The Rogue Luchador and Ticking Timebomb are neck and neck!

While Sho leads at 6-3, Desperado AND Hiromu are on his heels! Just two more rounds in Best of the Super Juniors, who breaks away to be a finalist?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current BOSJ 28 standings!

SHO: 6-3, 12 points
El Desperado: 5-3-1, 11 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 5-3-1, 11 points
El Phantasmo: 5-4, 10 points
Robbie Eagles: 5-4, 10 points
Taiji Ishimori: 5-4, 10 points
YOH: 5-4, 10 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 4-5, 8 points
Bushi: 4-5, 8 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 4-5, 8 points
Master Wato: 3-6, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Douki: 2-7, 4 points [ELIMINATED]

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

The Way of the Grandmaster has no way to the finals, but the Black Mask is holding on by a thread! Will Bushi survive for one more round?

The bell rings and fans cheer as the two slowly circle. They tie up, Wato trips Bushi then runs but Bushi drops, hurdles, Wato leaps and Bushi dodges to RANA! Wato handsprings through but Bushi ducks the Penalty Kick to taunt Wato while lounging. Bushi bails out as Wato storms over, but Wato slides out the side. Bushi kicks and whips him to railing, but Wato stops himself to back elbow, uppercut and SOBAT Bushi down. Fans cheer, Wato stomps Bushi and then puts him in the ring. Fans rally as Wato aims from the apron. Bushi stands, Wato springboards, Bushi gets under. Wato comes back but into Bushi’s swing kick!

Bushi goes up, missile dropkick! BUSHIROONI! Wato bails out, Bushi DIVES! Direct hit into railing! Fans fire up while the ref checks on Wato. He’s okay to continue so Bushi stomps him. Bushi drags Wato up, then whips him into railing! Wato writhes but fans rally up. Bushi drags Wato up and whips him into more railing! Wato writhes on the floor again but Bushi stomps him down. The ring count starts, Bushi brings Wato up but whips him into even more railing! Bushi leaves Wato behind as we pass 10 of 20. The count continues to 15, then 17! Wato gets in at 18! But Bushi has his shirt and uses it to choke Wato! The ref reprimands, counts, Bushi lets go with one hand.

The ref reprimands more, Bushi lets go completely. The shirt is put aside, Bushi brings Wato up to a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Bushi hooks Wato’s leg, for an STF! Wato endures, crawls towards ropes, but Bushi pulls back! Wato still reaches out for the ROPEBREAK! Bushi lets go, drags Wato up and bumps him off buckles. Bushi CHOPS Wato, then DOUBLE CHOPS! Bushi sits Wato up again to DOUBLE CHOP! Bushi digs his boot in, the ref reprimands, Bushi lets off. Bushi stands Wato up to DOUBLE CHOP, then snapmare and cover, TWO! Fans cheer as Wato stays in this. Bushi drags Wato up and Wato fires body shots and forearms back!

Bushi rakes Wato’s eyes! Bushi runs, but into Wato’s CALF KICK! Bushi bails out and fans rally as Wato builds speed. TORNILLO! Direct hit and they hit railing! Wato gets up, fans rally, and Wato brings Bushi up to put in the ring. Wato aims from the apron again, springboard and FLYING UPPERCUT! Fans fire up with Wato and he waits on Bushi to rise. Wato kicks, kicks, sobats, front kicks and SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Wato drags Bushi up, wrenches and hook shim up, but Bushi fights the Mouse Trap Driver! So Wato makes it an IRON OCTOPUS! Bushi endures, fights his way towards ropes, so Wato waistlocks!

Bushi elbows free, blocks the roundhouse and CLUBS the leg! Wato swings at clothesline but Bushi catches him into a spin for a DDT! Both men are down, fans rally up, and Bushi crawls over to Wato. Bushi brings Wato up, Wato fires a forearm but Bushi fires back! They go back and forth, Bushi gets the edge then runs, into a BOOT! Wato runs, into a dropkick! Bushi goes to the apron and brings Wato through the ropes. APRON DDT! Wato is stuck in the ropes but flops to the apron as Bushi gets back in. Bushi drags Wato up, FISHERMAN- NO! Wato slips out to ROUNDHOUSE! Fans fire up as both men fall! Fans rally, Bushi stirs and Wato rises.

Wato drags himself to ropes. Bushi gets up and Wato kicks, but Bushi blocks and puts the leg in ropes. Bushi dropkicks Wato, then hits a DRAPING BACKSTABBER! Bushi brings Wato up, wrenches and hooks Wato up, but no Terrible! Wato sobats, Bushi ENZIGURIS, then ducks Wato’s roundhouse! Wato blocks a kick and ducks the enziguri but not the HEEL KICK! Wato staggers, Bushi runs in, CODE- NO! Wato shoves Bushi away to SCREW HIGH KICK! Both men are down again and fans fire back up! Wato drags Bushi up, wrenches, hooks him up, MOUSE TRAP DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Bushi escapes and fans fire up again!

Wato drags Bushi back up, scoops, T T D! Wato goes to the corner, climbs up top, R P P!! Cover, Wato wins!!

Winner: Master Wato, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Bushi earns 0)

Wato burst Bushi’s bubble, now they’re both out of the running! Will Wato look to be the spoiler to another run in the final round?

Best of the Super Juniors 28: Robbie Eagles VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

The Sniper of the Skies shot down Sho, while the Heel Master lost to Yoh and is barely in the running! Will Eagles soar up towards the top? Or will Kanemaru drag him down and ruin his run?

As Eagles makes his entrance, Kanemaru points at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, making it clear that at some point, Suzuki-Gun will want that back. But then Eagles gets up on the corner and Kanemaru attacks! The bell rings to put this on record as Kanemaru stomps Eagles to ropes. Kanemaru drags Eagles up, CLUBS him on the neck, then brings Eagles around to wrench. Eagles blocks the whip, Kanemaru back elbows and whips again but Eagles reverses to go up and around and arm-drag! Eagles then runs, ducks, dodges and RANAS! Fans fire up and Eagles finally gets to take his vest off.

Eagles goes to Kanemaru, CHOPS him in the corner, then whips him corner to corner. Kanemaru reverses, Eagles pops Kanemaru up and WHEEL KICKS him down! Fans fire up as Eagles kips up and Kanemaru bails out. Eagles builds speed to fake Kanemaru out with the backflip. But then Eagles bails out as Kanemaru slides in, then Eagles comes back, only for Kanemaru to dropkick the legs out! Kanemaru stomps Eagles to a corner but Eagles kicks back. Kanemaru stomps Eagles down, drags him by his leg, and SMASHES the knee into the mat! Eagles clutches the knee, Kanemaru drags him around again and drops an elbow on the leg.

Kanemaru has the leg in a toehold but Eagles endures. Eagles fights back with a chinlock as fans rally up, but Kanemaru cranks back harder. Eagles gets the ropebreak, the ref counts and Kanemaru lets go at 4. Eagles drags himself to a corner but Kanemaru stands on his feet. Eagles punches Kanemaru’s leg but Kanemaru stomps Eagles’ knee! Kanemaru drags Eagles around again, and SMASHES the knee on the mat again! Eagles goes to the apron, Kanemaru goes out to bring Eagles around and put the leg in the railing. Kanemaru BOOTS the railing to jam the leg! Eagles falls over, Kanemaru drags him around again, to SMASH his knee on the floor!

Kanemaru leaves Eagles behind as he clutches the leg, and a ring count starts. Eagles grits his teeth and forces himself to stand at 10 of 20. Eagles gets in at 12 and fans cheer, but Kanemaru whips Eagles to ropes. Kanemaru dropkicks the leg out again! Kanemaru gets the leg for a HALF CRAB! Kanemaru sits deep as Eagles endures and the fans rally up! Eagles powers up, crawls over, reaches out and gets the ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru lets go at 4, Eagles gets to a corner. Kanemaru mockingly asks what’s wrong, then he stomps the leg! Kanemaru gives toying kicks but Eagles gives back forearms! Kanemaru kicks the leg out, drags Eagles yet again, but Eagles headscissors and SPIKES Kanemaru!

Eagles gets up, dodges Kanemaru’s kicks and ROLLING KICKS Kanemaru’s legs out to BLINDSIDE LARIAT Kanemaru down! Fans fire up as both men are down and Eagles stands back up. Eagles KICKS and KICKS and KICKS Kanemaru, then runs, to LEG LARIAT him down! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru crawls to a corner, Eagles runs in to DOUBLE KNEE! Kanemaru sits down, Eagles METEORAS! Eagles drags Kanemaru to a cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Eagles as he hobbles over. Eagles brings Kanemaru up, cravat, but Kanemaru shoves him away. Eagles dodges in the corner but Kanemaru puts him on the apron.

Eagles ENZIGURIS, springboards, but Kanemaru gets under to dropkick the legs out again! Kanemaru gets the leg, steps through and FIGURE FOURS! Eagles endures as Kanemaru puts as much pressure as he can on the leg lock! Fans rally up, Eagles drags himself and Kanemaru over, but Kanemaru drags Eagles away! Eagles still fights, turns the hold over, but Kanemaru rolls it back, so Eagles gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Kanemaru lets Eagles free. Kanemaru drags Eagles up to scoop and BRITISH FALL! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru goes up top, MOONSAULT but he has to land on his feet as Eagles moves! Kanemaru avoids Eagles’ low dropkick to BOOT him back!

Kanemaru suplexes, Eagles slips out to waistlock. Kanemaru switches, CLUBS and rakes eyes! Kanemaru runs but into a back elbow! 619 leg sweep! Kanemaru staggers, Eagles springboards and dropkicks the leg out! Fans fire up with Eagles and he brings Kanemaru up, SHIRANUI! Cover, TWO! Eagles has Kanemaru in a drop zone and slowly climbs up the corner. Fans rally up as Eagles aims, 450 but he has to roll through as Kanemaru dodges! Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out again! But Eagles turns step-through to a cradle! TWO, and Eagles dropkicks Kanemaru’s leg! But Kanemaru turns Eagles’ step-through into a roll-up! TWO, and Eagles blocks the boot!

Kanemaru fights the backpack by raking eyes! Eagles elbows Kanemaru away, Kanemaru dodges Eagles to come back and tilt-o-whirl DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Kanemaru drags Eagles up, scoops and SLAMS him to a drop zone, then goes up the corner. MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Eagles is still in this, Kanemaru goes back up, and Eagles stands. Kanemaru leaps but Eagles dodges! Kanemaru blocks Eagles’ roundhouse to ENZIGURI, then he reels Eagles in, only for Eagles to suplex! Eagles fireman’s carries then shifts Kanemaru around, TURBO BACKPACK! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru survives but Eagles takes aim! SUPERKICK!

Eagles goes back up top and 450 SPLASHES Kanemaru’s legs! Step-through, RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Kanemaru endures, crawls around, but Eagles drags him from ropes! Kanemaru taps, Eagles wins!!

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

The Sniper of the Skies is still airborne! Does Eagles still have a chance to get in on the finals?

Best of the Super Juniors 28: YOH VS El Phantasmo!

Direct Drive got hot at just the right time, but he’s still riding the edge! Will the Headbanga end Yoh’s red hot comeback? Or will it be ELP that faces Sudden Death?

ELP swears nothing is in his boot. But then he gives a coy look to the camera. The bell rings and ELP gest fans to rally up while he struts around. ELP says he’ll tap Yoh out, but Yoh just ignores that as they circle. ELP gets fans to rally again as they tie up. Yoh waistlocks, ELP switches and throws Yoh down, then rear mounts so he can float to a facelock. Yoh slips out and hammerlocks ELP, then JAMS the lock. ELP rolls, reaches for ropes but Yoh keeps him away. ELP stands up, snapmares Yoh and has a chinlock. Yoh gets the ropebreak and ELP lets go at 4. Fans cheer as ELP backs off and shows off with jumping jacks. Yoh gets up, he and ELP reset.

ELP and Yoh knuckle lock, but ELP reels Yoh in for a headlock. Yoh fights up, ELP grinds the hold and even pulls hair! Yoh throws body shots, powers out, things speed up as Yoh sidesteps then drop toeholds. ELP avoids the basement dropkick to handspring and do drop steps going backwards. ELP then bails out to do more drop steps, and fans rally as he strikes a pose. But Yoh goes out to CLOBBER him! Yoh CLUBS ELP to railing, then has media move aside so he can whip ELP. ELP reverses to POST Yoh instead! ELP praises himself, then rains down fists on Yoh. ELP shakes out his hand from Yoh’s hard head, then puts Yoh in. ELP CLAWS Yoh’s back!

The ref reprimands and Yoh writhes to the ropes. ELP somersaults and CLAWS Yoh again! Yoh staggers around, ELP apologizes, but then he CLAWS Yoh again! ELP apologizes, then flexes. ELP gets Yoh’s hand to drop a knee on it over and over. ELP knuckle locks, CHOPS, goes up and up and jumps around, to jump down and CLAW him again! ELP checks his shoe, so it’s definitely loaded. ELP stands on Yoh’s head, the ref counts and ELP lets off. ELP drags Yoh around to ROPE GUILLOTINE! And then he rolls back to handstand walk. ELP cheers himself on while the ref checks on Yoh. Yoh sputters, ELP drags him up to ROCK him with a forearm. And again!

ELP hushes the fans, then fakes the chop to PURPLE NURPLE! And DOUBLE PURPLE NURPLE! The ref reprimands and counts and ELP stops at 4. Yoh staggers away, clutching his nipples, and the ref tells ELP, “Stop it!” ELP says, “You stop it!” ELP stands on Yoh at the ropes, the ref counts, ELP lets off at 4. Fans rally up, ELP drags Yoh up by his ear, and ELP whips Yoh to ropes. Yoh comes back with FLYING FOREARMS! Both men are down and fans rally up again. ELP goes to a corner, Yoh gets up and he runs in at ELP to CLAW him! Payback for all that earlier! Then Yoh back elbows, turns ELP and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally, ELP claims he’s bleeding and Yoh doesn’t cut his nails. Yoh gets ELP up but ELP knees free of the suplex. ELP runs but into a dropkick! ELP falls out of the ring, Yoh PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes ELP! Yoh drags ELP up, puts him in the ring and ELP wants a timeout! Yoh shakes his head, and CLAWS ELP’s back! Yoh suplexes to FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up again as Yoh drags ELP up. Yoh reels ELP in, full nelsons, but ELP resists and elbows free. ELP drops, victory rolls, TWO! Yoh has it now, TWO! ELP rolls Yoh up, TWO! Yoh hooks ELP to backslide, TWO! Fans fire up and ELP CHOPS Yoh, but Yoh JUMP KNEES! ELP ENZIGURIS and both men are down again!

Fans rally up as ELP and Yoh stir. ELP crawls over to Yoh, but Yoh ROCKS ELP with a forearm! ELP forearms back, and then double guns. Yoh comes back to forearm ELP! They stand up, they throw more forearms back and forth, and fans rally up as they pick up speed. ELP pokes Yoh in the eyes! ELP runs, into Yoh’s forearm! ELP rebounds, Yoh handsprings to dodge and he ROCKS ELP with another forearm! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Fans fire up with Yoh and he brings ELP up. Yoh underhooks the arms but ELP fights free and straitjacket torture racks! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Yoh is still in this and fans fire back up!

ELP gets up, takes aim, BANG! He drags Yoh back up, reels him in and tucks the arms, but Yoh resists the lift! Yoh back drops, ELP sunset flips but Yoh rolls through to get the right leg, GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And then Yoh rolls through to trap the leg in the CALF KILLER! ELP endures, scrambles around, reaches out, throws elbows on Yoh, then gets the ROPEBREAK! Yoh lets go, drags ELP back up and reels him in. GHOSTBUSTER! Fans fire up with Yoh as he drags ELP up into the double underhooks! DIRECT- NO! ELP STOMPS Yoh’s foot! ELP aims, runs in, but Yoh dodges to O’Conner Roll! ELP blocks the Five Star Clutch to turn Yoh over for CATTLE MUTILATION!

Yoh endures, moves around, flails his arms, but ELP drops the bridge to readjust and CATTLE MUTILATION! Yoh scrambles around and gets the ROPEBREAK! ELP lets go in frustration, but he makes sure “that” is in place in his boot. ELP tunes up the band, fans rally up, but Yoh blocks the kick! ELP ducks the clothesline to mule kick! Yoh doubles over, ELP puts him in the drop zone! ELP goes up and up but has to land on his feet out of the moonsault! And with “that” in his boot, it’s double-edged! Yoh waistlocks, O’Conner Roll, FIVE STAR CLUTCH! Cover, YOH WINS!

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

And the comeback continues! Is Direct Drive just a win away from the finals? Is the door shut on The Headbanga?

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

One more Bullet Club VS Bullet Club as the Bone Soldier takes aim at the Murder Machine! Will the Cutest Tag Team both have a win over the House of Torture’s third man, brother? Or will Sho all but cement his spot in the BOSJ finals?

The bell rings and fans rally, but Sho waits Taiji to wait. Just like with ELP, Sho tries to appeal to the fact they’re both Bullet Club. And Taiji actually lies down for Sho? Cover, TWO! Sho is surprised but Taiji claims it was an accident, just the natural instinct. Taiji lies back down and they both tell the ref to be faster. Sho goes to cover, Taiji gets him for a cradle! The count is faster, TWO!! Sho gets out, but Taiji pokes him in the eye! Sho staggers to a corner, Taiji throws hands and then drags Sho up. Taiji whips, Sho reverses, Taiji slips out, slides under then slips around to shoulder in! Taiji springboards to SEATED SENTON! Fans fire up but Sho bails out.

Sho staggers around, Taiji goes out after him and kicks him against railing. Taiji brings Sho around to whip, but Sho reverses, only for Taiji to reverses back and fireman’s carry! Taiji spins then SNAKE EYES Sho off the railing! The ref reprimands but Taiji leaves Sho behind. Taiji unties the red corner this time, modifying the Bullet Club special here. Sho grumbles and sputters as he gets in the ring. Taiji CLUBS Sho on the neck, brings him up to wrench and hammerlock, to RAM into the bare buckles! Sho writhes and clutches his arm while fans cheer. Taiji isolates the arm, Sho gets the ropebreak! The ref counts, Taiji STOMPS at 4.

Taiji drags Sho up, whips Sho but Sho slides out. Taiji pursues but Sho shoves a Young Lion at him! Then Sho whips Taiji into railing! Taiji writhes, Sho stomps him down. Sho wrenches a wrist, then wrenches the arm, and brings Taiji around to put the arm through railing! The ref reprimands, Sho lets off. Sho then fakes going into the ring to KICK the railing again and again. Sho kicks to the beat of Abe-san’s ring count! He kicks all the way to 10 of 20 to leave Taiji behind. Taiji gets up, gets in at 15, Sho drags him up and wrenches the arm. Sho whips Taiji into the bare buckles! The Bullet Club special comes back to bite Taiji! Cover, TWO!

Sho rakes eyes, the ref counts and Sho lets off, complaining that that count is too fast. Sho stomps Taiji, brings him up and bumps him off buckles. Sho digs his boots in, the ref counts but Sho lets off at 4. The ref reprimands, Sho knuckle locks and wrenches Taiji’s wrist. Sho wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Then another ELBOW BREAKER! Taiji rakes Sho’s eyes! Sho elbows him back, whips, but Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER! Fans rally up while both men are down. Sho goes to a corner, Taiji gets up and runs in. Sho boots but he’s put in the ropes! ENZIGURI and SLIDING GERMAN! Fans fire up with Taiji as he gets back in the ring. Cover, TWO!

Taiji drags Sho back up, and he POSTS him! The ref reprimands but Taiji drags Sho back in to hammerlock, half nelson and scoop, Sho slips out to pull hair! The ref reprimands, Taiji breaks free and kicks low to run, but the ref is used as a shield! Sho SPEARS Taiji down! Fans rally up as both men stir. Sho drags himself to a corner, takes aim, and PENALTY KICKS the arm! Sho then has the arm for a double wristlock and takedown, KIMURA!! Taiji endures, fans rally up, Taiji reaches out, and ROPEBREAK! Sho lets go at 4, but he drags Taiji up and knuckle locks the bad arm. Sho wrenches, brings Taiji down to kick, KICK and SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally up as Taiji is still in this. Sho aims his bow, drags Taiji up, and reels him in. Sho double pump handles, but Taiji slips out to double pump handle back! Taiji manages to get Sho in the gut wrench, for CIPHER UTAKI! Fans fire up while both men are down again. Taiji goes to ropes, drags himself up, then goes back for Sho. Sho blocks Bloody Cross, scoops but Taiji slips off. Sho reels Taiji in with crossed arms, but Taiji fights out to half hatch, BLOODY- NO! Sho slips out, shoves Taiji into the ref and into the bare corner! Sho LARIATS Taiji down! Sho then hurries to get to his corner, and get the wrench! Sho aims at Taiji, but Taiji dodges to JUMP KNEE!

Fans fire up while both men are down again. Taiji gets the wrench and hides it in his kick pad! Then Taiji grabs Sho’s NEVER Openweight Six Man belt! Taiji throws that at Sho and then plays like he got hit! Sho throws the belt away, Taiji rolls Sho up! TWO, Sho runs in but Taiji goes up and over to roll up! Taiji has his feet on the ropes but the ref kicks his feet down! Wait, the ref stubs his toe on the wrench hidden inside the boot! Was that Taiji’s plan all along? Taiji shoves the ref at Sho, Sho shoves the ref back, Taiji shoves the ref down. Taiji spins Sho around to hook for a backslide, Sho resists, so Taiji LOW BLOW MULE KICKS! The wrench makes that a loaded kick!!

Taiji completes the backslide, Taiji wins!!

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

The Bone Soldier just beat Sho at his own game! Is this going to cost the Murder Machine his top spot in the tournament? Does Taiji still have a way in?

Best of the Super Juniors 28: Ryusuke Taguchi VS El Desperado!

The Funky Weapon is barely holding on after ELP humiliated him last round, but he could shock everyone right here! Will Taguchi take down the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion? Or will the Rogue Luchador put the King of Oh My Garfunkel down right here?

The bell rings and Taguchi bails out? Taguchi goes looking under the ring, but he doesn’t seem to find anything interesting. Oh, wait, he found a chair. Taguchi sets the chair up to take a seat. He wants Desperado to sit out there with him? Desperado refuses and a ring count starts. The count reaches 10 of 20 but Taguchi doesn’t move. But then Taguchi stands up at 14, trying to use this against Desperado. Surely the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion doesn’t want to win by count-out. Desperado doesn’t seem to care if Taguchi’s just gonna hand him a win. The count is 17, Taguchi gets flustered, and he gest in at 19! Desperado covers, TWO! Again, TWO! Again, TWO! Deep leg hook, TWO!!

Desperado headlocks to keep Taguchi in the ring. Taguchi fights up to power out, things speed up and Taguchi keeps Desperado moving. But then Desperado hops over Taguchi and just stops. Taguchi’s surprised, and Desperado whips him to ropes. Taguchi reverses, tries to start this up again, but Desperado holds ropes to stop himself. Desperado is clearly not having any part of Taguchi’s antics. Taguchi apparently thinks Desperado is just a killjoy. Taguchi rushes Desperado but Desperado rakes Taguchi’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Desperado runs, but Taguchi arm-drags him down! Taguchi headlocks while fans cheer, and Taguchi fires off palm strikes!

Desperado tries to power out but Taguchi holds on tight. Taguchi grinds Desperado down, but Desperado fights up. Desperado tries again but Taguchi still holds on tight. Taguchi grinds Desperado, Desperado gets up, powers out and then reels Taguchi in for a headlock. Taguchi powers out right away, and reels Desperado back into a headlock! Fans cheer the exchange as Taguchi grinds Desperado down. Desperado refuses to give up even as Taguchi thrashes the hold. Desperado powers up, powers out, reels Taguchi back in for a headlock, but Taguchi slips right back out to headlock again! Fans cheer as Taguchi grinds Desperado again.

Desperado fights up, throws body shots, powers out to drop toehold and floats to the headlock, but Taguchi slips out to headlock again! Desperado powers out, Taguchi runs him over, then drops down to get the headlock! Fans rally, Taguchi is showing he’s the King of Headlocks! Desperado fights up, throws body shots, then powers out. Taguchi ends up in a corner, Desperado runs in but into an elbow! Taguchi hops up to get Desperado for BOOTY BUMP after BOOTY BUMP! Fans fire up, Taguchi lets Desperado go and he gets the headlock back! Desperado fights up, powers out, reels Taguchi in but Taguchi again slips out.

Desperado slips out, Taguchi slips out, and Taguchi again has the headlock! Fans rally and Desperado endures. Desperado powers out, but delays reeling Taguchi in so he can throw him into the ropes! Taguchi is stuck with his butt hanging out, and Desperado goes outside to get that chair! Desperado sets the chair up against Taguchi’s butt, gets another chair, but Taguchi wiggles around and the one chair falls off. Desperado doesn’t care, he just SMACKS Taguchi in the butt! And again! And again! The ref reprimands and Desperado stops, and Taguchi flops out of the ropes. Desperado gets in, drags Taguchi around, and then SPLASHES a leg! And YANKS the leg, and gives it a KNEE JAMMER!

Desperado drags Taguchi around to step through and have the BUTTERFLY DEATHLOCK! Taguchi endures, Desperado puts as much pressure as he can, but Taguchi choke grips! The ref reprimands, Taguchi lets go but he CHOPS and Desperado “falls” back, making Taguchi feel the pain! Taguchi scrambles around, pries at the deathlock, but Desperado pushes his leg to clamp it on tighter! Taguchi reaches out and gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Desperado lets go, and Desperado drags Taguchi up. Desperado ROCKS Taguchi, stomps Taguchi’s bad leg, then he drags Taguchi up to CHOP him in the corner. Desperado goes corner to corner but Taguchi BOOTS back!

Taguchi runs in but the hip attack gets an atomic drop! Desperado runs back in but into another BOOT! Taguchi fakes Desperado out, and fans cheer as Taguchi wags his finger at Desperado. Desperado gets mad and runs in, but into a HIP ATTACK! Fans fire up and Desperado goes to a corner. Taguchi runs in to corner hip attack! Taguchi whips corner to corner, runs in for another hip attack! Then BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Taguchi keeps cool, brings Desperado up and snap suplexes! Uno Amigo! Another, Dos Amigos! Desperado fights the third, but Taguchi also fights Desperado’s suplex! THREE AMIGOS! Cover, TWO! Taguchi gets the leg, OH MY GARFUNKEL!

Desperado endures, kicks Taguchi away, but Taguchi turns hip toss into arm-drag, to then get a leg for the OH MY GARFUNKEL! Desperado endures, crawls, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Taguchi lets go. Desperado clutches his leg, Taguchi drops a knee on it! Taguchi drags Desperado up, chicken wings, but Desperado fights the Dodon to RAM Taguchi into buckles! Taguchi kicks back, runs, but Desperado gets around to back suplex! Desperado gets up, brings Taguchi in, but Taguchi fights the shin breaker! Taguchi runs but Desperado reels him in! SHIN BREAKER! Then takedown to the GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And STRETCH MUFFLER!

Taguchi endures, Desperado drags him from ropes and keeps after the leg! Taguchi keeps reaching out, crawling, and he gets the ROPEBREAK! Desperado lets go, drags Taguchi back and then goes up top. FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Taguchi survives and fans fire up. Desperado drags Taguchi up, underhooks the arms, but Taguchi fights! Taguchi wrenches out, Desperado spins him, GUITARRA- NO! Taguchi slips out, Desperado switches but Taguchi bumps out! Taguchi gets the arms but Desperado fights the inverted Gory to turn it around! Taguchi slips out of the inverted Gory but Desperado ducks the enziguri! Desperado gets the legs, STRETCH MUFFLER!

Taguchi rolls it to a cradle, TWO!! Desperado kicks low, runs, but Taguchi mule kicks! Taguchi runs but into a back elbow. Desperado fakes the run, but Taguchi fights the spinebuster! Taguchi runs but he fakes Desperado out, HIP ATTACK! Desperado falls out of the ring, fans fire up and Taguchi triangle jumps to PLANCHA! Direct hit and down goes Desperado! A ring count starts, both men are down at 5 of 20 but Taguchi sits up at 7. Taguchi drags himself up at 11, fans rally up, and he gets Desperado up and in at 17! Taguchi aims, springboards, MISSILE HIP! Fans fire up as Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style! “OHYA~!” Taguchi runs in, BUMAYE!! Cover, TWO!!

Desperado survives and fans fire up! Taguchi drags Desperado up, reels him in, chicken wings the arms, but Desperado fights free and rolls Taguchi, to the STRETCH MUFFLER! But Taguchi powers his way to OH MY GARFUNKEL!! Taguchi drags Desperdo back, Desperado rolls but Taguchi holds on! Taguchi puts as much as he can on the ankle lock, Desperado fights up but Taguchi reels him in! DODON’S THRONE!! Cover, TWO!!! Desperado survives but Taguchi fires up! Fans fire up with Taguchi, he drags Desperado back up to chicken wing and DODON- No! Victory roll, to STRETCH MUFFLER!! Desperado gets the arm, NUMERO DOS!!

Taguchi reaches out, Desperado rolls him away and has NUMERO DOS PLUS!! Taguchi verbally quotes, Desperado wins!

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

The Funky Weapon’s run is done, and now the Rogue Luchador leads the block! Will he seal the deal in the 11th and final round?

Best of the Super Juniors 28: Hiromu Takahashi VS DOUKI!

The Ticking Timebomb has an opening now that Sho has fallen down. Will Hiromu join Despy at the top of the block? Or can Japones Del Mal do his Suzuki-Gun ally a favor and keep Hiromu down?

The second Hiromu’s in the ring, Douki dropkicks him down! Douki then DIVES and sends Hiromu into railing! Douki puts Hiromu in the ring, wheelbarrows and full nelsons, but Hiromu arm-drags out as the bell rings! Douki runs back in, and turns Hiromu’s pop-up into ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Hiromu moves around to get the ropebreak! Douki lets off quickly to build speed and slide. Hiromu ducks it but Douki RAMS him into railing! Douki wrenches and whips Hiromu into more railing! Douki drags Hiromu up to DDT him to the floor! Fans cheer and rally up while Red Shoes checks on Hiromu. Douki gets in the ring, and a ring count begins.

Hiromu stirs at 5 of 20, sits up at 10 and stands at 12. Hiromu hobbles over and around, and gets in at 16. Douki stomps Hiromu down, digs his boots in, but lets off as Red Shoes counts. Douki drags Hiromu up, whips him to ropes and elbows Hiromu down. Cover, TWO! Douki sits Hiromu up to clamp on a chinlock. Hiromu endures, crawls his and reaches out to get a ropebreak with a foot. Douki lets off at 4, slaps Hiromu around, but Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Douki rakes eyes! Red Shoes reprimands but Hiromu bails out. Douki talks trash, Hiromu gets in but Douki stomps him down.

Douki scoops and SLAMS Hiromu, then runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, Douki taunts Hiromu. Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Douki CHOPS back! Hiromu falls over and fans cheer. Douki drags Hiromu up, throws forearms and whips Hiromu corner to corner. Douki runs in but into a BOOT! Hiromu runs but into a low kick! Douki runs, Hiromu follows and RANAS Douki down! Hiromu drags himself to ropes, Douki gets up on the opposite side. Douki runs in but into a BOOT! Hiromu hops up for a DRAPING HEADSCISSORS! Red Shoes counts, Hiromu lets off and gets in to whip Douki to a corner.

Hiromu snapmares and rns to basement dropkick! Douki bails out, fans fire up and Hiromu aims from the apron, FLYING SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Fans fire up more and Hiromu drags Douki up. Hiromu puts Douki in, brings him around and suplexes for a FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, Hiromu drags Douki up and fireman’s carries. Douki slips out and Hiromu runs into the corner. Douki blocks boots to pop Hiromu up into the Gory Especial! Hiromu fights free, runs, but into a backslide! Hiromu rolls through, fights the Gory again and RANAS Douki, to D! Douki is in the triangle hold and Hiromu squeezes tight!

Douki reaches out, fans rally up and Hiromu drags Douki from ropes! Douki endures, moves around, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Hiromu lets go. Hiromu drags Douki up, fireman’s carries, but Douki fights free! Douki ducks the clothesline and elbow, Hiromu wheelbarrows but Douki blocks the Complete Shot! Hiromu elbows Douki away but runs into BOOTS! Douki is on the apron, Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs and jumps, but Douki holds off the sunset flip and scrapes soles off Hiromu’s face! Douki ASAI MOONSAULTS and takes Hiromu down! Fans fire up and the ring count begins. Fans rally and Douki sits up.

Douki stands at 10 of 20, gets on the apron at 12, and he climbs the corner! The count stops, Hiromu hurries up after Douki! Hiromu trips Douki up, CHOPS him, climbs up to join him, and the two brawl up top! Hiromu gets the edge and knocks Douki down to the mat! Hiromu adjusts, but Douki goes up to SUPER ARM-DRAG Hiromu down! Hiromu bails out and Douki fires up as he goes up another corner. Douki SUPER SENTONS Hiromu down!! Both men are down on the outside and fans fire up again! The ring count starts again, and it reaches 10 of 20 before either sits up. Douki gets up to drag Hiromu up at 15. Douki puts Hiromu in at 16, then drags himself up onto the apron.

Hiromu rises, Douki slingshots for DAYBREAK! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and Douki is shocked! Douki fires up and calls his shot as fans rally up! Douki wheelbarrows Hiromu but Hiromu victory rolls! TWO, Hiromu elbows Douki, but Douki pulls hair! Hiromu breaks free, Douki ducks his haymaker to waistlock but Hiromu switches. Douki elbows free, goes to run but Hiromu reels him in. Douki breaks free again but Hiromu ducks the enziguri! Hiromu superkicks but Douki blocks to HELL STAB! And ENZIGURI! Hiromu staggers about, Douki fires up and runs, but into a POP-UP POWERBOMB! But Hiromu can’t hold the cover! Fans fire up again as both men are down!

Hiromu and Douki roll to opposite corners as fans rally. Douki and Hiromu drag themselves up. Douki and Hiromu both fire up and run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Hiromu stays up to corner clothesline Douki! Then Hiromu runs corner to corner to SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Fans fire up again as Hiromu gets Douki back up. Hiromu runs, but Douki SHOTGUNS back! Douki gets moving, but Hiromu OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes him into the corner! Fans rally again while both men are down! Hiromu grins and nods as he sits back up. Hiromu drags Douki up, fireman’s carries, for a CORNER DEATH VALLEY!

Hiromu roars, fans fire up, and Hiromu drags Douki up to another fireman’s carry. But Douki slips out of Dynamite Plunger to get the ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Fans rally, Hiromu endures, Douki pulls on the hold! Hiromu gets up, moves around, drags Douki along, only for Douki to roll him away! Hiromu uses that to dead lift Douki for a suplex! Douki escapes, wrenches but Hiromu ROCKS him with a forearm! Hiromu fireman’s carries, throws Douki to the dragon sleeper and inverted suplexes! Douki slips out again, but Hiromu gets him for a standard suplex! Douki fights out of that to get ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Hiromu endures again and fans fire up!

Hiromu falls over, Douki pulls harder still on the hold! Hiromu is fading, but he gets a second wind! Hiromu fights his way back up, gets to his feet, but starts to fade again as Douki pulls even harder! Hiromu gets a third wind! Hiromu moves around so Douki rolls him from ropes again! Douki slips around to wheelbarrow, but Hiromu hits a COMPLETE SHOT! Both men are down again and fans fire up! Hiromu and Douki stir as the fans rally hard as ever. Hiromu pushes himself up and roars! Hiromu gets Douki up, runs, but Douki ducks and runs. Hiromu ducks Douki’s clothesline to SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs again, but into Douki’s LARIAT! Douki-san Bomber?!

Douki fires up and he runs, into Hiromu’s spin and suplex! Douki knees free but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs but Douki takes him down in a FUJIWARA! DRAGON’S LAIR CRADLE! TWO!! Hiromu narrowly escapes, Douki runs in, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Hiromu drags Douki up, suplexes, VICTORY ROYALE! Cover, TWO!! Douki survives and fans are thunderous! Hiromu gets back up, roars, and then drags Douki up. Hiromu runs to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! And then fireman’s carry, TIMEBOMB! Cover, Hiromu wins!

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Douki earns 0)

And the Timebomb is now at the top of the block! After catching his breath, Hiromu gets the mic to say, “OI! Oi, Douki. You’re still just fighting here as a freelancer, right? Nevertheless, you’re definitely a true New Japan Junior! Let’s do this again.” Fans cheer the respect Hiromu shows Douki. Hiromu lets the fans rally and clap before he continues. “I WON~! Is this the first time we do this in Yawatahama? Has anyone here experienced this before? It’s time for Hiromu-chan’s survey!” Fans cheer that, as well. Hiromu reminds us that the Best of the Super Junior finals will be December 15. And if you believe that Hiromu-chan is winning this, clap for him right now!

The fans clap and he says he hears them. But those who aren’t clapping, were you rooting for Douki today? Not looking forward to Hiromu winning? He’ll ask again. Those who think Hiromu-chan will repeat as BOSJ winner, clap! If you want him to win, CLAP! It’s beautiful! He’ll take this glorious energy with him to the Sumo Hall! He just needs two more wins to seal victory! “Let’s have more, more, more, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE… Let’s have more fun, everyone~!” Will it only be a matter of time before the Timebomb goes back to back as the Best of the Super Juniors?

Here are the NEW BOSJ 28 standings!

El Desperado: 6-3-1, 13 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 6-3-1, 13 points
SHO: 6-4, 12 points
YOH: 6-4, 12 points
Robbie Eagles: 6-4, 12 points
Taiji Ishimori: 6-4, 12 points
El Phantasmo: 5-5, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 4-6, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Bushi: 4-6, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 4-6, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Master Wato: 4-6, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Douki: 2-8, 4 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

A great round for Best of the Super Juniors, and they arranged this rather perfectly. Sho losing in a great match with Ishimori opened the way for Desperado and Hiromu to climb up into the top of the block with their wins. We’ve got an awesome set up for the 11th round, where the first one between Desperado and Hiromu to lose gives way to the winner of Sho VS Yoh. But at the same time, if Eagles wins over Hiromu, he’ll be the one getting into the finals over Sho because Eagles won against him. But then Yoh goes in over Eagles because Yoh won. But all that is moot if Desperado and Hiromu both win because they’ll both be at 15 points.

My Score: 8.9/10