World Tag League B Block update: night 2

LIJ Triumph Over TMDK in Main Event, while two teams secured upset victories

November 21 saw the Funabashi Arena host the opening four matches of this year’s World Tag League B-Block. Which teams would secure their first two points?

Watch the replay!

The main event featured Tetsuya Naito and his junior heavyweight partner Hiromu Takahashi facing the former champions, Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls of TMDK.

Making his World Tag League debut, Hiromu proved that junior heavyweights should never be underestimated, taking the fight to both TMDK members with dynamic LIJ tandem attacks. However, Haste and Nicholls showed why years of teamwork had made them former champions, fighting back with precision.

Haste targeted Hiromu’s limbs, softening him for Nicholls’ follow-up attacks. Isolated in the opposing corner, Hiromu endured relentless punishment and struggled to tag Naito. A well-timed dragon screw finally gave Hiromu the opening to bring in the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

Naito unleashed a flurry of submissions, grounding his opponents. Though TMDK fought back and regained control, inflicting heavy damage on Naito, asaving Tornando DDT brought the Ticking Time Bomb Takahashi back in action. Despite struggling against the heavier TMDK members, Hiromu landed a surprising double DDT before tagging Naito back in.

The LIJ duo’s teamwork shone in the final moments, with assisted attacks and last-second saves. Naito sealed the win for LIJ with El Destino on Haste, giving them their first two points and a victory over the former champions.The LIJ duo’s teamwork shone in the final moments, with assisted attacks and last-second saves. Naito sealed the win for LIJ with El Destino on Haste, giving them their first two points and a victory over the former champions.

The unusual team of Toru Yano and Oleg Boltin faced off against EVIL and Ren Narita. True to form, HOUSE OF TORTURE struck before the bell, isolating Yano and keeping Boltin at bay.

After weakening Yano on the outside, the match returned to the ring, where EVIL and Narita maintained control with quick tags. Yano countered with some underhanded tactics of his own, creating an opening to tag in Boltin. The powerhouse from Kazakhstan ran through his opponents, even escaping Narita’s submission hold with raw strength, suplexing both House of Torture members simultaneously.

When Yano reentered, Dick Togo’s interference shifted the odds. With a three-on-two advantage, House of Torture hit Magic Killer on Yano, earning their first two points.

The reigning IWGP Tag Team Champions, HENARE and Great-O-Khan, squared off against the team of TAKA Michinoku and Taichi.

TAKA’s quickness initially wasn’t enough to counter HENARE’s sheer power, as both United Empire members punished him. A desperate strike allowed TAKA to tag in Taichi, who cleared the ring with powerful kicks.

Taichi and HENARE traded strikes, with the latter tagging in Great-O-Khan to dominate Taichi with advanced sambo and judo grappling techniques. Just when it seemed the champions would secure the win with Imperial Drop, Michinoku interrupted, shifting the momentum back in their favour.

A Michinoku Driver II from TAKA and Black Mephisto from Taichi on Great-O-Khan scored the upset victory, earning the Just Four Guys members their first two points and a massive win over the IWGP Tag Champions and the KOPW 2024 title holder.

The opening match of the B-Block saw the debuting Natural Classics face veterans Hiroshi Tanahashi and Jado.

Stevie Filip started against Tanahashi in a test of strength, but the veterans quickly took control, frustrating the young duo. Feigning retreat, the Natural Classics caught Jado off guard with a sneak attack, taking control with quick tags and focused strikes to Jado’s knee.

Jado, showing his veteran grit, countered with a shoulder tackle and tagged in the fired-up Tanahashi. The Ace unleashed a middle-rope senton and Twist and Shout, but missed his signature Sling Blade, leaving him vulnerable to a counterattack.

After an exchange, Jado returned to the ring, but tactics of former glorious times weren’t enough to fend off the Filip brothers. Tanahashi saved Jado from a Mother of All Bombs, but Tome Filip locked Jado in a figure-four leglock, forcing the veteran to submit. The Natural Classics secured an impressive debut victory.

After the first night of B-Block, LIJ, The Natural Classics, HOUSE OF TORTURE, and Just 4 Guys lead, but everything remains wide open in this year’s World Tag League.