We’re almost there!

Only half of B Block is still in the running as World Tag League wraps round 6! Who wins and who survives as NJPW visits Karatsu?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current B Block standings!

Great-O-Khan & Henare: 4-1, 8 points
Evil & Ren Narita: 4-1, 8 points
Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi: 3-2, 6 points
Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg: 3-2, 6 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
The Filip Brothers: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Taichi & Taka Michinoku: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls!

Sadly, neither team in this match is able to make the finals. BUT that doesn’t mean they’re just going to coast through this round. Will the Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker prove they’re not last place? Or will we see that even when out of the race, The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

The teams sort out and Mikey steps up to call out Taka. Taichi and Taka talk it over, and they agree, so Taka starts against Mikey. The fans rally, but then Shane runs in to BLAST Taichi! Mikey CLUBS Taka down and Shane stomps away. The Mighty stand Taka up to double military press! But Taka turns that into DOUBLE DDTS! Taka hurries to run and SHINING WIZARD Mikey in the corner! Snapmare and SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! Taka fires up and scoops, but Mikey’s too big! But then Taka kicks Mikey in the shin! Taka Oklahoma Rolls, TWO! Backslide, TWO! Taka runs up to SHINING WIZARD again! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up while Taka grows frustrated. Taka goes to scoop but Mikey powers through to suplex! Mikey holds on, then SLAMS Taka down! Cover, TWO! Mikey whips Taka to the Mighty corner, then tags Shane. Mikey CHOPS Taka to ropes, Shane HOTSHOTS him down, and then Mikey kicks Taka to the outside. Mikey keeps Taichi back while Shane whips Taka into railing! Shane asks the fans what they’re saying, then brings Taka around to APRON BACK SUPLEX! Taka writhes, Shane pushes him in and covers, TWO! Taka is still in this, so Shane KICKS him in the back! Shane shakes out the stanky leg then brings Taka around.

Shane clamps on a chinlock and digs his knee in. Taka endures, so Shane pulls the bangs so he can BASEMENT BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Taka survives but Shane stomps him around. The fans rally but Shane tags Mikey. The Mighty split the wishbone on Taka! Mikey digs a knee into Taka’s back and fishhooks Taka’s face! The ref reprimands so Mikey stops, to then drop a knee on Taka’s face! And then another knee! Mikey drags Taka around into a half Camel Clutch! Taka endures, Mikey fishhooks him, then has the FULL Camel Clutch! Taka endures, Mikey fishhooks him again, but the ref counts.

Mikey stops clawing Taka’s face, but Shane BLASTS Taichi again! The ref reprimands but Shane goes back to the corner. Mikey tags him in, and they split the wishbone again! Taka writhes but Shane turns him over. Shane ties up the legs, then grabs Taka around the chin. Taka endures as Shane digs his knee into the back. Mikey BLASTS Taichi now, and Shane shifts into a HALF CRAB! Taka endures, but then Shane ties the legs up again! Deathlock STF! The fans rally up and Taka endures. Taka crawls to the ROPEBREAK! Shane lets go, and he kicks Taka around. The fans rally up, Taka tries to hit back, but Shane kicks him more.

Taka rises up to fire body shots but Shane eggs him on. Taka throws more hands, but Shane ROCKS Taka! Taka SMACKS Shane! Shane knees low, runs, but Taka goes the other way! Taka BOOTS Shane, but Shane comes back! Taka dodges to CALF KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taka crawls, hot tag to Taichi! The fans fire up and Taichi runs up to BOOT Shane! Mikey runs in to ROCK Taichi, then whip, but Taichi BOOTS Mikey! Shane kicks and whips Taichi, Taichi reverses to wrench and DANGEROUS HOOK KICK! Cover, TWO! Shane stays in this but fans rally behind Taichi as he rises.

Taichi aims at Shane, but Shane ducks the buzzsaw! Shane full nelsons, then spins, but Taichi fights the suplex! Taichi reels Shane in, but Shane fights the dangerous saido! Shane CLUBS away on Taichi, but then dodges an Ax Bomber! INVERTED EXPLODER! The fans rally while both men are down! Shane goes to the corner, watches Taichi rise, then runs in corner to corner to CALF KICK! Taichi staggers, but he comes back to AX BOMBER! Taichi roars but Shane reels him in! Taichi fights the German Suplex but Shane UPPERCUTS! Taichi GAMANGIRIS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!

Taichi rises, and OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi aims from the corner and builds his power. The fans rally for the- DROPKICK from Shane! Shane hits first, Mikey runs in, and Mikey BLASTS Taka! Mikey whips Taichi to a corner, runs up and LARIATS! Then he whips Taichi back in for another LARIAT! Feed to Shane’s LARIAT! TMDK stand Taichi up, HIGH LOW! Cover, TWO! Taichi survives and the fans fire up again. Shane tags Mikey and they haul Taichi up. Mikey scoops, but Taichi slips free! Taichi shoves Mikey at Shane but The Mighty avoid a collision! Then they avoid Double Ax Bombers to kick low!

Shane whips Taichi corner to corner, but Taichi comes back to AX BOMBER! Then AX BOMBER for Mikey! The fans fire up as Taichi and The Mighty are all down! Taka rises and he calls to Taichi! The fans fire up as Taichi crawls over, hot tag to Taka! Taka stomps Mikey, whips him, but Mikey reverses. But Taka dodges in the corner to BOOT, CALF KICK, and SUPER K! Cover, TWO! Taka fires up and the fans are with him! Taka drags Mikey up to scoop, but Mikey slips free! Mikey scoops, but Taka slips free! Only for Mikey to SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Taka stays in this but Shane is back, and The Mighty haul Taka up.

ELECTRIC- NO, Taka RANAS free! Taichi BOOTS Mikey and Taka catches him, but Mikey fights off Heavy Killer! SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, Taichi breaks it! Shane kicks Taichi, reels him in, but Taichi fights the lift to Alabama Lift! Mikey makes the save, then they dodge the Ax Bombers for ELECTRIC BLUE! Taka is back to BOOT Shane! Mikey blocks Super K to fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Taka survives and the fans fire up again! Shane says they’ll end it now! Mikey hauls Taka up, ELECTRIC BLUE for Taka!! Cover, TMDK wins!

Winners: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Taka & Taichi earn 0)

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, and they don’t phone it in! And this time, they respectfully dump out Taka so they can have the ring. But with no clear path back to the tag titles, how hard will Shane & Mikey have to fight in the New Year to keep NJPW mighty?

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Great-O-Khan & HENARE VS The Filip Brothers!

The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions lead this block at 4-1, but things could change if they don’t take Tome & Stevie seriously. Will The Dominator & Face of Fury conquer these Natural Classics? Or will The Taiga & The Phoenix run wild on the United Empire?

The teams sort out, and the fans cheer as Karawan-chan is in the upper deck cheering the Empire. After Khan is sufficiently praised to his liking, and after Tome & Stevie Too Sweet, it is Tome starting against Khan himself. The fans cheer on “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” and he nods. Khan circles with Tome, feel things out, and then Khan gets a leg pick! Cover, ONE, but Khan waistlocks, then facelocks, then goes back for a leg. Khan has another takedown, another cover, ONE! Tome slips away and the fans applaud this opening exchange. Khan and Tome reset, circle again, and tie up. Khan has a facelock and he cranks on the hold!

Stevie protests that Khan has Tome’s hair. Khan lets go to reel Tome back in, but Tome fights the sayanagi by pulling hair! The ref reprimands but Tome knees low! Tome bumps Khan off buckles, then he tags in Stevie. Tome snapmares Khan to run and basement BOOT! Stevie knee-board SENTONS! Stevie then BOOTS Henare and brings Khan up. Stevie CHOPS Khan and Khan drops to a knee! Stevie bumps Khan off buckles, stomps him down, then tags Tome. Tome stomps Khan, then he digs his boot in! The ref counts, Tome stops, but then digs his boot back in. The ref counts more, and Tome stops at 4.

Tome argues with the ref, but that lets Stevie CHOKE Khan! Henare protests but Stevie CLUBS Khan as he lets off. Tome says fans love The Taiga! Tome drags Khan up, whips him to ropes, then ELBOWS him down! Stevie applauds and so do some fans, then Tome covers. TWO, so Tome sucker punches Henare! Henare doesn’t budge! Tome hurries away and the ref keeps Henare from storming in. Tome goes back to Khan to scoop and SLAM, then JUMPING LEG DROP! Cover, Henare KICKS Tome! And KICKS him again! Stevie runs up to fire forearms, but Henare ROCKS him! Henare runs, but into a DROPKICK!

The fans cheer as Stevie goes after Henare on the outside. Stevie SMACKS Henare off apron, then RAMS him into railing! Tome goes to Khan and talks some trash. Tome drags Khan up just to scuff him with kicks. Tome laughs but Khan snarls, and Khan kicks in return! Then Mongolian Chop! Mongolian Chop! But then Tome blocks! Tome kicks low, runs, but into the SAYANAGI! The fans fire up and Khan rolls to his corner! Hot tag to Henare! Henare CLOBBERS Tome, CLOBBERS Stevie, then fires forearms. But Stevie attacks Henare! The Filip Brothers mug Henare, then double whip, but he breaks their double lariats to DOUBLE LARIAT back!

The fans fire up as Henare powers up, and he SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Henare drags Tome up, HEADBUTTS him, then CHOPS! Henare whips but Tome grabs ropes! Tome BOOTS Henare, bobs ‘n’ weaves, then waistlocks. Henare ELBOWS free, then runs, but Stevie’s there to dragon sleeper! FINAL CUT! The ref reprimands but The Filip Brothers mug Henare. They double whip Henare to a corner, then Tome runs in, Stevie right behind him! Forearm SMASH and DROPKICK, then Tome GERMAN SUPLEXES! Tome hurries to haul Henare up, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Henare’s tougher than that and the fans rally for him!

Tome tags Stevie and they stand Henare up. Tome feeds Henare to Stevie’s fireman’s carry, but Henare slips free! Henare shoves Stevie into Tome, then BODY BLOWS! Henare whips, Stevie reverses, but Henare ELBOWS him! Henare goes up but Stevie ducks the Flying Chuck! Stevie kicks, CHOPS, runs, but into the BERSERKER BOMB! The fans fire up while both men crawl, hot tag to Khan! Khan CLOBBERS Stevie, BOOTS him down, then runs up, only for Stevie to kick low! Stevie CLUBS and runs, but Khan catches him! SPINEBUSTER, jackknife bridge! TWO, but Khan is right back on Stevie to double leg pick!

Khan turns Stevie over, then waistlocks and gator rolls into a BRIDGE! TWO, but Khan reels Stevie back in! PANCAKE! Bridging cover, TWO! Stevie escapes again but the fans fire up behind Khan. Khan clamps onto Stevie with a SLEEPER! Stevie fights up, but ends up in the IRON CLAW! ELIMI- NO, Stevie shoves free, Tome tags in! Stevie dodges Khan and Tome SPINEBUSTERS! The Filip Brothers decide to punctuate this, and they drag Khan up. Tome fireman’s carries, Stevie runs up, BOOT O’ DOOM! Stevie goes up and up to ASAI MOONSAULT Henare!! Tome covers Khan, TWO!! Khan survives and shocks Tome!

Stevie sends Henare into railing for good measure, and Tome calls for the end! But Khan sends Tome at Stevie! The brothers avoid colliding, but the IRON RIGHT takes out Stevie! Tome kicks Khan, fires off in the corner, then whips corner to corner, and ELBOWS! Tome brings Khan around to whip again, but Khan reverses, and Henare is there! RAMPAGE!! The fans fire up, but Stevie SUPERKICKS Henare, and JUMP KNEES Khan! Stevie says get up! Stevie runs, but into a BOOT SUPERKICK COMBO! Khan roars and he clamps onto Tome with the IRON CLAW! And now ELIM- NO, Tome fights free to SUPERKICK!

Khan roars, but Tome fires boxing elbows and an UPPERCUT! But Khan dodges, Henare fireman’s carries! IMPERIAL DROP OUTTA NOWHERE!! Cover, Empire wins!

Winners: Great-O-Khan & Henare, by pinfall (gain 2 points; The Filip Brothers earn 0)

The Natural Classics tried but they could not drag down the champions! And now at 5-1, is it all but certain that The United Empire will conquer the World Tag League?

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado VS Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg!

Sadly, The Ace & The Heater won’t be going to the finals. You could say there’s always next year, but with 2025 being Tanahashi’s last year, that doesn’t bode well for his chances. Will he and Jado at least get one more win before the end? Or will Tanahashi’s own NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship partners put their goals ahead of his?

Yano is impatient as ever with the referee’s checks, and he insists Tanahashi & Jado hurry up, too. Tanahashi shows off the abs and the fans cheer. Jado encourages the fans to cheer more, and then the teams sort out. Oleg is ready, and Tanahashi steps up to #BARS! The fans fire up and rally behind Tanahashi as he circles with Oleg. They tie up, and Oleg powers Tanahashi back to ropes. Tanahashi turns things around, but lets off cleanly. The fans cheer and the two reset. They tie up, Tanahashi waistlocks but Oleg switches. Tanahashi switches back, then headlocks. Oleg fires body shots and powers out, and the two RAM shoulders!

Tanahashi stays up and he RAMS Oleg again! And again! But Oleg RUNS Tanahashi over! The fans rally and Oleg stands Tanahashi up. Oleg ROCKS Tanahashi, CHOPS him, and then whips corner to corner. Oleg runs up but Tanahashi ELBOWS him! Tanahashi goes up and up to CROSSBODY! The fans cheer and Tanahashi tags Jado. Jado & Tanahashi double whip, then DOUBLE ELBOW! Yano runs up but into double kicks! Jado & Tanahashi whip to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans cheer, but Oleg runs up, only for Tanahashi & Jado to double drop toehold him, onto Yano! Yano sputters and Oleg apologizes.

Tanahashi & Jado go after Oleg and TOSS him out! The fans cheer as Tanahashi & Jado air guitar duet! Oh, even Karawan-chan joins in! Yano runs up to SLAP them both on the head! Oleg runs, but into double kicks! Jado & Tanahashi reel Oleg in, but he’s too big to double suplex! Oleg DOUBLE SUPLEXES them! The fans fire up and Oleg kips up! Tag to Yano, and the fans cheer as Yano unties a buckle pad! Jado runs up, but ole, into the bare buckles! Tanahashi is in but Yano kicks him! Yano asks forgiveness as he whips Tanahashi into the bare buckles! Jado CLUBS Yano, whips, but Yano reverses, and Jado hits bare buckles again!

The fans fire up while Yano storms up on Jado. Yano stomps Jado around, then tells the ref to check him. The ref checks, Jado is okay to continue, so Yano tags Oleg. Oleg stomps Jado, then deadlifts Jado! But Tanahashi CLUBS Oleg! Oleg kicks Tanahashi, to gut wrench him! Shake, Shake, Shake, then THROW for The Ace! Oleg rises up and the fans fire up! Oleg brings Jado up, puts him in the corner, and CHOPS! Oleg stands Jado up again and CHOPS! Yano tags in and he kneels on Jado for a cover. TWO, but Yano talks a lot of trash. Wait, Yano uses wrist tape to CHOKE Jado! How very Great Bash Heel of him!

The fans are torn, and Yano hides things from the ref! Yano stops choking Jado as Tanahashi protests! Yano says he’s not guilty of anything! But then he CHOKES Jado while the ref ushers Tanahashi out! Yano then covers, TWO! Jado toughs it out and Yano gets mad at the ref! Tag to Oleg and Oleg brings Jado up to CHOP! Oleg snapmares Jado, then runs to BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Jado survives and the fans fire up! Oleg stomps Jado, and Tanahashi rallies the fans. The fans cheer Jado on as he takes the forearms! Jado eggs Oleg on so Oleg fires more shots! Jado rises and leans into the forearms! Jado powers up, but then Oleg ROCKS him!

Oleg runs up but Jado BOOTS! And BOOTS again! Oleg runs up, but Jado moves! Oleg hits bare buckles hard! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Jado crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! Tanahashi dropkicks Oleg’s leges! Tanahashi runs and FLYING FOREARMS! Then he BLASTS Yano for good measure! The fans fire up with Tanahashi as he fires hands on Oleg! Tanahashi shows his power by hitting a scoop SLAM on Oleg! The fans cheer as Tanahashi goes up, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Tanahashi and he runs, but Oleg SHOTGUNS him down! Yano calls to Oleg and he crawls over, hot tag to Yano!

The fans rally as Yano stands Tanahashi up. Yano whips Tanahashi, but Tanahashi reverses! But Yano avoids hitting the bare buckles! Yano taunts Tanahashi and Tanahashi runs in! Yano dodges, but now Tanahashi stops from hitting buckles! Tanahashi copies Yano’s taunting, so Yano runs in! Yano is sent into bare buckles! Tanahashi kicks low, but Yano suplexes! Tanahashi fights that to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi crawls, hot tag to Jado! Jado & Tanahashi double whip, then BODY BLOW and KICK! Yano staggers, Tanahashi whips him and Jado DUMPS him to the apron! Jado brings Yano up, but Yano CLAWS Jado’s eyes!

Yano steps in but Jado KICKS the ropes! Yano is stuck, and Jado hits the DRAPING DDT! Cover, Oleg breaks it in time! Oleg kicks Tanahashi, but Tanahashi fights the suplex! Jado CLUBS Oleg, then he and Tanahashi DOUBLE SUPLEX Oleg!! The fans fire up again but here comes Yano! Tanahashi dodges Yano, and feeds him to Jado’s LARIAT! Yano staggers, into Tanahashi’s SLINGBLADE! Jado covers, TWO!! Yano survives, but Jado clamps on the CROSSFACE! Oleg storms in, Tanahashi drop toeholds him, into a CROSSFACE! Yano & Oleg endure the holds, Yano fights around, and the fans cheer as he finds the ROPEBREAK!

Jado & Tanahashi let Yano & Oleg go, and Jado roars! The fans fire up with the Master Heater, and he pounds the mat as he powers up. Yano slowly rises, but Yano says no to the Gun Stun! He sends Jado at Tanahashi, but Tanahashi sends Jado at Yano! Jado then sends Yano at Tanahashi, SHOTEI! Roll up, TWO! Yano escapes, but Tanahashi runs in, only for Yano to send him at Jado! Yano then pushes the ref aside, and he DOUBLE LOW BLOWS Tanahashi & Jado!! Roll up on Jado, YANO BOLTIN WINS!!

Winners: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Tanahashi & Jado earn 0)

Don’t think of this as Yano showing no respect to Tanahashi & Jado. It is because he respects them that he pulled out all the stops to win! But the battle is not over, can The Joker & The Rook find that outside path into the finals?

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS EVIL & Ren Narita!

While World Tag League is important, and winning here is the difference between staying in the race and the bubble bursting, this is also about the eternal rivalry between Los Ingobernables de Japon and the first person to ever betray the group. Will the Uncontrollable Charisma & Ticking Timebomb tear down The House of Torture? Or will the King of Darkness find one more way to stick it to his old friends?

As usual, Naito takes his time with his entrance attire. The House already decides that Evil will start, so now we play the waiting game. Naito purposefully takes longer with the shirt and belt, but he does get to the pants soon enough. The pants are put aside, and LIJ fist bumps. The fans cheer, and Naito chooses to start! The fans are of course on Naito’s side as he and Evil circle. They feel things out, but Hiromu sees Narita sneaking in! Naito kicks that Souled Out Son of Strong Style first while Hiromu goes after Evil! Then LIJ sends Evil & Narita into each other! Narita falls. LIJ kicks and whips Evil to DOUBLE CHOP him down!

Red Shoes reprimands but Hiromu steps out. Naito pulls Evil’s hair to pull him into the chinlock, digging his knee into Evil’s back. Evil endures so Naito stands to cravat. Tag to Hiromu and he brings Evil around to CHOP! Evil goes to a corner, Hiromu CHOPS again. Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs in and LARIATS, then snapmares to basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer and Hiromu pulls Evil’s hair to bring him over. Hiromu bumps Evil off Naito’s boots, then tags Naito in. Naito CLUBS Evil, but Evil CLAWS Naito’s face! Red Shoes reprimands but Evil whips. Naito reverses to CLAW Evil’s face!

The fans cheer but Red Shoes still reprimands. Naito TOSSES Evil out, then builds speed, but Evil still falls for the fake out! Naito rolls to tranquilo and the fans cheer, only for Narita AND Dick Togo to get on the apron! Red Shoes stops Narita but Dick FIST DROPS Naito! The fans boo, but Evil throws Hiromu into railing! Narita storms in and drags Naito up. Narita TOSSES Naito out, then whips him into railing! Naito slumps down right in front of commentary, but Evil brings Hiromu into the crowd! Evil BOWLS Hiromu into chairs! Hardly a strike but Evil leaves Hiromu behind. Narita CLUBS Naito and sends him into the back wall!

Naito falls from hitting the tucked away bleachers, but Narita brings him right back up. Narita headlocks Naito to bring him back to ringside. The fans rally but Narita puts Naito in for Evil. Evil stomps Naito’s legs, then drops an ELBOW on the knee! Naito clutches his leg but Evil tags Narita. The House splits the wishbone on Naito! Narita then has a standing toehold and he twists the foot! Naito endures, reaches up, but Narita just twists harder! Naito backstrokes to the ROPEBREAK! Narita lets go to bring Naito up. Narita whips and ELBOWS Naito down, then covers, TWO! Narita steps through, spinning toehold into a KNEEBAR!

Naito endures while Evil plays defense. Not only does Evil block Hiromu from getting in, but he blocks Naito from reaching ropes! Red Shoes reprimands so Evil steps aside, and Naito has the ROPEBREAK! Narita holds on until Red Shoes counts 4, then he stomps Naito down. Tag to Evil and Evil storms up on Naito. Evil kicks Naito around, taunts him and stands him up, just to TOSS him out to the floor! Evil distracts Red Shoes as Dick sucker punches Naito! The fans boo but Dick pushes Naito back into the ring. Dick tells fans to shut up, but Evil drags Naito to cover. Red Shoes argues with Hiromu, so he misses it all!

The fans laugh as Evil gets mad, and he tells Red Shoes to do his job. Evil drags Naito over, talks trash on the fans but the fans rally for Naito. Evil taunts Naito but Naito rises to fire haymakers! Naito CLUBS Evil, but Evil trips Naito, and drops an ELBOW on the leg! Evil has a toehold, Naito pulls hair, Red Shoes reprimands, but Narita BLASTS Hiromu off the apron! Naito crawls, reaches out, but Evil lets go to tag Narita. Narita CHOKES Naito, Evil claims that’s a cover, but Red Shoes knows the truth. Red Shoes counts, Narita stops, but he knees on Naito for more choking! Red Shoes reprimands so Narita steps off.

Narita stands Naito up but Naito fires forearms! The fans rally but Narita CHOKES Naito again! Narita has Naito on ropes, Red Shoes counts, and Narita stops. Narita whips, Naito reverses and Naito atomic drops! Then Naito turns Narita around, holds him, and hits the NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Naito crawls, hot tag to Hiromu! Hiromu BLASTS Evil, then fires forearms on Narita! Hiromu whips, Narita reverses but Hiromu ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! The fans fire up and Hiromu brings Narita back up. Hiromu whips Narita to ropes, only to then ROCK him, KICK him, and run, SHOTGUN!

The fans fire up while Narita bails out, and Hiromu hurries to the apron! FLYING CROSSBODY! Hiromu keeps moving and he CROSSBODIES Evil! The fans fire up as Hiromu glares at Dick! Dick runs away, but Hiromu runs the other way! Hiromu meets Dick on the other side, for a CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Hiromu takes down the whole House! Hiromu fetches Narita and brings him into the ring. Cover, TWO! Narita stays in this but Hiromu stays fired up with “Tanjobi <Birthday> Power!” The fans cheer that, and Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Narita slips free! Narita CHOKES Hiromu, but Hiromu breaks free to CHOP!

Hiromu brings Narita around but Narita CLAWS Hiromu’s eyes! Narita whips Hiromu to the corner, and TADA! The buckle pad is gone! Hiromu suffers the House Special, and Narita hits an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Evil BLASTS Naito, then he breaks Hiromu’s grip! Hiromu scrambles around, ROPEBREKA! Red Shoes counts, Narita holds until 4, and then he stomps Hiromu. Tag to Evil, and Narita wrenches so Evil can CLUB the arm! Evil wrenches so Narita can CLUB the arm! The House then double whips Hiromu into the bare buckles! Hiromu staggers, The House kicks low and DOUBLE SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Hiromu stays in this, but Evil drags him back up. Evil fireman’s carries, but Hiromu fights free! Hiromu kicks low, runs, but Evil gets in Red Shoes’ face to distract from Dick tripping Hiromu up! Dick drags Hiromu out and sends him into railing! The fans boo again but Dick puts Hiromu right back in. Evil hits a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Then he steps through on the legs for a SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Narita BLASTS Naito down and Hiromu endures! The fans rally for “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” and he fights around! But Evil sits deep on the hold! Hiromu still fights forward, and he has the ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer but Evil holds on. Red Shoes counts, Evil stops at 4, and Evil complains as he storms around. Evil drags Hiromu up, fireman’s carries, and DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu just barely survives that! The fans rally, but Evil vows to end this! Evil slashes his throat, drags Hiromu up, and EVERYTHING- NO, Hiromu fights the STO! Hiromu catches Evil, spins him, but Evil fights the suplex! Evil wrenches but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Hiromu crawls over, hot tag to Naito! The fans fire up more as Naito storms up on Evil, and he fires off forearms!

Naito whips, arm-drags, and then ELBOWS Evil down! Naito runs to add the basement DROPKICK! Naito whips, Evil reverses and runs up. Evil blocks Naito’s boots to put him in the ropes, WOE STOMP! Tag to Narita and he whips Naito to a corner. Narita runs up to ELBOW, then he goes side to side to BOOT! Narita brings Naito out for a HALF HATCH BRIDGE! TWO! Naito stays in this but Narita stays focused. Narita vows to end this, and he goes up the corner! Naito rises, but he ducks under Narita’s jump! Naito ELBOWS Narita, then catches him to fire heavy elbows! Narita wobbles and Naito has him in the corner!

Naito goes up, reels Narita in, ESPERANZA! The fans fire up but Dick panics as Naito aims from the corner. Naito runs but Naito dodge! Naito is sent into Red Shoes! Dick attacks Hiromu and TOSSES him! The fans boo as The House mugs Naito in the corner! They double whip Naito corner to corner, then Dick ELBOWS Naito! Narita ELBOWS Naito, then Evil LARIATS! They snapmare Naito and Dick goes up! Naito is help open, DICK CHOP! Dick fetches Red Shoes while Evil drags Naito up. The fans rally for Naito but Evil stands Naito up for the HELL’S GUILLOTINE! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives and the fans fire up!

Narita is furious, but he drags Naito up and brings him in. Kick and DOUBLE- NO, Hiromu fights out of the facebuster! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Rolling jackknife bridge! TWO!! Narita survives but Hiromu is right on him. Hiromu gives Naito the boost, but Narita stops the DDT! Narita sends Naito into Hiromu! But Naito dodges the lariat to ENZIGIRI! Narita staggers, Naito hits a FLYING-MARE, and then rolls him into PLUMA BLANCA!! Evil storms in with a chair! Red Shoes stops Evil, but Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER!! The fans boo but Naito can only flail behind Red Shoes’ back!

Dick lets Naito go and Narita has his pushup bar! Evil still distracts Red Shoes, but Hiromu stops Narita! Hiromu has the pushup bar, but now The House says he’s the guilty one! Red Shoes isn’t sure what to do, but Hiromu hands over the pushup bar. And then he SUPERKICKS Naito?! The fans and even The House are shocked! Why did The Timebomb turn on Naito!? Wait, he looks over to The House, and they seem to think he wants in. They take a drag and offer the Too Sweet. Hiromu takes a drag, and he joins in! The fans boo, how could Hiromu do this to Naito!? But then Hiromu hits EVERYTHING IS EVIL on Evil!!

The fans fire up, it was a double fake! EVERYTHING IS EVIL for Narita!! Hiromu laughs that he tricked The House, and then he KICKS ropes to hit Dick in, well, the dick! Hiromu apologizes to Naito for the kick, then helps him with Narita. BOOSTED TORNADO DDT!! The fans fire up as Hiromu drags Evil out, and Naito brings Narita around. Wrench and tilt-o-whirl, DESTINO!!! Cover, LIJ WINS!!

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

Hiromu taunts Evil by puffing on imaginary cigarette after imaginary cigarette, because he just pulled one over on the foolish House of Torture! And then Hiromu apologizes to Naito much harder with his deep dogeza bow. With this loss, The House of Torture is no longer second place in the block, and they might not even make the finals now! Will they ever learn that crime doesn’t pay?

As for LIJ, they regroup, and while Naito refreshes with some water, Hiromu has the mic. “Firstly, I’m very sorry, Naito-san! Secondly, to all the Naito fans across the country, I am very sorry. But you really thought I’d betray LIJ? Of course not! Even if I did every betray LIJ, I’d never join the House of Torture!” The fans cheer that! Hiromu continues and again apologizes to Naito. But even Naito has to admit, that superkick got him pretty good, huh? But that was all according to plan! They both said the best way to deal with them was to fake them out. That’s what they did, but Hiromu will admit, they didn’t discuss the superkick thing per se…

A fan forgives Hiromu and Hiromu thanks them, for that was his power! And now, as Naito scored the fall, he will say something, but Hiromu’s pretty sure it’ll be hard for him… Hiromu walks over with the mic and says he’ll leave it to Naito as the hero of their decisive win. Hiromu sets the mic down as Naito rests on the mat, and the fans rally up. Naito manages to stand with the mic, and he says, “Yeah, all ‘according to plan,’ but that hurt like hell. I expect a formal apology here. On your knees.” Hiromu works up the energy, and he slides into the dogeza! The fans chuckle and applaud, and Naito thanks Hiromu for that.

And now, “BUENAS NOCHES, KARATSUUU~!” The fans cheer, and Naito says this is NJPW’s third consecutive Karatsu City event. They are truly thankful for the large number of fans who came to the show tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” As you all know, this is Hiromu Takahashi’s birthday. Music plays but Naito says no, no, we don’t need the song! There’s no presents for him anyway. But December 8, let’s win World Tag League and have the biggest ever birthday party! But is it gonna happen? The answer of course is, tranquilo! Assen na yo! The fans cheer the possibility, at least.

Now obviously, Naito wants to end this right. They will have the first ever Karatsu roll call! Are they all ready? The fans cheer, and Naito says NJPW World Tag League here in Karatsu of course has to end with… “Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!!” The fans cheer as LIJ heads for the goal, will Naito & Hiromu reach it with one more round in their way?

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

Great-O-Khan & Henare: 5-1, 10 points
Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi: 4-2, 8 points
Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg: 4-2, 8 points
Evil & Ren Narita: 4-2, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
The Filip Brothers: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Taichi & Taka Michinoku: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

Another great round for B Block as World Tag League is drawing to a close. And per what NJPW’s official report says, The House of Torture is eliminated from the running because of their losses to The Empire and LIJ. Even though they defeated Yano & Oleg earlier, beat LIJ, putting them ahead by just that much. Now Evil & Narita VS Tanahashi & Jado is purely about momentum going towards WrestleKingdom and the grudge match of Evil VS Tanahashi.

Of the three teams remaining, I’d be most surprised if Yano & Oleg won to go on to the finals, they are most certainly underdogs. I’m leaning towards Naito & Hiromu, as the tag team champions will go to WK19 one way or another, and it would be quite the accomplishment for Hiromu as he slowly moves away from purely Junior Heavyweight competition.

My Score: 9/10