Will The United Empire conquer NJPW?

With Great-O-Khan & Henare leading B Block, could Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman solidify The United Empire’s dominance in World Tag League?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current 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

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi!

Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi won a mighty main event just last round, but they have to keep fighting if they want to have that four-peat. Will the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter make sure its lights out to open the fifth? Or will the Funky Sauce stay hot from their first win period?

The teams sort out and Goto starts against Taguchi. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Taguchi offers a handshake, Goto skips it, and the two circle. The two tie up, and Goto powers Taguchi to ropes. The ref counts the break, Goto lets off with pats on the shoulder, and the fans applaud. Goto and Taguchi reset, circle, and tie up again. Taguchi tries but Goto is the one who powers him to ropes. Taguchi turns things around, but he lets off cleanly. The fans applaud and Taguchi again offers the handshake. Goto thinks about it, and accepts it. But Taguchi kicks low after all! And then he fires forearms and kicks!

Taguchi runs, Hashi hops in, and Bishamon runs Taguchi over! Zayne runs in, Goto kicks and suplexes him onto Taguchi! Hashi brings Taguchi up, “SE~ NO!” DRUM BEAT! The fans cheer while Hashi flexes. Goto stomps Taguchi, drags him up, and CLUBS him down. Goto stands Taguchi up again to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Goto brings Taguchi up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Hashi. Goto stomps Taguchi down, then Hashi adds on. Hashi brings Taguchi up but Taguchi fires a body shot! And another! Taguchi fires forearms but Hashi ROCKS Taguchi in return! Hashi then stands Taguchi up to CHOP him down! Cover, TWO!

Hashi looms over Taguchi, then brings him up. Hashi CLUBS Taguchi, BLASTS Zayne off the apron, then Hashi drags Taguchi up. Taguchi fires body shots and CHOPS! Taguchi CHOPS but Hashi ROCKS and CHOPS Taguchi down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally but Hashi tags Goto. Bishamon splits the wishbone! Taguchi writhes but Goto has a leg for a standing toehold. Goto pushes the legs as far apart as he can! Taguchi endures being opened up, and he fights around to reach for the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Goto lets go, and then Goto stomps Taguchi’s legs. Goto brings Taguchi up but Taguchi fires CHOPS!

Goto knees low, waistlocks, but Taguchi switches! Goto elbows free, runs, but Taguchi follows to HIP- NO, Goto catches Taguchi! Taguchi fires elbows, fakes the run, and he HIP ATTACKS Goto! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi rolls hot tag to Zayne! Zayne whips Goto, HIP TOSSES and MARIPOSAS! The fans fire up and Zayne BLASTS Hashi! Zayne hauls Goto up to suplex, but Goto fights it! Goto suplexes but Zayne fights it! They fight for control, and it’s Zayne who suplexes up and over! The fans rally up as Zayne brings Goto around. Zayne fires elbow after elbow, then mule kicks!

Zayne runs, but Goto avoids the rolling ax kick! Zayne avoids the Penalty Kick to roll Goto and EDDY GORDO KICK! The fans fire up as Zayne and Goto go to corners. Zayne runs in but Goto BOOTS him! Zayne tries again, Goto dodges, and Goto keeps moving. Zayne kicks Goto first, and ROLLING AX KICKS! Cover, TWO! Zayne brings Goto up and fires forearms! And CHOPS! Zayne ROCKS Goto, whips him corner to corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs in but Zayne BOOTS! Zayne runs, Goto follows and LARIATS! Zayne stays up to ENZIGIRI! Zayne runs, into a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI!

Both men are down and the fans rally back up! Zayne and Goto crawl, hot tags to Taguchi and Hashi! Hashi CHIOSP the hip attack! And then SPANKS Taguchi! And SPANKS again! and again! Taguchi ends up in a corner but Hashi whips corner to corner. Hashi runs up but Taguchi BOOTS! Taguchi goes up, and he catches Hashi for the DEADLY HIP SHADE! Then RUNNING HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up and Taguchi covers, TWO! Hashi stays in this but Taguchi watches him go to ropes. Taguchi runs up to HIP ATTACK! Taguchi keeps moving, HIP ATTACK! Taguchi goes again, Hashi turns away, but Taguchi slides out! APRON HIP!

The fans fire up again and Taguchi aims from the apron. Taguchi fires up, climbs the corner, but then just hops down. Hashi LARIATS Taguchi down! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives but Hashi drags him up. Taguchi is a ragdoll but Hashi still stands him up. Hashi scoops, Taguchi slips free to waistlock, but Hashi RAMS Taguchi into a corner! Goto runs up to LARIAT! Hashi adds a CHOP! Then Hashi feeds Taguchi to a kick! Goto clinches, Hashi runs, GOTO GO TO HUNTER! Cover, Zayne breaks it! Goto TOSSES Zayne then stands Taguchi up. Hashi calls their shot, and he has the legs! But Zayne LEAP FROG DROPKICKS Goto!

Taguchi tucks Hashi to a cover! TWO!! Hashi escapes but Taguchi fires a flurry of forearms! Hashi ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi ROCKS Hashi, and then Taguchi fires another flurry! Hashi spins to CHOP! Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! The fans fire up and Taguchi hurries to reel Hashi in. But Hashi suplexes first! Zayne runs up, Hashi ducks and traps Zayne for Goto to LARIAT! SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX from Hashi! Taguchi fires forearms and CHOPS on Bishamon! Then HIP ATTACK, CHOP, and Taguchi runs! Hashi dodges and Taguchi lands on Goto’s knee! Not quite a Hidden Gap but close enough! And then Hashi SUPERKICKS Taguchi down!

Taguchi goes to a corner, Goto runs up to LARIAT! Hashi runs up to LARIAT! Hashi hoists Taguchi up and Goto climbs, but Zayne anchors Goto! Taguchi drags Hashi down to a Gedo Clutch 2.0! Cover, FUNKY SAUCE WINS?!?

Winner: Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Bishamon earns 0)

Now this is a shocker! Hashi can’t believe he got caught like that, but Zayne & Taguchi still show respect offering handshakes. Bishamon says well-played, and they accept the handshakes. But will the four-peat now be jeopardy after letting their guard down? Or can Goto & Hashi #TurnItAllAround?

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!

These two teams are 2-2, but “The Kokeshi Brothers” fell while The War Dogs are on the rise! Will Shota & Honma rebound from last round? Or will The Mad Man & Cold Blooded be able to stay on the same page?

Well, Sanada makes his way out, and then Gabe trails behind. Is this a sign that even last round’s win hasn’t really patched things up? The teams sort out and then the War Dogs just attack! Gabe goes after Shota, Sanada tosses Honma, and the bell rings to put this on record. Gabe CHOPS Shota, Sanada CLAWS Honma’s back, and Gabe talks trash about “Mr. Tokyo Dome Main Eventer.” Gabe stands Shota up but Shota fires off forearms! The fans fire up as Shota headlocks, but Gabe powers out. They RAM shoudlers, then Gabe kicks low to headlock. Shota powers up and out, they RAM shoulders again, and then Shota ROCKS Gabe!

Shota runs, RAMS Gabe, Gabe ROCKS Shota and runs! They RAM, run, RAM, and then fire forearms! They both roar, then Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe soaks up the heat, whips Shota corner to corner, but Shota comes back to CLOBBER Gabe! Shota BLASTS Sanada for good measure, then storms over to Gabe. Shota tags Honma and they double whip Gabe to ropes. Honma ELBOWS Gabe down, Shota basement DROPKICKS, and Honma ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Honma fires up and runs, KOKESHI FLOP as Gabe moves! Sanada BLASTS Shota, Gabe TOSSES Honma, and Sanada CLAWS Shota’s back!

Gabe goes out to bring Shota around while Sanada goes back for Honma. Gabe whips Shota hard into railing, then brings him through the gate to go to the back of the arena. Wait, now they’re going upstairs?! Media crew tries to keep up as Gabe beats up on Shota and brings him to the upper level! Meanwhile, Sanada has Honma slumped over chairs! And he SMACKS him with a fan’s drink! Wait, a camera has kept up with Shota and Gabe, and they’re brawling along that balcony area! Shota ROCKS Gabe but Gabe SMACKS Shota! Shota staggers around, Gabe brings him up, and throws him into a wall!

Shota falls over, Gabe leaves him behind, and Sanada keeps beating up Honma among the crowd. Sanada has another drink, and he SMACKS Honma with it! Honma staggers towards ringside while the ring count starts. Gabe is holding up one of the WTL trophies! He better be careful not to jinx himself and Sanada. The count reaches 10 of 20 while Gabe says these trophies are coming home with him. Sanada beats up on Honma more and we hit 15. Honma flounders at 17, but he slides in at 19! Gabe is already there waiting, and he drags Honma up to CHOP! Honma wobbles but he stays up. Gabe CHOPS him again!

Honma hits back from the ropes but Gabe eggs him on. Honma CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Gabe BITES Honma on the forehead! The ref reprimands so Gabe stops and CHOPS! Gabe taunts “Shooter” from afar, then tags Sanada. Shota has made it back down to ground level and Honma fights Sanada, only for Gabe to whip Shota hard into railing, right in front of commentary! Gabe snarls while Sanada has Honma down with a standing toehold. Sanada lets go to then bring Honma up, and he bumps Honma off buckles. Gabe tags in and tells Sanada not to get mad at him about it. They DOUBLE SUPLEX- NO, HOnma fights free!

Honma CLUBS Gabe, sends Sanada into him, then clinches Sanada. Honma kicks Gabe low, DDT COMPLETE SHOT COMBO! The fans fire up and Shota’s back up! Honma crawls, hot tag to The Roughneck! Shota storms up to Gabe and fires hands! Shota whips, Gabe reverses but Shota ducks ‘n’ dodges to ELBOW Gabe down! The fans fire up and Shota storms back over to Gabe. Shota whips Gabe to a corner, runs up and UPPERCUTS! Shota hits a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota stays focused. Shota hobbles around and makes his way back to Gabe.

Shota drags Gabe up to clinch, but Gabe fights the lift! Gabe CLUBS and ROCKS Shota, and then talks trash. Shota ROCKS Gabe! Gabe ROCKS Shota! Shota ROCKS Gabe again, Gabe ROCKS Shota again! Shota wobbles and Gabe eggs him on. Shota winds up to fire another forearm! Gabe fires back! The forearms go back and forth, faster and faster! The fans rally up, and Shota ROCKS Gabe! Shota fires a flurry, then an UPPERCUT! Gabe SMACKS Shota! Shota ROCKS Gabe, then ROLLING- SMACK from Gabe again! Shota roars, Gabe LARIATS then runs! Shota follows to ELBOW! Shota runs but Gabe follows to LARIAT!

Gabe whips, Shota reverses and TORNADO DDTS! But Gabe is right up! Shota swings, into an EXPLODER! But Shota’s right up! Shota clinches to EXPLODER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Gabe and Shota both crawl, hot tags to Sanada and Honma! Sanada dodges Honma to CLAW the eyes! Sanada whips Honma to a corner, runs up, but into a BOOT! BULLDOG! Honma rises, fires up, and FALLING KOKESHI FLOPS again! Sanada drags Honma up to fireman’s carry! But HOnma fights free! Honma catches Sanada and spins him for a DDT! Honma calls to Shota and they have Sanada in a corner.

Honma whips Sanada corner to corner, then runs up to ELBOW! Feed to Shota for the POP-UP KNEE! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! IGNITION! And yes, FALLING KOKESHI!! Direct hit this time! The fans fire up and Honma covers, but Gabe breaks it! Shota CLUBS Gabe but Gabe TOSSES Shota! Gabe DECKS Honma with a straight right! Shota is back, STRAIGHT RIGHT for him, too! Gabe then runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up with Shota as he underhooks, but Gabe wrenches out! Gabe dodges and rebounds, COMEBACKER! And then the PILE- NO, Shota slips free to underhook, DEATH RIDER!!

SHINING WIZARD from Sanada! Honma runs up, but Sanada knees low and DROPKICKS! Honma stays up to KOKESHI ROCKET! Honma fires up, the fans are with him, and Honma has the wristlocks! KAMI-GOYE KOKESHI!! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives but Honma hauls him up. Honma scoops, but Sanada slips free! Dragon sleeper! But Honma fights it so Sanada waistlocks. Honma switches but Sanada grabs at the ref! The ref misses the LOW BLOW MULE KICK! The fans boo but Sanada gets away with that one. Sanada drags Honma into a dragon sleeper! But Honma drags Sanada into a cradle! TWO!!

Sanada escapes, and SHINING WIZARDS! Then dragon sleeper! SKULL END!! Honma is caught in the body scissors! Sanada squeezes tight but the fans rally as Honma endures! Shota coaches Honma but Honma TAPS! Sanada & Gabe win!

Winners: Gabe Kidd & Sanada, by submission (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)

Sanada is truly Cold Blooded, no longer going for that Rounding Body Press but for that punishing tap out victory. Will nothing, not even their dysfunction, keep these War Dogs from taking over World Tag League?

As for Shota, his foot is really bothering him, and Young Lions help him stand. Shota does his best to walk on it but it’s hard to say if it’s the pain in his foot or the agony of defeat that hurts more. Could this jeopardize not only Shota’s run in WTL, but his chances at the world title in the Tokyo Dome?

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

Despite their 2-2 record, The Front Man & Mullet are still mighty. However, Fang Revived & Crown Jewel are feeling great after getting their first win just last round. In fact, Kenta & Chase got the better of TMDK yesterday when Oiwa got the team disqualified! Will Bullet Club be able to sucker Oiwa in again? Or will that one win be their only win?

The teams sort out, but they also talk some smack. Oiwa steps up, and after Bullet Club Too Sweets, Kenta starts for his team. The bell rings, and Oiwa fires off forearms! The fans rally as Oiwa whips, but Kenta BOOTS Oiwa! Oiwa ROCKS Kenta, Kenta BOOTS again! And again! Oiwa blocks to DECK Kenta! Oiwa stomps Kenta, TOSSES him out, then pursues! Oiwa whips Kenta hard into railing! Chase runs up on ZSJ but ZSJ catches him to a HANGING ARMBAR! The fans fire up while the ref reprimands. ZSJ lets Chase go but Oiwa grinds Kenta with a headlock. ZSJ whips Chase into railing now! Oiwa whips Kenta into more railing!

Oiwa looms over Kenta, then brings him up. Oiwa puts Kenta in the ring, drags him up, and headlocks. Oiwa puts Kenta in the corner to stomp away! The ref counts, Oiwa lets off to talk trash on Kenta, then CHOPS! The ref wants Oiwa to stop but Oiwa brushes him off to CHOP Kenta again! Oiwa stomps Kenta some more, then ZSJ tags in. The fans rally up as ZSJ stands Kenta up, and ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Oiwa talks more trash and ZSJ UPPERCUTS again! ZSJ snapmares and NECK TWISTS! Kenta writhes but ZSJ drags him over. Tag to Oiwa, and ZSJ anchors that leg for Oiwa to then drags Kenta up.

Oiwa scoops Kenta to SLAM him! Oiwa drags Kenta up again, for another scoop and SLAM! Kenta writhes but Oiwa does not let up! Oiwa stands Kenta up again, scoops, and SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Kenta survives that onslaught but Oiwa scuffs him and kicks him around. Oiwa eggs Kenta on, slaps him around, but Kenta stands to SLAP Oiwa down! The fans fire up and Chase YANKS ZSJ off the apron! Chase sends ZSJ into railing while Kenta drags Oiwa around. Oiwa’s a ragdoll so Kenta covers, TWO! Oiwa stays in this but rolls out of the ring, so Kenta pursues. Chase is still after ZSJ on the outside. Chase lifts ZSJ to LAWN DART him into a post!

Kenta sits Oiwa up just to kick him in the back! And KICK again! Oiwa gets mad but Kenta SLAPS him down again! Kenta brings Oiwa up and around to put in the ring. The fans rally but Kenta scuffs Oiwa. Kenta taunts Oiwa and Oiwa gets to his feet. Kenta KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Then he KICKS Oiwa down! Chase tags in and he dares Oiwa to go tag ZSJ, except ZSJ isn’t there! Chase ROCKS Oiwa and Oiwa falls back to ropes. Chase has the legs, and he ROPE GUILLOTINES! The ref reprimands but Oiwa sputters. Chase brings Oiwa around to rain down fists! The ref reprimands but Chase shoves him back to rain down more fists!

Chase tags Kenta, and Bullet Club stands Oiwa up. They double whip, DOUBLE ELBOW, and then Kenta FIST DROPS! Chase steps on Oiwa just because and Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta keeps on Oiwa with a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays in this but Kenta tags Chase back in. Kenta stands Oiwa up for Chase to kick low, and Oiwa falls over. The fans rally but Chase stands Oiwa up. Chase ROCKS Oiwa in the back, then shoves Oiwa at the ropes. Oiwa rebounds and Chase ROCKS him in the back again! Chase holds Oiwa’s hand out to taunt ZSJ, then he tags Kenta. Bullet Club mugs Oiwa, and Kenta snapmares Oiwa to KICK him in the back!

Kenta stands on Oiwa, but the ref sees Kenta’s on Oiwa’s neck! That’s not a cover, that’s a choke! Kenta steps off to bring Oiwa up, and he bumps Oiwa off buckles. Tag to Chase and Chase grinds his forearm into Oiwa’s face again and again. Oiwa fights back with forearms of his own! But Chase trips Oiwa and YANKS the leg! The fans rally while Oiwa writhes, but Chase tags Kenta. Kenta storms over to Oiwa, drags him up, but Oiwa fires off palm strikes! Kenta SOBATS Oiwa to the corner! Kenta runs up, but Oiwa dodges! Kenta hits buckles and falls back! Chase runs up but Oiwa DUMPS him out! Kenta anchors Oiwa’s leg, but Oiwa BOOTS him away!

The fans rally again, but Chase YANKS ZSJ off the apron! The fans are torn but Kenta HAMMERS away on Oiwa’s head! Kenta drags Oiwa back up and RAMS him into the Bullet Club corner. Tag to Chase, and Bullet Club double whips Oiwa to ropes. Oiwa DOUBLE LARIATS first! The fans fire up while all three men are down! Oiwa crawls around to the Mighty corner, hot tag to ZSJ! The fans rally up with ZSJ as he UPPERCUTS Chase again and again, and again, and again, and again! Chase falls and the fans fire up with ZSJ! Chase staggers up but turns an uppercut into a backslide! ZSJ rolls through but Chase reels ZSJ in!

Chase tucks the arms but ZSJ wrenches out to PELE the arm! ZSJ then DROPKICKS Chase in the back! Chase ends up in a corner and the fans fire up! ZSJ runs in, but Chase dodges! ZSJ still goes up to TORNADO DDT! And then NECK TWIST! And basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up and ZSJ brings Chase up. Chase blocks the scoop! Chase CLUBS ZSJ and gets free. ZSJ storms up but Chase BUCKLE SHOTS then back heel trips, to the SENTON! The fans rally up again while Chase catches his breath. ZSJ sits up but Chase is on him with a half nelson. ZSJ fights that, wrenches around, ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!

The fans fire up as Chase fights off the hold! Chase shouts to Kenta and Kenta hurries to stomp ZSJ! ZSJ eggs Kenta on so Kenta stomps and KICKS! ZSJ lets go, but Oiwa DROPKICKS Kenta! The fans fire up again and Oiwa swings. Chase throws Oiwa down by his hair, NECK TWEAK! Chase uses his take on ZSJ’s move, then runs in at ZSJ! Forearm SMASH in the corner! Chase puts ZSJ up top, climbs up after him, but ZSJ has the DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! The ref reprimands so ZSJ goes after the other arm! The ref still reprimands and counts the ropebreak, so ZSJ lets go at 4. Chase hops down, and GAMANGIRIS in return!

Chase cravats ZSJ, for a SUPER-MARE! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but Chase lines up a shot. C-TRI- NO! ZSJ blocks the knee and grapevines, but Chase rolls free! Chase fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips free to a COBRA TWIST! Chase HIP TOSSES free, and BOOTS ZSJ! ZSJ rebounds to BOOT back! Chase rebounds, but ZSJ BOOTS then UPPERCUTS! Chase rebounds to LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! ZSJ rolls to ropes but there’s no Oiwa to tag! Chase runs up to C-TRIGGER! Chase then hurries to tuck ZSJ in, but ZSJ fights the lift! Chase fires off a strike fest, then ELBOWS ZSJ down!

Chase reels ZSJ back up, tucks and PACKAGE- NO, ZSJ flips free and scoops! ZACK DRIVER! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Chase and ZSJ crawl, and Oiwa is back! Hot tags to Kenta and Oiwa! Kenta BOOTS but Oiwa fires a forearm! Both men roar, and they fire fists fast ‘n’ furious! The fans rally, Oiwa GUT WRENCH PLEXES! Oiwa runs to BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays cool and he runs, to UPPERCUT Kenta down! Cover, TWO! Kenta survives but Oiwa clamps onto him with a SLEEPER! The fans rally as Kenta endures and fights around! Kenta rises up, reaches out, and runs to the corner! Chase ROCKS Oiwa! Kenta rolls Oiwa, TWO!!

Oiwa escapes but Kenta BLASTS ZSJ off the corner! Kenta goes back to Oiwa, Chase joins in, and they whip Oiwa to a corner. Chase runs up to forearm SMASH! Kenta adds the HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Kenta goes up top and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Chase intercepts ZSJ as Kenta covers, but ZSJ BARRELS in! The match is saved but Chase literally kicks ZSJ out of the ring. Kenta vows to end this and he fireman’s carries Oiwa. Oiwa slips free and backslides! TWO!! Kenta escapes but Oiwa hurries to his feet! Kenta blocks a lariat to URAKEN! Kenta then goes corner to corner, BOOT! Kenta keeps moving, but Oiwa follows to LARIAT!

Oiwa roars and runs, but then he feels Kenta coming, and LARIATS!! Cover, TWO!! Kenta survives and the fans rally up again. ZSJ storms in to BOOT Chase off the apron! Chase even hits railing and tumbles over! ZSJ drags Kenta up, but Kenta fires forearms and elbows on ZSJ & Oiwa! ZSJ blocks a kick, Oiwa POLISH HAMMERS Kenta down! The fans fire up as ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Kenta! Oiwa reels Kenta in, DAIGOSHIKI SAIDO!! ZSJ intercepts Chase, but now Chase BARRELS into the cover!! The fans fire up but ZSJ TOSSES Chase! Chase drags ZSJ out, but ZSJ BOOTS Chase down! Oiwa roars as he has Kenta to himself!

Oiwa stands Kenta up to SLEEPER! Kenta flails, reaches out, and shifts around! Fireman’s carry! Oiwa slips free to another SLEEPER! Then the spin and- NO, Kenta gets under! GO TO- NO, Oiwa slips free to DOCTOR BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Kenta survives and the fans fire up again! Oiwa roars, and he brings Kenta into the SLEEPER! ZSJ has Chase in a SLEEPER! Chase grabs the ref! Oiwa spins, but Kenta LOW BLOWS!! Kenta runs up to BOOT ZSJ! Kenta hurries back to Oiwa and the fans are torn! GO TO SLEEP!!! Cover, BULLET CLUB WINS!

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

Another fight with The Mighty, and another fight that Bullet Club finds a way to win! Can Kenta & Chase still make it to the finals? Or at the very least, did they spoil the chances of ZSJ & Oiwa making it?

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!

Two teams that lost last round are fighting for redemption but also a top spot in this block. And with Bishamon falling this round, maybe a new team can make it to the finals. Will the Rampaging Dragon & Gene Blast finally make the A Block truly tranquilo? Or will The United Empire stand alone as THE team in World Tag League?

The teams sort out, and after LIJ fist bump, they anticipate the attack from Cobb & Callum! They all RAM shoulders, and Yota has Callum in one corner while Takagi puts Cobb in the other. Red Shoes has the bell ring to get this on record! Takagi RAMS Cobb, RAMS him again, and Yota fires forearms on Callum. LIJ whips but Empire reverses, only for Takagi & Tsuji to avoid colliding. Cobb & Callum run up, but they’re sent into each other! Callum falls, Takagi TOSSES Cobb, and the fans fire up. Yota CLUBS Callum, then he and Takagi double whip. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges, but he still gets run over!

The fans cheer, and then Takagi SENTONS! Yota BODY PRESSES! Cover, ONE!! Callum shows some grit but Yota just grins. Yota stalks Callum, brings him up, and throws a BODY BLOW! Callum goes to a corner but Yota stands him up. Yota RAMS into Callum again and again, but stops as Red Shoes reprimands. Callum sputters but Yota brings him up. Yota whips corner to corner, then runs up, but Callum goes up and over! Callum comes back to trip Yota, and DOUBLE STOMP! Both men are down, but Callum rolls to hot tag Cobb! Cobb steps on Yota to then BLAST Takagi off the apron!

Cobb stands on Yota’s chest, salutes, then steps off. Yota flounders to ropes but Cobb stands him up. Cobb HEADBUTTS Yota to a corner, whips him corner to corner hard, and Yota falls in a heap! Cocky cover, ONE! Real cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Cobb drags Yota up and he ROCKS him with a right hand. Cobb traps Yota while he tags Callum. Cobb steps away and Callum stomps Yota down. Callum brings Yota up, snapmares him, and clamps on a chinlock. Yota endures, pries at the hold, but Callum powers up to hold on tight! Yota pries at the hold again, but Callum clamps it on even tighter!

The fans rally as Callum now adds body scissors. Yota fights around, but Callum lets him go to DOUBLE STOMP him on the back! The fans applaud and Callum taunts Takagi. Callum then BLASTS Takagi off the apron! Callum stands on Yota’s leg and tags Cobb in. Cobb sits Yota up to rain down fists! Then Cobb deadlifts Yota into the stalling suplex, that he then makes into a POWERSLAM! The fans cheer Cobb’s strength, and he stands on Yota’s back! Cobb surfs and says hang loose. Red Shoes keeps Takagi back, but Cobb marches on Yota’s back! Cobb stands Yota up, whips him to the corner, and Yota bumps off Callum’s boot!

Callum tags in and he brings Yota around. Callum CLUBS Yota on the neck, and runs up on Takagi! Takagi drops back, so Callum goes back to Yota. Yota fires a forearm! And another! Callum eggs Yota on so Yota fire another! Callum knees low, runs, but Yota scoops him for a BACKBREAKER! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! Yota and Callum crawl, hot tag to Takagi! Takagi rallies on Callum, scoop and SLAM, then SENTON FLOPS as Callum moves! Cobb steps in, The Empire double whips, but Takagi grabs ropes! Callum runs up, Takagi puts him on the apron! Callum still traps Takagi on the ropes!

Cobb runs up but Takagi BOOTS him! Takagi ELBOWS Callum, then he dodges Cobb and Cobb BLASTS Callum off the apron! Takagi clinches Cobb for an EXPLODER! The fans fire up while Cobb flounders out of the ring. Callum is back and he HOTSHOTS Takagi! Callum slingshots up and over, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and he BOOTS Takagi! Takagi comes back, Callum dodges again to DREAMCAST KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum nods as he rises up, and he tags in Cobb! Cobb runs corner to corner at Takagi, for a BIG ELBOW! Cobb keeps moving, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! And feints, but Cobb scoops to SLAM!

Cobb sets up, and GACHIMUCHI FLOPS as Takagi moves! The fans rally as Takagi crawls, hot tag to Yota! Yota goes up top, Cobb stands, FLYING RANA! Cobb tumbles and the fans fire up! Yota runs in at the corner, and he SPLASHES Cobb! Yota keeps moving, he RAMS Cobb, but Cobb comes back! Yota trips Cobb to basement DROPKICK! The fans rally as Yota brings Cobb up, but Cobb’s a bit much to fireman’s carry. Cobb CLUBS Yota, but Yota ROCKS Cobb! Yota runs, RAN- NO! Cobb stops the rana to pop Yota around into a FALCON ARROW! The fans fire up while Cobb catches his breath.

Cobb drags Yota up but Yota fires a forearm! Cobb fires back! The forearms go back and forth, and Cobb gets the edge! Cobb pumps up but Yota catches him! BACKBREAKER! COMPLETE SHOT! STOMP! The Gene Combination completes and Yota runs, but Cobb pops up to his feet, to then DROPKICK!! Cobb busts out a new level of athleticism, but he and Yota both crawl. Hot tags to Callum and Takagi! Callum dodges Takagi, Takagi dodges Callum! Callum elbows and whips to then GAMANGIRI in a corner! Callum snapmares and PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Callum stays focused.

The fans rally up as Callum catches the arms. Takagi arm-drags free to ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Takagi hauls Callum up, suplexes high and hard, then covers! TWO, but Takagi fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” The fans join in and Takagi brings Callum up. Takagi ROCKS Callum with a forearm, and Callum staggers around. Callum falls over, rises back up, and he goes back to Takagi. Callum fires a forearm but there’s nothing there. Takagi DECKS Callum with just one! The fans rally up and Callum nods as he stands again. Callum fires another forearm, but Takagi DECKS him again! Takagi eggs Callum on and Callum grits his teeth.

Callum comes back to fire a forearm, and another, and another! Takagi fires boxing elbows! Callum SOBATS! Callum roars, runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT! Takagi runs but Cobb gets in! ATHLETIC PLEX! Yota slides in and SUPERKICKS Cobb! Callum BOOTS Yota back out! The fans fire up while Takagi flounders. Callum calls to Cobb and Cobb is back in. The Empire whips Takagi corner to corner, then Callum runs up to FOREARM SMASH! Feed to a Cobb SUPERKICK! Callum ROUNDHOUSES! “SE~ NO, JOHN CENA!” SHOULDER TACKLE LEG SWEEP COMBO! Cover, Yota breaks it!

The fans fire up but Cobb TOSSES Yota! Cobb goes out after him while Callum slaps himself back into this. Callum rises, and he waits on Takagi. Takagi sits up, into a BUZZSAW! Takagi stays up so Callum SUPERKICKS! Callum calls his shot, OSCU- NO, Takagi blocks! Callum switches, and has the chicken wings! Yota RAMS Cobb into railing! Takagi RAMS Callum into a corner! Yota runs up to SPLASH! Takagi sends him back in and Yota UPPERCUTS! Takagi LARIATS in the corner, then feeds Callum to Yota’s BOOT! Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS and Yota reels Callum in! Takagi wheelbarrows and Yota gives the boost to the WHEELBARROW GERMAN!

Takagi drags Callum to a cover, TWO! Callum survives but Takagi calls for the big shot! Yota sets up in a corner while Takagi stands Callum up. Yota runs in but Cobb intercepts! URENAGE! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Callum runs up into an ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! Callum handsprings through!? Springboard and OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Takagi survives and shocks everyone! Callum bites his fingers in frustration before he flops over in exhaustion. The fans rally up and Callum rises. Callum roars, and he brings Takagi up, only for Takagi to fire a forearm!

This time, Takagi is the one throwing feeble shots. Callum KICKS Takagi, hooks a leg, FIRE- NO, Takagi fights off the suplex! Takagi wrenches, Callum breaks free, but Takagi JABS! Callum roars, Takagi HEADBUTTS! Callum falls, but kips up to PELE! Callum runs, but into PUMPING BOMBER TAKEDOWN! Cover, TWO and Callum sunset flips! TWO, but Cobb GERMANS UPELXES! BUSAIKU KNEE! Cover, Yota BARRELS in!! The fans fire up again and Yota hits Cobb with a flurry of forearms! Yota runs, but into a TOUR- NO, Yota slips free! Yota ducks ‘n’ dodges to GENE TRIGGER! Cobb falls out and Yota calls to Takagi!

Yota hauls Callum up and Takagi roars! But Callum fires forearms and CHOPS! Callum roars, runs, but into a POP-UP SUPERKICK!! And then PUMPING BOMBER!! The fans are thunderous as LIJ sets Callum up! Pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN! GENE BLASTER for Cobb!! Cover, TWO?!?! Callum survives, but the fans are thunderous with the “OI! OI! OI!” LIJ stands Callum up, PUMPING BLASTER!!! Cover, LIJ wins!!

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

A powerful battle here in the main event, and it is The United Empire that was conquered! But Takagi does show a bit of respect to Callum for withstanding so much damage before the end. Can Callum & Cobb still take this block and head for the finals?

As for LIJ, they refresh before Takagi takes the mic. “Shizuoka! Finally, in Shizuoka, my time has arrived! Thank you, Yota., Thank you, Shizuoka.” The fans applaud, and Takagi says this makes LIJ 3-2. That means they’re TIED at the top! The fans cheer that, too, and Takagi says there are still a lot of possibilities for A Block. Naito & Hiromu are in B Block, yet they’re not winning this thing! Takagi & Yota will win this World Tag League! The fans applaud again, and Takagi says he and Yota finally hit the Pumping Blaster, and it was here in Shizuoka! Yota likes to say, “Are you ready?” Well, if you’re ready, let’s go. After all, he is Shingo, so he’s ready to go!

Takagi lets Yota know he’s primed and ready, so Yota can send the fans home happy. Takagi hands the mic over as fans cheer, and Yota agrees, Takagi definitely looks ready to go. They will win the rest of their matches, conquer A Block, and head to Kumamoto. Even if it IS Hiromu & Naito meeting them in the finals, Takagi & Yota will win! Takagi says that’s a given. Then this duo will raise those trophies high! Takagi says like a dragon, they will soar and win this World Tag League! Mic drop and on to the next round, will the twin dragons have all the treasures in NJPW?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

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

My Thoughts:

Another great round for WTL and A Block, and I like how things are shaping up. Half the group at 2-3, the other at 3-2, and with really fun results tonight. Funky Sauce winning over Bishamon was probably the most surprising, but that’s great for Zayne & Taguchi while also putting more pressure on Goto & Hashi to make that historic four-peat. Gabe & Sanada beating Shota & Honma fits, as Shota can’t be pushed too strongly going towards WrestleKingdom 19. Shota is already getting more than some fans (even fans in Japan) think he should be getting with having that world title match, so him having a hard time in WTL seems like the right counterbalance.

Similarly, great win for Kenta & Chase over ZSJ & Oiwa as ZSJ doesn’t need WTL when he has Shota for WrestlKingdom, and then Ricochet for WrestleDynasty. The only thing about that match was that the teams didn’t seem as excited for it as the others. Maybe the fans sensed this match meant little to ZSJ, so they didn’t need to really invest in it themselves. But they came alive again with that awesome main event, because it was two teams who do need WTL. Well, not Takagi while he’s still NEVER Openweight Champion. But there was certainly so much more drama just from how hard these two teams were fighting. Great win for LIJ all the same, but again if Takagi is still NEVER Champion, not sure he and Yota need to win WTL.

My Score: 8.9/10