NJPW crowned the winner of the Best of the Super Juniors 29 tournament today in the Nippon Budokan.
Hiromu Takahashi defeated El Desperado in the finals to win the tournament for a third consecutive year, winning the deciding bout with his Time Bomb and Time Bomb II finishers.
The BOSJ win is Hiromu’s fourth in the last five years, as he becomes the only man to win the tournament four times, besting Koji Kanemoto’s mark of three, which had stood since 2009. Jushin Liger won Best of the Super Juniors twice, and won the prior iteration of the junior heavyweight tournament Top of the Super Juniors on one occasion as well.
Hiromu defeated current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori in a block match earlier in the tournament, making him the de facto number one contender even without the BOSJ win. That match would be a logical addition to the June 12 Dominion show.
Hiromu Takahashi and El Desperado square off today in the NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 29 finals.
Hiromu will look to make it three BOSJ crowns in a row and four overall, while Desperado will try to win the tournament for the first time. Tatsumi Fujinami will be on hand as a special guest at ringside for the finals.
IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Juice Robinson takes on Tomoaki Honma in a non-title match in the only other singles bout on the card. A series of tag matches fill out the lineup.
Here is the card:
Best of the Super Juniors 29 finals: Hiromu Takahashi vs. El Desperado
Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano, Tama Tonga & Jado vs. Jay White, Doc Gallows, Taiji Ishimori & Gedo
Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi & BUSHI vs. Taichi, TAKA Michinoku & DOUKI
Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb & Aaron Henare vs. Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens & El Phantasmo
Zack Sabre Jr. & Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. EVIL & SHO
Juice Robinson vs. Tomoaki Honma
Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato vs. TJP & Francesco Akira
Robbie Eagles, Clark Connors, YOH & Titan vs. El Lindaman, Wheeler Yuta, Ace Austin & Alex Zayne
Our live coverage begins at 5 a.m. Eastern time.
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The show opened with a card change announcement. Current IWGP champion Juice Robinson is afflicted with appendicitis and has been removed from tonight’s show. In his place, young lion Ryohei Oiwa steps up to challenge Tomoaki Honma.
Tomoaki Honma defeated Ryohei Oiwa
I’m a sucker for young lion matches—this was fun.
Oiwa opened the match with a stint of offense, but, unsurprisingly, Honma took control from the young lion after the match developed. Oiwa continued to fight, even with his back against the wall, eventually securing a single-leg Boston crab. Honma survived the hold and landed a pair of KoKeShi to bring this match to a close.
Ace Austin, Wheeler Yuta, El Lindaman, and Alex Zayne defeated Robbie Eagles, YOH, Titan, and Clark Conners
Yuta and Eagles opened the match with a speedy wrestling sequence before passing their batons to Lindaman and YOH. After YOH and Lindaman traded moves, Titan tagged in and established firm control for his team—a similar sequence played out with Zayne, Austin, and Conners until a match reset left Zayne and Conners alone in the ring.
Yuta and Lindaman rushed the ring, taking control for their team before landing a double dive. Once the ring was cleared again, Zayne hit Conners with the cinnamon twist to win the match.
The English commentary was doing their best to establish Zayne and Conners as a legitimate pairing moving forwards.
TJP and Fransico Akira (United Empire) defeated Master Wato and Ryusuke Taguchi (Six or Nine)
UE tried to gain an early advantage by rushing the junior tag champions as the opening bell rang but failed to establish significant control. UE was able to take the lead after withstanding a short stint of Taguchi control.
Wato eventually landed a dropkick which sent Akira to the floor, leading to a dive that took out both UE representatives. In the ring, Six or Nine double-teamed TJP, scoring a near fall after a barrage of b-triggers.
Taguchi forced Akira to make the save after locking TJP into an ankle lock. This led to a prolonged rally from the UE team, ending with an elevated cutter into a stretch hold from TJP. Taguchi tapped to the hold, leaving the UE team with a win over the IWGP Junior Tag Team champions.
This was, presumably, to set up a future IWGP junior tag title match.
Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Zack Sabre Jr. (Suzuki-gun) defeated EVIL and SHO (House of Torture)
This was a nothing match, but at least it was short-lived.
The HoT team jumped Suzuki-gun before the match began—this led to an extensive lead for the HoT pairing. After being on the receiving end of an HoT beatdown, Kanemaru eventually tagged out to ZSJ, who helped take control for the first time. A distraction from EVIL and a run-in from Dick Togo ended ZSJ’s rally, but a well-timed low blow from Kanemaru forced Togo to spray EVIL in the eyes with Kanemaru’s alcohol. Kanemaru dropped SHO with another low blow, and ZSJ forced him to tap with an arm bar.
Chase Owens, Bad Luck Fale, and El Phantasmo defeated (Bullet Club)Jeff Cobb, Arron Henare, and Great O-Khan (United Empire)
I was not a fan of this at all.
This match opened with a brawl. O-Khan focused Owens, forcing Fale to make an early save. Bullet Club then worked to isolate O-Khan, eventually leading to a tag out to Cobb. Cobb rocked Fale with a pair of lariats, but Fale answered with a shoulder tackle, leading to a double tag.
ELP and Henare worked through a short sequence before the match broke down into another brawl. Once things calmed down, Ace Austin walked to the ring and flashed an ace playing card and a too-sweet at Henare, leaving ELP free to hit CR2 and pin Henare.
After the match concluded, a close-up revealed Austin’s ace was Bullet Club branded. Austin is officially the Bullet Club.
SANADA Speaks
In an unannounced appearance, SANADA walked to the ring and challenged for the IWGP US championship at Dominion. The English commentary seemed uncertain about Robinson’s readiness come Dominion, given his ongoing battle with appendicitis.
BUSHI, Shingo Takagi, and Tetsuya Naito (Los Ingobernables de Japon)defeated Taichi, TAKA Michinoku, and DOUKI (Suzuki-gun)
This wasn’t very good.
This match opened with an awkward brawl. The match tried to develop in-ring but continually fell into chaos for some time. Eventually, Naito escaped a prolonged period of Suzuki-gun control, tagging out to Shingo.
Shingo and his King of Pro Wrestling rival, Taichi, traded blows before a tag to TAKA allowed Taichi to escape. Shingo then ran through TAKA, but Taichi interrupted the pin after the pumping bomber. Taichi and Shingo teased a sumo spot, and Shingo sent Taichi to the floor. Shingo then rolled up TAKA to win the match.
After the match, Shingo rolled up Taichi for a five-count, perhaps teasing a future stipulation for the KOPW trophy.
Once he recovered, Taichi announced if you want to see the choices for stipulations ahead of his KOPW challenge, you will need to watch his YouTube channel.
Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano, Tama Tonga, and Jado defeated Gedo, Taiji Ishimori, Doc Gallows, and Jay White (Bullet Club)
Before the match, Jay White announced he had a surprise. KENTA’s music hit, and he walked to the ring.
Gallows and Yano opened the match with a silly little sequence. Gedo tagged in and jumped Jado to establish control for Bullet Club. White cemented this control as he and his partners worked Jado into the corner.
Jado eventually secured the hot tag to Okada, leading to a strong rally for the babyface team. Gedo interrupted Okada’s offense long enough for White to retake control, scoring a near fall with a blade-buster. Okada avoided the blade-runner and White avoided the rainmaker, but a dropkick from Okada hit the mark.
Tama and Gedo tagged in. With Jado’s help, Tama hit gun-stun and pinned Gedo to win the match.
Once the match concluded, Okada and White had a staredown and heated verbal exchange.
Best of the Super Juniors Finals: Hiromu Takahashi defeated El Desperado
This pairing feels more than overexposed at this point. The match was pretty slow until the twenty-minute mark; once the pair reached this point, the match was rather exciting. The closing sequence was what you would expect—a ton of kick-outs in the ultimate battle of one-upmanship.
After an extended feeling out process, Hiromu established control with a slam into the ring post and a suplex to the floor. Back in the ring, Desperado turned things around with a knee-breaker, beginning his attack on Hiromu’s leg. Desperado took the action to the floor himself, landing a scoop slam on the outside before a backdrop on the inside left him with a two-count.
Desperado locked in multiple wear-down holds, continuing to focus Hiromu’s leg. Hiromu eventually fought back into the match, landing a dropkick to the floor to slow Desperado’s advance. Back in the ring, Hiromu led an offensive sequence, connecting with multiple big moves.
Desperado turned things back around with a beautiful dive to the floor. A frog splash scored Desperado a near fall, leading into another stent of leg work. Hiromu avoided Pinche Loco and locked in D to turn momentum on its head.
Once Desperado escaped Hiromu’s triangle choke, the pair traded strikes. From the exchange, Desperado tried for Pinche Loco, but Hiromu reversed the move again. A quick lariat yielded a near fall for Hiromu, which he followed with a victory royal. As Hiromu tried for D again, Desperado landed a spinebuster, but the followed Pinche Loco attempt was blocked once more. Desperado hit a forearm that slumped Hiromu and a pair of Pinche Locos; Hiromu kicked out.
A now frustrated Desperado whipped the leg of Hiromu multiple times before locking in numero dos. Hiromu reversed the submission into destroyer; Desperado refused to fall. After two quick pin attempts, Hiromu dropped Desperado with a lariat. Hiromu then hoisted up Desperado and hit Time Bomb 2; Desperado kicked out.
Hiromu, now as desperate as Desperado, tried closing things with a close fist strike. Desperado answered Hirmou with a punch of his own before trying for Pinche Loco again. Hiromu wiggled free from the underhooks, landing two cutters, a Time Bomb, and a Time Bomb 2 to close the match and win the tournament.
After the tournament’s conclusion, Hiromu cut a promo thanking the people responsible for the tournament and celebrating his third consecutive win.
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.
