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

[Chris]

Updated standings:

A Block —

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

B Block —

• Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi (1-0): 2 points
• EVIL & Ren Narita (1-0): 2 points
• Taichi & TAKA Michinoku (1-0): 2 points
• Tome Filip & Stevie Filip (1-0): 2 points
• Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls (0-1): 0 points
• Toru Yano & Oleg Boltin (0-1): 0 points
• Great-O-Khan & HENARE (0-1): 0 points
• Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado (0-1): 0 points

 

[Chris]

World Tag League night 3 (November 22) Preview​

Series heads to Yokohama

World Tag League continues to Yokohama on November 22 as the stars of A Block will face off in their second matches. Who can keep a strong opening pace going, or recover from early defeat?

Watch all of World Tag League live in English on NJPW World!
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Main event: Bishamon (YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto) (1–0) vs Los Ingobernables De Japon (Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi) (1–0)​

Our main event sees back to back to back winners Bishamon facing the new team of Takagi and Tsuji. Hirooki Goto will be a common point as far as LIJ are concerned; Goto and Shingo’s NEVER history is well documented, while Tsuji and Goto will pick up from trading wins in the New Japan Cup final and G1 Climax league competition.

After both teams got off to a strong start in the league, only one can stay undefeated tonight. Who will maintain their 100% record?
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7th Match: Tomoaki Honma & Shota Umino (0–1) vs TMDK (Ryohei Oiwa & Zack Sabre Jr.) (1–0)​

It’s a preview of the January 4 main event when Shota Umino goes head to head with Zack Sabre Jr. Just six weeks away from their Tokyo Dome showdown, tensions are sure to build in Yokohama tonight.

Intrigue is also sure to be present in Ryohei Oiwa’s first in ring ineteractions with Umino since his entry into TMDK. As Oiwa has proclaimed his generation the ‘super new generation’ ready to take the spotlight off the current young stars before they even complete their ascent, how might Umino react? Last year’s World Tag League saw Oiwa and then partner Kaito Kiyomiya in a highly spirited fight with Umino and Ren Narita, and this is definitely one to keep a close eye on.
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6th Match: War Dogs (SANADA & Gabe Kidd) (0–1) vs BULLET CLUB (KENTA & Chase Owens) (0–1)​

Faction derbies are always unpredictable when they come up in tournaments like these. This is a case of two wings of BULLET CLUB colliding that don’t necessarily always get along. New War Dog SANADA has previous with both KENTA and Chase Owens, while Gabe Kidd’s list of firm friends is famously brief. There will likely be no honour among thieves in this battle; as frustration is high after a pair of BULLET CLUB losses in Tochigi this week, what will happen next?
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5th Match: Funky Sauce (Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi) (0–1) vs United Empire (Callum Newman & Jeff Cobb) (1–0)​

Alex Zayne brought the element of surprise to the World Tag League when he brought Ryusuke Taguchi to the tournament, but it wasn’t enopugh to garner them victory against difficult competition on the first night. After defeat at the hands of Yota Tsuji and Shingo Takagi, will they find their way against Callum Newman and Jeff Cobb?
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4th Match: Katsuya Murashima, Jado & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs United Empire (Jakob Austin Young, HENARE & Great-O-Khan)​

Before they meet in the next night’s league action in Fujisawa, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Jado face off with HENARE and Great-O-Khan. Tanahashi’s attendant Katsuya Murashima will have a first hand education tonight, but will have to deal with a Jakob Austin Young who wants to receover from a difficult start to the tour in his support role.
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3rd Match: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg vs Los Ingobernables De Japon (Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI)​

In a rare situation for World Tag League previews, two on two action pits Boltin Oleg and Toru Yano against half of their opponents Saturday in Tetsuya Naito and partner for tonight, BUSHI. Naito admitted that he had considered BUSHI as well as Hiromu Takahashi for WTL entry, and tonight will see just how effective that combination might have been.
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2nd Match: Just Four Guys (TAKA Michinoku, Taichi & DOUKI) vs HOUSE OF TORTURE (EVIL, Ren Narita & Dick Togo)​

Fujisawa will see the TAKATaichi team take on HOUSE OF TORTURE for their second campaign match. Both members, and DOUKI too have it in them to deal with H.O.T’s nefarious tactics; will they come away with a win tonight?
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1st Match: TMDK (Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls & Kosei Fujita) vs BULLET CLUB (Tome Filip, Stevie Filip & Taiji Ishimori)​

Six man action will see TMDK and BULLET CLUB collide. Fujisawa’s collision between Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls and the Natural Classics will liklely sdee a fiercely competitive Australian derby, while Kosei Fujita will pick up again with Taiji Ishimori after the two wrestled to a draw at Ishimori’s ‘Ridiculous’ card in Shinjuku FACE earlier in the month.
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Kickoff Match: Shoma Kato (1–0 this tour) vs Daiki Nagai (0–0–1 this tour)​

On a high after recording his first career singles win in Tochigi this week, Shoma Kato will be looking to repeat the feat against Daiki Nagai in this opening contest. Much of Nagai’s ‘spirited’ attitude has been directed toward Kato, but can the tempetuous young man pick up the win over his Dojo senior?​

 

[Apoho Creed]

Fuck it I was going to watch Day 2 later Friday I might as well get it in now since theirs another one for the 22nd.

Nagai fucking dominated 90 percent of that Match and yet he has to draw with Yasuda oh brother. Dude had his Arm worked hard and yet dude is locking Boston Crab Submissions that makes no sense.

 

[Apoho Creed]

I just hope Taguchi is washing his new Gear for World Tag League because he tends not to do so with his Underwear

 

[Apoho Creed]

Man if Gake Kidd like I think will have a lovely Match with Omega at Destiny he could legit set himself up for a World Title sometime in 2025 if not 2026 that is how much it means I feel. Damn Gabe tell KENTA go to back to Terry Taylor's Class fuck

 

[Apoho Creed]

You know KENTA loves that attitude from Kidd because in his hay day he would do the same thing with the other talent in Noah.

 

[Apoho Creed]

Gabe kept calling Hideo towards KENTA

 

[Apoho Creed]

Yeah I haven't been impressed as of yet with the Natural Classics but I'll let it slide because they had to face a mishaped Team of Tana and Jado. Still Jado had the Crossface and he taps to a Figure Four what within 10 seconds

 

[Apoho Creed]

Taichi and Taka beat the IWGP Heavyweight Champions!! I still think the money match is with Sabre JR for Taichi.

I will cry my eyes out if I get that one in 2025 and New Japan needs to do it if Sabre JR retains at Wrestle Kingdom

 

[Apoho Creed]

Main Event with Naito/Hiromu vs Haste/Nicholls was fine nothing to talk about at all. I never been a fan of Haste or Nichollos it's really hard to get into Matches with them at times I gotta say.

 

[Chris]

Night 3 standings:

A Block —

• Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI (2-0): 4 points
• Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman (2-0): 4 points
• Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma (1-1): 2 points
• Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa (1-1): 2 points
• Gabe Kidd & Sanada (1-1): 2 points
• Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji (1-1): 2 points
• KENTA & Chase Owens (0-2): 0 points
• Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi (0-2): 0 points

B Block —

• Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi (1-0): 2 points
• EVIL & Ren Narita (1-0): 2 points
• Taichi & TAKA Michinoku (1-0): 2 points
• Tome Filip & Stevie Filip (1-0): 2 points
• Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls (0-1): 0 points
• Toru Yano & Oleg Boltin (0-1): 0 points
• Great-O-Khan & HENARE (0-1): 0 points
• Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado (0-1): 0 points

 

[Chris]

World Tag League night 4 (November 23) preview​

Fujisawa sees second night for B Block

B Block in World Tag League sees NJPW make its annual stop in the seaside town of Fujisawa on November 23. As the top teams continue to vie for control, who will take the lead in the group?

Watch all the action live in English on NJPW World!
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Main event: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg (0–1) vs Los Ingobernables De Japon (Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi) (1–0)​

Nothing brings out Tetsuya Naito’s natural instincts to troll his foes than Toru Yano. That’s an essence that will carry through to our main event tonight, where speculation will be rife over whether LIJ’s entrance might be longer than the match itself.

Boltin Oleg will be there to help this match get down to business though. Boltin’s first interactions with his LIJ opposition will definitely be intriguing to watch. Will Naito, and especially Hiromu have the speed and wiles to negate Boltin’s brute offense?
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7th Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado (0–1) vs United Empire (Great-O-Khan & HENARE) (0–1)​

After a hard first loss in Chiba this week, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Jado have difficult opposition in the IWGP Tag Team Champions tonight. With Great-O-Khan and HENARE reeling from a shock defeat to TAKATaichi, will the United Empire reassert their dominance over the Ace and his veteran partner?
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6th Match: TAKATaichi (TAKA Michinoku & Taichi) (1–0) vs HOUSE OF TORTURE (EVIL & Ren Narita) (1–0)​

Few had TAKA Michinoku and Taichi in their picks to defeat Great-O-Khan and HENARE in Funabashi on Thursday, but a debut World Tag League win has them in high spirits. Now, HOUSE OF TORTURE are next on the agenda, in a match where one team will be handed their first loss.
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5th Match: TMDK (Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls) (0–1) vs Natural Classics (Tome & Stevie Filip) (0–1)​

An all Australian derby sees Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls facing the Natural Classics. The Filip brothers have been a dominant force on the Australian scene for the last several years, a scene that Haste and Nicholls did much to build. Truly exemplifying the World Tag League spirit, a battle in Japan will see the top Australian team determined.
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4th Match: Los Ingobernables De Japon (Shingo Takagi, Yota Tsuji & BUSHI) vs War Dogs (Gabe Kidd, SANADA & Gedo)​

Before Shingo Takagi and Yota Tsuji take on Gabe Kidd and SANADA tomorrow, a six man prelude in Fujisawa. One has to wonder how SANADA’s old LIJ partners feel about SANADA’s latest betrayal, and whether old alliances will lead to new wounds tonight.
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3rd Match: United Empire (Jeff Cobb, Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young) vs BULLET CLUB (KENTA, Chase Owens & Taiji Ishimori)​

Before Jeff Cobb and Callum Newman face Chase Owens and KENTA, six man action will see Jakob Austin Young and Taiji Ishimori add a junior heavyweight twist. Newman’s pure pace makes him a difficult opponent for nay team, but if anyone can keep up with the Prince, it’s Ishimori. How will this match play out?
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2nd Match: Alex Zayne, Ryusuke Taguchi & Kastsuya Murashima vs TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa & Kosei Fujita)​

TMDK face Funky Sauce and Katsuya Murashima in our second bout of the night. Two years ago, Alex Zayne and Zack Sabre Jr. nearly went to the time limit in a tournament match to determine the first NJPW World TV Champion; now they collide again with ZSJ as the IWGP World Heavyweight champ.
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1st match: Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI & Shoma Kato vs Shota Umino, Tomoaki Honma & Tiger Mask​

Bishamon team with Shoma Kato tonight in what could be a valuable experience for the young man opposite two of Hontai’s best experienced veterans and the number one contender for IWGP World Heavyweight gold. As Kato grows in confidence, his stock might skyrocket with a strong performance tonight.
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Kickoff Match: Masatora Ysuda (0–1–1 this tour) vs Daiki Nagai (0–0–1 this tour)​

Singles record: 0–0–19

Masatora Yasuda and Daiki Nagai’s long Young Lion rivalry continues in our kcikoff. Will one finally get their first win over the other tonight?​

 

[Chris]

Standings after today:

A Block —

• Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI (2-0): 4 points
• Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman (2-0): 4 points
• Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma (1-1): 2 points
• Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa (1-1): 2 points
• Gabe Kidd & Sanada (1-1): 2 points
• Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji (1-1): 2 points
• KENTA & Chase Owens (0-2): 0 points
• Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi (0-2): 0 points

B Block —

• EVIL & Ren Narita (2-0): 4 points
• Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi (1-1): 2 points
• Taichi & TAKA Michinoku (1-1): 2 points
• Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls (1-1): 2 points
• Tome Filip & Stevie Filip (1-1): 2 points
• Toru Yano & Oleg Boltin (1-1): 2 points
• Great-O-Khan & HENARE (1-1): 2 points
• Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado (0-2): 0 points

 

[Chris]

World Tag League night 5 (November 24) Preview​

Korakuen sees third night for A Block

With one week down there’s two weeks to go for the top duos in NJPW to compete for the World Tag League trophies. With A block wrestling their third matches tonight, who will have control in the tense middle phase of the tournament?

Watch live in English on NJPW World!
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Main event: Los Ingobernables De Japon (Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi)(2–0) vs War Dogs (Gabe Kidd & SANADA) (1–1)​

The 1–1 team of Shingo Takagi and Yota Tsuji face the similarly two point Gabe Kidd and SANADA in the main event. Yota Tsuji has never been an ally of SANADA’s, returning from excursion after the Cold Blooded one had left LIJ for Just Five Guys. Indeed his first act back in NJPW was to spear SANADA out of his boots, which would have served as an act of closure that Shingo Takagi has yet to attain.

SANADA leaving LIJ never sat well with the Dragon, but fate conspired to keep the two men apart up to the G1 Climax this summer. There SANADA defeated Takagi, before ultimately betraying J5G to find himself in his third faction in under two years. Perhaps Takagi will find some answers as to SANADA’s true intent tonight, but there are also issues with gabe Kidd to consider. After two thrillers in Fukuoka at Dontaku and again during the G1, Kidd and Shingo will be eager to throw down in Korakuen, especially with two important points up for grabs.
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7th Match: Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) (2–0) vs Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma (1–1)​

After scooping a second win in a row, Bishamon look to keep up their form against Shota Umino and Tomoaki Honma. Full of confidence after the Yokohama main event Thursday, YOSHI-HASHI vowed that Bishamon would be the first team in history to go undefeated in their WTL campaign, while Hirooki Goto revealed plans to defeat Great-O-Khan and HENARE to take the IWGP Tag titles at Wrestle Kingdom before defending against the Young Bucks January 5 at Wrestle Dynasty.

Umino’s focus Friday in Yokohama was on his impending Tokyo Dome clash with Zack Sabre Jr. That drive saw him hit a definitive Death Rider to the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and come away with the victory. Now with that preview behind him, he will be focusing back on the tag team task at hand. Can Honma and Umino upset the threepeat winners?
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6th Match: Funky Sauce (Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi) (0–2) vs TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa) (1–1)​

Ryohei Oiwa and IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr are looking to get to four points tonight against the xx Ryusuke Taguchi and Alex Zayne. Two years ago, Korakuen Hall saw Zayne and Sabre go right up to the time limit in the tournament to crown the first NJPW World TV Champion; might the Sauce push Sabre even harder tonight?
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5th Match: United Empire (Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman) (2–0) vs BULLET CLUB (KENTA & Chase Owens) (1–1)​

After a victorious matchup with Funky Sauce in Yokohama, Jeff Cobb and Callum Newman will be looking to stay undefeated in Korakuen. Meanwhile, it was a difficult night in Yokohama for Chase and KENTA, in the face of ravenous War Dogs. Can they bounce back in the face of the 2–0 United Empire side?
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4th Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima vs TMDK (Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls & Kosei Fujita)​

Six man action sees a battle between TMDK and Hontai. There’s only one day off for the two teams before Jado and Hiroshi Tanahashi face Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls in Fukushima. Will one of these two trios set themselves up well in the interim?
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3rd Match: Los Ingobernables De Japon (Hiromu Takahashi, Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI) vs Just 4 Guys (Taichi, TAKA Michinoku & DOUKI)​

With the TAKATaichi tandem still in high spirits after their opening World Tag League win, Just Four Guys take on LIJ in the third match of the night. While heavyweight competition is on the cards for Hiromu Takahashi through much of WTL this year, he will have a score to settle with DOUKI after a pair of singles losses to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion this year.
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2nd Match: United Empire (HENARE, Jakob Austin Young & HENARE) vs HOUSE OF TORTURE (EVIL, Ren Narita & Dick Togo)​

One hard lesson that Great-O-Khan and HENARE learned when they got their WTL campaign off to a losing start in Chiba last week is that you cannot take any match for granted, and you have to be ready for anything. That is certainly always the case when it comes to HOUSE OF TORTURE. Tonight a key preview and a chance to gameplan for the habitual rule breakers.
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1st Match: Boltin Oleg, Tiger Mask & Toru Yano vs BULLET CLUB (Tome Filip, Stevie Filip & Taiji Ishimori)​

The main card gets underway with Boltin Oleg and Toru Yano joining Tiger Mask to face the Natural Classics and Taiji Ishimori. Taiga Tome Filip in particular has respect for the legendary Tiger Mask, but all respect goes out the window in this important tag preview.
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Kickoff Match: Shoma Kato (2–0 this tour) vs Daiki Nagai (0–1–2 this tour)​

Singles record: 1–0 Kato

The Young Lion trial series continues for Shoma Kato and Daiki Nagai tonight. Kato defeated Nagai in singles action in Yokohama Friday to stay undefeated during the tour so far. Will Nagai, humbled two days ago, get back on form tonight in Korakuen?​