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