The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but will they fall?

Best of the Super Juniors continues, and while some are just getting started, we see if Kosei Fujita can keep going towards his repeat performance!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Valiente Jr. VS Daiki Nagai; Valiente wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Master Wato VS Ryusuke Taguchi; Taguchi wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: YOH VS Jakob Austin Young; Yoh wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Robbie X VS Francesco Akira; Robbie wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Daisuke Sasaki; Daisuke wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Titan VS Jun Kasai; Titan wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS SHO; Sho wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Nick Wayne; Fujita wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori; Desperado wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

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

Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Valiente Jr. VS Daiki Nagai!

The tournament may be on night two, but the CMLL star is finally getting in the ring! Will Valiente truly be valiant to start his run? Or will the Unbound Young Lion make good on his second try?

Wait, Daiki SHOTGUNS Valiente out the gate, just like he did to Ryusuke Taguchi in the first round! The bell rings, Daiki takes Valiente’s cape off him, then CHOPS him down! The fans rally, Daiki whips, but Valiente reverses. Daiki ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! The fans fire up while Daiki finally takes off his shirt, and he builds speed to FLY! Down goes Valiente at the ramp! The fans fire up again as Daiki stands back up. Daiki puts Valiente in the ring, stomps him, then grabs the legs. Valiente fires elbows from below, btu Daiki still turns him over for the BOSTON CRAB! Valiente endures, flails, but he fights his way forward to the ROPEBREAK!

Daiki lets go while the fans applaud, and Valiente writhes. Daiki stomps Valiente, drags him up, and brings him around to CHOP! Daiki then runs, but Valiente BOOTS him! Valiente somersaults and DROPKICKS Daiki out of the ring! The fans cheer while Valiente builds speed, and he FLIES! Down goes Daiki now and the fans fire back up! Valiente sits up slowly, clutching his lower back, but he stands Daiki up to CHOP! Daiki sputters, but Valiente puts him in the ring. Daiki runs up but Valiente goes Matrix! Valiente then kips up to mule kick, front kick, and ENZIGIRI! The fans cheer while Valiente sets up, STANDING MOONSAUTL! Cover, TWO!

Daiki survives and Valiente is a bit surprised. Valiente hurries to bring Daiki up, vows to end this, and he suplexes, but Daiki slips free! Daiki shoves and DROPKICKS Valiente down! The fans fire up with Daiki as he hurries to get Valiente up again. Daiki whips, Valiente holds ropes, but Daiki fires forearms! Daiki whips, and SPINEBUSTERS! High stack, TWO! Valiente survives but the fans rally behind Daiki again. Daiki vows to end it, and he hauls Valiente up, scoops, and SLAMS! Daiki goes to a corner and climbs up! The fans rally as Daiki DIVING HEADBUTT FLOPS! Valiente then victory rolls, STANDING SPLASH!

Valiente isn’t done, he brings Daiki up, tucks the arms, and VALIENTE SPECIAL!! Cover, Valiente wins!

Winner: Valiente Jr, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Daiki earns 0)

Another hot start but a disappointing finish for Daiki, what will it take for him to score in BOSJ? As for Valiente, his late start did not slow him down, will he make quite the comeback in the block?

Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Master Wato VS Ryusuke Taguchi!

The Way of the Grandmaster stumbled out the gate against Titan, but the Funky Weapon showed he could get serious against Daiki Nagai. Will Taguchi continue to turn it up in the tournament? Or will Wato cool him off quick?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two former tag partners circle. Taguchi offers a handshake, Wato accepts, but Taguchi yanks Wato into a roll-up! TWO, and Taguchi hurries to HIP ATTACK! Taguchi then grabs a leg, OH MY GAH ANKLE! Wato fights around, rolls and reels Taguchi into a cover, TWO! Wato sunset flips, TWO, but into VENDEVAL! Taguchi endures, kicks around, and the fans rally up! Taguchi teetertotters to get the cover, TWO! Both men stand, Wato SOBATS! Taguchi goes to a corner, Wato whips him corner to corner, but Taguchi reverses. Wato reverses back to drop toehold, then LA MAGISTROL! TWO!

Taguchi scrambles to his feet, he drop toeholds, and he steps over to LA MAGISTROL! TWO! Wato hurries to dropkick the legs out! Then he steps over, but Taguchi rolls Wato! Wato rolls through, Taguchi reels him in, LA MAGIS- NO, Wato stuffs it! TWO!! Taguchi escapes and the fans fire up! Taguchi runs up, but Wato slips around, only for Taguchi to block the roll-up! Taguchi kicks low, runs the ropes, but Wato slips around, crucifix takedown! Taguchi stands, but into RECIEN- NO, Taguchi turns that into a trip and roll, cradle! TAGUCHI WINS!!

Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)

Wato is as shocked as anyone! Taguchi gets the win, and in such quick fashion! Is this the power of a serious Taguchi? Will Wato already flounder at the back of the block at this rate?

Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: YOH VS Jakob Austin Young!

Direct Drive was caught off-guard by Hyo while #DangerousJAY was disarmed by The Bone Soldier Reborn. Who makes up for a disappointing opener with a win here tonight?

The bell rings and Zane Jay talks trash on Tatsuya Matsumoto, even though they’re just the cornermen, not the competitors. Yoh says, “Fight!” The fans cheer, they wanna see it! Jakob tells Zane to calm down, he can face Tatsuya some other time. The bell rings, the fans rally behind Yoh, and he shows off the dancing pecs. Jakob gets kinda hopping pecs, then he headlocks Yoh. Yoh pulls hair, then fires body shots. Yoh powers up and out, drops down, then bypasses to hip toss! Jakob gets up but Yoh DROPKICKS him down! The fans cheer, and Yoh makes his pecs dance more. Yoh kicks Jakob, whips him to ropes, but Jakob bails out.

Jakob calls for a timeout, but Yoh aims from the ropes. Yoh slingshots but Jakob moves aside, so Yoh lands on the apron. Jakob YANKS Yoh down, then Jakob builds speed to WRECK Yoh with a dropkick! Jakob puts the crown up, then flexes. The fans boo but Jakob drags Yoh up, SMACKS him off the apron, and puts him in the ring. Jakob storms in while the fans rally, and Jakob cocky covers, TWO! Jakob taunts Yoh, fires forearms, then turns Yoh, but Yoh drops down to roll Jakob up! TWO, and Yoh CLOBBERS Jakob! And CLOBBERS him again! Yoh whips, Jakob reverses, then Jakob ducks the lariat to send Yoh into buckles!

The fans rally for Yoh but Jakob storms over. Jakob stands Yoh up on the apron, smacks him off buckles again, then brings Yoh in through the ropes for a HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Yoh survives and the fans rally up while Jakob frowns. Jakob kicks Yoh, stomps him, then mocks the fans cheering Yoh on. Jakob drags Yoh up by his nose, then dragon sleepers! SAVING- NO, Yoh fights the suplex to spin around, but then Jakob fights the suplex! Yoh fights free, slips around, and he suplexes for the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Jakob survives but the fans cheer Yoh on. Yoh rises up, goes to ropes, and tunes up the band!

The fans rally as Yoh aims, but Jakob blocks a kick! Yoh blocks back, Jakob dodges, and Jakob ENZIGIRIS! Jakob hurries to ANARCHY SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Yoh survives and the fans fire up again! Jakob argues with the ref, then vows to end this. Jakob drags Yoh up, reels him in, and hammerlocks, but Yoh wrenches free to trip and jackknife bridge! TWO, and Jakob runs up! Yoh sidesteps, sidesteps, and repeat! Yoh is doing the Taguchi strategy, then runs up to SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up as Yoh plays his Ace, then the SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Jakob survives but the fans fire up as Yoh vows to end it now! Yoh underhooks Jakob, DIRECT DRIVE! Cover, Yoh wins!

Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Jakob earns 0)

With that, Yoh recovers from his opening round setback! Will he continue on until he’s running the block? Can Jakob use his ladder to climb out of this 0-2 hole?

Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Robbie X VS Francesco Akira!

Mr. Extreme couldn’t outdo The Prodigy, and the Crown of Fire could not burn The Japanese Young Punk. But someone’s gotta win tonight, so who gets those two points before it’s too late?

Akira attacks Robbie while he’s standing on the corner! The ref reprimands and the fans boo but Akira doesn’t care, he just goes out after Robbie! Akira tells fans to move aside, then he whips Robbie into the chairs! STRIKE! Akira even does a bowling pose to emphasize it. Akira then smothers Robbie with his own shirt! The ref reprimands, Akira stops, and he brings Robbie up from the chairs. Akira says look, Robbie! But Robbie stops from being sent into the post! Robbie CHOPS Akira, ROCKS him, then fires more forearms. Akira KNEES low, follows Robbie around the outside, and Akira throws Gedo’s cup at Robbie just because.

Akira whips Robbie at the post, but Robbie WALL WALK ATTACKS! The fans fire up as Robbie turns things around on Akira again! Robbie throws off his shirt, then stalks Akira around the way. Robbie stands Akira up to CHOP! Robbie puts Akira in the ring, we finally get the bell, and Robbie snapmares to basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Robbie as he brings Akira up to KNEE him in the back! Robbie wrenches Akira, snapmares, and then steps on the hand, to STOMP it! Akira clutches his fingers while he writhes and protests, but Robbie just brings him up again. Robbie whips, Akira reverses, but Robbie grabs ropes.

Akira runs up, Robbie cartwheels out of the way, and Akira ends up on the apron! Robbie runs, but Akira slingshots to CUTTER! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Robbie survives Akira turning things back around, but Akira CHOKES him on the ropes! The ref reprimands, Akira steps off at 4, and the fans rally for Robbie. Akira keeps Robbie from the ropes this time to rain down fists! Robbie clutches his face, he still has a swollen cheek from what happened just last round. Akira scoops to SLAM Robbie, covers, TWO! STANDING MOONSAULT! Akira pushes Robbie down for a cocky cover, TWO! Robbie toughs it out and the fans applaud.

Akira drags Robbie around, clamps onto an arm, then the other, then he digs his knuckles into the swollen cheek! The fans boo, the ref counts, but Akira stops to talk trash on Gedo and the fans. Akira drags Robbie up, but Robbie fires forearms! Robbie ROCKS Akira, but Akira throat chops! Robbie sputters but Akira brings him around. Akira whips Robbie, Robbie slides to a stop, then Robbie dumps Akira out! NO HAND HANDSPRING KICK! Then a PLANCHA! The fans fire up as Akira falls! Robbie hurries to put Akira back in, then he slingshots for the SILVER BULLET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Akira toughs it out but Robbie stays cool.

The fans rally for Robbie again while he makes sure the bad eye can see. Robbie hears the fans cheering him on, he fires them up more, then stands Akira up. Robbie fireman’s carries, winds up, but Akira slips free! Akira shoves Robbie to a corner, but Robbie ELBOWS Akira down! Robbie then goes up, slips a bit, and Akira runs up! But Robbie cartwheels to evade! Robbie runs, handsprings, but Akira DROPKICKS Robbie out of it! Akira hurries to get the legs, and he ROPE GUILLOTINES Robbie! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer Robbie, but Akira hooks him up! SPEEDFIRE! Cover, TWO!! Robbie survives and the fans cheer!

Akira scowls as he looms over Robbie, then he brings Robbie up and around. Akira mocks the fans cheering Robbie, then RAMS him into buckles! Akira drags Robbie back up, wrenches and whips corner to corner, and Robbie hits buckles hard! Robbie falls back but the fans still rally behind him. Akira kicks at Robbie, taunts him and the fans, then he eggs Robbie on. Fight for them, Robbie! Fight for them! Robbie sits up, Akira scuffs him, and the fans cheer, “Let’s Go, Robbie!” Akira pie faces Robbie, so Robbie CHOPS! Akira is stinging, but he comes back to egg Robbie on again. Robbie winds up but Akira drop toeholds!

Akira SMACKS Robbie’s face off the mat, then says it’s over! Chicken wings, TIGER GER- NO, Robbie fires elbows! But Akira hooks the arms! Robbie fights the backslide, and he flips things around on Akira to backslide with a headstand! TWO!! Akira escapes and the fans fire up! Robbie dodges, handsprings, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Akira roars, he brings Robbie up, and he hooks a leg for the CROWN- NO, Robbie lands out! ENZIGIRI! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Robbie and Akira stir, but Robbie rises first. Robbie goes to a corner, climbs up top, but Akira runs up! Robbie drops back to GAMANGIRI!

The fans fire up as Akira falls, and Robbie goes up again! X EXP- NO, Akira dodges! Robbie rolls through, but Akira rolls Robbie up! TWO, both men stand, and Robbie dodges, to PE- NO! Akira dodges the Pele to GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!! Akira ENZIGIRIS! Robbie goes to a corner, Akira runs in, but Robbie pops Akira up! Robbie ELBOWS Akira, then gets space! NO HAND HAND- NO, Akira dodges this time! Akira comes back, NOVA- NO! Robbie ducks the Fireball to GAMANGIRI! Cover, ROBBIE WINS!

Winner: Robbie X, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)

Akira tried to be more extreme than the extreme and it may have backfired! Will Akira be able to reignite in the third round? Or will Robbie make this the X Block?

Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Daisuke Sasaki!

The Time Splitter has brought things Back to the Future after his win over Robbie Eagles, while underhanded tactics helped Charisma Itself defeat El Desperado. Will Daisuke make sure the BOSJ is #NeverSober? Or will Kushida reach 88 miles per hour first?

Daisuke is going barefoot like Kushida did last round, and questions why Kushida isn’t already barefoot this round. Daisuke dares Kushida to go barefoot again, so Kushida accepts the challenge. Kushida takes off his boots, kick pads, and socks, but then Daisuke CHUCKS one of his own boots at Kushida! The ref reprimands as Daisuke beats Kushida down, then TOSSES him out! The bell rings, Daisuke scoops to SNAKE EYES Kushida off the apron! Daisuke then sits Kushida on the apron, and YANKS him into the post! Daisuke SLAMS Kushida’s bad leg into the post! Then Daisuke grabs a chair! CON-CHAIR-TO on the leg against the post!

The fans are torn but Daisuke has the ref take a seat. Daisuke then stalks Kushida, puts him in the ring, and he stomps Kushida’s leg. Kushida hobbles, Daisuke follows, and he puts Kushida’s bad leg around ropes. Daisuke pulls the leg, kicks the leg, throws hands, and repeat. The fans boo but Daisuke then has Kushida for a standing toehold. Daisuke kneels on the bad leg and pulls on the foot! Kushida endures, but Daisuke SLAMS the leg off the mat! The fans rally for Kushida but Daisuke stalks him to the corner. Daisuke stomps the bad leg, then slaps Kushida around. Kushida CLAWS Daisuke’s face in return!

The ref reprimands but Kushida KICKS Daisuke’s leg! And KICKS it again! Daisuke falls and the fans fire up! Kushida builds speed to HANDSPRING KICK Daisuke down! Kushida keeps going, and he baseball slides, only for Daisuke to dodge! Daisuke grabs the bad leg, and DRAGON SCREWS! Daisuke takes some chairs from the crowd, then ROCKS Kushida into taking a seat. Daisuke takes his shirt off, then goes up the corner! Kushida hurries up after Daisuke and throws haymakers! Kushida climbs up, KIMURA! The ref reprimands, but then Daisuke CLAWS Kushida’s face! Kushida drops into the ring, but he grabs his shoe!

Kushida climbs up and smothers Daisuke with his shoe! The ref reprimands, but Daisuke smothers Kushida with the shoe! Daisuke then punches Kushida down! Daisuke adjusts his position up top, MACHO ELBOW into the ARMBAR! Daisuke flails but he stacks Kushida, TWO! Daisuke goes to a corner, dodges Kushida, then rolls him up, feet on the ropes! The ref sees that and says no! Daisuke argues with the ref, but Kushida O’Conner Rolls, grabbing the rope! The ref sees that and also says no! The ref is on his game tonight! Kushida headlocks, Daisuke powers up and out, but Kushida RUNS Daisuke over. Things keep moving, and Kushida victory rolls, to then step through!

Kushida turns Daisuke over, then winds up, but Daisuke avoids the Penalty Kick! Daisuke victory rolls, turns Kushida over, CROSSFACE! Kushida slips free, whips Daisuke, HIP TOSS and the cartwheel DROPKICK! The fans cheer and Kushida puts his sock on his hand! The fans rally up for the SOCK SHOTEI! Cover, TWO! So Kushida goes with a MANDIBLE CLAW! Daisuke endures this modern day Socko, breaks free, but then Kushida PELES! Daisuke wobbles, but he SUPERKICKS in return! Kushida ROLLING ELBOWS, Daisuke rebounds to ROCK him! Kushida KICKS and KICKS, but Daisuke blocks!

Daisuke BITES Kushida’s foot! The ref reprimands but Daisuke stops soon enough, he spits out the taste. Daisuke then stomps the foot, and CHOP BLOCKS the leg! Kushida hobbles around, Daisuke runs, LA MYSTICA into the CROSSFACE! Kushida reaches out but Daisuke rolls him from the ropes! Kushida endures, but Daisuke grabs that hand with the sock! Daisuke takes the sock off and he SMOTHERS Kushida with it! SOCK CROSSFACE! Kushida TAPS, Daisuke wins!!

Winner: Daisuke Sasaki, by submission (gains 2 points; Kushida earns 0)

Well, that’s certainly one way to make someone give up! Will Kushida be able to get the awful taste of defeat out of his mouth next round? Will Daisuke use any means necessary to win this block?

Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Titan VS Jun Kasai!

Titan competed on opening night, and now he welcomes “The Crazy Monkey” to BOSJ 33. Will Titan start a win streak at 2-0? Or will this Deathmatch junkie find a way to kill El Inmortal?

The bell rings and the fans rally up already. Titan offers a handshake, but Jun bails out of the ring. Jun walks around the outside, and he says if this year’s slogan is, “Over the top excellence,” then he and Titan need to go over the top! Jun starts bringing out chairs from under the ring! Jun dares Titan to fight him, and the fans cheer Titan on. The ref wants things to be orderly but Titan goes out to join Jun. Jun offers a chair, and Titan accepts! The fans cheer as Titan fires up! Titan headbutts the chair, then swings chairs with Jun! They clash, Titan is disarmed, and Jun JAMS Titan up! Jun then brings Titan to the entryway!

The ref reprimands, he says this is NOT a hardcore match! Jun is upset but he puts Titan in the ring. The fans rally while Jun stomps Titan. Titan goes to a corner but Jun digs his boots in. The ref counts, Jun stops at 4, and he drags Titan up to bump him off buckles. Jun whips Titan corner to corner, then runs in, but Titan BOOTS him away! Titan then runs up, but Jun ROCKS him! Jun snapmares Titan, winds up, and basement DROPKICKS! Cover, ONE! Jun goes after the mask! The ref reprimands, counts, and Jun stops at 4 to shove the ref aside. Jun then ROCKS Titan with a forearm. Jun RIPS at the mask again!

The fans boo, the ref counts, and Jun stops. Titan’s mask has a much bigger eye hole now but Jun drags him up. Titan CHOPS! Jun sneers and he ROCKS Titan! Titan CHOPS back! Jun ROCKS, Titan CHOPS, and they both growl. Jun eggs Titan on, Titan ROCKS Jun, but Jun mule kicks Titan down! Jun drags Titan up, bumps him off buckles, then whips corner to corner. Jun runs up to LARIAT! Jun puts Titan up top, Electric Chair Lifts, and he runs corner to corner to THROW Titan into buckles! Jun keeps moving, he builds up speed, and he LARIATS Titan down! Cover, TWO! Titan toughs it out and the fans fire up!

Wait, Jun has something in his pocket. He brings out BAMBOO SKEWERS! The fans freak out already as Jun winds up, but the ref sees those in time! The ref stops Jun, and Titan SUPERKICKS Jun in the back! Jun stumbles into the ref and knocks him down! Jun runs up on Titan, Titan dodges the skewers to CALF KICK! Titan then takes the skewers from Jun, and JAMS them into Jun’s head!! Jun is the painful pineapple, and Titan DROPKICKS him out! Titan builds speed and he DIVES! Down goes Jun, onto the chair pile! The fans fire up for Titan as he stands tall and puts Jun in the ring. Then springboard and SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

Jun survives but Titan fires up! The fans rally behind him and Titan goes to a corner. Titan skins the cat to go up top, but Jun rises! Jun SHORYUKENS Titan, then takes off his shirt. Jun climbs up, he and Titan brawl, then Jun HEADBUTTS Titan! Titan wobbles, Jun brings him back up, and SUPERPLEXES! The fans fire up while Jun hurries to bring Titan up again, BIG back suplex! And then again, suplex and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Titan survives the onslaught and the fans fire up again! Jun argues the count but the ref defends it. Jun vows to end it, and he drags Titan up, to give him the kiss of death!

Jun then underhooks Titan, ANGEL’S WINGS! Cover, TWO!! Titan survives and Jun is stunned! Jun hurries to scoop and SLAM Titan, then blows some snot on him before going to the corner. Jun puts his goggles on, then salutes, DIVING BODY PRESS onto knees! Cover, TWO! High stack cover, TWO! Titan has the legs, ties them up, LLAVE INMORTAL CRADLE! TITAN WINS!!

Winner: Titan, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Jun earns 0)

Even Jun is shocked that he got caught off guard like that! He questions a Young Lion, they say it was three, so Jun POSTS the poor guy! Titan takes offense to that! But will Jun just have to go crazier if he wants to win the BOSJ? Will Titan continue to represent his country and his people as he climbs up the ranks?

Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS SHO!

The Sniper of the Skies was on the losing end of Kushida’s return to former glory, while The Murder Machine won what was almost a complete farce of a match with Yoshinobu Kanemaru! Will the Heel Master having the night off double Sho’s chances of stacking the deck? Or can Eagles fly high over The House of Torture?

Sho makes his entrance first, so that he can then sit in the crowd as a TMDK fan? Eagles makes his entrance, and that’s when Sho springs the trap! Sho kicks Eagles, CHOKES him with his own scarf, then SMACKS him off the apron! Sho grabs his TMDK merchandise, just to CHOKE Eagles with it! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Sho stops. Sho puts Eagles in the ring, then the bell sounds. Sho CLUBS Eagles, kicks him down, then grabs a hand to bend the fingers! The ref reprimands and counts, but Sho CLUBS Eagles’ arm at 4. The fans rally for Eagles as he blocks the whip. Sho kicks Eagles, whips, but Eagles reverses to go up and around and arm-drag!

Things speed up, Eagles hurdles to RANA! Sho bails out while the fans cheer, and Eagles builds speed! But Sho runs away, denying Eagles his target. The fans boo again but Eagles pursues Sho through the crowd. They go around the back row, through another section, then behind the timekeeper’s table! Sho grabs the bell! The ref reprimands, Sho apologizes and sets the bell down. Then he BOOTS the table into Eagles! Sho RAMS Eagles into the apron, then puts him in the ring. The fans rally for Eagles but Sho KNEES low! Sho whips Eagles to ropes, then kitchen sink knees! Sho covers, TWO! The fans cheer as Eagles toughs it out.

Sho drags Eagles up, TOSSES him back out, then goes out to look under the ring. Sho brings out chairs, but he sets them down. Then he kicks a Young Lion, puts him in the ring, and that distraction lets Sho JAM Eagles up with a chair! The fans boo but Sho places one chair against Eagles’ ribs, for a special CON-CHAIR-TO! Eagles coughs and sputters but Sho leaves him behind. The fans boo but the ring count starts. Eagles is still down at 10 of 20, but he sits up at 12. Eagles stands at 13, then stumbles over to the ring to roll in at 15. The fans cheer, but Sho brings Eagles to an exposed corner! Sho puts Eagles through the ropes, then stands on Eagles’ back!

The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Eagles’ gut is pressed against the bare buckle the whole time! Sho stops as the ref counts 4, then he shoves Eagles down. Sho ELBOW DROPS, and ELBOW DROPS, then JUMP ELBOW DROPS! Cover, ONE!! Eagles is tougher than that, but Sho pulls on the arm and leg in the rowboat stretch! The fans rally as Eagles endures and fights around. Sho puts on the pressure, but Eagles still fights his way around with the free arm and leg! Eagles flails, reaches out, and he manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Sho holds on until the ref counts 4. Then Sho kicks at Eagles and eggs him on.

Sho digs his heel into the ribs, but Eagles grabs that foot! Eagles stands to CHOP, and CHOP, and UPPERCUT! Eagles runs, but Sho kitchen sink knees! Then gut wrench and GUT BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Sho drags Eagles up to then RAM into the bare buckles! Eagles clutches the ribs, but Sho KNEES them again and again! The ref reprimands but Sho goes corner to corner and back again, but Eagles dodges! Sho’s knee hits buckles! Eagles DROPKICKS Sho down and the fans rally up! Eagles builds speed but Sho uses a Young Lion as a shield! The fans boo but Eagles goes to the apron, QUEBRADA! Down goes Sho!

The fans cheer as Eagles puts Sho back in the ring, and they rally up as he pounds the apron. Eagles rolls in, dropkicks Sho’s leg, then grits his teeth as he KICKS! KICKS! And KICKS! Eagles runs to HYPERION! Cover, TWO! Sho survives but Eagles vows to end this now. Eagles drags Sho up, cravats, but Sho fights free by bending fingers! The ref counts, but Eagles breaks free to SOBAT! And KICK! Sho falls over and the fans rally up. Sho goes to a corner, Eagles runs in, but Sho puts him on the apron! Eagles feints the enzigiri and KICKS the leg out! The fans cheer while Sho flounders away. Eagles springboards, but the ref is a shield!

Sho runs, but Eagles SPEARS first! The fans cheer and Eagles aims again, DOUBLE KNEES in the corner! Then a roll back, and METEORA! Eagles drags Sho to a cover, TWO! Sho survives but the fans rally for Eagles again. “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” The fans cheer and Eagles brings Sho around to step through. But Sho grabs at Eagles’ scarf, but Eagles kicks him in the legs! Then the spinning toehold! And basement SUPERKICK! The fans cheer as Eagles goes to the corner, and he manages to go up and out!

Eagles aims, WARP 4- FLOP!! Sho avoids the splash and runs up, SPEAR! Sho roars as he reels Eagles in, Canadian Rack for PIMP SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Eagles survives and the fans fire up! Sho goes to his corner, he looks through his things, and he finds his “Torture Tool!” Wait, he hides a second one behind his back! The ref wants the obvious one, but Sho SHOVES the ref into the corner! Then he swings, but Eagles blocks! Eagles kicks low, and he has the wrench! SPANNER SHOT on the leg! The fans cheer as Eagles then puts on a TORTURE TOOL RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Sho TAPS, but the ref can’t count it while he’s down and out!

Eagles lets Sho go, he goes to check on the ref, but Sho is grabbing something else now! Oh no, the Black Mirror! Eagles drags Sho into the ring, turns him over, but Sho kicks the bad leg! MIRROR SHOT to the head!! The fans boo but Sho shouts to the ref. Sho reels Eagles in, tucks the arms, SHOCK ARROW!! Cover, SHO WINS!

Winner: Sho, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Eagles earns 0)

Kanemaru wasn’t even needed, Sho did bad all by himself! Will he continue to lie, cheat, and steal his way to the top of the block? Will Eagles be able to reload and try again in the third?

Best of the Super Juniors 33 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Nick Wayne!

The Japanese Young Punk and The Prodigy were the youngest competitors last year and truly showed ability beyond their years. They meet again in just the second round, who proves they’re the face of the future with a win here tonight?

The two stare down and talk a bit of trash, but Red Shoes has them back up to their corners. The bell rings and the fans rally as the two stare down. They circle, tie up, and Fujita powers Nick to the ropes. Fujita lets off, fakes the chop, then pats Nick on the shoulders. Nick nods and circles with Fujita again, then tie up. They go around, Nick puts Fujita on the ropes now, and he lets off slowly. Nick fakes the chop, then pats Fujita on the shoulders. But then Nick fires a forearm! Fujita grins and brushes that off to throw a forearm of his own! Nick fires back, the fans rally as the shots go back and forth, then Nick gets the edge!

Fujita kicks but Nick blocks to ROCK him! Nick whips, hurdles, and ELBOWS Fujita down! Nick kips up and the fans fire up again. Nick covers, ONE! Fujita is tougher than that, but Nick brings him up. Nick CHOPS Fujita, Fujita goes to ropes, but Nick brings him up. Nick snapmares Fujita to drop the leg! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Fujita toughs it out. Nick circles Fujita, then flips him over. Nick drags Fujita up into a waistlock, but Fujita fights the full nelson! Fujita breaks free, switches, but Nick ELBOWS him! Nick whips, Fujita reverses, LEG LARIAT! Nick is down and the fans fire up again! Fujita goes to a corner before he stands up.

Fujita storms over to Nick, whips him corner to corner, then runs up to CHOP! Nick is stinging while the fans cheer. Fujita snapmares, PENALTY KICKS, then covers, TWO! Fujita stands Nick up, but Nick CHOPS! And CHOPS! Fujita eggs Nick on, Nick CHOPS again, but Fujita CHOPS Nick down! Nick swings, Fujita catches him, takedown into the hammerlock and ARMBAR! Nick endures as Fujita bends the arm back! The fans rally as Fujita shifts the angle on the arm, but Nick fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! Fujita lets go, and he brings Nick around by the legs. Fujita turns Nick over for the BOSTON CRAB!

The fans rally as Nick endures, and Nick fights his way forward. Fujita drags Nick back from the ropes, but Nick keeps fighting! Nick crawls and makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud while Fujita lets go, and Fujita stomps Nick down. Fujita drags Nick up, CHOPS, and Nick goes to a corner. Fujita whips corner to corner, runs up, but Nick BOOTS him away! Nick goes up, leaps, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans cheer while both men are down. Fujita goes to a corner but Nick rises up. Nick runs up, catches Fujita’s arm to wrench, hammerlock, then he slips around again, STUNNER! Nick holds on to ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Fujita toughs it out. Nick huffs ‘n’ puffs as he rises up, and he grits his teeth to fight through the pain in his back. Nick waistlocks Fujita, drags him up, and shifts to the full nelson. Fujita breaks free, but Nick ducks an elbow to kick low. Nick runs, but Fujita pops him up for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Fujita holds onto Nick, drags him up, and spins Nick into ABANDON- NO, Nick fights the suplex and wrenches free! Nick ROCKS Fujita, but Fujita comes back to ROCK Nick! The fans rally as Nick gets in Fujita’s face, then ROCKS him! Fujita ROCKS Nick, Nick ROCKS Fujita, repeat!

Nick fires a flurry, but Fujita rebounds to CHOP! Nick rebounds to BOOT, Fujita rebounds, but into a SUPERKICK! But Fujita ducks the roundhouse to HEEL KICK! Then GERMAN SUPLEX! Nick staggers to his feet, and he SNAP DRAGONS Fujita! Both men roar as they rise up, but then they both fall! The fans fire up again! Fujita and Nick stir, and Fujita crawls away to a corner. Nick runs up and UPPERCUTS! Then he snapmares Fujita, goes up the corner, WAYNE’S- NO, Fujita catches Nick to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Nick lands out! Fujita SMACKS Nick, runs, but into an UPPERCUT! Nick runs but into a pop-up! Nick victory rolls, TWO! Fujita WHEELBARROW GERMANS!

The fans fire up again as Fujita vows to end this! Fujita deadlifts Nick into the torture rack, THRILL- NO, Nick lands out! Nick runs up, rolling jackknife, then hooks a leg for the PRODIGY PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Fujita survives and Nick is beside himself, but the fans fire up again! Nick calls his shot as he stands, but Fujita anchors a foot! The fans rally as Fujita brings Nick around, but Nick SLAPS him! Fujita holds on, so Nick SLAPS! And HEADBUTTS! And ROUNDHOUSES! Nick goes up, WAYNE’S- THRILL RIDE!! Cover, FUJITA WINS!

Winner: Kosei Fujita, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Wayne earns 0)

Nick Wayne proved again that he belongs with the best, but Kosei Fujita again proved that he’s the best! Will the Japanese Young Punk continue to rock ‘n’ roll his way to the top of the block? Will The Prodigy prove he can also bounce back like the best?

Best of the Super Juniors 33 B Block: El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori!

On the flipside to Fujita VS Wayne, The Rogue Luchador and Bone Soldier are old rivals who look to add another chapter to their shared story. But will Despy prove he’s still The Best of the Super Juniors? Or will Taiji win this main event #ByGrace?

The bell rings and the fans rally up already. The crowd sounds mostly in favor of Despy, but Taiji’s used to it. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. Taiji waistlocks, Despy wrenches out to wristlock, but Taiji uses the ropes to flip through. Taiji wristlocks and keeps Despy from ropes. Despy rolls, wrenches, hammerlocks, but Taiji switches that onto him. Despy drop toeholds, headlocks, but Taiji rolls Despy. Despy holds on as they roll through, but Taiji  slips out to waistlocks. Despy switches, then floats to a facelock, but Taiji wrenches free to rear mount, but Despy reaches out to ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Taiji lets go with a pat on Despy’s back.

Despy bails out, but he applauds his own respect to Taiji. Despy comes back, he and Taiji reset, and they feel things out. Taiji pokes Despy in the eyes! Red Shoes reprimands but Taiji whips, only for Despy to reverse and dropkick the legs out! Despy then grabs a leg for a SHIN BREAKER! Despy YANKS the bad leg, then checks his eyes while Taiji scrambles away. Despy hurries to cover, TWO! Despy drags Taiji around, steps through, and drops a leg on the leg! Despy then ties the legs up for the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Taiji endures, even as Despy puts on the pressure. Taiji CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Despy “falls,” putting more pressure on the hold!

Despy reclines as he pushes on Taiji’s legs. Despy then sits up so he can pull on the hold! Taiji fights his way over and makes the ROPEBREAK! Despy lets go, but he kneels on the leg as he does. Then “Oops!” and Despy drops knees on the knee! Despy then brings Taiji up, SHIN- NO, Taiji KNEES free! Taiji whips Despy, Despy reverses, but Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Despy tumbles out while the fans fire up! Taiji slaps his leg to make sure it’s working, then he GOLDEN TRIANGLE MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Despy, but Taiji hobbles and hops away. The fans rally for Taiji while he walks back to Despy.

Taiji has fans clear out, then he brings Despy up. Taiji whips Despy into the chairs! STRIKE~! The fans cheer but Red Shoes reprimands. Taiji leaves Despy behind, but he decides to untie the blue buckle pad, too. Is it the Unbound Special now instead of just the Bullet Club and House of Torture? Despy rises up from the chairs, hobbles his way to ringside, and rolls in at 10 of 20. The fans applaud while Taiji stalks Despy. Taiji twists Despy’s wrist while standing on his head! Despy endures, even as Taiji bends fingers, and Despy makes the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Taiji stops, but then Taiji SLAMS the arm off the mat!

The fans rally up while Despy fires body shots, but Taiji boots him down! Taiji pulls on Despy’s arm in a Straight Armbar! Despy endures, fights up, but Taiji wrangles him back down! Taiji pulls on the arm harder and harder, but Despy fights and floats through, only for Taiji to slips through and chicken wing! Despy kicks to the ROPEBREAK! Taiji lets go while the fans cheer, and Taiji brings Despy back up. Taiji wrenches, hammerlocks, and he RAMS Despy into the bare buckles! Red Shoes reprimands but Taiji just grins. Taiji brings Despy up, around, and wrenches, to then POST Despy! The fans rally as Taiji brings Despy back around.

Taiji runs with Despy again, but Despy stops from hitting buckles now! Despy SMACKS Taiji off the top! Despy then runs to SPEAR! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! Despy clutches his bad arm while he and Taiji go to opposite corners. Despy runs corner to corner, blocks a boot, then KICKS the other leg! Despy goes for that leg but Taiji fires headlock punches to deny the lift. Despy KICKS the bad leg, then tries again, SHIN- NO, Taiji sunset flips, high stacks, TWO! BONE LOCK!! Despy scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taiji lets go while the fans applaud. Taiji hobbles his way back to Despy, drags him up, and fireman’s carries.

Taiji ROLLING DEATH VALLEY DRIVERS, but then checks the leg before he basement SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up again as Taiji hammerlocks Despy and scoops, SHOULDER BUSTER! A little double-edged given Taiji’s bad leg but the fans rally again. Despy rises, clutching his bad arm, but Taiji runs in! MYSTI- NO, Despy rolls through to drag Taiji down, into the STTRETCH MUFFLER! Taiji flails, reaches out, but Despy drags him from the ropes! Despy reaches for the arm, NUMERO DOS! Taiji still fights with the free arm, but Despy pulls on him! Despy thrashes the hold, but Taiji fights, fights, and makes the ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer, Despy gut wrenches, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO, but Despy goes up a corner! FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Taiji survives and the fans fire up! Despy drags Taiji up, reels him in, and underhooks. PINCHE- NO, Taiji lands out, then Alabama Lifts! Then he spins Despy around, CIPHER UTAKI! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Despy crawls to a corner, then he runs up, but into an URENAGE! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Taiji rises up, he drags Despy up, and he ripcords, LA MYSTICA! BONE LOCK!! Despy scrambles but Taiji rolls him from the ropes!

Taiji pulls back on the Bone Lock! Despy endures, reaches out, but Taiji thrashes the hold! Despy fights, turns, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him again! But Despy rolls through to get the leg! STRETCH MUFFLER! NUMERO DOS! But Taiji activates the core to rise up, and DESTROYER! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Taiji and Despy stir as the fans rally harder. Taiji uses the ropes to drag himself up, and he aims his finger gun, BANG! Taiji hobbles over to Despy, drags him up, Half Hatch for the BLOODY- NO, Despy lands out, and then GROUND DRAGON SCREWS! Back to the STETCH MUFFLER!!

Taiji reaches out, Despy rolls him back to center, and then he traps Taiij’s arm in his leg! NUMERO DOS ULTRA!! Taiji TAPS, Despy wins!!

Winner: El Desperado, by submission (gains 2 points; Taiji earns 0)

These old rivals pushed each other like they always do, and in the end, El Desperado wins out! As hard as he fought tonight, will Taiji have to fight that much harder to finally be the Best of the Super Juniors?

As for Desperado, he gets the mic to say, “Two years ago, I beat you to win this tournament. And then they kept putting us together in the same block, and yet, we’re still able to have an emotionally charged night like this. Thank you very much.” Despy then adds that he and Ishimori in the main event here in Hachioji, yet without a certain you know who (Hiromu Takahashi). But they can still pull things along for NJPW here! This IS BOSJ, this IS NJPW, and while he supports Hiromu in his new endeavors, there is no doubt that this ring is one MILLION percent where the best wrestle, and you will regret going anywhere else!

Despy leaves it at that, ready to carry the banner in the stead of those who have come and gone. But will Despy fight his way through this tournament to prove he is still the Best of the Super Juniors?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Kosei Fujita: 2-0, 4 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 2-0, 4 points
Titan: 2-0, 4 points
Nick Wayne: 1-1, 2 points
Robbie X: 1-1, 2 points
Valiente Jr: 1-0, 2 points
Jun Kasai: 0-1, 0 points
Francesco Akira: 0-2, 0 points
Master Wato: 0-2, 0 points
Daiki Nagai: 0-2, 0 points

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

SHO: 2-0, 4 points
Daisuke Sasaki: 2-0, 4 points
El Desperado: 1-1, 2 points
Taiji Ishimori: 1-1, 2 points
HYO: 1-0, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 1-1, 2 points
YOH: 1-1, 2 points
Robbie Eagles: 0-2, 0 points
Jakob Austin Young: 0-2, 0 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 0-1, 0 points

My Thoughts:

An awesome second night for BOSJ, and it seems nights off for some guys is gonna be a thing even with everyone here now. I guess it’ll even out at some point, even though we could’ve easily gotten a tenth match tonight from Hyo VS Kanemaru. Great surprise with Taguchi being 2-0 to start, did not think he’d pull that off. Valiente beating Daiki was a given, but I’m a little surprised Titan won over Jun Kasai. Daisuke Sasaki being 2-0 is itself a surprise, but cheating his way to it actually makes sense. Again, feels like he could be a future member of The House of Torture, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Great matches to close out the night, too. Kosei Fujita VS Nick Wayne being this early in the tournament was a surprise in itself, but I hope it leaves the door open for them to meet again in the playoffs. Desperado VS Taiji was also a great main event, and a great win for Despy. Kudos to Despy addressing Hiromu moving on from NJPW without tearing him down. NJPW might be in a “rebuilding phase,” but they still have plenty of their solid, reliable stars that will carry them through.

My Score: 8.9/10

On this special 350th Episode of the show, the Big Five Project returns as we enter the year PC Tunney has been looking forward to for a very long time. 1997 is here and so to is the Attitude Era. More or less anyway. We begin what will surely be an epic run of episodes here on the Big Five Project with Royal Rumble ’97. It was a night that saw the WWE return to a stadium as over 61,000 fans packed the Alamodome in San Antonio to see the boyhood dream come true all over again as Shawn Michaels reclaimed the WWF Championship from Sycho Sid. But it was also the night that saw “Stone Cold’ Steve Austin capture the first of his three Royal Rumble wins, and the most controversial of all of them as Austin was eliminate, but the refs never saw it. Austin’s victory would set off a wild chain reaction of events that would completely shift the landscape for WrestleMania XIII. In reality, the entire evening was a who’s-who of huge players in WWF at the time, even if they still were not quite fully aligned with the gimmicks that would launch the industry into the stratosphere. It was an epic night in every sense of the word so come with us deep into the heart of Texas and celebrate as the Attitude Era begins to hit its stride with Royal Rumble ’97!