Has the time come?

World Tag League’s A Block enters Round 5, time to see who stays alive as we approach the playoffs! Will the #HolyCozy bubble burst?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Lance Archer, Alex Zayne & Zane Jay VS Hiroshi Tanahashi, El Phantasmo & Katsuya Murashima; Tanahashi, ELP & Murashima win.
• Six Man Tag: SANADA, Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS The United Empire; Sanada, Narita & Kanemaru win.
• Six Man Tag: OSKAR, Yuto-Ice & Daiki Nagai VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
• Six Man Tag: David Finlay, Hiromu Takahashi & Gedo VS Shota Umino, Yuya Uemura & Shoma Kato; Finlay, Hiromu & Gedo win.
• 2025 World Tag League A Block: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens; Yano & Oleg win.
• 2025 World Tag League A Block: Bishamon VS EVIL & Don Fale; Bishamon wins.
• 2025 World Tag League A Block: El Desperado & Shuji Ishikawa VS Gabe Kidd & Yota Tsuji; Gabe & Yota win.
• 2025 World Tag League A Block: Shingo Takagi & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Taichi & Satoshi Kojima; Takagi & Drilla win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

Gabe Kidd & Yota Tsuji: 3-1, 6 points
El Desperado & Shuji Ishikawa: 3-1, 6 points
Evil & Don Fale: 3-1, 6 points
Bishamon: 2-2, 4 points
Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg: 2-2, 4 points
Shingo Takagi & “Drilla” Dan Moloney: 2-2, 4 points
Taichi & Satoshi Kojima: 1-3, 2 points
Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]

2025 World Tag League A Block: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens!

The Joker & Rook have been falling down the ranks a bit, but at least they’re still in the running. Will they survive through round five? Or will the Tokyo Pimp & Lonestar Outlaw ruin the fun once again?

The moment Yano’s comically long introduction is over, Yujiro & Chase attack! Yujiro stomps Yano down while Chase CLUBS Oleg! Chase puts Oleg in the corner while Yujiro throws Yano out. Chase CHOKES Oleg, the bell rings, and Oleg fires headlock punches. Yujiro returns, the House mugs Oleg, then they double whip. But Oleg DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLES them! Tag to Yano and the fans fire up. Yano unties the buckle pad! But Chase CLUBS him first! Yujiro BLASTS Oleg, he and Chase double whip Yano, but Yano grabs ropes. Yano ducks Yujiro, sends him into Chase, then THROWS them both down by their hair!

The fans cheer, and Yano finishes removing the buckle pad. Yano aims but Chase kicks low! Yujiro distracts the ref as Chase takes the buckle pad! But now Yano kicks low! Yano runs, but Chase SMACKS him! Yujiro BOOTS Oleg back down, Chase SMACKS Yano again and again, but the ref reprimands. The buckle pad is put aside, Chase drags Yano out, and Chase whips Yano into railing! Chase SMACKS Yano off the apron, Yujiro POSTS Oleg, and Chase covers Yano. TWO, and the fans applaud. Chase is annoyed but he tags Yujiro in. Chase drags Yano up, the House mugs him more, and Yujiro bumps Yano off buckles.

Yujiro stomps Yano down, digs his boot in, but the ref counts. Yujiro stops at 4, then stands Yano up. Yujiro snapmares Yano, runs, and basement BOOTS! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud, but Yujiro drops the LEG! Cover, TWO! Yano is still in this but Yujiro tags Chase. Chase drops an AX HANDLE on Yano! And he GRINDS his forearm into Yano’s face! The ref reprimands, Chase stops, and Chase stands on Yano’s hand! The ref reprimands, but Chase sucker punches Oleg! Chase stands Yano up to bump him off Yujiro’s boot! Chase tags Yujiro before he whips Yano to the corner. Forearm SMASH, then feed to Yujiro’s LARIAT!

Chase adds the NECK SNAP and Yujiro covers, TWO! Yano survives and the fans applaud. Yujiro FALLING HEADBUTTS! And FALLING HEADBUTTS! Cover, TWO! Yano is still in this and the fans rally back up. Yujiro stomps Yano, talks trash, but Yano pulls hair! Yujiro breaks free, kicks and whips, but Yano reverses! Atomic drop! Both men are down but Yano crawls! The fans rally, hot tag to Oleg! Oleg runs to CLOBBER Yujiro! And he swings on Chase! Chase gets away so Oleg drags Yujiro up. But Chase runs in and CLUBS Oleg! Oleg CHOPS Chase down! Oleg drags Yujiro up, gut wrench, and SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE! Then the THROW!

The fans fire up while Yujiro goes to a corner. Oleg runs in and SPLASHES! Then scoop and SLAM! Oleg goes up the corner, VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Yujiro survives but the fans rally behind Oleg. Oleg drags Yujiro up and fireman’s carries! But Yujiro BITES Oleg’s hand! The ref reprimands, but Yujiro whips Oleg to ropes. Oleg reverses, Yujiro grabs ropes, then FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Oleg sputters, Yujiro reels him in, REVERSE DDT! The fans rally, Yujiro hot tags Chase! Chase lines up a shot and runs corner to corner, forearm SMASH! Then a short arm LARIAT! But Oleg is so big and sturdy, it hurts Chase’s arm!

Chase tries another short arm LARIAT! “Itai!” Chase uses Japanese to say it hurts! Chase throat chops! Chase reels Oleg in, but Oleg BACKDROPS him away! Oleg runs up, but Chase sends him into bare buckles! Cover, with feet on the ropes! TWO!! Oleg escapes, but Yujiro BLASTS Yano off the apron! Chase turns Oleg, to KNEE SMASH! Then Yujiro reels Oleg in, but Oleg’s too big for the suplex! Chase kicks Oleg, then he helps DOUBLE SUPLEX! And I HATE YOUR FACE KNEE! Cover, but Yano breaks it! Yujiro runs up, Yano dodges, and BELLY2BELLY! Chase fires off on Yano, but Yano trips Chase!

Yano CATAPULTS Chase to Oleg’s fireman’s carry! But Chase fights with elbows! So Oleg serves the VERDICT!! The fans fire up with Oleg and he drags Chase up. Fireman’s carry, but Chase CLAWS the eyes! Oleg runs up, Chase SWATS the lariat, C-TRIGGER! Wrench and hammerlock, HIGH NOON! Cover, TWO!! Chase hurries to a corner and takes aim! Oleg sits up, into a C-TRIGGER! Chase reels Oleg in, tucks the arms, LAST- NO, Oleg is still too big! And he powers up to fireman’s carry! KAMIKAZE!! Cover, Oleg & Yano win!!

Winner: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Yujiro & Chase earn 0)

Another loss and Yujiro & Chase are in even worse shape than before! With The Pimp & The Outlaw now behind BARS, will Yano & Oleg continue towards the goal?

2025 World Tag League A Block: Bishamon VS EVIL & Don Fale!

Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi fell just last round, but they’re ready to #GetBackUp! Can the Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter still #TurnItAllAround? Or will Darkness Fall as the King of Darkness & Rogue General turn Bishamon’s lights out?

The teams sort out, but then the House just attacks again! Honestly, not sure how Bishamon didn’t see that coming… Evil beats up on Goto while Fale TOSSES Hashi out, and the bell rings. Evil stomps Goto, CLAWS his eyes, but the ref reprimands. Evil CLUBS Goto, drags him up, and talks trash on the fans. Evil whips Goto to ropes, but Goto grabs ropes to BOOT back! Hashi returns, he and Goto DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZANMAI! The fans cheer, and Bishamon BLASTS Fale! Then Bishamon brings Evil up! “SE~ NO!” BEAT THE DRUM! The fans cheer and Hashi flexes while Goto stmops Evil.

Evil wants mercy, but Goto stops the eye poke! That he sees coming. Goto kicks, Evil blocks, and Evil hands it to the ref! Evil mule kicks Goto, TOSSES him, and he BLASTS Hashi! Fale is there to whip Goto into railing! Evil goes out after Goto while Fale goes after Hashi. Evil wraps Goto’s leg around railing to pull! The ref counts, Evil stops and tells the ref to shut up. The fans boo but Evil grabs the mic to talk more trash. Evil tells Goto to just give up, but Goto says don’t mess with him! But then Evil CLAWS Goto’s face! Evil leaves Goto behind to soak up the heat. Fale drags Goto up as the ring count starts and he puts Goto in.

Evil drags Goto around, stomps away on a leg, then drops the ELBOW on the knee! Tag to Fale and they split the wishbone! Fale pushes Goto around, stomps him down, then stands on the bad leg. Then Fale stands on Goto’s back! Fale steps off, DECKS Hashi with a sucker punch, then he drags Goto back up. Fale puts Goto against the ropes, then pushes him down to stand on him! The ref counts, Fale steps off at 4, and Fale tags Evil. Evil drags Goto around by the leg and turns him over for the HALF CRAB! Goto endures as Evil pulls on the bad leg! The fans rally as Goto fights his way forward, but Fale holds the rope back! Even so, Goto makes the ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer but Evil holds on. The ref counts, Evil lets go at 4, and Evil tells the ref to shut up. Evil stomps Goto’s bad leg, then talks more trash. Evil stands Goto up but Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Evil KNEES low! Evil whips, Goto reverses, and Goto runs in at the corner, only for Evil to mule kick! Evil runs, but into Goto’s LARIAT! The fans fire up, Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! Hashi CHOPS Evil, then DROPKICKS Fale! Evil kicks and whips Hashi, but Hashi comes back to CHOP! Hashi mule kicks, then turns Evil for the NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Hashi drags Evil up.

Evil CHOPS Hashi! Hashi CHOPS Evil! Evil shouts in pain, but he comes back to CHOP Hashi! Hashi snarls but he CHOPS again! Evil grits his teeth, winds up, but then CLAWS Hashi’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil snap suplexes Hashi, then tag to Fale! Fale whips Hashi to a corner, then runs up, only for Hashi to dodge! Hashi LARIATS, then whips, but Fale reverses! Hashi sunset flips, but Fale stays up! Fale spins through, but Hashi avoids the elbow drop! Hashi runs to BASEMENT DROPKICK! The fans fire up for Hashi as he brings Fale around. Hashi fires a forearm, and another, then CHOPS! Fale wobbles, Hashi runs, but Evil trips him!

The fans boo but Evil runs in and BLASTS Goto! Evil & Fale regroup, whip Hashi to a corner, then Evil runs in! But Hashi dodges, and he DROPKICKS Fale’s legs! Goto LARIATS Evil! Evil falls, Hashi runs up, LARIAT on Fale! Goto LARIATS, too! Then Hashi goes up! SUPER GOTO GO TO HUNTER! Cover, TWO! Fale survives, but Hashi has the leg! KNEEBAR! Goto catches Evil into a SLEEPER! Evil RAMS Goto into a corner but Goto holds on! Evil calls for reinforcements! Fale endures as Hashi puts on the pressure, but where’s Dick Togo? He’s not coming from the stage? He’s coming from the crowd! But the Young Lions intercept!

Evil LOW BLOWS Goto in the distraction! And here comes SHO! Sho uses the SPOILER’S CHOKER on Hashi! The fans boo but where is the ref!? Sho BLASTS the Young Lions away, then he and Evil hit MAGIC KILLER!! Fale is back, he scoops Hashi, but Hashi hits EASY PICKINGS!! BISHAMON WINS!!

Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Evil & Fale earn 0)

But then the House of Torture pounces! The Young Lions rush in, they get thrown aside, and the mugging continues! Goto gets back in, as does Tatsuya Matsumoto, and they LOW BLOW Sho & Evil! Then they DUMP Fale out! The fans cheer as justice has been served twice! Will the House of Torture learn to change their cheating ways? Will Goto & Hashi continue on and have that fourth World Tag League championship?

2025 World Tag League A Block: El Desperado & Shuji Ishikawa VS Gabe Kidd & Yota Tsuji!

The top two teams now meet, and there can only be one “first place!” Will the Rogue Luchador & 21st Century Giant stand tall? Or will the Mad Man & Gene Blaster continue to elevate NJPW?

Seems Gabe is still salty from the Six Man Tag the other day, and he brings out a chair from under the ring! Gabe storms in, Despy has his own chair, and so does Shuji! The ref and Yota want everyone to calm down, and the chairs are put aside. The teams sort out, and despite how heated Despy and Gabe are, Yota and Shuji start. The fans rally up as the two circle, and they tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Shuji’s height gives him the leverage. He puts Yota on the ropes, but Yota turns things around. The ref counts, Yota lets off, but then he kicks low! Yota headlocks, Shuji powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders!

Neither man falls and the fans applaud. Yota runs, RAMS Shuji, but Shuji rebounds to RUN Yota over! The fans rally, Shuji whips Yota to ropes, but Yota dropkicks a leg! And DROPKICKS the other leg! Then he reels Shuji in, but Shuji’s too big to suplex! Shuji scoops, but Yota slips free! Yota falls back to the corner, and Gabe shouts, “Hey, Despy! F YOU!” Despy replies, “F you, too, Gabe!” They tag in and they run up! Gabe RUNS Despy over, the fans rally, and Despy gets in Gabe’s face. They talk trash, then they CHOP, CHOP, CHOP, back and forth! The fans fire up, Gabe gets the edge, then he runs, but into an ELBOW!

Despy runs, but Gabe follows to LARIAT! Gabe runs, but into a SPINE- NO, Gabe fights the spinebuster, and he BITES Despy, even with the mask! The ref counts, Despy BODY BLOWS then runs, but Gabe TOSSES him up and out! Yota runs to BLAST Shuji, then Gabe goes out to fetch Despy. Gabe SMACKS Despy off the ring bell! The ref reprimands while Gabe paces. Yota and Shuji brawl, Gabe drags Despy up, and then whips him into railing! Shuji RAMS Yota into railing, Gabe stalks Despy out into the crowd, and Gabe drags Despy up again. Gabe then POSTS Despy and Despy falls hard onto the floor.

Shuji has the neck wrench on Yota, Gabe storms back up on Despy, but Despy CLAWS Gabe’s face! Despy has a chair! The ref reprimands, Despy takes a swing, but Gabe dodges! Gabe kicks low, takes the chair from Despy, and JAMS him up! Then SMACKS him on the back! Despy writhes, the fans rally, but Shuji JAMS Gabe up! Shuji winds up, but Yota snatches the chair from him! Gabe JAMS Shuji now, and SMACKS him down! Shuji writhes, the ref reprimands, but Gabe leaves Shuji & Despy both behind. “I’M A MADMAN, Y’KNOW!” Despy slowly rises up, Gabe completes a full lap around the ring, and he drags Despy back up. Gabe puts Despy in, covers, ONE!!

The fans cheer as Despy shows his grit, but Gabe CLUBS him down! Tag to Yota, he storms up to Despy and stomps him at the ropes. Yota then CHOPS Despy and Despy falls back! Yota drags Despy by the legs, turns him over, and has the BOSTON CRAB! The fans rally, and Gabe brings out a table?! Gabe is ready to get extreme while Despy endures and fights! The fans rally, Despy crawls forward, and he has the ROPEBREAK! Yota lets go and Despy clutches his already taped-up lower back. Yota tags Gabe, then stomps a mudhole into Despy. Yota BLASTS Shuji for good measure before Gabe TOSSES Despy out!

Gabe SMACKS Despy off table! Despy falls down, Yota wants Gabe to calm it down, but here comes Shuji! Shuji CLOBBERS Gabe & Yota! Shuji takes the table for his own, and he sets it up nearby! The fans rally and Shuji reels Gabe in. Gabe resists the lift, Yota CLUBS away on Shuji, and then Yota fires off forearms! Yota ROCKS Shuji, whips him, but Shuji reverses! Yota hits railing! Gabe goes around the way to fetch Despy while Shuji kicks Yota to the crowd. Gabe HEADBUTTS Despy, puts him in the ring, and covers, but the ref says no, too many shenanigans. Gabe backs off in frustration, but Despy just eggs him on!

Gabe and Despy go forehead to forehead, and Despy fires forearms. Gabe winds up to ROCK Despy! Despy goes to a corner, Gabe snarls, and Gabe runs in, but Despy ELBOWS him! Gabe CHOPS! Gabe runs, but Despy DROPKICKS the legs out! The fans rally while both men are down, and Despy rolls to hot tag Shuji! Shuji runs at Gabe in the corner, but Gabe BOOTS him away! Gabe runs up, but Shuji scoops him! And wedges him into the corner!? The fans rally as Shuji runs corner to corner to GIANT KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and the fans rally up, but Shuji brings Gabe in. Shuji scoops, but Gabe slips out!

Gabe CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Shuji ROCKS Gabe with one big elbow! Gabe staggers and stumbles, but he snarls and comes back to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! Shuji ROCKS Gabe, Gabe staggers, but he rebounds to COMEBA- NO, Shuji slips around to DRAGON SUPLEX! But Gabe stands right back up! Gabe BOOTS Shuji! Gabe goes to a corner, runs up, but KNEES COLLIDE! Both men fall, but they get back up, and Shuji ROCKS Gabe! But Gabe suplexes Shuji!? The fans fire up while both men are down again! Gabe crawls, hot tag to Yota! Yota runs to STINGER SPLASH Shuji! Yota brings Shuji out to LARIAT!

Shuji stays up, Yota LARIATS again and again! Yota kicks, runs, but into a BACKBREAKER! Shuji tags in Despy, and the fans rally up! Despy runs to SMACK Gabe down! Then Despy & Shuji double whip Yota to a corner. Shuji whips Despy in, Despy BACK ELBOWS! Shuji LARIATS! Shuji scoops to SLAM Yota into the drop zone! Despy goes up, DOUBLE STOMPS! Shuji goes up, GIANT STOMPS!! Despy covers, TWO!! Yota survives and the fans rally up! Shuji goes out after Gabe while Despy has Yota’s legs! BOSTON CRAB! Yota endures, the fans rally harder, but Despy puts on the pressure! Yota still pushes up and fights forward, but Despy sits deep!

The fans rally harder still, and Yota has the ROPEBREAK! Shuji sends Gabe into railing while Despy lets Yota go. Despy stands Yota up, kicks low, and runs. But Yota scoops to BACKBREAKER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Despy rises, Yota roars, and the fans fire up! Yota runs in and GENE TRIGGER! Yota shoves Despy down, roars, and he goes up, up, and MARL- NO, Despy dodges! Despy runs up, but into a BODY SHOT! Yota hauls Despy back up, whips him to the corner, but Despy reverses to send him at the ref! Yota stops short, but Despy runs up and RAMS Yota into the ref! The ref is down while Despy GERMAN SUPLEXES Yota!

Despy roars, runs up, and he SPEARS Yota!! But then he realizes what happened to the ref! Despy calls for the ref, but Gabe has the chair! HEADSHOT on Despy!! The seat pops out and Gabe shouts, “I’M A MAD MAN, Y’KNOW!” Yota still asks what the heck, but Shuji CLOBBERS Yota! Gabe winds up, Shuji also has a chair! They chanbara with the chairs! Gabe is disarmed, Shuji JAMS Gabe and SMACKS him on the back! Gabe writhes and flounders to the apron. Shuji goes out to join him!? Shuji hauls Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the suplex! Gabe fires body shots, then SMACKS Shuji! Shuji drops, and Gabe reels him in!

Gabe aims for the table! Shuji resists, so Gabe CLUBS away! The kneepad comes down, O- NO! Shuji stops the knee to ROCK Gabe with a forearm! Now Shuji aims for the table! Gabe fires body shots! Despy SMACKS Gabe with a chair! Shuji reels Gabe in, scoop and FIRE THUNDER DRIVER down through the table!! The fans are thunderous and Young Lions hurry to check on Gabe. Shuji drags himself back into the ring, and he helps Despy stand Yota up. Yota BODY BLOWS Shuji, and he ROCKS Despy! Yota roars, runs, but into another SPEAR! Despy sets Yota up, GIANT KNEE!! Cover, TWO?!?!

The fans are thunderous as Despy & Shuji get Yota up! DOUBLE POWERBOMB!! Cover, GABE BREAKS IT!! Gabe is busted open but he saves Yota and the match! Shuji drags Gabe around, has the wrists, but Gabe blocks the knee! UPPERCUT! O-KNEE!! The fans fire up again but Despy storms up on Gabe! Gabe breaks free, Despy ducks a shot to LOCO MONO!! Despy flips Gabe off, then runs, SPEAR into the O-KNEE!!! Gabe is going nuts, and he tells Yota to get up! Feed to the GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, Gabe & Yota win!!

Winners: Gabe Kidd & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Desperado & Shuji earn 0)

It was a brutal war, but now Gabe & Yota stand atop the block as the lone 4-1 team! Will nothing stop them from taking the trophies and then the titles? Is there still a chance The Rogue & The Giant can find a spot in the playoffs?

2025 World Tag League A Block: Shingo Takagi & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Taichi & Satoshi Kojima!

The War Dragons already popped one bubble by mathematically eliminating Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens, and now the Holy Emperor & King of Bread Style are in the hot seat. Will #HolyCozy be toast? Or can they serve up a Lariat Sandwich with a capital L?

The teams sort out and 44 Caliber starts against Taichi. The fans rally with the bell, and the two slowly circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, then break. They tie up again, Drilla headlocks, but Taichi powers up and out. They RAM shoulders but neither falls. Drilla challenges Taichi to a sumo style showdown! The fans cheer that! Taichi says alright, bring it! Drilla runs up, they clinch, and Taichi holds his footing. Taichi shifts and he THROWS Drilla way! But then Drilla comes back to CLOBBER Taichi! Drilla dares Taichi to try again, but Taichi backs up. Drilla also backs up, and he tags in Takagi. Taichi tags in Kojima and the fans applaud!

Takagi and Kojima circle, feel things out, and tie up. Takagi waistlocks, Kojima wrenches free to wristlock, but Takagi wrenches in return. Takagi hammerlocks, Kojima reaches back to headlock, but Takagi fires body shots. Kojima grinds the hold, but Takagi powers out the back to hammerlock then headlock. Kojima powers up and out, they RAM shoulders, and the fans applaud. Kojima runs, he RAMS Takagi, but Takagi brushes that off. Takagi fires a forearm, Kojima CHOPS, and so Takagi CHOPS! They CHOP back and forth, but then Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS! Takagi whips, Kojima RUNS him over! The fans applaud, and Kojima shows off the dancing pecs.

Takagi goes to a corner, Kojima MACHINEGUN CHOPS! The fans fire up, Drilla runs up, but Kojima kicks him first! Kojima adds Drilla to the MACHINEGUN CHOPS! Drilla falls, Kojima reloads to MACHINEGUN CHOP Takagi! The fans fire up, and Kojima whips corner to corner! Forearm SMASH, “ICCHAUZO, BAKAYAROU!” But Takagi runs up to LARIAT! The fans rally, Takagi says HE’s coming after ya! Takagi CLUBS Kojima, bumps Kojima off Drilla’s boot, then tags Drilla in. Drilla CHOPS, and ROCKS, and repeat! Drilla snapmares Kojima, basement DROPKICKS, then covers, TWO! Kojima toughs it out but Drilla brings him up.

Takagi joins in and the War Dragons double whip. They DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE, then they do what they can with their pecs. The fans join in on the “OI! WOOF! OI! WOOF!” Takagi ELBOW DROPS, then Drilla KNEE DROPS! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud, but Drilla stomps Kojima while he stays between him and Taichi. Drilla puts Kojima in the corner, tags Takagi, and they bring Kojima out. Kojima resists the double whip, so Takagi & Drilla double wrench, CLUB the arms, and Takagi BLASTS Taichi! Then the War Dragons double whip Kojima to a corner! They both run up!? RAM LARIAT COMBO!

The fans rally up with Takagi, “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi brings Kojima around, Drilla lines up the shot, but Kojima breaks free! Kojima kicks Drilla first, reels him in, and suplexes, only for Drilla to fight it! Kojima CLUBS Drilla into the DDT! Takagi ELBOW DROPS again! Taichi is back, but Takagi ELBOWS! And JABS! Taichi RIDGE HANDS! Takagi still swings, but Taichi ducks the lariat to DANGEROUS SAIDO! The fans fire up while Takagi tumbles. Kojima hobbles up, he tags in Taichi, and Taichi storms his way over. Taichi goes out to fetch Takagi, and he whips Takagi hard into railing! Taichi then drags Drilla up, and whips him into railing!

Drilla slumps down, Taichi storms over to Takagi, and Taichi stands Takagi up to put him in the ring. Taichi covers, TWO! The fans applaud, but Taichi snapmares Takagi and KICKS him in the back! And KICKS him again! Takagi eggs Taichi on, so Taichi KICKS him again! Taichi stomps Takagi, then tags Kojima. Kojima stomps Takagi, turns him, and hits the NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Kojima stands Takagi up, HYANKS the arm again and again, then CLUBS Takagi. Takagi eggs Kojima on so Kojima CLUBS Takagi against the ropes! Kojima stands on Takagi, Red Shoes reprimands, but Kojima tags Taichi.

#HolyCozy double whip Takagi to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Cover, ONE!! The fans cheer as Takagi toughs it out. Taichi taunts Takagi and stomps him. Taichi talks some smack, but Takagi rises to fire forearms! The fans rally, but Taichi DECKS Takagi! Taichi drags Takagi up into the SEITEI JUJIHO! Drilla runs in, but Kojima intercepts and snapmares for the top wristlock! KAWANAGOROSHI! The fans rally as the War Dragons endure, and Takagi fights with his legs! Taichi CRANKS the hold, Takagi is fading! Taichi releases Takagi to cover, TWO!! The fans cheer as Takagi survives the Holy Emperor’s Tomb, but Taichi kicks him around.

The fans rally up, Taichi fires Kawada Kicks, but Takagi just shakes his head. Taichi kicks low, fires more Kawada Kicks, but Takagi headbutts the buckles to fire up! The fans fire up with him, but Taichi SOBATS! Taichi runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON- NO, Taichi ducks! Takagi makes him stand to JAB again! And YUKON LARIAT after all! The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi crawls, reaches out, hot tag to Drilla! Drilla BLASTS Kojima, then stands Taichi up. Taichi RIDGE HANDS, Drilla forearms, and repeat! Taichi KICKS and KICKS and KICKS Drilla’s leg! Then RIDGE HAND!

Drilla ducks a shot to CHOP in return! Drilla runs, but into a BOOT! Taichi runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Drilla builds speed to WRECK Taichi with a dropkick! The fans fire up with Drilla and he puts Taichi back in. Cover, TWO! Drilla roars and the fans fire up again. Drilla goes up the corner, Taichi rises, and MISS- NO, Taichi dodges! Drilla rolls through, Taichi runs up, but Drilla BOOTS! Taichi SPINNING RIDGE HANDS! Drilla CHOPS back, but Taichi GAMANGIRIS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Taichi and Drilla stir, and Taichi looks to the camera?! OFF COME THE PANTS!

The fans fire up as Taichi aims, TENSHO- NO! Drilla blocks the kick! And YANKS Taichi into a carry! Then pops him up into the Canadian Rack! DRILLA- NO, Taichi lands out! SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Taichi, he suplexes Drilla, but Drilla slips free! Drilla shoves Taichi away, dodges Kojima, and Takagi LARIATS Kojima in the corner! Drilla SPIN-OUT BOMBS Taichi! Takagi scoop SLAMS Kojima! And the War Dragons go up! WRESTLING SUMMIT ELBOWS!! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up and the War Dragons look to the cameras. “TOKI GA KITA!” But #HolyCozy CLOBBER them!

Taichi reels Drilla in, GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!! Drilla escapes, but Taichi Alabama Lifts! Drilla fights that to try his own lift, but Taichi wrenches out. Taichi swings, Drilla dodges, SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Drilla crawls, the fans rally, hot tag to Takagi! Takagi waits on Taichi, then runs in at the corner, LARIAT! The fans fire up with Takagi, and he JABS and CHOPS on repeat! JAB, JAB, JAB! Taichi eggs Takagi on, so Takagi JABS! Red Shoes reprimands about closed fists, but Takagi runs in, only for Taichi to dodge! GAMANGIRI! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!

Taichi crawls, reaches out, hot tag to Kojima! Kojima storms up to MACHINEGUN CHOPS! He still has ammo in that arm! The fans fire up as this is the extra big clip! Kojima whips corner to corner, forearm SMASH! “ICCHAUZO, BAKAYAROU!” Kojima goes up, but Drilla anchors him! Takagi hurries to ROCK Kojima, and fireman’s carry! Drilla joins in, BOOT OF DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO! Drilla & Takagi regroup to say, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up and join in with “OI! OI! OI!” Drilla runs up to LARIAT Kojima! Takagi LARIATS Kojima, then feeds Drilla’s SUPERKICK! SLIDING PUMPING BOMBER! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally, Drilla drags Kojima up, and the War Dragons double whip. Kojima ducks the lariats to SHOVE Drilla into Takagi! Then he kicks Drilla to COZY CUTTER! Then kick and COZY CUTTER on Takagi! Taichi adds the BUZZSAW! The fans fire up as Kojima powers up the arm! Off comes the elbow pad! COZY- ELBOW! JAB! JAB! JAB! Then a wind up and POINT-BLANK PUMPING! Takagi runs, DOUBLE LARIATS collide, and Kojima stands tall! The fans fire up and Kojima waits on Takagi. Takagi stands, Kojima runs, but into a GORE!! Drilla roars, the fans fire up, and Takagi fires back up, too!

The War Dragons get Kojima up, double pump handle, WAR DRAGONS DRIVER!!! Cover, TAICHI BREAKS IT!! The fans are thunderous but Drilla TOSSES Taichi! Takagi roars, he brings Kojima up to fire boxing elbows! The fans rally, Takagi runs, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Both men stagger, but Kojima COZY LARIATS through!! Cover, TWO!!! Takagi survives and the fans are thunderous! Taichi coaches Kojima, he rallies the fans, and Kojima rises! The fans rally up, Taichi Alabama- NO, Drilla CLUBS Taichi, then reels Kojima in! DRILLA- NO, Koijma fights free! Taicih BOOTS, then a LARIAT SANDWICH!!

Taichi shouts to Kojima to top this off, and Kojima powers up again! Kojima runs, but Takagi SWATS the lariat! BLINDSIDE PUMPING! Then he dodges to PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!!! Kojima survives and the fans fire up again! Takagi roars, he hauls Kojima up, and he pump handles for the torture rack! BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, WAR DRAGONS WIN!!

Winners: Shingo Takagi & “Drilla” Dan Moloney, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Taichi & Kojima earn 0)

The hot seat has burned Taichi & Kojima, they are now mathematically ELIMINATED from the playoffs! Will #HolyCozy just have to accept being someone’s spoilers?

As for the War Dragons, they get the mics, but Takagi asks Kojima, “Wait a moment.” Takagi catches his breath, and says, “Thinking back, it was ten years ago that I first wrestled you here in Aimesse Yamanashi. I beat you tonight, but that lariat was something. That was a win worth earning, so let’s go again.” The fans cheer that, and Kojima nods as he starts to leave. “You all might not believe it, but Kojima’s 55! That’s a model I want to aim for. Taichi, you and me, we’re all north of 40, all veterans, but it’s because of us that this ring is red hot. Thanks for that.” Taichi reminds Takagi that he hit his 23 year anniversary.

Takagi points it out to the crowd, Taichi’s hit 23 years in the business! Cheer him on! The fans do cheer as Taichi helps Kojima to the back. Takagi then says this was a big win here in Tamanashi. Perhaps their time has come! The fans applaud, and Takagi says he’ll introduce us to his nakama, his “nice my friend,” Drilla Moloney! The fans applaud, and Takagi asks Drilla to say a little something. Drilla takes the mic, and apologizes, “Sorry only a little Japanese, but thank you all. Shingo Takagi is the most famous man in Yamanashi, right?” Drilla gets the fans to chant for “TA-KA-GI!” and Drilla says the War Dragons’ time has indeed come!

Drilla passes the mic back, and Takagi says the Tokyo Dome is already sold out! That’s what? 30, 40, 50 thousand? And yet the War Dragons aren’t booked? The Yamanashi sightseeing ambassador is not booked? That can’t happen. So they have to win this! Takagi heard from someone in staff that NJPW’s return to Yamanashi is in the books, a Sunday in March, so make sure you tell a friend, tell your family, and tell everyone that Shingo Takagi & “Drilla” Moloney will bring the fire for the rest of World Tag League! The fans cheer that! Will nothing stop the War Dragons from rampaging through the rest of the rounds?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Gabe Kidd & Yota Tsuji: 4-1, 8 points
El Desperado & Shuji Ishikawa: 3-2, 6 points
Bishamon: 3-2, 6 points
Evil & Don Fale: 3-2, 6 points
Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg: 3-2, 6 points
Shingo Takagi & “Drilla” Dan Moloney: 3-2, 6 points
Taichi & Satoshi Kojima: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens: 0-5, 0 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

Another great round for A Block, and good to see the House of Torture get their comeuppance with both teams losing. To be fair, it wouldn’t have served Yujiro & Chase much for them to win this deep into the tournament. Awesome matches in the second half, though the main event took a second to get going. Great win for Gabe & Yota to be the top of the block, and a great win for War Dragons to stay near the top. Though now the block has a huge gap from the eliminated teams and the teams still in this. But that’s great, it adds to the unpredictability of who qualifies for the playoffs.

My Score: 9/10