Will the Death Riders’ reign of terror continue?

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the Full Gear Zero Hour!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Anna Jay, by pinfall

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

Backstage interview with Billie Starkz.

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

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

Backstage interview with QT Marshall.

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

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

New Year’s Day is a NEW ERA for AEW!

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

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

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

The bell rings and the four watch each other closely. Buddy and Mortos lock eyes as the big guys in this match, but Komander runs up. Buddy KNEES Komander low and shoves him out. Dante tries but Buddy does the same to him! The fans fire up now as we get Buddy and Mortos circling. But Dante and Komander return! Mortos and Buddy put them in corners, then fire off hands and stomps! Mortos SMACKS Dante, then shouts at Buddy. Buddy stops stomping Komander to stare him down. The fans fire up for these meaty men, but then Dante and Komander try again! They get put back in corners for more hands!

Dante dodges Mortos to POST him! Dante runs up on Buddy, bobs ‘n’ weaves then SMACKS Buddy! And again! Dante whips but Buddy blocks! Buddy BOOTS Dante, slips around, but Dante ELOBWOS him! Komander runs up, POP-UP RANA on Buddy! Mortos runs up to UPPERCUT Dante down! Komander knuckle locks Mortos , CHOPS, KICKS, and goes up, up, but Mortos yanks him down! Dante is back, Mortos knuckle locks him, too! Mortos twists their hands and fans rally. But Komander & Dante both push Mortos! Mortos pushes them back! Dante & Komander kick, dodges, BOOSTED QUEBRADA!

The fans fire up ad Buddy is back! Komander lisp out fothe back suplex, and Dante returns the afvor, BOOSTED CROSSBODY! The fans fire up again, and now Dante & Komander wrap Buddy around ropes. They CHOP, but Buddy TOSSES Dante! Buddy suplexes Komander onto the top rope! Buddy climbs but Komander fires forearms! Komander then leaps, but Buddy catches him! Buddy puts Komander on the top rope again, and CHOPS! And CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” for that second one, and Buddy climbs. But Morots YANKS Buddy down, TOSSES him out, and then ROCKS Komander!

Mortos climbs, he brings Komander up, but Dante CLUBS Mortos! Dante fires forearms on Mortos, whips him, but Mortos reverses! Dante goes up, around, and RANAS! Mortos tumbles, the fans rally up, and Dante BOOTS Mortos! Buddy returns, Dante BOOTS him! Buddy tries again, Dante goes up and over! Dante SUPERKICKS Mortos, but Buddy puts him on the apron. Buddy BLASTS Dante, but here comes Mortos! Mortos dodges Buddy to TOPE TORNILLO onto Dante! The fans fire up and Buddy FLIES! Down goes Dante and Mortos and the fans fire up! But wait, Komander sets up to tightrope walk and SPACE MAN ESCALARA!

The fans are thunderous and Komander feeds off the energy. Komander fetches Buddy into the ring, then goes to the ropes. Alex Abrahantes in his Vegeta hoodie coaches Komander. Komander tightrope walks for CIELITO- NO, Buddy moves so Komander belly flops! But then Mortos THROWS Buddy into steel steps! Mortos stalks Komander, SMACKS him, and whips him to ropes. Komander goes up and up and FLYING RANAS! But Mortos is up to SMACK Komander again! Mortos snapmares and NECK TWISTS! Komander writhes, staggers, but Mortos scoops for a CIPHER UTAKI! Dante returns, leaps over Mortos, but Mortos POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS him!

The fans fire up again and Mortos roars! Buddy returns, blocks the haymaker and fires off a strike fest! But Mortos avoids the knee! Buddy puts him on the apron, and catches Mortos for a DRAPING DDT! Buddy strikes like a viper and now he stalks Komander. Komander runs up, tilt-o-whirls, but Buddy LAWN DARTS him into Dante! Then Buddy has Dante for a suplex, JACKHAMMER! Cover, Mortos breaks it! Mortos drags Buddy up but Buddy shoves him. Buddy KNEES Mortos, then dodges Komander to TOSS him out! Pump handle on Dante, but Dante victory rolls it! TWO!! Buddy is up, into a JUMP KNEE from Dante!

Dante runs to ROCK Mortos, GAMANGIRIS, then TOSSES him out. Komander is back, Dante rolls him and wrenches, then tucks and MOUST TRAP! TWO!! Komander is up, he and Dante ROCK each other! And BOOT each other! They go again, switch and switch, but now Buddy is up! METEORA on Dante! Komander comes back to tilt-o-whirl DEJA VU DDT!! But Mortos ROLLING CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! Dante FLYING LARIATS!! All four men are down and the fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” as only Komander is on the outside and the others go to corners. Mortos snarls as he rises up!

Komander returns and the fans rally. Buddy and Dante also stand, then Komander follows. Mortos and Komander brawl, Buddy and Dante brawl, and the fans rally. Mortos SMACKS Komander, Buddy ROCKS Dante! Now the big men want at it! Buddy blocks a kick, sends i into Dante, but then Mortos does the same with Buddy’s leg and Komander! HEADBUTT for Buddy! Mortos ROCKS Dante, puts him up top, but Komander 619s the legs out! Mortos staggers, Komander springboards to FLYING POISON-RANA!! Dante hits the MAMBA SPLASH!! Cover, BUDDY STOMPS DANTE!! Cover, BUDDY WINS!

Winner: Buddy Matthews, by pinfall

A very opportunistic strike from Buddy Matthews, because The House Always Wins! Will that be true as Malakai Black & Brody King go for the AEW World Tag Team Championships? Or can Private Party make it out of Full Gear still golden?

Paul “The Giant” Wight is here!

The fans cheer as the World’s Largest Athlete now joins commentary for what could be the biggest match of Zero Hour history! And he isn’t alone, because our special guest timekeeper is… THE RIZZLER! Rizzler keeps up the Rizz Face all the way to the ring, and he finds his way to the timekeeper’s area. Time to fight on the mat for The Rizzler!

Zero Hour – Big Boom AJ w/ Big Justice VS QT Marshall w/ Ace of Space Academy!

After 20 YEARS, these two former rivals finally meet again. Who will be the greatest wrestler from the Garden State when AEW pits BOOM against DOOM?

QT kisses his Doom weight belt, offers it to a fan, but the fan slaps it down! QT hands it to his wife, Mrs. Marshall, and she accepts it. Rizzler rings the bell and it begins! The fans chant “BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!” but QT talks smack on AJ. AJ stares QT down, the fans rally up, and the two circle. They tie up, and QT arm-drags! QT celebrates like he did something amazing but the fans boo. QT and AJ reset, tie up, but QT waistlocks. QT spins AJ, snapmares, and again celebrates like he won or something. The fans boo and AJ gets annoyed. QT and AJ reset again, circle, and tie up. QT wrenches to a wristlock but the fans rally behind AJ.

AJ wrenches through, fireman’s carries for the takeover, and now AJ gets to celebrate! The fans cheer and now QT is flustered. The fans tell AJ, “You Still Got It!” QT calls for a knuckle lock, so AJ says bet. They tie up, but then QT kicks low! The fans boo but QT clamps on a headlock. AJ endures the grind, fights up, and he powers out. QT RAMS AJ, but AJ stays put! QT is annoyed, he runs, and he RAMS AJ! QT almost bounces off! The fans fire up and QT tries again, then ducks ‘n’ dodges! But AJ picks QT up for a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! QT escapes and flounders away! Rizzler is intrigued, but QT kicks and UPPERCUTS AJ!

AJ goes to a corner, QT storms over and bumps AJ off buckles. AJ whips QT, and hits a BACKDROP! Then AJ LARIATS QT up and out! The Doom Squad is there, Rizzler is all smiles, and AJ puts QT in the ring. AJ warns the Doom Squad to stay back, but QT runs in! AJ dodges as QT FLIES, and down goes the squad! AJ then ROCKS QT with a haymaker! And ROCKS him again! AJ sends QT into railing, then puts him in the ring. AJ storms in but QT KICKS him in the ropes! QT drags AJ up for a BASEMENT DDT! The fans boo QT but he soaks it up. QT taunts AJ, drags him up, and DECKS him with a right!

QT mocks the fans, then taunts AJ. AJ rises, but QT DECKS him again! QT taunts AJ’s family and says, “I thought he was gonna bring the boom!” Mrs. Boom says QT is going down! QT swings but AJ counter punches! QT DROPKICKS AJ in return! Rizzler does not like that but QT covers, TWO! QT sits AJ up and clamps on a neck wrench. The fans sing, “OH~, We Want The Rizzler~!” Rizzler nods and AJ fights up. AJ fires body shots but QT CLUBS him down. QT says shut up about Rizzler! QT runs up, but AJ stops the cutter! BELLY2BELLY! Down goes QT and the fans fire up! Big Justice coaches on his dad but QT rises up.

The fans rally as QT and AJ both stand. AJ ROCKS QT! And ROCKS him again! And again! Again, again, and again! QT is in a corner, AJ whips corner to corner. QT reverses but AJ comes back to LARIAT! And LARIAT! AJ dodges, and he SPINEBUSTERS QT! The fans fire up and Rizzler is going into overdrive! AJ hurries up a corner and the fans fire up again! QT rises, AJ aims, FLYING BOOM! The fans fire up and AJ rises again! AJ says it’s time! “BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!” QT rises, AJ has him for a scoop and… POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! QT survives but Rizzler wonders if this is almost over.

QT and AJ rise up, and AJ storms over to QT. AJ whips, QT handsprings! NEURALIZER KICK! The fans boo but QT rises again! QT runs up, DIAMOND CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!!! AJ survives and the fans are thunderous! QT cannot believe it but Big Justice & Rizzler are excited! QT goes out of the ring, he talks trash on Rizzler, but Wight defends the kid. QT apologizes, backs off, and QT goes up a corner. QT talks trash on Big Justice now, but AJ ROCKS QT! The fans fire up as AJ climbs! AJ has QT on the very top, and hits a SUPER DUPER PLEX!! A big gamble from Big Boom AJ, but he’s about to double down!

The fans fire up and AJ has QT set up! But wait, is that Aaron Solo?! Solo talks trash, but AJ DECKS him! Solo flounders, but QT BOOTS AJ! The fans boo but now QT calls his shot. WAIT! Big Justice steps in! BIG JUSTICE SPEARS QT!! The fans are thunderous as now AJ kicks QT, and brings him up for a POWER BOOM!!! Cover, AJ wins!

Winner: Big Boom AJ, by pinfall

QT’s Doom Squad tried to screw over AJ, but Big Justice laid down the law! Rizzler celebrates with AJ & Big Justice! Will they continue to bring the BOOM to AEW?

Mercedes Mone & Kamille arrive backstage.

The CEO is upset that her title defense has to be here in disgusting Newark, NJ. But since the cameras are here, she has something to say to Kamille now. This last month has been super frustrating. Actually, more like embarrassing! Kamille came out to the crowd, pandering for sympathy?! Mone wouldn’t even be in this mess if not for Kamille in the first place! Kamille shows up wanting to attack Kris Statlander, and then she loses to her?! And let’s not even start on her bad driving! Is Kamille stupid or just dumb? Kamille tells Mone to watch herself. Mone asks if she gave Kamille permission to speak. Does Kamille not know who Mone is and what she’s done for this business?

Mone is The CEO, the greatest woman’s champion o fall time! And tonight, Kamille can just watch from catering as Mone shows how a real woman gets the job done. Watch and learn. Mone leaves, Kamille rolls her eyes, but clearly Kamille wishes she could use both arms right now. Will the Brickhouse just have to watch Two Belts Mone lose one of those belts all on her own?

Will it be lights out on Los Ingobernables de Japon?

Bishamon won last round, but so did Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji. Now they clash in the main event of A Block’s second round! Who keeps winning in this World Tag League?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Daiki Nagai; Shoma wins.
• Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Bullet Club; TMDK wins.
• Six Man Tag: Taichi, Taka Michinoku & DOUKI VS The House of Torture; Taichi, Taka & Douki win.
• Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI VS Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano; Oleg & Yano win.
• Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• World Tag League 2024 A Block: Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
• World Tag League 2024 A Block: Gabe Kidd & SANADA VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Gabe & Sanada win.
• World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa; Shota & Honma win.
• World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji; Bishamon wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!

The Funky Sauce had a less than hot debut losing to Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji. And now, they’re running into the Imperial Unit & Prince of Pace, who are already setting a good pace with their win. Can Zayne & Taguchi heat things up? Or will they be conquered by The United Empire?

The teams sort out and Cobb calls out Taguchi’s hips. Zayne says oishi (tasty) but Cobb is pretty sure that’s not true. The debate on oishi or oishi janai continues, but we finally get Zayne and Callum starting. The fans rally up at the bell, and Callum circles with Zayne. They tie up, go around, and Zayne puts Callum on ropes. Zayne lets off cleanly and quickly and the two reset. They tie up, Callum puts Zayne on ropes now, and the ref counts. Callum lets off slowly, but still cleanly. The fans applaud and the two reset. Zayne and Callum tie up again, Zayne headlocks, but Callum powers up and out. Zayne runs Callum over!

The fans applaud and Zayne smirks. Things speed up, Callum hurdles but Zayne cartwheels over. The fans cheer as Zayne plays with his hair. Callum runs up but Zayne wrenches and whips him. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS Zayne down! The fans cheer and Callum mocks the hair twisting. Zayne goes to a corner, the fans rally up, and Callum runs in. Zayne dodges, runs back in, but Callum puts him on the apron. Zayne slingshots back in to RANA! A rough tumble but Callum is up. Zayne waistlocks, Callum switches, but Zayne bucks the O’Conner. Zayne DUMPS Callum to the apron, avoids the shoulder tackle and KICKS!

Zayne runs side to side to ROLLING AX KICK! The fans fire up while Callum flops down. Zayne drags Callum up, tags in Taguchi, and Funky Sauce SPANKS Callum! Taguchi BLASTS Cobb for good measure before he and Zayne double whip Callum to a corner. Taguchi HIP ATTACKS, then sets up for Zayne to LEAP FROG SHOTGUN! Callum sits down, Zayne rolls back and he headscissors Taguchi to CANNONBALL Callum! Zayne then CANNONBALLS Callum himself! Taguchi covers, TWO! The fans fire up and Taguchi brings Callum into a chinlock. Callum endures the knee in his back as Taguchi pulls on him.

Taguchi puts on a headscissors and he squeezes tight! Callum endures, fights around, and kicks his way over to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go as the fans cheer, and Taguchi taunts Cobb with his cheeks. Taguchi goes back but Callum UP KICKS him! Callum skins the cat to the apron, slingshots to somersault, and then SOBATS! Both men fall and the fans rally up. Callum grits his teeth, rolls to the corner and tags in Cobb. Cobb storms up to stomp Taguchi, then he steps on Taguchi to step to Zayne. Cobb stands on Taguchi to use him as a surfboard! Cobb mocks Zayne’s hair twisting, then “apologizes” as he steps off Taguchi.

Cobb stands Taguchi up to HEADBUTT him down! Cobb drags Taguchi up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Callum in. Callum stomps Taguchi, but Taguchi kicks back. Callum stomps Taguchi’s leg! Callum clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Taguchi down. Taguchi fights around to the ROPEBREAK! Callum lets go and paces around. Taguchi rises, Callum kicks him, and Callum eggs Taguchi on. Taguchi CHOPS! Callum knees low in return! Callum whips Taguchi to a corner, runs corner to corner, but Taguchi BOOTS him! Taguchi goes up to headscissor for the DEADLY OSHIRI! Taguchi then runs up, but into an atomic drop!

Taguchi hobbles, Callum runs, but Taguchi somersaults to HIP ATTACK! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Taguchi crawls, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne runs past Callum to BLAST Cobb! Zayne fires forearms and elbows on Callum, then mule kicks! Zayne runs, but blocks a boot first! Zayne KNEES Callum to a corner, runs up and UPPERCUTS! Zayne puts Callum up top, climbs up after him, but Callum fires body shots! Callum shoves Zayne but Zayne flips back and rolls through! Zayne runs back up to JUMP RANA! The fans fire up and Zayne scoops Callum, for the BAJA BLAST! Cover, TWO! Callum stays in this but the fans rally with Zayne.

Zayne pounds the mat and the fans clap along. Cobb runs up, dodges Zayne and ROCKS him! Cobb runs in, Zayne dodges at the corner, then Zayne comes back. Cobb dodges, Zayne QUEBRADAS, but Cobb catches Zayne! Cobb wobbles and staggers, Zayne slips down to FINAL CUT! Cobb bails out, Callum runs up, but Zayne avoid the Penalty Kick! Callum avoids the Eddy Gordo kick to shove, but Zayne runs him over! Callum kips up, but Zayne avoids the enzigiri! Zayne runs, MARIPOSA, but Callum makes it a ghost pin! TWO!! Zayne stands, into a ROUNDHOUSE! Taguchi tags in and hurries after Callum!

Callum swings, Taguchi dodges but Callum elbows. Callum runs, Taguchi runs, but Callum catches him! Torture rack, GO TO HOSPITAL!! The fans fire up and Cobb tags in. Cobb RAMS Taguchi into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH, then he sets up under Cobb’s UPPERCUT! Callum BLASTS Zayne, goes to the apron, and he ENZIGIRIS Taguchi into a fireman’s carry! Callum is up top, DOUBLE STOMP and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cobb sits Taguchi up to HIP ATTACK! And then GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT FLOPS as Taguchi moves! Taguchi comes back, KETSUYE!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Cobb survives, and Taguchi pounds the mat. Taguchi runs, but Cobb catches the hip attack! Zayne CLUBS Cobb, Taguchi HIP ATTACKS! Zayne DROPKICKS, Taguchi FLYING HIP ATTACKS! MARIPOSA! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives, but Taguchi has OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Cobb endures, rolls, and he BOOTS Taguchi away! Taguchi KETSUYES!! Cover, TWO!! Cobb still has power to spare but Taguchi has some of his own! Taguchi powers up in the corner, “ORYA~!” KETSU- NO, Cobb rolls it to a waistlock! Callum wipes Zayne out, then he BOOTS Taguchi into the GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, but Zayne breaks it!

The fans fire up while Callum TOSSES Zayne back out. Cobb hauls Taguchi up, ripcord and TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, Cobb & Callum win!

Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)

Another round and another win for The United Empire, but also another loss for Funky Sauce. Will these trends continue through the rest of the league? Or can Zayne & Taguchi turn things around before the end?

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Gabe Kidd & SANADA VS KENTA & Chase Owens!

No NJPW round robin tournament would be complete without Bullet Club VS Bullet Club! The Mad Man & Cold Skull lost to Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, Fang Revived & Crown Jewel lost to Bishamon, so both teams are in a fighting mood. Which faction within the club comes out feeling Just Too Sweet?

Aw hell, Gabe & Sanada attack Kenta & Chase during their entrance! No mercy just because they’re all Bullet Club! Sanada brings Chase into the crowd while Gabe and Kenta brawl down the aisle! Gabe then brings Kenta around to another area. Chase whips but Sanada reverses and he BOWLS Chase into chairs! A strike for Sanada, but Kenta does the same to Gabe! Sanada JAMS Chase with a chair, then CLAWS his face! Gabe and Kenta brawl up into the bleachers! Gabe ROCKS Kenta, brings him to the railing at the back, and Sanada SMACKS Chase off more chairs. Gabe mockingly asks for Too Sweet but Kenta ROCKS him!

Gabe goes to another stairway and walks down but Kenta storms up behind him, Kenta CLUBS Gabe, and now Chase has Sanada way over in the back row of the opposite end! Chase can tell where Kenta and Gabe are because of the spotlights following them! Chase CLUBS Sanada, then leaves him behind to go help Kenta. Gabe CHOKES Kenta with a shirt! Gabe mockingly offers the Too Sweet, then cusses Kenta out. Gabe says, “We run this!” in reference to War Dogs over OG Bullet Club. But then Chase goes after Gabe! Sanada hurries to help Gabe and now the brawling is all in the same area! Kenta has Sanada now while Chase keeps after Gabe.

Things finally go back to the ground level and to ringside. Kenta ROCKS Sanada, but Sanada ROCKS Kenta! Gabe CHOKES Chase with a chair! Gabe storms around but Sanada does the same to Kenta on the other side. Chase CHOPS and fires forearms, but Gabe doesn’t flinch. So Chase CLAWS Gabe’s face! Sanada ROCKS Kenta, stalks him, and then Gabe SMACKS Chase with a chair! The Young Lions make sure fans are safely out of the way while Kenta CLAWS Sanada’s face. Gabe brings Chase to ringside and SMACKS him off the apron. Gabe then hurries to help Sanada as he BLINDSIDES Kenta!

Gabe and Kenta brawl now, and Gabe DECKS Kenta! Gabe & Sanada agree to go get Chase, but wait, where is he? Chase runs up from behind to CLOBBER them both! Chase CLUBS Sanada, but Gabe CLAWS Chase’s face! Gabe POSTS Chase, and finally, Sanada puts Chase in the ring. Gabe & Sanada Too Sweet, and Gabe mean mugs Tenzan on commentary. Sanada steps in, and this is finally a match! Sanada CLUBS Chase, whips him, but Chase ducks ‘n’ WRECKS Gabe with a dropkick! Chase RAMS Sanada, HOTSHOTS him, then calls to Kenta. Kenta finds his way in and Chase stomps Sanada in a corner.

Kenta storms up, he and Chase double whip Sanada to the corner. Chase runs in, forearm SMASH, and then he sits Sanada down. Kenta runs up to HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Chase goes up while Sanada is in the drop zone, for a MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Chase snarls, Kenta DOUBLE STOMPS Gabe on the outside! Chase keeps on Sanada, reels him in, but Sanada fights the tuck! Chase ROCKS Sanada, whips him to a corner, but Sanada goes up and out then to the floor. Chase chases Sanada around, but Gabe sends Kenta into railing! Sanada KICKS ropes to jam Chase up! Sanada tags in Gabe and the War Dogs bring Chase up.

Gabe & Sanada double suplex, but Chase fights it! Kenta’s back and he BOOTS Gabe! Sanada DROPKICKS Kenta! Chase runs up on Sanada. Sanada wrenches him, but Chase spins through. Sanada fights the suplex to MAGIC SCREW! Gabe is back and he brings Chase up. “I’m a Mad Man-” Chase wrenches out, ducks a lariat, and then spins Gabe, FINAL CUT! Cover, TWO! Gabe stays in this while Kenta and Sanada fight on the outside. Chase locks ‘n’ loads, runs up on Gabe, but Gabe blocks the C-Trigger! Chase fires forearms to get free, but Gabe ROCKS Chase! The ref reprimands about closed fists, but Chase rebounds!

Gabe dodges Chase and hits the COMEBACKER LARIAT! And then a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, Kenta breaks it! Kenta CLUBS Gabe, but Sanada CLAWS Kenta’s face! Sanada TOSSES Kenta out and Gabe brings Chase up. Gabe then pushes Chase over, because he says this is for Kenny Omega! Gabe aims a finger gun at Chase! “Good bye, and F YOU, Kenny!!” Gabe runs up to V-TRIGGER!! Then a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, War Dogs win!!

Winners: Gabe Kidd & Sanada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)

The War Dogs struck first and never let up, and now they win to break even. Wait, as Kenta & Chase are helped away, and even as Sanada heads out, Gabe sits cross-legged while he has the mic. “Let me be very effin’ clear. You crossed the line as soon as you ran to Tokyo Sports and started calling me all this s*it. Unprofessional, all this s*it. Let me make this very effin’ clear! You said you wanted, you said the fans wanted, I said it before: I don’t give a F what anyone wants but me! And I wanna end your career! So iitengo (January 5th), Gabe Kidd, Kenny Omega, LET’S EFFIN’ GO!!”

The fans are fired up to hear WrestleDynasty now has a massive crossover match added! But will Gabe keep making this about The Best Bout Machine until it comes back to bite him? Or is that just the motivation he needs so he and Sanada can take the trophies?

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa!

The Roughneck & Everyone’s Kokeshi had a rough opening round with their loss, but The Front Man & The Mullet had a mighty main event win. But the tournament might be taking a backseat when Shota wants after the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Will Shota earn a title match while heading for the trophies? Or will ZSJ prove Shota’s just not ready?

As ZSJ & “Roy” step into the ring, Shota gets in ZSJ’s face so ZSJ taunts him with the world title. The ref has them stand down, and the teams sort out. Shota and ZSJ start and they tie right up at the bell. Shota headlocks, ZSJ powers up and out, then he BOOTS Shota! Shota roars, ROCKS ZSJ and runs to RAM him! ZSJ rebounds to BOOT SHota again! ZSJ headlocks, Shota powers out, and they RAM shoulders! Shota rebounds to RUN ZSJ over, but ZSJ is up to UPPERCUT Shota! ZSJ runs, but Shota DROPKICKS ZSJ down! The fans fire up with Shota while ZSJ bails out. Shota pursues and CLUBS ZSJ down!

Shota whips ZSJ hard into railing, then storms up on ZSJ to whip him into more railing! ZSJ comes back to BOOT Shota! Shota is right up to SHOTGUN ZSJ! The fans fire up while both men are down! Honma BLASTS Oiwa for good measure but the ref reprimands him. Shota stands and brings ZSJ up. Shota puts ZSJ in, which the fans applaud, and Shota covers. ONE, but Shota stays on ZSJ. Shota CLUBS ZSJ, tags Honma, and Honma stomps ZSJ in the corner. The ref counts but Honma digs his boot in. The ref counts, Honma steps off, and Honma drags ZSJ up. Honma CLUBS ZSJ, CLUBS him again, then follows him to ropes.

Honma CHOPS ZSJ and ZSJ sputters. Honma CHOPS again, and CHOPS again! ZSJ hobbles away but Honma is on him with a whip. Honma ELBOWS ZSJ down, pats his head and runs, but he stops short of the kokeshi as ZSJ  moves! ZSJ grabs an arm and wrangles Honma into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Oiwa BLASTS Shota while Honma scrambles around! The fans fire up as Honma fights and drags ZSJ with him. ZSJ shifts to have just the arm, or no, not just the arm! It’s like a one-armed Italian Stretch! Honma still fights to the ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud, and ZSJ lets go to tag Oiwa. Oiwa drags Honma up to scoop and SLAM!

Oiwa pushes Honma down to then drop an elbow! Cover, ONE! Oiwa clamps onto Honma with an armlock, but Honma fights up. Oiwa wrenches and RAMS Honma into a corner. Oiwa CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Honma kicks and kicks but Oiwa CHOPS him down! Oiwa wraps Honma’s arm around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Oiwa lets go, and Oiwa headlocks. Oiwa brings Honma over and tags ZSJ. ZSJ cravats Honma for the neck wrench, then he wrangles Honma to the mat. ZSJ bridges with the neck wrench! Honma endures so ZSJ shifts and bridges! Then shifts and bridges!

ZSJ stands to NECK TWIST! Honma writhes but ZSJ covers, TWO! The fans cheer as Honma toughs it out. Shota gets the fans to chant for “HONMA! HONMA!” ZSJ PENALTY- NO, Honma blocks the kick! ZSJ fires SLAP after SLAP but Honma holds on! ZSJ eggs Honma on, so Honma SLAPS ZSJ down! The fans fire up while both men are down! Honma crawls over, hot tag to Shota! Shota runs up to fire forearms on ZSJ! Shota whips, ZSJ reverses but Shota CLOBBERS ZSJ! Shota BLASTS Oiwa for good measure! The fans fire up with Shota as he whips ZSJ corner to corner. Shota runs up, to UPPERCUT!

Shota reels ZSJ in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota shrugs that off. Shota drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ fights the clinch to go for the arm. ZSJ elbows Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to trip ZSJ, turn him over, and STF! ZSJ fights the crossface portion, slips out and wrangles Shota into a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Shota fights up, but ZSJ pushes on the arm! Shota still fights, slips around, and arm-drags free! ZSJ avoids the dropkick to the leg to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa drags Shota up. Oiwa headlocks, Shota powers out, but Oiwa runs Shota over!

Things keep moving, Oiwa counters Shota’s hip toss with a hip toss! Shota gets up, Oiwa DROPKICKS! Oiwa kips up and the fans fire up! Shota stands Oiwa up, scoops and POWERSLAMS, to then run and SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Oiwa keeps on Shota but Shota fights the anaconda plex! Shota CLUBS away on Oiwa, then catches him to a clinch. Oiwa slips free, shoves, but Shota dropkicks the legs out! The fans fire up while both men are down! Shota crawls away, hot tag to Honma! Honma storms up to CHOP Oiwa! And CHOP! And CHOP again! Oiwa is in a corner, Honma whips him corner to corner, then runs up to ELBOW! And BULLDOG!

The fans fire up with Honma and he runs, KOKESHI FLOPS as Oiwa moves! Oiwa brings Honma up, but Honma fires hands! Oiwa ROCKS Honma back! Honma fires another flurry, but Oiwa ROCKS him again! Oiwa runs to ROLLING ELBOW! Honma falls and the fans fire up! Oiwa watches Honma go to a corner, and then he runs in, DROPKICK! And BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Honma stays in his and the fans fire up! Oiwa drags Honma up, gut wrenches, but Honma fights it! Honma wrenches out to short arm LARIAT! Oiwa stays up to short arm LARIAT in return! Honma short arm LARIATS, but then Oiwa short arm LARIATS!

Oiwa fires short arm LARIATS again and again, then finally LARIATS Honma down! Cover, but Shota breaks it! ZSJ grabs Shota and drags him out by a leg! ANKLE LOCK! Shota BOOTS ZSJ into railing! Oiwa has the SLEEPER on Honma! Honma reaches out, but Oiwa keeps him from ropes! But Honma slips around to the back, BIG back suplex! But Oiwa holds onto the SLEEPER! Oiwa drags Honma up to his feet, spins him, and THE- NO, Honma blocks the lariat! Oiwa dodges a haymaker to ROCK Honma! Honma ROCKS Oiwa! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! Honma HEADBUTTS, and then JUMPING KOKESHIS!!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Honma and Oiwa crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Shota! The fans fire up as ZSJ BOOTS! Shota fires a forearm! ZSJ nods and steps back to Shota. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, but Shota UPPERCUTS in return! ZSJ shakes that off to UPPERCUT! Shota staggers, scowls, and comes back to UPPERCUT! ZSJ wobbles but he nods, before he UPPERCUTS again! Both men steady themselves, and Shota comes back to UPPERCUT! ZSJ staggers and sways, but he stays on his feet. ZSJ leans on the ropes, then stands up tall. The fans fire up as ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Shota UPPERCUTS! The UPPERCUTS go back and forth, faster and faster!

Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ drops to his knees! The ref has Shota hold on, maybe ZSJ is rattled. ZSJ stands but Shota UPPERCUTS again and again! ZSJ fires up but runs into an UPPERCUT! Shota roars and the fans fire up again! ZSJ stands to SLAP Shota!! Shota wobbles but even ZSJ has to steady himself. Shota drops to his knees to stabilize, and the fans rally up again. Shota rises, so ZSJ KICKS him! And KICKS! Shota shakes his head so ZSJ KICKS! ZSJ paces but Shota nods. Shota rises and eggs ZSJ! ZSJ says fine, and he KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Shota growls, then he blocks the kick!

Shota stands to ROCK ZSJ! ZSJ roars, but Shota catches the kick, trips ZSJ, and then steps into the STF!! ZSJ reaches out but Shota drags him from ropes! S T F! Oiwa stomps away on Shota until he lets go! Honma CLUBS Oiwa then throws him out. Honma helps Shota stand and then brings ZSJ around. Honma whips ZSJ to a corner, runs up, and he LARIATS! Feed to Shota’s POP-UP KNEE! Shota then feeds ZSJ to a LARIAT! Clinch and EXPLODER! Honma gets moving, BASEMENT KOKESHI! IGNITION!! Cover, Oiwa breaks it! Honma CLUBS Oiwa and tosses him again, then tells Shota to finish it!

Shota goes to the corner and he takes aim. BLAZE- ARMBAR!! ZSJ catches the Blaze Blade, but then Shota shifts around! ZSJ still wants the arm, Shota has the stack! TWO! ARMBAR!! Honma hits the FALLING KOKESHI!! The fans are thunderous but here comes Oiwa! Honma runs at him, JUMPING KOKESHI FLOPS as Oiwa moves! Oiwa calls to ZSJ as he brings up Shota. Shota fires a forearm but Oiwa shakes his head. Oiwa eggs Shota on so Shota fires up! Shota ROLLING- NO, Oiwa ducks to SLEEPER! And THE- NO, Shota ducks The Grip and a JUMPING KOKESHI takes Oiwa down!

The fans fire up as Shota aims at ZSJ again. BLINDSIDE KNEE in the corner! And then a TORNADO DDT! Shota drags ZSJ up to elevate, but ZSJ wrenches out! ZSJ PELES the arm! Then BOOTS the lariat! ZSJ ducks the enzigiri to PENALTY KICK! Shota is right up, but ZSJ has him in a full nelson! Shota breaks it, only for ZSJ to GERMAN SUPLEX! ZSJ runs up, but into a POP-UP DEATH RIDER!! The fans are thunderous as Shota hauls ZSJ up. But ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! But ZSJ can’t make the cover! The fans are thunderous again while Shota and ZSJ stir! ZSJ and Shota crawl, but then Oiwa BLASTS Honma down!

Oiwa helps ZSJ up while Shota finds he has no partner! Shota turns around, into an ELBOW from Oiwa! ZSJ BOOTS Shota, then feeds him to Oiwa’s ANACONDA SUPLEX! Oiwa sets Shota up for ZSJ’S LARIAT! Cover, HONMA BREAKS IT! The fans fire up again but now Oiwa has the SLEEPER on Honma! ROUNDHOUSE and THE GRIP!! The fans fire up with TMDK as they drag Shota up. They double whip but Shota reverses! Shota kicks off ZSJ to TORNADO DDT Oiwa! Shota then runs up, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shota and ZSJ stay up, so they go again. ZSJ KICKS Shota’s lariat, but Shota SWATS ZSJ’s!

Shota ROCKS ZSJ, ROLLING- SLAP from ZSJ! ZSJ scoops, Shota slips free! Shota backslides, ZSJ rolls through, then fights the underhooks! O’Conner Roll, but Shota trips ZSJ to go for an arm! Another backslide, but another roll through, BLAZE BLADE POINT BLANK!! The fans are thunderous again as Shota rises! Shota aims from a corner, and hits a BLAZE- NO, ZSJ backslides! But Shota rolls through so he can DEATH RIDER!!! Cover, SHOTA & HONMA WIN!!!

Winners: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma, by pinfall (gains 2 points; ZSJ & Oiwa earn 0)

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion just fell to this Reiwa Musketeer! World Tag League aside, will Shota now bring that Paradigm Shift to the Tokyo Dome? Or will ZSJ make sure this is still TMDK’s WrestleKingdom?

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji!

Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi made it Lights Out last round against Kenta & Chase Owens while The Rampaging Dragon & Gene Blast were tranquilo against Funky Sauce. Only one team can stay spotless, can the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter slay these twin dragons? Or will Los Ingobernables de Japon be that much closer to the trophies?

The teams sort out and after LIJ fist bumps, Yota calls out Goto. Goto accepts and the fans rally as the bell rings. Goto and Yota circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Goto finds a point of leverage, he puts Yota on ropes, but then lets off cleanly. The fans applaud and the two reset. They tie up but Yota kicks low. Yota headlocks, Goto powers up and out, but Yota RAMS him! Goto stays up, he runs, and he RAMS Yota! Yota rebounds to CLOBBER Goto! Yota brings Goto up, CHOPS him, but Goto CHOPS back! Yota CHOPS again! Goto backs away to ropes but Yota is on him. Yota whips but Goto grabs ropes!

Hashi tags in, Goto BOOTS Yota, then Bishamon runs Yota over! Then ZANMAI! Takagi storms in but Hashi mule kicks! Bishamon sets up, “Se no!” And they DRUM away on Takagi! The fans cheer while Hashi flexes. Hashi brings Yota up, ROCKS him, and Yota goes to a corner. Hashi CHOPS, but Yota eggs him on. Hashi CHOPS again, and again! Yota sits down and the fans rally up. Hashi looms over Yota, brings him up, and whips him corner to corner. Hashi runs up but Yota BOOTS him! Hashi comes back, blocks the boot, btu Yota brings Hashi down for the STOMP! Takagi runs to BLAST Goto, then goes out after him!

Takagi sends Goto into railing! The fans cheer, and Yota snapmares Hashi for a chinlock. Hashi endures so Yota ELBOWS him in the head! Yota then drags Hashi up, ROCKS him in the back, and Hashi falls against ropes. Yota tags Takagi and Takagi chinlocks Hashi in the ropes. Red Shoes reprimands then counts, so Takagi lets go quickly. Takagi hauls Hashi up to RAM him into the corner again and again. Takagi stomps Hashi, whips him to ropes, then KNEES him! Takagi suplexes high and hard! The fans applaud while Takagi keeps his eyes on Goto. Takagi goes to Hashi, sits him up, and rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!

Takagi stands for the ELBOW DROP! Tag to Yota and Yota brings Hashi up. Goto protests as LIJ double whip and DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Takagi then SENTONS, and Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Goto coaches Hashi but Yota drags Hashi up. Yota CLUBS Hashi but Hashi fires forearms! Yota hits a BODY BLOW in return! Yota whips, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs out! The fans fire up while both men are down! Hashi and Yota crawl, Hashi hot tags Goto! Goto CLOBBERS Yota, BLASTS Takagi, then goes back to Yota. Yota kicks and runs but Goto follows to LARIAT! Takagi runs in, but Goto kicks him!

Takagi fights the suplex, suplexes in return, but Goto slips free! Goto waistlocks but Takagi elbows him! LIJ regroups to double whip Goto to a corner. Takagi runs in but Goto dodges! LARIAT for Yota! Goto kicks Takagi, and suplexes him onto Yota! Cover on Yota, TWO! The fans rally and Goto hauls Yota up. Yota fights the fireman’s carry with elbows. Goto ROCKS Yota, Yota ROCKS Goto, repeat! The forearms go back and forth, faster and faster, but Goto gets the edge! Goto roars, runs, but Yota clinches for the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! STOMP! Takagi BLASTS Hashi! The fans fire up with LIJ as they regroup.

LIJ whips Goto to the corner again, and Yota ELBOWS! Takagi sends Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi LARIATS, Yota BOOTS, Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then a DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Goto stays in this but Yota brings him back up. Yota has Goto in the drop zone, for the MAROON- NO, Goto avoids the crush! Goto fireman’s carries to USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Goto and Yota crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Hashi! The fans fire up as Hashi and Takagi RAM shoulders! Hashi dodges to RAM Takagi, Takagi RAMS back! They RAM again, and roar!

Hashi ROCKS Takagi, CHOPS him, then turns him for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up with Hashi and he aims from a corner. Takagi goes to a corner, Hashi runs in, but Takagi dodges! Takagi runs up, but into a BOOT! Hashi runs up, into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! Hashi is down and Takagi says “TOKI GA KITA!” The time has come, and the fans rally with “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi winds up, runs up, but blocks a boot to LARIAT! Takagi keeps moving, but Hashi gets around to waistlock! Takagi switches, Hashi RAMS Takagi to a corner! Goto runs up to LARIAT Takagi! Feed to the mule kick!

Bishamon sets up, GOTO GO TO HUNTER! The fans fire up and Goto calls for it! Hashi gets the legs, but Takgi kicks free! Takagi wrenches, dodges, SLEEPER on Goto! Yota RANAS Hashi! Then Yota runs up on Goto but Goto BOOTS him! Goto elbows Takagi, Hashi SUPERKICKIS Yota! Goto has Yota up, he and Hashi hits G Y R!! Yota flounders but Takgi sends Goto into Hashi! PUMPING- NO, Bishamon dodges the lariats and they trap Takagi at the ropes! BLINDISDE LARIAT to SNAP DRAGON! Takagi is up, DOUBLE LARIATS with Goto! Takagi SWATS a lariat, ELBOWS Hashi, JABS him, then runs! But into Goto’s LARIAT!!

The fans fire up and Bishamon regroups. They whip Takagi into the fireman’s carry! FIERCE FLASH! And now Hashi calls the end! They have Takagi up, SHO- NO, SUPERKICK to Hashi from Yota! SUPERKICK to Goto from Yota! Goto tumbles out, Hashi is in a corner, and Yota runs to SPLASH Hashi! Then Yota hoists Hashi up top, CHOPS him, and climbs! The fans fire up with Yota as he brings Hashi up, for a SUPERPLEX! Takagi SLIDING PUMPING BOMBERS! Takagi starts up another “OI! OI! OI!” and the fans are with him! LIJ drags Hashi up, they BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! Cover, GOTO BREAKS IT!

Yota stomps Goto and CLUBS him! LIJ drags Goto up, but Goto fires forearms on them both! Goto is a fierce warrior to be sure! But he runs into a LARIAT! And GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER! The fans fire up as LIJ aims at Hashi! Takagi runs up to LARIAT! Snapmare and Yota aims! Takagi makes sure Hashi is lined up, but Goto anchors Yota! Takagi rushes over but Hashi shoves him into Yota! Roll-up with bridge! TWO!!! Takagi escapes, Hashi ROCKS him! The fans are thunderous as both men wobble. Takagi fires a forearm! Hashi fires back! Takagi fires another! Hashi wobbles, drops to a knee, but he comes back to fire another forearm!

Takagi and Hashi go back and forth, faster and faster! They both wobble again, but then Hashi fires a strike fest! The CHOP tops it off, but Takagi just snarls! Takagi fires boxing elbows! Hashi roars, but Takagi JABS! HEADBUTTS! SUPERKICK from Hashi! DISCUS PUJMPING from Takagi! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up and Takagi powers up! Takagi runs, to PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi pump handles and torture racks, but ITADAKIGARI!! Cover, BISHAMON WINS!!!

Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Takagi & Yota earn 0)

A sudden turnaround, but it can’t be called an upset with how Goto & Hashi have been World Tag League winners and IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions besides! But if this is how hard Takagi & Tsuji fought, yet they still fell short, how much harder must they fight to be on top of the block?

As for Bishamon, Hashi has the mic first. “Last year, Bishamon made history be becoming the first-ever IWGP Tag Team Champions to win this league. We also achieved the first-ever threepeat. This year, we’re looking to go undefeated!” The fans cheer that lofty goal, and even chant for “BI-SHA-MON! BI-SHA-MON!” Hashi says then, in Kumamoto, when they win their FOURTH STRAIGHT tournament, “We’ll show you our happiest Zanmai celebration ever.” The fans are certainly intrigued by that. Hashi says Bishamon’s four-peat will come in the blink of an eye!

With that mic drop, the mission is clear! No need to #GetBackUp when you’re still riding high, but will Goto & Hashi continue to add to their historic achievements? Or will a team come along to ruin it all?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 2-0, 4 points
Bishamon: 2-0, 4 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-1, 2 points
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-1, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 1-1, 2 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 1-1, 2 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-2, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-2, 0 points

My Thoughts:

A great event for WTL A Block, but I hope there won’t be any more delays in the On Demand upload, there’s too much to do on a Friday to wait on this. Anyway, I had a bad feeling Funky Sauce would lose again, but they had a strong showing against Callum & Cobb. Great brawl between Gabe & Sanada with Kenta & Chase. But considering Gabe is building towards that match with Kenny Omega, good win for him and Sanada, and then good promo from Gabe to call Omega out. This all probably takes Gabe & Sanada out of the running for the finals, because they can play up how Gabe is too distracted by wanting after Omega.

Great match from Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa, but this match also proved me right from earlier. This was just a formality to make ZSJ VS Shota for the world title official. Shota gets the upset win on ZSJ and now that is Shota’s path to WrestleKingdom. But Bishamon VS LIJ was awesome stuff, and what a great win for Goto & Hashi. Goto & Hashi are definitely set up to make another run at the trophies, but I’m still not sure of their chances of winning. The threepeat was pretty surprising as it was, but a four-peat would be wild.

My Score: 9/10