Will Finlay & Hiromu knockout the Knock Out Brothers?

World Tag League 2025 continues, and B Block has their first round of action! But will the IWGP Tag Team Champions, Oskar & Yuto-Ice, stand tall in the main event?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Yujiro Takahashi, Chase Owens & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Yujiro, Chase & Kanemaru win.
• Six Man Tag: Taichi, Satoshi Kojima & Masatora Yasuda VS Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Katsuya Murashima; Yano, Oleg & Murashima win.
• Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shuji Ishikawa & Shoma Kato VS Shingo Takagi, “Drilla” Dan Moloney & Daiki Nagai; Takagi, Moloney & Daiki win.
• Six Man Tag: Yota Tsuji, Gabe Kidd & Gedo VS EVIL, Don Fale & Dick Togo; Yota, Gabe & Gedo win.
• 2025 World Tag League B Block: Lance Archer & Alex Zayne VS SANADA & Ren Narita; Archer & Zayne win.
• 2025 World Tag League B Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
• 2025 World Tag League B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Phantasmo VS Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura; Shota & Yuya win.
• 2025 World Tag League B Block: David Finlay & Hiromu Takahashi VS OSKAR & Yuto-Ice; Finlay & Hiromu win.

PLAY BY PLAY

2025 World Tag League B Block: Lance Archer & Alex Zayne VS SANADA & Ren Narita!

World Tag League has Monster Sauce back on the menu! But will Archer & Zayne be able to heat things up? Or will this Cold-Blooded, Souled Out combination put that fire out?

The teams sort out and Archer dares someone to step up. He gets Narita and the bell rings. The two circle, they tie up, and Archer SHOVES Ren down! The fans applaud, Archer eggs Ren on, but Ren shoves the ref! Archer blocks the low blow! Archer guzels Ren, but here comes Sanada! Archer guzels him, too! But Ren & Sanada kick low, CLAW the eyes, then double whip. But Archer breaks the lariats to DOUBLE CROSSBODY! The fans fire up and Archer tags Zayne. Archer scoops Zayne to SLAM him onto Sanada! Then he scoops Zayne to SLAM him onto Ren! The fans cheer while Archer laughs, and Zayne drags Ren up.

Ren CHOKES Zayne, the ref reprimands, and Ren stops. Ren runs, Zayne drops down then hurdles over! DROPKICK! The fans cheer and Zayne smiles as he stands over Ren. Zayne stomps Ren then runs to the ropes. Ren drops down but Zayne anticipates! IMPLODER KNEE DROPS! Sanada shouts at Zayne, Archer protests, the ref has to keep Archer back, but Zayne DECKS Sanada anyway. But then Sanada drags Zayne out and RAMS him into railing! Archer protests more but Sanada whips Zayne into more railing! Archer storms his way over, Sanada backs off, and Archer coaches Zayne to get up and fight.

Zayne stands, goes to the corner, but the ref still has to keep Archer back. Sanada whips Zayne into railing again! Sanada CLAWS Zayne’s face while the ref keeps Archer in his corner. Sanada stops before he gets caught, and Ren eggs Archer on. Sanada puts Zayne in the ring for Ren, he covers, TWO! Ren CHOKES Zayne, the ref reprimands and counts, Ren stops at 4. But Ren kneels on Zayne’s neck! The ref counts again, Ren steps off at 4. Ren drops an AX HANDLE, then he tags Sanada. Archer wants after Ren and he pushes past the ref! Ren is on the run but Sanada still CLAWS Zayne’s face! Archer vows to knock Ren out for all that.

Sanada TOSSES Zayne, then he distracts the ref while Ren gets a chair! Ren JAMS Zayne up! The fans boo but Ren puts Zayne in the ring. The ref gets Archer to stand down, Ren CLAWS Zayne’s face again, and Sanada stomps away in the corner. The fans rally, the ref counts, and Sanada stops at 4. Sanada tags Ren, but Zayne fires forearms! Ren CLAWS Zayne’s face again! The ref counts, Ren stops to hit Archer! Archer doesn’t even budge! Archer says Ren messed up now! But Ren pushes the ref aside so he can WHISKEY MIST?! When did Ren even take a drink?! But Archer isn’t blinded, he’s just pissed!

Archer storms in, but the ref has to stop him again! Ren grins as he CLUBS Zayne down. The fans rally for Zayne but Ren runs, only for Zayne to dodge! Ren ducks the enzigiri! Ren GERMAN SUPLEXES, but Zayne lands out! MARIPOSA! The fans fire up and Zayne crawls, hot tag to Archer! Archer storms in and he drags Ren right up! Archer whips Ren into the corner, then runs up, but Ren dodges! Archer STOMPS Ren down! Sanada runs up, Archer ROCKS him and puts him in the corner. Archer has targets on both ends and he gets running! ELBOW for Ren! ELBOW for Sanada! Another ELBOW for Ren! Another ELBOW for Sanada!

Archer fires up, and then he SPINEBUSTERS Ren! The fans cheer as Archer then drags Ren up to put him in the corner. Archer hoists Ren to the top, SMACKS him, and then lifts him with the reverse crucifix! Ren slips free, scrambles to the corner, but Archer runs up! SURPRISE! The buckle pad is taken away! Archer hits bare steel! The fans boo but Ren tags Sanada. Sanada brings Archer around, but Archer’s too big to fireman’s carry! Archer whisp Sanada but Sanada DROPKICKS the leg out! Then he DROPKICKS Archer to the ropes! Archer rebounds, but Sanada DUMPS him to the apron! Archer SMACKS Sanada back!

Archer steps in, but Sanada KICKS the rope to jam Archer up! The fans boo but Sanada brings Archer around to the drop zone. Sanada then goes up, up, and ROUDNING BODY- NO, he has to land out as Archer moves! Sanada hobbles, but he returns, only for Archer to ROCK him! Sanada FALLING LOW BLOWS! The fans boo, but then Ren BLASTS Zayne! Ren distracts the ref while Sanada gets his guitar! The fans boo again but Sanada wants to play Archer a little song. But Archer blocks the Smash Hit! Zayne DRAGS Ren outta the ring! Guzel and CHOKE- NO, Sanada flips through! And then uses the ref as a shield!

Down goes the ref and Sanada LOW BLOWS! Now KANEMARU rushes out here! The Heel Master has his whiskey, takes a swing, and Sanada stands Archer up. But Archer breaks free, WHISKEY MIST hits Sanada! The fans cheer as the plan backfires! Zayne ENZIGIRIS Kanemaru! Ren BOOTS Zayne! Archer catches Ren for the HELLICOASTER! Archer roars, runs up on Sanada, but is send into buckles! Roll-up, feet on the ropes! TWO!! Archer escapes, and he BOOTS Sanada! Then the CHOKE SLAM!! The fans fire up as now Zayne joins in! Zayne goes up, Archer lifts him, “ITADAKIMAAASU~!” BLACKOUT SAUCE!! Cover, MONSTER SAUCE WINS!

Winner: Lance Archer & Alex Zayne, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Sanada & Narita earn 0)

All the trickery the House of Torture tried blew up in their face! Now Archer & Zayne have a hot start to their run! But will they make World Tag League all elite? Will Sanada & Narita just go back to the drawing board for even more dastardly plans?

2025 World Tag League B Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman!

TMDK’s Front Man was once IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, and now with the Mighty Mullet, he looks to win those titles again. But the same goes for the Dominator & Prince of Pace! Will the United Empire conquer The Mighty in the opening round? Or will ZSJ & Oiwa get a grip on those first two points?

The teams sort out and Khan stands firm as Oiwa steps up. The bell rings as these two step up and slowly circle. They feel things out, clinch, and Khan wants a leg. Oiwa slips away before Khan can get hold and the fans applaud. The two reset and circle again. They feel things out, clinch, and Khan fights around, but Oiwa switches. Oiwa wants an arm, Khan wants a leg, the two go around, switch after switch. Oiwa headlocks, hits the takeover, but Khan headscissors. Oiwa kips free, headlocks for another takeover, but again Khan headscissors. Oiwa kips free one more time, but Khan blocks the third takeover! Khan powers out to wrench and fireman’s carry for a SLAM!

But now Oiwa headscissors! Khan powers free, the fans applaud, but here comes Callum! Oiwa narrowly dodges, and ZSJ is there to BOOT Callum! Oiwa then arm-drags Khan and has the armlock! Oiwa twists the wrist, then KICKS the arm! Oiwa clamps back on, drags Khan over, and tags ZSJ in. The fans applaud as ZSJ takes the handoff to wrench and trap the arm. Khan has the ROPEBREAK, ZSJ tags Oiwa, and Oiwa brings Khan up to wrangle him down. Oiwa drops ELBOW after ELBOW on the arm, then goes for the wristlock. Khan endures so Oiwa tags ZSJ. ZSJ stands on the arm, then gets a leg for a toehold.

ZSJ shifts right back to the arm, traps it, and TWISTS! Tag back to Oiwa and he takes the bad arm, then half nelsons the other arm. Oiwa makes the hold a cover, TWO, but Oiwa keeps the double wristlock! Tag back to ZSJ, he takes the handoff, and ZSJ steps over to trap the arm. ZSJ chicken wings the other arm, bends the fingers, then twists the arm around! Khan kicks around to have the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go but he tags Oiwa back in. Khan fires body shots, but Oiwa wrenches to WRING the arm! Tag back to ZSJ and he takes the handoff again. ZSJ wrenches, and wrenches, and wrenches, then whips corenr to corner!

ZSJ runs up, but Khan picks ZSJ up! Callum GAMANGIRIS ZSJ before the SPINEBUSTER! Callum then YANKS Oiwa down and whips him hard into railing! And then hard into more railing! Oiwa falls down while Khan stomps ZSJ! The ref reprimands the Empire, but Khan hauls ZSJ up to hammerlock the arm. Khan RAMS ZSJ into the railing! The fans rally but the ref reprimands as Khan gets some payback. Khan puts ZSJ in, covers, TWO! The fans applaud, but ZSJ clamps onto the arm. Khan pulls hair to bring ZSJ along, and he wraps the bad arm around ropes. Mongolian Chops! Khan then hops up, to sit on his throne! HMPH!

The fans applaud but the ref reprimands as Khan then pulls ZSJ’s arms! The ref counts, Khan hops down at 4 and tags Callum. Callum snapmares ZSJ, pushes him down, then fires forearm after forearm! The ref wants Callum to stop but Callum keeps pushing him away! Callum and the ref argue, Callum says he’s been using elbow and forearm. Callum then goes back to ZSJ and kicks him around. Callum eggs ZSJ on with every kick and ZSJ stands. Callum UPPERCUTS and ZSJ falls against ropes. Callum BOOTS Oiwa just because! Callum stands ZSJ back up, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! The fans cheer, but Callum SOBATS! And KICKS!

Callum swings, but into a wrench, spin, snapmare, and NECK TWIST! Then basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer while both men are down again! ZSJ crawls, hot tag to Oiwa! Oiwa whips, Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges, and then Callum BOOTS Oiwa! Oiwa RUNS Callum over! Callum kips up, but Oiwa DROPKICKS him down! Khan storms in but Oiwa DROPKICKS him, too! Jakob Austin Young gets on the apron but Oiwa BLASTS him back down! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he goes over to Callum. Oiwa brings Callum around, and hits a BIG back suplex! Then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Callum toughs it out and the fans rally up.

Oiwa drags Callum around, but Callum fights the lift. Callum CLUBS away with elbows, but Oiwa still lifts! Callum KNEES Oiwa away! Oiwa runs back up, but into a BOOT, ENZIGIRI, and SUPERKICK! Then a RIGHT HAND! But Oiwa ROLLING ELBOWS! Oiwa runs, but into a DROPKICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Tag to Khan and he runs up on Oiwa in the corner! LARIAT! Then Khan fires KNEE after KNEE down low! Khan reels Oiwa in for a HALF HATCH! Callum adds DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS outta nowhere! Cover, but ZSJ YANKS Khan back! ANKLE LOCK! Khan fights up, ZSJ UPPERCUTS again and again!

ZSJ runs, but Khan hits the SAYANAGI! And Callum basement DROPKICKS! ZSJ tumbles out, Khan waits on Oiwa. Khan BOOTS Oiwa, Callum KNEES Oiwa down! Then Khan LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Oiwa survives and the fans applaud, but Khan vows to end this. Khan drags Oiwa up, fireman’s carries, and Callum runs, only for Oiwa to slip free! Oiwa shoves Khan at Callum! Callum SWATS Oiwa’s lariat, Khan Mongolian Chops! They double whip Oiwa, but Oiwa DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as all three men are down! Callum tumbles out, Oiwa crawls for his corner, hot tag to ZSJ! ZSJ storms in and PENALTY KICKS Khan! Cover, TWO!

ZSJ stays fired up and the fans are with him! ZSJ scoops but Khan fights it! Khan wrenches, but ZSJ turns sayanagi into COBRA TWIST! Khan powers out to the SLEEPER! ZSJ sits down, but he stands back up! Wrench and IRON OCTOPUS! The fans fire up while Khan endures, but Khan IRON CLAWS from that position! Then KATAGATAME! But ZSJ arm-drags free! Cover, TWO!! Khan escapes the cradle and the fans fire up! ZSJ runs up to BOOT Khan! And UPPERCUT! But Khan BOOTS back! Then he dodges the boot to REVERSE STO! The fans fire up while ZSJ sputters. Khan drags ZSJ up with the IRON CLAW SLEEPER!

Khan makes it a Bow ‘n’ Arrow Rack! Khan bends ZSJ, then spins for the SWINGING SLAM! Cover, Oiwa breaks it! Callum ROUNDHOUSES Oiwa outta the ring! Then PLANCH- NO, Oiwa dodges! ROLLING ELBOW! The fans fire up, Khan runs, and IRON SLINGBLADE!? Khan then aims as ZSJ sputters. ZSJ rises again, into the IRON- NO, ZSJ catches the right hand to wrench and PELE! But the IRON RIGHT finds its mark!! Then Khan suplexes, but Oiwa waistlocks Khan! ZSJ is free, he BOOTS Khan into the GERMAN SUPLEX! ZSJ jackknife bridges, Oiwa CLOBBERS Callums as he gets in! TMDK WINS!

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

It was a rather fast ‘n’ furious finish, but in the end, The Mighty Don’t Kneel! Will ZSJ & Oiwa stand tall as the front men of the B Block? Can the United Empire still conquer the World Tag League?

2025 World Tag League B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Phantasmo VS Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura!

Hontai meets Hontai as The Ace & The Headbanga face The Roughneck & Heat Storm in their first round match. Will Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Road lead him to the tag team championships? Or will there be a Paradigm Shift up ahead?

Tanahashi takes off the jacket, and the fans applaud the abs like always. ELP shows off his abs, and the fans also applaud. The four shake hands to show there is sportsmanship here and the fans applaud. The teams sort out, and it is ELP and Shota to start. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” but Yuya does get the “SHO~TA! SHO~TA!” fans to join in. The two circle, tie up, and ELP wrenches to a hammerlock then headlock. Shota powers ELP down to a knee and pops out the back. Shota headlocks, but ELP powers up and out. Shota RUNS ELP over, the fans applaud, and Shota brushes himself off. Things speed up, but Shota avoids the dropkick!

ELP avoids a basement dropkick, but Shota sweeps to cover, ONE! ELP feints high and rolls Shota up, TWO! Shota arm-drags, ELP headscissors, Shota kips free. ELP headlocks for the takeover, Shota headscissors, ELP kips free. Dropkicks cancel out, both men handspring, and the fans applaud. Shota and ELP reset, step up, but then Tanahashi offers the tag. ELP points to Tanahashi, the fans cheer, and the chant for “TA-NA-H’SHI!” begins. ELP obliges and he tags in The Ace! The fans cheer, and Shota tags in Yuya. Shota gets fans to cheer “YU~YA! YU~YA!” but the “TA-NA-H’SHI!” is still stronger as the two circle.

The two tie up, are in a deadlock, but Tanahashi manages to slip around and waistlock. Yuya wrenches out to wristlock, but Tanahashi wrenches back to wristlock and full nelsons. Yuya fights and the grip is not yet in. Yuya then switches with Tanahashi, and now Tanahashi fights to keep the grip open. Tanahashi switches back, but Yuya fights again! Yuya switches back, Tanahashi again fights, and Tanahashi uses his leg for leverage. Tanahashi switches back with Yuya, wrenches and wristlocks, and the fans applaud the exchange. Yuya rolls, wrenches, wrenches, hammerlocks, and headlocks to spin, hammerlock, and snapmare!

Yuya has the armlock and the fans applaud! Tanahashi endures, fights up, and goes to a corner. The ref calls the break, Yuya lets go slowly, and he pats Tanahashi on the shoulder. The fans applaud the clean break, but then Yuya runs back in! Tanahashi ELBOWS him away, goes up the corner, CROSSBODY! Direct hit and the fans cheer Tanahashi’s air guitar. Tanahashi tosses it, ELP fumbles it but puts it aside for now. Tanahashi stands Yuya up to fire a BODY BLOW! Tanahashi then whips corner to corner, but Yuya stops himself! Yuya ROCKS Tanahashi, whips, but Tanahashi reverses! Yuya goes up and over!

Yuya arm-drags Tanahashi! And DROPKICKS the leg out! The fans rally as Yuya hurries to DROPKICK the leg again! Yuya BLASTS ELP off the apron, then tags in Shota. Shota stomps Tanahashi’s leg, then stomps again. And again! ELP & Jado coach Tanahashi but Shota drops ELBOW after ELBOW! Shota eggs on Tanahashi and the fans rally up. Tanahashi snarls and stands up to fire forearms! Shota eggs him on, so Tanahashi fires more shots. Shota DROPKICKS the leg! Shota stomps Tanahashi to the ropes, then tags Yuya. Yuya brings Tanahashi around, stomps the leg, then GROUND DRAGON SCREWS!

The fans rally for Tanahashi while Yuya eggs him on. ELP gets an “A C E! A C E!” chant going for The Ace, but Yuya stands Tanahashi up. Yuya fires a forearm, but Tanahashi fires back! They go forearm for forearm and the fans rally up! But Yuya kicks the bad leg again! Tanahashi falls over, Yuya tags Shota, and Shota swings on ELP! ELP backs off, but Shota DDTS Tanahashi’s foot! Shota stands Tanahashi up, whips him to a corner, then runs in. Shota blocks a boot, and DRAGON SCREWS the leg! Tanahashi leans against the ropes but Shota just grabs the leg again, DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi falls, Shota steps through the leg and has the STF!

The fans rally as Tanahashi endures, but ELP stomps Shota down! Shota frowns but he tags Yuya. The fans rally as Yuya turns Tanahashi over, HALF CRAB! Tanahashi endures as Yuya pulls on the leg, and the fans rally again as Tanahashi pushes up! Tanahashi reaches out, fights forward, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud and Yuya lets go. Yuya brings Tanahashi around, but Tanahashi fires forearms! Yuya TRIPS Tanahashi, but Tanahashi kicks him away now! Tanahashi rises, but Yuya ELBOWS him! Yuya whips Tanahashi to ropes, but Tanahashi comes back with a FLYING FOREARM! The fans rally again while both men are down!

Tanahashi crawls, reaches out, hot tag to ELP! ELP goes up and leaps, but Yuya gets under! So ELP HANDSPRING KICKS Shota! And he ELBOWS Yuya! QUEBRADA, but Yuya gets under! ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges, springboards to CROSSBODY! Then somersault to PLANCHA onto Shota! The fans fire up as ELP goes up, springboard SWANTON BOMB! Then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Yuya survives but ELP kips up and the fans fire up again. ELP drags Yuya up, straitjackets, and torture racks! ELP calls his shot, but Yuya slips free! Yuya reels ELP in but ELP fights the saido with elbows! ELP CHOPS Yuya, runs, but Yuya reels him in for a BIG back suplex!

Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Yuya tags Shota, Shota puts ELP in a corner, and they double whip ELP. Shota runs up to ELBOW ELP! Yuya runs up to SPLASH! Feed to an ELBOW, then Yuya CHOPS! They DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX, but ELP lands out! ELP goes up and over to dodge Shota, then feints high to go under Yuya! ELP crawls but Yuya grabs a leg! ELP ENZIGIRIS free! Shota hurries to trip ELP! But ELP BOOTS Shota into Yuya! Hot tag to Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Tanahashi fires off his signature strike combo! Then he scoop SLAMS Shota, and he intercepts Yuya! Scoop and SLAM!

Tanahashi goes up, DOUBLE SUNSET SENTON! The fans fire up with Tanahashi as he rises again! Tanahashi waits on Shota, then he runs, to SLING- NO, Shota ducks the slingblade, DROPKICKS the leg, then hooks Tanahashi up for a SHIN BREAKER! Shota holds on, but Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS free! Shota staggers, comes back, but Tanahashi blocks a kick! DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up as Tanahashi then ties up the legs! ELP intercepts Yuya with a takedown, and he ties the legs up! STEREO TEXAS CLOVERHOLDS!! The fans cheer as Yuya and Shota both endure! Shota powers up, reaches out, but Tanahashi sits deep on the hold!

ELP also sits deep on the hold with Yuya! Shota powers up and gets the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Tanahashi & ELP let Shota & Yuya go. ELP brings Yuya outside, then Tanahashi tags ELP in. They drag Shota up, double whip, but Shota crisscrosses them into each other! Shota runs, but into a SUDDEN DEATH! Tanahashi adds the SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi & ELP go to the corners, climb up, but Yuya anchors Tanahashi! Shota hurries up after ELP! Yuya DUMPS Tanahashi down, and Shota SUPERPLEXES ELP! Then Yuya hits a FROG SPLASH! Cover, Tanahashi breaks it! Power & Glory but no victory and the fans fire up!

Tanahashi fires forearms and ELBOWS on Shota & Yuya on repeat! Tanahashi roars, runs, but into DOUBLE DROPKICKS! Shota & Yuya fire up, Shota runs up on ELP in the corner, BLINDSIDE KNEE! ELP flops down, Shota runs up again, STRIKE KNEE! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and the fans fire up! Shota waits on ELP to rise up, and Yuya keeps Tanahashi on the outside. Shota runs, but ELP slips through to ghost pin! TWO!! Shota escapes, but ELP steps over! LA MAGISTROL! TWO!! ELP clamps right back on, has the arms, but Shota fights the backslide! Shota powers his way to switching the hooks! But ELP rolls through the backslide!

Shota hooks a leg, SECOND- CRADLE! TWO!! Shota escapes again and the fans fire up! SUDDEN DEATH, and then the arms are tucked in! But Shota slips free to short arm LARIAT!! Yuya throws Tanahashi aside to join Shota. Yuya stands ELP up with a full nelson, Shota runs, ROUGHNECK LARIAT DRAGON SUPLEX COMBO!! Then Yuya PNANCHAS back onto Tanahashi! Shota scoops, SECOND CHAPTER!! Cover, Shota & Yuya win!

Winner: Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Tanahashi & ELP earn 0)

After a hard fought match, the young upstarts get an upset victory over Tanahashi & ELP! Shota then asks the music be turned down. Shota assures Tanahashi that he can leave Hontai in his hands. Shota then deeply bows, and Tanahashi looks to Yuya. Tanahashi bows deeply in response to Shota, but what of Yuya? Will the title of Hontai leader get in the way of going for the tag team titles? Can #ACELP still make a run at the top?

2025 World Tag League B Block: David Finlay & Hiromu Takahashi VS OSKAR & Yuto-Ice!

The alliance between War Dogs and Unaffiliated continues to be put to the test. Tensions were high in yesterday’s Six Man Tag, are the Knock Out Brothers getting big egos just from holding gold? Or will the Savage King & Ticking Timebomb put these young pups in their place?

The teams sort out and Hiromu strolls right up to Yuto, so Yuto gets right up in Hiromu’s face! Red Shoes has them calm down, but Hiromu and Yuto start for their teams anyway. The bell rings, they rush up, and Hiromu dodges to CHOP! Yuto laughs that off, but then Hiromu dodges again! Yuto blocks a chop to KICK! Yuto eggs Hiromu on, so Hiromu CHOPS again! Yuto laughs more and KICKS! Hiromu wobbles, drops to a knee, and Yuto eggs him on more. Hiromu gets in Yuto’s face, so Yuto ROCKS him! Yuto runs, but Hiromu dodges! Finlay gets as cheap shot in before Hiromu DROPKICKS the legs out!

Red Shoes reprimands but Hiromu has him check Oskar. Oskar protests but Hiromu tags Finlay and they drag Yuto up. They double whip Yuto to DOUBLE ELBOW him down! The fans applaud, and then Finlay scoops Hiromu to SLAM him onto Yuto! Finlay flexes and the fans applaud. Hiromu is a little upset but he lets it go. Finlay covers, Red Shoes says no, he didn’t see the tag. Finlay says yes, they tagged! Finlay calls to Hiromu that they gotta switch back and show Red Shoes the tag. Hiromu steps inside, he tags Finlay, and now Finlay stomps Yuto. Finlay wrenches, Yuto fires a forearm, but Finlay YANKS the bad arm!

Yuto fires a forearm, Finlay YANKS, YANKS, YANKS the arm! Finlay then isolates the arm to drop a KNEE on it! The fans applaud, and Finlay brings Yuto up to UPPERCUT! Yuto stumbles to the corner, Finlay stomps a mudhole into him, then digs his heel in! Red Shoes counts, Finlay stops at 4, and Hiromu says it’s all good. Finlay steps on Yuto’s leg, tags Hiromu, and Hiromu brings Yuto up to CHOP! Yuto is stinging as he goes to another corner, but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Yuto sits down, Hiromu mocks Yuto’s gangsta style, and runs back in, but into a BOOT! Oskar rushes in and BLASTS Finlay!

The fans are torn as Yuto then rains down forearms on Hiromu! Yuto calls to Oskar for a boot. Oskar puts his foot up on the corner, and Yuto sends Hiromu right into it! Tag to Oskar and the fans cheer the giant German stepping over the top rope. Oskar stomps Hiromu, swings on Finlay, and Finlay wants to throw something but thinks better of it. Oskar storms up on Hiromu, stands him up, and CHOPS! Hiromu is stinging as he stumbles away, and the fans rally as Oskar stalks him. Hiromu CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Oskar eggs him on. Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS, but then Oskar CHOPS and Hiromu falls back!

Oskar has Hiromu in the corner, stomps a mudhole into him, then runs up to stomp him down! The fans rally, Oskar tags Yuto, and Yuto runs to swing on Finlay! Finlay gets clear so Yuto SPITS at him! Yuto then goes to Hiromu, and Hiromu CHOPS! Yuto KICKS Hiromu to the corner! Yuto KICKS, KICKS, KICKS, then SOBATS! Yuto does the gangsta, and “BOMBACLAT!” DOUBLE KNEES! Hiromu flops down, Yuto sits him up but he’s deadweight. Yuto kicks Hiromu around but Finlay, Gedo and the fans rally up. Yuto smirks and stomps Hiromu down. Tag to Oskar and Oskar storms up on Hiromu. Oskar double guzels and lifts!

But Hiromu SMOTHERS Oskar with a bearhug to the face! Oskar flails as Hiromu holds on, and he RAMS Hiromu into the corner! The fans rally, Oskar runs in again, but Hiromu dodges! Oskar hits buckles, hot tag to Finlay! Finlay uses Hiromu as a weapon to RAM Oskar! Then Finlay BLASTS Yuto! Finlay SPITS at Yuto, then runs to UPPERCUT Oskar! Finlay weaponizes Hiromu again for a CANNONBALL! Direct hit, and then Finlay lifts Hiromu into the Canadian Rack! CANADIAN HAMMER SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Oskar survives and the fans cheer. The fans bark with Finlay as he reels Oskar in, but that’s a lot to lift!

Finlay CLUBS away on Oskar, tries again, but Finlay still can’t do it! Oskar BACKDROPS, but Finlay sunset slips it! Oskar stays up, YANKS Finlay to his feet, but Finlay breaks free to ROCK Oskar! Finlay runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Oskar scoops for a SLAM! The fans fire up while Finlay flounders away! Oskar lines up the shot, runs corner to corner, and ELBOWS Finlay! Then he shoves Finlay down, runs, and drops the LEG, brother! Cover, TWO! Finlay survives and the fans applaud. Oskar frowns but he vows to end this now! Finlay stands, Oskar clamps on the SLEEPER! Finlay flails and reaches out as Oskar squeezes tight!

The fans rally but Finlay is fading! Finlay sits down, Gedo and the fans rally even harder, and Finlay fights up! BIG JAWBREAKER! Oskar flounders, Finlay grabs him again, and suplexes?! Oskar is still too big, and he suplexes back! Finlay slips free to ROCK Oskar! ROLLING- NO, Oskar dodges to clamp on the NIGHTMARE SLEEPER! But Finlay manages the BIG back suplex! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oskar and Finlay crawl, hot tags to Hiromu and Yuto! Hiromu SHOTGUNS Yuto down! Hiromu digs his boot into Yuto and taunts him in return. Hiromu stops to then SLAP, SLAP, and SLAP Yuto!

Hiromu eggs Yuto on, and Yuto BOOTS Hiromu down! Then SMACKS him! And STOMPS him! Yuto-Ice is cold-blooded, but Hiromu rises up. Yuto kicks Hiromu and eggs him on now. Hiromu stands to get in Yuto’s face, and then CHOPS! And CHOPS! Yuto pulls Hiromu’s hair to tell him hit harder! Hiromu dares Yuto to try, so Yuto CHOPS! Hiromu CHOPS! Yuto KICKS! Hiromu snarls and CHOPS back! Yuto KICKS again! Hiromu stays up, but Yuto gets in his face. Yuto eggs Hiromu on, Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Yuto shakes his head and comes back to KICK! KICK! And KICK!! Hiromu refuses to fall!

The fans fire up as Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS, then fires off a furious flurry! Yuto turns things around to fire body blows and knees! ROUNDHOUSE!! Hiromu slumps down, Oskar steps in! Feed to the scoop, and then the BACKBREAKER and KNEE!! Cover, FINLAY BREAKS IT! The fans cheer, but now Oskar whips Finlay! Finlay stops himself and BOOTS Oskar! Finlay then dropkicks Oskar’s legs out! Oskar tumbles out, Finlay hauls Hiromu up, and Finlay BOMBS Hiromu out onto Oskar!! The fans fire up again as Hiromu flounders around. Finlay fires LARIAT after LARIAT on Hiromu, then mocks the gangsta.

Yuto KICKS, KICKS, KICKS, KICKS! Yuto flips Finlay off and SPITS on him, so Finlay turns things around to LARIAT, LARIAT, LARIAT! And SPIT! The fans fire up as Yuto SLAPS and SMACKS and KICKS away on Finlay in the corner! Finlay slumps down, the fans rally up, and Yuto snarls. Yuto snapmares Finlay, runs, but Finlay avoids the Penalty Kick! Finlay ROCKS Yuto, ROLLING- NO, Yuto ROCKS Finlay back! Then AMBI- NO, Finlay catches Yuto to an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Finlay calls to Hiromu! Hiromu roars and drags Yuto up! Fireman’s carry, TIMEBOMB 1.5!! Cover, TWO!!

Yuto survives but Hiromu roars and the fans fire up again! Hiromu drags Yuto up for another fireman’s carry, but Yuto DIGS at Hiromu’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands, Yuto stops at 4, and Yuto DECKS Finlay! Yuto runs up to KNEE Hiromu low! And then BUZZSAW! Hiromu falls over, Yuto covers, TWO!!! Hiromu survives and the fans are thunderous! Yuto roars and goes to the corner. Yuto waits on Hiromu, for the ICE- HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! The fans fire up as Hiromu hits first! Hiromu calls to Finlay, crawls his way over, but Oskar YANKS Finlay down! Oskar then RAMS Finlay into railing!

The fans are torn as Oskar glares at Hiromu. Oskar storms in but Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Oskar DECKS Hiromu! Oskar calls to Yuto, time to end it! They get Hiromu up, scoop and gut wrench, but Hiromu slips free! Hiromu shoves Oskar into Yuto, then SUPERKICKS Yuto! Oskar runs up, but Hiromu DUMPS him out! Yuto staggers over, he ROCKS Hiromu, then suplexes! Hiromu slips free, and Finlay sneaks the tag! Hiromu storms up but AMBITION RIGHT takes him down! Yuto aims, CRUELLA on Hiromu!! But Finlay snatches Yuto into a high stack, SAVAGE TIMEBOMBS WIN!!

Winners: David Finlay & Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Knock Out Brothers earn 0)

The Savage King uses impeccable strategy to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat! And with that, he and Hiromu have a win over THE IWGP Tag Team Champion! Oskar seethes and Yuto throws a fit, but will the Knock Out Brothers make sure no one gets one over on them again?

As for Finlay & Hiromu, they regroup, and Gedo fans Hiromu off given he’s still down and out. Finlay gets the mic to say, “Fujisawa~! Not bad for our first tag team outing. What do you say, people?” The fans cheer, and Finlay continues, “Here’s the thing. There’s a million ways I could’ve beaten KOB, but being the incredible leader that I am, I chose mercy. But I promise you this: To every other team that we face in this tournament, I guarantee they will not get that same treatment.” The fans cheer that, and Finlay says he knows Hiromu has a busy schedule, so he’ll just ask a few questions.

First question: How does Hiromu feel? The fans have a good laugh as Hiromu only manages a moan and a groan. Finlay says Hiromu says, “Chou genki <Super good.>” The fans applaud, and Finlay says second question: Out of all the tag team partners he’s had in his entire career, who is his favorite? Another groan, and Finlay takes that to mean Hiromu said Gedo. Gedo is his favorite tag partner! Well, Finlay did hope so, but now to the final question: Who is winning this year’s World Tag League? Hiromu lets out one more groan, and Finlay says that means it’s Finlay & Hiromu! The fans cheer that!

Finlay says the people came all the way from wherever the heck just to see the two of them. Does Hiromu have a parting message for them? Hiromu coughs and sputters, so Finlay takes that to mean, “Ganbarimasu! <I’ll do my best!>” The fans cheer again and Finlay throws up the Too Sweet. If this is how they are after just one round, will the Savage Timebombs even survive to the end? Or will nothing stop them from taking their shot at the titles?

Here are the B Block standings!

David Finlay & Hiromu Takahashi: 1-0, 2 points
Lance Archer & Alex Zayne: 1-0, 2 points
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura: 1-0, 2 points
Oskar & Yuto-Ice: 0-1, 0 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Phantasmo: 0-1, 0 points
Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman: 0-1, 0 points
Sanada & Ren Narita: 0-1, 0 points

My Thoughts:

A great first round for B Block in the World Tag League. Great to see Monster Sauce back in action, meaning Lance Archer won’t be stateside for a minute, aka he can’t help the Don Callis Family in anything on Full Gear tonight. But great for them to also win their return match over Sanada & Narita. I kinda hope Monster Sauce does really well, but this is a pretty stacked block. ZSJ & Oiwa got a great win off Khan & Callum, and then to my surprise, Shota & Yuya get a win off Tanahashi & ELP. Granted, Shota pinned ELP, but still. And even more intriguing is how the exchange after went. Shota bowed respect while still acting like he’d be the de facto captain of the team. That could spark something for Shota and Yuya on the other side of the tournament, maybe even dysfunction during the tournament.

And great stuff in the main event as Yuto & Oskar were giving Finlay quite a lot of attitude and disrespect despite him being in charge of War Dogs. Finlay weaponizing Hiromu so recklessly makes me wonder if it was payback for Hiromu doing the same to Gedo. A great win for them over the champs, they might not even need the tournament win since they can cash in some golden tickets. But also a hilarious promo from Finlay & Hiromu, still adding a hint of passive aggressive behavior in case they decide the alliance isn’t working out. Either way, I would expect KOB and Finlay-Hiromu to be top contenders in this block with this kind of motivation.

My Score: 9/10