A big mystery was solved on Night One of the World Tag League tournament.
Who would Alex Zayne would be teaming with? His regular partner in Monstersauce, Lance Archer, cannot participate in the tournament because AEW decided he was a valuable talent and started using him again on television. It only took HOW long for them to come to that realization?
Zayne addressed the crowd after making his entrance.
“When I was contacted this year for World Tag League I was informed that Lance Archer could not make it,” began Zayne.
“I knew I had to do one thing and that was to find the most DELICIOUS tag partner that I could find and that is my mystery partner,” he continued as all was revealed.
Ryusuke Taguchi came through the curtain making the fans in attendance very happy indeed. Taguchi came out dressed mimicking Zayne in sunglasses and a fur coat.
Speaking of Zayne, why in the hell hasn’t anyone signed this guy yet? He has the personality, the skill set, the ring savvy. The guy is amazing. Let’s hope NXT, WWE or TNA smarten up in 2025.
Their first match in the tournament was a tall order though as they faced the powerhouse team of Shingo Takagi and Yota Tsuji.
As Zayne backed up Tsuji into a corner Tsuji played with his hair frustration Zayne. Zayne shrugged off a Tsuji shoulder tackle and played with his own hair frustrating Tsuji. Zayne hits double knees to the back off the ropes and a Cinnamon Twist. Zayne bulldogs Tsuji into the mat as The Funky Weapon drop kicks him right in the face for a two count. Tsuji and Takagi take over beating the tar out of The Funky Weapon. Takagi trapped Taguchi in a corner with a bear hug squeezing the air out of him until the official made him break the count.
Taguchi gets double atomic dropped. He recovers to put the ankle lock on Tsuji. Zayne kicks Takagi off the apron so he cannot make the save. Tsuji manages to make it to the ropes to break the hold. Zayne saves Taguchi from being pinned. He gets driven to the mat with an assisted German Suplex by Takagi. Taguchi counters Tsuji’s spear brilliantly with a Famouser and rolls him up for a two count. Pumping Bomber from Takagi and a spear from Tsuji put Taguchi away.
Sanada flies high. Courtesy: NJPW.
Things really got out of hand when TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr and Ryohei Oiwa) defeated The Bullet Club War Dogs (Gabe Kidd and Sanada) later in the main event. Oiwa and Kidd hit each other with clothesline after clothesline. Kidd slaps Oiwa right in the face. Oiwa fires back. Kidd bounces off the ropes. Oiwa rolled up the Strong Openweight Champion for the pin.
“A champion got pinned on the first night of Tag League!” laughed Henare on commentary.
Oiwa is held back by Zach Sabre Jr. Courtesy: NJPW.
Kidd leapt on Oiwa after the bell laying in forearm after haymaker. Young Lions swarmed him. Kidd challenged Oiwa to a fight on the floor. Oiwa met him there. They traded punches as Young Lions attempted to pry them apart. Sabre Jr. pulled Oiwa off of Kidd. Oiwa took over slamming a ringside barricade door open, beating Kidd down to the floor. They were finally separated.
Updated Standings
Block A
World Tag League: Night One Results
Shota Umino and Tomoaki Honma vs The United Empire (Jeff Cobb and Callum Newman) – A Block
Jeff Cobb is ready to drop a bomb. Courtesy: NJPW.
Cobb and Newman have matching Cobb and Newman shirts. Right out of the gate Umino tries to match power with Cobb and that is a big mistake. I mean this dude isn’t a veteran yet, sure, but come on. I will give him credit. He does manage to shoulder tackle him down though. Honma tries as well to power up Cobb. Cobb just dead lifts him up for a big old slam. Newman is dazed on the floor. Cobb goes to tag him but he isn’t ready. Cobb shrugs his shoulders continuing the match. Cobb misses his shot at a Cobb Kokeshi. Cobb and Newman knock Umino off the apron so they can double team Honma. Honma DDTs Newman so he hot tag Umino. Umino is able to fight off Newman and Cobb. He almost pins Newman with a Fisherman’s Suplex. Umino and Honma bring big Cobb down with two double Kokeshis for a two count. Honma leaps off the top rope. Cobb catches him slamming him for a two count. A Tour of the Islands pins Honma.
Winners: Jeff Cobb and Callum Newman
Alex Zayne and Ryusuke Taguchi vs LIJ (Shingo Takagi and Yota Tsuji) – A Block
Yota Tsuji adjusts Taguchi’s spine. Courtesy: NJPW.
Winners: Shingo Takagi and Yota Tsuji
Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi) vs Bullet Club (Kenta and Chase Owens) – A Block
Hashi and Goto deliver a Shoto to Owens. Courtesy: NJPW.
Hashi super kicks Kenta in the face knocking him to the floor. Owens is held backwards in the ropes by Hashi. Goto clotheslines Owens in the back of the head. Owens escapes from the Shoto. Hashi super kicks Owens and knocks Kenta off the apron again. Owens is pinned via Shoto.
Winners: Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi
TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr and Ryohei Oiwa) versus Bullet Club War Dogs (Gabe Kidd and Sanada)
Oiwa and Kidd hit each other with clothesline after clothesline. Kidd slaps Oiwa right in the face. Oiwa fires back. Kidd bounces off the ropes. Oiwa rolls him up for the pin.
Winners: TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr and Ryohei Oiwa)
