Suzuki-Gun VS Suzuki-Gun, one more time!

The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, El Desperado, must go through his tag partner, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, if he wants to be Best of the Super Juniors!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Best of the Super Juniors 28: Ryusuke Taguchi VS DOUKI; Taguchi wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 28: Robbie Eagles VS BUSHI; Eagles wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 28: YOH VS Taiji Ishimori; Yoh wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 28: Master Wato VS SHO; Sho wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 28: El Desperado VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Desperado wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 28: Hiromu Takahashi VS El Phantasmo; ELP wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current BOSJ 28 standings!

SHO: 5-1, 10 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 4-2, 8 points
Taiji Ishimori: 4-2, 8 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 3-2-1, 7 points
El Desperado: 3-2-1, 7 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-3, 6 points
Bushi: 3-3, 6 points
YOH: 2-4, 4 points
Master Wato: 2-4, 4 points
El Phantasmo: 2-4, 4 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-4, 4 points
Douki: 2-4, 4 points

Best of the Super Juniors 28: Ryusuke Taguchi VS DOUKI!

The Funky Weapon is firmly in the middle of the pack, while Japones Del Mal is stuck at the back. Will Douki switch places with Taguchi in an instant? Or will the Player Coach King begin his rise to the top?

Taguchi enters, mocking Douki by wearing a mask and banging things with a pipe, which is really just one of those foam toys from the concession stand. Douki is of course upset, but nothing he can do about it. Taguchi mocks Douki to his face but then Douki knees him low! Douki headlocks, the bell rings and Taguchi powers out. Things speed up, fans rally, and Douki ducks the hurdle to waistlock. Taguchi elbows and arm-drags free, then bumps to springboard and flying arm-drag! Douki handsprings through to knee low and whip. Taguchi reverses to hip attack! Fans rally for Taguchi as he gets the foam toy! Taguchi runs in to BOP Douki! It doesn’t do anything, but Taguchi still fires up.

Taguchi pokes Douki with the toy, Douki slaps it away. Taguchi pokes again, Douki slaps it away. And again, and again, and again, and again. Douki grabs the toy, yanks it away, but Taguchi dodges and grabs it to SMACK Douki in the leg, then the side, then the arm! Taguchi lets the ref have it, but Douki dodges the hip attack! Douki throws Taguchi out then whips him into railing! Douki whips Taguchi the other way, too! Taguchi crashes into more raiilng and falls, then Douki gets the real pipe! The ref tries to stop him but Douki pushes past to dig the pipe into Taguchi! The ref reprimands and counts as he chokes Taguchi, but Douki lets off at 4.

Douki drags Taguchi up, lifts him up and POSTS him, groin first! Fans rally up while Taguchi is down and folded up. Douki stays in the ring and a ring count starts. Taguchi is stuck with feet up in the air, but he manages to roll and get up. The count is 13 of 20 as Taguchi stands, and he takes a moment to walk off the pain. Taguchi gets in at 19 and then bails out to get more time to recover. Fans rally up and Taguchi slides in. Douki stomps him down at the ropes, digs his boot in, but the ref counts. Douki lets off at 4, then he drags Taguchi up to scoop and SLAM! Douki runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Douki scuffs Taguchi with a boot.

Douki drags Taguchi up, Taguchi throws body shots but Douki rakes eyes! The ref counts, Douki lets off at 4, then whips Taguchi corner to corner. Douki runs but Taguchi BOOTS him away! Taguchi runs but the hip attack meets atomic drop! Douki runs, Taguchi jumps, but into another atomic drop! Douki runs again, Taguchi follows, HIP ATTACK! Douki goes to ropes and fans rally up. Taguchi hits a hip attack, then another, then baseball slides, only for Douki to dodge. Douki comes back, baseball slides, but into OH MY GARFUNKEL! The ref counts because they’re in the ropes, and Taguchi lets go at 4. Fans rally up, Taguchi aims and springboards, MISSILE HIP! Cover, TWO!

Taguchi gets OH MY GARFUNKEL again! Douki rolls free, Taguchi runs in at the corner with a HIP ATTACK! Drop toehold, OH MY GARFUNKEL! Fans rally as Douki endures, crawls forward, but Taguchi reels him in for a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Fans rally more as Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style! “OHYA~!” BUM- Roll-up, into underhooks for the Gory Especial! DOTON NO JUTSU! Cover, TWO!! Taguchi escapes and both men are down as fans fire up! Douki goes to the apron, Taguchi has wobbly legs again! Taguchi used this trick on Kanemaru, and Douki falls for it! Cradle, TWO! To ITALIAN STRETCH #32!

Douki has Taguchi now, and fans rally up. Taguchi fights up, but he falls over. Taguchi reaches out and gets a ROPEBREAK with a leg! The ref counts, Douki lets go at 4. Douki goes back to the apron and takes aim again. Taguchi stands, Douki slingshots, DAYBREAK! Cover, TWO!! Taguchi survives and fans fire up again! Douki fires up and calls his shot. Douki drags Taguchi into a wheelbarrow, full nelsons, but Taguchi fights free! Douki HELL STABS then runs, but Taguchi dodges! Douki ducks the enziguri to wheelbarrow, but Taguchi victory rolls! TWO!! OH MY GARFUNKEL!! Douki endures, Taguchi cranks on the hold, but Douki reaches.

Taguchi reels him in, chicken wings, DODON’S THRONE! Cover, TWO, OH MY GARFUNKEL!! Douki reaches out but Taguchi drags him from the ropes! Taguchi drops an elbow on the leg! But Douki turns it into ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! Taguchi fights up, moves around, but Douki pulls harder! Taguchi is fading! But he gets a second wind, only for Douki to roll him from the ropes! But Taguchi moves to sit on Douki for a cover! TAGUCHI WINS!

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

The Funky Weapon finds a way out of the Italian Stretch and gets the win! Will Taguchi be able to keep this momentum going this time?

Best of the Super Juniors 28: Robbie Eagles VS BUSHI!

The Sniper of the Skies is falling after El Desperado caught him off guard, but the Black Mask caught The Headbanga in a moment of weakness. Will Eagles be able to hit the mark this time? Or will Bushi be able to rise above 500?

The bell rings and fans rally up. Eagles encourages them to get louder and they do, so he and Bushi circle. They tie up, Bushi puts Eagles on ropes but Eagles turns it around. Bushi pushes Eagles back and to the ropes on the far side, but Eagles turns it around. Bushi turns it back around as the ref calls for the ropebreak, and Bushi lets off cleanly. To then rake Eagles’ eyes! The ref reprimands, Bushi goes to whip but Eagles holds ropes to block. Bushi kicks low, whips again but Eagles reverses to go up and around and arm-drag! Things speed up as Eagles ducks and dodges then RANAS! Bushi comes back into a wheel kick! Fans fire up as Eagles kips up and Bushi bails out!

Eagles builds speed to then fake Bushi out, only Bushi gets in and spins Eagles to a DDT! Fans rally up, Bushi drags Eagles up and throws him out. Bushi then goes out to whip Eagles to railing! Eagles drops to his knees, Bushi brings Eagles up and whips him into more railing! Bushi drags Eagles up to put him in and takes his shirt off to choke Eagles with it! The ref reprimands and counts, Bushi lets go with one hand. The ref keeps counting and Bushi lets go completely. Eagles throws the shirt away and gets to ropes. Bushi stomps Eagles then drags him up to turn him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for “EA-GLE-SU!” but Bushi clamps on a chinlock.

Bushi rakes Eagles’ eyes, then wraps on a headscissor necklock! Eagles endures, fans rally up, and Eagles moves around. Bushi puts more pressure on but Eagles kicks and gets the ropebreak! The ref counts and Bushi lets go at 4. Fans rally up, Bushi drags Eagles up and bumps him off buckles. Bushi CHOPS Eagles, brings him back up and DOUBLE CHOPS! Bushi then shoves Eagles down, covers, TWO! Fans still rally as Bushi drags Eagles up. Eagles throws body shots and CHOPS, but Bushi just rakes his eyes again! The ref counts, Bushi stops to back suplex. Eagles lands on his feet, ROLLING KICK, then BLINDSIDE ELBOW! Both men are down as fans fire up!

Eagles fires up, Bushi sits up. Eagles fires off KICKS, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! Eagles takes off his bandanas to choke Bushi in return for earlier! The ref counts, Eagles lets off and stands Bushi up, but no Shiranui! Backslide, but Eagles rolls off to kick Bushi’s leg! Eagles CHOPS, whips Bushi corner to corner, then runs in but he blocks Bushi’s swing kick! Eagles trips Bushi to have a Half Crab in the ropes! The ref counts, Eagles lets go and then takes aim. Eagles springboards but Bushi gets under to ENZIGURI! Eagles bails out, Bushi runs and DIVES! Direct hit sends Eagles into railing! Fans fire up while both men are down again.

Bushi sits up as the ring count starts. He drags Eagles up at 9 of 20, puts him in at 10, and fans cheer as he stomps Eagles down. Bushi drags Eagles up to FISHERMAN SCREW! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer and rally up for Eagles but Bushi drags him up and reels him in. Eagles trips Bushi to a jackknife, TWO! Bushi is up, Eagles rolls him up, with a bridge! TWO, Bushi deflects Eagles’ boot. Eagles blocks Bushi’s kick and ducks the enziguri but not the heel kick! But Eagles ROUNDHOUSES, SUPERKICKS and- No, Bushi dodges the Pele! Bushi goes for Eagles but Eagles slides under and fires off strikes! Eagles reels Bushi in but Bushi BACKSTABBERS out of the backpack!

Fans fire up as Bushi and Eagles get up. CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up again while both men are down. Bushi crawls to the corner and drags himself up the ropes. Eagles gets up but Bushi boots him away. Eagles Tiger Feints to sweep the legs! Eagles runs in to METEORA in the corner! Fans rally up again as Eagles drags Bushi by a leg. Eagles steps through but Bushi kicks him. Eagles stomps the leg! Eagles hobbles around, pie faces Bushi but Bushi ROCKS Eagles! Eagles forearms Bushi, Bushi forearms back. Fans rally as they build up speed and go back and forth. Bushi fires off more but Eagles KICKS the leg! Eagles kicks away on the leg, then fires off chest kicks.

Eagles runs but Bushi dropkicks Eagles! Eagles ends up in the ropes, Bushi goes to the apron for a APRON DDT! Eagles flops back into the ring and Bushi stalks up behind him. Bushi wrenches, hooks Eagles up, but Eagles blocks to spin and SHIRANUI, but Bushi slips out to back elbow! Bushi reels Eagles in, but Eagles fireman’s carries! TURBO BACKPACK! Cover, TWO, but Eagles gets the legs! RON MILLER SPECIAL! Bushi endures, crawls, reaches out, but Eagles drags him away and pulls even harder! Fans rally, Bushi reaches out again, but Eagles puts as much pressure as he can on the hold! Bushi still tries so Eagles drags him back and drops a knee on the leg! RON MILLER SPECIAL! Bushi taps, Eagles wins!

Winner: Robbie Eagles, by submission (gains 2 points; Bushi earns 0)

Bushi falls below 500 now! Did Eagles just hit the kill shot on Bushi’s chances? Does Eagles have the momentum he needs to fly back up?

Best of the Super Juniors 28: YOH VS Taiji Ishimori!

Direct Drive has finally gotten some momentum on his side, but he has to keep it going. Meanwhile, Bone Soldier Reborn won big against the Ticking Timebomb. Will Taiji stop Yoh in his tracks? Or will Yoh get more than lucky in round seven?

The bell rings and fans rally as Yoh and Taiji circle. They approach, feel things out, tie up but then break to try again. Taiji shoots in to waistlock but Yoh drop toeholds and has the leg. Taiji moves around, Yoh floats to a facelock but Taiji slips out to his own. Yoh slips out to wrench the arm to a wristlock. Taiji rolls, wrenches, wristlocks, but Yoh rolls and kips up to wrench back! Yoh hammerlocks, Taiji slips around, hammerlocks back, but Yoh reaches back to fireman’s carry takeover. Taiji headscissors, Yoh kips free and fans cheer the exchange. Taiji and Yoh reset as fans rally up. They tie up, Yoh headlocks but Taiji powers out and pulls hair!

The ref reprimands, Taiji headlocks but Yoh powers out, only for Taiji to pull hair again! Taiji kicks low, CLUBS Yoh then whips, but Yoh reverses. Things speed up, Yoh drop toeholds and basement dropkicks Taiji out! Yoh PLANCHA, but Taiji gets clear! Taiji kicks then whips Yoh into railing! Yoh falls in a heap but Taiji drags him back up. Taiji fireman’s carries and SNAKE EYES Yoh off the railing! The ref checks on Yoh while Taiji unties the blue corner buckle pad! The Bullet Club favorite returns while the ring count begins. Yoh writhes, and gets up at 15 of 20! He’s in at 17, but Taiji is right on him. Taiji wrenches Yoh to a hammerlock, then RAMS him into the bare buckles!

Yoh clutches the shoulder and falls to the mat. Taiji covers, TWO! Fans rally up but Taiji drags Yoh up to wrench the bad arm to an ELBOW BREAKER! Taiji snapmares, and WRINGS the arm out! Yoh writhes and gets to ropes but the fans rally up. Taiji drags Yoh up, wrenches the bad arm again, hammerlocks then CLUBS the arm. Yoh drops to his knees and Taiji adds a half nelson for a cradle, TWO! Taiji keeps on the bad arm but Yoh gets the ropebreak! The ref counts, Taiji lets go slowly, and fans rally back up. Taiji drags Yoh up, Yoh ROCKS Taiji with a forearm! Yoh throws more forearms but Taiji ROCKS him back! Yoh blocks the kick but Taiji rakes the eyes!

Taiji runs, Yoh blocks the boot and DRAGON SCREWS! Both men are down again as fans rally up. Yoh shakes out the bad arm, Taiji hobbles up. Yoh DECKS Taiji and rallies with forearms! Yoh whips, Taiji reverses but Yoh hits FLYING FOREARMS! Fans rally up as Taiji goes to a corner. Yoh runs corner to corner to back elbow! Then he turns Taiji for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans still rally behind Yoh as he drags Taiji up. Taiji throat chops then runs, but into a back elbow! Yoh wrenches and DECKS Taiji! Fans rally again as Yoh brings Taiji up. Yoh waistlocks but Taiji wrenches the bad arm and whips Yoh into a corner. Taiji runs in but he blocks the boots.

Taiji puts Yoh in the ropes, ENZIGURI then side to side for the SLIDING GERMAN! Fans fire up and Taiji gets back in to bring Yoh up. Taiji wrenches the bad arm for an ARM CODE BREAKER! Then roll into the omoplata, YES LOCK! Yoh endures and fans rally as he reaches out. Taiji pulls way back, but Yoh gets a ropebreak with a foot! Taiji lets go and fans rally up again. Taiji drags Yoh around, drives elbows into the bad shoulder again and again. Taiji hammerlocks the arm, half nelsons, but Yoh slips out of the scoop. Taiji elbows Yoh away and runs, into Yoh’s dropkick! Yoh gets Taiji up but Taiji knees free of the suplex.

Taiji whips, Yoh reverses but Taiji handsprings, into a HIGH ANGLE GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO!! Fans fire up with Yoh and he drags Taiji up. Yoh underhooks the arms, but Taiji blocks and RAMS Yoh into the bare buckles! Taiji grits his teeth while fans rally up for Yoh. Taiji drags Yoh up, brings him around, and POSTS him! Taiji then drags Yoh back, hammerlocks and half nelsons for the scoop, SHOULDER BUSTER! Both men are down as that was also Taiji’s bad leg, but Taiji aims from the corner. Yoh stands, Taiji runs in, tilt-o-whirl but Yoh rolls Taiji! TWO, and Taiji runs in, but into an O’Conner Roll, FIVE STAR CLUTCH! ONE, and Taiji has the arm! FUJIWARA!

Yoh fights for ropes, Taiji rolls him away, but Yoh fights Bloody Cross to hit GHOSTBUSTER! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Yoh and Taiji stir, Yoh gets up first. Yoh drags Taiji up, full nelsons, but Taiji breaks free and slides under. Taiji double pump handles and flip Yoh into position! CIPHER UTAKI! Both men are down again but the fans stay fired up! Taiji goes to a corner, takes aim again and bang. Taiji drags Yoh up, BLOODY- No! Yoh powers out, but Taiji blocks the superkick to BOOT Yoh to a corner. Taiji runs in but into a SUPERKICK! Fans fire up as Yoh fires up! Yoh drags Taiji up, underhooks the arms, DIRECT-

NO! Taiji slips out to suplex, but Yoh slips out to O’Conner Roll, FIVE STAR CLUTCH! YOH WINS!!

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

Yoh’s done it again! Another win, and he still has life in this tournament! Does Direct Drive still stand a chance?

Best of the Super Juniors 28: Master Wato VS SHO!

The Way of the Grandmaster lost to Yoh, but there might still be time. However, he’s run into the Murder Machine, who knows all the tricks of the House of Torture. Will Wato be the wrench in Sho’s plans? Or will Sho find a way to turn Wato’s lights out?

The bell rings and Sho bails out. Wato goes out after him, throwing kicks and forearms. Wato whips Sho into railing and Sho falls in a heap! Fans rally up as Wato gets Sho up and whips him into more railing! Wato stands Sho up and again whips him, but Sho reverses to send him into railing! Wato bounces right off to DECK Sho! Wato throws more forearms, and even knees. Wato has Sho against the railing, the ref reprimands and Wato lets off, to give more forearms! Wato stomps Sho, then brings him up to put in the ring. Fans cheer and Wato stomps Sho down. Wato bumps Sho off buckles, then rains down forearms!

The ref counts, Wato lets off at 4, but gets in Sho’s face to then fire off more! Sho is grinning as the ref has Wato back down. Wato then stomps a mudhole and digs his boot in! The ref pulls Wato away, Sho staggers up, but Wato rushes in! Sho dumps him out and then whips him into railing! Sho gets some payback for earlier, and he brings Wato up to whip him in again! Wato falls and fans rally up, but Sho takes off a crossbar cover and uses it to smother Wato! The ref counts, Sho stops and the ref takes the crossbar cover back. Sho puts Wato’s arm through the railing to bend the fingers way back! The ref counts, Sho stops and leaves Wato alone. But then Sho goes after a Young Lion?!

Sho puts the Young Lion in the ring and tells the ref. This distraction allows Sho to then go for chairs! Sho SMACKS Wato on the back! And again! And again! And again! The ref sees Sho and Sho drops the chair. Sho then drags Wato up and puts him in the ring. The ref tells Sho to get in the ring and he follows orders. Fans rally up, Sho covers, TWO! Sho wrenches Wato’s arm and even bends the fingers! Wato gets the ropebreak, the ref counts and Sho lets go at 4. Sho drags Wato up, bumps him off buckles then digs his boots in. The ref reprimands, counts again, and Sho lets off at 4. Sho smirks as he looms over Wato.

Sho gets the arm, knuckle locks and wrenches to a wristlock, to then kick, KICKS and pull on the fingers! The ref counts, Sho lets go at 4. Fans rally up but Sho talks trash to Wato. Wato CHOPS Sho, and CHOPS, and then throws forearms! Sho rakes Wato’s eyes! The ref counts, Sho stops, and Sho whips Wato, but Wato reverses to dropkick! Fans fire up while Sho bails out. Wato builds speed, but Sho avoids the baseball slide to kick and whip. Wato LEAPS the railing! And then springboards off them to FLYING UPPERCUT Sho down! Fans fire up for Wato while he and Sho are down! Wato gets up, drags Sho up into the ring, and Wato aims from the apron.

Wato springboards for another FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Wato kicks Sho while he’s down. Wato stomps Sho to ropes, then kicks him more. The ref counts, Wato backs off, but then he drags Sho back in from the ropes to sit him up and KICK him down! Wato drags Sho up again, KICKS him in the corner over and over, then sits Sho up for more! Wato stomps a mudhole but the ref counts. Wato lets off but Sho is still smirking. Wato drags Sho up to knee him and SLAP him and SLAP him again! Wato SLAPS Sho down but Sho still grins. Wato wrenches, reels Sho in, but Sho fights the Mouse Trap! Sho has the fingers! The ref reprimands, Sho ROCKS Wato!

Sho drags Wato up to a waistlock but Wato elbows and switches to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Wato as he gets back up. Wato waits on Sho, Sho ducks the buzzsaw and shoves Wato at the ref! Wato blocks the low blow with a mule kick! Wato runs, but Sho uses the ref as a shield! SPEAR! Both men are down and fans rally up! Sho grins as he crawls over to Wato. Sho knuckle locks and wrenches, then bends the fingers! Sho kicks, KICKS, KICKS and fires off kicks from all sides! Wato flops over! The ref checks on him, he’s somehow still in this and Sho drags Wato up to KICK and KICK and KICK! Kick, kick, SUPERKICK!! Cover, TWO!!

Wato survives the onslaught and fans fire up again! Sho aims his bow, drags Wato up, reels him in and double pump handles, but Wato flips out to ROUNDHOUSE! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Wato gets to ropes, Sho sits up in a daze. Wato fires up and aims, SCREW HIGH KICK! Wato then gets Sho up, wrenches and hooks him up, MOUSE TRAP DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Sho escapes and fans fire up as Wato goes to the apron. Wato climbs the corner, RPP FLOPS as Sho moves! Sho goes back for the chair! Sho slides that in but the ref sees that. It’s a misdirect! Sho gets the wrench! Wato KICKS the wrench away, then ROUNDHOUSES Sho down!

Fans are thunderous as Wato gets Sho up and scoops, but Sho grabs the ref to get free! Sho shoves the ref at Wato, Wato shoves the ref at Sho! Sho shoves the ref away, Wato tilt-o-whirls to a roll up and jackknife! But the ref is down! Wato would’ve won just then! Wato gets the ref, Sho shoves Wato into the ref! LOW BLOW!! And then the WRENCH SHOT!! Sho staggers, shouts to the ref and says it’s okay now. Sho drags the ref into position, then drags Wato up. Wato is dazed, Sho reels him into the SNAKE BITE!! Wato is already out, Sho wins!

Winner: Sho, by submission (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)

The Murder Machine cheats another one! Is there no stopping Sho from taking the entire tournament?

Best of the Super Juniors 28: El Desperado VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion finally has his feet under him in this tournament, but now he must face his tag team partner. Will the Rogue Luchador and Heel Master still be a team after this? Or will one of them take defeat the hard way?

The bell rings and fans rally up. Desperado offers a handshake, Kanemaru is a bit wary, but Desperado says it’s all good. Kanemaru bails out instead? He says he’d rather give Desperado the count-out win? The count begins, Desperado says no and then he has the fans clap up for Kanemaru. Kanemaru paces, but Desperado goes out on the outside. Desperado says it’s fine now, they’ll get a double count-out. The count restarts, Kanemaru and Desperado argue how this should go, but we’re at 10 of 20 already. They keep talking, now it’s 15. Desperado goes to get in, but Kanemaru YANKS him back and RAMS him into railing! Kanemaru gets in at 17! Desperado hurries in at 19!

Kanemaru covers, TWO! Another try, TWO! Another try, TWO! Deep leg cover, TWO!! Fans are fired, Desperado is angry and confused but Kanemaru headlocks! Desperado powers up but can’t power out as Kanemaru holds on tight! Kanemaru grinds the hold, Desperado endures and fights up. Desperado throws body shots, but he still can’t power out as Kanemaru holds tight. Desperado rolls to a cover, ONE! Kanemaru holds on, hits a takeover, and grinds Desperado into the mat. Desperado grabs at Kanemaru’s face, the ref reprimands and Kanemaru cranks the hold. Desperado rolls to a cover, ONE, he fights up and stomps Kanemaru’s foot! Desperado runs, into another headlock!

Desperado back suplexes, Kanemaru lands on his feet, and gets the headlock back! Fans rally as Desperado fights up and throws more body shots. Desperado powers out and reels Kanemaru in to headlock but Kanemaru powers out to arm-drag! Kanemaru fakes out Desperado’s arm-drag to get the headlock back! Desperado endures, fights up, powers his way around on the mat, and gets under the rope and even to the floor. But Kanemaru keeps the headlock on! Desperado rakes eyes to get free! Then he POSTS Kanemaru! Desperado goes around the way and whips, but Kanemaru reverses! Desperado hits railing, then Kanemaru DDT’s him to the floor!

Fans rally up while both men are down. Kanemaru gets back in the ring and the count climbs. Desperado is still down at 10 of 20. Desperado stands at 12 and gets in at 13. Kanemaru runs in, for a headscissor takedown! Kanemaru pushes up to put pressure on the headscissor squeeze! Desperado endures, fans rally up, and Desperado kicks around. Kanemaru pushes up again but Desperado refuses to quit! Desperado bridges and rolls to then pop out and tie up the legs in a deathlock! Desperado floats for the headlock but Kanemaru pops out to get the headlock again! Kanemaru shifts to a cravat, cranks the neck, but avoids Desperado’s clubbing forearm to get the cravat back.

Desperado fights free but Kanemaru gets the cravat right back. Kanemaru throws knees over and over, Desperado spins to slips free and he snapmares Kanemaru. Kanemaru bridges up to cravat, snapmare and headscissor! Desperado endures the headscissor squeeze all over again! Fans rally, Desperado fights but Kanemaru holds on tight. Desperado moves around, reaches out, Kanemaru puts as much pressure as he can, but Desperado gets the ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru lets go to stomp Desperado down. Desperado CHOPS, Kanemaru CLUBS him down. Desperado CHOPS, CHOPS, forearms, but Kanemaru headlocks again, only for Desperado to back suplex!

Both men are down and fans rally up! Kanemaru goes to a corner, Desperado goes to the other. Desperado runs in but blocks a boot. Desperado puts the leg on the ropes to dropkick out the other one! Then he gets the leg for the STRETCH MUFFLER! But Kanemaru gets to ropes! Desperado DRAGON SCREWS the leg! Desperado then steps through to FIGURE FOUR! Kanemaru endures now and fans fire up! Kanemaru tries to turn things but Desperado puts more pressure on the hold. Kanemaru crawls, reaches, Desperado puts more pressure, but Kanemaru gives it one more effort! ROPEBREAK! Desperado lets Kanemaru go and fans rally up as he stomps Kanemaru’s leg.

Desperado drags Kanemaru up, has the leg, but Kanemaru throws elbows. Desperado kicks Kanemaru’s leg, runs, but Kanemaru dodges to tilt-o-whirl DDT! Fans fire up as both men are down! Kanemaru hobbles over to Desperado, drags him up, but Desperado fights the suplex. Desperado wrenches and ROCKS Kanemaru with elbow. Desperado runs, Kanemaru uses the ref as a shield! Desperado shoves the ref aside, still ducks the enziguri, and rolls the leg into the STRETCH MUFFLER! But Kanemaru rolls that to a cradle, TWO!! Desperado shoves the ref at Kanemaru, Kanemaru shoves the ref away, and Kanemaru dodges the basement dropkick to basement dropkick back!

Fans fire up while both men are down again! Kanemaru drags Desperado up, scoops and BRITISH FALL! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru drags Desperado up, scoops and SLAMS him, then goes to the corner. MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Desperado is still in this and fans fire up again! Kanemaru hobbles over, drags Desperado up, but Desperado again blocks the suplex. Kanemaru still gets Desperado up but Desperado slips out of the suplex to shove Kanemaru to ropes, SPINEBUSTER! Desperado turns Kanemaru over, gut wrench, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up while Desperado grows frustrated. Desperado slowly rises and vows to end this.

Desperado storms over but Kanemaru gets him for a victory roll! TWO, Desperado hooks Kanemaru for a backslide but Kanemaru rolls right off. Desperado underhooks Kanemaru, but Kanemaru fights Pinche Loco to trip and jackknife! TWO and Desperado still has the arms! PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, Desperado wins!

Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)

The Rogue Luchador is victorious! He’s proven with a win over Kanemaru and Douki that he is Suzuki-Gun’s best Junior Heavyweight! Will the champion continue on to prove he IS the Best of the Super Juniors?

Best of the Super Juniors 28: Hiromu Takahashi VS El Phantasmo!

The Ticking Timebomb was blown up last round by the Bone Soldier, and now he faces the Headbanga! Will Hiromu-chan lose to the Cutest Tag Team back-to-back? Or can he break even and stay up in the block?

Red Shoes checks ELP’s suspicious right boot but ELP says it’s safe, there’s nothing in it. Hiromu doesn’t really trust that, so ELP sits down to undo his boot. Fans rally as he unties the laces and pulls it off. ELP lets Red Shoes look inside, then Hiromu gets a turn. Hiromu even smacks the shoe off the mat. Nothing falls out so it seems ELP was telling the truth. Hiromu says he’s sorry, and gives ELP his shoe back. ELP even shows to the cameras that there’s nothing inside, and then he puts the shoe back on. Fans rally as he ties the laces and puts the shin guard down. Things are finally okay, and the bell rings!

ELP tells Hiromu not to say sorry to him. Say sorry to the shoe! Hiromu looks at the shoe and says, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry!” ELP says that’s not good enough. Bow and say “Gomenasai” to the shoe! Fans cheer that on, and Hiromu bows while saying gomen. But then ELP CLAWS Hiromu’s back! ELP headlocks, Hiromu powers out and ELP jumps over to strut, back flip and do his rocker hands. Hiromu bails out to cool off while fans rally up. ELP struts more but Hiromu paces ont he outside. ELP slides out, Hiromu slides in. ELP gets in, Hiromu jumps over and mocks the strut while saying, “I’m sorry~!” ELP runs in, Hiromu dodges, hurdles, ELP leaps but Hiromu RANAS!

ELP handsprings through but runs into a roll-up. TWO, and Hiromu cradles! ONE, ELP runs into a backslide, TWO! Hiromu shows punch but ELP bails out. Hiromu builds speed but fakes ELP out again. Hiromu goes to the apron, takes aim but ELP sweeps the legs! Hiromu crashes down, ELP gets an arm and wraps it around the railing! ELP pulls, then BOOTS the railing to jam the arm. ELP clamps onto the arm, CLUBS Hiromu’s arm then drops knees on it again and again. ELP hammerlocks the arm, sits Hiromu up and POSTS him! Hiromu staggers around, ELP praises himself. Fans rally, the ring count starts, and ELP drags Hiromu up.

ELP brings Hiromu over at 10 of 20 to bump him off the apron. The count reaches 15, ELP puts Hiromu on the apron to SLAM the arm on the edge! ELP then gets in while Hiromu writhes. Fans rally up, ELP claps along, and he stalks Hiromu. ELP CLAWS Hiromu’s back again, then stands on Hiromu’s head. Red Shoes reprimands, ELP wants Hiromu to say sorry. ELP drags Hiromu up to CHOP him in the corner. Hiromu turns things around to CHOP back! ELP turns things around to CHOP again! Hiromu turns things around but ELP blocks the chop to knuckle lock, CHOP, go up and up and jump around and jump, to CLAW Hiromu’s back again.

ELP fish hooks Hiromu’s mouth but Red Shoes reprimands. ELP stands on Hiromu’s head, then drags him back up. ELP wrenches the bad arm to an ELBOW BREAKER! Then another! Then a snapmare and motorcycle stretch. Hiromu endures the knee in his back, ELP stands on him and pulls the arms harder. Hiromu moves around but ELP shifts to a chinlock. Hiromu grabs at ELP’s head, ELP jams an elbow into Hiromu’s forehead. ELP headlocks, Hiromu fights up and fights free. ELP stomps Hiromu’s foot, but it isn’t the same without “that” in his boot! ELP realizes that himself, and asks for forgiveness. Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS!

Hiromu whips, forearms, puts ELP on ropes and kicks the ropes to jam ELP! Hiromu runs, but into DOUBLE CHOPS! ELP runs, Hiromu follows and RANAS ELP down! Fans fire up as ELP flounders to ropes and Hiromu slowly sits up. ELP gets to a corner, Hiromu runs in and clotheslines! Snapmare and running basement dropkick! ELP bails out, Hiromu goes to the apron, FLYING SHOTGUN! ELP crashes through the gate! Fans rally up as Hiromu gets up. Hiromu gets his bad arm moving, drags ELP up and puts him in the ring. Hiromu drags ELP up, suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally up, Hiromu drags ELP up and fireman’s carry, but ELP slips out! ELP staggers to a corner, Hiromu runs in but ELP goes up and over, ducks and dodges and springboard CROSSBODIES, to then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up again as both men are down. Hiromu rolls away, ELP kips up! ELP drags Hiromu up to atomic drop, then scoop and SLAM! ELP goes to the corner, hops up and FALLING AX HANDLE! ELP tunes up the band, but again he doesn’t have “that” in his boot. ELP still aims, but Hiromu dodges the kick to mule kick and front kick, only for ELP to ENZIGURI! ELP runs, but Hiromu catches his lariat to D!

ELP fights the triangle hold but Hiromu squeezes tight! ELP reaches out, but he can’t get to ropes! Hiromu squeezes the triangle hold tighter but ELP fights up to dead lift! Hiromu lets off to ROCK, ROLLING ELBOW and suplex, but ELP wrenches out! ELP CLUBS the arm down, to the CROSSFACE! Hiromu endures, crawls over, reaches out, but ELP rolls him away to get the BONE LOCK! Shout out to Taiji! Hiromu endures, moves around more, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and ELP lets go in frustration. Fans rally up, Hiromu goes to a corner, and ELP goes to the opposite. ELP takes aim, runs corner to corner, to back elbow!

ELP goes corner to corner again, into an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! ELP hits buckles and fans fire up! Hiromu grins as he slowly gets back up. ELP flounders, Hiromu brings him up. Hiromu throws a forearm, ELP flounders more but he comes back with another forearm! Hiromu forearms again, ELP staggers and comes back. ELP ROCKS Hiromu, Hiromu ROCKS ELP! ELP forearms again, Hiromu forearms again! ELP forearms, Hiromu forearms and fans rally as the two keep going back and forth, faster and faster. Hiromu throws more forearms, ELP fires off more in return. Hiromu fires off three, ELP knees low! ELP staggers but Hiromu ROCKS him!

Fans fire up, Hiromu runs, but ELP mule kicks! But again, not the same effect without “that!” So ELP SUPERKICKS! Hiromu staggers around but he grins as he comes back for more. Hiromu roars, runs in, but ELP sends him into Red Shoes! Red Shoes goes down, ELP LOW BLOWS Hiromu! ELP hurries, and he takes off the shoe again? ELP hurries under the ring, and he brings the shoe back out. Did he put “that” in the shoe while he was under there? ELP hurries to put his shoe back on, fans rally up, and now ELP tunes up. The shoe is locked and loaded! Hiromu stands, but he blocks Sudden Death! Hiromu spins ELP to SUPERKICK! Then LARIAT! Both men are down and fans fire up!

Hiromu drags ELP up, fireman’s carries, and CORNER DEATH VALLEYS! Hiromu roars and fans rally behind him! Hiromu drags ELP up, fireman’s carries again, then throws ELP out to the dragon sleeper! ELP slips through, fights the suplex, then spins Hiromu to the straitjacket torture rack! Hiromu slips out to HEADBUTT! Hiromu brings ELP up, scoops and DYNAMITE PLUNGER! Fans fire up with Hiromu and he drags ELP up. Hiromu suplexes, VICTORY ROYAL! Cover, TWO! ELP survives but Hiromu just drags him back up. Hiromu dragon sleepers, suplexes, but ELP slips out again to headbutt! ELP straitjacket torture racks, for the SPINNING NECKBREAKER!!

But both men are down as ELP can’t make the cover! Fans rally back up, ELP drags himself over to ropes. ELP aims at Hiromu, BANG! But Hiromu dodges V-Trigger to SNAP GERMAN! But ELP is back up to V-TRIGGER! And V-TRIGGER again! Electric Chair Lift, ONE- Victory roll! Hiromu jackknifes to a fireman’s carry, and TICK- NO! Sunset flip to the STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! Hiromu survives and fans are thunderous! ELP still isn’t phenomenal, but he drags Hiromu up. ELP can’t decide what move to use, so he just tucks the arms. CR- NO! RANA! Cover, TWO!! ELP barely escapes and fans fire up again!

Hiromu gets up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide but neither falls! Hiromu dodges to SUPERKICK! Fans rally up and Hiromu roars! Hiromu drags ELP back up, runs, and HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! But Hiromu isn’t done there! Hiromu drags ELP up, fireman’s carries, but ELP SUDDEN DEATH outta nowhere!! Cover, ELP WINS!

Winner: El Phantasmo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Hiromu earns 0)

The Headbanga brought out his ace in the hole at just the right time and took this win from Hiromu! The Cutest Tag Team has swept the Ticking Timebomb, is there time left for Hiromu to recover? As for ELP, he gets the mic and has a little laugh. “What a waste of talent that was. Y’know, Korakuen. I just had an epiphany. I need to stop worrying about the ghosts of Bullet Club’s past. And I need to start worrying about Bullet Club’s real future. Cuz once I win Best of Super Juniors, I’m gonna go to WrestleKingdom, and Jay, if you’re not there…” ELP just shrugs and drops the mic. Is ELP staking his claim at the leadership role of Bullet Club? How will the Switchblade, and the rest of the club, react to that?

Here are the NEW BOSJ 28 standings!

SHO: 6-1, 12 points
El Desperado: 4-2-1, 9 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 4-3, 8 points
Taiji Ishimori: 4-3, 8 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 3-3-1, 7 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 4-3, 8 points
Robbie Eagles: 3-4, 6 points
El Phantasmo: 3-4, 6 points
Bushi: 3-4, 6 points
YOH: 3-4, 6 points
Master Wato: 2-5, 4 points
Douki: 2-5, 4 points

My Thoughts:

A great round for BOSJ! Really good matches from Taguchi VS Douki and Eagles VS Bushi. Taguchi with the Douki parody was really clever, too. Yoh getting a win over Taiji was wildly unexpected, that’s pretty big. Wato had a strong showing but I figured Sho would cheat him to win. Desperado VS Kanemaru was awesome stuff, especially with that opening swerve from Kanemaru. Desperado is making a great comeback from losing those first couple matches.

Hiromu VS ELP was also awesome, ELP loading his boot halfway through was clever. ELP also issuing a roundabout challenge to Jay White is wild. I thought Evil and House of Torture were going to make a move for the leadership spot but for it to be someone I thought was Team Switchblade is wild. I hope they set something up for WrestleKingdom, that is going to be awesome.

My Score: 9.1/10