Is the Final Road losing its way?

World Tag League arrives in Akita, and B Block reaches the halfway point! But is time already running out on the 0-3 ACELP, Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Phantasmo?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current 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

2025 World Tag League B Block: Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura VS Lance Archer & Alex Zayne

The Roughneck & Heat Storm want to show Hontai is in good hands, but they’ve dropped the ball in their last two matches! Will they be able to recover and score? Or will they get burned by the Monster Sauce?

The teams sort out and the fans rally up as Shota starts with Archer. They circle, tie up, and Archer SHOVES Shota down! Shota shakes that off while Archer smiles and they reset. They tie up again, Archer SHOVES Shota back down. Archer throws off his shirt and he eggs Shota on. They both run up, and Archer LARIATS Shota! The fans rally, Archer clamps on both hands and he drags Shota up to CHOKE him! But in the red corner! Yuya tags in, the ref reprimands Archer, but Archer just eggs Yuya on. The fans rally as Yuya steps up to Archer, but then says he wants to try The Sauce! The fans applaud, and Archer tags Zayne.

Yuya and Zayne circle, the fans rally up, and they tie up. Zayne headlocks, Yuya wrenches out to wristlock, then he wrenches and wristlocks again. Zayne rolls, but Yuya rolls with him! Yuya keeps the wristlock, but Zayne rolls again. But so does Yuya! Zayne handsprings, wrenches, and hammerlocks to then headlock. The fans applaud the technical exchange, but Yuya powers up and out! Zayne RAMS shoulders with Yuya but neither man falls. Zayne runs, anticipates the dropdown, but Yuya avoids the imploder knee drop to roll Zayne up, TWO! The fans cheer, Yuya arm-drags Zayne, then arm-drags again! Yuya arm-drags a third time, and has the armlock!

The fans applaud while Zayne endures, and he fights up to his feet. Zayne powers Yuya to the blue corner, tag to Archer, and they whip Yuya to a white corner. Zayne ELBOWS Yuya, Archer ELBOWS Yuya! Yuya sits down, Zayne tilt-o-whirls Archer, RANA CANNONBALL onto Yuya! The fans fire up and Archer laughs. Archer then drags Yuya up, whips him corner to corner hard, and Yuya falls! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud but Archer drags Yuya up and reels him in. Archer suplexes, holds Yuya up, and the fans applaud as Archer even spins! Archer reaches TEN, keeps going, but starts to fade at 15, only to hoist Yuya back up! Archer finally SLAMS Yuya down!

The fans cheer and Archer flexes, then he tags Zayne. Zayne drags Yuya up but he’s a ragdoll. Archer gets the fans to rally for Yuya and Zayne wrenches to a wristlock. Zayne BITES fingers, says not bad, then brings Yuya over. Tag to Archer and then Zayne snapmares Yuya. Archer scoops Zayne to SLAM him onto Yuya! The fans applaud, Archer drags Yuya back up, but Yuya is again a ragdoll! The ref checks on Yuya, the fans rally up, and Yuya stirs, so Archer stands him up. Yuya fires forearms! Then he CHOPS Archer in the corner! Yuya whips, Archer reverses, and Zayne runs in, ELBOW! Archer ELBOWS Yuya and Yuya sits down again.

Zayne tilt-o-whirls again, RANA CANNONBALL only gets buckles as Yuya moves! The fans fire up and Yuya crawls, but Zayne keeps him from Shota. Zayne ROCKS and whips Yuya, but Yuya FLYING FOREARMS! Both men are down, Yuya crawls, hot tag to Shota! Shota CLOBBERS Zayne, the fans fire up with him, and he goes to Archer for forearms and CHOPS! But Archer turns it around to give those forearms and CHOPS back! But Shota spins things around to fire off more forearms and CHOPS! The fans fire up with Shota, he whips, but Archer blocks then reverses! Archer runs in, but Shota dodges! Shota returns to UPPERCUT!

Shota keeps moving, but Archer catches Shota! Shota ROCKS Archer again, tries to scoop, but Archer is too big! Shota fires forearms, tries again, but Archer is still too big! Shota fires even more forearms, third time’s the charm, and he manages to lift Archer! But Archer fights free, and he scoops Shota to SLAM him! The fans fire up while Archer goes to a corner, and he watches Shota rise. Shota runs in, but Archer STOMPS him down! The fans rally as Archer slashes his throat. Archer puts Shota up top, SMACKS him, then reverse crucifix lifts! But Shota fights free, ROCKS and ROLLING ELBOWS Archer!

Archer staggers, Shota scoops! And Shota- NO, Archer slips free to ROCK Shota! Archer whips, Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! The two crawl, hot tags to Zayne and Yuya! Yuya runs to ELBOW Zayne down! And arm-drag him around! And DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Yuya and runs to CHOP Zayne! Yuya whips, Zayne reverses, but Yuya goes up and CROSSBODIES, only for Zayne to dodge! Yuya crash lands, then Zayne STANDING MARIPOSAS! Zayne gets Yuya up, fires boxing elbows, then mule kicks! Zayne runs, ROLLING AX KICK! Cover, TWO! Yuya survives and the fans cheer.

Zayne knows he’s getting close, and he watches Yuya go to the corner. Zayne runs up to ELBOW Yuya, then he hoists Yuya up top. Zayne climbs up, up, but Yuya fires body shots! Yuya SHOVES Zayne, Zayne backflips and kips up, then DRAGON RANAS! The fans fire up, the armband comes off, and Zayne goes up the corner! But Shota anchors Zayne! Archer BLASTS Shota! And then “ITADAKIMAAASU~!” Archer lifts Zayne, BLACKOUT SAUCE onto Yuya!! Cover, SHOTA BREAKS IT! The fans fire up, Archer stands Shota up, but Shota fires boxing elbows! Shota ROCKS Archer, runs, but into the SPINEBUSTER!

Archer shoves Shota out and calls to Zayne. The fans rally up as Zayne rises up, and he drags Yuya up. Zayne straitjackets and lifts, but Yuya victory rolls through! Then KIMURA! Zayne endures, kicks around, reaches out, but Yuya rolls him away! KIMURA!! Zayne endures and Archer stomps away on Yuya! Archer drags Yuya up, guzels, but Shota CLUBS Archer! Archer is more annoyed than anything, so he guzels Shota! But Shota breaks free, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and SHOTA BOMBERS! Archer staggers around, Shota scoops him, and SLAMS! Archer staggers back up, Shota LARIATS Archer up and out!

The fans fire up as Shota has Zayne, but Zayne fires boxing elbows! Yuya runs up but Archer fires elbows on him! But Yuya catches Archer to the full nelson! Shota runs, LARIAT DRAGON SUPLEX COMBO!! Shota leaves it to Yuya, and Yuya gets Zayne in the cording holds! DEADBOLT SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, Shota & Yuya win!

Winners: Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Archer & Zayne earn 0)

It was certainly a heated battle, but Archer & Zayne are the ones that got burned! They’re still far from the top, but will World Tag League still belong to U & U?

2025 World Tag League B Block: OSKAR & Yuto-Ice VS Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman!

The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions finally got a win just last round, but The Dominator & Prince of Pace have been running hot. Will the Knock Out Brothers knock out Khan & Callum? Or will they be conquered by the United Empire?

Tensions are still high from yesterday’s Six Man Tag, and it’s Callum & Khan that attack first! They rush outside to brawl around at ringside! The ref reprimands, but Yuto turns things around to SMACK Callum off apron! Khan whips, Oskar stops himself, and Oskar KNEES low to then send Khan into railing! Yuto follows Callum into the crowd, kicks low, and he tells fans to clear out! But Callum kicks and UPPERCUTS! Oskar scoops Khan, but Khan CLAWS an ear! Khan has fans clear out, then throws knees down low! Callum BOWLS Yuto into chairs, and even throws chairs down onto him.

Now Khan BOWLS Oskar into chairs! Yuto turns things around on Callum, stomps him down, but Callum eggs him on. So Yuto BUZZSAWS Callum down! Khan leaves Oskar behind to go after Yuto! Khan CLUBS and KNEES Yuto, Callum joins in, and the ref reprimands. This still isn’t even a match, no one’s been in the ring! Callum puts Yuto in, then follows, and finally the bell sounds. Callum KICKS Yuto in the back! Callum taunts Yuto, stands him up, and whips him into the corner. Callum snapmares Yuto, KICKS him in the back again, then paces. Callum eggs Oskar on while Yuto writhes, then he mocks Yuto going gangsta.

Callum slaps Yuto around, taunts him, then throws hands. Yuto gets in Callum’s face so Callum throws more shots! Then he CHOPS Yuto off his feet! The fans rally, Oskar coaches Yuto, but Callum BOOTS Oskar down! The ref tries to stop Oskar but can’t, and Oskar CLUBS Callum! Khan gets in and clamps onto Oskar with a SLEEPER! The ref reprimands, but Khan DUMPS Oskar out! Callum fires hands on Yuto in the corner, then he tags Khan in. Khan stands Yuto up and he smothers Yuto into the buckle pad! Khan rains down fists, talks trash, and TWISTS Yuto’s ear! The ref reprimands, Khan hops down, but then hops back up, onto his throne!

But Oskar ROCKS Khan and drags him down! Callum goes after Oskar, they scrap to the apron and Callum kicks away on Oskar! Khan scoop SLAMS Yuto! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Yuto toughs it out, but Khan drags him up. Yuto is deadweight, but Khan uses a facelock to squeeze tight! Yuto fires body shots, but Khan Mongolian Chops! Khan stands Yuto up, but Yuto suplexes first! The fans fire up while both men are down! Yuto crawls, hot tag to Oskar! The fans fire up as Oskar CLOBBERS Khan! Oskar scoops, but Callum saves Khan! Oskar guzels Callum, guzels Khan, MEETING OF THE MINDS!

Oskar CLOBBERS Callum and the fans fire up! Oskar runs corner to corner at Khan, ELBOWS him, then scoops to SLAM! Cover, TWO! Oskar stays focused as he waistlocks and lifts, but Khan fights it with a headlock! SAYAN- NO, Oskar stops the throw and CLUBS Khan! Oskar lifts, but Khan CLAWS the ear! Khan CLUBS the ear, then hits a fireman’s carry takeover! And then a SAYANAGI! And then- NO, Oskar blocks the throw, but Khan KNEES low! And then SAYANAGI! Cover, TWO! But into the KATAGATAME! Oskar endures the head ‘n’ arm triangle but Khan thrashes him around! Oskar fights up, reaches out, and he throws elbows!

But Khan pulls hair! And then he squeezes tighter! Oskar still fights free, for a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Khan and Oskar crawl, hot tags to Yuto and Callum! Callum dodges to KICK! Callum eggs Yuto on, so Yuto KICKS! Callum brushes that off, Yuto SPITS at him, so Callum KICKS again! Yuto KICKS again! The fans rally as Callum is stinging. Callum brushes it off to KICK! Yuto is stinging, but Callum eggs him on. Yuto KICKS, Callum KICKS, and repeat! The fans fire up as the KICKS go back and forth, faster and faster! Then Callum fires Kawada Kicks and CHOPS, then back to the Kawada Kicks!

Callum runs up, but Yuto bobs ‘n’ weaves to fire PALM STRIKE after PALM STRIKE! Yuto DECKS Callum with one! The fans fire up and Yuto gets Callum back up. Yuto KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS away in the corner! The fans fire up, the ref reprimands, but Yuto SOBATS! Callum turns things around to KICK, KICK, KICK! Callum roars, runs, but Yuto dodge! ROUNDHOUSE! Callum sits down, Yuto stomps him, and it’s time to get gangsta! “BOMBACLAT!” DOUBLE KNEES! Yuto snapmares Callum to the cover, TWO! Callum survives and the fans rally up. Yuto drags Callum up but now he’s deadweight.

The ref checks, Callum tells him to leave him alone. Yuto stomps Callum, sits him up, ICE- NO, Callum ducks the kick, blocks a punch, and ROUNDHOUSES! Callum runs, but Yuto LARIATS! The fans fire up with Yuto and he runs again! ICE HIGH! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives and the fans fire back up! Yuto tags Oskar, Oskar drags Callum up, and he whips Callum to ropes. Scoop and BACKBREAKER, to a KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives again and the fans fire up! Yuto feeds Callum to Oskar’s scoop, but Callum fights free! Callum shoves Oskar into Yuto, tags Khan, and Khan ROCKS Yuto! Oskar runs up, but Khan HOTSHOTS the leg!

Khan runs up on Yuto but Yuto kicks and ROCKS him first! Yuto runs, but into the IRON SLINGBLADE! Oskar runs up, Khan dodges, and Callum DROPKICKS! Oskar rebounds, into an IRON BODY BLOW! Callum KNEE LIFTS, then he and Khan HIGH-LOW REVERSE STO! Callum PLANCHAS onto Yuto! Khan covers Oskar, TWO! The fans fire up and Khan roars! Khan clamps onto Oskar with the IRON CLAW SLEEPER, and makes it a BOW ‘N’ ARROW RACK! SPIN-OUT SLAM! Cover, TWO! Oskar survives and the fans fire up again! Khan drags Oskar up, goes to fireman’s carry, but Oskar’s too big! Oskar THROWS Khan down!

Oskar catches Callum with both hands, but Callum slips free! SUPERKICK! SUPERKICK! DREAMCAST KICK! Khan hauls Oskar up, fireman’s carries, and Callum runs! But Oskar slips free, shoves Khan, and BOOTS Callum! IRON RIGHT from Khan! Suplex, and T T- NO! Oskar fighgs free, gut wrenches, and Yuto is back! K O B DRIVER!! Cover, Knock Out Brothers win!!

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

The champs may have had a rough start in World Tag League, but they’re getting hot at just the right time! Will nothing stop the Knock Out Brothers from making this the K O B Block?

2025 World Tag League B Block: David Finlay & Hiromu Takahashi VS SANADA & Ren Narita!

The dysfunctional duo of Savage King & Timebomb had its first real stumble just last round, and now they run into the Cold-Blooded, Souled-Out Snakes of the House of Torture! Will Sanada & Narita go hard to cheat Finlay & Hiromu out of these points? Or can Finlay & Hiromu still find a way to work together?

Well, Hiromu & Finlay rush Sanada & Narita first, so that’s a good start! The fans fire up as Finlay CLAWS Narita’s eyes, then the bell rings. Hiromu & Finlay whip Sanada & Ren, but Sanada & Ren reverse. Hiromu & Finlay both dodge and they both CLOBBER Sanada & Ren! Then they STEREO BASEMENT DROPKICK! The fans fire up again as Hiromu & Finlay whip Sanada & Ren into each other, then send them to corners! Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu, CORNER DEATH VALLEY on Sanada! CORNER DEATH VALLEY on Ren! Then Finlay THROWS Hiromu to CANNONBALL Sanada! And a THROW to CANNONBALL onto Ren!

The fans fire up, Hiromu gives a thumbs up, and Finlay apologizes. Finlay kicks Hiromu low! Finlay suplexes, but Hiromu fights the Gourd Buster to snap suplex Finlay onto Ren! The fans fire up and Hiromu says he’s smart. But wait, Sho & Kanemaru rush out here! They back off as Finlay & Hiromu run up, but Sanada & Ren attack! Ren throws Finlay into buckles, then Sanada throws Hiromu out! Kanemaru & Sho mug Daiki Nagai just because! Ren whips Finlay into railing, and Sanada ROCKS Hiromu! Ren drags Finlay up to wrap his arm around railing, and then CUFF him!? When did he get handcuffs in the first place?!

Sanada puts Hiromu in the ring, Ren covers, TWO! Ren CHOKES Hiromu while Kanemaru & Sho are ushered away. The ref notices, reprimands and counts, and Ren stops at 4. Ren kneels on Hiromu’s neck, but he steps off to drop an ELBOW! Tag to Sanada while the fans boo, and the House of Torture mugs Hiromu. Sanada has the ref check Finlay, then CHOKES Hiromu with wrist tape! The fans boo but the ref tries to free Finlay. The ref hurries into the ring, Sanada stops and covers Hiromu, TWO! The fans cheer but Sanada is annoyed. Sanada drags Hiromu up, TOSSES him out, then distracts the ref so Ren can JAM Hiromu up with a chair!

Ren puts Hiromu back in, Sanada covers, TWO! Hiromu toughs it out and the fans applaud, but Sanada calls Ren in. They drag Hiromu up, Ren CHOKES Hiromu again, but the ref counts. Ren stops, he whips Hiromu corner to corner, then runs in, only for Hiromu to dodge! Hiromu RANAS Sanada and the fans fire up! Ren kicks low, runs, but Hiromu blows past to RANA Ren! The fans fire up, but Finlay is still handcuffed! Hiromu tells Daiki to go find a key! Daiki hurries backstage, but that just means Hiromu is isolated! Ren CLOBBERS Hiromu, taunts Finlay, and keeps the ref distracted while Sanada whips Hiromu.

Sanada runs in, blocks a boot, and he trips Hiromu up! Sanada ties Hiromu up in Paradise! Ren keeps the ref distracted while Sanada unties the blue buckle pad! Sanada uses the pad to SMACK Hiromu out of Paradise! That’s a new one. Ren then goes out to beat up Finlay just for fun! He even SMACKS Finlay with the pad! The fans rally, Sanada mockingly encourages them to get louder, and Hiromu crawls for the corner! But Sanada keeps him back! Hiromu and Finlay reach out as far as they can, but they’re still fingertips away! Sanada drags Hiromu in, stomps away on a leg, then tags Ren. Ren storms up and suplexes Hiromu! Cover, TWO!

Ren clamps on a KNEEBAR! Hiromu flails and fights around, ROPEBREAK! Ren lets go at 4, then he stomps away on Hiromu. Ren tags Sanada, Sanada storms up on Hiromu, and he taunts Finlay. Hiromu rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Sanada spins Hiromu around, dragon sleeper! Hiromu endures, but here comes Daiki with the key! Only for Sho & Kanemaru to mug him! But Gedo rushes out here to BOP Sho and UPPERCUT Kanemaru! Gedo snatches the key and he frees Finlay! The fans fire up as Finlay returns to the corner! Hiromu slips free of a suplex, slips under Sanada, and hot tags Finlay!

Finlay DECKS Sanada, throat chops, and throat chops again! Finlay whips, Sanada reverses, but Finlay CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up with Finlay and he UPPERCUTS in the corner! The fans bark along, Ren runs up, but Finlay adds him to the corner! Finlay LARIATS again and again and again, up to TEN! Then he TOSSES Ren, and LARIATS away on Sanada! Ren returns, Finlay BLASTS him, then PLANCHAS! The fans fire up again and Finlay goes into the ring. IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Sanada survives, but the fans fire up as Finlay reels Sanada in. Finlay lifts, but Sanada pops free of the bomb!

Sanada runs and tilt-o-whirls, into the dragon sleeper! But FInlay spins it to a suplex! Sanada slips free to dragon sleeper again! Finlay snapmares free, runs up, but Sanada DUMPS him out! Finlay ROCKS Sanada first, steps in, but Sanada KICKS the ropes! That jams Finlay up right in his boss dawg! Ren tags in and he BLASTS Hiromu! The fans boo but Ren stands Finlay up. Ren CHOKES Finlay, the ref counts, but now Finlay CHOKES Ren! The ref reprimands, Ren hits a FLYING ARMBAR! Kanemaru is back up! Sho gets in and he breaks Finlay’s grip for Ren! Finlay flails and kicks around, ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer, Ren holds until the ref counts 4, and Gedo coaches Finlay. The fans rally behind Finlay, but Ren whips. Finlay blocks by holding ropes, but Ren KNEES low! Ren whips, Finlay grabs ropes, and he BOOTS Ren away! then he FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS, into the RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Hot tag to Hiromu! Hiromu CROSSBODIES Ren! And CROSSBODIES Sanada! And back to Ren! Another for Sanada! Hiromu goes out to CROSSBODY Sho! And he- NO, Kanemaru kicks Hiromu! Kanemaru whips, Kanemaru stops to come back and CROSSBODY after all!

The fans fire up with Hiromu, he dodges Ren to LARIAT in the corner! Snapmare and basement DROPKICK! Hiromu hauls Finlay up, suplexes for FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Ren survives, but Finlay BLASTS Sanada for good measure. Finlay & Hiromu coordinate! GIANT SWING, and then Hiromu DROPKICKS Ren at TEN! Cover, TWO! Ren survives but Finlay reels Hiromu in! CANADIAN HAMMER SPLASH onto Ren! Cover, Sanada breaks it! Finlay TOSSES Sanada, goes after him on the outside, but Sanada sends Finlay into railing! Hiromu fires up as he brings Ren around, fireman’s carry, but Ren slips free!

Ren SHOVES Hiromu into the ref! And the House swarms Hiromu! The fans boo as they all stomp away! Finlay gets back in to fire forearms and haymakers on everyone! Finlay ROCKS Sanada, fires off in the corner, but Kanemaru WHISKEY MISTS and BOTTLE SHOTS! Sanada JAMS Hiromu with the guitar, then a- NO, Hiromu avoids the guitar! And he ducks down, WHISKEY MIST into Sanada! Hiromu LOW BLOWS Kanemaru! But Ren has his pushup bar! Hiromu dodges that, but Ren stops the low blow! Sho TORTURE TOOL ATTACK!! Sho drags Hiromu up, Ren climbs, HELL’S GUILLOTINE KNEE DROP!! Cover, House of Torture wins!

Winner: Sanada & Ren Narita, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Finlay & Hiromu earn 0)

Typical House of Torture, pulling out every trick in the book just to get one win. Sadly, this makes Sanada & Ren 3-1, leading the block! But will they never stop stacking the deck? Or will someone finally serve justice to these villains?

2025 World Tag League B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Phantasmo VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa!

#ACELP has suffered loss after loss in this tournament, and they are on the B Block bubble! Will it all come crashing down in Akita? Or can they make The Mighty kneel?

Tanahashi shows off the abs, and the fans cheer as always. The teams sort out and Headbanga starts against Front Man. The fans rally behind “E L P! E L P!” as he circles with ZSJ. ELP gets fans to try a “Z S J!” but it just doesn’t work. The two feel things out, ZSJ avoids the leg pick, but ELP comes back to try again. He trips ZSJ, but ZSJ rolls, rolls, and slips free. The fans applaud the quick exchange, and the two reset. They tie up, ZSJ wrenches to a wristlock, then shifts to a headlock for the takeover. ELP headscissors and he holds tight while ZSJ tries to kip free. ELP pushes up to put on the pressure but ZSJ still endures.

ZSJ bridges, turns, and hops around to pop free. The fans applaud and the two reset. ELP applauds, and the two tie up again. ELP goes for the arm, wrenches and wristlocks, but ZSJ rolls, bridges, and wrenches back to wrench and wristlock! ZSJ wrangles ELP, ELP kips up to spin and cravat ZSJ! ZSJ endures the neck wrench, then slips under to kick free! The fans applaud and ELP admits that was good. The fans then rally up as ELP points to Tanahashi. ZSJ tags Oiwa and ELP tags Tanahashi! The fans rally up for “TA-NA-H’SHI! TA-NA-H’SHI!” Oiwa hopes there’s someone out there but it is pretty much all in favor of The Ace.

The two circle and feel things out. They knuckle lock, then go shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength! The fans rally, Tanahashi powers up, but Oiwa puts the pressure on him! Tanahashi drops to his knees! The fans rally harder, and Tanahashi fights back up! Tanahashi kicks one apart, wrenches the other, but Oiwa wrenches and hammerlocks. Oiwa puts Tanahashi in the corner, Red Shoes counts, and Oiwa backs off. Then Oiwa runs up, but into an ELBOW! Tanahashi goes up and CROSSBODIES! The fans cheer as Tanahashi air guitars, then he goes back to Oiwa. But Oiwa CHOPS, and ROCKS, and fires a flurry of forearms!

Tanahashi fires his strike fest, then whips, but Oiwa reverses and DROPKICKS! The fans fire up again, and Oiwa BLASTS ELP! Oiwa drops an ELBOW on Tanahashi’s leg, drops anther ELBOW, then drags him around with a toehold. Tag to ZSJ, ZSJ takes the handoff on the leg and bends the foot! Tanahashi endures, fights around, but ZSJ scissors that leg to then get the other! ZSJ turns Tanahashi over, ties the legs up in a DEATHLOCK, then he tags Oiwa. Red Shoes reprimands but Oiwa takes the handoff for another toehold. Oiwa drags Tanahashi around, then YANKS the leg. Tanahashi clutches his hamstring but Oiwa just YANKS the leg again!

Oiwa tags ZSJ before he stomps Tanahashi. ZSJ kicks the bad leg, then twists it with another toehold! The fans rally while Tanahashi endures, but ZSJ stomps the leg! Tag to Oiwa, he SLAMS the leg on the mat! Oiwa then drags Tanahashi up, brings him around, and grabs the leg. Tanahashi fights the lift, the fans rally more, but Oiwa kicks the leg. Oiwa whips, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Tanahashi rolls, hot tag to ELP! ELP goes up, up, and RIDER KICKS! Then ELP handsprings to KICK ZSJ down! The fans fire up and ELP fires forearms on Oiwa. ELP whips, Oiwa blocks, but ELP still tries.

Oiwa holds the ropes, ELP CHOPS, then ELP whips. Oiwa reverses, ELP slips off his back, then shoves to follow and RANA! The fans fire up, ELP DROPKICKS Oiwa back down, then he handsprings to get at Oiwa in the corner. ELP climbs up, and he rains down fists! The fans count along, ELP goes to nine, winds up, and TEN! ELP brings Oiwa out to scoop and SLAM, then he goes up the corner again. ELP poses like Tanahashi, but he AX HANDLES! And he does an air guitar! ELP “tosses the guitar” to Tanahashi before he tunes up, and SUDDEN- NO, Oiwa blocks the kick! ZSJ UPPERCUTS ELP, BOOTS Tanahashi, and Oiwa hits a BIG back suplex!

The fans rally and Oiwa tags ZSJ in. ZSJ drags ELP up by an ear, UPPERCUTS again, and has ELP on the ropes. ZSJ UPPERCUTS again, and UPPERCUTS again, and ELP flops out of the ring! ZSJ tags Oiwa, Oiwa brings ELP up and back into the ring, and Oiwa keeps ELP from Tanahashi with a whip. Oiwa BACKDROPS ELP, then covers, TWO! The fans cheer as ELP stays in this, but Oiwa stays on ELP with an armlock. ELP moves around, Oiwa grinds the arm, and the fans rally up more. Oiwa drags ELP from the corner, back suplexes, but ELP lands out! ELP ELBOWS ZSJ, then leaps, but Oiwa catches him!

Oiwa RAMS ELP into the corner, tags ZSJ, and ZSJ UPPERCUTS ELP! And UPPERCUTS again! But then ELP goes up and over! ZSJ hurries, he gets a leg, but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! Both men crawl, hot tag to Tanahashi! The Ace DROPKICKS ZSJ’s legs, then DROPKICKS Oiwa’s legs! Tanahashi blocks a kick from ZSJ to DRAGON SCREW! He blocks Oiwa’s kick, to also DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up and Tanahashi fires forearms on ZSJ. Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS ZSJ, then he goes up the corner for the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! ZSJ is tougher than that but the fans rally behind Tanahashi.

Tanahashi waits on ZSJ, but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! But Tanahashi switches it onto ZSJ! And rolls it for a GROUND COBRA CRADLE! TWO, and ZSJ slips around to hook and backslide! TWO!! Tanahashi escapes at the last possible moment! The fans fire up as ZSJ and Tanahashi stand, and Tanahashi fires a forearm! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Tanahashi fires another forearm, so ZSJ fires another UPPERCUT! ZSJ eggs Tanahashi on, Tanahashi ROCKS him with a forearm, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS again! Tanahashi fires forearm after forearm, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS again! Tanahashi wobbles but the fans rally up!

Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS! Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ snatches him into a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Then he shifts to a DISARMER! Oiwa keeps ELP out while ZSJ shifts again, omoplata and armlock, CLARKY CAT! Tanahashi endures, ELP fights against Oiwa, and the fans rally as hard as they can! ZSJ pulls the arm back, but Tanahashi kicks with his legs! And kicks, and kicks, and finds the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and ZSJ lets go in frustration. ZSJ looms over Tanahashi as he rises up, and Tanahashi fights the scoop! ZSJ wrenches to PELE the arm! ZSJ then scoops, but Tanahashi slips free, to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

The fans rally, Tanahashi crawls, hot tag to ELP! ELP hurries up the ropes to SWANTON BOMB! Then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and ELP BOOTS Oiwa down! ELP goes back to ZSJ and he brings ZSJ up in the straitjacket. Torture rack, and SPIN- NO, ZSJ pries free! ZSJ has the SLEEPER! ELP arm-drags free, then BOOTS ZSJ! ZSJ wobbles, but he comes back to BOOT ELP! ELP staggers to the corner, but he comes back to BOOT ZSJ! ZSJ BOOTS ELP, ELP BOOTS ZSJ, and repeat! The fans rally as the BOOTS keep going, then ELP BOOTS ZSJ in the corner! ELP runs, ZSJ follows, TORNADO DDT!

The fans fire up while both men are down again! ELP crawls, but ZSJ PENA- NO, ELP dodges the kick to mule kick, front kick, and ENZI- NO, ZSJ catches the kick into an ANKLE LOCK! The fans fire up as ELP hops, rolls, and has the victory roll! TWO and ZSJ has it! TWO, and PENALTY KICK! But ELP is up to LARIAT! The fans fire up with ELP and he reels ZSJ in! But ZSJ wrenches free, scoops, and SABRE DRIVER!! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! ZSJ and ELP crawl, hot tag to Oiwa and he BLASTS Tanahashi! Oiwa drags ELP up, but ELP fights the gut wrench! Oiwa CLUBS away on ELP, then HEADBUTTS!

Oiwa reels ELP in, DOCTOR- RANA! Both men get up, SUDDEN DEATH! Both men are down, the fans are thunderous, and ELP crawls! Hot tag to Tanahashi! Tanahashi runs up on Oiwa in the corner, SPLASH! Then a DRAGON SCREW! Oiwa slumps against ropes but Tanahashi brings Oiwa around, GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Oiwa writhes, but Tanahashi ties the legs up, only for Oiwa to fight the turnover! ZSJ storms in and BOOTS Tanahashi again and again! Tanahashi eggs him on! ELP grabs ZSJ’s leg to DRAGON SCREW! ELP has the legs, and we get STEREO TEXAS CLOVERHOLDS!!

The fans rally even harder as TMDK endures! ZSJ drags ELP down, Oiwa overpowers Tanahashi, and now ZSJ has ELP in the INVERTED ARMBAR while Oiwa has Tanahashi for an INVERTED HALF CRAB! The fans fire up while ZSJ has ELP in the CLARKY CAT! Tanahashi fights, reaches out, and the fans rally as they possibly can! Tanahashi makes the ROPEBREAK!! Oiwa lets go at 4, ZSJ lets ELP go, and TMDK regroups. Oiwa tags ZSJ and they get Tanahashi up. SNAP GERMAN, bridging cover, and then ZSJ jackknife bridges! Cover, TWO!!! Tanahashi escapes with nanoseconds to spare, but ZSJ tags Oiwa back in!

Oiwa climbs, ZSJ scoops and SLAMS Tanahashi down! NECK TWIST DIVING BODY PRESS COMBO!! Cover, TWO!!! Tanahashi survives again and the fans are thunderous! Oiwa stands Tanahashi up, UPPERCUT and ROLLING ELBOW, then another UPPERCUT! LARIAT ENZIGIRI SANDWICH, then Oiwa YUKON LARIATS! Cover, but THUNDERKISS 86 BREAKS IT! The fans are thunderous again but ZSJ fires UPPERCUTS on ELP! ZSJ runs, but ELP SUDDEN DEATH! ROLLING ELBOW from Oiwa to ELP! Oiwa tries one on Tanahashi but gets a DRAGON PALM for it! Oiwa roars, but SUDDEN DEATH hits again!

Tanahashi runs to SLINGBLADE Oiwa down!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa survives and the fans are electric! ACELP coordinates, and Tanahashi goes up! C R 2 sets Oiwa up, and ELP DIVES onto ZSJ! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, TANAHASHI & ELP WIN!!

Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Phantasmo, by pinfall (gain 2 points; ZSJ & Oiwa earn 0)

Finally! Emphatically, even! Tanahashi & ELP have a win in this year’s World Tag League! Will this setback drag “The Chin & Mullet” out of contention for the playoffs? Or can they prove they are still The Mighty?

As for Tanahashi & ELP, ELP gets the mic first to say, in Japanese, “Akita… Thank you very much! That was hot, huh? I’m worn out.” ELP then spots fans wanting to take pics, so he counts it out: Three, two, one, chika! ELP gives a proper introduction, and apologizes for his bad Japanese. The fans still applaud the effort, and ELP says this was Tanahashi’s last match in Akita, so let’s get one more “Go Ace!” The fans join in, “GO ACE! GO ACE!” Tanahashi appreciates it, and the fans applaud while ELP gives a deep bow. ELP hands the mic over to Tanahashi and the fans cheer “TA-NA-H’SHI! TA-NA-H’SHI!”

Tanahashi says, “Everyone, thank you so much for your support tonight. Just like ELP said, this was my last chance to wrestle in Akita. It’s too early to cry. Thanks for your support.” The fans applaud again, and ELP fetches a towel to dab and wipe Tanahashi’s face. Tanahashi nods in thanks, and says, “But NJPW isn’t stopping! We’re waiting for January 4 in the Tokyo Dome! I have a dream, like NJPW VS UWF, and like Inoki’s retirement, to surpass those and sell out that building!” The fans love that idea! Tanahashi gets fans to chant “Ite Yon!” which is shorthand for “January 4th!” The fans join in on the chant!

Tanahashi promises to win the rest of this WTL in a snap! Tanahashi puts the mic down, but then ELP wants to jam! A Young Lion “throws” the air guitars in, and it’s a big catch from The Ace! The fans fire up as #ACELP give Akita it’s last air guitar concert! And a duet, no less! The fans cheer, but they of course want the “EN-CO-RU! EN-CO-RU!” ACELP obliges, and ELP even has Katsuya Murashima join in! The fans cheer on “MU-RA-SH’MA! MU-RA-SH’MA!” And now it’s a trio! Murashima goes wild~! The fans cheer this special moment, and ELP does heart hands. And of course, Tanahashi SMASHES the guitar!

The fans want another “EN-CO-RU! EN-CO-RU!” so a fan throws a new guitar to Tanahashi. “LASTO~!” Tanahashi gets to do his solo while ELP gets the fans even more hype by hopping into the stands! Tanahashi finishes up with the famous “fall,” and ELP makes it a standing ovation! They all cheer Tanahashi on and he stands back up. Tanahashi gets the mic back to say, “Thank you for staying around for the full course there! Everyone, I promise you, as NJPW President, I will give my absolute all to keep NJPW at its best. Thank you very much. And finally Akita… AISHITEMAAASU~!”

The fans cheer their final memorable moment with Tanahashi, but can Tanahashi & ELP still survive riding on the edge of elimination? Or will it truly be a bittersweet homestretch on this Final Road?

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

Sanada & Ren Narita: 3-1, 6 points
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 2-2, 4 points
Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura: 2-2, 4 points
Lance Archer & Alex Zayne: 2-2, 4 points
David Finlay & Hiromu Takahashi: 2-2, 4 points
Oskar & Yuto-Ice: 2-2, 4 points
Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman: 2-2, 4 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Phantasmo: 1-3, 2 points

My Thoughts:

A great round for B Block at the halfway point of the tag league, and the biggest moment is of course Tanahashi & ELP winning. They won a great match against TMDK to survive for one more round, and they got to have a great closing moment with Akita. Meanwhile, another great win for Yuto & Oskar to stay strong as tag champs, still making a good case for themselves in their first WTL. Solid match from Shota & Yuya VS Monster Sauce, and a strong win for Shota & Yuya to stay afloat while also staving off just a bit of that growing dysfunction.

Finlay & Hiromu went back to using dysfunction as a weapon, which was great, but we should’ve all known The House of Torture would go the extra mile to screw them over. The House of Torture is definitely trying to rig a House of Torture Finals. That’s both annoying and very intriguing, as Sanada & Ren could chose to “defy the plan” and cheat Evil & Fale out of the win.

My Score: 8.9/10