NJPW World Tag League: B Block a three-way race

Yota Tsuji and Zandokan Jr played spoilers today at Night 12 of NJPW’s World Tag League. By defeating Lance Archer and Alex Zayne they managed to keep B Block a three-way tie between Lance Archer and Alex Zayne, Taichi and Yuya Uemura and Hikuleo and El Phantasmo. Hikuleo and El Phantasmo made it a three-way race by handily defeating Soberano Jr. & Atlantis Jr. earlier in the night.

Before Yota Tsuji and Zandokan Jr and Monster Sauce locked up Tetusya Naito made a special appearance carrying a tote bag to the ring and dressed in his street clothes. He bumped fists with a young female fan on his way down to the ring where he took his place at the announce table putting up his feet. LIJ member Shingo Takagi was already on guest commentary that night.

Lance Archer pummeled Young Lions around ringside while Alex Zayne apologized to them, picked them up and dusted them off. Lance Archer stared down at Naito. Naito just smirked.

Jack Sparrow…I mean…Zandokan Jr…started off the match against Zayne. Both men faked each other out not hitting their rival in the ropes when they both had the chance to do so. Tsuji distracted Zayne as he bounced off the ropes by kicking him in the back. Archer came into the ring after Zandokan slammed Zayne to the mat. He kicked and pounded on his despite being admonished by Red Shoes. Archer was tripped up by Tsuji as he bounced off the ropes. Tsuji pulled him onto the floor slamming him into the ringside barricades. Zandokan tossed Zayne through the ropes and to the floor.

Tsuji draped Archer over the ringside barricade so that Zandokan could splash him. They did the same thing to Zayne back in the ring using the ropes instead of a barricade. Archer climbed back into the ring to jaw with the official.

Tsuji and Zandokan double-teamed Zayne for quite some time until Zayne super kicked Tsuji in the head. Archer ran across the ring punching Zandokan in the jaw knocking him off the apron. He crushed Tsuji in a corner with two running elbow smashes and an assisted cannonball by Zayn. Archer caught Tsuji as he prepared to leap off Zandokan’s shoulders slamming him into Zandokan. Archer held Tsuji for Zayne as he bounced off the ropes for his leg drop. Tsuji dodged so Zayne caught nothing but canvass. Archer took a running swing at Tsuji. Tsuji ducked. Zandokan pulled the ropes down low-bridging Archer to the floor. Tsuji speared Zayne for the win.

Standings

Block A

Block B

Night 12 Results

Los Ingobernables de Japon (Shingo Takagi, Bushi) vs House of Torture (Sho, Yoshinobu Kanemaru)

Shingo gives Sho a Pumping Bomber over the ropes and to the floor. Kanemaru pushes Bushi into the official, punches Bushi in the “lower abdomen” and pins him.

Winners: House of Torture (Sho, Yoshinobu Kanemaru)

Toa Liona, Bishop Kaun and Boltin Oleg versus Oskar Leube, Ryohei Oiwa and Kaito Kiyomiya

The Gates do their double slam deal and pin Leube.

Winners: Toa Liona, Bishop Kaun and Boltin Oleg

Henare, Great-O-Khan and Callum Newman versus Tomoaki Honma, Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii

Henare makes Honma submit. Ishii and Newman trade blows after the match. Khan beats Yano with a turnbuckle pad. As Yano lays on the arena floor everyone else brawls on the floor. Ishii and Newman go at it again after the smoke has cleared and things have settled down.

Winners: Henare, Great-O-Khan and Callum Newman

Ryusuke Taguchi, Ren Narita and Shota Umino versus House of Torture (EVIL, Yujiro Takahashi and Dick Togo)

Togo sneaks up on Taguchi as he corners Evil. He attempts to choke him out with his garotte. Taguchi gyrates his way out of it. He slams his butt into Togo to break his hold. Yujiro misses with his cane. Taguchi wraps the garotte around Yujiro’s “lower region” and squeezes with all of his might. Evil is about to charge Taguchi. Taguchi picks up Yujiro’s cane Evil begs off. Taguchi threatens to hit Evil then throws the cane and garrote to the mat. Taguchi punches Evil in the abdomen (or is that the “lower abdomen”?) three times. Evil blocks his attempt at Everything is Evil and makes him submit to the Scorpion Deathlock. Yujiro is about to hit Narita with his cane. Umino rushes into the ring running the heels off.

Winners: House of Torture (EVIL, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo)

Kosei Fujita, Shane Haste and Mike Nicholls versus Taiji Ishimori, Gabe Kidd and Alex Coughlin

Ishimori makes Fujita submit to the Yes Lock.

Winners: Taiji Ishimori, Gabe Kidd and Alex Coughlin

Bad Luck Fale and Jack Bonza versus Taichi and Yuya Uemura – World Tag League 2023 B Block Match

Fale pins Uemura with the Bad Luck Fall.

Winners: Bad Luck Fale and Jack Bonza

El Phantasmo and Hikuleo versus Soberano Jr. and Atlantis Jr. – World Tag League 2023 B Block Match

Phantasmo and Hikuleo win with their assisted Thunder Kiss ‘86 finisher.

Winners: El Phantasmo and Hikuleo

Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi versus Minoru Suzuki and Yuji Nagata – World Tag League 2023 B Block Match

Hashi super kicks Nagata in the face. Goto rolls him up for the victory.

Winners: Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi

Yota Tsuji and Zandokan Jr. versus Lance Archer and Alex Zayne – World Tag League 2023 B Block Match

Winners: Yota Tsuji and Zandokan Jr.