Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW New Beginning Nagoya Results & Report! (1/30/21)

Finally, a New Beginning in Nagoya!

Published

3 years ago

January 30, 2021

Steven Mitchell

Will a title reign come to an end in the New Beginning?

After a long and winding Road to, NJPW’s New Beginning is finally here! Will The Ace slay The Dragon or be trumped in a NEVER Openweight match?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Toru Yano & Kazuchika Okada VS Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL w/ Dick Togo; Yano & Okada win.
8 Man Tag: Kota Ibushi, SHO, Master Wato & Tomoaki Honma VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Ibushi, Sho, Wato & Honma win.
Loser Can’t Mongolian Chop: Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins, Tenzan can never Mongolian Chop again.
No Disqualifications: Will Ospreay VS Satoshi Kojima; Ospreay wins.
NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; Tanahashi wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

Toru Yano & Kazuchika Okada VS Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

The provisional Mr. KOPW 2021 has made it through one month, but he has eleven more to go! Meanwhile, the Rainmaker still has to prove he is the top of NJPW! Will the Tokyo Pimp and King of Darkness look to replace them both for a New Beginning?

Yano wants the ref to be very thorough with checking the Bullet Club. The Bullet Club Low Sweets, and Evil starts with Okada. Fans rally already as Okada and Evil circle. Dick takes a swipe and then Evil attacks from behind! Yujiro gets in, he and Evil double whip but Okada kicks Yujiro away! Okada sends Evil into Yujiro then kicks low for a DDT! Fans cheer, Dick is on the apron but Okada backs him off. Okada goes out after him anyway, and Yano corners Dick! Fans cheer as Okada kicks Dick and puts him in the ring! Yano gets in, too, and Chaos hammer away on Dick! Okada makes it a drum solo! Fans cheer as Okada goes after Evil, stomps him, clubs him, then elbows him.

Okada snapmares Evil, runs, but Evil grabs the ref and Dick trips Okada up! Yujiro runs over to DECK Yano, then Evil throws Okada out! Evil clubs Okada, Yujiro whips Yano into railing, then Evil whips Okada into railing! Fans rally but Evil digs his fingers into Okada’s face! The ref reprimands and Evil stops, and Evil mocks the “O-KA-DA!” clapping. Evil puts Okada in the ring, stands on Okada’s neck, but lets off when the ref reprimands. Tag to Yujiro and Yujiro drags Okada up. Yujiro whips Okada in, and TADA! The buckle is bare! Okada hits steel and Yano protests, even though that’s his trick. Actually that might be why he’s upset. Yujiro snapmares Okada to boot him down! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally for Okada but Yujiro tags in Evil. Evil drags Okada up, brings him around, and hammerlocks him to then put on a cobra twist! Bullet Club forms a chain to the railing! Yano protests, the ref is busy with him but then he sees what’s going on! The ref counts and Bullet Club lets go at 4. Fans rally up but Evil brings Okada up. Okada throws body shots and forearms, but Evil whips him back into bare buckles! Evil fireman’s carries but Okada fights out. Okada gets to a corner, Evil runs in but Okada boots him away! Okada runs into Evil’s kick but Evil runs into Okada’s BOOT! Both men are down again and fans fire up! Okada rolls, hot tags to Yujiro and Yano!

Yano dodges Yujiro to untie a buckle pad! Yujiro clubs Yano first, whips but Yano reverses, to then go back to the pad! Yano has the white pad, gives it to Yujiro, and the ref is busy with Yujiro while Yano unties the other buckle pad! Three bare corners! Yano throws this pad at Yujiro, too! The ref takes the pad and then Yano rakes Yujiro’s eyes! Yano whips but Yujiro reverses and Yano suffers at his own bare buckle plan! FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Yano survives and Yujiro frowns. Yujiro stomps Yano, brings him up for forearms, then whips him to ropes. Yano holds ropes, taunts Yujiro, and then is in the ropes as defense.

Evil swipes at Yano, Yano scrambles away but Yujiro ROCKS Yano with a forearm! Yano staggers into Dick’s hotshot! Yujiro gets his pimp cane! Evil distracts the ref, CANE SHOT!! Cover, but Okada breaks it! Okada DECKS Evil, but Yujiro kicks low! Yujiro whips but Okada reverses to dropkick Yujiro down! Okada shouts to Yano to capitalize, and fans rally up as Okada goes after Evil. Yano gets the pimp cane?! Dick takes it from him, but Yano drags Dick in! The ref reprimands DICK! Yano waistlocks Yano but Yano LOW BLOWS! Yano shoves Yujiro into Dick, rolls Yujiro up, CHAOS WINS!

Winners: Toru Yano & Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall

No one can outdo Mr. KOPW 2021 in being a trickster! Will he and the Rainmaker make it through these new beginnings still on top?

8 Man Tag: Kota Ibushi, SHO, Master Wato & Tomoaki Honma VS Los Ingobernables de Japon!

The Golden Star is set to defend against the Cold Skull! The High Voltage wants to short circuit the Ticking Timebomb’s own reign! And the Grandmaster has been called out by Death Mask! Will Everyone’s Kokeshi help them stand against Sanada, Hiromu, Bushi and Naito?

The teams sort out, and Wato insists he start. The others agree, and after LIJ fist bumps, it is Bushi who steps up against Wato. They tie righ tup at the bell, Wato puts Bushi on the ropes but Bushi turns it around> Wato turns it back arond, then Bush, but Wato avoids the cheap shot! Wato mule kicks, clubs and whips, then hurdles to back elbow. Bushi avoids the rest, runs and rolls off Wato’s back to then kick and whpi. Wato reverses and tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKERS! Wato kicks Bushi while he’s down, then KICKS him towards the corner! Wato stomps Bushi, digs his boot in, then rains down fists! The ref counts, tries to get Wato to let off, but Honma tags in.

Honma stomps Bushi, brings Bushi up and kicks low. Honma clubs Bushi, runs, and goes after Naito! Naito gets away but Bushi clubs Honma. Bushi runs but Honma elbows him down. Honma fires up and runs but Naito gets a cheap shot in! Naito clubs Honma, whips but Honma reverses, only for Naito to reverse and get around. Honma elbows Naito down then fires up, but Hiromu trips him up! Sanada basement dropkicks Honma, then LIJ goes after Team Ibushi! Bushi dropkicks Wato down, Hiromu trips Sho off the apron, and Bushi DECKS Ibushi! Sanada goes out to hit Ibushi while Hiromu whips Sho into railing and Naito stomps Wato.

Bushi headlocks Honma and brings him to a corner and digs his face into buckles. Bushi then bumps Honma off buckles and stomps him in the LIJ corner. LIJ leaves the others alone and Naito tags in. Naito stomps Honma, brings him over and bumps him off other buckles before throwing forearms! Naito rakes Honma’s eyes but the ref reprimands. Honma kicks back but Naito blocks the leg to club the elbow! Naito fires off haymakers then whips corner to corner. Naito runs in, rocket kick! Leg sweep, and then less swing for that basement dropkick! Still Combinacion Cabron! Naito drags Honma up, Honma hits back with forearms, but Naito throws strikes back!

Naito throws back elbows over and over on Honma, then snapmares him to a cravat crank on the mat! Sho gets in to stomp Naito but Hiromu throws Sho out. Sanada tags in and both Bushi and Hiromu join in as LIJ all stomps Honma! Ibushi protests, gets the fans rallying for “HO-N-MA!” but Naito and Sanada double whip. Honma dodges, goes after Naito but Naito elbows free. Honma spins Naito, catches Sanada, DDT COMPLETE SHOT COMBO! Fans rally up as all three men are down, hot tag to Ibushi! Ibushi springboards but Sanada gets under! Ibushi elbows Bushi and Hiromu down, goes up and over Sanada as he runs in, then gets Sanada for a SPINNING POWERSLAM!

Ibushi somersaults to the corner for a MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Ibushi and he brings Sanada up in a waistlock. Sanada switches, Ibushi elbows, but Ibushi runs into a RANA! Ibushi flops out of the ring, Sanada takes aim, PLANCHA! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans get louder and Sanada is satisfied with that. Sanada brings Ibushi back up, puts him in, and covers, TWO! Sanada keeps his cool and brings Ibushi back up. Ibushi kicks but Sanada blocks to trip Ibushi. Sanada gets the legs, and he goes to tie Ibushi up! Ibushi kicks Sanada away, runs in at the corner, but Sanada elbows him away.

Sanada Quebrada but Ibushi gets under, only to run into a fireman’s carry! Ibushi fights free, but Sanada ducks the roundhouse to kick and run, into Ibushi’s RANA! Both men are down but fans rally up, and the two crawl to hot tag Hiromu and Sho! Sho and Hiromu collide then start throwing forearms back and forth! Fans rally as they go faster and faster, but Hiromu bumps Sho off buckles. Hiromu fires off several forearms, but Sho gives them all back! Sho has Hiromu down in the corner but Hiromu gets up, only for Sho to ROCK him! Sho runs, Hiromu follows and corner clotheslines! Hiromu runs but Sho follows to return that clothesline!

Sho runs but Hiromu follows again, but Sho puts Hiromu on the apron! Sho sweeps the legs, runs side to side and baseball slides Hiromu off the apron! Sho builds speed, but Hiromu gets in! Sho dodges Hiromu, to SPEAR, but Hiromu blocks it!! Hiromu suplexes, Sho slips out but Hiromu elbows him away. Hiromu runs, Sho dodges and comes back to SPEAR! Direct hit this time and Sho powers up! Sho drags Hiromu up, suplexes, but Hiromu slips out to waistlock. Sho elbows over and over but Hiromu reels him in. Sho throws forearms from all sides now, but Hiromu gives one back! Sho ROCKS Hiromu, runs, but into a POP-UP BOMB!

Hiromu can’t make the cover but fans rally up as both men head for their corners! Hot tag to Bushi, he and Sanada dropkick Wato and Honma! Naito whips Sho for Bushi to sunset flip, and Bushi sends Sho into Naito’s basement dropkick! Bushi brings Sho around while LIJ keeps the others down, BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Bushi drags Sho up, wrenches and lifts, but Honma gets in to CLOBBER Bushi! Naito gives Honma an atomic drop, but runs into a LEAPING HEADBUTT! Sanada dropkicks Honma but Ibushi springboard missile dropkicks Sanada! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Ibushi, then kicks Wato!

Hiromu and Bushi double whip, double hip toss, then throw Wato again, but Wato lands on his feet! Wato KICKS Hiromu, mule kicks Bushi, and sets Bushi up for Sho’s LARIAT! Sho stands Bushi up Wato’s DREAMCAST KICK! Sho brings Bushi back around, lifts, POWER BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives and fans fire up! Sho takes aim with the bow and drags Bushi back up. Sho tucks the arms, LIJ fights off Team Ibushi, but SHOCK ARROW hits! Cover, Sho and team win!

Winners: Kota Ibushi, Sho, Master Wato & Tomoaki Honma, by pinfall

A big win for the many rivals of LIJ! Will this momentum help Sho shock Hiromu in their IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship battle? What of the momentum for Sanada challenging Ibushi for the IWGP Heavyweight and Intecontinental Double Championship?

Loser Can’t Mongolian Chop: Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Great-O-Khan!

The stipulation is fairly self-explanatory. Both men use the Mongolian Chop attack in their arsenal, but that will all change tonight! Will Ikari no Mogyu or the United Empire’s Dominator be the one true master of the double chop strike?

Khan rushes Tenzan as he heads down the ramp, but Tenzan RAMS Khan down! Tenzan stomps Khan and fans fire up! Tenzan clubs Khan, rams him into the apron then stomps him more! The ref says to get this in the ring but Tenzan whips Khan into railing! Fans fire up more as Tenzan drags Khan up and around into the ring. Tenzan gets in and the bell finally rings to start the match! Tenzan stomps Khan more, headbutts him, then stomps him more. Khan eggs him on so Tenzan stomps him again and again. Tenzan drags Khan up for another headbutt! Tenzan whips, and hits the Mongolian Chop! Fans fire up and Tenzan chokes Khan!

The ref reprimands and counts, Tenzan lets off at 4, and Tenzan stomps and chops Khan. Tenzan hits another Mongolian Chop! And another! And another! Tenzan eggs Khan on and Khan kicks back! To then give a Mongolian Chop! And another! And another! Tenzan gives the Mongolian Chops back, but Khan knees low! Khan gives karate chops over and over to Tenzan’s back! And then drags Tenzan into an arm-and-head triangle! Fans rally as Tenzan endures, but Khan shifts to clamp onto the shoulder! Khan digs his claw in, Tenzan endures but Khan stomps him down! Fans rally for Tenzan but Khan drags him back up.

Khan has the cravat, snapmares then sits him up for a chinlock. Tenzan endures the knee in his back, Khan shifts to a headscissor headlock! Tenzan kicks and flails but Khan squeezes tight! Tenzan rolls, and gets to the ropes! The ref counts, Khan lets go at 3, and Tenzan can breathe again. Khan drags Tenzan to a cover, TWO! Khan is annoyed as fans cheer. Khan drags Tenzan up and turns him for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Khan drags Tenzan up and bumps him off buckles. Khan clubs Tenzan, then climbs up to sit on Tenzan’s head! The ref counts, Khan hops off at 4, and paces as fans rally up again. Khan stomps Tenzan, eggs him on, then pushes Tenzan’s head into his boot.

Tenzan fights up, throws body shots, but Khan ROCKS Tenzan! Khan runs, into the windmill kick! Tenzan fires up and the fans follow as he gives Khan more Mongolian Chops! Khan flops down and bails out but Tenzan pursues to club and stomp Khan! Tenzan puts Khan back in, stomps him more then gives him a back hand CHOP! Tenzan bumps Khan off buckles, stomps him, headbutts him, and fires up again. Tenzan headbutts and stomps more, then rakes Khan’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Tenzan stops and whips Khan corner to corner. Tenzan runs in to corner splash! Khan sputters and Tenzan goes up top!

Tenzan drags Khan up by his hair, then hits CALF BRANDING, the falling knee drop! Tenzan says it’s not done here, he goes back to the corner and back up! Fans rally, and Tenzan hits a FLYING MONGOLIAN CHOP! Tenzan stomps Khan more, chops him more, then eggs him on. Khan gets up, Tenzan headbutts and brings Khan up. Tenzan calls his shot and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Tenzan keeps his focus as he says he’ll hit the driver! Tenzan drags Khan up, scoops, but Khan fights that off to hit a HALF NELSON FACEBUSTER! Fans rally up as both men are down and Khan gets up first. Khan powers up, takes aim, and clamps onto Tenzan’s face with the claw!

But Tenzan breaks free to Mongolian Chop! And again! And again! Tenzan eggs Khan on, Khan puts some stank on his own Mongolian Chops! Tenzan gives one back, and now it’s a back and forth of Mongolian Chops! Tenzan hits, Khan hits, then they BOTH hit! And again! Whose chop is stronger?! Tenzan falls to a knee, Khan fires up and runs, but Tenzan LARIATS! Fans fire up as Tenzan paces, and drops an elbow! ANACONDA VICE!! Khan flails, endures, even pulls Tenzan’s hair, but he has to kick his way over towards ropes! Tenzan drags Khan up and away for an ANACONDA BUSTER! Cover, TWO!?! Khan survives but Tenzan vows to end this!

Tenzan goes up, TENZAN PRESS FLOPS!! Khan avoids disaster! Fans fire up as Khan stomps and chops away on Tenzan’s back! Khan drags Tenzan back up, scoops, but Tenzan fights it off! Tenzan throws body shots and a HEADBUTT! Tenzan fires up, scoops Khan, but Tenzan’s arms give up! Khan BOOTS Tenzan down! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer as Tenzan is still in this! Khan drags Tenzan back up, gives him another Mongolian Chop, and then another! Khan hits a third and Tenzan falls! Khan drags Tenzan back up, scoops him, and hits the TTD?!? Cover, TWO!?!? Tenzan survives Khan’s take on his other signature!!

Tenzan runs in, but into the claw! ELIMINATOR CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, Khan wins!!

Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (Hiroyoshi Tenzan CANNOT use Mongolian Chop)

The Dominator takes away Tenzan’s signature strike! And he won’t even let Young Lions check on Tenzan! Khan gets in Tenzan’s face about having conquered him, and then stomps him again! Is this just the beginning of what the United Empire will do to NJPW?

No Disqualifications: Will Ospreay VS Satoshi Kojima!

Speaking of, The Aerial Assassin is building his United Empire on the legends he defeats! Will he add the Cozy Strong Arm to that foundation in a match with no restraints?

Ospreay comes prepared with a trash can, several lids and even some cookie sheets, and a guitar! He throws the ring steps aside but he might end up using those, too. Kojima makes his entrance, bringing just himself! Ospreay builds speed but Kojima stays clear so Ospreay cancels his flight. Kojima gets in, he and Ospreay throw hands, and the bell rings! They go back and forth with fast and furious forearms but Ospreay knees low. Ospreay throws Kojima out, CHOPS him then whips him into railing! Ospreay headbutts Kojima around the way, throws forearms, then throws haymakers as they go up the ramp.

Ospreay fetches some of the stuff he brought, and he SMACKS Kojima with the cookie sheet! Ospreay shouts, “Who’s the tough guy in Japan now?! It’s me!” Ospreay throws haymakers and Kojima goes back towards the ring. Ospreay brings him around to the trash can, but Kojima back drops Ospreay onto it! Fans fire up as Ospreay writhes and Kojima kicks him to railing. Kojima throws forearms and elbows then POSTS Ospreay! Ospreay staggers away, Kojima kicks him then puts him in the ring. Ospreay boots back then runs, and boots again! Ospreay keeps moving but Kojima runs him over! And elbows him down! Ospreay bails out again but Kojima aims to PLANCHA!

But Ospreay gets clear and Kojima hits floor! Ospreay goes up the corner to leap, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Kojima is sent crashing into railing, but fans rally up as Ospreay fetches something from under the ring. Ospreay brings out a ladder! Ospreay aims at Kojima, and RAMS him down with the ladder! Ospreay shouts, “What’s my name?!” Ospreay opens the ladder, and the restraint is broken so it goes full 180 open. Ospreay doesn’t mind, he makes it a bridge between ring and railing. Ospreay brings Kojima around and whips, but Kojima blocks! Ospreay tries again but Kojima reverses! Ospreay slides under the ladder bridge, to then BOOT it into Kojima!

Kojima goes down, Ospreay goes back under the ladder and brings Kojima up. Fans rally, Ospreay puts Kojima in the ring, and Ospreay drops knees on Kojima’s chest! Kojima sputters, Ospreay drops another knee! Ospreay drags Kojima up, throws a hard body shot forearm, and Kojima doubles over! Ospreay undoes a corner pad and tosses it aside. Ospreay drags Kojima up, whips him in and Kojima gets bare buckles to the back! Fans rally for Kojima but Ospreay laughs at then. Ospreay brings Kojima up but Kojima hits back with body shots of his own! Ospreay scoops Kojima for a turning BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Kojima survives but Ospreay goes out to fetch more things.

Ospreay brings in chairs! Ospreay sits one chair up, then brings Kojima over, to put his jaw against the seat! Ospreay stands on Kojima’s head, fans rally and Ospreay runs, Kojima HIP TOSSES Ospreay onto the chair! Kojima stalks Ospreay to a corner and CHOPS! And fires off the MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Kojima whips Ospreay corner to corner, runs in and hits a forearm! Kojima throws Ospreay down, grabs the other chair, and sets it on Ospreay’s chest! Kojima climbs up, FULL METAL MACHO ELBOW! It’s double-edged for Kojima but both men are down and writhing! Fans rally as Ospreay clutches ribs and Kojima clutches his arm.

Kojima gets up, throws forearms over and over, then hits a ROLLING ELBOW! Fans fire up, Kojima brings Ospreay back up and CHOPS! Kojima whips, Ospreay handsprings, NEURALIZER ENZIGURI! Kojima goes down, Ospreay fetches more things from under the ring! He rips the apron skirts away until he finds… a TABLE! Ospreay sets the table up, brings Kojima to the apron, but Kojima blocks the suplex! Kojima throws body shots and forearms, then runs, but into a springboard PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay drags Kojima up for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Kojima survives and Ospreay grows frustrated.

Ospreay goes out, grabs that guitar he brought, and gets back in the ring. Ospreay wants to do his best Double J as Kojima staggers up, but Kojima dodges to hit a DDT! Kojima sees the guitar and decides to take it for his own! COZY SMASH HIT!! The guitar is done but both Kojima and Ospreay are still in this match. Kojima goes out and fetches a table of his own! Kojima puts the table in, sets it up in a corner, then goes back for Ospreay. Ospreay resists the bomb lift, back drops Kojima, then runs back in, but Kojima swats his clothesline away! COZY CUTTER! Kojima powers up, runs, but Ospreay spins through the lariat to get the lift! POWERBOMB THROUGH THE TABLE!! Kojima’s plan backfires!

Fans still rally up but Ospreay rises first. Ospreay runs, springboards, OSCUTTER! Cover, TWO!?! Kojima survives and shocks Ospreay! Ospreay goes back out and gets even more chairs! Ospreay goes in, brings a chair, and SMACKS Kojima right on the back! Ospreay sits the chairs up together, making a chair square. Ospreay gets a fifth chair, digs it into Kojima’s head, then tosses it aside. Ospreay brings Kojima around, sits Kojima down and fires off haymakers! Ospreay then goes to the corner, goes up top, but Kojima stops him with haymakers of his own! Kojima COZY LARIATS Ospreay off the top, and he FALLS THROUGH THE LADDER!!!

The ref goes out to check on Ospreay and fans rally up. Somehow Ospreay is okay and a ring count starts. Kojima crawls through the chairs while Ospreay is still down. The ring count is 10 of 20 but Ospreay hasn’t gotten up! Kojima tells the ref to stop counting and he goes out to fetch Ospreay! Kojima puts Ospreay in and fans cheer that he wants to finish this in the ring! Kojima brings Ospreay up to suplex, BRAIN BUSTER ON CHAIRS! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives but Kojima is too tired to be upset. Kojima takes off the arm band! Kojima runs, into a SUPERKICK! He keeps trying but Ospreay SUPERKICKS again!

Ospreay dodges, springboards, BLINDSIDE COZY LARIAT! Kojima powers up again, but Ospreay dodges and gets a chair! Ospreay tosses the chair at Kojima, he catches it, FULL METAL HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay hurries back up, ANOTHER HIDDEN BLADE!! And then, double underhooks, lift, STORMBREAKER!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall

An incredible fight that was incredibly painful, and it’s the United Empire’s leader who stands tall! Well, so to speak. Will Ospreay lead his faction into the future by any means necessary?

NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!

This battle was set in motion by World Tag League when LIJ’s Dragon and Cold Skull battled The Ace and Hammerhead Toa Henare. Now, it comes to a head, and we see if Takagi can continue to build his legacy against the Once in a Century Talent!

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the end of new beginnings in Nagoya begins!

Fans rally up already as Tanahashi and Takagi circle. They approach, feel out the grapple, and tie up with knuckle locks. Tanahashi shoots in but Takagi gets away and the two reset. Fans rally, Tanahashi and Takagi tie up, and Takagi powers Tanahashi to ropes. Tanahashi turns it around, Red Shoes calls for a break, but Takagi dodges the cheap shot! Tanahashi dodges Takagi’s retaliation and hits an arm-drag to an armlock! Fans rally, Takagi gets up but Tanahashi wrenches to a wristlock. Takagi body shots, rolls, and wrenches back. Takagi hammerlocks the arm, Tanahashi drop toeholds and floats to a chinlock.

Takagi fights up, pries at the hold and gets around to hammerlock then headlock. Tanahashi endures the grind, throws body shots and powers out to drop toehold again. Tanahashi has another headlock and he grinds Takagi, but Takagi fights up. Takagi tries to power out but Tanahashi grinds harder! Takagi throws body shots, powers out and is free, but Tanahashi rams him! Takagi blocks the hip toss to body shot and throw Tanahashi down! But Tanahashi victory rolls, TWO! Takagi runs into a headlock takeover, headscissors in return, but Tanahashi pops free. Fans cheer as the two stand off and reset again. Takagi and Tanahashi circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock!

Tanahashi uses leverage to put Takagi in a corner but Takagi turns it around. They go around and around in the corner, Red Shoes calls for the break, but Takagi throws forearms! Takagi whips corner to corner, runs in and blocks a boot! Takagi eggs Tanahashi on then CLOBBERS him! Takagi toys with Tanahashi but Tanahashi throws forearms! Takagi shoves Tanahashi to fire off JABS and CHOPS back and forth! Red Shoes has Takagi let off, Takagi comes back but Tanahashi palm strikes! Tanahashi whips Takagi and dropkicks the legs out! Takagi flounders to ropes but Tanahashi grabs his leg.

Fans rally as Tanahashi turns Takagi over, to SMASH the knee on his knee! Like a backbreaker but to the leg! Tanahashi drops elbows on the leg, cranks back on it, but Takagi reaches for ropes. Tanahashi pulls Takagi away and drops a leg on the leg! Tanahashi ties the legs up for a butterfly deathlock! Takagi endures, fans rally, and Takagi back hands, only for Tanahashi to push harder on the legs! Takagi drags himself and Tanahashi back, Tanahashi puts as much pressure as he can, but Takagi gets the ropebreak! Tanahashi lets go and shakes his own legs out. Tanahashi kicks Takagi’s legs, grabs it, but Takagi fights him off!

Tanahashi throws body shots, whips, but Takagi holds ropes to then run Tanahashi over! Fans cheer and Takagi clotheslines Tanahashi out of the ring! Takagi catches his breath before going out to fetch Tanahashi. Fans rally as Takagi whips Tanahashi into railing! Takagi brings Tanahashi back up to bump him off apron, then again. Takagi fireman’s carries and APRON SNAKE EYES! Then he hits a DDT to the floor! Takagi fires up and fans cheer as Takagi hobbles. Takagi gets his bad leg moving, the ring count climbs but Takagi brings Tanahashi up at 12 of 20 to put him. SLINGSHOT STOMP!

Takagi drags Tanahashi up, cranks with a facelock, then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Takagi keeps Tanahashi down with a headlock. Tanahashi endures as Takagi makes it a modified half nelson stretch, then shifts to sit him up. Takagi rains down elbows, covers, TWO! Takagi keeps moving, going up for the FALLING ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Takagi toys with Tanahashi, drags him up, and chicken wings, but Tanahashi fights off the Gory to fire off forearms and elbows! Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS and Tanahashi drops to a knee! Takagi whips Tanahashi to ropes, then KNEES him at the rope, but Tanahashi blocks it!

Takagi tries to punch Tanahashi away, but Tanahashi still DRAGON SCREWS! But Takagi spins through with it! Takagi runs, Tanahashi dodges the sliding lariat! Tanahashi dropkicks the leg, then gets it for a DRAGON SCREW! And this time it hits! Fans rally as both men rise and Tanahashi stalks behind Takagi. Tanahashi throws forearms, whips, but Takagi reverses, only for Tanahashi to hit flying forearms! Fans fire up with Tanahashi as he drags Takagi up and scoop slams him into the drop zone! Tanahashi goes up to the second rope, SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally again as both men rise. Tanahashi runs into the corner, he blocks Takagi’s boot but Takagi boots him away with the other leg! Tanahashi runs but Takagi puts him on the apron, to then hotshot! Takagi goes to the apron to join Tanahashi, fans fire up and Takagi fireman’s carries! Tanahashi fights to get free, but Takagi ROCKS him. But Tanahashi dropkicks the leg! Takagi falls to the floor and fans rally up again. Tanahashi fires up now and he goes to the corner. Tanahashi climbs, Takagi stands, ACES HIGH! Direct hit and down goes the Dragon! Red Shoes checks on both men but they’re okay to continue.

The ring count stars, Tanahashi drags himself up at 5 and gets in at 8. Takagi is still down at 11 of 20, gets up at 13 and hobbles at 15. Takagi is in at 17 but Tanahashi has the leg, DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi rises as Takagi clutches his leg. Tanahashi powers up, runs, but Takagi elbows! JABS! But Tanahashi blocks the lariat! Takagi fights him off, chicken wing, spin, and Takagi steals TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Fans fire up as Takagi drags Tanahashi back up. Takagi suplexes, but Tanahashi fights it off so Takagi TWIST ‘N’ SHOUTS again! Takagi sits Tanahashi up, runs, SLIDING LARIAT! But the leg bothers Takagi so he can’t make the cover here. Fans rally up as Takagi stands.

Takagi hobbles over to Tanahashi as the fans get louder. Takagi toys with Tanahashi as he gives those kicks. He talks some trash and Tanahashi gets mad. Tanahashi eggs Takagi on as Takagi keeps kicking him, and then blocks the kick to dropkick the bad leg! Fans rally again as Tanahashi stomps Takagi and taunts him in return. Takagi eggs Tanahashi on now and dares him to hit harder. Tanahashi stomps more, Takagi still eggs him on, then Takagi blocks the kick to spin Tanahashi, run, and CHOP BLOCK! It was just enough to clip Tanahashi, but then Takagi drops a knee on the leg! Takagi gets back up as fans rally again.

Takagi stalks Tanahashi to a corner and taunts him again. Takagi gives toying kicks but Tanahashi throws serious forearms! Takagi puts Tanahashi’s leg in the ropes, then gets the other, DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Takagi brings Tanahashi around, air guitars on Tanahashi’s leg, then steps through. Tanahashi kicks Takagi away, gets up, but runs into Takagi’s LARIAT! Takagi drags Tanahashi back up, reels him in, POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO, but Takagi gets a HALF CRAB! Tanahashi endures, Takagi pulls back hard, and then drops to a toehold! Like the deathlock in an STF, just no crossface! Tanahashi endures, moves around, but Takagi pulls harder on the leg!

Tanahashi still gets the ropebreak! Takagi lets Tanahashi go, fans fire up again, and Takagi gets them on the “OI! OI! OI!” rhythm. Takagi pump handles, Tanahashi resists, but Takagi throws knees. Tanahashi trips Takagi for GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And another GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Takagi clutches his leg but Tanahashi goes after both. Takagi gets the ropebreak, Tanahashi stomps his leg, then has Takagi in a corner. Tanahashi clubs Takagi, Takagi throws elbows, but they go up the corner. Tanahashi has Takagi up top, SUPER DRAGON SCREW!! Takagi writhes and clutches his knee as Tanahashi gets up. Tanahashi gets the legs for the CLOVERLEAF!

Takagi endures, Tanahashi sits deep, but Takagi refuses to give up! Red Shoes checks on Takagi as he starts to fade! Takagi opens an eye, grabs at Red Shoes, and then gets a second wind! Takagi powers up but Tanahashi just lets him go! Tanahashi goes to the corner, goes up top, HIGH FLY FLOW to Takagi’s back! Tanahashi goes up again, HIGH FLY FLOW, FLOPS!! Takagi avoids the final flow and fans fire up! Takagi drags Tanahashi back, wheelbarrow CORNER GERMAN! Takagi shouts and gets his bad leg moving again. Fans rally up, Takagi brings Tanahashi back up, but Tanahashi catches the lariat to a full nelson!

Takagi fights that off, catches Tanahashi to a full nelson, and hits a DRAGON SUPLEX! The Dragon hits a Dragon Suplex! Fans are thunderous as Takagi demands Tanahashi stands back up! Tanahashi stands, Takagi runs, PUMPING BOMBER! But Takagi isn’t done there, he wants Tanahashi to stand again! Takagi runs as best he can, but Tanahashi dodges! SLING- NO! Pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?!? The Ace survives and the Dragon cannot believe it! Fans fire up again, Takagi drags Tanahashi up, pump handle and fireman’s carry, but Tanahashi fights out to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

Tanahashi holds on, drags Takagi up, ANOTHER TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! He still holds on, brings Takagi up again, A THIRD TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Takagi sits up in a daze, Tanahashi powers up and runs, but Takagi gets around him! Tanahashi full nelsons, Takagi breaks free, but Tanahashi has the STRAITJACKET GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Takagi survives but Tanahashi isn’t done! Tanahashi runs, SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi hurries to the corner and up top, but Takagi stands. HIGH FLY ATTACK- Takagi catches it?! Takagi pops Tanahashi up, and hits a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Both men are down but fans are thunderous again!

Tanahashi goes to a corner and Takagi fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” again. Takagi runs in, corner clotheslines! Tanahashi fires off forearms in return! Takagi ducks the next to sleeper hold, and he shifts to a dragon sleeper! A dragon sleeper from the Dragon! Tanahashi scrambles, ends up in ropes, DRAPING G T R!?! Takagi borrows from one of the other great NEVER Openweight Champions, but he knows this still isn’t over! Tanahashi slowly rises, Takagi takes aim, runs and runs and MAXIMUM PUMPING BOMBERS!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Tanahashi survives again!! Fans rally up, “TA-KA-GI!” “LET’S GO, ACE!”

Both men slowly rise, Takagi brings Tanahashi up, pump handle but Tanahashi fights off the fireman’s, only for a point-blank LARIAT! Takagi kicks at Tanahashi, drags him up and slaps him around. Tanahashi throws forearms and Takagi just laughs! Takagi fires forearms from all sides! Takagi ROCKS Tanahashi with the tenth, but Tanahashi palm strikes! Takagi palm strikes! JAB! Tanahashi HEADBUTTS!? Fans are electric as Tanahashi fires up and runs, into a clothesline! Takagi keeps moving, but Tanahashi gets around, DRAGON SUPLEX! Takagi is back up?! Tanahashi SLINGBLADES! Cover, ONE?!?! PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, ONE!?!?!

Both men survive and fans are electric again! Takagi gets up, bites ropes as he rises, and aims from a corner. Tanahashi is in the other, and both men shout smack talk at each other! DOUBLE LARIATS!! Neither falls, Tanahashi palm strikes, Takagi POINT-BLANK LARIATS! Takagi fires up more, drags Tanahashi back up, pump handle and fireman’s carry, SLINGBLADE?!? Tanahashi turns things back in his favor and heads to a corner! Tanahashi climbs, Takagi stands, HIGH FLY ATTACK! Direct hit but Takagi flounders to ropes. Tanahashi reels him in, DRAGON SUPLEX! With a bridge, TWO!?!?! Tanahashi keeps going, goes back up, HIGH FLY FLOW!!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!!

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)

It is truly a new beginning as The Ace dethrones the Dragon! Tanahashi stands, Red Shoes hands him the belt, and Tanahashi raises the belt over his head! Takagi manages to stand, and he pats Tanahashi on the shoulder to show respect to him. They’re both willing to go again down the road, when and where will we see that epic sequel? Tanahashi gets the mic and takes a moment before he says, “Everyone. I’m very appreciative!” Tanahashi wants us all to know, that he is far from done as a pro-wrestler, and this is his new beginning, too! And so again, he is very thankful to the fans!

But wait, is he or isn’t he going to air guitar? Fans cheer louder and Tanahashi goes back in! Tanahashi decides to christen the NEVER Openweight Championship by using IT for air guitaring! Fans cheer more and Tanahashi is pretty sure they want an encore! So he gives them an encore! Tanahashi is perhaps spent after two air guitar solos and that huge main event, but fans still cheer. Tanahashi gets up, climbs a corner and gives one more encore! Fans clap along and Tanahashi returns to the mic. “Please come back! Please come back!” Tanahashi thanks the fans and promises that with love and power-

NO! Great-O-Khan attacks from behind!! Khan drags Tanahashi up and clamps on the claw! ELIMINATOR SLAM!! Khan grabs the mic and tells Tanahashi, “Oi, did you think the Tokyo Dome was the end of it?” Tanahashi, you’re going to learn that there is NOTHING you can do to stop this. You got that, right? Khan grabs the NEVER Openweight belt and says it will be his! Will the United Empire be even stronger after the Dominator dominates the Ace?

My Thoughts:

This was a great event, especially after a long Road To series that I of course skipped because it was just so much. Yano & Okada VS Yujiro & EVIL was a good match, but it makes sense for the Faces to win there. Yano is starting a new reign as the new Mr. KOPW for this year, and we’re going to see more shenanigans with the match stipulations he can cook up. Okada VS Evil seems to be building on the side, and that is a pretty good feud to bide some time. The 8 Man was a lot of fun, but it was a pretty good surprise that Sho wins off Bushi. All the stories being considered, that was one of the only options since Ibushi and Sanada need to stay even, it’s still unclear what’s building with Honma and Naito, and then Hiromu can’t lose before facing Sho. All of those stories are interesting and I can’t wait to see the payoffs.

Khan VS Tenzan was really good, and of course in a match where a move is on the line, that move was going to be used a lot. And at the same time, Khan is being built up, so of course he wins. Tenzan can’t Mongolian Chop but that is just one move in his arsenal, but also he’s a bit older, how much more is he going to do, really? Tanahashi VS Takagi was AWESOME, and I really didn’t see it going that way, but it is one of the titles Tanahashi’s never had. But then Khan going after him and having another match with Tanahashi for the title is going to be awesome. That could go either way, but I would think Tanahashi retains to try and prove he’s still got it.

My Score: 9.4/10

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

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

SmackDown hears voices!

Published

2 hours ago

December 1, 2023

Steven Mitchell

The Viper is here for The Bloodline!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Pete Dunne VS Bobby Lashley w/ The Street Profits; Lashley wins.
Santos Escobar VS Joaquin Wilde; wins.
Kevin Owens VS Grayson Waller; wins.
Bianca Belair w/ Charlotte Flair & Shotzi VS Kairi Sane w/ DMG CTRL; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Bianca Belair is here!

Brooklyn cheers The EST as she skips to the ring, her team victorious against Damage Control in WarGames! After a recap package, fans chant for Bianca and she gets the mic to say, “Man, it is so cool to be in one of the best boroughs in one of the greatEST cities in the world, Brooklyn!” The fans cheer that! Bianca says DMG CTRL really tried to take them out, but her team did what needed to be done. So shout out to Becky Lynch for coming through, showing up and showing out. Shout out to Shotzi for her guts and passion. And shoutout to Charlotte Flair for being a bigger person and making that call to Becky.

“Now while it feels great to be standing in this ring and celebrating that W from WarGames, my war with DMG CTRL, it ain’t over~! Cuz Iyo Sky, I’m still coming for you, cuz I want my title back!” Fans also cheer that. But speaking of Iyo, here she comes! The Evil Genius leads DMG CTRL out, though where’s Bayley? That aside, Dakota Kai is the one to tell Bianca, “It’s really great how uh, you can get all of these people to cheer for you.” The fans boo her but Dakota tells them to shut up! Dakota says just earlier, Iyo was saying how gross it is here in Brooklyn! It smells! Who would want to live here?!

DMG CTRL slide into the ring, and Dakota says Iyo was also saying that Bianca is in way over her head, dude. Iyo already beat Bianca twice. So… if Bianca wants to get yet another shot, she’ll have to go through all of DMG CTRL. Well that ain’t nothing new. So who wants it first, huh? But wait! Here come Charlotte & Shotzi to back Bianca up! Fans cheer as Charlotte says “Ladies~…! Bianca isn’t the only one coming for you. And I’d love to go through all of DMG CTRL.” Shotzi says it seems to her that there’s enough DMG CTRL to go around. They rush in, and the brawl is on! Fans fire up but Iyo TOSSES Bianca and helps Asuka against Charlotte!

Shotzi and Kairi brawl in a corner, Bianca returns, Charlotte BOOTS Asuka way while Bianca RAMS Iyo into a corner! Bianca stomps Iyo down, Charlotte helps Shotzi with Kairi, and Charlotte sets Kairi up for Shotzi’s BOOT! Iyo ends up isolated, and Bianca hits a SPINEBUSTER! Iyo scrambles out, DMG CTRL regroups, are their days on top numbered?

DMG CTRL regroups backstage.

And Bayley is confused as to what’s going on. Iyo angrily asks where Bayley was but Bayley says no one told her they were going out there! Maybe if she knew, things would’ve been different! The joshi talk in Japanese, Dakota cools it off. What matters is that Kairi is facing Bianca tonight. No one knows Bianca better than Bayley so Kairi would appreciate the help. Kairi says yes, they’re “tomodachi <friends>,” that’d be appreciated. Bayley says okay, but are they really Bayley’s friends?

Pete Dunne VS Bobby Lashley w/ The Street Profits!

With Sheamus recovering from injury and Ridge Holland just ditching him last week, The Bruiserweight is all alone against The All Mighty! Will Dunne stand a chance against the overwhelming strength of Bobby Lashley?

SmackDown returns and Lashley makes his entrance, Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins by his side. But before the bell, Lashley gets a mic to say “Hey, listen, kid. When I told you to make a name for yourself…” The fans chant “BOBBY! BOBBY!” and Lashley says that’s a name. Does Dunne know what Lashley can do to him? Lashley will break Dunne into pieces! Is Dunne ready for that? Dunne SLAPS Lashley! Fans fire up, Lashley grins, and the bell rings. Dunne then BOOTS Lashley! And BOOTS! And fires off furious fists! Lashley carries Dunne to then TOSS him! Dunne flounders but also snarls. Dunne swipes at the Profits, but Lashley run sin to CLOBBER him!

Lashley whips Dunne hard into buckles, then storms around. The Profits high-five Lashley and Brooklyn is behind him as he stands Dunne up for haymakers! Lashley smothers Dunne in the corner, lets off to whip corner to corner, then storms up on Dunne. Lashley digs hands into Dunne’s face, the ref counts and Lashley lets off. Lashley runs in but Dunne BOOTS again! Dunne runs up to DROPKICK Lashley out of the ring! Fans are torn as Dunne goes out to FLYING KNEE! Lashley staggers back, Dunne sets up to MOONSAULT! Down goes Lashley and Dunne hurries back up! Dunne ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Down goes Lashley and fans fire up as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns and Lashley clotheslines Dunne in a corner! Lashley then brings Dunne around to snap suplex! Dunne writhes, Lashley paces around him and the fans cheer. Lashley drags Dunne up, suplexes again, and this time he holds Dunne up! Dunne throws knees, gets free, and he runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Lashley hits a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up again and Lashley drags Dunne up. Lashley TOSSES Dunne out, storms out after him, and then drags Dunne up again. Fans cheer as Lashley fireman’s carries Dunne, to then POST Dunne! The Profits say this is an extended Black Friday!

Lashley puts Dunne in, Dunne crawls away but Lashley aims. Lashley runs in, but Dunne sends the Spear into the POST! Lashley staggers back, the Profits coach him up, but Dunne GAMANGIRIS! Dunne runs up to ENZIGURI! Lashley ends up in a corner, Dunne GAMANGIRIS again! And again! Dunne KICKS and KICKS and KICKS, then pushes Lashley out so he can go up. Dunne DOUBLE STOMPS an arm! Dunne bends the fingers, isolates the arm, and STOMPS the arm! Lashley grits his teeth but Dunne reels him in. ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! Lashley is tougher than that but Dunne keep son him with HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!

But Lashley fights up! Fireman’s carry, then an adjustment, for the OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! Cover, TWO!! Dunne survives and Lashley is annoyed. Ford says yeah, Dunne’s got heart, but that’s about it. Lashley hauls Dunne up but Dunne SLAPS him! Lashley LARIATS Dunne inside out! Lashley then drags Dunne up, MILE HIGH- ENZIGURI! Dunne gets up, Lashley SPEARS him back down!! Cover, Lashley wins!

Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall

The Bruiserweight put up a fight, but Lashley is still Lashley. Will The All Mighty soon head for a title as we head for the New Year?

Paul Heyman walks into Nick Aldis’ office.

The Wise Man seems rather indignant looking at the SmackDown General Manager. Heyman then dusts off the New York Jets NFL Legacy belt before speaking. “Did you invite Randy Orton to SmackDown tonight?” Aldis says yes, he did. And Aldis intends to sign Randy to a SmackDown exclusive superstar contract tonight. Heyman looks around and asks if the Tribal Chief knows about this. Aldis says Heyman has forgotten that there are countless memos: All communication to Roman Reigns must go through Paul Heyman. So consider this a communication to Roman: Aldis WILL sign Randy to SmackDown.

And if Aldis has to offer up the entire Bloodline as leverage, so be it. So the question to Heyman is… “What’re you gonna do about it?” Heyman says, “Anything it takes.” Heyman gets on his phone to call Roman Reigns. But is there nothing that can stop The Viper from finally being within striking distance of The Tribal Chief?

Backstage interview with Pete Dunne.

Kayla Braxton says he lost to Lashley, but she wants to talk about last week. Why did Ridge walk out on him? Dunne says he doesn’t know. And he doesn’t care. Because right now isn’t about the Brutes, it’s about Dunne! He is going to focus on himself. He is here to fight, and he will fight anyone! But in walk Pretty Deadly. They say this is so tough. But don’t be sad, use this as a learning opportunity. Sometimes, being abandoned can help you find your own path. Even if that path, like Dunne’s career, hits a dead end. Dunne HITS them! Dunne fires off but that’s 2v1 and Pretty Deadly turns it around! They TOSS Dunne into a road case!

How’s that, Butch?! HUH!? You’re alone! ALONE! And always will be! Elton Prince & Kit Wilson have numbers on their side, but will Dunne still get revenge?

Backstage interview with Santos Escobar.

Cathy Kelley says given his recent history with the LWO, what can we expect in his match with Joaquin Wilde here? Santos says he’s only trying to finish what Rey started. Rey turned his back on the LWO when he chose Carlito over Santos. And now Santos’ own brothers in arms are blinded by their hero, not seeing that Rey will do the same to them. Cruz is still recovering from the last time he tried standing up to Santos. And if Wilde can’t see the truth, Santos will put him on the shelf, too. The Emperor of Lucha is becoming a tyrant, but will he be unstoppable in destroying what he helped create?

Santos Escobar VS Joaquin Wilde!

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

Coverage

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

A Block, round 5!

Published

2 hours ago

December 1, 2023

Steven Mitchell

Will it be Chaos for the Reiwa Musketeers?

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

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

My Thoughts:

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

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