Will Los Ingobernables de Japon survive Suzuki-Gun?

As NJPW’s tag tournament series is nearing the end, Tetsuya Naito’s way to WrestleKingdom narrows! Can he and Sanada defeat Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer to stay alive in World Tag League?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Bad Luke Fale VS Yuto Nakashima; Fale wins.
• Great-O-Khan & Aaron Henare VS Oskar Leube & Ryohei Oiwa; Khan & Henare win.
• 8 Man Tag: Tomoaki Honma, Master Wato, KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight VS Bullet Club; Honma, Wato, Kushida & Knight win.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Suzuki-Gun; LIJ wins.
• World Tag League 2022: Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Alex Coughlin & Gabriel Kidd; Goto & Hashi win.
• World Tag League 2022: Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi; Evil & Yujiro win.
• World Tag League 2022: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS Aussie Open; Shane & Mikey win.
• World Tag League 2022: Tetsuya Naito & SANADA VS Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer; Naito & Sanada win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current World Tag League standings!

Aussie Open: 7-1, 14 points
The Mighty: 5-2, 10 points
Naito & Sanada: 5-2, 10 points
Goto & Hashi: 5-2, 10 points
Yano & Tanahashi: 4-3, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Khan & Henare: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Suzuki & Archer: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Coughlin & Kidd: 1-6, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Evil & Yujiro: 1-6, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

Chase & Fale: [FORFEIT]

World Tag League 2022: Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Alex Coughlin & Gabriel Kidd!

Bishamon is holding on, but time is running out if they want to make repeat appearances in the finals! Will the Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter #GetBackUp? Or will the #MechanicalBulls burst that bubble?

The teams sort out and Kidd calls out Goto. Fans rally as The LADOJO graduate takes on his sensei! Kidd and Goto circle as fans cheer Goto. Goto and Kidd tie up, are in a deadlock, but Goto finds a point of leverage. Goto puts Kidd on the ropes, but the ref calls the break. Goto lets off slowly, but Kidd kicks low! Kidd fires off forearms then clamps on a headlock. Kidd grinds Goto but Goto powers up to power out. They RAM shoulders but neither falls. Fans cheer as Kidd runs, RAMS Goto, and Goto stays up! Goto runs, RAMS Kidd, but Kidd eggs him on! Goto runs, RAMS Kidd, but Kidd CHOPS then fires off forearms!

Kidd runs, but Goto dodges and runs to run Kidd over! Fans fire up as Goto looms over Kidd. Goto runs, Kidd drops, then hurdles, then DROPKICKS Goto down! Fans fire up again as Kidd storms up on Goto. Kidd drags Goto up to ROCK him, UPPERCUT, but Hashi tags before the whip. Goto reverses, and Bishamon runs Kidd over! HIP TOSS SENTON! Coughlin runs in but he gets a double kick and the drumming! Fans cheer on Bishamon as they go after Kidd. They kick and CLUB and double whip, but Kidd holds ropes. Kidd BOOTS Hashi, then BOOTS Goto! Coughlin runs Goto over! Kidd clotheslines Hashi in the corner!

Fans fire up with Kidd and he drags Hashi up. Tag to Coughlin, and the Mechanical Bulls double whip to kick, knee lift and run over! SENTON from Kidd! They then split the wishbone on Hashi! Fans rally as Coughlin gut wrenches and deadlifts Hashi for the suplex! Then Coughlin deadlifts Hashi for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Coughlin keeps on Hashi, drags him up, and tags in Kidd. Coughlin full nelsons Hashi so Kidd can CHOP! Kidd stands on Hashi’s head at the ropes but lets off as the ref counts. Kidd goes out to drag Hashi out, and whips him hard into railing! Fans fire up as Kidd slides in the ring and flexes.

Goto checks on Hashi and coaches him up. The ring count climbs, Hashi sits up at 6 of 20 and crawls over. Kidd lounges as Hashi staggers up at 11 of 20. Hashi slides in at 13 and fans applaud. Kidd drags Hashi up to HEADBUTT him to the corner. Tag to Coughlin and Kidd chicken wings Hashi so Coughlin can CHOP! Coughlin brings Hashi around but Hashi throws body shots. Hashi CHOPS back! Fans fire up, Coughlin knees low, and Coughlin whips Hashi to ropes. Hashi dropkicks Coughlin’s legs out! Fans rally while both men are down! Hashi crawls, hot tag to Goto! Goto runs Coughlin over, and swipes at Kidd!

Kidd gets away and wags his finger. Goto turns around and Coughlin kicks low. Coughlin runs, Goto follows, but Coughlin gets around, FULL NELSON! Kidd runs in and CHOPS Goto down! Kidd & Coughlin stomp Goto, then double whip him to ropes. Goto breaks through their double clothesline to DOUBLE LARIAT in return! Fans fire up with Goto as Kidd and Coughlin go to opposite corners. Goto runs in and clotheslines Kidd! Then Goto runs corner to corner to MURAMASA Coughlin! BULLDOG for Coughlin! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Goto brings Coughlin up. Fireman’s carry, but Coughlin fights free with elbows!

Coughlin fireman’s carries Goto now! RUNNING DEATH VALLEY! Fans fire up with Coughlin and he tags in Kidd! Kidd fires up now and he storms around. Kidd calls his shot, suplexes, but Goto slips out to waistlock. Kidd elbows free, runs, but Goto dodges. Kidd dodges, Goto dodges, repeat! Goto deflects the boot to DISCUS LARIAT! Fans fire up again as Kidd and Goto crawl. Hot tag to Hashi! Hashi runs in and CHOPS Kidd in the corner! Hashi whips Kidd to CHOP him again! Hashi mule kicks, turns Kidd, and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Hashi drags Kidd back up. But Kidd CHOPS back!

Kidd eggs Hashi on so Hashi CHOPS back! Kidd CHOPS again! Hashi CHOPS! Kidd CHOPS! Repeat! Hashi CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Kidd DOUBLE CHOPS and down goes Hashi! Fans fire up and Coughlin joins in. Coughlin whips Kidd into the clothesline! Kidd comes back and Coughlin whips him back in at Hashi for another clothesline! Kidd then clinches for an EXPLODER! Coughlin drags Hashi up for a FALL AWAY SLAM! And Kidd goes up, for a TENZAN PRESS!! Cover, but Goto breaks it! Coughlin throws Goto out, then he joins Kidd. They stomp Hashi, then fire up and flex! Fans rally as Coughlin reels Kidd in, brings him up, but Hashi avoids the POWERBOMB!!

Coughlin freaks out, having bombed his teammate! Goto runs in, but Coughlin kicks him first! Coughlin runs, but into a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Fans fire up and Goto calls to Hashi. Goto drags Kidd up, CLUBS away on him, then whips him to a corner. Goto runs in to clothesline! Hashi runs in to clothesline! Feed to a kick, and Goto hooks Kidd up. Kidd breaks free, SLAPS Hashi, and DECKS Goto! Fans fire up as all three men are down! Kidd fires up and fans chant “OI! OI! OI!” along with him! Kidd drags Hashi up, reels him in, underhooks the arms, but Hashi blocks the suplex! Goto CLUBS Kidd and dragon sleepers!

Hashi gets the legs but Kidd boots free! Kidd suplexes Goto, but Goto fights it off! Goto suplexes, Kidd slips out, but Kidd runs into the HIDDEN GAP! Goto fireman’s carries, FIERCE FLASH! Coughlin gets on the apron but Bishamon BLASTS him off! Goto drags Kidd up, Hashi calls for it, and they hook Kidd up! SHOUTO!! Cover, Bishamon wins!

Winners: Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Coughlin & Kidd earn 0)

Goto & Hashi keep on building momentum! Will they truly #TurnItAllAround and return to the World Tag League Finals?

World Tag League 2022: Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi!

The Joker & The Ace are no longer in the running, but neither are the King of Darkness & Tokyo Pimp. Then which hand is hotter: the bad boys’ love, energy and comedy? Or the House of Torture’s treachery?

Dick Togo accompanies Evil & Yujiro, so again, watch out for Sho lurking. After Yano’s long introduction, and then Tanahashi’s comparatively shorter one, the Yankees squat! But Evil & Yujiro kick them down! The bell rings and fans boo while the House of Torture stomps away! Yujiro drags Tanahashi up while Evil drags Yano up. The House whip  the Yankees but the Yankees both reverse and throw the House down by their hair! Fans cheer and the Yankees squat again. Dick gets on the apron but then the Yankees storm over, so he backs down. The jackets are finally put aside, Yano drags Evil out while Tanahashi kicks Yujiro to a corner.

Tanahashi throws forearms, then he whips Yujiro corner to corner. Yujiro reverses, runs in but Tanahashi elbows him away. Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Fans fire up as Tanahashi air guitars. Tanahashi drags Yujiro up but Yujiro pulls hair! The ref reprimands and fans boo, but Yujiro talks trash. Tanahashi breaks free, Yujiro kicks and whips. Tanahashi reverses that but Yujiro holds ropes. Tanahashi runs in but Yujiro dodges. Evil grabs Tanahashi’s feet! Yujiro runs in to BOOT Tanahashi down! Yujiro BLASTS Yano off the apron, Evil goes after Yano, and Yujiro clotheslines Tanahashi out!

Yujiro distracts the ref, the fans boo, but Dick DECKS Tanahashi and Evil rakes Yano’s eyes. Yujiro goes out to drag Tanahashi up and put him back in the ring. Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Yujiro drags Tanahashi up. Yujiro snapmares and runs to drop a leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Evil tags in. Evil drags Tanahashi up, throws him out, and then distracts both ref and Yano so Dick can ROCK Tanahashi! Dick puts Tanahashi back in the ring for Evil and Evil covers. TWO, and Evil is upset about the count! Tag to Yujiro, he mockingly asks Tanahashi what’s wrong, then brings him up. Tanahashi fires forearms, but Yujiro knees low.

Yujiro scoop SLAMS Tanahashi, covers, TWO! Fans rally and Tanahashi sits up, but Yujiro is on him first. Tanahashi breaks free to fire off more forearms! But Yujiro knees low again! Yujiro whips Tanahashi to a corner, runs in, and blocks a boot to fire forearms in return. Yujiro brings Tanahashi out but Tanahashi fights the Fisherman Buster! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Fans fire up while both men are down. Tanahashi crawls, hot tag to Yano! Fans fire up with Yano, and Yano unties a buckle pad! Yano turns around, the pad blocks a kick! Yujiro freaks out while Yano and the fans fire up about the buckle pad.

Yano throws the pad to Yujiro, the ref tries to take the pad from Yujiro, and Yano SLAPS Yujiro on the head! Fans rally with Yano as he brings Yujiro around and whips. Yujiro reverses, but Yano stops from hitting bare buckles. Yujiro runs in, but is sent into the buckles! Yano rolls Yujiro up, TWO! Yano argues with the ref, but then brings Yujiro up. Yujiro wrenches out and BITES Yano’s hand! Fans boo and the ref reprimands, Yujiro lets off and he blocks Yano’s kick. Yujiro rakes the eyes, then he throws Yano down by his foot! Yujiro runs to SLIDING BOOT! Tag to Evil and he grabs the buckle pad.

Evil drags the pad over and tells Yano this is what he gets! Evil stomps away on the pad! Fans boo as Evil kicks the pad out of the corner. Yano gets up and grabs Evil’s hair! But Evil breaks free, runs, but into an atomic drop! Fans cheer as Evil hops and falls over. Tag to Tanahashi! Tanahashi rallies on Evil, BLASTS Yujiro, then kicks Evil. Tanahashi fires off fast hands on Evil, whips him to ropes, but Evil reverses. Tanahashi baseball slides and dropkicks Dick away! Tanahashi then dodges Evil to FLYING FOREARM! Fans fire up with The Ace and Yano gets fans to cheer on “HI-RO-SHI!”

Tanahashi scoop SLAMS Evil into a drop zone. Tanahashi hops up for a SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi keeps focus and he waits on Evil to stand. Fans rally, Tanahashi runs, but Evil uses the ref as a shield. Tanahashi still blocks Evil’s kick! DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up and Tanahashi grabs Evil’s legs. TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! But Dick distracts the ref! Yujiro JAMS Yano with his pimp cane! Yujiro gets in, Tanahashi legs Evil go to dodge Yujiro and dropkick the legs out! Evil shoves the ref into Tanahashi! The ref goes down, Dick gets in and uses the SPOILER CHOKER on Tanahashi!

Yujiro gets back in, and he has one of the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag titles! Dick shoves Tanahashi at Yujiro, but Tanahashi dodges the belt shot! Tanahashi shoves Yujiro into Dick! Then Yano DOUBLE LOW BLOWS Dick and Yujiro! Dick throws those two out, Tanahashi runs and SLINGBLADES Evil down! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives but Tanahashi stays fired up. Tanahashi goes to a corner and climbs! Fans rally, Tanahashi sees Evil stand, HIGH FLY ATTACK! And then Tanahashi goes back up! But here comes SHO! The Murder Machine is the card up Evil’s sleeve! Sho grabs at Tanahashi but Yano YANKS Sho down!

Tanahashi adjusts and aims at Evil, HIGH FLY FLOW onto knees!! Evil saves himself but both men are still down! Fans rally, Evil and Tanahashi stir. Evil hobbles but he brings Tanahashi up. Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS Evil! Tanahashi goes to full nelson, but Yujiro distracts the ref by bringing a chair! Evil LOW BLOWS Tanahashi! And then Evil shoves Tanahashi at Sho, for a WRENCH SHOT! Evil reels Tanahashi in, for EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Cover, the House of Torture wins!!

Winners: Evil & Yujiro Takahashi, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Yano & Tanahashi earn 0)

Only in wrestling does a King trump an Ace! Of course, it was more than just 2v2. And speaking of, the House of Torture beat up the Young Lions checking on Tanahashi, and then they continue to beat up Tanahashi and Yano! Fans boo and Abe-san rings the bell again and again but it doesn’t change anything! Evil and the House of Torture put one out on the Joker & The Ace. Will Darkness Fall on all of NJPW soon enough?

World Tag League 2022: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS Aussie Open!

It’s Aussie Aussie Aussie! OI OI OI! But only one team can come out on top! Will The Mighty refuse to be conquered? Or will Mark Davis & Kyle Fletcher coast into their first World Tag League finals?

The Orchestrator, Gideon Grey, of course gives the introductions for Dunk-Zilla & The Aussie Arrow. The Mighty then make their entrance, and tensions are already high. Kyle shoves Shane but Mikey steps up. The ref works to keep the peace, and the two teams stand down. Fans cheer for “AUSSIE OPEN!” while the teams sort out. Mikey starts against Davis and fans rally. Mikey and Davis tie up, Davis puts Mikey on ropes, and Davis lets off. Mikey avoids the chop and fans cheer. Davis and Mikey reset, circle, and tie up. Davis pushes Mikey back but Mikey turns things around to put him on the ropes.

The ref counts, Mikey lets off, and then he swings! Davis avoids the punch and fans cheer. Mikey and Davis go again, Mikey headlocks, Davis powers up but can’t power out as Mikey holds on tight. Davis powers up again, powers out this time, and Mikey RAMS shoulders with him. They stay up, Mikey runs, and he RAMS Davis again! They both stay up, Mikey eggs Davis on and Davis runs. But Mikey follows to ELBOW Davis at the ropes! Mikey whips but Davis holds ropes to then whip Mikey. Mikey comes back to facelock Davis! Davis fights the suplex and wrenches out. Davis dodges the haymaker to run Mikey over!

Fans fire up as Davis runs Mikey over again! Davis reels Mikey in, but Mikey suplexes Davis! And holds him up! Fans rally as Mikey holds Davis up for ten before the SLAM! Cover, ONE!! Mikey stays between Davis and Kyle to bring Davis up. Mikey tags in Shane, the Mighty double whip Davis to ropes, but Davis ducks the double chops to shove The Mighty into each other! Davis then brings Shane around, Kyle tags in as Davis whips Shane away. Shane runs into a DOUBLE CHOP! PENALTY KICK to SENTON! Fans fire up while Shane bails out. Aussie Open goes out after The Mighty and fans rally up again.

Kyle picks Shane up, Davis picks up Mikey, and Aussie Open runs around the way to SANDWICH The Mighty! Fans cheer for “AUSSIE OPEN!” as the ring count climbs. Aussie Open sit on the apron together with crowns up, then they fetch Shane. Kyle puts Shane in the ring at 10 of 20, covers, TWO! Kyle drags Shane up, scoops and SLAMS him, and keeps wrist control. Fans rally as Shane sits up, and Kyle scoops again. Shane slips free, tags in Mikey, and Kyle runs in. Shane puts Kyle on the apron, HOTSHOTS him, then Mikey hits an APRON DDT! Shane also BLASTS Davis off the apron. Mikey claims Kyle slipped but the ref knows better.

Mikey puts Kyle in to cover, TWO! Fans rally as Mikey sits Kyle up for a neck wrench. Kyle endures, fans rally, and Kyle fights up. Kyle throws body shots, but Mikey knees low! Mikey turns Kyle for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Mikey drags Kyle up, wrenches an arm, and he tags in Shane. Mikey scoops Kyle, SLAMS him, then Shane drags Kyle to the apron to hit a DRAPING BACKBREAKER! Mikey also BLASTS Davis off the apron. Shane leaves Kyle behind as the ring count starts. Mikey taunts Kyle while he stirs. The count reaches 10 of 20, Kyle rises at 13. Kyle stands at 15 and slides in at 17! But Shane is there to CLUB him down.

Shane drags Kyle up, tags Mikey in, but Kyle fires off forearms and CHOPS! Shane ROCKS Kyle, Mikey picks Kyle up, and The Mighty hit a BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, but Davis breaks it up! Mikey throws Davis out but Davis comes right back to CLUB Mikey! Shane gets in, The Mighty mug Davis, then they throw Davis out. The Mighty then go back to Kyle and Mikey CHOKES Kyle on the ropes! The ref counts, especially as Shane adds his boot to things. The Mighty let off at 4, and fans rally up. Mikey slaps Kyle around, taunts him, and Kyle gets up. Kyle CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Mikey kicks low!

Mikey brings Kyle around but Kyle blocks the suplex! Kyle blocks another suplex, so Mikey ROCKS him with a right! Mikey brings Kyle up but Kyle suplexes Mikey instead! Fans fire up as Kyle and Mikey crawl for their corners! Hot tags to Davis and Shane! Davis runs through Shane’s lariat to clothesline Mikey in the corner! And he CHOPS Shane! And clotheslines Mikey! And CHOPS Shane again! And again, and again! Shane dodges a chop, to kick low! The Mighty double whip but Davis handsprings to DOUBLE LARIAT back! Fans fire up with Dunk-Zilla and he stalks Shane to a corner. Davis CHOP LARIATS! And CHOP LARIATS! And CHOP LARIATS!

Davis brings Shane out, wrenches and torture racks, but Mikey ROCKS Davis! Mikey whips, Davis reverses and sends Mikey out. But Shane BOOTS Davis! Shane runs in but Davis dodges! Kyle runs in to A-LIST LARIAT! Kyle sits Shane down for Davis’ SLIDING FOREARM! Kyle DIVES onto Mikey! Davis torture racks Shane for the ALPAMARE WATERSLIDE! Cover, TWO!! Shane survives and fans rally for Aussie Open again. Tag to Kyle, Davis drags Shane up, fireman’s carry and POP-UP KICK! Davis scoops Shane, Kyle climbs up, but Shane slips off to shove Davis into Kyle! Mikey rushes in to clothesline Davis out!

Shane goes after Kyle but Kyle ROCKS him! Mikey tries but Kyle ROCKS him, too! Mikey gives Shane a boost to get at Kyle up top! TOWER OF DOOM, POWERBOMB SUPERPLEX!! Fans fire up and Mikey drags Shane onto the cover, TWO!! Kyle survives and fans rally again. Shane tags Mikey, The Mighty drags Kyle back up, and Shane climbs a corner while Mikey scoops. But Davis shoves Shane down! Mikey drops Kyle and swings on Davis. Davis dodges, Kyle GAMANGIRIS! Kyle tags Davis and fans fire up! Kyle feeds Mikey to a fireman’s carry, POP-UP KICK! Davis then scoops Mikey and Kyle climbs up! LAWN DART CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!!

Mikey survives and fans fire up! Davis tags Kyle back in, and Aussie Open fire the fans up. They drag Mikey up, double wrench and double pump handle, but Shane saves Mikey! Kyle kicks Shane, feeds him to the fireman’s carry, POP-UP- NO! Shane blocks the kick! Then sends it into Davis! Shane UPPERCUTS Kyle, but Kyle SUPERKICKS Shane in return! Mikey LARIATS Kyle down, but Davis ENZIGURIS Mikey! Fans are thunderous as all four men are down! Gideon and the fans rally up, The Mighty regroup and Aussie Open sits up. The four head for the center, and they throw forearms back and forth! Fans rally as the forearms go faster and faster!

The ref reprimands but Aussie Open gets the edge! Aussie Open both whip but The Mighty both reverse! But Aussie Open both KICK The Mighty, but Mikey dodges the lariats! Mikey comes back to LARIAT! Kyle dodges, and he SUPERKICKS Mikey! But Mikey stays up!! Mikey scoops Kyle, Shane runs in, TANK BUSTER!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Kyle survives and shocks The Mighty! Shane and Mikey both roar, and they drag Kyle back up. They both lift Kyle, but Davis BLASTS Shane away! Kyle cradles Mikey, TWO!! Double wrench, DOUBLE FOREARMS! Aussie Open go to opposite corners while fans rally up!

Aussie Open runs in, but Mikey dodges and Davis CLOBBERS Kyle! Mikey LARIATS Davis but Davis stays up! Shane LARIATS Davis from behind, but Davis still stays up! Mikey LARIATS again, Davis roars, but the HIGH LOW takes him down! Kyle SUPERKICKS Shane! Kyle aims but Mikey blocks that superkick! Mikey shoves Kyle into a BLINDSIDE LARIAT from Shane! Shane calls his shot, he goes up top, and Mikey scoops! SUPER TANK BUSTER!!! Cover, THE MIGHTY WIN!!

Winners: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Aussie Open earns 0)

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but they do conquer the Empire! And now, with Davis & Kyle going on a bye in the final round, could Shane & Mikey go into the finals as the top team?

World Tag League 2022: Tetsuya Naito & SANADA VS Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer!

Los Ingobernables de Japon dances on the edge. If they don’t make it to the finals, the Uncontrollable Charisma might as well kiss WrestleKingdom good-bye. But if they win here, they can keep on fighting! Will Naito & Sanada survive? Or does the Meanest Tag Team in the World Tag League mean it when they say #EverybodyDies?

The Murderhawk Monster strikes down Young Lion Kosei Fujita this time! And then he again intimidates Milano Collection AT. The King of Pancrase makes his entrance, and fans enjoy getting to sing, “KAZE NI NARE~!” Sanada and Naito make their entrances, and of course Naito takes his time. Naito also takes his time with his entrance attire. The teams sort out and Suzuki gets impatient as LIJ go slowly. Archer tells fans to shut up with cheering for Naito and Sanada. LIJ fist bump, but then Suzuki-Gun attacks! Archer goes after Sanada, Suzuki goes after Naito, and the bell rings as Suzuki-Gun throws LIJ out of the ring.

Suzuki knees Naito low while Archer whips Sanada into railing! Archer then yells at fans, and scares some kids! Suzuki fires off forearms, then he bumps Naito off the apron. Archer continues to scare small children before going back to Sanada. Naito and Suzuki trade forearms, then Suzuki whips Naito. Naito reverses and Suzuki hits railing! Archer puts Sanada in the ring, tells fans to shut up, and then he whips Sanada to a corner. Sanada dodges Archer to dropkick a leg! Then he dropkicks Archer down! Tag to Naito, and LIJ get Archer down to split the wishbone! Double basement dropkick! Cover, ONE!!

Naito keeps on Archer by holding onto his ponytail braid. Archer swings on Naito but Naito avoids it to claw Archer’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands, Naito stops, and Naito runs, but Archer goes the other way! DERAILER! Suzuki also goes after Sanada and sends him into railing! Fans rally but Archer stomps Naito out of the ring. Archer then drags Naito up and brings him back to those fans from earlier! Archer scares the kids as he brings Naito over and throws hands! Archer makes Naito take a seat, then JAMS Naito with one of the open chairs! Archer makes sure the kids are watching before he SMACKS Naito on the back!

Red Shoes storms over and Archer apologizes to him. Archer then stalks Naito, but he grins at the kids as he creeps over. Archer goes back for Naito, drags him up, and Suzuki is meanwhile raking Sanada’s eyes. Suzuki CHOKES Sanada on the railing while Archer brings Naito back to ringside. Archer POSTS Naito, BOOTS him down, then tells fans to shut up. The ring count finally starts, Archer drags Naito up to whip him into railing! Naito tumbles up and over! The count is 10 of 20 but Suzuki whips Sanada into railing, too! Archer fetches Naito at 14 and wants Red Shoes to hold on. Archer puts Naito in at 18 and fans applaud.

Tag to Suzuki, he stomps Naito around, and digs his foot into Naito’s face. Suzuki then has a cocky pin but Red Shoes refuses to count because of all the shenanigans. Suzuki drags Naito up and snapmares to then PENALTY KICK in the back! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Suzuki clamps onto Naito to pull on the arm. Suzuki bends the fingers and twists the wrist! And then the elbow! Naito endures, kicks around, Archer casually keeps the ropes back, but Red Shoes reprimands. Suzuki drags Naito up to bump him off buckles. Tag to Archer and he throws heavy body shots. Archer mocks the fans cheering on Naito, then puts him in another corner.

Archer CHOPS Naito, kicks him down, then stalks over. Suzuki grabs Naito’s arm, but he points to Sanada. Red Shoes is distracted while Suzuki has a HANGING ARMBAR! Naito kicks and flails, Red Shoes notices and counts, Suzuki stops at 4. Archer drags Naito up to scoop and SLAM! Fans rally for Naito but Archer runs to FLOP as Naito moves! Red Shoes has to keep Suzuki back, and Naito tags in Sanada! Sanada fires off forearms on Archer, but Red Shoes didn’t see the tag! He says it doesn’t count! Archer laughs as he and Suzuki drag Naito away to stomp away! Red Shoes counts at Sanada and he goes back to his corner.

Archer tells fans to shut up about the tag, and then he drags Naito over. Tag to Suzuki, and Suzuki-Gun mugs Naito. Suzuki taunts Naito while Archer taunts Sanada. Naito fires forearms but Archer pulls Naito’s hair! Suzuki CHOPS Naito down! Red Shoes reprimands and fans rally, but Archer stands Naito back up. Suzuki puts one leg in the ropes, then has a HEEL HOOK on the other leg! Red Shoes counts, Suzuki lets off, and he tags Archer. Archer kicks Naito, bumps him off buckles, then whips him corner to corner hard! Naito bounces off buckles, and Archer taunts him to go tag Sanada. Fans rally and Archer tells them to shut up again.

Fans rally harder for Naito now, and Naito throws body shots! Archer eggs Naito on, Naito throws forearms, but Archer knees low. Archer whips Naito to ropes, but Naito holds ropes! Naito dropkicks the legs out! Archer still rushes Naito but Naito dumps him out! Naito BLASTS Suzuki, too, and fans rally as he crawls for his corner! But Archer gets around to drag Sanada off the apron! Archer gets in, Naito dodges, hot tag to Sanada! Sanada dropkicks Archer but Archer stays up! Sanada dropkicks again, Archer is still up! Archer rushes Sanada, Sanada dodges and he dropkicks Suzuki off the apron!

Archer corners Sanada and whips him to ropes. Sanada dodges the boot to dropkick the legs out! Fans fire up as Sanada reels Archer in, but Archer throws body shots. Archer CLUBS Sanada, tells fans to shut up, and then he drags Sanada up. But Sanada suplexes first! Fans fire up and Sanada has the legs. Sanada ties Archer up but Archer kicks free! Archer runs in but Sanada dumps him out! Sanada PLANCHAS, but Archer moves! Archer whips but Sanada stops from hitting railing! Archer runs in, but Sanada drop toeholds him into the railing! Sanada puts Archer in, slingshots, but into a choke grip!

Sanada hops down, ducks a haymaker and HOTSHOTS Archer away! Sanada runs but Archer follows to CROSSBODY! Fans rally and Archer tags in Suzuki! Suzuki drags Sanada up, puts him in a corner and KNEES low! Suzuki tells fans to shut up, he whips corner to corner and BOOTS! Suzuki then snapmares Sanada, runs, but Sanada blocks the Penalty Kick! Sanada runs but Suzuki avoids the low dropkick! Suzuki stomps Sanada, drags him up and whips him to ropes. Sanada dropkicks the legs out! Fans rally while both men are down! Sanada crawls, hot tag to Naito! Naito throws hands and kicks on Suzuki.

Naito whips Suzuki corner to corner, runs in and JUMP KICKS! Leg sweep and swinging dropkick! COMBINACION CABRON! Fans fire up as Naito poses. Naito drags Suzuki up, puts him in a corner, and throws those heavy back elbows! Naito hoists Suzuki up top, climbs up after him, but Suzuki grabs a leg! Naito falls into a HALF CRAB TREE OF WOE! Archer BLASTS Sanada, Red Shoes counts and Suzuki lets go. Archer whips Suzuki in to BOOT! Archer runs in to back elbow! Snapmare, PENALTY KICK and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer as Naito survives! Suzuki drags Naito up but Naito throws forearms and elbows!

Archer knees Naito low, then whips him, only for Naito to reverse! TORNADO- NO, Archer stops the DDT! Archer reels Naito in to pick him up, and Suzuki runs, HART ATTACK! Then Suzuki grabs a leg for a HEEL HOOK! Archer intercepts Sanada with a choke grip! Naito endures, flails, reaches out, but Suzuki traps the other leg! Naito claws around, reaches out, but Sanada fights free of Archer! Sanada stomps away on Suzuki! Suzuki lets Naito go but Archer puts Sanada back in a corner. Archer throws body shots and DECKS Sanada with a haymaker. Naito throws forearms on Suzuki while Archer sits Sanada up top.

Archer ROCKS Suzuki with a right, Naito runs but Suzuki follows. Suzuki shoots around to waistlock and then SLEEPER! Naito flails, Suzuki turns him around to Gotch lift! Archer inverted crucifix lifts, but Sanada slips off to shove Archer into Suzuki! Archer kicks Sanada back, whips him to a corner, but Sanada tumbles up and out to then SPRINGBOARD MISSILE DROPKICK! Suzuki kicks Sanada, whips him to a corner but Sanada reverses! Sanada runs in to back elbow! And then SAIDO! Naito rolling jackknifes! TWO!?!? Suzuki escapes, but Naito ENZIGURIS him! Sanada and Naito coordinate, but Suzuki wrenches out to ROCK Naito!

Suzuki CHOPS Sanada, CHOPS Naito, then CHOPS Sanada again! Suzuki CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Naito, but Sanada ROLLING ELBOWS Suzuki! Naito reels Suzuki in and Sanada gives him the boost, but Suzuki drops to nerf the DDT! Sanada DROPKICKS Archer off the apron! Naito drags Suzuki up to wrench and tilt-o-whirl, DESTINO!!! Cover, LIJ wins!

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

Suzuki-Gun falls again! They’re out of the running as it is, but will they at least finish strong in the final round?

As for LIJ, Naito gets the mic to say, “Buenas Noches, KOCHI~!” Naito notes this was the second Kochi event for NJPW this year, and there were four World Tag League matches tonight. “Everyone, did you enjoy World Tag League, and Naito and Sanada?” Fans cheer because they did! Naito notes he and Sanada stand at 6-2 with 12 points. “In two days, we’ll win our last league match, in Himeji, and move on to the finals.” Fans applaud that, too. Naito hopes everyone enjoys the conclusion of WTL, and then remembers that everyone can cheer out tonight. Fans cheer to confirm it!

“So, how about this for the first time in five years in Kochi? Everyone, are you ready? The only way to close out NJPW’s second and final Kochi show of the year… Bushi! Sanada! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!!” Fans cheer LIJ on, but will Naito & Sanada keep things tranquilo all the way to the WTL finals?

Here are the NEW World Tag League standings!

Aussie Open: 7-2, 14 points
The Mighty: 6-2, 12 points
Naito & Sanada: 6-2, 12 points
Goto & Hashi: 6-2, 12 points
Yano & Tanahashi: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Khan & Henare: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Suzuki & Archer: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Evil & Yujiro: 2-6, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Coughlin & Kidd: 1-7, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

Chase & Fale: [FORFEIT]

My Thoughts:

A great penultimate round for World Tag League, though a part of me expected each of the results. Goto & Hashi beat Coughlin & Kidd to stay alive in the block while I should’ve figured the House of Torture was gonna cheat out another one since Yano & Tanahashi are also out of the running. I’ve said I’d love Yano & Tanahashi sticking together as a team, maybe they can feud with the House of Torture for a minute. Aussie Open VS The Mighty was great stuff, and what a great upset for The Mighty to win. With Aussie Open having a bye at the end because of Fale & Chase withdrawing, that really puts a lot of pressure on everything next around.

LIJ had a great match with Suzuki-Gun, and I couldn’t help but laugh at Archer scaring those kids in the crowd. But LIJ won, of course, to keep their story alive. Naito’s story of WrestleKingdom or bust has been the story of everything he’s done since the late Summer, and therefore is the story of WTL. Naito & Sanada VS Evil & Yujiro is going to be a huge match because once again, Evil could screw over his former faction. I would still think Naito & Sanada win then to get to the finals, and then we’ll see what happens for Naito and WrestleKingdom 17.

My Score: 8.6/10