There were 88 matches over the course of 15 nights of action in this year’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 26 tournament. But if you’re planning on catching up or want to do a binge watch, you certainly don’t need to watch all 88.
Through my coverage for the website, I watched everything and give you my best of the best in order of when they happened (with spoilers).
Night 1: Shingo Takagi vs. SHO
The semi-main event stole the show on the first night of the tournament. SHO kicked out of Shingo’s Pumping Bomber twice, but had no answer for Last of the Dragon.
Night 4: Robbie Eagles vs. Ren Narita
Eagles and Narita faced off in Narita’s hometown of Aomori on night four. Narita had his parents in attendance, and there were signs passed out to the crowd to support him. Eagles ultimately won with his secondary finisher (Turbo Backpack) but not before the competitors had the crowd believing that a Young Lion could pull off the upset.
Night 4: Will Ospreay vs. Rocky Romero
The main event on this show was Ryusuke Taguchi vs. DOUKI. DOUKI. He had no hopes of following Romero and Ospreay who tore the house down for more than 25 minutes.
Night 8: SHO vs. Marty Scurll
SHO makes his second appearance on our list, this time with the leader of Villain Enterprises. They went on in the middle of the lineup, but had a match that would not have been out of place in the main event spot on most shows. In most tournaments, this would have been a best match candidate. Instead, they just had a great match on a great night of action.
Night 8: Will Ospreay vs. Bandido
This was everything you would expect from two of the top guys in the world. Both are on the cutting edge when it comes to innovating moves, and they delivered a state of the art performance in the semi-main event.
Night 8: Shingo Takagi vs. Dragon Lee
They had the unenviable task of following a Will Ospreay match. Still, the then-unbeaten Shingo and the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion turned in a classic performance in Korakuen Hall.
Night 9: Will Ospreay vs. Ren Narita
This was the Eagles vs. Narita match turned up to eleven. Ospreay gave Narita a lot of offense, and the crowd in Korakuen absolutely bought a backslide from Narita as a potential finish in the closing exchange.
Night 9: Shingo Takagi vs. TAKA Michinoku
TAKA’s tournament was cut short due to injury, but not before he turned in a great performance against The Dragon. They worked this as a sprint, going just over a memorable seven minutes. TAKA broke out a moonsault off the post before falling to the Last of the Dragon.
Night 9: Dragon Lee vs. Titan
It was an up-and-down tournament for Titan. He had some good matches, but also a series of forgettable ones. This one was the former as he worked with a familiar opponent who was well-equipped to work his style. After not seeing him for a couple of tours, I had forgotten, and was reminded, that Dragon Lee is one of the best guys in the business.
Night 9: Rocky Romero vs. El Phantasmo
In what was billed as Romero’s first singles main event in Korakuen Hall, the veteran created a night to remember. They nearly went the full thirty minute time limit before Romero pulled off a bracket-busting upset. Technically, there may have been better matches in the tournament. Emotionally, there may not have been.
Night 10: Robbie Eagles vs. Will Ospreay
I came into this tournament with one impression of Eagles and left with a completely different one.
For lack of a better term, I had thought that he was just a warm body that could do a 450 splash. As it turns out, he is as fundamentally sound as anyone and a spectacular worker. If you know the story of Ospreay and Eagles, and how Ospreay got him into NJPW, this probably meant more to you than if you were watching without that backstory. If you watched the last match these two had in Australia, even more so.
Night 11: Taiji Ishimori vs. Tiger Mask
The psychology of this match was excellent. Ishimori needed a win to stay alive, Tiger knew that, and threw everything he had at him. It felt as though these were two athletes trying to win a legitimate competition.
Night 12: Will Ospreay vs. DOUKI
By this point in the tournament, I had my mind made up on DOUKI and thought he was easily the weakest performer in the tournament. After his match with Ospreay, I decided that he can be carried. This was just another day at the office for Ospreay, but he probably gave DOUKI the best match of his life. Again, Ospreay stole another show in the semi-main position.
Night 13: Dragon Lee vs. Marty Scurll
Only Takagi and Ishimori were still alive in A Block by this time. Still, Dragon and Scurll put forth a great effort on the final night of their block. Scurll is very detail-oriented as evidenced by the series of intricate counters, reversals, and teases on display here. While it may not strike you at first, Scurll is also an awesome base for high flyers like Dragon.
Night 13: Shingo Takagi vs. Taiji Ishimori
Ishimori injured his neck earlier in the tournament in a match with Scurll when he landed awkwardly on a botched move. That injury played into the story of the match. Despite being clearly banged up, Ishimori kept pace with Shingo, and they had a speed vs. power battle for the right to advance to the final.
Night 15: Will Ospreay vs. Shingo Takagi
They had to follow the debuting Jon Moxley and Juice Robinson who pulled out all the stops and did everything imaginable in their match. Still, they were more than up to the task. Ospreay knocked off The Dragon, won his second BOSJ, and finished one of the best tournament runs of all time, all while cementing his reputation as an elite big match performer.
Shingo Takagi punched his ticket to Ryogoku and the Best of the Super Juniors 26 Final, defeating Taiji Ishimori today in Ehime.
Takagi wrapped up A Block action with a perfect 9-0 record, and remains unbeaten in NJPW singles competition. He has also yet to be pinned or submitted in any tag match in which his team lost.
He will face the winner of Monday’s Will Ospreay vs. Ryusuke Taguchi B Block Final, with the BOSJ Final set for June 5. That show will also feature the debuting Jon Moxley, who will challenge Juice Robinson for the IWGP U.S. title.
Here are the full results and match recaps from today’s show:
We saw a brief preview of the B Block final here as Ospreay and Taguchi traded a few spots. Tsuji called for Ishii and paid for it as he got worked over in the blue corner with chops. The crowd was hot and the wrestlers responded by working hard.
Everyone jumped in for a big move, and Ospreay and Romero hit stereo planchas to the floor. Uemura and Umino were the only two left in the ring. Umino hit a spinebuster, and used a fisherman’s suplex to pin Uemura.
After the bell, Taguchi went after Ospreay on the floor and put him in an ankle lock. Tsuji again went after Ishii, but they were quickly pulled apart. Ospreay limped to the back after, so they laid the groundwork for the story of their match next week.
JUICE ROBINSON & YOH DEFEATED ROBBIE EAGLES & JADO
They built the match around YOH selling his legs. He finally rolled under a double lariat attempt and hit a double dropkick to Eagles and Jado. Juice got a hot tag and ran wild. Eagles took the referee, allowing Jado to use a kendo stick shot to turn the tide back in the Bullet Club’s favor.
Jado used a crossface, but Juice forced a break. Eagles again took the referee, but YOH made the save for Juice. Juice used a series of jabs. Jado used a rollup for a nearfall. Juice countered with the Left Hand of God and hit Pulp Friction for the pin in a very formulaic tag match.
DOUKI & TAICHI DEFEATED EL PHANTASMO & GEDO
Representatives from two heel factions virtually promised a crowd brawl, and that’s what we got. It wasn’t a particularly inspired meeting.
Gedo and Taichi traded Gedo Clutches for nearfalls. They did a fun comedy spot where Taichi grabbed his mic stand while Gedo got his brass knuckles out. Taichi dropped his weapon, but Gedo kept his. Gedo took a swing, but Taichi ducked, and used the stretch plum for the submission win.
TETSUYA NAITO & BUSHI DEFEATED TOA HENARE & REN NARITA
Narita continues to shine on this tour and held his own against BUSHI at the outset. Naito and BUSHI used an illegal double team to take control once Henare tagged in. Narita got back in and used his Narita Special, but Naito saved for BUSHI.
Narita hit Naito with a dropkick. Henare got a tag and used a spear for a nearfall. BUSHI tried to save, but Narita hit him with a belly-to-belly. Naito made his own comeback, hitting a neckbreaker and a one-legged dropkick for a nearfall. He followed with a Destino on Henare for the win. It was fun seeing Naito sell for Narita.
BUSHI jumped Narita after the match. They will face off on June 3.
A BLOCK MATCH: YOSHINOBU KANEMARU DEFEATED TAKA MICHINOKU BY FORFEIT
TAKA’s tournament saw an early exit as an ankle injury forced him to forfeit his last three matches.
A BLOCK MATCH: TITAN DEFEATED TIGER MASK
They shook hands before the bell. Tiger took the first several minutes of the match, landing a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, followed by a series of mid kicks. Titan made a comeback, hitting a headscissors. He sent Tiger outside and teased a dive, but Tiger stepped aside. Titan followed with a backbreaker on the floor.
Back inside, Titan went for a moonsault, but Tiger got his feet up. Tiger hit a double underhook knee strike, then followed with a Tiger Driver for a nearfall. Tiger immediately transitioned from the cover to a cross armbreaker and then an armbar, but Titan forced a rope break. Tiger hit a series of kicks. Titan used an armdrag. He made a cover, and got the pin…off an armdrag.
Tiger protested the finish, and it certainly didn’t appear that it was supposed to be the end of the match, but he didn’t kick out of the cover. This was very strange.
A BLOCK MATCH: SHO DEFEATED JONATHAN GRESHAM
Gresham had his ribs taped up, and entered selling the injury. They started off with a mat sequence, ending in a stalemate. SHO got a series of waistlock takedowns and dropped into a cross armbreaker, but Gresham quickly reached the ropes.
Gresham rolled to the apron and SHO hit a low dropkick, sending him to the floor. SHO went after Gresham’s left arm. Back in the ring, Gresham attacked SHO’s left leg. He tried for a spinning toe hold, but SHO kicked him off. Gresham hit a chop to the leg, and again tried for the toe hold, but SHO kicked him off.
SHO hit a hip toss into a cross armbreaker, but Gresham again reached the ropes. Gresham hit a quebrada, and SHO rolled outside. Gresham hit a suicide dive and followed with a shooting star press for a nearfall.
Gresham used a figure four, but SHO rolled to the bottom rope. They rolled to the apron, still in the hold. Gresham kept the hold applied as they rolled to the floor. They teased a countout, but SHO made it back inside at 19.
They traded forearm strikes which really got the crowd into the match. SHO hit a German, but Gresham landed on his feet. SHO used a cradle for a nearfall, then hit a jumping knee strike. SHO hit a deadlift German into a bridge for a two count.
SHO hit a clothesline and Gresham took a flip bump. SHO hit a powerbomb onto his knees for a two count. He followed with Shock Arrow for the pin in a great match. They shook hands after the bell and SHO raised Gresham’s hand.
A BLOCK MATCH: DRAGON LEE DEFEATED MARTY SCURLL
They began with a very nice exchange of holds. Scurll went after Dragon’s arms with stomps. Dragon hit a headscissors and Scurll rolled outside. Dragon teased a dive, but Brody King tripped him. Scurll used the distraction to hit a superkick on the apron and then tossed Dragon into the crowd.
Scurll used a cloverleaf and hit a series of chops. Dragon fired back with strikes and hit a headscissors. He sent Scurll to the floor, then hit a dive onto Scurll, finishing with a rana. Dragon hit a shotgun dropkick and then hit another dropkick in the corner.
Dragon hit a backbreaker and then used a knee strike for a nearfall. He went for Desnucadora, but Scurll slipped into a chicken wing attempt. Dragon fought it off, but Scurll hit a half-and-half suplex.
They exchanged forearms on the top rope. Scurll used his finger break spot. Dragon teased his foot stomp off the ropes, but King interfered. Scurll hit a superplex for a nearfall. He followed with a series of strikes in the corner, but Dragon answered with a dropkick in the opposite corner.
They had a fast and furious exchange of big moves, including a snap German and a DDT. Dragon hit Desnucadora, but King pulled the referee out of the ring, stopping the count. Dragon hit a suicide dive onto King and threw the ref back in.
Dragon went for Desnucadora again, but Scurll rolled through into a DDT. Scurll used a chicken wing, but Dragon bridged into a cover for a nearfall. Scurll hit a pair of lariats, picking up a nearfall. He then hit the Scurll Driver for another two count.
Dragon hit a snap suplex and a running knee for a nearfall. He pulled his knee pad down, hit another strike, then followed with Desnucadora for the pin in a good match.
SHINGO TAKAGI DEFEATED TAIJI ISHIMORI TO WIN THE A BLOCK
After an exchange on the mat, Shingo missed with a senton. Ishimori grabbed a hold, but Shingo used a headscissors escape. Ishimori tried for a leapfrog, but Shingo snatched him out of the air and sent him into the corner. Ishimori tried for a springboard attack, but Shingo caught him and hit a DDT.
Shingo used a chinlock and then dropped a knee on Ishimori’s head. Ishimori was selling his neck which was damaged early in the tournament. Shingo hit a series of elbows to the neck. Ishimori hit a handstand into a headscissors and torqued on Shingo’s neck with his legs.
Ishimori caught Shingo in the ropes and hit a sliding German to the floor. They exchanged strikes on the floor and Ishimori sent Shingo into the post. Back inside, Ishimori hit a springboard senton. He followed with a series of short knee strikes to the shoulder area, setting up for a Yes Lock later on.
Shingo countered a series of strikes to his neck with a jab and then a clothesline. Ishimori hit a backdrop out of a powerbomb attempt. Ishimori hit a handspring kick and Shingo rolled to the outside. Ishimori teased a Golden Triangle, but Shingo cut him off.
Shingo hit a pop-up DVD on the apron, dropping Ishimori to the floor. Back in the ring, Shingo used a sliding lariat for a two count. Ishimori hit a DDT, but Shingo answered immediately with a vertical suplex.
Ishimori hit double knees in the corner. They hit simultaneous lariats. Ishimori hit a Canadian Destroyer, but Shingo popped right up and hit a Pumping Bomber. The crowd had been quiet, but that spot woke them up.
Shingo hit a Noshigami for a nearfall. Shingo hit a lariat and then another Pumping Bomber. He covered, but Ishimori kicked out at two and a half. He went for Last of the Dragon at the 15 minute mark, but Ishimori turned it into a crucifix bomb.
Ishimori hit a big rana and got a very close nearfall. Ishimori went for a lungblower, but Shingo blocked it and hit a wheelbarrow suplex. Ishimori used a misdirection spot and then flew into the Yes Lock. They did a long submission tease, but Shingo dragged his way to the bottom rope, forcing a break.
Ishimori hit a series of knees to the neck. He followed up with a series of punches to the neck. Shingo countered with a headbutt and a big jab. Ishimori hit a jumping knee and then hit his own Pumping Bomber.
Ishimori hit a Woo dropkick followed by double knees in the corner. He hit a lungblower, and Shingo kicked out at two. Shingo blocked a Bloody Cross attempt, and deadlifted Ishimori into Last of the Dragon for the pin.
This was a great main event, ranking right up there with some of the best matches of the tournament.
Night four of this year’s Best of the Super Juniors saw an instant classic in the semi-main event.
Will Ospreay and Rocky Romero tore the house down in Aomori, delivering a dramatic 25-plus minute back-and-forth battle.
The other tournament matches on the evening were solid, but if you are cherry picking matches to watch on this tour, make sure you check out Ospreay vs. Romero.
They did a lot for an opener, including brawling around ringside. While Ishimori and Titan brawled on the outside, Uemura went for a double underhook suplex on Gedo. Gedo bit Uemura’s ear, then used an inside cradle for a near fall.
He followed with a roll-up and a handful of tights for the pin.
MARTY SCURLL & BRODY KING DEFEATED TIGER MASK IV & YOTA TSUJI
Tiger and Scurll will face off on Saturday, so we got a tag team preview here. Like with the first bout of the evening, they did more than you might expect from an undercard NJPW tag.
The finish was cool. Scurll hit a sunset flip on Tsuji, into a German from King. King followed up with a Gonzo Bomb for the pin on Tsuji.
They didn’t really play up Tiger’s supposed knee injury, which has been the story of this tour for him.
SHO, JONATHAN GRESHAM & TOA HENARE DEFEATED DRAGON LEE, JUICE ROBINSON & SHOTA UMINO
They played the Time’s Up video for Juice right after the opening bell rang. Juice sold like he was distracted by the video throughout the match.
This was much quicker than the first two bouts, and not nearly as good. Gresham was selling like he was hurt from last night’s tournament match. The finish saw Henare hit a uranage on Umino for the pin.
This was laid out in an interesting way. Shingo was in and out for a few spots, sandwiched between two lengthy segments of Suzuki-gun getting heat on Naito.
TAKA hit a running knee on Naito, but Shingo broke up the pinfall. Naito made his own comeback and hit Destino on TAKA for the pin.
After the match, Kanemaru posted Shinigo’s legs and hit them with a chair. So they have a story to work with in their match on Saturday.
B BLOCK MATCH: ROBBIE EAGLES DEFEATED REN NARITA
Aomori is Narita’s hometown, and his parents were in attendance. They handed out signs with Narita’s photo on them to the crowd, which was a nice touch.
Eagles worked over Narita’s left leg early. Narita came back with a dropkick and earned a near fall. Narita went for his bridging belly-to-belly, but Eagles blocked it and hit a springboard dropkick to the leg.
Eagles went for a figure four, but Narita turned it into a cradle for a near fall. Eagles went for a backpack stunner, but Narita turned it into a backslide for a near fall.
Narita hit a release belly-to-belly for a near fall. Narita used a modified Scorpion Deathlock, but Eagles reached the ropes. Narita got a near fall off a shoulder tackle, as the people really got behind him.
Eagles hit a backpack stunner out of nowhere and pinned Narita. The air was sucked out of the crowd, who really wanted Narita to pull off the upset. This was a lot of fun.
B BLOCK MATCH: YOH DEFEATED BANDIDO
Bandido hit a press slam early on. YOH responded by targeting Bandido’s left leg. Bandido came back with a tornillo off the top, a flying headscissors off the apron, and a gorgeous Asai moonsault. I thought Io Shirai had the best moonsault in the business, but it might actually be Bandido.
Back inside, YOH hit a neckbreaker. YOH hit a flying forearm, but Bandido hit a pop-up cutter. They continued to go back and forth, as YOH hit a superkick. Bandido hit a 450 while YOH held himself up on the middle rope.
Bandido went for the 21 Plex, but YOH reversed it into a suplex of his own. YOH hit a superplex into a falcon arrow for a near fall. Bandido hit a knee strike and a clothesline for a near fall. YOH blocked another 21 Plex attempt.
YOH hit a dragon suplex, but Bandido landed on his feet. YOH hit a second dragon suplex, and held the bridge this time, earning the victory.
Athletically, this was great. I could have used a little bit more music between the notes, though. It felt more like a collection of moves than a match.
B BLOCK MATCH: EL PHANTASMO DEFEATED BUSHI
Phantasmo did his rope walk halfway around the ring. BUSHI cut him off. Phantasmo came back, choking BUSHI with his own T-shirt. He tied BUSHI to the tree of woe, then stomped on his groin.
BUSHI hit Eat Defeat, followed by a missile dropkick. Phantasmo hit an airplane spin into a neckbreaker. He followed with a quebrada for a near fall. BUSHI crotched Phantasmo on the top rope, then hit a flying rana.
Phantasmo sent BUSHI outside, then hit a pair of suicide dives. Back inside, he hit a top rope splash for a two count. He teased a CR II, but BUSHI countered with a DDT on the apron.
Phantasmo hit a low blow and used a CR II for the pin. A good match, but it lacked intensity.
B BLOCK MATCH: WILL OSPREAY DEFEATED ROCKY ROMERO
They started with a fun, fast-paced sequence, ending with both posing. Rocky hit a baseball slide, and they slowed the pace. Rocky teased his forever clotheslines, but Ospreay cut him off. Ospreay hit a big knee drop for a near fall.
Rocky used an octopus hold. He held it for a long time, but Ospreay finally broke the hold with a backbreaker. Ospreay hit a knee to the back, then used a chinlock. Rocky broke the hold, then they exchanged strikes. Ospreay dropped Rocky with a chop.
Rocky hit a tornado DDT. He followed up with a series of chops and punches. Ospreay flipped out of a flying headscissors, then hit a PK. Rocky blocked a handspring kick and hit a springboard rana. He followed with a suicide dive.
Back inside, Rocky hit a double stomp while Ospreay was draped over the second rope. He used a knee strike to the left arm and followed with an arm wringer. Ospreay hit a back handspring kick.
Ospreay hit Pip Pip Cheerio with his right arm, but sold the damage to his left arm on the follow-up cover. Ospreay hit a Space Flying Tiger Drop, the first time he’s broken that move out on this tour.
Ospreay hit a series of short kicks to the face, then a big high kick. Rocky blocked an OsCutter, and tried to lock on an armbar. After a fight, he briefly got full extension on the armbar, but Ospreay rolled to the ropes, forcing a break.
Rocky kicked at the left arm. Ospreay hit a mid kick, Rocky hit a rewind kick, and Ospreay hit an enzuigiri. Ospreay went for a dropkick in the corner. Rocky blocked it, and hit forever clotheslines. Rocky hit a standing Sliced Bread for an awesome near fall at the 20-minute mark.
Rocky went for a rana, but Ospreay caught him coming in and hit a buckle bomb. Ospreay hit a sidewalk slam for a near fall. Ospreay hit a hook kick. He went for a Storm Breaker, but Rocky turned it into a backslide for a near fall.
Rocky used a cradle for a near fall. Ospreay hit another hook kick. He went for Storm Breaker again, but Rocky turned it into a roll-up for a near fall.
They traded strikes from their knees. They got back to their feet and traded again. Rocky ducked a Hidden Blade, then hit a pair of strikes. Ospreay hit a thrust kick, but Rocky locked on an armbar. Ospreay powerbombed out of it and got a near fall at the 25-minute mark.
Ospreay hit a shooting star press for a two count, then hit Storm Breaker for the pin. Awesome match.
B BLOCK MATCH: RYUSUKE TAGUCHI DEFEATED DOUKI
Douki attacked Taguchi before the opening bell. He hit a seated senton off the top to the floor, the most impressive move we’ve seen from Douki yet. They teased an early countout, but Taguchi made it back in at 19.
Taguchi hit a hip attack. He went for a slingshot plancha, but Douki moved out of the way and hit a snap suplex on the floor. Douki posted Taguchi. Taguchi tried a hip attack off the apron, but Douki hit him with a chair.
Back in the ring, Taguchi hit a hip attack. Douki hit a sunset flip, but Taguchi countered with a dropkick. He followed up with a springboard plancha to the outside, then a springboard hip attack inside for a two count.
Taguchi hit Three Amigos. He applied an ankle lock, then transitioned to a Dodon on the knees, picking up another two count. Taguchi sat down into a cover on another Dodon attempt for a near fall.
Taguchi put on the ankle lock. Douki grabbed Red Shoes, then Taichi jumped in to hit Taguchi with a suplex. They did a long double down. Douki was up first, and hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count.
Douki hit a springboard DDT. He went for Suplex de la Luna, but Taguchi blocked it. Douki used a triangle choke. Taguchi rolled through, but Douki kept the hold applied. Taguchi made it to the ropes, forcing a break.
Douki hit a clothesline. He again went for the de la Luna, but Taguchi blocked it and used a roll-up for a two count. Taguchi hit a Blue Thunder Bomb into a double down.
They exchanged strikes. Taguchi went for a hip attack, but Douki ducked. Taguchi hit Red Shoes, who took a bump. Taichi jumped on the apron and threw Douki a chair. Taguchi ducked a chair shot, and hit an enzuigiri.
Taguchi dropped Douki on the chair, then followed with a Bomaye for a near fall. Taguchi hit Dodon and applied the ankle lock. Taichi tried to jump in with a steel pipe, but the Young Lions at ringside held him off. Douki tapped out.
The second night of A Block action in Best of the Super Juniors 26 saw Dragon Lee and SHO push each other to the limit.
Their main event showdown nearly went to the 30-minute time limit, before Lee was finally able to put SHO away, earning his first victory of the tournament.
This was a very good opener. Narita and Uemura both hit nice double underhook suplexes. Jado used a kendo stick shot to turn the tide in Bullet Club’s favor. Eagles won with a backpack stunner on Uemura.
This was a Suzuki-gun showcase. They used an attack before the opening bell to take control. They turned the match into a crowd brawl. Back inside, they worked over Taguchi.
Umino got a hot tag and the crowd was hyped for his offense. Taichi won after hitting an Axe Bomber for a near fall, then using a stretch plum for the submission. Douki continues to disappoint me. He used a pipe to attack Taguchi after the match.
JUICE ROBINSON, BANDIDO & WILL OSPREAY DEFEATED YOH, ROCKY ROMERO & TOA HENARE
YOH and Bandido paired off at the start. Bandido hit a gorilla press slam on YOH, which also took out Rocky. Juice and his team worked over YOH.
Rocky and Ospreay paired off for an excellent sequence. The closing section saw Juice and Henare go back and forth. Juice won after a Left Hand of God and Pulp Friction.
After the match, they played the same Time’s Up video that plays in every Juice segment.
TETSUYA NAITO & BUSHI DEFEATED EL PHANTASMO & GEDO
Phantasmo teased shaking hands with BUSHI at the outset, but flipped him off and kicked him in the gut instead. Phantasmo and Gedo went to work on BUSHI. Gedo went for brass knuckles, but Naito jumped in and stopped him.
Naito hit the combinacion de cabron, and BUSHI hit an MX, then pinned Gedo.
A BLOCK MATCH: JONATHAN GRESHAM DEFEATED TAKA MICHINOKU
A nice little grappling battle here. Gresham is a great technician, and TAKA went hold for hold with him. The match didn’t have a lot of heat, but it was fun.
Gresham used a variation of a finger break spot to take control of the bout. He worked over TAKA’s left arm. TAKA used an eye poke and a chinlock. TAKA slapped on a headscissors on the mat, but Gresham powered out.
TAKA maintained control of the bout with two knee strikes. He used another headscissors, but Gresham slipped out and worked on TAKA’s left arm some more. He used a magistral cradle for a two count.
Gresham tried for an octopus hold, but TAKA made it to the ropes. TAKA briefly applied the Just Facelock, but Gresham reached the ropes. TAKA applied the hold again, and again Gresham forced a rope break.
Gresham hit a quebrada, then used a backslide for a near fall. Gresham got another quick near fall, then went back to the octopus hold before TAKA tapped out.
A BLOCK MATCH: TIGER MASK IV DEFEATED YOSHINOBU KANEMARU
Tiger attacked Kanemaru before the bell. Tiger hit some kicks on the floor. He went for a kick with his bad right leg, and Kanemaru caught it and posted it. Kanemaru worked over Tiger’s leg as the pace slowed.
Kanemaru went to the top for Deep Impact, but Tiger cut him off, hitting an arm drag off the top. Tiger hit a tombstone, then a Tiger Driver, picking up a near fall. Kanemaru got back to his feet and hit Deep Impact, but Tiger kicked out.
Kanemaru used a figure four, but Tiger forced a break. Tiger hit a flying wheel kick. Kanemaru tried to go back to the figure four, but Tiger used a small package and got the pin. Kanemaru unmasked Tiger after the bell.
Considering Tiger’s limitations, this was okay. He really needs to pick his spots in a long tournament like this, so I’m okay with some shortcut matches like this.
A BLOCK MATCH: SHINGO TAKAGI DEFEATED TITAN
Titan teased a tope con hilo early, but settled for a flying headscissors on the floor. Back inside, he went for a top rope rana. Shingo dropped Titan across the top rope, then clotheslined him over the top.
Titan came back, hitting a kick that sent Shingo outside. Titan hit a suicide dive that went about three rows deep into the crowd. Titan got a near fall, then hit a springboard splash for another. Shingo went for a Pumping Bomber, but Titan ducked it.
Titan used La Mistica to set up a rolling pinning combination for a near fall. He went for the same combination again, but Shingo escaped.
Shingo hit Noshigami, the Pumping Bomber, then Last of the Dragon, and got the pin. Good match.
A BLOCK MATCH: TAIJI ISHIMORI DEFEATED MARTY SCURLL
Ishimori worked a wristlock at the outset. Scurll was frustrated, as he would set up an escape but Ishimori always found a way back to the wristlock. Scurll finally found an escape and stomped on Ishimori’s left arm.
Scurll hit a superplex. Ishimori rolled outside and avoided Scurll’s superkick on the apron. Ishimori followed with a Golden Triangle off the post. Back inside, Ishimori used a chinlock and focused on attacking Scurll’s neck.
Ishimori hit a sliding German for a near fall. Ishimori hit some strikes, and Scurll asked him to hit him again. Scurll hit a tornado DDT, then a series of strikes in the corner. Scurll hit a superkick on the apron.
Scurll hit a stomp off the second rope. He blocked a handspring kick, then hit a powerbomb for a near fall. Scurll went for the Black Plague, but Ishimori turned it into a cradle. They traded a series of cradles for near falls.
Ishimori hit a shotgun dropkick, then used double knees in the corner for a two count. Scurll stomped away at Ishimori’s left arm, trying to set up the chicken wing. Ishimori hit a handspring kick into a double down.
Scurll went for a tombstone. Ishimori tried to reverse it into one of his own, but he stumbled, dropped Scurll on his head, and may have knocked himself out tripping and hitting the second rope. Everyone was okay, but this was scary.
Ishimori hit a lungblower for a near fall. Scurll escaped a Bloody Cross attempt and applied the chicken wing. Ishimori refused to tap, so Scurll decided to try for a pin instead, but Ishimori kicked out.
Ishimori used La Mistica to set up a Yes Lock. Scurll slid out of the hold and used a Yes Lock to transition back to the chicken wing, before hitting a half-and-half suplex. Scurll hit a lariat for a two count, then a package driver for another.
Ishimori avoided the Black Plague and hit a rebound lariat for a near fall. Ishimori then hit Bloody Cross to pick up the win.
Some scary moments after the botched tombstone spot, and the crowd was in and out of it, but a very good match.
A BLOCK MATCH: DRAGON LEE DEFEATED SHO
They began with an intense striking battle in the center of the ring. The pace slowed, but they continued to trade strikes. SHO sent Lee to the floor. SHO tried for a lariat on the floor, but Lee ducked, and SHO posted his own right arm.
Lee went for a headscissors off the apron, but SHO caught him and hit a powerbomb on the apron. SHO used a crucifix hold to try for a submission, but Lee made it to the ropes. Lee sent SHO to the floor, then hit a crazy suicide dive.
Back inside, Lee used a Fujiwara armbar on the right arm, but SHO made it to the ropes. SHO kicked at Lee’s right arm. Both sold their right arms. They clotheslined each other over the top rope. They teased a double countout, but both made it back in at 19.
They traded strikes. SHO hit a lariat, then hit a deadlift German into a bridge for a near fall. SHO hit two rolling Germans, but Lee forced a rope break before the third could connect. SHO kicked at Lee’s right arm again.
Lee used a Fujiwara armbar, but SHO forced a rope break. They fought on the top rope, and Lee hit a double stomp. Lee picked up a near fall.
Lee went for Desnucadora, but SHO turned it into a backstabber, then a cross armbreaker, but Lee made it to the bottom rope.
SHO went for Shock Arrow, and he finally got it after a series of counters. Lee kicked out of Shock Arrow at two. They traded jumping knee strikes. Lee hit a poison rana, but SHO no-sold it and hit a clothesline.
They traded forearm strikes from their knees. Back on their feet, they exchanged again. SHO got the better of it, and he ended the exchange with a clothesline. SHO hit a lungblower on his knees, then a powerbomb on the knees. He made a cover, but Lee kicked out.
SHO went for Shock Arrow again. Lee slipped out and hit a jumping knee strike at the 25-minute mark. Lee went for Desnucadora, but SHO slipped out and applied an armbar. Lee made the ropes initially, but SHO maintained the hold.
Lee powerbombed out of the armbar, then hit a pair of knee strikes for a near fall. Lee hit Desnucadora to win.
The match really picked up in the last 10 minutes and was a fine main event.
B Block action began today in the 26th Best of the Super Juniors tournament, with NJPW running their second consecutive night in Miyagi.
The Sendai Sunplaza Hall hosted a solid night of action. Nothing on night two could touch the Shingo Takagi vs. SHO battle from night one, but the card as a whole delivered more than you likely expected at first glance.
YOH found himself in the main event the night after his tag team partner stole the show. YOH is perhaps better than SHO in the ring, but lacks a certain charisma or intangible that his partner has. That’s a real shame, because he really is something special as a worker.
Here are full results and recaps from Tuesday’s show:
TAKA MICHINOKU, YOSHINOBU KANEMARU & TAICHI DEFEATED JONATHAN GRESHAM, TIGER MASK IV & YOTA TSUJI
Gresham and TAKA started the show with some mat work. The Suzuki-gun squad went to work on Gresham’s left hand. Gresham made his own comeback, hitting Kanemaru with a cutter before tagging in Tiger.
Tiger hit a high cross, but was immediately cut off. He also made his own comeback and hit a Tiger Driver. Tsuji and Taichi tagged in. Tsuji hit a powerslam. He went for a crab, but Taichi fought him off.
Taichi took his pants off, and Tsuji rolled him up for a near fall. Taichi put on a stretch plum, and Tsuji tapped out.
After the bell, Kanemaru ripped off Tiger’s mask, while Taichi and TAKA held Tsuji and Gresham in submission holds. The match never got out of first gear and was not as good as most NJPW openers.
DRAGON LEE & JUICE ROBINSON DEFEATED SHO & SHOTA UMINO
SHO and Lee began, trading holds. SHO had his left shoulder taped up. Umino and Juice tagged in, and Umino aggressively went after Juice. Juice cut him off, then hit a cannonball and a senton.
Juice and Lee isolated Umino in their corner and focused their attack on his left arm. Umino escaped a double ax handle, pushing Lee in the way. He managed to tag SHO, and SHO and Lee traded strikes.
Lee and SHO exchanged big knee strikes. SHO landed on his feet out of a snap German, then hit a lariat. Both made tags. Juice missed a senton on Umino, who followed up with a back elbow. Umino ducked the Left Hand of God and hit a vertical suplex.
Juice hit a flapjack and made a cover, but SHO broke up the pinfall. SHO and Lee fought to the floor. Juice hit a lariat for a near fall, then used a Tenzan-style crab for the submission.
Lee and SHO continued to brawl after the bell, and their fight spilled into the crowd. They were finally pulled apart, with neither gaining a clear advantage. Good intensity between Lee and SHO throughout here, but just an average match.
MARTY SCURLL & BRODY KING DEFEATED TAIJI ISHIMORI & GEDO
Scurll and Ishimori started out with an intricate sequence, while King and Gedo brawled on the outside. Scurll was getting the best of the exchange — until Gedo jumped in to choke him with a towel, cutting him off.
Ishimori and Gedo worked like a totally old school heel tag team here. They used eye rakes, kept Scurll isolated in their corner, cheated behind the ref’s back, all building anticipation for the big tag to King.
King never got a legal tag, but he jumped in and ran wild. He hit a springboard double arm drag and a double senton, allowing Scurll time to recover. Scurll hit Black Plague on Gedo for the pin. A fun little match.
TETSUYA NAITO & SHINGO TAKAGI DEFEATED TITAN & TOA HENARE
Titan hit a springboard arm drag on Shingo, who rolled outside. Shingo grabbed a chair, but didn’t use it. Henare and Naito made tags. Naito and Shingo tried to double up on Henare. Henare got some shine briefly, but was quickly cut off.
Naito and Shingo worked Henare over. Henare blocked a neckbreaker from Naito, and both tagged out. Shingo and Titan went back and forth, then Shingo hit a DVD into a double down.
Naito and Henare tagged back in, and Shingo jumped in for an assist. Naito hit some trademark spots, including the combinacion de cabron and a one-legged dropkick. Shingo and Titan brawled on the outside, while Naito hit a flying forearm and a Destino on Henare to win the match. This was quick.
B BLOCK MATCH: DOUKI DEFEATED REN NARITA
Narita showed off some impressive amateur moves, out-wrestling Douki early on. Douki low-bridged Narita to the floor, then used a chair shot to take control of the match.
Douki hit a double stomp and methodically worked over Narita. Narita went for a double underhook belly-to-belly, but Douki blocked it and applied a modified triangle choke. Narita reached the bottom rope with his feet, forcing a break.
Narita hit a perfect dropkick. He followed with a pair of shoulder tackles and hit a vertical suplex for a two count. Narita used a modified Scorpion Deathlock, but Douki reached the ropes. Narita hit a big belly-to-belly, but could not bridge out of it. He covered, but Douki kicked out at two.
Douki hit a lariat. Narita used a roll-up and an inside cradle for two near falls. Douki hit a sloppy springboard DDT, then used his Suplex de La Luna for the pin.
After the match, Douki attacked Narita with a pipe. Narita was impressive in defeat. We obviously have a very small sample size, but Douki has not been impressive so far.
B BLOCK MATCH: ROBBIE EAGLES DEFEATED ROCKY ROMERO
They came out firing strikes. Rocky hit a headscissors, and Eagles rolled outside. Rocky teased a dive, but slid out to the floor while Eagles jumped back in. Eagles went for a suicide dive, but Rocky hit him with a dropkick.
Back in the ring, Rocky used an octopus hold, then hit a dropkick. Eagles went after Rocky’s left leg. He went for a figure four, but Rocky kicked him off. Eagles hit a chop block, then a lariat to the back of the head for a two count.
Eagles continued to target the left leg with kicks. He hit a bridging fall-away slam for a two count. Eagles hit double knees in the corner, a 619 to the legs, then again hit double knees in the corner for a near fall.
Rocky caught a kick and hit a slap to the face. He followed with a tornado DDT. Rocky hit a series of chops, then used a flying bodyscissors to transition to an armbar. Eagles reached the ropes, forcing a break.
They exchanged kicks. Rocky hit his forever clotheslines, but his knee gave out, allowing Eagles to hit a springboard dropkick to the leg. Eagles used a Ron Miller Special submission, but Rocky made it to the ropes.
Eagles hit an enzuigiri, then used a Pulse Drop for a near fall. Rocky flipped out of a backpack stunner, and used a magistral cradle for a two count. Eagles bridged out of another cover. Rocky hit a standing Sliced Bread for a near fall.
Rocky hit a rewind kick. Eagles caught another kick, and he used a backpack stunner for a two count. Eagles hit a 450 to Rocky’s leg, then used the Ron Miller for the submission. Good match.
B BLOCK MATCH: EL PHANTASMO DEFEATED BANDIDO
They used a really nice opening sequence, ending with both kipping up out of handstands. They used a series of monkey flips and bridges to transition in and out of covers. Bandido got sent outside, and Phantasmo hit a suicide dive, landing in the front row.
Back in the ring, Bandido avoided a charge in the corner. He went for a gorilla press slam, but Phantasmo escaped. Bandido hit a flying headscissors, sending Phantasmo to the floor. Bandido hit a big tope con hilo, then sent Phantasmo back inside.
Bandido went for a springboard crossbody, but Phantasmo hit a dropkick. Phantasmo used an airplane spin neckbreaker out of a torture rack position. They traded Canadian Destroyers, then both collapsed. Phantasmo ended up bleeding from the mouth.
They traded chops, then exchanged strikes. Bandido hit a pop-up cutter for a two count. He used an inverted suplex, then a running knee strike, earning a near fall. Bandido went up top, but Phantasmo cut him off with an enzuigiri. Phantasmo hit a top rope rana, then used a frog splash for a near fall.
Phantasmo used a rope walk, halfway around the ring. Bandido hit a moonsault press for a two count. Phantasmo pulled the referee in Bandido’s way, then hit a thumb to the eye. He then used a modified facebuster to pick up the pin. A good match with some cool moves, but not a blow-away outing.
B BLOCK MATCH: WILL OSPREAY DEFEATED BUSHI
A hot opening sequence ended with BUSHI hitting a flying headscissors over the top to the floor. He continued his attack on Ospreay’s neck with a chair shot. Back inside, BUSHI hit some chops, then used a neckbreaker.
Ospreay came back with a series of chops. BUSHI grounded Ospreay with an STF, and Ospreay forced a break. Ospreay removed BUSHI’s shirt and hit some chops. BUSHI used the shirt to choke Ospreay, but Ospreay responded with a handspring kick.
Ospreay hit a 619, then a dropkick in the corner. Ospreay hit Pip Pip Cheerio, but BUSHI kicked out at two. BUSHI hit a missile dropkick. After a nice series of teases and counters, BUSHI finally hit a swinging neckbreaker.
Ospreay hit a step-up enzuigiri. They traded strikes. Ospreay hit a sit-out powerbomb for a two count. BUSHI avoided an OsCutter, and hit a codebreaker for a near fall. BUSHI went to the second rope for an MX, but Ospreay cut him off.
Ospreay flipped out of a top rope rana, landing on his feet. He followed with a standing Spanish Fly for a two count. Ospreay went for a Storm Breaker, but BUSHI flipped to the apron. BUSHI hit a draping DDT, dropping Ospreay on the apron. They teased a countout, but Ospreay made it back inside at 19.
BUSHI hit a backstabber for a near fall. He went for an MX, but Ospreay caught him with a dropkick. Ospreay hit a Robinson Special, then an inverted Bloody Sunday DDT. He went for an OsCutter, but BUSHI blocked it. Ospreay dodged BUSHI’s black mist, then hit the Hidden Blade. Ospreay then hit a Storm Breaker for the pin. Again, a very good match, but not a great one.
B BLOCK MATCH: RYUSUKE TAGUCHI DEFEATED YOH
They did a nice series of dropdown spots, ending with Taguchi avoiding a low dropkick. Taguchi hit a hip attack. YOH blocked a second with an atomic drop. Taguchi rolled to the ropes, then crotched himself on the bottom rope.
YOH used the Paradise Lock, then broke it with a dropkick. Taguchi rolled to the floor, and YOH hit a rolling senton off the apron. Back inside, YOH used an elbow drop, a knee drop, and a double stomp for three quick near falls.
YOH hit a dragon screw, then continued to attack Taguchi’s legs, as the pace slowed. Taguchi hit a springboard hip attack, rolled through a sunset flip, and hit a springboard plancha. Taguchi hit a hip attack off the apron, sending YOH into the front row.
Back inside, Taguchi went for his rolling suplexes. YOH blocked the third, and he used an inside cradle for a two count. YOH hit a neckbreaker, then a flying forearm. YOH fought for a dragon suplex, but had to settle for a gutwrench German for a near fall.
YOH went for a superplex. Taguchi fought him off, then hit a second rope hip attack. Taguchi went for a Bomaye, but YOH rolled through into a half crab. That was awesome. YOH again focused on attacking the legs, using a figure four. Taguchi reversed the hold, then reached the ropes.
They traded cradles for near falls. Taguchi went for Dodon, but YOH rolled through. Taguchi got two quick near falls. Taguchi hit an enzuigiri, then YOH hit a thrust kick into a double down. They got back to their feet, and exchanged strikes.
YOH ate a hip attack. He attempted to full himself up by the bottom rope but Taguchi caught him coming in. Taguchi used an ankle lock to set up a Tiger Suplex for a near fall. YOH went for an enzuigiri, but Taguchi caught him. Taguchi hit Dodon for a near fall. Taguchi then hit a modified Dodon for the pin.
El Phantasmo made his NJPW debut at Wrestling Dontaku night two and is officially set for this year’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament.
NJPW had hyped that a mystery partner would be teaming with Taiji Ishimori against IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Dragon Lee & Will Ospreay this morning, with Ishimori’s partner also being the final entrant in Best of the Super Juniors.
The mystery partner was confirmed to be Phantasmo when he appeared this morning. He’s also the newest member of Bullet Club.
Ishimori & Phantasmo defeated Lee & Ospreay, with Phantasmo getting the pin on Ospreay.
Phantasmo is from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and wrestles on the United Kingdom independent scene. He’s a regular for Revolution Pro Wrestling.
This year’s Best of the Super Juniors will begin on May 13 and end on June 5. Here’s the updated list of entrants:
The names for this year’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament have been revealed.
The number of entrants for this year’s tournament has increased from 16 to 20 participants. They feature wrestlers from not only New Japan, but also CMLL and Ring of Honor.
The list, which was revealed during today’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku event is as follows:
Ryusuke Taguchi
Tiger Mask IV
Rocky Romero
SHO
YOH
Will Ospreay
Taiji Ishimori
El Desperado
Taka Michinoku
Yoshinobu Kanemaru
BUSHI
Flip Gordon
Titan
Marty Scurll
Dragon Lee
Robbie Eagles
Jonathan Gresham
Bandido
Shingo Takagi
The last participant was labeled as “X,” who based on previous vignettes may be El Phantasmo. NJPW’s website notes that X will be officially revealed at Wrestling Dontaku in Fukuoka on May 4.
English commentary during today’s show stated that every show for the tournament will air live, and will also have English commentary.
The tournament starts on May 13 and ends on June 5, with the tournament finals taking place at Sumo Hall. Details involving blocks and cards will go down at a later date.
