Night three of the Best of the Super Juniors took place Sunday in Nagoya.
The show was headlined by four-time tournament winner and current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi vs. Lio Rush.
NJPW BOSJ Night three results:
– B Bock: Kevin Knight defeated Yoshinobu Kanemaru
– A Block: SHO defeated Ryusuke Taguchi
– B Block: Clark Connors defeated BUSHI
– A Block: Taiji Ishimori defeated DOUKI
– B Block: Francesco Akira defeated Robbie Eagles
– A Block: Titan defeated KUSHIDA
– B Block: Dan Moloney defeated YOH
– A Block: Mike Bailey defeated TJP
– B Block: El Desperado defeated Master Wato
– A Block: Lio Rush defeated Hiromu Takahashi
Mike Bailey, Lio Rush, and Taiji Ishimori now sit atop A Block with 3 wins and 6 points each after night three. After suffering main event losses on night one and night three already, Hiromu Takahashi sits at just a 1-2 record and 2 points.
Things are all bunched up in B Block with six wrestlers tied atop the group with four points.
There was an interesting moment in the A Block match between SHO and Ryusuke Taguchi. After a referee bump, the lights went out and when they came back on, SHO’s House of Torture teammate EVIL stood in the ring and began acting as the new referee. After SHO hit Taguchi with a wrench, EVIL then rolled the original referee back into the ring to count the pin.
Kevin Kelly called Akira vs. Eagles the match of the tournament so far, even better than Bailey vs. Takahashi from night one.
KUSHIDA has had an unfortunate start to the tournament having lost his first three. He faces Bailey next on Tuesday.
El Desperado may have picked up an injury in his match against Master Wato. He pulled up limping while running the ropes early in the contest and was seen icing his knee after the match ended.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Master Wato, Tiger Mask, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, and Robbie Eagles defeated Ryohei Oiwa, Kosei Fujita, Yuto Nakashima, and Wheeler Yuta
This was a fine little showcase tag before Yuta and Eagles come to blows on the opening night of B Block.
Yuta and Eagles opened the match with a quick sequence ahead of their block match on Tuesday. The pair tagged out before either could get much in, letting the Young Lions take turns against their seniors.
Eventually, things cycled back to Yuta and Eagles. This time, both men got in heavy offense before tagging back to their partners. Yuta ultimately hit a tope to write off Eagles until the finish. In the ring, Wato landed La Caratera to bring this match to a close.
BUSHI and Shingo Takagi (Los Ingobernables de Japon) defeated El Phantasmo and Dick Togo (Bullet Club)
Meh.
BUSHI and ELP had a short exchange before Shingo tagged in to take control for LIJ. However, Bullet Club took advantage from LIJ moments later after Togo and ELP took the action to the floor. Bullet Club continued to make advances with underhanded tactics until Shingo launched a rally that broke down into a four-man brawl. BUSHI hit a dive; Shingo hit a sad pumping bomber and pinned Togo.
El Lindaman, Titan, and Jado defeated El Desperado, TAKA Michinoku, and DOUKI (Suzuki-gun)
I loved this—a perfect introduction for both Lindaman and Titan for the unfamiliar.
Desperado and Titan opened the match with a fantastic little sequence before Suzuki-gun rushed the ring to take control. Lindaman managed to turn things back around with an offensive flurry that took out Suzuki-gun, but DOUKI cut it short by catching Lindaman in his signature choke.
Titan and Desperado were tagged back in for another impressive sprint. After trading moves with Titan, Desperado tagged out to TAKA, and the rest of Suzuki-gun helped him maintain his control. Titan withstood the assault long enough for Lindaman to take out Desperado and DOUKI with a dive. Titan was then free to close the match with a springboard double stomp.
BOSJ A Block: Ace Austin defeated Clark Connors
This was surprisingly great.
The match opened with a reasonably typical back and forth. Connors found a lead, but failed to do anything with it, allowing Austin to slip into control. Austin eventually took things to the mat before using a playing card to cut the webbing of Connors’s fingers.
Austin tried striking Connors down with some slaps but was met with a pounce. Connors then led a short sequence punctuated with a brutal elbow drop from the top rope; Austin kicked out.
Austin dodged a spear, sending Connors to the floor. Austin followed up with a beautiful dive and springboard kick for a near fall. Austin looked to close only to run into a perfect spear from Connors. Connors tried for Trophy Kill, but Austin fought free. Austin used this space to turn things around long enough to connect with The Fold. Austin pinned Connors to start his BOSJ with a win.
BOSJ A Block: Alex Zayne defeated Yoshinobu Kanemaru
This was okay.
I’ve seen a variation of this exact match from Zayne about a dozen times; the man just loves getting his leg worked and doing a dozen flips in response.
Kanemaru gained a lead early, turning his attention to Zayne’s leg. Kanemaru maintained control, using a variety of holds, strikes, and drops to ground Zayne while setting him up for the figure four.
Once Zayne freed himself from Kanemaru’s clutch, his leg seemed to be fine enough to launch a flip-based rally. Kanemaru retook the lead with a leg-sweep after Zayne landed on his feet from missing a 450. Kanemaru then locked in a figure four, forcing Zayne into the ropes.
After escaping, Zayne landed a lariat but couldn’t connect with the taco driver. Kanemaru took advantage with two quick pin attempts, but Zayne answered with a thrust kick. Zayne hit Baja Blast and Cinamon twist to bring this match to a close.
BOSJ A Block: Francesco Akira defeated SHO
This was a SHO match. Luckily the rest of House of Torture wasn’t involved, but there was still a ton of blatant cheating.
SHO jumped Akira before the opening bell. Akira fought back with a head-scissor takedown, which he followed with an extended period of control.
SHO used a Young Lion to block a tope attempt before slamming Akira’s arm into the top rope. SHO then grabbed a chair and led Akira all the way to the arena wall. SHO then dropped the chair and slammed Akira into the wall. SHO used the chair while the referee put away another weapon, forcing Akira to crawl back to the ring to prevent a count-out loss.
Back in the ring, SHO continued to focus the arm. Akira started to turn things around with a wheelbarrow facebuster and a dropkick that sent SHO to the floor. Akira landed a moonsault to the outside and a corkscrew neckbreaker for a near fall.
Akira looked to close with a fireball, but SHO blocked the move with the referee; this let SHO land a spear and lock in an armbar. SHO then bumped the referee, hit a German suplex, and went for his wrench, but TJP pulled it away before he could take advantage. Akira then hit a suplex, the last round, and fireball to win his New Japan debut.
BOSJ A Block: Hiromu Takahashi defeated Ryusuke Taguchi
This was a silly match through and through.
Before the match, Taguchi promised there would be “no butt stuff”; there was.
Taguchi opened the match with a flying hip attack but missed by a mile; he broke his promise. Taguchi laid down in defeat, offering a free pin to Hiromu. When Hiromu tried taking the offer, Taguchi grabbed his leg, attempting a quick submission.
Hiromu rolled to the outside, and Taguchi began chasing him. After running a few laps, Taguchi decided to hide under the ring. Taguchi failed in catching Hiromu, and the pair returned to the ring.
Back in the ring, Taguchi tried for another ankle lock, and Hiromu rolled back to the floor. Taguchi and Hiromu ran more laps around the ring. Hiromu tried holding down Taguchi with the mat, but Taguchi caught him in another ankle lock, this time on the outside. As the referee’s count grew higher, the pair had to sprint back between the ropes.
Taguchi continued to fight for the ankle lock. After a bunch of roll troughs and reversals, Taguchi tried for a trio of hip attacks; he missed them all. At this point, Taguchi had revealed his underwear.
After another attempt, Taguchi finally landed a hip attack, only for Hiromu to secure a rollup and a first-round win.
BOSJ A Block: Taiji Ishimori defeated YOH
This, on paper, is very comparable to the SHO/Akira bout from earlier in the night; in reality, this was a much different match. The selective cheating and its consequences felt less intrusive while still being impactful, but the pacing was sluggish, and at times, this was just boring. The dead crowd didn’t help this one either.
YOH’s early lead came to an early end as Ishimori brought the action to the floor. On the outside, Ishimori slammed YOH’s arm into the turnbuckle post with an assist from a chair. Back inside, Ishimori continued to focus YOH’s arm.
YOH launched a comeback with a single-leg dropkick. YOH’s rally lasted until Ishimori rammed him into an exposed set of buckles. YOH held on, however, eventually turning things back around with a dragonscrew leg whip. YOH then started working the leg on the mat with a variety of holds.
Ishimori eventually caught YOH with a knee strike, but YOH answered with a headbutt and DMV. YOH tried to bring this to an end, but Ishimori blocked direct-drive and slammed YOH back into the exposed corner. Ishimori secured the bone lock and forced YOH to tap out.
After his win, Ishimori cut the show-closing promo. Ishimori claimed he’d win the tournament as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and reform the division in his own image.
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
Hiromu Takahashi has won the Best of the Super Juniors tournament for the third time.
Hiromu defeated YOH in 38:30 in today’s tournament finals at Sumo Hall in Ryogoku to capture his second consecutive BOSJ and his third in four years. While not yet official, Hiromu is next in line to challenge IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado, most likely at Wrestle Kingdom 16.
YOH’s former Roppongi 3K tag partner SHO from Bullet Club’s House of Torture interfered in today’s bout by attacking both competitors, which could lead to future bouts with either YOH or Hiromu.
SHO grabbed the house mic and declared the bout a no contest after leaving both laying, but referee Red Shoes Unno refused to call the match. World Tag League winners Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI chased SHO away from the ring, then tended to YOH. Hiromu’s LIJ stablemates Tetsuya Naito and Shingo Takagi came to ringside as well to encourage Hiromu to continue on.
The 28th NJPW Best of the Super Juniors tournament began today in Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado took on SHO in the main event, while Hiromu Takahashi faced YOH in the semi-main.
The other tournament action was comprised of El Phantasmo vs. Master Wato, Robbie Eagles vs. Ryusuke Taguchi, DOUKI vs. BUSHI, plus Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Taiji Ishimori.
Ryohei Oiwa and Yuto Nakashima faced off in the non-tournament opener.
Here are today’s results:
Ryohei Oiwa & Yuto Nakashima went to a time limit draw
Best of the Super Juniors: DOUKI defeated BUSHI
DOUKI got the upset win by pinfall with Suplex De La Luna.
Best of the Super Juniors: Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated Taiji Ishimori
Kanemaru stole a countout win using underhanded tactics.
Best of the Super Juniors: Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Robbie Eagles
Taguchi pinned Eagles with Dodon.
Best of the Super Juniors: Master Wato defeated El Phantasmo
Wato got the upset win with a jackknife cradle.
Best of the Super Juniors: Hiromu Takahashi defeated YOH
Hiromu got a flash cradle for the pin.
Best of the Super Juniors: SHO defeated El Desperado
SHO won with a Shock Arrow after interference from Yujiro Takahashi and Dick Togo.
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.
**********
After the match, Yano tried to slam Fale again and failed again. Fale then destroyed Yano’s KOPW trophy with a stomp.
**********
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.
**********
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.
**********
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.
**********
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.
**********
After the match, KENTA took photos with his phone as G.O.D. and Jado posed with the World Tag League trophies.
**********
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.
**********
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.
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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.
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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*
