No need to #GetBackUp when you’re still up!

A Block wraps this big World Tag League weekend, and last year’s winners are leading the way! Will Bishamon keep turning Lights Out on this tournament?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current 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

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman VS KENTA & Chase Owens!

The Imperial Unit & Prince of Pace are setting the pace for this block, and they don’t look to be slowing down. Will they continue to conquer teams for The United Empire? Or can The Fang Revived & The Crown Jewel make them #Go2Sleep?

Bullet Club makes the first move attacking Cobb & Callum during their introductions! Chase WRECKS Cobb with a dropkick, which sends him into railing, and Kenta goes after Callum at the corner! Kenta CLUBS and stomps Callum, Chase joins in, and the ref rings the bell to put this on record. Chase whips Callum but Callum goes up and over. Callum then slips around Kenta, dodges an elbow, and he ROCKS Chase! Kenta KICKS Callum, Bullet Club whips, but Callum slides to trip them up! Then Callum runs to DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Callum kips up and Kenta bails out.

Callum runs at the corner to GAMANGIRI Chase, then he runs more to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Chase is tougher than that but Callum keeps calm. Callum stands Chase up, Chase fires a forearm! Callum ROCKS Chase in return, then he runs, but Chase TOSSES Callum out! Callum lands on the apron, ROCKS Chase, but Kenta anchors Callum! Chase slips out while Callum kicks Kenta away, and Chase trips Callum up! Callum hits the apron hard, then flops to the floor. Fans rally but Kenta kicks Callum around. Chase waits in the ring while Kenta ROCKS Callum. Kenta CHOPS Callum and Taiji Ishimori applauds from commentary.

Kenta puts Callum in and Chase snapmares to then SCRAPE his soles off Callum’s face! Chase then clamps on a motorcycle stretch. Callum endures, fights around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The ref calls it but Chase has Callum’s head for the NECK TWEAK! Tag to Kenta while Callum writhes. Kenta storms up to KICK Callum in the corner, and KICK again! Callum eggs Kenta on, Kenta eggs Callum on, so Callum fires forearms! Kenta SOBATS in return! And KICKS again! Kenta drags Callum up to turn and NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Kenta steps to Cobb, but then tags in Chase. Chase stomps Callum around, then brings him up.

Chase shoves Callum to ropes to ROCK him in the back! Callum clutches his neck, crawls to a corner, but Chase digs his boot in! The ref counts, Chase lets off and talks trash on Cobb. The ref has to stop Cobb, and that lets Chase stand Callum up. Chase mocks the fans cheering Callum on, and he headlock punches Callum down! Tag to Kenta, and Bullet Club splits the wishbone! Kenta KICKS Callum in the back, then brings him to the corner. Kenta ROCKS Callum in the back, ROCKS him again, then CLAWS Callum’s back! Callum writhes, Kenta tags Chase, and Chase mocks Cobb. Callum goes to the apron but Chase drags him in, for a ROPE GUILLOTINE!

Callum coughs and sputters while the fans rally up, and Chase mockingly coaches Callum to go tag Cobb. Chase then sucker punches Cobb before he brings Callum up. Callum pushes Chase away, then fires a forearm. Callum storms up to fire another forearm! Chase CHOPS Callum off his feet, but Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up while both men are down! Chase and Callum crawl, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb rallies on Chase, then he ducks ‘n’ dodges to “JOHN CENA!” shoulder tackle! And SPIN OUT BOMB! “F you, Chase!” GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Chase stays in this and Kenta attacks!

The ref reprimands but Kenta whips, only for Cobb to reverse, hurdle, and drop down, for a DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Cobb shows off his super athleticism! Cobb mocks Chase’s finger gun to SPLASH in the corner! Then he reels Chase in for a RUNNING BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Chase stays in this but Cobb is having fun now. Cobb waits on Chase to rise up and the fans rally. Chase stands, Cobb clinches, but Chase BELL CLAPS! Chase backs down to a corner but he ELBOWS Cobb away. Chase goes up, but Cobb trips him! Chase bounces off buckles, then Cobb whips him to ropes, but Chase handsprings to BACK ELBOW!

The fans are thunderous over Chase defying expectations! Hot tag to Kenta and Kenta climbs up. FLYING LARIAT! Down goes Cobb and Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta huffs ‘n’ puffs while fans rally up, and Kenta goes to scoop. Cobb’s too big for that and he CLUBS Kenta. Cobb swings, Kenta dodges, but Cobb ELBOWS him away. Cobb runs, into a SNAP POWERSLAM!?! Cover, TWO!! Cobb is still in this but Chase BLASTS Callum! Kenta drags Cobb up, he and Chase whip Cobb to a corner. Chase runs in to forearm SMASH! Chase sits Cobb down for Kenta to HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Kenta goes up a corner, and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!!

Cobb survives, and Callum sends Chase into railing! Kenta vows to end this, and he goes to fireman’s carry. Cobb is a bit too big for that, too, and Callum runs in! Kenta rushes at Callum but Callum blocks a kick to CLUB the leg! SUPERKICK! Kenta falls and Callum helps Cobb up. The fans rally behind The Empire, and Callum runs to forearm SMASH! Then Cobb leaps to UPPERCUT! Callum comes back in, Cobb pops him to the apron for an ENZIGIRI! Cobb fireman’s carries Kenta, but Chase YANKS Callum down! Cobb ROCKS Chase, but Kenta URAKENS Cobb! Chase BACK ELBOWS Cobb! BULLDOG CODE BREAKER COMBO!! Cover, Callum breaks it!

The fans are thunderous again as Callum fires shots and CHOPS! Kenta SOBATS, Chase KICKS and Kenta KICKS! Callum sits down, into Chase’s SHINING WIZARD! Kenta fires up and he fireman’s carries Cobb! But Cobb slips free, shoves Kenta, and scoops for the TOUR- NO, Kenta slips free! Chase runs up, but Cobb dodges! SUPERKICK hits Kenta! Callum BUSAIKU KNEES Chase! Cobb says night-night, Kenta! Fireman’s carry and GO TO THE ISLANDS!! Cover, United Empire wins!

Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)

The “Cobby Cat” does it again, and this remix gets him and Callum another win! It’s still a long road to the finals, but will the United Empire stay at the front of the pack? Are Kenta & Chase just stuck at the back?

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi!

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but perhaps the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion was taking Shota Umino too easy. Can The Front Man & The Mullet make up for that mistake? Or will they get burned by The Funky Sauce?

The teams sort out and Oiwa starts against Zayne. The fans rally with the bell as Oiwa and Zayne circle. The two tie up and Oiwa powers Zayne to ropes. The ref counts, Oiwa lets off with some hard pats on the shoulders, and the fans applaud. Zayne smirks and resets with Oiwa. They tie up, and Zayne headlocks. Oiwa powers up and out but Zayne RAMS Oiwa! Oiwa eggs Zayne on so Zayne runs, Oiwa drops down, but the IMPLODER KNEE DROPS hit! And the STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans fire up and Zayne grins at ZSJ. Zayne drags Oiwa over to tag in Taguchi. Taguchi BLASTS ZSJ while Zayne puts Oiwa in an open corner.

The Funky Sauce whips Oiwa to a corner, then Taguchi ELBOWS! Zayne LEAP FROG DROPKICKS, then he RANA CANNONBALLS Taguchi! Zayne runs to CANNONBALL Oiwa himself! The fans cheer, Taguchi covers, TWO! Oiwa’s tougher than that but Taguchi keeps him down with an armlock. Taguchi kneels on Oiwa’s head, grabs at a leg, then shifts to a standing toehold. Oiwa rolls to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go, but then drops knees on Oiwa. Taguchi hip drops, hip drops, and then goes up, out, and slingshots in to HIP DROP! Cover, TWO! Tag to Zayne while the fans applaud, and Zayne kicks Oiwa around.

Zayne stands Oiwa up to ROCK him, then ROCK him again! Zayne fires elbow after elbow, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! Zayne staggers, comes back, but into an arm-drag! Oiwa has the armlock, and he drops knees on the elbow again and again! Then he SPLASHES down on the arm! The fans rally but Oiwa clamps onto the arm again. Oiwa drags Zayne over to tag in ZSJ. The fans cheer as ZSJ BOOTS Taguchi! ZSJ then takes Zayne’s arm to wrench, wrench, wrench and wrangle, to then STOMP the arm! The fans applaud while ZSJ paces. ZSJ steps over Zayne’s arm, traps it, and TWISTS it! Zayne writhes while fans rally up.

ZSJ drags Zayne over with a toehold and Oiwa tags in. Oiwa has the armlock, the ref reprimands so ZSJ and Oiwa shift to have double armlocks! Then to the other leg! This is a tactic ZSJ and Suzuki used to do! The ref counts, TMDK lets go of the double toe holds, and the fans applaud. Oiwa drags Zayne up but Zayne fires body shots! Zayne CHOPS, CHOPS, then runs, but Oiwa follows to drop down. Oiwa hits a BIG arm-drag, and has the armlock again! Zayne endures, fights up, and Oiwa whips to YANK the arm! Oiwa keeps Zayne from Taguchi, has the top wristlock, and makes it SHANKLY GATES!

Zayne endures, even as Oiwa sits deep and pulls on the arm. Zayne fights forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Oiwa lets go in frustration. Oiwa gut wrenches but Zayne fights free! ENZIGIRI! Both men are down and the fans rally up! Zayne crawls, but Oiwa anchors a leg! Zayne ENZIGIRIS Oiwa down again, and hot tags Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS Oiwa! ZSJ RAMS Taguchi, runs, but into a HIP ATTACK! Taguchi hauls Oiwa up to snap suplex, Uno Amigo! Another snap suplex, Dos Amigos! But Oiwa blocks the third! Oiwa suplexes, Taguchi slips out, but OIwa elbows him! Oiwa runs, into a HIP ATTACK!

Oiwa runs up again but into an arm-drag! Taguchi dropkicks the legs out, and has OH MY GAH ANKLE! Oiwa flails but Taguchi drags him back! The fans fire up while Taguchi leans on the hold! Oiwa crawls his way around, but Taguchi drags him back! Step over and LA MAGISTROL! TWO!! Oiwa escapes in time, but Taguchi runs up to KICK a leg out! Then OH MY- NO, Oiwa rolls free! Taguchi runs up, HIP- ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi hobbles, but he takes a swing! Oiwa ducks and atomic drops again! Oiwa runs, to UPPERCUT the butt! Taguchi falls over, Oiwa crawls to his corner, tag to ZSJ! The fans rally up as ZSJ rolls and picks a leg!

ZSJ trips Taguchi, and has both legs to push them open! Taguchi endures a painful split! ZSJ then shifts around, INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Taguchi endures, but ZSJ stands on the knee! Then has a KIMURA! Taguchi fights around and rolls to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while ZSJ lets go. ZSJ KICKS Taguchi’s leg, KICKS him in the back, then KICKS him again! Taguchi eggs ZSJ on! ZSJ KICK, so Taguchi CHOPS! And CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up as Taguchi fires CHOP after CHOP! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Taguchi HIP- UPPERCUT! ZSJ runs, into a HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up again as Taguchi storms up on ZSJ!

Taguchi chicken wings ZSJ for DODON- NO, ZSJ rolls to an ANKLE LOCK! But Taguchi rolls to trip ZSJ! OH MY GAH ANKLE! But ZSJ rolls to drag Taguchi into an ARMBAR! Taguchi stacks ZSJ to OH MY GAH ANKLE!! The fans are thunderous as ZSJ fights up, reels Taguchi in, and NECK TWISTS! Taguchi sputters and writhes but ZSJ brings him up. ZSJ scoops, Taguchi slips free! Chicken wings, but ZSJ PELES an arm! And KICKS the arm! And KICKS! And KICKS! Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Both men are down and the fans rally up! Hot tag to Zayne! Zayne jumps in, whips ZSJ, and hip tosses, for the STANDING MARIPOSA!

Zayne hauls ZSJ up to suplex, but ZSJ fights it! They fight suplex for suplex, but it’s Zayne who suplexes ZSJ up and over! Cover, TWO! Zayne fires up and the fans are with him! Zayne fires elbow after elbow, then mule kicks! Zayne runs, but ZSJ avoids the rolling ax kick! ZSJ grabs a leg, pulls on it, and he fights to turn Zayne. Zayne fights, rolls, and flings ZSJ away! Oiwa runs in and kicks Zayne! TMDK double whip but Zayne ducks the lariats! BOOT for ZSJ, KICK for Oiwa, DOUBLE ROLLING AX KICK!! The fans fire up again while all three men are down! Taguchi rolls back in and he CLUBS ZSJ.

Taguchi helps Zayne up, and then whips ZSJ corner to corner. Taguchi sends Zayne in for an ELBOW! Taguchi CORNER HIPS! Taguchi goes up, Zayne tilt-o-whirls ZSJ into the hips! ZSJ staggers back, Zayne tries to roll him, but ZSJ stays up! HIP ATTACK knocks ZSJ over! Cover, TWO!! Taguchi goes out after Oiwa, someone is sent into railing but we’re watching Zayne rise up. The fans rally up and Zayne brings ZSJ up. Scoop and BAJA- NO, ZSJ slips through! Zayne avoids the Penalty Kick, ZSJ avoids the Eddy Gordo! Oiwa GUT WRENCH PLEXES Zayne! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS! Oiwa hauls Zayne up to ANACONDA PLEX!

The fans fire up and Oiwa stands Zayne for ZSJ to LARIAT! Cover, TAGUCHI BREAKS IT! The fans fire up again but Oiwa stomps Taguchi. TMDK double whip Taguchi, but he ducks the lariats to dragon sleeper Oiwa! Taguchi kicks ZSJ, DOUBLE DDT!! The fans fire up again and Taguchi drags ZSJ up. Taguchi puts ZSJ in a corner to HIP ATTACK! Taguchi hoists ZSJ up top, and Zayne runs in, FLYING RANA! ZSJ sunset flips it! Zayne slips free but ZSJ has the ARMBAR!! Oiwa drags Taguchi out of the ring! ZSJ shifts to a TRIANGLE HOLD, but Zayne deadlifts! ZSJ thrashes and drags Zayne back down!

Zayne clasps hands but ZSJ pulls at the grip! ZSJ SLAPS the grip apart, but Zayne high stacks! TWO!! ZSJ has the DISARMER!! HIP ATTACK!! The fans are thunderous, but here comes Oiwa! Oiwa fires a flurry of forearms, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! Taguchi then HIP ATTACKS ZSJ, HIP ATTACKS Oiwa, repeat! ZSJ dodges, but Taguchi slides out, APRON HIP! Zayne has ZSJ up for the BAJA BLAST!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and the fans are thunderous again! Zayne pounds the mat and Taguchi has Oiwa in OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Zayne says “ITADAKIMASU~!” Straitjacket and torture- NO, ZSJ slips free to a SLEEPER!!

Oiwa blocks Taguchi now, and has the SLEEPER!! Funky Sauce reaches out for each other, but they’re both fading! But then they fight back up! Zayne fires elbows into ZSJ! Zayne is free, he rushes at Oiwa, but Oiwa ducks with Taguchi! ZSJ catches Zayne back into a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as TMDK let go to ZACK DRIVER and THE GRIP!!! Cover, TMDK wins!

Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)

The Funky Sauce was getting so hot this round, but they couldn’t bring down The Mighty! Will Zayne & Taguchi get on the board before it’s too late? Or will this block soon belong to “Zack & Roy?”

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma!

Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi put the mission statement forward last round: They want to go for four! Will the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter be unstoppable going towards the finals? Or can “The Kokeshi Brothers” build on their mighty victory over TMDK?

The teams sort out and Shota starts against Goto. The fans rally up and the bell rings. The chants of “GO-TO-O!” and “SHOTA! SHOTA!” seem even as the two tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Goto finds a point of leverage. Shota turns things around to put Goto on ropes, but lets off slowly as the ref counts. The fans applaud as the two reset. Goto and Shota circle, tie up, and Shota headlocks. Shota grinds the hold, but Goto powers up and out, to then headlock in return! Shota fires body shots, then powers up and out. Goto RAMS Shota, Shota rebounds to RAM Goto! The fans fire up as both men growl!

Goto kicks and whips but Shota comes back to CLOBBER Goto! Shota hits Hashi for good measure, then goes back to Goto. Shota drags Goto up while the fans continue to duel. Shota bumps Goto off buckles then he tags in Honma. Honma CLUBS Goto while fans rally for him now. Honma fires forearms, then whips Goto to ropes. Goto grabs the ropes, BOOTS back, and Hashi joins in so they can DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Honma down! Goto sets up as Hashi runs, ZANMAI! Shota runs up but Goto kicks him! Goto suplexes Shota onto Honma! The fans cheer and Bishamon drags Honma back up.

Hashi has the fans join in, “SE NO!” They DRUM away on Honma and CLUB him down! The fans cheer as Hashi flexes, then he steps out. Goto CLUBS Honma, drags him up, and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Honma’s tougher than that but Goto brings him around. Goto puts Honma in the corner, tags Hashi, and Hashi blocks a kick. Hashi CLUBS the leg, CHOPS Honma, and looms over him as Honma drops to his knees. Honma stands up to CHOP! Hashi eggs Honma on so Honma CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Hashi CHOPS Honma off his feet! Cover, TWO! Honma is still in this but Goto tags in.

The fans rally as Bishamon has Honma’s legs to split the wishbone! Goto stomps Honma, drags him up, then snapmares him into a chinlock. Honma endures the knee in his back and the fans rally up. Goto ELBOWS Honma in the head! Goto then drags Honma back up and bumps him off buckles. Tag to Hashi, and Hashi BLASTS Shota while Goto stomps Honma. The ref reprimands but Honma hits Hashi and Goto in return! Hashi CHOPS Honma, Goto holds Honma up, and Hashi CHOPS again! The ref reprimands but Hashi CHOPS Honma down! Honma sits up as the fans rally but Hashi stands him up.

Honma CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Hashi CHOPS Honma down once more! Cover, TWO! Honma stays in this and the fans fire up! Honma rises but Hashi fires forearms. Hashi winds up to CHOP! Honma stays up and eggs Hashi on! Hashi CHOPS again, and again! Honma grits his teeth as he stays up, but Hashi CHOPS again! The fans rally as Hashi fires another CHOP! Honma fires up and he blocks a chop! Honma SLAPS Hashi down! The fans fire up as Honma heads for his corner, hot tag to Shota! Shota fires a flurry of forearms, then whips, but Hashi reverses. Shota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Hashi!

Goto runs in but Shota slips around to shove and DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Shota and he whips Hashi corner to corner. Shota runs corner to corner and he UPPERCUTS! Shota brings Hashi in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Shota isn’t quite perfect but he keeps calm. Shota drags Hashi up, clinches, but Hashi fights the suplex. Hashi fires elbow after elbow until he’s free, then UPPERCUTS! And CHOPS! Shota roars but Hashi SUPERKICKS! Hashi runs, but Shota clinches! EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Hashi and Shota stir, then they crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Goto and Honma!

Goto and Honma RAM shoulders, and RAM again! Honma drops to a knee, Goto runs, but Honma ROCKS him! Honma runs and RAMS Goto, but Goto rebounds and RUNS Honma over! Goto whips Honma to a corner, runs in, MURAMASA! SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Honma stays in this and the fans rally up. Goto brings Honma up, goes to fireman’s carry, but Honma fights with elbows! Honma then spins Goto to DDT! The fans rally as Honma gets moving, and he LARIATS Goto down! Cover, TWO! Honma fires up and runs, FALLING KOKESHI FLOPS as Goto moves! The fans rally up again as Goto brings Honma up.

Goto fireman’s carries, but Honma fights free! Honma waistlocks, Goto backs him into a corner! Hashi runs in and LARIATS! Hashi feeds Honma to Goto but Honma ROCKS Goto! Hashi mule kicks, Goto reels Honma in, GOTO GO TO HUNTER! Cover, TWO! Honma survives but Bishamon calls their shot! Dragon sleeper, leg lift, but Shota SHOTGUNS Hashi! Shota kicks Goto, runs, but into a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Goto goes back to Honma, fireman’s carry and USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives and the fans are thunderous! Goto drags Honma up as the fans rally and duel.

Goto dragon sleepers, G- NO, Honma cradles! TWO!! Honma almost had Goto there, but Goto LARIATS! Honma stays up! Goto fireman’s carries! But Honma slips free! Hashi is in, HIDDEN GAP! And then fireman’s carry into FIERCE- NO, Honma sends Goto into Hashi! And then he catches them both, DDT COMPLETE SHOT COMBO!! Honma crawls while the fans rally harder, hot tag to Shota! The fans fire up as Shota runs corner to corner, BLINDSIDE KNEE on Goto! Then TORNADO DDT! Shota fires up and he wants Goto to rise! Goto slowly stands up, Shota runs, IGNITION! Cover, Hashi breaks it!

The fans rally again as Hashi brings Shota up. Shota fires a forearm, but Hashi fires back! Shota fires again, but so does Hashi! The fans fire up as Shota fires another forearm, and Hashi fires another! Shota grits his teeth, shakes his head, and the forearms start flying back and forth! Hashi fires his strike fest! Shota roars to fire a flurry of forearms, then an UPPERCUT! Shota runs, but into Goto’s LARIAT! The fans fire up as Hashi drags Shota up, then feeds him to the fireman’s carry! FIERCE FLASH! And now Bishamon want to turn the lights out! They drag Shota up, leg lift, but Shota kicks free! Honma trips Hashi up!

The fans fire up as Hashi is sent into railing! Goto keeps Shota caught, though! Goto powers Shota down, but Shota slips free! Shota ROCKS Goto, then hits a ROLLING ELBOW! Shota brings Goto up, but Goto HEADBUTTS Shota!! Goto roars and the fans are thunderous! But Shota drops down to victory roll, TWO!! Goto is up but into BLAZE BLADE!! Shota roars and he brings Goto up again! The fans are thunderous for the PARA- NO, Hashi SUPERKICKS first! Honma runs in, but Hashi avoids the headbutt! SUPERKICK! Hashi has Shota for a whip but Shota reverses! TORNADO DDT on Hashi!

Shota aims at Goto, but Goto catches him! Spin and URA G T R!! And then a LARIAT!! Goto flips Shota inside-out and the fans are thunderous again! Goto drags Shota up, fireman’s carries, but Shota slips free! Underhooks and- NO, Goto wrenches out to fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives but the fans are thunderous as Goto rises again! Goto drags Shota up, dragon sleepers, G T- NO, Shota stops the R! Honma RUNNING KOKESHIS! Goto rolls and Shota reels him in, DEATH RIDER!! Cover, SHOTA & HONMA WIN!!

Winners: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Bishamon earns 0)

The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion last round, and now the THREE-TIME World Tag League winners this time! Shota is building momentum towards the top, will he and Honma be the ones riding into the finals? Or will Bishamon now #GetBackUp and brush this off?

Wait, the lights go out! And on the tron… Someone’s in the bowels of the arena. The camera pans up to reveal… CLAUDIO CASTAGNOLI?! “Shota, what happened? I thought in Japan, you respect your elders. You don’t go around questioning them. See, in my book, you were the first Death Rider. Jon took you under his wing. Even though you come out like a rhinestone cowboy, all glittery and stuff, you still carried the Death Rider jacket. So how DARE you question him! Did you forget all the lessons? Lesson one: The basics. Lesson two: Well, how about I teach it to you personally, Janaury 5th, WrestleDynasty? Class will be in session.”

The Swiss Superman and Moxley’s right hand man has now called out #SHOOTER! Shota grabs a mic to tell Claudio, “There is no complaints with me. But you are lacking some respect of your own. This is World Tag League season. I am taking every moment, every second, and every thing in front of me deeply, deeply personal and deeply, deeply serious. My task right now is to get every single win on the board in WTL, and then it’s to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on January 4th! Claudio, after every goal is cleared, THEN I will face you!” The Roughneck is looking to do it all, will he have the greatest start to the New Year possible?

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Gabe Kidd & SANADA VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji!

The Mad Man & The Cold Skull showed no mercy to their Bullet Club brethren, so you best believe they’ll show even less against Los Ingobernables de Japon. Will Gabe & Sanada make A Block #WarReady? Or will the Rampaging Dragon & Gene Blast keep things tranquilo?

The teams sort out and after LIJ fist bumps, Yota calls out the NJPW Strong Openweight Champion. Gabe smiles then frowns, and he steps up. The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two tie up and are in a deadlock. Yota uses his height for leverage, but then Gabe digs in his heels. They go around, and Yota powers Gabe to ropes. Red Shoes calls the break and Yota lets off slowly. Then Yota fires a forearm! The fans applaud and Yota grins but Gabe scowls. Gabe kicks low, headlocks, but Yota powers up and out. Gabe RAMS Yota, Yota rebounds and he RAMS Gabe! Gabe rebounds and he RUNS Yota over!

The fans cheer, things keep moving, and Yota hurdles. Gabe leaps over, does a dance to mock Yota, then says F U! Yota runs in, Gabe hurdles but now Yota leaps over! Gabe runs up but into a headlock takeover! Gabe headscissors, Yota kips free, roles reverses as Gabe hits the takeover but Yota headscissors. Gabe kips free, dodges, but Yota avoids the comebacker! Gabe narrowly avoids the superkick, and the fans cheer this standoff! Gabe wags his finger at Yota while the fans fire up more. Yota grins as he and Gabe seem to have even numbers. They then tag out to Takagi and Sanada, pitting two former tag partners against each other.

Sanada and Takagi feel things out, but then Gabe sneaks in to CLUB Takagi! Red Shoes reprimands but then Gabe BLASTS Yota! The War Dogs drag Takagi up, double whip him to ropes, but Takagi grabs ropes to stop. Takagi then runs up on his own to CLOBBER Gabe and HIP TOSS Sanada! Gabe dodges a lariat to full nelson, but Takagi BOOTS Sanada. Then Takagi baits Sanada in, and Sanada almost runs into Gabe! Takagi clinches Sanada, kicks Gabe, and hits a DDT COMPLETE SHOT COMBO! The fans fire up and Takagi feeds off the energy! Takagi tells Korakuen, “TOKI GA-” BLINDSIDE SHOTGUN from Sanada!

The fans boo but then Gabe goes after Yota again! Gabe sends Yota into railing while Sanada slides out after Takagi. Sanada sends Takagi into railing, and Gabe CHOPS Takagi. The fans rally for LIJ but Sanada ROCKS Takagi and Gabe throws hands on Yota. Sanada brings Takagi around, puts him in the ring, and Gabe joins Sanada. They dig their knees into Takagi at a corner, then stomp him. They stand Takagi up to double whip corner to corner, then Gabe runs in. Takagi dodges, gets around Sanada, and this time sends Sanada into Gabe! Then he DOUBLE LARIATS them both down!

The fans fire up as Takagi tells Gabe off. Then Takagi tags Yota and Yota drags Sanada up. LIJ double whip Sanada, then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans cheer and Takagi drops a BIG elbow! Yota adds a SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Sanada’s tougher than that but Yota brings him up. Yota ROCKS Sanada, ROCKS him again, then ROCKS him again! Sanada wobbles, Yota runs, but Gabe trips Yota up! Sanada LARIATS Yota and himself up and out of the ring! Sanada intercepts Takagi while Gabe ROCKS Yota! Sanada brings Takagi to the west seating while Gabe SMACKS Yota off the apron! And then Gabe grabs a table!

Sanada drags Takagi further up into the bleachers while Gabe positions the table against railing. The fans are freaking out and Red Shoes reprimands, but Gabe brings Yota up. But Yota stops from being sent at the table! Yota hits Gabe but Gabe BITES Yota’s face! Gabe brings Yota through the gate and throws him into the barriers! Gabe opens the way to the orange seats! The fans fire up as Gabe brings Yota to the upper level and CHOPS him! Gabe soaks up the heat, but Sanada and Takagi have also made their way up here! Takagi fights a suplex, and then he fires forearms on Sanada! Yota CHOPS Gabe, but Gabe doesn’t flinch!

Yota CHOPS Gabe again, Gabe eggs him on, so Yota CHOPS! Gabe CHOPS back and Yota falls over! Sanada DECKS Takagi, and the War Dogs soak up the heat. “I’m a MAD MAN you know!” Gabe and Sanada then trade, and Gabe brawls with Takagi! Takagi HEADBUTTS Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi! And CHOPS him! Gabe says F Kenny and F the AEW roster! Max Caster catching strays as Gabe tells him to suck it! Yota fires forearms on Sanada, but SanadA BITES Yota! The Cold Skull is becoming a savage, just like Gabe! Speaking of, Gabe CHOPS Takagi, then CHOKES him against a seat! Sanada and Yota have returned to floor level and Red Shoes finally starts a ring count.

Gabe has also returned to the ground level as we pass 10 of 20. The War Dogs soak up heat while waiting on LIJ. Yota rises at 15, hurries to his feet, and he slides in at 18! The fans cheer but Sanada is there to stomp Yota down. Gabe joins in and kicks Yota around. Gabe digs his boot in, Red Shoes reprimands, and Gabe stops at 4. Takagi finally makes it back to ringside but Sanada drags Yota up. The War Dogs double whip, but Yota dropkicks Gabe’s legs! Sanada kicks and whips Yota but Yota dropkicks Sanada’s legs, too! The fans fire up and rally as Yota crawls, but Gabe YANKS Takagi down! And RAMS him into railing!

Gabe hoists Takagi up for an APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans boo but Gabe just flips them off. Sanada storms up on Yota, bumps him off buckles, and stomps away in the corner. Red Shoes counts but Sanada digs his boot in. Sanada tags Gabe and Gabe taunts Yota on. Gabe brings up Yota saying he’ll lead this new generation, but Gabe says that new generation’s right here. Yota fires forearms but Gabe taunts Yota for how weak they are. Yota fires more and more forearms, but Gabe DECKS Yota! Then SPITS on him! The fans boo but Gabe tags Sanada. Then Gabe shouts F U! Sanada taunts Takagi, but Yota fires forearms on him and Gabe!

Yota spins, but Gabe waistlocks! Sanada DROPKICKS Yota, Gabe SMACKS Yota, and they reel him in. Yota fights the double suplex, the War Dogs still hoist him up, but Takagi makes the save! Takagi fires forearms, then HEADBUTTS, and then he goes back to his corner! The fans fire up, Yota crawls over, but Gabe BLASTS Takagi first! Gabe goes out after Takagi to SMACK him! Gabe tells people to move, then he whips Takagi, only for Takagi to reverse it! Gabe crashes through the table!! The fans go nuts while Gabe slumps down in the wreckage. Takagi crawls his way back to the LIJ corner while Yota and Sanada stir again.

Fans rally up as Yota crawls over but Sanada anchors his foot. Yota rolls to send Sanada into Takagi’s forearm! Sanada staggers into a BODY BLOW from Yota! Yota continues his crawl, and now he hot tags Takagi! The fans fire up as Takagi rallies on Sanada with shoulder tackles, a scoop SLAM, and a SENTON! The fans fire up more with an “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs at Sanada in the corner, but he blocks a boot to LARIAT! Takagi fires the fans up again for the BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! Sanada is tougher than that and Takagi is frustrated. Takagi finally tells Korakuen, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans are thunderous as Takagi rises!

Takagi starts up “OI! OI! OI!” again and then he brings Sanada up. Takagi pump handles, but Sanada fights the lift! Sanada slips free, Takagi ELBOWS Sanada then whips. Sanada goes up and out, Takagi hurries out the side, but Sanada slides in! Takagi hurries back up and in but Sanada KICKS ropes! Takagi gets jammed up down low! Red Shoes reprimands and the fans boo but Sanada doesn’t care. Sanada drags Takagi around by his legs, and he ties Takagi up in Paradise! Some things never change, other than Sanada soaking up the boos rather than cheers. Sanada then DROPKICKS Takagi out of Paradise!

The fans rally for Takagi while Sanada paces. Sanada drags Takagi up, but Takagi fights the lift! Takagi slips around, shoves, and POP-UP- NO, Sanada slips out to dragon sleeper! Takagi snapmares free! Sanada comes back into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint, but Sanada slips out! And he basement DROPKICKS Takagi! Takagi rolls back to SLIDING PUMPING BOMBER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Takagi and Sanada stir, crawl, and hot tag to Gabe and Yota! They RAM each other, then fire off CHOP after CHOP! The fans fire up with every CHOP, and Gabe CHOPS! Yota props himself up but Gabe eggs him on.

Yota rises up and he CHOPS! Gabe CHOPS, and we’re back to going CHOP for CHOP! The fans fire up again, Gabe DOUBLE CHOPS and he shots at Yota! Yota fires up and he CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! Gabe spins to CHOP! Gabe snarls while Yota is stinging. Gabe eggs Yota on, and Yota ROCKS Gabe!! Gabe is on wobbly legs and now Yota is egging Gabe on! Gabe shakes his head, fires himself back up, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Gabe winds up to SOUTHAPW LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!? Gabe is furious and he gets moving, but Yota SUPERKICKS! And GENE TRIGGERS! Gabe SMACKS, HAYMAKERS, but Yota HEADBUTTS!!

Gabe drops and Yota wobbles, but Yota has a grin on his face! Yota fires up, reels Gabe in, but Gabe suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! The fans rally back up as Gabe and Yota stir. Gabe crawls his way over, hot tag to Sanada! Sanada runs up to BLAST Takagi! Then he runs at Yota to SHINING- NO, Yota ducks it! Sanada comes back, tilt-o-whirl and dragon sleeper! Yota arm-drags through, then catches Sanada for a BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER and STOMP! The fans fire up for the Gene Combination, and then Takagi BLASTS Gabe! The fans fire up but Red Shoes reprimands.

Takagi coaches Yota up and the fans rally. LIJ brings Sanada up, they double whip him to a corner, and then Yota runs in to SPLASH! Takagi adds a LARIAT! Feed to a BOOT, then BLINDSIDE LARIAT, and then the DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Sanada stays in this but Yota says they’re almost there! The fans rally as Yota hauls Sanada up and Takagi wheelbarrows. Gabe makes the save and fires hands! Gabe runs but Takagi follows to LARIAT at ropes! Takagi keeps moving but Gabe dodges! DOUBLE LARIATS hit! Neither man falls! Takagi ELBOWS! Gabe UPPERCUTS! Takagi JABS! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS! Gabe DISCUS LARIATS!

The fans are thunderous, Gabe fires up, but Takagi is right up to PUMPING BOMBER!! SHINING WIZARD!! GENE- SHOTGUN!!! Sanada counters Yota and he fires back up! Sanada climbs and ROUNDING BODY PRESS- NO, he lands out as Yota moves! Yota GENE TRIGGERS!! And then Yota goes up and up to MAROON- ATOMIC DROP!! Red Shoes reprimands, he can’t be sure if that was a low blow or accidental! Sanada smirks while Yota writhes, and then Sanada defends it was an accident. Gabe and Takagi brawl outside, Sanada pushes Red Shoes aside to BLATANTLY LOW BLOW!! The fans boo and Red Shoes knows something’s up!

Sanada drags Yota up to clinch, but Yota slips around. Sanada pushes Red Shoes, but Yota avoids the low blow! RANA!! Cover, LIJ WINS!!!

Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Gabe & Sanada earn 0)

Sanada got caught off guard, but he takes it out on Red Shoes! Gabe is mad, too, and he stares at Sanada in anger and disappointment. The War Dogs are on a downward trajectory again, can they turn things around at the halfway point?

As for LIJ, Yota gets a mic to call out Gabe. “Yeah, we are enemies, but when we look at the bigger picture, you and I are reaching for the same thing.” The fans applaud, and then Yota tells Gabe that the bad news is, Yota plans to beat “boss dog” David Finlay at the Tokyo Dome! But if Gabe’s facing Kenny Omega, then he better not lose to AEW. The fans do applaud that! Gabe does his best not to smirk, so he just flips Yota off on his way out. Yota then says enough about Tokyo Dome, this is World Tag League! “No other tag teams are as fierce as Takagi and me, isn’t that right?” Takagi agrees, as do the fans.

Yota continues to say that sorry, it won’t be Naito & Hiromu winning this tournament, it HAS to be Yota & Takagi. And that goes for ALL the tag teams left to face! Are you ready?! The fans cheer that! Yota finishes with, “Those trophies are ours.” Mic drop and LIJ’s twin dragons are ready to soar! Will they be the ones making WTL tranquilo?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 3-0, 6 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 2-1, 4 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 2-1, 4 points
Bishamon: 2-1, 4 points
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 2-1, 4 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 1-2, 2 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-3, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-3, 0 points

My Thoughts:

Another great night for WTL, though maybe with less surprising results. Cobb & Callum now stand as the only undefeated team in A Block, and I really like Cobb’s ongoing gimmick of copying and remixing other wrestlers’ stuff. The Funky Sauce keeps looking so good, even in defeat, I really hope they manage at least a couple spoiler wins. But ZSJ & Oiwa did need a rebound from losing to Shota so there you go, Zayne & Taguchi take that loss. Bishamon VS Shota & Honma was awesome stuff, probably the actual best match of the night, and I should’ve figured Shota would get another big win to pump him up for WrestleKingdom.

Speaking of, Claudio’s surprise video promo to set up a WrestleDynasty match was good stuff. I do appreciate that they’re referencing how Shota was a “Death Rider” with Moxley before that was really a faction anywhere, so this is a good circling back to that. Shota VS Claudio will be great stuff, even if Shota isn’t champion. And then great main event, good interactions of Sanada and Takagi as former teammates, as well as Gabe and Yota as budding rivals. Great win for LIJ to keep the hope of an LIJ VS LIJ final alive, but we’ve got a lot of tournament left. At the same time, if Yota is going for the Global Heavyweight Championship, I don’t see him and Takagi going for the tag titles.

My Score: 9/10