NJPW Announces Complete 2025 World Tag League Lineup: Key WWE and AEW Updates Included

2025 World Tag League lineup Unveiled: A Deep Dive into NJPW’s Annual Tournament

new Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) has officially confirmed the teams that will contend in this year’s World Tag League,a cornerstone event in the professional wrestling calendar.The tournament promises a month of intense competition, culminating in the crowning of new champions.

tournament Schedule and Format

The 2025 iteration of the World Tag League commences on November 20th at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan, and will conclude on December 15th in Kumamoto.Sixteen teams will be divided into two blocks of eight. The top two teams from each block will advance to a knockout stage where competition intensifies. winners from each block will confront the runners-up from the opposite block, ultimately determining the two finalists.

A Block: Veterans and New Alliances

block A showcases a notable blend of established teams and promising new pairings.Bishamon, comprised of Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI, return as three-time former champions, aiming to recapture their title. Toru Yano will team once again with boltin Oleg, continuing their partnership. The remaining teams in the block include the fresh duos of Yota Tsuji & Gabe Kidd, EVIL & Don Fale, Taichi & Satoshi Kojima, El desperado & Shuji Ishikawa, Shingo Takagi & Drilla moloney, and Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens.

Team	Members
Bishamon	Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI
Yano & Oleg	Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg
Tsuji & Kidd	Yota Tsuji & Gabe Kidd
EVIL & Fale	EVIL & Don fale
Taichi & Kojima	Taichi & Satoshi Kojima
Desperado & Ishikawa	El Desperado & Shuji ishikawa
Takagi & moloney	Shingo Takagi & Drilla Moloney
Takahashi & Owens	Yujiro takahashi & chase Owens

B Block: Champions and Rising Stars

Block B features equally competitive teams, headlined by the current IWGP Tag Team Champions, the Knockout Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice), making their debut in the World Tag League. Zack sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa will compete for the second consecutive year. Monster Sauce, the dynamic duo of Lance Archer & Alex Zayne, are new additions. Also entering the fray are Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Phantasmo, Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura, David finlay & Hiromu Takahashi, Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman, and Ren Narita & SANADA.

Opening Night Matchups

The opening night at Korakuen Hall on November 20th will present four thrilling A Block encounters:

• Yota Tsuji & Gabe Kidd vs. Shingo Takagi & Drilla Moloney
• Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Taichi & satoshi Kojima
• EVIL & Don fale vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens
• Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano vs. Shuji Ishikawa & El Desperado

The second night, November 22nd, will shift focus to Block B, showcasing equally anticipated matchups.

• Hiromu Takahashi & David Finlay vs. OSKAR & Yuto-Ice
• Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Phantasmo vs. Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura
• Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa vs. Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman
• monster Sauce (lance Archer & Alex Zayne) vs. Ren Narita & SANADA

The Importance of the World Tag League

The World Tag League is more than just a tournament; it’s a proving ground for tag teams in NJPW. Winning the tournament often catapults a team into the main event scene, leading to IWGP Tag Team Championship opportunities. It’s a tradition steeped in history, showcasing unbelievable athleticism and strategic teamwork. The league provides a platform for both established veterans and emerging talents to demonstrate their capabilities and build momentum.

Did You No? The World tag League has been held annually as 1989, becoming one of NJPW’s most cherished traditions.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the debuting teams, as thay frequently enough bring a fresh dynamic and unpredictable energy to the tournament.

What are your predictions for this year’s tournament? Which team do you think will emerge victorious?

With so manny promising pairings, who do you think will be the breakout stars of the 2025 World Tag League?

Frequently Asked Questions

Share your thoughts on the upcoming tournament in the comments below!

How does the inclusion of talent connected to WWE and AEW impact the potential viewership and mainstream attention for the 2025 world Tag League?

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) has officially unveiled the complete lineup for the 2025 World Tag League,promising a tournament packed with star power and intriguing team combinations.This year’s edition is particularly noteworthy due to the confirmed participation of talent with recent or ongoing connections to both WWE and All Elite Wrestling (AEW), adding a critically important layer of excitement for pro wrestling fans globally. The tournament runs from November 22nd to December 8th, culminating in the final at ryogoku Kokugikan.

Confirmed Teams & Notable Pairings

The 2025 World Tag League boasts a diverse roster of 16 teams. Here’s a breakdown of the confirmed participants, with a focus on those drawing attention from the wider wrestling world:

* Los Ingobernables de japón (Tetsuya Naito & SANADA): A perennial threat, LIJ’s dynamic duo is always a favorite to contend for the title.

* Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr. & TAKASHI OWASHI): Technical wrestling prowess and brutal intensity define this team.

* United empire (Will Ospreay & Aaron Henare): Ospreay’s return to full-time NJPW action makes this team a top contender.

* TMDK (Mikey Nicholls & Shane Haste): The Australian powerhouse duo are known for their hard-hitting style.

* Bullet Club Gold (Jay White & KENTA): A volatile and hazardous pairing, capable of unpredictable tactics.

* Bullet Club (Ace Austin & Alex Hammerstone): A new pairing that brings a fresh dynamic to the faction.

* NJPW Dojo (Royce Isaacs & Bad One): Representing the NJPW Dojo, this team aims to make a statement.

* Ren Narita & EVIL: An interesting pairing that could prove to be a dark horse in the tournament.

* Giants (Jeff Cobb & Great-O-Khan): A physically imposing team with a focus on power wrestling.

* YOH & SHO: Former Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions looking to prove themselves in the World Tag League.

* Kaito Kiyomiya & El Lindaman: A strong team with a lot of potential.

* DOUKI & Minoru Suzuki: A chaotic and unpredictable pairing.

* Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato: The comedic duo known for their high-flying antics.

* Hiroshi Tanahashi & Shota Umino: A veteran/young lion pairing with a lot of story potential.

* Clark Connors & Brody King (AEW): This team is generating significant buzz, marking Brody King’s return to NJPW and a rare AEW crossover appearance.

* Finn Bálor & Karl Anderson (WWE): Perhaps the biggest surprise of the lineup, this team represents a significant collaboration between NJPW and WWE, with both stars granted special permission to participate.

WWE & AEW Crossover Implications: A Deeper Dive

The inclusion of Finn Bálor and Karl Anderson (WWE) and Brody King (AEW) is a landmark moment for NJPW and the wider pro wrestling landscape.

WWE’s Involvement

WWE’s decision to allow Bálor and Anderson to compete is a clear indication of the evolving relationship between the promotion and NJPW. This move follows the recent talent exchange agreements and co-promotional efforts, signaling a potential shift towards greater collaboration. The participation of established WWE stars adds mainstream appeal to the World Tag League and provides a platform for NJPW to reach a wider audience.Fans are speculating about potential future collaborations and the possibility of more WWE talent appearing on NJPW shows.

AEW’s Portrayal

Brody King’s participation, sanctioned by AEW, continues a trend of cross-promotional activity. While AEW has historically maintained a more independent stance, allowing King to compete in the World Tag League demonstrates a willingness to engage with other promotions. This move is particularly interesting given the ongoing rivalry between AEW and WWE,and it raises questions about the future of inter-promotional relationships.

Tournament Format & Key Dates

The 2025 World Tag League will follow a traditional round-robin format. Each team will face every other team once, earning two points for a win and one point for a draw. The top four teams will advance to the semi-finals, culminating in the final match at Ryogoku Kokugikan on December 8th.

* November 22nd – December 6th: Round-Robin Stage (Various Locations)

* December 7th: Semi-Finals (Ryogoku kokugikan)

* December 8th: Finals (Ryogoku Kokugikan)

Potential Dark Horses & Storylines to Watch

Beyond the established stars,several teams could emerge as dark horses in the tournament:

* NJPW Dojo (Royce Isaacs & Bad One): Their hunger and determination could lead to upsets.