The winners for both the World Tag League and the Best of the Super Juniors have been decided.
Hiromu Takahashi has won the Best of the Super Juniors tournament for the second time, defeating El Desperado in the tournament finals. It was a fierce back and forth match; at one point, Desperado’s mask had been ripped so much that he took it off and continued fighting. But after two time bombs, Hiromu pinned Desperado to win the tournament.
After the match, Hiromu praised Desperado, saying there was plenty more still to come. He told Desperado that he won this time, but he will see him again.
Hiromu said that before he faces Ishimori, there is something that he needs to do. He says he wants the winner of the Super J Cup tournament that takes place this weekend.
He thanked the fans, saying he loves the Jr. heavyweight division and NJPW.
In the semi-main event, The Guerillas of Destiny defeated FinJuice (Juice Robinson & David Finlay) thanks to interference from both Jado and KENTA. Jado, who was repeatedly ejected from the arena only to return anyway, distracted the referee long enough to allow KENTA to come into the ring and strike Juice Robinson with his US title contract briefcase. This allowed Tanga Loa to pin Robinson following an assisted powerbomb off the top rope.
This marks the first time the team has won the trophies. Previously, they made it to the finals in 2016, 17, and 18, but lost all three times.
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.
The full card for the Best of the Super Juniors/World Tag League finals has been revealed.
The Best of the Super Juniors 27 finals will headline the card. Hiromu Takahashi and El Desperado advanced to the finals on Sunday morning’s card. The World Tag League finals will serve as the co-main event, with David Finlay and Juice Robinson squaring off against The Guerillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa).
Tag matches round out the undercard. Wrestle Kingdom 15 opponents Kota Ibushi and Tetsuya Naito will face off in a tag match. Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay will also face off in a six-man tag team match. A match between the Bullet Club and CHAOS stables will open the card.
Here is the full card for Friday’s show, which takes place at Budokan Hall:
Hiromu Takahashi vs. El Desperado in the Best of the Super Juniors 27 finals
David Finlay and Juice Robinson vs. Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa in the World Tag League 2020 finals
Kota Ibushi and Master Wato vs. Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI
Shingo Takagi and SANADA vs. EVIL and Yujiro Takahashi
Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Toa Henare vs. Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb, and Great-O-Khan
Toru Yano, SHO, and Robbie Eagles vs. Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens, and Taiji Ishimori
The Best of the Super Juniors and World Tag League finals have been set.
Hiromu Takahashi and El Desperado will meet in the Best of the Super Juniors 27 finals, both reaching 14 points. Jr. championTaiji Ishimori also finished with 14 points. Takahashi and Desperado both have wins over Ishimori, however, which eliminates him from the tournament.
After Desperado defeated BUSHI to advance to the finals, Takahashi came out and confronted Desperado as the two had a staredown.
Meanwhile, Juice Robinson and David Finlay will meet the Guerillas of Destiny in the World Tag League finals. After Finlay & Robinson defeated Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI to advance, the Guerillas of Destiny jumped Finlay and Robinson before they could cut a celebratory promo. Jado called GoD the leaders of the tournament and that they would be the winners come Friday.
Robinson & Finlay and GoD both finished with 12 points. Champions Taichi and Zack Sabre Jr. also had 12 points, but they lost to both teams.
This would be the second time that Robinson and Finlay have reached the finals, winning the tournament last year over EVIL and SANADA. They went on to defeat the Guerillas of Destiny at Wrestle Kingdom 14 for the IWGP Tag Team titles.
The finals for both tournaments will take place on December 11 at Budokan Hall. Here are the final scores for both tournaments:
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.
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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*
World Tag League: Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano defeated Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens (5:35)
This was equal parts comedy and wild brawl.
The story of the bout was a series of miscommunication spots between Owens and Fale that cost them the match.
Ishii and Yano scored some early offense when Owens ran into Fale by mistake. Fale cut Ishii off. Fale and Owens worked Ishii over until he hit a German on Owens for a double down.
Yano and Fale got tags. Yano raked Fale’s face and untied a corner pad. Yano tried for a slam but couldn’t get Fale up. Fale slammed Yano instead but Ishii saved. Fale sent Ishi into the exposed buckle.
Yano and Ishii stepped out of the way of a charge into the corner and Fale hit Owens and the exposed buckle. Yano covered Fale. Owens tried a splash out of the corner to break up the pin. Yano stepped out of the way and Owens splashed Fale.
Yano then stacked up both of them and covered for the flash pin.
Fale beat down Yano after the match.
Best of the Super Jrs.: Master Wato (w/Hiroyoshi Tenzan) defeated Yuya Uemura (4:15)
This was great. Just a complete sprint.
Uemura tried to steal a quick win with a flying forearm, shotgun dropkick and Boston crab. Wato sold this like a potential finish but reached the ropes to force a break.
Wato established the advantage after a series of kicks. Uemura came back with another flying forearm and a release German. Uemura tried a double overhook suplex but Wato blocked.
Wato then hit the TTD for the pin.
World Tag League: Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare (2:28)
Cobb was the mystery partner. Not a surprise if you’re an Observer subscriber. O-Khan has toned down his attire and looks less like a cartoon character. Unfortunately, his offense still looks terrible.
Cobb and O-Khan attacked before the opening bell. Tanahashi and Henare sent O-Khan outside and hit some tandem offense on Cobb.
O-Khan jumped back in and hit some of his wacky offense. O-Khan hit a Dominator on Tanahashi and he rolled outside.
Cobb then hit the Tour of the Islands on Henare for the pin.
Cobb and O-Khan continued their attack after the bell. O-Khan hit Tanahashi’s left leg with a chair and Tana had to be helped to the back.
They’re trying to do something with O-Khan and tried to give Cobb a fresh paint of coat at the expense of Tanahashi. Time will tell if it works or not, but I’m not hopeful.
Best of the Super Jrs.: Robbie Eagles defeated DOUKI (10:36)
This was the first match that got any kind of time. It was very good if you throw out the silliness of multiple ref bumps that served little purpose.
DOUKI attacked before the bell. Eagles answered with a suicide flip dive to the floor. Eagles tried a springboard attack back in but DOUKI shoved the ref into the ropes. THe ref took a bump and Eagles fell outside.
DOUKI grabbed a chair. The referee took it away from him but DOUKI shoved the ref and he took another bump on the floor. DOUKI whipped Eagles into the barricade and choked him with his steel pipe.
Eagles made a comeback with a running elbow to the back of the head, a lariat and double knees in the corner for a series of near falls.
Eagles went for a 450 to the leg, the setup for his Miller Special submission. DOUKI caught him in a triangle on landing. Eagles fought to the ropes to force a break. Eagles blocked Daybreak. DOUKI blocked Turbo Backpack.
Eagles hit a series of high kicks. DOUKI cut him off with a counter lariat. DOUKI then hit Daybreak for a near fall. DOUKI called for Suplex de la Luna. Eagles rolled through and used a jackknife cover for two.
DOUKI tried a clever sugar hold into a cradle for a two count. Eagles hit Turbo Backpack, the 450, then locked on the Miller Special and DOUKI tapped.
World Tag League: Taichi & Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI (10:30)
These guys had a banger that went over 30 minutes last time they faced each other. This was not that, but that match played into this one as both teams were able to block key moves due to their familiarity.
Goto and Taichi began. Taichi stalled, then used underhanded tactics to cut Goto off. Sabre and Taichi worked Goto over. Goto came back with a double lariat and tagged out.
YH and Taichi had a nice exchange. YH dodged Taichi’s jumping high kick in the corner. Taichi hit an axe bomber and tagged out.
YH went for a bunker buster but Sabre turned it into a guillotine. YH powered out and hit a vertical suplex. Goto jumped in for a double team. YH hit a headhunter.
All four guys were in. Each team blocked the other’s tandem finisher. Taichi took Goto to the corner with an illegal choke. Sabre used the opportunity to roll YH up and escape with the pin.
Best of the Super Jrs.: SHO defeated BUSHI (10:19)
This was the best match of the night so far. Nothng spectacular, but ten solid minutes of two great professionals telling a story.
SHO got the best of the first exchange of the match and hit a shoulder block. BUSHI rolled outside and blocked an attack of the apron. BUSHI sent SHO into the barricade. After a countout tease, SHO made it back in at 19.
BUSHI used an STF. SHO sold his back and neck after breaking the hold. SHO hit a spear for a two count. SHO went after BUSHI’s left arm, wrenching away on it. BUSHI came back and hit a pair of basement dropkicks and a tope suicida.
After a striking battle, BUSHI tried for a codebreaker. SHO blocked and used an armbar before attacking the left arm again. SHO hit a power breaker for a two count.
SHO then immediately hit Shock Arrow for the pin.
World Tag League: EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi (w/Dick Togo) defeated SANADA & Shingo Takagi (12:20)
This was excellent whenever Shingo was in. He was determined to drag EVIL and Yujiro to a good match. He wasn’t in much, unfortunately.
Bullet Club used a jumpstart attack before the bell. Shingo and SANADA initially fought it off. Shingo and EVIL had an electric exchange. Bullet Club then turned it into a brawl on the floor. Abe the ring announcer took a bump, the new spot in every EVIL match.
SANADA ended up back inside and cut off. Yujiro and EVIL took turns in working him over. Shngo got a hot tag and ran wild with corner lariats. Shingo hit a pumping bomber on EVIL. SANADA got a tag and was cut off. EVIL hit a powerbomb for a two count.
SANADA blocked Everything is EVIL. Shingo jumped in for the double team. SANADA hit a TKO for a near fall.
SANADA used a spinning Skull End. Togo jumped on the apron with a ligature and choked SANADA while Yujiro took the ref.
SANADA broke free of Togo and used Skull End again. Yujiro jumped in for the save. EVIL hit a low blow and Everything is EVIL for the pin.
Best of the Super Jrs.: Ryusuke Taguchi defeated El Desperado (12:35)
This was a lot of fun. They worked a Taguchi match, completely built around the stuff that he does in every match.
Taguchi did some comedy right away, teasing that he blew himself up after his stretching routine. Taguchi then blew Desperado up with a series of drop-downs.
Taguchi got cut off after missing a hip attack. He came back with three amigos but missed a bomaye. Desperado used a stretch muffler but Taguchi reached the ropes. Taguchi then hit a bomaye.
Taguchi went for Dodon but Desperado pulled the ref in the way. Taguchi blocked a low blow. Taguchi blocked Pinche Loco. Desperado blocked another Dodon attempt.
For the finish, Taguchi tried for Dodon. Desperado blocked. Taguchi went for a cradle. Desperado reversed the cradle. Taguchi reversed the reversal and held on for the 1-2-3.
World Tag League: Juice Robinson & David Finlay defeated Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa (w/Jado) (16:43)
This was a very good match. All action. There were a couple of spots where their timing was off, probably from not working regularly, but that’s a nitpick.
First, some aesthetics. Tama Tonga has cut off his hair and shaved. Finlay looks like he has leaned out some.
Tama Tonga and Juice began. They did some crowd work and a very basic opening sequence. Finlay tagged in and useda chinlock. Loa tagged in and Juice was cut off by GoD. Finlay got a hot tag and ran wild. before he was cut off as well.
GoD worked Finlay over on the outside, sending him into the barricade. Tonga took a shot at Juice on the apron and continued working on Finlay with a series of strikes. Tonga used a nice snap suplex for a near fall.
Loa got a tag and hit a slingshot senton for a two count. Juice fired the crowd up on the apron while he waited for a hot tag. Finlay hit a diving uppercut forearm and made that hot tag.
Juice ran wild with spinebusters. He hit a cannonball in the corner on Loa, a series of jabs, then a standing dropkick. Jado interfered from the floor and got taken out with a baseball slide. Juice missed a diving attack off the top but rolled through. Loa hit a powerslam into a double down.
Tonga got a tag. Tonga and Loa hit a Tongan Twist for a near fall on Juice. Finlay interfered and got hit with one as well. Tonga missed a splash in the corner and ran into a double flapjack for two.
Finlay and Juice tried a Hart Attack but Loa saved and speared Finlay. Juice kicked out of a Magic Killer. Tonga hit a huge splash in the corner. Finlay saved and hit a top rope superplex on Loa. Juice hit Loa with a top rope splash.
Jado jumped on the apron and ate a Left Hand of God. Juice and Finlay hit a Doomsday Device and Juice pinned Loa.
Best of the Super Jrs.: Hiromu Takahashi defeated Taiji Ishimori (20:06)
This was not a safe match but it was incredibly compelling. Both guys took a beating, but Hiromu in particular took several bumps on his head and neck that were terrifying. If you can set that aside, this was a great match.
They charged each other like rams at the opening bell. Ishimori tried to set up a sliding German but Hiromu blocked, then hit a shotgun dropkick off the apron. Hiromu hit a couple of chops on the floor.
They made it back inside but didn’t stay there for long. Hiromu tried a sunset bomb. Ishimori blocked and hit a powerbomb on the apron. They did a countout tease. Hiromu beat the count back in at 15.
Ishimori went after Hiromu’s neck with stomps and short kicks. Hiromu fired back with palm strikes to the chest. They traded forearm strikes, then corner clotheslines. Ishimori tried a handspring kick but Hiromu hit a powerbomb. Ishimori no-sold the powerbomb. Hiromu then hit a release German into the buckle.
They rolled to the apron. Hiromu teased a suplex on the apron. Ishimori blocked and hit a piledriver on the apron. Yikes. Hiromu sold this like he was nearly killed, and for all I know he might have been.
Ishimori tried a golden triangle moonsault off the post. Hiromu caught him and hit a falcon arrow on the floor. They teased a double countout but both made it back in at 19.
Hiromu hit an insane dropkick as Ishimori was about to hit the ropes. He followed up with a Dynamite Plunger for a two count. Ishimori hit a jumping knee strike. Hiromu connected with a rebound lariat for another near fall.
They traded lariats. Hiromu tried to take a flip bump off a lariat and landed right on his head. Ishimori hit a shoulder breaker and a lung blower for a near fall at the 15 minute call.
Ishimori used La Mistica to set up a Yes Lock. Hiromu tried to roll through but Ishimori kept the hold applied. Hiromu finally reached the ropes to force a break.
Hiromu blocked a Bloody Cross. Ishimori hit a lariat. Hiromu countered another Bloody Cross attempt with a pop-up powerbomb and a flatliner for two.
Ishimori hit a neckbreaker over his knee. Hiromu reversed another attempt into a DVD into the buckle. He hit a second DVD in the center of the ring.
Hiromu then hit Time Bomb and covered for the pin. What a war.
The entrants for this year’s NJPW World Tag League have been announced.
Several people will be making their return to the company after being gone due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Guerillas of Destiny, Toa Henare, and Bad Luck Fale will all be making their return on this tour.
It was announced that The Great O-Khan will team with a mystery partner, or “X”. It wasn’t made clear who that would be. O-Khan is part of The Empire stable along with Will Ospreay and Bea Preistley.
One notable team that will not be on the tour is TenKoji, Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyoshi Tenzan. This would be the first time since 2011 that the team won’t be competing in the tournament.
Here is the full list of participants for this year’s tournament. Opening day starts on November 15 in Aichi and will run through December 11 in the Nippon Budokan:
NJPW announced that both Best of the Super Juniors 27 and World Tag League 2020 tournaments will take place at the same time.
Both will start on November 15 at the Dolphins Arena in Aichi, with the finals of both tournaments taking place at the Nippon Budokan on December 11.
The company also said that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, they will limit the number of wrestlers participating in the tournaments. Furthermore, the World Tag League and Best of the Super Juniors tournaments will alternate on each night. The only nights where both tournaments will be on the same show will be opening night (November 15) and the final tournament matches prior to the finals (December 6).
The schedule is as follows:
November 15: Both World Tag Leauge and Best of the Super Juniors
November 16: World Tag League
November 18: Best of the Super Juniors
November 19: World Tag League
November 20: Best of the Super Juniors
November 22: World Tag League
November 23: Best of the Super Juniors
November 24: World Tag League
November 25: Best of the Super Juniors
November 28: World Tag League
November 29: Best of the Super Juniors
November 30: World Tag League
December 2: Best of the Super Juniors
December 4: World Tag League
December 5: Best of the Super Juniors
December 6: Best of the Super Juniors, World Tag League final tournament matches
December 11: World Tag League, Best of the Super Juniors finals
Best of the Super Juniors usually takes place in May. However, this year’s tour was cancelled as a result of the pandemic.
