Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Monday Night Raw Results & Report! (12/10/18)
TLC is on the horizon, and Raw is in the home stretch! The Architect looks to speak on both the state of Monday Night Raw, and the Lunatic’s state of mind!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Raw Tag Team Championship 3v2 Handicap: The Authors of Pain & Drake Maverick VS Bobby Roode & Chad Gable; Roode & Gable win and become the new Raw Tag Team Champions.
- Dolph Ziggler VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
- Bayley w/ Sasha Banks VS Alicia Fox w/ Jinder Mahal & The Singh Brothers; Bayley wins.
- Lio Rush w/ Bobby Lashley VS Elias; Rush wins.
- Ember Moon w/ Ronda Rousey VS Tamina w/ Nia Jax; Moon wins.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship TLC Match: Seth Rollins VS Baron Corbin; Rollins wins and retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
Seth Rollins starts off Raw!
The Architect is already in the ring and San Diego is ready to #BurnItDown with him. That will be Rollins’ rallying cry when his Intercontinental Championship is on the line against Dean Ambrose. But more importantly, that will also be the theme for tonight! Rollins isn’t here to call out Ambrose, he’s out here to “spit some truth.” We’ve all seen “General Manger Elect” Baron Corbin talking about being on the right side of history. Rollins calls Corbin out to get a dose of reality. The Lone Wolf appears and grins as he joins Rollins in the ring. Corbin still seems so confident that he’ll win by forfeit at TLC in the TLC Match, given there has been no word from anyone about Braun Strowman’s return to action.
The fans boo and jeer as Corbin takes up his own mic. If Rollins wants to talk, they can do this in private. Corbin’s door is always open to someone of Rollins’ caliber. Rollins wants Corbin to cut the crap, because no one wants to hear it. Just shut up and listen! Rollins admits these last few months, he’s been real warpped up with Ambrose, and hasn’t commented on Corbin’s quality as GM. It doesn’t matter if he’s appointed GM, GM elect, or Head Idiot in Charge, Corbin’s “leadership”, Raw has sucked. It has sucked because of Corbin! Corbin comes out all the time to make things all about him. He abuses power, ends careers, and more. Fans agree as they chant. What Corbin has done as GM is not okay, not right, and just plain wrong.
Corbin can tell Rollins is frustrated, but he’s allowing Rollins to vent. Just watch how you speak to him. Or what? Fire him? Corbin doesn’t even know what to do with his roster. Those are the most talented men and women ever, and Corbin cant’ even use them right. There are amazing tag teams like The Revival, who should be contenders, but they’re in these weird Lucha House Rule matches? What even is that? And if he fires everyone, what? It’s just Corbin, Lashley & McIntyre patting each other on the back. Or maybe more pee segments. Everything Corbin has done is to mask his own insecurities. Was Strowman being mean? Did he hurt Corbin’s feelings? To the point where Corbin had to hand that Universal Championship over to Lesnar, a man who only shows up when he wants?
The problem is, Lesnar doesn’t’ want to show up!! Where is he?! Not here! Because he didn’t’ want to be here. The last time Lesnar was on Raw in a match, was way back to 2002! So the “Baron Corbin Experiment” is an abject failure. The talent support, the morale, the fan support and TV ratings are all at an all-time low, because of Corbin. Corbin “appreciates” the feedback, but maybe write it down and put it on his desk to be filed under “I Don’t Give a Damna!” Corbin doesn’t care what anyone in the company thinks, let alone the fans! This is Corbin’s show, so if you don’t like it, too bad! Corbin’s gonna be in charge for a very long time. And it’ll only get worse for someone like Rollins. How can they get worse?
It’ll get worse when Ambrose beats Rollins for the title, and Corbin wins at TLC by forfeit! Which is too bad, because Corbin’s been wanting a TLC Match. But either way, Jojo will announce him as permanent GM of Raw! And then next week’s Raw, all the way until Rollins quits, he’ll be going through Hell! Corbin putting Rollins through Hell? Why wait until next week? If Corbin wants to put Rollins through Hell, start tonight in a match! Corbin will wait until he’s Permanent GM. True, 1v1 isn’t good enough. Well, Corbin’s always wanted a TLC Match, and the “tools of the trade” are all set up right here… So how about Rollins VS Corbin in a TLC Match!? Fans want that! Does Rollins understand what Corbin would do to him with a table, ladder or chair? It’d be the end of Rollins. Or a good tune-up for Sunday.
Corbin says Rollins being a hero will cost him everything. Corbin will use Rollins as an example to show everyone what happens when you disrespect the GM. But his answer is still now. “Coward.” Rollins and San Diego all call Corbin a coward. No matter what he says, he’s a coward! Maybe he’s Coward Elect! Corbin snaps and gives Rollins that TLC Match! But for the Intercontinental Championship! Will Rollins #BurnItDown and show Corbin he’s not fit to be the boss? Or will it be the End of Days for Rollins’ reign even before facing the Lunatic?
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.
He surely didn’t expect to be defending the title and in such a dangerous match type. It may not have been the smartest move, but Rollins refuses to let Corbin get away with things. If he wants to be a locker room leader, he has to take a stand. If Rollins is a true champion, he’ll take a stand. Otherwise he doesn’t deserve to be champion.
Raw Tag Team Championship 3v2 Handicap: The Authors of Pain & Drake Maverick VS Bobby Roode & Chad Gable!
Drake Maverick may have rained on the parade of the #ReadyWillingAndGLORIOUS duo, but that hasn’t stopped Roode & Gable from fighting. The deck is stacked against them, surely courtesy of Corbin, but is a huge upset still possible?
Raw returns as the champs and Maverick stand in the ring ready for a fight. Roode & Gable make their entrance, both wearing matching replacement robes and even matching tights. The teams sort out, the belts are raised, and we begin! Gable starts against Akam, and Gable’s dropkick is deflected. Akam stomps then tags in Rezar. AoP feed Gable to a big knee, then Rezar chokes Gable on ropes. Rezar throws big forearms then clubs Gable down. He hits Roode for good measure, but Gable fights back. Gable’s kick gets caught and he gets clobbered again. Maverick tags in to cover, ONE! Maverick quickly tags out and lets Rezar stomp Gable more. Tag to Akam, and AoP double whip. Gable holds ropes and boots Rezar back. Gable dumps Akam out, tag to Roode! Double clotheslines send Rezar out!
Maverick shouts orders, but that gets Roode & Gable on him! Double hip toss! Roode and Gable then pick Maverick up to LAUNCH him out at AoP! The champs and manager are down while we go to break!
Raw returns and Rezar wrenches Gable’s neck. Fans rally up and Gable fights his way up, only to be wrangled back down. Rezar drags Gable over and tags in Maverick. Maverick throws hands and then taunts Roode. He stomps Gable and feels full of himself. Maverick slaps Gable, but Gable gets fired up! Maverick quickly tags out but is still caught. Rezar saves Maverick as he clobbers Gable, then tags in Akam. AoP mug Gable into a corner, then Akam trash talks as he drives in stiff elbows. Akam whips Gable corner to corner, then runs in but misses! Gable hurries, hot tag to Roode! Roode tackles Akam and dropkick Rezard. He dodges Akam to fires off haymakers and chops! He whips but Akam reverses, only to get kicked away. Roode runs but is put on the apron. Roode htis Akam away then climbs up, for a flying- Back drop!
Akam tags Rezar and they go after Roode. They bring Roode up for an atomic knee! Cover, but Gable breaks it! Akam whips Gable hard into buckles, and Maverick tells them to end this. The AoP bring each man up, Super Collider! But gable headsicssors through! Rezar boots Gable down, and the AoP both go after Gable. Suplex powerbomb neckbreaker! Maverick wants in to repeat last week, and Rezard obeys. Maverick mocks the GLORIOUS, but Roode rolls him up!! ROODE & GABLE WIN!!
Winners: Bobby Roode & Chad Gable, Roode pinning; NEW Raw Tag Team Champions
Victory out of nowhere! Maverick’s ego costs his own team, and now the tag titles are GLORIOUS! But a rematch will be happening to be sure, will Roode & Gable survive the next chapter?
Backstage interview with Roode & Gable.
They’re feeling great now that they’re champs. There haven’t been a lot of reasons to have hope on Raw, but they knew that putting int he work would bring them the titles. If you told them they’d do it in a 3v2 handicap, they would’ve thought you were crazy. But only one word describes this feeling: GLORIOUS!
Natalya heads to the ring!
The Queen of Harts looks for revenge on Ruby when the two compete in a Tables Match this Sunday! Before the match, Natty admits she’d usually have a smile on her face. But she needs to say something in regards to Ruby Riott. Natty loves this business, but Ruby doesn’t respect anyone or anything. Ruby made this personal when she destroyed The Anvil’s sunglasses. Ruby keeps talking about Natty’s been “spoon fed” because of her family. But Natty has overcome so much just to get in. Does Ruby not know what the Montreal Screw Job is? Does Ruby not remember when Uncle Bret punched Vince McMahon in the face? There was that and more in Natty’s way. So Natty is damn proud to be a Hart! Fans appreciate that.
Natty tells Ruby that she will learn respect, and it’ll be a match dedicated to the man who helped Natty get here. To the man Natty loves and respects more than anyone: her father, Jim The Anvil Neidhart! Fans cheer for the late great Anvil and Natty gets emotional. Natty vows to take these tears and more to drive Ruby through table! “And there’s not gonna be a thing you can do about it!” But it’s here that the Squad make an entrance, with a special table under a curtain. Ruby has her own mic to respond. “Aw, look! Natty’s crying again. Like we’ve never seen this before.” All Natty does is walk around feeling sorry for herself. And she’s coming out here talking about respect? Natty doesn’t need respect, she needs to get some counseling.
Ruby knows no one else has the guts to say this, but Natty doesn’t represent The Harts. She disgraces them! Ruby isn’t going to be invited to the family Christmas party, she did pick Natty up a present. And believe her when she says this: “This is the gift that keeps on giving.” The special table, has a picture of The Anvil on it! Fans boo and jeer, but Ruby says that everyone knows how close Natty and The Anvil were. But this Sunday, when Ruby puts her through this exact table, they’ll be closer than ever. Has The Squad gone too far? Or will it just be more fuel for the fire when Natty gets to go after Ruby?
Dolph Ziggler speaks.
“Last week, I beat Drew McIntyre. And now we add that name to the long list of people who took me for granted.” But what Ziggler doesn’t’ understand is McIntyre’s attitude. He plucked McIntyre from obscurity, and he’ll throw him back into that. And make no mistake, Ziggler isn’t’ the good guy or the bad guy, he’s Dolph Ziggler. He also doesn’t understand why Finn Balor got involved. But McIntyre made the mistake of pretending he was Finn, and not remembering he was Ziggler. These two will settle the score, can Ziggler win on his own? Or will Ziggler get a Claymore meant for Balor?
Dolph Ziggler VS Drew McIntyre!
The Show-Off beat the Scottish Terminator thanks to The Extraordinary Man giving an assist, and McIntyre wouldn’t stand for it. McIntyre would find Finn later in the night and attack him, which is part of why Finn’s not here tonight. Now that it’s just 1v1, who will come out the superior superstar?
Before the match, McIntyre is interviewed in the ring. If he still has that match with Finn on Sunday, why risk a rematch with Ziggler? McIntyre lets us in on a little secret that no one else wants to admit. “Nobody stays undefeated forever.” Not Andre the Giant, not The Undertaker at Wrestlemania, and not even McIntyre. But that doesn’t make him any less dangerous. Just ask Finn. But you can’t, because he got beat up that badly. McIntyre vows to finish Finn at TLC. And when McIntyre talks, everyone listens. He is making this show a better place for the fans, so they will respect him. And as for Ziggler, it doesn’t matter if he’s a good guy or a bad guy, he’s the guy who’s gonna get his head kicked off! Speaking of, Ziggler makes his entrance and we begin!
Ziggler goes right at McIntyre with fast hands, but then he runs into McIntyre’s shoulder. McIntyre drags Ziggler up to CHOP him off his feet! McIntyre drags Ziggler up for another chop, and then into a modified clutch, just to CHOP him more. Ziggler gets to a corner but McIntyre stays on him. Ziggler fires back, but McIntyre launches him with a belly2belly! McIntyre covers, TWO! The Terminator looms over Ziggler as we go to break.
Raw returns as McIntyre CHOPS Ziggler on the top rope! McIntyre climbs up to throw more hands on Ziggler. McIntyre SLAPS Ziggler, but Ziggler fights back! They brawl up top fast and furious, and McIntyre gets the edge. McIntyre brings Ziggler up, SUPER Celtic Cross!! But McIntyre can’t make the cover from his own impact! He crawls to the cover, TWO! Ziggler survives and McIntyre is actually amused. Fans rally up as Ziggler crawls away. McIntyre stalks Ziggler to the ropes, then dumps him out. McIntyre follows after as Ziggler crawls. He deadlift suplexes but Ziggler slips out! Ziggler dodges to send McIntyre into a post! The ring count climbs as Ziggler leaves McIntyre behind! The count passes 8 before McIntyre sits up! McIntyre gets in at 9.5!
Both men are down but fans are loving this match. Fans rally up and Ziggler stands. Ziggler aims at McIntyre, but his legs give out before the superkick! McIntyre laughs, and he toying kicks Ziggler back. McIntyre mocks Ziggler as he climbs up the ropes. “Keep fighting! Don’t give up!” Ziggler stands but McIntyre grabs his hair. Ziggler kicks, ZIGZAG!! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre’s ego almost cost him there! Both men crawl to get up, and Ziggler fires up with the fans. Ziggler aims again, but into a CLAYMORE! Cover, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
The Scottish Terminator unloads his best move outta nowhere, but the Show-Off pushed him to his limits. With Finn Balor banged up from McIntyre’s attack, but McIntyre pulling this one out, will either man be ready for their match?
But McIntyre isn’t through with Ziggler! He throws Ziggler into the post, then throws fast hands on the ground! McIntyre throws steel steps around then drags Ziggler over to them. Fans boo and the ref warns McIntyre, but security and other officials fortunately come in to save Ziggler. McIntyre backs off, but then comes back to boot Ziggler into the LED! McIntyre laughs his way to the back, but will he have the last laugh at TLC?
Bayley w/ Sasha Banks VS Alicia Fox w/ Jinder Mahal & The Singh Brothers!
The #LegitHuggable friends are ready to be the first WWE Women Tag Team Champions together, but for now they’ll support each other in singles competition. Bayley goes against #Mahalicia tomorrow in the Mixed Match Challenge Semifinals, but sadly NOT with Finn Balor. Instead of B’n’B, it will be A’n’B, for Apollo & Bayley are now a new dynamic duo! Can the Huggable One get some major momentum before teaming with a new star this Tuesday?
The bell rings and Bayley ties up with Alicia. Bayley powers Alicia to the corner, but backs off at 3. Alicia powers Bayley to a corner but backs off at 3. Bayley elbows Alicia away then hits a flying elbow! Cover, TWO! Bayley puts Alicia on the apron but Alicia slips out to hotshot Bayley back. Alicia runs in for the swinging neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Alicia keeps on Bayley with a chinlock, but Sasha and the fans rally. Bayley feeds off the energy but Alicia clubs her back down. Bayley stands but Alicia wrangles her back down. Sasha argues with Mahal and the Singhs, but Alicia thrashes Bayley around. Fans rally up again and Bayley gets up. Bayley powers out but Alicia goes up and over to sunset flip. Bayley rolls through to clobber Alicia with a clothesline!
The Singhs shout for Alicia but Bayley throws haymakers! Bayley saido suplexes Alicia down then fires up. She puts Alicia in a corner but backs off at 4. She comes back with a big knee, then puts Alicia out for the hotshot! Bayley checks the ponytail but the Singhs distract. They run off as Alicia boots Bayley down! But here comes Apollo! Bayley’s new buddy takes the Singhs out with back drops, and Sasha adds a meteora! Apollo goes after Mahal now, and throws Sunil into him! Sasha wants to be a weapon, so Apollo picks her up to throw at Mahal and both Singhs! Strike! Bayley dodges Alicia’s boot, and hits Bayley2Belly! Cover, Bayley wins!
Winner: Bayley, by pinfall
Victories all around for the Boss, Hug & Crews Connection! Can Apollo & Bayley make it work as a tag team to go to TLC’s Mixed Match Challenge Finals?
Backstage interview with Dean Ambrose.
The Lunatic hates being called that. But what are his thoughts on Rollins’ speech earlier? The Architect? That’s just a name Rollins used to keep the spotlight on himself. But that’s not the man Ambrose knows. Rollins can’t think straight. He went out there with no plan, and now his title’s on the line tonight? Why? Because of his ego! Rollins always has to be The Man, but he steps on everyone else, like Ambrose and Roman Reigns. Rollins isn’t a man, he’s a piece of… Well, if Rollins is somehow still champion, it’ll just be easier for Ambrose to take it. And then he can tell Rollins what he thinks on Sunday.
Speaking of Roman, if he was aware of their bad blood, how would he react? Ambrose doesn’t care. Charly insists on getting an answer out of Ambrose, and plays the footage of that very night when Rollins and Ambrose won a match dedicated to Roman, only to betray everyone. Then the footage cuts to Rollins confronting Ambrose the next night, and Ambrose explaining the next week after that. Ambrose said The Shield only made him weaker. Ambrose would burn his Shield vest, and move on to last week, wearing a gas mask to visualize his disgust for the “vermin” of the WWE Universe. Rollins would attack back, only for Ambrose to beat him down. Back in the present, Ambrose simply says nothing. Will he have the last word after TLC? Will the title come along with it?
Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.
The Drifter is in San Diego and plays his guitar. San Diego digs it. Elias isn’t sure if anyone’s heard Bobby Lashley on the radio, but Lashley said he’d take all the sports teams and move them to LA. Fans don’t like that. But what Lashley doesn’t realize is that if San Diego had their way, they wouldn’t let a loser like him perform. Elias would love to perform in the gas lamp district rather than in front of “a bunch of LA trash.” Everyone here knows what Lashley will find out, and that is that WWE stands for “Walk With Elias!” Now Elias considers himself a “pretty good guy”. Hitting children with his guitar is not on his list, but he made an exception for Lio Rush. Elias will teach Lio a lesson, but he has a song to perform. So please silence phones, hold applause and shut mouths.
Elias begins, saying “I’ve been in the air so long, waiting for something to come along. Bring me back down to Earth, keep my feet above the earth. But this life ain’t like no other, oh can you hear me, brother?” Actually hold on, Elias can’t stop thinking about how bad Lashley sucks. Speaking of, here come Lashley & Lio! Lio’s going to make his Raw in-ring debut, next!
Lio Rush w/ Bobby Lashley VS Elias!
Raw returns as we wait for a referee. It’s HEATH SLATER! The One Man Band beat his best friend, Rhyno, to stay on Raw, but it wasn’t until after the match that Corbin revealed he’d be staying as a ref. Slater rings the bell and we begin.
Lio and Elias circle, but Elias corners Lio. Lio slips uot and speeds things up. he redirects Elias and ducks under, but then gets caught. Elias flips LIo but LIo lands on his feet. Elias shoves and flapjacks Lio! Lio crawls to a corner but Elias is on him with a wristlock. Elias lifts Lio up and then drops him. Elias grins as he brings Lio up and. Lio sunset flips but Elias picks him right up. Elias says this’ll hurt him more than it hurts Lio, and he tosses Lio across the way! It still looks like it hurts Lio more. Elias smirks as he stalks Lio to a corner. Elias stands Lio up for a chop! Slater counts but Elias whips Lio corner to corner hard! Lio tumbles out in a heap but Elias continues after. Lashley caoches up his hype man but Elias puts Lio back in.
Slater is busy checking on Lio, so Lashley goes after Elias! Elias kicks Lashley off and rocks him with a right! But Lio wrecks Elias with a dropkick! Then a handspring kick! Elias gets back in but Lio ducks and kicks to rock Elias back! Lio whips but Elias reverses. Lio goes up but gets caught into the Electirc Chair. Elias spins Lio around, for the sit-out powerbomb! Cover, but Lashley attacks! Slater hesitates, and tells Lashley to stop. Lashley tells Slater to stand down, because this means Slater’s job. Slater lets Lashley continue, and he gives Elias the SPINEBUSTER! Lashley then helps Lio up, and Lio wants to use Elias’s guitar. Lio grabs it, brings it into the ring, and Slater tries to tell them to stop. Lashley takes the guitar and SMACKS Elias on the back!
Elias writhes, Lio covers, and Lashley makes Slater count. Slater counts, Lio wins.
Winner: Lio Rush, by pinfall
The 24 year old piece of gold gets a win, but it was with a lot of help. Will Elias get back at both Lashley & Lio at TLC when it’s someone else refereeing the match? Will Slater be able to live with himself over being bullied into a screw job? Or are these just more signs of what the Corbin Era will be?
Baron Corbin finds Heath Slater backstage.
Corbin doesn’t get why Slater’s so down. He did a good job out there. How’s Rhyno doing? Get over how you ended his career. Slater wants to go home, but Corbin says there’s still another match for him to officiate tonight. Is it the match we dread it is?
Alexa Bliss heads to the ring!
The Goddess is also Women’s Division manager, and has called for a face-to-face of both champion and challenger for the Raw Women’s Championship. However, the Samoan Dynasty heads to the ring without waiting for any introductions. Nia Jax has wanted after Ronda Rousey for weeks, but she tells Alexa that before we do the questions, she has a statement. “This Sunday, I’m going to become the Raw Women’s Champion.” Fans don’t like the sound of that. And it will be at the direct expense of Ronda. “Getting cracked in the head with those four ounce gloves in the UFC has really done a number on Ronda.” If Ronda had half a mind, which she doesn’t, she’d just give the title over. That way, she can avoid the humiliation that’s coming to her.
Nia knows Ronda is from a world about trash talking to hype things up. Nia doesn’t talk trash. She is a six foot, 300 pound Samoan woman, and Ronda’s worse nightmare. She is the “Anti-Rousey”. And her secret to success? The hand that breaks faces, like Becky Lynch’s. And it only took the one punch. But when the bell rings and Ronda goes Ronda, Nia will punch her in the face. And not just once, but over and over and over, until Ronda gives up. Nia isn’t just the most imposing force in the WWE, she’s also a strategist. Ronda is a world-class judoka, a Strike Force and a UFC champion, so if by chance she avoids this punch to go for the armbar, Nia will open her fist to pry free and then still break Ronda’s face.
This hand took Becky from her fans, and this hand will hold “MY TITLE”, as she erases the myth of Ronda. But speaking of Ronda, here she comes! Ronda isn’t here to talk or pose. She’s here to fight! And Ronda rushes the ring! Alexa, Tamina and Nia clear the ring for the Baddest Woman on the Planet. The Samoan Dynasty flank Ronday, but here comes Ember Moon! The War Goddess still wants after Nia for her betrayal, but she’ll settle for the Daughter of Superfly, next!
Ember Moon w/ Ronda Rousey VS Tamina w/ Nia Jax!
Raw returns as Tamina headbutts Ember down. Tamina whips Ember but Ember slips through the hip toss to arm-drag Tamina. Ember then dropkicks Tamina right out of the ring! Fans fire up as Ember builds speed. Nia saves Tamina from the baseball slide, but fans boo and jeer. Ronda comes up to reinforce Ember and stare Nia down. Nia taunts Ronda but Ember keeps after Tamina in the ring. Ember rolls Tamina up, TWO, and Tamina shoves Ember. Things speed up, Ember springboards into a SUPERKICK! Now Ember rolls out of the ring, and Nia wants the count out. Tamina waits as Ember slowly climbs back in. Tamina is right on Ember with a cover, TWO! Nia coaches her cousin up as Tamina bumps Ember off buckles.
Tamina whips Ember corner to corner and crushes her with a corner splash. She snapmares Ember to a cover, TWO! Nia wants a faster count but Ronda rallies the fans. Tamina wraps on a chinlock, but Ember fights her way up. Ember fights back but Tamina wrangles her back down. Tamina squeezes tight but fans still rally. Ember gets up again and fights back. Tamina rocks Ember with an uppercut! Tamina whips Ember again, but misses in the corner. Ember gasps for air but she kicks Tamina away. Ember reaches up to headscissor Tamina! She fights back with kicks now, and sweeps the leg. Ember urns to hit the sliding shot! Cover, TWO! Nia is relieved and Ronda cheers Ember on. Ember runs but into a powerslam! Cover, TWO! Nia is surprised.
Tamina whips Ember, Ember goes up to hit a flying code breaker! Ronda cheers Ember on to finish this, but Nia makes a move. Ronda trips Nia up and then throws her over the barriers! Ember dodges Tamina for a hotshot! Ember is back up, and hits the Eclipse! Cover, Ember wins!
Winner: Ember Moon, by pinfall
The Rowdy One helps the War Goddess celebrate, and even raises her hand. Will Ronda be able to do the same to Nia at TLC? Or will things be very different for the Baddest Woman on the Planet?
Backstage interview with “General Manger Elect” Baron Corbin.
His match is coming up next, just days before the TLC pay-per-view. Isn’t this an abuse of power? That sounds like a loaded question. Is she trying to get shipped off to SmackDown? Just kidding. This is just Corbin accepting a challenge. Corbin wants the fans to see him in a TLC Match, since he won’t be getting one from Strowman this Sunday. But there are rumors- Rumors? Was that from the internet or something? Strowman is a one-armed man after what Corbin did to him. Just imagine how Rollisn will feel after what Corbin does to him. Rollins is getting a taste of what the future holds. And as for the rest of Raw, “All Hail Baron Corbin.”
Lars Sullivan speaks.
“What happens this Sunday will be a minor tremor compared to the catastrophic earthquake that will occur when I come to the WWE!” The one of a kind Leviathan is lurking. Is he coming to Raw to shake things up? Or will he go to SmackDown to crush everything in his path?
WWE Intercontinental Championship TLC Match: Seth Rollins VS Baron Corbin!
The Architect called the Constable out and the Constable accepted. However, we can already see “General Manager Elect” Corbin is rigging things in his favor as he appoints Heath Slater as the referee! Will Slater be again stuck between a rock and a hard place as Rollins defends his title before Sunday?
Raw returns as Rollins and Corbin make their entrances. The belt hangs high above the ring per championship TLC rules, so all Slater has to do is signal the bell. Rollins and Corbin circle, and Rollins fires off hands! Rollins stomps a mudhole into Corbin, but stops after about a dozen. Corbin kicks back and clubs Rollins back. Corbin whips but Rollins kicks him away. Rollins runs but into a knee. Corbin suplexes Rollins but Rollins knees out. Rollins knees Corbin out of the ring, then goes out after him. Rollins throws more hands and then bumps Corbin off the apron. Fans fire up as Rollins picks up a chair! Rollins brings it but Corbin gets in the ring. Rollins slingshots, but into a haymaker!
Corbin tells Slater to go fetch him a ladder. Slater does as ordered, but Rollins springboards and clotheslines Corbin! Corbin runs off while we go to break.
Raw returns as Corbin keeps Rollins down. Corbin grabs a chair and takes aim. He SMACKS it across Rollins’ back! Fans boo and jeer but Corbin smirks as he SMACKS Rollins again! Corbin stalks Rollins, and stands on him to jam the chair into Rollins’ ribs. Corbin holds the chair up triumphantly despite all the boos. He taunts Rollins to get up, but SMACKS Rollins again. Rollins rolls out and Corbin follows. Corbin brings Rollins up to throw him into barriers! Then into other barriers! Corbin taunts Rollins, then goes for a ladder. He brings the ladder around into the ring, but Rollins dropkicks it into Corbin! Rollins goes out to pick up the ladder and put it in the ring. He leaves Corbin behind to stand the ladder up, but Corbin returns to clobber him!
Corbin stands the ladder up in a corner, and brings Rollins around. Corbin suplexes Rollins into the ladder! It proves just a touch double-edged as Corbin clutches his ear. But Corbin still stands up to wedge a chair in a corner. Corbin goes back to Rollins, drags him up by his hair, and whips Rollins. Rollins reverses but Corbin slides out then in to clobber Rollins again! Fans boo and jeer, but Corbin ignores them all to go for a table. Corbin stands that table up in a corner, then mocks Strowman’s roar. He drags Rollins up to scoop him, and wants his own Monster Slam, but Rollins slips out! Rollins dodges and rocks Corbin with a right! Rollins runs but is tossed out of the ring! Corbin then grabs the ladder to stand it up under the belt! Corbin climbs, but Rollins returns to leap right up!
Rollins fights Corbin down, so Corbin yanks him off. Rollins mule kicks but misses the stomp. Corbin elbows Rollins and then shoves him into the ladder! Both Rollins and ladder fall over, but Corbin isn’t done. Corbin dropkicks Rollins out of the ring! We go to one last break as Corbin watches Rollins writhe.
Raw returns once more, and Rollins leaps at Corbin! Corbin gets under, and hits the Deep Six! But Corbin is down, too, from exhaustion. Fans rally up for Rollins as he and Corbin stir. Corbin is up first, and he brings Rollins back up. Corbin punches Rollins down, and then does it again, and again. Fans boo and jeer as Corbin continues to rain rights. Slater stays back as Corbin watches Rollins stand up. Corbin punches but Rollins counter punches! Rollins fires off chops and haymakers, but Corbin knees low. Corbin whips but Rollins reverses. Corbin slides out then in but misses to get a Pele! He staggers about, but is baited into the chair he set up earlier! Both Rollins and Corbin are down as Slater checks on them.
Fans chant “We Want Tables!” but Rollins takes that chair from the corner. Rollins aims at Corbin, and SMACKS him back! And SMACKS and SMACKS and SMACKS! Rollins keeps on Corbin with that chair for everything Corbin has done. Corbin bails out, but Rollins builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit sends Corbin reeling, but Rollins keeps going, to DIVE again! Corbin goes down but Rollins won’t stop. Rollins runs once more, to DIVE, into a CHOKE SLAM through a table!! But Corbin is down from exhaustion again, and Slater checks on them both. Fans admit “This is Awesome!” even if Corbin’s involved. Corbin returns to the ring to stand the ladder up again. He begins the climb, but Rollins is stirring.
Corbin goes up a rung at a time, but Rollins returns to SMACK him with another chair! Rollins SMACKS Corbin off the ladder, but then Corbin dodges and Slater takes the hit!! Corbin clobbers Rollins out of the ring, and rolls out to follow Rollins. Corbin brings Rollins up, but Rollins slips out of End of Days. Rollins dodges to send Corbin into the steel steps! Rollins mule kicks Corbin, then puts him on the table. Fans fire up as Rollins does the math. Rollins climbs a corner, aims at Corbin, and leaps! FROG SPLASH through the table!! Fans are thunderous as Rollins leaves Corbin for dead. Rollins hurries to the ladder and up the rungs. His body is sore but that won’t stop him. Rollins is fingertips away, but Slater grabs the ladder?! Slater needs this job, so he tips the ladder over!!
Fans boo as Slater stands the ladder back up. Slater drags Corbin up and into the ring. Corbin is dead weight as Slater drags him to the ladder. Corbin grins as he sees the title. He climbs, reaches, but Rollins returns!? Rollins hits Slater, then drags Corbin off for a buckle bomb through a table!! Corbin eats wood again, but Slater pleads with Rollins. Rollins SUPERKICKS Slater! Then Rollins stomps, and runs at Corbin, for the Curb Stomp! Rollins scrambles up the ladder, grabs the belt, and takes it off! Rollins wins!
Winner: Seth Rollins; still WWE Intercontinental Champion
The Architect reigns, if only for now. Rollins will have to regroup for TLC, and Ambrose appears to remind him of their coming war. Will Ambrose cure himself of his disgust for Rollins? Or will Rollins #BurnItDown even brighter than before?
My Thoughts:
Another Raw go-home, with another mixed bag of good and bad. It would seem, after the two incredibly sour weeks, Corbin becomes the kayfabe face for how everyone, even other WWE talent, sees everything from ratings to booking. In the absence of other top Faces, such as Finn Balor from his injury (both kayfabe and possibly real from the South American tour), Rollins takes up the role of being the person to say all this. I’m thinking that this is more damage control than it is elaborate planning from Vince McMahon, but it can still work out in the end. Hopefully now that they’ve called out the things like the pee gag and the Lucha House Rules, we won’t ever have to worry about those again.
The Raw Tag Team Championship handicap match was an interesting choice, and I suppose that means Maverick & AoP can now Freebird the titles, if they get them back. It was a good moment for Roode & Gable to get these titles. This entire time, fans were expecting this team to fall apart when Roode turned on Gable, but I’m actually glad they’re still together this far in. And maybe now we can get things back on track in the Raw Tag Team Division with The Revival being allowed to actually win, the Lucha House Party playing things by normal rules, and maybe AoP ditching Maverick to go back to being independent.
The Women’s Division does a touch better tonight. I was surprised Natty didn’t have a match with a Riott Squad member, but the “Hart-breaking” promo Ruby gives instead at least gives some good story build towards their Tables Match. The Mixed Match Challenge tie-in was done well, and just like the other major players that are also busy at TLC, Finn Balor is out so he can focus on his match with McIntyre. Apollo Crews will make a good replacement, but he’s mostly stepping in by default because there’s almost no one left. This is where I would’ve thrown in Lars Sullivan, but there’s only a route to wasting him if he’s not going to win the Rumble after winning the MMC Finals. Then the championship scene was great, Ember gets a great match with Tamina and Ronda looks ready to retain against Nia.
Ziggler VS McIntyre was a great match, if perhaps just a high-level filler. Hopefully this isn’t the last for these two, we need at least one more go in a fuller feud between them. It was great to see Lio competing on Raw, up until we found out Slater was being made the special referee to then screw Elias over. I also saw Slater being ref for tonight’s main event coming a mile away. Slater will have his moment soon enough, maybe even at TLC PPV. Rollins VS Corbin was pretty great because of Slater’s involvement, too, but obviously Rollins retains. This might all just be a precaution in case Strowman really doesn’t show up at TLC, just as Corbin sarcastically said in his backstage promo. I’m still banking on a Strowman surprise and maybe an all out brawl with the superstars Finn united against Corbin.
My Score: 8/10
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Will B Block stay tranquilo?
After a win over The Might, Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi now take on Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg! Will Los Ingobernables de Japon end up behind BARS?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Time Limit Draw.
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Shoma Kato VS Shota Umino, Tomoaki Honma & Tiger Mask; Shota, Honma & Tiger Mask win.
- Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Alex Zayne, Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Murashima; TMDK wins.
- Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- World Tag League 2024 B Block: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS The Filip Brothers; Shane & Mikey win.
- World Tag League 2024 B Block: Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS EVIL & Ren Narita; Evil & Narita win.
- World Tag League 2024 B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado VS Great-O-Khan & Henare; Khan & Henare win.
- World Tag League 2024 B Block: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg; Yano & Oleg win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current B Block standings!
Taichi & Taka Michinoku: 1-0, 2 points
Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi: 1-0, 2 points
The Filip Brothers: 1-0, 2 points
Evil & Ren Narita: 1-0, 2 points
Great-O-Khan & Henare: 0-1, 0 points
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls: 0-1, 0 points
Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg: 0-1, 0 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado: 0-1, 0 points
World Tag League 2024 B Block: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS The Filip Brothers!
The former IWGP Tag Team Champions aren’t feeling as mighty as they should be after losing to Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi in the opening round. But can they rise back up mightier than ever? Or will Tome the Taiga & Stevie the Phoenix become apex predators in this tournament?
The teams sort out and after the Filip Brothers Too Sweet, Tome starts against Hysterical Haste. The fans rally up and the bell rings. Shane and Tome circle, tie up, and Shane waistlocks. Tome switches but Shane wrenches for a headlock takeover. Tome fights around, rolls Shane to a cover, TWO! Shane holds on but Tome fights up. Tome powers Shane down, pops out the back then wrenches to a wristlock. Tome keeps Shane from ropes, but Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and basement DROPKICKS! The fans cheer as Shane poses, and then Shane brings Tome up. Shane wrenches Tome, tags Mad Mikey, and Mikey wrenches.
TMDK DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Tome down, then they split the wishbone! Mikey BLASTS Stevie for good measure, then he CHOPS Tome. Mikey CHOPS Tome in a corner, brings Tome around, and then snapmares. Mikey clamps on a neck wrench and pushes on it hard. Tome endures, Mikey sneaks a BITE, then pushes Tome down. Tag to Shane, TMDK double whip Tome to a corner. Shane sends Mikey in but Tome DUMPS Mikey to the floor! Shane runs up but Tome dodges, then Stevie joins in! Tome FOREARM, Stevie DROPKICK, and Tome GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Tome hits a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!
Shane stays in this but he also bails to the apron. Tome stomps Shane, then tags Stevie. Shane goes to the floor but Stevie pursues. Stevie RAMS Shane into railing, right in front of commentary. Stevie stands Shane up to CHOP, and Shane hurries into the ring. Stevie stalks after and stomps Shane. Stevie snapmares, then he KICKS Shane in the back! Cover, ONE!! Shane shows some grit but Stevie tags Tome. The fans rally but the Filip Brothers mug Shane. Shane CHOPS Stevie but Tome CHOPS Shane! Tome stomps away on Shane in the corner, digs his boot in, but the ref counts. Tome steps off, but for only a moment before he digs his boots in again!
Mikey gets mad but the ref keeps him from storming in. That just lets Stevie CHOKE Shane! Mikey protests more but Stevie gets away with that. Tome tags Stevie in, and Stevie BLASTS Mikey! Tome whips Shane and BOOTS him down for Stevie’s HANDSPRING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shane stays in this and the fans rally up. Stevie KNEES Shane in the back, has the chinlock, then KNEES Shane again for the motorcycle stretch. Shane endures, fights up, and fires body shots. Shane UPPERCUTS, but Stevie holds him back! Stevie kicks and whips Shane, but Shane BLASTS Tome! Shane dodges Stevie and Stevie hits buckles!
Shane crawls but Stevie hurries after him. Stevie grabs Shane’s leg, but Shane swings an elbow. Stevie dodges, but Shane CALF KICKS him down! The fans rally as Shane crawls, hot tag to Mikey! Mikey runs in at Stevie to LARIAT in the corner! Mikey whips Stevie into the corner to LARIAT again! And then short arm LARIAT! The fans fire up and Mikey brings Stevie around. Mikey fireman’s carries but Stevie fights free. Stevie waistlocks, ducks an elbow, but the DDT hits! Mikey powers up, throws off his elbow pad, and SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Stevie stays in this but Mikey stays on him.
Mikey stands Stevie up, but Stevie fights the back suplex! Stevie throws down elbows, but Mikey CHOPS him! Mikey swings, but Stevie catches him for a FINAL CUT! Both men crawl, Stevie tags in Tome! Tome storms up on Mikey, but Mikey fires forearms! Mikey CHOPS Tome, CHOPS again, then CHOPS again! Mikey whips but Tome reverses. Tome runs in but blocks boots. Tome puts Mikey in the ropes to KICK and WOE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Mikey toughs it out and the fans rally up. Tome brushes himself off and brings Mikey up. Tome fires boxing elbows and an UPPERCUT! But Mikey dodges the lariat, to SPINEBUSTER!
The fans fire up and Mikey hot tags Shane! Shane drags Tome up for UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! Shane fires up to fire off more UPPERCUTS! The fans rally with every shot, and then Shane whips. Tome reverses, but Shane comes back to DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shane BLASTS Stevie for good measure. Tome kicks and whips but Shane reverses to kick, BOOT, and INVERTED EXPLODER! The fans rally behind Shane as he aims from the corner. Shane runs in but Stevie intercepts, SPANISH FLY! But Mikey fireman’s carries to DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Tome hits Mikey with a SPINEBUSTER! Shane SHORYUKENS Tome!
Stevie SUPERKICKS Shane! Mikey LARIATS Stevie! Tome BOOTS Mikey! Shane BOOTS Tome! Tome just laughs that off! DOUBLE BOOTS hit, but neither man falls! Shane kicks, Tome blocks, and Tome trips Shane to tie up the legs! FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK! Shane flails, reaches out, keeps his shoulders up, but Tome pushes on the hold! Mikey SLIDING LARIATS Tome! Shane is free and Mikey coaches him up, but Stevie LARIATS Mikey and himself up and out of the ring! The fans rally as all four men are down all around ringside! Shane and Tome stir and head for each other. Shane throws a forearm, but Tome gives it back.
Shane fires another forearm, so Tome fires back. The forearms keep going as both men rise up, and now they pick up speed! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and then Shane UPPERCUTS! ROLLING- NO, Tome ROCKS, ELBOWS, UPPERCUTS, and DISCUS LARIATS! But Shane nis right up! Shane swings, misses, and Tome SNAP GERMANS! The fans fire up and Stevie returns! Tome fireman’s carries, Stevie runs up, BOOT O’ DOOM! Both brothers cover, but Mikey breaks it up! The fans fire up but Tome TOSSES Mikey! Stevie staggers over to Shane, Tome calls for the finish! Stevie feeds Shane to Tome!
Tome underhooks, but Shane wrenches free! Shane sends Tome into Stevie, then Mikey LARIATS Stevie! Shane suplexes Tome, FALCON BOMB! Cover, TWO! Tome survives and the fans fire up! TMDK regroups, and they haul Tome up. Shane aims, but Stevie makes the save! Stevie shoves Mikey at Shane but Shane dodges! Shane clinches Stevie, Mikey joins in, ELECTRIC BLUE! Stevie flounders away from that power-bottom, but Tome is back! Shane fights the waistlock, then switches, POINT-BLANK HIGH LOW! TMDK then hoist Tome up, ELECTRIC BLUE again!! Cover, TMDK wins!
Winners: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls, by pinfall (gain 2 points; The Filip Brothers earn 0)
The Mighty Don’t Kneel, and that’s why they’re able to rise up again! Will Shane & Mikey make it back to the top? Will Tome & Stevie still find their own way to the trophies?
World Tag League 2024 B Block: Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS EVIL & Ren Narita!
The Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker opened this tournament with the biggest win possible when they beat the current IWGP Tag Team Champions, Great-O-Khan & Henare. Will they build upon that momentum in round 2? Or will they be cheated by the King of Darkness & Souled Out Son of Strong Style?
Evil & Narita taunt Taichi & Taka from outside of the ring, keeping their attention as they go around towards commentary. But this is all so Dick Togo can come running in from the ramp! Dick CLOBBERS Taichi, then he TOSSES Taka! The fans boo but what did they expect from The House of Torture? Evil whips Taka into railing, and then brings him out into No Man’s Land! Evil has fans move aside so he can BOWL Taka into chairs! Not even close to a strike, but Evil just CHOKES Taka with a chair! Narita SMACKS Taichi off chairs in the timekeeper’s area, and the ref reprimands The House!
Evil lets off of Taka and drags him up. Now Narita brings Taichi into the crowd in some other section. Evil puts Taka in the ring while Narita SMACKS Taichi off chairs. The bell rings to get this on record, but Evil stands on Taka’s face! Narita BOWLS Taichi into chairs, only doing a little better than Evil. Evil CLUBS Taka and taunts him while Narita CHOKES Taichi! The ref reprimands from afar but does his best to watch Evil. Evil stomps Taka to a corner, then drags him out. Evil stomps away on a leg, drops an elbow on the knee, then covers. TWO, so Evil covers again! TWO, and Evil covers again! TWO, and Evil tries a full mounted cover! TWO!!
The fans cheer but Evil wants a prawn hold cover! TWO!! Taka escapes five consecutive pins and Evil is frustrated. Taka crawls for his corner but Taichi’s still in the crowd. Wait, he storms back to ringside, with a chair! The ref stops Taichi from going after Narita, and Evil holds Taka’s hand out mockingly. The ref has to stop Taichi from storming into the ring now, and that lets Evil CLAW Taka’s eyes! Evil drags Taka up, tags in Narita, and Narita CLUBS Taka’s arm. Narita wrenches the arm, YANKS it, YANKS it again, and then taunts Taichi before he YANKS the arm again. Narita wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER!
Narita bumps Taka off buckles then tags Evil. Evil swings around the House of Torture shirt, and he CHOKES Taka with it! The ref again keeps Taichi back, meaning Taka suffers for it! Evil then throws the shirt at Taichi! Taichi catches the shirt and he storms in to throw it back! The ref stops Taichi but Taichi shoves him down! Taichi attacks Evil but Evil & Narita mug Taichi! They toss Taichi out then go back to the ref. Evil tells the ref to do better, then Evil tags Narita. Narita has Taka under the ropes, for the ROPE GUILLOTINE! Taka sputters, the ref reprimands, but Narita just drags Taka back up.
Narita scrapes Taka’s face along the ropes! The ref reprimands, Narita pushes Taka down, and then Narita argues with the ref. Narita whips Taka to ropes, ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! Narita clamps onto Taka’s arm and drags him up. Narita brings Taka over, Evil tags in, and Evil CLUBS Taka on the back. Evil sends Taka out, then distracts the ref. Dick RAMS Taka into railing, then FLAPJACKS him off the apron! Dick shoves Taka in, Evil covers, TWO! Taka stays in this and Evil gets annoyed. Evil stands on Taka’s face, but steps off as the ref reprimands. The fans rally for Taka but Evil taunts them.
Evil stalks Taka to a corner, but Taka fires elbows! Evil CLAWS Taka’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Evil whips corner to corner. Evil runs in but Taka dodges, to then SHINING WIZARD! The fans fire up as Taka crawls, but Narita runs up to stomp him! Narita CLUBS Taka, runs, but Taka goes the other way! Taka BOOTS Narita down! The fans fire up as Taka hurries, hot tag to Taichi! Taichi storms up on Evil to fire Kawada Kicks! Evil staggers to a corner but Taichi runs up to BOOT! Taichi keeps moving but Evil ducks the Ax Bomber! Evil waistlocks, Taichi fights the lift, and he ENZIGIRIS! Taichi then DECKS Dick off the apron!
The fans fire up but Narita attacks! Narita whips Taichi but Taichi BOOTS him down! The fans fire up with Taichi while Evil flounders around. Evil wants mercy, but Taichi says no! Evil ducks the buzzsaw to CLAW eyes! Evil blocks a kick, hands it to the ref, and he mule kicks Taichi down! The fans boo but Evil runs up to LARIAT in the corner! Evil then hooks a leg, FISHERMAN- NO, Taichi fights free, and he wrenches to HOOK KICK! Evil falls and the fans fire up! Taichi roars and rises, and OFF COME THE PANTS! The fans fire up as Taichi goes to the corner. Taichi aims for- NO, Evil dodges the superkick and he shoves Taichi into Taka!
Taka falls off the apron, Taichi runs up, but into EVERY- NO, Taichi slips free to DANGER- NO, Evil fights the saido to wrench and whip! TADA, bare buckles! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but The House soaks it all up. Evil tags Narita, and Narita runs to BOOT Taichi down! Cover, TWO! Taichi stays in this but Narita kicks him around. Narita taunts Taichi, pie faces him, but Taichi rises. Narita taunts Taichi more, fires forearms, but Taichi just leans into those! Taichi then SOBATS and Narita sputters. Taichi runs, Narita dodges the Ax Bomber to CHOKE Taichi! The ref reprimands, Narita stops, but then just CHOKES Tacihi more!
Narita whips corner to corner, but Taichi comes back to AX BOMBER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Taichi and Narita stir, and Taichi crawls his way over. Hot tag to Taka! Taka stomps away on Narita, then whips. Narita reverses, Taka reverses and wrangles Narita to JUST FACELOCK! Narita scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taka drags Narita up, scoops, but Narita slips free! Narita CHOKES Taka, Taka breaks free, but Narita hits an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Evil BLASTS Taichi, and he KICKS Taka’s hands! Narita has the full ARMBAR! Taka kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! Dick even tries to swat that foot away!
The ref still counts the break, and he reprimands. Narita holds on but the ref starts to count, so Narita lets go at 4. Narita stomps Taka around then runs. Taka BOOTS Narita down again! And he WRECKS Dick for good measure! Evil has a chair! The ref stops Evil but Narita has his pushup bar! Taka dodges, but Narita jams him up on the return! Taichi runs in, MIC STAND SHOT! The fans fire up but now Evil shoves the ref aside. Evil rushes Taichi but Taichi JAMS Evil with the mic stand! Taka runs to sunset flip Narita! TWO! Narita stands, into a PALM STRIKE! Roll up, high stack, TWO!!
Narita kicks Taka, DOUBLE- NO, Taka sits Narita down! SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! But into JUST FACELOCK!! Evil stomps away on Taka! Taichi CLUBS Evil! Taichi drags Evil into SEITEIJUJIHO!! Taka CLUBS away on Narita to put him in JUST FACELOCK!!! The bell rings, but that was DICK!!! That damn Spoiler!!! The House SHOVES Taka & Taichi into the ref!! The fans boo as now Evil CHOKES Taka and Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER on Taichi! The House stops that so they can set Taka up for the PUSHUP BAR ATTACK! The fans boo more but The House just soaks it up.
Evil & Narita then drag Taka over and set him up for Dick! PUSHUP BAR DICK CHOP!!! Narita slashes his throat, and hits the DOUBLECROSSER!! Dick fetches the ref to count, and The House wins!
Winner: Evil & Ren Narita, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Taichi & Taka earn 0)
The House of Torture cheats another team, and Taichi is pissed! Taichi grabs that chair again, and he wants after The House! The House runs off in all directions! Evil has Taichi’s mic stand so Taichi goes after him! The Young Lions try to stop this but Taichi chases Evil around the arena. Taichi almost gets Evil, but then Dick uses his SPOILER CHOKER on Taichi!! The fans boo while Evil taunts Taichi. Narita kicks the Young Lions away while Dick chokes Taichi out! The House of Torture are of course the worst, but will they still be first in the block? Or will justice be served soon enough?
World Tag League 2024 B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado VS Great-O-Khan & Henare!
Two teams that stumbled out of the starting gate now meet in the second round. Can The Ace & Master Heater make up for falling to the Filip Brothers? Or will THE IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions finally look like champions?
The fans cheer as Tanahashi shows off the abs, but they also rally behind “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” The teams sort out but Jado gets fans to cheer him on first. Then Jado gets the fans to cheer on “TA-NA-HASHI! TA-NA-HASHI!” Tanahashi starts against Khan and the fans rally with the bell. The fans duel, “TA-NA-HASHI!” “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” Khan laughs at how his side is stronger, then he circles with Tanahashi. They feel things out as they go around, but each man avoids a takedown. Khan is the aggressor, though, and he manages a waistlock. Tanahashi switches but Khan wrenches out and trips Tanahashi up.
Khan goes for a cover, ONE, and the two back off. The fans cheer as they reset. Khan and Tanahashi circle, feel things out again, and knuckle lock. They clinch, fight for control, and Tanahashi grabs an arm. Khan slips around to hook an arm, but Tanahashi wrenches free. Tanahashi hammerlocks, headlocks, but Khan slips out to headlock in return. Tanahashi endures, and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, but Khan pulls hair! The ref reprimands them both, and both men let go at the same time. But then Khan pulls hair again! The ref counts, Khan KNEES and ROCKS Tanahashi in a corner. Khan UPPERCUTS Tanahashi, then gest space.
Khan runs in but Tanahashi ELBOWS him! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Direct hit and fans cheer on the air guitar. Tanahashi tags Jado and he drags Khan up. Jado & Tanahashi double whip to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Henare runs up but gets DOUBLE ELBOWS! Tanahashi has Henare, Jado has Khan, and they give them a meeting of the minds! Then they kick low and TOSS the Empire out! The fans cheer as we get the air guitar duet! Tanahashi steps out and Jado waits on Khan. Fans rally up and Khan grows annoyed. Khan storms in but Jado kicks! Khan blocks the kick to body shot!
But then Jado blocks the Mongolian Chops to RAM Khan! Jado has Khan in the ropes but Henare KICKS him down! Henare BLASTS Tanahashi, then goes out to stomp away on President Ace! Khan drags Jado up and brings him around to CLUB him! Jado leans on railing, but Khan puts Jado back in the ring. Khan pushes Jado around, and he clamps on for an ANKLE LOCK! Khan then laces the legs in a modified DEATHLOCK! Jado endures, and he CLAWS at Khan’s face! Khan stomps Jado for that! The fans rally as Khan drags Jado up. Khan bumps Jado off buckles, tags Henare, and Henare fires body shots!
The ref counts, Henare lets off, but then he stands Jado up. Jado fires body shots in return! Henare winds up to CHOP Jado down! The fans cheer and Henare BLASTS Tanahashi again! Henare hoots, the fans join in, and Henare SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Jado shows that toughness but Henare drags him back up. Henare bumps Jado off buckles, tags Khan in, and Khan taunts Tanahashi. Khan gives Jado Mongolian Chops! And more Mongolian Chops! And then feints to kick a leg out! Khan says he’s too smart, and now he puts Jado in the corner. Khan hops up and the fans fire up as he sits on his throne!
Jado endures and the ref reprimands, but Khan pulls Jado’s arms! Khan hops down at 4, then clamps on a SLEEPER! Henare BLASTS Tanahashi yet again! Khan sits Jado down but Jado wags his finger. Jado fights, the fans rally up, but Khan clamps on body scissors! Jado is fading so Khan lets him go for a cover, TWO! Jado stays in this but Khan wants the ref to check him. Tanahashi gets fans to cheer “JA-DO-OH! JA-DO-OH!” Khan scuffs Jado, but that fires Jado up! Jado rises but Khan fires a forearm! Jado growls, nods, and he feeds off that energy! Khan throws more forearms but Jado eggs him on.
Khan fires forearm after forearm! Jado just powers up! Khan kicks low, runs, but Jado DOUBLE CHOPS! Jado roars, runs, and he CLOBBERS Khan! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Jado crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Tanahashi runs at Khan, FLYING FOREARM! Tanahashi BLASTS Henare, payback for all those times! Then Tanahashi dropkicks Khan’s leg! Then he DRAGON SCREWS it! Henare is back but Tanahashi catches his leg! Henare asks please don’t, but Tanahashi says, “Bye-bye.” DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Henare falls down and fans fire up as Tanahashi goes back to Khan.
Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Khan, then he goes up a corner. SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi stays focused and the fans rally up. Khan slowly rises and Tanahashi runs, to SLING- NO, Khan slips around and waistlocks! Gator roll to a bridge, TWO! Khan tackles Tanahashi, jackknife bridges, TWO! Khan snap suplexes for PANCAKE HOLD! TWO!! Tanahashi escapes again and the fans fire up! Khan rises, but Tanahashi blocks the Mongolian Chops! Tanahashi fires Mongolian QUICK Chops! Tanahashi runs but into a SAYANAGI! Both men are down and the fans rally! Khan crawls, hot tag to Henare!
Henare storms up on Tanahashi and KICKS him in the chest! And then KICKS him in the back! Then SENTON FLOPS as Tanahashi moves! Tanahashi rises, blocks a kick, but Henare JABS! Henare winds up, but Tanahashi ducks to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans rally up while both men are down, and Tanahashi crawls to his corner. Hot tag to Jado! Jado runs up on Henare to fire body shots! Tanahashi joins in, they double whip Henare to ropes, then BODY BLOW! KICK! And then whip into a LARIAT! Jado covers, TWO! Henare stays in this but Jado rallies the fans. Jado drags Henare up, but Henare KICKS Jado’s leg!
Henare KICKS Jado’s leg again and again! Henare runs but Jado DUMPS him out! Henare hurries back up but Jado kicks him! Jado has Henare in the ropes for the DRAPING DDT! Cover, Khan breaks it! Tanahashi CLUBS Khan, then TOSSES him out! Tanahashi leaves it to Jado, and Jado pounds the mat. The fans rally behind him and Henare stands. Jado runs up, blocks Henare’s haymaker, but Henare fights the takedown! BODY BLOW! Jado drops, but Henare clamps on with a half nelson! Full nelson! ULTIMA- NO, Jado powers up and ELBOWS free! Jado runs, but Khan gets a cheap shot in! Heanre fireman’s carries!
Khan runs but Tanahashi hits a SLINGBLADE! Jado hits a takedown, CROSSFACE!! Tanahashi has Khan in a CROSSFACE, too!! The Empire endures, Henare fights around, and Henare reaches out for the ROPEBREAK! The Empire is saved but Tanahashi kicks Khan out. The fans rally with Jado again, and Jado runs at Henare. DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And again! Henare HEADBUTTS Jado! Jado staggers to a corner, and the NATIVE KNEE hits! Henare powers up and clamps on again! Half, full, ULTIMA NELSON!! Jado endures, Khan stops Tanahashi from getting in!
Khan clamps onto Tanahashi with HITSUJIGOROSHI! Jado taps, The Empire wins!
Winners: Great-O-Khan & Henare, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Tanahashi & Jado earn 0)
Khan mockingly plays Tanahashi like a guitar before pushing him down. The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions are finally on the winning track, will they go all the way to the trophies? Can Tanahashi keep his WTL dream from turning into a nightmare?
World Tag League 2024 B Block: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg!
The Uncontrollable Charisma & Ticking Timebomb took down The Mighty to start this tournament while The Joker & The Rook were cheated by the King of Darkness. Will Naito & Hiromu just add on with another win? Or can Yano & Oleg put the ungovernable behind BARS?
To keep calm during LIJ’s antics, Yano sits at the center of the ring, cross legged, as if to meditate. But it doesn’t really work as Hiromu walks back up the ramp to stand with Naito. Yano loses his cool, shouts at Naito & Hiromu to hurry up, but LIJ take little steps down the ramp. They make it seem like they’re going fast, and Hiromu even does little circles to take longer. Yano is beside himself and this isn’t even a match yet. Red Shoes also insists, so LIJ finally walk normally again. But even then, they take their time getting into the ring. Naito taps the bell, and the introductions finally happen.
Naito continues to troll Yano even as he goes up the ring steps. And then down the steps as Yano gets closer. Red Shoes has Yano back off, and Hiromu insists Yano give Naito space. Yano’s impatience continues to get the better of him, but finally he stays back long enough for Naito to step inside. Then there’s still the matter of his entrance attire… Yano tells Naito to hurry up already but Naito does as Naito does. Hiromu even reclines back while he waits. Yano is just further annoyed, but his complaints do nothing but entertain the fans. Naito finally puts the pants aside, and Yano says okay, let’s get going!
Yano starts, LIJ fist bumps, and Naito pretends to be unsure who Yano wants. Hiromu and Naito each insist, Yano says it doesn’t matter, just hurry! Naito starts, the bell rings, and then Naito tags out to Hiromu. The fans cheer, Yano is further annoyed, so Yano tags Oleg! The fans cheer and Hiromu says hold on, and he tags in Naito. Naito wants Yano, and Hiromu even gets fans to cheer, but Yano says no. Naito and Oleg circle, but Naito SPITS at Yano! Yano is upset again but he stays put. Naito and Oleg approach, but then Naito dodges Oleg to BLAST Yano off the apron! The fans cheer, Yano is upset, and now he wants in!
Oleg tags Yano, but Naito tags out to Hiromu! The fans cheer as the trolling continues, and Hiromu says he is Yano’s opponent now. They approach, Yano dodges, but Naito avoids Yano’s attack! Hiromu CLUBS Yano, then BLASTS Oleg! The fans cheer and Hiromu stomps Yano. Naito joins in to double whip Yano, but Yano grabs ropes. Oleg runs in to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE LIJ! The fans fire up and Yano says good job! Oleg stomps Naito out of the ring, and Yano unties a buckle pad! Red Shoes reprimands but Yano takes a swing on Hiromu! Hiromu dodges, Red Shoes grabs the pad, but Yano SHOVES Red Shoes down!
Hiromu drop toeholds Yano down! Then he basement dropkicks! The fans rally up and Hiromu paces around Yano. Hiromu stomps Yano, then slides out to go after Oleg! Hiromu kicks Oleg, SHOVES him into railing, then hurries into the ring. Hiromu has the buckle pad and he beats Yano with it! The fans cheer but Red Shoes is confused as to how this happened! Hiromu says no, it’s okay, it’s just a pad. Tag to Naito and Hiromu “apologizes” to Red Shoes, but now Naito beats Yano down with the pad! Red Shoes reprimands but Hiromu & Naito double whip Yano, to DOUBLE PAD LINE! Hiromu then puts the pad aside while Naito kicks Yano.
Naito goes to the corner, hops up, and he has the buckle pad. Hiromu distracts Red Shoes from the DIVING PAD ATTACK! Cover, but Red Shoes has to put the pad aside. Hiromu counts, TWO! Red Shoes says that wouldn’t count anyway! Naito puts on a CAMEL CLUTCH! Yano endures but Hiromu runs and runs and builds up speed, to BLAST Oleg! Naito grinds Yano down but Yano scoots back to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Naito lets go and tags Hiromu. Naito brings Yano up and LIJ double whips Yano to ropes. They DOUBLE LARIAT, then DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!
Hiromu looms over Yano and taunts him. The fans rally, Hiromu drags Yano up, but Yano pulls hair! Red Shoes reprimands, but then Hiromu pulls hair! So Yano uses both hands! Hiromu uses both hands! Red shoes counts, both men let go at 4! Hiromu kicks and whips, but Yano reverses to THROW Hiromu down! The fans rally, Yano crawls, hot tag to Oleg! Oleg CLOBBERS Hiromu! Naito gets away but Oleg goes back to Hiromu! Oleg deadlifts Hiromu, but Naito runs in and CLUBS Oleg on the back! LIJ double whips Oleg, but Oleg breaks the line! Hiromu shoves Naito aside, dodges Oleg, then he sends Naito into Oleg!
Hiromu picks Naito up to make him RA- NO, Oleg stops the assisted rana, to Shake, Rattle and- NO, Hiromu dropkicks a leg! Oleg lets Naito go as he hobbles, and Hiromu runs to CROSSBODY! But Oleg catches Hiromu! Shake, Rattle, and THROW! And a kip up, too! The fans fire up with Oleg, and Oleg runs corner to corner at Hiromu for a SPLASH! Those bare buckles hurt, but then so does the scoop SLAM! Oleg runs to SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up, Oleg fireman’s carries Hiromu, but Hiromu fights free! Oleg elbows Hiromu away, CHOPS him to a corner, and then scoops Hiromu to SLAM him!
Hiromu is in the drop zone, Oleg goes up and up to VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Oleg rolling deadlifts Hiromu! Fireman’s carry and- NO, Hiromu rolls with the crucifix takedown! Ghost pin, TWO! Both men stagger up and Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Oleg roars, Hiromu dodges and CROSSBODIES! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Oleg and Hiromu crawl, hot tag to Yano! Yano runs to BLAST Naito! Yano goes to Hiromu and brings him up. Hiromu CHOPS! But then Yano dodges to clinch and BELLY2BELLY! Yano then drags Hiromu around, and CATAPULTS him to Oleg! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Yano covers, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Hiromu survives! Yano huffs ‘n’ puffs and he drags Hiromu up. Yano pops Hiromu up, but Hiromu fights to hit a DDT! Naito sends Oleg into railing! Hiromu hot tags Naito in! The fans rally up as Naito stands Yano up for those heavy elbows! Naito elbows Yano again and again, then puts him in a corner. Naito climbs up, reels Yano in, and hits ESPERANZA! A rough roll but Naito is back up. Yano staggers, but he dodges Naito to push him down! M U! TWO!! Yano hits a fireman’s carry takeover, into M U 3! TWO!! Yano shoves Red Shoes, but Naito atomic drops and ENZIGIRIS!
Hiromu SUPERKICKS Yano, BLASTS Oleg, then helps Naito with the TORNADO DDT!! Hiromu goes to the apron and CROSSBODIES, but Oleg catches him! Oleg SLAMS Hiromu down while Naito brings Yano up. Naito wrenches, but Oleg runs in and SHOTGUNS Naito down! Oleg hauls Naito up, fireman’s carries, but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into a POP-UP fireman’s carry! Naito runs at Oleg but Oleg THROWS Hiromu at him! LIJ topples over, Yano gets in there to cover them both! Oleg adds on, too! OLEG & YANO WIN!!
Winners: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Naito & Hiromu earn 0)
It was a rather wild ending, but the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions come out on top! Hiromu tries to understand how that happened, but Naito brushes it off. Will LIJ just have to be ready for anything if they wanna win WTL?
As for Yano & Oleg, Yano gets the mic to say, “Hey, everyone, my apologies. Sorry to Naito and Hiromu, and to all the fans here because I knew you were supporting Naito. So again, I’m sorry, I didn’t read the room.” The fans applaud, they aren’t really upset. Yano says it’s rare, though, isn’t it? That he’d win in the main event? But Yano vows that whether on accident or on purpose, Yano & Oleg will win the whole tournament! No more need to read the room! This Toru Yano, and this Boltin Oleg, or perhaps “Yano Boltin” for short. They will win the championships!
Yano says they’ll test this out. He’ll have Oleg say more than just “Hai” and we’ll chant “Yano Boltin.” Is everyone ready? The fans applaud, and Yano asks Boltin for a few words. Oleg takes the mic and thanks everyone for being here tonight. He feels they can definitely win the World Tag League, so thank you very much! The fans cheer, and join in on “YANO BOL-TIN!” Shrug! The Joker & The Rook are looking good now that they’re on the board, but will they make a run at the top?
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Evil & Ren Narita: 2-0, 4 points
Taichi & Taka Michinoku: 1-1, 2 points
Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg: 1-1, 2 points
Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi: 1-1, 2 points
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls: 1-1, 2 points
Great-O-Khan & Henare: 1-1, 2 points
The Filip Brothers: 1-1, 2 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado: 0-2, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great second round for B Block, and that is already quite the traffic jam at 1-1. Great rebound win for TMDK over The Filip Brothers, and of course The House of Torture cheats to stay spotless at 2-0. Great rebound win for Henare & Khan, and I think there’s even a chance we see Tanahashi and Khan feud down the line, maybe putting on a KOPW Championship match while Khan still has it. That’s a small window, though, with 2024 almost over and then it’ll be reset for 2025. And what a great match and great shocker in the main event. Hilarious comedy elements with Yano being so impatient, and yet his team comes out on top.
The eventual Yano & Oleg VS Tanahashi & Jado match is going to be a really important one, because with just seven rounds, another loss could pop the bubble on The Ace’s chances. At the same time, Yano & Oleg are his friends and fellow NEVER Openweight Six Man Champions, there’s some drama in that they could really play up.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will it be lights out on Los Ingobernables de Japon?
Bishamon won last round, but so did Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji. Now they clash in the main event of A Block’s second round! Who keeps winning in this World Tag League?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Daiki Nagai; Shoma wins.
- Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Bullet Club; TMDK wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Taka Michinoku & DOUKI VS The House of Torture; Taichi, Taka & Douki win.
- Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI VS Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Gabe Kidd & SANADA VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Gabe & Sanada win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa; Shota & Honma win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji; Bishamon wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings!
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!
The Funky Sauce had a less than hot debut losing to Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji. And now, they’re running into the Imperial Unit & Prince of Pace, who are already setting a good pace with their win. Can Zayne & Taguchi heat things up? Or will they be conquered by The United Empire?
The teams sort out and Cobb calls out Taguchi’s hips. Zayne says oishi (tasty) but Cobb is pretty sure that’s not true. The debate on oishi or oishi janai continues, but we finally get Zayne and Callum starting. The fans rally up at the bell, and Callum circles with Zayne. They tie up, go around, and Zayne puts Callum on ropes. Zayne lets off cleanly and quickly and the two reset. They tie up, Callum puts Zayne on ropes now, and the ref counts. Callum lets off slowly, but still cleanly. The fans applaud and the two reset. Zayne and Callum tie up again, Zayne headlocks, but Callum powers up and out. Zayne runs Callum over!
The fans applaud and Zayne smirks. Things speed up, Callum hurdles but Zayne cartwheels over. The fans cheer as Zayne plays with his hair. Callum runs up but Zayne wrenches and whips him. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS Zayne down! The fans cheer and Callum mocks the hair twisting. Zayne goes to a corner, the fans rally up, and Callum runs in. Zayne dodges, runs back in, but Callum puts him on the apron. Zayne slingshots back in to RANA! A rough tumble but Callum is up. Zayne waistlocks, Callum switches, but Zayne bucks the O’Conner. Zayne DUMPS Callum to the apron, avoids the shoulder tackle and KICKS!
Zayne runs side to side to ROLLING AX KICK! The fans fire up while Callum flops down. Zayne drags Callum up, tags in Taguchi, and Funky Sauce SPANKS Callum! Taguchi BLASTS Cobb for good measure before he and Zayne double whip Callum to a corner. Taguchi HIP ATTACKS, then sets up for Zayne to LEAP FROG SHOTGUN! Callum sits down, Zayne rolls back and he headscissors Taguchi to CANNONBALL Callum! Zayne then CANNONBALLS Callum himself! Taguchi covers, TWO! The fans fire up and Taguchi brings Callum into a chinlock. Callum endures the knee in his back as Taguchi pulls on him.
Taguchi puts on a headscissors and he squeezes tight! Callum endures, fights around, and kicks his way over to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go as the fans cheer, and Taguchi taunts Cobb with his cheeks. Taguchi goes back but Callum UP KICKS him! Callum skins the cat to the apron, slingshots to somersault, and then SOBATS! Both men fall and the fans rally up. Callum grits his teeth, rolls to the corner and tags in Cobb. Cobb storms up to stomp Taguchi, then he steps on Taguchi to step to Zayne. Cobb stands on Taguchi to use him as a surfboard! Cobb mocks Zayne’s hair twisting, then “apologizes” as he steps off Taguchi.
Cobb stands Taguchi up to HEADBUTT him down! Cobb drags Taguchi up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Callum in. Callum stomps Taguchi, but Taguchi kicks back. Callum stomps Taguchi’s leg! Callum clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Taguchi down. Taguchi fights around to the ROPEBREAK! Callum lets go and paces around. Taguchi rises, Callum kicks him, and Callum eggs Taguchi on. Taguchi CHOPS! Callum knees low in return! Callum whips Taguchi to a corner, runs corner to corner, but Taguchi BOOTS him! Taguchi goes up to headscissor for the DEADLY OSHIRI! Taguchi then runs up, but into an atomic drop!
Taguchi hobbles, Callum runs, but Taguchi somersaults to HIP ATTACK! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Taguchi crawls, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne runs past Callum to BLAST Cobb! Zayne fires forearms and elbows on Callum, then mule kicks! Zayne runs, but blocks a boot first! Zayne KNEES Callum to a corner, runs up and UPPERCUTS! Zayne puts Callum up top, climbs up after him, but Callum fires body shots! Callum shoves Zayne but Zayne flips back and rolls through! Zayne runs back up to JUMP RANA! The fans fire up and Zayne scoops Callum, for the BAJA BLAST! Cover, TWO! Callum stays in this but the fans rally with Zayne.
Zayne pounds the mat and the fans clap along. Cobb runs up, dodges Zayne and ROCKS him! Cobb runs in, Zayne dodges at the corner, then Zayne comes back. Cobb dodges, Zayne QUEBRADAS, but Cobb catches Zayne! Cobb wobbles and staggers, Zayne slips down to FINAL CUT! Cobb bails out, Callum runs up, but Zayne avoid the Penalty Kick! Callum avoids the Eddy Gordo kick to shove, but Zayne runs him over! Callum kips up, but Zayne avoids the enzigiri! Zayne runs, MARIPOSA, but Callum makes it a ghost pin! TWO!! Zayne stands, into a ROUNDHOUSE! Taguchi tags in and hurries after Callum!
Callum swings, Taguchi dodges but Callum elbows. Callum runs, Taguchi runs, but Callum catches him! Torture rack, GO TO HOSPITAL!! The fans fire up and Cobb tags in. Cobb RAMS Taguchi into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH, then he sets up under Cobb’s UPPERCUT! Callum BLASTS Zayne, goes to the apron, and he ENZIGIRIS Taguchi into a fireman’s carry! Callum is up top, DOUBLE STOMP and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cobb sits Taguchi up to HIP ATTACK! And then GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT FLOPS as Taguchi moves! Taguchi comes back, KETSUYE!! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Cobb survives, and Taguchi pounds the mat. Taguchi runs, but Cobb catches the hip attack! Zayne CLUBS Cobb, Taguchi HIP ATTACKS! Zayne DROPKICKS, Taguchi FLYING HIP ATTACKS! MARIPOSA! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives, but Taguchi has OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Cobb endures, rolls, and he BOOTS Taguchi away! Taguchi KETSUYES!! Cover, TWO!! Cobb still has power to spare but Taguchi has some of his own! Taguchi powers up in the corner, “ORYA~!” KETSU- NO, Cobb rolls it to a waistlock! Callum wipes Zayne out, then he BOOTS Taguchi into the GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, but Zayne breaks it!
The fans fire up while Callum TOSSES Zayne back out. Cobb hauls Taguchi up, ripcord and TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, Cobb & Callum win!
Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
Another round and another win for The United Empire, but also another loss for Funky Sauce. Will these trends continue through the rest of the league? Or can Zayne & Taguchi turn things around before the end?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Gabe Kidd & SANADA VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
No NJPW round robin tournament would be complete without Bullet Club VS Bullet Club! The Mad Man & Cold Skull lost to Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, Fang Revived & Crown Jewel lost to Bishamon, so both teams are in a fighting mood. Which faction within the club comes out feeling Just Too Sweet?
Aw hell, Gabe & Sanada attack Kenta & Chase during their entrance! No mercy just because they’re all Bullet Club! Sanada brings Chase into the crowd while Gabe and Kenta brawl down the aisle! Gabe then brings Kenta around to another area. Chase whips but Sanada reverses and he BOWLS Chase into chairs! A strike for Sanada, but Kenta does the same to Gabe! Sanada JAMS Chase with a chair, then CLAWS his face! Gabe and Kenta brawl up into the bleachers! Gabe ROCKS Kenta, brings him to the railing at the back, and Sanada SMACKS Chase off more chairs. Gabe mockingly asks for Too Sweet but Kenta ROCKS him!
Gabe goes to another stairway and walks down but Kenta storms up behind him, Kenta CLUBS Gabe, and now Chase has Sanada way over in the back row of the opposite end! Chase can tell where Kenta and Gabe are because of the spotlights following them! Chase CLUBS Sanada, then leaves him behind to go help Kenta. Gabe CHOKES Kenta with a shirt! Gabe mockingly offers the Too Sweet, then cusses Kenta out. Gabe says, “We run this!” in reference to War Dogs over OG Bullet Club. But then Chase goes after Gabe! Sanada hurries to help Gabe and now the brawling is all in the same area! Kenta has Sanada now while Chase keeps after Gabe.
Things finally go back to the ground level and to ringside. Kenta ROCKS Sanada, but Sanada ROCKS Kenta! Gabe CHOKES Chase with a chair! Gabe storms around but Sanada does the same to Kenta on the other side. Chase CHOPS and fires forearms, but Gabe doesn’t flinch. So Chase CLAWS Gabe’s face! Sanada ROCKS Kenta, stalks him, and then Gabe SMACKS Chase with a chair! The Young Lions make sure fans are safely out of the way while Kenta CLAWS Sanada’s face. Gabe brings Chase to ringside and SMACKS him off the apron. Gabe then hurries to help Sanada as he BLINDSIDES Kenta!
Gabe and Kenta brawl now, and Gabe DECKS Kenta! Gabe & Sanada agree to go get Chase, but wait, where is he? Chase runs up from behind to CLOBBER them both! Chase CLUBS Sanada, but Gabe CLAWS Chase’s face! Gabe POSTS Chase, and finally, Sanada puts Chase in the ring. Gabe & Sanada Too Sweet, and Gabe mean mugs Tenzan on commentary. Sanada steps in, and this is finally a match! Sanada CLUBS Chase, whips him, but Chase ducks ‘n’ WRECKS Gabe with a dropkick! Chase RAMS Sanada, HOTSHOTS him, then calls to Kenta. Kenta finds his way in and Chase stomps Sanada in a corner.
Kenta storms up, he and Chase double whip Sanada to the corner. Chase runs in, forearm SMASH, and then he sits Sanada down. Kenta runs up to HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Chase goes up while Sanada is in the drop zone, for a MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Chase snarls, Kenta DOUBLE STOMPS Gabe on the outside! Chase keeps on Sanada, reels him in, but Sanada fights the tuck! Chase ROCKS Sanada, whips him to a corner, but Sanada goes up and out then to the floor. Chase chases Sanada around, but Gabe sends Kenta into railing! Sanada KICKS ropes to jam Chase up! Sanada tags in Gabe and the War Dogs bring Chase up.
Gabe & Sanada double suplex, but Chase fights it! Kenta’s back and he BOOTS Gabe! Sanada DROPKICKS Kenta! Chase runs up on Sanada. Sanada wrenches him, but Chase spins through. Sanada fights the suplex to MAGIC SCREW! Gabe is back and he brings Chase up. “I’m a Mad Man-” Chase wrenches out, ducks a lariat, and then spins Gabe, FINAL CUT! Cover, TWO! Gabe stays in this while Kenta and Sanada fight on the outside. Chase locks ‘n’ loads, runs up on Gabe, but Gabe blocks the C-Trigger! Chase fires forearms to get free, but Gabe ROCKS Chase! The ref reprimands about closed fists, but Chase rebounds!
Gabe dodges Chase and hits the COMEBACKER LARIAT! And then a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, Kenta breaks it! Kenta CLUBS Gabe, but Sanada CLAWS Kenta’s face! Sanada TOSSES Kenta out and Gabe brings Chase up. Gabe then pushes Chase over, because he says this is for Kenny Omega! Gabe aims a finger gun at Chase! “Good bye, and F YOU, Kenny!!” Gabe runs up to V-TRIGGER!! Then a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, War Dogs win!!
Winners: Gabe Kidd & Sanada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)
The War Dogs struck first and never let up, and now they win to break even. Wait, as Kenta & Chase are helped away, and even as Sanada heads out, Gabe sits cross-legged while he has the mic. “Let me be very effin’ clear. You crossed the line as soon as you ran to Tokyo Sports and started calling me all this s*it. Unprofessional, all this s*it. Let me make this very effin’ clear! You said you wanted, you said the fans wanted, I said it before: I don’t give a F what anyone wants but me! And I wanna end your career! So iitengo (January 5th), Gabe Kidd, Kenny Omega, LET’S EFFIN’ GO!!”
The fans are fired up to hear WrestleDynasty now has a massive crossover match added! But will Gabe keep making this about The Best Bout Machine until it comes back to bite him? Or is that just the motivation he needs so he and Sanada can take the trophies?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa!
The Roughneck & Everyone’s Kokeshi had a rough opening round with their loss, but The Front Man & The Mullet had a mighty main event win. But the tournament might be taking a backseat when Shota wants after the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Will Shota earn a title match while heading for the trophies? Or will ZSJ prove Shota’s just not ready?
As ZSJ & “Roy” step into the ring, Shota gets in ZSJ’s face so ZSJ taunts him with the world title. The ref has them stand down, and the teams sort out. Shota and ZSJ start and they tie right up at the bell. Shota headlocks, ZSJ powers up and out, then he BOOTS Shota! Shota roars, ROCKS ZSJ and runs to RAM him! ZSJ rebounds to BOOT SHota again! ZSJ headlocks, Shota powers out, and they RAM shoulders! Shota rebounds to RUN ZSJ over, but ZSJ is up to UPPERCUT Shota! ZSJ runs, but Shota DROPKICKS ZSJ down! The fans fire up with Shota while ZSJ bails out. Shota pursues and CLUBS ZSJ down!
Shota whips ZSJ hard into railing, then storms up on ZSJ to whip him into more railing! ZSJ comes back to BOOT Shota! Shota is right up to SHOTGUN ZSJ! The fans fire up while both men are down! Honma BLASTS Oiwa for good measure but the ref reprimands him. Shota stands and brings ZSJ up. Shota puts ZSJ in, which the fans applaud, and Shota covers. ONE, but Shota stays on ZSJ. Shota CLUBS ZSJ, tags Honma, and Honma stomps ZSJ in the corner. The ref counts but Honma digs his boot in. The ref counts, Honma steps off, and Honma drags ZSJ up. Honma CLUBS ZSJ, CLUBS him again, then follows him to ropes.
Honma CHOPS ZSJ and ZSJ sputters. Honma CHOPS again, and CHOPS again! ZSJ hobbles away but Honma is on him with a whip. Honma ELBOWS ZSJ down, pats his head and runs, but he stops short of the kokeshi as ZSJ moves! ZSJ grabs an arm and wrangles Honma into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Oiwa BLASTS Shota while Honma scrambles around! The fans fire up as Honma fights and drags ZSJ with him. ZSJ shifts to have just the arm, or no, not just the arm! It’s like a one-armed Italian Stretch! Honma still fights to the ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud, and ZSJ lets go to tag Oiwa. Oiwa drags Honma up to scoop and SLAM!
Oiwa pushes Honma down to then drop an elbow! Cover, ONE! Oiwa clamps onto Honma with an armlock, but Honma fights up. Oiwa wrenches and RAMS Honma into a corner. Oiwa CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Honma kicks and kicks but Oiwa CHOPS him down! Oiwa wraps Honma’s arm around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Oiwa lets go, and Oiwa headlocks. Oiwa brings Honma over and tags ZSJ. ZSJ cravats Honma for the neck wrench, then he wrangles Honma to the mat. ZSJ bridges with the neck wrench! Honma endures so ZSJ shifts and bridges! Then shifts and bridges!
ZSJ stands to NECK TWIST! Honma writhes but ZSJ covers, TWO! The fans cheer as Honma toughs it out. Shota gets the fans to chant for “HONMA! HONMA!” ZSJ PENALTY- NO, Honma blocks the kick! ZSJ fires SLAP after SLAP but Honma holds on! ZSJ eggs Honma on, so Honma SLAPS ZSJ down! The fans fire up while both men are down! Honma crawls over, hot tag to Shota! Shota runs up to fire forearms on ZSJ! Shota whips, ZSJ reverses but Shota CLOBBERS ZSJ! Shota BLASTS Oiwa for good measure! The fans fire up with Shota as he whips ZSJ corner to corner. Shota runs up, to UPPERCUT!
Shota reels ZSJ in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota shrugs that off. Shota drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ fights the clinch to go for the arm. ZSJ elbows Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to trip ZSJ, turn him over, and STF! ZSJ fights the crossface portion, slips out and wrangles Shota into a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Shota fights up, but ZSJ pushes on the arm! Shota still fights, slips around, and arm-drags free! ZSJ avoids the dropkick to the leg to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa drags Shota up. Oiwa headlocks, Shota powers out, but Oiwa runs Shota over!
Things keep moving, Oiwa counters Shota’s hip toss with a hip toss! Shota gets up, Oiwa DROPKICKS! Oiwa kips up and the fans fire up! Shota stands Oiwa up, scoops and POWERSLAMS, to then run and SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Oiwa keeps on Shota but Shota fights the anaconda plex! Shota CLUBS away on Oiwa, then catches him to a clinch. Oiwa slips free, shoves, but Shota dropkicks the legs out! The fans fire up while both men are down! Shota crawls away, hot tag to Honma! Honma storms up to CHOP Oiwa! And CHOP! And CHOP again! Oiwa is in a corner, Honma whips him corner to corner, then runs up to ELBOW! And BULLDOG!
The fans fire up with Honma and he runs, KOKESHI FLOPS as Oiwa moves! Oiwa brings Honma up, but Honma fires hands! Oiwa ROCKS Honma back! Honma fires another flurry, but Oiwa ROCKS him again! Oiwa runs to ROLLING ELBOW! Honma falls and the fans fire up! Oiwa watches Honma go to a corner, and then he runs in, DROPKICK! And BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Honma stays in his and the fans fire up! Oiwa drags Honma up, gut wrenches, but Honma fights it! Honma wrenches out to short arm LARIAT! Oiwa stays up to short arm LARIAT in return! Honma short arm LARIATS, but then Oiwa short arm LARIATS!
Oiwa fires short arm LARIATS again and again, then finally LARIATS Honma down! Cover, but Shota breaks it! ZSJ grabs Shota and drags him out by a leg! ANKLE LOCK! Shota BOOTS ZSJ into railing! Oiwa has the SLEEPER on Honma! Honma reaches out, but Oiwa keeps him from ropes! But Honma slips around to the back, BIG back suplex! But Oiwa holds onto the SLEEPER! Oiwa drags Honma up to his feet, spins him, and THE- NO, Honma blocks the lariat! Oiwa dodges a haymaker to ROCK Honma! Honma ROCKS Oiwa! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! Honma HEADBUTTS, and then JUMPING KOKESHIS!!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Honma and Oiwa crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Shota! The fans fire up as ZSJ BOOTS! Shota fires a forearm! ZSJ nods and steps back to Shota. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, but Shota UPPERCUTS in return! ZSJ shakes that off to UPPERCUT! Shota staggers, scowls, and comes back to UPPERCUT! ZSJ wobbles but he nods, before he UPPERCUTS again! Both men steady themselves, and Shota comes back to UPPERCUT! ZSJ staggers and sways, but he stays on his feet. ZSJ leans on the ropes, then stands up tall. The fans fire up as ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Shota UPPERCUTS! The UPPERCUTS go back and forth, faster and faster!
Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ drops to his knees! The ref has Shota hold on, maybe ZSJ is rattled. ZSJ stands but Shota UPPERCUTS again and again! ZSJ fires up but runs into an UPPERCUT! Shota roars and the fans fire up again! ZSJ stands to SLAP Shota!! Shota wobbles but even ZSJ has to steady himself. Shota drops to his knees to stabilize, and the fans rally up again. Shota rises, so ZSJ KICKS him! And KICKS! Shota shakes his head so ZSJ KICKS! ZSJ paces but Shota nods. Shota rises and eggs ZSJ! ZSJ says fine, and he KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Shota growls, then he blocks the kick!
Shota stands to ROCK ZSJ! ZSJ roars, but Shota catches the kick, trips ZSJ, and then steps into the STF!! ZSJ reaches out but Shota drags him from ropes! S T F! Oiwa stomps away on Shota until he lets go! Honma CLUBS Oiwa then throws him out. Honma helps Shota stand and then brings ZSJ around. Honma whips ZSJ to a corner, runs up, and he LARIATS! Feed to Shota’s POP-UP KNEE! Shota then feeds ZSJ to a LARIAT! Clinch and EXPLODER! Honma gets moving, BASEMENT KOKESHI! IGNITION!! Cover, Oiwa breaks it! Honma CLUBS Oiwa and tosses him again, then tells Shota to finish it!
Shota goes to the corner and he takes aim. BLAZE- ARMBAR!! ZSJ catches the Blaze Blade, but then Shota shifts around! ZSJ still wants the arm, Shota has the stack! TWO! ARMBAR!! Honma hits the FALLING KOKESHI!! The fans are thunderous but here comes Oiwa! Honma runs at him, JUMPING KOKESHI FLOPS as Oiwa moves! Oiwa calls to ZSJ as he brings up Shota. Shota fires a forearm but Oiwa shakes his head. Oiwa eggs Shota on so Shota fires up! Shota ROLLING- NO, Oiwa ducks to SLEEPER! And THE- NO, Shota ducks The Grip and a JUMPING KOKESHI takes Oiwa down!
The fans fire up as Shota aims at ZSJ again. BLINDSIDE KNEE in the corner! And then a TORNADO DDT! Shota drags ZSJ up to elevate, but ZSJ wrenches out! ZSJ PELES the arm! Then BOOTS the lariat! ZSJ ducks the enzigiri to PENALTY KICK! Shota is right up, but ZSJ has him in a full nelson! Shota breaks it, only for ZSJ to GERMAN SUPLEX! ZSJ runs up, but into a POP-UP DEATH RIDER!! The fans are thunderous as Shota hauls ZSJ up. But ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! But ZSJ can’t make the cover! The fans are thunderous again while Shota and ZSJ stir! ZSJ and Shota crawl, but then Oiwa BLASTS Honma down!
Oiwa helps ZSJ up while Shota finds he has no partner! Shota turns around, into an ELBOW from Oiwa! ZSJ BOOTS Shota, then feeds him to Oiwa’s ANACONDA SUPLEX! Oiwa sets Shota up for ZSJ’S LARIAT! Cover, HONMA BREAKS IT! The fans fire up again but now Oiwa has the SLEEPER on Honma! ROUNDHOUSE and THE GRIP!! The fans fire up with TMDK as they drag Shota up. They double whip but Shota reverses! Shota kicks off ZSJ to TORNADO DDT Oiwa! Shota then runs up, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shota and ZSJ stay up, so they go again. ZSJ KICKS Shota’s lariat, but Shota SWATS ZSJ’s!
Shota ROCKS ZSJ, ROLLING- SLAP from ZSJ! ZSJ scoops, Shota slips free! Shota backslides, ZSJ rolls through, then fights the underhooks! O’Conner Roll, but Shota trips ZSJ to go for an arm! Another backslide, but another roll through, BLAZE BLADE POINT BLANK!! The fans are thunderous again as Shota rises! Shota aims from a corner, and hits a BLAZE- NO, ZSJ backslides! But Shota rolls through so he can DEATH RIDER!!! Cover, SHOTA & HONMA WIN!!!
Winners: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma, by pinfall (gains 2 points; ZSJ & Oiwa earn 0)
The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion just fell to this Reiwa Musketeer! World Tag League aside, will Shota now bring that Paradigm Shift to the Tokyo Dome? Or will ZSJ make sure this is still TMDK’s WrestleKingdom?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi made it Lights Out last round against Kenta & Chase Owens while The Rampaging Dragon & Gene Blast were tranquilo against Funky Sauce. Only one team can stay spotless, can the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter slay these twin dragons? Or will Los Ingobernables de Japon be that much closer to the trophies?
The teams sort out and after LIJ fist bumps, Yota calls out Goto. Goto accepts and the fans rally as the bell rings. Goto and Yota circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Goto finds a point of leverage, he puts Yota on ropes, but then lets off cleanly. The fans applaud and the two reset. They tie up but Yota kicks low. Yota headlocks, Goto powers up and out, but Yota RAMS him! Goto stays up, he runs, and he RAMS Yota! Yota rebounds to CLOBBER Goto! Yota brings Goto up, CHOPS him, but Goto CHOPS back! Yota CHOPS again! Goto backs away to ropes but Yota is on him. Yota whips but Goto grabs ropes!
Hashi tags in, Goto BOOTS Yota, then Bishamon runs Yota over! Then ZANMAI! Takagi storms in but Hashi mule kicks! Bishamon sets up, “Se no!” And they DRUM away on Takagi! The fans cheer while Hashi flexes. Hashi brings Yota up, ROCKS him, and Yota goes to a corner. Hashi CHOPS, but Yota eggs him on. Hashi CHOPS again, and again! Yota sits down and the fans rally up. Hashi looms over Yota, brings him up, and whips him corner to corner. Hashi runs up but Yota BOOTS him! Hashi comes back, blocks the boot, btu Yota brings Hashi down for the STOMP! Takagi runs to BLAST Goto, then goes out after him!
Takagi sends Goto into railing! The fans cheer, and Yota snapmares Hashi for a chinlock. Hashi endures so Yota ELBOWS him in the head! Yota then drags Hashi up, ROCKS him in the back, and Hashi falls against ropes. Yota tags Takagi and Takagi chinlocks Hashi in the ropes. Red Shoes reprimands then counts, so Takagi lets go quickly. Takagi hauls Hashi up to RAM him into the corner again and again. Takagi stomps Hashi, whips him to ropes, then KNEES him! Takagi suplexes high and hard! The fans applaud while Takagi keeps his eyes on Goto. Takagi goes to Hashi, sits him up, and rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!
Takagi stands for the ELBOW DROP! Tag to Yota and Yota brings Hashi up. Goto protests as LIJ double whip and DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Takagi then SENTONS, and Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Goto coaches Hashi but Yota drags Hashi up. Yota CLUBS Hashi but Hashi fires forearms! Yota hits a BODY BLOW in return! Yota whips, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs out! The fans fire up while both men are down! Hashi and Yota crawl, Hashi hot tags Goto! Goto CLOBBERS Yota, BLASTS Takagi, then goes back to Yota. Yota kicks and runs but Goto follows to LARIAT! Takagi runs in, but Goto kicks him!
Takagi fights the suplex, suplexes in return, but Goto slips free! Goto waistlocks but Takagi elbows him! LIJ regroups to double whip Goto to a corner. Takagi runs in but Goto dodges! LARIAT for Yota! Goto kicks Takagi, and suplexes him onto Yota! Cover on Yota, TWO! The fans rally and Goto hauls Yota up. Yota fights the fireman’s carry with elbows. Goto ROCKS Yota, Yota ROCKS Goto, repeat! The forearms go back and forth, faster and faster, but Goto gets the edge! Goto roars, runs, but Yota clinches for the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! STOMP! Takagi BLASTS Hashi! The fans fire up with LIJ as they regroup.
LIJ whips Goto to the corner again, and Yota ELBOWS! Takagi sends Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi LARIATS, Yota BOOTS, Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then a DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Goto stays in this but Yota brings him back up. Yota has Goto in the drop zone, for the MAROON- NO, Goto avoids the crush! Goto fireman’s carries to USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Goto and Yota crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Hashi! The fans fire up as Hashi and Takagi RAM shoulders! Hashi dodges to RAM Takagi, Takagi RAMS back! They RAM again, and roar!
Hashi ROCKS Takagi, CHOPS him, then turns him for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up with Hashi and he aims from a corner. Takagi goes to a corner, Hashi runs in, but Takagi dodges! Takagi runs up, but into a BOOT! Hashi runs up, into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! Hashi is down and Takagi says “TOKI GA KITA!” The time has come, and the fans rally with “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi winds up, runs up, but blocks a boot to LARIAT! Takagi keeps moving, but Hashi gets around to waistlock! Takagi switches, Hashi RAMS Takagi to a corner! Goto runs up to LARIAT Takagi! Feed to the mule kick!
Bishamon sets up, GOTO GO TO HUNTER! The fans fire up and Goto calls for it! Hashi gets the legs, but Takgi kicks free! Takagi wrenches, dodges, SLEEPER on Goto! Yota RANAS Hashi! Then Yota runs up on Goto but Goto BOOTS him! Goto elbows Takagi, Hashi SUPERKICKIS Yota! Goto has Yota up, he and Hashi hits G Y R!! Yota flounders but Takgi sends Goto into Hashi! PUMPING- NO, Bishamon dodges the lariats and they trap Takagi at the ropes! BLINDISDE LARIAT to SNAP DRAGON! Takagi is up, DOUBLE LARIATS with Goto! Takagi SWATS a lariat, ELBOWS Hashi, JABS him, then runs! But into Goto’s LARIAT!!
The fans fire up and Bishamon regroups. They whip Takagi into the fireman’s carry! FIERCE FLASH! And now Hashi calls the end! They have Takagi up, SHO- NO, SUPERKICK to Hashi from Yota! SUPERKICK to Goto from Yota! Goto tumbles out, Hashi is in a corner, and Yota runs to SPLASH Hashi! Then Yota hoists Hashi up top, CHOPS him, and climbs! The fans fire up with Yota as he brings Hashi up, for a SUPERPLEX! Takagi SLIDING PUMPING BOMBERS! Takagi starts up another “OI! OI! OI!” and the fans are with him! LIJ drags Hashi up, they BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! Cover, GOTO BREAKS IT!
Yota stomps Goto and CLUBS him! LIJ drags Goto up, but Goto fires forearms on them both! Goto is a fierce warrior to be sure! But he runs into a LARIAT! And GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER! The fans fire up as LIJ aims at Hashi! Takagi runs up to LARIAT! Snapmare and Yota aims! Takagi makes sure Hashi is lined up, but Goto anchors Yota! Takagi rushes over but Hashi shoves him into Yota! Roll-up with bridge! TWO!!! Takagi escapes, Hashi ROCKS him! The fans are thunderous as both men wobble. Takagi fires a forearm! Hashi fires back! Takagi fires another! Hashi wobbles, drops to a knee, but he comes back to fire another forearm!
Takagi and Hashi go back and forth, faster and faster! They both wobble again, but then Hashi fires a strike fest! The CHOP tops it off, but Takagi just snarls! Takagi fires boxing elbows! Hashi roars, but Takagi JABS! HEADBUTTS! SUPERKICK from Hashi! DISCUS PUJMPING from Takagi! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up and Takagi powers up! Takagi runs, to PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi pump handles and torture racks, but ITADAKIGARI!! Cover, BISHAMON WINS!!!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Takagi & Yota earn 0)
A sudden turnaround, but it can’t be called an upset with how Goto & Hashi have been World Tag League winners and IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions besides! But if this is how hard Takagi & Tsuji fought, yet they still fell short, how much harder must they fight to be on top of the block?
As for Bishamon, Hashi has the mic first. “Last year, Bishamon made history be becoming the first-ever IWGP Tag Team Champions to win this league. We also achieved the first-ever threepeat. This year, we’re looking to go undefeated!” The fans cheer that lofty goal, and even chant for “BI-SHA-MON! BI-SHA-MON!” Hashi says then, in Kumamoto, when they win their FOURTH STRAIGHT tournament, “We’ll show you our happiest Zanmai celebration ever.” The fans are certainly intrigued by that. Hashi says Bishamon’s four-peat will come in the blink of an eye!
With that mic drop, the mission is clear! No need to #GetBackUp when you’re still riding high, but will Goto & Hashi continue to add to their historic achievements? Or will a team come along to ruin it all?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 2-0, 4 points
Bishamon: 2-0, 4 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-1, 2 points
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-1, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 1-1, 2 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 1-1, 2 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-2, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-2, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great event for WTL A Block, but I hope there won’t be any more delays in the On Demand upload, there’s too much to do on a Friday to wait on this. Anyway, I had a bad feeling Funky Sauce would lose again, but they had a strong showing against Callum & Cobb. Great brawl between Gabe & Sanada with Kenta & Chase. But considering Gabe is building towards that match with Kenny Omega, good win for him and Sanada, and then good promo from Gabe to call Omega out. This all probably takes Gabe & Sanada out of the running for the finals, because they can play up how Gabe is too distracted by wanting after Omega.
Great match from Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa, but this match also proved me right from earlier. This was just a formality to make ZSJ VS Shota for the world title official. Shota gets the upset win on ZSJ and now that is Shota’s path to WrestleKingdom. But Bishamon VS LIJ was awesome stuff, and what a great win for Goto & Hashi. Goto & Hashi are definitely set up to make another run at the trophies, but I’m still not sure of their chances of winning. The threepeat was pretty surprising as it was, but a four-peat would be wild.
My Score: 9/10
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B Block, Round 2!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: AEW Full Gear!
With DJ out on assignment, Rob and Jason pick up the slack and talk excitement levels for Full Gear, this...
Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (11/22/24)
A Block, round 2!
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (11/22/24)
Mariah & Mina are on a Rampage!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (11/22/24)
Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens, face to face!
#TheOddity 019: Raccoon Sausage & Jiggle Balls
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (11/21/24)
B Block tags in!
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 11.21.2024
Let's pretend last week didn't happen? Okay? So tonight's iMPACT! has to be better...right?
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (11/21/24)
WHO BETTA?
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (11/20/24)
Dynamite is Freshly Squeezed!
