Will this be a righteous Thanksgiving?

While their pursuit of the ROH World Tag Team Championships continue, good ol’ Dutch & Vincent take on JD Drake & BEEF! Will The Righteous still be hungry for more after tonight?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Lee Johnson & EJ Nduka VS Anthony Gangone & KUBES; Lee & EJ win.
• Queen Aminata VS Christina Marie; Aminata wins.
• MXM Collection VS The Iron Savages w/ Jacked Jameson; MXM wins.
• Pure Rules Match: Matt Taven VS Josh Woods w/ Mark Sterling; wins.
• Six Man Tag: The Conglomeration VS Pat Buck & Grizzled Young Veterans; win(s).
• AR Fox VS John Silver w/ The Dark Order; wins.
• The Righteous VS JD Drake & BEEF; win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Chris Jericho speaks.

It was after Dynamite last night, and after his truly hard-hitting match with Tomohiro Ishii that the still ROH World Champion returned backstage to say, “Hi, guys~! It’s Chris Jericho, the Learning Tree here, wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving. I hope you get a lot of turkey, just like I had tonight on Dynamite with that turkey, Ishii, heh heh heh. But seriously, one of the toughest opponents I’ve ever had. But guess what? The Nueve came out on top again and remains the ROH World Champion, cuz that’s what great ROH champions do. Like the Learning Tree and Jay Briscoe, and so many others.

“And that brings me to Final Battle, December 20th, 2024, in the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City! Nueve York! And nobody is more of a New Yorker than Chris Jericho. I’m the KING of New York, and I’m returning to my kingdom on December 20th! So I hope all of my loyal subjects, all of The Learning Tree’s Branches, come to see me defend my championship. Who’s it gonna be against? Does it matter? Cuz the King of New York is coming back! Start spreadin’ the news~! I’ll be there today! I want to be the Nueve! New York, New York~! We’ll see ya soon! ROH Final Battle PPV, with The Learning Tree, and all of you in New York City.”

Jericho has put out the challenge, but will the would-be king be dethroned in his home away from home?

Lee Johnson & EJ Nduka VS Anthony Gangone & KUBES!

#LEE-J have been an impressive tag team, and they’re looking to impress management even more. The Judge says, “We’re the ones you’re looking for.” Will that be definitive after tonight?

The fans cheer while the teams sort out, and Big Shotty starts against Gangone. The Code of Honor is not upheld, but Lee lets that slide. Lee and Gangone circle, tie up, and Lee hits the headlock takeover. Gangone headscissors, Lee kips free and arm-drags Gangone down! The fans fire up as Lee wrenches and brings Gangone up. Gangone powers Lee to a corner, lets off, but then he pie faces Lee! Lee doesn’t let that one slide, and he fires off on Gangone! The fans fire up as Lee puts Gangone in the corner and RAMS again and again! Lee fires hands, tags EJ, and EJ whips Lee in for a CHOP LARIAT! Lee feeds Gangone to EJ for the SPINNING SIDEWALK SLAM!

Kubes runs up, but Kubes gets caught! EJ says Kubes made a big mistake, and he SHOVES Kubes up and outta the ring! EJ fires off on Gangone, whips him corner to corner, then runs to STINGER SPLASH! EJ whips Gangone and LARIATS him down! The fans fire up, and wait, EJ hasn’t even taken his sunglasses off! Tag to Lee, then POP-UP NECKBREAKER! Cover, #LEE-J wins!

Winner: Lee Johnson & EJ Nduka

The verdict is in, and #LEE-J is a dynamic duo you don’t wanna mess with! But will they be the duo that can’t be avoided for the ROH World Tag Team Championships?

MXM Collection VS The Iron Savages w/ Jacked Jameson!

Mansoor & Mason Madden have slowly started a working relationship with Johnny TV, but they still need to build their brand in the ROH Tag Division. Will they strut their way towards a title match? Or… Hold on, Jacked Jameson is taking over the introductions. “Hold on, hold on! All you fat morons and skinny idiots, shut up! I am Jacked Jameson! He is Bulk Bronson! This is Beefcake Boulder! And you would be surprised to know, Albany, I grew up not too far from here in Buffalo, New York. Luckily, this is my first time being in Albany. Lucky for me, because this is such a dump, trash town full of fat morons like all o’ you!”

The fans boo but Jameson says their opponents tonight may be “a couple of tip touchin’ catwalkers, but these two mass monsters are spreading cheeks and liftin’ seven days a week! Because we are the Iron Savages! Sippin’ sauce, livin’ hoss, and taking all you Low T meat riders to TIDDY CITY!” The fans are torn, but here come the Iron Chic & Mahogany Hunk! The teams sort out and Mansoor starts against Bronson. Jameson says no tip touching, but Mansoor still offers. Bronson reaches out, to SWAT the tip and motorboat instead! The bell rings, the two tie up, and Bronson SHOVES Mansoor down!

The fans fire up and Bronson flexes. Mansoor storms up again and the two tie up. Mansoor waistlocks, headlocks, then grinds the hold. Bronson powers up and out, scoops, but Mansoor slips free to flip and sunset- NO, Bronson stays up, but Mansoor avoids the hip drop! Mansoor runs to basement BOOT, then he kips up, and POSES! The fans cheer, Mansoor blows kisses, but Boulder tags in. Boulder storms up and says he’ll bite that tip off! Mansoor tags Mason and the fans fire up! Mason says he loves big meaty men match-ups! Mason and Boulder tie up, go around in a hefty deadlock, but Mason’s height is leverage to push Boulder back!

Boulder KNEES low, and Bronson cheers! Boulder whips, Mason RAMS Boulder, but Bould errebounds to RAM Mason! Marson rebounds, ducks ‘n’ dodges to FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Boulder tumbles out, Mason POSES, then he tags Mansoor. The fans rally up, the Savages tell them to shut up, but then MXM fakes them out, to POSE! The Savages are furious, Boulder runs in, but Mansoor dropkicks legs out! Mason runs up to pull up and HIP ATTACK! The fans cheer, but Bronson distracts the ref. Boulder shoves Mansoor, Jameson trips Mansoor up, and Boulder scoops for a SIDEWALK SLAM!

Jameson says touch tips with THAT, and Boulder THRUSTS at Mason. Boulder then drags Mansoor up, TOSSES him to the corner, and he traps Mansoor’s arms to HEADBUTT away on Mansoor’s chest! Boulder scoops and SLAMS Mansoor, tags Bronson, and then he scoops Bronson to SLAM him on Mansoor! The fans boo but Bronson struts like he’s on the catwalk, and he POSES! To then motorboat! But Mansoor CHOPS! And CHOPS! And ROCKS! The fans fire up, Mansoor runs, but Bronson CLOBBERS him! Bronson drags Mansoor around, and ELBOW DROPS! The fans rally but Bronson covers, TWO!

Bronson stays on Mansoor, tags Boulder in, and the Savages mug Mansoor. Boulder then brings Mansoor around to back suplex. Mansoor lands out, but Boulder keeps him back! Mansoor fires a forearm, reaches out for Mason, repeat! The fans fire up as they’re literally fingertips away! But Boulder scoops to POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! The savages are furious but now Boulder puts Mansoor in a drop zone. The Savages swivel and thrust, Boulder goes up, but he may have pulled something… Boulder tells the fans to shut up, he’ll get this done! Boulder goes up to SAVAGE SAULT and FLOP as Mansoor moves!

The fans fire up and Boulder reaches out in a daze. Boulder falls over, Mansoor crawls, but so does Boulder. Hot tags to Bronson and Mason! Mason breaks a lariat to CLOBBER Bronson! Then he ELBOWS Bronson in a corner, whips him corner to corner, and KNEES! Mason keeps moving, and he LEG LARIATS Bronson down! The fans fire up, Boulder is in, DOUBLE LARIATS hit! And hit! And hit! “MEAT! MEAT!” Mason blocks a lariat to HEADBUTT! Mason has the guzel but Bronson CLUBS Mason! The Savages bring Mason around, and they say it’s time! But Mason turns things around send Bronson into Boulder!

Bronson staggers, Mason has Boulder, and Mansoor says it’s time Bronson takes a trip! TIDDY CITY~!! Bronson sputters, Mason CHOKE SLAMS Boulder! The fans fire up and now Mason has Bronson! Mansoor helps out, CENTERFOLD!! Cover, MXM wins!

Winners: MXM Collection, by pinfall

Talk about plus-sized, that was the biggest Centerfold MXM has ever hit! But will there be a day when that Centerfold is wearing gold?

Pure Rules Match: Matt Taven VS Josh Woods w/ Mark Sterling!

“Smart Mark” of course takes over the introductions right away. “Folks, The Premier Athletes and Josh Woods would like to talk about rules. First of all, we love rules. Second, Josh Woods is a former Pure Rules Champion! He should be the cornerstone of that division. And it just so happens that our brand new shirt, coming soon, tells everyone that the Premier Athletes do in fact rule. Now, to celebrate this momentous occasion, we’ve decided to let the losers of Albany for once take part in a winning team. So when I say, ‘Athletes,’ you say, ‘Rules.’ Nothing else. Hands in, boys. Ohhh…! ATHLETES!” “SUCK!!”

Albany plays Mark Sterling for a sucker, and here comes Boston’s Matt Taven! Will the ROH Grand Slam Champion look to go for that five-star bingo? Or will the Technical Beast delay Taven’s dream by one more week?

Will it be lights out on The Mighty?

While the United Empire leads the way in A Block, Bishamon is right behind them, as are Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa! Will tides start to shift in World Tag League?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current 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

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi!

The Roughneck may have been called out by Claudio Castagnoli, but he’s going to leave that for WrestleDynasty. He is focused on this tournament, but can he and Honma win it? Or will The Funky Sauce finally get hot?

The teams sort out and Taguchi steps up to start against Shota. The fans rally at the bell as Taguchi and Shota circle. They feel things out, Shota avoids the leg pick, and then they tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Shota puts Taguchi on the ropes, the ref calls the break, but Shota lets off slowly. The fans applaud and the two reset. They tie up again, and Shota again puts Taguchi on ropes. Taguchi turns it around, but slowly lets off. Taguchi then CHOPS! And CHOPS! And kicks! The fans fire up as Taguchi headlocks. Shota powers up and out, they RAM shoulders, and Taguchi runs again. They RAM shoulders again, but Shota kicks low.

Shota runs, RAMS Taguchi, but Taguchi stays firm! Taguchi flexes and the fans cheer! Shota is not amused as Taguchi continues to flex. Shota ROCKS Taguchi, runs, but Taguchi drops under to then dropkick the legs! Taguchi goes for a leg but Shota slips away before the ankle lock. The fans cheer as the two reset again. They circle, but Honma tags in. The fans applaud as Taguchi tags Zayne. Zayne and Honma step up and tie up. Zayne headlocks, but Honma fires body shots. Honma powers up and out, RAMS shoulders with Zayne, and now Honma flexes! Honma fires forearms but so does Zayne, and the fans fire up.

Honma fires a flurry, but Zayne fires back with elbows! Zayne runs, Honma drops down, but Zayne IMPLODER KNEE DROPS! Zayne then rolls back and runs up, MARIPOSA! The fans fire up and Zayne brings Honma up. Zayne whips Honma to a corner, but Honma comes back to CLOBBER Zayne! Taguchi runs in but so does Shota, Shota & Honma DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Taguchi! Shota scoops and SLAMS Zayne, and Honma fires up! Honma runs to FALLING KOKESHI FLOP as Zayne moves! Taguchi kicks Shota in return and TOSSES him out. Zayne hits a THROWBACK CUTTER! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Honma stays in this, but Zayne brings him up. Zayne brings Honma over, tags Taguchi, and Taguchi punches Honma in the hips! Taguchi kicks Honma and stomps him down, then stomps away on the legs. Taguchi then drags Honma to have the leg, but Honma kicks at Taguchi. Taguchi stomps Honma and grabs a leg, to step through for a KNEEBAR! Honma endures, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Taguchi lets go. Taguchi then drags Honma around, ties up the legs, and turns Honma for an INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Honma endures, fights around, and finds another ROPEBREAK!

Taguchi lets go, calls to Zayne, and then tags Zayne in. Zayne storms up on Honma, wrenches him, and has the armlock. Zayne sneaks a BITE! The ref reprimands but Zayne stops. Zayne brings Honma around for Taguchi to tag in. Taguchi climbs up, and he AX HANDLES the arm! Cover, TWO! Honma toughs it out and the fans cheer. Taguchi gives Honma point-blank hips again and again! Honma goes to a corner, but Taguchi CORNER HIPS! Taguchi goes to suplex but Honma fights it with body shots! Honma wrenches and ROCKS Taguchi, but Taguchi POINT BLANK HIPS! Taguchi runs, but into a LARIAT!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Honma crawls, hot tag to Shota! Shota fires up and fires shots on Taguchi. Shota whips, Taguchi reverses, but Shota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Taguchi! Zayne runs in but Shota shoves him and DROPKICKS him down! The fans fire up with Shota and he storms up on Taguchi. Shota whips Taguchi to a corner, then runs in, to UPPERCUT! Then FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota stays cool. The fans rally behind Shota as he brings Taguchi up, but Taguchi fights the clinch. Shota still lifts but Taguchi slips free. Shota elbows Taguchi, but runs into a HIP ATTACK!

The fans fire up again and Zayne hops in. Funky Sauce whips Shota corner to corner, then Zayne CORNER HIPS! Taguchi CORNER HIPS! Taguchi pushes Shota out, goes up the corner, and Zayne runs up to tilt-o-whirl RANA Shota into Taguchi’s butt! Zayne backslides Shota, Shota rolls through, but into the KETSUYE! Cover, TWO! Shota survives taking a lot of buns to the face but Funky Sauce stand him up. They double whip but he grabs ropes! Zayne runs up but Shota DUMPS him out! Taguchi runs up but Shota BOOTS him! Shota runs up, but turns hip attack into atomic drop! Taguchi hobbles, Shota ROCKS him and ROLLING ELBOWS!

The fans fire up and Shota goes to a corner. Shota aims as Taguchi rises, and BLAZE- NO, Taguchi ducks it! Taguchi ROCKS and ROLLING ELBOWS Shota! Shota comes back but Taguchi ducks the enzigiri! Taguchi grabs a leg, OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Shota endures, fights around, but Taguchi leans on that leg! Shota reaches out but Taguchi drops an ELBOW on the knee! Zayne and Honma fight on the outside while Shota endures more! Shota fights forward, but Taguchi reels him in for chicken wings! DODON- NO, Shota slips free, underhooks, but Taguchi wrenches out! Shota breaks free but Taguchi ENZIGIRIS!

The fans fire up as Taguchi rises! But Shota clinches him for an EXPLODER! Taguchi’s right up?! KETSUYE!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! Shota and Taguchi crawl, roll, hot tags to Zayne and Honma! Zayne runs up but Honma runs him over! And ELBOWS him down! And scoops, to SLAM! The fans fire up with Honma and he brings Zayne up again. Honma CHOPS Zayne to a corner, CHOPS again, then CHOPS again! Honma whips corner to corner, runs up, and ELBOWS Zayne, to then BULLDOG! Honma runs for the FALLING KOKESHI FLOPS again!! Zayne hauls Honma up but Honma fights the suplex!

Honma suplexes Zayne high and hard! Shota hops in and the Kokeshi Brothers double whip Zayne to a corner. Honma SPLASHES then feeds Zayne to Shota’s POP-UP KNEE! Then BLINDSIDE LARIAT and EXPLODER! BASEMENT KOKESHI ROCKET! IGNITION!! Cover, Taguchi breaks it!! Taguchi fires hands on Shota, then CLUBS Honma. The fans fire up as Taguchi runs, but into a double wrench and DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Then DOUBLE KOKESHI ROCKET into the booty!! The fans fire up as Shota sends Zayne at Honma, but Zayne ROCKS Honma first! Then he BOOTS Shota, and ENZIGIRIS!

Zayne hurries to ROLLING AX KICK Honma! Zayne whips Shota but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! KOKESHI ROCKET!! Cover, TAGUCHI BREAKS IT AGAIN! The fans are thunderous but Shota TOSSES Taguchi! Shota keeps Taguchi out while Honma runs, FALLING KOKESHI!! Cover, TWO!! Zayne survives, but then Shota CANNONBALLS Taguchi! Shota calls to Honma and Honma goes to a corner. Shota is in the other, and they both fire up! But Taguchi trips Shota up and reels him into the POST! Taguchi ties Shota’s legs up while Zayne CLOBBERS Honma! Oklahoma Roll! FUNKY SAUCE WINS!!

Winners: Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)

What a time to get hot! Zayne & Taguchi finally get a win in the World Tag League! Will they have the spiciest comeback from here on out? Can Shota & Honma cool off from getting burned and come back stronger?

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!

The Imperial Unit & Prince of Pace are leading the way at 3-0, but four is a bad luck number in Japan. Can Cobb & Callum keep going strong even into the second half of this tournament? Or will these War Dogs tear down the United Empire?

As Callum & Cobb make their entrance, they already know the War Dogs are chomping at the bit, so they dare Gabe & Sanada to just bring the fight. Gabe & Sanada indeed bring the fight, and the brawl is on at the ramp! Callum ROCKS Gabe, Cobb ROCKS Sanada, and then Callum slides into the ring. Cobb sets the Dogs up for Callum to FLY! Direct hit and Callum even rolls to his feet! The fans fire up and The Empire keeps the Dogs down with stomps. Cobb ROCKS Gabe and stalks after him into the crowd! Cobb BOOTS Gabe into some open chairs! Callum has Sanada on the other side, but this still isn’t a match yet!

Callum brings Sanada around to ROCK again, and Cobb ROCKS Gabe! Gabe staggers into more chairs, but he JAMS Cobb up with one! Sanada JAMS Callum with a chair, too! Gabe headlocks Cobb, makes him take a seat, then CHOPS him! Gabe BITES Cobb, then stalks Cobb through the crowd. Gabe CLUBS Cobb, but Cobb fires a body shot and a HEADBUTT! Sanada brings Callum around with a headlock, then BOWLS him into chairs! Not quite a strike but still pretty good. Sanada then takes a fan’s drink to SMACK Callum with it! Callum staggers away, Sanada stalks him, but Callum kicks Sanada low!

Callum CLUBS Sanada, Gabe UPPERCUTS Cobb, then Gabe ROCKS Cobb! And CHOPS! Callum whips but Sanada reverses, and now Sanada bowls that strike! Cobb ROCKS Gabe and Gabe staggers over to a chair. Gabe takes a seat but Cobb CLUBS Sanada to save Callum. Cobb ROCKS Sanada but Gabe CLUBS Callum! Gabe kicks Cobb, JAMS him with a chair, then he JAMS Callum! Gabe gets mad at Sanada, he needs to get his act together! Callum BOOTS Gabe and ROCKS him! Gabe staggers away, the ref wants this to finally get in the ring, but Sanada ROCKS Cobb. Sanada uses that drink to SMACK Cobb!

Gabe JAMS Callum up, CHOPS Cobb, then CLUBS Cobb down. Gabe brings Callum to ringside to POST him! Gabe tells Sanada this is what they do! They hurt people! Gabe puts Callum in, Sanada goes to the blue corner, and Gabe slides in. The bell rings to finally make this official, and Gabe drags Callum up. Gabe CHOPS Callum, CHOPS again, then UPPERCUTS! Callum sputters, Gabe runs, and Sanada tags in!? Gabe gets mad at Sanada again, they’re supposed to be a team! But then they both kick Callum! The War Dogs double suplex, but Cobb makes the save by pushing Callum over! Callum lands out, Cobb waistlocks Gabe.

Cobb GERMAN SUPLEXES Gabe, then he ROCKS Sanada! Callum BOOTS Sanada, then the Empire coordinates, “Se~ no! JOHN CENA!” High-low with the shoulder tackle and leg sweep! Cover, TWO! Sanada stays in this and Callum catches his breath before bringing him up. Tag to Cobb and Callum whips Sanada to the lift! BOOT SPINEUBUSTER and FALLING HAMMER! PENALTY KICK and GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Callum kicks Gabe and TOSSES him! Callum goes out to KICK Gabe again while Cobb brings Sanada up. Cobb whips but Sanada grabs ropes. Sanada BOOTS back, but runs into a waistlock!

Cobb shoves, and scoops, but Sanada slips free! Dragon sleeper! Now Gabe keeps Callum out while Cobb endures. Cobb fights towards ropes but Sanada keeps him back. Cobb turns around to suplex Sanada! But Sanada fights that to suplex and MAGIC SCREW! Gabe sends Callum into railing and then calls Sanada. Sanada crawls over, hot tag to Gabe! The fans rally as Gabe brings Cobb up. Gabe calls his shot, suplexes, but Cobb blocks! Gabe fires body shots, tries again, but Cobb fights that! Cobb suplexes, Gabe slips out, but Cobb ELBOWS him! Gabe rebounds with the COMEBACKER! Cover, TWO!

Gabe calls to Sanada again and then feeds Cobb to the DORPKICK! Gabe UPPERCUTS, then he and Sanada reel Cobb in to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Cover, Callum breaks it! Sanada stomps Callum out of the ring, then goes after him. Gabe hauls Cobb up, reels him in, but Cobb’s too much to lift like that! Cobb wrenches, dodges, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Cobb shouts, “I’m a Mad Man!” but Gabe UPPERCUTS him! “I’m a Mad Man!” Cobb fireman’s carries, for the F 5000!! Gabe kinda floats over Cobb but he still lands on the mat! Cobb crawls over, hot tag to Callum! Callum runs up to BUSAIKU KNEE! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Callum roars! Callum gets the fans to rally up and then he calls his shot! OSC- NO, Gabe catches Callum to suplex! Callum slips free to SUPERKICK! PENALTY KCIK! Gabe is up to UPPERCUT! Callum ROCKS Gabe but Gabe spins to CHOP Callum! Callum ENZIGIRIS Gabe and then roars! Callum hooks a leg, but Sanada dropkicks Callum’s legs! Cobb steps in but Sanada KICKS the ropes to jam him up! Gabe reels Callum in, lifts him up, PILEDRIVER!! Callum sits up, into a SHINING WIZARD! Gabe BLASTS Cobb for good measure, before a SECOND PILEDRIVER on Callum!! Cover, WAR DOGS WIN!!

Winners: Gabe Kidd & Sanada, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Cobb & Callum earn 0)

The United Empire gambled with letting the War Dogs run wild, and they lost! There was some dysfunction, but Gabe and Sanada found a way to win. Will the Mad Man and Cold Skull stay on the same page all the way to the finals? Can Cobb & Callum course correct before it’s too late?

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS KENTA & Chase Owens!

The Rampaging Dragon & Gene Blast are just a step behind the front of this block, and could take over with one more win. But Fang Revived & Crown Jewel just want their first win at all! Will Kenta & Chase make World Tag League Just Too Sweet? Or will this round be tranquilo?

After Bullet Club gives the Too Sweet and LIJ fist bump, Bullet Club just attacks! The fans boo but the bell rings, and Kenta TOSSES Takagi out. Chase whips Yota to then ELBOW him down! Cover, TWO! Chase CHOPS Yota while Kenta keeps on Takagi. Chase runs in at the corner but Yota dodges. Yota runs back in, but Chase stops the Monkey Flip! Chase puts Yota up top but Yota BOOTS him! Yota then FLYING RANAS, and BOOTS Chase again! The fans fire up and Yota tags Takagi. LIJ double whip Chase to ropes, then set up to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans cheer while Chase flounders, but Takagi stomps Chase around.

Takagi CLUBS Chase, KNEES him against ropes again and again, then whips. Chase reverses, but Takagi is wary of Kenta. So Chase CLOBBERS Takagi! Chase BLASTS Yota, and Kenta drags Takagi out to CLUB away! Kenta RAMS Takagi into the apron, Chase whips Yota into railing hard, and Kenta RAMS Takagi back into the apron. The ref reprimands Bullet Club but Chase ROCKS Yota, then headlocks to sneak a punch in! Chase follows Yota into No Man’s Land, BOOTS him into railing, and then moves the railing in Yota’s way. Kenta sends Takagi into railing hard, then puts him in the ring for Chase. Chase covers, TWO!

The fans rally while Chase brings Takagi up. Chase fires hands, and then Chase CHOKES Takagi on the ropes. The ref counts, Chase hops off, and then Chase bumps Takagi off buckles. Tag to Kenta and Bullet Club mugs Takagi. Kenta RAMS into Takagi again and again, but Takagi fires back! Kenta CLAWS Takagi’s face! The ref counts, Kenta stops, and Kenta whips Takagi to ropes. Kenta ELBOWS Takagi down, covers, TWO! The fans rally but Kenta stomps Takagi. Tag to Chase and Bullet Club splits the wishbone! Chase then brings Takagi around, traps an arm, and drops a knee on the elbow! Chase SLAMS the arm off the mat!

Takagi fires body shots in return but Chase CLAWS Takagi’s face! The ref reprimands but Kenta traps Takagi in the corner! Bullet Club mugs Takagi, but they stop as the ref counts. Kenta tags in and he stands right on Takagi’s shoulders! The ref counts, Kenta steps off at 4, but then steps back on! The ref counts again, Kenta steps off at 4 again, and Takagi rises up. Kenta KICKS Takagi, brings Takagi up but Takagi KNEES low and CLUBS Kenta! Kenta CLAWS Takagi’s eyes! Kenta SOBATS, KICKS, and KICKS! Kenta KICKS a leg, KICKS the chest, but Takagi blocks to DRAGON SCREW! Both men are down and the fans rally up!

Takagi and Kenta crawl, but hot tag to Yota! Chase runs in but Yota dodges to RANA! Chase tumbles out, Kenta runs up and kicks low! Kenta runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up with Yota, and he runs corner to corner for a SPLASH! Then he keeps moving, and he CLOBBERS Kenta! Then BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Kenta stays in this but Yota stays on him with a fireman’s carry. Kenta fights free, rolls Yota up, TWO! Kenta goes to a corner, Yota runs up, but Kenta BOOTS him! Kenta goes up, reels Yota in, TORNADO HOTSHOT! Kenta hurries back in to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO!

Yota is still in this but Kenta calls to Chase. Kenta tags Chase in and Chase DROPKICKS Takagi! Bullet Club double whips Yota to SOBAT, KICK, HIGH KICK, and RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Yota survives the onslaught but Chase stays focused. Chase drags Yota up, KNEES him down, then reels him in. Chase tucks the arms, but Yota resists the lift! Chase CLUBS away on Yota, then ROCKS him! Chase goes to tuck again, but Yota fights free! Yota wrenches, wrenches, and short arm LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Yota and Chase crawl, hot tag to Takagi! The fans fire up as Takagi runs up on Chase, but blocks a boot!

Takagi LARIATS, then he fires forearm after forearm! Takagi reels Chase in to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Chase stays in this but Takagi BLASTS Kenta! The fans fire up again and Kenta brings Chase up. Takagi pump handles but Chase fights the lift. Chase sends the ref at Takagi! Takagi keeps from knocking Marty Asami over, but Chase BOOTS Takagi! Chase whips, Takagi reverses, but Chase reverses back to BACK ELBOW! Chase has a full nelson, but he spins Takagi into a dragon sleeper for FINAL CUT! Kenta BLASTS Yota and Bullet Club coordinates. Kenta sends Chase in and he hits a forearm SMASH!

Chase sits Takagi down for Kenta to HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Takagi flounders into the drop zone, Chase goes up to MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Takagi survives and the fans fire up! Kenta stomps Takagi, then Chase stands Takagi up. Kenta runs, but Yota trips him and drags him out! Kenta is sent into railing, Takagi ELBOWS Chase, JABS, and YUKON feints to DDT! Chase flounders, Yota steps in, and Yota runs up to ELBOW! Takagi sends him back in for a SPLASH! Takagi LARIATS, Yota BOOTS, Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS, then they DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Chase survives but LIJ stays calm.

Yota hauls Chase back up, Takagi has the wheelbarrow, but Kenta makes the save! Kenta ROCKS Yota, ELBOWS Takagi, then runs, but into a SUPERKICK and PUMPING BOMBER! The fans fire up as LIJ hoists Chase up. Chase fights that, Yota fires body shots back, and then Yota puts Chase up top. Yota climbs, and he grins as he brings Chase up for the SUPERPLEX!! SLIDING PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!! Chase survives and the fans are thunderous! But now Takagi and Yota both shout, “OI! OI! OI!” The fans join in, Yota sets up in a corner, but Kenta grabs Yota around the head! Chase RAMS Takagi into Yota to then roll Takagi up! TWO!!

Chase KICKS the legs out, and has the LA MAGISTROL! Yota barrels in and breaks it up! The fans fire up but Kenta TOSSES Yota out! Chase aims at Takagi, C-TRIG- NO!! Takagi blocks to fire boxing elbows! Chase fires a strike fest in return! But Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON- C-TRIGGER!! Takagi rebounds, PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi hauls Chase up, pump handles, and torture racks, but wait, Kenta has the NEVER Openweight Championship! The ref stops Kenta from bringing it in, so he misses Chase LOW BLOW Takagi!! And then C-TRIGGER!! Chase hauls Takagi up and reels him in! Tuck and PACKAGE DRIVER!!! Cover, BULLET CLUB WINS!!

Winners: Kenta & Chase Owens, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Takagi & Tsuji earn 0)

Bullet Club just slayed LIJ’s twin dragons, and are finally on the board! Chase having pinned Takagi, he looks at the title, but then he throws it into the ring for Takagi to pick up. Will Chase not care about the NEVER title when he and Kenta are going for the tag titles?

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa!

Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi are going for the historic four-peat, and though they stumbled last round, the way is open to lead this block! Will the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter #GetBackUp like they always have? Or will that be impossible when The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

The teams sort out and Goto starts against “The Mullet.” The bell rings and the fans are rallying strongly behind Goto. Goto and Oiwa tie up, are in a deadlock, and Goto powers Oiwa to ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, Goto lets off with pats to the shoulders, and the fans applaud. Oiwa and Goto reset, tie up, and Oiwa headlocks, spins, then hammerlocks. Goto switches the hammerlock onto Oiwa then headlocks for the takeover. Oiwa headscissors and he holds on tight! Goto kicks around, moves around, and he traps Oiwa’s legs as he powers out. Goto goes back to the headlock but Oiwa has the headscissors again!

Goto kicks around but Oiwa pushes up for pressure. Oiwa shifts to a cording hold, then a headlock. Goto pries the hold open but Oiwa clamps it on tighter. Goto powers up and out, and the two RAM shoulders! The fans cheer as Oiwa runs and RAMS Goto! Goto rebounds to RUN Oiwa over! The fans fire up and Goto brings Oiwa round. Goto whips Oiwa to an open corner, but Oiwa comes back to CLOBBER Goto! The fans fire up again, and Oiwa tags ZSJ. ZSJ stands on one leg and has the other for a standing toehold. ZSJ then shifts to an arm and he drags Goto up to top wristlock. Goto has the ROPEBREAK, but ZSJ still wrenches.

ZSJ whips, Goto grabs ropes, and Goto BOOTS ZSJ! Hashi steps in and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE ZSJ! Oiwa runs up but Goto kicks him low. Goto snap suplexes Oiwa onto ZSJ! Then Bishamon has ZSJ up, “Se~ no!” DRUM BEAT! The fans fire up with Bishamon, and Hashi steps back out. Goto stomps ZSJ, drags him up, and CLUBS him to the corner. Tag to Hashi and he drags ZSJ up. Hashi CLUBS ZSJ on the neck, then follows him to an open corner. Hashi ROCKS ZSJ, ROCKS him again, then has him on ropes. ZSJ steps up but Hashi fires another forearm! ZSJ UPPERCUTS in return! Hashi CHOPS!

The fans fire up as ZSJ steps up, but Hashi just CHOPS him again! And CHOPS- NO, ZSJ blocks to UPPERCUT the arm! ZSJ then ducks a chop to PELE the arm! ZSJ snapmares and NECK TWISTS! Oiwa runs up to BLAST Goto! Oiwa goes outside to then whip Goto into railing. ZSJ has Hashi’s arm and he SNAPS fingers! Hashi writhes, but ZSJ drags him up to wrench the arm. Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa takes the handoff so he can wrangle Hashi with a top wristlock. Hashi endures as Oiwa grinds that arm. Hashi fights up, but Oiwa wrenches and YANKS the arm! Oiwa wrenches and YANKS the arm again, then hammerlocks it.

Oiwa wrangles Hashi to the mat as he pulls on the arm, but Hashi reaches out for the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Oiwa lets go, and ZSJ tags back in. ZSJ drags Hashi around by that arm, traps it, and then TWISTS! Hashi writhes but ZSJ covers, TWO! Hashi toughs it out but ZSJ drags him back to the Mighty corner. Oiwa tags in and TMDK mugs Hashi. Oiwa also BLASTS Goto for good measure! ZSJ & Oiwa double wrench, double wrench, then wrangle Hashi to isolate both arms! STEREO STOMPS, and then they both pull on an arm! Red Shoes reprimands but Hashi suffers until ZSJ & Oiwa let go.

Oiwa then grabs an arm, drops a leg on the elbow, and scissors it. Hashi fires body shots from below but Oiwa does pushups to put more pressure on the arm scissor! Hashi still fights, but Oiwa lets go to then have a true short arm scissor! Hashi endures, pulls on one of Oiwa’s legs, and now Hashi turns things into a deathlock! But Oiwa reaches back to headlock, and he shifts to a hammerlock. Hashi endures, but Oiwa drags him around. Oiwa wrenches and RAMS Hashi into the corner! Tag to ZSJ, and ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Hashi flops down, but ZSJ drags him back up for another UPPERCUT! The fans rally fo rHashi, and he fights abck!

Hashi ROCKS ZSJ, CHPOS Oiwa, repeat! But then ZSJ wrenches and WRINGS the arm, drops a leg on the elbow, and then drags Hashi around into an omoplata! Hashi endures but ZSJ wants the other arm! Goto stomps ZSJ to stop that, but then Oiwa CLOBBERS Goto! Oiwa stomps Goto out of the ring, returns to his corner, and ZSJ tags Oiwa in. Oiwa stomps Hashi now, then drags him up. Oiwa wrenches the bad arm for an ELBOW BREAKER! Oiwa wrenches again, ELBOW BREAKER! Hashi fires body shots, then shoves Oiwa away to dropkick the legs out! The fans fire up while both men are down!

Hashi crawls, as does Oiwa, but Hashi hot tags Goto! Goto CLOBBERS Oiwa, BLASTS ZSJ, but Oiwa kicks low! Oiwa whips towards a corner but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but Oiwa kicks low again. Oiwa runs but Goto follows and LARIATS! The fans fire up and Goto hauls Oiwa up. Goto fires a flurry of forearms, then whips Oiwa to the corner. Goto runs in for MURAMASA! And then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays in this but the fans rally behind Goto. Goto drags Oiwa up, fireman’s carries, but Oiwa fights it. Oiwa CLUBS away on Goto, but Goto ROCKS Oiwa! Goto whips, Oiwa reverses and then catches Goto into a COBRA TWIST!

The fans rally as Goto endures, and he pries the hold open! HIP TOSS! Oiwa UPKICKS in return! Goto dodges the lariat but then DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls so they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Both men roar, run, and DOUBLE LARIAT!! Both men wobble, but then both men fall! The fans are thunderous and rally back up as Hashi and ZSJ return to their corners! Goto and Oiwa crawl over, hot tags to ZSJ and Hashi! Front Man dodges Headhunter to UPPERCUT! But Hashi returns with a strike fest! The CHOP tops it off, but then ZSJ wrenches an arm! ZSJ whips Hashi to a corner, but Hashi comes back to CHOP!

The fans fire up as Hashi mule kicks, turns ZSJ, and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this and the fans rally up as Hashi storms over. Hashi brings ZSJ up, reels him in, but ZSJ fights the lift! ZSJ then has the knuckle locks, leans back, and he pops Hashi into the ARMBAR! Hashi clasps hands but ZSJ breaks the grip! Goto again saves Hashi with stomps! Oiwa again runs in to ROCK Goto, and then TMDK double whip Goto. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down, then ELBOW DROP after ELBOW DROP! Goto flounders away and Oiwa brings Hashi up. Oiwa ROCKS Hashi, Hashi fires back with forearms and CHOPS!

Hashi takes the fight to both Oiwa and ZSJ, but they block his chops! DOUBLE FUJIWARA ARMBARS, then Oiwa plays defense while ZSJ has the DISARMER! ZSJ pulls on the other arm, shifts around, and he starts to trap the arms! Hashi fights off Clarky Cat while Oiwa keeps Goto on the outside! Hashi crawls with his legs, but ZSJ grabs one of those to turn Hashi away! Roll and roll and roll, into the CLARKY CAT REMIX!! Oiwa catches Goto into a GROUND COBRA! ZSJ has… Could this be Hurrah, Another Year? ZSJ wrangles Hashi away from ropes, and he pulls on the arms! Hashi endures, even as ZSJ puts the pressure on!

Hashi kicks and kicks and reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! The fans are thunderous but ZSJ lets go in frustration. Oiwa drags Goto out of the ring, whips him, but Goto reverses! Oiwa hits railing, and then Hashi blocks the scoop! ZSJ still tries but Hashi fires body shots! ZSJ drops down to trap and TWEAK the arm! ZSJ then runs up, but into a LARIAT!! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Goto returns to the corner and he coaches Hashi on! Hashi crawls over, hot tag to Goto! The fans fire up as Goto fires forearms! Goto whips corner to corner, runs up, and MURA- NO! ZSJ has the leg for an ANKLE LOCK!

ZSJ drags Goto from ropes and leans on the hold. Goto fights up, ZSJ reels him in, but Goto ELBOWS free! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, runs, but Goto follows! ZSJ KICKS the lariat, UPPERCUTS, but Goto roars! ZSJ KICKS Goto down!! The fans fire up and ZSJ hot tags Oiwa! Oiwa waits on Goto to rise up, and he runs to UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Goto stays in this, but Oiwa waistlocks. Oiwa deadlifts Goto and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Goto survives again but Oiwa fires up more! Oiwa hauls Goto up, gut wrenches, but Goto fights the lift! Goto fires elbows into Oiwa, and fireman’s carries!

Oiwa slips free to have the SLEEPER! Goto endures, even as Oiwa squeezes tight! Hashi storms in but ZSJ intercepts with a SLEEPER! ZSJ says squeeze, but Hashi RAMS ZSJ into buckles! Oiwa spins Goto for the- NO, Goto ducks The Grip and Hashi ROCKS Oiwa! Hashi CHOPS Oiwa, ZSJ UPPERCUTS Hashi, and Oiwa LARIATS Hashi down! Oiwa drags Goto up, snapmares, and ZSJ PENALTY- NO, Goto blocks that kick! He knows it too well! But then Oiwa hits an ANACONDA PLEX! And ZSJ runs in to PENALTY KICK! Oiwa gut wrenches Goto, DOCTOR BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!? Goto survives and the fans are thunderous!

Someone is sent into railing on the outside! It was ZSJ! Oiwa drags Goto up to clamp on a SLEEPER! Goto endures but the fans rally and Hashi coaches him up. Goto rises, and he RAMS Oiwa into buckles! Hashi runs in to LARIAT! Hashi sends Oiwa to Goto but Oiwa DECKS Goto! Hashi mule kicks Oiwa! ZSJ BOOTS Hashi! ZSJ runs at Goto, UPPERCUT in the corner! And then a ZACK- NO, Goto slips out to fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI!! The fans are thunderous with all four men down! Goto roars, he and Hashi rise, and they haul Oiwa up. They double whip, but Oiwa DOUBLE LARIATS!! The fans are thunderous again!

Red Shoes checks all four men, ZSJ rolls out and flops to the floor. Hashi follows, and then Oiwa crawls his way over to Goto. Oiwa sits Goto up to fire a forearm! Goto hits Oiwa back! Oiwa fires another forearm, and then another! They stand and Oiwa fires yet another! Goto fires back and Oiwa staggers! The fans rally as both men stand tall. Oiwa fires a flurry of forearms, but Goto returns them in kind! They go back and forth, faster and faster, and Oiwa gets the edge! Oiwa LARIATS, Goto stays up, so Oiwa runs. Goto catches Oiwa to a waistlock! Goto sends Oiwa to Hashi for a CODE BREAKER! Goto calls the shot!

Hashi has the legs but Oiwa BOOTS him away! Oiwa slips free and rolls Goto up, TWO?!?! Oiwa was on one leg, maybe that held him back! ZSJ holds Hashi, but Goto dodges Oiwa! Goto sends Oiwa into ZSJ! Hashi LARIATS Oiwa! And now the full nelson, but Oiwa ELBOWS free! Oiwa ROCKS Goto! The fans are electric as Oiwa brings Goto up! Goto HEADBUTTS Oiwa! Oiwa staggers around, Goto runs in to LARIAT! Hashi adds a LARIAT! Goto climbs and Hashi hauls Oiwa up! DANGEROUS BULLDOG!! Cover, TWO!!! Oiwa survives and the fans are going nuts! Bishamon sets Oiwa up, for SHOTO!!! Cover, BISHAMON WINS!!!

Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; ZSJ & Oiwa earn 0)

This was indeed a mighty main event, but it was The Mighty who LOST! ZSJ goes to Oiwa’s side, and he pats the frustrated young Mullet on the shoulder to tell him it’s alright. Will they just have to make a mighty comeback in the next round?

As for Bishamon, they rise up, and it is Goto who takes the mic. A fan shouts, “Bishamon saikou! <Bishamon’s the best!>” Goto says, “Arigato.” Goto then thanks everyone here in Miyagi for coming, and they cheer in thanks back. Goto says, “We can’t win every match, but Bishamon is not broken.” The fans applaud, and Goto says they’ll make it to the finals in Kumamoto, and then go on to the Tokyo Dome. The fans applaud again, and Goto says, “Everyone, Bishamon will share the happiness with you!” The fans like the sound of that! Goto then thanks them again, and says, “Shoto!” Fans chuckle at first, but then the lights do go out as Goto lies back to rest!

Well, obviously, the lights have to come back on for not just Bishamon but for the fans to find their way out. But are Goto & Hashi that much closer to the finals with this victory?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

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

My Thoughts:

Another great round for World Tag League, with some great and somewhat surprising results. I’m very happy to see Funky Sauce finally get on the board, and it works that they won off Shota & Honma. As I’ve said for other A Block rounds, Shota doesn’t have to go the WTL finals, this was all so he could get a pin on ZSJ and set up their WrestleKingdom match. Gabe and Sanada having tense dysfunction is an interesting subplot for them, and it’d be so wild if Sanada burns out of War Dogs faster than even JustXGuys. Sanada would end up the one true rogue of NJPW, because who would want him joining up when this is his third faction? But they got a really good win over Cobb & Callum so there might be hope for War Dog Sanada after all.

Kenta & Chase also getting their first win here was good stuff, they had a really good match with Takagi & Tsuji. Maybe Chase goes for the NEVER Openweight title after WTL, that wouldn’t be a half bad way for him to rise up the ranks. The only singles title Chase has held was the KOPW, and that doesn’t really count unless you hold it at the very end of the year. And then the main event was perhaps the best match of the entire tournament so far. Oiwa was really holding his own against Goto & Hashi, and they were holding their own with ZSJ, the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Great win for Bishamon, and of course Oiwa took the loss, which serves Oiwa well in the long run. He’s already this good now, he’s sure to become a top guy in a few years.

My Score: 9/10