NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW WTL x BOSJ Results & Report! (11/24/21)
BOSJ, Round 5!
Teammates become opponents up and down the card!
Chaos, Bullet Club, Suzuki-Gun, Los Ingobernables de Japon, those things don’t matter in the NJPW Best of the Super Juniors, only winning does!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 28: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Master Wato; Wato wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 28: Robbie Eagles VS YOH; Yoh wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 28: Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS SHO; wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 28: El Desperado VS Douki; Desperado wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 28: Taiji Ishimori VS El Phantasmo; Phantasmo wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 28: BUSHI VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the NEW BOSJ 28 standings!
SHO: 4-0, 8 points
Taiji Ishimori: 3-1, 6 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 3-1, 6 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 2-1-1, 5 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 2-2, 4 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-2, 4 points
Douki: 2-2, 4 points
Bushi: 2-2, 4 points
El Desperado: 1-2-1, 3 points
El Phantasmo: 1-3, 2 points
Master Wato: 1-3, 2 points
YOH: 0-4, 0 points
Best of the Super Juniors 28: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Master Wato!
Whether they’re Team 1 or 8 or Team 6 or 9, that is put aside. Only one can win here! Will it be the Funky Weapon or the Way of the Grand Master that is victorious?
The bell rings and fans rally up. Taguchi and Wato shakes hands and fans cheer the sportsmanship. The two circle, feel things out, and Wato tests the waters with a kick. Taguchi tests things with hip feints. Taguchi then shoots in, goes for a leg, but Wato gets around to a waistlock. Taguchi wrenches free, Wato rolls to wrench back. Taguchi rolls to wrench again and hammerlock. Wato reaches back to hook and wrench and hammerlock to a headlock takeover. Taguchi headscissors, Wato kips free and fans cheer the standoff. The two reset and go again. They tie up, Taguchi headlocks, but Wato throws body shots and powers out, only for Taguchi to run him over.
Things keep moving, Wato hurdles but Taguchi waistlocks. Wato elbows out, Taguchi hurdles to back elbow, uppercut and sobat! Taguchi uses Wato’s favorite combination against him! Taguchi strikes a martial arts pose and fans rally up. Wato gets up, Taguchi gives him point blank hip attacks. Taguchi then snapmares and hip attacks! Cover, TWO! Taguchi has a leg for a standing toehold but Wato endures. Taguchi drags Wato for a standing leg lock but Wato kicks with his free leg. Taguchi catches that to tie up the legs, but Wato gets the ropebreak. Taguchi holds onto the deathlock, unhooks at 4 but then hooks Wato back up.
The ref reprimands but Taguchi adds a bit more before fully letting off. Taguchi stomps Wato’s legs, drags him around to knee and elbow the leg, then apologizes as he cranks on the toehold. Wato gets the ropebreak, Taguchi lets off but then pulls on the leg again. The ref counts, Taguchi lets off and fans rally up. Taguchi drags Wato by his leg, gets both legs, but Wato’s already in the ropes with the Boston Crab! The ref counts, Taguchi lets go at 4. Taguchi then drops down on Wato, and again! Taguchi goes out to slingshot straddle attack! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up while Taguchi looms over Wato. Taguchi stomps Wato, and brings him up to CLUB him on the back.
Taguchi brings Wato around to whip to ropes. Wato holds ropes to avoid the hip attack then he boots and RANAS! Taguchi staggers up into a dropkick! Fans fire up as Wato builds speed and FLIES! The Tornillo takes Taguchi down at the railing! Fans fire up again as Wato rises. Wato drags Taguchi up and into the ring, then aims from the apron. Wato springboards but Taguchi gets under. Wato rolls and comes back but is put on the apron. Taguchi shoulders him then hip- NO! Wato dodges to KICK Taguchi in the butt! Then SPRINGBOARD FLYING UPPERCUT! Fans fire up with Wato and he waits on Taguchi to rise. Taguchi gets up and Wato fires off kicks!
Taguchi dodges the superkick but Wato KICKS his butt! Then SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Wato keeps his focus as fans rally up again. Taguchi sits up, ducks the buzzsaw and waistlocks but Wato switches. Taguchi reaches for ropes but Wato keep shim back. Taguchi elbows free, arm-drags then elbows Wato, to springboard FLYING ARM-DRAG! Wato goes out, Taguchi TRIANGLE JUMP PLANCHAS! Direct hit and now Wato is down! Fans rally up, Taguchi gets up and he brings Wato up. Taguchi spins Wato around and around to put him into the ring. Taguchi aims from the apron now and fans rally again. Taguchi springboards, MISSILE HIP! Cover, TWO!
Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style! “OHYA~!” BUMAYE! Cover, TWO! OH MY GARFUNKEL!! Wato endures, moves around, but Taguchi cranks the ankle lock! Wato stands up but Taguchi ducks the enziguri! Wato rolls to a cradle, TWO!! Taguchi is right up and he dropkicks Wato’s leg out! LA MAGI- NO! Wato rolls Taguchi up, TWO!! Wato hurries to Oklahoma Roll, TWO!! SCREW HIGH KICK! Taguchi staggers but he ENZIGURIS back! Both men are down and fans fire up! Taguchi and Wato sit up, and Taguchi throws a forearm. Wato throws it back, so Taguchi throws another. They go back and forth and stand up.
Fans rally as they pick up speed, Wato gets the edge, and then he reels Taguchi in. Taguchi comes back with more forearms! Wato staggers, Taguchi reels him in but Wato ROUNDHOUSES! Wrench and hook, MOUSE TRAP DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Taguchi escapes and fans fire up! Wato drags Taguchi up, scoops, TTD! But Wato won’t cover here, he goes up the corner! R P P!! Cover, Wato wins!!
Winner: Master Wato, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taguchi earns 0)
Wato overcomes the Funky Weapon! It may only be his second win in this tournament, but will this help the Way of the Grandmaster reach new heights?
Best of the Super Juniors 28: Robbie Eagles VS YOH!
The Sniper of the Skies and Direct Drive are both part of Chaos, but only Eagles has tasted what it’s like to be THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Will Eagles head back towards that title? Or will Yoh finally kick it into gear and get on the board?
The bell rings and fans rally up. Eagles encourages them to get louder and faster and they do as he and Yoh circle. Eagles offers a handshake, Yoh takes it, and fans cheer the sportsmanship. The two tie up, Eagles gets the arm and wrenches to a wristlock. Yoh rolls, trips Eagles and has the leg for a standing toehold. Yoh drops an elbow on the leg, pulls on the toehold, but Eagles uses his leg to bring Yoh down. Eagles wants the armbar, Yoh rolls and gets his own armbar! Eagles rolls back and has the legs, but Yoh has the ropes. Eagles lets off and Yoh gets up. Eagles encourages the crowd more and points something out, but Yoh gets Eagles’ hand and wrenches.
Eagles drops and drags Yoh down to get the legs, then floats to a headlock. Yoh fights up, pries free to get a top wristlock and he wrangles Eagles down. Eagles rolls, Yoh wrenches him again, but Eagles uses ropes to flip through. Eagles wrenches, hammerlocks, spins, hits a leg takedown, then runs, but he fakes out Yoh’s drop down. Yoh still avoids the knee drop, and the fans cheer the standoff. Yoh and Eagles reset, feel out the grapple then Yoh kicks low! Yoh headlocks, Eagles powers out but Yoh runs him over. Things speed up, Eagles hurdles but Yoh waistlocks, shoves, drops but Eagles handsprings over. Yoh sidesteps to drop toehold and basement dropkick!
Fans rally as Yoh gets up. Eagles gets to the ropes, Yoh throws forearms. Yoh wrenches, whips, but Eagles holds ropes to block. Yoh keeps trying, he ROCKS Eagles with a forearm, then whips. Eagles reverses to go up and around and arm-drag! Eagles then ducks and dodges and RANAS Yoh, to then WHEEL KICK him down! Yoh bails out, fans fire up and Eagles fakes Yoh out to back flip off the ropes. Fans rally up, “EA-GLE-SU!” while Yoh paces. Yoh gets in, Eagles kicks and CHOPS him, then whips him to ropes. Yoh reverses and dropkicks! Eagles falls out, Yoh hurries and PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Eagles! Fans fire up with Yoh as he gets Eagles up.
Yoh CLUBS Eagles, Eagles goes to railing but Yoh throws a forearm. Eagles CHOPS, Yoh kicks low and CLUBS Eagles again. Yoh puts Eagles in, drags him up and turns him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Yoh keeps his cool while fans rally back up. Yoh drags Eagles up, snapmares, then wraps on a chinlock. Eagles endures the knee in his back and fights up as fans rally. Eagles throws elbows and gets free but Yoh kicks low. Yoh whips Eagles to a corner, Eagles goes up but Yoh puts him out. Yoh ROCKS Eagles, brings him up and has him on the ropes to EuroUpper down! Eagles goes to the floor, Yoh builds speed but Eagles gets in to CALF KICK!
Yoh bails out and Eagles builds speed! Eagles DIVES! They crash into the railing from Eagles’ somersault tope! Eagles clutches his legs but is okay to continue. A ring count starts while Eagles slowly rises and Yoh starts to stir. Eagles fires himself up, hobbles over and brings Yoh up to put in the ring. BLINDSIDE ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Eagles keeps his cool while fans rally back up. Yoh rises, Eagles kicks him, and KICKS, and KICKS! Yoh CHOPS, Eagles throws a forearm. Yoh CHOPS again, Eagles fires off KICKS! Eagles runs, Yoh goes Matrix to dodge! But Eagles blocks Yoh’s kick to trip him! Eagles steps in but Yoh kicks him away.
Eagles comes back, Yoh dodges and rallies with forearm smashes! Yoh whips, Eagles reverses but Yoh hits FLYING FOREARMS! Yoh kips up and fans fire up! Eagles goes to a corner, Yoh runs corner to corner but into an elbow. Eagles runs but Yoh elbows back. Yoh wrenches, Eagles throws a forearm. Yoh holds onto the wrist, he throws a forearm as Eagles ROUNDHOUSES! Both men fall but Eagles is first to sit up. Fans rally up as Yoh stirs and gets up. Eagles eggs him on, Yoh throws a forearm. Eagles hits Yoh back, so Yoh hits him again. Eagles forearms, Yoh staggers to ropes. Yoh comes back with another forearm, so Eagles hits again.
They build up speed as they go back and forth and the fans rally with them. Eagles KICKS Yoh’s leg out, then brings him up. Yoh throws boxing elbows! And an uppercut! Yoh runs, but into a BOOT! Yoh tumbles to the ropes, I’ll Be Back SUPERKICK! Eagles tumbles, I’ll Be Back Too! ROUNDHOUSE, SUPERKICK, PELE! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Eagles roars as he rises, STANDING SLICED- No, Yoh slips out and SUPERKICKS Eagles down! Fans fire up even more as both men are back down! Yoh rises first and roars, and then he brings Eagles up. Yoh underhooks the arms, but Eagles slips out, cravat, but no sliced bread!
Yoh suplexes, Eagles slips out to a waistlock. Yoh switches, Eagles elbows and hooks Yoh up but Yoh fights the backpack. Eagles fights the full nelson but Yoh SUPERKICKS him in the back of the head! Fans fire up as Eagles is down and Yoh powers up in the corner. Yoh roars again, he drags Eagles up and reels him in, full nelson, DRAONG SUPLEX! But Eagles manages to land on his feet?! Yoh runs in, Eagles goes up and over but Yoh boots him. Eagles 619’s the legs out, then springboards to missile dropkick the legs! SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Yoh is still in this and fans rally up! Eagles puts Yoh in a drop zone, staggers over to the corner and goes up top.
450, but Eagles catches Yoh’s knees! Eagles drops a knee on the knees! Eagles then drags Yoh around, steps through, but Yoh O’Conner Rolls for a FIVE STAR CLUTCH! YOH WINS!!
Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Eagles earns 0)
He’s done it! Yoh has gotten on the board in the blink of an eye! Does this mean there is hope for Direct Drive after all?
Best of the Super Juniors 28: Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS SHO!
The Heel Master is just behind the Murder Monster, but could take him from his top spot here tonight! Will the House of Torture have something to say about that? Or can Kanemaru get away with it before they hit the lights?
Kanemaru doesn’t even wait for his own entrance, he attacks Sho during his! Kanemaru takes the wrench! He throws it backstage, then stomps Sho down at the entry way! The ref reprimands, Kanemaru drags Sho to ringside and whips him into railing! Fans are fired up as Kanemaru puts Sho in the ring. The bell rings to finally get this on record. Kanemaru stomps Sho, drags him up by the ear, then whips him to ropes. Sho reverses but Kanemaru ducks and dodges to tilt-o-whirl and DDT! Kanemaru gets Sho up fast, scoops to BRITISH FALL! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as Kanemaru goes up the corner. Sho slowly rises, Kanemaru jumps, but into a FALLING ATOMIC DROP!
Both men are down, fans rally up, and Sho gets up and staggers over to Kanemaru. Sho brings Kanemaru up and rakes the eyes! The ref counts, Sho lets off to then dig his heels in. The ref counts, Sho lets off at 4. Sho complains about the ambush but that doesn’t excuse him here! Sho drags Kanemaru up, throws him out then whips him into railing. Kanemaru grits his teeth but Sho wrenches and whips him into more railing! Sho drags Kanemaru up, whips him back the other way and Kanemaru falls over! Sho goes back to the entry way to go find his wrench! The ref wants to confiscate it from him, but then Kanemaru dropkicks Sho’s legs out!
Kanemaru gets the wrench out of the way then drags Sho up to put him in the ring. Kanemaru drags Sho up, whips him to ropes, and dropkicks the leg out again! Sho clutches the knee, Kanemaru gets him up to hit a SHIN BREAKER! Kanemaru steps through, Sho tries to block, but Kanemaru powers through to get the FIGURE FOUR! Sho endures and fans fire up! Sho pries at the hold, but Kanemaru powers through again! Sho reaches, crawls, but Kanemaru drags him from the ropes! Fans rally harder while Sho still endures, but Sho gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Kanemaru lets Sho go at 4. Kanemaru stomps the legs while Sho writhes.
Kanemaru runs, but Sho SPEARS Kanemaru down! But Sho clutches his legs again, that took a lot to do. Sho shakes his legs to get feeling in them and he aims from a corner. Kanemaru sits up, Sho PENALTY KICKS the arm! Sho then gets the arm, drags Kanemaru down, DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Kanemaru endures now, moves around, and manages a ropebreak with a foot! Sho lets off but drags Kanemaru from the ropes to then wrench the arm. Sho KICKS, KICKS and SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Sho draws his bow and drags Kanemaru up. Double pump handles, but Kanemaru slips out to stomp the bad leg! Suplex to BRAINBUSTER! Fans fire up as both men are down!
Kanemaru crawls to the cover, TWO! Kanemaru drags Sho back up, suplexes, but Sho slips out! Sho shoves Kanemaru at the ref! Sho runs, but Kanemaru gets the ref and himself out of the way, so that he can shove the ref at Sho! Sho sends the ref at Kanemaru but Kanemaru moves out of the way! The ref tumbles, Kanemaru blocks the low blow! Kanemaru drags Sho to a victory roll, AND WINS!!
Winner: Yoshinobu Kanemaru, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sho earns 0)
No one is more shocked than Sho that this has happened! Kanemaru proved why he’s the Heel Master, but will he be Best of the Super Juniors? Wait, Sho CLOBBERS Kanemaru with a clothesline! And then he fetches his wrench! Sho takes aim, but Kanemaru ducks! LOW BLOW! And then he gets his whiskey to sprinkle some on Sho! Will Kanemaru be unstoppable now that he’s he’s on top of the block?
Best of the Super Juniors 28: El Desperado VS Douki!
It’s Suzuki-Gun VS Suzuki-Gun again as the Rogue Luchador takes on Japones Del Mal! Desperado’s been struggling, will Douki get a win over the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion?
The bell rings and fans rally up as the two stare down. Douki and Desperado circle, tie up, break then tie up again. Desperado waistlocks, ripcords, wristlocks then arm-drags to shoulder bump and run. Douki hurdles, Desperado rolls through the hip toss and side steps Douki. Douki ducks the leg lariat and Desperado arm-drags! Douki arm-drags back, Desperado sweeps the legs and rolls Douki back, but Douki reaches up to headscissor Desperado out! Fans fire up as Douki waits in the ring. Desperado cools off as he paces outside, and then he gets back in to circle with Douki. They tie up, Douki hits a judo throw to an arm-drag, then has the cording hold.
Desperado endures as Douki shifts to a top wristlock. Desperado fights up, stomps Douki’s foot, hooks him around and wrangles him down to a cording hold. Douki fights up, Desperado wrenches to a wristlock, but Douki uses ropes to flip through and wrench back. Douki hammerlocks, Desperado reaches back to flying-mare! Douki boots from the ropes, Desperado comes back but Douki does the splits! Desperado tumbles out, Douki wrecking ball dropkicks, then goes to the apron. Desperado blocks the mule kick to trip Douki! Douki hits apron on the way down, and Desperado gets Douki’s pipe! The ref gets Desperado to let go of the pipe, but Douki comes back with forearms.
Desperado CHOPS Douki off his feet! The ring count starts, Desperado drags Douki up and into the ring. Desperado taunts Douki then stomps him. Desperado gets the leg for a KNEE JAMMER! Douki clutches the leg but Desperado gets it for a standing toehold. Douki endures, crawls, but Desperado YANKS the leg then splashes down on it! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up while Desperado paces. Desperado digs his heel into the leg, but Douki CHOPS. Desperado shrugs that off and eggs Douki on. Douki CHOPS more, and that one Desperado felt. Desperado DECKS Douki, covers, TWO! Fans rally up but Desperado says, “No, no, no.”
Desperado throws Douki out and then whips him into railing! Desperado goes back to the ring and a ring count starts. Douki is down but fans rally up. Douki drags himself over to ringside at 13, Desperado taunts him, Douki gets in at 19! Desperado puts the bad leg on the ropes to STRADDLE ATTACK! Then he ties the legs up in BUTTERFLY DEATHLOCK! Douki endures, CHOPS Desperado, and Desperado “falls” back, adding more pressure to the hold! Desperado taunts Douki as he reaches for ropes, and he gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Desperado tells Douki to shut up, and then “Oops!” he drops back on the hold as he lets off.
Fans rally up, Desperado gets the leg but Douki fights the shin breaker. Desperado knees low, brings Douki up but Douki sunset flips! TWO, and Desperado kicks low. Desperado runs but Douki somersaults for a back body block! Fans rally up as Douki gets his bad leg moving. Desperado goes to a corner, Douki runs in corner to corner, and clotheslines! Snapmare and Douki climbs up, to missile dropkick! Douki gets Desperado up to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, Douki gets Desperado up but Desperado blocks the backslide and knees low. Douki throws a forearm! Desperado kicks the bad leg! But he runs into the Gory Especial!
Desperado fights free, and he gets Douki in the Gory Especial, for the Gory Especial stretch! Douki endures as Desperado bends him back, and gets a backslide! TWO, but now he’s in a reverse surfboard stretch! Douki powers up to sunset flip, TWO! Douki gets the Gory Especial for DOTON NO JUTSU! Cover, TWO!! Desperado survives but fans fire up as both men are down. Douki drags himself to the apron, takes aim as Desperado stands, but Desperado dropkicks the legs out! Douki falls to the floor, Desperado runs and DIVES into a kick! Desperado tumbles down now and Douki gets back up on the apron. Fans fire up as Douki ASAI MOONSAULTS!
Both men are down on the outside and fans fire up! A ring count starts, and it reaches 10 of 20 before Douki gets up. Douki drags Desperado up and in at 13, then takes aim from the apron. Desperado stands, Douki slingshots, DAYBREAK! Cover, TWO! Desperado survives and fans fire up as Douki gets back up. Douki calls his shot and drags Desperado into the wheelbarrow. But Desperado arm-drags free and hits a SPIENBUSTER! Float over to the gut wrench, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Both men are down again and fans fire up! Desperado roars and he drags Douki back up. Desperado underhooks but Douki slips out to monkey flip! Roll back and ITALIAN STRECH #32!!
Desperado is caught as Douki pulls back on the hold! Desperado moves around but he’s fading! Desperado gets a second wind and he fights up, but Douki rolls him. Desperado slips out to get the STRETCH MUFFLER! Douki endures, reaches out, but Desperado drags him away! Douki rolls Desperado to a cradle! TWO!! Desperado has the leg, GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Then back to STRETCH MUFFLER! Desperado gets an arm, NUMERO DOS! Douki reaches out, Desperado rolls him away from ropes! NUMERO DOS PLUS!! Douki taps, Desperado wins!
Winner: El Desperado, by submission (gains 2 points; Douki earns 0)
A valiant effort from Douki, but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion still wins! Will the Rogue Luchador keep on this hard road until he’s proven he’s the Best of the Super Juniors?
Best of the Super Juniors 28: Taiji Ishimori VS El Phantasmo!
Not only is this Bullet Club VS Bullet Club, but “The Cutest Tag Team” is facing off! Will Bone Soldier Reborn stay near the top of the block? Or will The Headbanga start climbing back up?
ELP is already checking around the ring, but for what? True, he isn’t wearing his LED jacket, so could it have been misplaced? ELP asks Taiji about it, but Taiji knows nothing about it. But at least they’re both wearing their Cutest Tag Team shirts. The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. ELP takes his shirt off, so Taiji does the same. They approach, but neither feels like making the first move. Fans rally up and the two work up the courage to approach, but still don’t tie up. ELP gets fans on a “E! L P!” rhythm, the two of them approach, but they still can’t tie up. The ref insists they do something, and fans go with a more normal “E L P!” rhythm. ELP and Taiji finally tie up!
They go around, and ELP says, “Oh you’re so strong!” as Taiji puts him on the ropes. Taiji lets off cleanly with some shoulder pats. Fans cheer the sportsmanship and ELP likes it, too. ELP and Taiji circle, they tie up again, and ELP powers Taiji to ropes now. ELP lets off cleanly, and copies Kazuchika Okada in a way as he fakes punch and still pats shoulders. But then ELP gets a headlock! Taiji powers out, they ram shoulders, and neither falls! Taiji runs, they ram shoulders again, and ELP winds up, to poke Taiji in the eye and trip him! ELP flexes and kisses the biceps before he runs. Taiji drops, hurdles, ELP leaps over, but Taiji trips to cover, ONE!
ELP sweeps to cover, ONE! Double dropkicks cancel out and both men handspring up! They both aim finger guns and fans fire up. ELP offers a handshake and says, “Sportsmanship.” Taiji takes the handshake and then stomps ELP’s foot! ELP crumbles, and wait! Could he have been looking for thing that’s “not” in his boot? Did Taiji take “that?” Taiji walks awkwardly and ELP points at him, but Taiji knocks him down. Taiji adjusts his boot, ELP hobbles up and hops on one foot, but Taiji CLAWS his back! ELP CLAWS Taiji’s back in return! So Taiji CLAWS ELP again! ELP CLAWS Taiji’s chest! ELP then calls time-out, no more scratching. Taiji agrees, and throws a forearm!
ELP forearms back, so Taiji forearms again. ELP forearms, Taiji forearms, repeat. ELP throws many forearms, powers up, but Taiji DOUBLE PURPLE NURPLES! So ELP DOUBLE PURPLE NURPLES in return! The ref counts, both men let go at 4. ELP throws a haymaker, runs, but Taiji mule kicks! ELP crumbles again and falls out of the ring! Taiji checks his boot while fans rally up. A ring count starts, ELP stands at 5 of 20, but he leans against railing. ELP staggers over to the ring, rolls in at 13, and goes to a corner. Taiji walks over and scoops ELP to put him in the Tree of Woe. Taiji goes corner to corner as fans rally up , and he runs in, to stand on ELP’s groin!
The ref counts, Taiji lets off at 4 and ELP falls out of the Tree. Fans rally up and Taiji cravats ELP for a snapmare and NECK TWIST! Fans rally up, Taiji covers, ONE!! ELP CHOPS from the mat, Taiji DECKS him. Taiji drags ELP up, bumps him off buckles, then whips corner to corner. ELP reverses, Taiji slips out, slides under, goes back out and shoulder sin. Taiji springboards, ELP get sunder to then go up and over. ELP ducks and dodges to springboard CROSSBODY, to a LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! ELP and Taiji slowly rise, ELP throws haymakers and DOUBLE CHOP! Then he atomic drops! ELP scoops and SLAMS Taiji to a drop zone, then hops up to drop an ax handle! Cover, TWO!
ELP keeps his cool, then tunes up in the corner. But he doesn’t have the thing, and ELP finally puts it together! “You son of a bitch!” He storms over to Taiji but gets caught in a cradle! TWO! ELP kicks low then whips, but Taiji reverses. Taiji runs in but blocks boots to put ELP in the ropes! ENZIGURI to SLIDING GERMAN! Fans fire up as Taiji goes back to the apron. Taiji jumps right up top and then leaps again, FLYING CODE BREAKER! ELP is down and Taiji goes back up, MOONSAULT flops as ELP moves! ELP staggers over, drags Taiji back up, but Taiji blocks the suplex. ELP blocks the suplex, straitjacket torture racks, but Taiji slips out!
ELP whips Taiji, Taiji ducks to handspring and NEURALIZER! Both men are down but fans rally up. Taiji gets up and staggers over to ELP. Taiji straitjacket torture racks! He steals the SPINNING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up and Taiji drags ELP back up. Taiji also tucks the arms, but ELP fights off CR II! Taiji sunset flips through the back drop but ELP rolls through that to high stack, dead lift, and step through! STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Taiji survives and ELP is furious! ELP drags Taiji up, gut wrenches, and he steals CIPHER UTAKI! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as Taiji survives his own move, but ELP drags Taiji up!
ELP reels Taiji in, tucks the arms, CR- RANA! Cover, TWO!! ENZIGURI! Taiji flops against ropes, fans fire up and ELP takes aim. BANG and V-TRIGGER! ELP reels Taiji in to Electric Chair lift! Taiji fights out, and hops back on to POISON-RANA! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and fans fire up again! Taiji hobbles, drags ELP back up, gut wrenches, but ELP fights to get Taiji up! CIPHER- ROLLING TOMBSTONE?!? Taiji counters his move and almost destroys his tag partner! Taiji crawls to the cover, ROPEBREAK!! ELP saves himself by a foot and fans are thunderous! Taiji goes to a corner, gets the “not” loaded boot set right and he tunes up the band!
ELP slowly rises, Taiji aims, SUDDEN- But he can’t bring himself to do it?! ELP gets Taiji for a cradle, ELP wins!!
Winner: El Phantasmo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taiji earns 0)
The Bone Soldier showed mercy and paid for it! The Headbanga didn’t need “that” in his boot to win, will he take the block without tricks?
Best of the Super Juniors 28: BUSHI VS Hiromu Takahashi!
Los Ingobernables de Japon closes out the night as Black Mask takes on Ticking Timebomb! Will Bushi break through? Or will Hiromu redeem himself for the time limit draw?
Tetsuya Naito joins commentary to watch this match, while also keeping his promise to Milano Collection AT to hang out today. Hiromu spots Naito on commentary and hands him the scrapbook. Naito takes it, to dump it over his shoulder, much to the despair of Milano. Hiromu gets mad at Naito so he tells him to leave, and even throws his big fluffy jacket at him. The bell rings and the two rush at each other. They each dodge, Hiromu blocks a kick to rake eyes! Hiromu whips, Bushi reverses and hurdles but Hiromu waistlocks, shoves, runs, but Bushi dodges to roll off Hiromu’s back! Hiromu dropkicks Bushi’s leg out! Then he comes in to RANA! Bushi bails out and fans fire up!
Hiromu goes to the apron and leaps, but Bushi dodges. Bushi kicks, whips but Hiromu reverses and Bushi hits railing! Bushi falls, Hiromu goes to the apron and leaps to SHOTGUN Bushi into railing! Fans rally while Hiromu looks at Naito. Naito just ignores him so Hiromu puts Bushi in the ring. Hiromu drags Bushi up, suplexes, but Bushi slips out. Hiromu elbows him away but then Bushi bails out as Hiromu runs. Hiromu builds speed but Bushi moves, so Hiromu rolls back and sits down, only to get a basement dropkick! Bushi takes off his shirt to choke Hiromu! Bushi throws Hiromu out, fans fire up and Bushi builds speed, but Hiromu ducks, so Bushi rolls back to taunt him.
Hiromu catches his breath, gets in, and Bushi kicks low. Bushi CHOPS Hiromu, whips him corner to corner but Hiromu reverses to clothesline! Hiromu runs to basement dropkick! Fans rally up and Hiromu stomps Bushi down. Hiromu puts Bushi on ropes and chokes him! Red Shoes counts, Hiromu lets off at 4, and Bushi flops down. Hiromu drags Bushi out and RAMS him into railing! Hiromu whips Bushi into more railing, then paces. Hiromu drags Bushi up, puts him on the apron and hooks him up in the ropes, then runs to DRIVE-BY DROPKICK! Fans fire up as Hiromu goes in to cover, TWO!
Hiromu drags Bushi around and wraps him up in a half straitjacket camel clutch! Bushi endures, fans rally up, and Bushi crawls over. Hiromu pulls back harder, but Bushi reaches out with his one free arm to get the ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets off, fans rally up, and Hiromu drags Bushi up. Bushi blocks the suplex, wrenches out but Hiromu swings into a clinch, BACKSTABBER! Both men are down, fans rally up and Red Shoes checks. They’re both okay, Bushi sits up first. Bushi drags Hiromu up, Hiromu forearms back! Bushi forearms Hiromu, so Hiromu gives it back. They go back and forth, Hiromu gets the edge but Bushi hits again!
Bushi ROCKS Hiromu, runs in at the corner, but Hiromu dodges! Hiromu comes back but into a BOOT! Bushi goes up, and FLYING RANAS! Fans fire up as Hiromu runs, but into Bushi’s spin and DDT! Fans continue to rally up, Bushi gets up first. Bushi drags Hiromu up, puts him on the ropes and CLUBS him. Bushi goes to a corner to dropkick Hiromu down! Bushi drags Hiromu up through the ropes but Hiromu fights back with a shoulder and SUPERKICK! Bushi runs and sunset flips, but Bushi holds ropes to then RANA Hiromu into railing! Fans fire up and Bushi goes back into the ring. Bushi builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Hiromu hits railing!
Red Shoes checks but Hiromu is okay to continue. A ring count starts, Bushi stands at 5 of 20 to stomp Hiromu. Bushi drags Hiromu up at 13 of 20 to put him in at 15. Fans cheer and rally up again as Bushi drags Hiromu up. FISHERMAN- no screw as Hiromu slips out! Hiromu spins Bushi around to RANA Bushi, and uses it for D! Bushi is stuck in the triangle hold, fans rally up as he endures. Hiromu squeezes tight, Bushi crawls back but Hiromu rolls him away from the ropes! Hiromu pulls Bushi in as deep as he can, but Bushi still reaches out. Bushi crawls, and he gets the ropebreak with a foot! Red Shoes counts, Hiromu lets Bushi go, and fans rally while they’re both down.
Hiromu grins as he stands, and he drags Bushi up. Hiromu fireman’s carries but Bushi slips off so Hiromu tries a suplex. Bushi fights that, ducks Hiromu’s superkick, but Hiromu ducks the enziguri! Hiromu waistlocks, Bushi switches, Hiromu elbows free but runs into an ENZIGURI! Bushi gets back up but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu fires up and runs, but he stops the Code Breaker to SHOTGUN point blank! But Bushi roars and rises, into Hiromu’s LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Both men are down and fans fire back up! Hiromu crawls over to Bushi, drags him up, fireman’s carries, but Bushi slips out again, so Hiromu dragon sleepers! Bushi fights that to a FISHERMAN SCREW!
Both men are down again, fans fire up and Bushi crawls over. Bushi gets Hiromu back up, reels him in, CANADIAN DESTROYER!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and fans rally more! Bushi goes to a corner, drags himself up the ropes, and calls his shot. Hiromu stands, gets under MX to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly Bushi into buckles! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Hiromu crawls over, drags Bushi up, fireman’s carry, but Bushi fights and gets to the apron. Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu then runs to SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!! Fans are fired up again as Red Shoes checks on them. They’re both okay so a ring count starts.
Hiromu rises first, smiling as he leans against railing at 11 of 20. He hobbles over to Bushi, gets him up and in at 17, then brings him up to a fireman’s carry. CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Hiromu fires up and fans are with him! He drags Bushi back up, fireman’s carries again, through! So Hiromu suplexes, but Bushi slips through! So Hiromu suplexes, only for Bushi to knee free! Hiromu SUPERKICKS again! Bushi rises, Hiromu runs, but Bushi uses Red Shoes as a shield! BLACK MIST!! And then LA MAGISTROL!! TWO!!! Hiromu survives but he’s still blinded by the mist! Bushi runs in, CODE BREAKER! Hiromu gets up, Bushi runs in, CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO!!
Fans fire up as Bushi goes back to the corner. Bushi climbs up, calls for it, M- CODE BREAKER from Hiromu!! Hiromu counters Bushi with his own move! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Hiromu crawls, he and Bushi slowly rise. They go for each other, Bushi throws a forearm. Hiromu forearms back, so Bushi forearms him again. Hiromu throws another forearm, Bushi forearms again. Hiromu roars as the two stand and the forearms keep flying! Hiromu staggers to but he hits Bushi again. Bushi fires off more forearms, kicks, Hiromu ducks the enziguri but the heel kick hits! Hiromu SUPERKICKS, scoops, and spins to the DYNAMITE PLUNGER!
Fans fire up as Hiromu gets Bushi back up, suplex to VICTORIA! Cover, TWO!! Bushi is still in this and fans fire up! Hiromu shouts at Bushi, powers up, runs, but Bushi catches the lariat to a backslide with bridge! BUSHIROLL! TWO!! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Hiromu gets Bushi up, runs and HIORMU-CHAN BOMBERS again!! Hiromu roars, drags Bushi back up, dragon sleeper, TIME BOMB II!! Cover, Hiromu wins!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Bushi earns 0)
The battle is over and Hiromu is on top! He finally gets to wash the black mist from his eyes and face, too! Will Bushi manage to recover from this? As for Hiromu, he gets the mic but rests on the mat. “Bushi-san, that mist… Do you hate me? Did I do something to you?” His face hasn’t stopped tingling from that poison mist. He’s worried about what’s in it. He’s kinda scared. Will he wake up covered in spots or something? He’s getting really worried. Hiromu then looks to Naito on commentary, and thanks him for being here while busy with World Tag League. Naito bows politely, despite what he did to Hiromu’s stuff. Hiromu forgives him for that, by the way.
Naito and Sanada are winning, right? Naito’s so confident in the team, that’s why he’s here on commentary, right? Hiromu vows to make the finals, too. Not only that, but Hiromu vows to be the main event! The Juniors will main event! And of course Hiromu is going to go back-to-back! “Everyone! Isn’t it crazy that the Super Juniors and World Tag League aren’t even halfway yet? This series will keep going strong, keep getting hotter.” Hiromu wants to keep having more, more, more, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE…! Fun with everyone~! Mic drop from the Ticking Timebomb, but will his literally odd number of points be able to carry him to the top?
Here are the NEW BOSJ 28 standings!
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 4-1, 8 points
SHO: 4-1, 8 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 3-1-1, 7 points
Taiji Ishimori: 3-2, 6 points
El Desperado: 2-2-1, 5 points
Master Wato: 2-3, 4 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 2-3, 4 points
El Phantasmo: 2-3, 4 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-3, 4 points
Douki: 2-3, 4 points
Bushi: 2-3, 4 points
YOH: 1-4, 2 points
My Thoughts:
What a wild round! Great stuff because the majority of the matches were about teammates/friends facing each other. Wato winning was a bit of a surprise, as was Yoh winning. I suppose Yoh couldn’t actually go that long without a win. Kanemaru VS Sho was great stuff because Kanemaru was ready for everything Sho was going to try, and he gets the win to ruin Sho’s streak! Desperado and Douki have a strong match, but it was clear Desperado was going to win. Taiji VS ELP was great for how Taiji turned things around on ELP by taking his boot weight, but I’m surprised ELP still won out.
And of course, Bushi VS Hiromu was awesome, and it was definitely a surprise for Bushi to use the mist on Hiromu. Hiromu having that tie with Desperado could be a good plot point, no pun intended, and could be what costs him being a finalist or could be what helps him inch out someone else. LIJ sweeping the tournaments would be pretty awesome, though.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Once more around the round robin!
Best of the Super Juniors returns, yet Douki chooses not to compete! Who proves they’re “second best” to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS Jakob Austin Young; Taiji wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: SHO VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Daiki Nagai; Taguchi wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: YOH VS Hyo; Hyo wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Robbie X VS Nick Wayne; Nick wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Robbie Eagles; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Master Wato VS Titan; Titan wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: El Desperado VS Daisuke Sasaki; Daisuke wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Francesco Akira; Fujita wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS Jakob Austin Young!
The Bone Soldier and #DangerousJAY get to set the tone for the first round with this opening match. Will Taiji be victorious #ByGrace? Or will he fall off Jakob’s Ladder?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The two tie up, Jakob headlocks, but Taiji puts him on ropes. The ref counts, Taiji backs off, and the fans cheer the clean break. Taiji and Jakob go again, feel things out, then clinch. Jakob puts Taiji on the ropes, the ref calls the break, but Jakob gives a quick body jab. The fans boo but Jakob tells them to shut up. The two circle again, tie up, and Jakob headlocks. Taiji powers up and out but Jakob RUNS him over! Things keep moving, Taiji drops down, hurdles over, but Jakob waistlocks. Taiji fires elbows, then runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Jakob tumbles, Taiji DROPKICKS him out!
The fans fire up as Taiji builds speed, but he tiger feints as Jakob moves! The fans cheer again, and then Taiji PLANCHAS! Down goes Jakob and the fans fire up again! Taiji goes back for Jakob, puts him in the ring, then covers, TWO! Jakob is tougher than that but Taiji stays close. Taiji cravats to snapmare Jakob, then NECK TWIST! Jakob writhes but the fans applaud, and Taiji stalks Jakob. Taiji CLUBS Jakob, ROCKS him with a right, but the ref reprimands about closed fists. Taiji wrenches and whips Jakob to a corner, then runs up, but Jakob puts Taiji on the apron. Jakob RAMS low, then pulls Taiji through the ropes, NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT!
The fans applaud Jakob’s creativity while Taiji slumps down. Jakob builds speed to WRECK Taiji with a dropkick! Jakob says crowns up, then he fetches Taiji. Jakob SMACKS Taiji off the apron, the ref reprimands, but Jakob puts Taiji in the ring. Jakob mocks the fans applauding, then slides into the ring. Cover, TWO! Jakob stomps Taiji while he argues the count. Jakob taunts Taiji, pats him on the head, but Taiji fires CHOPS! Jakob eggs Taiji on so Taiji CHOPS again! Jakob felt that one, but he dodges the lariat to wrench and spin Taiji around, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Taiji survives.
Jakob stands Taiji up, suplexes, but Taiji slips free. Taiji ducks a shot to then CLAW the eyes! Taiji whips, Jakob reverses, but Taiji handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK! Down goes Jakob and the fans applaud. Taiji and Jakob rise, Taiji runs in at the corner, and he DOUBLE KNEES! Then Taiji fireman’s carries, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Basement SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Taiji waits on Jakob while we pass five minutes. Jakob rises, Taiji runs up, LA MYST- NO, Jakob blocks to THROW Taiji down! Then dragon sleeper for the SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO! Taiji survives and the fans fire up again!
Jakob frowns as he storms back over to Taiji. Jakob grabs the legs, steps through, but Taiji kicks and kicks. Taiji kicks free, but Jakob SLIDING KNEES! Cover, TWO! Jakob argues with the ref again but the ref defends his count. Taiji stirs but Jakob brings him up. Jakob cravats, goes to the corner, but Taiji slips free! BUCKLE SHOT! The fans cheer while Jakob sputters in the corner. Taiji rises again, and the fans rally as he brings Jakob up. Taiji whips but Jakob blocks! Taiji wrenches the arm to YANK it! Jakob falls to his knees but Taiji stands him up. Hammerlock, scoop, and SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Jakob survives.
Taiji stays focused and he brings Jakob up. Taiji ripcords, LA MYSTI- NO, Jakob slips free! Jakob CHOPS, Taiji CHOPS, but Jakob ROCKS Taiji with a forearm! Jakob runs, but Taiji is up to JUMP KNEE! The fans fire up again and Taiji calls his shot! Taiji hauls Jakob up, gut wrenches, and CIPHER UT- NO, Jakob catches it to a cover, TWO! Taiji victory rolls, TWO! Taiji ducks ‘n’ dodges, LA MYSTICA! BONE LOCK!! Jakob flails, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him to center! Jakob TAPS, Taiji wins!
Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by submission (gains 2 points; Jakob earns 0)
The tone is set, and it is Unbound! Will that be exactly how Taiji’s run goes? Or will he still fall short of his first BOSJ trophy?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: SHO VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
Wait, wait, wait. Douki choosing to stay out of this tournament is one thing, but the Murder Machine and Heel Master facing each other in the first round? Well, the fix is in already, but who will help the other get an easy win?
Well, since they’re both House of Torture, no one attacks the other. And it seems they’re both out here alone, if only for now. Wait, Sho grabs the mic. “This is a battle of two of the absolute best Junior Heavyweights. And it is a disgrace that this incredible match is only second on the card. The power balance of this division is so screwed up. But to make sure this makes everyone regrets this, Kanemaru-san, you and I are gonna have the best match of this entire tournament! And we know we’re not coming out of this unscathed. This will be a Match of the Year contender!
“And all these country bumpkins in Tokyo will see the best match of their entire lives, even though they don’t deserve it! This should be in the Tokyo Dome with a minimum buy-in of 100 MILLION Yen! Kanemaru-san, I don’t want to hurt you. But let’s have a great match, and as your kouhai, you’ll do me a solid and lie down.” Kanemaru agrees to a fair match, the two “put one out” together, and then the bell rings. Kanemaru already lies down!? Finger Poke of Doom 2026! Sho applauds, the fans clap along, and Kanemaru snatches Sho into the victory roll! TWO!! Kanemaru bails out and Sho is upset! Kanemaru argues the count while the fans laugh at Sho!
Sho is upset, he raises the ref’s hand, then he grabs Kanemaru’s bottle of whiskey! The ref and Sho fight over the bottle, but Kanemaru slithers in, and he’s holding Sho’s wrench! Kanemaru sneaks the Torture Tool into Sho’s waistband, and then shoves him around. The ref sees the wrench in Sho’s pants! Now they argue over the wrench! Kanemaru rolls Sho up, TWO! Headlock takeover, TWO! Trip and jackknife bridge, TWO!! The fans cheer Kanemaru for how close he got! Sho is still beside himself but Kanemaru bails out. Kanemaru goes around the outside, Sho chases him and says how dare he mess around!
Sho round the corner, Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Kanemaru SMASHES the leg off the floor! Then FIGURE FOUR! The fans cheer but a ring count climbs! Sho flails, reaches out, but Kanemaru holds until 12 of 20! Kanemaru leaves Sho behind, but Sho grabs Kanemaru’s legs! Sho drags Kanemaru off the apron, fans clear out, and Sho THROWS Kanemaru into chairs! Then Sho sends a Young Lion into Kanemaru! The count is still going!! We pass 15 as Kanemaru sends Young Lion Taisei Nakahara back at Sho! The fans cheer as Kanemaru rolls in! 18! 19! Sho slides in at 19.99! The fans cheer while Kanemaru is shocked!
Kanemaru apologizes to Sho? Kanemaru offers a handshake, the fans cheer, but Sho says Kanemaru needs to watch himself. Sho takes the handshake, then bends Kanemaru’s fingers! Kanemaru CLAWS Sho with his other hand! Kanemaru runs, Sho uses the ref as a shield, but then so does Kanemaru! Kanemaru ENZIGIRIS Sho! Kanemaru stomps Sho’s fingers! Kanemaru grabs his whiskey! The ref protests, Kanemaru shoves him away, then Kanemaru takes a swig. But Sho smothers Kanemaru! Kanemaru breaks free, but Sho just smothers him again! Kanemaru’s at his limit, and Sho lets go, WHISKEY MIST into the ref!
The ref is blinded, Sho laughs at them both, and Sho says that should be a disqualification, right? IT IS!
Winner: Sho, by disqualification (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
Kanemaru is mad at the ref and TOSSES him out! Poor Sakamoto… Sho apologizes to Kanemaru now, but they were both playing dirty anyway. They fist bump and head out, but will the trickery only continue until one of them is the Best of the Super Juniors?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Daiki Nagai!
The Funky Weapon has had his moments in this tournament, but the Unbound Young Lion is finally having his first! Will Taguchi be serious right from the start? Or will he underestimate his young opponent?
Oh snap, Daiki SHOTGUNS Taguchi during introductions! The fans fire up as Daiki shows how serious he is about this! The bell rings as he whips Taguchi, but Taguchi reverses to start up the cycle of dropdown and sidestep! But Daiki knows it well and DROPKICKS Taguchi out! The fans fire up as Daiki builds speed, and DIVES! Down goes Taguchi right in front of the fans! The fans fire up with Daiki and he brings Taguchi up. Daiki says here goes, and he climbs up the corner! Taguchi stands, Daiki MISSILE DROPKICKS! Taguchi flounders away but Daiki runs in at the corner! Taguchi dodges, rolls Daiki, then DROPKICKS in return!
The fans rally as Taguchi crawls to the cover, TWO! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi holds but lets go as the ref reprimands. Things finally slow down and Taguchi can take off his shirt. Taguchi CHOKES Daiki with it! The ref reprimands, Taguchi stops right away, and he apologizes for getting mad. Taguchi reels Daiki in, has the leg, but Daiki fights the lift! Taguchi fires body shots to then SHIN BREAKER! And DROPKICK to the leg! The fans rally as Taguchi grabs OH MY GAH ANKLE! Daiki flails, crawls, and makes the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go, but then kneels on the leg for a toehold.
Daiki grabs the ropes again, the ref counts, and Taguchi steps away. Taguchi drags Daiki up to HIP ATTACK! And HIP ATTACK! Daiki rises but Taguchi brings him up. Daiki ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi ROCKS Daiki, repeat! The shots go back and forth, Taguchi fires a flurry, then he runs, but Taguchi follows! HIP- ATOMIC DROP! Daiki still knows the tricks, and he waistlocks. Taguchi fights with elbows, then more elbows, then he feints the run! But Daiki avoids the hips! But Taguchi victory rolls again! TWO, and Daiki DROPKICKS! Taguchi falls into a corner and the fans fire up again! Daiki has a wild look in his eyes as he goes to the other corner.
Daiki runs in and HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! Daiki hurries to drag Taguchi out, covers, TWO! The fans fire up again while Daiki goes to a corner. Daiki climbs, the fans rally, and Daiki DIVING BODY FLOPS as Taguchi moves! Daiki sputters while Taguchi crawls to a corner. Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style, “OYA~!” BUM- NO, Daiki rolls Taguchi up! TWO, and Taguchi dodges a lariat to roll Daiki up! TWO, and OH MY- NO, Daiki kicks free! SLIDING HIP! Cover, TWO!! Daiki survives and the fans fire up, but Taguchi hauls Daiki right up! Taguchi chicken wings and DODON- NO, Daiki victory rolls, TWO!
Daiki ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Daiki rebounds to CHOP! Daiki runs, but into a DROPKICK! Taguchi hurries to cover, TWO, but OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki flails again, reaches out, and the fans rally even harder! Taguchi puts on the pressure but Daiki still fights his way forward! Daiki reaches out but Taguchi drags him back! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Daiki claws with everything he has, but Taguchi YANKS Daiki back! Chicken wings and DODON BUSTER!! Cover, Taguchi wins!
Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Daiki earns 0)
Taguchi got serious because Daiki brought it out of him! And with that, Taguchi already has his first win in this year’s tournament! Will Taguchi prove that the Funky Weapon still has what it takes? Will Daiki learn from this and make sure his first win is in the second round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: YOH VS HYO!
A curious match-up here, and not just because you can rearrange one man’s name and spell the other’s. But will Mr. Direct Drive kick it into gear right from the start? Or will The Black Panther prove he’s the apex predator in this tournament?
The fans have a hard time making heads or tails of the ring gear, and Yoh asks for a little help with the halter top. Hyo makes sure his little snow leopard, Nyan Nyan, is comfortable in the corner, then the bell rings. The two run up, Hyo leaps over the dropdown, then mule kicks. Hyo whips, Yoh reverses, but Hyo goes up and over, then handsprings through! Things really speed up, and the panther gets the zoomies as he runs around Yoh! Then DROPKICK! The fans cheer while Yoh bails out! Hyo shows his claws, and the fans rally up as Hyo builds speed. But Hyo handsprings through as Yoh moves!
The fans cheer and Yoh THROWS Nyan Nyan down! The fans boo Yoh for that, Hyo flexes and the fans cheer. But Yoh sneaks in to wrench and trip Hyo! Yoh ties Hyo up in Paradise! The fans cheer as Yoh stands on Hyo, then “kicks sand” before he runs around like a cat! Yoh “pees” on Hyo, maybe he’s a dog instead. Yoh then runs to DROPKICK Hyo outta Paradise! Yoh drags Hyo up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Hyo fights free, wrenches, then NEKODAMASHI CLAP! Cradle, TWO! Yoh rolls Hyo, TWO! Hyo runs up, sunset flips, TWO! Yoh sits on the cover, TWO! Hyo has it again, TWO! Yoh has it again, TWO!!
The fans cheer that near escape, but Yoh kicks and runs. But Hyo blows past, and now both men have the zoomies! They chase each other like cats ‘n’ dogs, then STUNNER to SOMERSAULT DRIVER! Cover, HYO WINS!!
Winner: Hyo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yoh earns 0)
In the blink of an eye, the Panther snatches that win like a rabbit out of the hat! Hyo shows Yoh respect with the Roppongi 3K salute, AND A KISS?! Yoh faints, will he be able to recover from that? Or will Hyo hunt down the top spot in the block?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Robbie X VS Nick Wayne!
The former IWGP Junior Tag Team Champion and the former ROH World Television Champion (sorry if that’s spoilers/breaking kayfabe) meet in hopes of each becoming the next IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Will things get too extreme for The Prodigy? Or will NJPW enter Wayne’s World?
The bell rings and the fans rally behind Robbie. Robbie and Nick circle, tie up, and Robbie headlocks. Nick powers up and out, but Robbie handsprings! Nick stops the cutter, but Robbie fights the full nelson! Robbie trips Nick, but Nick avoids the PK! Nick arm-drags Robbie, Robbie headscissors, but Nick kips free to kick low! Nick whips, Robbie goes up and over in the corner, then handsprings! Things keep moving, Nick hurdles to then UPPERCUT! The fans fire up as Nick kips up again! Robbie flounders away but Nick storms over to him. Nick drags Robbie up, CHOPS him in the corner, then follows him along the ropes.
Robbie goes to another corner but Nick kisses him on the bald head before he CHOPS again! Nick then snapmares Robbie, leg drops, then covers, TWO! Robbie is tougher than that but Nick keeps his cool. Nick stalks Robbie, brings him up, but Robbie CHOPS! The fans cheer but Nick comes back. Robbie ROCKS Nick, ROCKS him again, then again! But Nick ROCKS Robbie back! Nick stalks Robbie, whips him to ropes, but Robbie avoids the superkick! Nick runs up, Robbie cartwheels to dodge! Nick tumbles out to the apron, Robbie NO HAND HANDSPRINGS to knock Nick down! Then Robbie reloads, PLANCHA! Down goes Nick and the fans fire up!
Robbie brings Nick up, puts him in the ring, and slingshots for the SILVER FLIP SENTON! Cover, TWO! Nick is still in this but the fans rally behind Robbie. Robbie checks his neck, then brings Nick up. Robbie reels Nick in but Nick fights the lift. Robbie still tries but Nick still fights. Robbie winds up to CHOP Nick down! The fans cheer but Robbie reels Nick back in, only for Nick to BACKDROP free! Robbie sunsets but Nick sits on it, TWO! Robbie finishes the flip, TWO! Nick is up, he dodges Robbie, and SNAP DRAGONS! The fans fire up for that very Kenny Omega level move! Nick then waits on Robbie to get up while he takes aim.
Nick runs corner to corner, but Robbie dodges! Robbie runs back up, blocks a boot, but not the ENZIGIRI! Nick goes up, up, WAYNE’S- NO, Robbie dodges the cutter and mule kicks! Robbie goes to run but Nick reels him in! Robbie fights the waistlock again, but Nick ducks a shot! Nick ROCKS Robbie, Robbie ELBOWS Nick, and PELES! The fans fire up with Robbie as he powers up again, only for Nick to jump up! POISON-RANA! The fans rally while Robbie is down! Nick calls his shot, gathers power, and Robbie rises up, into the BUZZ- NO, Robbie ducks, jumps up, POISON-RANA! The fans fire up as Robbie returns the favor!
Nick bails out, but Robbie springboards, SKY TWISTER! Down goes Nick but Robbie puts him in fast! Robbie handsprings, LETHAL INJECTION X!! Cover, TWO!! Nick survives and Robbie is shocked! The fans rally even harder for Robbie as he rises up. Robbie drags Nick to a drop zone, climbs up the corner, and X EX- NO, Robbie has to roll through as Nick moves! Robbie runs back up, but into a SUPERKICK! Robbie is down but Nick leans against the corner as he catches his breath. The fans rally up harder and harder still, and Nick rises to his feet. Nick calls his shot, and he goes up, into WAYNE’S- BACKSLIDE! TWO!
Nick BOOTS Robbie, runs, but Robbie ROCKS Nick! Robbie runs, Nick blows past, but Robbie dodges, QUEBRADA into a SUPERKICK! Nick hits the anti-air, and now he calls his shot! BUZZSAW, and WAYNE’S WORLD! Cover, NICK WINS!
Winner: Nick Wayne, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
He may have lost the title, but Nick rebounds to get a major win in the tournament! Will nothing stop The Prodigy from proving he’s the next big thing? Can Robbie get the X Express back on track in the second round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Robbie Eagles!
The Time Splitter returns to NJPW, hoping to prove he is still the Best of the Super Juniors. But he now stands in the crosshairs of the Sniper of the Skies! Will Kushida still bring us Back to the Future? Or will Eagles fly high right from the start?
Wait, Kushida is going barefoot for this! Eagles says okay, hold on. “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” The fans applaud, but then a “KU-SHI-DA!” chant starts in response. The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, Kushida rolls, and he grabs a leg. Eagles fights that off to step over and cover, ONE! Kushida trips Robbie, has a toehold, but Robbie rolls and reels Kushida in, only for Kushida to use that and get the headlock for his own. The fans applaud this technical exchange, but then Eagles slips out to hammerlock!
Eagles reaches over but Kushida rolls to then headscissors! The fans applaud again, and Kushida puts on the pressure. Eagles endures, bridges, but Kushida puts on the pressure. Eagles kips free, but Kushida reels him back into the headscissors! The fans applaud, but Eagles fights around. Eagles rolls to turn Kushida over, then he pops out to trap the legs. Eagles rolls Kushida, but Kushida twists a foot! Kushida turns Eagles over, ties the legs up, then floats to a headlock. Eagles powers out to stand on Kushida’s arm, but Kushida slips away. The fans applaud the standoff as the two reset and circle again.
Kushida rushes Eagles, Eagles holds off the armlock but the body scissors are still on! Eagles powers through to drop Kushida down and have a toehold. Eagles bends toes! The ref reprimands, Eagles teases about “this little piggy,” but Kushida hooks Eagles’ nose! Eagles shakes that off but Kushida tries again. Kushida waistlocks, bridges, but Eagles moves, so Kushida floats to an ARMBAR! Eagles rolls to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Kushida lets go, and the two reset again. They circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Kushida rolls, trips Eagles, then has the toehold. Eagles tries to headscissors, but Kushida shrugs that off.
Kushida pulls Eagles’ arm into tying up the legs, then he steps over. It’s not exactly Paradise as Kushida uses his legs to bend and crunch Eagles! Eagles powers up and trips Kushida to then SPLAYED STRETCH! Kushida endures, even as Eagles reclines back, so Eagles floats over to a cover. ONE, Eagles waistlocks but Kushida rolls. Cover, ONE, and Eagles trips Kushida. Kushida chinbars to wrangle Eagles into a chinlock. Eagles endures so Kushida shifts to a motorcycle stretch, and LEG HOOK NELSON! Eagles endures, pushes back, and rolls to have a leg! Eagles has the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! The fans cheer as Eagles sits Kushida up, INDIAN COBRA TWIST!!
Kushida endures, pries at the arm, then rolls to leg hook and float, ARMBAR! Eagles pries free, and the fans cheer the technical master class! Eagles and Kushida reset again, feel things out, then tie up. Eagles goes for an arm, but so does Kushida. Kushida chinbars but Eagles arm-drags! Eagles steps over, Kushida kicks free, but Eagles handsprings through. The fans cheer as the two reset again. They approach, and Kushida KICKS the leg! Then he grapevines the leg to trip Eagles. Eagles pries at toes but Kushida stands to change up his hold. Eagles slips through to drop toehold Kushida into the waistlock. Kushida fights up, switches, then arm-drags.
Kushida chicken wings the arms and he works to turn Eagles. Eagles endures but Kushida powers through to a cradle! TWO, and Kushida ducks a chop to roll back! Kushida goes up but Eagles blocks the arm-drag! Eagles arm-drags back, then trips Kushida. Eagles runs, handsprings over the dropdown, but Kushida is after the arm! Eagles wrenches through, breaks free, but Kushida blocks a kick! Eagles drops to trip Kushida, ANKLE- NO, Kushida rolls back, bridges, TWO! Eagles body scissors and rolls to a cover, TWO! Both men RAM shoulders! And RAM again! And again! The fans fire up as the two stare down.
Kushida offers a handshake, Eagles accepts, but Eagles stomps the toes! The fans boo but Eagles says Kushida baka. Eagles runs up, gets a leg, but Kushida steps over to cover, TWO! Eagles sunset flips, TWO! Kushida sits on it, TWO! Kushida rolls to highs tack, TWO! Eagles has Kushida, TWO! Kushida, ONE! Eagles, ONE! They teetertotter and the ref can’t even keep up! The fans cheer as this turns into a rolling cradle! Eagles finally has it, TWO!! Kushida escapes in time and Eagles is stunned! Eagles runs up but Kushida jumps the 619! Kushida somersaults, but Eagles stops the DDT! Eagles slips around, rolls Kushida up, TWO!
Eagles has the leg, steps through, but Kushida cradles, TWO! Eagles has it, TWO! Both men stand, Eagles jumps up, RANA! But Kushida sunset flips it! TWO!! The fans are thunderous as both men get up! Kushida FLAPJACKS, but Eagles avoids the PK! Eagles wrenches the leg, SLAPS, SLAPS, SLAPS, and TURBO- NO, Kushida slips through the backpack to cradle and BACK TO THE FUTURE!! Cover, KUSHIDA WINS!!
Winner: Kushida, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
It feels like forever since we’ve seen Kushida win with that move here in NJPW, but seeing it again brings us right back! Will Kushida hit that 88 miles per hour and return to former glory? Will the Sniper of the Skies just have to reload and try again in the next round?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Master Wato VS Titan!
The Way of the Grandmaster is still on the long road to the top, but the same goes for El Inmortal’s journey. Who will take another step closer to their goal of being the Best of the Super Juniors?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The crowd is split between them, and the two tie up. Wato trips Titan, things speed up, and Titan hurdles to then drop down. Wato leaps over, keeps moving, and he RANAS! Titan bails out, Wato builds speed, but Titan is up fast to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then DROPKICK! Wato bails out, Titan builds speed, and fans clear out before Titan DIVES! Wato tumbles into the chairs! The ref checks and Wato is able to continue. Titan roars as he rises up and the fans cheer. Titan puts Wato in the ring, pushes him around, then fireman’s carries for the DEATH VALLEY NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
The fans applaud was Wato toughs it out. Titan stomps Wato, eggs him on, then KICKS him in the back. Titan snapmares Wato, runs and basement DROPKICKS! High stack, TWO! Titan hurries to tie up the legs, FIGURE FOUR! Wato endures, drags Titan along, and manages the ROPEBREAK! Titan lets go while the fans applaud. Wato shakes out the legs, Titan stomps him around, then Titan kicks at him. Wato scowls but Titan SOBATS! Titan eggs Wato on again, then brings him up. Wato fires a shot but Titan CLUBS and KNEES Wato in return. Another fireman’s carry but Wato fights free!
Wato swings, Titan ducks, and Titan fires off a strike fest! Titan runs, but into an ELBOW! Wato runs but ducks a shot to ZIGZAG! But Titan kips up to PELE! Wato PENALTY KICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Wato crawls to ropes, rises up, and he runs to CLOBBER Titan! And CLOBBER again! Wato whips Titan, then DROPKICKS him down! Titan bails out, the fans fire up, and Wato builds speed! Wato FLIES and down goes Titan! The fans cheer while both men are down in front of the front row again. A ring count starts, but Wato rises at 7 of 20. Wato stands at 10 and fires up with the fans!
Wato brings Titan up, puts him in at 14, and takes aim. The fans applaud as Wato climbs the corner, then leaps in, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Titan is tougher than that and the fans cheer again. Wato drags Titan up, wrenches and clinches, but Titan fights the lift! Wato CLUBS Titan, whips him, but Titan reverses to TORANDO DDT! And then roll through to suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO! But Titan steps through, ties up the legs, and rolls for LLAVE INMORTAL! The fans fire up as Titan bridges back and bends Wato! Wato fights, fights, and powers his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Titan lets go in frustration.
Titan roars and the fans rally again. Titan pounds the mat, the fans clap along, and Titan waits on Wato. Wato rises, Titan SUPER- NO, Wato ducks, but Titan BUZZSAWS! Titan goes to the corner, he climbs up top, and the fans fire up, but Wato CLUBS Titan first! Titan drops onto the corner, Wato climbs up, and Wato brings Titan back up! Titan holds onto the corner, fires elbows, then he trips Wato! Wato falls into the Tree of Woe! Titan turns around, WOE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!! Wato survives and the fans fire up again! Titan throws off his elbow pads, then rolls his way back to the corner. Titan skins the cat to rise back up!
Titan aims while Wato is down, LA LANC- NO, Wato dodges, runs up, crucifix takedown, into RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO?!? Titan survives and the fans are thunderous! Wato grows frustrated, but he hurries to waistlock. TSU- NO, Titan rolls, hooks a leg, but Wato reels Titan into a cradle! TWO, and ROUNDHOUSE! Wato hurries to spin, but Titan blocks the kick to DRAGON SCREW! Then a step through and SHARPSHOOTER!! Wato endures, reaches out, but Titan pulls him back to center!! Wato flails, but Titan bridges on the hold! WATO TAPS, TITAN WINS!
Winner: Titan, by submission (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)
It wasn’t quite Llave Inmortal, but it might’ve been even stronger! Titan borrows a fan’s flag of Mexico to celebrate his home and his people. Will Titan represent them both as he proves he was born for such a time as this? Or will Wato still prove he is the Way to the Grandmaster?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: El Desperado VS Daisuke Sasaki!
The Rogue Luchador won the tournament back in 2024, and is looking to repeat history so that he may have his revenge on Douki. However, he’s up against Charisma Itself! Will Desperado still be the Best of the Super Juniors two years later? Or will Daisuke prove he is the future of this division?
Before they get started, Despy offers a handshake. Daisuke is wary, but he accepts. They both kiss the other’s hand, then the bell rings. The fans duel as the two circle, but then Daisuke bails out. The fans boo but Despy waits on Daisuke. Daisuke steps back into the ring, circles with Despy, and they feel things out. They tie up, Daisuke waistlocks, but Despy wrenches to wristlock. Daisuke spins through, wrenches back, and wristlocks to then snapmare. Daisuke keeps on the arm but Despy fights around. Despy rolls, trips Daisuke, and has the toehold. Daisuke chinbars in return but Despy digs his elbow into the knee.
Daisuke chinlocks and pries Despy off the leg, but Despy kicks back to the ROPEBREAK! Daisuke lets go, Despy bails out, and now Daisuke waits. Despy takes his time returning, and the two reset. The fans rally as they feel things out, and they knuckle lock. But then Despy wrenches the arm to snapmare Daisuke, sit him up, and ghost pin, TWO! Daisuke slips around to headlock, but Despy powers up and out. Despy headlocks, Daisuke slips through to headlock, but Despy powers up and out again. Daisuke RUNS Despy over! Then he fakes Despy out to headlock, but Despy rolls. Daisuke rolls through, Despy trips him, STRETCH MUFFLER!
Daisuke scrambles to the ROPEBREAK and the fans cheer. Despy kneels on Daisuke, pretends to not understand what’s wrong, then he digs his knees in. The ref counts, Despy backs off, and Despy apologizes while Daisuke bails out. Despy waits, but Daisuke offers Despy to step outside. It’ll be a clean fight! Despy says step inside and it’ll be clean in here! Despy asks why it has to be outside. Daisuke CLAWS Despy’s eyes! Then he turns Despy for a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! The fans are torn while Despy writhes, but Daisuke drags Despy outside. Daisuke SMACKS Despy off the apron, then has fans clear out!
Daisuke stands Despy up, but he’s going to commentary! Despy fights back, but now Daisuke fights the desk bump! Daisuke SMACKS Despy off the desk, then grabs someone’s chair! The ref reprimands, but Daisuke puts the chair around Despy’s neck and POSTS him! The fans are torn while Despy writhes, but Daisuke leaves Despy behind. The fans rally for Despy as a ring count begins, and Despy is still down at 5 of 20. Despy sits up at 7, Daisuke wants the count to hurry up. Despy stands at 10 and rolls into the ring, only for Daisuke to DROPKICK him in the head! Despy scrambles away, clutching his neck, but Daisuke pursues!
Daisuke puts Despy back in, pushes him to a cover, ONE!! Despy toughs it out, but Daisuke KNEES him in the back of the neck! And then drops a knee on the same spot! And again! The fans rally up for Despy but Daisuke steps on him at the ropes. Daisuke then drags Despy up, puts him through ropes, and bends him back! The ref counts, Daisuke stops, then he drags Despy around to FISHERMAN SCREW! Despy sputters, but he BODY BLOWS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Daisuke CLUBS Despy, then eggs him on. Daisuke slaps Despy around, Despy slaps back, so Daisuke slaps again. Despy SMACKS Daisuke down!
The fans fire up for Despy while Daisuke is dazed. But then Daisuke kicks the leg out, and he slips around, STF! Despy endures, reaches out, but Daisuke shifts to a CROSSFACE! Despy endures, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK with a foot! Daisuke lets go to drop knee after knee on Despy’s back! Daisuke then stalks Despy to ropes, brings him around, and turns him, but Despy slips free! Despy has the leg, SHIN BREAKER! Then a DROPKICK to the leg! Daisuke hobbles to a corner while the fans rally again. Despy runs up on Daisuke, blocks a boot, and KICKS the leg! Then DRAPING DRAGON SCREW!
Daisuke hobbles but he falls over. The fans rally as Despy grabs that leg, but Daisuke kicks free. Despy kicks Daisuke’s leg, then BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up again and Despy keeps on Daisuke, BIG back suplex! Despy hurries to haul Daisuke up again, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Daisuke toughs it out and the fans rally up again. Despy drags Daisuke over to a drop zone, then climbs the corner! The fans rally, but Daisuke goes to the apron. Daisuke CLUBS Despy, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up the corner. The fans and the ref are all worried as both men try to suplex the other from the outside!
Despy fires body shots, he steps inside, and then SUPERPLEXES Daisuke into the ring! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Despy crawls but Daisuke bails out. So Despy builds speed, but has to stop the dive as Daisuke slides in! Then Daisuke runs to RAM Despy off the apron! Despy tumbles into the chairs, but Daisuke is right after him! Daisuke drags Despy up to make him take a seat. Daisuke CLUBS Despy, then throws off his shirt before he climbs up the corner! The fans go nuts already as Daisuke aims, SUPER DUPER CROSSBODY onto Despy and the chairs!! The fans are thunderous for that wild risk Daisuke just took!
The ref checks both men, and somehow, they’re both able to continue. Daisuke hobbles away from the crash site to roll into the ring. Daisuke then goes back outside with a fresh ring count. Daisuke puts Despy in he ring at 8 of 20, then climbs up again! FLYING LARIAT! Daisuke hurries to reel Despy in, underhooks, and PEDIGREE!! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives but Daisuke hurries to SUPERKICK! Despy is up but Daisuke runs, LA MYSTI- NO, Despy makes it a FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Despy stirs, as does Daisuke, and they both slowly rise back up. Despy fires a forearm first, then another!
Despy fires another, but Daisuke ROCKS Despy with a haymaker! Daisuke whips, Despy reverses, and Despy SPINEUBSTERS! High stack, TWO, but into STRETCH MUFFLER!! Daisuke fights, reaches out, but Despy reels him into NUMERO DOS! Daisuke still fights, fights, but Despy drags him back! NUMERO DOS PLUS, but Daisuke rolls it around and around into a CROSSFACE!! Despy endures while the fans rally as hard as they can! Despy fights over, but Daisuke rolls him away from the ropes! Then Daisuke grabs the other arm, only for Despy to roll to a cradle! TWO!! Both men stand, Despy shoots around to then lift, and DOUBLE KNEE-
NO, Daisuke turns it into a DDT! Then Daisuke aims from a corner, runs up, LA MYSTIC- ARM-DRAG COUNTER! Daisuke kicks free of the stack, then uses the ref as a shield! Despy dosidos with the ref, but Daisuke shoves Despy into the ref! Daisuke whips, Despy reverses, and Daisuke ends up in a corner. Despy runs up, but into a pop-up LOW BLOW!! LA MYSTICA! CROSSFACE!! DESPY TAPS, DAISUKE WINS!!
Winner: Daisuke Sasaki, by submission (gains 2 points; Desperado earns 0)
Well, Daisuke was taught by Dick Togo, so perhaps such tactics should’ve been expected. But will Daisuke make sure NJPW is #NeverSober? Will Desperado still find his way to the BOSJ finals?
Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Francesco Akira!
The Japanese Young Punk and the Crown of Fire have the honor of closing out opening night, but only one can finish strong! Will Fujita remind Akira that The Mighty Don’t Kneel? Or will even The Mighty be conquered by the United Empire?
But wait, Fujita CLOBBERS Akira with a chair outta nowhere! Where’d he even come from?! Fujita rains down fists on Akira while the fans are torn, but Fujita then drags Akira up with a headlock. Red Shoes reprimands, but Fujita takes Akira right to the West sign to SMACK him off it! And SMACK him off it again, and again! Fujita laughs, the fans cheer, and Fujita brings Akira to the ring. The bell finally sounds but Fujita deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Akira survives but Fujita brings him back up. Akira fights free and bails out, but Fujita goes to the apron. PENALTY KICK, then QUEBRADA!
The fans are torn as indeed, the Japanese Young Punk bullies and mugs Akira. Red Shoes checks Akira but Fujita has fans clear out. But then Akira throat chops Fujita! Akira whips, Fujita reverses, but Akira stops short of the chairs! Fujita runs up, but Akira THROWS him into the chairs! Not quite a strike but Akira is pissed! Akira whips Fujita hard into more chairs! Akira then huffs ‘n’ puffs, busted open on his forehead, the red standing out against his new green hair dye. Akira says if Fujita wants to fight like that, he’ll fight like that! Akira brings a TABLE out from under the ring! Red Shoes reprimands but Akira SHOVES him down!
The fans are torn while Akira fetches Fujita. Akira SMACKS Fujita off the table, then puts him on the apron. Akira climbs up to join Fujita, and he brings Fujita up to fireman’s carry! Akira aims, but Fujita slips free! Akira ROCKS Fujita first, then brings Fujita up the ropes! Fujita fights the suplex, UPPERCUTS Akira, then runs, but into a SLINGSHOT CUTTER! The fans duel while Akira rises up. Akira rains down forearms on Fujita, then drops back to a corner. Akira has them check his bloody forehead real quick, it seems to have stopped bleeding. Akira CHOPS Fujita, and Fujita sputters. Akira scoops and SLAMS Fujita, then pushes him to a cover, TWO!
Akira sets up, STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Akira brings Akira into a headscissors squeeze. Fujita endures, fights forward, but Akira puts on more pressure! Fujita kicks and kicks and makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Akira lets go. Akira snarls, then he kicks at Fujita. Akira KICKS Fujita in the back, eggs him on, so Fujita stands. Fujita ROCKS Akira with forearm after forearm, but Akira ROCKS him back! Akira then back suplexes, but Fujita lands out! Akira kicks and whips, Fujita reverses and LEG LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Akira bails out, Fujita goes up, out, and tightrope walks, only for Akira to slide in! Fujita hops down, springboards back up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while Akira tumbles out the side. Fujita just goes up, up, and SUPER CANNONBALLS! Fujita takes Akira AND Zane Jay down! Fujita brings Akira back into the ring, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again as Fujita waistlocks Akira. Deadlift- NO, Akira fights the suplex, reaches for ropes, but Fujita brings him back. Fujita ducks the elbow, then ties up the legs, NEMOS- NO, Akira crawls, crawls, and makes the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer while Fujita lets go. Fujita storms back up on Akira, grabs a leg, but Akira clings to the ropes. Red Shoes counts, but Akira BOOTS Fujita way. Then he sidesteps, trips Fujita, and puts him under the ropes! CATAPULT GUILLOTINE! Akira LIONSAULTS onto Fujita’s back! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives and the fans fire up again, but Akira just grits his teeth. Akira drags Fujita around, reels him in, and SPEED- NO, Fujita blocks Speedfire! Akira still tries but Fujita stops him again. Akira KNEES low again and again, but Fujita grabs that leg! Fujita wrenches, but Akira KNEES low! SPEEDFIRE! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally again while Akira paces. Akira rains down fists but Red Shoes reprimands. Akira stops, taunts the fans cheering Fujita, then tells them to watch this! Akira drags Fujita up, and SMACKS him off the mat! And SMACKS him off the mat again! Akira then taunts the fans for no longer chanting for Fujita! The fans boo, but Akira sits Fujita up again. Fujita blocks the throw this time! Akira KNEES Fujita, SMACKS him off the mat again, and NOVA- NO, Fujita ducks the Fireball to ROUNDHOUSE! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Red Shoes checks, and both men stir. They slowly rise up, and Akira grabs at Fujita.
Fujita and Akira both pull hair as they sit up. Fujita fires the first forearm, but Akira responds in kind! Fujita fires back, Akira staggers, but Akira returns to ROCK Fujita! Fujita ROCKS Akira, Akira ROCKS Fujita, repeat! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and Fujita laughs it off! Fujita SMACKS Akira! Akira SMACKS Fujita! They start a SLAP fight, and the fans fire up as it gets fast ‘n’ furious! Fujita SMACKS Akira again and again, then winds up, but Akira ENZIGIRIS! Akira runs, but Fujita ELBOWS him! Fujita runs but Akira LARIATS! Akira runs, but into a SPIN HEEL KICK! The fans are thunderous as Fujita DEADLIFT GERMANS! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Akira survives again and the fans are torn right down the middle! Akira rolls to the apron but Fujita isn’t far behind. Fujita GAMANGIRIS, then he looks to Akira’s table! Akira clings to ropes but Fujita tries to pull him away! Akira ELBOWS Fujita, then slips under to POST him! Fujita falls to the floor, Akira leaps and RAN- NO! Fujita stops the rana to then swing Akira up! And he POWERBOMBS Akira through the table!! The fans are thunderous again and Fujita drags Akira back up. Fujita puts Akira in, then whips him for a pop-up GERMAN SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO?!? But Fujita has the arms trapped!!
Akira endures as Fujita pulls on the arm! The fans rally and duel as hard as they have all night, and Akira adds a cording hold! Akira kicks, kicks, flails, but Fujita grabs the leg! BOW ‘N’ ARROW STRETCH, but Akira gives one last gasp! ROPEBREAK!! Fujita lets go but he vows to end it now! Fujita hauls Akira up, torture racks, but Akira fights with elbows! Fujita squats, but stands up! Akira slips through and hooks the arms, but Fujita spins through! Akira ducks, backslide, NOVA- NO, Fujita rolls through it to have the legs! NEMOS- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!??! Akira hurries to run up, wheelbarrow, but Fujita stops the roll!
Fujita hauls Akira up, WHEELBARROW GERMAN! But Akira rises?!? Akira runs up, Fujita gets around him, POISON-RANA! NOVA FIREBALL?!?!? Cover, TWO?!?!? Fujita survives and Akira is beside himself! The fans are electric as Akira rises. Akira roars, vows to end it, and he drags Fujita up to reel him in. Akira hooks a leg, CROWN- CRADLE and deadlift! THRILLRIDE!!! Cover, FUJITA WINS!!
Winner: Kosei Fujita, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
It was an epic not only worthy of the main event, but perhaps even the finals! But in the end, the Crown of Fire is the one that burned out! Will Akira still be able to prove he’s the best after this unfortunate start?
As for Fujita, he sits back and gets the mic. “Oi, you big idiot! You’re sure one strong SOB! And every single time I wrestle you in BOSJ, it’s the match I’m most looking forward to. Everything here is over the top excellence, and that is something you see on the regular with me. And so, I think this year is mine to win. Every expectation you have of me, I will see you, raise you, and surpass those expectations!” With that mighty finish, will Fujita become the youngest man to go back-to-back as BOSJ Champion?
Here are the A Block standings!
Kosei Fujita: 1-0, 2 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 1-0, 2 points
Nick Wayne: 1-0, 2 points
Titan: 1-0, 2 points
Robbie X: 0-1, 0 points
Francesco Akira: 0-1, 0 points
Master Wato: 0-1, 0 points
Daiki Nagai: 0-1, 0 points
Valiente Jr: [did not compete]
Jun Kasai: [did not compete]
Here are the B Block standings!
Taiji Ishimori: 1-0, 2 points
SHO: 1-0, 2 points
HYO: 1-0, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 1-0, 2 points
Daisuke Sasaki: 1-0, 2 points
YOH: 0-1, 0 points
Robbie Eagles: 0-1, 0 points
El Desperado: 0-1, 0 points
Jakob Austin Young: 0-1, 0 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
An awesome opening round for BOSJ, and it wasn’t even all the participants with Valiente Jr. and Jun Kasai for whatever reason not here tonight. Maybe travel stuff kept them from arriving in time? Otherwise, the tenth match on the card would’ve been Valiente VS Kasai. But even without them, great matches from start to finish, but that’s par for the course when it comes to NJPW. I really liked Sho saying his match with Kanemaru was gonna steal the show, and then all we get is them trying to outcheat the other, because duh, what else were they gonna do?
Daiki taking Douki’s spot since Douki kayfabe refused to compete, he had a great showing against Taguchi, but it feels like Daiki’s first win in this tournament is gonna happen late in the tournament so that he can act as spoiler. Yoh VS Hyo was certainly unique, and surprisingly short. Both Robbies losing was a bit of a surprise, but it makes sense since Nick Wayne is meant to make an impact this time around, and Kushida is making his return to NJPW, both of those guys needed the win. But seriously, ROH’s tape delays hurt them here because Nick Wayne VS AR Fox doesn’t air until tonight so we already know what happens there…
Daisuke being a real Heel in the end of his match was a good way for him to win while protecting Despy. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Daisuke join House of Torture in the absence of Evil. And awesome main event from Fujita VS Akira, but very fitting of the 2025 BOSJ winner basically defending his title as he goes for another. All of Fujita’s matches probably will be this awesome, or as close to it as they can get out of everyone in A Block, but who knows if he repeats.
My Score: 9/10
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Will The Prince dispatch two challengers at once?
After retaining the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Callum Newman offered a unique challenge. Can Shingo Takagi or Yota Tsuji secure a title shot through a tag match?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Ryusuke Taguchi & Taisei Nakahara VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Kanemaru win.
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato; Yano, Yoh & Wato win.
- Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Taichi & El Desperado; Taichi & Desperado win.
- Yuya Uemura & Masatora Yasuda VS Ryohei Oiwa & Kosei Fujita; Oiwa & Fujita win.
- Six Man Tag: Aaron Wolf, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo; Wolf, Oleg & Tiger Mask win.
- 10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
- Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji; Takagi & Tsuji win, and Tsuji will challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire!
Before the Knock Out Brothers clash with the Dominator & Mauler over the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, they lead their units into war! Will Oskar, Yuto-Ice, Gedo, Taiji Ishimori & Daiki Nagai be truly unbound? Or will Great-O-Khan, Henare, Francesco Akira, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay conquer them for the glory of the Empire?
The teams sort out, but Yuto and Henare egg each other on as they’re forehead to forehead. The ref has them back off, but they still start the match. The bell rings and the fans rally as Yuto and Henare step back up. They’re forehead to forehead again as they talk trash, then they fire forearm after forearm! The fans rally as Henare ROCKS Yuto, but Yuto fires a flurry in return! Henare fires a flurry of his own, then runs, but into a BOOT! Henare wobbles but he comes right back. Yuto laughs as he ROCKS Henare! Yuto runs, ROCKS Henare again, but Henare roars! Henare eggs Yuto on, Yuto runs the ropes, but Henare RUNS him over!
Henare sits Yuto up to KICK him in the back, then KICK again! The fans rally as Henare runs, but Yuto avoids the Rugby Kick! Henare still kicks low, whips to ropes, but Yuto reverses to BOOT Henare down! The fans fire up with Yuto, and he KICKS Henare in the back! And KICKS him again! Henare scrambles to a corner but Yuto swaggers his way over. Yuto KICKS, and KNEES, and SOBATS! Henare sits down, Yuto gets gangsta! “BOMBACLAT!” But Henare gets up to fireman’s carry! Yuto slips free, Henare dodges a lariat, but so does Yuto! Henare swats the boot, Yuto ducks the heel kick, and the fans cheer the standoff!
Zane has Henare calm down, and wants him to tag. Henare tags Zane, and Zane calls out Daiki. Daiki tags in, and these two still have to settle how they ended the Young Lion Cup. Zane eggs Daiki on, so Daiki ROCKS him! Zane fires back, Daiki fires another, and the fans rally as the two brawl! Daiki whips, Zane reverses, but Daiki redirects! Zane hurdles, drops down, but Daiki avoids the dropkick! Daiki runs to basement DROPKICK! Zane scrambles to a corner while the fans fire up. Daiki runs in, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Zane toughs it out but the fans rally behind Daiki. Daiki storms up on Zane but Zane wants mercy. Daiki says no and he ROCKS Zane!
Daiki runs in at the corner, but Zane counters the monkey flip to put Daiki up top! Zane DROPKICKS Daiki down, then the Empire BLASTS the Unbound corner! They all brawl on the outside and into the crowd! Oskar CLUBS Khan, Yuto fires forearms on Henare, but Henare BODY BLOWS and CHOPS! Oskar has fans clear out, then he whips Khan, but Khan reverses! Oskar tumbles into the chairs! Yuto CHOKES Henare, Henare shoves Yuto away, and Zane has Daiki in the ring. Zane bumps Daiki off buckles while Khan JAMS Oskar with a chair! Khan SMACKS Oskar on the back with it, too! The fans are torn as Khan roars.
Henare and Yuto return ringside, and Khan uses a chair to sit on Oskar! Khan taunts Oskar, then steps off. Henare uses a DEATH GRIP on Yuto! Henare THROWS Yuto into chairs, then he smothers a Young Lion for getting in the way! Henare even scares ring staff off before going to ringside. Zane CHOKES Daiki, the ref counts, and Zane stops at 4. Zane tags #DangerousJay and he UPPERCUTS Daiki. Jakob CHOKES Daiki in the corner, then brings him around. Jakob whips Daiki to ropes, ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! The fans applaud as Daiki toughs it out, but Jakob brings him back up. Jakob tags Akira, and he taunts Oskar!
The ref has to keep Oskar back, but this all lets Khan bend Daiki’s fingers! The Empire mugs Daiki in the corner, and Jakob even CLAWS Daiki’s eyes! Khan tells commentary to shut up, but Daiki fights back! Akira KNEES low, whips, and drop toeholds. Akira SMACKS Daiki off the mat again, then kneels on a cocky cover. TWO, but Akira taunts the Unbound Company. Akira bumps Daiki off buckles, tags Khan, and Khan dumps Daiki out. The rest of the Empire mugs Daiki while the fans boo. Zane puts Daiki back in for Khan, and Khan drags Daiki around. Khan steps on Daiki for a cocky cover, TWO! Daiki toughs it out but Khan soaks up the cheers and jeers.
Khan scuffs Daiki as Daiki tries to crawl away. Khan eggs Daiki on, offering a free hit. Daiki stands, but Khan dodges the hit. Khan laughs at Daiki for falling for his trap quite literally! Khan then drags Daiki up, but Daiki fires forearms after all! The fans rally as Daiki HEADBUTTS! Daiki whips, Khan reverses, and Khan runs up, only for Daiki to dodge! Hot tag to Oskar! The fans fire up as the giant German RUNS Khan over, BLASTS Henare, then whips Khan corner to corner! Zane runs up but Oskar BOOTS him away! Oskar runs up, DOUBLE ELBOW for Zane and Khan! Akira runs up to jump on Oskar’s back! Oskar RAMS Akira into a corner!
Jakob storms in, but Oskar guzels! Akira runs up, but Oskar guzels! Oskar gives them a meeting of the minds, then a DOUBLE LARIAT! The fans fire up with Oskar, and he goes back for Khan. Oskar drags Khan up, scoops, but Henare KICKS Oskar’s leg! The ref reprimands but Henare KICKS and KICKS and BODY BLOWS! Henare HEADBUTTS, then DEATH GRIPS! Henare HEADBUTTS Oskar, then he and Khan bring Oskar around. Oskar fights the lift, but Henare blocks the boot! But then Oskar guzels Henare! Henare can’t reach Oskar for the Death Grip! Oskar then guzels Khan, but they both break free! DOUBLE BODY BLOW!
The ref reprimands, but #Khanare double whip Oskar. He breaks their lariats, but the DOUBLE BOOTS hit! Yuto is in, he shoves Henare into Khan! Then he fires off fast hands on Henare, bobs ‘n’ weaves, then ROCKS Henare! Henare drops, Yuto ICE HIGHS! But Henare is up, LARIAT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! Oskar rises, he SWATS Khan’s haymaker to have the NIGHTMARE SLEEPER! But Khan BITES Oskar’s arm! IRON CLAW! But Oskar pries it away, only for Khan to KICK the leg, and BOOT Oskar down! The fans rally as both men crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Akira and Taiji!
The fans fire up as the two rush in! Akira dodges the boot to headlock, but Taiji powers up and out. Akira RUNS Taiji over, then keeps moving. Taiji drops, hurdles, but Akira shoves! Taiji RANAS! Akira tumbles, Taiji runs up, DOUBLE KNEES! Then a fireman’s carry, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, and a BASEMENT SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Akira is tougher than that but Taiji stays on him. Taiji gut wrenches, but Akira fights to turn it around! CIPHER- NO, Taiji lands out to whip Akira. Akira reverses, Taiji handsprings, but into a waistlock! Akira then spins Taiji around, SPEEDFIRE! Akira sputters, he can’t make the cover!
Taiji and Akira crawl, hot tag to Jakob! Jakob drags Taiji up, he and Akira DOUBLE SUPLEX, but Daiki makes the save! Akira & Jakob kick Daiki, then whip, but Daiki ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! The fans cheer the Unbound Young Lion as he flounders to a corner, and Taiji tags Gedo! Gedo JABS, JABS, and JABS! Gedo winds up, but Jakob CLAWS Gedo’s eyes! Jakob winds up, but Gedo UPPERCUTS! Then SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Jakob survives but Gedo stays focused. Gedo tells Jakob to get up, then he mule kicks the leg! Body scissors, GEDO CLUTCH! But Zane ELBOW DROPS Gedo down!
Zane drags Gedo up, and he FALL AWAY SLAMS! Jakob gets Gedo back up, for the HAMMERLOCK DDT! Cover, The Empire wins!
Winners: The United Empire, by pinfall
Another bites the dust, and The Empire is control on this New Japan Road! Henare taunts Yuto with his tag title, but that just sparks a new brawl! Young Lions hurry to stop this, but easier said than done! The rest of the teams get in there, too, and Unbound Company must fall back, if only for now. But will things be different with their best in the main event?
Championship Stakes: Callum Newman & Jake Lee VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji!
It was just 48 hours ago that The Prince slayed the Rampaging Dragon, although with controversial and underhanded tactics. He’s so confident, in fact, he’s giving Takagi and Tsuji another chance! Will Callum cross off two names from the list for the rest of his reign? Or will someone from the Unbound Company have a golden ticket to the top title in NJPW?
The teams sort out, but Callum can’t help himself. He taunts Takagi and Tsuji with the belt, so they attack! They mug Callum, then Yota kicks Jake. Yota TOSSES Jake, the bell rings, and Unbound mug Callum again. They double whip then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans cheer while Takagi ELBOW DROPS! The fans rally as Takagi eggs Callum on. Callum goes to a corner, Takagi runs up, but Callum dodges. Callum runs back in, but Takagi puts him on the apron. Callum RAMS Takagi, slingshots up and over, then keeps moving. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges but Takagi sidesteps to HIP TOSS! Callum staggers to his feet, Takagi LARIATS him up and out!
Callum stumbles into and then tumbles over the railing! Yota goes after Jake while Takagi hurries through the gate to fetch Callum. Yota whips Jake hard into railing, then stalks him around the way, while Takagi KNEES Callum low. Takagi brings Callum around to SMACK him off the timekeeper’s table! Takagi ROCKS Callum, follows him to another section of the crowd, while Yota DOUBLE CHOPS Jake out of a chair! Takagi ROCKS Callum again and the fans rally behind him. Callum wants to escape but Takagi stalks him. Takagi SMACKS Callum off some chairs, then HEADBUTTS him down! Yota brings Jake up to ROCK with a forearm of his own!
Jake stumbles around through the crowd, knocking chairs over as he tries to flee. Yota pursues as Jake begs young fans to help. Yota grabs that hand to SNAP fingers! The ring count finally starts as Callum SMACKS Takagi off a table! Takagi considers throwing that table but thinks better of it. Takagi pursues Callum as Callum heads back to ringside, but Yota BOOTS Jake out of a seat! The count is 15 of 20 as Callum and Takagi roll inside. Callum wants mercy, even apologizes, but Takagi CHOKES him! Red Shoes counts, Takagi stops at 4, and Callum clings to the ropes. Takagi kicks Callum into letting go, then brings him up.
Takagi JABS Callum and Callum falls against ropes. Takagi JABS again and Callum flounders. Callum calls to Jake but Takagi keeps him back. Callum fights the lift with elbows, then BODY BLOWS! Callum runs, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! But Callum trips Takagi and PUNTS him in the side! Just like in their title match! Jake BLASTS Yota off the apron, then goes out to stomp him down! Red Shoes reprimands but Jake drags Yota up and grinds him into railing. Callum pushes Takagi out of the ring while Jake fires body shots on Yota. Callum RAMS Takagi into railing, then brings him around to POST him!
Takagi staggers while Callum mockingly cheers him on. Jake POSTS Yota and does the same. Callum KICKS Takagi in the side, then flexes before he SPITS at Takagi! The fans boo but Callum ROCKS Takagi again. Callum puts Takagi in the ring, taunts Yota from across the way, then slingshots to stomp Takagi down. Callum dares Yota to reach out for Takagi, then he stomps Takagi. Callum digs his heel in, then he tags Jake. Jake swaggers and talks some trash, then he brings out the black glove! Callum KNEES Takagi before Jake takes Takagi’s shirt off. Jake shows off the bad ribs while he says it is picture time! Jake gives Takagi the DENTAL CHECK!
The fans are torn as Jake shoves Takagi down and takes off the glove. Jake mockingly applauds that Takagi passed his dental exam, then he stomps Takagi down. Tag to Callum and Callum clamps onto the arm. Callum traps the arm, kneels on Takagi, then digs his knuckles into the bad ribs! Yota BOOTS Callum, then backs off as Jake runs up. Callum calls BS, but he drags Takagi to stomp him down! Callum KICKS Takagi, then sits for a cocky cover, TWO! Callum clamps onto Takagi, wags his finger at Yota, then grinds Takagi’s bad arm. The fans rally for Takagi as he rises up and fires body shots! Callum KNEES low, then bumps Takagi off buckles.
Callum tags Jake back in and Jake again taunts Takagi. Callum CHOKES Takagi, and Jake KICKS Takagi in the side! The fans rally for Takagi as he rises again, and he rips away the tape! Takagi snarls as he ROCKS Jake again and again! But Jake kicks low, CLAWS Takagi’s face, then runs. Takagi blocks the boot to CLUB the leg! Takagi whips, Jake reverses, but Takagi blocks the knee! DRAGON SCREW! The fans cheer while both men are down! Hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota BLASTS Callum off the corner, then kicks and whips Jake. Jake reverses but Yota BOOTS him! Yota BLASTS Callum again, then DIVES! Direct hit and Callum hits railing!
The fans fire up for Yota and he slingshots into the ring. Yota then whips Jake corner to corner, runs up, but Jake dodges the splash! BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota is tougher than that, but Jake signals he’s taking his shot. Jake drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Yota tries to suplex but Jake fights the lift! They fight for control as the fans rally, and Jake suplexes! But Yota lands out! Yota ducks an elbow to FLATLINER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi calls to Yota and Yota crawls over. Yota is a bit unsure, but he hot tags Takagi anyway! The fans fire up as Takagi powers up and LARIATS in the corner!
Takagi fires the fans up more, and he JABS, JABS, JABS in the corner! Then a CHOP! Jake roars, but Takagi ELBOWS him! Takagi runs, but into the KITCHEN SINK KNEE! It hit pretty high and Takagi falls. Jake tags Callum, Callum BOOTS Yota! Callum stands Takagi up for Jake to KITCHEN SINK KNEE! Then EXCALIBUR!! Cover, YOTA BREAKS IT! The fans cheer, and Yota TOSSES Jake! Callum kicks and TOSSES Yota! Callum is frustrated, but he still mocks Takagi’s pain. Callum kicks Takagi around, and mockingly asks if it hurts. Callum CLUBS Takagi, eggs him on, then ROCKS him with a forearm.
Callum eggs Takagi on, but Takagi SLAPS him! Callum DECKS Takagi for that! Callum sits Takagi up, mocks the prayer hands, then KICKS Takagi in the back! Takagi stays up, and he’s getting mad! The fans fire up as Takagi rises, but Callum BOOTS! And BOOTS! And BOOTS! Takagi just gets angrier! Callum fires knee after knee, but Takagi headbutts the buckles! The fans fire up but Callum BOOTS again! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! SOBAT! JAB! HEEL KICK! Callum feints the run, but Takagi LARIATS first! Callum LARIATS in return! Both men stand but stagger, and Yota tags in! The fans fire up as Yota hurries to BLAST Jake!
Yota then goes back to Callum and ROCKS him with a forearm! Callum staggers around, Yota ROCKS him again, and again! The fans fire up with Yota, he whips Callum to ropes, but Callum grabs ropes! Yota runs up, Callum BOOTS him away, and Jake jumps in! Jake kicks and whips Yota to a corner, then runs up, but he blocks the boot. Yota reels Jake in for the STOMP! Yota runs up but Callum wrenches through, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally up again while everyone is down! Callum sits up, kisses the crown tattoo, and brings Yota up. Callum goes to fireman’s carry but Yota fights it. Callum powers through, but Yota slips free!
Yota feeds Callum to Takagi’s ELBOW! Yota BOOTS, Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and Yota GENE TRIGGERS! Then they DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Callum survives and Takagi has to sort out who is legal. Red Shoes and Yota explain that tag from earlier, but then Callum kicks them both! Callum runs, but into the ELBOW! BACKBREAKER! JAB! Then Yota pump handles, but Jake CLAWS Yota’s face! Takagi RUNS Jake over, Callum BOOTS Takagi down, but Yota scoops to BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while all four men are down again! Yota and Callum stir, and Callum flips off the fans cheering Yota.
Yota rises up, Callum wants mercy, and Yota hesitates. But then Callum SPITS at him! Callum fires a forearm, Yota fires back, and repeat! The fans rally up as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Callum fires a flurry, runs, but Yota follows to SPLASH in the corner! Yota runs but Callum follows to HELLUVA KICK! Callum runs, Yota follows, GENE TRIGGER! Yota keeps moving, but he dodges Callum to then GAMANGIRI! Yota puts Callum up top, climbs up, and SUPER STEINERS! Cover, TWO! Callum survives but Yota roars! The fans cheer Yota on as he pump handles, but Callum slips free! Callum shoves Yota at Red Shoes! Yota stops short, but Callum LOW BLOWS!
The fans boo but Callum turns around as Takagi runs in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! They DOUBLE LARIAT again, and Callum flops against Takagi! Takagi fires boxing elbows on Callum, then winds up, but Callum ROCKS! ROLLING- JAB! Callum grabs at Red Shoes, uses him as a shield, but Takagi stops the low blow! Takagi shoves Callum at Red Shoes, REVENGE LOW BLOW! Yota SUPERKICKS! Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! And they set Callum up for the PUMPING BLASTER!! Cover, Jake breaks it! KNEE for Takagi, then a ROUNDHOUSE! But Takagi rebounds, PUMPING BOMBER on Jake!!
Takagi tells Yota to finish this! Yota GENE BLASTERS Callum!! Cover, Yota & Takagi win!!
Winners: Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (Yota Tsuji is the NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship)
Callum got too cocky in his young reign, and now he’s the one staring up at the lights! But will he have a better game plan for when the title is on the line?
As for the Unbound Company, they catch their breath before Yota takes the mic. “OI, CALLUM! Too bad for you. To me, the path you forge is darkness. I won’t let NJPW go down that path. I will lead NJPW towards the light of hope.” The fans applaud that. Callum says see you at Dominion then! Callum leaves, and Yota continues by saying with Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement, the New Beginning, and now Dominion, NJPW has changed dramatically. But now, Yota meets Callum in a rematch for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in Dominion’s main event, carrying that responsibility and determination in his heart!
The fans cheer again, and Yota says, “OI, NJPW! And Callum Newman… ARE YOU READY?!” The fans cheer again, and Yota promises to be the one to carry NJPW on his shoulders! Mic drop from the Gene Blast, but will he dethrone the Prince already? Or will Callum solidify NJWP as his dominion?
My Thoughts:
A very good New Japan Road event as also a sendoff to Dominion. Really good tune-ups, and the 10 Man Tag especially for the build into the Heavyweight Tag title match. Empire winning here might show KOB wins when the time comes, but Best of the Super Juniors is next so there will be more and more tune-up filler matches first. And great tag match main event with the unique stipulation. As I said before, Yota losing both belts is so he can have his heroic journey back to the top. Yota getting the win here makes sense as it sets up the rematch from losing to Callum, and Dominion’s going to have a great main event that could honestly go either way.
My Score: 8.8/10
Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
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SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - 30 Mindless Minutes
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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