Don’t worry, World Tag League returns!

Don’t adjust your screen, NJPW World Tag League is back for another round after taking some time off! And hometown hero, Yuji Nagata, is in the main event!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current World Tag League Standings!

SANADA & Tetsuya Naito: 4-0, 8 points
Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-1, 6 points
Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale: 3-1, 6 points
Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI: 3-1, 6 points
The United Empire: 3-1, 6 points
Dangerous Tekkers: 3-1, 6 points
Guerrillas of Destiny: 3-1, 6 points
EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi: 1-3, 2 points
Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan: 1-3, 2 points
Yuji Nagata & Tiger Mask: 0-4, 0 points
Minoru Suzuki & TAKA Michinoku: 0-4, 0 points
Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe: 0-4, 0 points

World Tag League 2021: Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe!

TenCozy only has one win, which means they could fall to the back of the pack right here! Will the Great Bash Heels drag them down and finally get on the board?

The teams sort out and fans rally as Tenzan starts with Honma. They tie up, Tenzan pushes Honma back but the tow go again. Another tie up, they’re in more of a deadlock this time. Tenzan manages to put Honma on ropes, and lets off slowly, but Honma avoids the Mongolian Chops! Honma kicks low and headlocks, and holds tight as Tenzan  tries to power out. Tenzan throws body shots, powers out this time, and they ram shoulders! Neither falls, Honma runs again and they ram shoulders again. Still neither falls, so Honma dares Tenzan to run. Tenzan fakes Honma out to CLOBBER him! Fans rally up as Tenzan stomps Honma down.

Tenzan sits Honma up to CLUB him in the chest, then he tags Kojima. Kojima runs to knock Makabe down. TenCozy pinball Honma between forearms and Mongolian Chops, then Kojima hits the Mongolian Chops! Kojima CLUBS Honma, scoops and SLAMS him, then coordinates with Tenzan. Tenzan runs, but Honma avoids the slingshot elbow and falling headbutt! Honma drags Kojima out to RAM him into railing! Honma puts Kojima back in, tags in Makabe, and fans cheer as Makabe stomps Kojima. Makabe bumps Kojima off buckles, throws forearms on him over and over, but lets off as the ref reprimands to then dig his knee in. The ref counts, Makabe lets off at 4.

Makabe brings Kojima around to bump him off more buckles, then tag to Honma. Honma CLUBS and CHOPS Kojima! Kojima staggers, Honma CHOPS again! Honma snapmares Kojima, CHOPS him down, then sits him up to CHOP him again. Cover, TWO! Honma stomps Kojima while fans rally up. Honma brings Kojima up but Kojima throws body shots. Honma CHOPS Kojima down! Tag to Makabe, he wraps on a chinlock. Kojima endures but Makabe grinds him down to the mat. Fans rally up, Tenzan gets in and stomps Makabe. Makabe lets Kojima go but he stomps Kojima down. Tag to Honma, and they bring Kojima up to double whip and double shoulder! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally up as Honma knocks Tenzan down. Honma stands Kojima up to CHOP him to the GBH corner. Honma CHOPS again, then tags in Makabe. Makabe stomps Kojima, CLUBS him down, then brings him up for a waistlock. Kojima resists, elbows free and hits a DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down, and Kojima gets up to hot tag to Tenzan! Tenzan rallies on GBH and fires Mongolian Chops on Makabe! Tenzan stomps Makabe in the corner, then CHOPS him, then stomps him again. Tenzan whips corner to corner, runs in and clotheslines! Fans fire up as Tenzan calls his shot, TENZAN BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally more as Tenzan CLUBS Makabe. Tenzan reels Makabe in but Makabe fights the urenage. Makabe kicks low then runs, but into a headbutt! Tenzan runs but into a LARIAT! Tenzan stays up so Makabe runs in to corner clothesline! Makabe bumps Tenzan off buckles, laughs and runs in to clothesline again! Makabe climbs up and fans fire up as he punches away. Makabe gets 10 fast, then reels Tenzan in. Tenzna fights the back drop, headbutts and haymakers, then runs. DOUBLE LARIATS! Makabe keeps moving but he runs into the MOUNTAIN BOMB! Both men are down and fans fire up! Hot tags to Honma and Kojima!

Kojima and Honma ram shoulders, and again. Honma flexes, kicks, runs but Kojima runs him over! Kojima shows off the dancing pecs, stomps Honma in the corner, then fires off Machine Gun Chops! Fans fire up and Kojima whips corner to corner. Kojima runs in to forearm smash! Kojima throws Honma down but he’s right back up! Kojima kicks Honma low, CLUBS him then runs, but Honma back elbows. Honma runs and runs Kojima over! Honma fires up and KOKESHI! Honma gets Kojima up to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Honma DECKS Tenzan! Honma and Makabe coordinate, LARIAT SANDWICH! RUNNING HEADBUTT! Cover, Tenzan breaks it!

Makabe throws Tenzan out and fans rally up. Honma gets Kojima up but Kojima blocks the suplex and throws body shots. Honma and Kojima fire off forearms back and forth, and fans rally as they pick up speed. Kojima gets the edge then the ROLLING ELBOW! COZY CUTTER! Cover, Makabe breaks it! Tenzan gets in to kick and CLUB Makabe down. Kojima stomps Honma, then TenCozy double whip. Makabe runs through the double lariat but not the TENCOZY CUTTER! Tenzan kicks Makabe out, Kojima throws off his armband. Kojima runs but Honma dodges to come back and LARIAT! Cover, TWO!!

Honma hurries to scoop Kojima but Kojima slips out, so Honma HEADBUTTS! Honma runs but into the COZY LARIAT! Cover, TenCozy wins!

Winners: Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Honma & Makabe earn 0)

The Great Bash Heels are still without a win! Will they ever get out of the starting block? As for Kojima & Tenzan, do they still have a chance to win the whole thing?

World Tag League 2021: SANADA & Tetsuya Naito VS Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale!

Los Ingobernables de Japon is undefeated through the rounds, but the Bullet Club boys are right on their heels. Will the Cold Skull & Uncontrollable Charisma stay Tranquilo? Or will the block be Too Sweet after tonight?

Chase & Fale are impatient with Naito taking of his suit. Naito asks they wait, but they don’t! Fale attacks Naito while Chase hits Sanada, then Fale throws Sanada out while Chase stomps Naito down. The bell rings to put this on the record while Fale goes after Sanada on the outside. Chase stomps Naito, drags him up, headlocks then punches him in the headlock. Chase stomps Naito into the corner, stomps away on him in the corner, then lets off to mock the LIJ fist. Chase wrenches Naito’s arm, whips him corner to corner, but Naito boots back. And again! Naito RANAS Chase then hip tosses for a basement dropkick! Naito also shows Chase how the pose is done.

Naito drags Chase up by his hair, tags in Sanada, and Sanada grabs the hair to wrench it! The ref reprimands and counts, Sanada lets go at 4. Sanada CLUBS Chase on the neck, and again, then whips Chase to ropes to elbow him down. Fans rally as Sanada pulls Chase’s hair and tags in Naito. LIJ mugs Chase, Naito snapmares Chase down and wraps on a chinlock. Chase endures, but Fale gets in to stomp Naito down! The ref reprimands but Naito keeps on Chase with body shots. Naito whips, Chase reverses, Naito wrecks Fale with a dropkick! Naito gives Chase an atomic drop, whips him corner to corner then runs in to jump kick! Leg sweep!

But Fale anchors Naito! Chase HOTSHOTS him down! Chase also hits Sanada, then Fale drags Naito down to RAM him into railing. Chase tags Fale in and Fale brings Naito up. Fans rally but Fale puts Naito in the ring to stomp the legs. Naito’s legs are still a weak point, and Fale stands on one at the ropes! The ref counts, Fale lets off at 4. Fale stalks Naito, tags in Chase, and Chase drops knees on the knee! Chase puts a leg on the ropes and STRADDLE ATTACKS! Chase pulls on the leg with a deep toehold, then he SLAMS the leg on the apron edge! Chase puts Naito in, stomps him down, then taunts Sanada before he CLUBS Naito in the corner.

Tag to Fale, the Bullet Club “massage” is in effect at the ropes! The ref counts, they both step off Naito’s back, then Fale brings Naito up. Naito fires off forearms and haymakers, and he ROCKS Fale. Naito dodges Fale’s clothesline and runs to the ropes but Chase grabs him! Fale runs in but Naito gets away, Fale knocks Chase down! Naito kicks Fale and uses the ropes but Fale fights off the tornado DDT to body shot and whip. FLYING FOREARMS from Naito! Both men are down and fans fire up! Naito crawls over, hot tag to Sanada! Sanada dropkicks Fale but he stays up to Sanada dropkicks again. Sanada dodges to dropkick and Fale falls against ropes!

Sanada whips but Fale blocks to reverse. Sanada holds ropes, Fale runs over but Sanada dumps him out! PLANCHA and down goes Fale! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. Fans do, rallying up as Sanada puts Fale in. Sanada aims from a corner, springboards but Fale gets under. Sanada comes back but Fale runs him over! Fale drops the BIG elbow! Cover, TWO! Fale tags in Chase and he drags Sanada up. Chase whips and KNEES Sanada to then wrench and slingshot BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Chase keeps cool, fans rally up and Chase drags Sanada up. Sanada trips Chase and goes for the arms, but Chase kicks him away!

Chase trips Sanada now, and now Chase tries the Paradise Lock! Sanada kicks Chase away, they both kick but they both block! They argue over who lets go first. They agree to do so at the same time, start to lower, but then Chase holds on! He trips Sanada and stomps him down! Then he tries again! Chase steals Paradise!! He stands on Sanada and gets fans to rally up! But Naito gets in to kick Chase down! Naito frees Sanada but Fale gets Naito! Fale shoves Naito into Chase’s waistlock, but Naito fights off the Grenade Suplex combo! Naito elbows Chase, kicks Fale then runs, but into a body shot! Chase adds the knee lift, then Fale LARIATS Naito down!

Fans fire up while Chase forearm smashes Sanada, then Fale SPLASHES! Fale fireman’s carries, Chase goes up, FLYING STOMP DEATH VALLEY, to SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! Sanada survives but Chase drags him up and reels him in! Sanada RANAS out of the piledriver, dodges the Shi Trigger and O’Conner BRIDGES! LIJ WINS!

Winners: Sanada & Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Chase & Fale earn 0)

Chase throws a tantrum over losing like that! And Fale doesn’t want to hear it from Naito, either. But will LIJ be able to keep this going with plenty more World Tag League to go?

World Tag League 2021: Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS The United Empire!

The Joker & The Ace fell last round, but Great-O-Khan & Aaron Henare get the best win in the tournament! Will Yano & Tanahashi be able to rebound? Or will the United Empire build more momentum towards the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships?

The teams sort out and Henare calls out Tanahashi, revisiting their days of HenarACE. Yano goes through the selection process, and Tanahashi starts. Fans rally with “Let’s Go, Ace!” already. The two circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Henare finds a point of leverage and puts Tanahashi on the ropes, only for Tanahashi to turn it around. Tanahashi lets off but Henare throws body shots, forearms and KICKS! Tanahashi falls, Henare gets him up to wrench and whip corner to corner. Henare runs in but into an elbow. Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Fans fire up as Tanahashi air guitars. Henare runs in but into a hip toss, and Tanahashi air guitars again.

Tanahashi throws the guitar to Henare and fans fire up. Henare is furious, he “smashes” the air guitar! Clearly, there’s no reconciling for HenarACE. Yano tags in and Khan calls Henare over. Henare tags Khan, and now Khan gets his chance at revenge for Power Struggle. Fans rally as the two circle. Khan’s drop steps throw Yano off, Yano school thug squats. Khan and Yano egg each other on, Khan sits down to give Yano a shot at his leg. Fans rally up, Tanahashi tells Yano to keep it up and Khan gets mad. Khan kicks Yano to ropes, CLUBS him over and over, then whips him to ropes. Yano holds ropes, Khan runs in but Yano dodges to SLAP him on the head!

Khan swings on Yano again but Yano dodges and runs, but Khan gets around to the IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Henare gets in to fire off body shots, then he ELBOW JABS Tanahashi! Khan Mongolian Chops, Henare KICKS Yano down, then Khan drops a SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Khan drags Yano up, double underhooks and pulls the arms back. Henare tags in and the Empire mugs Yano. Henare DECKS Yano, then turns him over to rain down big forearms! Henare gets the leg and steps through for a HEEL HOOK! Yano endures, Tanahashi coaches him up and Yano gets the ROPEBREAK! Henare holds until the ref counts 4 but he still has Yano’s leg hooked!

The ref reprimands and counts, Henare claims Yano was holding his leg, but he still lets Yano go. Henare drags Yano up, tags in Khan, and Khan Mongolian Chops Yano on the back. Khan bumps Yano off buckles, then climbs up to sit on Yano’s head! The ref reprimands but Khan pulls Yano’s arms back! Khan hops as the ref counts, and then he mocks the school thug crouch! Fans rally up but Khan pretends to put out a cigarette. Khan drags Yano up and goes to make him kiss his foot! Yano resists, powers up and goes to low blow, but Khan blocks! So Yano pulls hair! Khan elbows free, whips Yano to ropes but Yano reverses to throw Khan down by his hair!

Fans rally up, hot tag to Tanahashi! Tanahashi fires off fast hands on Khan, whips him to ropes but Khan reverses. Henare is there but Tanahashi DECKS him! Tanahashi then dodges Khan to come back and FLYING FOREARM! Fans fire up with Tanahashi and he drags Khan up. Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Khan, then goes to the corner. Tanahashi climbs up, to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi hurries to drag Khan around by the legs, and he has the TEXAS CLOVER HOLD! Khan endures but Henare gets in! Tanahashi blocks the kick to DRAGON SCREW Henare down! Tanahashi then runs at Khan, but Khan ducks the slingblade to HITSUJIGOROSHI!

Tanahashi endures but Khan scoops to a BACKBREAKER! Both men are down and fans fire up! Khan crawls and tags in Henare. Henare snarls and ROCKS Tanahashi with a forearm. Tanahashi goes to a corner, Henare fires off body shots and forearms! The ref has to bring Henare off but Henare shoves him away! Henare keeps on Tanahashi, and then he shouts in Tanahashi’s face. Henare drags Tanahashi up to snapmare and KICK him in the back! Cover, TWO! Henare scowls but fans rally “Let’s Go, Ace!” as he drags Tanahashi up. Tanahashi fights the suplex to forearm! Henare ROCKS Tanahashi with a forearm in return!

Henare suplexes, but Tanahashi fights it to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Fans rally, Tanahashi crawls, hot tag to Yano! Yano unties the buckle pad, dodges Henare, but Henare avoids hitting the buckles! Yano thinks he outsmarted Henare but Henare CLUBS him on the back. Henare whips Yano, Yano stops from hitting buckles, then baits Henare into the buckles! Fans fire up, Yano DECKS Khan then he and Tanahashi whip Henare. Yano runs in to back elbow, Tanahashi runs in to SPLASH! Tanahashi and Yano coordinate, Yano hits Henare an atomic drop then trips him to catapult into the bare buckles! Tanahashi runs in to SLING- NO! Henare shoves Tanahashi into Yano!

Khan gets in to BOOT Tanahashi! Fans rally, Khan slashes his throat and drags Yano up to whip to a corner. Khan runs in to clothesline! Henare runs in to SHINING WIZARD! Henare shoves Yano, ROUNDHOUSE BOOT COMBO! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi gets in, Khan fires off Mongolian Chops! And then HELL STAB! Khan drags Yano up, HITSUJIGOROSHI! Henare gets the legs, standing HEEL HOOK! It’s the Fubuki variation, aka KITSUNEGOROSHI! But Tanahashi gets in to SLINGBLADE Khan down! Henare fires off fast hands, but Tanahashi SHOTEIS back! Yano shoves the ref aside and LOW BLOWS Henare! Roll up and high stack, Yano & Tanahashi win!

Winners: Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi (gain 2 points; The United Empire earns 0)

Khan protests, but Yano gets another one over him. Will The Joker & The Ace continue to surprise us all and head for the top? As for the Empire, will they be able to live down being taken down by such a duo?

World Tag League 2021: Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

Chaos’ Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter have only lost once so far, but the House Torture has only won once! Will that still be the case after tonight? Or will Goto-Hashi fail to #GetBackUp when Darkness Falls?

Goto-Hashi attack before the bell! They don’t trust the House of Torture and won’t let them get the first hit! Goto throws Yujiro out while Hashi is after Evil on the outside. Goto stomps Yujiro, Hashi POSTS Evil, and the bell rings to put this on the record before Hashi kicks Dick down! Goto brings Yujiro up to whip him into railing! Hashi drags Evil up to whip him into railing! Oh no, Abe-san goes down! Even when Evil doesn’t mean to, he hurts Abe-san! Goto puts Yujiro in the ring, stomps him down, then drags him up to put in a corner. Goto stomps more, fires off forearms, then bring Yujiro up. He and Hashi double whip to double shoulder, then hip toss senton!

Evil gets in but Goto-Hashi kick and whip him. Evil holds ropes and bails out, then Dick slips in, only for Goto-Hashi to storm over. Dick gets out but Hashi gives chase! Dick trips, Hashi drags him up and puts him in the ring! Goto drags Dick up, Evil argues with the ref, but Goto-Hashi hammer Dick down! Fans cheer while Goto stomps Yujiro down. Goto drags Yujiro up but Yujiro pulls hair. Goto fires forearms, brings Yujiro around and suplexes, but Yujiro fights it off and BITES the hand! The ref reprimands, Yujiro stops to then whip Goto, into bare buckles! The blud buckle pad is gone a la the Bullet Club favorite strategy!

Yujiro intercepts Hashi and whips him into the bare buckles! Tag to Evil, he fetches Goto, and he drags Goto around to RAMS into the timekeeper’s area! This time Evil did mean to hurt Abe-san! Evil gets the mic and uses the cord to CHOKE Goto! Goto’s grunts and Evil’s trash talk can be heard on the mic, so the ref stops that. Evil drags Goto up and puts him into the ring. Fans rally up Goto but Evil drags him up to whip into the bare buckles! Tag to Yujiro, he drags Goto up and snapmares to then throw down haymakers. The ref reprimands the closed fists, so Yujiro runs to basement BOOT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Yujiro drags Goto up.

Yujiro reels Goto in, BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yujiro tags Evil and Evil drags Goto up. Fans rally, Evil throws Goto out, but then Evil distracts the ref so Dick can DECK Goto! Dick puts Goto back in, Evil covers, TWO! Evil argues the count, the ref says that was fair. Fans rally again as Evil brings Goto up. Goto CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, but Evil rakes eyes! Evil whips Goto to the bare buckles but Goto stops himself! Goto DECKS Yujiro, sends Evil into the bare buckles and hits a BIG back suplex! Fans fire up, Goto tags in Hashi! Hashi runs in to CHOP Evil at the corner! Hashi whips to CHOP Evil again, then mule kick!

Hashi hangs Evil out to dry and he dropkicks Evil down! Hashi keeps going to basement dropkick Evil! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, Hashi drags Evil up and reels him in, but Evil pulls hair to deny the suplex. Hashi breaks free to fire off fast hands and a CHOP! Hashi whips, Evil reverses and Yujiro gets a cheap shot in! Yujiro grabs Hashi, Evil runs in but Hashi gets away. Evil stops from hitting Yujiro, Hashi runs back in but Evil and Yujiro dodge. Evil keeps the ref from seeing Dick trip Hashi! Evil stands on Hashi, tags in Yujiro, then Evil DECKS Goto! Yujiro gets Hashi up, he and Evil whip Hashi corner to corner.

Yujiro runs in to BOOT, Evil runs in to CLOTHESLINE and FISHERMAN BUSTER! Yujiro basement BOOTS! Cover, Goto breaks it! Evil throws Goto out and Yujiro drags Hashi up. Yujiro reels Hashi in, INCOLLE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Yujiro can’t believe it but the fans rally up for Hashi. Yujiro sits Hashi up but Goto LARIATS him down! Evil gets in, Goto kicks low and brings him around. Hashi runs, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP BLOCKBSUTER! Yujiro gets up but Hashi shoves him to Goto’s fireman’s carry. Yujiro slips out but Hashi SUPERKICKS! Goto fireman’s carries again, Hashi SUPERKICKS and Goto USHIGOROSHI! Fans fire up as Goto drags Yujiro back up!

Goto dragon sleepers and Hashi has the legs, but Dick gets on the apron! The ref tells him to get down, Evil gets in to throw Hashi into the ref! Goto swings but Evil shoves him into Hashi! LOW BLOW for Goto! Hashi CLUBS Evil down, but Evil LOW BLOWS him now! Fans rally up but Evil drags Goto up to throw him out. Dick has Goto with the SPOILER CHOKER! Evil gets a chair, and even Yujiro’s pimp cane. Dick leaves Goto behind to use the SPOILER CHOKER on Hashi! Evil JAMS the chair into Hashi’s ribs! Then Yujiro has the cane, CANE SHOT on Hashi! The cane even breaks from that shot! Yujiro gets Hashi back up for BIG JUICE! Cover, the ref is back, Bullet Club wins!

Winners: Yujiro Takahashi & Evil, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Goto-Hashi earns 0)

The King of Darkness applauds his Tokyo Pimp as they get away with another one. Will their underhanded tactics get them back in the running? As for Goto-Hashi, is it already too late for them to #TurnItAllAround?

World Tag League 2021: The Dangerous Tekkers VS The Guerrillas of Destiny!

Last round, Taichi & Zack Sabre Jr. tasted defeat while Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa had sweet, sweet victory. Will the Holy Emperor & Submission Master make the Good Bad Guy & Silverback #JustTapOut? Or will the champions be bitter as Bullet Club makes it just Too Sweet?

The Guerrillas Low Sweet, Taichi shows off the dancing pecs, and the teams sort out. Fans rally up as Loa starts against Taichi. Taichi stretches, he and Loa circle and tie up. Taichi actually brings things to the ropes, but Loa lets off for the ropebreak. Taichi and Loa circle again, tie up again, and Taichi again brings things back on the ropes. Loa lets off again, and Taichi applauds the sportsmanship with the fans. Taichi and Loa circle again, tie up, and Loa won’t let it go to ropes this time! Loa throws Taichi down and he rallies the fans. “Straight up, Taichi! C’mon!” Taichi steps up to kick Loa low then KICK away on a leg!

Taichi talks trash, but Loa ROCKS him with a forearm! Loa eggs Taichi on, so Taichi KICKS him back. Taichi eggs Loa on, so Loa ROCKS him with another forearm. Taichi KICKS, Loa FOREARMS, repeat! They go back and forth, Loa gets the edge, Taichi BOOTS! Loa rebounds but Taichi BOOTS! Taichi runs but Loa runs him over! Loa eggs Taichi on but tags in Tama. Tama tells the fans to hush, as he brings Taichi up to CLUB him down! Tama talks trash then rains down fists! Tama drags Taichi up to CLUB him, but Taichi RAMS Tama to the Tekekr’s corner! Tag to ZSJ and ZSJ pulls Tama’s ears! ZSJ EuroUppers, and again, and again!

Fans fire up while Tama falls over! ZSJ gets Tama up, snapmares, but Tama kicks him away to avoid the neck twist. ZSJ headlocks, Tama powers out, Tama hurdles and hurdles but ZSJ avoids the chop to get around and cobra twist! Fans fire up again as Tama fights free and hip tosses ZSJ down! Tama runs into a victory roll and NECK TWIST! Fans rally, ZSJ cravats Tama and brings him up for a neck wrench. Tama arm-drags free, arm-drags again, but ZSJ headscissors to bring Tama down! ZSJ pushes up and squeezes on the headscissor, but Tama flails and fights up. Tama pries free and gets a headlock.

ZSJ headscissors, Tama kips free, but ZSJ headlocks. ZSJ holds on tight as Tama tries to power out. ZSJ grinds the hold, Tama fights up and tries again, but still can’t power out. ZSJ grinds Tama to the mat, but Tama fihts back up. Tama throws body shots, powers out this time, but ZSJ turns arm-drag into backslide, that Tama fights to a COMPLETE SHOT! Loa gets in to DECK Taichi! Loa goes out after Taichi with stomps, Tama gets up and drags ZSJ up to throw him out hard. Loa chokes Taichi but lets off as fans rally up. A ring count starts on ZSJ, Loa stomps him down. Loa RAMS ZSJ into the apron, then whips him into railing at 11 of 20!

ZSJ falls to the floor and the count reaches 15. Loa talks some trash but the ref has him stay back. Loa decides to put ZSJ in at 19, Tama covers, TWO! Tama CLUBS away on ZSJ, then stomps him down. ZSJ goes to a corner, Tama brings him up and snap suplexes him down! Loa slingshot sentons, Tama covers, TWO! Tag to Loa, fans rally up, and Loa chokes ZSJ! The ref counts, Loa lets off at 4, and Taichi gets in. The ref keeps Taichi back, especially since he had his mic stand at the ready. Loa drags ZSJ up to throw forearms. Fans rally up, ZSJ EuroUppers back, but Loa ROCKS him with a forearm. ZSJ EuroUppers again, but Loa just ROCKS him with another forearm.

Loa eggs ZSJ on, ZSJ gets up and EuroUppers again, but Loa ROCKS him with yet another forearm. Loa drags ZSJ up, dragon sleeper for a BACKBREAKER, then a facelock for a stalling suplex! Loa walks around with ZSJ for a count of 10 before the JACKHAMMER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, Loa tags Tama, and Tama talks trash to Taichi. Tama brings ZSJ up but ZSJ EuroUppers! Tama fires up but ZSJ EuroUppers again! And again! Tama kicks low, EuroUppers ZSJ, then drags him up for another EuroUpper! Tama wants another but ZSJ turns that into a backslide! Tama rolls through, but ZSJ gets him for a NECK TWIST!

Fans rally while Tama writhes. ZSJ crawls, hot tag to Taichi! Taichi fires off Kowata Kicks, then tops it off with a KICK! Tama staggers up, he blocks a kick and CLUBS the leg! Tama whips, Taichi reverses to wrench and DANGEROUS HOOK KICK! Loa runs in but Taichi dodges. Taichi swings but Loa dodges the Ax Bomber to waistlock. Taichi fights the lift, elbows free, and PELES Loa down! Fans rally up as Taichi runs in and corner clotheslines. Taichi snapmares and KICKS Tama in the back! Taichi drags Tama up and reels him in, SEITEIJYUJIRYOU! Tama endures, fights the stretch plum, and fireman’s carries.

Taichi fights free of that, Tama SUPER FOREARMS! Taichi comes back, AX BOMBER! OFF COME THE PANTS! Tama sits up, ducks the buzzsaw, then ducks Ax Bomber to dragon sleeper. Taichi fights free of that to reel Tama in, DANGER- NO! Tama fights the saido, to PELE Taichi back! Fans rally up while both men are down. Tama tags in Loa and Loa drags Taichi up. Taichi kicks low, kicks a leg, then KICKS the leg! Taichi kicks again, Loa kicks, knees and ENZIGURIS! Taichi goes to a corner, Loa runs in, but Taichi dodges to GAMANGIRI! Taichi falls back and fans fire up! Taichi crawls, hot tag to ZSJ!

ZSJ runs and BOOTS Tama down, then runs at Loa in the corner to EuroUpper! ZSJ whips Loa into Taichi’s sobat! Taichi KICKS Loa down, then sets him up for ZSJ’s PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Taichi brings Loa back up, but Loa swings. Taichi choke grips! ZSJ joins in, CHOKE SLAM BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Loa survives and Tekkers grow frustrated. Fans rally up, ZSJ drags Loa up now, Taichi powers up in the corner. But Loa scoops and SLAMS ZSJ! Tama drags Taichi out and RAMS him into railing! Loa drags ZSJ up, whips him to ropes, Tama gets in to body shot. Loa uppercuts, Tama NECKBREAKERS! Cover, Taichi gets in and breaks it!

Tama drags Taichi up, scoops and SLAMS him, then Loa drags ZSJ up. Loa and Tama BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER! Cover, Taichi breaks it again! Tama drags Taichi up, throws him out, and then goes out after him. Fans rally up as Loa drags ZSJ up. Tama climbs a corner, Loa POWERBOMBS ZSJ! Tama SUPREME FLOW!! Cover, TWO!! The Guerrillas can’t believe it! Jado calls for it, and Tama drags ZSJ over. Loa goes up but ZSJ escapes the Super Bomb and Taichi ROUNDHOUSES Tama! Taichi Alabama lifts Loa but Tama kicks him low! Taichi swings a clothesline but Tama catches him into a dragon sleeper. Loa gets the legs, TONGAN TWIST!!

The Guerrillas focus on ZSJ while fans rally up. They get ZSJ up, but he fights free! ZSJ wrenches and PELES Tama’s arm, EuroUppers Loa, then EuroUppers Tama. Loa comes back with a kick, then drags ZSJ up again. ZSJ fights the bomb into a GUILLOTINE! But Loa powers out, and now Tama holds ZSJ up! Taichi grabs Tama’s legs to stop Magic Killer, and ZSJ tornadoes Loa into a cradle! TEKKERS WIN!

Winners: Dangerous Tekkers, by pinfall (gain 2 points; GOD earns 0)

The tag team champions snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, and the Guerrillas go nuts! They shove the ref down, stomp the Tekkers out of the ring, and even Jado gets in the ref’s face! Did the Tekkers get lucky? Or is this just the different between them and the other teams?

World Tag League 2021: Yuji Nagata & Tiger Mask VS TAKA Michinoku & Minoru Suzuki!

The Blue Justice Card is here! Togane’s hometown hero closes out the night alongside his legendary tag team partner, against some rather legendary opponents! Who finally gets on the board in this World Tag League?

The teams sort out, and naturally, Nagata starts in his hometown. And just as naturally, Suzuki starts against him. Fans rally up as these rivals circle. They feel things out, tie up with knuckle locks, and then Suzuki gets an arm to wrench to a wristlock. Nagata spins through, wrenches and wristlocks but Suzuki wrenches back. Nagata cording holds and facelocks but Suzuki puts him against the ropes. Red Shoes calls for the break, Suzuki slowly lets off, talking about a clean break, and he lets off to pat Nagata on the shoulders. Then Suzuki SLAPS Nagata! Nagata storms up but Suzuki backs away to tag in Taka.

Taka CLUBS Nagata, throws knees, but Nagata body shots and knees back! Taka falls over, Nagata BOOTS Suzuki down Nagata then wrenches Taka, tags in Tiger Mask, but Taka gets away. Fans rally up as Tiger and Taka circle. They knuckle lock, but Taka kicks low, CLUBS Tiger down then stomps him. Taka brings Tiger up but Tiger sobats! And front kicks! And kicks! And BUZZSAWS! Taka gets up but Tiger KICKS him more! Taka eggs Tiger on but Tiger KICKS him down! Tiger stomps Taka, drags him up and Nagata tags in. Nagata kicks, wrenches, wristlocks, bends the arm back and ELBOW BREAKERS! Nagata CLUBS Taka, throws forearms, but Taka kicks low.

Nagata throws forearms, runs, but into a cheap shot from Suzuki! Suzuki then catches Tiger for a HANGING ARMBAR! Taka knocks Tiger off the corner then POSTS him! Suzuki lets off to drag Nagata out and whip him into railing! Suzuki boots and knees Nagata against the railing then DECKS him with a forearm! Suzuki uses the camera cable to choke Nagata! Red Shoes reprimands, Suzuki lets off and tells Red Shoes to worry about Taka. Suzuki then gets a chair from under the ring and uses it to choke Nagata! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Suzuki lets off to stomp Nagata. Suzuki brings Nagata up but Nagata throws body shots!

Nagata whips, Suzuki reverses and Nagata hits railing again! A ring count starts, Suzuki bumps Nagata off the apron then puts him in at 8 of 20. Taka digs his knee into Nagata, the ref counts, Taka lets off with his hands but that’s not the proble. Taka stomps Nagata, tags Suzuki, and Suzuki uses the tag rope to snapmare and CHOKE Nagata! Taka says Tiger Mask is up to something and that distracts Red Shoes. Suzuki stops choking, covers Nagata, TWO! Fans rally up for Nagata while Suzuki drags Nagata up. Tag to Taka, they mug Nagata then Taka snapmares. Taka digs his knuckles into Nagata’s face! Red Shoes reprimands, counts, Taka stops to then scrape his soles off Nagata’s face. And again!

Tag to Suzuki, Suzuki drags Nagata up to snapmare. Then he BOOTS Tiger down before he PENALTY KICKS Nagata. A cocky one foot cover isn’t good enough for Red Shoes and Suzuki gets upset. Suzuki kicks Nagata around but fans rally up. Nagata gets up, shoves Suzuki, then throws forearms. Suzuki eggs him on, Nagata throws more forearms, Suzuki CHOPS back! And knees low! Tag to Taka, more mugging in the corner. Taka bumps Nagata off buckles, whips him corner to corner, then runs in to SHINING WIZARD! Snapmare and cover, TWO! Taka SHINING WIZARDS Nagata down! Cover, TWO! Fans still rally as Taka knees and whips.

Nagata reverses to kitchen sink knee Taka down! Fans fire up while both men are down. Nagata gets up, hot tag to Tiger Mask! Tiger goes up top to CROSSBODY Taka down! Taka ducks a kick, CLUBS Tiger on the back and has the arms for a motorcycle stretch. But Tiger kangaroo kicks free! Tiger ROUNDHOUSES Taka down, then drags him up to underhook. Taka blocks the Tiger Driver to UPPERCUT! Taka runs, but Tiger gets around to crucifix takedown, and then CHICKEN WING CROSSFACE! Suzuki gets in to stomp Tiger down! Tiger lets off Taka to get in Suzuki’s face. Suzuki eggs Tiger on but Tiger goes back to Taka. Taka plays deadweight then CALF KICKS!

Tag to Suzuki and he drags Tiger up to fire off forearms! Suzuki runs but Tiger sobats! Fans fire up, hot tag to Nagata! Nagata KICKS Suzuki in the chest, and again, and again! Nagata whips Suzuki corner to corner, runs in and BOOTS, then brings Suzuki out, only for Suzuki to fight the exploder. Nagata ROCKS Suzuki to Half Hatch Suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for “NA-GA-TA!” as he gets Suzuki up, but Suzuki blocks the suplex. Nagata knees low, whips him to a corner but Suzuki reverses. Suzuki runs in to BOOT! Suzuki snapmares, runs and PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! Suzuki is annoyed but fans rally up. Suzuki gives toying kicks while mocking the applause.

Nagata gets up and shoves Suzuki, then throws forearms. Suzuki laughs it off to forearm Nagata back. Nagata forearms Suzuki, and then eggs him on. Suzuki forearms hard, but Nagata comes back with a forearm of his own! Suzuki forearms, eggs Nagata on, and Nagata forearms again! Fans fire up as the forearms keep going back and forth! Suzuki forearms once, twice, three times! Nagata comes back, but Suzuki gets him for a SLEEPER! Taka runs in to DECK Tiger off the corner! Suzuki-Gun mugs Nagata in a corner, whips him corner to corner, Taka clotheslines then Suzuki BOOTS! Suzuki ROCKS Nagata, runs, BOOT SUPERKICK COMBO! Cover, TWO!

Suzuki gets Nagata in a SLEEPER, Taka intercepts Tiger for a CROSSFACE! Fans rally, Tiger crawls for ropes while Nagata endures. Red Shoes checks Nagata as he fades, but Nagata gets a second wind! Blue Justice is turning purple, but Suzuki covers, TWO!! Nagata survives, so Suzuki drags him up to bring him over. Gotch hold but Nagata fights and grabs ropes! Suzuki tags Taka, he and Taka double whip again. Taka runs in but misses, Nagata BOOTS Suzuki down! And elbows Taka! Tiger gets in, to give Taka TIGER DRIVER! NAGATA LOCK II!! Taka endures the crossface, Suzuki stomps Nagata down! Suzuki drags Nagata up to throw knees, but Nagata fires forearms to throw Suzuki out.

Nagata BOOTS Taka to a corner then SHINING WIZARDS! BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Suzuki breaks it! Suzuki uses the tag rope to choke Nagata again! Nagata fights up, Suzuki lets him free but Nagata hits an EXPLODER! Tiger gets Suzuki up, he and Nagata DOUBLE GIRI! Fans are thunderous for Nagata while Tiger keeps Suzuki down. Nagata drags Taka up, SAIDO! With bridge! Nagata & Tiger Mask win!

Winners: Yuji Nagata & Tiger Mask, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Suzuki-Gun earns 0)

Finally, Team Blue Justice scores! And Suzuki is pissed again. And again, he takes it out on the Young Lions. Will the Meanest Man in the World ever get himself and Taka going in the World Tag League? As for Nagata, he gets the mic to address his hometown. “Once again, thank you, everyone! Thanks to Tiger Mask’s support, we finally got our first win. Thank you very much!” Nagata knows things with COVID have been getting better in Japan but they’re still fighting it. To have these fans here means a lot. “I mean this from the bottom of my heart, thank you very much.”

He’d like everyone from the whole card to send this off, but head count has to stay low because of COVID. They’ll just go with everyone from Hontai instead. “Hontai wrestlers, please come out here!” The Great Bash Heels and TenCozy return, as does Tanahashi. They each shake hands with Nagata as they reenter the ring. Nagata notes this is also the 30th anniversary for both Tenzan and Kojima. Nagata has prepared a special gift for the occasion. Big bouquets are brought out for them, and then Honma and Tanahashi helps present special anniversary photos.

Tenzan’s is his victory parade from his G1 Climax win in 2005, and then Kojima’s is his Triple Crown and IWGP Heavyweight Championship wins. The fans cheer this amazing gift! Honma almost doesn’t want to give that great item up. TenCozy poses with their pictures for a photo op moment. And then Nagata has a special gift from his own company, Nagata Lock. TenCozy is very honored to get this cash gift. And before things wrap, a special greeting from Masahiro Chono! Chono hops off commentary to get in the ring with the others. Chono shakes everyone’s hands, helps with the bouquets, and then is handed the mic.

“TenCozy! How long are you going to be doing this thing? This makes 30 years, huh? Please think of your future. Pack it in within ten years. You’ve worked yourselves hard, including Nagata. But until you retire, run with the best in today’s NJPW! From your beginnings in the old era, keep doing your best for the future. Thanks for your hard work!” Fans cheer those words of encouragement, and Nagata says today they celebrate 30 years of Tenzan & Kojima. He knows next year will be his own 30th, so that will be the theme here in Togane. Make sure to be there, as well.

Nagata thanks the fans again, and hopes that next year’s show will be a great success. Join in, everyone! 1, 2, 3, ZE-A! A great moment for all of Hontai and even all of NJPW. Will this first win for Nagata & Tiger Mask be just the first of many? Will Nagata have something big to celebrate in his own 30th year?

Here are the NEW World Tag League Standings!

SANADA & Tetsuya Naito: 5-0, 10 points
Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi: 4-1, 8 points
Dangerous Tekkers: 4-1, 8 points
Guerrillas of Destiny: 3-2, 6 points
Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale: 3-2, 6 points
Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI: 3-2, 6 points
The United Empire: 3-2, 6 points
EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi: 2-3, 4 points
Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan: 2-3, 4 points
Yuji Nagata & Tiger Mask: 1-4, 2 points
Minoru Suzuki & TAKA Michinoku: 0-5, 0 points
Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe: 0-5, 0 points

My Thoughts:

A great round for World Tag League, with some fairly surprising results. A solid opener from TenCozy and Great Bash Heels, and what great timing that TenCozy won to then be honored at the end of the night. That moment itself was great stuff, including Chono poking fun at TenCozy. LIJ staying undefeated is great stuff, as is Yano & Tanahashi staying strong near the top. House of Torture winning keeps them alive, and I have a feeling when they face LIJ on 12/12, aka the last round before the finals, will be a very important match in this tournament. Tekkers of course stay strong, but it’s not like the Guerrillas are out of it yet, either. Nagata & Tiger Mask winning was also a natural choice to give the crowd a happy ending to the event and a great set-up to that closing moment with TenCozy.

My Score: 8.9/10