NJPW PPV Coverage
Andrew’s TOTALLY LIVE BIASED NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed Ratings & Analysis: New York
Delayed but not defeated! Andrew brings his totally biased in person opinion of the show!
Delayed but not defeated! Andrew brings his totally biased in person opinion of the show!
So by now everyone heard about the drama in New York on Saturday night. Thanks to a false cancellation phone call, the ambulance was delayed on getting to the Hammerstein Ballroom until about 8:20 PM.
Around 8, the New Japan Vice President and Rocky Romero came out to apologize and throw out some free shirts to try and calm down some of the more vocal imbeciles. I say imbeciles, because we had a chorus of people chanting “This is Bullshit” or “We Want Wrestling” and then when the Vice President comes out and apologizes to the point of looking like he’s going to cry, suddenly the chant it’s “It’s Okay”.
It’s dumb crap like that, that makes wrestling fans look like straight up morons. Technical issues happen, we know they’re trying, how about you just sip on your Cosmo and keep your stupid comments in your pocket.
ANYWAY! Now on to the show.
Ratings:
- TJP vs Ren Narita: TJP wins via Detonation Kick @8:50 – *** 1/4
- Karl Fredericks vs Lance Archer: Archer wins via EBD Claw Hold @7:35 – ** 1/2
- Juice Robinson & Mikey Nicholls vs Alex Coughlin & Clark Connors: Nicholls wins via Mikey Bomb @ 8:30 – ***
- G.o.D. & Jado vs Roppongi 3k (SHO, YOH & Rocky Romero): Tama wins via Assisted Gun Stun @10:45 – *** 1/2
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Rock N Roll Express vs Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi & BUSHI: Tanahashi wins via High Fly Flow @10:20 – *** – *Tiger Hattori’s Final Match to referee in the United States*
- Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii & Amazing Red vs Jay White, Chase Owens & Gedo: Goto wins via GTR @12:00 – ***
- NEVER Openweight Championship: KENTA (c) vs YOSHI-HASHI: KENTA wins via Go 2 Sleep @25:00 – *** 1/4
- SANADA & EVIL vs Kazuchika Okada & Kota Ibushi: EVIL wins via Everything is Evil @18:45 – *****
Analysis:
TJP vs Ren Narita – New York really hates TJP. But the best thing here was TJP owned the heel side of the match and both really brought a lot to an opening match. This match started a trend of all the wrestlers really feeling like they’re trying harder to make up for the delay. Ren was given a lot of hope spots as well. TJP wasn’t able to submit him with the Crossface, but Ren missed the Dropkick more often than not. Also, TJP blocked the Belly to Belly Hold on each attempt, but Ren got a huge pop when he transitioned the Boston Crab attempt to the Texas Cloverleaf that he started adopting when he wrestled Tanahashi in the New Japan Cup. Great opening match, and the crowd was very into it.
Karl Fredericks vs Lance Archer – A very abrupt start in this match. Lance hit Karl with a Big Boot, but then went to the corner and the announcer finished the introductions while Karl sold for a good 20 seconds. Lance was great with his barking back at the crowd, especially when the crowd did the big “Shhh” because Lance was going to Chop Karl, and Lance yells ” I didn’t tell you to shh”. So just general good Lance Archer stuff. Yes it was really just an extended squash since Karl never had a chance, but god damn it was fun.
Juice Robinson & Mikey Nicholls vs Alex Coughlin & Clark Connors – I wasn’t expecting much from this, but it really over performed. Juice was dancing on the apron, and New York was showing him a lot of love. Coughlin made it his personal goal to go after Nicholls as often as possible. Connors and Coughlin have really good chemistry and it was a fun match. Juice and Mikey gave the Young Lion duo a lot, but eventually the veterans took over. Criss-cross corner attacks, led to Left Hand of God, into a Mikey Bomb for the finish. Just great fun, and surprisingly good action.
G.o.D. & Jado vs Roppongi 3k (SHO, YOH & Rocky Romero) – So this match showcased something very obvious…Jado needs to stay out of the ring. He’s slow, inflexible and just awful. Thankfully, some of his general badness was used in an interesting way, when he dives and misses the tag, but G.o.D. run in anyway and clean house. Tama’s reactions were great cause it was a combination of “Bitch really” and “You good”. The crowd was very high on the match since Rocky was our hero earlier during the delay, so he could do no wrong. SHO and YOH looked crisp, and Rocky had a nice Forever Lariats moment. Magic Killer got countered, but between Jado using the Kendo Stick and usual heel tactics, we see Loa catch Rocky attempting a Frankensteiner, and he tosses Rocky over his shoulder and Tama kills him with a Gun Stun. The match was still very fun, but Jado needs to stay as a manager and never enter the ring again.
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Rock N Roll Express vs Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi & BUSHI – Talk about conflict. New York erupted for L.I.J., but you can’t boo Tanahashi and RnR Express. This was definitely better than it has any business being in 2019. Robert Gibson took a few moves off, but given his age, he still performed well. I was just amused when they went for a Triple Dropkick on Shingo earlier, Shingo holds the rope and Tana and Ricky bump, but Robert just raised one leg, and then motioned for Shingo to kick him in the chest for the next spot. Due to the love for L.I.J. Ricky wasn’t really able to beg much assistance from the crowd. Ricky is very good at keeping the old 80s style of taking the beating and then trying to rally with the support of the crowd, but when he looked to the crowd, most of the time all he heard was “Shingo” or “Naito”. Small things in this match amused me, and the fact that when the Face team hit the Triple Dropkick on Naito, he wasn’t seen for the rest of the match. He went out away from the side I was at, but when the RnR Express used a Double Dropkick as a finish for so long, a Triple Dropkick, your ass better sell dead. BUSHI was in there to eat the pin, and he at a High Fly Flow, so he did his job.
-After this we had a small ceremony with flowers, children and grandchildren of Tiger Hattori, to commemorate the fact that this is the last match he will referee on American soil. And much like Shibata said in a post match interview, “Tanahashi cried, he always cries”.
Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii & Amazing Red vs Jay White, Chase Owens & Gedo – Red being the hometown boy, he got a really good reaction and Jay White has quite a few haters in New York as well. I personally love our Cerulean Switchblade, but holy hell he got a great heel reaction. Also to be noted, Ishii decided he makes his own entrance and comes around the archway. You don’t argue with Ishii.
As for the match, it was damn good. Jay played his avoiding contact self and Gedo played his part wonderfully. This was really just great character work from Bullet Club. Ishii and Goto both looked great, Red looked…well…Amazing – HEY! Sit back down, it was low hanging fruit yes, but shut up, sit down. Goto murdered Gedo with the GTR and another small thing that I loved in this match was during the pinfall attempt, Red is trying to hold Chase back and he keeps trying to wiggle closer, he’s got most of his body in the ring and he’s kicking his feet and doing everything to try and break it up. In many tag matches, the outside people getting held look half asleep, but I loved Chase’s commitment.
NEVER Openweight Championship: KENTA (c) vs YOSHI-HASHI – Okay now I love me my New Japan, but come on now, did you really think we’d care about this match? Jokingly I always say, does YOSHI-HASHI translate to ‘Who Cares’ in Japanese. KENTA was pretty widely hated in Hammerstein but YOSHI was equally booed. So that gave some of those previously mentioned imbeciles the opening to chant nonsense.
Now full disclosure, between the delay, 80 degree weather in late September, and this hanging smoke, I was getting tired and just generally irritated. So KENTA’s constant powdering and toying with YOSHI on the outside for, what felt like, the first 5 minutes of the match…was annoying. KENTA wasn’t taking this match seriously, and neither was the crowd. So to KENTA’s credit, when YOSHI did fire up and put together some of his offense, it woke people up and even got some pity pops for YOSHI.
YOSHI looked like he was going to win the title with that terrible Butterfly Lock, but thankfully KENTA got to the ropes. Ref bump shortly after sent Marty Asami reeling to the outside, and G.o.D. showed up to do their thing. After only one or two small things, they set up for the Super Powerbomb, but Tiger Hattori ran in and made the save by grabbing Loa and Tama by the ear and scolding them like children. It was funny, and left KENTA sitting there wondering what to do next.
Thankfully, even though everything started looking like YOSHI was going to win, KENTA managed to get enough space with kicks and his Hesitation Dropkick, hit the Go 2 Sleep, and KENTA retained. I can see how it may have been seen on stream as plodding or awkward, but live, the extra little tidbits did what they needed to do to wake up the crowd, give YOSHI the hope moments he needed, and some comedy with Tiger. Total package, it was a solid match.
SANADA & EVIL vs Kazuchika Okada & Kota Ibushi – The match that got the only “All These Guys” chant. This was amazing, just beautiful how everyone moved around in ways that flowed with the match. Okada’s short pants pop was also louder than even I expected.
Ibushi and EVIL started things, and you saw Okada lose his mind on the apron, he was acting like his hair was red and he talked to balloons still. Okada got tagged in and did a goofy little shuffle and kept beckoning SANADA to get in as well, it was ridiculous but awesome to see Okada legitimately having fun.
SANADA gets Okada in the Paradise Lock and Okada did manage to hit a Dropkick, so I’m not sure if that Dropkick story was just a product of bad timing at Destruction, or if it will crop up from time to time. Also it was noticeable that SANADA and EVIL were the tag team, because SANADA got into position to do a few quick hit tandem moves with EVIL while Ibushi and Okada looked like two singles competitors doing the tag thing.
After everyone got in most of their signature stuff, we got a surprise. EVIL hit Darkness Falls on Ibushi, SANADA dealt with Okada and EVIL picked up the pinfall victory with Everything is Evil. So this was a great surprise that helps establish the challengers, especially since not many people see SANADA or EVIL picking up the wins at King of Pro Wrestling.
– After the match, EVIL gives the promo and says “Even though we were very very late, don’t worry, we’re done”. Then he proceeds to say that New York City is evil, everything is evil, so that makes tardiness evil! Welcome to the Darkness World!
Overall Score: 9/10
This show was amazing, even with the delay factored in….but it could also be thanks to where I was sitting:
So third row seating definitely helped for my overall enjoyment. Thanks to that, the main event was even better that close to ring. Some of the crowd of course were just complete asshats, but that’s going to happen at any gathering of humanity. New Japan put on a great show, even if it was just an overseas ‘Road to’. Sure the train ride sucked a bit cause it looked like there was a Mets game and concert letting out at the same time (11:30 PM eastern), but I’m not going to hold it against the company.
Everyone came out with a little more fire, the show was a great experience and the main event was easily the best match I’ve had the pleasure of seeing live and in person. Damn good show.
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The end is so close, we can almost taste it!
Half of A Block at 3-2, half at 2-3, and only two rounds left! Who will break away from the pack to lead this World Tag League?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Daiki Nagai; Kato wins.
- Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Bullet Club; The United Empire wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Taka Michinoku & DOUKI VS TMDK; Taichi, Taka & Douki win.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask; Yano, Oleg & Tiger Mask win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The House of Torture; LIJ wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Kenta & Chase win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; Gabe & Sanada win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Neman; Bishamon wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji; Takagi & Tsuji win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings!
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 3-2, 6 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 3-2, 6 points
Bishamon: 3-2, 6 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 3-2, 6 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 2-3, 4 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 2-3, 4 points
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 2-3, 4 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 2-3, 4 points
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
The Roughneck almost didn’t make it to this round with how he hurt his foot last round, but he’s good to go! But will he and Honma be able to make it through the sixth? Or will The Fang Revived & The Crown Jewel make them #Go2Sleep?
OH NO, Kenta & Chase attack as Shota & Honma make their entrance! Bullet Club takes advantage of Shota & Honma going out into the crowd, and now they’re beating Shota & Honma down! The ref reprimands but Chase uses Shota’s own glowstick to JAM him in the head! Kenta drags Honma up for haymakers and Chase JAMS Shota again! The ref reprimands more but this isn’t a match so Bullet Club keeps beating up on Shota & Honma! Kenta POSTS Honma, and Chase drags Shota over. But Shota fires forearms in return! The fans fire up and Shota saves Honma from Kenta! Shota fires forearms on Kenta & Chase again and again!
Kenta ducks Shota’s forearm to full nelson, and Chase kicks the bad leg! Shota drops to the floor as he clutches the knee, and Kenta stomps Honma. Chase grabs a chair and he pushes the ref aside. Kenta holds the leg out! Honma covers the leg to shield it! So Chase SMACKS Honma instead! Kenta drags Honma up, Chase brings Shota around, and Chase puts Shota in the corner. Chase pulls the leg against the post, and then he grabs the chair! CON-CHAIR-TO on the leg against the post! The fans are stunned as Shota falls to the floor and shouts in pain! Kenta drags Honma up and puts him in the ring, and Chase wants the bell!
Kenta storms in, the bell rings, and now we’re on record as Kenta stands Honma up. Kenta KICKS, and KICKS, and KICKS, but Honma blocks! Honma CLUBS the leg, but then Kenta CLAWS Honma’s face! Kenta brings Honma over to bump off Chase’s boot. Tag to Chase and Bullet Club mugs Honma. Chase then traps Honma’s head for the NECK TWEAK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up but Chase tags Kenta. Bullet Club continues to mug Honma, then Kenta covers. TWO, but Kenta drops a knee on Honma’s head! And another! Kenta tags Chase and Chase stomps Honma. Chase grinds his forearm into Honma’s face!
Chase drags Honma up, headlocks and punches! Chase bumps Honma off Kenta’s boot, tags Kenta back in, but Honma fights back! The fans rally as Honma fires CHOPS and SLAPS, but Bullet Club mugs him again! They double whip Honma to a corner, then Kenta runs in. Honma dodges Kenta, then dodges Chase! Honma kicks Chase, catches Kenta, DDT COMPLETE SHOT COMBO! The fans fire up but Shota is still down! Honma is in an unofficial 2v1 handicap match at this point! Shota crawls, but he’s still so far from the corner. Kenta CLUBS Honma, then brings him around. Chase adds on, and they double whip again.
Honma grabs ropes, BOOTS Kenta, then DUMPS Chase! The fans fire up as Honma hurries to his feet. Honma SHOULDER TACKLES Kenta! The fans fire up as Shota is back up! But then Chase CHOP BLOCKS him! Shota falls and tumbles into railing! Honma CHOPS Kenta! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Honma whips Kenta corner to corner, then runs up to ELBOW! And BULLDOG! The fans fire up and Honma fires up! FALLING KOKESHI FLOPS as Kenta moves! Tag to Chase and Bullet Club storms up on Honma. SOBAT! KICK! ROUNDHOUSE! Chase mocks the Kokeshi call to KNEE Honma down! Cover, TWO!
Chase calls to end this, and Kenta goes up a corner. Chase brings Honma in, but Shota gets up to SHOVE Kenta down! Kenta hits apron then floor! Shota shoves Chase into a cradle! TWO!! Chase escapes, runs up but Honma shoves Chase into Shota’s ELBOW! Chase staggers and Honma rolls him up! TWO!! Chase escapes again, but Honma runs up. Chase swats the lariat, fires a strike fest, but Honma roars! Honma HEADBUTTS, runs, KOKESHI- C-TRIGGER!! Chase tucks Honma in, hoists him up, PACKAGE PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Bullet Club wins!!
Winners: Kenta & Chase Owens, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)
Bullet Club struck first and they struck last, and they’re still in the running! Can they find an outside shot at the finals and hit the mark? As for Shota & Honma, they’re mathematically ELIMINATED from the finals! Will Shota even have a leg to stand on when it comes time for his world title match?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!
The Funky Sauce is on the bubble at 2-3 but they seem to be getting hot at just the right time. Can Zayne & Taguchi cook up a great comeback? Or will the heat die down after facing the Mad Man & Cold Blooded?
The teams sort out and then the War Dogs attack! It’s the Bullet Club way! Gabe is after Zayne, Sanada is after Taguchi, and the bell rings to get this on record! Sanada TOSSES Taguchi while Gabe UPPERCUTS Zayne! Sanada helps drag Zayne up, and they War Dogs DOUBLE SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up but Gabe reels Zayne in. Zayne fights the driver, shoves Gabe at Sanada at the corner, but Gabe narrowly avoids running into him. Zayne then SUPERKICKS Gabe, and he dodges Sanada to then IMPLODER KNEE DROP! STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans fire up but Gabe waistlocks! Zayne fights, switches, but Gabe backs him down!
Zayne keeps hold of Gabe and Taguchi tags in. Taguchi CLUBS Gabe, Zayne kicks, and Funky Sauce double whip. They blow past Gabe to then BULLDOG and basement DROPKICK! Taguchi covers, TWO! The fans rally as Funky Sauce HIP ATTACK back and forth! Gabe sputters, and he gets a HIP ATTACK SANDWICH! The fans cheer again and Zayne drags Gabe up. Taguchi goes to a corner, Zayne sends him in, and Taguchi BOOTS! Taguchi goes up for DEADLY HIPS! Taguchi then hops up, Zayne tilt-o-whirl RANAS, but Gabe stops from running into cheeks! Gabe SHOVES Taguchi to the floor, then he dodges Zayne to CHOP!
Zayne falls then flounders away while the fans rally up. Sanada brings Taguchi out into the crowd and SMACKS him off chairs! Gabe does the same with Zayne on the other side! Young Lions make sure fans get to a safe distance while Sanada SMACKS Taguchi off more chairs. Gabe sends Zayne into the back wall! Gabe fires forearms, then THROWS Zayne into the wall again! Sanada drags Taguchi up and moves through the crowd while Gabe SMACKS Zayne with spare railing! Gabe has a wild grin as he storms around. The ring count starts, so Sanada brings Taguchi back to ringside. Taguchi resists but Sanada CLAWS his face!
Gabe has fans clear out, then he BOWLS Zayne into the chairs! Zayne tumbles up and over multiple rows! That was a strike, maybe even a turkey! Gabe then goes back for Taguchi to put him in the ring at 15 of 20. Gabe flexes and mockingly asks where Zayne went. Gabe drags Taguchi up, and he CHOPS! Taguchi goes to a corner while the fans rally up. Gabe bumps Taguchi off buckles, tags Sanada, and Sanada stomps Taguchi down. Sanada stomps away, and Gabe intercepts Zayne at the gate! The ref counts, Sanada lets off, and Gabe grins as Zayne is down in the crowd again. Sanada drags Taguchi back up to bump off buckles.
Sanada whips corner to corner, runs in, and ELBOWS! Taguchi sputters but Sanada tags Gabe. Gabe eggs Taguchi on. Taguchi rises up to CHOP! Gabe eggs Taguchi on more, so Taguchi CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Gabe BITES Taguchi’s forehead! Then he bumps Taguchi off buckles! The ref reprimands but Gabe tags Sanada. Sanada stands Taguchi up and ROCKS him with a right hand! Taguchi drops to his knees, so Sanada stands him up to ROCK him again! Taguchi wobbles, Sanada ROCKS him again, but Taguchi comes back with CHOPS! The fans rally, but Sanada CLAWS Taguchi’s eyes! Sanada whips, Taguchi HIP ATTACKS!
The fans fire up as Taguchi reaches out, and Zayne has returned! Taguchi crawls over but Gabe runs over to YANK Zayne down! And it’s back out to the crowd! Zayne fights the driver to BOWL Gabe into chairs! STRIKE! The fans fire up as Zayne hurries back, but Sanada drags Taguchi away. BIG atomic drop! Taguchi hobbles, reaches out, but Sanada reels him back in! Taguchi fires elbows, runs, but he fakes Sanada out! HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up again as Taguchi crawls! Hot tag to Zayne! Zayne dodges Sanada, fires hands and forearms, then whips. Zayne HIP TOSSES Sanada to then MARIPOSA!
Zayne drags Sanada up, suplexes, but Sanada fights it to suplex! Zayne fights that, and it’s a battle for control! Zayne suplexes up and over! The fans fire up and Zayne rises! Zayne stands Sanada up to fire forearms and ELBOWS! Then a mule kick! Zayne runs but Gabe trips him up! Gabe drags Zayne out and suplexes, but Zayne fights it! Zayne hangs Gabe out to dry on railing! Then ROLLING AX KICK! Gabe flops down, Zayne runs in and he dodges Sanada! BOOT! ENZIGIRI! Sanada ends up in a corner, tag to Taguchi! Funky Sauce whips Sanada corner to corner, then Taguchi HIP ATTACKS! Feed to Zayne, tilt-o-whirl RANA into the HIPS!
The fans fire up as Zayne backslides Sanada, but Sanada rolls through! KETSUYE! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe runs up to kick Zayne and brings him around. Gabe suplexes, but Zayne slips free! Feed to the HIP- NO, Atomic Drop! Wait, Gabe’s knee is what hurts? Taguchi wags his fingers, did he activate his buns of steel?! Zayne ENZIGIRIS, and then HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up again and Taguchi goes for Sanada. Funky Sauce double whip, but Sanada grabs ropes. Sanada TOSSES Zayne, then dodges Taguchi to spin and suplex, MAGIC- NO, Taguchi slips free! Sanada fights the suplex to dragon sleeper! But Zayne BLOCKBUSTERS!!
The fans are thunderous but Gabe UPPERCUTS Zayne! Zayne hits back, and the two fire heavy shots! The fans rally, Zayne blocks a boot to KNEE, but Gabe LARIATS! Gabe kicks Taguchi, suplexes, but Taguchi fights it! Taguchi wrenches to ENZIGIRI! Gabe falls but Sanada rises, so Taguchi runs up, to whiff on the hip attack! Dragon sleeper, but Taguchi drops down! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Sanada flails and reaches out, Gabe and Zayne intercept each other! Gabe reels Zayne in, but Zayne fights the lift to have OH MY GAH ANKLE 2!! The fans are thunderous as the War Dogs are enduring! Zayne shouts, “ITADAKIMASU~!” And he BITES Gabe’s leg!!
The fans are thunderous but then Gabe rolls and sends Zayne into Taguchi! All four men are down, and Zayne continues tumbling out to the floor. Gabe bails out to the apron, but Taguchi runs at Sanada. Sanada BOOTS Taguchi, SANADA QUEBRADA! Taguchi dodges! Sanada’s leg jams! KETSU- NO! Sanada dodges the hips! Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD!! Sanada roars, the fans fire up, and Sanada clinches for DEAD- NO, Taguchi trips Sanada up, steps over, LA MAGISTROL!!! TWO!! Gabe beats up on Zayne while Sanada catches Taguchi! Taguchi switches but Sanada shoves the ref, LOW BLOW MULE KICK!!
The fans boo but Sanada reels Taguchi in! DEADFALL!! Cover, War Dogs win!
Winners: Gabe Kidd & Sanada, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
Another first strike, last strike match for Bullet Club, and the Funky Sauce is ELIMINATED from the finals! Gabe & Sanada now moving up the ranks, will they be the ones taking those trophies?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Neman!
The four-peat is still alive, but at 3-2, who knows for how much longer. Can the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter defy the United Empire? Or will the Imperial Unit & Prince of Pace make sure Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi won’t #GetBackUp?
The teams sort out and Callum pushes Goto. Goto steps up and the fans cheer with the bell. Goto and Callum stare down while the fans rally up more, then they circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Goto uses size to power Callum backwards to ropes. The ref counts, Goto lets off with pats on the shoulder, and the fans applaud. Callum brushes that off literally and the two go again. They tie up but Callum kicks low! Callum fires a forearm, whips, but Goto reverses. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS Goto down! The fans fire up and Callum waits on Goto to sit up. Callum stomps Goto, then stands him up to fire forearms.
Goto CHOPS, Callum fires a forearm, repeat! Callum knees low, whips, but Goto grabs ropes! Hashi tags in and Goto BOOTS Callum! Bishamon CLOBBERS Callum! Cobb runs up, but Bishamon drop toeholds him onto Callum! Callum sputters while Goto & Hashi bring Cobb up. “SE~ NO!” DRUM BEAT! The fans fire up as Bishamon CLUBS Cobb back down onto Callum! Goto steps out while Cobb rolls away, and Callum coughs and sputters his way to ropes. Hashi brings Callum around to cover, ONE!! Callum is still toughing it out and the fans rally up. Hashi drags Callum up to CLUB him on the neck!
Callum goes to another end of the ring but Hashi storms up. Hashi CLUBS Callum again, then keeps him from Cobb. Hashi ROCKS Callum with a forearm, then whips him to ropes. Callum reverses and HIP TOSS NECKBREAKERS! Cobb runs up to BLAST Goto! Cobb goes out to stomp Goto down, then he stands on Goto’s chest! The fans cheer, and Cobb pretends he didn’t see Goto there as he steps off. Callum drags Hashi up to ROCK him with a forearm! Callum then CHOPS Hashi off his feet! The fans cheer and Callum brings Hashi over. Callum bumps Hashi off buckles, then he tags in Cobb.
Cobb HEADBUTTS Hashi in the back! And HEADBUTTS him again! Cobb whips and RUNS Hashi over! Cobb then carefully covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO! Hashi stays in this and the fans rally up again. Cobb stalks Hashi to ropes, stomps him, then drags Hashi up. Cobb CLUBS Hashi down, pushes him around, and then steps on Hashi’s back! Cobb stands on Hashi to use him as a surfboard! Cobb mocks Goto’s pose, then steps away to tell Goto to go back to his corner. Cobb bumps Hashi off buckles then tags Callum. Callum CHOPS Hashi, kicks him, but Hashi fires forearms!
Callum and Hashi go back and forth, and Hashi has the edge! But Callum CHOPS Hashi off his feet! Callum stands Hashi up, tags Cobb, and the Empire mugs Hashi in the corner. The fans rally but Cobb scoops Hashi and holds him with one arm! Then Cobb SLAMS Hashi down! Cobb again mocks Goto’s pose to power up, GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives and the fans fire up, but Cobb brings Hashi around. Hashi fires body shots and forearms! Cobb JABS! Cobb whips, but Hashi dropkicks the legs out! The fans fire up and Hashi crawls over, hot tag to Goto! Goto runs to RAM Cobb!
Cobb stays up so Goto RAMS him again! Cobb tells Goto nice try! Cobb kicks low, whips, but Goto reverses. Goto then blows past Cobb to LARIAT! Callum runs in but Goto kicks him, and snap suplexes him onto Cobb! The fans fire up and Goto brings Cobb around. Goto fires a flurry of forearms, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs up to MURAMASA, and then BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Cobb stays in this and the fans rally up more. Goto drags Cobb up but Cobb’s too much to fireman’s carry! Cobb CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires forearms! Cobb fires back and the forearms go back and forth!
The fans rally as Goto and Cobb throw shots, but then Cobb gets the edge! Cobb pumps up, swings, but into a dragon sleeper! But Cobb fights free! Goto ROCKS Cobb, runs, but Cobb blows past Goto now to “JOHN CENA!” SHOULDER TACKLE! Goto is down and the fans fire up! Cobb rolls his way to the corner, Goto crawls, hot tags to Callum and Hashi! Hashi dodges to fire a strike fest! Hashi CHOPS and Callum goes to the corner. Hashi storms up to CHOP again! Hashi turns Callum, Callum slips free to shove, trip, and DOUBLE STOMP! The fans fire up, Callum huffs ‘n’ puffs and rises again.
Callum drags Hashi up, but Hashi suplexes! Callum slips free, waistlocks, but Hashi RAMS him into a corner! Goto runs up and LARIATS! Hashi CLUBS Cobb off the apron! Hashi whips Callum but Callum BOOTS Goto! And then Callum jumps Hashi’s basement dropkick to DOUBLE STOMP! Cobb storms in and he deadlift suplexes Hashi! Callum adds a PENALTY KICK! Cover, Goto breaks it! The fans fire up but Cobb TOSSES Goto! Cobb goes out after Goto again while Callum brings Hashi up. Cobb runs up but someone crashes into railing! Hashi avoids Callum’s Oscutter, then blocks a kick to fire a forearm!
Callum fires back and the fans rally as the shots go back and forth! Callum wobbles, Hashi fires a flurry! Hashi spins to COHP! Callum falls, kips up and ENZIGIRIS! Callum runs, but Goto is back, and he LARIATS Callum! Bishamon stands Callum up! Fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! They call their shot and get Callum back up! Dragon sleeper, leg lift, but Callum kicks free! Goto suplexes, Callum knees free! Goto waistlocks, spins Callum around, and Hashi LARIATS at the ropes! Then full nelson, but Callum BOOTS Goto and STUNNRES Hashi! Victory roll, TWO!! Cobb drags Goto out to send him into railing!
Hashi ducks a roundhouse to SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Hashi sees Callum tumble to a corner but Cobb runs up to ROCK Hashi! Goto gets in, Cobb ROCKS him, too! Cobb fires more shots, but gets caught into an URA GTR! Hashi LARIATS Cobb down! The fans fire up and Hashi roars! Callum SUPERKICKS Hashi! And DREAMCAST KICKS Goto! Hashi runs up, into a JUMP KNEE! Callum springboards, OSCU- NO, Goto catches him! Hashi has the legs! SHOTO!! Cover, BISHAMON WINS!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Cobb & Callum earn 0)
A fast and furious finish, and it was certainly lights out for Callum! The United Empire’s dream of facing each other in the finals is in jeopardy, but is the dream of the four-peat about to come true for Goto & Hashi?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji!
TMDK is on the ropes in both blocks, their hopes of a mighty battle in Kumamoto is no longer possible. But can The Front Man & Mullet stay strong until the end? Or will the Rampaging Dragon & Gene Blast keep World Tag League tranquilo?
The teams sort out, LIJ fist bumps, and the fans rally up as Oiwa steps up to Yota. Yota grins, the bell rings, and the fans rally up. Yota and Oiwa circle, feel things out, then circle. They tie up, Oiwa spins to hammerlock, but Yota reaches back to headlock. Oiwa powers out and wrangles Yota into a headlock. Yota fights up, fires body shots, then hammerlocks in return. Oiwa slips around to switch the hammerlock onto Yota, but Yota switches and full nelsons. Oiwa fights that, so Yota spins him to a snapmare. Yota chinlocks but Oiwa slips right out to hammerlock! Oiwa then hooks the other arm and brings Yota into a cover, TWO!
Oiwa keeps on Yota with a double wristlock but Yota fights up to headlock. Yota hits a takeover, Oiwa headscissors, and Oiwa holds on tight! Yota fights around, pops out and has Oiwa’s legs trapped! Oiwa endures, Yota floats to a headlock but Oiwa again headscissors. Yota kips free this time but Oiwa goes up and hits a headscissor takedown! The fans fire up while Oiwa pushes up to put on the pressure. Yota fights around, ROPEBREAK! Oiwa lets go of Yota to stomp him down, then he brings Yota up to CHOP! Oiwa CHOPS Yota at the ropes, then runs, but Takagi jumps in! LIJ DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Oiwa down!
The fans fire up and Takagi SENTONS! Yota BODY PRESSES! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays in this but Yota brings him up. Yota CHOPS Oiwa, but Oiwa comes back for more. Yota CHOPS again, but Oiwa shakes his head. Oiwa CHOPS, ROCKS, and fires more forearms! But Yota CHOPS Oiwa down! The fans fire up and Yota runs, but Oiwa dropkicks the legs out! The fans fire up again as Oiwa hurries, tag to ZSJ! ZSJ drags Yota around by a leg, has a standing toehold, and he twists and tweaks that foot! ZSJ turns Yota over and hooks up the legs. Yota resists as ZSJ goes for the arms, so ZSJ STOMPS the legs!
The fans fire up while Yota writhes, and ZSJ tags Oiwa. Oiwa storms up and grabs a leg for his own standing toehold. Yota endures, fights, but Oiwa YANKS the leg! Oiwa drags Yota around to YANK the leg again! Oiwa then tags ZSJ back in and ZSJ goes right after the leg, SPINNING TOEHOLD! ZSJ scissors the leg but Yota kicks with the free leg. But ZSJ grabs that and adds it on, DEATHLOCK! ZSJ pulls way back on it, and even has a headscissors! ZSJ again innovates with this modified Bow ‘n’ Arrow, but Yota endures and reaches out! Yota rolls over to have the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and ZSJ lets go to tag Oiwa.
Oiwa drags Yota up to dropkick the legs! Oiwa brings Yota up again, has a leg, but Yota fights the lift! Yota CLUBS away but Oiwa DRAGON SCREWS the leg instead! Tag back to ZSJ and ZSJ stalks Yota to a corner. ZSJ UPPERCUTS Yota, UPPERCUTS again, and then UPPERCUTS again! Yota falls over, ZSJ drags him around, and he stands on the leg before dropping into another DEATHLOCK! Yota endures as ZSJ stands up to put on the pressure! Takagi storms up to CHOP ZSJ! ZSJ stays standing but Takagi JABS, JABS and CHOPS, but ZSJ catches him! COBRA TWIST! The fans are thunderous as ZSJ has both LIJ behemoths!
Red Shoes counts, ZSJ lets Takagi go, and then he drags Yota back by just walking! Tag to Oiwa, and Oiwa stomps Yota down. The fans rally up while Oiwa drags Yota up, and he RAMS Yota into an open corner. The fans rally and duel while Oiwa pulls the leg around ropes! Oiwa then KNEES the knee! Red Shoes reprimands but Oiwa whips corner to corner. Yota manages to reach the other side, and Oiwa runs up. Oiwa blocks a boot, but Yota reels him in to then DOUBLE STOMP! Both men are down, the fans rally up, and Yota hot tags Takagi! Takagi CLOBBERS Oiwa, BLASTS ZSJ, and shouts, “Mada mada! <Not done yet!>”
Takagi runs in at the corner, blocks a boot, and LARIATS through! The fans fire up with Takagi and he JABS, CHOPS, and repeat! Red Shoes counts, Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS, but ZSJ storms in! ZSJ wrenches the arm, CLUBS it, then he and Oiwa double whip. Takagi grabs ropes, comes back, but into DOUBLE BOOTS! Takagi stays up, clinches Oiwa and kicks ZSJ! DDT COMPLETE SHOT COMBO! The fans fire up again as Takagi suplexes Oiwa high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi tells Kochi, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up and join in on “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi rises, brings Oiwa up, but Oiwa fires a forearm!
Takagi shakes that off and comes back to ROCK Oiwa! Oiwa fires another forearm, but Takagi fires back! The forearms go back and forth and the fans rally up again! Takagi JABS, JABS, and JABS! Oiwa LARIATS! Oiwa roars, runs, but Takagi LARIAT at the ropes! Takagi runs, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Oiwa comes back into an ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! Yota runs in to BLAST ZSJ off the apron! LIJ brings Oiwa up and they double whip. Oiwa breaks the double chops to DECK Yota and DROPKICK Takagi! The fans fire up as everyone is down! Oiwa crawls over, ZSJ is back, and ZSJ tags in!
ZSJ storms up to UPPERCUT Takagi, then UPPERCUT again! And again! Takagi eggs ZSJ on, then blocks a boot! But ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basement DROPKICK! Takagi flounders to a corner, and ZSJ almost parodies Takagi. ZSJ runs up to UPPERCUT, then NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this but ZSJ stays focused. The fans fire up as ZSJ aims, and KICKS! Takagi blocks! Takagi puts ZSJ’s leg in the ropes, fires JAB after JAB, then DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS! ZSJ flops over and clutches that leg but fans cheer as Takagi rises again.
Takagi grabs a leg, has a standing toehold, then steps through. ZSJ boots Takagi away, Takagi comes back, but ZSJ avoids the sliding lariat to grab that arm! ZSJ hammerlocks, traps, and TWISTS! The fans fire up while ZSJ sits back to clutch his leg and Takagi clutches that elbow. ZSJ clamps back onto the arm, twists the wrist and SNAPS fingers! Red Shoes reprimands but ZSJ digs elbows into Takagi’s back. ZSJ then drags Takagi up to UPPERCUT the arm again and again! Takagi fights the takedown to ELBOW! YUKON- NO, ZSJ blocks to PELE the arm! ZSJ BOOTS Takagi, then catches Takagi on the rebound!
ZSJ isolates the arm and STOMPS! Then he scoops, but Takagi slips free! Takagi suplexes, ZSJ fights it, so Takagi hits a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! ZSJ and Takagi crawl, hot tags to Oiwa and Yota! Oiwa dodges to headlock but Yota powers right out. They RAM shoulders, and both men fire up! They fire forearms back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! Yota gets the edge and ROCKS Oiwa! Yota runs, but into a ROLLING ELBOW! Oiwa runs to SPINNING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again and Oiwa grabs a leg! SHIN BREAKER!
Oiwa trips Yota, steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Oiwa thrashes the hold as Yota endures! Yota pushes at the main leg, but Oiwa pulls on Yota’s legs! Yota endures, reaches out, but Oiwa pushes up for more pressure! Yota fights, crawls, and manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Oiwa lets go of the hold. Takagi coaches Yota but Oiwa SPLASHES down on the leg! And then drops knee after knee onto it! Red shoes reprimands as Yota again has ropes, so Oiwa stands Yota up. Oiwa whips, Yota reverses, and Yota kitchen sink knees! And then basement DROPKCIKS! Takagi runs up to BLAST ZSJ down!
Takagi checks on Yota, and the fans rally up. Yota stands and Takagi runs in, to ELBOW Oiwa! Takagi feeds Oiwa to Yota’s BOOT, then Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Oiwa staggers and Yota brings him in. LIJ hits a DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans fire up again. Yota drags Oiwa up, Takagi wheelbarrows, but ZSJ CLOBBERS Yota! Takagi KNEES and TOSSES ZSJ out hard! LIJ double whip Oiwa, then duck Oiwa’s counter lariats! Takagi fireman’s carries Oiwa to TOSS him to Yota’s KICK! That was like the Aussie Open Dental Plan! The fans fire up as Yota hauls Oiwa up to the top rope!
Yota climbs up after Oiwa and fires up! The fans fire up with him, and Yota SUPERPLEXES Oiwa! Oiwa sits up, into a SLIDING PUMPING BOMBER! Yota covers, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Takagi TOSSES ZSJ out again! Takagi goes out to stomp away on ZSJ, and Yota grins as he rises up again. Yota powers up, aims at Oiwa, GENE- NO, Oiwa hurdles over, and ZSJ catches Yota into a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! ZSJ then suplexes, but Yota slips free! ZSJ switches to have the COBRA TWIST! Red Shoes reprimands, but Yota HIP TOSSES free! ZSJ UP KICKS, Oiwa UPPERCUTS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Oiwa DAIGOSHIKIPLEXES! Cover, Takagi breaks it!
ZSJ BOOTS Takagi back out, then pursues. Oiwa fires up, and he clamps on a SLEEPER! Yota endures and the fans rally up! Someone is sent into railing right as Oiwa spins Yota! Yota ducks The Grip, and PUMPING BOMBER hits! But ZSJ runs in at Takagi to BOOT! Takagi comes back, ZSJ BOOTS the lariat! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint and DDT- NO, ZSJ slips free! PENALTY KICK! But Takagi’s right back up! PUMPING BOMBER!! Oiwa is up to LARIAT Takagi! GENE- LARIAT?!? Oiwa takes Yota down first, but he also falls over! The fans are thunderous as ALL FOUR MEN are on the mat!
ZSJ and Takagi roll out to the aprons, and the fans rally as hard as they can as Oiwa drags himself up! Yota crawls to the corner, and Oiwa runs in! Oiwa LARIATS, then he suplexes! Yota fights that, wrenches and swings, but Oiwa catches him and spins him! But Yota suplexes first! Oiwa fights that, slips around to waistlock, but Yota fights the lift! Yota switches, Oiwa fights, and then Oiwa switches to have a SLEEPER! Yota snapmares free, and SUPERKICKS! Oiwa staggers, Yota roars and runs, but Oiwa gets around! SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up as we hit 20 minutes! Yota runs up again, but Oiwa gets back around, SNAP GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Yota escapes! Oiwa hurries to his feet, and he storms over to a corner. The fans fire up with Oiwa, ZSJ keeps Takagi from getting to the corner, and Oiwa DIVING BODY PRESSES! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives that simple yet effective splash, but Oiwa roars! Oiwa gut wrenches, DOCTOR- RANA from Yota! SUPERKICK! Oiwa roars, but Yota’s GENE TRIGGER hits! Oiwa falls back and now Yota roars! The fans are thunderous again and Yota goes to the corner. Yota goes up and up, to MAROON CRUSH! Cover, ZSJ drags Yota back with an ANKLE LOCK! Takagi CLUBS ZSJ and has a STANDING CROSSFACE!
ZSJ lets Yota go to slip free of Takagi! ZSJ fires UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT on Takagi, but then Yota catches ZSJ! Spin and wheelbarrow, then BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! ZSJ flounders out and the fans fire up with LIJ! “OI! OI! OI!” Yota sets up in the corner, Takagi stands Oiwa up, PUMP- NO, Oiwa shoves Takagi away and rolls Yota up! TWO!!! Yota escapes with nanoseconds to spare! Takagi CLUBS away on Oiwa, he and Yota double whip, but Oiwa DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans are thunderous again and Oiwa roars! Oiwa rises, brings Yota up, DOCTOR BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and shocks Oiwa!
The fans are electric as Oiwa rises again. Oiwa sits Yota up into the SLEEPER! Yota endures and the fans rally up! Someone is sent into railing as Yota fights up, but here comes Takagi! Oiwa ducks, ZSJ catches Takagi into a SLEEPER! ZSJ tells Oiwa now’s the time! IRON OCTOPUS on Takagi, and THE- GENE BLASTER POINT BLANK!! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER for ZSJ!! The fans are thunderous again while ZSJ flops out of the ring! Takagi shouts that they’re not done! Takagi runs to PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi roars, Yota rises, and Oiwa is set up for the PUMPING BLASTER!!! Cover, LIJ WINS!!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; ZSJ & Oiwa earn 0)
Another fast ‘n’ furious fight that Oiwa just could not win out! And now, Oiwa & ZSJ are ELIMINATED from the finals! The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but will they simply have to fall back on other plans for WrestleKingdom?
As for LIJ, Yota shows Oiwa respect by standing him up and raising his hand. Oiwa shakes free, not wanting Yota’s pity, so Yota BOOTS him down! ZSJ lets it be while he and Takagi raise their titles at each other. The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion helps his young teammate out of there while the NEVER Openweight Champion stays in the ring. Yota then grabs the mic to say, “Oi, Kochi. Finally…” Takagi says, “Our time has come!” The fans cheer that! Takagi repeats to Yota that their time has come. Yota recaps that they are now 4-2, and on top of the block! The fans cheer that!
Yota asks, “Hey, Takagi-san, you’re ready, right?” Takagi says, “Of course I’m ready! I’m totally ready! Now it’s time to make this really interesting. There’s no time like the present and no team like us to win this! We’re rampage to the end of this league.” The fans cheer that, and Yota tells Kochi and everyone watching to “keep your eye on us as we win this thing!” The fans cheer again, and Yota says, “Oi, Kochi, are you ready?!” The fans cheer because yes they are! Yota simply ends with, “We are winning this World Tag League.” Mic drop and LIJ heads out, but will they be headed to Kumamoto?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 4-2, 8 points
Bishamon: 4-2, 8 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 4-2, 8 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Kenta & Chase Owens: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
Another great round for World Tag League, and A Block is dropping like flies compared to B Block. With three teams at 4-2, so many teams get wiped out here, despite the great matches everyone had. Kenta & Chase finish off Shota & Honma, but then Kenta & Chase are still out because Gabe & Sanada won. Bishamon of course stays in the running, their four-peat is a big story for them, and they take Cobb & Callum out of the running to cross off any chances of a United Empire finals. And as I said when this all started, WTL was not the real goal of ZSJ and Shota, they were just setting up their world title match at Tokyo Dome.
Though, ZSJ & Oiwa VS Takagi & Tsuji was an awesome main event with a lot riding on it because had ZSJ & Oiwa won, they might’ve eliminated LIJ from the running. Hard to tell say, given LIJ lost to Bishamon and to Kenta & Chase but beat everyone else. But I guess if Takagi VS Konosuke is a WrestleDynasty thing, then maybe he and Yota can battle for the tag titles at WrestleKingdom. Though, that might telegraph Khan & Henare winning since Takagi would be bringing the tag titles along to a match with Konosuke Takeshita. Maybe? NJPW’s plans could be up in the air even now for all I know.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will The United Empire conquer The Mighty?
World Tag League is in the second half and there are three teams at the top of B Block! TMDK battles the United Empire, who comes out as THE top team?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Alex Zayne, Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Murashima VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win.
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Shoma Kato VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- Tomoaki Honma & Tiger Mask VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Kenta & Chase win.
- Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; TMDK wins.
- World Tag League 2024 B Block: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS Taichi & Taka Michinoku; Yano & Oleg win.
- World Tag League 2024 B Block: The Filip Brothers VS EVIL & Ren Narita; Evil & Narita win.
- World Tag League 2024 B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Tanahashi & Jado win.
- World Tag League 2024 B Block: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS Great-O-Khan & HENARE; Khan & Henare win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current B Block standings!
Great-O-Khan & Henare: 3-1, 6 points
Evil & Ren Narita: 3-1, 6 points
Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi: 3-1, 6 points
Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg: 2-2, 4 points
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls: 2-2, 4 points
The Filip Brothers: 1-3, 2 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado: 1-3, 2 points
Taichi & Taka Michinoku: 1-3, 2 points
World Tag League 2024 B Block: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS Taichi & Taka Michinoku!
The Joker & The Rook are in the middle of the pack, but better than being last like The Holy Emperor & The Blue Playmaker. This may only be round 5 but that means the window is closing, who wins to be one step closer to the finals?
The teams sort out and while Yano is impatient as usual, BARS steps up for the team. Taichi starts for his side, and the bell rings. The fans rally as Taichi and Oleg stare down. The two slowly circle, then tie up. Oleg powers Taichi back to ropes, but Taichi powers up to push Oleg back! They’re in a deadlock so they break. Oleg fires a forearm, but Taichi KICKS! Another forearm, another KICK! The shots go back and forth, and then Taichi joins Oleg in firing forearms! Then Taichi RIDGE HANDS! Oleg still fires a forearm! The fans rally up and Taichi kicks low. Taichi fires Kawada Kicks! Oleg shrugs those off to fire forearm after forearm!
Taichi wobbles, Oleg runs, but Taichi BOOTS! Oleg rebounds to CLOBBER Taichi! The fans fire up and Oleg deadlifts Taichi! Taka CLUBS Oleg and Taichi is free. TakaTaichi double whip, but Oleg DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLES! The fans fire up and Oleg drags Taichi back up. Oleg whips Taichi corner to corner, runs up, but Taichi dodges the splash to GAMANGIRI! Oleg staggers, Taichi runs up, AX BOMBER! The fans fire up and Taichi sits Oleg up. Taichi aims and BUZZSAWS! Taichi isn’t done with Oleg as he stands him up, for a DANGEROUS SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives but Taka goes after Yano!
The fans fire up as Taichi clamps on, SEITEI JUJIHO!! Taka drags Yano down into JUST FACELOCK!! Oleg endures, the fans rally, and Oleg fights against the Holy Tomb! But Taichi just cranks the hold harder! The ref checks, Oleg is fading! But then Oleg gets a second wind! Taka CLUBS Yano to keep him down, but Oleg lurches forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans fire up while Taichi lets go in frustration! Taka lets Yano go and goes back to the corner. Taichi stands, the fans rally up, and OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi takes aim at Oleg, TENSHO- NO! Oleg catches Taichi, fireman’s carries, but Taichi slips free!
Taichi BOOTS, then URA- NO, Oleg ducks to OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Taichi’s right up, but Oleg SHOTGUNS him down! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Taichi and Oleg crawl, hot tag to Yano! Yano unties a white buckle pad! The fans fire up as Yano brings Taichi around, but Taichi takes a swing! Yano ducks and CLAWS the eyes! Yano whips, Taichi still reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up again as Taichi hot tags Taka! Taka stomps Yano, then SLAMS an arm on the mat! Taka stomps the arm, then drags Yano back up. Taka bumps Yano off buckles, then wraps the arm around ropes!
The ref counts while Taka traps Yano. Taka ELBOWS Yano, stomps him down, then drags him up. Taka CLUBS Yano’s arm, wrenches and CLUBS the arm again, then tags Taichi. Taichi brings Yano around to wrench the arm, and he wraps it around ropes! The ref reprimands as TakaTaichi mugs Yano at the ropes! They stop and Yano falls over, only for Taichi to stomp him. Taichi drags Yano up again, hammerlocks, and RAMS him into the buckles! Tag to Taka and he stomps Yano’s arm. Taka wrenches the to an ELBOW BREAKER! Then FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Yano endures as Taka pulls on the arm, and even bends fingers!
Yano scrambles around, reaches out, and finds the ROPEBREAK! Taka lets go to stomp Yano some more. Taka drags Yano up but Yano pulls on the bangs! Taka pokes Yano in the eyes! Taka runs, but into an atomic drop! Yano crawls, the fans rally up, hot tag to Oleg! Oleg CLOBBERS Taka! And he DECKS Taichi! Oleg deadlifts Taka into the Shake, Shake, Shake! Shake, Rattle & THROW! Then a kip up! The fans fire up with Oleg and he runs corner to corner to SPLASH! Oleg scoops and SLAMS Taka, then goes up and up to VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Taka survives but Oleg brings him back up. Oleg fireman’s carries, but Taka slips free!
Taka sends Oleg into bare buckles! SHINIG WIZARD! CALF KICK! SUPER K! Oleg wobbles, and Taka tries to scoop! Oleg’s too big for that, and he fireman’s carries Taka! Taichi runs up to BOOT Oleg! Taichi CLUBS Oleg, ROCKS Yano then whips, but Yano reverses to throw Taichi down! Yano calls to Oleg, and he CATAPULTS Taka into Oleg’s fireman’s carry! But Taka sunset flips! TWO!! Oleg escapes, Yano and Taichi fight outside! Taka hurries to backslide, TWO!! Oleg escapes again, but Taka kicks his shin! OKLAHOMA ROLL, TWO!! Oleg is up, but Taka sunset flips again! TWO!! Oleg sits up, into a SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!!!
The fans are thunderous and Taka argues with the ref! The count was fair so Taka hurries to UPPERCUT! And SUPER K!! Taka roars, and he SCOOPS! But he falls under Oleg’s weight! Oleg then rolls back with Taka in his arms! Fireman’s carry, KAMIKAZE!! Cover, #YanoBoltin wins!!
Winners: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Taichi & Taka earn 0)
The dream is still alive as the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions win again! But can they keep it going until they’re at the top of B Block?
World Tag League 2024 B Block: The Filip Brothers VS EVIL & Ren Narita!
B Block finally has its Bullet Club VS Bullet Club moment as The Rogue Army’s Tome & Stevie encounter The House of Torture. But will The Taiga & The Phoenix fall for all the usual tricks? Or will they make sure not Everything is Evil’s?
The teams sort out, but then The House attacks! The ref reprimands but he has the bell ring to get this on record. Evil TOSSES Stevie, Narita TOSSES Tome, and then they go after the Filip Brothers on the outside. The fans boo but Narita POSTS Tome! Evil keeps on Stevie while Narita puts Tome back in the ring. The fans rally but Narita stomps Tome around. Narita drags Tome up, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, but into a BOOT! The fans fire up as Tome towers over Narita. Tome then scoops Narita to spin and SLAM! LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Tome and he calls to Stevie.
Tome tags Stevie and then snapmares Narita. Basement BOOT, then Stevie adds the KNEE-BOARD SENTON! The fans fire up while Narita writhes, and Stevie drags Narita around. Narita CHOKES Stevie! The ref reprimands, but Stevie CHOKES Narita! The ref counts them both, they both let go at 4, and then Narita CLAWS Stevie’s eyes! The fans boo but Narita whips, and TADA! Bare buckles in the blue corner! The Bullet Club Special is in play! Well, at this point, it’s the House Special. But then Evil drags Stevie out and RAMS him into the timekeeper! Down goes Abe-san! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Evil clamps onto Stevie with a double wristlock!
Evil drags Stevie up, puts him in the ring, and Narita stomps Stevie. Narita drags Stevie up to wrench and ELBOW BREAKER! Tag to Evil and Evil drags Stevie back up. Evil wrenches, and wrenches, and wrenches again! Evil YANKS the arm, CLUBS the arm, and Stevie falls to the mat. Evil drags Stevie by his leg and over to the corner. Tag to Narita, and they stand Stevie up. Evil wrenches the arm, Narita CLUBS it, and then Narita whips. Narita ELBOWS Stevie down, covers, TWO! Narita keeps on Stevie’s arm, he wants a FUJIWARA! Stevie endures but Evil taunts him and Tome. Tome storms up but Evil KCIKS the ropes to jam Tome up!
Evil taunts the brothers, but Tome coaches Stevie. Stevie fights up, fires body shots, but Narita CHOKES him! Narita puts Stevie in the corner, tags Evil, and then Narita BLASTS Tome! Evil TOSSES Stevie out, and Dick Togo has a chair! Narita stands Stevie up so Dick can JAM him up! Tome protests but Narita puts Stevie in. Evil covers, TWO!! Stevie stays in this but Evil is mad at the ref! Evil scuffs Stevie, talks trash on him, but Tome and the fans rally up. Stevie fights up to CHOP! And CHOP! But Evil wrenches and CLUBS the arm! Evil runs, into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Stevie crawls, reaches out, hot tag to Tome! Tome CLOBBERS Evil, CLOBBERS Narita, and even DECKS Dick! The fans fire up as Tome CHOPS away on Evil & Narita! The fans fire up as the House falls back to corners! Tome roars and runs, ELBOW for Narita! Then ELBOW for Evil! Narita boots but Tome blocks! Tome puts Narita in ropes to KICK and WOE STOMP! Evil runs up, but Tome spins him around. Tome runs, Evil follows, but Tome hits a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up for Tome more and he scuffs Evil around. Evil wants mercy but Tome kicks him around. Tome stands Evil up to fire forearms!
Tome ROCKS Evil, runs, but Dick is there with a chair! Tome stops, Evil waistlocks, but Tome elbows free! Tome runs but Narita gets a cheap shot in! Evil kicks and FISHERMAN BUSTERS! Tag to Narita and he CHOKES Tome! The ref reprimands and counts, but Narita stops at 4. Narita drags Tome up, knees low, then runs, but Stevie gets a shot in! Tome LARIATS! The fans fire up while Tome and Narita are both down! Tome and Narita crawl, the fans rally up, and hot tag to Stevie! Stevie drags Narita up to fire off forearm after forearm! The fans fire up with The Phoenix, and he winds up, but Narita CHOKES him!
The ref counts, Narita stops at 4, and Narita whips. Stevie reverses and Tome slides in, and Tome fireman’s carries Narita! Stevie runs up, BOOT O’ DOOM! Cover, TWO! Narita survives but the fans rally for the Filip Brothers. Tome drags Narita up and Stevie goes to a corner. Tome fireman’s carries, AIR RAID CRASH! Stevie is up top, and he SHOOTING STAR PRESSES!! Cover, but Evil breaks it! Tome TOSSES Evil, then calls to Stevie. They’ll hit the Mother of All Bombs! Stevie reels Narita in, but Narita fights the lift! Evil sends Tome into the ref! Then Evil TOSSES Tome, then he and Narita trip Stevie up!
Evil & Narita hold Stevie open and Dick goes up! The fans boo but Stevie suffers the DICK CHOP!! Cover, TWO!!! But into an ARMBAR!! Stevie clasps hands but Evil KICKS the grip apart! Stevie endures as Narita pulls on that arm, and the fans rally up as he reaches out! ROPEBREAK!! The ref counts, Narita lets go, and he vows to end this! Narita kicks and- NO, Stevie powers out of the facebuster! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Narita swings, into Stevie’s crucifix takedown! Ghost pin, TWO! Stevie kicks, fireman’s carries, but Narita grabs the ref! Evil LOW BLOWS Stevie! But Tome shoves Evil at the ref! The ref cowers, Tome LOW BLOWS Evil!!
The fans are thunderous as Tome gets even, but then Narita blocks Tome’s kick! LOW BLOW on Tome! Tome falls, and LOW BLOWS Narita!! The fans are thunderous again as all four men suffer! Stevie and Narita rise, but Dick goes and slides a chair in! Stevie grabs the chair first! The ref stops Stevie, takes the chair, but Narita drop toeholds Stevie onto ropes! POCKET SAND from Dick!! Narita kicks Stevie into DOUBLE CROSSER!! Cover, The House wins!
Winners: Evil & Ren Narita, by pinfall (gain 2 points; The Filip Brothers earn 0)
The King of Darkness & Souled Out Son of Strong Style stack the deck again, and they’re now 4-1 in B Block! Will they use every trick in the book time and time again until they’re on top of NJPW?
World Tag League 2024 B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi!
The Ace & The Heater are finally on the board after their big main event win, but they’ve got a long way to go if they want those trophies. Can Tanahashi & Jado keep the comeback going? Or will President Ace get no respect out of the ungovernable?
As usual, Naito takes his time with his entrance attire. But also as usual, the fans cheer Tanahashi’s abs! Jado nods, and Naito finally puts the pants away. The teams sort out, and after LIJ fist bumps, Naito starts against Tanahashi, much to the fan’s excitement! The bell rings and the fans are dueling between Naito and Tanahashi. Tanahashi hugs Jado and circles with Naito. The two approach, tie up, and are in a deadlock at center. The fans rally more, and Naito puts Tanahashi on ropes. Tanahashi turns it around, but Naito turns it back around. The ref calls for the break, and Naito slowly lets off. Naito pats Tanahashi on the shoulders, but then Hiromu pulls hair!
The ref reprimands and the fans boo, but Hiromu lets go so he can CLUB Tanahashi! Naito CLUBS Tanahashi, then Hiromu CHOPS! LIJ double whip Tanahashi corner to corner, then Naito runs up. Tanahashi ELBOWS Naito, ELBOWS Hiromu, and goes up to DOUBLE CROSSBODY! The fans fire up and Tanahashi tags Jado. Tanahashi & Jado double whip Naito, then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Hiromu returns but Tanahashi & Jado double kick! They double whip and DOUBLE ELBOW Hiromu, then they air guitar duet! The fans fire up but LIJ storms back in! Naito dropkicks Jado’s legs while Hiromu dropkicks Tanahashi’s legs!
The fans boo but Hiromu drags Tanahashi out to RAM into railing! Naito stomps Jado around, focusing on the legs. Jado writhes but Naito grabs a leg. Naito has a standing toehold but Jado endures. Jado eggs Naito on!? Naito TWISTS the leg, then tags in Hiromu. Hiromu takes the other leg, and LIJ splits the wishbone! Jado writhes but Hiromu grabs a leg. Hiromu drops an elbow on the knee! Hiromu has the toehold but Jado endures. Hiromu lets off to stomp away on the legs! Hiromu then runs to basement dropkick the legs! Jado writhes over to the ropes, but Hiromu grabs his legs! Hiromu wraps the legs around ropes!
The ref reprimands, Hiromu lets go, and now the fans rally for Jado. Jado crawls to a corner, Hiromu tags Naito, and Naito BLASTS Tanahashi! Naito then stomps Jado down, grabs him by a leg, and drags him into a LEG KILLER! Hiromu plays defense while Jado endures! Jado kicks at Naito with his free leg, but Naito cranks the hold! Tanahashi tries to get past Hiromu while fans rally, and Jado reaches out for ropes. Tanahashi ducks under the ring to trick Hiromu, but only for so long! Jado crawls and he drags Naito with him, but Hiromu pushes the rope back! Hiromu BOOTS Tanahashi, but Jado reaches the ROPEBREAK!
Naito lets go and the fans rally up again. Naito tags Hiromu and Hiromu runs in at the corner to LARIAT! Hiromu snapmares, runs, and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi coaches Jado, the fans rally up, but Hiromu fires a forearm! Jado just shakes his head. Hiromu fires more shots, and Jado eggs him on! Jado stands, and he leans into the shots! The fans fire up and Jado roars! Hiromu wants Jado to take it easy, but then Naito CHOP BLOCKS Jado! Hiromu basement dropkicks the legs! Cover, Tanahashi breaks it! The fans cheer and Tanahashi goes back to the corner. Hiromu taunts Jado, then stomps the legs.
Hiromu drags Jado up and the fans rally more. Hhiromu kicks the bad leg again and again, then whips. Jado reverses and sets up, but Hiromu kicks him! Jado roars and LARIATS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Hiromu and Jado crawl, hot tags to Naito and Tanahashi! Tanahashi dodges Naito to fire forearm after forearm! Tanahashi whips, Naito reverses but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up and Tanahashi scoops Naito to SLAM him into the drop zone! Tanahashi climbs, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! The fans still rally behind Tanahashi as he waits on Naito to rise.
Naito stands, Tanahashi runs, but Naito ELBOWS Tanahashi! Tanahashi rebounds, but Naito spins him into a NECKBREAKER! No stalling this time, either, as Naito is taking Tanahashi seriously. Naito drags Tanahashi up, and he throws those heavy elbows! Tanahashi ends up in a corner and Naito SPITS on him! The fans boo but Naito climbs up the corner. Naito brings Tanahashi in, ESPERANZA! The fans rally up and Naito aims from the corner. Tanahashi slowly rises, Naito runs in, CORRIENDO- NO, Tanahashi dropkicks, but Naito dodges! Naito dropkicks Tanahashi’s legs! Naito whips, Tanahashi reverses, but Naito reverses back!
Naito kicks but Tanahashi blocks and DRAGON SCREWS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Tanahashi and Naito crawl as the fans rally up, hot tag to Hiromu! Hiromu storms up and brings Tanahashi to a fireman’s carry. Tanahashi slips free, shoves Hiromu to a corner, but Hiromu BOOTS him! Hiromu runs, but Tanahashi ducks the lariat! Hiromu comes back to spin Tanahashi and suplex, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Hiromu hurries to get Tanahashi in the fireman’s carry! Tanahashi slips free again, but Hiromu switches and shoves him! Naito ELBOWS Tanahashi, Hiromu SUPERKICKS, and Naito atomic drops!
HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi stays in this and the fans rally up. Hiromu vows to end this, and he drags Tanahashi up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Tanahashi sunset flips! TWO, Hiromu kicks but Tanahashi blocks, DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up and Jado storms in! Jado catches Naito to a CROSSFACE! Tanahashi has Hiromu in a TEXAS CLOVERHOLD!! Hiromu endures, fights around, and Tanahashi almost falls over! Tanahashi fights to stay up, and he pulls on the legs! Hiromu rights his way forward, to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Tanahashi lets go in frustration.
Naito and Jado go outside and Naito kicks Jado down. Tanahashi waits on Hiromu to rise. Tanahashi then runs, to SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi fires up and he goes to the corner! Tanahashi goes right up, but Naito trips him up! Tanahashi CLUBS Naito, but Hiromu CHOPS Tanahashi! Hiromu CHOPS Tanahashi again, then fireman’s carries! TIME- NO, Tanahashi slips free! Hiromu mule kicks, front kicks, but Tanahashi ducks the superkick to DRAGON PALM! Tanahashi runs but Hiromu dodges to SUPERKICK! Fireman’s carry and TIMEBOMB 1.5! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and the fans are thunderous!
Naito drags Tanahashi up, Hiromu gives him the boost, but Jado CLUBS Naito! LARIAT for Hiromu! Naito dropkicks Jado’s legs! Jado hobbles to ropes, Naito runs up, but Jado DUMPS Naito out! Jado then gets Naito in the ropes, DRAPING DDT! The fans are thunderous but Hiromu runs at Tanahashi! Tanahashi catches him to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT again! Then feed to Jado’s GUN STUN!! Tanahashi goes up top, and he HIGH FLY FLOWS!! Cover, Tanahashi & Jado win!!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Naito & Hiromu earn 0)
The Ace & Heater are still alive in the block! But they still have an uphill battle, can Tanahashi & Jado make the climb to the top?
World Tag League 2024 B Block: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS Great-O-Khan & HENARE!
With the House of Torture unfortunately winning, this match greatly affects who leads the block. Will Hysterical Haste & Mad Mikey make a move towards the front? Or will even The Mighty be conquered by The United Empire?
The teams sort out and while Mikey stares down with the Face of Fury, it is Shane and the Dominator that start. The fans rally for “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” and he conducts the chorus. Shane and Khan circle, feel things out, and Shane avoids Khan’s grapple. They clinch, Khan goes for a leg but Shane stays up. Khan waistlocks, then steps over to facelock. Shane pushes Khan down, Khan shoves Shane away, but Shane comes back to facelock. They go around, Khan slips around to waistlock again, then he shifts to headlock. Khan grinds Shane down but Shane fights back up. Shane powers up but can’t power out as Khan holds tight!
The fans cheer, but Shane fights to his feet. Khan keeps the headlock on tight but Shane pulls hair! Red Shoes reprimands but Shane KICKS Khan! Shane runs, but Khan lifts him! Khan RAMS Shane into the corner, then Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian Chops! And then feints, to UPPERCUT! The fans cheer and Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer more but Red Shoes reprimands. Khan pulls Shane’s arms back but Red Shoes counts. Khan hops down at 4, Henare runs to BLAST Mikey! Khan has a SLEEPER on Shane, and Henare fires fast hands! Mongolian Chops and KICK! Khan hits a SPLASH! Cover, TWO!
Khan drags Shane up by an arm and tags Henare. Khan CLUBS Shane’s arm, then he and Henare double whip to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans cheer while The Empire poses. Henare CLUBS Shane, eggs him on, but Shane fires elbows! Henare KNEES low, then snapmares to KICK Shane in the back! Shane falls over and the fans cheer but Mikey coaches Shane. Henare drags Shane up and Shane fires body shots. Shane CHOPS, but Henare CHOPS back! Shane CHOPS again, so Henare CHOPS again! Shane SLAPS Henare, but Henare just scowls! Shane takes a swing, Henare dodges and ROCKS Shane!
Shane staggers back, Mikey tags in, and Shane DUMPS Henare out! Mikey kicks Henare, Shane BLASTS Khan, and Mikey APRON DDTS Henare! Mikey hauls Henare up to whip hard into railing! English commentary has to be careful as Mikey sends Henare out through the gate. Red Shoes reprimands but Mikey stands Henare up to CHOP! Henare slumps onto railing, and Mikey BITES Henare on the forehead! Mikey brings Henare back into the ring and the fans cheer. Mikey clamps onto Henare for a neck wrench, but Henare endures. The fans rally as Mikey stands Henare up, but Henare fires body shots!
Mikey CHOPS Henare and Henare falls back. Mikey CHOKES Henare on ropes, but stops as Red Shoes counts. Mikey stands Henare up, considers a headbutt but chooses not to. Tag to Shane and Mikey punches Henare down. Shane stomps Henare, then drags him to a corner. Shane pulls Henare into the post! Mikey keeps Khan away while Shane grinds Henare into the post with a neck lock! Red Shoes reprimands, Shane lets go, and then Shane brings Henare around to drape off the apron! DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Henare writhes and Red Shoes checks him, but Henare stays in this. The fans rally as the ring count starts.
Henare drags himself up with railing, stands at 9 of 20, and he hobbles into the ring at 11. Shane stomps away on Henare in the corner, but lets off as Red Shoes counts. Shane stomps Henare again, then again. Henare scowls as Shane kicks him around more. Shane then BLASTS Khan! Shane & Mikey run in at Henare, DROPKICK BOOT SANDWICH! Shane drags Henare to a cover, TWO! Henare stays in this and the fans rally up. Shane drags Henare up while the fans duel, and Shane CLUBS Henare on the neck. Shane eggs Henare on, CLUBS him again, but Henare grits his teeth. Shane CLUBS Henare again, then has the cravat!
Shane wrangles Henare to the mat for the neck wrench! Shane leans on the hold but Khan rallies the fans. Henare fights up, fires body shots, but Shane clinches! Henare BODY BLOWS! Henare reaches out but Shane whips Henare away to the corner! Shane then BLASTS Khan again! Mikey sends Shane in to UPPERCUT Henare! Shane says they’ve got this now, but then Henare TOSSES Shane right out! Mikey runs up to LARIAT Henare! Mikey whips Henare back into the corner, then LARIATS again! Then he short arm LARIATS! The fans fire up and Mikey runs, but Henare avoids the sliding lariat!
Henare kicks Mikey, runs, but into a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Mikey runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Mikey brings Henare back up. Henare fires a forearm but Mikey gives it back! They go shot for shot and the fans rally up! Mikey SLAPS, SLAPS, and SLAPS! Then he fires a flurry of forearms! But Henare gets around, ducks an elbow, but the DDT hits! But Henare’s right back up!? Henare fires shots, Mikey dodges, ducks an elbow, but Henare DDTS! Only for Mikey to get back up! DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans are thunderous as Mikey and Henare stir, and Henare hot tags Khan!
Khan roars and CLOBBERS Mikey! And BOOTS him! And Mongolian Chops! Mongolian Chops! But Shane CLUBS Khan! TMDK double whip, but Khan ducks the lariats! Khan sends Shane into Mikey, then lifts Shane onto Mikey’s shoulders. Khan kicks Mikey’s legs out and Mikey POWERBOMBS Shane! Then Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW! Mikey breaks free but Khan IRON CLAWS the back of Mikey’s head! SLAM DUNK FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Mikey survives and the fans fire up as Khan rises. Khan drags Mikey up to his feet, and he brings Mikey around to fireman’s carry takeover! Khan drags Mikey up again, to MONKEY FLIP!
Khan stands Mikey up again, SAYA- NO, Mikey clamps on a SLEEPER! Khan RAMS Mikey into the corner, gets free, and he clamps onto Mikey’s ear! Khan CLUBS the ear! Khan whips Mikey corner to corner, but Mikey comes back to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Mikey staggers over and tags Shane! Shane brings Khan up for UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! Shane whips Khan to a corner, runs in and UPPERCUTS again! Shane goes up, reels Khan in, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up and Shane hurries to cover, TWO! Khan stays in this and the fans rally up again. Shane brings Khan up, reels him in, but Khan snap suplexes! PANCAKE HOLD, TWO!
Shane runs up to UPPERCUT! Khan SAYANAGIS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Henare is on the corner and he calls to Khan! Khan crawls while the fans rally up, hot tag to Henare! Henare storms up on Shane, fires forearms over and over, then roars! The fans fire up and Henare whips corner to corner. Shane avoids the knee but not the ELBOW! Henare goes up, FLYING CHUCK! Shane gets flipped upside-down! The fans are thunderous and Henare fires up, to run and SENTON! Cover, TWO! Shane stays in this but Henare has the fans behind him! Henare HEADBUTTS Shane, HEADBUTTS again, then whips.
Henare scoops but Shane slips free! Shane clinches to INVERTED EXPLODER! The fans fire up again and Shane lines up a shot! Shane runs, but into the BERSERKER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Shane survives but Henare aims from a corner. Henare stomps the mat and waits on Shane to rise. Henare runs in, RAMP- BOOT! Henare rebounds, RAMP- NO, Shane sunset flips! Henare rolls through but ends up in a corner, Shane CANNONBALLS! The fans fire up while both men are down and Mikey storms in! Mikey hauls Henare up, he and Shane BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER! Cover, Khan breaks it! Mikey TOSSES Khan!
We hit 15 minutes, Shane & Mikey coordinate, but then Henare TOSSES Mikey out! Shane ELBOWS Henare in the corner, goes back up, and reels Henare back in. But Henare stops the tornado this time! Fireman’s carry and Khan runs in! But Mikey CLOBBERS Khan! Henare drops Shane to ROCK Mikey! Henare swings on Shane but Shane dodges and clinches! Mikey’s back, ELECTRIC BLUE!! Cover, TWO!! Henare survives the power-bottom and the fans are thunderous! Mikey says time to end this! Shane drags Henare up, TMDK LARIAT HIGH LOW!! Cover, Khan BARRELS IN! The fans fire up while all four men are down!
Khan and Mikey go outside while Shane and Henare rise. Shane and Henare find each other, and Shane fires an UPPERCUT! And an UPPERCUT! Henare staggers, but he avoids the third to half nelson! Shane switches to try a nelson! Henare fights it, so Shane hits a BROKEN ARROW!! Cover, TWO!! Henare survives, but Mikey sends Khan into railing! Mikey joins Shane in the ring and they get Henare up. They call their shot, but Henare BOOTS Shane, then sends Mikey at him! Shane avoids hitting Mikey, but Khan BOOTS Shane into him! Henare then DOUBLE NATIVE KNEES TMDK! Feed to Khan, ASSISTED POWERBOMB! Cover, MIKEY BREAKS IT!
Khan clamps onto Mikey with a SLEEPER, then an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! ELIMI- NO, Mikey slips free, shoves, and LARIATS Khan! Khan is up to IRON RIGHT! Shane DROPKICKS Khan! Henare RUNNING HEADBUTTS Shane!! The fans are thunderous as Henare aims from a corner! RAMPAGE!! Cover, TWO?!? Shane survives and the fans are thunderous! Henare is a bit shocked, but he and Khan let the Monster Rage boil up! Henare fireman’s carries, Khan runs, IMPERIAL DROP!! Cover, EMPIRE WINS!!
Winners: Great-O-Khan & Henare, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shane & Mikey earn 0)
TMDK falls to The Empire, just like before World Tag League! Is this proof that Shane & Mikey just aren’t mighty enough to take those tag titles back? Or do they just have to work on a better game plan?
As for The Empire, Henare grabs the mic first, and he tells Osaka, “Thanks, y’all!” Henare also says thank you in Maori for all the fans watching in New Zealand. “Can you feel the mana?! This is the mana of the Great-O-Khan and Henare! The mana of the United Empire, IWGP Tag Team Champions!” The fans cheer that! Henare continues to say that whether it is any team in World Tag League, whether it is The Young Bucks, or whether it is ANY team in the world today, Khan & Henare have the mana! Khan then takes the mic, and he takes a moment to enjoy the fans cheering. Khan says, “This is as expected. Nobody can stop our momentum.”
The Young Bucks tried to issue a challenge during World Tag League? This is distressful to everyone involved in this league! The fans agree with that! Khan says that the IWGP Tag Team Champions WILL put those Young Bucks in their place! The fans cheer again, and Khan says, “And is that all?” Anybody who thinks they can step to us should. January 4th is still free! But it is a forgone conclusion. We will dominate. Cobb, Callum, we’re waiting for you in the finals.” The fans like the sound of that! Khan says that is the power of Henare & the Double Champion, Great-O-Khan! “HAIL US, PEASANTS!”
The fans cheer again, but will we see The United Empire conquer the world of wrestling going into the New Year?
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Great-O-Khan & Henare: 4-1, 8 points
Evil & Ren Narita: 4-1, 8 points
Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi: 3-2, 6 points
Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg: 3-2, 6 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
The Filip Brothers: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Taichi & Taka Michinoku: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
Another great round for World Tag League, and some great results in these matches. Yano & Oleg winning to keep their run going is great, and I feel like we’re going to have big drama when Yano & Oleg face Tanahashi & Jado. Now, mathematically, I think even the 2-3 teams are out. Well, TMDK definitely is because they’ve already lost to the top teams of House of Torture, LIJ and United Empire just now. As it stands, The Empire has that tiebreaker on The House, so if The Empire can win the last two rounds, they ice The House out. And with Henare & Khan having that closing promo, I kinda hope they do win B Block to potentially battle Cobb & Callum for a really fun finals.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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