The Continental Classic returns!

On Thanksgiving Eve, AEW heads for Worlds End with the 2024 Continental Classic! Who will look to take the title from Kazuchika Okada?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS Shelton Benjamin; Shelton wins.
• ROH World Championship: Chris Jericho w/ Bryan Keith & “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Tomohiro Ishii; Jericho wins and retains the title.
• AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Ricochet VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
• WrestleDynasty International Women’s Cup Qualifier Tournament: Jamie Hayter VS Queen Aminata; Hayter wins and advances to Winter is Coming.
• AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Brody King; Brody wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Hurt Syndicate is here!

Shelton Benjamin has Montel Vontavious Porter and Bobby Lashley with him as he makes his way out, because the Standard of Excellence is going to jump into the Continental Classic round robin tournament in mere moments. But first, MVP has the mic to call our attention to an official announcement from The Hurt Syndicate. “Tonight, AEW and the Hurt Syndicate are coming to you LIVE from the Wintrust Arena in Chicago!” The fans cheer that! And MVP says bien gin Chicago, then it is an appropriate analogy to say he has two of the greatest athletes to EVER grace a pro-wrestling ring! Two men who are head and shoulders above the entire field!

This is like being between Walter Payton and Michael Jordan! Chicago appreciates MVP’s comparison. MVP says no, it isn’t about him, it is about The Syndicate and the lessons that they teach. MVP will make it very plain: When he offers you a business card, an opportunity to join up, that is like a golden ticket! IT is your chance to change your life for the better, if you’re smart. Or if you’re like Swerve Strickland and you’re not, your youthful exuberance becoming arrogance… The fans still cheer “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Funny they feel that way, since the All Mighty Bobby Lashley beat the SNOT outta Swerve!

So if you’re confused on whose house this is, just look at the big screen. We get a highlight reel of that match from Full Gear, such as when Lashley Speared Swerve through the barriers, Speared him again, then clamped on the Hurt Lock. Fans are torn but MVP says Swerve is an amazing young man, a former world champion, but he is not the most dangerous man in AEW. Bobby Lashley is the most dangerous! He is a walking Armageddon! So to make this clear, the mission statement is that the Syndicate will take titles! Then they leverage the titles for money and power. That is the business, they are the Merchants of Misery! They are in the profession of pain!

And kicking off the C2 tonight will be The Standard of Excellence, Shelton Benjamin! MVP cannot make this any clearer. They are the absolute best at absolute misery! What do they do? They hurt people! The theme song says it again and again, will the Syndicate do that again and again until they’re on top of AEW? Or will the Sussex County Chicken #ManUp and make a big impact?

Mark makes his entrance while MVP & Lashley leave, as Continental Rules mean no cornermen for any side. We have a 20 minute time limit, and the winner gets 3 points, 1 point each in a draw. Who sets the pace not just for Blue League but the tournament as a whole?

AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS Shelton Benjamin!

The bell rings and the fans rally up for Mark and #DemBoys! The two circle, but Mark offers a handshake. Shelton accepts it, but then uses it to whip! Shelton waistlocks, Mark grabs ropes, and Shelton lets go quickly. They tie up again, and Shelton powers Mark to a corner! Mark slips free to CHOP! The fans fire up but Shelton brushes that off. Mark kicks low, headlocks, but Shelton powers up and out. Shelton then CLOBBERS Mark with a big shoulder tackle! Shelton drags Mark up for an EXPLODER! Mark goes to ropes, Shelton drops a knee on him, then whips. Mark slides under and ROCKS Shelton!

Mark kicks, fires forearms, and the fans rally as he runs. Mark BOOTS Shelton out of the ring and fans fire up more! Mark runs to WRECK Shelton with a dropkick! Mark high-fives the fans in the front row, then goes back for Shelton. Mark CHOPS Shelton, and the fans fire up more as Mark runs up, but Shelton clinches! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY on the floor! Shelton drags Mark up, SMACKS him off the apron, then THROWS him into the railing! And repeat! Shelton sends Mark into steel steps and Mark goes tumbling. Shelton steps into the ring and lets the ring count handle this.

Mark rises as the fans rally, and Shelton grins. Shelton storms out to then scoop and aim. Mark slips free to POST Shelton, then he slides into the ring! The fans fire up as Mark DIVES! Down goes Shelton and Mark high-fives more fans! Mark then fetches Shelton and brings him around. Mark ROCKS Shelton, CHOPS him, then pushes him into the ring. The fans rally up and Mark climbs, but Shelton springs up after him, SUPER ARM-DRAG! The fans fire up for that feat of athleticism, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Shelton stalks Mark to a corner, digs his boots in, but lets off as the ref counts. Shelton drags Mark up, DUMPS him out, then goes out the side. Shelton storms over to Mark, drags him up, and short arm LARIATS! Shelton rolls back into the ring to watch Mark crawl. The ring count climbs, but Shelton decides to go back out. Mark fires hands on Shelton first! Shelton KNEES low, then whips him over railing! Shelton leaves Mark behind for the ring count to handle, but fans rally behind Mark. Mark stands, storms back to the ring, but Shelton meets him halfway with a BOOT! Shelton then brings Mark around, to TOSS over the railing!

Shelton leaves Mark behind but Mark is back up! Mark hurries up and over, and he grits his teeth as he storms back to the ring. Shelton waits on him, then gets him at the apron with a forearm! Shelton brings Mark up and suplexes Mark into the ring! Shelton knows that isn’t enough, and he watches Mark go to a corner. Shelton storms up to KNEE Mark low! Shelton brings Mark up but Mark fires hands as Dynamite returns to single picture. The fans duel but Mark ROCKS and whips Shelton. Shelton reverses, Mark ducks ‘n’ dodges, but a kitchen sink knee finds Mark! Cover, TWO! Shelton storms up on Mark and wrangles him to ropes.

Mark has the ropes but Shelton still has the chinlock. The ref counts, the fans rally, and Shelton lets go at 4. Shelton looms over Mark, drags him to a corner, and then talks trash. Shelton fires forearms but Mark glares at him! Mark shakes his head so Shelton fires more shots! Mark fights up and the fans fire up! Shelton fires more shots but Mark says hit him! Shelton fires more forearms, but Mark just fires them in return! The fans fire up with Mark but Shelton shoves him! Mark bobs ‘n’ weaves, leans back, and fires REDNECK PALM STRIKES! Mark ROCKS, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Mark whips, but Shelton grabs ropes.

Mark runs up, Shelton BOOTS him, but Mark fireman’s carries! ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! And then SLIDING LARIAT! The fans fire up as Mark climbs a corner! FROGGY-BOW!! But that landing was hard on both men! Shelton rolls away and gets out of the ring! The fans boo but Mark isn’t frustrated, he just says BANG BANG! FOLEY ELBOW DROP! The fans fire up and Mark puts Shelton back in the ring. Mark climbs back up, “This is Awesome!” as Mark again FROGGY-BOWS! But onto knees!! Shelton saves himself, then GERMAN SUPLEXES!! Mark lands high on his shoulders, but Shelton hauls him up! GERMAN SUPLEX!!

The fans are going nuts as Shelton just throws Mark around! But Mark fights the third try! Mark fires elbows, breaks free, and he PELES! Mark brings Shelton up, underhooks, and the fans fire up! JAY- NO, Shelton fights it to backdrop! But M ark sunset flips! TWO!! Shelton kicks, Mark blocks, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Mark goes to the corner, Shelton runs in to STEP-UP KNEE! And then SUPERKICK!! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and the fans are thunderous! Shelton is annoyed but he waits on Mark to rise up. SUPERKICK!! Shelton isn’t done, either! He hauls Mark back up, and hits PAYDIRT!! Cover, Shelton wins!

Winner: Shelton Benjamin, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Briscoe earns 0)

The Syndicate returns to celebrate with Shelton as he truly becomes the standard in this tournament. Who will be able to keep pace with Shelton? Will Mark be able to get back up before the round robin is through?

Some notes on the Continental Classic format:

While it is all round robin, this year will have a crisscross semifinals! First place in Gold League faces second place in Blue League, and vice-versa, the winners of those then facing off in the tournament finals. And bigger still, it all happens at Worlds End on December 28th! But in the end, the winner of this tournament will be THE Continental Champion, even without having to defeat Kazuchika Okada directly! Who will show some true grit and determination knowing there’s a doubleheader in their future?

PROGRAMMING NOTE for Saturday!

Not only will Collision and Rampage combine for a solid THREE HOUR BLOCK Saturday, November 30th, but it will be live coast to coast, and at an earlier time! 4 PM Eastern for Collision, 6 PM for Rampage, meaning the West Coast will get a lunchtime helping of AEW! Make sure your schedule and DVR are adjusted accordingly so you can catch it all!

Tony Schiavone is on stage.

He welcomes us back to the show, and he welcomes out the NJPW Strong Women’s Champion, the AEW TBS Champion, The CEO, Mercedes Mone! Kamille accompanies Mone, and she smiles as she’s handed the mic. Chicago boos but that’s because she’s from Boston. Mone says, “Chicagooo~! You better say hello to your C E O.” Schiavone says Mone turned the wrestling world on its head last Saturday with her win over Kris Statlander. The longest match in AEW Women’s Division history, and perhaps the Women’s Match of the Year. How does she feel? Mone says it feels like money!

But to be honest, if she could just say, Kris did give her one of the hardest fights of Mone’s career. Kris proved she is one of the very best. But Mone is THE BEST AEW TBS Champion of all time! At Full Gear, Mone showed the world how a real woman gets the job done. And since Kamille can’t get anything done right, she’s- Kamille grabs the mic to say, “SHUT! UP!!” The fans cheer Kamille as she stands up to Mone! Kamille says, “Are you stupid? Or are you dumb?” Mone can’t fire Kamille, because Kamille QUITS. Kamille hits the mic drop on Mone and storms off! The CEO has lost her Brickhouse, what will protect her from challengers now?

ROH World Championship: Chris Jericho w/ Bryan Keith & “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Tomohiro Ishii!

The Learning Tree, The Nueve, the TWO-TIME ROH World Champion, has defended this title against the Stone Pitbull in this very building two years ago, but he was a very different Jericho back then. As for Ishii, with no offense to Toni Storm, Ishii is timeless! Will the Age of the Nueve only last so long? Or will he continue on towards ROH Final Battle in December?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the true Face of ROH!

The fans rally up as Ishii and Jericho get face to face. So much for the Code of Honor. Ishii CHOPS, Jericho CHOPS, and we’re going right back to two years ago already! They CHOP and CHPO and CHOP, and the fans “WOO~” every time. The CHOPS build up speed and the fans love it! Both men’s chests are already so red, and they both step back to catch their breath. The CHOPS continue, and fans hope they “Chop Forever!” Jericho CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Ishii ducks one to GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans cheer as Ishii runs up, but Jericho GERMAN SUPELXES! Ishii is up to LARIAT! Jericho LARIATS in return!

The fans fire up as Ishii and Jericho DOUBLE LARIAT! And then they both run, for Jericho to BOOT! Ishii rebounds to LARIAT Jericho down! The fans fire up while Jericho flounders to the apron. Ishii storms out to join Jericho, and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Jericho pokes Ishii in the eyes! The fans boo but Jericho waves, “Hi, guys~!” Jericho then hits an APRON DDT! Ishii stands up on his head from that impact, and both Bill & Keith enjoy seeing that from commentary. The ref checks, Ishii is alright to continue, and Jericho waves to Chicago. Jericho then goes back to Ishii to stand him up and SMACK him off the desk!

The fans are torn, but Jericho SMACKS Ishii with the desk hood! Jericho puts Ishii in the ring, then stalks up behind him. Ishii CHOPS! Jericho frowns, then CHOPS back! Ishii CHOPS again! Jericho grimaces, but Ishii just CHOPS again! Jericho CHOPS, Ishii CHOPS, and now Jericho SLAPS! Ishii SLAPS back! They turn this into a SLAP fight! The SLAPS go back and forth from all sides! The fans fire up as this also picks up speed! Ishii ROCKS Jericho with that last one, but Ishii finally feels some of those shots. Both men step up to SLAP! Jericho has a bloody lip but he still SLAPS away on Ishii! Ishii SLAPS him again!

Dynamite goes picture in picture while Jericho backs off a moment. Jericho then frowns, steps back up, and the LSAPS just keep going! Ishii ROCKS Jericho again and again, but Jericho still comes back for more! The ref wants both men to be careful, but Jericho just fires up. Jericho SLAPS, Ishii SLAPS, and Jericho again steadies himself. The SLAPS keep on going, and then Ishii runs up to LARIAT in the corner! Jericho stumbles and leans on Ishii, but Ishii stands him up. Jericho eggs Ishii on so Ishii short-range HEADBUTTS! The SLAPS return, and they’ve got some stank on ’em! Ishii ROCKS Jericho again and again and again!

Jericho ends up in a corner, Ishii just fires off! The ref counts, Ishii rains down forearms, but he stops to roar and storm around. The fans love it as Ishii finally takes a breather. Jericho rises back up, he and Ishii step to each other, and Jericho SLOAPS! Ishii eggs Jericho on so Jericoh SLAPS more, an dthen ishii just SLAPS! The SLAPS keep going! Neither man is backing down but Ishii is again so much sturdier! The SLAPS are really hitting hard, and now Ishii wobbles! Jericho huffs ‘n’ puffs and storms back up, the SLAPS keep going! Ishii and Jericho both have rose red cheeks, but they’re not Santa Claus!

Dynamite returns to single picture as Jericho and Ishii just fire up and keep going! The fans love this, and then Jericho finally falls over! Ishii leans on ropes, perhaps some blood from his own cheek. Jericho’s busted lip is only worse, but he dodges Ishii! Jericho CHOPS, then he hoists Ishii up! Jericho climbs after Ishii, CLUBS away on Ishii, and then he brings Ishii up. SUPERPLEX! The fans are thunderous as Ishii rises up! Jericho is stunned! Ishii staggers his way back over, and Jericho fires forearms! Ishii just takes them, then ROCKS Jericho with one! Ishii runs, but Jericho BOOTS the lariat! Ishii SOUTHPAW LARAITS!

Jericho goes back to a corner and Ishii eggs him on! Jericho storms back up, and we return to the SLAP fight! Ishii swings, Jericho blocks, but then Ishii CLUBS Jericho again and again! Ishii swings, Jericho dodges, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ishii rises up, Jericho aims, but he CLOBBERS Jericho first! Both men fall and the fans are loving this! Jericho rises, Ishii follows, and Ishii runs up, into a BOOT! CODE- NO, Ishii stops that to fire boxing elbows! Ishii runs, into a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER, and LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and the fans are thunderous again! Bill praises Jericho as both men rise back up.

Jericho blocks a lariat to JUDAS EFFECT! And CODE BREAKER! Cover, ONE?!? Ishii roars to his feet, but then stumbles and falls! The fans are fired up as Ishii rises, but Jericho trips him! WALLS- NO, Ishii THROWS Jericho away! Jericho runs up, but Ishii RAMS, HEADBUTTS, and BATTERING RAMS Jericho! Cover, TWO!! Jericho survives all that damage, but then Ishii runs! Jericho avoids the sliding lariat, but Ishii is right up to steal CODE BREAKER!! The fans fire up as Ishii hurries back to his feet! Ishii runs and LARIATS Jericho down!! Cover, TWO!!! Jericho survives, and Ishii snarls through his bloody nose!

Ishii drags Jericho up, suplexes, but Jericho fights it! Jericho wrenches, but Ishii ENZIGIRIS! Jericho drops to his knees, Ishii runs, but into a JUDAS EFFECT!! Both men are down, Bill & Keith are sure Jericho has it now! Jericho and Ishii rise, ANOTHER JUDAS EFFECT!! Cover, Jericho wins!!

Winner: Chris Jericho, by pinfall (still ROH World Champion)

Chicago may not like it, but as The Bad Apple says, you have to RESPECT Jericho! Jericho toughed it out and won this one all on his own! Jericho is 2-0 against Ishii on Thanksgiving Eve, but will he make it through his Final Battle?

Backstage interview with Swerve Strickland & Prince Nana.

Renee Paquette is with The Realest and his manager, and notes that Saturday, Full Gear, that was one of the most brutal losses in Swerve’s career. How does he rebuild from that? Swerve says rebuilding is something he does very well. Win or lose, Swerve figures it out. But Bobby… Swerve has never been hit so hard by anybody. Max Caster walks by and chuckles as he says that was brutal. Swerve asks what’s so funny. Caster says what’s funny is Swerve. Swerve lost at the Prudential Center last Saturday. Wasn’t that the same place where Caster once beat Swerve for the AEW World Tag Team Championships?

But hey, let’s write some comedy, drop some bars. Because EVERYONE loves The Best Wrestler Alive. Swerve used to be a house of fire, like a hose fire! Swerve grabs Caster by the neck, then THROWS him onto a road case! Swerve hammers away on Platinum Max, then THROWS him down! To then PUNT Caster in the head!! Nana says they gotta go, and Swerve leaves. Will Caster learn to hold his tongue the next time he sees the most dangerous man in AEW?

Tony Schiavone is now in the ring.

He again welcomes us back to the show, and now he welcomes out Hangman Adam Page! The fans are torn as the Blackhat Cowboy makes his way out, and Schiavone wants to talk Full Gear. Hangman loses to Jay White, and that’s just stating facts. But then Hangman goes after White, punches out Christopher Daniels, then after the main event, shows up to go after Yuta and Moxley to help Christian Cage attempt his cash-in. Just help us wrap our heads around- Hangman snatches the mic! Hangman says first of all, if Daniels wants to get in Hangman’s business, Hangman will knock him on his ass again!

And as for Full Gear, Hangman made a deal and kept his end of the bargain. Christian Cage, if you’d been able to keep up your end, then Hangman would be home tomorrow in time for lunch, chowing down on a bowl of stuffing, as the NEW AEW World Champion! But Christian FAILED! So tonight, Hangman will do what he should’ve done in the first place, and he’ll make himself very clear. His intention is and always has been to be THE AEW World Champion! The fans do cheer that. Hangman says it should have NEVER been Swerve, it should NEVER have been Bryan, NEVER have been Moxley, and it damn sure NEVER will be Christian’s!

That title is and always has been HANGMAN’S! But wait! Here comes The Switchblade! The fans cheer as Jay White is on stage, and has a mic already. White tells Hangman, “Say it with us, Hanger. Guns up for my Chicago Gold Members~! See, this is perfect, Hanger! Because I have a question for you. I would love to know, please, do tell, Mr. Page, what happened in your match at with Switchblade Jay White at Full Gear? Perhaps that’s a bit hard for him. How ’bout this one, Hanger? What happened in your match with Switchblade Jay White at WrestleDream? Ah, see, you may have forgotten, but Chicago remembers: You lost BOTH those matches!”

Switchblade beat The Hangman again! So if anyone is going after the one true king, the AEW World Championship, it will not be Hangman! It will be Switchblade! The fans cheer but White does say if Hangman needs another reminder, if FIVE losses still isn’t enough, if he wants another taste, then White will give him that here tonight in Chicago! But wait! PAC YANKS WHITE DOWN! And THROWS him into railing! The Bastard taunts Hangman, but that’s so Yuta can CHOP BLOCK Hangman! The Death Riders mug Hangman, this is revenge for Full Gear! But White gets in and he TOSSES Yuta! And he HALF ‘N’ HALF SUPLEXES Pac!

Hangman LARIATS White! Marina Shafir BRIEFCASE SMASHES Hangman!! The fans boo as now The Problem stalks White! Marina winds up, but White dodges! And he clinches Marina! Moxley grabs White in a SLEEPER!! The fans boo as The Maniac chokes out White, and then Marina KICKS low! SAYANAGI! MOTHER’S MILK!! Marina smothers White and White is fading out! Marina throws White down, and then the Death Riders all stomp away! The fans boo these jackals, but then Pac has the case. Moxley stands White up, and he CLOBBERS White with it!! The Death Riders get revenge on their enemies, will the reign of terror know no end?

But the night isn’t over for The Death Riders, as the Swiss Superman steps out to ringside for his Continental Classic match. Will Claudio be the real workhorse that sets the pace for this tournament? Or will the C2 be #OuttaThisWorld?

AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Ricochet VS Claudio Castagnoli!

The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, tie up, and Claudio knees low! Claudio scoops to SLAM, then he drags Ricochet right up to waistlock. Ricochet switches, headlocks, but Claudio powers out to RUN Ricochet over. The fans rally for Ricochet but Claudio drags Ricochet up. Ricochet KICKS, ROCKS, CHOPS, but Claudio shoves. Ricohet RANAS but Claudio is right up! Claudio blocks a kick, THROWS Ricochet ot a corner, but Ricochet goes up and over! Ricoche tducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA again! Claudio blocks a kick, FLIPS Ricochet, but Ricochet ducks ‘n’ dodges again! But Claudio blocks the rana this time!

Claudio hauls Ricochet up, but RIcochet sunest flips! Claudio pops Ricochet right up but Ricochet RANAS! Claudio bails out and the fans fire up as Ricochet builds speed. Claudio moves but Ricochet handsprings to superhero land! The fans fire up while Claudio scowls. Claudio storms up tot he apron, he RAMS into Ricochet and BACKDROPS Ricochet out! Ricochet alnds on his feet, runs up, but is put on the apron! Ricochet mule kicks, QUEBRADAS, but Claudio catches Ricochet to hit SNAKE EYES off the railing! The ring count climbs but Claudio refreshes in. The fans rally up with “BALD FOREVER!” Claudio hits SNAKE EYES again!

Claudio steps into the ring to leave Ricochet behind. The fans rally, Ricochet says he’s trying, y’all. Claudio hauls Ricochet up, and whips him hard into railing! And then UPPERCUTS him back down! Claudio paces while the ring count climbs, and he hauls Ricochet up. Claudio fireman’s carries to then TOSS Ricochet into the ring! Claudio storms up to the apron, but Ricochet BOOTS Claudio! Then triangle jump DROPKICKS! Ricochet then DIVES and hits Claudio into railing! The fans are thunderous and Ricochet puts Claudio in! The fans fire up as Ricochet springboards, but Claudio tripos him up!

Ricochet falls hard to the mat and Claudio wags his finger. Claudio then winds up, runs up, and UPPERCUTS Ricochet into the corner! Ricochet bounces off buckles and falls, Claudio covers, TWO! The fans rally while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Claudio huffs ‘n’ puffs before he stomps Ricochet’s hand. Claudio paces while Ricochet leans on the ropes. Claudio stands Ricochet up to fire forearms. Ricochet fires back, RAMS into Claudio, but Claudio scoops to TOSS Ricochet out of the ring! Ricochet writhes on the floor but Claudio waits on the count. Ricochet is still down at 5 of 10, but he starts to sit up. Claudio still waits as Ricochet slides in at 8! Claudio stomps away on Ricochet, then lets off to drag Ricochet into a seated armlock. Ricochet endures, even as Claudio leans on the hold, and then Claudio shifts to get a leg! Claudio has a HALF CRAB ARMLOCK COMBO!

Ricochet endures, Claudio shifts around to have the arm and chinlock, and Claudio twists Ricochet around! Ricochet endures, even as Claudio pushes on his head and neck! Ricochet fights up, fires body shots, and Dynamite returns to single picture. The fans fire up as Ricochet ROCKS, CHIOPS, whips, but Claudio blocks! Claudio whips, Ricochet handsprings to BACK ELBOW! Claudio runs back up but Ricochet DUMPS him out! Ricochet then builds speed to DIVE, but Claudio manages to mitigate the impact with strength! Ricochet hauls Claudio up to put him in! Ricochet climbs the corner, and he CROSSBODIES! Claudio catches him!

Claudio spins Ricochet around to a BACKBREAKER! Claudio runs to BOOT Ricochet down! Cover, TWO! Ricochet survives and Claudio grows frustrated. Claudio sits Ricochet up, brings him around, and reels him in. But Ricochet drops to the mat again! Claudio is annoyed but he hoists Ricochet up again. UPPERCUT into a backslide! Claudio fights the move, swings, but Ricochet pops up to stand on Claudio! Then he backflips, ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt–whirl and DEJA VU RANA! Claudio tumblers out, the fans are thunderous and Ricochet builds speed! And he FOSBURY FLOPS! The fans are thunderous as Ricochet takes a look at the title.

Ricochet puts Claudio in the ring, springboards, and he FLYING LARIATS! Chicago fires up more as Ricochet LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Ricochet is frustrated but the fans continue to rally behind him. Claudio rises, Ricochet goes to fireman’s carry, but Claudio fights it with elbows! Claudio back suplexes, Ricochet lands out to shove and SUPERKICK! ROUNDHOUSE! Ricochet springboards, into an UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Claudio is frustrated again but the fans are loving this! Claudio grabs the legs, but Ricochet kicks at him! Claudio rebounds to DOUBLE STOMP! And then he has the legs, for a SHARPSHOOTER!

Ricochet endures, even as Claudio sits deep! Ricochet claws at the mat, fights his way forward, but Claudio drags him away from ropes! Claudio sits DEEP, then shifts to a CROSSFACE! Ricochet rolls but Claudio holds on! Ricochet endures, rolls to a cover, TWO! Claudio UPPERCUTS Ricochet right down! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and shocks Claudio! Claudio hurries to straitjacket and RICO- RANA!! Cover, TWO!!! Claudio CLOBBERS Ricochet, then TOSSES him out! Claudio goes out to whip Ricochet hard into railing! The fans fire up as Claudio storms up, and he takes off the railing’s protective padding.

Claudio hauls Ricochet up to CROTCH Ricochet on the railing!! Claudio shoves Ricochet over then leaves him behind. Ricochet drags himself back up but we’re already past 5 of 10! Ricochet hobbles his way over, slides in at 9, but Claudio just runs to LARIAT!! Cover, Claudio wins!!

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Ricochet earns 0)

The One & Only could not get even one point to open the tournament, and Claudio has set the pace for Gold League! Will Claudio not be denied like he was last year?

Backstage interview with Kyle Fletcher & Don Callis.

Renee is with The Protostar and his scumbag mentor, and she says Kyle is coming off the biggest win of his career with his victory over Will Ospreay at Full Gear. To her, it seems The Don Callis Family has been on a mission to destroy Ospreay. Callis says that’s because that is what you do to get ahead in this business! What business do you think we’re all in? This is pro-wrestling! They leave no stone unturned. And they didn’t just beat Ospreay, they DECIMATED him! They SKINNED him, and left him in a heap! Because they proved that Kyle is bigger, stronger, faster, smarter and better looking than Ospreay! And they’re just getting started.

They high-five and Kyle says yes, it was definitive, 100% certain, that Kyle is better than Ospreay in every single way. And the Continental Classic will be just anther way for Kyle to prove that, in case there were other skeptics. And it all starts this Saturday! Tune in because the C2 will belong to The Protostar. Kyle is confident as ever, but will he still be feeling good after a Continental Collision?

Adam Cole is here!

Chicago cheers as The Panama City Playboy makes his way out, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett flanking him now. The fans join in on “BOOM!” and “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” and then Cole grabs a mic. “I am so sick and tired of playing this game. Max, if you were half the man that you claim to be, than you’d be a man and fight me. But you’re not, because you’re a little b*tch! Max, after what you did to Roddy, I swear to God, hell! I swear on my own mother! When I get my hands on you, I am going to beat you within an inch of your pathetic life!” Taven & Bennett seem to be conflicted on this promise, but wait! Here comes Kyle O’Reilly!

Kyle steps into the ring, mic already in hand, and he tells Cole that with all due respect, Cole fought Max and it didn’t work out. That’s why they’re in this situation. So let’s try something a little different: Let Kyle fight MJF. Because while MJF isn’t here, if he has the guts to show up next week- Cole stops Kyle there, and tells him to listen. What Kyle said last week stuck with Cole. Cole does not want his friends to fight his battles. Cole wants to be the one to end things with MJF. Kyle says this isn’t about Cole. This is for Roddy. Cole and Kyle argue off mic, Taven & Bennett try to calm them down, but then the tron has MJF playing the piano!

MJF plays the, “Oh, didn’t see you there.” But guys, in regards to them both wanting to fight MJF, he has thought about it for the past, oh, twenty seconds, and well, he’s gotta say no. Sorry. Actually, his mind is rather focused on something far more important. See, next week is the traditional Dynamite Diamond Ring Battle Royal, and so as far as dealing with Cole and Kyle… MJF is just thinking, uh, buh-bye! Let him play you off. MJF goes back to the piano, and of course it is his theme song he plays. Cole is seething already, but he tells MJF that he’ll be the first to officially enter that battle royal! Kyle says he’ll be the second!

Cole and Kyle argue again, but fighting over the Dynamite Diamond Ring could very well be a way to get after the Wolf of Wrestling. Will someone finally end MJF’s five year streak of being the Dynamite Diamond Ringbearer?

WrestleDynasty International Women’s Cup Qualifier Tournament: Jamie Hayter VS Queen Aminata!

January 5th in the Tokyo Dome, NJPW will be hosting a match of the best women’s wrestlers from around the world, with a title opportunity awaiting the winner! AEW, ROH, CMLL and Stardom are all putting up their most deserving, who will make their way into the history books?

The bell rings, Aminata and Hayter circle, then they tie up. Aminata powers Hayter back to ropes, but then Hayter powers her way back! Hayter puts Aminata in a corner, the ref counts, and Hayter lets off. Aminata storms up, they tie up again, and the fans duel as the two go around the ropes. Hayter puts Aminata in the corner, the ref counts, but Hayter lets off at 4. Aminata runs up and they tie up again. Hayter wrenches to WRING Aminata, and WRING her again! Hayter facelocks but Aminata endures the grind. Hayter gator rolls but Aminata rises up to HIP TOSS! Aminata has the headlock, and she pushes Hayter down.

Hayter rolls to cover, TWO! Both women stand, Hayter ROCKS Aminata! Hayter bumps Aminata off buckles, then bumps her off them again. Hayter stops as the ref counts, but then she CHOPS! Hayter fires up and the fans rally. Hayter CHOPS Aminata in another corner, then puts some stank on the next CHOP! Aminata turns things around to CHOP! Hayter turns it back to CHOP! Aminata CHOPS! Hayter CHOPS! Aminata ROCKS Hayter, CHOPS her, then gets in Hayter’s face. Hayter just CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Hayter swings, Aminata dodges, and Aminata DOUBLE CHOPS! Aminata whips, Hayter reverses and wrangles Aminata! SNAP SUPLEX INTO BUCKLES!

The fans fire up while Hayter catches her breath, and Aminata writhes to the apron while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Hayter waits on Aminata as the ref checks. Aminata seems alright to continue, but Hayter hauls her up into the ropes. Hayter has Aminata dangling for a DRAPING DDT! Hayter covers, TWO! Hayter drags Aminata up to snap suplex again! Aminata sits up but Hayter KNEES her in the back! And again! And again! Hayter clamps on the headscissor squeeze! Aminata endures, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Hayter lets go, and she storms back up to CLUB Aminata! And CLUB her again! Aminata shoves Hayter, but Hayter just CLUBS her again! Aminata fires more body shots, so Hayter BOOTS Aminata down.

Hayter puts Aminata on ropes to CHOKE her, but lets off as the ref counts. Hayter “apologizes,” then storms back up. Aminata kicks low! Aminata fires forearms, then runs, but Hayter CLOBBERS her! Cover, TWO! Hayter drags Aminata up, but Aminata JAWBREAKERS! Dynamite returns to single picture as the forearms start flying! The fans rally up, the shots keep going, and then Hayter fires a flurry! The fans fir eup, Hayter runs, but Amianta ROCKSher! Aminata runs but Hayter ELBOWS her! Hayter runs but Amianta ROCKS her back! Amnianta gives an elbow, then runs, but into another ELBOW!

Hayter whips, Amianta reverses to wrangle her, but Hayter susnset flips through the cradle! TWO and Aminata sits on the prawn hold! TWO, and both women are up! Amianta ducks as lariat to SNAP SUPLEX! Hayter stands, Amianta rOCKS her, then DOUBLE CHOPS her! Hayter falls back onto ropes and Amiant atakes aim! Th efans fire up with Amianta as she runs, BOOT WASH! Hayter slumps all the way out as Aminata stares daggers into her! Aminata puts Hayter back in, covers, TWO!! Hayter survives by centimeters, but Aminata hausl her up! Hayter sunset flips through the Alabama Lift, then ripcords!

Aminata dodges Hayterade to then get under the boot! ALLEY-OOP!! Hayter sputters but Aminata stomps her! Aminata puts Hayter in the drop zone, then she climbs up the corner. The fans fire up as Aminata aims, but Hayter avoids the diving stomp! Hayter catches Aminata for the HATE BREAKER!! Hayter roars, drags Aminata back up, and she hits the- CRADLE from Aminata! TWO!! Hayter kicks a leg out! Then Oklahoma Roll! TWO! But Hayter rolls Aminata around to a ghost pin! TWO!! Aminata stays in this but Hayter stays on her, SLEEPER!! Aminata is caught in body scissors but the fans rally up!

Hayter drags Aminata around, Aminata rolls it back! TWO!! BOOT!! Cover, TWO!!! Aminata survives, but Hayter hauls her up! HAYTERADE!!! Cover, Hayter wins!

Winner: Jamie Hayter, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Hayter Hits Hard, and she punches her ticket to Winter is Coming Collision on Saturday, December 14th! Speaking of Collision, it will be the Galaxycon Saturday edition when Willow Nightingale and… Well, speaking of Julia Hart, the lights go out, and Hayter knows its the Princess! Hayter dares Julia to just show herself already, but no, Julia does things on her own time. Will the Princess of the Black Throne take down the Babe with the Power to then go after Hayter?

Sit-down interview with Mina Shirakawa.

Renee is now with the Fighting Gravure Idol and brings up Full Gear and the “chaos” in the breakup between her and Mariah May. Mariah swung on Mina, Mina tackled her, they both fall off the stage, and while we saw the physical damage, Renee can only imagine the emotional. And yet at the same time, it seemed like Mina was ready for this. Mina says yes, she knew that the day would come. She was waiting a long time. If Mariah could do what she did to Toni Storm, Mina knew Mariah could do that to her, too. Mina never wanted this to happen. Mina wished Mariah was the girl she thought she was. But she’s not… This is the REAL Mariah.

Mariah is so… selfish. Mariah has to kill anyone who gets too close to her. And if that’s the real Mariah May, then time to meet the REAL Mina! Yes, everyone wants Mina, but- OH NO!! Mariah SMASHES Mina with a bottle! And then LASHES her over and over with the belt! Mariah says, “I WANT MINA!!” The Glamour is ruthless, and now Tony Khan sends word! AEW Dynamite: Winter is Coming, December 11th, it is happening! Mariah VS Mina for the AEW Women’s World Championship! Will Mariah prove she is truly coldhearted? Or can Mina heat things up when she brings out her own vicious side?

AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Brody King!

The Relentless One wants to tear down The Death Riders, but he’s also a glutton for punishment, so why not get in on AEW’s premier round robin? Will Darby be able to best Brody like he did at WrestleDream? Or will we all be reminded why Brody is the King of Death?

The bell rings and we get a better look at the tape all on Darby’s head, gut and leg. Darby and Brody shake hands and the two circle. They tie up, and Brody SHOVES Darby down! That hurts a lot more after all the damage Darby did to himself driving a car into the Death Rider truck. Darby still steps up and eggs Brody on! Brody blocks a kick so Darby SLAPS Brody! Brody FLIPS Darby a good 450 onto his back! And then he SENTONS! And SENTONS again! Cover, TWO!! Darby stays in this, but he is already gasping for air. Brody says this is almost ridiculous, but he drags Darby back up. Brody CHOPS Darby, then aims at the corner.

Brody runs up to SPLASH Darby, then he CHOPS! Brody TOSSES Darby across the way and the fans fire up! Brody wants the ref to just call this, but Darby is not out of the match yet. Brody storms up, Darby kicks Brody! And kicks! But Brody hauls Darby up, puts him on the top rope, and CHOPS him down! Darby falls to apron then floor and the fans hoot it up while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Brody goes out and he whips Darby hard into railing! Brody paces, Darby says he’s still in this, so Brody whips him into more railing! Darby slumps down while Brody revels in the hoots and barks. Brody storms around, DIGS Darby into the steel steps, then stomps him down! Brody paces, the ring count climbs, and Darby crawls. Brody hauls Darby up to THROW him into railing! Darby flumps down again while Brody refreshes the ring count. Brody hauls Darby up, puts him in the ring, but Darby rolls out the other side. Brody is annoyed, but he goes back out. Darby rolls back in, and now Brody is getting mad.

Darby flounders but Brody storms i n. Darby RAMS into Brody, fires hands, but Brody whips him. Darby ducks ‘n’ dodges, only to run into a BIG BOSS MAN SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives again but Brody stands him up. Brody TOSSES Darby out, then goes out to CHOP him! Darby staggers away, but Brody swings on him. Darby ducks and Brody CHOPS POST!! Darby hops on for a SLEEPER! Brody RAMS Darby into railing, but he still clutches his bad hand. Brody gets some space, runs in, CANNONBALL but only into railing! The impact takes out a camera! Darby and Brody are both down as Dynamite returns to single picture.

The fans rally up while Darby snarls and crawls. We might have even lost commentary from that attack by Brody, but Brody hurries to the ring. Darby goes up, but Brody trips him up! And CHOPS him on the back! Brody puts Darby in the Tree of Woe, and the fans hoot along. Brody roars, runs in, CANNONBALL!! This time Brody hits Darby, and now Brody covers, TWO!! Darby survives again and Brody is further frustrated. Brody hauls Darby up, hoists him onto the top rope, and then climbs up. Commentary slowly comes back as Brody CLUBS away on Darby. Brody reels Darby in, but Darby bends fingers, then BITES them!

The ref counts, but Darby just BITES Brody’s face! Darby fires HEADBUTTS into Brody, and then he hops up! SUPER CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Brody survives and the fans fire up again! The ref checks, both Brody and Darby are still in this, and Brody now goes to the outside. Darby rises up to build speed and DIVE! Direct hit into Brody and then into railing! Darby hurries up top, to SUPER COFFIN SPLASH!! The fans are thunderous as Darby fights his way back up! Darby climbs again, and he SUPER COFFIN DROPS!!! Both men are down again and the fans are loving it! The ref checks both men, and they’re both stirring.

Darby drags himself up and into the ring, then hewatches Brody crawl in. Darby’s up top again! COFFIN DROP, into a SLEEPER!! Darby rolls it to a cover, TWO!! Brody hauls Darby up, this is that familiar hanging sleeper! But Darby CLAWS Brody’s face! Brody just gut wrenches and GONZO BOMBS!!! Cover, BRODY WINS!!

Winner: Brody King, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Darby earns 0)

Darby may be relentless, but even he has his limits! Brody leaves Darby behind, having earned his points. Wait, Claudio is here! And he has a chair! But Brody steps back in to stop Claudio from touching Darby! The fans cheer Brody on, and wouldn’t you know? Brody and Claudio are going to be opponents in round two! The biggest and the baddest will already battle it out, but who will get those precious points?

My Thoughts:

A great Dynamite to turn that corner from Full Gear to Worlds End, especially with doing the Continental Classic and even the International Women’s Cup tournament. I suppose with needing to stretch the Women’s Cup into December, the pacing of just one match a week is fine, but they could’ve surely found a way to do the opening round all this week. Then they give us a hype promo next week, that would then still lead to the AEW finals at Winter is Coming. That all aside, Hayter VS Aminata was great stuff, but I think they were pushing it a couple near falls too far because you could tell the ref had to cover for some not kick-outs. Hayter winning made sense, and then Julia does a teaser.

This kinda relates to what I’m saying, though. The matches could’ve been ALL this week, the mind games could’ve been next week, and then Hayter VS Hart happens at Winter is Coming. Speaking of which, I’m a little surprised that’s where we’re getting Mariah VS Mina. We got a very good segment from Mina and Mariah to officially establish the match, and I suppose them dragging this out to Worlds End would be too much. We already have the past relationship of Mina and Mariah to help us understand the heat behind this story, turning their friendship into hatred, and they’ll just tear it down in the ring either way.

And of course we got the ROH World Championship, as well, which was another great Strong Style match from Jericho and Ishii. They did even more heavy handed hitting than last time with the bloody lip, bloody nose, red chests and cheeks. But I figured Jericho would win, he has his promise to bring ROH to new prominence, and maybe that happens the closer we get to ROH Final Battle on December 20th. But even then, I don’t see anyone taking that title from Jericho, ROH hasn’t don’t a good job building top title contenders. Though, if they wanted Samoa Joe to finally make his return, I could see that being an instant story for the title and one amazing match.

Great promo from Mone with Kamille, mostly because it was Kamille shutting Mone up and quitting her job as bodyguard. Kamille should probably wait until after Worlds End, that seems to soon for her to earn a TBS Championship. Depending on what happens with the NJPW Strong Women’s title, I could see Kamille be more of  adding insult to injury by going after Mone after Mone’s lost the NJPW title. But even then, not sure the odds of Kamille taking the title, as much as fans liked Kamille putting Mone in her place here tonight.

Good promo from Cole with Kyle and MJF to add a bit more to this story. I figured Cole and Kyle would fight it out, but I suppose them fighting it out during the Dynamite Diamond Dozen Battle Royal is a good way to do multiple things at once. And I would hope that finally, even if it’s just for this year, someone other than MJF will have that ring. Cole can beat everyone else in the battle royal, get his match with MJF, and not only win to “get even,” but to take one of the few things MJF has left. Granted, MJF will want revenge for that and the feud will continue, but at least he won’t have the ring anymore.

Very good promo from MVP after Lashley’s big win at Full Gear, and great match from Shelton and Briscoe to start the Continental Classic. I figured Shelton would win this, Briscoe is already on a similar track to last year’s C2 where he was putting over the other guys. And very good promo with Hangman and White to of course tease another match between them, but also to tie them both back into this story with The Death Riders. It almost feels like White and Hangman will be unlikely allies against The Death Riders because how they both want the same thing: a shot at the world title.

Hangman and White will have to deal with Yuta and Pac as the pawns, and maybe both of them win to make a Triple Threat at Worlds End. With that, even if Moxley retains using White and Hangman against each other, it could leave the way open for Christian Cage to cash in. But as for the C2 itself, awesome match from Claudio and Ricochet with a great win for Claudio, and then a great main event from Brody and Darby. I did not think Darby would lose, but that kinda works in his advantage as the underdog. Brody VS Claudio next round will be awesome, and really could go either way with how early it is.

Also did you hear how Collision & Rampage are not just back-to-back but several hours earlier than normal? They only had Excalibur say it like a dozen times. But even with that all starting at 2PM here for me in El Paso, that’s when Survivor Series has its “Countdown,” so I’m still going to wait until later for AEW’s Saturday block.

My Score: 8.9/10

Will the House of Torture remain undefeated?

Underhanded as they’ve been, Evil & Ren Narita are 2-0 in World Tag League! And now, they could very well take down the IWGP Tag Team Champions! Will the King of Darkness find a way to conquer the United Empire?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current B Block standings!

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

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The Filip Brothers!

The Joker & The Rook are feeling really good after their main event win last round while Tome & Stevie are feeling down after a mighty loss. Will #YanoBoltin put the Filip Brothers behind BARS? Or will The Taiga & The Phoenix rise up from the ashes?

As Yano’s long introduction finishes up, Yano splashes the Filip Brothers with his drink! That angers the Filip Brothers into attacking! Stevie is after Yano, Tome is after Oleg, and then things spill to the outside! The bell rings to get this on record as The Filip Brothers send #YanoBoltin into railing! The Filip Brothers stomp away on #YanoBoltin, then they put Yano back in. The Filip Brothers stomp Yano around, then haul him up. They double whip Yano, but Yano grabs ropes. Yano taunts them, then sends Stevie into Tome! Yano throws them both down by their hair, then Oleg tags in!

Oleg CLUBS Tome, ROCKS Stevie, repeat! Tome kicks back, Stevie joins in, and then Oleg and Stevie bump heads! Tome & Stevie double whip, but Oleg RAMS them both! All three men stay standing, so they go again! Tome goes one way, Oleg CLOBBERS Stevie but Tome CLOBBERS Oleg! Yano runs in but Tome CLOBBERS him! Tome smirks then stomps Oleg around. The fans rally but Tome stands Oleg up. Tome puts Oleg in the corner and CLAWS at his face! The ref reprimands, Tome stops, but Stevie gets a cheap shot in! Tome tags Stevie and Stevie CHOPS! Stevie talks some smack before he stomps Oleg.

Stevie snapmares Oleg to KICK him in the back! Cover, TWO! Stevie stomps Oleg, tags Tome, and then stomps Oleg more. Tome talks trash that he’s the stronger, and he scoops Oleg! Tome is indeed strong as he SLAMS and then LEG DROPS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Oleg stays in this. Tome puts Oleg on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref reprimands, then counts, but Tome lets off at 4. Tome kicks Oleg around, tags Stevie in, and Stevie kicks Oleg around. Stevie stomps away on Oleg, pushes him around, but Oleg fires hands! Stevie kicks low, then brings Oleg around. Tag to Tome and the Filip Brothers mug Oleg!

Tome runs to BLAST Yano down, and Stevie CHOKES Oleg in the corner! Tome storms up to fire body shots! Tag to Stevie, and Tome snapmares Oleg so he can basement BOOT him! Stevie KNEE-BOARD SENTONS, but onto Oleg’s knees! The fans fire up as Oleg rolls and hot tags Yano! Yano says here goes, and he unties a buckle pad! The fans rally behind Yano, but Yano turns around to see Stevie! Yano tosses the pad to Stevie and has the ref go after him! Stevie defends his innocence and gives the ref the pad, only for Yano to SMACK him on the back of the head! Yano whips, Stevie reverses, but Yano keeps from hitting bare buckles!

Yano taunts Stevie, and then sends him into the buckles! Roll up, TWO! Yano argues the count, then brings Stevie up. Stevie kicks low, runs, but into the atomic- NO, Stevie fights free! But Yano dodges, to then BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Yano storms around. Yano fires up and whips Stevie. Stevie stops from hitting bare buckles, then dodges Yano! Yano hits bare buckles! Stevie BOOTS Yano down, then tags Tome! The Filip Brothers haul Yano up, fireman’s carry, but Yano slips free! Yano shoves Tome at Stevie, only for Stevie to dosido Tome back at Yano for a LARIAT!

Tome drags Yano to a drop zone and Stevie goes up! MOONSAULT FLOPS as Yano moves! Tome runs in and LARIATS Yano into the bare buckles! Tome keeps moving, but Yano hits an atomic drop! Yano crawls, reaches out, hot tag to Oleg! Oleg CLOBBERS Tome! The fans fire up as Oleg gut wrenches Tome for the Shake, Rattle & THROW! Oleg kips up and the fans fire up! Oleg runs corner to corner to ELBOW Tome, then scoop and SLAM! Oleg runs to SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Tome survives the “Boltin Press” but Oleg hauls him up. Tome slips free of the fireman’s carry and the forearms fly!

The fans rally as now Oleg and Tome CHOP! Oleg CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Oleg whips, Tome reverses, but then Tome runs in. Tome blocks the boots, puts Oleg in ropes to KICK and WOE STOMP! Tome drags Oleg to a cover, TWO! Oleg survives and the fans fire up! Tome is frustrated but he calls to Stevie. Tome fireman’s carries Oleg, Stevie runs in, BOOT O’ DOOM! Cover, Yano breaks it! The fans rally but Stevie kicks Yano out! The Filip Brothers stomp Oleg around, then haul him back up. They reel Oleg in, and they DOUBLE STALLING SUPLEX! Tome covers, Stevie BLASTS Yano, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Oleg survives! The Filip Brothers are frustrated, but Tome calls for the end! Tome reels Oleg in, but Oleg fights the lift! Oleg lifts but Stevie makes the save! And then the brothers DOUBLE BOOT! Oleg stays up to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Yano has Tome’s legs! CATAPULT into the clinch! BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO!! Tome survives but Oleg roars! The fans fire up as Oleg fireman’s carries Tome! F5!! Oleg roars and he hauls Tome back up! Tome fights but Oleg still hits the KAMIKAZE!! Cover, Yano Boltin wins!

Winners: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (gain 2 points; The Filip Brothers earn 0)

Another big win for The Joker & The Rook! Will they come through with their promise to win it all? Do Tome & Stevie still have an outside shot as we approach halftime?

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado VS Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls!

It’s rather surprising that The Ace & Master Heater are already down 0-2 in the tournament, but they’re still only a step behind the former IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! Can Tanahashi & Jado start the comeback of the century? Or will Hysterical Haste & Mad Mikey make them 0-3?

Fans cheer Tanahashi’s muscles, and then rally up behind him and Jado. The teams sort out and while Shane says he wants The Ace, Mikey insists with a bit of a push. The fans rally for Tanahashi at the bell, and Tanahashi circles with Mikey. They feel things out, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Mikey uses his height for leverage and he puts Tanahashi on ropes. Tanahashi turns things around and lets off as the ref counts. The fans cheer but Mikey’s mad already. They tie up again, Mikey wrenches, but Tanahashi wrenches. They wrench back and forth, then Tanahashi hammerlocks. Mikey slips out the back to hammerlock in return.

Mikey adds a half nelson but Tanahashi elbows him. Tanahashi switches the hammerlock, Mikey switches, but then Tanahashi switches right back! Mikey’s frustrated and tries again, but Tanahashi just slips around to keep the hammerlock. Mikey backs Tanahashi into an open corner, the ref calls the break, but Mikey elbows Tanahashi! The ref reprimands but Mikey defends that was clean! Tanahashi ELBOWS Mikey in return! Tanahashi then goes up and CROSSBODIES! The fans fire up and Tanahashi tags Jado. Ace & Heater haul Mikey up to double whip. They run Mikey over, but here comes Shane!

Tanahashi & Jado DOUBLE ELBOW Shane down, then they take a man each. Tanahashi & Jado fire hands and CHOPS, then they whip Shane and Mikey into each other! The Mighty wobble and then Jado & Tanahashi TOSS them out! The fans cheer as we get double air guitars! Jado loves these jam sessions a little too much and Tanahashi gets him to calm down. Jado waits on The Mighty and Mikey storms back in. Jado kicks at the ropes but Mikey blocks! Mikey takes a page out of Tanahashi’s book with a DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Shane BLASTS Tanahashi off the apron while fans fire up!

Shane stomps Tanahashi, sends him into railing right in front of Zack Sabre Jr. on commentary, and The Front Man is proud of his guys. Mikey drops an elbow on Jado’s leg, then clamps on with a toehold. Jado endures, reaches up, and he CLAWS Mikey’s face! The ref reprimands and Jado stops, but Mikey drags Jado to the corner. Shane tags in and then drags Jado to the corner post! Mikey plays defense against Tanahashi while Shane wraps Jado’s leg around the post! Shane mockingly plays the leg like a guitar, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Shane steps in and Mikey steps out for Shane to stand Jado up.

Shane CHOPS Jado, CLUBS him down, then tags Mikey. TMDK split the wishbone! Shane mocks Jado’s pain but Mikey clamps onto a leg. Jado fights the turnover and kicks Mikey away! Shane tags back in so he can BLAST Tanahashi down! Shane stomps Jado down then flexes. Shane does air drums to counter the air guitar. Shane stomps Jado as if he were the bass drum pedal! The fans cheer the creativity while Shane covers, TWO! Shane drags Jado around to trap one arm and hold the other. Shane KICKS Jado’s shoulder! Cover, TWO! A little cocky with the kneeling and flexing, but the fans rally up for Jado!

Shane KICKS Jado, but Jado doesn’t budge! Shane KCIKS Jado but Jado just gets mad! Jado powers up as Shane fires more shots! The fans fire up as Jado leans into those forearms! Shane UPPERCUTS, runs, but Jado DOUBLE CHOPS! Jado then CLOBBERS Shane! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Shane and Jado both crawl for their corners, hot tags to Tanahashi and Mikey! The Ace rallies on The Mighty! Dropkick to Shane’s leg! Dropkick to Mikey’s leg! DRAGON SCREW for Shane’s leg! DRAGON SCREW for Mikey’s leg! The fans fire up with Tanahashi as he stands back up!

Tanahashi fires shots on Mikey, then scoops and SLAMS! Tanahashi goes up the corner, and fans cheer for the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Mikey stays in this but Tanahashi stays focused. Tanahashi fires up, the fans rally, and he runs, but into a waistlock! Tanahashi switches, ducks an elbow, but the DDT hits! Tanahashi is spiked, but Mikey sits him up! Tanahashi avoids the sliding lariat, to SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up again and Tanahashi roars! Tanahashi hurries up top, but Shane anchors him! The ref reprimands but Tanahashi fights Shane off. Mikey ROCKS Tanahashi! Mikey climbs, brings Tanahashi up, but Tanahashi fights the suplex!

Tanahashi fires forearm after forearm and Mikey drops back. Only to tag Shane and return! UPPERCUT! Mikey gives Shane the boost up top! Shane grabs Tanahashi, but Tanahashi fights Shane off now! Shane wobbles and falls back to RANA Mikey! The fans fire up as TMDK regroups and stands again! Tanahashi HIGH FLY ATTACKS! The fans fire up more as all three men are down! Tanahashi crawls, hot tag to Jado! Jado runs up to CLOBBER Shane! And CLOBBER him again! Jado whips, but Shane KICKS back! Jado LARIATS Shane down in return! The fans fire up even more as Jado stalks Shane to the apron.

Jado drags Shane in through ropes, but Shane fights free to HOTSHOT! Shane bumps Jado off buckles, then jumps in, runs corner to corner, and CANNONBALLS! Shane fires up and the fans are with him now! Jado bails out and Shane hurries to ropes. Shane aims but Jado trips him up! Jado spins Shane around, drags him out on the apron, and DRAPING DDTS to the floor! The ref checks Shane but he’s somehow still in this. Jado rises and roars and the fans fire up with him! Jado drags Shane up and in, then has him on the apron again. The fans rally behind Jado as he brings Shane back in through ropes! DRAPING DDT!! Cover, Mikey breaks it!

Tanahashi fires hands on Mikey then TOSSES him! Tanahashi goes out and leaves it to Jado. Jado pounds the mat, the fans rally up again, and Shane rises. Jado aims and runs up, but Shane stops the Gun Stun! Jado staggers, Shane UPPERCUTS, but Jado roars! Shane dodges to CALF KICK! Jado staggers to a corner and Shane tags Mikey! Mikey BLASTS Tanahashi! Mikey then runs at the open corner to LARIAT Jado! Shane adds his own LARIAT! Then they HIGH LOW Jado! Cover, Tanahashi breaks it! The fans fire up but Shane drags Tanahashi up. Tanahashi fires hands on Shane, then runs, but into a DROPKICK!

The Ace is down and The Mighty regroup! They call their shot and Mikey hauls Jado up. But Jado BOOTS Shane away! Jado CLUBS Mikey’s neck, then swings, to LARIAT! Mikey stays up, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shane hauls Jado up! Jado ducks so the LARIAT hits Shane! Jado LARIATS Mikey! Tanahashi SLINGBLADES Mikey! And then he gives Shane a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Jado & Tanahashi fire up, for DOUBLE CROSSFACES!! The Mighty endure, they fight around, and Mikey reaches out! But Jado rolls him! Mikey slips free to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Jado survives and the fans are thunderous!

Mikey has Jado’s legs for the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Jado endures while Shane keeps Tanahashi away! Jado TAPS, The Mighty win!

Winners: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls, by submission (gain 2 points; Tanahashi & Jado earn 0)

The Ace & The Heater were really getting going here, but it just wasn’t enough against the former IWGP Heavyweight AND NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions! Will Tanahashi & Jado end up eliminated before even hitting halftime? Will Shane & Mikey prove that no matter what, The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Taichi & Taka Michinoku!

Apparently trolling Yano & Boltin didn’t work out like they hoped, and now the Uncontrollable Charisma & Ticking Timebomb are 1-1. But so are the Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker after The House of Torture pulled out all the stops to cheat them. Who will redeem themselves here in round 3 while the other continues to fall?

The teams sort out and Taichi already seems to be in a bad mood. Taichi wants after someone but Taka insists he start. They fist bump, as does LIJ, and it is Taka against Naito to start! The fans cheer as the bell rings, and the two feel things out. But then Taichi points out Hiromu sneaking in! Taka hits Hiromu first while Taichi goes after Naito! The fans cheer and TakaTaichi send Hiromu and Naito at each other. LIJ dosidos and Hiromu hits Taka! Naito blocks Taichi’s kick to CLUB the leg! Naito TOSSES Taichi while Hiromu CLUBS Taka. LIJ double whip Taka but he redirects! Hiromu gets Naito out of the way to kick Taka!

Hiromu kicks Taka and whips, but Taka reverses to wrangle him into a JUST FACELOCK! Naito stomps Taka and bring him up. Naito whips, but Taka reverses into JUST FACELOCK! Naito crawls over, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts while Taka holds on, but he lets go at 4. Taka stomps Naito then tags Taichi. The fans rally as Taichi stomps Naito around. Taichi drags Naito up to snapmare and KICK in the back! Cover, TWO! Taichi drags Naito up to clamp on. Naito fights it, but Taichi still puts on a COBRA TWIST! Naito endures, even as Taichi pushes down on his head! The fans rally, Taichi reaches out, and Taka tags in.

Taka kicks Naito low, then stands on Naito’s face! Taichi adds on, the ref counts, and they step off Naito. Taka stands Naito up to fire forearms and uppercuts! Taka whips, Naito reverses, and Hiromu gets a shot in! Taichi runs up but Naito dropkicks the legs out! Hiromu adds a basement dropkick! Hiromu CLUBS Taka, then he and Naito double whip. They DOUBLE HIP TOSS Taka, then turn him over. Naito has the chinlock strength, Hiromu runs and runs and basement DROPKICKS! The fans cheer, Naito covers, TWO! Naito drags Taka up by his long bangs and tags in Hiromu. Hiromu climbs up while the ref reprimands Naito.

Naito lets go with one hand but the ref reprimands about the other. Hiromu AX HANDLES Taka’s… hair? Taka holds his forehead and goes to a corner. Hiromu pulls the bangs! Hiromu whips Taka corner to corner to then LARIAT, snapmare, and basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Taka stays in this but Hiromu pulls on the hair again! Tag to Naito and he CLUBS the hair! Hiromu wipes his hands off on Naito, then Naito clamps onto Taka with a cravat. Naito grinds the neck wrench as he has Taka on the mat. Taka endures, but Naito pulls! Taka kicks around and reaches out to the ROPEBREAK!

The ref counts, Naito lets go, but then he drags Taka up by his bangs! Tag to Hiromu and Hiromu climbs up. Hiromu’s on the very top, and he AX HANDLES the hair! Taka staggers to ropes, and Naito dusts off the hairs on his hands to the ref. LIJ then double whip Taka to ropes so they can DOUBLE CHOP him down! Hiromu covers, TWO! Hiromu covers again, TWO! Hiromu covers again, TWO!! Taka stays in this and the fans applaud. Hiromu drags Taka up and brings him over to tag Naito. LIJ mugs Taka, then Naito throws those heavy elbows! Taka falls but Naito drags him up by the bangs!

Taka fires body shots but Naito CLUBS Taka’s hair! Naito runs, Taka redirects him and BOOTS him down! The fans fire up as Taka crawls, hot tag to Taichi! The fans fire up and Taichi fires Kawada Kicks into Naito! Naito SPITS at Taicih! Taichi SOBATS Naito for that! Taichi runs to BOOT Naito at the corner! Hiromu kicks and whips Taichi, but Taichi BOOTS Hiromu! Naito kicks and whips but Taichi reverses to wrench and DANGEROUS HOOK KICK! The fans fire up and Taichi rises. Taichi aims at Naito, Naito ducks the buzzsaw to wrench and fire heavy elbows! Taichi comes back, but into an ELBOW!

Naito runs up, is put in the corner, and Taichi GAMANGIRIS! Taichi fires up, the fans rally behind him, and OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi aims, but Naito ducks the superkick! Naito atomic drops, then turns Taichi, but Taichi elbows free! Naito comes back, wrench and NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and the fans rally again. Naito crawls over, Taichi anchors as foot, but Naito kicks free. Naito tags Hiromu and LIJ storms up on Taichi. Taichi fires RIDGE HANDS on them both! Taichi swings, Hiromu ducks, Naito ELBOWS! Hiromu SUPERKICKS, but Taichi comes back! LIJ dodges the bombers!

Naito runs up, Taichi AX BOMBERS after all! And then AX BOMBER on Hiromu! The fans fire up while Taichi and LIJ are all down! Taichi stirs and the fans rally up. Taichi crawls his way over, hot tag to Taka! Taka runs up, Hiromu dodges to elbow, but Taka pokes Hiromu’s eyes! Taka has Hiromu in a corner, runs and GAMANGIRIS! Then he CALF KICKS and SUPER K!! Cover, TWO! Hiromu survives but Taka scoops. Hiromu fights free but Taka ROCKS him! Taka runs, into HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Hiromu fireman’s carries but Taichi runs up. Hiromu drops Taka to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Taichi stays up to URAKEN!

Naito runs in and ELBOWS Taichi down! Naito adds a basement DROPKICK! Taka BOOTS Naito down! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Taka, Taka SUPER K!! All four men are down and the fans fire up! Naito and Taichi bail out while Taka and Hiromu rise. Taka runs up but into a fireman’s carry! Taka slips free, ducks an elbow, then dodges a lariat! But Hiromu blows past Taka to RAN- NO, Taka stays up, throws Hiromu down, JUST FACELOCK! Naito stomps away on Taka but Taka holds on! Taichi TOSSES Naito! The fans fire up as Taichi adds a BUZZSAW! Then he keeps Naito back, with the SEITEI JUJIHO!!

LIJ endures submissions, but Hiromu fights his way towards ropes! Taka rolls him away, CLUBS away, then has JUST FACELOCK!! Hiromu endures being bent back but Naito looks to be fading! Hiromu still fights around, claws his way forward, but Taka pulls him back! Taka grabs the arm, and shifts around, into THE DICK KILLER!! Hiromu endures the cobra clutch crossface combo, grabs at the ref, and then fights through to the ROPEBREAK!! TakaTaichi let go of the holds, and Taka vows to end this! Taka drags Hiromu up, scoops, but Hiromu slips free! Taka kicks a leg out! Oklahoma Roll! TWO, SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!!

Hiromu survives, and then on the outside, someone is sent into railing! Taka scoops, Hiromu slips free, and Naito is in! Naito ENZIGIRIS Taka, but Taichi AX- NO, Naito ducks to then send Taichi into Hiromu’s SUPERKICK! Then BOOSTED TO- NO! Taichi stops the DDT! Taka MICHINOKU DRIVER on Hiromu!! Cover, NAITO BREAKS IT!! The fans are thunderous as Naito saves the match with nanoseconds to spare! The fans rally as Taka roars! Taka drags Hiromu up, but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Taka CALF KICKS! Then scoop, but Hiromu slips free, wrenches, HIROMU-CHAN CRADLE!! LIJ WINS!!

Winners: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Taichi & Taka earn 0)

Taka felt how close he was, and yet Hiromu snatches it away from him! Will Naito & Hiromu look to make B Block tranquilo in the end? Or can Taka & Taichi still change everything?

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Great-O-Khan & HENARE VS EVIL & Ren Narita!

Of all teams to be leading the B Block, it is NOT the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions but the House of Torture! Will the Dominator & Face of Fury make sure justice is served? Or will even The United Empire fall under the King of Darkness’s stacked deck?

The teams sort out, but of course The House attacks! Evil kicks and CLUBS Khan while Narita does the same to Henare! Red Shoes has the bell ring to get this on record as Evil throws Khan out to the floor. Narita kicks Henare but Henare just snarls! Narita runs and BOOTS Henare, but Henare shakes his head. Narita CHOKES Henare, Red Shoes counts, but Narita stops at 4. Narita stomps Henare in the corner, fires forearms, but Henare growls. Henare ROCKS Narita, whips him corner to corner, but Narita reverses. Henare comes back to CLOBBER Narita! The fans cheer while Narita flounders.

Henare sits Narita up to KICK him in the back! Henare fires up, and he SENTONS down! The fans cheer while Narita writhes. Henare drags Narita up, bumps him off buckles, and he tags Khan. Khan taunts Evil before he CLUBS Narita. The fans rally behind Khan as he Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian Chops again! Then he feints the chops to UPPERCUT! The fans cheer Khan’s genius, and he hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer while Narita flails underneath Khan, and then Khan pulls on the arms! Red Shoes counts, Khan hops down, and Khan has Henare step in. Henare BLASTS Evil while Khan has a SLEEPER on Narita!

Khan holds Narita up for Henare to fire hands like Narita’s a heavy bag! Then Khan Mongolian Chops Narita on the back! Henare KICKS Narita down, Khan SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Narita stays in this but the fans rally for Khan. Khan kicks Narita around, drags him up, but Narita CHOKES Khan! Khan breaks free to ROCK Narita! Khan runs but into Evil’s cheap shot! Narita runs to BOOT Khan down, then he BLASTS Henare! Evil drags Khan up by his ponytail to throw him out! Narita sends Henare into railing, Evil RAMS Khan into the timekeeper! Down goes Abe-san! Evil CHOKES Khan with the mic!

Evil tells Khan to just give up already! Evil then shoves Khan down and he mocks Khan’s pose of arms behind his back. The fans rally for Khan as he rises up, but Evil puts him in the ring. Narita covers, TWO! Narita is frustrated with the count, but he whips Khan to ropes. Narita ELBOWS Khan down, covers, TWO! Narita clamps onto Khan with a chinlock but Khan fights to the ROPEBREAK! Narita pulls on the hold but lets go as Red Shoes counts. Narita then stomps Khan before bringing him over. Narita bumps Khan off buckles, tags Evil, and he DROPKICKS Henare down! Evil stomps Khan, hauls him up, and wrenches.

Evil brings Khan into a COBRA TWIST, but Dick Togo is lurking! Dick links up with Evil, and then Narita links up with Dick! Narita reaches out, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru gets off commentary so he can link up with Narita! The fans boo as The House forms a chain! Red Shoes notices, he counts, and The House lets go at 4. Kanemaru pretends nothing happened but Evil soaks up the heat from the fans. Evil then goes back to Khan to CLUB him down. Cover, TWO! Khan stays in this and Evil is annoyed with Red Shoes. Evil tags Narita and Narita stalks Khan. Narita stomps Khan then drags him up. Khan fires body shots and forearms, but Narita CHOKES him again!

Narita has Khan in the corner, but he stops as Red Shoes counts. The fans boo but then Narita SCRAPES Khan’s face on the ropes! Narita shoves Khan down, tags in Evil, and The House drags Khan up. They double whip, then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Narita DROPKICKS Henare while Evil covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO!! Evil is furious but the fans fire up! Khan rises again as the fans rally, and he fires body shots! Khan rises to fire a forearm, but Evil knees low! Evil runs, Khan slips around and has the SLEEPER! Evil stomps Khan’s foot! Evil whips but Khan reverses to SAYANAGI!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Khan crawls his way over, hot tag to Henare! Henare CLOBBERS Evil, BLASTS Narita, and he fires off on Evil! The fans fire up and Henare whips corner to corner. Henare runs in, Evil dodges and comes back, but Henare ELBOWS him! Then FLYING CHUCK! The fans fire up and Henare snarls as he storms up on Evil. Henare drags Evil up, snapmares and runs, RUGBY KICK! Cover, TWO! Henare growls and storms around again. Evil stirs, but Dick grabs Henare’s leg! The fans boo but Dick sneaks away. Evil runs up to LARAIT! Henare doesn’t flinch!

Henare grabs Evil by the neck, but Evil pokes Henare in the eyes! Evil whips and TADA, no blue buckle pad! Henare suffers the Bullet Club Special! Evil grins and tags in Narita. Narita stomps away on Henare and drags him up. Narita whips Henare to an open corner, runs in and ELBOWS! Narita goes side to side to JUMP KICK! Henare sits down but Narita drags him up. HALF HATCH BRIDGE! TWO! Narita is frustrated but the fans rally up. Narita drags Henare up to whip him into the bare buckles! Henare falls in pain and Narita tags Evil. Evil drags Henare up, but claims Red Shoes should call it from the damage to Henare’s back.

The fans rally as Henare rises, but Evil TOSSES him out! Narita goes out to stand Henare up, and Dick is there with the buckle pad! Dick SMACKS Henare with the pad! The fans boo but Evil keeps Red Shoes distracted. Narita puts Henare in for Evil, and Evil drags Henare up. FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Henare is tougher than that but Evil has the legs! Evil steps through for a SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Henare endures as Evil sits back! Narita stomps Khan around on the outside! The fans rally as Henare keeps fighting, and he pushes up off the mat! Henare growls and claws at the mat, but he starts fading!

The fans rally and Red Shoes checks, Henare revives to power his way to the ROPEBREAK! Evil lets go, but then has a toehold! Red Shoes counts, Evil lets go at 4, and Evil grins as he stands on Henare. That’s a cocky cover, Red Shoes refuses to count it. Evil says fine, and he kicks Henare around. Evil looms over Henare while he talks trash, but Henare just seethes. Evil stands Henare up to CHOP! Henare drops to his knees, but he shakes his head. Evil stands Henare up again to CHOP! Henare staggers away while he sputters, but Evil brings him up. Evil bumps Henare off buckles! And again! And again!

Henare fires up and headbutts the buckles! The fans fire up but Evil CLAWS Henare’s face! Evil whips, Henare hits bare buckles again, but he runs and LARIATS Evil! The fans fire up while both men are down! Evil and Henare crawl, hot tags to Narita and Khan! The fans fire up but Narita knees Khan. Narita whips but Khan reverses and he hoists Narita up, ROLLING SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up and Khan hits a fireman’s carry takeover! Khan holds onto a wristlock to drag Narita up. Khan then has both hands for a MONKEY FLIP! Khan drags Narita back up, clinches, and BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO!

Narita toughs it out but Khan stays right on him with a KATAGATAME! Narita endures, flails, but Khan sits him up into a SLEEPER! The fans rally as Khan drags Narita up. Narita flails but Khan squeezes tighter! Narita is fading, so Khan shifts to pump handle and IRON CLAW- NO, Narita fights free with elbows! Narita pulls Khan’s beard! Khan breaks free, but Narita CHOKES Khan! Khan breaks free again but Narita hits an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Khan flails, clasps hands, but Narita breaks the grip! Khan flails and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Narita lets off, and Narita drags Khan up.

Khan swings, Narita dodges and DOWN2DIE! Cover, TWO! But into a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! The fans rally as Khan endures! Khan fights around, pounds the mat, but says that wasn’t a tap! The fans rally harder as Narita pulls on the arm! Evil keeps Henare down on the outside, but Khan still makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Narita lets go in frustration. Narita stomps Khan, Evil sends Henare into railing, and now Narita climbs a corner. Narita aims, but something shakes the ropes and he falls back! It was Henare! Henare runs in to STEP-UP KNEE! Henare then DUMPS Narita down, and Khan drags Narita up.

The Empire whips Narita to a corner, Khan LARIATS! Henare adds a LARIAT, then feeds to Khan’s clinch! Khan back suplexes Narita but Narita lands out on his feet! Narita sends Khan into Henare! Henare tumbles out, Narita goes for the eyes! Khan blocks, to HITSUJIGOROSHI!! But Kanemaru gets off commentary! The fans boo as The Heel Master wants in! Red Shoes stops Kanemaru but misses Evil & Dick attacking Khan!! The fans boo more, but Khan fights out of Magic Killer! Only to send Dick into Red Shoes! Red Shoes is down, Evil CLAWS Khan’s face! The House swarms to stomp away on Khan!

The fans boo and tell Dick & Kanemaru to go home! The House just soaks that up as they drag Khan to a corner. They double whip Khan corner to corner, then Dick runs up to ELBOW! Kanemaru adds an ELBOW! Evil adds a LARIAT! They snapmare Khan and Dick goes up! DICK CHOP!! The fans boo but Narita covers. Red Shoes is back to count it, BUT HENARE BREAKS IT! The fans cheer but Evil TOSSES Henare! Narita goes to the corner and climbs, wanting to finish this! HELL GUILLOTINE!! Cover, TWO!!! Khan survives the super knee drop and Narita is furious! Dick argues with Red Shoes, and Narita has the pushup bar!

Narita runs up, but Khan dodge! Henare BODY BLOWS Narita, then DECKS Dick! But Evil spins Henare for EVERY- NO, Henare powers out! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, Henare stays up to HEADBUTT! And then RAMPAGE!! The fans fire up with Henare and he calls to Khan! Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW, for the ELIMINATOR!! Khan shoves Evil out of the ring, and the Monster Rage boils over! Henare drags Narita up to fireman’s carry. But Narita grabs Red Shoes! Khan runs but Kanemaru trips him! Then Narita gets the pushup bar! Narita aims again, but Khan dodges again! Henare fireman’s carries Narita!

Khan BLASTS Kanemaru, runs back over, and IMPERIAL DROP!! Cover, EMPIRE WINS!!

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

Justice has been served! The House of Torture is now 2-1 in B Block and no longer leading the way! Will they ever learn that cheaters never prosper?

As for The United Empire, they stand together with all their gold, and Khan grabs the mic to tell Fukushima to praise them! But then wait, the lights go out? And as they come up, the tron has video. The YOUNG BUCKS are telling someone to get the job done. Even if they have to work on Christmas, they better get things done! Matthew plays the “Oh, didn’t see you there!” card, and then he and Nicholas stand up from their seats at poolside. Matt introduces the himself and Nicholas, “Your EVPs” and the most successful team to ever come out of NJPW! The biggest names to ever come out of Bullet Club! And as you can see, new Hall of Fame inductees!

But hey, The Bucks have been working at home, safe and sound from all the danger going on in AEW, and they’re here at the “AEW International Department” office. Matt says he is exhausted of that, so The Bucks are coming home to NJPW on January 5th! WrestleDynasty! There is one thing The Bucks need to accomplish before retirement, and that is to once again have the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships around their waists. Tokyo Dome, your “rich, God-fearing uncles are coming back! See you soon. Oyasumi.” With that, the video message ends, but there’s a blooper reel of Matt telling his wife to cut him some slack. Then Nick MOONSAULTS into the pool!

The fans applaud the news, but Khan & Henare are a bit confused. Khan finally speaks again, asking, “Who played that? Whoever it was is dead meat. And what was that video supposed to be? They’re superstars? Or are they showing me that they’re just pathetic wrestlers? Which is it? Well, never mind. We will win World Tag League, and then what? A match on January 5? Fine, Young Bucks! We will accept your challenge!” The fans cheer that! Khan continues by saying hold on, before they were rudely interrupted, there was a O-Khan chant. Get that going again! The fans do indeed chant for “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” Khan is pleased.

Khan vows that he as KOPW Champion, Henare as the New Zealand Champion, both of them as the IWGP Tag Team Champions, will win World Tag League and conquer January 5 as well. “Bow down, peasants!” The United Empire is ready to conquer the world, will they start with the World Tag League?

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

Great-O-Khan & Henare: 2-1, 4 points
Evil & Ren Narita: 2-1, 4 points
Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg: 2-1, 4 points
Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi: 2-1, 4 points
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls: 2-1, 4 points
Taichi & Taka Michinoku: 1-2, 2 points
The Filip Brothers: 1-2, 2 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado: 0-3, 0 points

My Thoughts:

Another great round for World Tag League and for B Block, though with less surprises than I expected. Good win for Yano & Oleg in a very good match with The Filip Brothers, and then Jado takes another loss for his team with Tanahashi. Granted, Shane & Mikey do need to stay strong in their journey to regain the titles, so Tanahashi & Jado are probably NOT going to win a match until the latter half of the round robin. On some level, Naito & Hiromu winning was a little surprising because I thought TakaTaichi was gonna build some momentum again. And I’m glad to see Khan & Henare beat The House of Torture to slow those guys down.

And even that video from The Young Bucks was only so surprising because… didn’t The Bucks already do a video teasing a return to NJPW during Fighting Spirit Unleashed or something? Of course The Bucks, no longer AEW World Tag Team Champions, would want the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships as replacements, so who knows who they’ll actually be facing at WrestleDynasty, because we still need to see who wins WTL to face Khan & Henare at WrestleKingdom. But either way, that back-to-back pair of nights in the Tokyo Dome are just getting bigger and better.

My Score: 8.8/10