Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/23/23)

Round 9, part 1, FIGHT!

Published

6 months ago

May 23, 2023

Steven Mitchell

A Block gets the top of the ninth!

Best of the Super Juniors enters the ninth, and A Block gets today all to themselves! Who will be A Block’s top two going through to the semifinals?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

TJP & Great-O-Khan VS Oskar Leube & Yuto Nakashima; TJP & Khan win.
El Desperado & Ryohei Oiwa VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita; Desperado & Oiwa win.
Francesco Akira & Dan Moloney VS Clark Connors & Gedo; Akira & Moloney win.
Six Man Tag: Kevin Knight, Master Wato & YOH VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Taichi & Taka Michinoku; Knight, Wato & Yoh win.
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS Ryusuke Taguchi; Taguchi wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: DOUKI VS SHO; Sho wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Lio Rush VS Mike Bailey; Bailey wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Titán; Titan wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings.

Mike Bailey: 6-2, 12 points
Lio Rush: 6-2, 12 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 6-2, 12 points
Titán: 5-3, 10 points
Taiji Ishimori: 5-3, 10 points [INJURED]
TJP: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
DOUKI: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
SHO: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
KUSHIDA: 2-6, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-8, 0 points [ELIMINATED]

Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS Ryusuke Taguchi!

This match may not matter to the standings and who heads for the semifinals, but dammit, the Timesplitter and Funky Weapon have pride on the line! Will Taguchi finally score at the last possible moment? Or will he be the very bottom of the block?

Kushida offers a handshake and fans cheer as Taguchi takes it. The bell rings and the two tie up. They go around, Kushida powers Taguchi to ropes but Taguchi turns it around. The ref counts the break, Taguchi lets off and fans cheer. Kushida hurries after a leg, trips Taguchi and floats to a cover but Taguchi keeps a shoulder up. Kushida floats to a headlock, Taguchi rolls it to a cover, ONE! Kushida holds on, goes after an arm, but Taguchi goes to headscissors. Kushida fights those off to float and wrench the arm. Taguchi gets a leg, Kushida hops around, and Kushida slips free. Fans applaud as the two reset.

Taguchi and Kushida feel things out, knuckle lock, and then Kushida spins and wrenches to trip Taguchi again. Taguchi fights off the cover but Kushida shifts to go after an arm. Taguchi moves around, he ties up the legs, and Taguchi pulls back on the deathlock. Kushida reaches back, floats to a headlock and takeover, but Taguchi headscissors. Kushida kips free, Taguchi turns things around with a headlock takeover of his own. Kushida headscissors but Taguchi kips free, and the fans cheer the new standoff. Kushida and Taguchi reset again as fans rally up. They tie up, and Taguchi headlocks.

Kushida powers out but Taguchi RAMS him. They stay up, so Taguchi goes again. Kushida goes the other way, they crisscross as they run the ropes, and then Kushida drops. Taguchi hops over and comes back, they RAM shoulders. They both run, both drop, and then both dropkick! Fans fire up as both men stand. Taguchi and Kushida reset again and circle. They feel things out, Kushida drop toeholds then wrenches an arm. Kushida grinds the elbow, Taguchi rolls but Kushida CLUBS the arm! Kushida CHOPS then whips, but Taguchi holds ropes. Kushida runs in but Taguchi puts him on the apron.

Taguchi rams Kushida, then triangle jump DROPKICKS! Fans fire up and Taguchi builds speed! But Kushida avoids the sliding dropkick. Taguchi pursues as Kushida goes around the way. They both jog around, fans rally up as they keep going, and then Kushida slides in. Taguchi follows, avoids the Penalty Kick, and then drags Kushida out for OH MY GAH ANKLE! The ref reprimands, Kushida holds ropes and kicks at Taguchi. Kushida then stands, and Taguchi stops in frustration. Fans rally, Taguchi gets up and shoulders in, but into a HOVERBOARD! The ref counts, Kushida lets off at 4, and then PENALTY KICKS the arm!

Taguchi writhes out to the apron but Kushida drags him back in. Kushida wrenches the arm, for an ELBOW BREAKER! Kushida drags Taguchi around, ties up the arms and traps them in that crisscross, to then SNAP LOCK them! Taguchi endures, Kushida gets his legs, HOG TIE CRADLE! TWO!! Kushida SNAP LOCKS the arms again! Taguchi writhes, Kushida paces, and then Kushida brings Taguchi up. Kushida snapmares to scrape his soles off Taguchi’s face! Kushida cartwheels to basement dropkick! Fans fire up while Kushida covers, TWO! Kushida brings Taguchi up and has the straitjacket stretch!

Taguchi endures and fans rally up with chants of “TA-GU-CHI!” Taguchi fights up, turns the jacket onto Kushida, but Kushida turns it right back onto Taguchi! Fans continue to rally, Taguchi fights up, and Taguchi swivels and wiggles the jacket down! Taguchi steps over to put it on Kushida! But Kushida arm-drags free! Kushida runs in but into a BOOT! Taguchi runs, but into a knee! Kushida runs, but into the SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK! Fans fire up as Kushida flops to ropes. Taguchi runs to HIP ATTACK Kushida against ropes, then goes side to side for another HIP ATTACK! And then a basement dropkick!

Kushida falls out of the ring, Taguchi triangle jump PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Kushida! Fans fire up while both men are down. The ref checks, Kushida stirs and Taguchi shakes out his arms. Taguchi brings Kushida up and into the ring, and then aims from the apron. Kushida stands, Taguchi springboards, MISSILE- ARMBAR!! Kushida catches Taguchi into the armbar!! Fans fire up, Taguchi fights the hold, rolls and turns Kushida over, to LA MA- NO, Kushida rolls Taguchi up! TWO, Kushida steps through, LA MA- NO, Taguchi blocks to a cover, TWO!! Taguchi and Kushida get right up to DOUBLE LARIATS!

Fans fire up, both men get up again, and DOUBLE LARIAT again! And they’re up again! Another DOUBLE LARIAT! They want a fourth, but they both fall down first! Fans fire up again and Kushida rises. Taguchi shakes his arms, both men sit up, and they crawl for each other. Taguchi throws a forearm, but Kushida gives it back. Taguchi throws a flurry but Kushida KICKS the arm! Kushida whips, Taguchi reverses, Kushida handsprings to BACK ELBOW! Fans fire up and Kushida says it’s time! Taguchi rises, Kushida runs in, HOVERBOARD!! Taguchi stays on his feet but Kushida’s got the body scissors!

Taguchi steps, reaches, but Kushida switches sides! Taguchi tries the other way, Kushida double underhooks! But Taguchi fights out and ROCKS Kushida with a forearm! But Kushida DROPKICKS the arm! Fans fire up, Kushida runs, but into a mule kick! But Kushida PELES! Taguchi ENZIGURIS Kushida! But Kushida winds up, only for Taguchi to “homer” the fastball! And then he BODY BLOWS back! Taguchi reels Kushida in, chicken wings, DODON BUSTER!! No throne?! Fans fire up and Taguchi crawls to the cover, TWO!! Kushida survives, but OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Taguchi has the ankle!

Kushida endures, fans are thunderous, and Taguchi’s butt is partially exposed!? When did that happen!? Kushida crawls, rolls, but Taguchi holds on! Then drops an elbow on the leg! The rope censors the shot but Taguchi goes booty up to lean as much as he can onto the hold! KUSHIDA TAPS!! TAGUCHI WINS!!!

Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by submission (gains 2 points; Kushida earns 0)

Incredible! At the last possible moment, Taguchi finally gets a win in this year’s BOSJ! Though, was that only because he returned to his Strange Style? As for Kushida, he has an uncharacteristically 2-7 finish! Will he be able to keep up in the Junior Heavyweight singles division like this?

Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: DOUKI VS SHO!

Another match that won’t affect the standings, but will establish a personal best! Will Japones Del Mal get to eight points? Or will the House of Torture stack the deck again?

Sho rushes back up the ramp as Doukie makes his entrance? Sho goes after him behind the curtain! And he drags… Wait, that’s not Douki, that’s Ryohei Oiwa with a Douki mask! Sho used a very Douki-pipe looking pipe to choke Oiwa, but then Sho makes the formal introductions and rings the bell himself! Sho stomps Oiwa, the ref wants him to stop because this isn’t Douki! SNAKE BITE!! Sho chokes Oiwa out, but here comes the REAL Douki! He is covered in tape just like Hiromu was a few days ago! Douki stomps away on Sho and tells Sho this is what he gets for messing around! Douki then drags Sho up as the bell officially rings!

Douki CHOKES Sho against ropes, lets off as the ref counts, and whips. Sho reverses but Douki RANAS back! Fans fire up, Douki runs in to clothesline in the corner! Douki keeps moving and he FLYING HEADBUTTS! Fans fire up with Douki while Sho bails out. Douki builds speed but Sho uses Kosei Fujita as a shield! Douki slides out, Sho slides in, and Sho comes back, but into a shoulder! Douki aims but Sho uses the ref as a shield! Douki stops the slingshot, and Sho dropkicks the legs out! Sho goes out after Douki, CHOKES him, but the ref reprimands. Sho drags Douki up, brings him around the way, and to the back part of the arena.

Sho throws Douki into the wall! And then Sho brings Douki along the backside of the bleachers, and all the way to the other corner, to CLUB Douki, and bring him into a backstage area! Douki fights back, Sho claws his eyes! Sho throws Douki in a trash bin! The ref reprimands but Sho leaves Douki in the dumpster to go back to ringside. The ref and a Young Lion help Douki out of the trash. Sho grins as he slides in the ring, and he says Douki really is trash! Fans boo and the ref reprimands, but the ring count still starts. Douki’s so far away, though! Douki crawls at 5 of 20, stands at 10, and Sho starts celebrating already.

Douki is back down the aisle at 14, reaches ringside at 16 and slides in at 17! Fans cheer but Sho stands on Douki’s hand! Sho bends the fingers! The ref reprimands and count, and Sho stops at 4. Sho then stomps Douki down, stands on his face, and makes it a cover. TWO as Douki still has fight in him! Sho taunts Douki, and Douki throws forearms! Sho rakes the eyes! The ref reprimands, but Sho wrenches an arm, brings Douki down, and kicks, KICKS and SUPER- NO, Douki blocks! But Sho rakes eyes! The ref counts, Sho whips Douki to a corner. Sho runs in but Douki BOOTS him! Douki goes up and FLYING HEADBUTTS!

Fans fire up and Sho crawls to a corner. Fans rally, Douki runs in, and he clotheslines! Douki keeps running, springboards and back elbows! Fans fire up more and Douki runs, DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Douki keeps cool and he drags Sho back up. Douki hooks the arms, Gory Especial, but Sho fights that off and bends fingers! Then Sho spins Douki, but Douki fights the lift. Douki runs, Sho brings him in, but Douki breaks free to ENZIGURI! Fans fire up again and Douki runs, but Sho uses the ref as a shield again! Douki pushes the ref aside but Sho blocks the kick! And rakes the eyes!

Sho then pretends Douki gave him a low blow! Douki defends his innocence, but Sho KNEES Douki into the ref! Fans boo as Douki and the ref are down, and Sho gets his ‘”torture tool!” Sho aims at Douki, but Douki has his pipe!! Fans fire up and cheer on Douki as he winds up! Sho says fine, swings, but Douki dodges! Douki swings, Sho dodges, but then Douki blocks the wrench attack! Sho’s hands hurt and he drops the wrench, then Douki JAMS Sho with the pipe! Fans fire up, Douki puts Sho in a drop zone and he climbs up top. Fans rally, Douki DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! But into the ITALIAN STRETCH #32!

Fans fire up as Douki pulls on Sho’s arms! Sho fights over, reaches out, but Douki drags him away, ITALIAN STRETCH!! Fans fire up as Sho starts fading! But EVIL is here! Evil claims he wants to throw in the towel, but the ref doesn’t trust that. Douki lets Sho go to shout at Evil. Evil says okay, okay, he’ll leave. But Sho is untying a buckle pad! A remix on the Bullet Club Special, and Douki runs in to hit bare buckles! Sho clotheslines Douki in, then tucks the arms! STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Douki survives and fans fire up! Sho is furious but then he aims his bow. Sho drags Douki up and reels him in.

Sho tucks the arms and brings Douki up again, but Douki slips free to trip and jackknife stack! TWO!! Sho escapes, runs, but Douki BOOTS him! Douki goes to the apron, HELL STABS, and even mule kicks Evil! DAYBREAK!! Fans are thunderous for Douki and he powers up! Douki wheelbarrows Sho in for SUPLEX DE LA LUNA!! Bridging cover, but YUJIRO TAKAHASHI drags the ref out! Evil fakes the count, and he makes Douki think he’s won! Douki turns arounds to see Evil! Fans boo and tell Evil & Yujiro to go home. Douki rushes in but into EVERYTHING- NO, Douki slips around to waistlock!

But Yujiro CLUBS Douki! Douki ROCKS Yujiro! And ROCKS Evil! But Yujiro LOW BLOWS Douki! EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Fans boo as Evil drags Sho over to the cover. The Tokyo Pimp fetches the ref, he counts, Sho wins!

Winner: Sho, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Douki earns 0)

Sho wins but he needed even more members of the House to do it! Is this how Evil & Yujiro are going to get the IWGP Heavyweight & NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships?

Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Lio Rush VS Mike Bailey!

The Bad Child and Speedball both stand at 6-2 and 12 points. No matter what, the winner here moves on to the semifinals! Will Lio make this Mike’s Final Hour? Or is there no stopping Mike’s momentum?

The bell rings and fans rally up. Lio and Mike circle, then approach. Mike offers a handshake, Lio takes it, and fans cheer the sportsmanship. Mike and Lio talk a bit, perhaps about respect but each still being the one to win. The two take fighting stances, then things speed up! Mike follows Lio to drop but Lio hops over. Lio avoids the boot, redirects before the chop and then again before another boot! Mike keeps pursuing, triangle jumps but Lio avoids the kick! Mike dodges Lio now, handsprings over, and then hurdles! Lio leaps over and Mike kips up to arm-drag! Lio bails out, Mike goes up and out, and the two stand off on the apron!

Fans fire up and the ref wants this in the ring. Mike and Lio strike stances again! Mike blocks, Lio blocks, Lio ducks the kicks, then shoves Mike back. Lio runs to swing around the post?! Mike pursues as best he can, they get in the ring, but then Lio slides out! Mike follows, they go around the outside, Lio makes Mike think he’s going back in, then goes back up as Mike hops down! Lio mule kicks Mike and then ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit and fans fire up for “LIO! LIO!” Lio has them get louder, then he drags Mike into the ring. Mike scrambles to the far side, Lio runs in, and he blocks a kick to SLAP Mike!

Lio eggs Mike on, so Mike comes back. Mike blocks a kick, flips Lio, and Lio bobs ‘n’ weaves to avoid strikes! Lio whips, Mike reverses, Lio reverses back but so does Mike! Lio goes up the ropes to springboard and arm-drags Mike away! Mike comes back and KICKS Lio down! Fans fire up and Mike goes to a corner. Lio rises, Mike storms up on him and wrenches an arm. Mike UPPERCUTS the arm, CLUBS the arm, wrenches the arm, and KICKS Lio back down! Fans fire up again and Mike covers, TWO! DOUBLE KNEE DROP! Fans continue to fire up, Lio goes to a corner, and Mike CHOPS him!

Mike whips corner to corner, Lio slides to a stop, but Mike blocks his boot to CHOP him again! Fans stay fired up and Mike whips corner to corner. Lio reverses, Mike stops himself, but Lio goes Matrix to duck a kick! Lio comes back into a SOBAT! AX KICK! And ROUNDHOUSE! Fans are still fired up, and Mike SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Lio is still in this and fans continue to rally. Mike keeps his focus as Lio goes to ropes. Lio stands, Mike KICKS his leg out! Mike stalks Lio, KICKS his leg again, then waits on Lio to sit up. Lio ducks the buzzsaw, and the other buzzsaw, but the lightning kicks and ENZIGURI hit!

Fans fire up and Lio sits back up. Mike aims, but Lio blocks the buzzsaw to fisherman, SPINNING BUSTER! Mike bails out, Lio builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and the Young Lions keep fans safe! Lio gets going again, to DIVE again! Another direct hit! Fans fire up and Lio goes back in. Lio builds speed but Mike gets up, so Lio HANDSPRING KICKS him! Lio keeps moving, builds more speed, and DIVES!! Direct hit for a hat trick! Lio drags Mike up, puts him in, and fans rally up. Lio climbs a corner, but Mike rises up! Mike climbs but Lio throws hands! Mike staggers away, but he comes back!

Lio gets away to another corner! Mike rushes over, but Lio goes back to the first corner. Mike rushes over again but Lio hops down to yank Mike down! Lio then jumps in, but Mike avoids the lariat! Mike goes to the apron, ROUNDHOUSES Lio down, and Lio flops to the floor! Fans rally up, Mike goes up the corner, DOUBLE JUMP TORNILLO! Direct hit and fans fire up again! Fans rally for “BAILEY! BAILEY!” now and a ring count starts. Mike rises at 5 of 20, drags Lio up at 10 and puts him in at 11. Fans cheer, Mike stalks Lio, and Mike brings Lio up. Mike suplexes, puts Lio on the ropes, and KICKS him!

Fans fire up as Mike KICKS Lio more! Mike then goes to the corner, climbs, and GUILLOTINE KNEE DROPS!! Fans are thunderous while Lio crashes down! Mike brings Lio up, puts him on the top rope, and tucks him in! FLAMINGO- NO, Lio sunset flips it! TWO!! Mike pushes Lio through, steps over, ARMBAR!! Lio endures, clasps hands, but Mike clubs away! Lio fights around, stacks Mike, TWO! Mike stands to MOONSAULT KNEE DROP!! And back to the ARMBAR!! Lio flails, reaches out, and scrambles over to the ROPEBREAK! Mike lets go quickly but Lio clutches his shoulder.

Fans rally, Mike waits on Lio to rise, and he KICKS Lio right back down! Fans continue to rally and Mike waits on Lio. Lio stands, staggers around, and Mike KICKS him back down! Fans fire up more as Mike waits on Lio again. Lio rises, Mike KICKS him down again! But Lio roars as he sits up! But Mike KICKS him, and MOONSAULT KNEE- NO, Lio dodges! Mike clutches his knees and fans rally up. Lio throws forearms on Mike, but Mike hits back! Lio throws another, and they go forehead to forehead. Mike throws forearm after forearm, and fans rally up. Lio jumps up! But Mike ducks the heel kick!

Mike SOBATS! AX KICKS! But Lio LARIATS!! Fans are thunderous again as Lio goes to a corner. Lio tunes up a la Yoh, but Mike blocks the kick with a kick! Mike BOOTS, HEEL KICKS, but Lio HEEL KICKS back! Both men are down and the fans stay fired up! Lio goes back to a corner, waits on Mike to rise, and Mike goes to the far corner. Lio runs in, but into a BOOT! THRUST KICK! Lio staggers, Mike takes aim now, TATSUMAKI- SPEAR!! Lio shouts out The All Mighty but it was double-edged given his bad shoulder. Mike bails out, fans rally, and Lio goes out, too. They stare down from across the ring, and go around the side.

Fans fire up as the two run in! Lio ducks the Rider Kick! Mike comes back, but into a SPANISH FLY to the floor! Lio puts Mike in, hurries up the corner, and he drags Mike up to join him. Lio positions himself to have Mike up, for a SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Mike survives and fans are thunderous again! Lio and Mike stir, and Lio kips up! Lio goes to a corner, tunes up fast, and Mike rises into the SUPERKICK!! Lio hurries back to the corner, goes up top again, for the FINAL HOUR into a boot! Mike drags Lio into a cradle, TWO!! Lio escapes but Mike goes to a corner! Lio runs in, blocks a boot but not the ENZIGURI!

Mike goes up, ULTIMA- NO, Lio moves! More damage to knees! Lio steps over but Mike rolls him up! TWO!! BASEMENT ENZIGURI! Lio runs, springboards, RUSH HOUR!! Lio hurries up top while Mike is down! Fans are thunderous for the FINAL HOUR, but he FLOPS as Mike moves!! Mike goes forehead to forehead with Lio, they stand up, and they both fire up! Lio avoids one spin but the TATSUMAKI SENPUKKU still hits!! Mike then puts Lio up, tucks and lifts! Lio fights with fists, but Mike still hits the FLAMINGO DRIVER!!! Cover, Mike wins!!

Winner: Mike Bailey, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Lio earns 0)

The Speedball makes it through, this is NOT his Final Hour! Who joins him in representing the A Block? We find out in the main event!

Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Titán!

For just a moment in this tournament, it looked as if the Ticking Timebomb wasn’t going to make the cut. But just as expected from the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, he’s fought his way back up! But just as with Lio VS Mike, the winner will be the one moving on! Will Hiromu keep his four-peat dream alive? Or will El Inmortal never say die?

Because this is an LIJ VS LIJ match, Tetsuya Naito appears! He lets Red Shoes check him before he joins commentary. Hiromu’s picture diary entry for Titan is something about being the new kid in LIJ. Hiromu is surprised to see Naito, though. As such, he presents Naito the diary! And then Naito drops it! Hiromu asks what the heck. Naito picks it up and apologizes. Titan looks at the entry now, is he surprised by it? Titan offers the LIJ fist bump, Hiromu accepts it, and fans applaud. The bell rings and fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” as they circle. The two tie up, break, then tie up again.

Hiromu waistlocks, Titan spins through to facelock, but Hiromu wrenches out. Titan spins, headlocks, but Hiromu powers him down to a headlock on the mat. Titan rolls, slips free, wristlocks, and then brings Hiromu up to wrench. Hiromu spins through, loops and kicks low. Hiromu whips, Titan reverses, but Hiromu denies the tornado DDT! Hiromu rushes in but Titan sweeps the legs! Cover, ONE! Hiromu sweeps, covers, ONE! Titan kips up and fans fire up! Hiromu and Titan reset and fans rally. The two circle, Hiromu offers a handshake, so Titan takes it. Then Hiromu CHOPS! Titan CHOPS back!

Hiromu CHOPS, Titan CHOPS, and they go back and forth! Titan SOBATS! Titan wrenches and whips, Hiromu reverses but Titan goes up and over and rolls back! Titan blocks a chop, knuckle locks and CHOPS, then he goes up the ropes, tightrope walks, jumps and FLYING RANAS! Fans fire up, Titan gets moving, but Hiromu puts him on the apron. Titan GAMANGIRIS, but Hiromu shoulders in! Hiromu runs, but Titan catches him with a body scissors! Fans fire up as Titan brings Hiromu out to the floor! Titan then goes up, but Hiromu gets under! Titan holds on, but Hiromu brings him off the apron!

Titan goes to rana, but Hiromu blocks! Hiromu brings Titan up, to APRON POWERBOMB! Not the sunset flip but it may’ve done just as much damage! Fans rally and Hiromu gets up. Hiromu fetches Titan, puts him in the ring at 9 of 20, then covers. ONE!! Titan still has a lot of fight in him, but Hiromu drags Titan up. Hiromu CHOPS Titan to a corner, CHOPS again, then whips corner to corner. Hiromu runs in to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Hiromu brings Titan around and wraps on the headscissors squeeze! Titan kicks around, reaches out, and fans rally as he scoots forward, to the ROPEBREAK!

Hiromu lets go quickly, brings Titan up and whips, but Titan reverses. Hiromu holds ropes, BOOTS Titan back, then BOOTS again! Hiromu brings Titan around to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Hiromu eggs Titan on. Titan stands to throw a forearm but Hiromu keeps egging him on. Titan throws more forearms, but Hiromu CHOPS! Hiromu whips, Titan holds ropes, and Titan BOOTS Hiromu! Titan runs but into an elbow! Hiromu whips, Titan reveres, Hiromu swings but Titan goes Matrix! And then CALF KICKS! Fans fire up again and both men rise. Titan roars, runs, but Hiromu puts him on the apron.

Hiromu swings, Titan counter punches and then springboards to CROSSBODY! Titan DROPKICKS Hiromu out! Titan runs to DIVE! Direct hit and the Young Lions protect fans! Both Hiromu and Titan are down but the fans rally up. Titan rises and he stands over Hiromu. Titan brings Hiromu up and into the ring, then drags him around by a leg. Titan stomps the leg, hooks it, and rolls into the TRAILER HITCH! Fans rally as Hiromu endures! Hiromu crawls, reaches out, claws his way over, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Titan lets off quickly. Titan storms up on Hiromu, but Hiromu throws a forearm!

Titan brings Hiromu up, Hiromu throws another forearm! Titan tries again but Hiromu throws another forearm! The forearms go back and forth, Titan hitting a bit harder than Hiromu. Hiromu still throws another forearm, but Titan fires off fast palm strikes, kicks and a SOBAT! Titan runs, but Hiromu follows to ELBOW him! Hiromu runs, but then fakes Titan to ELBOW again! Hiromu whips, but Titan reverses, only for Hiromu to block the DDT! FALCON ARROW! But Hiromu’s too tired to make the cover! Fans rally up, Hiromu hobbles over, and he brings Titan up. Fireman’s carry, CORNER DEATH VALLEY!

Fans fire up with Hiromu and he brings Titan up again. But Titan fireman’s carries! Titan throws Hiromu to the apron! Hiromu stands, ducks the haymaker and throws Titan by his mask! Titan kips up to PELE! Hiromu falls to the floor and fans fire up as Titan builds speed! Titan FLIES! Direct hit and the Young Lions get wiped out, too! Fans fire up more while Red Shoes checks them both. Hiromu and Titan stir so the ring count starts. Titan rises at 6 of 20, brings Hiromu up at 13 and puts him in at 15. Fans rally, Titan powers up, and Titan springboards! Hiromu moves, Titan rolls out of the stomps, but runs into a fireman’s carry! DYNAMITE PLUNGER! Cover, TWO!

Titan sputters and Hiromu is frustrated, but Hiromu brings Titan up to a fireman’s carry. Titan fights it, throws some elbows, but Hiromu throws him to a dragon sleeper! Titan spins around but Hiromu suplexes! Titan throws knees, gets free, but Hiromu kicks low. Hiromu runs but into the TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up, Titan gets the legs and hooks Hiromu up, JAVE INMORTAL!! Hiromu flails, fights the chinlock, but Titan keeps fighting for it! Titan has to bridge back up, and he pulls at hair! Hiromu keeps fighting Titan’s grip, fans rally up, and Titan knuckle locks an arm to chinbar! Hiromu breaks that to get the ROPEBREAK!

Titan undoes the hold and the fans fire up. Titan pounds the mat and the fans rally up behind him. Titan goes to the apron, springboards, but Hiromu catches him to a fireman’s carry! TIMEBOMB 1.5!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu fires up and he demands Titan to get up. Titan rises, Hiromu runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! And then dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, but Titan victory rolls it! TWO, and Titan steps through! Hiromu cradles, TWO!! Fans fire up as both men get to opposite corners. Hiromu runs in, into a SUPERKICK!! Fans are thunderous as Titan pounds the mat and goes to the corner.

Hiromu is in another corner, Titan roars and runs in, LOCO LARIAT! Hiromu staggers, Titan goes up a corner! Titan leaps to DIVING NDOUBLE STOMPS!! Hiromu sputters, flounders and writhes as he clutches his chest! Titan roars again and he gets the legs! JAVE INMORTAL!!! Hiromu is caught!! Fans are thunderous, Hiromu reaches but Titan keeps pulling him backward! Titan thrashes, Hiromu claws at the mat, but HIROMU TAPS! TITAN WINS!!!

Winner: Titán, by submission (gains 2 points; Hiromu earns 0)

El Inmortal just defeated the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion!! Everyone is shocked as Hiromu WON’T make the semifinals, meaning he WON’T have a chance at a four-peat! Hiromu’s larger dream of having a decade of BOSJ trophies dies already! But he shows Titan respect for the win here with a fist bump.

As for Titan, he gets the mic, and in Espanol, he says, “Firstly, all thanks to the Almighty God.” Naito tries to trick Japanese commentary into thinking Titan thanked him, but they known well enough that wasn’t the case. Titan then says, “Buenos noches, fans of NJPW! Beunos noches. To those who supported me tonight and all league long, good evening to all the fans of Los Ingobernables de Japon!” Fans cheer that, but Naito keeps trying to take credit for all this. Titan says he’s been working hard in both Japan and Mexico, “But I’m ready for what’s next, thanks to God’s grace. And also thanks to the support from all of you.

“This victory and league aren’t just for me. It’s for the Lord and for all of you!” Fans cheer that, and Naito stays quiet to let Titan have his moment here. Titan then says in Japanese, “Thank you very much!” Fans cheer that best of all, and Titan takes a bow. Will Titan soon have the spotlight all to himself in the semifinals and then become THE Best of the Super Juniors?

Here are the FINAL A Block standings!

Mike Bailey: 7-2, 14 points [SEMIFINALIST]
Titán: 6-3, 12 points [SEMIFINALIST]
Hiromu Takahashi: 6-3, 12 points [ELIMINATED]
Lio Rush: 6-3, 12 points [ELIMINATED]
Taiji Ishimori: 5-4, 10 points [INJURED]
TJP: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
SHO: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
DOUKI: 3-6, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
KUSHIDA: 2-7, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 1-8, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

A great ninth round for A Block here, with a handful of matches from B Block just to fill time. I of course skipped those, but I’m sure they were all really good. On paper, I could’ve skipped the first two A Block matches because all those guys were out, but it was still great fun seeing those matches. I should’ve figured Taguchi finally gets a win, and he ends up using a hybrid fighting style because while his serious style kept up with Kushida, it was butt-cheek-showing Taguchi that finished it. Douki VS Sho was also pretty good for more of the clever House of Torture cheating. I was wondering where Yujiro was, and here he is! This cheat helps Sho win but also gives a touch of momentum to Evil & Yujiro going into Dominion and the vacated double tag title match.

And of course, awesome stuff from the top four guys to get into the semifinals. I am grateful to modern technology for allowing us to pause videos and go back, because Lio VS Mike were just so, so fast. And the main event, Hiromu VS Titan, was equally awesome, and what a great shocker that Titan wins out! This is an awesome moment for both Mike and Titan, and Titan had a great closing promo, especially as I think this was his first time closing out the show. I believe this is also the first time a Mexican wrestler advances in the Best of the Super Juniors since Dr. Wagner Jr. in 1998, another great detail about this choice. I really hope Titan gets in to the finals, but we’ll have to wait and see who is coming in from B Block to know his chances.

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 NXT Results & Report! (5/23/23)

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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/22/23)

Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (12/1/23)

SmackDown hears voices!

Published

58 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.