no way that’ll change. But this win here gets Bishamon one step closer to that threepeat. Hashi brings up the supposed curse that keeps the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions from winning WTL. But he vows that “Gocchan and I will definitely break the curse.” Fans cheer that! Hashi continues to say that as IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, Bishamon will win WTL for a third time in a row, and they’ll do it… IN A FLASH! The Fierce Warrior & Headhunter still have life, but will they have those trophies three years running?

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

Alex Zayne & Lance Archer: 4-1, 8 points
Taichi & Yuya Uemura: 4-1, 8 points
ELP & Hikuleo: 3-2, 6 points
Bishamon: 2-2-1, 5 points
Atlantis Jr. y Soberano Jr: 2-2-1, 5 points
Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr: 2-3, 4 points
Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki: 1-4, 2 points
Bad Luck Fale & Jack Bonza: 1-4, 2 points

My Thoughts:

Great stuff this round, and how wild that this was where Suzuki & Nagata finally get a win. Monster Sauce is still at the top but now Taichi & Yuya are within striking range to take the top spot from them. At this point, we can consider murder grandpas and Rogue Army out with even the tag team champions on the bubble. Hashi talking about breaking the curse, feels like that’s gonna be harder than it sounds. I did appreciate him snapping back at Tsuji about calling Bishamon not exciting, though. The matches Bishamon have are exciting, it’s just Hashi and Goto aren’t the most charismatic promo guys.

My Score: 8.8/10