Coverage

Andrew’s IMPACT Hard to Kill Results & Match Ratings: 1.8.2022

A historic Hard to Kill! ROH World Title is defended! Knockouts first ever Ultimate X Match! Triple Threat for the Heavyweight title and a Texas Death Match between Mickie James and Deonna Purrazzo!

Published

3 years ago

January 8, 2022

Andrew Balaz

Even with a few covid adjustments, the card still looks very strong and could be a big night.

ROH World Title is defended in a Pure Rules match, Texas Death Match for the Knockouts Title and a Triple Threat for the IMPACT World Title.

Now there also being a Hardcore War really has a lot of NoDQ/hardcore matches, so we could find ourselves bored if they don’t do something different. But there’s really only one way to find out.

Ratings:

Madman Fulton vs Jake Something: Jake wins via Blackhole Slam – ** ¼
Ace Austin vs Speedball Mike Bailey vs Laredo Kid vs Chris Bey: Speedball wins via Shooting Star Double Kneedrop – ***
Knockouts Ultimate X: Rosemary vs Alisha Edwards vs Tasha Steelz vs Jordynne Grace vs Chelsea Green vs Lady Frost: Tasha wins – * ½
X Division Championship: Steve Maclin vs Trey Miguel (c): Trey retains via Meteora – *** ½
Pure Wrestling Rules: ROH World Championship: Jonathan Gresham (c) vs Chris Sabin: Gresham retains via La Magistral Leg Clutch – ****
Jonah vs Josh Alexander: Josh wins via Ankle Lock – **** ½
Hardcore War: Eddie Edwards, Heath, Rich Swann, Willie Mack & Rhino vs Eric Young, Joe Doering, Deaner, Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows: Heath wins after GORE on Karl Anderson – ***
IMPACT World Heavyweight Championship: Massive Cassidy vs Matt Cardona vs Moose (c): Moose retains via Lights Out – *** ½
IMPACT Knockouts World Championship: Texas Death Match: Mickie James (c) vs Deonna Purrazzo: Mickie retains via Mick-DT – **** ¼

Results:

So wait, D’Lo is doing commentary with Tom Phillips! The Dinosaur bone himself is now Tom Hannifan, I guess the Matt Striker being let go story was accurate.

Madman Fulton vs Jake Something

Fulton starts things fast, Jake tries to slow things down landing a Thesz press and a big bear paw, but Fulton continues to mostly keep the advantage. A rope assisted Swinging Side Slam, Fulton jumps off the top rope as well and makes contact. Fulton really doesn’t look pressured, but wastes too much time so Jake starts throwing haymakers.

Triangle Lariat into a Big Jake Something Dive and now he charges up in the corner to Spear Fulton in the opposite corner. Gutwrench Sitout Powerbomb from Jake…and Fulton kicks out. Fulton stops Jake rope running with a goozle, Kip Up, Chokeslam for two. Fulton Chokeslams Jake again and gets a “One more time” chant. Fulton gives in to the chants, but Jake fights out, runs Fulton back and forth, Fulton follows into Jake’s arms, Blackhole Slam and Jake wins.

Ace Austin vs Speedball Mike Bailey vs Laredo Kid vs Chris Bey

Bailey comes out bowing and being very respectful getting that aspect of his martial arts persona over well. He gets a chance to square off with everyone for a short time, but as expected we get flashes of the Heels working together and the Faces working together. The beauty in this match was really how annoyed Ace was at Bailey’s involvement, so he wanted to prove that this was his company/match/division.

Bailey did great getting his personality over, his great martial arts ability and a unique striking offense to really help him shine. His corner charge being like a Wu Shu tornado Knee, into a big Gamengiri followed up by the Shooting Star Knees to the back of Ace’s head and Bailey pins Ace for the win!

Knockouts Ultimate X: Rosemary vs Alisha Edwards vs Tasha Steelz vs Jordynne Grace vs Chelsea Green vs Lady Frost

So this was a car crash of a match. Havok and Savannah Evans came down, Alisha used Kendra, but some sloppy spots and just stupid spots. There were so many times someone was scaling the side and decided to dive off into a pile of people instead of going for the X. Some of the big spots were fun/entertaining, but that’s why I said it’s like a car crash. Not good, but you can’t take your eyes off of it.

With all that said, it ends up being less than mediocre but you could find more value if you feel the entertainment was worth more than I did; but I’m glad we get this behind us immediately.

X Division Championship: Steve Maclin vs Trey Miguel (c)

Steve Maclin hits with the Scud Missile before the bell and Maclin starts running roughshod. Trey fights back, a few quick kicks and Tiger Feints, but Steve stays on the offensive.

I can’t really say I’m surprised by this beyond how much Maclin being in control added a story to Trey’s usual spot filled trash wrestling. Maclin looks for some high impact moves but Trey always has an eventual answer. After a big crash moment on the outside, Trey looks to get the countout, but then decides he doesn’t want to win that way. So he rolls in Maclin, lands the Meteora, but Maclin kicks out. Trey’s shocked but smacks Maclin around a few times, drops him back down and hits a second Meteora to retain.

Pure Wrestling Rules: ROH World Championship: Jonathan Gresham (c) vs Chris Sabin

So they build this challenge off the fact that Sabin drew with Jay Lethal a few years ago, which should’ve won him a title match, but that was probably timed around Sabin’s last injury. So an overdue title shot gives us a pure style wrestling match on an IMPACT PPV.

I’m not gonna lie, this was one of those matches I was generally enjoying and forgot I had to be typing along with it. Gresham did a great job as working on the arm mostly with a little leg focus since Sabin is more strike and high flying than he is. But Sabin found his own mat based offense, and caught Gresham on many accounts with strikes.

Sabin nearly had the win with a surprise Cradle Shock, but the referee noticed after he counted 3 that Gresham’s foot was under the rope and he still had a rope break left. So it was a solid false finish. The cradle variation spam is very Japanese, and done very well by both of them. This was a really solid match, hampered mostly because there was no real story with it, but still generally a delight to watch

Jonah vs Josh Alexander

Jonah imposes his size and power early, but Josh sees the opening once Jonah goes for the Senton, and Josh rolls away. From that point, Josh gets a chance to knock Jonah around, gets him to the outside, lands a suplex from the apron into the ring and Jonah’s leg gets caught in the ropes. Josh takes advantage, but Jonah eventually stems the tide and starts throwing Josh around again.

This really turns into a slobberknocker with Josh trying to pick his spots and use his emotion to his advantage. He absorbs Jonah’s attacks to kick his foot out from under him and starts working on the leg. They spill out into the front row, the fans get evacuated, Jonah gets seated and Josh flies from the ring onto Jonah. Action goes back into the ring and they keep throwing strikes at one another.

Jonah goes for broke, attempts the Moonsault and misses. Josh lands the Rolling Elbow, Release German into a Jacknife Powerbomb. Ankle Lock, reapplication of the Ankle Lock and Jonah is forced to tap after Josh worked him over well and barely survived that while getting busted open.

Hardcore War: Eddie Edwards, Heath, Rich Swann, Willie Mack & Rhino vs Eric Young, Joe Doering, Deaner, Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows

Deaner and Rich Swann start off, which makes sense. You put in the weakest heel since he gets a small chance to shine and will be the first to have help, so no one looks inherently weaker than they should. Long and short, this is exactly what a hardcore match should be. A little ridiculous, a lot of fun, some crazy spots and a bunch of different guys getting color.

Weapons all day, barbed wire tables, bats, kendo sticks, doors and tables keep this match exciting. Signature spams as Doering tries to take out Rich Swann on the barbed wire table, Willie takes him out, Karl hits the Gun Stun then eats a Backstabber from Heath, a Gore from Rhino and the babyfaces win!

After the match we see the OG Kingdom hit the ring, Vinnie Marseglia and PCO storm the ring and beatdown the victorious IMPACT squad. So ROH is basically declaring war or at least reminding people they aren’t dead yet, on a show called Hard to Kill. Its poetic I suppose.

IMPACT World Heavyweight Championship: Massive Cassidy vs Matt Cardon vs Moose (c)

Wow big haymakers early, surprise Suplexes, Apron Powerbombs, everyone is just trying to take someone out with one big move. Moose eventually gets the advantage rocking Cardona, Kip Up, Go to Hell on Cassidy for a 2 as Cardona hits Radio Silence on Moose to break the pin. Locomotion ReBoots until Cassidy grabs him and drives him into the corner.

Cassidy goes for an Avalanche Fallaway Slam, but Moose gets under him for a Powerbomb so Moose is the one in the best position after the destruction. Moose looks to make the biggest example of Mid CARDona, but Chelsea comes out, flips off Moose and dives on him to help Cardona come back. Cassidy is on the steps to fly and meet the two of them though, so now it’s time for the man from Queens to be in control.

Moose puts the brakes on Cassidy, starts rocking Cardona, goes for his corner backflip, but Cardona shoves him off the turnbuckle and through the table on the outside. A fan throws in a prosthetic leg and Cassidy starts beating on Cardona with the fake leg to a fun pop. Cassidy gets a little too cocky, Radio Silence counter, but Cassidy kicks out. Cardona eats a few Chokeslams, lands an Avalanche Radio Silence, and Moose pulls the referee out.

Lights Out gets hit on the referee, Radio Silence on Moose, Cassidy shoves out Cardona, Jacknife Powerbomb from Cassidy and the visual pinfall doesn’t get counted because the referee was murdered earlier. Chairs get introduced, Moose manages to swing away and level Cassidy after a low blow, Cardona tries to take advantage of things, but a kick to the jimmies and Moose is in control again. Chelsea gets involved, stops Cardona, Cardona catches Moose in a roll up, referee two comes in, and then a stack in the corner kills new referee and Chelsea. Lights Out from Moose, the first referee crawls in to make the count.

Definitely a little convoluted, but the right person won.

IMPACT Knockouts World Championship: Texas Death Match: Mickie James (c) vs Deonna Purrazzo

Since Texas Death Matches are 2 falls to the finish, a pinfall or submission and then a standing 10 count, we see the traditional falls happen quickly but both are up long before 10 counts are applied. So both women just start jawing at each other, throwing chairs in the ring and all over and you can see the emotions are actually playing a part in this match.

The 10 count has to follow the traditional fall, so that was a small tweak I wasn’t really aware of. Mickie and Deonna stay on the outside for a while. Chairs, wheelbarrows and lighting boxes are used as weapons, Mickie is busted open. Mickie tries a Single Legged Crab, but Deonna drags herself out, Mickie takes off the chaps she’s wearing to expose the knee brace more and starts using that as a weapon.

Deonna introduces thumbtacks, as is IMPACT tradition. Mickie moves off the table, tries to hit the Mick-DT on the Deonna but Deonna slips out and then a big Pump Kick sends Mickie back first into the tacks. You can see the tacks embedded in Mickie’s shoulder blades. Deonna chokes Mickie with her own chaps, Mickie taps as fast as she can and stands right before the 10 count.

Deonna attacks her from the apron, Mickie tries fight back, goes under the ring for her Hardcore Country guitar, but Deonna stays on the attack. Deonna beats Mickie with a chair while she’s in the tacks, goes to the top rope after lacing Mickie’s ankle in the chair. She wants to break Mickie’s ankle, but Mickie Sabu’s Deonna and then sells back down to the mat but into the tacks.

Thesz Press off the apron to the outside, 3 count and now the Standing 10 starts. Rehwoldt shows up to help Deonna stand, which gets around the loophole. Mickie with the Diving Crossbody and then puts Deonna back in the ring, and Deonna is busted open now. Deonna drives Mickie through the table with Queen’s Gambit, gets the pinfall but Mickie gets up. Mickie fights through, Deonna tries to stop Mickie with a …umm…Mandible Claw between the thighs. Mickie licks her fingers and just enjoys it, Rehwoldt tries to get involved, gets hit with the guitar, and Mickie is rolling. Deonna swings the chair, misses, bounces the chairs off the ropes hits herself and Mick-DT has Mickie James retain because Deonna doesn’t get up for the 10 count!

Overall Score: 8.25/10

Well hot damn, I don’t know for a fact, but I feel like this event might have the most quality matches ever in the last few years I’ve been covering Impact. Three matches that are 4 stars or more, two 3.5; if it wasn’t for the Ultimate X match, this might’ve ranked up with the NOAH show.

Each Hardcore/NoDQ match felt different, they all had their own energy and even though they weren’t spaced overly well, it never got redundant. Mickie winning and getting the Royal Rumble rub is great for IMPACT (not sure if that might’ve changed booking), Moose retaining and beating Cardona leaves Cassidy with an argument and this ROH invasion could be interesting for say LockDown, or at least to help ROH stay relevant if they really do end up reopening.

A great start to 2022 for IMPACT and actually makes me somewhat excited to see where things go from here!

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Mitchell’s AEW Full Gear Results & Report! (11/23/24)

Fight for the soul of AEW!

Published

46 mins ago

November 23, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Will the Death Riders’ reign of terror continue?

This year’s Full Gear may be the most important one of all! Can Orange Cassidy become the Freshy Squeezed AEW World Champion against Maniac Jon Moxley?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Zero Hour – Anna Jay VS Deonna Purrazzo; Anna wins.
Zero Hour – Fatal 4 Way: Dante Martin VS The Beast Mortos VS Komander VS Buddy Matthews; wins.
Zero Hour – Big Boom AJ w/ Big Justice VS QT Marshall; wins.
Jay White VS Hangman Page; wins.
Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS Bobby Lashley w/ MVP; wins.
MJF VS Roderick Strong; wins.
Will Ospreay VS Kyle Fletcher; wins.
AEW International Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Ricochet; wins and
AEW TNT Championship: Jack Perry VS Daniel Garcia; wins and
AEW TBS Championship: Mercedes Mone w/ Kamille VS Kris Statlander; wins and
AEW World Tag Team Championships Fatal 4 Way: Private Party VS The Outrunners VS The Kings of the Black Throne VS The Acclaimed; win(s) and
AEW World Championship: Jon Moxley VS Orange Cassidy; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the Full Gear Zero Hour!

Join Renee Paquette, RJ City, Jeff Jarrett and special guest, Paul Walter Hauser, in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action set for this monumental night!

Zero Hour – Anna Jay VS Deonna Purrazzo w/ Taya Valkyrie!

The Queenslayer was offered help against Mariah May by The Vendetta but she declined, so this is the payback. Will the Virtuosa handle business? Or will Anna still become the Star of the Show?

The bell rings but Taya distracts Anna. Anna takes a swipe but Deonna kicks low. Deonna headlocks,. Anna powers out, but Deonna RAMS her! Anna stays up, slips around, and waistlocks. Deonna switches, they go to ropes, and Anna bucks the O’Conner! Anna runs Deonna over, keeps moving, then whips. Anna blows past Deonna, sunset flips, TWO! Deonna is up fast but Anna wrenches to HOOK KICK! Anna whips Deonna to a corner, runs up and LEG LARIATS! The fans rally as Anna snapmares and ROLLING NECKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO! Anna stays on Deonna with another whip, but Deonna reverses.

Anna slips to the apron, then ROCKS Deonna! Deonna comes back but into a HEEL KICK! Anna goes up a corner but Taya anchors her! Deonna distracts the ref, then she BOOTS Anna! The fans boo but Taya just takes a bow. Deonna “kicks dirt” at Anna, then drags her up. Deonna short arm LARIATS, then she stands on Anna’s face! The ref counts, Deonna steps off, and Deonna storms back up on Anna. Deonna drags Anna up, throat chops her, and Anna goes to a corner. Deonna LARIATS in the corner, LARIATS again, then short arm LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Anna stays in this but Deonna stays focused.

Deonna paces around, drops a knee on Anna, then clamps on a straitjacket stretch. Anna endures, even as Deonna KNEES her in the back! Deonna bends Anna back but Anna still endures. Anna fights up, snapmares free, but Deonna BOOTS her back! Then BOOTS again! Anna SUPERKICKS! But Deonna hits a FLATLINER, into a KOJI KLUTCH! Anna stacks Deonna, TWO! Anna is free to SUPERKICK Deonna down! Both women are down and the fans fire up! Anna and Deonna slowly rise while Taya pounds the apron. The fans rally up and Anna crawls over to Deonna. Deonna grabs at Anna first, and she fires a forearm!

Anna fires a forearm back, but Deonna hits Anna again! The shots go back and forth, the fans dueling, and Anna gets the edge! Anna backs Deonna down, whips, but Deonna reverses, only for Anna to FLYING FOREARM! And FLYING FOREARM again! Anna keeps moving to SHOTGUN Deonna! The fans are torn as Anna runs up on the hometown girl. Forearm SMASH, and Anna puts Deonna up top! DANGEROUS JAY KICK, and then the ICONOCLASM! Cover, TWO! Deonna survives but Anna drags her up. Anna clamps on the QUEENSLAYER SLEEPER! Deonna endures, pries free, and arm-drags Anna!

Deonna kicks low, runs, and KNEE LIFTS into the RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Roll and FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Anna endures, flails and moves around, and kicks her way to a ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Deonna holds until 4, and Taya coaches Deonna. Deonna slashes her throat, reels Anna in, but Anna fights the Gotch lift! Anna slips around, Deonna wrenches and wrangles, but Anna rolls free! Anna BOOTS from the corner, goes to the apron, and she puts Deonna in ropes! HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! But Taya takes a swing! Anna dodges, but Taya SPEARS Anna!! The ref saw that and he EJECTS Taya!

Deonna is upset, but better than being disqualified! Taya tells fans to shut up as they sing “Hey hey hey! Goodbye~!” Deonna drags Anna up, but Anna SLAPS Deonna! Deonna is pissed, and she grabs that arm! FUJIWARA!! Deonna pushes on that arm, but Anna uses it to roll Deonna up! ANNA WINS!

Winner: Anna Jay, by pinfall

Deonna is furious, but maybe she should’ve let the ref throw this out. In the end, Anna gets a real win over Deonna, will this help her get back towards some title scene?

Backstage interview with Billie Starkz.

Lexy Nair is with her ROH Minion buddy, and notes that Billie is the first ROH woman entered in the first ever WrestleDynasty International Women’s Cup! Billie, what an opportunity, how are you feeling? She is excited! This is the second chance she’s been waiting for, and- Red Velvet steps in to say more like NO chance. Because see, Velvet is also in that match, and well, she already beat Billie. So her odds are looking really good. But then in steps Leyla Hirsch. And she says lucky for them both, because Leyla’s in this! Leyla beat Velvet once, and just looking at Billie, Leyla knows she can beat her.

Oh but then in steps the ROH Women’s World Champion, Athena! The Minion Overlord defends her bestie and Billie, and says it is finally time for the Athena World Tour! She is the fourth participant, even though, why does she have to qualify for HER show? Athena has beaten Velvet, she’s beaten “Small fry” Leyla, and well… Billie Goat, we all know Athena dog walked her! Velvet says Athena shouldn’t talk to Billie like that. Billie says “Cupcake” doesn’t need to defend her. Things are getting tense already, who wins their way into WrestleDynasty’s massive crossover match?

Backstage interview with QT Marshall.

Lexy is now with QT and says later int he Zero Hour, it is QT VS Big Boom AJ. QT took AJ out last night after the weigh-in, will it be the same here tonight? QT wants Lexy to remember, pronounce it “Mar-shall.” And yes, in QT’s home state of New Jersey, the best part will be QT remembering why he left. It’s a dump! Especially Newark! But AJ is also from New Jersey, and he properly represents this dump. Whether AJ is on the Tonight Show, on TikTok, or here in AEW, he is the epitome of someone from The Garden State: an embarrassment! He’s worse than Bruce Springsteen himself!

And tonight, in a sold out crowd that QT drew all himself, it will be like going to his high school reunion and showing how he is more successful than everyone else. And he’ll do that by walking to the ring, staring down AJ, and bringing the doom! Will QT Marshall make himself the boss of the Zero Hour? Or will it be a BOOM for all of New Jersey when QT loses?

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Starting Wednesday, January 1st, 2025, AEW Dynamite will be SIMULCAST on Max! And even bigger, it is the return of Fight for the Fallen! All proceeds go to helping victims of Hurricane Helene in Ashville, North Carolina.

Zero Hour – Fatal 4 Way: Dante Martin VS The Beast Mortos VS Komander VS Buddy Matthews!

Now this is going to be a fast ‘n’ furious match! Angel Dorado, the menacing minotaur, the Commander of Space and the Aussie Juggernaut are all fighting for opportunity, who makes that greater impact?

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

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SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

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Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (11/23/24)

B Block, Round 2!

Published

2 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Will B Block stay tranquilo?

After a win over The Might, Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi now take on Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg! Will Los Ingobernables de Japon end up behind BARS?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current B Block standings!

Taichi & Taka Michinoku: 1-0, 2 points
Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi: 1-0, 2 points
The Filip Brothers: 1-0, 2 points
Evil & Ren Narita: 1-0, 2 points
Great-O-Khan & Henare: 0-1, 0 points
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls: 0-1, 0 points
Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg: 0-1, 0 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado: 0-1, 0 points

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS The Filip Brothers!

The former IWGP Tag Team Champions aren’t feeling as mighty as they should be after losing to Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi in the opening round. But can they rise back up mightier than ever? Or will Tome the Taiga & Stevie the Phoenix become apex predators in this tournament?

The teams sort out and after the Filip Brothers Too Sweet, Tome starts against Hysterical Haste. The fans rally up and the bell rings. Shane and Tome circle, tie up, and Shane waistlocks. Tome switches but Shane wrenches for a headlock takeover. Tome fights around, rolls Shane to a cover, TWO! Shane holds on but Tome fights up. Tome powers Shane down, pops out the back then wrenches to a wristlock. Tome keeps Shane from ropes, but Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and basement DROPKICKS! The fans cheer as Shane poses, and then Shane brings Tome up. Shane wrenches Tome, tags Mad Mikey, and Mikey wrenches.

TMDK DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Tome down, then they split the wishbone! Mikey BLASTS Stevie for good measure, then he CHOPS Tome. Mikey CHOPS Tome in a corner, brings Tome around, and then snapmares. Mikey clamps on a neck wrench and pushes on it hard. Tome endures, Mikey sneaks a BITE, then pushes Tome down. Tag to Shane, TMDK double whip Tome to a corner. Shane sends Mikey in but Tome DUMPS Mikey to the floor! Shane runs up but Tome dodges, then Stevie joins in! Tome FOREARM, Stevie DROPKICK, and Tome GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Tome hits a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!

Shane stays in this but he also bails to the apron. Tome stomps Shane, then tags Stevie. Shane goes to the floor but Stevie pursues. Stevie RAMS Shane into railing, right in front of commentary. Stevie stands Shane up to CHOP, and Shane hurries into the ring. Stevie stalks after and stomps Shane. Stevie snapmares, then he KICKS Shane in the back! Cover, ONE!! Shane shows some grit but Stevie tags Tome. The fans rally but the Filip Brothers mug Shane. Shane CHOPS Stevie but Tome CHOPS Shane! Tome stomps away on Shane in the corner, digs his boot in, but the ref counts. Tome steps off, but for only a moment before he digs his boots in again!

Mikey gets mad but the ref keeps him from storming in. That just lets Stevie CHOKE Shane! Mikey protests more but Stevie gets away with that. Tome tags Stevie in, and Stevie BLASTS Mikey! Tome whips Shane and BOOTS him down for Stevie’s HANDSPRING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shane stays in this and the fans rally up. Stevie KNEES Shane in the back, has the chinlock, then KNEES Shane again for the motorcycle stretch. Shane endures, fights up, and fires body shots. Shane UPPERCUTS, but Stevie holds him back! Stevie kicks and whips Shane, but Shane BLASTS Tome! Shane dodges Stevie and Stevie hits buckles!

Shane crawls but Stevie hurries after him. Stevie grabs Shane’s leg, but Shane swings an elbow. Stevie dodges, but Shane CALF KICKS him down! The fans rally as Shane crawls, hot tag to Mikey! Mikey runs in at Stevie to LARIAT in the corner! Mikey whips Stevie into the corner to LARIAT again! And then short arm LARIAT! The fans fire up and Mikey brings Stevie around. Mikey fireman’s carries but Stevie fights free. Stevie waistlocks, ducks an elbow, but the DDT hits! Mikey powers up, throws off his elbow pad, and SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Stevie stays in this but Mikey stays on him.

Mikey stands Stevie up, but Stevie fights the back suplex! Stevie throws down elbows, but Mikey CHOPS him! Mikey swings, but Stevie catches him for a FINAL CUT! Both men crawl, Stevie tags in Tome! Tome storms up on Mikey, but Mikey fires forearms! Mikey CHOPS Tome, CHOPS again, then CHOPS again! Mikey whips but Tome reverses. Tome runs in but blocks boots. Tome puts Mikey in the ropes to KICK and WOE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Mikey toughs it out and the fans rally up. Tome brushes himself off and brings Mikey up. Tome fires boxing elbows and an UPPERCUT! But Mikey dodges the lariat, to SPINEBUSTER!

The fans fire up and Mikey hot tags Shane! Shane drags Tome up for UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! Shane fires up to fire off more UPPERCUTS! The fans rally with every shot, and then Shane whips. Tome reverses, but Shane comes back to DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shane BLASTS Stevie for good measure. Tome kicks and whips but Shane reverses to kick, BOOT, and INVERTED EXPLODER! The fans rally behind Shane as he aims from the corner. Shane runs in but Stevie intercepts, SPANISH FLY! But Mikey fireman’s carries to DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Tome hits Mikey with a SPINEBUSTER! Shane SHORYUKENS Tome!

Stevie SUPERKICKS Shane! Mikey LARIATS Stevie! Tome BOOTS Mikey! Shane BOOTS Tome! Tome just laughs that off! DOUBLE BOOTS hit, but neither man falls! Shane kicks, Tome blocks, and Tome trips Shane to tie up the legs! FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK! Shane flails, reaches out, keeps his shoulders up, but Tome pushes on the hold! Mikey SLIDING LARIATS Tome! Shane is free and Mikey coaches him up, but Stevie LARIATS Mikey and himself up and out of the ring! The fans rally as all four men are down all around ringside! Shane and Tome stir and head for each other. Shane throws a forearm, but Tome gives it back.

Shane fires another forearm, so Tome fires back. The forearms keep going as both men rise up, and now they pick up speed! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and then Shane UPPERCUTS! ROLLING- NO, Tome ROCKS, ELBOWS, UPPERCUTS, and DISCUS LARIATS! But Shane nis right up! Shane swings, misses, and Tome SNAP GERMANS! The fans fire up and Stevie returns! Tome fireman’s carries, Stevie runs up, BOOT O’ DOOM! Both brothers cover, but Mikey breaks it up! The fans fire up but Tome TOSSES Mikey! Stevie staggers over to Shane, Tome calls for the finish! Stevie feeds Shane to Tome!

Tome underhooks, but Shane wrenches free! Shane sends Tome into Stevie, then Mikey LARIATS Stevie! Shane suplexes Tome, FALCON BOMB! Cover, TWO! Tome survives and the fans fire up! TMDK regroups, and they haul Tome up. Shane aims, but Stevie makes the save! Stevie shoves Mikey at Shane but Shane dodges! Shane clinches Stevie, Mikey joins in, ELECTRIC BLUE! Stevie flounders away from that power-bottom, but Tome is back! Shane fights the waistlock, then switches, POINT-BLANK HIGH LOW! TMDK then hoist Tome up, ELECTRIC BLUE again!! Cover, TMDK wins!

Winners: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls, by pinfall (gain 2 points; The Filip Brothers earn 0)

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, and that’s why they’re able to rise up again! Will Shane & Mikey make it back to the top? Will Tome & Stevie still find their own way to the trophies?

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS EVIL & Ren Narita!

The Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker opened this tournament with the biggest win possible when they beat the current IWGP Tag Team Champions, Great-O-Khan & Henare. Will they build upon that momentum in round 2? Or will they be cheated by the King of Darkness & Souled Out Son of Strong Style?

Evil & Narita taunt Taichi & Taka from outside of the ring, keeping their attention as they go around towards commentary. But this is all so Dick Togo can come running in from the ramp! Dick CLOBBERS Taichi, then he TOSSES Taka! The fans boo but what did they expect from The House of Torture? Evil whips Taka into railing, and then brings him out into No Man’s Land! Evil has fans move aside so he can BOWL Taka into chairs! Not even close to a strike, but Evil just CHOKES Taka with a chair! Narita SMACKS Taichi off chairs in the timekeeper’s area, and the ref reprimands The House!

Evil lets off of Taka and drags him up. Now Narita brings Taichi into the crowd in some other section. Evil puts Taka in the ring while Narita SMACKS Taichi off chairs. The bell rings to get this on record, but Evil stands on Taka’s face! Narita BOWLS Taichi into chairs, only doing a little better than Evil. Evil CLUBS Taka and taunts him while Narita CHOKES Taichi! The ref reprimands from afar but does his best to watch Evil. Evil stomps Taka to a corner, then drags him out. Evil stomps away on a leg, drops an elbow on the knee, then covers. TWO, so Evil covers again! TWO, and Evil covers again! TWO, and Evil tries a full mounted cover! TWO!!

The fans cheer but Evil wants a prawn hold cover! TWO!! Taka escapes five consecutive pins and Evil is frustrated. Taka crawls for his corner but Taichi’s still in the crowd. Wait, he storms back to ringside, with a chair! The ref stops Taichi from going after Narita, and Evil holds Taka’s hand out mockingly. The ref has to stop Taichi from storming into the ring now, and that lets Evil CLAW Taka’s eyes! Evil drags Taka up, tags in Narita, and Narita CLUBS Taka’s arm. Narita wrenches the arm, YANKS it, YANKS it again, and then taunts Taichi before he YANKS the arm again. Narita wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER!

Narita bumps Taka off buckles then tags Evil. Evil swings around the House of Torture shirt, and he CHOKES Taka with it! The ref again keeps Taichi back, meaning Taka suffers for it! Evil then throws the shirt at Taichi! Taichi catches the shirt and he storms in to throw it back! The ref stops Taichi but Taichi shoves him down! Taichi attacks Evil but Evil & Narita mug Taichi! They toss Taichi out then go back to the ref. Evil tells the ref to do better, then Evil tags Narita. Narita has Taka under the ropes, for the ROPE GUILLOTINE! Taka sputters, the ref reprimands, but Narita just drags Taka back up.

Narita scrapes Taka’s face along the ropes! The ref reprimands, Narita pushes Taka down, and then Narita argues with the ref. Narita whips Taka to ropes, ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! Narita clamps onto Taka’s arm and drags him up. Narita brings Taka over, Evil tags in, and Evil CLUBS Taka on the back. Evil sends Taka out, then distracts the ref. Dick RAMS Taka into railing, then FLAPJACKS him off the apron! Dick shoves Taka in, Evil covers, TWO! Taka stays in this and Evil gets annoyed. Evil stands on Taka’s face, but steps off as the ref reprimands. The fans rally for Taka but Evil taunts them.

Evil stalks Taka to a corner, but Taka fires elbows! Evil CLAWS Taka’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Evil whips corner to corner. Evil runs in but Taka dodges, to then SHINING WIZARD! The fans fire up as Taka crawls, but Narita runs up to stomp him! Narita CLUBS Taka, runs, but Taka goes the other way! Taka BOOTS Narita down! The fans fire up as Taka hurries, hot tag to Taichi! Taichi storms up on Evil to fire Kawada Kicks! Evil staggers to a corner but Taichi runs up to BOOT! Taichi keeps moving but Evil ducks the Ax Bomber! Evil waistlocks, Taichi fights the lift, and he ENZIGIRIS! Taichi then DECKS Dick off the apron!

The fans fire up but Narita attacks! Narita whips Taichi but Taichi BOOTS him down! The fans fire up with Taichi while Evil flounders around. Evil wants mercy, but Taichi says no! Evil ducks the buzzsaw to CLAW eyes! Evil blocks a kick, hands it to the ref, and he mule kicks Taichi down! The fans boo but Evil runs up to LARIAT in the corner! Evil then hooks a leg, FISHERMAN- NO, Taichi fights free, and he wrenches to HOOK KICK! Evil falls and the fans fire up! Taichi roars and rises, and OFF COME THE PANTS! The fans fire up as Taichi goes to the corner. Taichi aims for- NO, Evil dodges the superkick and he shoves Taichi into Taka!

Taka falls off the apron, Taichi runs up, but into EVERY- NO, Taichi slips free to DANGER- NO, Evil fights the saido to wrench and whip! TADA, bare buckles! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but The House soaks it all up. Evil tags Narita, and Narita runs to BOOT Taichi down! Cover, TWO! Taichi stays in this but Narita kicks him around. Narita taunts Taichi, pie faces him, but Taichi rises. Narita taunts Taichi more, fires forearms, but Taichi just leans into those! Taichi then SOBATS and Narita sputters. Taichi runs, Narita dodges the Ax Bomber to CHOKE Taichi! The ref reprimands, Narita stops, but then just CHOKES Tacihi more!

Narita whips corner to corner, but Taichi comes back to AX BOMBER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Taichi and Narita stir, and Taichi crawls his way over. Hot tag to Taka! Taka stomps away on Narita, then whips. Narita reverses, Taka reverses and wrangles Narita to JUST FACELOCK! Narita scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taka drags Narita up, scoops, but Narita slips free! Narita CHOKES Taka, Taka breaks free, but Narita hits an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Evil BLASTS Taichi, and he KICKS Taka’s hands! Narita has the full ARMBAR! Taka kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! Dick even tries to swat that foot away!

The ref still counts the break, and he reprimands. Narita holds on but the ref starts to count, so Narita lets go at 4. Narita stomps Taka around then runs. Taka BOOTS Narita down again! And he WRECKS Dick for good measure! Evil has a chair! The ref stops Evil but Narita has his pushup bar! Taka dodges, but Narita jams him up on the return! Taichi runs in, MIC STAND SHOT! The fans fire up but now Evil shoves the ref aside. Evil rushes Taichi but Taichi JAMS Evil with the mic stand! Taka runs to sunset flip Narita! TWO! Narita stands, into a PALM STRIKE! Roll up, high stack, TWO!!

Narita kicks Taka, DOUBLE- NO, Taka sits Narita down! SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! But into JUST FACELOCK!! Evil stomps away on Taka! Taichi CLUBS Evil! Taichi drags Evil into SEITEIJUJIHO!! Taka CLUBS away on Narita to put him in JUST FACELOCK!!! The bell rings, but that was DICK!!! That damn Spoiler!!! The House SHOVES Taka & Taichi into the ref!! The fans boo as now Evil CHOKES Taka and Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER on Taichi! The House stops that so they can set Taka up for the PUSHUP BAR ATTACK! The fans boo more but The House just soaks it up.

Evil & Narita then drag Taka over and set him up for Dick! PUSHUP BAR DICK CHOP!!! Narita slashes his throat, and hits the DOUBLECROSSER!! Dick fetches the ref to count, and The House wins!

Winner: Evil & Ren Narita, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Taichi & Taka earn 0)

The House of Torture cheats another team, and Taichi is pissed! Taichi grabs that chair again, and he wants after The House! The House runs off in all directions! Evil has Taichi’s mic stand so Taichi goes after him! The Young Lions try to stop this but Taichi chases Evil around the arena. Taichi almost gets Evil, but then Dick uses his SPOILER CHOKER on Taichi!! The fans boo while Evil taunts Taichi. Narita kicks the Young Lions away while Dick chokes Taichi out! The House of Torture are of course the worst, but will they still be first in the block? Or will justice be served soon enough?

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado VS Great-O-Khan & Henare!

Two teams that stumbled out of the starting gate now meet in the second round. Can The Ace & Master Heater make up for falling to the Filip Brothers? Or will THE IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions finally look like champions?

The fans cheer as Tanahashi shows off the abs, but they also rally behind “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” The teams sort out but Jado gets fans to cheer him on first. Then Jado gets the fans to cheer on “TA-NA-HASHI! TA-NA-HASHI!” Tanahashi starts against Khan and the fans rally with the bell. The fans duel, “TA-NA-HASHI!” “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” Khan laughs at how his side is stronger, then he circles with Tanahashi. They feel things out as they go around, but each man avoids a takedown. Khan is the aggressor, though, and he manages a waistlock. Tanahashi switches but Khan wrenches out and trips Tanahashi up.

Khan goes for a cover, ONE, and the two back off. The fans cheer as they reset. Khan and Tanahashi circle, feel things out again, and knuckle lock. They clinch, fight for control, and Tanahashi grabs an arm. Khan slips around to hook an arm, but Tanahashi wrenches free. Tanahashi hammerlocks, headlocks, but Khan slips out to headlock in return. Tanahashi endures, and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, but Khan pulls hair! The ref reprimands them both, and both men let go at the same time. But then Khan pulls hair again! The ref counts, Khan KNEES and ROCKS Tanahashi in a corner. Khan UPPERCUTS Tanahashi, then gest space.

Khan runs in but Tanahashi ELBOWS him! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Direct hit and fans cheer on the air guitar. Tanahashi tags Jado and he drags Khan up. Jado & Tanahashi double whip to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Henare runs up but gets DOUBLE ELBOWS! Tanahashi has Henare, Jado has Khan, and they give them a meeting of the minds! Then they kick low and TOSS the Empire out! The fans cheer as we get the air guitar duet! Tanahashi steps out and Jado waits on Khan. Fans rally up and Khan grows annoyed. Khan storms in but Jado kicks! Khan blocks the kick to body shot!

But then Jado blocks the Mongolian Chops to RAM Khan! Jado has Khan in the ropes but Henare KICKS him down! Henare BLASTS Tanahashi, then goes out to stomp away on President Ace! Khan drags Jado up and brings him around to CLUB him! Jado leans on railing, but Khan puts Jado back in the ring. Khan pushes Jado around, and he clamps on for an ANKLE LOCK! Khan then laces the legs in a modified DEATHLOCK! Jado endures, and he CLAWS at Khan’s face! Khan stomps Jado for that! The fans rally as Khan drags Jado up. Khan bumps Jado off buckles, tags Henare, and Henare fires body shots!

The ref counts, Henare lets off, but then he stands Jado up. Jado fires body shots in return! Henare winds up to CHOP Jado down! The fans cheer and Henare BLASTS Tanahashi again! Henare hoots, the fans join in, and Henare SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Jado shows that toughness but Henare drags him back up. Henare bumps Jado off buckles, tags Khan in, and Khan taunts Tanahashi. Khan gives Jado Mongolian Chops! And more Mongolian Chops! And then feints to kick a leg out! Khan says he’s too smart, and now he puts Jado in the corner. Khan hops up and the fans fire up as he sits on his throne!

Jado endures and the ref reprimands, but Khan pulls Jado’s arms! Khan hops down at 4, then clamps on a SLEEPER! Henare BLASTS Tanahashi yet again! Khan sits Jado down but Jado wags his finger. Jado fights, the fans rally up, but Khan clamps on body scissors! Jado is fading so Khan lets him go for a cover, TWO! Jado stays in this but Khan wants the ref to check him. Tanahashi gets fans to cheer “JA-DO-OH! JA-DO-OH!” Khan scuffs Jado, but that fires Jado up! Jado rises but Khan fires a forearm! Jado growls, nods, and he feeds off that energy! Khan throws more forearms but Jado eggs him on.

Khan fires forearm after forearm! Jado just powers up! Khan kicks low, runs, but Jado DOUBLE CHOPS! Jado roars, runs, and he CLOBBERS Khan! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Jado crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Tanahashi runs at Khan, FLYING FOREARM! Tanahashi BLASTS Henare, payback for all those times! Then Tanahashi dropkicks Khan’s leg! Then he DRAGON SCREWS it! Henare is back but Tanahashi catches his leg! Henare asks please don’t, but Tanahashi says, “Bye-bye.” DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Henare falls down and fans fire up as Tanahashi goes back to Khan.

Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Khan, then he goes up a corner. SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi stays focused and the fans rally up. Khan slowly rises and Tanahashi runs, to SLING- NO, Khan slips around and waistlocks! Gator roll to a bridge, TWO! Khan tackles Tanahashi, jackknife bridges, TWO! Khan snap suplexes for PANCAKE HOLD! TWO!! Tanahashi escapes again and the fans fire up! Khan rises, but Tanahashi blocks the Mongolian Chops! Tanahashi fires Mongolian QUICK Chops! Tanahashi runs but into a SAYANAGI! Both men are down and the fans rally! Khan crawls, hot tag to Henare!

Henare storms up on Tanahashi and KICKS him in the chest! And then KICKS him in the back! Then SENTON FLOPS as Tanahashi moves! Tanahashi rises, blocks a kick, but Henare JABS! Henare winds up, but Tanahashi ducks to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans rally up while both men are down, and Tanahashi crawls to his corner. Hot tag to Jado! Jado runs up on Henare to fire body shots! Tanahashi joins in, they double whip Henare to ropes, then BODY BLOW! KICK! And then whip into a LARIAT! Jado covers, TWO! Henare stays in this but Jado rallies the fans. Jado drags Henare up, but Henare KICKS Jado’s leg!

Henare KICKS Jado’s leg again and again! Henare runs but Jado DUMPS him out! Henare hurries back up but Jado kicks him! Jado has Henare in the ropes for the DRAPING DDT! Cover, Khan breaks it! Tanahashi CLUBS Khan, then TOSSES him out! Tanahashi leaves it to Jado, and Jado pounds the mat. The fans rally behind him and Henare stands. Jado runs up, blocks Henare’s haymaker, but Henare fights the takedown! BODY BLOW! Jado drops, but Henare clamps on with a half nelson! Full nelson! ULTIMA- NO, Jado powers up and ELBOWS free! Jado runs, but Khan gets a cheap shot in! Heanre fireman’s carries!

Khan runs but Tanahashi hits a SLINGBLADE! Jado hits a takedown, CROSSFACE!! Tanahashi has Khan in a CROSSFACE, too!! The Empire endures, Henare fights around, and Henare reaches out for the ROPEBREAK! The Empire is saved but Tanahashi kicks Khan out. The fans rally with Jado again, and Jado runs at Henare. DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And again! Henare HEADBUTTS Jado! Jado staggers to a corner, and the NATIVE KNEE hits! Henare powers up and clamps on again! Half, full, ULTIMA NELSON!! Jado endures, Khan stops Tanahashi from getting in!

Khan clamps onto Tanahashi with HITSUJIGOROSHI! Jado taps, The Empire wins!

Winners: Great-O-Khan & Henare, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Tanahashi & Jado earn 0)

Khan mockingly plays Tanahashi like a guitar before pushing him down. The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions are finally on the winning track, will they go all the way to the trophies? Can Tanahashi keep his WTL dream from turning into a nightmare?

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg!

The Uncontrollable Charisma & Ticking Timebomb took down The Mighty to start this tournament while The Joker & The Rook were cheated by the King of Darkness. Will Naito & Hiromu just add on with another win? Or can Yano & Oleg put the ungovernable behind BARS?

To keep calm during LIJ’s antics, Yano sits at the center of the ring, cross legged, as if to meditate. But it doesn’t really work as Hiromu walks back up the ramp to stand with Naito. Yano loses his cool, shouts at Naito & Hiromu to hurry up, but LIJ take little steps down the ramp. They make it seem like they’re going fast, and Hiromu even does little circles to take longer. Yano is beside himself and this isn’t even a match yet. Red Shoes also insists, so LIJ finally walk normally again. But even then, they take their time getting into the ring. Naito taps the bell, and the introductions finally happen.

Naito continues to troll Yano even as he goes up the ring steps. And then down the steps as Yano gets closer. Red Shoes has Yano back off, and Hiromu insists Yano give Naito space. Yano’s impatience continues to get the better of him, but finally he stays back long enough for Naito to step inside. Then there’s still the matter of his entrance attire… Yano tells Naito to hurry up already but Naito does as Naito does. Hiromu even reclines back while he waits. Yano is just further annoyed, but his complaints do nothing but entertain the fans. Naito finally puts the pants aside, and Yano says okay, let’s get going!

Yano starts, LIJ fist bumps, and Naito pretends to be unsure who Yano wants. Hiromu and Naito each insist, Yano says it doesn’t matter, just hurry! Naito starts, the bell rings, and then Naito tags out to Hiromu. The fans cheer, Yano is further annoyed, so Yano tags Oleg! The fans cheer and Hiromu says hold on, and he tags in Naito. Naito wants Yano, and Hiromu even gets fans to cheer, but Yano says no. Naito and Oleg circle, but Naito SPITS at Yano! Yano is upset again but he stays put. Naito and Oleg approach, but then Naito dodges Oleg to BLAST Yano off the apron! The fans cheer, Yano is upset, and now he wants in!

Oleg tags Yano, but Naito tags out to Hiromu! The fans cheer as the trolling continues, and Hiromu says he is Yano’s opponent now. They approach, Yano dodges, but Naito avoids Yano’s attack! Hiromu CLUBS Yano, then BLASTS Oleg! The fans cheer and Hiromu stomps Yano. Naito joins in to double whip Yano, but Yano grabs ropes. Oleg runs in to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE LIJ! The fans fire up and Yano says good job! Oleg stomps Naito out of the ring, and Yano unties a buckle pad! Red Shoes reprimands but Yano takes a swing on Hiromu! Hiromu dodges, Red Shoes grabs the pad, but Yano SHOVES Red Shoes down!

Hiromu drop toeholds Yano down! Then he basement dropkicks! The fans rally up and Hiromu paces around Yano. Hiromu stomps Yano, then slides out to go after Oleg! Hiromu kicks Oleg, SHOVES him into railing, then hurries into the ring. Hiromu has the buckle pad and he beats Yano with it! The fans cheer but Red Shoes is confused as to how this happened! Hiromu says no, it’s okay, it’s just a pad. Tag to Naito and Hiromu “apologizes” to Red Shoes, but now Naito beats Yano down with the pad! Red Shoes reprimands but Hiromu & Naito double whip Yano, to DOUBLE PAD LINE! Hiromu then puts the pad aside while Naito kicks Yano.

Naito goes to the corner, hops up, and he has the buckle pad. Hiromu distracts Red Shoes from the DIVING PAD ATTACK! Cover, but Red Shoes has to put the pad aside. Hiromu counts, TWO! Red Shoes says that wouldn’t count anyway! Naito puts on a CAMEL CLUTCH! Yano endures but Hiromu runs and runs and builds up speed, to BLAST Oleg! Naito grinds Yano down but Yano scoots back to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Naito lets go and tags Hiromu. Naito brings Yano up and LIJ double whips Yano to ropes. They DOUBLE LARIAT, then DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!

Hiromu looms over Yano and taunts him. The fans rally, Hiromu drags Yano up, but Yano pulls hair! Red Shoes reprimands, but then Hiromu pulls hair! So Yano uses both hands! Hiromu uses both hands! Red shoes counts, both men let go at 4! Hiromu kicks and whips, but Yano reverses to THROW Hiromu down! The fans rally, Yano crawls, hot tag to Oleg! Oleg CLOBBERS Hiromu! Naito gets away but Oleg goes back to Hiromu! Oleg deadlifts Hiromu, but Naito runs in and CLUBS Oleg on the back! LIJ double whips Oleg, but Oleg breaks the line! Hiromu shoves Naito aside, dodges Oleg, then he sends Naito into Oleg!

Hiromu picks Naito up to make him RA- NO, Oleg stops the assisted rana, to Shake, Rattle and- NO, Hiromu dropkicks a leg! Oleg lets Naito go as he hobbles, and Hiromu runs to CROSSBODY! But Oleg catches Hiromu! Shake, Rattle, and THROW! And a kip up, too! The fans fire up with Oleg, and Oleg runs corner to corner at Hiromu for a SPLASH! Those bare buckles hurt, but then so does the scoop SLAM! Oleg runs to SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up, Oleg fireman’s carries Hiromu, but Hiromu fights free! Oleg elbows Hiromu away, CHOPS him to a corner, and then scoops Hiromu to SLAM him!

Hiromu is in the drop zone, Oleg goes up and up to VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Oleg rolling deadlifts Hiromu! Fireman’s carry and- NO, Hiromu rolls with the crucifix takedown! Ghost pin, TWO! Both men stagger up and Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Oleg roars, Hiromu dodges and CROSSBODIES! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Oleg and Hiromu crawl, hot tag to Yano! Yano runs to BLAST Naito! Yano goes to Hiromu and brings him up. Hiromu CHOPS! But then Yano dodges to clinch and BELLY2BELLY! Yano then drags Hiromu around, and CATAPULTS him to Oleg! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Yano covers, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Hiromu survives! Yano huffs ‘n’ puffs and he drags Hiromu up. Yano pops Hiromu up, but Hiromu fights to hit a DDT! Naito sends Oleg into railing! Hiromu hot tags Naito in! The fans rally up as Naito stands Yano up for those heavy elbows! Naito elbows Yano again and again, then puts him in a corner. Naito climbs up, reels Yano in, and hits ESPERANZA! A rough roll but Naito is back up. Yano staggers, but he dodges Naito to push him down! M U! TWO!! Yano hits a fireman’s carry takeover, into M U 3! TWO!! Yano shoves Red Shoes, but Naito atomic drops and ENZIGIRIS!

Hiromu SUPERKICKS Yano, BLASTS Oleg, then helps Naito with the TORNADO DDT!! Hiromu goes to the apron and CROSSBODIES, but Oleg catches him! Oleg SLAMS Hiromu down while Naito brings Yano up. Naito wrenches, but Oleg runs in and SHOTGUNS Naito down! Oleg hauls Naito up, fireman’s carries, but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into a POP-UP fireman’s carry! Naito runs at Oleg but Oleg THROWS Hiromu at him! LIJ topples over, Yano gets in there to cover them both! Oleg adds on, too! OLEG & YANO WIN!!

Winners: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Naito & Hiromu earn 0)

It was a rather wild ending, but the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions come out on top! Hiromu tries to understand how that happened, but Naito brushes it off. Will LIJ just have to be ready for anything if they wanna win WTL?

As for Yano & Oleg, Yano gets the mic to say, “Hey, everyone, my apologies. Sorry to Naito and Hiromu, and to all the fans here because I knew you were supporting Naito. So again, I’m sorry, I didn’t read the room.” The fans applaud, they aren’t really upset. Yano says it’s rare, though, isn’t it? That he’d win in the main event? But Yano vows that whether on accident or on purpose, Yano & Oleg will win the whole tournament! No more need to read the room! This Toru Yano, and this Boltin Oleg, or perhaps “Yano Boltin” for short. They will win the championships!

Yano says they’ll test this out. He’ll have Oleg say more than just “Hai” and we’ll chant “Yano Boltin.” Is everyone ready? The fans applaud, and Yano asks Boltin for a few words. Oleg takes the mic and thanks everyone for being here tonight. He feels they can definitely win the World Tag League, so thank you very much! The fans cheer, and join in on “YANO BOL-TIN!” Shrug! The Joker & The Rook are looking good now that they’re on the board, but will they make a run at the top?

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

Evil & Ren Narita: 2-0, 4 points
Taichi & Taka Michinoku: 1-1, 2 points
Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg: 1-1, 2 points
Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi: 1-1, 2 points
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls: 1-1, 2 points
Great-O-Khan & Henare: 1-1, 2 points
The Filip Brothers: 1-1, 2 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado: 0-2, 0 points

My Thoughts:

A great second round for B Block, and that is already quite the traffic jam at 1-1. Great rebound win for TMDK over The Filip Brothers, and of course The House of Torture cheats to stay spotless at 2-0. Great rebound win for Henare & Khan, and I think there’s even a chance we see Tanahashi and Khan feud down the line, maybe putting on a KOPW Championship match while Khan still has it. That’s a small window, though, with 2024 almost over and then it’ll be reset for 2025. And what a great match and great shocker in the main event. Hilarious comedy elements with Yano being so impatient, and yet his team comes out on top.

The eventual Yano & Oleg VS Tanahashi & Jado match is going to be a really important one, because with just seven rounds, another loss could pop the bubble on The Ace’s chances. At the same time, Yano & Oleg are his friends and fellow NEVER Openweight Six Man Champions, there’s some drama in that they could really play up.