Tag: best of the super juniors

NJPW Best of the Super Juniors night two results, updated standings

Posted on by F4W Staff

The second night of NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 30 took place in Nagano on Saturday.

Five wrestlers still have perfect records after two nights of tournament action. They are: Taiji Ishimori, “Speedball” Mike Bailey, Robbie Eagles, Lio Rush, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru.

Here are the results from the show:

– B Block: YOH defeated Master Wato

– A Block: Hiromu Takahashi defeated DOUKI

– B Block: El Desperado defeated BUSHI

– A Block: Taiji Ishimori defeated Titan

– B Block: Francesco Akira defeated Kevin Knight

– A Block: Mike Bailey defeated SHO

– B Block: Robbie Eagles defeated Clark Connors

– A Block: Lio Rush defeated Ryusuke Taguchi

– B Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated Dan Moloney

– A Block: TJP defeated KUSHIDA

Night three of Best of the Super Juniors is being held in Aichi on Sunday (May 14). The tournament runs through May 28. If Hiromu Takahashi doesn’t win the tournament, the winner will be in line for a shot at his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.

Here are the current standings:

A Block —

  • Mike Bailey (2-0) — 4 points
  • Lio Rush (2-0) — 4 points
  • Taiji Ishimori (2-0) — 4 points
  • Hiromu Takahashi (1-1) — 2 points
  • DOUKI (1-1) — 2 points
  • Titan (1-1) — 2 points
  • TJP (1-1) — 2 points
  • SHO (0-2) — 0 points
  • KUSHIDA (0-2) — 0 points
  • Ryusuke Taguchi (0-2) — 0 points

B Block —

  • Yoshinobu Kanemaru (2-0) — 4 points
  • Robbie Eagles (2-0) — 4 points
  • El Desperado (1-1) — 2 points
  • YOH (1-1) — 2 points
  • Clark Connors (1-1) — 2 points
  • Dan Moloney (1-1) — 2 points
  • Master Wato (1-1) — 2 points
  • Francesco Akira (1-1) — 2 points
  • BUSHI (0-2) — 0 points
  • Kevin Knight (0-2) — 0 points

NJPW Best of the Super Juniors night one results and standings

Posted on by F4W Staff

Best of the Super Juniors 30 kicked off on Friday with a show that aired for free on NJPW World.

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).

Here are the standings after night one:

A Block —

  • “Speedball” Mike Bailey (1-0) — 2 points
  • Titan (1-0) — 2 points
  • Lio Rush (1-0) — 2 points
  • DOUKI (1-0) — 2 points
  • Taiji Ishimori (1-0) — 2 points
  • Hiromu Takahashi (0-1) — 0 points
  • TJP (0-1) — 0 points
  • SHO (0-1) — 0 points
  • KUSHIDA (0-1) — 0 points
  • Ryusuke Taguchi (0-1) — 0 points

B Block —

  • Yoshinobu Kanemaru (1-0) — 2 points
  • Robbie Eagles (1-0) — 2 points
  • Master Wato (1-0) — 2 points
  • Dan Moloney (1-0) — 2 points
  • Clark Connors (1-0) — 2 points
  • El Desperado (0-1) — 0 points
  • YOH (0-1) — 0 points
  • Francesco Akira (0-1) — 0 points
  • BUSHI (0-1) — 0 points
  • Kevin Knight (0-1) — 0 points

Wrestling Observer Radio: AEW TV announcement, Dynamite report, tons of news

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including Tony Khan’s big announcement next week and what we know about the new TV deal, Wembley match poll, Darby Allin’s big climb, All Together Now and the Best of the Super Juniors upcoming, AEW Dynamite and NXT TV reports, Rampage spoilers and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:

Start: Big announcements next week for AEW

6:42: The latest with All In & Wembley

16:35: Darby Allin wants to climb Mt. Everest

19:33: Best of the Super Juniors begins Friday, All Together Now first matches

25:21: Ratings

30:58: Big Japan notes, Robbie Lawlor retiring

38:19: AEW Dynamite recap

1:10:07: NXT

1:15:54: AEW Rampage spoilers

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NJPW reveals Best of the Super Juniors 30 lineup

Posted on by Ian Carey

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. 

NJPW reveals dates for Best of the Super Juniors 30

Posted on by Ian Carey

NJPW has officially announced this year’s Best of the Super Juniors. 

The promotion revealed on Friday’s show from Korakuen Hall that the tournament will run from May 12 to May 28, 2023. 

From NJPW1972.com:

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. 

Wrestling Observer Radio: CM Punk’s situation, the MJF story, WON notes

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back on Wrestling Observer Radio talking all the latest news in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter including Dave’s story on the MJF situation, Double or Nothing PPV buys and fallout, and Dynamite ratings.

We also go over the Best of the Super Juniors, NXT In Your House, and WWE’s Hell in a Cell.

We recorded the intro to the show a few hours after we originally recorded to update the latest with CM Punk and the AEW world title.

Click below to listen.

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KENTA returns to NJPW at BOSJ finals

Posted on by Ian Carey

KENTA is back in New Japan Pro Wrestling. 

The 41-year-old returned to the promotion at the Best of the Super Juniors finals on Friday, June 3. 

Jay White cut a promo before the semi final match of the evening and announced KENTA’s return. 

“Now, I know we’re a little shorthanded today. Unfortunately, ‘The Machine Gun’ Karl Anderson, he couldn’t make it. Unfortunately, Juice Robinson couldn’t make it either. But, I do have one surprise,” White said before KENTA’s music hit and he made his way to the ring. 

KENTA has been out of action since his Wrestle Kingdom 16 match against Hiroshi Tanahashi on January 5. NJPW revealed that he “sustained a dislocated left hip, a broken nose, tendon damage to his finger, and severe lacerations to his back” during the bout. 

Bullet Club also added a new member to the group at the BOSJ finals. Earlier in the night, Impact X-Division Champion Ace Austin joined the faction. He distracted Aaron Henare from the ring apron during the Bullet Club vs. United Empire six man tag match, allowing El Phantasmo to hit a super kick and CRII for the win. 

Finals set for NJPW Best of the Super Juniors

Posted on by F4W Staff

It will be Hiromu Takahashi vs. El Desperado in this year’s Best of the Super Juniors finals.

Takahashi and El Desperado will meet in the Best of the Super Juniors finals at Budokan Hall in Tokyo this Friday (June 3), with the winner likely getting an IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship shot against Taiji Ishimori at Dominion on Sunday, June 12.

Takahashi emerged as the A Block winner on the final night of block action on Tuesday, while Desperado came out of the night as the winner of the B Block.

Takahashi won the A Block with a victory over Ishimori in the main event of Tuesday’s show. Ishimori entered the day with 12 points and Takahashi entered with 10, but Takahashi defeating Ishimori meant that Takahashi advanced due to holding the tiebreaker.

Desperado also advanced via tiebreaker after defeating El Phantasmo at Tuesday’s show. Desperado needed help from Titan, who defeated Robbie Eagles to eliminate Eagles from contention.

In 2020, Takahashi defeated Desperado in the Best of the Super Juniors finals.

Here are the final standings for this year’s tournament:

A Block —

  • Hiromu Takahashi — 12 points (6-3)
  • Taiji Ishimori — 12 points (6-3)
  • SHO — 10 points (5-4)
  • Ace Austin — 10 points (5-4)
  • YOH — 8 points (4-5)
  • Alex Zayne — 8 points (4-5)
  • Clark Connors — 8 points (4-5)
  • Francesco Akira — 8 points (4-5)
  • Yoshinobu Kanemaru — 8 points (4-5)
  • Ryusuke Taguchi — 6 points (3-6)

B Block —

  • El Desperado — 12 points (6-3)
  • El Phantasmo — 12 points (6-3)
  • Robbie Eagles — 10 points (5-4)
  • Wheeler Yuta — 10 points (5-4)
  • El Lindaman — 8 points (4-5)
  • TJP — 8 points (4-5)
  • Titan — 8 points (4-5)
  • BUSHI — 8 points (4-5)
  • Master Wato — 8 points (4-5)
  • DOUKI — 6 points (3-6)

NJPW Best of the Super Juniors night 11 results, updated standings

Posted on by F4W Staff

This year’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament is nearing its conclusion.

The penultimate night of block action took place in Tokyo on Sunday. Here are the results from the show:

– B Block match: Robbie Eagles defeated El Desperado

– A Block match: Taiji Ishimori defeated Francesco Akira

– A Block match: Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated SHO

– B Block match: El Phantasmo defeated Wheeler Yuta

– A Block match: Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Ace Austin

– A Block match: Hiromu Takahashi defeated Clark Connors

– B Block match: TJP defeated BUSHI

– A Block match: YOH defeated Alex Zayne

– B Block match: Titan defeated DOUKI

– B Block match: Master Wato defeated El Lindaman

The final day of block matches is this Tuesday. In the A Block, the winner of Tuesday’s Taiji Ishimori vs. Hiromu Takahashi match will advance to the finals.

El Phantasmo currently leads the B Block with 12 points. If he defeats El Desperado on Tuesday, Phantasmo advances to the finals. If Phantasmo loses to Desperado, Robbie Eagles would advance to the finals with a win against Titan. Desperado is also still in contention but needs to both defeat Phantasmo and have Eagles lose to Titan.

The winners of the A Block and B Block will face off in the tournament finals this Friday.

Here are the updated tournament standings:

A Block —

  • Taiji Ishimori — 12 points (6-2)
  • Hiromu Takahashi — 10 points (5-3)
  • Ace Austin — 10 points (5-3)
  • YOH — 8 points (4-4)
  • Alex Zayne — 8 points (4-4)
  • SHO — 8 points (4-4)
  • Clark Connors — 6 points (3-5)
  • Ryusuke Taguchi — 6 points (3-5)
  • Francesco Akira — 6 points (3-5)
  • Yoshinobu Kanemaru — 6 points (3-5)

B Block —

  • El Phantasmo — 12 points (6-2)
  • Robbie Eagles — 10 points (5-3)
  • El Desperado — 10 points (5-3)
  • El Lindaman — 8 points (4-4)
  • Wheeler Yuta — 8 points (4-4)
  • TJP — 8 points (4-4)
  • Titan — 6 points (3-5)
  • DOUKI — 6 points (3-5)
  • BUSHI — 6 points (3-5)
  • Master Wato — 6 points (3-5)

NJPW Best of the Super Juniors night 10 results, updated standings

Posted on by F4W Staff

With the finals now less than a week away, NJPW was in Chiba for a Best of the Super Juniors show on Saturday.

Here are the full results from the show:

– B Block match: El Desperado defeated DOUKI

– A Block match: Hiromu Takahashi defeated Alex Zayne

– B Block match: Robbie Eagles defeated El Lindaman

– B Block match: El Phantasmo defeated TJP

– B Block match: Wheeler Yuta defeated Master Wato

– A Block match: SHO defeated Ace Austin

– A Block match: Ryusuke Taguchi defeated YOH

– B Block match: Titan defeated BUSHI

– A Block match: Taiji Ishimori defeated Clark Connors

– A Block match: Francesco Akira defeated Yoshinobu Kanemaru

Ace Austin and Taiji Ishimori are tied at the top of the A Block with 10 points, though Austin holds the tiebreaker over Ishimori. Hiromu Takahashi, Alex Zayne, and SHO each have eight points.

El Phantasmo and El Desperado both have 10 points in the B Block. They have yet to face each other in the tournament. Robbie Eagles, El Lindaman, and Wheeler Yuta all have eight points.

The tournament will continue on Sunday, with the final day of block action then taking place on Tuesday. The finals are set for next Friday.

Here are the updated tournament standings:

A Block —

  • Ace Austin — 10 points (5-2)
  • Taiji Ishimori — 10 points (5-2)
  • Hiromu Takahashi — 8 points (4-3)
  • Alex Zayne — 8 points (4-3)
  • SHO — 8 points (4-3)
  • YOH — 6 points (3-4)
  • Clark Connors — 6 points (3-4)
  • Francesco Akira — 6 points (3-4)
  • Yoshinobu Kanemaru — 4 points (2-5)
  • Ryusuke Taguchi — 4 points (2-5)

B Block —

  • El Phantasmo — 10 points (5-2)
  • El Desperado — 10 points (5-2)
  • Robbie Eagles — 8 points (4-3)
  • El Lindaman — 8 points (4-3)
  • Wheeler Yuta — 8 points (4-3)
  • TJP — 6 points (3-4)
  • DOUKI — 6 points (3-4)
  • BUSHI — 6 points (3-4)
  • Master Wato — 4 points (2-5)
  • Titan — 4 points (2-5)

NJPW Best of the Super Juniors night nine results, updated standings

Posted on by F4W Staff

NJPW closed out three straight days at Korakuen Hall as night nine of the Best of the Super Juniors took place on Thursday.

Here are the full results from the show:

– B Block match: Robbie Eagles defeated El Phantasmo

– A Block match: SHO defeated Hiromu Takahashi

– B Block match: BUSHI defeated El Desperado

– A Block match: Ace Austin defeated Taiji Ishimori

– B Block match: El Lindaman defeated Wheeler Yuta

– A Block match: Francesco Akira defeated YOH

– A Block match: Alex Zayne defeated Ryusuke Taguchi

– A Block match: Clark Connors defeated Yoshinobu Kanemaru

– B Block match: TJP defeated DOUKI

– B Block match: Master Wato defeated Titan

Ace Austin, who is the first wrestler to reach 10 points, leads the A Block. El Phantasmo, El Lindaman, and El Desperado are in a three-way tie at the top of the B Block.

There are three shows left until the Best of the Super Juniors finals. Those events are taking place this Saturday, this Sunday, and next Tuesday. The finals will then be held next Friday.

Here are the updated tournament standings:

A Block —

  • Ace Austin — 10 points (5-1)
  • Taiji Ishimori — 8 points (4-2)
  • Alex Zayne — 8 points (4-2)
  • SHO — 6 points (3-3)
  • YOH — 6 points (3-3)
  • Hiromu Takahashi — 6 points (3-3)
  • Clark Connors — 6 points (3-3)
  • Yoshinobu Kanemaru — 4 points (2-4)
  • Francesco Akira — 4 points (2-4)
  • Ryusuke Taguchi — 2 points (1-5)

B Block —

  • El Phantasmo — 8 points (4-2)
  • El Lindaman — 8 points (4-2)
  • El Desperado — 8 points (4-2)
  • TJP — 6 points (3-3)
  • Robbie Eagles — 6 points (3-3)
  • Wheeler Yuta — 6 points (3-3)
  • DOUKI — 6 points (3-3)
  • BUSHI — 6 points (3-3)
  • Master Wato — 4 points (2-4)
  • Titan — 2 points (1-5)

Pacific Rim: Hana Kimura Memorial Show. NJPW Best of the Super Juniors

Posted on by Jim Valley

Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling is back. 

Fumi Saito talks about doing commentary for the Hana Kimura memorial show and the meaning behind the matches. Plus, The Stardom 5 Star Gran Prix, New Japan’s Best of the Super Juniors, who he’s really enjoying in the tournament, why he doesn’t think All Japan’s foray into women’s wrestling will work, Muto, older wrestlers in Japan, and the infamous Fire Pro Wrestling storyline. Was it really a suicide at the end of the video game’s story mode? Get the answer from the man himself. 

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Scott D’Amore invites Hiromu Takahashi to challenge for Impact X-Division title

Posted on by Ian Carey

Scott D’Amore has invited NJPW’s Hiromu Takahashi to challenge for Impact Wrestling’s X-Division Championship. 

Takahashi defeated the current champion, Ace Austin, in the Best of the Super Juniors on Saturday. Following the match, Austin congratulated Takahashi on his victory in a tweet he posted in Japanese. 

“Congratulations. I am forced to respect you, but I will meet again,” reads a Google translation of Austin’s post. 

“A man never breaks his word, right? I want your belt!” Takahashi responded. 

This led D’Amore to invite Takahashi to travel through the forbidden door and challenge for the X-Division Championship in an Impact Wrestling ring. 

“Well @TIMEBOMB1105, there is an open door for you to walk through. Come step in an @IMPACTWRESTLING ring anytime. Your title shot awaits…” he wrote. 

Both Takahashi and Austin went into their match on Saturday undefeated with 2-0 records. Austin defeated Clark Connors and Yoshinobu Kanemaru in his first tournament matches. Takahashi defeated Ryusuke Taguchi and Francesco Akira in his opening contests.  

Francesco Akira debuts at NJPW Hyper Battle, joins United Empire

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Francesco Akira made his debut at tonight’s NJPW Hyper Battle event, confronting El Desperado.

After Desperado successfully defended the title against SHO, Taiji Ishimori came out and challenged Desperado for a title match. Before Desperado could reply, the lights went out. When they came back on, Akira was in the ring. He directed his attention to Desperado, telling him that he would see him at Best of the Super Juniors while holding a lighter. After he left, Desperado accepted Ishimori’s challenge.

A vignette was uploaded to NJPW’s YouTube account last month showing Will Ospreay promoting a new junior heavyweight by the name of Bruciare, which means “burn” in Italian.

Akira, 22, is best known for his run in All Japan Pro Wrestling, winning the World Junior Heavyweight Championship once and won last year’s Jr. Battle of Glory tournament. He last wrestled for the company in September of last year and since has worked in Europe, including Revolution Pro Wrestling.

NJPW reveals dates for Best of the Super Juniors 29

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Best of the Super Juniors tournament is returning to its traditional spot on the NJPW calendar.

NJPW has announced that Best of the Super Juniors 29 will begin in Aichi on Sunday, May 15. The tournament will conclude in Tokyo on Friday, June 3.

Participants for the tournament have yet to be revealed.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Best of the Super Juniors took place later in the year than usual in both 2020 and 2021. Those tournaments started in November and were held alongside NJPW’s World Tag League tournament.

This year’s Best of the Super Juniors will feature 13 shows in total:

  • May 15 (Sunday) Aichi/Nagoya Congress Center/Event Hall
  • May 17 (Tuesday) Yamagata/Sakata City National Athletic Meet Memorial Gymnasium
  • May 18 (Wednesday) Miyagi/Sendai Sunplaza Hall
  • May 19 (Thursday) Aomori/Hachinohe City East Gymnasium
  • May 21 (Saturday) Aomori/Maeda Arena Main Arena
  • May 22 (Sunday) Akita/Akita Terrsa
  • May 24 (Tuesday) Tokyo Korakuen Hall
  • May 25 (Wednesday) Tokyo Korakuen Hall
  • May 26 (Thursday) Tokyo Korakuen Hall
  • May 28 (Saturday) Chiba/Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Center/Hall 3
  • May 29 (Sunday) Tokyo Ota Ward General Gymnasium
  • May 31 (Tuesday) Toyama/Toyama Sangyo Exhibition Hall/Techno Hall West Building
  • June 3 (Friday) Tokyo/Nippon Budokan