Who wins in the bottom of the ninth?

NJPW’s Best of the Super Juniors has reached round nine, the round robin’s end! Who is moving on to the finals on June 3rd?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: Master Wato VS DOUKI; Wato wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Kanemaru wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: BUSHI VS EL LINDAMAN; Bushi wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Clark Connors VS Alex Zayne; Zayne wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: Wheeler Yuta VS TJP; Yuta wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: YOH VS SHO; Sho wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS Titan; Titan wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Ace Austin VS Francesco Akira; Akira wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: El Desperado VS El Phantasmo; Desperado wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Taiji Ishimori; Hiromu wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current standings in A Block!

Taiji Ishimori: 6-2, 12 points
Ace Austin: 5-3, 10 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 5-3, 10 points
SHO: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
YOH: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Alex Zayne: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Clark Connors: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Francesco Akira: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]

Here are the current standings for B Block!

El Phantasmo: 6-2, 12 points
Robbie Eagles: 5-3, 10 points
El Desperado: 5-3, 10 points
El Lindaman: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Wheeler Yuta: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
TJP: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Bushi: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Master Wato: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Titan: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Douki: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]

Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: YOH VS SHO!

The remnants of Roppongi 3K meet again, and though both men are out of the running, this one won’t be about the tournament. Will Direct Drive outlast the Murder Machine? Or does Sho have one more trick up his sleeve?

Surprisingly, Sho doesn’t try to surprise Yoh at the ramp. He does try to tune out Yoh’s theme song as he makes his entrance. And he leaves Yoh alone as Yoh enters the ring. The bell rings and fans rally, but Sho exits to get a mic to basically say he doesn’t care about Yoh, and is done fighting him. Sho drops the mic and walks up the rampway! Is he just handing Yoh this win? Sho smirks as he slips through the curtain and the ring count starts. Yoh decides to wait in the center of the ring. We pass 10 of 20, perhaps Yoh is calling Sho’s bluff. We’re at 15 of 20, and Sho hurries back out! Sho wasn’t going to just Yoh the win, he throws the bell hammer away!

Sho gets in the ring at 18 and is angry Yoh didn’t chase after him! Was Yoh really going to accept that win? Sho swings on Yoh but Yoh dodges and CLOBBERS Sho with forearms! Fans rally and Yoh whips. Sho reverses then dodges to slide out. Fans fire up, but Sho attacks a Young Lion and throws him in. That’s a distraction so he can get the bell hammer and get in again! Sho JAMS and HAMMERS Yoh after all! Sho throws Yoh out now and goes out after him. Sho stomps Yoh, then he gets a chair out from under the ring. Sho drags Yoh up, rakes the eyes, but stops as the ref reprimands. Sho brings Yoh through the crowd and to the back wall, to whip him into it!

Sho hurries back to ringside because he wants the chair. Sho brings the chair back to where he left Yoh, but the ref stops Sho. Sho gives up the chair, to grab the trophy! Not this again! Sho poses with the trophy he won’t get to have anyway, and then he gives it to the ref. So he can get the chair! Sho SMACKS Yoh! And then Sho takes a seat and applauds with the fans. Sho brings the ref back to ringside, he wants the count out. The count does start but fans rally up, “Y O H! Y O H!” Yoh crawls his way back, stands at 9 of 20, hobbles his way through the crowd and to ringside. He hustles up to get in at 18!

Fans cheer but Sho stands on Yoh’s neck! Cover but the ref refuses after the shenanigans. So Sho CHOKES Yoh! The ref reprimands, Sho stops but he kicks at Yoh. Sho taunts Yoh, scuffs him, but Yoh stares him down. Yoh forearms and CHOPS, but Sho rakes eyes! Sho wrenches, kicks, KICKS and SUPER- NO, Yoh blocks to DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up for Yoh as Sho crawls to ropes. Yoh gets a leg and DRAGON SCREWS again! Yoh keeps on that leg but Sho swings. Yoh ducks to dropkick the other leg! And then KNEEBAR! Sho scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Yoh stands up but Sho kicks him away.

Sho gets out of the ring, gets another chair, but the ref stops him. Sho shoves the ref down and gets his wrench! He aims at Yoh, fans rally up but Sho tells them to hush. Yoh dodges the wrench, and gets the chair! Fans fire up as the two stand off. Sho puts the wrench down and tells Yoh to do something then. Yoh puts the chair outside, but Sho grabs his wrench again! But now the ref is up and sees the wrench! The ref grabs at it, takes it from Sho, and fans cheer that this is a fair match again. DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Yoh fires boxing elbows and fans rally up! Yoh ROCKS Sho, runs, but Sho dodges to SPEAR!

Fans fire up and Sho stomps around. Sho aims at Yoh and KICKS him down! Sho drags Yoh up, runs, but Yoh JUMP KNEES! Yoh runs, into Sho’s JUMP KNEE! Sho GERMAN SUPLEXES! Fans fire up, Sho mockingly asks what’s wrong, but Yoh gets up. Fans rally, Sho runs, Yoh dodges! LARIAT from Yoh!! Fans fire up with Yoh and he drags Sho back up. Yoh reels Sho in, suplex for the GHOSTBUSTER! Fans fire up with Yoh as he roars! Yoh gets Sho back up, reels him in, underhooks the arms, but Sho fights the Direct Drive to back drop free! Yoh goes to a corner, but he aims! SUPER- NO, Sho uses the ref as a shield! Then Sho shoves the ref into Yoh!

The ref goes down, Sho gets behind Yoh, LOW BLOW!! Truly underhanded! Sho then goes to the blue buckle pad, and he opens up the back? He had a hidden wrench!! Sho planned ahead, and now he aims at Yoh! Yoh slowly gets up, WRENCH SHOT!! Sho hides the evidence then tells the ref to do his job. Sho drags Yoh up, reels him in and double pump handles, SHOCK ARROW!! Cover, Sho wins!

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

He didn’t even have to go that far, but he did because he wanted to! And though Sho isn’t going anywhere in the block, will he finally be finished with Yoh?

Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS Titan!

The Sniper of the Skies is still in play, but he has to hit the mark! Will the CMLL World Welterweight Champion evade Eagles’ eye? Or will not even the Immortal be what kills Eagles’ run?

The bell rings and fans rally up. Eagles encourages them to get louder and faster and they oblige. Eagles and Titan circle, shake hands, and fans applaud the sportsmanship. Titan and Eagles tie up, fight for control, and Titan headlocks to a takeover. Eagles headscissors, Titan moves around, bridges then turns Eagles over. Titan floats up and over to have a HALF CRAB! Fans applaud the creative way to get there, but Eagles endures to turn back over. Titan holds onto the legs, Eagles fights him down to get a toehold. Titan moves, Eagles stands him up and wrenches to a wristlock. Titan spins, wrenches, spins Eagles, and wrenches to a wristlock.

Eagles rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. Fans applaud the exchange, but Titan spins through to trip Eagles up. Titan rolls Eagles to his feet, snapmares, then gets an arm to trap it, modified La Magistrol! ONE, Eagles rolls Titan to a cover, ONE! Titan facelocks, Eagles wrenches free to wristlock, but Titan rolls and rolls and handsprings to arm-drag! Titan has the armlock but Eagles arm-drags back! Eagles sweeps, covers, ONE! Titan sweeps, rolls and whips, but Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Titan handstand walks through to handspring! Fans applaud, Titan sweeps and covers, ONE! Double dropkicks cancel out, and both men kip up!

Fans fire up the exchange as the two stare down. They shake hands again, and fans applaud the sportsmanship. Fans rally up, Eagles and Titan tie up again. Eagles trips, runs, but Titan drops and hurdles. Eagles leaps over, Titan springboards to arm-drag! Titan runs in at the corner but Eagles puts him on the apron, Titan blocks the forearm to ROCK Eagles, then springboard CROSSBODY! Things keep moving, Eagles trips Titan and ties up the legs! Titan kicks Eagles away, both men kip up, but Eagles clutches his leg. But he kicks Titan’s leg! Fans fire up and Eagles CHOPS Titan at the ropes.

Eagles whips, Titan reverses but Eagles RANAS! Titan gets up, into Eagles’ WHEEL KICK! Eagles kips up, but again his leg bugs him. Eagles drops a knee on Titan’s head, covers, TWO! Eagles keeps focused, and he stomps Titan. Titan gets up to throw a right hand, but he falls down right after. Eagles eggs Titan on and Titan kicks back from below. Eagles stomps Titan down! Eagles drags Titan up and fans rally, “EA-GEL-SU!” “TI-TA-NN!” Eagles bumps Titan off buckles, CHOPS him in a corner, then stomps the leg. Titan hobbles along the ropes and Eagles stalks him to another corner. Eagles brings Titan up to whip corner to corner.

Eagles runs corner to corner, blocks Titan’s boot, clinches for a knee and a KICK, and Titan is down! Fans fire up, Eagles runs corner to corner, but Titan DRIVE-BY LARIATS! Eagles is down, Titan gets up on the apron! Eagles runs in but Titan slingshots to body scissor Eagles out! Titan then slingshots in, hero landing and fans fire up! Titan builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans fire up as Titan scoops Eagles and SLAMS him on the floor! Titan gets back to the ring, and fans rally as he climbs up a corner. SUPER DOUBLE STOMPS miss as Eagles moves! Titan clutches his legs, he may have done more harm than good!

Eagles gets in the ring while Titan hobbles around. Eagles builds speed to SOMERSAULT TOPE! Direct hit and the Young Lions are there, but Eagles is going so fast he tumbles through them! Fans fire up while both men are down, and even more as Eagles rises! Eagles drags Titan up, puts him in the ring, and fans rally as Eagles waits on Titan. Titan slowly rises, Eagles runs and SHINING WIZARDS! Cover, TWO! Titan survives but Eagles has the fans fired up. Eagles goes corner to corner for DOUBLE KNEES! Then he rolls, but into a BOOT! So Eagles tiger feints the legs out, and METEORAS! Eagles drags Titan to a cover, TWO!

But Eagles has the leg! RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Titan endures, fans rally, and Titan reaches out! Titan drags Eagles with him, ROPEBREAK! Eagles lets off and fans rally up. Eagles goes up and 450, but he has to bail out as Titan moves. Eagles KICKS Titan’s leg out, but he runs into a SUPERKICK! Titan HEEL KICKS, then fires up to SUPER- NO! Eagles blocks and spins Titan to ROUNDHOUSE! SUPERKICK! But Titan ducks the enziguri! Titan brings Eagles up, Eagles BOOTS back, but Titan goes Matrix to dodge the lariat! CALF KICK! Both men are down and fans fire up! Titan gets up fast, reels Eagles into the Canadian Rack, FACEBUSTER and SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!!

Eagles survives and fans fire up! Titan hurries to get Eagles into position at the center. Titan goes to the apron and fans fire up. Titan springboards, DOUBLE STOMPS miss again! Eagles sees Titan go to the corner and runs in, but is put on the apron. GAMANGIRI, then springboards, missile dropkick tot he legs! RON- NO, Titan kicks Eagles away! Titan drags Eagles down, ties up the legs in a figure four, and hooks Eagles’ head! IMMORAL CRADLE, TITAN WINS!!

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

Eagles loses and is OUT of the running! He is frustrated as he leaves, what will it take for him to be back at the top of the NJPW Junior Heavyweight Division? As for Titan, has he helped prove CMLL can still stand with the best in the world?

Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Ace Austin VS Francesco Akira!

The Inevitable fell away from the top, but if he plays his cards right, he’ll be the one going to the finals! Will the X-Division Champion make an impact on the BOSJ? Or will Bruciare burn him up and open the way for another?

Akira is in Austin’s face as soon as he’s in the ring, but the ref has them back off. The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Austin puts Akira on ropes but Akira turns it around. The ref counts the ropebreak, Akira doesn’t but Austin shoves him away. Akira ROCKS Austin, then argues with the ref. Akira CLUBS Austin over and over then stomps him. Akira whips, Austin rolls to drop toehold and EDDY GORDO KICK! Fans fire up, Austin builds speed but Akira follows to wheelbarrow. Austin turns that into a waistlock but Akira elbows free. Akira runs, ducks the roundhouse and tilt-o-whirls Austin out!

Fans rally for “A! KI-RA! A! KI-RA!” as he builds speed. Akira slides, Austin ducks and dropkicks! Austin kips up from the apron, handsprings over the sweeps and SUPERKICKS! Fans fire up and Austin slingshots in to build speed. But Akira slingshots in as he comes back, CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Another, TWO!! Austin is still in this and fans fire up! Akira argues the count but the ref says it was all fair. Akira drags Austin up, snapmares and dropkicks. Cover, TWO! Akira kicks Austin around, taunting and toying with him. Akira digs his knee in at the corner, the ref counts and Akira stops.

Austin flounders in the corner and fans rally up. Akira walks over, Austin throws elbows and forearms. Akira knees low, whips corner to corner but Austin reverses. Austin runs in, is put on the apron, but he ROCKS Akira! Austin jumps up but Akira tucks him in! CHEEKY NANDOS! Cover, TWO! Akira CHOKES Austin! The ref counts, Akira lets off and he taunts Austin while fans fire up. Austin is on the apron, Akira stomps him back in. Akira drags Austin up, turns him, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Akira keeps on Austin by pulling his hair and sitting him up. Akira has the arms, for a motorcycle stretch!

Austin endures, even as Akira pulls back on the arms and digs his knee into the back. Akira keeps trying but Austin still reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Fans rally and Akira lets off. Akira grows frustrated and he drags Austin up. Akira reels Austin in but Austin slips out to kick, knee lift, and RIPCORD SLAM! Then HOUSE- NO, Akira victory rolls, TWO! Akira ducks the heel kick, waistlocks, chicken wings, but Austin fights the pop-up! Austin elbows free, whips Akira into the corner, then runs in to A-LIST LARIAT! Austin fires off the point blank lariats over and over, then tosses Akira aside. Step in, FLYING CHUCK! Cover, TWO!

Fans fire up while Akira is still in this. Austin gets up and aims from a corner. Akira slowly gets up, and Austin runs in, THE- NO, Akira wheelbarrows to victory roll, STOMP 182! Fans fire up while both men are down! Akira runs corner to corner to SHOTGUN Austin in the corner! Akira drags Austin to a cover, TWO! Fans rally and Akira fires up! Akira drags Austin up, dribbles him off the mat, then CHOKES Austin! The ref counts, Akira lets off, and then he rains down fists! Fans rally, Akira rains down more fists, then Akira sits Austin up. Akira goes to a corner, runs in, but Austin ducks the Fireball! HEEL KICK!

Austin runs in from the ropes, HOUSE OF CARDS! Fans fire up as Austin aims from the corner! Akira flounders up, Austin runs in, but into a wheelbarrow! Austin blocks the victory roll to a cover, TWO! Austin suplexes Akira up to put him on the top rope! ENZIGURI! Fans rally and Austin climbs up behind Akira. Austin brings Akira up but Akira fights to SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! Austin flounders all the way out of the ring, and fans rally for “A! KI-RA!” Akira aims as Austin gets up, and Akira slingshots to ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit and both men are down! Akira crawls while fans rally and the ring count starts.

Akira drags himself up at 5 but Austin grabs the leg to bring Akira back! They brawl as we reach 10 of 20, forearm for forearm! Fans rally, Austin gets the edge but Akira ROUNDHOUSES! The count is 15 as Austin pops Akira up to the corner! Akira FLYING FIREBALLS! Akira gets in, Austin is down, THE COUNT IS UP! Akira wins!!

Winner: Francesco Akira, by count out (gains 2 points; Austin earns 0)

The Nova Fireball just burned Austin’s chances to ashes! And on top of that, Akira grabs the X-Division Championship! Does Akira want to make an impact in the name of the United Empire?

Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: El Desperado VS El Phantasmo!

It all comes down to this! The Sniper of the Skies misfired, and though he beat both Rogue Luchador and Headbanga in the tournament, these two still have a chance! It’s win and you’re in, who will represent B Block in the finals?

The bell rings and fans rally up as the two stare down. Desperado and ELP talk trash on each other. ELP says their match should be main event, but it’s not because Desperado choked! Desperado lost to Eagles last round so this match got demoted to penultimate. ELP gets out of the ring, but Desperado says it’s ELP who isn’t a main eventer. ELP tells Desperado STFU, and says they can just do a time limit draw. Desperado eggs ELP on, ELP gets back in but he keeps his distance. Desperado steps up but ELP backs out again. ELP wants to make this a draw so he wins the block by default, but Desperado wants ELP to stay still.

ELP is in the ring and taunting Desperado now. Desperado slides in and ELP bails out. Fans applaud the trolling as ELP does jumping jacks. Desperado is annoyed, ELP says he wants a timeout. Desperado still chases him in and out and in again! ELP then turns things around and gets Desperado’s arm! ELP wrenches to a wristlock and he SNAPS a finger! And CLAWS Desperado on the back! ELP stands on Desperado’s neck, lets off at 4, then goes out to BOOT Desperado on the apron! ELP drags Desperado out for a DRAPING DDT to the floor! Fans rally up as ELP gets the ref back to the ring. ELP wants the ref to count, but he also gets a chair!

The count starts, ELP puts the chair on the apron. ELP goes back to Desperado at 7 of 20, brings Desperado over, and SMACKS him off the chair! The ref still counts, we’re at 15! ELP wants the count to slow down now, but he also wants the ref to stay inside. But ELP is setting up more stuff. He has chairs sit face to face as the count restarts. Fans rally, ELP reels Desperado in, but Desperado fights to back drop ELP onto the chairs! The count is 13 of 20, Desperado gets in at 15. Desperado has the ref stop the count, so that he can build speed and DIVE onto ELP! Direct hit and down goes ELP!

Fans fire up and rally while Desperado and ELP stir. Desperado gets up as the new ring count begins. Desperado puts ELP in, then hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, ONE! Desperado is annoyed but he works on his bad shoulder. Desperado gets ELP’s leg for a SHINBREAKER! Then a takedown into the GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Desperado steps through and ties up the legs for the BUTTERFLY DEATHLOCK! ELP endures, CHOPS Desperado, but he eggs ELP on. ELP CHOPS, Desperado still eggs him on, and ELP ROCKS him with a forearm! But Desperado falls back to put pressure on the hold! ELP hurries to sit Desperado up, and then rakes the eyes!

The ref reprimands but ELP gets free of the hold. Desperado stomps ELP, brings him up and suplexes, but ELP blocks. ELP goes to suplex but Desperado fights that off. They struggle for suplex control, ELP GOURD BUSTERS Desperado out of the ring! Desperado clutches his foot and ELP goes out after him. ELP CLAWS Desperado’s back! ELP blows his fingers clean onto Kanemaru who is on commentary. ELP puts Desperado in, covers, TWO! Fans rally up while ELP brings Desperado up to suplex, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Desperado is still in it, but ELP suplexes for another BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!!

Fans fire up but ELP is annoyed. ELP suplexes again, a third BRAINBUSTER! ELP then reels Desperado in, gets him up, LAST RIDE! Cover, TWO!! Desperado survives again and fans rally up. ELP hobbles, brings Desperado up and CLAWS him again! And again! Desperado writhes while ELP gets fans to clap, “E! L P!” ELP CLAWS Desperado over and over! ELP taunts “Despy” while standing on the mask’s tassels. ELP then stands Desperado up to ROCK with forearms! Desperado rakes eyes! Desperado whips corner to corner, ELP goes up and over and somersaults. ELP ducks and springboards, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!

ELP somersaults to LIONSAULT, but he has to roll through as Desperado dodges! ELP dodges, but Desperado SPEARS! Fans fire up while both men are down! ELP and Desperado stir and fans rally. Desperado stands up, and CLAWS ELP in return! Desperado gut wrenches but ELP slips out to straitjacket and torture rack. But Desperado slips off to OLYMPIC SLAM! High stack cover, TWO! STRETCH MUFFLER! ELP scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Desperado lets off, to drag ELP from ropes! GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Fans rally while both men are down again. Desperado goes to the apron and goes up the corner!

ELP GAMANGIRIS Desperado down to the floor! ELP then climbs up the corner, stands on the very top, and leaps for a SUPER THUNDER KISS 86! Direct hit crossbody style and fans fire up! The ring count starts, ELP gets up and hobbles around. ELP brings Desperado up at 12 of 20 and puts him in at 14. ELP then goes back up the corner, aims again, but Desperado gets away to the far corner. ELP hops down, his leg jams! Desperado CHOP BLOCKS! GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And STRETCH MUFFLER!! ELP flails, reaches out, but Desperado drags him away from ropes! ELP rolls Desperado to a cradle, TWO!!

ELP is up, SUDDEN- NO, Desperado blocks and spins ELP for a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO, TO STRETCH MUFFLER!! ELP rolls, but Desperado stays with him, and gets NUMERO DOS PLUS!! Fans fire up as ELP endures, fights to get an arm free, but Desperado fights to get it back! ELP sits up out of the muffler, but Desperado has the Alabama Lift! Desperado tucks ELP in, BASTARD DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!?!? ELP survives and Desperado is shocked! Fans are thunderous and rally back up! Desperado fires up, gets ELP up, but he’s dead weight! Desperado drops ELP to stomp him!

Desperado drags ELP up, underhooks the arms, but ELP slips out! And steals EL ES CULERO! TWO!! Desperado escapes, but ELP dodges to SUDDEN DEATH!! But he has to crawl to the cover! TWO?!?! Desperado survives and fans are thunderous again! ELP fires himself up and fans rally up again. ELP drags Desperado around, reels him in and tucks the arms. But Desperado fights out of it, only for ELP to ROCK him! ELP tucks him in, C R II!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?!? Desperado survives and no one can believe it! ELP is freaking out and the fans are thunderous! ELP grins as he gets an idea.

ELP hobbles over, drags Desperado around and brings him up. ELP underhooks the arms! But the bad leg won’t let him lift and steal Pinche Loco! Fans fire up, ELP brings his kneepad down and goes back to Desperado. ELP gets Desperado up but Desperado gets a leg! ENZIGURI from ELP! ELP Hobbles around and takes aim. ELP takes aim, runs in, but Desperado ducks the kick to LOCO MONO!! Underhooks and PINCHE LOCO!!! But Desperado doesn’t cover, he rolls ELP into another underhook! But not to underhook? To tuck the arms?! Desperado steals C R II!!!! Cover a la the Deadman, Desperado wins!

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

The Headbanga falls! He and Desperado end up tied at 6-3 with 12 points, but Desperado has the tiebreaker! Desperado’s comeback is almost complete, but who will he meet in the battle for the trophy? Desperado stays ringside to find that out for himself!

Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Taiji Ishimori!

It also all comes down to this! Akira trumped Austin, and now the way is open for another! Will the Ticking Timebomb make it back to the finals and go for the threepeat? Or will the BOSJ be reborn with THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion fighting for the trophy?

The bell rings and Taiji SHOTGUNS Hiromu down! Hiromu flops out, Taiji goes out after him, and Taiji drags Hiromu up to POST him! Fans rally up and Taiji stalks Hiromu. Hiromu CHOPS, Taiji eggs him on, so Hiromu CHOPS again! Hiromu runs in, but into a scoop! LAWN DART into the post! Hiromu clutches his shoulder while Taiji takes the long way around to his corner. Taiji shoots a glare at Desperado, then undoes the blue buckle pad. Fans rally up and Red Shoes starts the count. The Bullet Club Special is in play but Hiromu is still down at 7 of 20. Hiromu stands at 9, shakes out the bad arm, and takes a moment before getting in at 16.

Taiji storms over but Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS! Taiji dropkicks the bad leg! Hiromu writhes right out of the ring, still not 100% from the damage done by the likes of Kanemaru and Sho. Red Shoes starts the ring count again while Taiji waits. Hiromu is still down at 10 of 20. Hiromu stands at 13, gets in at 15, and fans rally up. Taiji CLUBS Hiromu down, then wrenches the bad arm. Taiji ELBOWS the bad shoulder and Hiromu writhes again. Taiji smirks and nods but fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU!” Taiji twists Hiromu’s wrist then stands on Hiromu’s head. Hiromu endures, Taiji covers, TWO!

Taiji keeps cool and he has Hiromu in a corner. Taiji snapmares Hiromu to get the arm for a cobra twist! Hiromu endures again, fights his way up and throws body shots. Taiji ripcords to ram shoulders then WRING the arm! Fans rally, Taiji paces around Hiromu, and then kicks at him toyingly. Taiji drags Hiromu up but Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Taiji CHOPS back, CLUBS Hiromu down, then runs. Hiromu gets up and follows to RANA Taiji down! Fans fire up and Hiromu crawls to ropes. Fans rally again, Hiromu drags himself up and BOOTS Taiji! then HANGING HEADSCISSORS! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Hiromu lets off at 4.

Hiromu gets back in to put Taiji in a corner and corner clothesline! Snapmare and basement dropkick! Fans fire up and Taiji bails out. Hiromu goes to the apron and FLYING JOHN WOO DROPKICKS Taiji down! Fans fire up and Hiromu gets up slowly. Hiromu fires up and fans fire up with him, and he fetches Taiji. Hiromu puts Taiji in and brings him up to FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Hiromu keeps cool and he shakes out his bad arm. Fans rally as Hiromu brings Taiji up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Taiji slips off! Hiromu is in the corner, Taiji runs in but Hiromu dodges. Hiromu runs in but Taiji BOOTS him!

Hiromu tries again, blocks the boots, but Taiji AX KICKS! And then BUCKLE SHOT! Fans fire up and Taiji drags himself from the corner. Both men are down as Taiji gets his arm moving. Fans rally, Taiji storms back up to Hiromu and brings him up to wrench and hammerlock. Taiji RAMS Hiromu into the bare steel! Red Shoes reprimands but the damage is done! Taiji gets the bad arm, wrenches it again, ARM CODE BREAKER! Fans rally and Taiji backs away towards his corner while Hiromu writhes. Taiji aims, Hiromu stands up, Taiji runs in to tilt-o- NO, Hiromu blocks the Mystico! Only for Taiji to turn the gut wrench onto Hiromu!

But Hiromu turns things back onto Taiji! Taiji turns it back around on Hiromu, CIPHER- SPIKE from Hiromu! Taiji blocks the superkick, but Hiromu CLUBS Taiji! Hiromu runs, into a low kick! Taiji runs but Hiromu clotheslines him at the ropes! Hiromu then fakes Taiji out and back elbows! Hiromu spins, but Taiji ROCKS him first! Taiji whips, Hiromu reverses but Taiji handsprings, into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up from that exchange, but Hiromu fires back up to run! But Taiji blocks past, RUNNING DESTROYER!! Both men are down again and fans rally hard as ever! Taiji and Hiromu stir, and Taiji crawls over to Hiromu.

Taiji drags Hiromu up, but Hiromu throws the first forearm! And another! Taiji shakes his head, brings Hiromu up again, but Hiromu throws another forearm! Taiji gets frustrated, and he fires a forearm back! Hiromu throws another forearm, but Taiji gives that back. Hiromu wobbles but he comes back with another! Taiji steadies himself, and throws another! Fans rally up as they go build up speed! Taiji fires off a ton, then runs, into a SHOTGUN! Hiromu fire’s up, fireman’s carries, CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Hiromu fires up again and fans fire up with him! Hiromu hauls Taiji up, fireman’s carries, but Taiji slips off.

Hiromu elbows free, Taiji rebounds, into a POP-UP POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO, into D!! Taiji endures the triangle hold, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Fans rally as Taiji survives and Hiromu lets him go. Hiromu gets back up, hobbles around, and he brings Taiji back up. Hiromu suplexes, but Taiji fights free. Taiji wrenches, ducks the elbows, but Hiromu wheelbarrows. No Complete Shot, but Hiromu tries the suplex again! VICTORY- NO, Taiji drags Hiromu down with the armbar! BONE LOCK!! Hiromu scrambles, ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer and Taiji lets him go. Taiji and Hiromu work on getting their sore arms moving while fans rally up.

Taiji brings Hiromu up, gut wrenches, but Hiromu blocks! They go around, fighting for gut wrench control! Taiji throws down elbows, then CLUBS Hiromu in the lower back. Taiji gut wrenches but Hiromu fights it! Hiromu CLUBS Taiji down, CLUBS him more, then drags Taiji up to his own gut wrench! But Taiji turns it around on Hiromu, CIPHER UTAKI! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu is still in this and fans fire up. Taiji hobbles over as fans rally up again. Taiji drags Hiromu up, reels him in, BLOODY- Arm-drag from Hiromu! But Taiji POP-UP POWERBOMBS! Cover, TWO, into D!!! Hiromu has Taiji caught as Taiji flails around!

Taiji endures, Hiromu pulls on the arm, and Taiji gets the ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets go in frustration, and both men slowly stir. Fans rally back up, “HI-RO-MU!” and Hiromu stands. Hiromu hobbles back to Taiji, brings him up and suplexes, but Taiji knees free! Hiromu uppercuts, but Taiji ducks the kick to JUMP KNEE! Hiromu SUPERKICKS! HIROM-CHAN BOMBER! Fans fire up and Hiromu roars! Hiromu stands Taiji up, runs, ISHIMORI BOMBER!? Taiji roars, fans fire up, and Taiji dragon sleepers to inverted suplex! BLOODY SUNDAY!! Shoutout to the Prince, and both men are down again!

Fans rally up, Taiji drags himself to ropes, and Taiji takes aim. BANG, and he drags Hiromu back up. Taiji hauls Hiromu up, half hatch, BLOODY- Fireman’s roll from Hiromu! Fireman’s carry, for a CORNER- NO! Taiji slips off to POST Hiromu! Taiji drags Hiromu out and hammerlocks the arm. Half nelson and scoop, SHOULDER BUSTER! Hiromu writhes but Taiji slowly sits back up. Fans rally, Taiji gets himself to a corner, and he aims at Hiromu. Hiromu slowly gets back up, Taiji runs in, MYSTICO!! And then BONE- NO, Hiromu is fighting the armlocks! He wants the ropes but Taiji rolls him away! BONE- CRADLE! TWO!!!

Hiromu gets the arm, D!! But Taiji deadlift POWERBOMBS!! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Fans rally and Taiji drags himself to ropes. Taiji hurries to get Hiromu back up, and he reels Hiromu in, BLOODY- RANA!! And D!!! Taiji reaches out for ropes but Hiromu rolls away form them. Taiji deadlifts, but Hiromu slips out and HIROM-CHAN STUNNER!! Into D!!! Taiji endures, reaches out, fans are fired up, but Hiromu drags Taiji away again! Taiji tries another deadlift but Hiromu just rolls him back down! Taiji refuses to quit and the fans are thunderous! Taiji tries again, another deadlift, but Hiromu pulls the arm! Taiji is fading!! Red Shoes checks, TAIJI IS OUT!! HIROMU WINS!!

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by submission (gains 2 points; Taiji earns 0)

And that’s the game! The Ticking Timebomb takes out the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and is moving on to the finals!! It will be Hiromu VS Desperado for the trophy!! But while Hiromu is the main event winner, Desperado gets the mic as he gets in the ring.

“When the schedule for this tour came out, I wondered if it was planned by someone who had never seen a map of Japan. This Super Juniors had some wild travel routes. But when it was all said and done… It was the most fun series ever.” Fans applaud in agreement of that. Desperado continues to say, “The foreign wrestlers, guys like Lindaman, they had amazing matches all over. We talked about the future of the division heading into January 4th. Everyone gave their all and this was the result.” Fans applaud because they also like that.

Desperado continues with “Wasn’t this Super Junior damn great? I’ll get to end it having the most fun of all. We’ve already said it all to each other. I’ll wait for you at Budokan. The winner of the main event gets to talk now, not me. See ya.” Desperado sets the mic down and fans applaud as he leaves. Hiromu gets the mic to say, “For all that, you just talked a whole lot. Very on brand. But nothing else has to be said between us, right? I’m hyped for the final. It feels like I’ve been left with nothing to say, but I’ll say this… Ishimori, after Ota-ku, you said something. That me winning my third straight, fourth overall, would show the Junior Division hadn’t changed?

“Ishimori, you said you’d break the status quo? You didn’t do it at all, did you, Ishimori-san? But you’re one of the top Juniors who fit the same mold. Hiromu, Desperado, Ishimori, it’s not up to us. We’re the ones being broken.” Fans applaud, and Hiromu says Taiji is the champion, so he should stand taller! Hiromu takes a breath, and fans rally up for him again. He says he’s not giving up his spot, no one is! “What’s the fun of changing the leader? What’s the fun in all others standing at the side? That doesn’t sound fun to me. We’re almost there. Just one more match to go. One more match! One more match! One more match left! This Best of the Super Juniors has been a blast!

“Desperado, let’s see who gets to have the most fun!” Hiromu repeats “One More Match!” over and over. In the last match of the BOSJ 29, we’ll have more, more, more, more, more, MORE MORE MORE… FUN TOGETHER~!” The Timebomb is all fired up, but will he complete the threepeat? Or will the Rogue Luchador’s return to the top be completed with the BOSJ trophy?

Here are the FINAL standings in A Block!

Hiromu Takahashi: 6-3, 12 points [FINALIST]
Taiji Ishimori: 6-3, 12 points [ELIMINATED]
Ace Austin: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
SHO: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
YOH: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Clark Connors: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Alex Zayne: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Francesco Akira: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-6, 6 points [ELIMINATED]

Here are the FINAL standings for B Block!

El Desperado: 6-3, 12 points [FINALIST]
El Phantasmo: 6-3, 12 points [ELIMINATED]
Robbie Eagles: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
Wheeler Yuta: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
Bushi: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
El Lindaman: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
TJP: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Master Wato: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Titan: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Douki: 3-6, 6 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

A great event, but obviously I skipped the first half because they were all between eliminated participants. But there were some great results in there, like Connors finishing strong against Zayne and Yuta beating TJP. Even though Sho and Yoh were both out of the running, I kept it because of the story between these two. Sho trying to sucker Yoh into the trap only for Yoh to see through it was a great opening bit. But Sho cheating to win was also a given, he finishes strong so that should Suzuki-Gun come for the NEVER Openweight Six Man titles, Sho is ready. Suzuki-Gun’s Douki and Kanemaru also split with Six or Nine, giving credence to a Junior Heavyweight Tag title match.

I was surprised how the Blocks paralleled each other in the end. Akira gets a great win over Austin that really could lead to a great NJPW Impact crossover over the X-Division title. Titan perhaps finishes strongest of all the eliminated because he spoiled Eagles’ shot even though he was very low in the block. And in the end, after great matches, we get Hiromu VS Desperado, a great rematch from their match last tournament with that time limit draw. They’re going to have an AMAZING finals match on Friday, it can go either way, and I can’t wait.

My Score: 9/10