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

Will B Block be Mighty? Or will it be tranquilo?

TMDK is already going strong with Zack & Ryohei winning in A Block, but can Shane & Mikey do it in B Block? Or will Naito & Hiromu have their own fun?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Time Limit Draw.
• Six Man Tag: Alex Zayne, Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Murashima VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• Six Man Tag: Gabe Kidd, SANADA & Gedo VS Taiji Ishimori, KENTA & Chase Owens; Taiji, Kenta & Chase win.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bishamon & Shoma Kato; LIJ wins.
• Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Shota Umino, Tomoaki Honma & Tiger Mask; TMDK wins.
• World Tag League 2024 B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado VS The Filip Brothers; The Filip Brothers win.
• World Tag League 2024 B Block: Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS Great-O-Khan & HENARE; Taichi & Taka win.
• World Tag League 2024 B Block: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS EVIL & Ren Narita; Evil & Narita win.
• World Tag League 2024 B Block: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls; Naito & Hiromu win.

PLAY BY PLAY

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado VS The Filip Brothers!

The Ace has done many things in NJPW, but he has yet to win a World Tag League trophy! Will the Master Heater help him to finally check off that achievement? Or will Tome the Taiga & Stevie the Phoenix become living legends off Tanahashi’s name?

The teams sort out and Tanahashi starts against Stevie. The fans rally for Tanahashi at the bell and the two circle. Stevie shows off that he has good abs, too. The fans do applaud Stevie’s muscles, and Stevie ties up with Tanahashi. Tanahashi slips around to waistlock but Stevie switches. Tanahashi switches, Stevie switches back. Tanahashi wrenches out to have a wristlock. Stevie reaches for ropes but Tanahashi keeps him back. Stevie CLAWS Tanahashi’s eyes! The ref counts, Stevie stops, but he hits a BODY SHOT in the corner. Stevie whips corner to corner, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY!

The fans fire up for the air guitar, and Tanahashi tags Jado. Tanahashi & Jado double whip to DOUBLE SHOUDLER TACKLE! Tome runs in but gets DOUBLE ELBOWS for it! Jado fires hands on Tome while Tanahashi fires hands on Stevie. Jado & Tanahashi double whip and the Filip brothers collide! Then Tanahashi TOSSES Stevie while Jado TOSSES Tome! The fans cheer, Jado joins in on his own air guitar! The fans rally while The Filip Brothers throw a fit. They regroup and say they’re outta here! They’re just gonna give Tanahashi the win? The ring count starts while Jado eggs the Filip Brothers on. So the Filip Brothers come back!

Jado KICKS Stevie in the ropes! Jado drags Stevie in but Tome CHOP BLOCKS him! Then Tome BLASTS Tanahashi! The Filip Brothers stomp Jado, then Tome tags in. Tome drags Jado around by a leg, to DDT the foot! Tome talks trash, “Old man, old knees!” Then Tome drops an elbow on the leg! Jado endures as Tome pulls on the toehold. Jado tries to fight back with a chinlock but Tome just pulls the leg harder! Jado crawls and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Tome slowly lets off, just to pull on the leg again! The ref reprimands and counts so Tome lets go for real this time. Tome “apologizes,” then stalks Jado to a corner.

Tome fires body shots, then he brings Jado over. Tome bumps Jado off buckles, then puts the bad leg in ropes. Tag to Stevie and Tome pulls the leg for Stevie to kick! Stevie taunts Tanahashi, then stomps away on Jado! Tome drags Jado around while Stevie talks trash on Tanaashi. The ref is busy with Tanahashi while Tome pulls Jado’s leg into the post! Then Tome SLAMS the leg into the steel! Tanahashi protests but Stevie drags Jado up. Stevie CHOPS Jado, brings him around, and tags Tome. The Filip Brothers mug Jado, then Tome brings Jado around to scoop, SLAM, and LEG DROP! The fans do applaud for how impressive that was. Tome covers, TWO!

Tome stands on Jado’s bad leg while he shows his tiger claws. The fans are torn but Tome stomps Jado’s bad leg. Tome drags Jado around, twists at the foot, then says one more time just for Jado! LEG DDT! Tome mocks Jado while Jado crawls, but the fans rally up. Tome stomps Jado, then tags Stevie. Tome brings Jado up to snapmare, and then he runs to BOOT Jado down! Stevie KNEE-BOARD SENTONS! Stevie taunts Tanahashi with phoenix claws, then covers, TWO! Jado toughs it out but Stevie eggs him on. Tanahashi coaches Jado and Stevie throws a forearm. Jado fires up and wags his finger.

Stevie fires more shots but Jado leans into them! Jado powers up, but Stevie kicks low! Stevie runs, but Jado CHOPS him down! Jado runs and he CLOBBERS Stevie! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Jado crawls over, hot tag to Tanahashi! The fans rally as Tanahashi runs to FLYING FOREARM Stevie! Tome runs in but Tanahashi dropkicks the legs out! The fans cheer as Tanahashi fires hands. Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Stevie, then he climbs a corner. SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Stevie is still in this but Tanahashi powers up. Tanahashi builds speed, but Stevie ducks the slingblade! But Tanahashi catches the lariat! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs again. Stevie rises, but he still avoids the slingblade to ROLLING ELBOW! And DROPKICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Stevie and Tanahashi sit up slowly, and Tanahashi fires the first forearm! They go back and forth, and they egg each other on! Tanahashi ROCKS Stevie, but Stevie ROCKS Tanahashi! The forearms continue to fly, and Stevie gets the edge! Tanahashi roars to fire a strike fest! Stevie roars, but Tanahashi blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW for the Phoenix! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Tanahashi and Stevie crawl, hot tags to Jado and Tome!

Jado rallies on Tome, then whips him to ropes. Tome KICKS Jado, but Jado roars! Jado LARIATS Tome down! The fans fire up as Jado shakes the ropes! Jado storms over to Tome, brings him up, but Tome kicks the bad leg! And kicks it again! Jado hobbles but Tome kicks him more. Tome runs, but Jado DUMPS him out! Tome is on the apron but Jado brings him in through the ropes! DRAPING DDT! Cover, Stevie breaks it! The fans fire up as Tanahashi storms in. Tanahashi kicks Stevie, then he and Jado double whip. They BODY SHOT, KNEE LIFT, and then whip Steive, but Stevie BOOTS Jado! And SUPERKICKS Tanahashi!

Stevie calls to Tome and they reel Jado in! But Tanahashi roars! Tanahashi dodges Stevie and SLINGBLADES Tome! Jado hurries to flip Tome over, CROSSFACE! Tanahashi catches Stevie into a CROSSFACE of his own! The Filip Brothers endure stereo submissions, but Stevie drags Tanahashi away to the apron. Tome feels around for ropes, but Jado rolls him away! Tome rolls free, has the legs, and he has a FIGURE FOUR!! Jado endures, but Tome thrashes him around, and Jado TAPS! Filip Brothers win!

Winners: The Filip Brothers, by submission (gain 2 points; Tanahashi & Jado earn 0)

Tome & Stevie are already proving to be valuable additions to the Bullet Club’s arsenal! Will this win over the former four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, and by extension the former three-time IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, be just the beginning of the Filip Brothers’ legend?

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS Great-O-Khan & HENARE!

Just5Guys is back down to Just4Guys after Sanada’s betrayal, but so what? They’re still gonna change everything! Will that begin with a big win over the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions? Or will the Dominator & Face of Fury conquer the Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker?

The teams sort out and while Taka insists he start, Taichi is staring down Khan. But it is Henare who steps up, so Taichi fist bumps Taka and lets him start. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Henare and Taka circle, feel things out, and Taka wants a knuckle lock. Henare obliges, but then Taka pokes him in the eye! Taka runs and RAMS Henare, but Henare stays put. Taka runs again, RAMS Henare, but Taka almost falls over! Henare roars, runs, but Taka goes the other way to BOOT! Henare rebounds to CLOBBER Taka! The fans cheer and Henare drags Taka up. Henare bumps Taka off buckles to then fire off fast hands, and a HEADBUTT!

Khan runs in to BLAST Taichi! Khan goes out after Taichi while Henare storms up on Taka in a corner. Henare stomps Taka, then hauls him up to a fireman’s carry. Khan sends Taichi into railing while Henare hits a WASTELAND SLAM to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Taka toughs it out and the fans rally, but Henare talks trash on him. Henare hauls Taka up again to bump off buckles. Tag to Khan and Khan gives Taka some Mongolian Chops! And more Mongolian Chops! And then a feint, to an UPPERCUT! Khan says he’s smarter than Taka, then he puts Taka in the corner. Khan hops up and fans cheer as he sits on his throne!

Taka flails, the ref reprimands, but Khan pulls Taka’s arms back. Khan hops down to tag in Henare, and the Empire mugs Taka. Henare stalks Taka, Taka fires body shots in return but Henare eggs him on. Taka fires more shots, but Henare CHOPS! Henare whips, Taka reverses, and Taka wrangles Henare into a JUST FACELOCK! Henare scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taka lets go quickly, but Khan hurries to BLAST Taichi down! Khan stomps away on Taka while the ref reprimands. Henare & Khan fist bump, and then Henare stalks Taka. Henare has the half nelson, but Taka fights the full nelson!

The fans rally, but Henare powers up to have the ULTIMA NELSON! Taka endures, flails, reaches out, but Khan keeps Taichi on the outside! Taka fights around, but Henare pulls him back to center! Taka desperate reaches out, but he’s fading! The ref checks but Taichi storms in to CLUB Henare! Henare lets Taka go to DECK Taichi! Henare snarls and goes back to Taka. Henare says it’s done! Taka rises as Henare stomps around, RAMP- DROP TOEHOLD! Roll-up, TWO! SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! Henare survives, and he BODY BLOWS! Taka sputters and Henare growls again. Henare runs, but Taka redirects him!

Henare dodges the boot to KNEE low! But Taka JUMP SOBATS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Henare and Taka crawl, hot tag to Taichi! The fans rally as Taichi fires Kawada Kicks on Henare! Taichi whips, Henare reverses, but Taichi BOOTS Henare down! Khan runs up, Taka dodges to wrench and HOOK KICK! Khan bails back out and Taichi runs at Henare. Taichi BOOTS Henare, then reels him in to DANGER- NO, Henare fights the saido! Henare whips, but Taichi comes back to AX BOMBER! The fans fire up while Henare is down! Taichi waits on Henare and the fans rally up.

Henare slowly rises, but he blocks the buzzsaw! Henare CLUBS the leg, ROCKS Taichi, but Taichi KICKS Henare! Henare fires a forearm, but Taichi ridge hand chops! Henare fires a flurry of forearms, but Taichi SOBATS! Taichi then runs at the corner, but Henare ELBOWS him! FLYING CHUCK! But Taichi rises! AX- BERSERKER BOMB! Both men are down, and Henare crawls over, hot tag to Khan! Khan storms right up on Taichi, drags him to his feet, and reels him in to fireman’s carry takeover! Then another wrench and MONKEY FLIP! Khan drags Taichi up again, SAYANAGI! Cocky cover, TWO!

Khan drops into the KATAGATAME! Taichi endures the head ‘n’ arm triangle, fights around, reaches out with his legs, but Khan puts all his weight on the hold! Taichi still manages the ROPEBREAK! Khan sits Taichi up into a SLEEPER! Taichi fights up, but Khan makes it an IRON CLAW SLEEPER, into the ELIMI- NO! Taichi fights free with ridge hand chops! Khan Mongolian Chops in return! Taichi spins, but into the IRON CLAW RACK! Khan swings around, SPINNING SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, Taka breaks it! Henare runs up to kick Taka and TOSS him! Khan drags Taichi up and the Empire whips him to a corner.

Khan runs in to LARIAT! Henare runs in to NATIVE KNEE! Feed to the SAYANAGI, and then wrench into the ASSISTED POWERBOMB! Cover, TAKA BREAKS IT AGAIN! Henare UPPERCUTS Taka but Taka fires hands on the Empire! Taka runs, into a BOOT SUPERKICK COMBO! Taka falls out of the ring and the Empire goes back to Taichi. Henare hauls Taichi up, fireman’s carries, and Khan waits, but Taichi slips fere! Taichi shoves Henare into Khan! DOUBLE AX- NO, Khan & Henare both dodge, and they BODY BLOW IRON RIGHT COMBO!! Cover, TWO!?! Taichi survives that double impact, but the Monster Rage boils over!

Henare drags Taichi up, fireman’s carries again, and Khan runs, but into Takai’s MICHINOKU DRIVER! Taichi slips free of Henare, Henare elbows him! Henare runs, into DOUBLE SUPER K!! OFF COME TAICHI’S PANTS!! Taka keeps Henare down with JUST FACELOCK while Taichi hits TENSHO JUJIHOU!! Taichi tops it off with BLACK MEPHISTO!! Cover, TAICHI & TAKA WIN!!

Winners: Taichi & Taka Michinoku, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Khan & Henare earn 0)

What a shocker! The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions just lost the opening round match! Does this already doom their chances of becoming World Tag League Champions? Will Taka & Taichi have the golden tickets to the titles?

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS EVIL & Ren Narita!

The Ace took a hard loss earlier tonight, but now his fellow NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions are in action! Will The Joker & The Rook suffer the same fate? Or can they put The King of Darkness & Souled Out Son of Strong Style behind Bars?

Oh of course Evil & Narita attack during the introductions! Narita goes after Oleg and throws him out, while Evil throws water all over Yano! The bell rings but the fight spills to the outside! Evil CLAWS Yano’s eyes, then whips him into railing! Narita does the same to Oleg on the other side! Evil brings Yano out to the crowd, and BOWLS him into chairs! Narita does the same with Oleg on the other side! Evil CHOKES Yano with a chair, then CLUBS him on the back. The ref reprimands The House so Evil brings Yano back to the ring. Narita joins him and they stomp away on Yano! The ref reprimands and says this has to be 1v1!

Evil & Narita ignore the ref to double whip, but Yano grabs ropes! Yano taunts The House, and Oleg runs in to DOUBLE LARIAT The House down! The fans fire up and now Yano & Oleg turn the tables on The House! Yano whips Evil, but Evil reverses and Yano hits railing, right in front of Abe-san! Narita does the same to Oleg on the other side! But Oleg storms back up on Narita! Evil hurries to attack Oleg, and The House mugs him. They bring Oleg in, to DOUBLE SUPLEX to the floor! Oleg writhes and Narita keeps on him while Evil grabs Yano’s favorite red chair. Evil JAMS Yano up with the chair!

The fans boo, but then Evil RAMS Yano into the timekeeper’s area! Down goes Abe-san! The ref reprimands Evil but Evil doesn’t care. Evil drags Yano up and puts him in the ring. The ref helps Abe-san so he misses Narita untying the blue buckle pad. Evil drags Yano up, and whips him into the bare steel! Yano falls in a heap, Evil stands on him for a cocky cover, TWO! Evil argues with the ref, but then tags in Narita. Narita stomps Yano around, brings him up and whips him to ropes for an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this and the fans rally up. Narita drags Yano up, taunts Oleg, but the ref stops Oleg from storming in.

Narita whips Yano into the steel buckles! Evil tags in, and he has the House of Torture shirt. Narita distracts the ref while Evil CHOKES Yano with the shirt! The fans boo, Oleg protests, but the ref misses it all. Evil throws the shirt away to cover Yano, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO!! Evil is furious but the fans fire up as Yano stays in this. Narita tags in, he brings Yano up, and he DECKS Yano! Narita stomps Yano around, then stands on him. Narita talks trash, then stomps Yano again! Yano gets up and he pulls Narita’s hair! Narita CHOKES Yano! The ref reprimands, Narita lets go at 4.

Narita whips but Yano reverses to throw Narita down by his hair! Hot tag to Oleg! Oleg CLOBBERS Narita! And he CLOBBERS Evil! The fans fire up and Oleg deadlifts Narita for the gut wrench! Shake, Rattle & THROW! Narita tumbles and Oleg kips up! The fans fire up and Oleg runs in at the corner to SPLASH! Oleg then scoops Narita to SLAM! Oleg runs to SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Narita stays in this but Oleg picks him up while rolling back! Oleg then deadlifts Narita again, into the fireman’s carry! But Narita slips free! Narita CHOKES Oleg! The ref counts, but Oleg breaks the grip! Oleg CHOSP Narita!

Oleg runs, but Evil hits a cheap shot! Narita hits an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Evil BLASTS Yano and Oleg endures! Oleg clasps hands, but Narita BREAKS the grip! Oleg flails, reaches out, and fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and the ref counts, but Narita holds until 4. Narita is frustrated but he tags in Evil. Narita wrenches Oleg’s arm and Evil CLUBS it. Evil wrenches the arm and Narita CLUBS it! The House double kick, and DOUBLE- NO, Oleg fights the double suplex to DOUBLE SUPLEX The House! The fans fire up and Oleg hot tags Yano! Yano unties a white buckle pad! Evil runs up, Yano dodges and CLAWS the eyes!

Yano whips, Evil reverses, but Yano stops himself. Yano taunts Evil, then dodges! Evil hits buckles, Yano rolls him up! TWO! Yano fires up and the fans are with him! But Evil kicks low! Evil runs, but he fights off the atomic drop! But Yano dodges the lariat to clinch and BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up while both men are down, and Yano rises! Yano drags Evil up, but Evil CLAWS Yano’s eyes! Evil runs, but into an atomic drop! Yano trips Evil, has the legs, and he CATAPULTS Evil into Oleg’s arms! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up again and Oleg goes out after Narita. But Narita JAMS Oleg with the pushup bar!

The ref stops Narita from getting in the ring with the pushup bar, but then DICK TOGO shoves Yano into the ref! The fans boo as The Spoiler would have to show up! Dick & Narita stomp away on Yano, then they double whip him to a corner. Dick runs up to ELBOW Yano! Narita hits an ELBOW of his own, then Evil LARIATS! Evil snapmares Yano, and Dick climbs up! The House sets Yano up for the DICK CHOP! Evil calls for the ref, the ref returns as Evil covers, TWO!! Yano survives and shocks The House! The fans fire up but Evil tells them to shut up. Evil slashes his throat, then hauls Yano up. EVERY- NO, Yano shoves Evil at the ref!

The ref curls up in a corner, and Yano takes aim, but Narita stops the low blow! But then Yano sends Narita into Evil! Oleg DOUBLE SHOTGUNS The House! The fans fire up as Oleg goes out and takes care of Narita. Yano runs, and he CHOP BLOCKS Evil down! Then roll up, but Evil drags the ref down!! Dick grabs Yano into the SPOILER CHOKER!! The fans boo as Evil then sets Yano up for MAGIC KILLER!! The ref is back up and Evil covers again, The House wins!

Winners: Evil & Ren Narita, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Yano & Oleg earn 0)

The NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions all suffer loss tonight! World Tag League aside, will this only lead to the downfall of President Ace at WrestleKingdom 19? Or can someone finally and completely tear down The House of Torture before the year is over?

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls!

Much like Hiroshi Tanahashi, the Uncontrollable Charisma has yet to hold the WTL trophies. Will Los Ingobernables de Japon make this whole tournament tranquilo? Or will Hysterical Haste & Mad Mikey make it mighty?

The teams sort out, but even now Naito takes his time with his elaborate entrance attire. TMDK gets annoyed but the pants finally come off. Mikey eggs LIJ on but Hiromu pie faces him. Mikey slaps back! Red Shoes has everyone hold on, and Mikey backs off. Finally, it is decided that Mikey will start, and then LIJ fist bumps. The fans applaud as Hiromu steps up. The bell rings, both men rush in, but Hiromu dodges Mikey to swing on Shane! But Shane blocks the shot and has Hiromu caught! Mikey runs up, Hiromu slips away, so Mikey hits Shane! Hiromu dodges Mikey again, runs, and RAMS Mikey, but Hiromu’s the one that wobbles!

Mikey taunts Hiromu then runs, but Hiromu drops down, and Naito trips Mikey! Hiromu slides out and LIJ send Mikey into railing! Naito then sets Mikey up for Hiromu to CROSSBODY from the apron! The fans fire up as Hiromu keeps going, and he CROSSBODIES Shane on the floor! The fans fire up again, and Naito puts Mikey in. Hiromu tags in Naito then he CHOPS Mikey. LIJ double whips, but Mikey breaks the double clothesline! Naito still drop toeholds and Hiromu basement dropkicks! Naito covers, ONE! Naito clamps onto Mikey with a chinlock and he digs a knee into Mikey’s back. Red Shoes reprimands as Naito smothers Mikey.

Mikey endures and pries at the hold. Mikey bends Naito’s finger, but Red Shoes reprimands that. Naito clamps the chinlock on again, then brings Mikey up. Naito shifts to a cravat for a neck wrench, and he brings Mikey over to the LIJ corner. Hiromu tags in and CLUBS Mikey on the back. Hiromu CHOPS, then whips, but Mikey blocks! Hiromu CHOPS again, then whips, but Mikey again blocks! Mikey eggs Hiromu on, so Hiromu stomps Mikey’s foot! Hiromu whips, Mikey reverses, but Hiromu ducks ‘n’ dodges, only to run into a SPINEBUSTER! Shane runs up to BLAST Naito, then hurries back so he can tag in.

Mikey tosses Hiromu out to Shane, and Shane whips Hiromu into railing! The fans are torn but Shane high-fives Fujita on commentary. Shane drags Hiromu up to then hit an APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Shane brings Hiromu into the ring. Hiromu crawls to a corner and Shane lines up a shot. Shane runs up to UPPERCUT, then he reels Hiromu in, HALF HATCH PLEX! Then basement DROPKICK! Shane flips Naito off but Naito just smirks. Shane covers Hiromu, TWO! Shane clamps onto Hiromu’s arm, pulls on it, and KICKS Hiromu in the back! Hiromu hobbles away to a corner but Shane follows him.

Shane drags Hiromu up, tags in Mikey, and TMDK double wrench to double SHOULDER TACKLE! Then they split the wishbone! Hiromu writhes, but Shane KICKS him down! Shane flexes, Mikey covers, TWO! Mikey sits Hiromu up, and he DIGS at Hiromu’s eye! Red Shoes reprimands, Mikey brings Hiromu up, and taunts him as the “light heavyweight.” But Hiromu CHOPS Mikey! Mikey CHOPS Hiromu off his feet! Mikey then BLASTS Naito off the apron! Mikey double knuckle lock covers, TWO! Mikey grows frustrated but the fans rally up. Mikey bumps Hiromu off buckles hard, then tags Shane.

TMDK again split the wishbone on the Timebomb, and Mikey mocks Hiromu’s pain. Mikey KICKS Hiromu on his way out, then Shane CHOPS Hiromu! The fans rally and Shane drags Hiromu up. Shane bumps Hiromu off buckles in a neutral corner, then UPPERCUTS him again and again. Shane flexes before he UPPERCUTS again! Shane fires up, the fans are torn, but Hiromu BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Hiromu dodges! Shane hits buckles and falls back, but he hurries to anchor Hiromu! Hiromu breaks free, blocks a kick, blocks a punch, and DRAGON SCREWS Shane down! The fans fire up while both men crawl!

Shane and Hiromu rise up, and Hiromu hot tags Naito! The fans fire up as Naito CLUBS Shane. Naito whips Shane, ELBOWS him, but Shane comes back, only for Naito to atomic drop! Naito runs and ELBOWS Shane down, to then basement DROPKICK! Naito brings Shane up, Shane pushes free, but swings into a spin! Naito holds Shane in place, trolling Mikey as he does, before the NECKBREAKER! Naito poses, Mikey gets mad, but the fans applaud. Naito covers, TWO! Shane stays in this but Naito BLASTS Mikey! Naito then clamps onto Shane with the leg hook nelson! Shane endures and fights around while the fans rally up.

Shane pushes Naito around, tries to stack him, but Naito pushes Shane back down! Shane rolls and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Naito lets go on his own for once, and then brings Shane up. Naito CLUBS Shane into a corner, CLUBS him some more, then hoists Shane up top. Naito climbs, but Shane slips under! Shane brings Naito out but Naito fights to then RANA! The fans rally as Naito runs, but Shane DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up while both men are down! Shane crawls, hot tag to Mikey! Mikey winds up and runs up to LARIAT in the corner! Mikey whips Naito back in for another LARIAT!

Mikey brings Naito up, fireman’s carries, but Naito slips free. Naito waistlocks but ducks Mikey’s elbow, only to take a DDT! Mikey sits Naito up, throws off an elbow pad, and then SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Naito survives and Mikey is frustrated but the fans fire up. Mikey drags Naito up, brings him around, but Naito fights the lift with elbows. Mikey CHOPS Naito, whips him, but Naito reverses to TORNADO DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Naito reaches out, crawls for the LIJ corner, and the fans rally up. Naito tags in Hiromu, and LIJ goes after Mikey. They double whip Mikey but Mikey KICKS Naito!

Hiromu says whoa, no no no, but Mikey runs up on him. Hiromu dodges Mikey, and then sends Naito at him!? Then Hiromu picks Naito up to make him RANA Mikey to a corner! The fans fire up as Hiromu runs corner to corner to LARIAT! Hiromu snapmares Mikey to then basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Hiromu fires up and the fans are with him! Hiromu drags Mikey and says he’ll end this! But Mikey fights the suplex! Hiromu still tries, but it’s Mikey who suplexes! Hiromu slips free to waistlock, but Mikey switches and sends Hiromu to the TMDK corner! Tag to Shane and then feed to an UPPERCUT!

Mikey lifts Hiromu, Shane runs up, BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, TWO! Shane hurries to SIT-OUT POWERBOMB Hiromu! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and the fans fire up! Shane and Mikey coordinate, they’ll just hit Hiromu harder! Mikey scoops, but Naito makes the save! Naito sends Mikey at Shane but TMDK avoids a collision. Shane BOOTS Naito down, kicks him out, and Mikey says now it’s time to end this! Shane drags Hiromu up, but Hiromu CHOPS! Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS away on TMDK, but TMDK DOUBLE SLAP him! Then they double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDT!!

The fans are thunderous as Hiromu turns things around on TMDK! Hiromu crawls for the LIJ corner, hot tag to Naito! The fans fire up as Naito steps right to Shane. Naito throws those heavy elbows, but Shane clinches Naito! Naito fights the lift with more elbows! And more elbows! Shane wobbles but Naito ELBOWS him down! The fans fire up and Naito goes to a corner. Naito drags Shane up, reels him in, and ESPERANZA! The fans fire up again and Naito resets in the corner. Shane rises, Naito runs up, but Mikey LARIATS him down! TMDK says it’s time, and they haul Naito up! POWER BOTTOM!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans are thunderous as Naito survives! TMDK KICKS Naito around, then drags him up. Mikey scoops, but Hiromu SHOTGUNS Shane! Naito slips down, Mikey scoops him again, but Naito makes it DESTINO!! Hiromu watches Shane rise, and SUPERKICKS! Naito ENZIGIRIS Shane and Hiromu hits a HIROM-CHAN BOMBER! ROLLING JACKKNIFE! TWO!! Shane survives but Naito storms up on him again. Naito wrenches, tilt-o-whirls, DESTI- NO! Shane stays up, but Hiromu SUPERKICKS him! Hiromu BOOTS Mikey from the apron, then he push-starts Naito’s TORNADO DDT!

The fans fire up again and Naito brings Shane back up. Wrench and tilt-o-whirl, DESTINO!!! Cover, LIJ wins!

Winners: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shane & Mikey earn 0)

Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa won last night, but Shane & Mikey lost tonight, so TMDK as a whole is 1-1! Is their dream of a truly mighty World Tag League final already in jeopardy? Or can the former tag team champions prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

As for Naito & Hiromu, they of course take the mic, and Naito says, “Buenas noches, Funabashi~!” Naito knows this tournament technically kicked off two days ago, and that this is Naito’s first entry to this tournament in two years, with a new partner, Hiromu Takahashi. But the finals will be in Kumamoto, and it will be this “openweight team” going for those trophies! The fans cheer that! Naito continues by saying that maybe some know this, but NJPW has had five events in Chiba over the course of 2024. In February, May, August, October, and now in November. Unfortunately, that means this is the last time this year they will be here.

But with that in mind, let us end on a great note. Naito does the math, and says the last time they did a role call here was in April of 2016! Eight years ago! So everyone, are you ready for the first role call specifically in Funabashi? The fans cheer and Naito says the only way to end tonight is of course with… Wait, tranquilo, assen na yo. The fans cheer as Hiromu sits up for this. “Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRRRRNABLEEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!!” The fans cheer and Naito drops the mic. Will the Stardust Genius and Ticking Timebomb make a run at the top of this tag league?

Here are the 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

My Thoughts:

A great round for B Block to start their own round robin, with quite some surprises. Not so much The Filip Brothers winning because Jado being on Tanahashi’s team, Jado is the liability much like Tomoaki Honma is for Shota Umino in A Block. Taichi & Taka getting that win off Henare & Khan was the biggest surprise because usually Taka is the “liability” on the team. But I suppose with Yuya Uemura out with injury and Sanada having betrayed them, Just Four Guys had no choice but to send Taka in. Great stuff in that win, but I’m not sure the chances of them winning those titles in some sort of “Road to WrestleKingdom” type tag title match.

Very good stuff from Yano & Oleg VS Evil & Narita but duh, The House of Torture cheats to win as usual. In a roundabout way, the story of Tanahashi and Evil building towards their WK19 match is like how ZSJ and Shota are really just building towards their own match through this tournament. And much in that same way, it takes just a bit of the drama out as Tanahashi won’t really be taking the losses when Jado can eat those pins or tap to those holds. And obviously, if The House of Torture is winning, it’s because of cheating so anyone can win it for them and Evil will be rolling towards WK19.

But we got a great main event from LIJ VS TMDK, but it was less surprising that LIJ won out. Shane & Mikey already came into this tournament having taken a loss, their redemption story back to the titles will be taking the long road. But with Naito never having won a WTL tournament, and obviously this being Hiromu’s first, they could have quite the run. They should at least be second place and narrowly miss out on the finals.

My Score: 8.9/10