Will the dysfunction destroy one of these duos?

World Tag League hits Shizuoka as B Block enters round five! So many teams are at 2-2, who breaks away from the pack to make a play for the playoffs?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current 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

2025 World Tag League B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Phantasmo VS Lance Archer & Alex Zayne!

The Ace & The Headbanga are on the bubble, and it only takes one more loss to burst! Will the Final Road not lead to the World Tag League finals? Or can #ACELP stay cool against the Monster Sauce?

Tanahashi shows off the abs and the fans cheer as always. The teams sort out and Zayne steps up for his team. ELP is impressed that Archer stepped up and over the top rope, so he tries to get Tanahashi to do the same. Not that easy for The Ace, so he just steps out like normal. The bell rings, ELP and Zayne circle and the fans chant, “E L P! E L P!” They tie up, ELP waistlocks, but Zayne wrenches out to wristlock. ELP reaches back to wrench and wristlock. Zayne rolls, handsprings, wrenches, and wristlocks. ELP reaches out, Zayne keeps him from ropes, but ELP flips through and wrenches to wristlock.

ELP eggs Zayne on a bit, and Zayne slips through to wrench, hammerlock, then headlock. ELP powers out the back, twists the wrist, but Zayne wrenches again. ELP rolls, trips Zayne, then flips him over to BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Zayne pops free to cover, ONE! ELP sweeps the leg to cover, ONE! Both men kip up, the fans fire up, and ELP does the finger snap while Zayne plays with his hair. Zayne and ELP reset, then go to their corners. ELP tags in Tanahashi and the fans cheer. Zayne tags Archer and the fans again cheer. The fans rally for “TA-NA-H’SHI!” and the two tie up. But Archer powers Tanahashi right to a corner!

The ref counts, Archer backs off at 4, and he pats Tanahashi on the shoulder. But then takes a swing! Tanahashi dodges to fire shots, then he ducks a shot to kick low! Tanahashi runs, but Archer RUNS him over! The fans cheer and rally behind Tanahashi, but Archer tells them, “Shaddap!” The fans rally harder for Tanahashi, but Archer puts him in a corner, and ROCKS him with a right hand! Archer stomps a mudhole in, the ref counts, but Archer stops at 4. Archer laughs, then he chases ELP off. Archer drags Tanahashi up, whips him corner to corner, but runs into a BOOT! Tanahashi goes up, CROSSBODY! But Archer catches him!

ELP gets in and DROPKICKS Archer down! The fans cheer, and ELP tells Tanahashi, “Guitar!” Tanahashi “passes” the guitar, but then Zayne snatches it from ELP! ELP snatches it back! ELP then ducks ‘n’ dodges, rolls off Zayne’s back, and BACKDROPS Zayne! The fans cheer, and now we get some air guitar! But Archer SHOVES Tanahashi into ELP! Then he BOOTS ELP! Archer stomps Tanahashi, stomps ELP, and repeat! He stands on them both at the ropes, the ref counts, and Archer steps off. Archer tags Zayne, and he scoops Zayne to SLAM him onto Tanahashi! Tanahashi writhes, the fans rally, but Zayne brings Tanahashi up.

Zayne CLUBS Tanahashi, reels him in, and CLUBS him again! Zayne bumps Tanahashi off buckles, Archer taunts the fans, and Zayne brings Tanahashi around to fire forearms. But Tanahashi fires back! Zayne kicks a leg, then whips, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up while both men are down! They crawl, hot tag to ELP! ELP goes up and he RIDER KICKS! Then he BOOTS Archer off the apron! Archer is furious, but ELP goes up and over Zayne! Then he ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! Then LIONSAULT! Then PLANCHA onto Archer! ELP goes back up, springboard SWANTON!

ELP springboards again, but he has to land out of the Lionsault as Zayne moves! Zayne swings, ELP wrenches him, straitjacket and torture rack! SPINNING NECKBREAKER DROP! Cover, TWO! Zayne survives and the fans rally up. ELP feeds off the energy and brings Zayne up. ELP reels Zayne in, tucks the arms, but Zayne fights the lift! Zayne wrenches out, whips ELP to the corner, then runs up, only for ELP to BOOT him away. ELP goes up, but Zayne returns, DRAGON RANA! Archer gets in and he guzels ELP for the CHOKE SLAM! Zayne hops up, Archer lifts him, “ITADAKIMAAASU~!” But Tanahashi anchors Zayne’s foot!

Archer BOPS Tanahashi, drags ELP up, but ELP CHOPS Archer! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Archer reels ELP in, Zayne runs up, ROLLING AX KICK SIDEWALK SLAM COMBO! Then the guzel on Zayne, CHOKE SLAM SAULT! Cover, Tanahashi breaks it! The fans fire up, but Archer brings Tanahashi up to whip him to the corner. Zayne runs in and ELBOWS! Archer runs in and ELBOWS! Zayne tilt-o-whirls Archer to CANNONBALL RANA! Zayne goes back to ELP, straitjacket and pump handle, TACO- VICTORY ROLL! Cover, TWO! Zayne escapes, rolls ELP up, TWO! ELP wrenches Zayne and backslides, TWO! Mule kick!

ELP reels Zayne back in, tucks the arms, C R- NO, Zayne fights it, and Archer guzels ELP! And guzels Tanahashi! But they break free, and DROPKICK the legs out! Archer stays up, but Tanahashi blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! ELP and Tanahashi each get a leg, DOUBLE GROUND DRAGON SCREWS! The fans fire up, and ELP ties up Zayne’s legs! Tanahashi does the same to Archer, STEREO TEXAS CLOVERHOLDS!! The fans fire up while Monster Sauce endures! Zayne fights over, ROPEBREAK! Monster Sauce is set free, but now they’re in the drop zone! ELP and Tanahashi both go up, for STEREO SUNSET SENTONS!

The fans fire up again and now we get some good air guitar! ELP drags Zayne up, but Zayne cradles! TWO!! SUDDEN DEATH! And then the tuck, C R 2!! Cover, Archer CLOBBERS Tanahashi onto it! Archer drags ELP and Tanahashi up, “EVERYBODY DIES!” But they dodge his double lariats! SUDDEN DEATH and SLINGBLADE! Then they DOUBLE LARIAT Archer up and out! ELP and Tanahashi coordinate again as they both climb corners! But Tanahashi HIGH FLY ATTACKS Archer to the outside! ELP THUNDERKISS 86 on Zayne! Cover, ACELP WINS!!

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

Another victory and ACELP survives for another round! Can they win out make it into the playoffs? Or will that hot seat burn them up before the end?

2025 World Tag League B Block: SANADA & Ren Narita VS Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman!

Of all the teams to be leading this race at 3-1, why did it have to be the Cold-Blooded, Souled-Out Snakes? Will they continue to stack the deck even now? Or will the House of Torture be conquered by the United Empire?

The moment Callum slides into the ring, The House attacks! They stomp away, then Sanada goes after Khan on the outside! The bell rings, Ren CLUBS Callum, then stalks him to the corner. Sanada whips Khan into railing! Khan slumps down, Ren and Callum go outside and brawl. Callum UPPERCUTS, but Ren CLAWS Callum’s eyes! The brawling moves into the crowd, and Ren BOWLS Callum into chairs! STRIKE! Sanada does the same with Khan! Sanada CLAWS Khan’s eyes, Ren JAMS Callum up with a chair, and the ref reprimands. Ren SMACKS Callum off more chairs, then drags him up. Callum ROCKS Ren in return!

The fans rally as Callum fires more shots, and Ren staggers away. But then Ren SMACKS Callum with a plastic water bottle, and JAMS him up with another chair! Meanwhile, Sanada has more fans clear out so he can BOWL Khan into the chairs! And he SMASHES Khan with a water bottle! The fans boo but Sanada and Ren regroup. Ren now drags Khan up, pulls him along by the beard, and he goes back to ringside. Ren puts Khan in the ring, Sanada kicks Callum, and Sanada whips Callum hard into railing! Ren covers Khan, TWO! Another cover, but that’s a CHOKE! Ren lets go, argues with the ref, but he’s kneeling on Khan’s neck!

The ref counts, Ren AX HANDLES Khan, then whips him to ropes. Ren ELBOWS Khan down, covers, TWO! The fans rally as Khan survives, but Ren stomps him around. Ren drags Khan up, bumps him off buckles, and tags Sanada. Sanada drags Khan up, bumps him off buckles, then whips him corner to corner. Sanada runs up, LARIAT, then he drags Khan out to trip him! And he ties Khan up in Paradise! Ren has a chair, the ref stops him, but this lets Sanada untie the blue buckle pad. Sanada brings the pad over to SMACK Khan out of Paradise! Then Sanada tosses the buckle pad aside. The ref reprimands but what’s done is done.

Sanada drags Khan up, TOSSES him out, and Sanada distracts the ref so Ren can JAM Khan up with a chair! The fans boo but Ren hides the evidence and puts Khan in the ring. Sanada drags Khan by his ponytail, bumps him off the bare buckles, then tags Ren. Ren BLASTS Callum, then he drags Khan up. Khan fights the suplex! The fans rally, Khan stomps Ren’s foot, then Khan winds up, but Ren pulls the beard! The ref counts, Ren lets go at 4, then Ren stands Khan up. Khan Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian Chops! And- NO, Ren pulls beard again! But Khan pries the hands away, and IRON CLAW! He THROWS Ren away!

The fans rally up and Khan hobbles, hot tag to Callum! Callum KICKS and KICKS and KICKS Ren, then Kawada Kicks! Callum fires forearms in the corner, but Sanada attacks! Callum TOSSES Sanada, then goes out to whip him hard into railing! And then into more railing! Callum goes back to the ring to scrub and dig his boot into Ren’s face! Callum runs side to side, BOOT WASH! The fans cheer, and Callum drags Ren up. Callum rains down heavy forearms, then he snarls as he goes to the corner. Callum runs up, Ren dodges the stomps, but Callum kicks low. Callum runs, Sanada KICKS him in the back!

Ren clinches Callum to BLIZZARD PLEX! Tag to Sanada! The House drags Callum up, double whips him to the ropes, but Callum grabs ropes! Callum BOOTS and ENZIGIRIS Ren, but Sanada avoids the superkick! Callum blocks a kick, FLIPS Sanada, but Sanada lands out! Callum kicks low, reels him in, PRINCE’S- NO, Sanada slips free of The Curse! Callum ducks the Shining Wizard! Sanada ducks the roundhouse to dropkick the legs out! But Callum kips right back up to ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum crawls, hot tag to Khan! Khan storms up and BLASTS Ren! Then he stalks Sanada to the corner.

Khan whips Sanada corner to corner, runs in and LARIATS, then SAYANAGI! Callum adds a PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Khan drags Sanada back up, fireman’s carries, and Callum hobbles as he picks up speed. Ren trips him! Sanada slips free, Ren BOOTS Khan, but Callum DUMPS Ren! Sanada dodges Callum, tilt-o-whirl, but Callum turns dragon sleeper into suplex! Khan is there to fireman’s carry! IMPERIAL DROP!! Cover, Ren breaks it! Callum is right on Ren, but Ren blocks the kick to THROW it at the ref! But Callum blocks the low blow and BUZZSAWS Ren down! The fans fire up, but here comes Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

The Heel Master JAMS Khan up with the whiskey bottle! Then he JAMS up Callum! Then he BLASTS Jakob Austin Young off the apron! The fans boo but the House stomps away on Callum and Khan! Ren slides the guitar to Sanada, and he winds up, but Khan dodges! Sanada JAMS Khan up on the return, but Callum snatches the guitar! Callum takes a swing, but Sanada dodges, and Khan blocks the smash! Sanada storms up, but Callum mule kicks! And he BOOTS Ren down! Jakob rushes over to YANK Kanemaru down! Callum PLANCHAS Kanemaru & Ren down! Khan has the guitar! Sanada wants mercy! Khan says sure. SMASH HIT!!

The fans cheer as Sanada tastes his own medicine! Khan hauls Sanada up, ELIMINATOR!! Cover, The Empire wins!

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

Justice has been served! Sanada & Narita aren’t the top of the block anymore, will this loss keep them from the playoffs? Will the Dominator & Prince of Pace soon conquer the World Tag League?

2025 World Tag League B Block: OSKAR & Yuto-Ice VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa!

The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions had a rough start but are making the comeback, while “The Chin & The Mullet” had a strong start but are now struggling to stay up. Will the Knock Out Brothers knock out another team? Or will they see that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

The teams sort out and Oiwa steps up. Yuto goes right around him to get in ZSJ’s face. The ref has Yuto back down, and Oiwa says he’s Yuto’s opponent. They start shoving, the ref wants everyone to hold on, and since Yuto wants ZSJ, Oskar steps up to Oiwa. The bell rings, the fans rally, and the two circle. Oiwa and Oskar feel things out, then Oskar kicks low! Oskar whips, but Oiwa swings on Ice! Ice says shove it, then Oskar scoops Oiwa! Oiwa slips free, dodges Oskar, and he BLASTS Ice! The fans cheer, and then Oiwa dodges Oskar! But Oskar blocks the arm-drag! Oiwa slips around to a waistlock, Oskar switches, but Oiwa fights the lift!

Oiwa switches, Oskar ELBOWS free, but Oiwa slips around and trips Oskar up! Then arm-drag! The fans cheer as Oiwa then DROPKICKS! Oiwa runs, but Oskar scoops and SLAMS! Yuto runs in and BLASTS ZSJ! Yuto goes out to stomp and punch away on ZSJ, Oskar CHOKES Oiwa, and the ref reprimands. Yuto whips ZSJ into railing hard! ZSJ stumbles away and the fans rally up. Oskar stomps Oiwa around, then drags him up. Oskar CHOPS Oiwa off his feet, then has the cocky cover. ONE, but Oskar just chuckles. Oskar drags Oiwa up, bumps him off buckles, and tags in Yuto. Yuto fires body shots, then he snapmares Oiwa for a KICK!

Yuto scuffs Oiwa, eggs him on, taunts him, but Oiwa CHOPS! And CHOPS! And fires hands! Yuto BODY BLOWS Oiwa, then KICKS him to the corner. Yuto KICKS again and again and again! SOBAT! Yuto gets gangsta, and “BOMBACLAT!” DOUBLE KNEES! Snapmare and cover, TWO! Oiwa toughs it out and the fans rally up. Yuto drags Oiwa up, bumps him off Oskar’s boot, then BLASTS ZSJ off the apron! Tag to Oskar and he looms over Oiwa. Oskar CHOPS Oiwa, eggs him on, and Oiwa CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! And again! Oiwa runs, but Oskar CHOPS him down! Cover, but Oiwa makes it a cradle! TWO!

Oskar runs up, Oiwa dodges, tag to ZSJ! ZSJ BOOTS Oskar! Oskar eggs him on so ZSJ BOOTS and BOOTS again! Oskar ROCKS ZSJ! ZSJ staggers to the ropes, Oskar eggs him on, so ZSJ UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! ZSJ runs, but Oskar CLOBBERS him! But ZSJ avoids the elbow drop! ZSJ isolates that arm to STOMP it! The fans applaud while Oskar writhes, and ZSJ clamps onto the arm again. ZSJ STOMPS the hand, then he taunts Yuto. Ice runs in, but ZSJ dodges to KICK him down! ZSJ goes back to Oskar to wrench the arm, but Oskar breaks free! But ZSJ blocks the chop to UPPERCUT the arm!

ZSJ DROPKICKS Oskar to the corner! ZSJ runs in and UPPERCUTS! ZSJ runs corner to corner, Oskar follows, and Oskar ELBOWS ZSJ! The fans rally while Oskar runs, but ZSJ avoids the leg drop! PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as both men rise up. ZSJ runs in, but Oskar CHOPS him first! And CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Oskar DECKS ZSJ, covers, TWO! ZSJ survives and the fans rally, but Oskar winds up. Guzel and then both hands, NECK HANG- NO, ZSJ drags Oskar down into a TRIANGLE HOLD! ZSJ throws down elbows but Oskar still endures! The fans rally, Oskar reaches out, and he deadlifts ZSJ!

The fans fire up as Oskar POWERBOMBS ZSJ! The fans fire up while both men are down, and they both crawl. ZSJ and Oskar hot tag Oiwa and Yuto! Oiwa fires forearms but Yuto fires back! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth! Yuto ROCKS Oiwa, runs, but Oiwa ROCKS Yuto! Oiwa fires off shots, kicks and stomps, and Yuto tumbles out! Oiwa pursues to throw Yuto back in, but then Yuto kicks low! Yuto whips, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Yuto first! But Yuto’s up to BOOT! The forearms fly again, Yuto ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Oiwa DROPKICKS him down! The fans fire up, Oiwa ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO!

Oiwa clamps on a SLEEPER! Yuto endures, the fans rally up, and Oiwa spins Yuto, but Yuto ROCKS Oiwa first! Yuto runs, but Oiwa blocks the kick! Oiwa winds up, but Yuto KICKS! Oiwa SWATS the next kick! LARIAT! ZSJ joins in and the fans fire up. ZSJ eggs Oskar on, then catches his arm to HOTSHOT it! Oiwa drags Yuto up, ROCKS him, then ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ROLLING ELBOW and BLINDSIDE UPPERCUT! Then LARIAT ENZIGIRI COMBO! DEADLIFT GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Yuto survives, the fans fire up, and Oiwa drags Yuto up. Yuto’s a ragdoll, but Oiwa kicks him around. Then TENZAN- NO, Yuto KNEES free!

Both men wobble, but Yuto snarls and brings Oiwa up. Yuto bobs ‘n’ weaves, SLAPS and SLAPS, and he roars as Oiwa falls! The fans rally, Yuto runs, ICE HIGH! Cover, TWO! Oiwa survives, but Yuto kicks him around and talks some trash. The fans rally as Oiwa rises, but Yuto still kicks him around. Oiwa glares at Yuto but Yuto SMACKS Oiwa down! The ref checks on Oiwa and he’s still conscious, so ZSJ and the fans rally up. Yuto tags Oskar, then Yuto BOOTS ZSJ! The Knock Out Brothers whip Oiwa to scoop, BACKBREAKER and KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa survives and the fans fire up again!

The Knock Out Brothers say it’s time to end it! Scoop and- NO, ZSJ BOOTS Yuto! Oiwa slips free, UPPERCUT and roll up, TWO!!! Oskar escapes but ZSJ wrenches an arm to YANK it! And wrenches to ELBOW BREAKER! Then he and Oiwa work together, DOUBLE- NO! Oskar blocks the suplexes! Oskar fires hands, but they fire back! ZSJ & Oiwa double whip, they SWAT the lariat, and PELE the arm! And now DOUBLE SUPLEX! The fans fire up, and ZSJ PENALTY KICKS! Oiwa is up top, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!! Oskar survives and the fans fire up again! Oiwa roars and the fans are with him!

Oiwa stands Oskar up, gut wrenches, but that’s a lot to lift! ZSJ keeps Yuto out but Oskar fights free. Oiwa LARIATS, but Oskar stays up! Oiwa LARIATS again! Oiwa runs, dodges a boot, THE- NO! Oskar scoops! Yuto breaks free, runs up, and K O B DRIVER!!! Cover, Knock Out Brothers win!!

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

The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions just proved themselves worthy of those belts! This was certainly their mightiest win, but will they soon dominate the block? Can The Chin & Mullet hold their heads up high and fight their way back up in the next round?

2025 World Tag League B Block: David Finlay & Hiromu Takahashi VS Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura!

The alliance of War Dogs and Unaffiliated is working out, for the most part. The Rebel & The Timebomb keep trying to weaponize the other, and results have varied. Meanwhile, The Roughneck’s statement that Hontai is in his good hands may have irked The Heat Storm ever so slightly, but they’re holding it together. Which team’s dysfunction will tear down all they’re trying to build this deep into World Tag League?

The fans bark with Finlay, Hiromu & Gedo, and the teams sort out. Shota steps up, and he calls out Finlay. Finlay obliges and the bell rings. The fans rally as Shota and Finlay circle, with a fairly even split of “SHO~TA! SHO~TA!” and “FINLAY! FINLAY!” The two tie up, are in a deadlock, but Finlay grinds his forearm into Shota’s face. Shota digs his heels in and pushes Finlay back to the ropes. The ref counts the break, the two slowly let go, and Shota pats Finlay on the shoulder. Then he dodges Finlay’s haymaker! Shota headlocks, Finlay powers up and out, but Shota RUNS him over! Things speed up, Shota RUNS Finlay over again!

The two keep moving, and Shota dropkicks Finlay’s legs out! The fans fire up with Shota and he walks over to Finlay. Shota stomps Finlay, then tags Yuya. The fans rally, Yuya keeps Finlay from Shota, and he wrenches the arm to wristlock. Finlay grabs at hair but Yuya twists the wrist. Finlay rolls, Yuya rolls with him, and Yuya wrangles Finlay to a wristlock. Finlay CLAWS Yuya’s eyes, the ref reprimands, but Yuya puts more pressure on the arm. Finlay rolls and rolls and rises up, but Yuya wrenches the arm. Yuya RAMS shoulders again and again, then RUNS Finlay over! Cover, TWO! Finlay stays in this but Yuya stays on him with an armlock.

Shota tags in, he and Yuya mug Finlay, and Shota has the cravat neck wrench. Finlay endures, Shota keeps him from ropes, and he throws in shoulder after shoulder! Shota CLUBS Finlay, then puts him in the corner. Shota UPPERCUTS Finlay, then whips him corner to corner. Shota runs up, Finlay pops him up to a fireman’s carry, and HOTSHOTS him off the ropes! RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Hiromu BLASTS Yuya for good measure! Hiromu goes out after Yuya and whips him hard into railing! Finlay CLAWS Shota’s face, Shota has the ROPEBREAK, and the ref counts. Finlay stops at 4, then he JUMP STOMPS Shota down!

Finlay drags Shota up to UPPERCUT, then he scuffs and kicks Shota around. Shota kicks at Finlay but Finlay stomps him down. Finlay digs his knee into Shota now! The ref counts, Finlay stops and mocks the count. Finlay then goes back to Shota, tags in Hiromu, and Hiromu drags Shota up. Hiromu CHOPS Shota to a corner, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS him again! Hiromu whips corner to corner and LARIATS! Snapmare and basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Hiromu brings Shota around. Hiromu CHOPS Shota, then tags Finlay. Finlay THROWS Hiromu to CANNONBALL onto Shota! The fans cheer while Hiromu flounders.

Finlay drags Shota out, then he GOURD BUSTERS Hiromu onto Shota! Hiromu sputters away, Finlay covers, TWO! Shota stays in this but Finlay stays on him with an armlock. The fans rally while Shota endures and fights up. Finlay suplexes but Shota fights it! Shota tries to suplex but now Finlay fights it! The fans rally as the two fight for control, and Shota suplexes Finlay up and over! The fans fire up while both men are down! Finlay stirs, Shota crawls, but Finlay hurries to intercept with a facelock! Shota wrenches out to ROCK Finlay again and again, but Finlay throat chops! Finlay runs up on Yuya, but Yuya ROCKS him first! Shota BACKDROPS Finlay away!

The fans rally up as Shota crawls, hot tag to Yuya! Yuya goes up the corner, and he AX HANDLES Finlay down! Hiromu runs in, but into a HIP TOSS! Finlay KNEES Yuya, whips him, but Yuya reverses to SPLASH and BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Yuya roars! Yuya paces, he reels Finlay in, but Finlay fights the lift with elbows. Finlay whips, Yuya reverses, SAYANAGI and ARM SCREW! Then a basement DROPKICK! Yuya wrenches Finlay’s arm, wrenches it again, then YANKS it! Finlay pokes Yuya in the eyes! Finlay reels Yuya in, but Yuya BACKDROPS, and then KIMURA! Finlay scrambles around, ROPEBREAK!!

The fans applaud as Yuya lets go. Yuya reels Finlay back in but Finlay fights the lift. Yuya YANKS the bad arm, back suplex, but Finlay sunset flips it! TWO, and Finlay clinches! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! The fans rally up, Finlay hot tags Hiromu! Hiromu CHOPS Yuya, then he eggs Yuya on. Yuya runs up, Hiromu dodges the chop, and whips to CHOP! The fans rally, Hiromu eggs Yuya on more, and Yuya CHOPS! Hiromu CHOPS! The CHOPS go back and forth and the fans fire up! CHOP after CHOP, but Hiromu is the one stinging! Hiromu CHOPS again! Yuya CHOPS again! The CHOPS just get going faster!

Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS and eggs Yuya on! Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS, DOUBLE CHOPS, and DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya runs, but into a CHOP! Yuya just keeps going?! Hiromu CHOPS! Hiromu runs, but into a DOUBLE CHOP! Hiromu falls, Yuya staggers to a corner, and the fans rally again. Hiromu and Yuya both crawl, hot tag to Shota! Shota runs up to BLAST Finlay! Shota fires the fans up and he ROCKS and CHOPS Hiromu again and again! The ref counts, Shota stops, and he whips corner to corner. Shota runs in, UPPERCUTS, then reels Hiromu in! FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but the fans cheer all the same.

Shota drags Hiromu up to half nelson, but Hiromu elbows free! Shota blocks a kick, and drags Hiromu into the STF! But Finlay stmops Shota! Yuta CLUBS Finlay! Yuya TOSSES Finlay and he coaches Shota up. Shota drags Hiromu up, bumps him off buckles, then hoists him to the top rope. Yuya climbs an adjacent corner, but Finlay slides in! Hiromu CLAWS Shota’s eyes, Finlay CLAWS Yuya’s eyes! Hiromu SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS!! Cover, TWO! But Finlay ROCKET LAUNCHES Yuya onto Shota! Another cover, TWO! Finlay drags Yuya out while the fans rally up. Hiromu brings Shota around, fireman’s carries, but Shota fights it!

Shota swings, but into a spin and facelock! Shota suplexes first, but Hiromu slips free! Hiromu ducks an elbow, fireman’s carries, and TIMEBOMB 1.5! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Hiromu roars! Hiromu drags Shota up, wrenches and fireman’s carries, but Shota fights free again! Yuya runs up, Hiromu blocks a kick and sends him to Finlay, but Yuya DECKS Finlay first! Hiromu swings, Yuya sends him to Shota for an UPPERCUT! Yuya CHOPS! They DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Hiromu toughs it out and the fans fire up! Shota calls to Yuya, they get Hiromu up! Shota runs, Yuya full nelsons, but Hiromu ducks! ROUGNECK LARIAT hits Yuya!!

Then Hiromu SUPERKICKS Shota! Shota rebounds, but Hiromu dodges, CODE BREAKER! Finlay reels Hiromu in and POWERBOMBS him at Shota, but Shota dodges! It’s just a BUCKLE BOMB on Hiromu instead! Finlay is stunned while Hiromu slumps down. Finlay and Shota DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither falls, so they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Shota fires boxing elbows! He ROCKS Finlay, and Finlay slumps against Shota. But then he springs to life to ROCK, ROLLING ELBOW, and ROLLING- NO, Shota has the Half Nelson! Finlay bucks free, but Shota UPPERCUTS and ENZIGIRIS! Then he slips around, SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Finlay rolls out of the ring, Yuya is down on the outside, and Hiromu crawls his way over to Shota. Gedo rallies the fans as Hiromu brings Shota up. Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Hiromu CHOPS again and again, but Shota eggs him on! So Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Hiromu slows down in his rapid fire, but he stmops a foot! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Shota stays up on sheer grit alone! But then Hriomu dodges, and HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! And then a fireman’s carry! OG TIMEBOMB!! COver, Yuya breaks it!!

Finlay storms in but Yuya fires forearms! finlay ROCKS Yuya! And ROCKS him again! ROLLING ELBOW! Then the SAIDO, but Yuya lands out! SAIDO, but Finlay lands out! And repeat! SAIDO and Finlay falls out of the ring!! Hiromu CHOPS away on Yuya now! But Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Hiromu roars, but Yuya ENZIGIRIS! Yuya calls to Shota to finish this! The fans fire up as Shota roars and runs, ROUGH- NO, Hiromu BOOTS! Shota just comes back to ROUGHNECK DRAGON COMBO!! Yuya PLANCHAS onto Finlay! Shota hauls Hiromu up, SECOND- CRADLE!! TWO!! Shota holds onto Hiromu, for the SECOND CHAPTER!!! Cover, Shota & Yuya win!!

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

The dysfunction didn’t destroy Finlay & Hiromu, but it didn’t help them either! They’re still in the running, but now on the backend of the pack. Is there still a chance for the Savage King & Timebomb to become top dogs?

As for Shota & Yuya, Shota hurries to grab a mic to tell “Hiromu-san! Please wait a moment. There is no ‘higher’ or ‘lower’ in between Heavyweight and Junior Heavyweight. We can still have a hot, passionate battle just like today. NJPW is the best brand for both Heavyweight and Junior Heavyweight wrestling.” The fans applaud that, and Shota says, “NJPW is the only place to see such an epic main event fight!” The fans cheer that, too, and Shota says he hopes to do this again. The fans applaud, and Shota stares down Finlay. Shota tells him, “David… Next.” Finlay scoffs, “That’s all you got?” Finlay leaves it at that as he follows Hiromu out.

Shota continues by thanking Shizuoka for being here and giving their hot support for the night. “This Yu-Sho tag team, what do you think? We are the future of Hontai, bright and shining. A lot has happened this year, but one thing I learned is that you should smile. Even as bad times might come, keep your head up and keep smiling! Watch pro-wrestling, smile again, and keep going, because we’ll keep fighting for you! Keep coming and enjoy the wrestling!” Shota does the snap, then he and Yuya fist-bump. Winning clearly smooths over dysfunction, but will “Yu-Sho” make this their show?

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

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

My Thoughts:

A great round here, and B Block is almost evenly split down the middle so that any team could still find a way to win a spot in the playoffs. Great stuff for The Empire to get one on Sanada & Narita so that they’re the de facto leader, but perhaps the Knock Out Brothers still make a case. The one surprise might’ve been Tanahashi & ELP holding out for another round, but I suppose they could still be eliminated before the end. Shota & Yuya holding on as far as still getting along is good for them, I wonder if they also make a run at the playoffs.

My Score: 8.9/10