NJPW World Tag League 2024 - November 19 - December 8, 2024

[Chris]

World Tag League teams revealed!​

16 team tournament to start November 19.

It’s tag team season in NJPW, and after Super Junior Tag League reached its climax at Power Struggle, it’s time for the heavyweight tag teams to take center stage. This year, 16 teams will vie for the trophies, and to be first in line for an opportunity at the IWGP Tag Team Championships.
Watch all of World Tag League live in English on NJPW World!
​

A BLOCK​

Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI)​

6th entry, 5th consecutive. 2021, 2022, 2023 winners
After recent strong efforts in defeat against IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion David Finlay, Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI are back in the tag ranks and looking to do the unprecedented. Already, 2023 saw a historic feat of three back to back WTL wins and the first victory in the tournament as IWGP Tag Team Champions. After close to a year away from those title belts however, will we see Bishamon renew their claim?

BULLET CLUB (Chase Owens & KENTA)​

2nd entry, 2nd consecutive
In their second year as a duo, Chase Owens and KENTA bring BULLET CLUB flavour to World tag League. Last year their performance in the tournament would be segued into more regular teamwork through the early part of 2024, and a pair of brief (and ill gotten) tag title reigns Will more success come to end 2024?

Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma​

Debut team
After a team with Ren narita in the 2023 league ended in disaster for Shota Umino, the Roughneck would go through a turbulent year that has ended on a high with the news that he will be challenging for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 19. His A Block drawing has put him opposite the champion Zack Sabre Jr. to boot, but while singles glory is prominent in his mind, he’ll also be chasing tag gold as well. With a two time former tournament winner in Tompaki Honma at his side, this is a team to look out for.

United Empire (Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman)​

Debut team
From power and technique to power and speed, Jeff Cobb and Callum Newman are set to be a spectacular sensation in World Tag League. With one UE team already IWGP Tag Team Champions in the freshly crowned Great-O-Khan and HENARE, might the next contenders be clad in green and gold as well?

Alex Zayne & X​

Debut team
Alex Zayne is back int he World Tag League hunt this year after a popular pairing with Lance Archer in 2023. This time though, it isn’t Monster Sauce who we’ll see in WTL. Zayne has instead prepared a mystery partner to take a bite out of the competition. Just who could it be?

Los Ingobernables De Japon (Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji)​

Debut team
A hard hitting LIJ side of the NEVER Openweight Champion Shingo Takagi and the IWGP Global number one contender will hit World Tag League. With Los Ingobernables De Japon’s trademark teamwork and both men’s incredible explosivity, this has to be a favourite side to take the tag trophies, even if they wind up having to take their shot at the IWGP gold after January 4.

TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa)​

Debut team
Two other men who will be busy at Wrestle Kingsdom are Zack Sabre Jr and Ryohei Oiwa, but this is another side that has to be circled as having trophy potential. ZSJ and Oiwa present a formidable blend of power and technique, and this side of the newest addition to the TMDK cause and the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is one not to pass up.

BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Gabe Kidd & SANADA)​

Debut team
It was a night of shocking twists at Power Struggle November 4, but nothing was more shocking than SANADA’s betrayal of Taichi. Whether motivated by greed, jealousy or something else, SANADA turned his back on his closest friend in pro-wrestling and aligned himself with BULLET CLUB War Dogs. Now the cold and composed SANADA is alongside one of the business’ biggest hot heads in Gabe Kidd, and World Tag League has a potentially lethal combination.
​

B BLOCK​

United Empire (Great-O-Khan & HENARE)​

3rd entry, 3rd consecutive. IWGP Tag Team Champions
The freshly minted IWGP Tag Team Champions Great-O-Khan and HENARE make a bid for B group success in World Tag League 2024. After stunning Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls to lift HENARE’s first tag titles and O-Khan’s third, will they achieve the same feat as Bishamon in 2023 and win as champions?

Just Four Guys (TAKA Michinoku & Taichi)​

Debut team
With Yuya Uemura on the shelf, and SANADA shockingly betraying Taichi at Power Struggle, this team’s faction name is the least of their concerns. Taichi had surely been planning to team with SANADA for this series, but now he and TAKA Michinoku will look to find answers and a new direction.

TMDK (Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls)​

3rd entry, 3rd consecutive.
Former IWGP Champions Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls look to take the most direct path to the gold through World Tag League. The TMDK duo are looking for a major match in the Tokyo Dome this year, and now without their champions’ advantage, can they come into Wrestle Kingdom as challengers instead?

Los Ingobernables De Japon (Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi)​

Debut team
A first time ever World Tag League dream team sees Tetsuya Naito alongside Hiromu Takahashi. Both left on the outside looking in to the Tokyo Dome, Naito and Hiromu could end up with a big time IWGP Tag Team Championship opportunity come Wrestle Kingdom.

Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado​

Debut team
Hiroshi Tanahashi had planned on teaming with El Phantasmo from Power Struggle onward, but as ELP is on the mend, he’ll be pairing with his Massive Heater, Jado instead. Jado and Tanahashi will certainly be putting the work in the gym for this World Tag League, and could be a dark horse contender. Might this veteran side set Tanahashi up for his incredible retirement year?

Natural Classics (Tome & Stevie Fillip)​

Debut team
Australian tag team sensations the Natural Classics finally make their Japanese NJPW debuts at World Tag League. Familiar faces to followers of NJPW TAMASHII, the Fillip brothers have been a dominant force on the Australian scene for years, and now seek to use WTL as a springboard to global success.

Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg​

Debut team
The other two thirds of the NEVER Openweight 6 man Champions, Toru yano and Boltin oleg compose a mighty force of amateur skill. With Boltin’s brawn and Yano’s brains, the sky might be the limit for these two.

HOUSE OF TORTURE (Ren Narita & EVIL)​

Debut team
EVIL and NJPW World TV Champion Ren Narita complete the World Tag League field. After already declaring war on Hiroshi Tanahashi and his retirement plans, what do they have in store for the other teams in this league?​

 

[Apoho Creed]

Even though Sanada with Bullet Club doesn't interest me at all he could have a hell of a run with Gabe if he doesn't try to be I'm Mr.Bad Guy Narita tries to be.

 

[Chris]

He's clearly the replacement for Jake Lee but I'm interested not in the sense for now it helps Sanada, bc I don't think it will, but I'm hopeful Sanada can help others get over being the foil

 

[Chris]

World Tag League Night 1 (November 19) Preview​

Start of the A Block

As the teams get ready for this years World Tag League, the A Block will start in the Fukai Square Garden in Tochigi on November 19th.

Watch ALL of World tag League LIVE in English on NJPW World!
​

Main Event: TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr. and Ryohei Oiwa) vs BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Gabe Kidd and SANADA)​

In the main event, the team of TMDK with the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr. and returned Ryohei Oiwa against the ever dangerous Mad Dog Gabe Kidd and recently joined SANADA.

It’s been quite the turbulent month for SANADA, and Zack Sabre Jr. played a part. Just one month earlier, ZSJ racked up his first defence of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at SANADA’s expense, and it’s arguably at this point that something snapped in the then Just Five Guys member. At Power Struggle, after yet another high profile loss, this time to Shota Uminbo, Gedo approached SANADA with a whisper in the ear, and later that night, SANADA made his move.

Betraying his long time friend Taichi to gift the IWGP Global Champion David Finlay another defence, SANADA went from Cold Skull to Cold Bloodied, and joined the War Dogs. Now SANADA’s calm coolness will meet the fire of Gabe Kidd, who is throwing fire and fury in and out of the ring as ever. Kidd won’t be afraid to stir up controversy tonight, and a big way for this new War Dogs team to make headlines will be in a main event win. Doubly so in fact should that win come over a team that contains the world champion, and Kidd’s next contender for NJPW STRONG Openweight gold in Oiwa.
​

7th Match A Block: Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) vs BULLET CLUB (Chase Owens and KENTA)​

Direct tag record: 1–1

After trading wins over the IWGP Tag Team Championships at Sakura Genesis and Wrestling Dontaku, Bishamon clash with Chase Owens and KENTA for a rubber amtch of sorts tonight. Chase and KENTA have been largely away from the NJPW discourse since both failed to qualify for the G1 Climax, but are looking to rise again in the tag team stakes to make up for singles shortcomings.
​

6th Match A Block: Alex Zayne and X vs LOS INGOBERNABLES DE JAPON (Yota Tsuji and Shingo Takagi)​

The returning Alex Zayn no stranger to the World Tag League as well as Super Jr. Tag League, will reveal his mystery partner on the first night. Standing against him, Shingo Takagi and Yota Tsuji, both with crucial title matches awaiting them at Wrestle Kingdom 19, aim to prove their dominance in this tournament. With recent victories over The Undisputed Kingdom and the duo of Ryohei Oiwa & Zack Sabre Jr., the LIJ members are a formidable challenge right out of the gate.
​

5th Match A Block: Tomoaki Honma and Shota Umino vs United Empire (Callum Newman and Jeff Cobb)​

Opening the A Block competition, Shota Umino teams with veteran Tomoaki Honma against the United Empire’s Callum Newman and Jeff Cobb. Umino, under the spotlight as he heads into his Wrestle Kingdom 19 title shot against Zack Sabre Jr. With recent history from Royal Quest IV, Newman has his own score to settle with the Roughneck, while Honma and Cobb bring their own brand of intensity and unpredictability to this bout.
​

4th Match: LOS INGOBERNABLES DE JAPON (BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito) vs TMDK (Kosei Fujita, Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls)​

Following recent setbacks, with Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls losing both the IWGP and STRONG Openweight Tag Team belts, and Kosei Fujita missing his chance against Gabe Kidd in Boston, TMDK is out for redemption. Facing them, the well-coordinated LIJ trio, led by Naito and Takahashi alongside BUSHI, brings serious momentum. As the B Block approaches, this battle will be a crucial confidence-builder.
​

3rd Match: Just 4 guys (DOUKI, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi) vs United Empire (Jakob Austin Young, HENARE & Great-O-Khan)​

Reeling from SANADA’s betrayal, Just 4 Guys head into this bout with extra fire. Taichi, still recovering from the Osaka loss, and TAKA get additional support from DOUKI as they face the IWGP Tag Team Champions HENARE and Great-O-Khan, along with Jakob Austin Young. For the champions, it’s their first opportunity after their recent title win to prove that they have no intentions of losing their titles anytime soon.
​

2nd Match: Tiger Mask, Boltin Oleg, Toru Yano vs HOUSE OF TORTURE (Dick Togo, Ren Narita & EVIL)​

As Boltin Oleg and Toru Yano prepare for their World Tag League debut, they join forces with Tiger Mask, a recent competitor in the Super Jr. Tag League. They face the menacing HOUSE OF TORTURE, featuring Ren Narita, fresh off his NJPW World TV Title victory, and EVIL, who’s on a mission to end Hiroshi Tanahashi’s career at Wrestle Kingdom 19. The chaotic faction will be sure to push the referee to his limits.
​

1st Match: Katsuya Murashima, Jado and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Taiji Ishimori, Tome & Stevie Fillip​

In the first match of the night, young lion Katsuya Murashima teams up with seasoned veterans Jado and Hiroshi Tanahashi to take on Taiji Ishimori and The Natural Classics, Tome & Stevie Fillip. The Australian duo, mentored by Bad Luck Fale, has made waves in TAMASHII, and they now bring that energy to NJPW, teaming with the ruthless Bone Soldier, Taiji Ishimori.
​

Kickoff match: Shoma Kato vs Masatora Yasuda​

The Young Lions will have their own unofficial tournament this year, with alternating opponents every night. Shoma Kato and Masatora Yasuda will make the start, opening the evening and show the improvements they made over the recent months.​

 

[Chris]

Standings after N1:

A Block:

• Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI (1-0) 2 points
• Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman (1-0) 2 points
• Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji (1-0) 2 points
• Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa (1-0) 2 points
• KENTA & Chase Owens (0-1) 0 points
• Gabe Kidd & Sanada (0-1) 0 points
• Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi (0-1) 0 points
• Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma (0-1) 0 points

B Block —

• Great-O-Khan & HENARE (0-0) 0 points
• Taichi & TAKA Michinoku (0-0) 0 points
• Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls (0-0) 0 points
• Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi (0-0) 0 points
• Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado (0-0) 0 points
• Tome Filip & Stevie Filip (0-0) 0 points
• Toru Yano & Oleg Boltin (0-0) 0 points
• EVIL & Ren Narita (0-0) 0 points

 

[Chris]

Shoma Kato got his first win

 

[Chris]

Natural Classics almost broke a young lions neck in their debut but other than that looked great

 

[Chris]

Taka brought all the Just Four Guys merch back Walker said he just ripped off the discount sticker and made it full price again

 

[Chris]

Why did Taguchi need to be a mystery partner lmao

 

[Apoho Creed]

Jesus Christ 15 Nights of World Tag League competition at least I'll be able to tolerant bs for a little bit longer after the break from watching New Japan outside a Match here or two that I wanted to truly see.

 

[Apoho Creed]

Morishima nearly killed by that Filip Bros Powerbomb/Neckbreaker Combo. That was the best thing going in with that Six Man but what do you expect when you have two stiff like Jado and Tana.

 

[Apoho Creed]

I forgot Narita was the TV Champion the fuckin worst for real. New Japan and Stardom's Booking are going for the Award for Worst Booker hard in 2024 for me.

 

[Apoho Creed]

I survived a House of Torture Six Man Tag the lord is great because the only thing that was good was the Dick to Dick Chop from the top.

 

[Apoho Creed]

Naito only dabs up the Children once the Dad wants one he says nope

 

[Apoho Creed]

Man they have been talking about Hiromu being in the Heavyweight Divison for Years now. They should of pushed for that once he had that clash with Suzuki that went no where.