NJPW crowned the winner of the Best of the Super Juniors 30 tournament today in Tokyo.
Master Wato defeated Titan in the tournament finals to capture the BOSJ for the first time in his career. Wato pinned Titan in 24:48 after hitting Recientemente to score the victory.
While the two were on opposite sides of tag matches during Wato’s excursion to Mexico in 2018 and 2019, this was just the second career singles meeting between the two, with the first coming during BOSJ 29, a match also won by Wato.
After racking up 14 points and a 7-2 record in tournament block action, Wato defeated “Speedball” Mike Bailey in the semifinals on Friday to set up the finals.
After his victory in the finals, Wato was confronted in the ring by IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi. Wato is next in line to challenge for Hirmou’s title by way of his tournament win. The date for the title defense has yet to be made official, but Dominion on Sunday, June 4 seems the likely destination for that match.
CMLL’s Titan went 6-3 in tournament block matches, good for 12 points. He then scored an upset victory over El Desperado in the semifinals on Friday.
NJPW’s Best of the Super Juniors 30 finals take place today at Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo.
B Block winner Master Wato will take on the winner of A Block, CMLL’s Titan in the main event. Both scored upset victories in the semifinals show on Friday to punch their tickets to the finals.
Oleg and Leube opened the match with an intense sequence before the Yuto helped the youngest team take full advantage. They also did a decent job at holding back Makabe early on. Eventually, Makabe turned things around, landing a leaping knee from the top rope to pin Yuto.
Clark Connors defeated Ryohei Oiwa
This was another good, to the point match.
This match quickly spilled to the floor, where Connors drove Oiwa into the ring post. Back in the ring, Connors maintained his lead until a well-timed dropkick from Oiwa turned the match around. Oiwa held the lead before a pair of spears ended any advances he made. Connor ended the match with a DDT.
After the match, Connors destroyed Oiwa with a chair.
Eagles and Rush opened with a quick exchange before passing the match off to YOH and Fujita. YOH and Rush were able to single out Fujita to establish an early lead.
Eventually, Eagles received a hot tag. Rush tried his best to maintain his team’s lead, landing a big tope to the floor, but Eagles continued to advance, forcing YOH to hit the ring and resulting in a match reset.
Fujita tried taking on Rush, but Rush fought through, landing final hour to win the match for his team.
United Empire (Aaron Henare, Dan Moloney, Francesco Akira, Great-O-Khan & TJP) defeated TenKoji (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima), Intergalactic Jet Setters (Kevin Knight & KUSHIDA) & Yuji Nagata
The match opened with a few one-on-one sequences before UE worked to isolate Knight. Once the tag came, Kojima reversed the momentum of the match, leading to a few more one-on-one exchanges.
Ultimately, Henare hit Tenzan with streets of rage to win the match.
No Contest: CHAOS (Hirooki Goto, Toru Yano & YOSHI-HASHI) vs. House Of Torture (EVIL, SHO & Yujiro Takahashi)
HOT opened the match by rushing the CHAOS trio. CHAOS held on through the initial onslaught to gain the first lead, but a trip from Dick Togo allowed HOT to take a full lead.
After an extended period of HOT control, Yano tagged in and began removing turnbuckle pads. This backfired when he was whipped into the exposed corner, only furthering HOT’s control.
Eventually, YH tagged in and turned the match around. He secured a butterfly lock, which seemed to mark the end of the match. Instead, EVIL and Yujiro dragged Arron Henare and Great O-Khan into the ring and started attacking them. The United Empire pair fought back, resulting in a no contest.
Okada vs. defiant younglings continues to be the best feud in wrestling.
Taguchi tried starting the match, but Umino only wanted Okada. Once the veteran squad refused, the match opened with a typical exchange.
Eventually, rivals Desperado and Ishii came to blows. Desperado maintained a strong footing for his team, leading into a match breakdown.
Umino and Okada traded a few moves in a period of chaos before Umino tried to take on Tanahashi. Okada interrupted Umino’s advance, taking Umino to the floor, where he dropped him with a DDT.
Ultimately, Umino put Okada on the back foot, prompting Narita to tag himself in. Okada was able to fight off Narita before tagging in Taguchi. A match breakdown followed.
In the brawl, Umino threw a table at Okada, leaving Narita alone in the ring with Taguchi. Narita secured a cobra twist and forced Taguchi to submit, winning the match for his team.
After the match, Desperado and Bailey traded a couple of strikes.
Umino cut a promo where he called out the trios champions. Umino announced his partners for Dominion were Claudio Castagnoli and Jon Moxley.
Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito) defeated Just 5 Guys (DOUKI, SANADA, Taichi & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)
LIJ started the match by rushing J5G. J5G withstood the initial onslaught and turned the match in their favor early. Even though a second LIJ rush, J5G maintained a lead.
The third LIJ rush allowed Naito to take a bit of a lead over DOUKI. When J5G hit the ring to fight off LIJ, LIJ won out. Naito hit DOUKI with Destino and won the match.
BOSJ Final: Master Wato defeated Titan
Early on, the pair seemed to be on even footing. Wato scored a dive to the floor to establish the first lead. Dropkicks to the leg of Wato allowed Titan to turn the match around, at least for a moment, but a second dive to the floor left Wato back in control.
Titan threw Wato to the floor before landing a springboard flip to put Wato on the back foot; a second dive moments later only furthered this lead.
Back in the ring, the pair traded strikes before a bomb left Wato ahead once again. Wato tried for a submission, but Titan found the ropes and landed a DDT moments later to retake the lead.
Titan tried for a corner dropkick but overshot and crashed to the floor. Titan was quick to recover, landing a double foot stomp moments later before securing a leglock; Wato escaped with the rope.
Wato hit a sudden suplex to reset the match and score a near fall. Titan responded with la mistica for a near fall of his own. Titan then landed a second foot stomp, this time from the top rope, and again, Wato kicked out.
After hanging on, Wato hit another suplex. Wato then landed Recientemente and pinned Titan to win BOSJ.
After the match, Wato and Hiromu shared the ring to set up their future title match.
It will be Titan vs. Master Wato in this year’s Best of the Super Juniors finals.
The tournament’s semifinals took place Friday from Tokyo.
Wato defeated Mike Bailey in the first semifinal on the card. In the later stages of the match, Wato kicked out from Bailey’s Ultimate Weapon. Moments later, he was able to fight back from a series of kicks and hit his Tsutenkaku German suplex for the win.
Titan defeated El Desperado in the second semifinal. Both wrestlers were favoring an injured leg in the closing stages. Titan was able to get to the ropes while locked in Desperado’s Numero Dos. Desperado later tapped to Llave Inmortal (Muta Lock) to send Titan to the finals.
Both Wato and Titan finished second in their block and then defeated the other block’s winner in the semifinals. This year’s tournament was the first since 2014 to include a semifinal round.
This is Titan’s fourth time entering the Best of the Super Juniors. His previous best finish in the tournament had been eight points. This is also Master Wato’s fourth BOSJ. He finished with 8 points each of the last three years.
The tournament finals take place Sunday from the Ota City General Gymnasium. No other matches have been announced for the show.
El Desperado and Master Wato have advanced to the semifinals of the Best of the Super Juniors.
The final night of B Block round-robin action took place on Wednesday from Osaka.
Wato defeated Kevin Knight in the third tournament match of the night to improve to 14 points. Despite a 7-2 record, he still needed one of El Desperado or YOH to lose in order for him to advance. YOH then lost to Yoshinobu Kanemaru in the next match, securing Wato’s spot in the semifinals.
Heading into the night’s main event, Robbie Eagles would advance with a win due to holding the tiebreaker over both YOH and Desperado. For Desperado, a win would secure the top spot in the block due to his holding the tiebreaker over Wato. Desperado then made Eagles tap to Numero Dos and clinched his spot in the semifinals.
A Block winner Mike Bailey vs. B Block #2 seed Master Wato, and B Block winner El Desperado vs. A Block #2 seed Titan will take place on Friday’s show from Tokyo
BOSJ 30 5/24 tournament match results:
BUSHI defeated Francesco Akira
Dan Moloney defeated Clark Connors
Master Wato defeated Kevin Knight
Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated YOH
El Desperado defeated Robbie Eagles
BOSJ 30 final round-robin standings:
A Block —
Mike Bailey (7-2) — 14 points
*Titan (6-3) — 12 points
Lio Rush (6-3) — 12 points
Hiromu Takahashi (6-3) — 12 points
TJP (5-4) — 10 points
Taiji Ishimori (5-4) — 10 points
SHO (4-5) — 8 points
DOUKI (3-6) — 6 points
KUSHIDA (2-7) — 4 points
Ryusuke Taguchi (1-8) — 2 points
* – Titan advances via three-way tie-breaker with Lio Rush and Hiromu Takahashi. Titan defeated both in the round-robin.
B Block —
* El Desperado (7-2) — 14 points
Master Wato (7-2) — 14 points
YOH (6-3) — 12 points
Robbie Eagles (5-4) — 10 points
Francesco Akira (4-5) — 8 points
Dan Moloney (4-5) — 8 points
Clark Connors (4-5) — 8 points
Kevin Knight (3-6) — 6 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru (3-6) — 6 points
BUSHI (2-7) — 4 points
* – Desperado secures the top spot in the block due to his victory over Wato earlier in the tournament.
“Speedball” Mike Bailey and Titan are heading to the semifinals of NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 30.
A Block wrapped up on Tuesday with Bailey and Titan advancing out of the group. Bailey secured a spot in the semifinals by defeating Lio Rush, while Titan upset his Los Ingobernables de Japon stablemate Hiromu Takahashi to advance.
Bailey finishes on top of A Block with a 7-2 record and 14 points. Titan was second in the group with a 6-3 record and 12 points. Though Takahashi and Rush also had the same record, Titan advanced due to defeating them both in block matches.
Takahashi had won three straight Best of the Super Juniors prior to this year. The winner of this year’s tournament will be in line for a shot at Takahashi’s IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.
The Best of the Super Juniors semifinals are taking place this Friday. Bailey will face the second-place finisher from B Block. Titan will face the B Block winner. The tournament finals will then be held on Sunday.
Master Wato, YOH, El Desperado, and Robbie Eagles are still in contention in B Block. The last night of B Block action is this Wednesday.
An injury has forced Taiji Ishimori’s run in the Best of the Super Juniors tournament to come to an early end.
NJPW announced on Monday that Ishimori will miss the remainder of Best of the Super Juniors 30 due to a cervical vertebra injury. Ishimori suffered the injury during his match against Hiromu Takahashi on Sunday. Ishimori appeared to get hurt when taking a sit-out powerbomb. He tried to continue with the match, but the referee called for a stoppage after Takahashi hit Ishimori with two lariats. Takahashi was declared the winner of the match.
“After being given an assessment, Ishimori was discharged and is able to recuperate at home,” NJPW wrote. “He is currently comfortable and able to move normally, but does not have a timetable for a return to the ring at this time.”
Ishimori had a 5-3 record in the tournament with 10 points. His final block match was going to be against TJP on Tuesday. The result of that match will be TJP winning by forfeit.
Takahashi, “Speedball” Mike Bailey, Lio Rush, and Titan are still in contention to win the A Block. In B Block, Master Wato, YOH, El Desperado, and Robbie Eagles are in contention. The tournament will conclude on Sunday, May 28.
“We apologize to fans who were looking forward to seeing Ishimori wrestle, and appreciate your understanding,” NJPW wrote. “NJPW joins fans in wishing Ishimori a fast, full recovery.”
In the main event, “Speedball” Mike Bailey started the tournament strong with a victory over IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi. Here are the results from the show:
– A Block: “Speedball” Mike Bailey defeated Hiromu Takahashi
– B Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated El Desperado
– A Block: Titan defeated TJP
– B Block: Robbie Eagles defeated YOH
– A Block: Lio Rush defeated SHO
– B Block: Master Wato defeated Francesco Akira
– A Block: DOUKI defeated KUSHIDA
– B Block: Dan Moloney defeated BUSHI
– A Block: Taiji Ishimori defeated Ryusuke Taguchi
– B Block: Clark Connors defeated Kevin Knight
The tournament runs through May 28 and features 12 shows in total. If Takahashi doesn’t win the tournament, the winner will be in line for a shot at his title.
Best of the Super Juniors continues this weekend with a show in Nagano on Saturday (May 13) and a show in Aichi on Sunday (May 14).
NJPW has announced the participants in the upcoming Best of the Super Juniors.
KUSHIDA will return to the BOSJ in 2023 for the first time in five years. He won the tournament in 2015 & 2016 and will be placed in the same Block as four-time BOSJ winner (3 consecutive), Hiromu Takahashi.
Making their first appearance in the tournament this year will be Lio Rush, Mike Bailey, Kevin Knight, and Dan Moloney.
Ryusuke Taguchi has been entered again this year, making it his 18th straight appearance and 20th all-time in the BOSJ.
A Block:
KUSHIDA
Ryusuke Taguchi
Lio Rush
DOUKI
Hiromu Takahashi
Titan
TJP
Taiji Ishimori
SHO
Mike Bailey
B Block:
Francesco Akira
El Desperado
BUSHI
Yoshinobu Kanemaru
YOH
Robbie Eagles
Master Wato
Clark Connors
Kevin Knight
Dan Moloney
Wheeler Yuta, Ace Austin, Alex Zayne, El Lindaman, and El Phantasmo are not entered into this year’s BOSJ after having taken part in last year’s tournament.
BOSJ 30 will take place over 12 shows beginning May 13 in Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall. It will conclude with a card from the Ota City General Gymnasium on Sunday, May 28.
An intense schedule will see 12 events over 16 days, with the tour starting in Korakuen Hall and running to Ota-ku, which will see its first BOSJ final in tournament history. The 30th running of this iconic tournament is sure to see incredible competition over a spectacular fortnight- don’t miss a moment!
Best of the Super Juniors 30 schedule:
Friday, May 12, from Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall
Saturday, May 13 from Nagano Prefectural Budokan
Sunday, May 14 from Nagoya International Convention Center Event Hall
Tuesday, May 16 from Akita Prefectural Budokan
Wednesday, May 17 from Miyagi’s Sendai Sun Plaza Hall
Thursday, May 18 from Iwate Prefectural Gymnasium
Friday, May 19 from Aomori’s Maeda Sub Arena
Sunday, May 21 from Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall
Tuesday, May 23 from Osaka’s EDION Sub Arena
Wednesday, May 24 from Osaka’s EDION Sub Arena
Friday, May 26 from Tokyo’s Yoyogi 2nd National Gymnasium
Sunday, May 28 from Tokyo’s Ota-Ku Gymnasium
This will be the 30th edition of the Best of the Super Juniors. The tournament was originally known as the Top of the Super Juniors from 1988 until 1993.
LIJ’s Hiromu Takahashi has dominated the tournament recently, winning it four of the last five years. He holds the record for most BOSJ tournament wins with his victory last year passing Jushin Liger and Koji Kanemoto, who each won the tournament three times.
Takahashi will have to defend his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship at least once before the tournament begins, however. Lio Rush challenges him for the belt on the New Japan Cup 2023 Finals show on Sunday.
