World Tag League tags in on the tour!

The Super Juniors had their time, now World Tag League kicks off! But will the Dangerous Tekkers be up for taking on Minoru Suzuki and TAKA MICHINOKU?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• World Tag League 2021: The Dangerous Tekkers VS Minoru Suzuki & TAKA Michinoku; Dangerous Tekkers win.
• World Tag League 2021: Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Yuji Nagata & Tiger Mask; Kojima & Tenzan win.
• World Tag League 2021: Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe VS The Guerrillas of Destiny; Guerrillas of Destiny win.
• World Tag League 2021: The United Empire VS Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale; Chase & Fale win.
• World Tag League 2021: Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi; Yano & Tanahashi win.
• World Tag League 2021: Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS SANADA & Tetsuya Naito; Sanada & Naito win.

PLAY BY PLAY

World Tag League 2021: The Dangerous Tekkers VS Minoru Suzuki & TAKA Michinoku!

What a way to open this year’s tournament! Not only are the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions up first, they’re against their mentors! But will there be any respect shown to the Meanest Man and the Blue Playmaker? Or will Taichi & Zack Sabre Jr. make them #JustTapOut like anyone else?

Taichi makes his entrance with ZSJ and he goes right after Taka?! He throws Taka out the ring and whips him into railing! And then more railing! The bell rings to get this on record, Suzuki and ZSJ brawl at the entryway while Taichi whips Taka into yet even more railing! The brawl moves to the ring, ZSJ and Suzuki each egging the other on! Taichi gets a chair, and he SMACKS Taka! Is this just how Suzuki-Gun operates?! Suzuki ROCKS ZSJ, Taichi drags Taka up. Taichi puts Taka in the ring, then drags him back out to RAM him into railing! And he chokes Taka with the mic cord! The ref counts, Taichi lets off, to then choke Taka again!

The ref counts again and Taichi lets off. Meanwhile, ZSJ and Suzuki have each other down on the mat with dueling heel hooks! Taichi puts Taka in the ring and he stands on Taka’s head. The ref reprimands, Taka kicks at Taichi, so Taichi snapmares and KICKS Taka! And KICKS him again! Taka gets up, Taichi kicks him more, then CHOKES him! The ref reprimands and counts, Taichi lets off to then dig his boots into Taichi. Taka reaches at Taichi, Taichi lets off at 4. Fans rally up, Taichi drags Taka up to wrench and HOOK KICK! ZSJ and Suzuki throw EuroUppers again, Taihci covers with a knee, TWO! Taka kicks back while ZSJ whips Suzuki into railing.

Taka kicks, Taichi stomps, repeat. Taichi puts Taka in the corner, choke grips, but Taka choke grips back. The ref reprimands as Taichi chokes Taka again. Taichi lets off, then snapmares Taka. Taichi goes after Taka with a neck wrench but Taka endures. Taka even eggs Taichi on! Taichi wrenches harder, then throws Taka down. Taichi gets a leg, Taka resists so Taichi kicks away on him. Taichi stomps, stands on Taka’s head, and has the HALF CRAB! Taka endures, kicks from upside-down, but Taichi pulls the leg way back! Taka crawls, Taichi tries to put more weight on the leg, but Taka gets the ropebreak! Taichi lets go and fans rally but Taichi KICKS Taka down.

Taichi whips Taka into the Tekker corner, tags ZSJ and ZSJ throws EuroUppers! Taka gets up, ZSJ snapmares and NECK TWISTS! ZSJ clamps onto Taka to get the arms for a straitjacket stretch! Taka endures, even as ZSJ bends him back against his knees. Taka gets the ropebreak with a foot, so ZSJ lets off reluctantly. ZSJ stands on Taka’s head, tags in Taichi, and Taichi kicks at Taka. Taka gets up, Taichi pie faces him! Taichi eggs Taka on, they get forehead to forehead, then Taichi sobats! Taka winces, but he dropkicks Taichi’s legs out! But Suzuki is leaving Taka to do this alone? Taka goes after Taichi with a knee, but Taichi shoves him into the corner!

Taichi chokes Taka, ZSJ tags in, and ZSJ gets Taka’s arm! ZSJ wrenches Taka’s arm, brings him to his knees and twists the arm to the wrist. Taka endures as ZSJ bends the fingers way, way back! ZSJ taunts Taka, wrenches again, but Taka fires forearms! Taka is free but ZSJ blocks the boot to a standing toehold! ZSJ scoops, Taka slips out but ZSJ elbows him. ZSJ runs, Taka runs the other way and BOOTS ZSJ down! Fans fire up as now Suzuki tags in! Suzuki runs in to BOOT ZSJ! Suzuki goes corner to corner, ZSJ follows to EuroUpper! ZSJ runs but Suzuki follows to BOOT! ZSJ BOOTS, snapmares, and NECK-

NO! Suzuki spins through to snapmare back! But ZSJ also escapes the neck twist! The two stand off and fans fire up! Suzuki and ZSJ step to each other, Suzuki throws a forearm! ZSJ comes back to push with his shoulder, then throws a EuroUpper! Suzuki CHOPS and ZSJ falls back! Suzuki eggs ZSJ on, ZSJ gets up to EuroUpper! Suzuki forearms, ZSJ EuroUppers, repeat! ZSJ eggs Suzuki on now so Suzuki DECKS ZSJ! Fans continue to rally as Suzuki slaps ZSJ around. ZSJ gets up to EuroUpper, Suzuki forearms, repeat! Suzuki gets the edge but ZSJ headbutts low to EuroUpper and run. Suzuki follows, drop steps and gets the SLEEPER! ZSJ is fading!

Fans rally, ZSJ gasps and tries to get up but can’t. Suzuki stands him up, spins him around and reels him in, but ZSJ drags him down to a one-leg cradle! TWO!! Suzuki escapes but ZSJ wrenches to PELE the arm! Suzuki SHOTEIS, ZSJ KICKS the arm! Snapmare and PENALTY KICK! But SUzuki just snarls so ZSJ KICKS again! Suzuki stays up, so ZSJ gets a good running start, PENALTY KICK! Suzuki is down, ZSJ tags Taichi! Taichi brings Suzuki up to KICK! And KICK! And KICKS! Suzuki snarls but Taichi stands on his head and taunts him. Kowata Kicks! Suzuki laughs those off to throw a forearm! Taichi KICKS, Suzuki forearms, repeat!

Suzuki eggs Taichi on as they keep going back and forth! Suzuki ROCKS Taichi, he staggers to ropes, and Taka wants in? Taichi chokes Suzuki first, and has him against ropes! Taichi whips, Suzuki reverses to headbutt! Taka tags in! Taka runs in to SHINING WIZARD, then a snapmare to a cover, ONE! SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!! Taka aims from a corner as fans rally up again. Taichi gets up, Taka kicks but Taichi blocks! Taichi spins Taka, spins him again, SEITEIJYUJIRYOU!! Suzuki rushes in but ZSJ catches him, but Suzuki switches with him! Around and around they go, ZSJ finally gets the cobra twist!

The Tekkers have double submissions but Taka fights, only for Taichi to wrench harder! Suzuki falls over, but Taka manages to move around and get the ROPEBREAK! The Tekkers let Taka and Suzuki free, but Suzuki and ZSJ go out of the ring. Taichi runs but Taka BOOTS! Taka drags Taichi down to a CROSSFACE! Taichi crawls, reaches, but Taka rolls him away from ropes to then get the other arm! NECKLOCK! Taka gets the legs and the other arm, HEAVY KILLER #3!! But ZSJ gets in to KICK away on Taka! Taka lets go of the hold, to CALF KICK ZSJ down! Fans cheer and rally behind Taka as he sees Taichi go to a corner.

Taka runs in, to JUMP KICK! And HOOK KICK! And SUPERKICK!! Cover, TWO!! Fans rally even harder as Taka drags Taichi up. ZSJ and Suzuki brawl again, Taka scoops but Taichi slips out to BOOT! Taka CALF KICKS Taichi, but Taichi stays up to GAMANGIRI! Both men are down and fans fire up! Suzuki has ZSJ on the apron with an ARMBAR, but OFF COME THE PANTS for Taichi! Taichi watches Taka slowly rise. Taka roars but Taichi KICKS him down! Taka roar as he sits up and fans rally again. Taichi KICKS Taka back down! Taka gets up again, but Taichi hits AX BOMBER! Cover, TWO!! Taka survives but Taichi keeps his cool.

Taichi toys with Taka and Suzuki shouts to him. Taka gets up, SLAPS Taichi, but Taichi reels him in for DANGEROUS SAIDO! Cover, Taichi lets up at one?! Suzuki shouts to Taka, fans rally up, but Taichi just waits. The standing count begins and Taka crawls his way over. Taichi brings him up, Taka leans on Taichi, and he throws a forearm. Taichi isn’t affected, so Taka SLAPS him! Taichi DECKS Taka with another forearm! Taichi gets Taka up, Alabama lifts, BLACK MEPHISTO! But Taichi doesn’t cover? Are the Tekkers showing Taka some kind of tough love? A standing count begins again as Suzuki shouts at Taka. Even ZSJ wants Taka to get up!

The count is 7! Then 8! The count reaches 10, Taka is still down! The Tekkers win!

Winners: The Dangerous Tekkers, by TKO (gain 2 points; Suzuki & Taka gain 0)

Taichi tells Taka to get out of the ring, and Taka crawls to the ropes. Taichi stands Taka up just to pie face him down. Fans rally for Taka as he keeps trying to stand. Taka gets to his feet, Taichi seems to argue with Suzuki about having Taka as his tag partner. But Suzuki argues back that they’re all still the same team. Suzuki gets Taka up, Taichi gives Taka another stern talking to, and Suzuki-Gun stands together, stronger than ever! Will this encouragement help Taka get back to his former glory?

World Tag League 2021: Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Yuji Nagata & Tiger Mask!

Another interesting battle to start WTL this year, #TenCozy takes on their #ThirdGen partner! Blue Justice teams up with Tiger Mask, who is currently IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with Robbie Eagles. Will Tiger Mask start on a journey towards becoming a double tag champion? Or will Kojima & Tenzan be heading for their lucky number seventh reign?

To show some solidarity with Nagata, Tiger Mask wears a blue mask. The teams sort out and Tiger starts with Tenzan. Fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Tenzan puts Tiger on the ropes but lets off cleanly. Tiger avoids the Mongolian Chops! Tiger kicks low, headlocks, but Tenzan powers out. Tiger rams shoulders but Tenzan stays put. Tiger runs, rams shoulders again, but again Tenzan stays put. Tiger sobats, runs, but Tenzan runs him over! Tenzan stomps Tiger, brings him up and headbutts him! Mongolian Chops! And again! Tiger falls, Tenzan stomps him, then tags Kojima. Kojima DECKS Nagata, then he and Tenzan pinball Tiger between forearms and Mongolian Chops!

Kojima uses the Mongolian Chops! Fans fire up and Kojima brings Tiger up to scoop and SLAM! Kojima goes to the apron, Tenzan runs, but Tiger avoids their senton headbutt combo! Tiger drags Kojima out, Nagata goes after Tenzan! TenCozy ends up on the ropes figuratively as Tiger and Nagata have them against railing. Nagata POSTS Tensan, Tiger CLUBS Kojima into the ring. Tiger stomps Kojima, sits him up and KICKS him! Then cover, TWO! Fans rally, Nagata tags in and he goes after Kojima with forearms! Nagata wrenches an arm to an ELBOW BREAKER, then wrenches again for another ELBOW BREAKER!

Nagata CLUBS away on Kojima’s arm, wrenches again but Kojima gets ropes. Tiger tags in and he KICKS the arm! And again! And again! Kojima CHOPS, Tiger SLAPS! Tiger stomps Kojima, clamps onto an arm and pulls it to an armlock. Nagata BOOTS Tenzan down, then mugs Kojima with Tiger. Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, Tiger tags Nagata, and they get Kojima up for a double whip. They double shoulder Kojima down, then Nagata stomps him. Nagata sits Kojima up to KICK him down! Fans rally, “KO-JI-MA!” “NA-GA-TA!” Nagata kicks and KICKS Kojima around, but Kojima stays up. Kojima blocks a kick, CLUBS the leg, but swings into a waistlock.

Kojima elbows free, blocks another kick, and hits a DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up as both men are down! Kojima crawls over, hot tag to Tenzan! Tenzan rallies on Nagata, DECKS Tiger, then goes back to Nagata with Mongolian Chops! Again and again, then headbutt in the corner! Tenzan stomps Nagata, whips him corner to corner, then runs in to clothesline! Nagata staggers and Tenzan calls his shot! BIG snap suplex! Cover, ONE!! Nagata has a lot of fight in him, and fans rally up. Tenzan brings Nagata up but Nagata fights the clinch. Tenzan fights Nagata’s clinch, Nagata throws a forearm but Tenzan gives it back! The fans fire up as the two go back and forth!

Tenzan Mongolian CHOPS, then runs, but into a BOOT! Nagata runs but into a MOUNTAIN BOMB BACK DROP! Fans rally up as Tenzan tags Kojima! Kojima DECKS Tiger, stomps and MACHINE GUN CHOPS Nagata! Nagata stops that to fire off machine gun ELBOWS! Kojima brings the MACHINE GUN CHOPS back! Kojima whips corner to corner to forearm smash! Kojima throws Nagata down, fires up, but has to block Nagata’s boot! Kojima fires forearms then a ROLLING ELBOW! Fans fire up while Nagata is down! Kojima drags Nagata back up, whips him to ropes, but Nagata rolls! Fake out to a dropkick to the legs! Hot tag to Tiger Mask!

Tiger is up top, CROSSBODY! Sobat, KICK, KICK, and then a waistlock! Kojima switches, Tiger drops to victory roll! TWO! Tiger runs but into a kick and a DDT! Cover, TWO! Tenzan gets in to DECK Nagata! TenCozy regroups, gets Tiger up, HEADBUTT to double whip! But Tiger fights the combo move off! Sobat to Tenzan, Kojima is in a corner! Nagata runs in to BOOT Kojima! Nagata and Tiger double whip, Tiger run sin to ROUNDHOUSE! Nagata runs in to BOOT, then gets an EXPLODER! Tiger hooks Kojima up, TIGER DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Tenzan is a little late to the party but Nagata throws him back out.

Tiger rallies the fans, gets Kojima up and chicken wings, but Kojima holds off the suplex! Kojima kicks and COZY CUTTERS! Cover, TWO!! Kojima throws off the armband and aims at Tiger. Kojima runs but Tiger ducks the lariat to crucifix takedown! Cover, TWO, but Tiger has an arm! Tiger gets both arms for a DOUBLE ARMBAR! Kojima endures, moves around, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Tiger keeps on the hold, Tenzan stomps him down. Nagata ENZIGURIS Tenzan out of the ring! Then DOUBLE GIRI to Kojima! Tiger fires up, SHOTEI to Kojima, then eh runs, into the COZY LARIAT!! Cover, TenCozy wins!!

Winners: Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Nagata & Tiger Mask gain 0)

The Blue Tigers couldn’t overcome the heart of TenCozy, and so the points go to them! Will Nagata & Tiger Mask shrug off this frustrating loss to get better in the second round? Will TenCozy start their journey back to the top here?

World Tag League 2021: Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe VS The Guerrillas of Destiny!

Everyone’s Kokeshi and the Runaway King Kong are ready to take on the Silverback and the Good Bad Guy! Will the gritty old guard get back to the gold? Or will Tanga Loa & Tama Tonga prove ain’t nobody better than Guerrilla?

GoD Low Sweet, the teams sort out, and Honma starts with Tama. Tama takes off the vest to get serious already as fans rally up. Tama and Honma circle, tie up, and Tama powers Honma to the ropes. The ref counts, Tama lets off slowly and fans cheer. Honma dodges the cheap shot to then headlock. Honma grinds Tama down, but Tama fights up. Tama powers his way to a headlock and grind Honma. Honma powers out, Tama runs him over! Honma gets up and Tama kicks low. Tama whips, Honma reverses and runs in but Tama BOOTS! Tama runs but into a HIP TOSS! Honma runs, runs Tama over again, and fans fire up!

Tag to Makabe and he gets Tama up to ROCK with a haymaker. And then another! Makabe DECKS Tama, Loa talks trash but Makabe drags Tama up. Makabe bumps Tama off Honma’s boot, then throws big forearm sin the corner. Tag to Honma, he stomps away on Tama. Honma drags Tama up, CLUBS him on the back, then brings him around to scoop and SLAM! Honma fires up and runs, but the falling headbutt misses as Tama moves! Loa gets in to DECK Makabe! Tama steadies himself while Loa bumps Makabe off the apron. Tama CLUBS Honma over and over, then drags him up to throw body shots. Tama whips Honma to ropes to CLOBBER him!

Tama sits Honma up to knock him back down, then he tags in Loa. Snap suplex to slingshot senton! Fans cheer the combo as Loa stands over Honma. Fans rally, Loa stands Honma up and RAMS him into the Guerrilla corner. Loa rams his shoulder in again and again, the ref counts, Loa lets off to ROCK Honma with a right! Honma forearms back so Loa hits him again. Honma forearms again and Loa likes the fighting spirit. Loa ROCKS Honma then throws him into ropes! Honma sputters but Loa kicks him out of the ring. Fans rally up again, Tama goes around the way to put Honma back in. Loa DECKS Makabe, then goes back to Honma.

Loa drags Honma up, scoops him, tags Tama in, and then SLAMS Honma. Tama slingshot sentons this time! And he kicks at Makabe on the outside for good measure. Fans rally up, Tama paces then CHOKES Honma! The ref counts, Tama stops, only to CHOKE Honma more! The ref reprimands and counts, Tama stops and drags Honma up. Fans rally, Tama throws body shots on Honma then tags Loa in. Tama continues to mug Honma and CLUB him down. Loa covers, TWO! Loa wraps on a chinlock and he grinds Honma down. Honma endures, fans rally up, and Honma fights his way up. Honma throws body shots, Loa CLUBS him, then clinches for forearms.

Loa scoops Honma, for a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Loa DECKS Makabe as the fans rally up again. Tama gets in but Honma throws forearms on them both! Tama CLUBS Honma, Loa ROCKS Honma with a forearm, then the brothers double whip. Loa runs in but misses the splash! Tama catches Honma and Loa runs in but Honma boots Loa away! Honma spins Tama around, then gets Loa, DDT COMPLETE SHOT COMBO! Fans rally up, hot tag to Makabe! Makabe rallies on the Guerrillas with corner to corner clotheslines back and forth! Makabe climbs up to rain down fists on Loa! He gets 10 but Loa blocks the Northern Lights!

Loa CLUBS Makabe, runs, but into a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, Makabe stomps Loa, but Loa shakes his head. Loa gets up, Makabe throws forearms but Jado coaches Loa up. Loa gets fired up as Makabe keeps throwing forearms! Makabe runs, Loa dodges and runs to SPEAR! Hot tag to Tama! Tama gets Makabe up, throws forearms and haymakers, then brings him around to a SLEEPER! Tama CLUBS away on Makabe’s chest then lets him go. Fans rally but Makabe eggs Tama on! Tama throws more haymakers, tells Makaabe to stay down, but Makabe still eggs Tama on. Tama throws more haymakers, whips Makabe to ropes, but Makabe reverses! Tama ducks one but not the LEFT LARIAT!

Hot tag to Honma! Honma gets Tama up to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Tama goes to a corner, Honma whips corner to corner then runs in to back elbow! Honma gets a BULLDOG, then fires up to KOKESHI HEADBUTT! Fans fire up and Honma drags Tama up. Honma suplexes but Tama blocks! Fans rally as Honma keeps trying, and he gets Tama up, but Tama slips out! Dragon sleeper, TONGAN TWIST! Fans fire up as Tama waits on Honma. Honma stands, GUN- NO!? Honma has a SLEEPER! Tama reaches, flails, but Honma keeps him from ropes, SLEEPER SLAM! Honma runs to BASEMENT KOKESHI! Cover, Loa breaks it!

Makabe goes after Loa, he and Honma coordinate. CROSS BOMBER! Loa falls from the lariat sandwich, Makabe goes after Tama in a corner. Makabe stands Tama up, he whips Honma in to back elbow! Makabe runs in to clothesline! Then Honma hoists Tama up top, and then climbs up to join him. Makabe then goes to Electric Chair Honma? Loa stops them from whatever they were planning, but they mug him and double whip. Loa busts through the lariats to DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE them! The Guerrillas get Honma up, BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Loa keeps Makabe down on the outside as Tama pounds the mat.

Fans clap along, Honma slowly rises, Tama runs in to GUN STUN!! Cover, Guerrillas win!

Winners: Guerrillas of Destiny, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Honma & Makabe earn 0)

World Tag League 2021: The United Empire VS Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale!

Aaron Henare returned to be Great-O-Khan’s corner man, and now they are tag partners here in WTL! Will the Ultimate Weapon and the Dominator dominate the Crown Jewel and Rogue General? Or will Bullet Club be #TooSweet to start the tournament?

Bullet Club attacks the moment the United Empire is in the ring! Chase knocks Khan down then goes after Henare, and Fale stomps Khan out of the ring. The bell rings to get this on the record as Chase headlocks and punches Henare then Fale smacks Khan off the apron! Chase uses Henare’s own jacket to choke him! The ref reprimands, Fale stands on Khan’s chest. Henare hits back and headbutts Chase! Khan gets up to throw forearms but Fale DECKS him! Chase rams Henare into railing then rains down rights! Chase regroups with Fale and they put Khan in the ring. They stomp Khan, whip him, body shot to knee lift to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!

Fale looms over Khan, drags him up, scoops him and SLAMS him near the ropes. Tag to Chase, and Bullet Club stand on Khan and salute! They let off as the ref counts and Khan gasps and sputters. Chase drags Khan up by his ponytail, wrenches the hair, and CLUBS Khan on the neck! Chase whips Khan to a corner, runs in and forearm smashes, then reels him in for a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Chase drags Khan up, throws forearms, but Khan eggs him on as he throws forearms back. Chase throat chops! Chase whips, Khan holds ropes, and then Khan BOOTS Chase! Khan DECKS Fale and runs Chase over! Khan drags Chase up and whips, Chase reverses, Khan DECKS Fale again!

Chase waistlocks Khan, Khan resists the lift, Henare clubs Chase! Henare and Khan double whip Chase but Chase kicks Henare down! Khan spins Chase to get the HITSUJIGOROSHI! Chase endures, Henare gets Chase’s legs for a FLOATING CLOVERHOLD! Chase endures, but Fale gets on the apron! The Empire drops Chase to DECK Fale! Khan drags Chase up to Mongolian Chop him to the corner, and Mongolian Chop him again! And then another Mongolian Chop! Tag to Henare, he drags Chase up to ROCK with a forearm. Henare knees low, suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Henare looms over Chase, but Chase throws body shots!

Henare eggs Chase on, then snapmares him to KICK him on the back! Cover, TWO! Tag to Khan, they mug Chase with Mongolian Chops to his back. Khan CLUBS Chase, taunts Fale, then sits on Chase’s head in the corner. Chase grabs at the ponytail but Khan pulls his arms back! Henare and Fale keep the ref busy, but the ref still counts Khan. Khan hops down, tags Henare, and Henare has Chase in a corner with stomps and forearms. Henare knees low, whips corner to corner, and Khan runs in to clothesline! Henare runs in to SHINING WIZARD! The Empire coordinate, but Chase dodges and Khan BOOTS Henare!

Khan runs at Chase but Chase spins him to a LARIAT! Fans rally up and Chase tags in Fale! Fale gets Khan up, whips him to a corner, then runs in to SPLASH Henare! Fale whips Henare into Khan, then runs in to SPLASH them both! Khan falls, Fale runs to ELBOW DROP Henare! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, Fale takes aim at Henare. Henare gets up, Fale choke grips, but Khan grabs Fale with a sleeper! No Grenades here as Fale flails! Henare gets up, runs in and BODY SHOTS Fale hard! Henare and Khan coordinate, BOOT ROUNDHOUSE COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Fale survives and fans fire up! Khan goes after Chase while Henare bobs ‘n’ weaves with Fale.

Henare fires off fast hands and kicks, then SCREW HIGH KICKS Fale down! Cover, TWO!! Fale survives again but Henare scowls. Henare powers up, brings Fale up, but Fale is too big to torture rack! Chase gets in, but Henare dodges to get him for a fisherman! But Fale gets Chase out of the Streets of Raging, and Chase hits a SHI TRIGGER! Khan gets up but Fale DECKS him! Chase takes aim, drags Henare up, Fale runs, GRENADE LAUNCHER! Cover, Bullet Club wins!!

Winners: Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale, by pinfall (gain 2 points; United Empire earns 0)

An explosive first win for Chase & Fale! Does this mean there’s more power in Bullet Club than once thought? As for the United Empire, will they ever get off the ground without their leader, Will Ospreay?

World Tag League 2021: Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi w/ Dick Togo!

How rare that a Joker and an Ace work together. But will the provisional Mr. KOPW 2021 and the former IWGP US Heavyweight Champion head towards the tag titles? Or will the King of Darkness and the Tokyo Pimp look to add to the NEVER Openweight Six Man titles they just got?

Wait a minute! Yano and Tanahashi come out dressed like high school ruffians! Tanahashi’s got the start of a duck tail pompadour! The ref isn’t even sure if he wants to check Yano and Tanahashi at this point. The jackets are put aside and Tanahashi still shows off the muscles. Bullet Club Low Sweets, Yujiro starts and Yano impatiently asks Tanahashi who should start. Tanahashi barely says a thing and Yano “agrees” to let him start. Fans rally up already with “Let’s Go, Ace!” as he and Yujiro circle. They approach, Yujiro knees low then slaps away. Tanahashi fires up but Yujiro rakes his eyes! Yujiro headlocks and grinds the pompadour down.

Tanahashi powers up to wrench free and get Yujiro into a headlock! Fans cheer, Yujiro throws body shots, but Tanahashi holds tight as Yujiro tries to power out! Yujiro pulls hair, Yano gets in to pull Yujiro’s hair! Evil gets in to pull Yano’s hair! Yujiro joins in, but then Tanahashi pulls both Yujiro’s and Evil’s hair! The ref reprimands everyone and Yano bails out. Tanahashi refuses to the ref clubs Tanahashi’s hands! Tanahashi is surprised, but he tags Yano in. They double whip Yujiro to double shoulder tackle! Fans rally for “Y T R!” and Yano gets Yujiro up. Yujiro blocks the suplex and BITES Yano’s hand. The ref counts, Yujiro lets go to whip Yano, and surprise! Bare buckles a la Evil!

Tanahashi gets in but Yujiro kicks him, and whips him into the bare buckles! Tanahashi writhes, Evil drags him out and Yujiro kicks Yano out. Yujiro RAMS Yano into railing, and again! Evil uses a shirt to choke Tanahashi! Yujiro digs his knee into Yano’s neck but lets off as the ref counts. The fans rally up as the ring count climbs, but Yujiro puts Yano in to cover. TWO, Evil protests but Yujiro rains down fists! Yujiro then pats Yano on the head before he tags in Evil. Evil drags Yano up to throw him out. Evil distracts the ref so that Dick can DECK Yano! Dick drags Yano up, puts Yano in, Evil drags Yano to a cover. TWO, and Evil is upset again!

Evil tags Yujiro, Yujiro stomps Yano but fans rally up. Yujiro digs his heel into Yano’s chest, Evil holds Yano down! The ref reprimands Evil but he lets off. Yujiro drags Yano up, snapmares him down and drops a leg! And an elbow! And a headbutt! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Yujiro tags in Evil. Evil taunts Tanahashi, then drags Yano up to put him in the cobra twist. And Bullet Club links up to the railing! Yano endures, Tanahashi protests, Evil lets Yano down to cover. TWO, and Evil tries again! TWO, and Evil tries again! TWO!! Yano is still in this, and Evil is furious! Evil stands on Yano’s head, drags him up, btu Yano fires off forearms! Evil rakes eyes!

The ref reprimands and counts, Evil stops but Yano pulls hair! Evil kicks, whips but Yano reverses to throw Evil down by his hair! Fans rally up as both men are down, hot tag to Tanahashi! Tanahashi runs to FLYING FOREARM Evil! Tanahashi DECKS Yujiro, fires off fast hands on Evil, then whips. Evil reverses, Tanahashi WRECKS Dick with a dropkick! Tanahashi blocks Evil’s kick to DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up with Tanahashi and he drags Evil up to scoop and SLAM! Tanahashi goes to the second rope for a SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up again, Tanahashi runs, but Yujiro and his cane are at the ropes!

Evil reels Tanahashi in, Tanahashi elbows free and runs, but Evil distracts the ref and Dick trips Tanahashi! Yujiro tags in, he gets Tanahashi up and kicks low to then throw forearms and CHOPS. Yujiro whips corner to corner, runs in and BOOTS Tanahashi! Then fisherman, but no buster as Tanahashi fights it to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Yano rallies the fans, and Tanahashi tags him in! Yano gets the buckle pad untied, but Yujiro attacks him! Yujiro whips, Yano reverses, and Yano finishes with the pad! Then he baits Yujiro into bare buckles! But Evil sneaks up behind Yano to take the pad away from him! Evil kicks Yano low, Tanahashi gets in but Yujiro goes after him.

Dick throws the blue pad in and Yujiro picks it up. The House of Torture takes aim, but Yano and Tanahashi block, to PAD DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up as Yujiro flounders to a corner. Yano and Tanahashi get Yujiro up to double whip. Tanahashi whips Yano in to elbow, then he adds a SPLASH! Feed to Yano, ATOMIC DROP! Tanahashi fires up, but the lights go out! Not this again! Something is happening, and the lights come back to show House of Torture standing over Yano & Tanahashi. It was DICK who messed with the lights! Evil throws Tanahashi out and CLUBS him down. Yujiro goes after Yano, Evil CLAWS Tanahashi. Yujiro BOOTS Yano down!

Yujiro drags Yano up but he blocks Yano’s low blow! Evil LOW BLOWS Yano! Yujiro gets Yano up to SHOVE into the bare buckles! Then he runs in to BOOT! Evil corner clotheslines, then FISHERMAN BUSTERS! Basement dropkick from Yujiro! Dick gets the ref in the ring, cover and count, Tanahashi breaks it in time! Tanahashi brawls with Evil, Evil throws the leg to the ref to mule kick Tanahashi down! Dick gets Yujiro his pimp cane, and Yujiro aims at Yano. Yano dodges the cane shot to shove Yujiro into Evil! The ref is down, Yano hits a DOUBLE LOW BLOW! Dick gets in, he gets added to the pile! Yano and Tanahashi TRIPLE LOW BLOW! Roll up on Yujiro, Yano & Tanahashi win!!

Winners: Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (gain 2 points; EVIL & Yujiro earn 0)

The winning hand goes to the Joker & the Ace! Will their unique combination be the key to winning World Tag League? Will the House of Torture be able to redeem themselves next round?

World Tag League 2021: Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS SANADA & Tetsuya Naito!

The Fierce Warrior & the Headhunter meet the Cold Skull & Uncontrollable Charisma once again. They were fighting for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships before, but neither of them could take down the Tekkers. But who gets the all important first win in this first round main event?

Goto-Hashi wait as LIJ take off their elaborate ring gear. Naito’s new maroon suit is just as detailed as his others, but he makes sure to take a moment as this is his return to the ring after having to drop out of the G1. The teams sort out and Goto insists. Hashi steps aside, and after the fist bump, Sanada starts for LIJ. Fans rally at the bell as Sanada and Goto circle. The two tie up, Goto waistlocks but Sanada wrenches and switches. Goto wrenches back, hammerlocks to a headlock, then grinds the hold. Sanada throws body shots, powers out but Goto runs him over! Things speed up, Goto counters a hip toss with a hip toss! But Sanada dropkicks Goto down then DECKS Hashi!

Tag to Naito, LIJ double whip Goto and double clothesline him down to then double basement dropkick! Naito covers, TWO! Naito drags Goto into a chinlock and fans rally up. Goto endures, Naito grinds the hold, but Goto scoots around to get the ropebreak. Red Shoes counts, Naito lets off. Naito stomps Goto, brings Goto up to CLUB him, then whips him to ropes. Goto reverses, Hashi gets in, they run Naito over! Then they work together to hip toss senton! Sanada gets in but Chaos drums him down! Goto stomps Naito, drags him up, snapmares then chinlocks. Naito endures now as Goto digs his knee in. Naito pulls at hair but Red Shoes reprimands.

Goto JAMS his elbow into Naito’s head! Tag to Hashi, Goto and Hashi stomp Naito in the corner. Hashi brings Naito up to throw a forearm, then another. Naito hits Goto, elbows Hashi, hits Goto again, but Hashi ROCKS Naito then CHOPS! Naito staggers, Goto ROCKS him, Hashi CHOPS again! Goto-Hashi dig their boots in but let off as Red Shoes reprimands. Hashi hangs Naito out to dry, Goto holds him there, and Hashi runs to dropkick Naito down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Hashi drags Naito up. Hashi bumps Naito off buckles, tags Goto, and Goto stomps away on Naito. Naito hits back with forearms but Goto snapmares him down and KICKS him in the back! Cover, ONE!

Goto keeps his cool and stomps Naito back down. Goto drags Naito up, Naito throws body shots! Goto knees low, whips him to a corner and stomps him down! Goto fires off forearms, whips Naito corner to corner, then runs in to MURAMASA! But Naito slips out of the bulldog to get a NECKBREAKER! Hot tag to Sanada! Cold Skull rallies on Goto, arm-drag then back suplex BACKBREAKER! Hashi gets in to get an ATOMIC DROP, and then tossed out of the ring! Sanada PLANCHAS Goto, then gets back in to PLANCHA Hashi! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. They get louder and Sanada is satisfied.

Sanada puts Goto in, aims from the apron and springboards in, but Goto gets under. Goto comes back but Sanada blocks to trip Goto up! Sanada gets the arms and legs, but Goto kicks Sanada away. Goto rushes Sanada, Sanada kicks and runs but Goto follows to LARIAT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Hot tag to Hashi! Hashi drags Sanada up to throw forearms and CHOPS! Hashi whips corner to corner, runs in but Sanada dropkicks his legs out! Naito gets on the corner, Sanada crawls over and tags him in! Naito throws forearms, kicks, more forearms, then whips. Naito elbows Hashi down then basement dropkicks!

Naito gets Hashi up, dragon sleeper to the BACKBREAKER and then the PUMA BLANCA! Hashi endures the leg full nelson and fans rally. Hashi scoots around and gets the ropebreak! Naito claims he needs help, so Red Shoes works to undo the hold. Red Shoes has a hard time with it and accuses Naito of resisting. Naito lets Hashi out of the hold and fans rally up. Naito brings Hashi up, ROCKS him with a forearm, then throws more in the corner. Hashi hits back but Naito eggs him on, to then ELBOW him down! And elbow him again! And again! Naito whips Hashi corner to corner, runs in to JUMP KICK but he misses as Hashi dodges!

Goto runs in to corner clothesline! Hashi runs in to CHOP! Hashi feeds Naito to Goto’s kick, then Goto-Hashi coordinate, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP BLOCKBUSTER! Fans rally up, Hashi runs at Naito in the corner, BIG clothesline! Hashi whips to CHOP Naito, then mule kicks! Hashi goes up the corner, and leaps for a BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Naito as he survives but Hashi fires up. Hashi drags Naito up, reels him in, fisherman but no Kumagoroshi as Naito knees free. Sanada dropkicks Hashi’s legs, kicks and whips Goto, but Goto reverses to fireman’s carry! Sanada slips out the back but Goto elbows him and whips him to a corner.

Sanada tumbles up and out to springboard, but the leg gives out! Goto drags Sanada up but Sanada dropkicks Goto’s legs out! Was it a feint? Hashi dropkicks Sanada’s legs, but then Naito wrenches and reels Hashi in for a TORNADO DDT! All four men are down and the fans fire up! Goto and Sanada slowly roll out of the ring and Naito sits up. Naito drags Hashi up, reels him in for back elbow after back elbow, and again and again and again! Hashi staggers, Naito drags him up and puts him on the top rope. Naito climbs to SUPER STEINER! Fans fire up and Naito waits on Hashi to rise. Hashi stands, Naito runs in, but into a SUPERKICK!

But Naito stays up and fires up?! Only for Hashi to LARIAT him down! Hashi drags Naito up, KUMAGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! Hashi hurries to put Naito into the BUTTERFLY LOCK! Naito endures, fans rally up but Hashi leans on the hold. Naito crawls with his legs, reaches out, but Hashi drags him away from the ropes! Goto gets in to play defense, fireman’s carry to USHIGOROSHI! DISARMER!? Sanada and Naito endure the dual submissions, but Naito scoots around again. Hashi drags Naito way, way back! Goto hooks the arm deep on Sanada, but Hashi is losing his grip on Naito. Naito moves around more, but Hashi gets the KIMURA-FLY!

Naito keeps moving, keeps reaching out, Hashi pulls way back on the double wristlock! Naito flails, reaches, fans rally as hard as they can, and Naito gets the ROPEBREAK! Hashi lets go of Naito, Goto lets go of Sanada. Sanada bails out but Goto goes after him. Hashi wraps on a sleeper hold and drags Naito up. Goto gets in, BACKSTABBER and feed to fireman’s carry! But Naito slips out, only to get a SUPERKICK from Hashi! Fireman’s carry, SUPERKICK to USHIGOROSHI! They get Naito up, but Sanada saves him from GYW! Dueling dragon sleepers, so Goto throws Naito away and Hashi turns things around to suplex

Sanada slips out, Goto gets him, Hashi gets the legs! But Sanada fights out to get Goto with a MAGIC SCREW! BOOT to Hashi, Hashi CHOPS Sanada! SOBAT from Sanad, to a BIG back suplex! Naito jackknifes! TWO!!! Hashi escapes but Sanada PLANCHAS Goto down! Naito gets Hashi up, wrenches and tilt-o-whirls, but no Destino! Hashi SUPERKICKS, half nelsons, but no Karma! Shove and ATOMIC DROP, to forearm and ROLLING ELBOW to ENZIGURI! Dropkick, and scoop, VALENTIA! Sanada PLANCHAS Goto again! Naito gets Hashi back up, tries again, DESTINO!!! Cover, LIJ wins!

Winners: Sanada & Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Goto & Hashi earn 0)

Los Ingobernables de Japon gets through Chaos and has a big first win in the tournament! Will Goto-Hashi be able to #GetBackUp in the second round? As for LIJ, Naito gets the mic to speak for the first time since the G1. “Beunas noches, Korakuen Hall~! Sorry to keep you waiting. But Tetsuya Naito has finally returned to the ring, CABRON!” He wasn’t exactly rushing to get to World Tag League, but don’t worry about him. He does look to win his first one in five years, though. And he wants to get through this year UNDEFEATED alongside Sanada! So please, look forward to it. Fans clap for “L I J!” “NA-I-TO!” “SA-NA-DA!” in hopes of seeing that.

Naito hopes to see everyone here again when WTL returns to Tokyo on November 30th. And they’ll end this night the only proper way it can! “Bushi! Sanada! Hiromu! Takagi! Y Naito! Nosotros Los Ingoberrrrrrnableeeees~! DE! JA! PON!” Will LIJ take over WTL and then finally get those IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships again?

Here are the current World Tag League Standings!

Dangerous Tekkers: 1-0, 2 points
SANADA & Tetsuya Naito: 1-0, 2 points
Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi: 1-0, 2 points
Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan: 1-0, 2 points
Guerrillas of Destiny: 1-0, 2 points
Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale: 1-0, 2 points
Minoru Suzuki & TAKA Michinoku: 0-1, 0 points
Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI: 0-1, 0 points
EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi: 0-1, 0 points
Yuji Nagata & Tiger Mask: 0-1, 0 points
Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe: 0-1, 0 points
The United Empire: 0-1, 0 points

My Thoughts:

A really good start for World Tag League, but not quite as hot as Best of the Super Juniors’ yesterday. For one, not as many shocking results, but they did have some great matches all the same. For one, Suzuki-Gun fighting itself was a great choice for the start to the entire tournament. This apparently was less about Suzuki’s team winning as it was seeing if Taka still had it. Though, since it turned into 2v1 handicap match 75% of the time, I don’t think Taka was going to do so well anyway. But Tekkers win, and the faction is still in one piece. ZSJ did great in the G1, I’m sure the Tekkers will do a great job in WTL.

We got a really good match out of the older guys, and I was rather surprised that TenCozy got the win there with Tiger Mask and Nagata getting going at the end there. And I really do find it curious that Tiger Mask is in this heavyweight tag tournament when he’s the junior heavyweight tag champ. Probably guarantees that Tiger Mask & Nagata won’t win but will at least have a good showing. Guerrillas of Destiny have got to get back in the tag title hunt, so this was a good start. I was really shocked that United Empire lost to Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale. Maybe this will be their one loss and they go on a tear.

Yano and Tanahashi make a great combination, I already hope they are a finalist team. I almost expected Sho to be the one who messed with the lights to return the favor for yesterday, but maybe Sho’s already on the road to the next location since BOSJ round 2 is tomorrow. And then we got a great main event out of Chaos and LIJ, especially for Naito’s in-ring return. LIJ winning makes sense given that, and there’s a chance Naito & Sanada are a finalist team. Sanada is back to just being a tag team guy, but I would hope he gets to be a tag team champion for it come WrestleKingdom 16.

My Score: 8.5/10