Another round for Ace and Ice!

Of all the teams to struggle in World Tag League, Tanahashi & Phantasmo and the Knock Out Brothers are at the bottom! But who trumps who in Aomori?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current B Block standings!

David Finlay & Hiromu Takahashi: 2-0, 4 points
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 2-0, 4 points
Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura: 1-1, 2 points
Sanada & Ren Narita: 1-1, 2 points
Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman: 1-1, 2 points
Lance Archer & Alex Zayne: 1-1, 2 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Phantasmo: 0-2, 0 points
Oskar & Yuto-Ice: 0-2, 0 points

2025 World Tag League B Block: David Finlay & Hiromu Takahashi VS Lance Archer & Alex Zayne!

The Savage King & Ticking Timebomb might be the most dysfunctional team in World Tag League this year, and yet they are 2-0! Will they still be able to use- er, uh, work with each other? Or will the Monster Sauce burn them both?

The teams sort out and Hiromu calls out Archer!? The fans fire up for that, but Archer pretends he can’t see or hear Hiromu. The two step up, the fans rally up, and the bell rings! Hiromu then tags out to Finlay! Hiromu takes a jog up the ramp while he tells Finlay, “Dozo <Go ahead>.” Finlay steps in and the fans rally up, “Let’s Go, Finlay!” Archer talks trash, but Finlay fires forearm after forearm! Finlay runs, RAMS Archer, but Archer doesn’t budge! Finlay runs again, but Archer RUNS him over! Archer drags Finlay up, puts him in the corner, and CHOPS! Finlay sputters and Archer tells Gedo to shut up.

Archer whips Finlay corner to corner, then runs in, ELBOW! That’s one-ever, and Archer runs to ELBOW Finlay again! That’s two-ever! Archer runs, but Finlay dodges three-ever! Roll-up, TWO! Basement UPPERCUT! The fans fire up, Finlay BLASTS Zayne, and Hiromu tags in. The dysfunctional duo double whip but Archer blocks! Archer breaks free, Finlay & Hiromu duck double lariats, but then Archer breaks through Tendedero! DOUBLE CROSSBODY! The fans fire up and Archer tags Zayne. Zayne scoops Finlay to SLAM him! Then Archer scoops Zayne to SLAM him onto Hiromu! And scoop SLAM onto Finlay!

Archer scoops Hiromu, and SLAMS him onto Finlay! Zayne covers, TWO! Hiromu survives and the fans rally up, but Zayne dares him to tag when the corner is empty. Zayne then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer, but then Zayne BITES Hiromu’s finger! Zayne grins as he gets away with it, then he drags Hiromu up. Hiromu CHOPS, Zayne wrenches, repeat! Hiromu body shots, and body shots, but Zayne ROCKS him with a forearm. Zayne whips, but Hiromu RANAS! The fans fire up as Zayne flounders! Hiromu crawls, but Zayne drags him away. Zayne ducks an elbow, Hiromu blocks a kick, but Zayne breaks free to CHOP Hiromu down!

The fans rally up and Zayne brings Hiromu up. Finlay and Gedo coach Hiromu but Zayne suplexes. Hiromu fights it, so Zayne KNEES low! Another suplex, but Hiromu slips free! And slips under! Hot tag to Finlay! Finlay dodges Zayne to poke his eye, stomp his foot, and throat chop! Finlay whips Zayne to a corner, UPPERCUTS, then barks. The fans bark along as Finlay LARIATS in the corner again and again! Finlay goes all the way to TEN, then he suplexes, but Zayne lands out! ENZIGIRI! Zayne dodges, scoops, and Archer runs in! BOOSTED BAJA BLAST! Cover, TWO! Finlay survives and the fans rally up.

Zayne fires elbows, then mule kicks! Zayne runs, but Finlay clinches! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! A bit double-edged on Finlay’s leg, but the fans rally as he crawls. Hot tag to Hiromu! He hurries to drag Zayne back, but Zayne hops and hops, hot tag to Archer! Hiromu freaks out and Archer laughs! Hiromu DROPKICKS the leg! Then DROPKICKS the other leg! Then he runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Archer doesn’t budge! Archer guzels Hiromu, CHOKE- NO, Hiromu breaks free! Hiromu dodges, slides out of the ring, and eggs Archer on! Archer is annoyed, but then Finlay BLINDSIDES Archer!

Finlay & Hiromu mug Archer, Zayne storms over, but Finlay throat chops! Finlay sends Zayne into railing while Archer ROCKS Hiromu! Finlay CLOBBERS Zayne, but Archer CLOBBERS Finlay! Hiromu jumps onto Archer for a SLEEPER! The ring count starts, but Hiromu is a backpack as Archer walks around. Archer tells the Young Lions to bring out the steps, and Zane Jay quickly fetches them from under the ring and sets them up. The count is 10 of 20 but Archer climbs the steps to the apron. Archer THROWS Hiromu in at 15 and the fans applaud. Archer snarls, but HIromu DROPKICKS the legs! Then SUPERKICKS!

Hiromu runs, but Archer LARIATS from his knees! And then he drags Hiromu up with the guzel, CHOKE SLAM! Cover, Finlay breaks it! The fans fire up, Zayne TOSSES Finlay, then Archer CHOKE SLAMS Hiromu again! Zayne PLANCHAS, but Finlay dodges, and he breaks another cover! The fans fire up, Zayne and Finlay fire forearms, then Zayne kicks! Zayne whips, Finlay grabs ropes, and Finlay dodges to LARIAT Zayne up and out! Archer runs up, but Finlay DUMPS him out! Finlay BLASTS Archer, then he drags Hiromu up! Finlay lifts Hiromu to POWERBOMB him out onto Monster Sauce! But they catch him!

Finlay PLANCHAS, but Monster Sauce moves aside! Archer then grabs Finlay, APRON CHOKE SLAM! Zayne puts Hiromu back in, Archer tags him in, and Zayne climbs up. “ITADAKIMASU~!” Archer lifts Zayne, for the BLACKOUT SAUCE BOMB!! Cover, Monster Sauce wins!!

Winners: Lance Archer & Alex Zayne, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Finlay & Hiromu earn 0)

The one time the dysfunction was at a low, Hiromu & Finlay fail! Will they be able to figure things out before it gets any worse? Or is this a sign that the Monster Sauce is ready for the main course?

2025 World Tag League B Block: Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura VS Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman!

The Roughneck vows to lead Hontai into the new era, and it’s hard to get a read on how Heat Storm feels about that. But can they both focus on overcoming their common rivals? Or will they be conquered by the United Empire?

The teams sort out and Callum steps up. Yuya and Shota discuss it, and Shota steps back. Callum gives Yuya a sporting smack on the chest, and the bell rings. The fans rally as Yuya steps up, and Callum dares him to do something. They circle, feel things out, and Callum give a testing kick. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Yuya wrenches to a hammerlock, then floats to a headlock. Callum powers up but can’t power out as Yuya grinds the hold! Yuya brings Callum down, but Callum fights up. Callum pries at the hold but Yuya puts it on tighter. Callum pulls hair, the ref reprimands, but Callum wrenches to a wristlock.

Yuya rolls, wrenches back, and wrenches again, hammerlock to headlock and back again, then snapmare! Ghost pin, TWO! Callum escapes, but Yuya headlocks again! Callum powers up and out, Yuya goes up, CROSSBODY! The fans cheer and Yuya stands over Callum. Yuya brings Callum up, puts him in the corner, and tags Shota. Shota runs up on Khan, Khan gets away, Yuya ROCKS Callum. Shota kicks low, whips Callum to ropes, then ELBOWS him down! Cover, ONE, and the fans applaud. Shota stalks Callum, drags him up, and UPPERCUTS! Shota UPPERCUTS again, and again, then whips, but Callum wrenches to SOBAT!

Callum runs to basement DROPKICK Shota, then he runs to BOOT Yuya off the apron! Khan is there to whip Yuya into railing! Yuya hobbles away, Khan kicks him down, and Callum goes over to Shota. Callum pulls Shota’s hair, the ref counts, and Callum stops. But then Callum pulls hair again! He lets go at 4, then KICKS Shota in the back! Callum argues with the ref, then brushes him aside to tag in Khan. Khan stands on Shota’s leg, then on Shota’s stomach, before he drags Shota up. Khan bumps Shota off buckles, Mongolian Chops again and again and again, then hops up onto his throne! HMPH! The fans applaud but the ref reprimands, especially as Khan pulls Shota’s arms!

Callum borrows the camera so he can flip Shota off, then he tags in. Callum runs to BLAST Yuya, Khan CLUBS Shota, then Callum brings Shota around. Snapmare, and KNEE DROP on the arm! Shota writhes, Callum pulls hair and has Shota in a stretch. Khan joins in with stomps, the ref reprimands, and they stop at 4. Callum BOOTS Yuya back down! Callum drags Shota up, reels him in, and whips him into the corner. Tag to Khan, Khan scuffs Shota, but Shota kicks back from below! Khan grabs that leg but Shota stands up to fire forearms on Khan and Callum! But Khan Mongolian Chops Shota back down!

Khan TOSSES Shota out, Callum RAMS him into railing! Khan distracts the ref while Jakob Austin Young RAMS Shota into apron, then railing, then back into the apron! Jakob puts Shota back in, Khan drags him to a cocky cover, TWO! Shota snarls and the fans rally up, but Khan stays calm. Khan drags Shota up and scoops him, but Shota slips free! Shota CHOPS! Khan swings, Shota dodges and CHOPS! And CHOPS! He blocks Mongolian Chops to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! Khan fakes the Mongolian to kick a leg and UPPERCUT! Shota staggers, Khan whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up!

Shota and Khan crawl for their corners, hot tag to Yuya! The fans fire up with Yuya as he goes up and AX HANDLES Khan! Callum runs in but gets a HIP TOSS! Khan kicks and whips but Yuya reverses, to then SPLASH and BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! The fans rally, Yuya fires up, and Yuya waits on Khan. Khan rises but Yuya reels him in, only for Khan to fight the lift with punches! Khan goes to run but Yuya reels him in! Khan IRON CLAWS to fight the lift! Yuya breaks free, but Khan ducks the haymaker to slip around and REVERSE STO! The fans rally up and Khan rolls to tag in Callum. Callum brings Yuya up, and KICKS!

Yuya staggers to the ropes, but Callum talks trash. Yuya CHOPS in return, so Callum KICKS again! Callum brings Yuya up and around to fire knee after knee! Yuya wobbles, but Callum eggs him on. Yuya DECKS Callum! The fans rally up, Yuya CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Callum at the ropes! Yuya whips, Callum grabs ropes, and he ROUNDHOUSES in return! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum crawls to cover, TWO! Yuya is still in this and the fans rally back up. Callum looms over Yuya, drags him up, and brings him in for the CURSE OF THE- NO, Yuya slips free! And he slips around, backslide! TWO!

Yuya keeps hold of Callum with the cording holds, but Callum reaches out! Yuya rolls Callum, DEAD- NO, Callum turns the suplex into a cradle, TWO!! Yuya still has the hold! The fans fire up as the two struggle, but Khan gets in! SLEEPER on Yuya! But Shota SHOTGUNS Khan! Callum BOOTS Shota, CHOPS Yuya, and runs, but into DOUBLE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Shota shouts to Yuya! They go to the corner, Yuya hot tags Shota! Shota drags Callum up, he and Yuya double whip corner to corner, then Shota UPPERCUTS! Yuya SPLASHES! Feed to an ELBOW! Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Then they DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Shota covers, TWO!

Callum survives and the fans fire up, Yuya BLAST Khan off the apron! Shota brings Callum up to bump off buckles in the neutral corner. Shota calls to Yuya, then he hoists Callum up top. Shota climbs, as does Yuya! The fans rally, but Khan CLUBS Shota! Then he ROCKS Yuya! Yuya falls to apron then floor! Callum HEADBUTTS Shota, Khan puts Shota in the Tree of Woe! WOE STOMPS from Callum! The fans rally while Shota writhes and sputters. Khan drags Shota up, whips him corner to corner, and LARIATS! SAYANAGI into PENALTY KICK! Cover, Yuya breaks it! The fans fire up again as Yuya fires off on The Empire!

Yuya CHOPS and runs, but into DOUBLE BOOTS! Callum drags Shota up and feeds him to Khan’s fireman’s carry! But Shota slips free to shove Khan into Callum! ELBOW for Khan, ELBOW for Callum, then a PELE for Callum! Shota roars and runs, but into the fireman’s carry! IMPERIAL DROP!! Cover, YUYA BREAKS IT! It was a close call but the fans fire up as Yuya makes the save! Khan and Yuya trade shots, then Yuya ROCKS and DROPKICKS Khan! Khan is back to IRON SLINGBLADE?! Callum goes to a corner, he fires up as the fans rally, and he lines up a shot on Shota. Callum runs in, but Shota avoids the stmops!

Shota slips around, HALF ‘N’ HALF! Khan is up, Shota LARIATS him down! Callum spins Shota around, but Shota blocks the roundhouse! Shota ROCKS Callum, Callum roars, but Shota HEADBUTTS! Shota runs, but into the ROUNDHOUSE! Shota rebounds, but into a JUMP KNEE!! Callum roars, lines up the shot, JUMPING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, EMPIRE WINS!

Winners: Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Yuya earn 0)

The Second Chapter hits another road bump, and now he and Yuya are 1-2. Can they still prove Hontai is in good hands? Will the United Empire still conquer the World Tag League?

2025 World Tag League B Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS SANADA & Ren Narita!

At this moment, “The Chin & The Mullet” stand as the only 2-0 team, but now they’re up against two Cold-Blooded, Souled-Out Snakes. Since The Mighty Don’t Kneel, will they stand atop the block? Or will Sanada & Narita drag them down to earth?

TMDK knows what to expect from the House of Torture, so ZSJ & Oiwa rush Sanada & Ren first! The fans cheer, the bell rings, and ZSJ TOSSES Sanada. Oiwa whips Ren, Ren reverses, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Ren! The fans cheer again and Oiwa suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stomps Ren, drags him up, and bumps him off buckles. ZSJ digs his boot in while Oiwa stomps a mudhole. The ref reprimands, TMDK stops, and Oiwa tags ZSJ. ZSJ cravats Ren, spins him to a facelock, then snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! ZSJ drag Ren up, tags Oiwa, and TMDK mugs Ren more. Oiwa wrenches and wrenches and whips, but Ren reverses to CLAW Oiwa’s eyes!

Ren whips Oiwa into bare buckles! Sanada took the pad away in an instant and Oiwa writhes! ZSJ runs in, Ren kicks him, then sends him into the bare buckles! Sanada drags Oiwa out and whips him hard into railing! Then Ren does the same with ZSJ! Things move into the crowd and the fans boo as Sanada SMACKS Oiwa off chairs! Ren does the same with ZSJ on the other side, then JAMS ZSJ up with a chair! Sanada brings Oiwa back to ringside, just go to another section! And he SMACKS Oiwa off another chair! Sanada paces while Ren distracts the ref. This lets Sanada CLAW Oiwa’s face while he drags him back to ringside.

Sanada puts Oiwa in, Ren covers, TWO! Another cover, but it’s also a CHOKE! The ref reprimands, then counts, and Ren stops at 4. But he kneels on Oiwa, too! Ren CLUBS Oiwa down, tags Sanada, and the House mugs Oiwa. Sanada drags Oiwa up, ZSJ coaches “Roy,” but Sanada whips Oiwa back into bare buckles! Sanada drags Oiwa up, tells the ref to watch ZSJ, then he THROWS Oiwa out! Ren JAMS Oiwa up with a chair! Ren puts Oiwa in, Sanada covers, TWO! The fans applaud as Oiwa stays in this, but Sanada tags Ren. Ren drags Oiwa around by a leg, stomps away, then steps through for the KNEEBAR! Oiwa scrambles to the ROPEBREAK!

Ren holds on, the ref reprimands and counts, but Ren lets go at 4. Tag back to Sanada, but Oiwa fights the House with forearms! He DECKS Sanada, but Ren trips Oiwa up! Ren drags Oiwa to the corner to SLAM the leg against the post! The fans boo, but then Ren brings Oiwa around. But Oiwa YANKS Ren into the post first! The fans rally as Oiwa hurries back into the ring. Oiwa crawls, rolls, but Sanada stomps him down! Sanada waistlocks, Oiwa switches, but Sanada fights the lift! Sanada runs, Oiwa drop down, then DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans rally up! Oiwa crawls again, hot tag to ZSJ!

ZSJ BOOTS Sanada, headlocks, but Sanada powers out. Sanada hurdles, but ZSJ catches him the second time! Full nelson, spin, cravat, but Sanada handsprings through! ZSJ avoids the dropkick to NECK TWIST! Then ZSJ BOOTS Ren down! The fans fire up and ZSJ goes back to Sanada. Sanada fights the scoop, ZSJ puts on the pressure, but Sanada fires elbows. ZSJ UPPERCUTS back! Sanada fires a haymaker, ZSJ fires an UPPERCUT, and repeat! The fans rally as ZSJ fires UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT, then blocks the falling low blow! ZSJ ties up the legs in a DEATHLOCK! Ren runs up, but gets caught into an armlock!

The fans cheer as ZSJ SHOVES Ren away, then rolls Sanada into the double wristlock and headscissors! Sanada reaches out, but ZSJ gets the other arm! CLARKY CAT, but Sanada has the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go, the fans applaud, and ZSJ STOMPS Sanada down! The fans fire up as ZSJ runs, but Sanada DROPKICKS a leg! Then he DROPKICKS ZSJ down! The fans rally up, but Sanada brings ZSJ up for a fireman’s carry. ZSJ slips free, waistlocks, but Sanada ELBOWS him away! Sanada whips, ZSJ reverses, and ZSJ runs up, but into a BOOT! Sanada QUEBRADA, but ZSJ spins the dragon sleeper around!

ZSJ scoops, but Sanada slips free to dragon sleeper! SKULL- NO, ZSJ rolls through, EURO CLUTCH! TWO!! Sanada escapes but the fans fire up with ZSJ. PENALTY- NO, Sanada blocks the kick to DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ writhes, Sanada runs, but ZSJ ducks the Shining Wizard! ZSJ RAMS Sanada, UPPERCUTS, but Sanada turns that to a backslide! ZSJ rolls through to NECK TWIST! Both men are down, the fans rally, and ZSJ hot tags Oiwa! Oiwa runs up but Ren runs away. Oiwa CLUBS Sanada, he and ZSJ double whip. Sanada ducks the lariats to send Oiwa into ZSJ! Then he DUMPS Oiwa to the apron!

Oiwa gets up to ROCK Sanada, steps inside, but Ren distracts the ref from Sanada KICKING the ropes! Oiwa gets jammed up and Sanada tags Ren. Ren drags Oiwa up, to CHOKE him! The ref reprimands, Oiwa breaks free, but Ren just CHOKES him again! The ref counts, Ren stops at 4, then runs, but into a clinch! COBRA TWIST! The fans cheer as Ren endures, but Ren pries his way around to the COBRA TWIST! Oiwa HIP TOSSES free! Oiwa runs to RUN Ren over, then STANDING SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! Ren toughs it out but the fans rally behind Oiwa. Oiwa whips, Ren ducks ‘n’ SLEEPER! Oiwa switches the SLEEPER onto Ren!

Ren reaches out, Oiwa keeps him from the ropes, but Ren mule kicks a knee! Ren snapmares Oiwa and has the FIGURE FOUR KNEEBAR! Sanada BLASTS ZSJ! Oiwa endures, reaches out, but Ren puts on the pressure! Sanada keeps ZSJ stuck outside, but Oiwa rolls, and rolls, and flails to get the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Ren lets go in frustration, but Ren vows to end it now. Ren climbs up the corner, but Oiwa RISING HEADBUTTS! And then ROCKET LAUNCHES Ren down! Ren flounders, Oiwa tags ZSJ! ZSJ runs to BOOT Sanada down! PENALTY KICK on Ren! Oiwa gets Ren up to GERMAN SUPLEX!

ZSJ jumps on, JAPANESE LEG ROLL CLUTCH!! TWO!! Ren escapes but ZSJ tags Oiwa back in! The fans fire up as ROLLING ELBOW and UPPERCUT pinballs Ren, into the LARIAT ENZIGIRI COMBO! Then the TENZAN PLEX!! Cover, SANADA BREAKS IT! ZSJ TOSSES Sanada, goes out after him, and Oiwa fires up! The fans are with Oiwa as ZSJ sends Sanada into railing. Oiwa runs, spins, but Ren slips under! Oiwa fights the backslide to backslide Ren! Ren rolls through, but into a DOCTOR BOMB!! Cover, SANADA YANKS THE REF OUT! And throws him into ZSJ! Sanada gets his guitar and he JAMS Oiwa up!

The fans boo but Hartley Jackson gets on the apron! Hartley tells Sanada not to try it, but here comes the rest of the House! Don Fale & Chase Owens YANK Hartley down, but ZSJ gets Sanada in a SLEEPER! The House mugs Hartley, Yujiro LOW BLOWS Oiwa! Sanada LOW BLOWS ZSJ! Kanemaru WHISKEY MISTS ZSJ! Evil gets in the ring so that he can LARIAT Oiwa down! The fans boo but Evil sets Oiwa up for Ren! Ren climbs up, HELL’S GUILLOTINE KNEE DROP!! Cover, The House wins!

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

The Chin & Mullet truly are mighty it if took SEVEN MEN to bring them down! But sadly, the only number that matters is the two points they stole tonight. Will nothing stop the House of Torture as they lie, cheat, and steal their way to the top?

2025 World Tag League B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Phantasmo VS OSKAR & Yuto-Ice!

The two teams that sit at 0-2 now meet in the main event, where one of them will finally have points on the board! But will #ACELP find that shortcut to the tag titles on this Final Road? Or will the Knock Out Brothers put them on ice?

Tanahashi shows off the abs and the fans cheer. The teams sort out and clearly, Yuto wants his fight with Tanahashi. They start pushing, but ELP and Oskar also step up. Red Shoes gets them to settle down, the fans applaud, and indeed, we revisit the Final Homecoming’s battle of Gifu! The bell rings, Yuto and Tanahashi both run up, and they fire forearms! The fans rally as Ice and Ace go shot for shot! They both pull hair, then fire more forearms! Yuto KNEES low, whips Tanahashi to a corner, but Tanahashi ELBOWS back! Tanahashi goes up, CROSSBODY! The fans cheer, but Yuto BOOTS Tanahashi down before he can air guitar!

ELP protests as Yuto stomps away on Tanahashi, then ELP coaches Tanahashi. Tanahashi and Yuto pull hair again, Red Shoes reprimands, but they push him aside. They’re on the ropes so Red Shoes counts. Tanahashi pushes Red Shoes away, the hands fly, and now Yuto has Tanahashi on the ropes. ELP gets in there, but Yuto DECKS him! Oksar storms in and stomps ELP! Tanahashi bumps Yuto off buckles, fires shots, but Yuto turns things around. Oskar TOSSES ELP, but ELP drags Oskar out! Tanahashi turns things back around on Yuto, HAMMERS away, and sits Yuto down. The fans rally as Tanahashi throws more shots!

Tanahashi stands Yuto up, but Yuto fires back! Yuto puts Tanahashi in the corner and HAMMERS away in return! Oskar gets in and stomps Tanahashi! ELP jumps onto Oskar with a SLEEPER! The fans rally, Red Shoes reprimands, but Tanahashi & ELP mug Oskar. They double whip, but Oskar BREAKS the double lariat! But they dodge his double lariat to DOUBLE LARIAT Oskar up and out! The fans fire up, but here comes Yuto! ACELP kick him first, and then TOSS him out to join Oskar! The fans fire up while the Knock Out Brothers are furious. Tanahashi & ELP wait on them, and the Knock Out Brothers storm back up.

Tanahashi kicks Yuto, the fans rally for “TA-NA-H’SHI!” Tanahashi fires fast hands, then whips, but Yuto reverses to KNEE low! Then he runs to KICK Tanahashi in the side! Oskar YANKS ELP down, Red Shoes reprimands, but Yuto stomps Tanahashi down. Yuto steps on Tanahashi’s neck, Red Shoes counts, and Yuto steps off at 4. Tanahashi goes to ropes, Yuto drags him up, and he bumps him off buckles. Yuto fires body shots, Oskar tags in, and Oskar runs up to stomp Tanahashi down! The fans rally, ELP calls out to Tanahashi, but Oskar brings Tanahashi up. Tanahashi fires body shots, then forearms, but Oskar just frowns.

Oskar winds up to ROCK Tanahashi! Tanahashi DROPKICKS the leg! Oskar swings, Tanahashi dodges, another DROPKICK to the leg! Tanahashi crawls, hot tag to ELP! ELP goes up and leaps, but Oskar gets under! ELP BOOTS Yuto, then goes up and over Oskar! ELP keeps moving, ducks ‘n ‘dodges, then CROSSBODIES, but Oskar catches him! Oskar pops ELP around, ELP slips free to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! ELP runs but Yuto trips him up! ELP takes a swipe, Yuto gets back, and Oskar BOOTS ELP down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while ELP reaches out, but Oskar CLUBS him down! Yuto runs in and BLASTS Tanahashi off the apron!

Yuto goes out after Tanahashi, Oskar puts ELP in the corner, and Oskar BODY BLOWS! ELP crawls along the ropes but Oskar stomps him down! Oskar drags ELP up, tags Yuto, and they mug ELP! Yuto KICKS, ELP staggers, and Yuto KICKS again! Yuto KICKS, KICKS, KICKS, then SOBATS! ELP sits down, Yuto goes gangsta, “BOMBACLAT!” DOUBLE KNEES! Yuto drags ELP out to cover, TWO! ELP stays in this and the fans rally up, but Yuto stomps him down! ELP fires body shots but Yuto HEADBUTTS him! Yuto bumps ELP off buckles, tags Oskar, and they drag ELP up. They double whip, but ELP grabs ropes!

ELP BOOTS Yuto, DUMPS Oskar, then RANAS Yuto! The fans rally, ELP crawls, but Oskar YANKS Tanahashi down to deny the hot tag! Then Oskar anchors ELP in the corner for Yuto to KICK down! Yuto brings ELP back up, BODY BLOWS, and Oskar steps in. Oskar drags ELP up to scoop and SLAM! Cover, TWO! ELP survives again and the fans cheer. Oskar clamps onto ELP to keep him from Tanahashi, but taunts Tanahashi by saying reach out for the tag. Oskar then deadlifts ELP to SLAM him back down! Then he clamps on a CAMEL CLUTCH! Yuto BLASTS Tanahashi while ELP endures being bent back!

Yuto fires off on Tanahashi on the outside but ELP crawls forward! ELP gets one arm free, then the other, and he fights to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Red Shoes counts, and Oskar lets go at 4. Tag to Yuto and he stomps ELP. Yuto drags ELP up, keeps him from the corner to KNEE and KNEE, then Oskar scoops! But ELP slips free to shove Oskar at Yuto! Yuto pushes past Oskar, ELP goes up and over! Then ELP goes under Oskar, but Oskar grabs a foot! ELP kicks and kicks, then he ENZIGIRIS! Oskar wobbles, ELP crawls, but Oskar grabs a foot! ELP BOOTS Oskar into Yuto, and hot tags Tanahashi!

Tanahashi DROPKICKS Oskar’s leg! Then he runs to CLOBBER Yuto! The fans fire up and Tanahashi fires his strike fest on Yuto! Yuto goes to a corner, Tanahashi HAMMERS him like earlier, then drags him up! Scoop and SLAM! Tanahashi goes to the corner, the fans rally up, and Tanahashi hops up, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yuto is tougher than that but the fans rally with Tanahashi. Tanahashi waits on Yuto, then runs, SLING- NO, Yuto ducks, and he fires palm strikes! Then he ducks Tanahashi’s to DECK him! Yuto BLASTS ELP, then runs at Tanahashi, ICE- NO! Tanahashi blocks the kick to DRAGON SCREW!

The fans fire up as Tanahashi tries again, SLINGBLADE! But Yuto gets right up!? EOP SUDDEN DEATH! Then SLINGBLADE again! ELP DIVES onto Oskar! Tanahashi covers Yuto, TWO! Tanahashi calls to ELP, ELP gets Yuto up, and Tanahashi climbs! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT from ELP, then he sets Yuto up for the HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, OSKAR SHOVES ELP ONTO IT! The fans rally as Oskar then clamps onto ELP, NECK HANGING- NO, ELIP fights with fists to RANA Oskar and himself out of the ring! But Tanahashi just tries again! HIGH FLY FLOPS as Yuto moves! And now CRUELLA!! But Yuto can’t make the cover!

The fans rally as hard as they can while both men are down! Tanahashi and Yuto stir, they rise up, and even on their knees, they fire forearms! Then they stand to fire more shots! The fans rally as they go back and forth! Tanahashi fires a flurry, but then Yuto ROUNDHOUSES! Tanahashi falls and Yuto roars! Yuto sits Tanahashi back up, runs, and ICE HIGH!! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and the fans are thunderous! Yuto seethes, but he just winds up that right hand! AMBITION!! Tanahashi drops to his knees, and Yuto BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO!!! Tanahashi survives and Yuto is beside himself!

The fans rally up harder as we hit 15 minutes, but Yuto vows to end this! Oskar joins in, but ELP trips Oskar and Tanahashi cradles Yuto! TWO!! Yuto escapes, ELP has the SLEEPER on Oskar! DRAGON PALM to Yuto! Oskar breaks free as Tanahashi runs! Yuto dodges, Oskar scoops! Yuto runs back in, K O B DRIVER!!! Cover, but ELP is up top! THUNDERKISS BREAKS IT!! The fans are thunderous again, but then Oskar has ELP! But ELP RIDGE HANDS, fires fast hands, then runs! ELP dodges a lariat to SUDDEN DEATH! Oskar stays up?!? NECK HANGING BOMB!! Oskar shouts to Ice that it’s time to end it!

Oskar hauls Tanahashi up for Yuto, and CRUELLA!!! Cover, Knock Out Brothers win!!

Winners: Oskar & Yuto-Ice, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Tanahashi & ELP earn 0)

Finally, in their first World Tag League, the Knock Out Brothers have their first win! And that translates to Tanahashi & ELP going to 0-3! Is there any hope for them as World Tag League heads to round 4?

As for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, Yuto gets the mic first. “Hey Ace, we won this fight!” The fans applaud, and Yuto asks, “You remember what you said in Anjo? ‘Thanks for coming to NJPW.’ How about now, huh? I used to be nothing but a street thug. But I owe you, because you and pro-wrestling saved my life. NJPW really is the best.” The fans do applaud that, but Yuto continues, “You’re wrestling someone from another company in your retirement match? I don’t know what you’re thinking, but you had better win!” The fans do applaud that, and Yuto says, “I don’t know if we’ll have another time, but if we do I’ll get you high.”

ACELP heads out, and Yuto continues by saying, “I said before, guys like me won’t ever be a ‘sun,’ but we can still be at the top.” The fans applaud that, and Yuto says, “We can do it, and you know why? Because Oskar is always beside me. We won’t be a sun, but we can be a spark. Anybody backstage who wants to get high, you know where to come, just bring it.” The fans applaud, and Yuto has one last note for Tanahashi. “A lot of people have been influenced by you. This goes for a lot of guys backstage, the wrestlers, and the fans. But we can’t give in on this one thing: I’ve selfishly admired a wrestler by the name of Hiroshi Tanahashi.”

The fans applaud again, and Yuto finishes by saying now that they’ve beat the President, all they’ve got left to do is win World Tag League! “Everything from here, we’re not losing, and you can feel it! Let’s get high, tch tch, BIG UP!” Now that Yuto & Oskar have their first win, will they light it up from here ’til the end? Can these young tag champions prove they’re the best in the world already?

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

Lance Archer & Alex Zayne: 2-1, 4 points
David Finlay & Hiromu Takahashi: 2-1, 4 points
Sanada & Ren Narita: 2-1, 4 points
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 2-1, 4 points
Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman: 2-1, 4 points
Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura: 1-2, 2 points
Oskar & Yuto-Ice: 1-2, 2 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Phantasmo: 0-3, 0 points

My Thoughts:

A great round for B Block, no undefeated teams anywhere, and in a semi-shocking move, it is Tanahashi & ELP who parallel Yujiro & Chase as the last place 0-3 team. But it was a great match, and a scrappier match than usual, Yuto & Oskar proved themselves here. And as I’ve said, Tanahashi has his match with Okada, he won’t be competing for the tag titles at WrestleKingdom, so he and ELP are not winning just on that. Great stuff for Monster Sauce to be the team that beats Finlay & Hiromu, but of course the House of Torture had to cheat that hard to win over TMDK. Makes me wonder if ZSJ & Oiwa will now go on to the WTL playoffs, or even win out.

And good stuff in the middle of the pack with Khan & Callum VS Shota & Yuya. Another loss for Shota & Yuya can add more tension between them as things go on, all stemming from Shota saying he could/would lead Hontai. That itself could be a WrestleKingdom match where Shota and Yuya fight over who really is the face of Hontai’s new generation.

My Score: 8.9/10