Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW WTL x BOSJ Results & Report! (11/28/21)

World Tag League, Round 5!

Published

2 years ago

November 28, 2021

Steven Mitchell

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

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

54 mins 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

Kevin Owens VS Grayson Waller; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

[Due to the scheduling choices of KFOX14 (El Paso & Las Cruces), coverage of SmackDown will not begin until 9PM Eastern]

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

1 hour 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.