For the second straight night at Korakuen Hall, Hiromu Takahashi took a loss in the main event of NJPW Best of the Super Juniors.
Night four of the tournament was headlined by Francesco Akira defeating Takahashi to improve his record to 2-1. Takahashi is now 1-2 with losses to Akira and Kosei Fujita.
Akira used a new Ground Tarantula submission to get the win against Takahashi. With Takahashi having no faction at the moment following Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI’s NJPW departures, Akira extended an offer after the match for him to join United Empire. A frustrated Takahashi continued heading backstage despite the offer.
Here are the full results from Thursday’s show:
A Block: Francesco Akira defeated Hiromu Takahashi
B Block: Taiji Ishimori defeated El Desperado
A Block: Kosei Fujita defeated Master Wato
B Block: Titan defeated MAO
A Block: Robbie X defeated Yoshinobu Kanemaru
B Block: Nick Wayne defeated Robbie Eagles
A Block: KUSHIDA defeated Ninja Mack
B Block: YOH defeated Kevin Knight
A Block: Dragon Dia defeated Clark Connors
B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi defeated SHO
The Taguchi vs. SHO match only went five seconds with Taguchi avoiding a charge from SHO and pinning him right after the bell rang.
This weekend, BOSJ continues with nights five and six taking place on Saturday and Sunday. The tournament runs through June 1.
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.
The 28th NJPW Best of the Super Juniors tournament continued today in Korakuen Hall.
Hiromu Takahashi faced BUSHI in the main event, while tag partners Taiji Ishimori and El Phantasmo battled in the semi-main.
The other tournament action was comprised of El Desperado vs. DOUKI, SHO vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Robbie Eagles vs. YOH, and Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Master Wato.
Kosei Fujita and Ryohei Oiwa faced off in the non-tournament opener.
Here are today’s results:
Kosei Fujita drew with Ryohei Oiwa (10:00)
The Young Lions went to a time limit draw.
Best of the Super Juniors: Master Wato defeated Ryusuke Taguchi (12:09)
Wato won by pinfall with the RPP.
Best of the Super Juniors: YOH defeated Robbie Eagles (13:48)
YOH got his first win of the tournament with the Five Star Clutch.
Best of the Super Juniors: Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated SHO (8:08)
Kanemaru stole a win with a rollup and continues his improbably great tournament.
Best of the Super Juniors: El Desperado defeated DOUKI (15:08)
Desperado won by submission with Numero Dos.
Best of the Super Juniors: El Phantasmo defeated Taiji Ishimori (15:53)
ELP caught Ishimori in a cradle to steal the victory.
Best of the Super Juniors: Hiromu Takahashi defeated BUSHI (21:16)
The 28th NJPW Best of the Super Juniors tournament continued today in Aichi.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado took on Hiromu Takahashi in the main event, while former champion Robbie Eagles faced El Phantasmo in the semi-main.
The other tournament action was comprised of SHO vs. BUSHI, Ryusuke Taguchi vs. YOH, Master Wato vs. Taiji Ishimori, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. DOUKI.
Yuto Nakashima and Ryohei Oiwa faced off in the non-tournament opener.
Here are today’s results:
Yuto Nakashima drew with Ryohei Oiwa (10:00)
The Young Lions went to a time limit draw.
Best of the Super Juniors: Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated DOUKI (10:35)
Kanemaru won by pinfall after a brainbuster.
Best of the Super Juniors: Taiji Ishimori defeated Master Wato (11:21)
Ishimori won by submission with the Bone Lock.
Best of the Super Juniors: Ryusuke Taguchi defeated YOH (14:36)
Taguchi won by pinfall after hitting Dodon.
Best of the Super Juniors: SHO defeated BUSHI (12:58)
SHO won by referee stoppage with Snake Bite.
Best of the Super Juniors: Robbie Eagles defeated El Phantasmo (19:03)
Eagles countered CR II into a hurricanrana for the pin.
Best of the Super Juniors: El Desperado drew with Hiromu Takahashi (30:00)
The Bullet Club trio attacked before the opening bell. Fale and Yano started off as the legal men. Yano untied a corner pad and used it as a weapon on Fale, but Fale no-sold it. Yano went for a slam on Fale, but failed.
Ishimori tagged in and got sent into the buckle. SHO tagged in for an extended sequence with Ishimori. They had a nice back and forth. SHO hit a spear, Ishimori hit a handspring kick, then both tagged out.
Eagles peppered Owens with kicks. Eagles hit a pair of meteoras in the corner. He missed a follow-up 450 splash. Owens missed a pump knee strike, but blocked Turbo Backpack.
Owens hit a Jewel Heist for a near fall. Fale tagged in for the tandem Grenade Launcher and Owens pinned Eagles.
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After the match, Yano tried to slam Fale again and failed again. Fale then destroyed Yano’s KOPW trophy with a stomp.
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Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb (w/Bea Priestley) defeated Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare (10:45)
This was good when Okada and Ospreay were in together.
Okada and Ospreay began with an intense striking battle. O-Khan and Tanahashi got tags. Henare jumped in for some tandem spots with Tana, including a double crab on O-Khan.
O-Khan cut Tanahashi off with a kneebar. Cobb tagged in and hit a backbreaker. O-Khan and Cobb each hit Tana with gutwrench suplexes. Ospreay tagged in for a 3-on-1 on Tana, hitting a missile dropkick.
Tanahashi came back with a dragon screw on Ospreay and tagged Okada. Okada hit a running back elbow, cleared the apron, hit another back elbow in the corner, then hit a DDT on Ospreay for a near fall.
Ospreay fought out of an air raid crash neckbreaker attempt. Cobb and Henare got tags and did some impressive power spots. Henare really needs to go somewhere else, he would be much higher on the card in any other promotion.
Tana jumped in for a slingblade on Cobb. Henare covered, but Ospreay broke up the pin. Henare ran into a pump kick from an interfering O-Khan. O-Khan used a kneebar on Tanahashi to neutralize the interference threat.
Cobb then hit a Tour of the Islands on Henare for the pin.
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O-Khan continued to use the kneebar after the bell. Okada jumped in to make the save.
Cobb attacked Okada. Ospreay then hit an Oscutter on Okada. Priestley tossed O-Khan a chair. O-Khan hammered away at Tanahashi’s left leg with the chair.
SANADA showed great intensity in what was more of an angle than a match.
The Bullet Club squad attacked before the opening bell. Togo dragged SANADA to the ramp and choked him out with a ligature. Young Lions and staff tended to SANADA as the match began.
Togo removed a corner pad and Shingo was whipped into the exposed buckle. Yujiro took the ref while EVIL threatened to use Yujiro’s cane on Shingo.
An enraged SANADA jumped in and went after EVIL. He took him down and hammered him with right hands. SANADA shoved the referee down and continued beating EVIL around ringside. This was the most emotion SANADA has ever shown.
Shingo hit a sliding lariat and a Last of the Dragon on Yujiro for the pin.
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SANADA continued attacking EVIL after the bell. Young Lions tried to pull SANADA off, but he tossed them aside. SANADA hammered EVIL with right hands and they brawled to the back.
In the ring, Jeff Cobb appeared. Cobb picked up Shingo’s NEVER Openweight title belt. Shingo tried to grab the belt back. Cobb hit Shingo with Tour of the Islands and stomped to the back.
So both EVIL vs. SANADA and Shingo vs. Cobb for the NEVER title look to be Wrestle Kingdom matches.
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A promo video aired for the 49th anniversary show on March 4th at Budokan.
A promo video for an appearance at Wrestle Kingdom by a Japanese comedian dressed like Don King. Apparently he is Noritake Kinashi, also known as Don Kinashi.
Ibushi and Naito began with a series of counters and teases, previewing their Wrestle Kingdom match. Ibushi hit a dropkick to establish the early advantage. Wato got a tag and BUSHI and Naito doubled up on him. Naito and BUSHI mocked Tenzan by hitting Mongolian chops.
Wato came back with a series of kicks on BUSHI, then we were back to Naito and Ibushi. Naito got the upper hand in this exchange, hitting combinacion cabron in the corner, then an enzuigiri and a DDT.
BUSHI tagged in and hit a missile dropkick and DDT on Ibushi for a two count. BUSHI hit a swinging neckbreaker for another two as Wato broke up the pin.
BUSHI hit Ibushi with a backstabber. Ibushi came back with a high kick. Naito jumped in. Ibushi held Naito up. Wato hit a springboard forearm and a tornillo to take out Naito.
Ibushi hit a jumping knee strike to the head and a Kamigoye on BUSHI for the victory.
World Tag League final: Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa (w/Jado) defeated Juice Robinson & David Finlay to win World Tag League 2020 (22:15)
This was an excellent match.
Finlay and Loa began with some simple spots — tackles, drop downs and headlocks. Juice and Tama tagged in. Jado tried to trip Juice from the floor and got ejected by ref Marty Asami.
Finlay and Juice went to work on Tama’s left arm. After a miscommunication spot by FinJuice, Loa tagged in and cut off Finlay. Loa hit a blue thunder bomb for a near fall.
Finlay went for a tag but Tama pulled him off the apron. Juice finally got a tag at the ten minute mark. He hit a plancha to Loa, then went after Tama with a clothesline and a high cross off the top.
FinJuice went for a Hart Attack. Instead, Loa speared Juice. Finlay got hit with a Tongan Twist. Loa hit a diving headbutt off the top to Juice. Tama followed with a top rope splash for a near fall.
G.O.D. called for a super powerbomb. Tama missed the setup splash in the corner. All four guys hit big moves and all four went down. Juice hit Loa with a Left Hand of God, then collapsed again.
Juice hit Tama with a cannonball and a series of jabs. Juice called for Pulp Friction but got distracted by Jado walking down the ramp. Tama used a kendo stick on Juice and made a cover. Finlay broke up the pin.
Loa used the OJK on Finlay. Tama used a sharpshooter on Juice at the same time. Juice fought to the ropes to force a break.
Jado called for a Magic Killer. G.O.D. hit the Magic Killer. Tama covered — but Juice kicked out at two.
Jado called for a super powerbomb. Tama hit a running splash in the corner. Loa tried to execute the powerbomb, but Juice hit a super hurricanrana instead.
Finlay jumped in and hit an ushigoroshi on Loa at the 20 minute call. FinJuice hit a Hart Attack. Juice covered — but Tama kicked out at two. Finlay hit a superplex. Juice hit a top rope splash. Tama kicked out again.
FinJuice teased a Doomsday Device. Loa shoved Finlay off the post. Jado jumped in with a kendo stick. Juice cut him off and broke the stick.
KENTA ran in with the U.S. title briefcase and clocked Juice with it.
G.O.D. hit the super powerbomb and Tama covered Juice for the pin.
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After the match, KENTA took photos with his phone as G.O.D. and Jado posed with the World Tag League trophies.
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Best of the Super Jrs. final: Hiromu Takahashi defeated El Desperado to win Best of the Super Jrs. 27 (30:14)
This was not your typical high-flying Hiromu match filled with a bunch of high risk moves. Instead, they told a great story and worked a NJPW strong style main event match. This was superb.
They started slowly by Hiromu standards. They traded tackles and side headlocks. Hiromu then went to intiate one of his trademark palm strike to the chest sequences. Desperado was having none of it and immediately went for Numero Dos. Hiromu forced a break.
The pace picked up from there. Desperado used an assist from an unwitting referee to hit a basement dropkick to the knee. Desperado sent Hiromu outside and sent Hiromu into the barricade.
Back in, Hiromu sold his back from being sent into the fence. Desperado hit a snap suplex for two. Desperado went after Hiromu’s legs, looking to set up Numero Dos, the same strategy he used to beat Hiromu earlier in the tournament. Desperado expossed a buckle.
Desperado forced Hiromu outside and slammed him on the floor. Desperado followed up by driving the left leg into the floor. Desperado continued working over the leg.
Hiromu used a misdirection spot to set up a hurricanrana. He landed a low dropkick, but after two spots involving running, Hiromu stopped to sell his leg at the ten minute call.
Hiromu stretched Desperado over the top rope, choking him with his legs. Hiromu hit a wheelbarrow slam on the floor, then a shotgun dropkick off the apron to the floor.
Back inside, Hiromu hit a falcon arrow for a near fall. He teased a DVD into the buckle but Desperado blocked. Hiromu blocked a spinebuster attempt and a back suplex attempt.
Desperado hit a kneebreaker. He went for Numero Dos, but Hiromu forced an immediate break by rolling to the ropes. Desperado got launched into the buckle with a release German suplex.
Hiromu went for a Dynamite Plunger. His knee gave out instead. Desperado blocked a thrust kick. Hiromu then connected with two superkicks at the fifteen minute call. Hiromu hit a DVD into the turnbuckle pad, then another in the center of the ring.
Hiromu went for Time Bomb. Desperado slid out and locked in Numero Dos. Hiromu reached the ropes, but Desperado used the full four count before breaking the hold.
Hiromu escaped Guitarra de Angel and rolled outside. Desperado teased a suicide dive. Hiromu cut him off in the ropes. Hiromu went for a sunset bomb but overshot his mark. Desperado threatened to use his Jr. Heavyweight Tag belt, but ultimately attacked Hiromu’s leg with a chair.
Back in, Desperado hit Guitarra de Angel for a two count, then immediately transitioned to Numero Dos at the 20 minute call. Somehow, Hiromu reversed Numero Dos into a destroyer. Both men were down in the center of the ring.
Desperado shoved Hiromu into the Red Shoes the ref, who took a bump. Desperado hit a low blow. Hiromu blocked a straight right by hitting a big right hand of his own.
Hiromu tore off the top half of Desperado’s mask. In a dramatic moment, Desperado tore the rest of his own mask off himself.
The two then engaged in a furious sequence of strikes. After trading, Hiromu dropped Desperado with a palm strike. Desperado answered, dropping Hiromu with a right hand. Hiromu blocked Pinche Loco and hit a headbutt.
Hiromu hit victory royal. He went for Time Bomb. Desperado blocked and used El es Culero for a great near fall.
They charged each other and hit simultaneous lariats. Desperado kicked out the left leg. Hiromu popped back up and hit a superkick.
Desperado ducked a lariat and went for Pinche Loco. Hiromu reversed into a DVD into the exposed buckle. Hiromu hit Time Bomb — but Desperado kicked out.
Hiromu hit a second victory royal. He hoisted Desperado up at the 30 minute call. Hiromu hit Time Bomb II, then covered for the pin.
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Hiromu cut a promo after the match. He called out to Desperado as he was being helped to the back. Hiromu said he won this one, but they will be facing each other until they retire.
Hiromu fought back tears as he was handed the BOSJ trophy.
Hiromu challenged the winner of the Super-J Cup. He said he wants that match before he faces Taiji Ishimori for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight title.
Hiromu then closed the show with a babyface promo, putting over the crowd.
NJPW’s final World Tag League 2020 and Best of the Super Jrs. 27 block matches took place today in Fukuoka.
Recommended matches —
Robbie Eagles vs. Yuya Uemura
Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb vs. Shingo Takagi & SANADA
SHO vs. Taiji Ishimori
Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI
Report —
BOSJ: Robbie Eagles defeated Yuya Uemura (7:30)
These guys were determined to make the most of their limited time. They started fast and maintained that pace.
They traded tackles. Uemura blocked a Turbo Backpack and a flying headscissors. Uemura used an armbar but Eagles reached the ropes. Eagles escaped a crab and hit a series of kicks to the chest.
Eagles used a scoop slam and knee drop. He teased a 450, the setup for the Ron Miller Special, but rolled through after Uemura popped up. Uemura blocked a springboard attack with a dropkick and hit a series of corner strikes.
Uemura used a shotgun dropkick for a near fall, then locked in a Boston crab. Eagles powered out of the hold with kicks. Uemura teased his double overhook suplex but Eagles hooked a leg in the ropes to force a break.
Eagles hit a springboard dropkick to the left leg. He twice tried to lock on the Ron Miller Special, but Uemura cradled him twice for near falls. Eagles again blocked the suplex, but Uemura floated over into a bridge for a near fall.
Eagles hit Turbo Backpack, then used the Ron Miller Special for the submission.
This was all comedy. Both teams are Bullet Club, so you had the heels trying to out-heel each other dynamic that makes these infrequent meetings fun.
Yujiro grabbed a mic and told Owens that Pieter was coming out. Owens turned his back and Yujiro used a schoolboy for a two count.
Yujiro tried to trick Owens a few more times. Togo got involved, exposing a buckle. Yujiro grabbed his pimp cane and tried the Eddie Guerrero spot, tossing the cane to Owens.
Owens used a schoolboy with his feet on the ropes for the flash pin.
BOSJ: Ryusuke Taguchi defeated DOUKI (8:50)
DOUKI hit Taguchi’s funky weapon with his steel pipe before the opening bell. They brawled outside and DOUKI posted Taguchi’s groin. They did some more comedy as they got back in the ring. Taguchi missed some hip attacks before finally connecting.
Taguchi hit a tope con giro. DOUKI blocked a hip attack, then blocked three amigos and tried a sunset flip. Taguchi let DOUKI pull his tights down. Taguchi then sat down on the sunset flip for two.
Taguchi missed a Bomaye and DOUKI locked on the DOUKI chokey. Taguchi reached the ropes to force a break. DOUKI hit Daybreak for a near fall.
Taguchi rolled through on a Suplex de la Luna attempt and used an ankle lock. Taguchi tried to use the hold to set up Dodon. DOUKI went back to the choke. Taguchi rolled back into the ankle lock.
Taguchi used the ankle lock to pull DOUKI up into a Dodon. Taguchi then covered for the pin.
WTL: Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa (w/Jado) defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare (3:55)
This was more of an angle than a match.
G.O.D. attacked as Tanahashi and Henare made their entrance. The ref called for the opening bell as all four were still fighting on the outside.
As they got in, Tama Tonga applied a sharpshooter on Tanahashi. Henare broke up the hold. Henare and Loa traded strikes. They hit simultaneous headbutts. Loa hit an enzuigiri. Henare hit a Samoan drop.
Tanahashi and Henare doubled up on Tonga. Tanahashi hit a dragon screw. Henare and Loa fought on the floor.
Tanahashi tried a cloverleaf on Tonga. Loa jumped in with Jado’s kendo stick and attacked Tanahashi’s left leg. Tonga then used a sharpshooter and Tanahashi tapped out.
They appeared to have some miscommunication on a couple of spots and there was a scary spot early on, but the pace these guys worked for ten minutes was insane. A good match, but they didn’t have time to have a great one.
Wato hit a one-legged dropkick and a series of kicks at the opening bell. He sent Hiromu outside with a dropkick. He teased a tornillo, but Hiromu jumped back in, then slid outside and hit a sunset bomb. Hiromu lost his footing on the sunset bomb and that really could have ended badly.
Hiromu drove Wato into the barricade and hit a dropkick. Back inside, Hiromu made a cocky cover for a two count. Hiromu hit a shotgun dropkick for another near fall.
Wato fired back with strikes and sent Hiromu outside for a tornillo, this time connecting with the move. Wato hit a springboard uppercut forearm for two. Wato hit a recientemente for another near fall.
Wato missed an RPP off the top. After a series of counters, Hiromu hit a superkick. Hiromu hit a lariat but Wato didn’t go down. Hiromu hit a second lariat and Wato popped right up. Hiromu hit a third lariat for a two count. Hiromu hit a victory royale for a super close near fall.
Hiromu hit his DVD into the buckle. He tried Time Bomb, but Wato cradled him for two.
Hiromu then used Time Bomb II for the pin to secure his place in the finals.
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Wrestling Dontaku was announced for May 3 and 4 in Fukuoka before intermission.
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WTL: Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb defeated Shingo Takagi & SANADA (11:46)
This dragged when O-Khan was working Shingo over, but the last five minutes or so were very good.
Shingo and SANADA overcame an attack before the bell and dispatched O-Khan to the outside. Cobb and Shingo traded some powerful strikes. Cobb tossed Shingo with an overhead belly-to-belly and cut him off. O-Khan went to work on Shingo from there.
O-Khan used a head-and-arm choke on the mat. They traded Mongolian chops. Shingo tagged SANADA. SANADA used the paradise lock on O-Khan and hit a plancha on Cobb.
SANADA used Skull End on O-Khan while Shingo trapped Cobb in a dragon sleeper. Cobb rolled to the floor and O-Khan fell victim to a double team. SANADA hit a dropkick for a two count.
O-Khan escaped a TKO attempt. O-Khan hit a hip toss after dodging a springboard attack. Cobb tagged in. SANADA hit him with a flying headscissors takeover and tagged out.
Shingo teased an exploder on Cobb. Cobb blocked. Shingo hit a lariat. Cobb blocked a sliding lariat and hit a gutwrench throw. O-Khan jumped in for the illegal double team. Cobb and O-Khan hit a series of gutwrench throws on Shingo.
Cobb hit a powerbomb for a two count as SANADA saved. All four were in as the match broke towards the finish. O-Khan hit a Dominator on SANADA. Shingo hit a Pumping Bomber on O-Khan.
Shingo and Cobb traded power shots. Cobb hit a release German. O-Khan jumped in and hit a running kick. Cobb followed with Tour of the Islands for the pin.
Cobb posed over Shingo with Shingo’s NEVER Openweight title belt after the match, so that looks to be a match soon.
BOSJ: Taiji Ishimori defeated SHO (12:10)
This match was the story of the show in a nutshell — good match, not enough time to be great, but the guys tried to condense a 20 minute match into their allotted time.
SHO hit a shoulder tackle, avoided a springboard attack, then hit a dropkick, knocking Ishimori off the apron. Ishimori caught a kick and pulled SHO face-first into the apron.
Ishimori landed on his knees off a German on the apron. He countered with a piledriver on the apron. I hate that spot. There’s just no room for error on an apron piledriver.
Ishimori used a Yes Lock, but SHO reached the ropes to force a break. SHO was back on offense quickly, using a mid kick for a near fall. SHO went to work on Ishimori’s taped-up left arm. SHO blocked Ishimori as he went for his handspring Pele kick.
Ishimori blocked a power breaker and hit a jumping knee strike. Ishimori hit a meteora in the corner. SHO blocked La Mistica and locked on a kimura. Ishimori powered out of a Shock Arrow attempt.
They traded strikes and lariats. Ishimori ended the sequence with a destroyer. SHO no-sold and hit a German. Ishimori took a flip bump off a lariat. SHO connected with a power breaker. Ishimori kicked out at two.
They teased their finishers. SHO fought off a Bloody Cross and used a cross armbreaker. Ishimori slid out and switched to the Bone Lock. SHO rolled through and hit Shock Arrow. Ishimori kicked out.
SHO Went for another Shock Arrow. Ishimori grabbed a guillotine, then hit an inverted Bloody Cross. SHO kicked out at two.
Ishimori hit another Bloody Cross and this time it was enough to knock SHO out of contention.
Yano went for a corner pad right away. He hit Taichi with the pad but also took out Ishii with friendly fire. Sabre used a sunset flip on Yano for two. Sabre used a cradle for two. Yano hit a drop toe hold on Sabre into a forearm from Ishii. Yano rolled Sabre up for two.
Sabre used a cradle and a backslide for another pair of near falls on Yano. Sabre wrapped Yano up in the ring skirt. They teased a countout but Ishii threw Yano back in to break the count. Ishii and Taichi finally got tags after Sabre and Yano dominated the first five minutes with comedy.
Taichi and Ishii traded strikes. Taichi hit a jumping high kick and removed his pants. Yano broke up a Zack Driver attempt. Ishii and Yano doubled up on Taichi. Yano hit a throw into a sliding lariat from Ishii for a near fall as Sabre saved.
Ishii hit a headbutt and a lariat for a two count. All four jumped in. Sabre blocked a Yano low blow and sent him outside. Sabre hit Ishii with a Zack Driver. Yano got sent outside.
Sabre and Taichi hit Zack Mephisto and Taichi covered Ishii for the pin.
BOSJ: El Desperado defeated BUSHI (12:53)
BUSHI teased a tope suicida right away. Desperado ducked out of the way, so BUSHI hit a flying headscissors from the ring to the floor instead. Back inside, BUSHI choked Desperado with his shirt.
Desperado pulled BUSHI back to the floor and sent him into the barricade. Desperado grabbed a pen and stabbed BUSHI in the eye with it. Desperado worked over BUSHI’s left leg as they got back into the ring.
Desperado continued working on the leg. They exchanged strikes. BUSHI hit a DDT, his first significant offense since the opening volley. BUSHI hit a missile dropkick. BUSHI draped Desperado over the top rope and hit another missile dropkick. BUSHI hit a draping DDT on the apron, then followed with two suicide dives. Desperado beat the count back in at 19.
Desperado tried a stretch muffler. BUSHI escaped and hit a dropkick. Desperado blocked a codebreaker and used el es culero for a near fall. They teased a ref bump. BUSHI ducked a right hand and hit an enzuigiri.
BUSHI hit a backstabber and a destroyer for a two count. BUSHI called for MX. Desperado caught BUSHI off the second rope and hit a spinebuster, then used Numero Dos. Desperado got both arms hooked and the referee called for the stoppage.
By virtue of their wins over Ishimori, Hiromu and Desperado are in Friday’s finals with 14 points.
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Desperado cut a promo after the match and called out Hiromu. Hiromu came to the ring and cut a promo. He promised to get revenge on Desperado for beating him earlier in the tournament.
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WTL: Juice Robinson & David Finlay defeated Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI (15:50)
Goto and Finlay began. They traded a couple of quick holds before YH jumped in. YH and Goto doubled up on both Finlay and Juice. YH and Finlay ended up the legal men and YH worked a side headlock.
Juice blind-tagged in and it was FinJuice’s turn for some tandem offense. Juice hit a senton and a delayed vertical suplex on YH for two. Finlay and Juice used quick tags and worked on YH’s left arm. Juice hit another senton for two.
Juice and Finlay hit a double bulldog on YH and Finlay covered for a near fall. Finlay used a chinlock at the five minute mark. YH powered out with strikes and hit a vertical suplex before tagging out.
Goto and Juice got tags. Goto hit a wheel kick and a bulldog for a two count. Goto and Juice traded strikes, then hit simultaneous clotheslines into a double down. Both tagged out.
Finlay and YH traded strikes in the center of the ring. Finlay hit a diving uppercut forearm. YH hit a running chop. YH hit two more chops, a thrust kick and a neckbreaker for a two count.
Juice tagged in but accidentally took out Finlay with a cannonball. YH hit a headhunter into a leg sweep by Goto on Juice. Finlay broke up the pin.
Goto and YH hit a GYR on Finlay. Juice fought off a GYW attempt. YH hit a thrust kick into an ushigoroshi from Goto. Juice kicked out at two.
Goto and YH hit the GYW on Juice. Goto covered, but Finlay made the save at the last possible second.
Finlay hit a spear on Goto and a uranage backbreaker on YH. Finlay hit an uppercut forearm and a last shot on Goto. Finlay hit a superplex on Goto. Juice hit a follow-up frog splash for a near fall.
FinJuice teased a doomsday device. Goto shoved Finlay off the top into the barricade. YH hit a thrust kick on Juice. Goto cradled Juice for two. Goto hit a headbutt at the fifteen minute call.
Juice blocked Shouten Kai. Finlay jumped in and hit Goto with a stunner. Juice hit a Left Hand of God, then hit Pulp Friction for the pin.
By virtue of their losses to both G.O.D. and FinJuice, Taichi and Sabre are out. The final will be Juice and Finlay vs. G.O.D.
**********
Juice grabbed the mic to close the show with a promo. G.O.D. ran in and attacked. Tama hit a Gun Stun on Juice. Tama used a sharpshooter on Juice, while Tanga used a OJK on Finlay. Jado cut a quick promo, then the show ended with Jado and G.O.D. posing in the ring.
**********
Final World Tag League standings —
Juice Robinson & David Finlay 12 points (6-3) *finalist*
Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa 12 points (6-3) *finalist*
Taichi & Zack Sabre Jr. 12 points (6-3) *lost to both FinJuice and G.O.D., eliminated on tiebreakers*
Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI 10 points (5-4)
Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano 10 points (5-4)
Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb 10 points (5-4)
Shingo Takagi & SANADA 10 points (5-4)
Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens 6 points (3-6)
EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi 6 points (3-6)
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare 2 points (1-8)
Final BOSJ 27 standings —
El Desperado 14 points (7-2) *Finalist*
Hiromu Takahashi 14 points (7-2) *Finalist*
Taiji Ishimori 14 points (7-2) *lost to both Hiromu & Desperado, eliminated on tiebreakers*
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.
One match will decide the 2019 Best of the Super Juniors B Block winner.
Will Ospreay and Ryusuke Taguchi earned their sixth wins of this year’s tournament today in Osaka, assuring that their match on Monday (June 3) will have a spot in the final at stake.
Both will be gunning for a chance to win BOSJ for the second time. Ospreay won the tournament in 2016, while Taguchi claimed victory in 2012.
Here are full results and match recaps from today’s show:
TITAN, JONATHAN GRESHAM & TOA HENARE DEFEATED SHO, TIGER MASK IV & YOTA TSUJI
The bulk of the match was spent working over Titan, who may have a legitimate knee injury. SHO and Gresham had an intense striking exchange, which the crowd loved. SHO went for a cross-armed piledriver, but Gresham got the octopus applied. SHO broke the hold.
Henare and Tsuji exchanged tackles. Tsuji hit a dropkick and a powerslam. The match broke down. Tiger hit a Tiger Driver, and the ring cleared, again leaving Henare and Tsuji. Henare hit a lariat for a near fall, then a massive headbutt. He followed with a uranage for the pin. A good opener, with good crowd response.
Suzuki-gun did not use an attack before the bell. Rather, as soon as the bell rang, Taichi jumped in for an illegal double team on Umino. Taichi beat Umino around ringside and dragged him into the crowd.
Kanemaru and Taichi cut the ring in half, working over Umino. Umino finally hit a dropkick, then tagged Ishii. Ishii kicked out of a buzzsaw kick from Taichi, but fell to an enzuigiri. After a double down, Kanemaru and Umino got tags.
Umino missed a dropkick, but connected with a vertical suplex. Umino used an armbar, but Taichi jumped in to break the hold. Ishii came in for the save, but got sent outside by Taichi.
Umino hit a dropkick, sending Taichi to the floor. Kanemaru hit a dropkick, then used an inverted DDT for a near fall. Kanemaru hit Deep Impact and got the pin.
After the bell, Taichi used a camera cable to choke Ishii, and put him in the stretch plum on the floor. Those two will face off for the NEVER Openweight title at Dominion on June 9. Taichi started to cut a promo on Ishii, but Ishii chased him from the ring with a chair.
The post-match was effective, but the match itself was just sort of there.
JUICE ROBINSON & DRAGON LEE DEFEATED MARTY SCURLL & BRODY KING
Scurll and King worked over Dragon, focusing on his right arm. Dragon made a comeback, hitting Scurll with a knee strike, a thrust kick, and an STO. Juice and King got tags and exchanged chops. King hit a flying headscissors, then a cannonball as Juice was kneeling against the ropes.
Juice went for Pulp Friction, but King countered with a Bossman Slam. Scurll and Dragon brawled to the floor, while Juice hit the Left Hand of God twice. He followed with Pulp Friction for the pin. Good work from all involved, but they didn’t get a lot of time.
Ishimori and Shingo started off, ahead of their big match tomorrow. Ishimori showed off his speed, while Shingo countered with his power. Naito got a tag and things quickly devolved into a brawl around ringside. Ishimori posted Shingo, while Gedo did the same to Naito.
Back inside, Ishimori and Gedo worked over Naito. They used a series of eye rakes and closed fists. Naito made his own comeback, hitting a hip toss and a dropkick to Ishimori. Shingo got a tag, then landed a vertical suplex for a near fall.
Shingo and Ishimori exchanged strikes. Shingo blocked a handspring kick. Ishimori blocked a Last of the Dragon attempt and ducked a Pumping Bomber, before hitting a handspring kick.
Naito and Gedo got tags, and Naito hit some trademark spots. Gedo and Ishimori used an illegal double team to regain the advantage. Naito ducked a brass knuckles shot from Gedo, while Shingo hit a DVD on Ishimori.
With Ishimori taken out, Shingo hit a Pumping Bomber on Gedo, and Naito picked up the pin. This was all action, and a very good undercard tag match.
B BLOCK MATCH: YOH DEFEATED REN NARITA
Narita held his own in the opening mat wrestling sequence. After another exchange of holds on the mat, Narita scored a knockdown with a shoulder tackle. YOH countered by attacking Narita’s right leg, softening it up for the Calf Crusher.
Narita fired off some palm strikes, but YOH went back to the leg, using kicks and a kneebar. Narita landed a dropkick, then hit a forearm strike for another knockdown. Narita hit a vertical suplex for a near fall.
Narita went for a belly-to-belly, but YOH blocked it. YOH went for a dragon screw, but Narita fought it off. YOH hit a flying forearm, then a dragon screw. YOH went for the Calf Crusher, but Narita cradled him for a near fall.
Narita blocked a falcon arrow, then rolled out of a Calf Crusher, and used his Narita Special leg lace. After a fight, YOH reached the ropes. YOH hit a superkick, then hit the falcon arrow for a near fall. He followed up with a dragon suplex attempt, but Narita blocked it.
They traded cradles, and Narita used a backslide for a near fall. Narita hit a belly-to-belly, but could not get the bridge. He followed with a bridging German for an awesome near fall. Narita went for another belly-to-belly, but YOH rolled through to the Calf Crusher for the submission.
YOH offered a handshake after the match, and Narita slapped his hand. A good match with some awesome near falls.
B BLOCK MATCH: BANDIDO DEFEATED ROBBIE EAGLES
They stormed out of the gate, trading dropkick attempts and backflips. Bandido hit a dropkick, but Eagles countered with a suicide dive. They continued to fight on the floor, where Eagles hit a backdrop on the ramp. They teased a countout, but Bandido made it back in at 19.
Bandido avoided a 450 attempt, then hit a tornillo. Bandido hit a jumping knee strike, but Eagles quickly countered with a series of kicks. Bandido hit a pop-up cutter, an inverted suplex, and used a shining wizard for a near fall.
Eagles slipped going for a springboard dropkick, but still connected with it. He rolled into the Miller Special, but Bandido reached the ropes. Eagles hit a DDT for a near fall. Eagles teased Turbo Backpack, but Bandido slipped out. Eagles hit a series of kicks, but Bandido countered with a snap suplex for a near fall.
Bandido hit a GTS. He went for the 21 Plex, but Eagles reversed into a poison rana for a close near fall. Eagles went for a 450, but Bandido got his knees up, and used a cradle for a two count. Eagles hit a thrust kick to retain the advantage.
They exchanged kicks. Eagles went for Sliced Bread, but Bandido cut him off. They fought on the top rope, and Bandido hit an avalanche moonsault slam for the pin. Awesome match.
B BLOCK MATCH: BUSHI DEFEATED ROCKY ROMERO
Rocky entered wearing his Black Tiger mask. He spit mist in BUSHI’s eyes, but BUSHI countered the sneak attack with a suicide dive. BUSHI choked Rocky with his t-shirt, then went after the left leg. Rocky went after BUSHI’s left arm, snapping it over the top rope.
Rocky used an arm wringer, then hit a series of chops. He hit a flying headscissors, then a knee strike to the arm off the middle rope. Rocky sent BUSHI into the corner, but sold his leg, and could not hit forever clotheslines.
Rocky hit a double stomp to BUSHI’s back as he was draped over the ropes. BUSHI hit an Eat Defeat, then a missile dropkick. They exchanged chops, then traded rewind kicks. After an exchange of strikes, BUSHI hit a dropkick, then a DDT on the apron.
BUSHI went for a neckbreaker, but Rocky countered with a knee strike. Rocky hit a falcon arrow into a cross armbreaker, but BUSHI bit Rocky’s leg, forcing him to give up the hold. Rocky hit a series of kicks to the left arm. He went for Sliced Bread, but his knee buckled on the landing.
BUSHI hit a codebreaker in the ropes for a near fall. He then hit the MX to pick up the win. A technically sound match, and they told a good story.
B BLOCK MATCH: WILL OSPREAY DEFEATED DOUKI
DOUKI swung a pipe at Ospreay before the opening bell, but Ospreay ducked it. Ospreay hit a plancha. Taichi provided a distraction from the commentary table. DOUKI tried another sneak attack, but Ospreay whipped him into the crowd, then launched himself at Taichi over the commentary table.
In the ring, Ospreay went for a diving attack, but DOUKI ducked and Ospreay spilled outside. DOUKI hit a seated senton off the post to the floor. DOUKI took the referee, allowing Taichi to hit Ospreay with a chair. Ospreay beat the count back inside at 15.
DOUKI hit a double stomp and picked up a two count. DOUKI used a body triangle over Ospreay’s arms, then rolled to a cradle for a near fall. Ospreay hit a handspring kick, then a kick to the body. Ospreay hit a dropkick in the corner, then a standing Shooting Star Press for a two count.
Ospreay hit a 619. He went for a second Shooting Star, but DOUKI caught him in a triangle choke. Ospreay made the ropes, forcing a break. DOUKI hit a northern lights suplex for a near fall. He went for Suplex de la Luna, but Ospreay escaped and trapped him in a cradle for a near fall. They traded strikes, into a double down.
DOUKI was first up and landed a series of strikes. Ospreay made it to his feet, and they continued to trade. Ospreay ended the sequence with a kick. Ospreay hit Pip Pip Cheerio. He went for a Storm Breaker, but DOUKI blocked it, then used a backslide for a two count.
DOUKI teased a springboard DDT, but Ospreay caught him with a kick. Ospreay hit a Shooting Star Press as DOUKI was draped over the ropes, picking up a near fall. Ospreay hit a hook kick. DOUKI hit a snap rana, then pulled Ospreay into a pin, getting a two count.
Ospreay hit a powerbomb for a two count. DOUKI made a cover, but pulled Ospreay up. He went for Suplex de la Luna, but Ospreay countered. Taichi jumped on the apron and took the ref. He slid DOUKI a pipe. DOUKI hit Ospreay with the pipe for a near fall.
Ospreay hit the Hidden Blade, then used the Storm Breaker for the pin. This was just another day at the office for Ospreay, but he probably gave DOUKI the best match of his life.
B BLOCK MATCH: RYUSUKE TAGUCHI DEFEATED EL PHANTASMO
ELP punted Taguchi’s rugby ball towards the stage before the opening bell. Taguchi quickly got an ankle lock applied, but ELP reached the ropes. ELP grabbed a headscissors on the mat, but Taguchi used a handstand to escape. Taguchi used a headscissors, and ELP used a handstand to escape.
They did a rope-running comedy spot, ending with Taguchi collapsing from exhaustion. ELP did his ropewalk spot, into a flying headscissors for a near fall. ELP hit a series of hip attacks, mocking Taguchi. Taguchi used a roll-up for a quick two count.
Taguchi tried to do the rope-walk spot, but ended up crotched on the top rope. Taguchi rolled to the floor, and ELP hit knee strikes to the groin. ELP tied Taguchi to the tree of woe and continued his assault on Taguchi’s personal area.
Taguchi tried for a hip attack, but ELP hit an atomic drop. They repeated the spot, and ELP spanked Taguchi. Taguchi hit a hip attack, then a series of hip attacks in the ropes. Taguchi landed a springboard hip attack for a two count.
Taguchi went for Three Amigos, but ended up trading rolling suplexes with ELP. They each hit two, before Taguchi hit the third amigo. Taguchi sent ELP to the floor with a hip attack, then hit a tope con hilo.
On the floor, ELP posted Taguchi. He went to the top, then landed a moonsault off the post to the floor. ELP sold his left leg on the landing. Robbie Eagles came to ringside under the guise of checking on ELP. ELP was not pleased that Eagles showed up.
Back in the ring, Taguchi hit a hip attack and picked up a near fall. Taguchi went for Dodon, but Eagles grabbed the referee and hit a low blow. ELP used an airplane spin, then got a two count. ELP went for a frog splash, still selling his leg. He missed, and Taguchi grabbed an ankle lock. ELP immediately rolled to the ropes.
Taguchi hit a Bomaye, but ELP kicked out at two. Taguchi hit Dodon onto his knees, but ELP again kicked out. Taguchi went to the top rope, but ELP cut him off. ELP went for an enzuigiri on the top, but Taguchi caught his leg and got the ankle lock. ELP rolled through into a cradle for a two count.
Taguchi again got the ankle lock, then pulled ELP up into a suplex for a two count. Taguchi hit Dodon for a near fall, then pulled ELP into the ankle lock. ELP tapped out. A fun main event, but not as good as the semifinal.
