Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (8/26/22)
It’s Second Chance Friday!
Who defies the odds to come out on top?
Toxic Attraction won, but are out due to injury! But SmackDown keeps things on track with a Second Chance Fatal 4 Way to find NEW semifinalists!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Ricochet VS Happy Corbin; wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament Second Chance Fatal 4 Way: Shotzi Blackheart & Xia Li VS Natalya & Sonya Deville VS Dana Brooke & Tamina VS Nikki A.S.H. & “Doudrop” Piper Niven; win and will face Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah in the semifinals.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament, Semifinal: Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah VS Natalya & Sonya Deville; Raquel & Aliyah win and advance to the finals.
- Drew McIntyre VS Sami Zayn; McIntyre wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Ricochet VS Happy Corbin!
Speaking of second chances, the One and Only beat “Bum ass” Corbin when they were 1v1, and Corbin was a sore loser about it. They face off again here in Motor City, will Ricochet sweep Corbin 2-0? Or will Corbin get his revenge and force a tiebreaker?
The bell rings and Corbin rushes in! Ricochet dodges, ducks ‘n’ dodges more, then tilt-o-whirls to RANA Corbin out of the ring! Fans fire up with Ricochet while Corbin wobbles. Ricochet builds speed but Corbin runs so Ricochet handsprings and superhero lands! Ricochet grins at Corbin, Corbin rushes in but Ricochet jumps out to the apron. Ricochet shoulders into Corbin, slingshots up an dover and keeps moving, to flapjack DROPKICK! Then he dropkicks the legs out! STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, ONE!! Corbin gets to a corner but fans fire up for Ricochet. Ricochet runs corner to corner, but is put on the apron!
Ricochet shoulders into Corbin again, but slingshots into a HAYMAKER! Fans boo but Corbin just soaks it all up. Corbin drags Ricochet up, puts him in the corner, but fans chant, “You Suck! You Suck!” Corbin CHOPS Ricochet down, then brings Ricochet back up to ROCK him with a forearm. Corbin CLUBS away on Ricochet’s back, then shakes his head at the booing fans. Corbin whips Ricochet, Ricochet goes up and over the back, duck sunder and handsprings, but Corbin shoves him away! Ricochet handsprings again to back elbow! Corbin tumbles out of the ring! Ricochet builds speed to slide, but Corbin dodges!
Ricochet runs at Corbin, but Corbin alley-oops him up, only for Ricochet to land safe on the corner! Ricochet SKY TWISTERS and takes Corbin down!! Fans fire up with Ricochet as SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns and Ricochet fires off forearms and KICKS on Corbin! Ricochet whips Corbin to a corner but Corbin reverses. Ricochet dodges, Corbin slides out and in into a dropkick! Ricochet goes up and out to aim from the apron, but Corbin blocks the boot to fireman’s carry! Corbin lifts and SLAMS Ricochet onto the desk! Fans boo while Corbin smirks. Corbin frowns at Pat McAfee before he TOSSES Ricochet into barriers! Corbin drags Ricochet up and ROCKS him with a right hand. Corbin pushes Ricochet into the ring, fans rally for Ricochet, but Corbin puts Ricochet in a corner. Corbin DECKS Ricochet with a right!
Corbin stands Ricochet up, whips him corner to corner hard, then lifts Ricochet on the rebound to SLAM him on the buckle! Cover, TWO! Corbin argues with the ref but the ref says his count was fair. Corbin drags Ricochet up, Ricochet throws body shots, but Corbin knees low! Corbin whips but Ricochet handsprings, into a BIG elbow! Corbin drags Ricochet up, whips him at the corner and Ricochet slides into the post! Fans boo as Ricochet flops to the floor but Corbin tells them off. Corbin hears the ring count pass 5 of 10 and waits. Ricochet gets up and in at 7, but Corbin smirks again. Corbin whips Ricochet, but Ricochet tilt-o-whirls to a DDT!
Fans rally while both men are down! Corbin sits up first and he drags Ricochet up, only to get a JAWBREAKR! Ricochet fires off hands, KICKS, and KICKS and KICKS! But Corbin shoves Ricochet, only for Ricochet to Tiger Wall Kick and ENZIGURI! Corbin ends up in a corner, Ricochet runs in, and Ricochet RAMS into Corbin! Ricochet goes to the apron, springboards but Corbin gets under! Corbin choke grips but Ricochet RANAS! Then V-TRIGGERS! Corbin rebounds but Ricochet dodges, only to run into DEEP SIX! Cover, TWO! Corbin grows frustrated but he drags Ricochet up and to the corner.
Corbin puts Ricochet up top, climbs up, but Ricochet fires off haymakers! Ricochet then KICKS Corbin down, and fans fire up! Ricochet adjusts, aims, and 450s, but has to roll through! Corbin BOOTS Ricochet, lifts him again, and just YOYO SLAMS him down! Cover, TWO!! Corbin is furious but two is two! Corbin runs to DECK Ricochet down! Fans boo but Corbin drags Ricochet up. Corbin runs, Ricochet dodges, and leaps, but no Recoil! Corbin shoves Ricochet but Ricochet V-TRIGGERS again! And SUPERKICKS! And HEEL KICKS! Corbin falls over, Ricochet goes up and Detroit fires up! SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Cover, Ricochet wins!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall
And that’s the sweep! McAfee mocks Corbin with the telestrator, is it all over for Corbin but the crying?
The Street Profits are backstage!
Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins walk the halls, but they encounter Hit Row! Ford says, “Look who it is! OOO~!” B-Fab hears they want the smoke. Ashante THEE Adonis & Top Dolla look at each other and say, “Oh we got that.” Ford & Dawkins feel it! There’s something here! About that MONEY MONEY MONEY~! To the smoke they go~! B-Fab leads the way, are the Profits and Hit Row hitting it off?
SmackDown looks at Drew McIntyre’s journey.
“It’s really cool to be from the UK. A long line of warriors, of scientists, of poets. The people think big, they dream big, they do incredible things. As a kid, I did imagine I would be here. I imagined it every single day since I was six years old.” It seemed unobtainable. No one from Scotland had ever been signed to the WWE before. He was the kid who said he’d be the first, and he believed it that much. Being from Scotland, with such brave and heroic figures, if you’ve got a dream, you go for it and make it happen. McIntyre is living proof of it. He rose up, reached the top in Scotland, Wales, England, and then the FCW Champion in the US.
McIntyre became the fastest superstar to go from developmental to television as “The Chosen One.” They all thought that at the time, as did he, but he doesn’t see it that way now. He thought he deserved it all, become a Hall of Famer all easy, but it didn’t work out that way. “When things weren’t going so well anymore, instead of putting my head down and working harder, instead of looking in that mirror, I was getting angry. My dream and my professional life was falling apart, and that was about the time my mom got sick.” He still sees her as a superhero, but then she passed and there was no saving him emotionally or professionally. He got fired, and it ended up being the best thing for him.
McIntyre was clueless and immature when he first came to America. But he knew he’d return to the WWE a man. And so he did! He became the leader of the locker room, and so much more. More of the McIntyre story is still to come later tonight.
Karrion Kross speaks.
He and Scarlett are up in the bleachers! “Wow. What a beautiful story of redemption. Congratulations, Mr. McIntyre> I mean, who knows? Maybe right now, it really is your time. Or… Maybe not. However, take this moment in. Think about it. Feel it, savor it, because in reality, at any given moment, I can put my arm through the back of your head, and all of your achievements will mean absolutely nothing. Tick-tock.” Mr. Doomsday puts McIntyre on the clock, but will the Scottish Warrior prove he can change the fate Kross sees for him?
WWE Women’s Championship Tournament Second Chance Fatal 4 Way: Shotzi Blackheart & Xia Li VS Natalya & Sonya Deville VS Dana Brooke & Tamina VS Nikki A.S.H. & “Doudrop” Piper Niven!
Second chance and last chance for the four teams that were eliminated in the tournament! Toxic Attraction’s misfortune is a golden opportunity, but who seizes the moment and heads for the semifinals?
SmackDown returns and Natalya & Sonya make their entrance. Dana & Tamina, as well as Nikki & Piper, are already at their corners. This type of Fatal 4 only has two teams legal at one time, so Sonya starts against Tamina. Tamina throws her jacket at former tag partner, Natty. Sonya can’t believe that, and she circles with Tamina. Natty talks some trash, and gets a SUPERKICK for it! Tamina dodges Sonya, fireman’s carries to a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, but Piper SENTONS it apart! Piper puts Sonya in her corner, Nikki tags in off Sonya, but then Xia tags off Tamina. Nikki CROSSBODIES Xia then rains down fists!
Nikki soaks up the heat as she strike a pose, then she drags Xia up. Nikki whips, Xia reverses and Nikki hits ropes hard! Xia clinches, hammerlocks, and HOTSHOTS Nikki down! Xia talks trash on Nikki not being a hero, and then she tags Shotzi. Xia’s drop toehold puts Nikki on the ropes, then Xia is the step for Shotzi to jump off off, SENTON against the ropes! Cover, Tamina breaks it! Tamina drags Shotzi over, Dana tags in off Shotzi, and the 24/7 Champion handsprings to elbow Piper down! Nikki runs in but into a BOOT! Nikki wrenches back, kicks low, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, TWO and Sonya KNEES Nikki down!
Tamina SUPERKKICKS Sonya! Piper CROSSBODIES Tamina! Shotzi runs in but Piper blocks the cravat to power out. Shotzi dodges Piper, Xia ROUNBDHOUSES! Xia gives Shotzi another boost, SLICED BREAD for Piper! Natty rushes in to DISCUS Xia! But Shotzi whips! Natty reverses to send Shotzi out, but Dana CLOBBERS Natty! Fans fire up and Dana goes up a corner! But Nikki intercepts with a haymaker! Nikki then climbs up to join Dana, but So does Sonya! Sonya tags in off Dana, before Nikki brings Dana up! Dana turns that around, SUPERPLEX onto the cluster! Sonya hurries to find Nikki and put her in the ring! Sonya covers Nikki, Sonya & Natty win!!
Winners: Sonya Deville & Natalya, by pinfall (advance to the semifinals)
“Cruella” is an opportunist, and she snatches this win away for her team! But that semifinal match with Aliyah & Raquel is later tonight! Will Aliyah#317 and Big Mami Cool be more than ready for this one?
The Brawling Brutes head to the ring!
Sheamus leads “Butch” and Ridge Holland out, ready to address his coming title match with Der Ring General! What will the Fella have to say about Gunther? We’ll find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Sheamus gets the mic. “Cardiff, Wales. Next weekend, the Brawling Brutes are gonna be startin’ fights and drinkin’ pints when ol’ Sheamy here celebrates becoming your NEW Intercontinental Champion!” Fans are a bit torn on that idea. Sheamus says he will become WWE’s first ever ULTIMATE Grand Slam Champion when he beats “the bleedin’ sauerkraut” out of Gunther! He won’t know what’s hit him- But wait! Here comes Imperium! Gunther leads Ludwig Kaiser out, and neither of them looks very happy. Sheamus & Ridge have Pete Dunne stand down, especially given that history.
Gunther & Ludwig join the brutes in the ring and Ludwig says, “Ladies and gentlemen… <The mat is sacred!>” Sheamus has him stop right there. He has no idea what Ludwig’s saying, nor does anyone in Detroit. So please, shut up, yeah? Good man. The truth of it is, Sheamus’ beef is with Gunther. Gunther says he’s the Ring General. But the truth is, you’re looking at a REAL ring general in Sheamus. Sheamus has faced the best of the best in this ring and beat every single one of ’em! Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton, John Cena, Roman Reigns, and even the King o’ Kings himself, Triple H, the Game!
And nobody in this ring, nobody in this business, has had banger after banger after banger after banger, etc. The truth is, Gunther, Sheamus sees a lot of himself in Gunther. It’s been years since he’s seen anyone possess the same brutal qualities that Sheamus does. It reminds Sheamus of himself. Just like Sheamus, Gunther loves to go to war in the ring. There are a lot of similarities here. But Gunther has something Sheamus wants: the WWE Intercontinental Championship! And Sheamus makes Gunther a promise that at Clash at the Castle, Sheamus will drag that title off Gunther’s lifeless body and into the belly of the red dragon!
Fans cheer but Gunther gets the mic now. “Sheamus, you’re a man to be respected, I give you that. But you’re nothing like me! I am Der Intercontinental Champion! And to protect this title, I’m gonna teach you what violence really means. In Cardiff, not only am I gonna retain this title, but I’m gonna chop your chest into bloody bits! I’m gonna break your body, I’m gonna break your spirt! I’m gonna break the man that everybody thinks can’t be broken! Sheamus, Der Ring General will break YOU!” Gunther and Sheamus get face to face, and then Dunne DECKS Ludwig! Dunne rains down fists, Ludwig kicks him away, and Ridge can only watch!
Ridge tries to get involved but Ludwig clotheslines him out of the ring! Ridge drags Ludwig out, but Ludwig TOSSES Ridge over barriers! Dunne TACKLES Ludwig! And still, Sheamus and Gunther only focus on each other! Ludwig and Dunne brawl right beside them! They CLOBBER each other, and then drag themselves up. Gunther and Sheamus hold their men back, and fans fire up! Imperium stands down, but will this all explode in Cardiff?
Backstage interview with Natalya & Sonya Deville.
Megan congratulates them on the win tonight. They shocked everyone with that opportunistic victory- Uh, stop right there. What does that even mean? They had an opportunity and they won, just say that! Does Megan know who she’s talking to? This is Natalya! The BOAT! Former SmackDown Women’s Champion and former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion. Be respectful. Natty agrees, and adds that Sonya is one of the hardest hitting women in the WWE today. She really is! They are really starting to find their groove, which is why Aliyah & Raquel should be very concerned tonight. Understand this: one small mistake and these two are going to the finals!
And Morgan, Megan, whoever you are, no one likes a kill joy. Take a hike. These two are confident, but will they be able to take advantage of another opportunity? Also, Nikki and Piper were arguing in the background the whole time. Is their Celtic Connection imploding as we speak?
Bayley, Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky are here!
The Role Model and her dynamic duo are back on SmackDown, ready to watch another Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament match! They await the winners in the finals on Monday, will they make sure to take plenty of notes?
Sami Zayn visits Roman Reigns’ locker room.
He knocks, and the Usos are back! Jimmy is excited to see Sami, it was great how Montreal was on fire for him last week. They saw it? Yeah, they saw it! Sami says if he didn’t get hurt, he would’ve so won that Fatal 5 Way. Yeah, he was close. Jey says it was still a loss, though. What’s Sami doing knocking on the door? Well, Sami was hoping Roman would wanna see him after last week. Y’know? That bonding, the save, you guys saw that, right? But McIntyre’s still walking around so Jey tells Sami to walk away. But then Roman calls to them. Sami says hey to the Tribal Chief! Sup, Sami. What’re you doing out there? Come on in.
Sami walks past the Usos and joins Roman. Nice room here! Yeah, it’s alright. But what’s up? Go ahead, sit down. Sami sits in the other armchair and asks Roman how things are going. Roman’s good. How’s Sami? Sami’s okay. He’s still a bit sore from last week. Right, yeah. Sami lost. Yes, he did, that is true. But sometimes, bad things happen so that they can redeem themselves. Right! That’s how Sami sees it! Roman didn’t forget. He was alone last week, he needed someone to help him out, and he appreciates what Sami did for him last week. That is something that family would do. Yes, something that family should do! Sami was happy to do it.
Sami wants Roman to know he can be counted on for anything. Well then, he needs another favor. Name it! Take McIntyre out tonight. Yeah, he has his match with McIntyre tonight! The Master Strategist gets in people’s heads, throws down blankets, does a dance, all that. McIntyre won’t know what’s what! By the time we get to Cardiff, Roman will break McIntyre in half! Sami was thinking they could all to this together as a unit. A bonding moment for the Bloodline. Well, thing is, they’re going to distract Sami. Yes, Roman does command respect. That is fine, Sami appreciates this opportunity to this on his own. Thank you, Uce!
Yes, you’re welcome., Sami has the opportunity to be the main event. One Sami doesn’t take lightly. Good luck, Uce. Not gonna need it. Jimmy gives Sami the secret handshake, but Jey just shows Sami the door. Will Sami prove himself worthy? Or is he just being used by the Tribal Chief?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament, Semifinal: Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah VS Natalya & Sonya Deville!
Bayley joins commentary on this match as Ricky Desperado & the Bougie Badass make their entrance. With Kai & Sky watching so closely, will either team be able to focus on their opponents? Who will be heading to Monday Night Raw for THE WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships?
The teams sort out and Raquel fires Aliyah up as she starts against Natty. They tie up, Natty headlocks and hits a takeover. Aliyah headscissors, Natty kips free, but Aliyah kips up. They tie up, Natty headlocks again, but Aliyah powers out. Natty goes up and over in the corner, keeps moving, but Aliyah keeps up. Natty rolls, Aliyah goes Matrix and rolls Natty up! ONE, but Aliyah ghost pins, TWO! Aliyah facelocks but Natty throws hands! Natty scoops but Aliyah slips off. Aliyah tags Raquel, and she runs Natty over! Cover, Sonya breaks it! Aliyah throws Sonya out, Natty regroups with Sonya, but Aliyah leaps! She gets Sonya!
Natty drags Aliyah off Sonya to scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER to the floor! Raquel rushes over to run Natty off and check on Aliyah while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns as Natty & Sonya throw Raquel down together! Sonya bumps Raquel off buckles, tags Natty in, and they double whip, only for Raquel to crisscross and send them into each other! Raquel drags Sonya around, drags up Natty, and she manages to DOUBLE SUPLEX her opponents! Cover on Sonya, ONE! Raquel keeps cool and brings Sonya up for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Fans fire up, Raquel runs in to go up, but Natty stops the Vader Bomb! Raquel SMACKS Natty off the post but Sonya YANKS Raquel down! Cover, TWO! Sonya puts Raquel on ropes to CHOKE her, then lets off at 4, so Natty can get a cheap shot in!
Fans boo but Natty soaks up the heat. Sonya bumps Raquel off buckles, stomps and KICKS Raquel in the corner, and then she soaks up heat. Fans boo while Sonya stalks Raquel. Raquel throws forearms in return, but Sonya KICKS Her down! Cover, TWO! Sonya drags Raquel up, grinds forearms into her face, and taunts the fans who rally up. Sonya grinds Raquel down with a chinlock while Bayley mocks Michael Cole. Raquel fights up with Sonya as a piggyback, and then Natty runs in! But Raquel catches Natty for a POWERSLAM! Then she THROWS Sonya onto Natty! Fans fire up as Raquel gets space.
Raquel fires up with Aliyah still down, and she counters Sonya’s punches to HEADBUTT her down! Natty runs in again but Raquel DECKS her! Raquel BOOTS Sonya, fire sup, and SPLASHES Natty in a corner! Then SPLASHES Sonya in the other! Raquel goes up to TWISTING VADER on Sonya! Cover, TWO!! Raquel drags Sonya up into the TEXANA- NO, Natty trips Raquel to stop the bomb! Natty steps through but the ref says she’ snot legal! Raquel BOOTS Natty right out of the ring! But Sonya KNEES Raquel down! Cover, TWO!! Even Bayley is surprised! Sonya sits Raquel up but Raquel ducks the buzzsaw!
Raquel swings, into a spin, but she switches and lifts Sonya, TEXANA BOMB!! Cover, Raquel & Aliyah win!!
Winners: Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah, by pinfall (advance to the finals)
Bayley says it’s very convenient that Aliyah gets in the ring now. But a win is a win, and now we have our golden showdown for the Steel City! Dakota & Iyo get in the ring to stare down their opponents. Will Raquel & Aliyah bring these belts to SmackDown? Or will Kai & Sky take control and bring these titles to Raw?
Maximum Male Models has another photoshoot backstage.
Maçé & Mansôör pose while Max Dupri tells the photographer to pipe down so he can run this. Gentlemen, you are looking great! Maxxine, fix Mansoor’s button for him. She unbuttons the shirt, and Max likes those pecs! But what is he paying this photographer for? He’s missing the goods! But then HIT~ ROW~ blasts their theme song in their trailer. Max is furious, and Maxxine says she has an idea. She heads off, but how will she solve this issue?
SmackDown returns, MMM does its best to power through with the shoot, but then Maxxine returns. With Los Lotharios? Angel & Humberto heard they have a problem. They have a solution: spray paint! Are they going to do something to the Hit Row’s trailer?
The New Day are here!
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods are back! And of course Woods is in a wheelchair after what the Viking Raiders did to his leg. But they do have mics as fans chant “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Woods thanks the fans for that, and he knows normally, they’re here clapping, dancing and happy. So this is a bit difficult for them. As you know, they’ve been making fun of the Viking Raiders, from how “new and vicious” they are and making fun of their intelligence, but the New Day underestimated them. There’s no way to sugarcoat this, but the past few weeks, they’ve been getting their asses beat by the Vikings.
Kofi had a 300 pound man go Air Viking and crack some of his ribs a couple weeks ago. So they have to face a harsh reality. Last week, they saw the “Viking funeral,” and saw Erik & Ivar burning boxes of Booty O’s, burning New Day shirts, and unicorn horns. They were burning the New Day’s legacy. It was done, but maybe New Day is just that. Fans say “NO! NO! NO!” Kofi appreciates the fans feeling that way. They’ve gotten a chance to do a lot of great things, but- Wait! The Viking Raiders are here! Erik & Ivar say this is pathetic. “We gave you a proper sendoff. A warrior’s rite.” “And instead of leaving with honor, you’re out here sniveling.”
Guys, c’mon. Just give them a few minutes to say what they need to say to the fans. Erik says one thing a Viking despises more than anything in the world is weakness. It makes them sick to see the New Day in their ring, groveling like some wounded animal. Ivar says sometimes, the best thing to do for a wounded animal is to put it down! Erik & Ivar storm up to the ring as Kofi wheels Woods back. Kofi says stop! Woods’ leg is still broken from what they did! They won! SURPRISE! KENDO STICKS!! Woods & Kofi suckered them in! And now they SMACK away on Erik & Ivar! The Vikings go running, and Woods THROWS the wheelchair at them!
The New Day aren’t wounded animals, they’re 100%! Will Kofi & Woods wage war against Erik & Ivar to take back that legacy they burned on the pyre?
MMM and Los Lotharios graffiti the Hit Row trailer!
In big blue letters, they spray, “HIT ROW SUCKS!” Max says that’s a masterpiece. But then Hit Row walks up and asks what they’re doing. If this is beef, let’s handle this in the ring next week. By the way, this wasn’t their bus. Stupids! Wait, then who…? The Profits?! MMM and Los Lotharios run away! Will Dawkins & Ford also have to handle some business?
The Usos talk with Sami backstage.
Jimmy says Roman doesn’t talk like that about everyone, so that was a big deal. Jey says that when Sami wears that shirt, he needs to level up. He blew it last week, so don’t blow it again. Sami asks why Jey is coming at him with all this negativity. This negative energy is what Sami was talking to Roman about last week. Yeah, Sami was talking to Roman last week, behind the Usos’ back! Don’t ever disrespect Jey to his family! Understand him? Handle your business, Sami! Jimmy gets Jey out of there, will this added pressure only hurt Sami’s chances against McIntyre?
Next week’s SmackDown is going to be big!
Firstly, after the brawl we saw out of them, we’ll be getting Ludwig Kaiser VS Pete Dunne! Who will win for the pride of their team? Then, Karrion Kross has been issuing warnings, but now he’ll step up and have his first match back in the WWE! Whose time is about to run out when facing the apocalypse? And after all the back and forth, and especially after tonight’s confrontation, the Viking Raiders and the New Day face off in a VIKING RULES MATCH! No disqualifications, no count outs, no telling what these two teams will do to settle the score!
SmackDown shares the rest of Drew McIntyre’s journey.
His dream was falling apart, and he got fired. McIntyre knew he needed to grow up to achieve his full potential. The time he was away from the WWE helped McIntyre find himself and find his confidence. He came back, and for the first time in his life, he stepped up to be the leader he knew he could be. He was NXT Champion, he was WWE World Champion, and after a life of twists and turns, he reached the destination and became the face of the industry he loves. And now he encounters Roman Reigns. “Roman is incredible, it’s as simple as that. But he is an absolute monster. This is a run in the modern era that no one has seen, and we’ll probably never see again.
“And I’m gonna take him down.” McIntyre vows that in the first stadium show in the UK in 30 years, going back to where it all began for McIntyre, his journey comes full circle. That is who Roman faces in front of 70 THOUSAND Brits and the entire world. Destiny will finally be fulfilled! At Clash of the Castle, on McIntyre’s land, in front of McIntyre’s people, Roman is on McIntyre’s island and McIntyre kicks Roman’s head right off his EFFING BODY! One, two, three. Will the Scottish Warrior be the one to finally dethrone the Tribal Chief?
Drew McIntyre VS Sami Zayn!
But before taking on Roman, McIntyre must deal with Roman’s newest pawn! Will the Master Strategist have a way to do more than just run away from McIntyre? Or is Sami getting another Claymore to the face like he did last week?
SmackDown returns and Sami makes his entrance. Sami takes his time getting to the ring, with fans a bit torn. The bell rings, Sami and McIntyre circle, and Sami swipes at McIntyre. Sami then bails out and fans boo. McIntyre chuckles, he’s been through this before. McIntyre goes out after Sami but Sami slides back into the ring. Sami is of course trolling McIntyre and he stomps McIntyre as he gets back in! The ref counts, Sami lets off at the ropes, but then he CLUBS McIntyre. McIntyre DECKS Sami! McIntyre scowls, drags Sami up and bumps him off buckles! McIntyre whips corner to corner hard and Sami bounces off buckles!
McIntyre drags Sami back up, CHOPS him, and Sami is stinging even with the shirt on. McIntyre whips, Sami dodges and then bails out again! McIntyre pursues again, chases Sami into the ring, but Sami kicks McIntyre away. Sami CLUBS McIntyre at commentary, but McIntyre blocks the bump off the desk. McIntyre SMACKS Sami off the desk instead! Then he RAMS Sami into the apron! The ring count is 7 and McIntyre puts Sami in. But Sami KICKS the rope to jam up McIntyre! Sami then CHOP BLOCKS a leg, and he fires off crossface haymakers! McIntyre pushes Sami away and gets to ropes, but Sami is after him again!
Sami CHOKES McIntyre on the ropes, lets off at 4, and then Sami holds up the finger for #WeTheOnes. But McIntyre TOSSES Sami into the corner! McIntyre fires off hands and stomps, then drags Sami up to whip to ropes. McIntyre scoops Sami for a BACKBREAKER! Sami writhes while McIntyre scowls. McIntyre shakes out one of his legs, then fires off hands on Sami. McIntyre puts Sami up top, CHOPS him again, then ROCKS him with a right! McIntyre climbs up, brings Sami up to the very top, but Sami rakes the eyes! Sami CLUBS McIntyre, and CLUBS him again! Sami SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS!! Both men are down and fans fire up as SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns again and Sami flounders to a corner. McIntyre runs in but into a BOOT! Sami goes up the corner, reels McIntyre in, TORNADO DDT! Cover, ONE!! Sami is frustrated but he stalks McIntyre to ropes. Sami drags McIntyre up, reels him in, but McIntyre fights the lift. Sami CLUBS away on McIntyre and lifts, but McIntyre slips out to GLASGOW KISS! Both men go down from the headbutt, but McIntyre sits up with a furious look in his eyes! Fans fire up as McIntyre glares at Sami and runs in to CLOBBER him! And again! McIntyre whips, OVERHEAD Belly2Belly Suplexes, then clinches for another OVERHEAD Belly2Belly!
Sami staggers around, swings wild but McIntyre hits a NECKBREAKER! McIntyre kips up and fans fire up! McIntyre aims from a corner, starts the countdown, but here come the Usos! They distract McIntyre, Sami runs in to reel McIntyre in! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Fans are thunderous while the Usos are furious! Sami grits his teeth and gets to his feet. Fans are dueling as Sami drags McIntyre up and fires off haymakers! McIntyre CHOPS Sami off his feet! Jimmy distracts, but McIntyre DECKS him! Jey tries but McIntyre DEKCS him, too! Sami rolls McIntyre up, TWO!! They both run, they both dodge, CLAYMORE!!! Cover, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
But here comes Roman!! Roman CLOBBERS McIntyre and rains down fists! Roman stomps McIntyre, shouts at McIntyre, and fans are torn but thunderous over the Tribal Chief showing up. Roman whips but McIntyre reverses and POSTS Roman! The Usos attack again! But McIntyre fires haymakers off on them both! He DECKS Jey, he ROCKS Jimmy, then McIntyre TOSSES Jimmy! Roman SPEARS McIntyre!! Jey has a chair, and so does Jimmy! They SMACK away on McIntyre! The Usos are beating McIntyre down for their Tribal Chief! Roman wants them to teach him a lesson, so they throw McIntyre out of the ring! And then over the desk!
The Usos keep on McIntyre with stomps! They throw armchairs around, then bring McIntyre back around, to RAM him into the barriers! Jimmy drags McIntyre up, Sami runs in, HELLUVA KICK!! Sami is fired up and the Usos break apart the steel steps! Sami sets McIntyre up for them to RAM him down! And again! And again! McIntyre falls over while Roman watches from the corner! Fans chant for tables but the Usos put McIntyre back in the ring for Roman. Roman says McIntyre brought this upon himself! The top of the mountain is ROMAN’S, and McIntyre will never have it until Roman’s done with it! Roman clamps on the GUILLOTINE!!
Roman drops McIntyre, and then the Usos drag McIntyre around. Roman pins McIntyre down with a chair as he takes a seat right over him! The Usos drape the WWE World and Universal Championship belts on Roman’s shoulders. Roman says as long as he wants it, this whole industry runs off of him! Sami joins The Bloodline in holding up their fingers to the sky. Are they the ones now, then, and forever?
My Thoughts:
A great episode of SmackDown for what is actually a double header in Detroit. Since they have to be in Cardiff for Saturday, September 3rd, they can’t be in the States next Friday night, so the go-home episode is being taped right now. Though, much of this was a go-home episode in itself. We got a great career retrospective for Drew McIntyre, we got great interactions between Sami and the Bloodline, and we got both an awesome main event and go-home segment to close the night out. McIntyre wins but also gets brutally beat down, so it’s hard to say where the math is on this. There might be a moment in the true go-home episode where McIntyre gets some momentum back, but I am really hoping that given the vignette, given what we saw tonight, and give there are going to be fans live, this is when McIntyre finally has his “moment” of a world title win with fans there to celebrate with him.
Great opening match out of Ricochet VS Corbin in their rematch, and great win for Ricochet. McAfee mocking Corbin with his telestrator was hilarious, and I wonder if Corbin is going to shift away from Happy Corbin to something else. I liked the interaction between Hit Row and Street Profits, as well as the related stuff with Maximum Male Models and Los Lotharios. It’s great that we’re finally seeing MMM get in the ring, it should’ve happened a month ago, but this will be good. Also expect Profits and Los Lotharios to have their own match, and we could even see some sort of 8 Man Tag, or even a Fatal 4 Way Tag, all building towards new contenders for the Usos.
Good promo from Kross, and of course he’s going to destroy whoever he faces next week to get himself going. He keeps calling out McIntyre, not Roman, so one way or another, Kross VS McIntyre is going to be the feud coming out of Clash at the Castle. We also got a great segment out of New Day and Viking Raiders. Nice bit of bait ‘n’ switch, making it sound like a good-bye/retirement promo, but then of course turning things around on Erik & Ivar. The Viking Rules Match will certainly just be a themed Street Fight, but that is still going to be great stuff from these teams, another thing I was hoping we were going to see much sooner than this.
Now, I was hoping for more out of that Women’s Fatal 4 Tag but I guess with the semifinal match still having to happen tonight, it makes sense it was chaotic and quick. Sonya & Natty winning was the logical move, they’re the Heel team from SmackDown, and they lost to Toxic Attraction, this was practically them advancing by default. Also, great Easter egg move having Nikki & Piper arguing in the background to get both stories moving in one segment. I hope part of the argument is that Nikki needs to leave the superhero gimmick completely.
Anyway, great match out of Raquel & Aliyah VS Natty & Sonya, and Bayley was good on commentary. Raquel & Aliyah winning makes sense, but they made a great point of Raquel doing it all on her own. The finals on Monday are going to be awesome, I can’t wait to see it. Honestly, I’m expecting Kai & Sky to win so that the Six Woman Tag at Clash has lots of belts. It’ll even be a big preview of coming title feuds, Bayley going after Bianca while Kai & Sky defend against Asuka & Bliss, all culminating at Extreme Rules in October.
My Score: 8.6/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/18/25)
Round 5, all together!
Oh~, we’re halfway there~!
Best of the Super Juniors enters round 5, and time to see who stays alive! But will Hiromu Takahashi get tired facing Clark Connors and Wheel-san?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Nick Wayne; Nick wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Ninja Mack VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Mack wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Kevin Knight VS Titan; Knight wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Robbie X; Robbie wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS MAO; Yoh wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Dragon Dia; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS Taiji Ishimori; Taiji wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Francesco Akira; Wato wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS SHO; Desperado wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Clark Connors; Hiromu wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings!
Kosei Fujita: 3-1, 6 points
Dragon Dia: 3-1, 6 points
Clark Connors: 2-2, 4 points
Robbie X: 2-2, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-2, 4 points
Francesco Akira: 2-2, 4 points
Master Wato: 2-2, 4 points
KUSHIDA: 2-2, 4 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 1-3, 2 points
Ninja Mack: 1-3, 2 points
Here are the current B Block standings!
Nick Wayne: 3-1, 6 points
Titan: 3-1, 6 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-1, 6 points
El Desperado: 2-2, 4 points
MAO: 2-2, 4 points
SHO: 2-2, 4 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-2, 4 points
YOH: 1-3, 2 points
Taiji Ishimori: 1-3, 2 points
Kevin Knight: 1-3, 2 points
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Nick Wayne!
Last round, The Funky Weapon quite truly won by the seat of his pants against Yoh, but The Prodigy finally hit a stumbling block going up against Kevin Knight. But will Nick brush himself off and get back to winning? Or will Taguchi continue to pull off some strangely shocking victories?
The bell rings and the fans rally. Nick and Taguchi circle, tie up, and Taguchi waistlocks. Nick works on the escape, standing switches, but Taguchi wrenches free. Nick rolls, wrenches in return, but Taguchi rolls and wrenches again. Taguchi hammerlocks, headlocks, and grinds, but Nick powers up and out. Taguchi runs Nick over, then swivels the hips! The fans cheer and Taguchi runs, but Nick drops down, hurdles over, and UPPERCUTS Taguchi down! Nick handsprings, and he swivels those hips! The fans cheer, Nick covers, TWO! Nick stays cool, stands Taguchi up, and ROCKS him! The ref reprimands about closed fists, and Nick apologizes.
Nick stands Taguchi up to CHOP! Taguchi fires body shots, but Nick snapmares and leg drops! Cover, TWO! Taguchi is tougher than that but Nick stays cool. Nick brings Taguchi up, but Taguchi fires body shots! Nick kicks low, runs, but Taguchi somersaults and HIP ATTACKS! The fans cheer and Nick bails out, only for Taguchi to run and HIP ATTACK Nick off the apron! The fans rally, Taguchi triangle jumps and CROSSBODIES! Down goes Nick and the fans fire up! Taguchi fist bumps a young fan before he puts Nick in the ring. Taguchi runs, runs, and HIP ATTACKS but misses as Nick moves!
Taguchi tumbles out, Nick builds speed, and Nick FLIES! Direct hit on Taguchi and the fans fire up! Nick clutches his banged up shoulder but he puts Taguchi in the ring. Nick fires the fans up, climbs a corner, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans cheer while Nick grows frustrated. Nick paces while Taguchi slowly rises. Nick waistlocks, then shifts up to the half nelson. Taguchi fights the full nelson, booty bumps Nick away, then fakes the run! HIP ATTACK into the atomic drop! Nick handsprings, but into an atomic drop! The fans cheer and Taguchi runs, HIP ATTACK!
The fans cheer and Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strange Style! “ORYA~!” KETSUYE! Cover, TWO!! But Taguchi has OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Nick endures, reaches out, but Taguchi pushes on the foot! Nick still fights forward, only for Taguchi to drag him back! Nick reaches up to headscissor Taguchi away! Then he SUPERKICKS! Nick goes up, up, and WAYNE’S- FLAPJACK! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Nick endures again, but Taguchi drags him from the ropes! Nick rolls, but Taguchi holds on! The fans rally as Nick still endures, still crawls forward, and still has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Taguchi slowly lets up.
But then Taguchi YANKS Nick back! Nick uses that to ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer while Taguchi flounders, but Nick takes aim again. Nick winds up to ROUND- NO, Taguchi ducks then ENZIGIRIS! Taguchi chicken wings, DODON- NO, Nick victory rolls it! TWO! ROUNDHOUSE! And then into WAYNE’S WORLD!! Cover, NICK WINS!
Winner: Nick Wayne, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taguchi earns 0)
Nick with the rebound and he scores! The Prodigy is back on top, will he keep making history with every win? Will Taguchi still make the finals after falling down?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Ninja Mack VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
The American Ninja got lost on the Way to the Grandmaster, but the Heel Master put out the Crown of Fire. Can Mack scratch and claw and even backflip his way back up the block? Or will Kanemaru be toasting another win?
No real surprise that Kanemaru attacks Mack during his entrance! He BOOTS Mack off the apron, the fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Kanemaru stomps away! Kanemaru then SMACKS Mack off a fan’s chair! And another chair! And then he JAMS Mack up with a chair! Kanemaru CLUBS Mack, stomps him, then brings him up to BOWL into chairs! Not quite a strike but Mack still writhes. Kanemaru drags Mack up and brings him back to ringside. Kanemaru POSTS Mack, the fans boo more, and the ref again reprimands. But Kanemaru CLUBS Mack, and more fans move aside. But Kanemaru POSTS Mack again!
Kanemaru stalks Mack, sends him into the ring, and the ref finally calls for the bell! Kanemaru stomps and snapmares Mack, then goes after the mask! The ref reprimands, Kanemaru stops at 4, and then he bullies the ref! The ref reprimands so Kanemaru goes back to stomp Mack! Kanemaru stomps away, then he digs his boot into Mack’s head! The ref reprimands, Kanemaru stops at 4, and he kicks at Mack. The fans rally, Kanemaru CLUBS Mack, and Mack crawls. Kanemaru stomps Mack, runs, but Mack HADOUKEN PUNCHES! Kanemaru goes to the apron and Mack builds speed! But Kanemaru rushes in and shoves the ref into Mack!
The fans boo as ref and Mack both fall! Kanemaru ENZIGIRIS Mack down, then he grabs his whiskey! Kanemaru takes a big swig, stands Mack up, and he wants the mask! Mack tries to fight it but Kanemaru YANKS the mask off!! But surprise! Mack had a second mask on underneath! Kanemaru aims at Shiro Mack, but Mack ducks the Whiskey Mist! Roll up and TWO! Kanemaru cradles, TWO! Mack has the stack again, TWO! Kanemaru pokes Mack in the eye! Victory roll, but Mack sits on it!! Cover, MACK WINS!!
Winner: Ninja Mack, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
Kanemaru is beside himself, but he should’ve realized that Mack’s mask covers his eyes! Mack snatches victory from the jaws of defeat, will he continue to rise? Will the Heel Master just have to try even harder to cheat his way to the top?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Kevin Knight VS Titan!
The Jet brought Nick Wayne down to earth to stay alive, and now he’s facing another top contender in El Inmortal. Will Knight continue his ascent? Or will Titan ground Knight’s flight plans?
The bell rings and the two rush in! Titan trips Knight, then runs. Knight drops down, hurdles over, but Titan leaps! Knight wrenches and whips Titan, but Titan goes up and over and handsprings away! The fans fire up and Titan runs in, but Knight hurdles the lariat! Knight DROPKICKS Titan out of the ring, then kips up! Knight builds speed, but Titan moves! Knight slides out, goes to the corner, and PLANCHAS, but Titan dodges! Titan builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and they almost hit the timekeeper’s table! The fans fire up, Titan puts Knight back in, and he springboards to DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!
Knight stays in this but Titan stays on the leg! TRAILER HITCH! Knight scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Titan lets go but the fans rally up. Titan KICKS Knight’s leg, stomps Knight down, then brings him up. Knight fires a forearm, then fires another! Knight eggs Titan on, so Titan SOBATS! The fans rally, Titan whips, but Knight goes up and over to then run and- NO, Titan goes Matrix to dodge, and then he CALF KICKS! Knight rebounds to LARIAT! Titan kips up to PELE! Both men are down and the fans fire up! The fans rally as Knight and Titan rise. They go to corners, Knight runs in, but Titan BOOTS him! Titan skins the cat, but Knight leaps up!
Knight brings Titan up but Titan HEADBUTTS him away! But Knight returns to the UPPER ROOM! The fans fire up and Knight somersaults, UFO onto knees! Titan hurries to stand Knight up, and he RIPCORD SLAMS him down! Titan goes back to the apron, springboards, LANCER!! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives those double stomps and the fans fire back up! Titan fires up, too, and he reels Knight in. Knight fights the lift, wrenches out, and CHOPS! The fans cheer, Knight whips, but Titan reverses to TORNADO D- NO, Knight stops the DDT to SKY- NO, Titan arm-drags and then SUPERKICK! The fans rally as Titan fires up again!
Titan runs corner to corner and back again, but Knight stops the Frame Out to SKY2HIGH!! Cover, TWO!! Titan survives and the fans fire up again! Knight powers up, takes aim, and Titan rises. SATELLITE DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Titan survives again and the fans stay fired up! Knight whips, DROPKICKS, and almost lands on Titan after! Knight hurries to the corner, climbs up, and MOTHERSHIP UFO SPLASH!! Cover, KNIGHT WINS!
Winners: Kevin Knight, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Titan earns 0)
Knight didn’t even have time to say how tsuyoi he is, but he proved it with this win! The Jet’s course correction is working out, but will he still reach his target destination? Will El Inmortal be able to revive as we move into the latter half?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Robbie X!
The Japanese Young Punk had to clock out against the Time Splitter, and Mr. X couldn’t handle a shot of 100 Proof. But redemption is just a three-count away, will this Ichiban Sweet Boy be sweeter than Too Sweet? Or will it be all aboard the X Express?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle slowly. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Fujita powers Robbie to ropes. Robbie turns things around, Fujita turns things around, but then Robbie turns it back around. The ref counts, Robbie lets off to CHOP, then he eggs Fujita on. Fujita fires a forearm, Robbie fires back, and repeat! The fans rally as the forearms keep going, and Robbie gets the edge. Robbie CHOPS, eggs Fujita on, but Fujita CHOPS! Fujita runs, Robbie drops down, then hurdles into a dropkick! Fujita says he’s smarter than Robbie, and he CHOPS him. And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Robbie sputters but Fujita whips.
Robbie reverses, Fujita reverses again, and Fujita runs in, only for Robbie to put him on the apron. Robbie then runs to HANDSPRING KICK Fujita down! The fans rally while Robbie goes out and BOOTS Fujita down! Robbie tells fans to move so they move, and Robbie whips Fujita to BOWL him into chairs! STRIKE! The fans cheer while the ref checks Fujita. Robbie storms over to drag Fujita from the chairs, then SMACKS him back down! Robbie brings Fujita up to POST him! Fujita falls in a heap but the fans rally up. Robbie SMACKS Fujita off the apron, then he goes deep into the crowd, to run back and DRIVE-BY DROPKICK!
The fans cheer that shot while Robbie brings Fujita back up. Robbie puts Fujita in the ring, covers, TWO! Fujita toughs it out but Robbie sits him up. Robbie KNEES Fujita in the back, then rips at the shoulder tape! The ref reprimands but Robbie SPLASHES the bad arm! Then rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Cover, TWO! Fujita is still in this and Robbie grows frustrated, but the fans rally up. Robbie stomps Fujita’s bad arm, then brings him up. Fujita CHOPS but Robbie blocks! And Robbie BITES that hand, to then STOMP that hand! Robbie runs, but Fujita LEG LARIATS! Both men are down and the fans rally back up.
Robbie crawls to the far corner, Fujita runs in and CHOPS! Fujita whips corner to corner, runs in again, but is put on the apron. Fujita avoids a shot to DECK Robbie! The fans fire up as Fujita aims, and he springboards in for a MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Fujita keeps moving, PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Robbie toughs it out but Fujita stays focused. Fujita drags Robbie up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Robbie knees free! Fujita ROCKS Robbie first, then runs up. Robbie puts Fujita in the corner, blocks a kick and puts the leg in the ropes. Robbie KICKS the leg, then SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE!
The fans fire up and Robbie snapmares Fujita. Robbie runs and SHOOTING STARS onto knees! Fujita cradle covers, TWO! Robbie survives and the fans rally up again. Robbie coughs and sputters as he crawls to the ropes. Fujita runs up but Robbie BOOTS him! RObbie goes to the apron but Fujita GAMANGIRIS! Fujita suplexes Robbie back in and holds him, for the SLAM! But that’s Uno Amigo as Fujita brings RObbie up. Robbie fights the suplex to wrench, but FUjita wrenches to drop toehold! But Robbie cradle counters! TWO!! Fujita hurries up, but Robbie SUPERKICKS! But Fujita comes back, blocks the next kick, and he CHOPS!
Robbie PELES but misses! Fujita deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Robbie survives but Fujita roars, and the fans fire up with Fujita! Fujita torture racks Robbie, but Robbie fights with elbows! Fujita still throws Robbie but Robbie lands out! Robbie waistlocks, Fujita switches and O’Conner Rolls, CHAOS THEORY! But Robbie lands out! Robbie avoids Fujita’s kick, to handspring and LETHAL INJECTION X! Robbie goes up, X EXPRESS!! Cover, Robbie wins!
Winner: Robbie X, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Fujita earns 0)
Robbie’s got that dog in him, and he manages to get back on a winning track! Will he still make this the X Block before the end? Or can Fujita rise again as The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS MAO!
It was a rather cheeky loss to Taguchi for Direct Drive, and though the Idol Warrior put on a wild main event with The Rogue Luchador, he also fell. Who stands back up with head held high here at the halfway point?
Yoh shows off the dancing pecs, but Mao shows he can do that, too. The bell rings and the fans duel already. Mao and Yoh slowly circle, then approach. Mao puts his hands up, but then into his pockets! A very Orange Cassidy move. Yoh decides to not do that, but then Mao kicks low and headlocks! The fans rally, Yoh powers up and out, but Mao runs Yoh over! The fans cheer, Mao runs but then rolls over the dropdown. Mao manages a NO HANDS ARM-DRAG, and a NO HANDS RANA! Then a DROPKICK, and a kip up! The fans cheer this Freshly Squeezed tribute. Mao stomps Yoh in the corner, digs his boot in, but the ref counts.
Mao steps off at 4, and then manages to facelock. Mao puts Yoh on the ropes, but the ref calls for the break. The ref then counts, so Mao takes his hands out of his pockets! Yoh falls on his face! The fans applaud and Mao brings Yoh up. Yoh ROCKS Mao, but Mao puffs up to be Tsukakui! Yoh fires another forearm, but Mao is Tsukakui! Yoh fires another, but Mao is still Tsukakui! The fans cheer but Yoh is in disbelief! Mao kicks low, whips, but Yoh FLYING FOREARMS! The fans cheer while both men are down. Yoh kips up, the fans cheer more, and Yoh goes to Mao. Yoh brings Mao up, scoops and SLAMS, then he puts his hands in his pockets!
The fans cheer and Yoh soaks it up. Wait, did Mao put his hands back in his pockets? Yoh drops an ELBOW with hands in pockets! Kneeling cover, TWO! KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO, and Yoh SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! The hands are out of the pockets but the fans still cheer. Yoh goes back for Mao and stands him up. Yoh reels Mao in, but Mao fights the suplex! The fans rally, Mao powers up, but Yoh suplexes! Mao cradle counters, TWO! Mao says “Look!” HAYMAKER! UPPERCUT! Then feint and DDT! The fans cheer and Mao brings Yoh back up. Mao scoops for the MICHI- NO, Yoh slips free! Yoh waistlocks, Mao switches, but Yoh switches!
Yoh wants the nelson but Mao fights it off. Yoh waistlocks but Mao fights the German Suplex. Mao throws elbows but Yoh ducks them to be face to face with Mao! Mao and Yoh seem mesmerized by each other, and Mao takes Yoh’s face in his hands. The fans, perhaps mostly the ladies, fire up as Mao and Yoh close their eyes. But then Mao slips under and waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Mao says he outsmarted Yoh, and now he powers up. Yoh rises, Mao runs in, OSAKA- NO, Yoh ducks the uppercut to wrench and DDT! Cover, ONE as Mao goes Matrix! DOUBLE CHOP, cover, ONE as Yoh goes Matrix! They go chest to chest, then Mao kicks low.
Mao whips Yoh to a corner, runs in, but Yoh dodges to then TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up with Yoh and he tunes up! SUPER- NO, Mao goes Matrix, then UPPERCUTS! Mao runs, but Yoh JUMP KNEES! Yoh runs, but the ref is a shield! Mao runs but Yoh turns the ref around on Mao! Mao dosidos with the ref, then slips around Yoh to hop up. Yoh slips out but Mao then leap frogs the ref, to come back and LEAP FROG CUTTER! The fans fire up and Mao calls his shot! Mao aims from the corner while Yoh is down. Yoh slowly rises, the fans rally, and Mao runs up, SAMURAI- NO, Yoh dodges the kick to SUPERKICK!
Yoh suplexes but Mao fights it! The fans rally as Yoh still hits the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Mao survives and the fans fire up! Yoh rises, roars, and he runs in, but Mao hits a SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up as Mao shouts out The Ace, then goes up, up, and HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, TWO!! Yoh survives as Mao isn’t quite The Ace, but Mao calls for another big move! Mao runs, but Yoh ENZIGIRIS! Then POISON-RANAS! Mao sits back, Yoh runs up, ZOMATO!! Cover, TWO?!? Mao survives but Yoh just fires up! The fans rally with Yoh and he full nelsons! DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, YOH WINS!!
Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Mao earns 0)
So many great references to other great wrestlers, but it is Yoh who makes it count! Will Yoh keep things fresh as he keeps fighting for the top spot? Will Mao be able to recover from falling down the block?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Dragon Dia!
The Time Splitter took that win from Fujita after a technical masterclass while the Infinite Carat Diamond had quite the fireworks show with Hiromu. Who will keep up their momentum as we roll through the halfway point?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They feel things out, Dia avoids Kushida’s leg trap, then things speed up. Dia ducks ‘n’ dodges and slides to then tilt-o-whirl arm-drag! And DROPKICK! Kushida bails out, Dia builds speed, but Kushida uses a Young Lion as a shield! Dia stops and Kushida goes around the way. Dia storms out and pursues, but Kushida slips into the ring. Dia avoids the kick, then trips Kushida up to slingshot and CORKSCREW SPLASH! The fans cheer and Dia goes back to Kushida. Dia CLUBS Kushida, has him in a corner and stomps. Dia whips corner to corner but Kushida reverses.
Kushida runs up, blocks Dia’s boot, and has the ANKLE LOCK! Dia hobbles and hops to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Kushida lets go at 4, but Kushida runs to DROPKICK Dia to the floor! The fans cheer while Kushida goes out after Dia. The ring count starts already but Kushida stomps Dia. Kushida steps through and has the FIGURE FOUR KNEEBAR! Dia endures, Kushida pushes the count past 10 of 20! Then to 15! Kushida lets go at 16, rolls in, but Dia hobbles up! Dia rolls in at 19.5! Kushida drags Dia up, TOSSES him back out, and Dia hobbles on his bad leg. Kushida then goes out to fetch Dia and hits a SHIN BREAKER!
Dia hobbles and falls but the fans still rally. Kushida refreshes the count, brings Dia up, and then puts Dia in the ring. Kushida holds onto Dia’s arm to then drag him to the corner. Dia goes outside, but Kushida YANKS him into the POST! Dia clutches his arm and the fans rally again. The ring count starts again but Kushida puts Dia back through the corner, to YANK him into the POST again! Kushida leaves Dia behind at 10 of 20 but the fans rally up. Dia rises at 14, stands at 17, and rolls in at 19! Kushida is annoyed but he drags Dia back up. Kushida snapmares Dia and scrapes his sole off Dia’s face! Then Kushida handsprings and basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally as Dia toughs it out. Kushida drags Dia up, CHOPS, then whips. Kushida catches Dia into the SLEEPER! Dia endures but Kushida wrangles him to the mat for a chinlock. Dia still endures and the fans rally up. Kushida headstands to put on the pressure, then drops back to crank the hold! Kushida pulls back on the hold, it’s almost a Bulldog Choke! Dia fights up and the fans rally again. Dia fires body shots, breaks free, but Kushida KICKS him in the back! Dia drops to his knees and crawls to the ropes. Kushida goes up the corner and leaps, but Dia dodges the knee! Dia BOOTS from the corner, then RANAS!
The fans rally while both men are down. Dia and Kushida stand, but Dia SOBATS, LEG SWEEPS, and STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Kushida is tougher than that but Dia CLUBS him down. The fans rally more as Dia brings Kushida up. Dia whips, Kushida reverses, but Dia grabs ropes. Kushida runs up, Dia dodges and Kushida tumbles out! Dia builds speed and he FLIES! Direct hit on Kushida at the ramp! The fans fire up while Dia and Kushida are both down. Dia clutches the bad arm but he still stands up. The fans rally and duel, Dia fires himself up, and Dia brings Kushida around to send into the ring.
Dia aims from the apron as Kushida rises. Dia springboards, Kushida gets under, but Dia returns. Dia ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the SHOTEI finds him! Cover, TWO! Dia stays in this but Kushida watches him closely. Dia rises, Kushida runs up, and Kushida goes for the arm! Dia slips free to CHPO, CHOP and CHOP! Then he intercepts the fastball with an ENZIGIRI! But Kushida KICKS the leg! And KICKS! Dia jumps the third to DOUBLE STOMP! The fans fire up and Dia lines up a shot. SOBAT and Kushida falls over! Dia covers, TWO! The fans rally, Dia watches Kushida rise, and he runs to roll, REPTILI-
NO, Kushida stops the Reptilian to fireman’s carry! Kushida aims for a corner but Dia lands safe on the apron! Dia GAMANGIRIS, then goes up the corner! Kushida comes back to HANDSPRING KICK! Dia sits back on the top rope, and Kushida climbs up after him! The fans rally as Dia fires CHOPS! Kushida grabs Dia’s bad arm for the DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! But Dia slips out underneath! GAMANGIRI again! Dia climbs back up and he goes tot he very top! ASTRO SCISSORS! Dia runs up, REPTILIAN, DOUBLE CORK!! Cover, TWO!! Kushida survives and the fans fire up! Dia calls his shot and he goes to the corner!
Dia climbs, takes aim, and Kushida rises. D D D- NO, Kushida stops the 4D, then ripcords to ROLLING ELBOW! Dia wobbles, but he roars! Kushida winds up, but Dia blocks the Shotei! Dia SOBATS again, then roars before he- NO, Kushida ducks the enzigiri to PENALTY KICK the bad arm! Kushida runs, tilt-o-whirls, and HOVERBOARD TAKEDOWN!! Dia endures, fights around, reaches out, but Kushida rolls him away! HOVERBOARD!! Dia TAPS, Kushida wins!
Winner: Kushida, by submission (gains 2 points; Dia earns 0)
Dia’s a skater boy but he wasn’t ready for the Hoverboard! Will this diamond ever get some NJPW gold? As for Kushida, he’s building up momentum, are we gonna see some serious ish?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS Taiji Ishimori!
The Sniper of the Skies got cheated by Sho and the House of Torture, but the Bone Soldier simply failed to bring down Titan. Both men have reloaded, but who will hit the bull’s eye and score?
The bell rings and we already get “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” Taiji paces around the outside in annoyance, but then comes back to circle with Eagles. They feel things out, Taiji waistlocks, then wrenches to a wristlock. Eagles rolls, wrenches and wristlocks back, but Taiji rolls to trip Eagles. Taiji has the leg for a toehold, and he fights off Eagles’ chinlock. Eagles uses his free leg to hook Taiji, but Taiji clasps hands to fight the armbar. Eagles pushes Taiji down, rolls and wants the leg, but Taiji has the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer as Eagles lets go, and the two reset. They tie up, Taiji wrenches the knuckle lock into a double knuckle lock cover. TWO as Eagles gets an arm up! Taiji pushes that arm down, TWO as Eagles gets the other arm up! Taiji pushes that down, TWO as Eagles bridges! Taiji jumps up but Eagles uses that to get up and RANA into the leg lock! Taiji scrambles to have the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer the technical exchange while Eagles lets go. Eagles tells Taiji it was that close, and the two reset. They approach but Taiji kicks low! Taiji whips but Eagles blocks by holding ropes! Taiji kicks Eagles low again! Taiji whips, Eagles reverses and tornado arm-drags!
The fans fire up as things speed up, and Eagles hurdles to then RANA! Taiji tumbles, Eagles eggs him on, then WHEEL KICKS him down! Taiji bails out, the fans fire up, and Eagles builds speed. Taiji moves so Eagles springboards and backflips. Eagles then goes to the side, PLANCHA, but Taiji moves back! Taiji kicks low, whips, but Eagles stops from hitting the post! Eagles SOBATS Taiji, then cravats and uses the post for an ASAI- NO, Taiji stops Eagles from going over, and LAWN DARTS him into the post! Eagles clutches his shoulder and the ref checks on him, but that lets Taiji remove the blue corner buckle pad!
The fans rally for Eagles as he hobbles up. Eagles has a Young Lion help pop the arm back into place! Eagles storms in but Taiji wrangles him by that bad arm! Taiji stands on the joint, the fans rally for Eagles, and Eagles fights around. Taiji drags Eagles up, wrenches, and hammerlocks to then RAM the arm into the bare buckles! The ref reprimands Taiji using the Bullet Club Special but Taiji just clamps onto Eagles’ bad arm! Taiji drags Eagles up, just to SAYANAGI him down, and he has the arm again! Eagles endures as Taiji grinds the shoulder. The fans rally, Eagles fights around, and Eagles kicks away from below!
Taiji grinds the arm, but Eagles fights to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Taiji lets go, and Eagles clutches that arm. Eagles says he’s fine to continue, then goes to ropes. Taiji reels Eagles in and scoops, but Eagles escapes the lawn dart! Taiji narrowly avoids hitting the bare buckles, and he ELBOWS Eagles! Taiji runs, Eagles slips around, CHOP BLOCK and then BLINDSLIDE LARIAT! The fans rally as Eagles rises, and he KICKS Taiji! And KICKS! And KICKS! Eagles runs, but Taiji blocks the leg lariat! Taiji CLUBS the leg, whips, but Eagles reverses. Taiji handsprings, but into an ENZIGIRI! Both men are down and the fans rally up.
Taiji writhes, Eagles goes to the opposite corner, and Eagles runs in! DOUBLE KNEES! Taiji stays up so Eagles BASEMENT 619s! Taiji sits down, and Eagles METEORAS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Taiji stays in this but Eagles stays on him with a SPINNING TOEHOLD! Eagles then goes up the corner, but that bad arm slows him down. Eagles still aims, WARP 4- NO, Taiji moves! Taiji runs up, Eagles KNEES low, then KICKS high! Taiji goes to the corner, and Eagles runs up, but Taiji dodges. Taiji comes back, blocks boots, and he puts Eagles in ropes! ENZIGIRI, and then Taiji runs side to side. But Eagles slips out to springboard and SNIPER DROPKICK!
The fans fire up and Eagles has the legs! But Taiji rolls Eagles, TWO! BONE LOCK! Eagles rolls to a cradle, TWO!! Taiji runs up, Eagles dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! SUPERKICKS! ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up as Eagles cravats, ASAI- NO, Taiji slips free to JUMP KNEE! Both men fall and the fans fire up! Taiji and Eagles stir as the fans rally, and they sit up. Taiji fires a forearm, but Eagles gives it back! The forearms go back and forth, then they stand up. Taiji fires forearms but Eagles KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS again! Eagles winds up, Taiji ducks the roundhouse to LARIAT! Eagles says I’ll Be Back, but Taiji LARIATS again! Cover, TWO!
Eagles survives and Taiji grows frustrated, but the fans rally back up. Taiji snarls and hobbles over. Taiji stands Eagles up, runs him in, and POSTS the bad shoulder! Taiji brings Eagles around to hammerlock and scoop, SHOULDER BUSTER!! Eagles writhes and the fans rally, but Taiji takes aim. Taiji tilt-o-whirls, but Eagles turns La Mystica into a BACKSLIDE! TWO, and Eagles steals BONE LOCK!! Taiji endures his own hold, but then Eagles shifts around, RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Taiji endures as Eagles thrashes around! Taiji fights his way around, but Eagles drags him back! Eagles KICKS away on the leg!
Eagles steps through, but Taiji manages a cradle! TWO!! Eagles escapes, roll up with bridge, TWO! Taiji escapes, goes for the leg, but Eagles sits down! TWO and Taiji sunset flips! TWO and Eagles prawn holds! TWO and Eagles rolls through! Taiji dodges a kick, but Eagles blocks a kick to fire strike! TURBO- LA MYSTICA!?! And BONE LOCK!!! Eagles fights around, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him away! BLOODY CROSS!!! Cover, Taiji wins!!
Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Eagles earns 0)
It was a shootout at the end, but Taiji is number one with a bullet! Will Taiji continue to win #ByGrace? Will Eagles still be able to fly after being shot down like that?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Francesco Akira!
A battle of water and fire will surely make for a steamy showdown. But where the Way of the Grandmaster overcame Ninja Mack, the Crown of Fire is seething over Kanemaru cheating him. Will Akira burn Wato up? Or will his fire be put out again?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Wato and Akira circle, feel things out, then tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Akira digs in his heels to put Wato on the ropes. The ref counts, Akira lets off slowly, promising a clean break. But then Akira shoves Wato and eggs him on. Wato shoves back, but Akira slips around to waistlock. Akira SLAMS Wato down, floats to a facelock, btu Wato switches. Wato facelocks, Akira slips free but Wato has a lateral press. Akira moves around but Wato facelocks then chinlocks. Akira fights up, Wato waistlocks, but Akira slips away. The fans applaud this opening exchange as the two reset.
The two go again, and Wato waistlocks then headlocks. Akira fights up, powers up and out, but Wato RUNS Akira over! Akira is right up but Wato RUNS him over again! Akira is up to BOOT Wato! Akira runs, Wato dodges and Wato RUNS Akira over again! The fans cheer and Wato rolls Akira into VENDEVAL, but Akira makes it a cradle! TWO, Wato wants Vendeval again but Akira has the ROPEBREAK! Wato lets go, but then stomps Akira! Akira stands up to CHOP! Wato CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Akira is in the corner and Wato ROCKS him. Wato whips corner to corner, runs in, but Akira puts Wato on the apron.
Akira swings, Wato blocks and ROCKS him! Wato springboards but Akira dodges. Wato comes back into a CALF KICK! The fans fire up while Wato bails out. Akira hurries to the ropes to PLANCHA! Down goes Wato and the fans fire up! They cheer “A! KI-RA!” as he stands Wato up. Akira CHOPS Wato, then brings him around the way. Akira turns Wato and says hey to the fans. Take pictures! Akira has Wato in the headscissors squeeze! Crowns up! The ref reprimands, Akira lets go, and then Akira brings Wato into the ring. Akira covers, TWO! Wato toughs it out but Akira stays cool. The fans rally as Akira clamps on with a chinlock.
Akira traps an arm as he grinds Wato down, then pushes him down so he can omoplata the arm! The fans rally as Akira grabs Wato’s other arm, and uses it as a RECLINER! A very Zack Sabre Jr. kind of move as Wato endures! Akira sits up, but Wato fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! Akira lets go and the fans rally up again. Akira kicks at Wato mockingly, talks some trash, then CHOPS! Wato snarls as he falls back to the corner, and then he CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! And again! Akira CHOPS again and Wato goes back to the corner. Akira runs corner to corner but Wato dodges the splash! Wato reels Akira in, but Akira fights the back suplex!
Akira runs, Wato CALF KICKS him down! The fans rally while both men are down. Wato grits his teeth as he rises up, and he brings Akira around. Akira fires a forearm, Wato kicks low, and Wato whips. Akira reverses but Wato RANAS! Akira tumbles out, Wato builds speed, and Wato FLIES! Down goes Akira and the fans fire up! Wato rises, but then hobbles and drops to a knee. Wato catches his breath and rises again to go back for Akira. The ring count starts but Wato pushes Akira in at 5 of 20. The fans rally as Wato aims from the apron. Wato springboards, and FLYING UPPERCUTS! Cover, TWO!
Akira is still in this as the fans rally up. Wato kicks at Akira, drags her up, but Akira fires a forearm! Wato fires back! Akira staggers to the ropes, but he returns to fire another forearm! Wato KICKS Akira! Akira grits his teeth and fires another forearm! Wato KICKS again! Akira gets mad now, and he fires a string of forearms! Akira eggs Wato on, and Wato ROCKS him! Wato reels Akira in, BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer while Wato brings Akira up. Wato wrenches and reels Akira in, but Akira waistlocks. Wato switches, but Akira victory rolls, STOMP 182! Both men are down but Akira crawls to the cover, TWO!
Akira hurries to STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Wato survives but Akira just fires up more! “IKU ZO!” The fans are with Akira and he brings Wato up. Akira reels Wato in, SPEED- NO, Wato slips free, RECIE- NO, Akira fights that to TIGER- NO, Wato fights the suplex! Akira blocks a kick to SUPERKICK, then SUPERKICK again!! Akira whips, Wato reverses, and RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO!!! It ended up part backbreaker but Akira still survives! The fans rally up harder as both men rise! Wato roars and the fans are with him! Wato waistlocks but Akira fights the German Suplex! Akira reaches out but Wato keeps him from the ropes!
The fans rally as Akira and Wato struggle against each other. Akira fights his way forward and has the ROPEBREAK! But then Wato KICKS the arm! Wato reels Akira back in, TSU- NO, Akira fires elbows to get free! Wato SOBATS, but Akira ducks the roundhouse! POISON-RANA!! Wato roars as he rises! But Akira LARIATS him down! Cover, TWO!! Wato survives but the fans rally with “A! KI-RA!” Akira drags Wato up, chicken wings an arm, but Wato fights the other! Wato fires elbows, but Akira uses that to spin him into SPEEDFIRE!! Akira then goes to the corner and the fans rally again, “A! KI-RA!”
Wato rises, into the NOVA FIRE- NO, Wato ducks it! Wato reels Akira in, TSUTEN- NO, Akira fights it to a sunset flip! TWO!!! Wato escapes that chaotic exchange, but Akira runs in! Wato dodges, pops him up, but Akira fights the spinebuster! ROUNDHOUSE! Wato wobbles, drops to his knees, and Akira runs up! FIRE- NO, Wato rolls it back, reels Akira in, but Akira fights free! Only to end up in RECIENTEMENTE 2ND!!! Cover, WATO WINS!!
Winner: Master Wato, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
It was certainly a hot match between water and fire, but Wato puts Akira down! Will the Way of the Grandmaster lead to the top of the block? Can Akira reignite as we enter the second half?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS SHO!
The Rogue Luchador won big in last night’s main event, but the Murder Machine just keeps stacking the deck. Will Sho cheat his way to a golden ticket? Or will he fail to dupe THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion?
Sho grabs the mic and says he has mixed feelings. Hachioji Arena is okay, but he’s of course looking forward to wrestling the champion. However… And then we hear a big commotion just backstage! Did Sho already have the fix in at gorilla? The fans boo already and Sho says it seems Desperado may have to forfeit! But even if Despy makes it out here, Sho will “take out the trash!” Sho waits as Despy’s music hits, and Despy is dragging Yujiro out here! The fans cheer as Despy turns the tables on the House of Torture! Sho freaks out as Despy throws the Tokyo Pimp aside! Sho runs up but Despy JAMS him up with the pimp cane, then DECKS him!
The fans fire up while Sho panics and scrambles away. Despy says Sho has to be an idiot to think that would work! Despy pushes Sho into the ring, Red Shoes calls for the bell, and the fans fire up! Despy stomps Sho around, then digs his boots in! Red Shoes counts as they’re in the ropes. Despy lets go but then drags Sho up by his hair. Despy KNEES Sho low, drags him back up, and SHIN- NO, Sho CLAWS Despy’s eyes! So Despy CLAWS Sho’s eyes! Despy whips, Sho reverses, and Yujiro trips Despy up! Yujiro drags Despy out while Sho is in Red Shoes’ face! Yujiro POSTS Despy, then grabs the chair! Yujiro SMACKS Despy on the back!
The fans boo as Tokyo Pimp does his part after all! Yujiro drags Despy up, Sho undoes a buckle pad, Red Shoes just cannot stop the House’s hijinks! Sho drags Despy up, wrenches and whips, and Despy hits bare buckles! Despy writhes, Sho covers, but Red Shoes puts the buckle pad aside first. Sho is upset that Red Shoes isn’t falling for the antics! Sho drags Despy up, RAMS him into the buckles, then RAMS him in again and again! Red Shoes reprimands and the fans boo but Sho digs his boots in. Red Shoes counts, Sho steps off, and then Sho wants the loose buckle pad! Red Shoes stops Sho but that lets Yujiro drag Despy up!
Yujiro JAMS Despy up with the pimp cane! The fans boo but Yujiro drags Despy up. Yujiro puts Despy in, Sho grins but Red Shoes shakes his head. Sho looms over Despy, stands on him, but Despy shoves him. Despy slaps at Sho’s leg but Sho stomps him down! Sho drags Despy up, whips him in, and Despy stops from hitting buckles! Despy dodges Sho, Sho stops from hitting buckles, and Sho whips Despy in, only for Despy to reverse! Sho hits buckles, and Despy SPEARS! The fans fire up while both men are down! The fans rally as Despy rises, and he wants the legs! Sho scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, but Despy GUILLOTINE CATAPULTS him!
The fans fire up as Sho sputters outside. Despy DIVES onto Sho & Yujiro! The fans fire up for Despy as he lands right on his feet! Despy then goes back for Sho and stands him up. Despy puts Sho in and drags him up. Despy hits a BIG back suplex, and the fans cheer. Despy drags Sho to a drop zone then climbs! The fans rally and Despy aims, FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Sho survives and even gets a body shot in there as he kicks out. Despy shrugs that off and drags Sho up. Despy tells Sho to look at the one Sho fan here tonight. Then Despy KICKS Sho in the side! Despy drags Sho back up, gut wrench, but Sho fights it!
Sho bends Despy’s fingers, Despy breaks free, but then Sho CLAWS Despy’s face! Then he shoves Despy at Red Shoes! SPEAR!! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Sho and Despy sputter and rise. Sho grabs Despy, whips him and Despy hits bare buckles again! Sho runs to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Despy survives and Sho grows frustrated. Sho stands and he brings Despy up. Sho reels Despy in, but Despy fights the lift! The fans rally, Sho KNEES Despy down, then grins. Sho brings Despy up again, lifts and POWER BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives and the fans cheer but Sho is frustrated!
The fans rally while both men are down. Sho rises and he storms over to Despy. Sho brings Despy around, but Despy CLUBS at Sho’s legs. Despy fires body shots and chops, but Sho DECKS Despy! The fans still rally for Despy but Sho kicks at him. Sho stomps away on Despy again and again, then hits one big stomp! Sho digs his boot into Despy’s neck and laughs. Sho drags Despy up, brings him around, and tucks the arms! SHOCK- NO, Despy flips through to HEADBUTT! The fans fire up as Despy stays standing but Sho slumps down! Despy roars, and he brings Sho up and in! Underhooks and PINCH- NO, Sho fights free!
Sho shoves Despy at Red Shoes! Despy stops short, but Sho RAMS Despy into Red Shoes! And then Yujiro LARIATS Despy down! The fans boo as Yujiro stomps away on Despy, then has the legs. DIVING HEADBUTT LOW BLOW! Despy sputters and coughs while Sho calls to Red Shoes. Sho tells Red Shoes to do his job. But wait, Despy unmasks and throws it at Sho!? Sho has to hide the evidence, even though it makes no sense! Red Shoes sees Despy has no mask but Sho sits on the mask to hide it! Red Shoes asks where the mask went then! Sho claims it is outside somewhere, but Red Shoes knows better than that.
The mask is poking out of Sho’s shirt! Red Shoes argues with Sho and Sho is caught! Red Shoes checks with Abe-san, Abe-san says it was Sho! Sho says screw it, shoves Red Shoes aside, and he goes to put the mask back on Despy! LOCO MONO!!! Despy puts his mask back on for himself and the fans cheer. Despy then drags Sho up and underhooks, PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, Despy wins!!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sho earns 0)
Yujiro storms into the ring, but Despy KICKS the ropes to jam him up! Despy outsmarts The House by thinking outside the box, will nothing stop him from once again being The Best of the Super Juniors? Will Sho and the House have to dig deep and really come up with some new schemes?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Clark Connors!
The Ticking Timebomb is struggling right now with his 1-3 start, but he’s still just a step behind #WarDogRacing. Will Hiromu finally make things more, more, MORE fun for everyone? Or will he self-destruct against 100 Proof?
Hiromu gets quite the big introduction as an all Hachioji alumni, from kindergarten through grade school, middle school and high school, and even lives down the road. But then Connors CLOBBERS him, because Connors has had enough of Hiromu’s backstory! The bell rings and Connors stomps away on Hiromu! Connors flips Hiromu off and says F Hiromu’s hometown! But the fans rally up for Hiromu even stronger now! Connors says F HACHIOJI! The fans boo but then Connors CHOPS Hiromu! And CHOPS him to the corner! Connors whips corner to corner, Hiromu reverses, and Hiromu LARIATS, snapmares, and basement DROPKICKS!
Hiromu shouts, “Hachioji saeko! <Hachioji is the best!>” Then he starts a chant for Hachioji! “HACHI-OJI! HACHI-OJI!” Hiromu drags Connors up, but Connors CHOPS! Hiromu CHOPS, runs, but into the JEEP FLIPPER! Hiromu almost falls onto the cameraman! Connors talks more trash on Hachioji, then goes out to fetch Hiromu. Connors tells fans to move, then he whips Hiromu to BOWL him into chairs! STRIKE! But Connors wants to speed up, and he tells more fans to move! Then he BOWLS Hiromu into more chairs! STRIKE! There are fans who bark with the War Dog but Red Shoes reprimands.
Connors stands Hiromu up to SMACK him off a chair, then he flips Red Shoes off! Connors has even more fans clear out! Connors whips again, but Hiromu reverses! Connors hits chairs and Hiromu bowls a STRIKE! Hiromu fires up with the fans, but then Connors CHUCKS a chair at Hiromu! Hiromu falls and Connors snarls. Red Shoes reprimands but Connors stomps Hiromu, and JAMS him up with a chair! Connors sees a fan’s bag, and he snatches one of the Daryl dolls! That’s specifically Nyao-chan, and Connors says it’s his now. And look! Wheel-san is already waiting in the corner! Connors POWERBOMBS Nyao-chan on the floor!
Connors hoists up Wheel-san, and he CHUCKS it at Hiromu! Hiromu falls back down and Red Shoes reprimands. Connors lifts Wheel-san again, aims for Nyao-chan, but Hiromu TACKLES Connors! The fans cheer but Connors throws hands! And then he POSTS Hiromu! Connors grabs Wheel-san, and SLAMS it onto Nyao-chan! The fans boo but Connors soaks up that heat. Connors stalks Hiromu while Red Shoes returns Nyao-chan to the fan. Connors JAMS Hiromu up with Wheel-san! Hiromu flounders away, but Connors goes up an aisle through the crowd. Connors lines up his shot, and he BOWLS Wheel-san right into Hiromu’s bowling pin!
Connors winds up, and he flips off Hachioji! Connors puts Hiromu in, covers, but Red Shoes refuses because of all the shenanigans. Connors admits that’s fair. Connors looms over Hiromu, waits on him to rise, and the fans rally. Hiromu chops, and chops, and CHOPS! Connors KNEES low, then whips to UPPERCUT Hiromu down! Cover, TWO! Hiromu is still in this but Connors keeps Hiromu down with body scissors! Hiromu endures the squeeze, but Connors adds a chinlock to things. Hiromu fights his way over to the ROPEBREAK! Connors lets go, slaps Hiromu around, then looms over him.
Hiromu rises up, and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Connors THROWS Hiromu down by his hair! The fans boo but Connors drags Hiromu into a chinlock. Hiromu endures again, even with a knee in his back. Connors bends Hiromu, but Hiromu fights up to his feet. Hiromu fires body shots, but Connors hits a takeover! Connors grinds Hiromu down but Hiromu keeps his shoulder up. Connors mocks the fans but Hiromu fires body shots. Connors CHOPS, Hiromu staggers, and Connors whips. Hiromu reverses then blows past Connors to RANA! The fans fire up while Connors tumbles! Hiromu rises and the fans rally again.
Connors is on the ropes and Hiromu whips. Connors reverses but Hiromu ROCKS him, puts him on ropes, and KICKS the ropes to jam Connors up! Hiromu runs to SHOTGUN Connors! Connors bails out, Hiromu fires up and the fans are with him. Hiromu goes to the apron for the JOHN WOO DROPKICK! Connors tumbles away but Hiromu still has to catch his breath. Hiromu rises, staggers over, and he fires Hachioji again. Hiromu puts Connors on the apron, goes inside the ring, but then Connors HOTSHOTS Hiromu away! Connors grabs Wheel-san and hurries back in! Red Shoes reprimands, and then literally puts his foot down!
Connors is annoyed, and he shoves Red Shoes aside! But then Red Shoes sits on Wheel-san! Connors asks what Red Shoes thinks he’s doing, but Hiromu rolls Connors up! TWO, but Hiromu hurries to cradle! TWO, and Connors KNEES low! Connors reels Hiromu in, aims for Wheel-san, but Hiromu fights No Chaser! Hiromu snap suplexes Connors and narrowly misses Wheel-san! Connors still writhes and Hiromu grabs Wheel-san. Red Shoes reprimands, so Hiromu brings Wheel-san to the outside. Hiromu kisses Wheel-san and lets him chill on the outside. Hiromu says he doesn’t need Wheel-san to win!
Hiromu returns to Connors in the ring, puts him up top, and then CHOPS! Hiromu climbs up, brings Connors in, but Connors fights the suplex! Connors HEADBUTTS Hiromu, then slips underneath! Connors brings Hiromu off the corner for a SITOUT POWERBOMB!! The fans rally while both men are down, but Connors goes to a corner. Connors climbs up, then MACHO ELBOWS! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and the fans fire up! Connors grows frustrated, and he goes to another corner. Connors takes aim as Hiromu rises, and runs in for a- Fireman’s carry! CORNER DEATH VALLEY! The fans fire up with Hiromu!
Hiromu fireman’s carries again, swings, but Connors sunset flips! Hiromu rolls through, but runs into a POWERSLAM! Connors reloads, SPEAR into TRIANGLE D!! The fans fire up as Connors is caught, but he endures to deadlift and BUCKLE BOMB! Then SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!!! Hiromu survives again and the fans fire up! Connors is beside himself but we hit 15 minutes, the halfway mark! Connors rises, Hiromu stirs, and Connors vows to end this. Connors stands Hiromu up, reels him in, but Hiromu shoves free. Connors comes back to SPEAR again!! Hiromu flounders, Connors backs off and reloads!
The fans rally as hard as they can as Hiromu rises. Connors runs back in, but into a SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs up and SUPERKICKS again! And then- SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Hiromu survives and the fans are thunderous! The fans rally for Hiromu as hard as they can but Connors brings him up first. But Connors’ back won’t let him hit the No Chaser! Connors changes course to hit a BIG back suplex, but Hiromu lands out! Hiromu wrenches and suplexes, but Connors fights that! Connors runs, but into a HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Connors is right up, but into a SUPERKICK! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!!
Connors survives but Hiromu drags himself up with ropes. Hiromu fires up and the fans rally even more! Hiromu drags Connors up, fireman’s carries, but Connors fires elbows! Connors grabs ropes, but Hiromu pries him free! Swing and TIMEBOMB 1.0!!! But Connors flounders under the ropes! Hiromu was so close and yet so far from ending this! Connors and Hiromu rise again, and Hiromu drags Connors up. But Connors UPPERCUTS! Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Connors flops against ropes, and Hiromu runs! SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB onto Wheel-san!! Well, Hiromu doesn’t need it, but he’ll use it anyway!
The fans are thunderous as Hiromu puts Connors back in, fireman’s carries, and swings for TIMEBOMB 1.0!!!! But Hiromu says that’s not enough! Dragon sleeper and TIMEBOMB 2.0!!!! Cover, Hiromu wins!!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Connors earns 0)
This was certainly a fast ‘n’ furious battle, but the hometown hero prevails! Will Connors buff out the dents with a much needed pitstop?
As for said hometown hero, Hiromu grabs the mic to say, “Clark- Oh, he’s gone. I guess he already took off. Darn it. Clark… No, I can’t join the War Dogs. It crossed my mind, but I’ve decided against it. Hachioji, I’M HOME~!” The fans cheer, and Hiromu says that was too tough! He can’t take this anymore. He’s exhausted already! His everything hurts! But… Those high-fives during his entrance gave him a spark so he’s thankful for that. “Hold on… I hear some big cheers. Perhaps some of my old classmates are here…? Raise your hand if you’re a classmate of mine from grade, middle or high school.” Wait, only four? Well, Hiromu thanks those four!
The fans applaud, and Hiromu says he is grateful to those four. He’ll be sure to invite more next year. But he’ll be serious here. He was 1-3 going into this round. A fan says, “Then win the rest!” Hiromu says yes, he knows, thank you. But that said, he saw socials being like, “Hiromu, are you quitting? Please don’t leave!” Things like that. “Will you follow Naito?” More things like that. He was planning on making this announcement after winning the Super Juniors on June 1st, but… He got permission from the office to go ahead and say it here in his hometown. The fans are curious, and Hiromu says that he hoped he could say this after winning.
“On June 1st, 2025, Hiromu Takahashi will leave NJPW.” What?! “PSYCHE!! Give me a break! Why would I quit just because I lost three matches?! I lost those three matches just because I was outclassed!” The fans applaud and Hiromu says don’t forget, he’s an optimist! He’s been through a lot in his 15 year career and don’t quite a lot! He’s still here now! When he joined NJPW, he had two peers. They were stronger before their debuts, he couldn’t beat either of them! One was Bad Luck Fale! The other… Hiromu forgets that guy’s name. But those were the only two!
Hiromu went on excursion, experienced a whole lot, came back, broke his neck, went through even more struggles! He’s lost and struggled again and again and again! The fans cheer that, and Hiromu says that he is still super positive! Can El Desperado hear Hiromu? On opening night, Despy said the two were destined forever rivals! That’s a given! The fans cheer that! Hiromu tells Despy that if it’s not them in the finals, then it won’t be any fun! The fans also like the sound of that. Hiromu says of course one has to be prepared and aware. It is important to talk about protecting NJPW, leading NJPW, caring for NJPW…!
BUT! Just saying it isn’t enough in this world! Hiromu says as long as he is here, NJPW IS the best! The fans cheer that! Hiromu says let’s work together and play our part. The other wrestlers, the staff, let’s all do our best! The fans cheer more, and Hiromu says he may have said too much already. He’s won three of these tournaments in a row, but he won’t be one who relies on past glory. Even today’s victory is already in the past! Being the strongest, strongest, strongest, STRONGEST is important, and he’ll enjoy the BOSJ more than anyone! The fans cheer and Hiromu says that’s right! Moto! Moto! Moto! MOTO! MOTO!
Oh, hey, Takagi-san. Hiromu admits their eyes met just now. Hiromu says he wants to keep working with Takagi and Yota, and the fans cheer. MOTO! MOTO! MOTO!! MOTO!! MOTO!!! MOTO!!! FUN TOGETHER WITH EVERYONE~!! The fans cheer and Hiromu finally drops the mic. But will the Ticking Timebomb still come out on top of the block? How much more effort will it take to once again be the Best of the Super Juniors?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
KUSHIDA: 3-2, 6 points
Dragon Dia: 3-2, 6 points
Robbie X: 3-2, 6 points
Kosei Fujita: 3-2, 6 points
Master Wato: 3-2, 6 points
Francesco Akira: 2-3, 4 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 2-3, 4 points
Clark Connors: 2-3, 4 points
Ninja Mack: 2-3, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-3, 4 points
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Nick Wayne: 4-1, 8 points
Titan: 3-2, 6 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-2, 6 points
El Desperado: 3-2, 6 points
SHO: 2-3, 4 points
Taiji Ishimori: 2-3, 4 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-3, 4 points
YOH: 2-3, 4 points
MAO: 2-3, 4 points
Kevin Knight: 2-3, 4 points
My Thoughts:
Another great round for NJPW BOSJ, but I am thankful they’re pulling back for the next couple of shows. A Block has now split between the 3-2 and the 2-3 groups. That makes it really interesting to pick out a finalist. I do appreciate them letting Kushida turn things around from his surprising 0-2 start. Nick Wayne still leading B Block is some good stuff, too, I continue to look forward to how far he goes. I like that the House of Torture members both lost because of mask shenanigans. And an awesome main event for Hiromu to win in his hometown. Hiromu stays afloat in the ranks, and he had a great swerve in the promo. He could definitely have one of the biggest comebacks in BOSJ to go from 1-3 to the finals, and go for a historic fifth trophy.
My Score: 9/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/17/25)
Round 4, all together!
Whose luck is about to change?
The Best of the Super Juniors enters round 4, and you know what that means! Could one of our undefeated entries finally lose?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Ninja Mack; Wato wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS YOH; Taguchi wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Francesco Akira VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Kanemaru wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS SHO; Sho wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Clark Connors VS Robbie X; Connors wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Titan VS Taiji Ishimori; Titan wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Kosei Fujita; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Kevin Knight VS Nick Wayne; Knight wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Dragon Dia; Dia wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Mao; Desperado wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings!
Kosei Fujita: 3-0, 6 points
Dragon Dia: 2-1, 4 points
Francesco Akira: 2-1, 4 points
Robbie X: 2-1, 4 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 1-2, 2 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 1-2, 2 points
Clark Connors: 1-2, 2 points
Master Wato: 1-2, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 1-2, 2 points
Ninja Mack: 1-2, 2 points
Here are the current B Block standings!
Nick Wayne: 3-0, 6 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-1, 4 points
Titan: 2-1, 4 points
MAO: 2-1, 4 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 2-1, 4 points
Taiji Ishimori: 1-2, 2 points
El Desperado: 1-2, 2 points
SHO: 1-2, 2 points
YOH: 1-2, 2 points
Kevin Knight: 0-3, 0 points
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Ninja Mack!
The Way of the Grandmaster lost to the Japanese Young Punk, but the American Ninja got sent back by the Time Splitter. Who will only continue to spiral while the other rises to 2-2?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Mack offers a handshake, Wato takes it, and the fans applaud. The two circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Wato’s slight height advantage helps, and he pushes Mack to a corner. Mack turns things around, the ref calls the break, and Mack lets go slowly, but with a big Ninja “OSU!” Wato is wary, but the fans rally with “NINJA! NINJA!” Mack and Wato tie up again, and Wato puts Mack in the corner this time. The ref counts, Wato lets off slowly, and he gives his own “Osu!” Mack applauds that, and the fans cheer for “WATO! WATO!” Mack is surprised, but he and Wato reset.
The two tie up yet again, and Wato waistlocks. Wato goes for a half nelson, Mack fights it, so Wato spins him to a cravat. Wato snapmares Mack, clamps on with a chinlock, but Mack fights up. Wato hits a takeover, Mack headscissors, Wato kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff. The two tie up again, Wato waistlocks again, and he SLAMS Mack down! Mack fights around, scoots forward, but Wato keeps him from the ropes. Mack drops to slip out the back! Mack waistlocks now, and he THROWS Wato up and out! Wato hops down to the floor, Mack handsprings, but wait, where’d Wato go? Wato pulls a ninja disappearing act!
Mack looks for Wato, checks under the ring, but doesn’t find him. Wait, Wato returns, wearing a Ninja Mack style mask! He is now NINJA WATO! The fans fire up and Mack sees this on the tron! The ninjas turn to see each other with their own eyes! The fans rally as Wato and Mack circle the outside, then step into the ring. Mack asks, “Naze? (Why?)” Mack and Wato take fighting stances and circle. Wato blocks Mack’s attacks and HADOUKEN DOUBLE PUNCHES! Mack tumbles out, Wato builds speed, and Wato FLIES! Down goes Mack and the fans cheer the tope conjilo! Wato goes back for Mack, puts him in, and then aims from the apron.
The fans rally but Mack SUPERKICKS first! Wato falls back, Mack builds speed, and he handsprings for the NINJA SPECIAL PLUS!! He goes up the ramp, but Wato avoids the kick! Wato fires hands but Mack blocks to HADOUKEN! Then he runs up, but Wato dodges! Mack dodges a boot, Wato dodges a knee, and Wato runs for the ring! Mack shouts “GET OVER HERE!” Mack runs up, Wato puts him on the apron, and Wato blocks the kick! Wato THROWS Mack, but Mack FLIPS through! The fans fire up and Wato thinks it’s for him. But then Mack SUPERKICKS Wato down! The fans fire up again as Mack brings Wato around.
Mack DOUBLE CHOPS Wato, the fans rally up, and Mack takes Wato’s mask! Wato pretends he has to hide his face, and fans boo, they liked Ninja Wato. Mack lets English commentary hold onto that mask for him, and then he puts Wato in the ring. Mack then brings Wato up to KICK, KICK, and KICK! Mack powers up and- NO, Wato blocks that kick, spins Wato, but then Mack kicks low! Mack reels Wato in, lifts, but Wato sunset flips through! TWO, the fans fire up, and Mack SUPERKICKS! Wato goes to a corner, Mack runs, but Wato BOOTS him! Mack ducks the roundhouse, ducks the heel kick, but Wato dodges the leg sweep!
Mack dodges the spin kick, to then hit a SHURIKEN SPIN KICK! Cover, TWO! Wato stays in this and the fans rally! Mack covers again, TWO! Mack is frustrated but the fans still rally. Mack puts Wato in the drop zone, CHOPS him, then goes up the corner! The fans rally as Mack aims, NINJA BOMB onto knees!! Wato then catches Mack into VENDEVAL!! Mack flails, reaches out, moves around, breaks fere, but Wato uses a rolling cradle! VENDEVAL!! Mack TAPS, Wato wins!!
Winner: Master Wato, by submission (gains 2 points; Mack earns 0)
Just as waves break on the shore, Wato breaks even with this win! But can Wato continue to turn the tide and rise to the top? Will Ninja Mack still have a chance though he is 1-3?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS YOH!
The Funky Weapon outsmarted Sho and the House of Torture while Direct Drive grounded The Jet. But will Taguchi play it serious with Yoh? Or are things about to get stranger and stranger?
The bell rings and Taguchi runs up to HIP ATTACK! And then HIP ATTACK in the corner! Taguchi whips, Yoh reverses, but Taguchi BOOTS him! Taguchi goes up to headscissors for DEADLY BUTT SHADE! Yoh wobbles and falls back, and Taguchi shouts out Tomoaki Honma! Taguchi runs, wiggles, and KOKESHI! The fans fire up and Yoh spasms! Yoh flounders away and even Taguchi isn’t sure what to make of that. Taguchi sees Yoh is on the ropes, and he runs to 619, but Yoh dodges! Taguchi gets caught up in the ropes! The ref checks Taguchi while he flops to the mat. Yoh checks Taguchi’s pulse and says the doc should check him.
The ref starts a standing count and the fans rally up. Taguchi is still down at 4 of 10, slowly turns over, and the fans rally harder as we pass 7! Taguchi is still down at 8, but he rises at 9! Then Yoh kicks him and whips him to the corner. Yoh ELBOWS Taguchi, turns him and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Taguchi is still feeling the pain down low. Yoh hammers out Taguchi’s back, perhaps like a massage, before he STOMPS it! Yoh stands Taguchi up but Taguchi fires body shots! Taguchi runs, HIP ATTACK into an atomic drop! Yoh runs, but into a HIP ATTACK! The fans rally and Taguchi has Yoh on ropes again.
Taguchi runs, HIP ATTACKS, then runs back in for a HIP ATTACK! Then a slide and APRON HIP ATTACK! The fans cheer, Taguchi covers, TWO! The fans rally and Taguchi drags Yoh up. Taguchi suplexes for Uno Amigo! Then he suplexes again, Dos Amigos! Yoh fights the third, but Taguchi fights Yoh’s suplex! GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up and Taguchi rolls to the corner! Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strange Style! “ORYA~!” KETSUYE! Then Taguchi hauls Yoh up, chicken wings, DODON- NO, Yoh victory rolls it! TWO, and Taguchi rolls it back! TWO and Yoh has it again, TWO! Both men stand, things speed up, and Yoh sunsets, but Taguchi stays up!
Taguchi PANTSES himself, but Yoh fights that off! But Taguchi still HIP DROPS, only for Yoh to dodge! Taguchi is down but Yoh gets the legs, and he puts Taguchi in a PARADISE LOCK!! The fans fire up but this isn’t quite the view anyone wants… Taguchi is stuck with his cheeks hanging out, and Yoh fires up! Yoh tunes up, the fans rally, and Yoh SUPERKICKS Taguchi out of Paradise! Yoh drags Taguchi up, underhooks, but Taguchi fights Direct Drive! The rope helps censor Taguchi running, but Yoh bypasses and bypasses! Yoh uses Taguchi’s trick, but Taguchi reverses to bypass Yoh again and again!
Taguchi then dodges, fakes Yoh out, and BARE HIP ATTACKS! But Yoh says I’LL BE BACK, only for Taguchi to dodge the kick and ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi pulls his pants up, chicken wings the arms, DODON BUSTER!! And then BARE BUTT COVER!! Taguchi wins!!
Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yoh earns 0)
That indeed was very strange, but it was oddly exciting, too! Taguchi scores big on the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, but will he keep going until he has the trophy in hand? Will Yoh be able to stay fresh despite dropping to 1-3?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Francesco Akira VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
The Crown of Fire burns bright after the huge main event win over Hiromu Takahashi last night. However, you can never count the Heel Master out, even if he is 1-2. Will Kanemaru be able to cheat his way to redemption? Or will he not be able to handle this Fireball?
But as Akira gets his introductions, Kanemaru attacks! The fans boo but Kanemaru knocks Akira off the corner, goes out and kicks him! And then POSTS him! The ref reprimands, the fans rally for Akira, but Kanemaru drags him up. Kanemaru puts Akira in, the bell rings, and Kanemaru is on Akira in the corner. Kanemaru whips corner to corner, runs up, but into a BOOT! Akira runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then RANAS! Kanemaru tumbles, the fans fire up, and Akira aims. PLANCHA but on a Young Lion! Kanemaru uses that guy as a shield, then he BOOTS Akira down! Kanemaru SMASHES Akira’s knee of the floor!
The fans rally for Akira but Kanemaru brings him up. Kanemaru puts Akira in the ring, drags him up, and whips him to ropes. Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Akira writhes, Kanemaru grabs the leg and steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Akira scrambles and drags Kanemaru along, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Kanemaru holds on. The ref pries the hold apart and Akira crawls to a corner. The fans rally and Kanemaru stalks Akira. Kanemaru grabs the leg and hits a SHIN BREAKER! Akira clutches the leg and the fans rally more, but Kanemaru kicks Akira around. Kanemaru stomps Akira, but Akira fires a forearm!
Kanemaru CLAWS Akira’s face, then stalks him to the ropes. Kanemaru kicks the leg again and again, then whips. Akira hobbles back and KICKS! Kanemaru kicks, runs, but into a CALF KICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Akira finally takes his shirt off, and he drags Kanemaru up. Kanemaru kicks low, whips, but Akira reverses. Akira then dodges, wheelbarrows, victory rolls, and STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru stays in this, but Akira STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru is still in this, but Akira fires up! The fans fire up with him, and he stands Kanemaru up. SPEED- NO, Kanemaru slips free!
Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out, then he reels Akira in, SHIN BREAKER! Kanemaru steps through, but Akira cradle counters! TWO, and Akira SUPERKICKS! Kanemaru wobbles, Akira reels him in, SPEEDFIRE! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru survives but Akira stays focused. The fans rally for “A! KI-RA!” Kanemaru sits up, into the NOVA FIRE- NO, Kanemaru ducks! Akira stops from running into the ref, only for Kanemaru to SHOVE him into the ref! The fans boo but Kanemaru BOOTS Akira down! Kanemaru goes for his whiskey, takes a big swig, and then brings Akira up. But Akira smothers Kanemaru! Akira takes the bottle from him, too!
The ref sees this, and he takes the bottle from Akira! Akira defends his innocence, but he gets WHISKEY MIST! Cradle, KANEMARU WINS!!
Winner: Yoshinobu Kanemaru, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
Akira may be the Crown of Fire, but he’s not ready for that kind of burn! The Heel Master suckered everyone in,
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Robbie Eagles w/ Hartley Jackson VS SHO!
The Sniper of the Skies missed his target facing The Prodigy, Nick Wayne, and the Murder Machine is falling apart after being outsmarted by Taguchi. Can Sho stack the deck higher than Eagles can fly? Or will Eagles be ready for any trick Sho throws at him?
Wait, as soon as Sho is done with his entrance, he hurries to hide by the entryway! Eagles makes his entrance, but luckily HARTLEY is there to catch Sho! Sho is shocked, perhaps forgetting about Eagles’ back-up! Eagles throws Sho into the ring, the fans cheer, and Sho asks for mercy! The bell rings, and Eagles hits a TORNADO ARM-DRAG! Then he runs, hurdles, and RANAS! Sho tumbles, Eagles WHEEL KICKS him! Eagles kips up, the fans fire up, and Eagles throws the shirt away. Eagles gets the fans to join in on “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!”
But then Sho grabs the mic to shout down the cheering! The fans boo, Sho rings the bell again and claims this is done! Eagles chases Sho, they go back into the ring, then Sho goes for the apron again! Eagles catches Sho, drags him up, but Sho HOTSHOTS the arm! Sho hurries back in and TOSSES Eagles out. Sho hurries after Eagles, wrenches and bends fingers, then he hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Sho wrenches Eagles, brings him to a corner, and laces the arm through so he can SLAMS the arm against the POST! The fans boo and Eagles clutches his arm, and then Sho has the ref check Hartley. This lets Sho SLAM Eagles’ arm off the timekeeper’s table!
Sho puts Eagles in the ring, covers, TWO! Sho clamps on with a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Eagles fights up, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts the break but Sho pulls the arm around ropes! The ref counts more and Sho lets go at 4. The fans boo but Sho grins. Sho kicks at Eagles and taunts him. Eagles frowns, CHOPS, and the fans fire up! Eagles ROCKS Sho, but Sho YANKS Eagles’ arm! Sho drags Eagles up, wrenches and then he makes Eagles kneel. Sho kicks, KICKS, and SUPER- NO, Eagles blocks the superkick! But Sho CLAWS Eagles’ eyes! Sho whips, Eagles reverses, and Eagles DROPKICKS Sho down! Eagles runs to LEG LARIAT! Cover, TWO!
Sho stays in this but the fans rally for Eagles. Eagles steps through on the legs, but Sho bends Eagles’ fingers! The ref reprimands, Sho swings, but Eagles hooks a leg for a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Eagles has the leg and rolls Sho to hook him up again. Sho fights the backpack by pulling on Eagles’ bandana! The ref reprimands, Eagles breaks free, and Eagles SOBATS! Eagles cravats, ASAI- NO, Sho pops Eagles into an ARMBAR! Sho pulls, but Eagles stacks him, TWO! ARMBAR!! Sho pushes on the arm but Eagles fights around! The fans rally, but Sho wrangles Eagles back to the ARMBAR!! Eagles endures, reaches out, but fights around again!
Eagles rises, Sho wrangles him, but Eagles uses that to roll and tie up the legs! RON MILLER SPECIAL! Sho scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Eagles lets go, but then drops KNEES on the knee! Eagles goes up, out, and up again! The fans rally for WARP 4- NO, Sho puts his knees up, only for Eagles to catch them! The fans cheer and Eagles wags his finger. Eagles drags Sho around, KICKS away on the leg, then steps through! But Sho YANKS Eagles into the ref! The fans boo, and here comes Yujiro Takahashi! Tokyo Pimp CLOBBERS Hartley with his cane! Then he JAMS Eagles up! Yujiro & Sho whip Eagles to the corner, then Yujiro runs in and BOOTS him!
The fans boo but Sho runs in and LARIATS Eagles! Sho then snapmares Eagles, stands him up, but Hartley storms in! Hartley takes Yujiro’s cane away! Yujiro is scared, but then Sho goes after Hartley! Sho’s punches do nothing to big bad Hartley’s back! But then Yujiro LOW BLOWS Hartley! The fans boo, but Yujiro CLOBBERS Hartley with the cane again! Hartley falls out of the ring, and Yujiro aims at Eagles! Yujiro runs up, but Eagles dodges, ROCKS Sho, then ELBOWS Yujiro! Eagles CHOPS Sho, CHOPS Yujiro, repeat! The fans rally, Eagles BOOTS Sho, then ROUNDHOUSES Yujiro! SUPERKICK! PELE!
The fans fire up with Eagles while Yujiro falls! But Sho LOW- NO!! Eagles stops the low blow! Eagles KICKS Sho’s leg, but Sho is hiding his wrench! TORTURE TOOL TO THE LEG!! And then TO THE HEAD!! The fans boo but Sho calls for the ref. Yujiro shoves the ref in and Sho drags Eagles up. Sho tucks the arms, for the SHOCK ARROW!!! Cover, SHO WINS!
Winner: Sho, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Eagles earns 0)
The Murder Machine still needed help, but he doesn’t care because winning is all that matters! Will the House of Torture continue to do everything they have to in order to win the tournament? Or will justice be served in the end?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Clark Connors VS Robbie X!
Bullet Club meets Bullet Club, but at least they’re both War Dogs. But will 100 Proof be the solution to X? Or will even War Dogs Racing hop aboard the X Express?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Connors and Robbie step up, and they get the fans barking. The two then circle, tie up, but then they fire hands! The fans rally as the forearms go back and forth, then Connors fires knees! Connors whips Robbie to a corner, LARIATS, but Robbie eggs him on with trash talk and a pie face! Connors kicks and CLUBS Robbie, but Robbie fires forearms! Connors KNEES low, whips corner to corner again, and Robbie flips before he hits buckles! The fans fire up and Connors brings Robbie around. Connors bumps Robbie off buckles, then climbs up to rain down fists! The fans bark and Connors goes to TEN!
Connors shouts, “Where my dogs at?” The fans cheer, and Connors brings Robbie up. Connors CHOPS Robbie, whips corner to corner, but Robbie reverses to SOBAT! Robbie whips, Connors reverses, but Robbie handsprings, only for Connors to go the other way! JEEP FLIPPER! Robbie tumbles out of the ring and Connors says that’s a homerun! The fans cheer and Connors goes out to fetch Robbie. Connors CHOPS Robbie, Robbie sputters, but Connors CHOPS him again! Robbie falls over, but he flips Connors off! Connors says okay, and he POSTS Robbie! Robbie falls in a heap, Connors fires up, and the fans cheer.
Connors says it is time, and he brings out WHEEL-SAN! The fans fire up and Connors JAMS Robbie up with the tire! The ref reprimands, but Connors prepares to discus throw Wheel-san! Robbie ducks, and the tire flies into a Young Lion! Robbie then SUPERKICKS Connors down! The fans fire up and Robbie grabs Wheel-san for his own! Connors stands, Robbie says, “I EFFIN’ LOVE THIS SPORT!” and he CLOBBERS Connors with the tire! The fans fire up again and Robbie puts Connors in. Robbie rains down forearms, then he lets off to storm around. Connors crawls to ropes, but Robbie BITES Connors’ hand! The ref reprimands and Robbie stops.
Connors clutches his finger, Robbie drags him up, and Robbie whips corner to corner. Connors hits buckles hard, Robbie drags him to a cover, ONE!! The fans cheer as Connors shows that grit, but Robbie KNEES Connors in the back! Robbie traps an arm and clamps onto the other, and he throws down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Robbie whips then ELBOWS Connors down! Cover, TWO! Connors is still in this but Robbie stays on him. Robbie drags Connors up but Connors UPPERCUTS! Robbie falls back, Connors huffs ‘n’ puffs, and Connors storms up, and blocks a kick! And the other! Connors YANKS Robbie up, but Robbie holds the ropes!
Connors pulls Robbie free, swings him up, then SITOUT POWERBOMBS! The fans fire up and Connors goes to a corner. Connors snarls and takes aim as Robbie rises. Connors runs in, but Robbie hurdles the spear! Connors hits buckles, Robbie LARIATS Connors in the corner! And then he puts Connors’ leg in the ropes to KICK it! Robbie spins for the DREAMCAST! Snapmare and STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO!! Connors survives but Robbie vows to end this! Handspring and- NO, Connors dodges the cutter to SPEAR!! The fans fire up and Connors covers, TWO!! Robbie survives and Connors shakes his head.
Robbie sputters and coughs but Connors drags him up. Connors whips, Robbie handsprings, LETHAL INJECTION X!! Cover, TWO!! Connors survives and Robbie is shocked! But Robbie steps on Connors, goes up the corner, and X EX- NO, Connors moves! Robbie rolls through, but the SNAP POWERSLAM finds him! Connors reels Robbie in, NO CHASER!! Cover, Connors wins!
Winner: Clark Connors, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
Now that was a dogfight! Both men brought the fight, but it sees X is less than 100 Proof! But Connors and Robbie are dogs for real, so water under the bridge. Which of these dogs makes it to the top of the block and beyond?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Titan VS Taiji Ishimori!
El Inmortal and the Bone Soldier Reborn are still alive, having defeated Mao and El Desperado respectively. But with the block still so competitive, whose prayers will be answered with a victory?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. Taiji and Titan feel things out, knuckle lock, then clinch. Taiji waistlocks, Titan wrenches but Taiji wrenches back. Titan headlocks, Taiji pops out the back and headlocks in return. Taiji sits Titan down but Titan rolls to the side. Taiji wrenches an arm, wristlocks, but Titan rolls, kips up, and bridges. Titan then handsprings and arm-drags free! Taiji comes back, Titan sweeps and covers, ONE! Taiji sweeps and covers, ONE! Titan kips up and the fans fire up! Taiji applauds, offers a handshake, but Titan is wary. Taiji kneels to show he means it. Titan runs up, Taiji dodges, and then Taiji kicks low.
Taiji whips, Titan reverses, but Taiji fights the Tornado DDT! Taiji kicks, runs, but Titan follows to then RANA! The fans fire up and Titan builds speed, but Taiji ducks the slide! Titan turns around, Taiji pops him up to the apron, but Titan mule kicks! Only for Taiji to YANK him down! The fans rally, Taiji drags Titan up, and Taiji POSTS Titan! Titan falls back and Taiji grins while he lets the ref check. Titan is alright, but Taiji unties the blue buckle pad! Taiji waits as Titan rises and the fans rally up. Titan rolls in, CHOPS, but Taiji eggs him on. Titan CHOPS again, so Taiji CHOPS! Taiji wrenches and ELBOW BREAKERS!
Titan drops to his knees as he clutches the elbow. Taiji stands Titan up, wrenches the arm again, and he stands on the shoulder. Taiji then hooks the other arm, traps it, and pulls on Titan’s left arm, for the SACRIFICE! Titan clutches his elbow and the fans rally up. Taiji looms over Titan, clamps on with a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK, but Titan has the ROPEBREAK! Taiji holds on until the ref counts 4. Taiji pulls on the arm again, then stomps it! Titan writhes and goes to the apron but Taiji stays close. The ref checks with Titan but Titan says he can still go. Taiji wrangles Titan into a STRAIGHT ARMBAR! Titan kicks over to the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer and Taiji lets go. Titan scrambles away but Titan is back on him. Taiji wrenches the arm, and then POSTS Titan! Taiji brings Titan around, hammerlocks and scoops for the SHOULDER BUSTER! The fans rally, Taiji watches from the corner, and then he runs in, LA MYSTI- NO, Titan slips free, shoves and trips Taiji, then goes to the apron. Titan ducks a shot to GAMANGIRI! And then springboard MISSILE DROPKICK! Taiji tumbles out, Titan builds speed, and Titan FLIES! Down goes Taiji and the fans fire up! Titan rises and roars, and the fans fire up more. Titan hurries to drag Taiji into the ring, and he goes to the apron.
The fans rally and Titan springboards, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Taiji survives but the fans continue to rally. Titan loosens his mask just a bit and the fans rally up. Titan stomps Taiji, brings him around, but Taiji CLAWS Titan’s eyes! Taiji whips, Titan reverses, then Titan goes Matrix to dodge! CALF KICK! Titan whips, Taiji handsprings, NEUTRALIZER! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Taiji rises, he stands Titan up, but then Titan blocks the whip. Titan reverses, and TORNADO- NO, Taiji blocks the DDT and puts Titan in the ropes! ENZIGIRI and SLIDING GERMAN!
The fans rally while Taiji goes to the corner. Taiji climbs, 450- NO, Titan moves! Taiji rolls through, comes back, but into a strike fest from Titan! WHEEL KICK! Titan hurries to whip Taiji into the bare buckles! Taiji suffers his own trickery and the fans fire up! Titan runs corner to corner, FRAME OUT LARIAT! Taiji falls, Titan goes up, and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Taiji survives and the fans fire up! Titan is surprised, but he rallies the fans again. Titan roars, drags Taiji around, then steps through the legs, but Taiji drags him down into a cradle! TWO!! Titan stands, Taiji JUMP KNEES him down!
The fans rally as Taiji roars! Taiji drags Titan up, gut wrenches, and CIPHER U- NO, Titan grabs the leg, steps through, TRAILER HITCH, into LLAVE- NO, Taiji turns over! Taiji slips free, floats over, and has the BONE LOCK!! Titan endures, fights around, but Taiji rolls him from the ropes! Titan endures but that’s his bad arm caught in the hold! He still fights, still reaches out, but Taiji rolls him again! Taiji hauls Titan up, BLOODY- NO!! Titan blocks again! Titan steps through, ties up Taiji’s leg in a figure four, but then hooks Taiji’s head and arm! Titan has Taiji in some kind of pretzel, and TWISTS!! Taiji TAPS, Titan wins!!!
Winner: Titan, by submission (gains 2 points; Taiji earns 0)
Who knows what to call that unique hold, but it was certainly effective! Will El Inmortal use that hold to become the Best of the Super Juniors? Will Taiji still be redeemed #ByGrace as the tournament rolls on?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Kosei Fujita!
The Time Splitter finally got on the board last round while the Japanese Young Punk has not been stopped once in this tournament! But will Fujita’s fortunes change against one of the most decorated Junior Heavyweights ever? Or will he show that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
In an interesting move, Fujita has changed up his ring gear to be barefoot in shorts. Kushida decides he will make it a fair fight, and he also takes off his boots! These two are going old school and the fans applaud. The bell rings and the fans rally. The two circle, feel things out, and then clinch. Kushida facelocks and holds on as Fujita moves around. Fujita puts Kushida on the ropes, the ref counts the break, and both men let off slowly. The fans cheer as the two reset and go again. They clinch, Kushida puts Fujita in a corner, but Fujita fights around to waistlock. Kushida drops down but Fujita floats to get a leg.
Kushida facelocks, drags Fujita around to a lateral press, Fujita gets free fast but Kushida drags Fujita back down. Kushida body scissors but Fujita stays on his feet. Kushida goes for a Triangle but Fujita fights that off by clasping hands. Kushida uses his legs to push Fujita down, and then he goes for an arm! Fujita rolls, Kushida still clamps onto an arm, but Fujita gets his legs in there. The fans applaud this technical exchange as Kushida stands. Kushida pushes past the leg guard to have a top mount, then he goes for the arm! Fujita clasps hands again, rolls Kushida, and slips out the back! Fujita has a chinlock but Kushida fights around.
Fujita is a backpack and almost has a full Sleeper, but Kushida pushes up. Kushida slips free of the body scissors, still wants an arm, but settles for a leg. Fujita shifts position fast and goes for Kushida’s arm. Fujita then floats to a facelock, but Kushida fights up. Fujita throws Kushida down with the facelock, then front mounts. Kushida endures, keeps his shoulders up, and kicks his way around. The fans cheer again as Kushida stands back up. Kushida then ties up the legs but Fujita fights against it. Kushida pushes on Fujita’s arm, but Fujita uses his on leg as leverage. Kushida pulls on that leg, then stands over Fujita again.
They knuckle lock but Kushida cartwheels to have the lateral press. Fujita keeps a shoulder up, but Kushida moves around. The two stand and the fans cheer again. Fujita and Kushida circle, feel things out, and Kushida goes for a leg. Fujita blocks, they clinch, and they go around. Fujita goes for a leg then the waistlock. Kushida grabs Fujita’s leg, drops down, but Fujita hooks legs to fight the toehold. Fujita also has a chinlock, but Kushida rolls. Fujita stands and backs away from Kushida’s leg guard. Kushida scoots forward, stands up, but Fujita avoids the takedown. Kushida rolls around, shoots in, but Fujita still stays back.
Kushida jumps to body scissor, but Fujita blocks the double wristlock! Fujita pushes Kushida down, turns him over, but Kushida fights free of the Crab! The two back off again and the fans cheer. Kushida and Fujita circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Kushida hooks an arm, goes for the sweep, but Fujita fights that off. Kushida goes for the leg directly but Fujita blocks. Kushida rolls, facelocks, but Fujita fights up. Fujita rolls, Kushida rolls with him, then Kushida floats all over! Kushida pushes Fujita to a cover, ONE, and Fujita avoids a kick! Fujita goes for legs, Kushida avoids that, but then Fujita avoids th esame.
The two tie up, and Kushida drops down, but Fujita blocks the armbar takeover! Kushida body scissors but Fujita deadlifts and ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Kushida clasps hands now, then fights around. Kushida rolls and slips free to then have an ANKLE LOCK! But Fujita grabs Kushida’s leg to have an ANKLE LOCK! Fujita then hops on for a SLEEPER! Kushida slips free to have the IRON OCTOPUS, but Fujita backs up into the corner! The fans cheer as the two separate and circle again. Kushida and Fujita knuckle lock, clinch, and Kushida has the facelock. Kushida pushes Fujita down, top mounts, but Fujita keeps his shoulders up.
Fujita guards as Kushida starts throwing palm strikes! The ref checks but Fujita is still in this. Kushida goes for the arm but Fujita clasps hands! The fans rally and duel as the two fight for control, and Kushida shifts sides! Fujita clasps hands as tight as he can, then high stacks! Kushida lets Fujita go, but Fujita trips him up! Fujita ties the legs up in the DEATHLOCK! Kushida endures, reaches out, but Fujita grabs the arms! Fujita’s own arm holds him back so he focuses on just one arm of Kushida’s. Kushida drags Fujita along as he swims to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Fujita lets go in frustration.
We pass 10 minutes as Fujita shakes out the arm. Fujita brings Kushida up, wrenches and ELBOW BREAKERS! And ELBOW BREAKER! And ELBOW BREAKER! But Kushida KICKS Fujita’s bad arm! Kushida runs, but Fujita pops him up into the GERMAN SUPLEX! DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Fujita wants to beat Kushida at his own game, but Kushida clasps hands behind his back. Both men stand, Fujita fireman’s carries, but Kushida fights free! Kushida then KICKS Fujita’s leg! Fujita CHOPS! The fans fire up as Kushida winds up, but Fujita bypasses the Fastball with a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Kushida RAMS Fujita into buckles!
Fujita holds on, pulls on the facelock, and has those body scissors in tight! Kushida endures, the fans rally, and Kushida powers up! Kushida is free and goes for Fujita’s arm! Fujita resists, so Kushida switches and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Fujita springs right onto Kushida’s arm! Kushida again fights against the double wristlock, rolls around, but Fujita powers it back on! DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! The fans rally as Kushida endures and Fujita puts on more pressure! Kushida fights out from under Fujita, but he’s so far from the ropes! The fans rally even harder as Kushida reaches out! Kushida rolls, rolls, and rolls, to have the DOUBLE WRISTLOCK!!
Fujita flails, fights around, but Kushida just rolls him into an ARM- NO, Fujita fights the standard armbar, but Kushida finds another angle! HOVERBOARD!! Kushida bends fingers and wrist, then HOVERBOARD!! Fujita endures and fights to his feet?! Fujita hobbles, but Kushida gator rolls him! But Fujita goes for Kushida’s arm! Both men are fighting for control, and Kushida takes Fujita BACK TO THE FUTURE!! Cover, KUSHIDA WINS!!!
Winner: Kushida, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Fujita earns 0)
With blood in his mouth, Kushida smiles as he stands tall! Fujita tried beating Kushida at Kushida’s game and lost, but Kushida shows him respect. When and where will these two run it back? Will either of them be holding the trophy, or even the title, when that happens?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Kevin Knight VS Nick Wayne!
The Jet has been moving fast but he just hasn’t been able to score any points. Meanwhile, The Prodigy is living up to that nickname as the youngest entrant to ever start 3-0! Can Nick keep up the pace? Or will Knight finally start to rise?
The bell rings and the fans rally up already. Knight and Nick circle, tie up, and go around. Knight puts Nick in a corner, Nick turns things around, and the ref counts the break. They go out of the corner and Knight wrenches an arm. Knight wristlocks, but Nick spins and wrenches in return. Nick hammerlocks, but Knight wrenches again. Nick wrenches back, Knight rolls, handsprings, and wrenches again for a headlock takeover. Nick headscissors, Knight kips free, but Nick sweeps the legs! Cover, ONE, and Knight ducks a buzzsaw! Nick keeps his eyes on Knight while the fans cheer. Knight slides out to take a breather.
Nick holds the ropes open and invites Knight back in. Knight steps up, accepts the invitation, and the fans applaud. Knight and Nick reset, and Knight offers a handshake. Nick accepts, the fans applaud again, and then Knight kicks low! Knight headlocks, Nick powers up and out, but Knight runs him over! Knight flexes, but Nick kips up! Nick also flexes, the fans cheer, and then Nick dodges Knight. Nick hurdles, bypasses, and UPPERCUTS! Nick handsprings, the fans cheer, and Nick goes back to Knight. Nick drags Knight around, drops a leg, then covers! TWO, and the fans applaud. Nick stays cool as he brings Knight up.
Nick cravats, ASAI- NO, Knight dumps Nick off and TOSSES Nick out! Then Knight slides, but Nick dodge! Knight goes to the corner to PLANCHA! The fans fire up with Knight, and he asks if Nick is alright. Knight drags Nick up, puts him in the ring, and the fans rally. Knight goes up and FLYING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Nick stays in this and the fans cheer but Knight stays cool. Knight tells the “Young Boy” to get up, and then he CHOPS Nick to a corner. The fans cheer, but then Nick turns things around to CHPO, CHOP, and CHOP! Knight knees low, snapmares and runs, SLIDING SHOULDER! Knight flexes and fans cheer, then he covers, TWO!
Nick is still in this but Knight nods. Knight brings Nick up, clamps on, and he pulls Nick into the COBRA TWIST! Nick endures, Knight pulls on him, ‘and says “Ore wa meccha, meccha, MECCHA TSUYOI~!” The fans cheer but Nick powers up to HIP TOSS! Knight handsprings through, blocks a kick, and he ROCKS Nick! Knight wrenches and whips, Nick grabs ropes and Knight’s dropkick crashes! Nick runs to PENALTY KICK! Then Nick cravats, ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this and the fans rally up. Nick stalks behind Knight and half nelsons. Knight fights the full nelson, elbows free, then runs, and he LEAPS over the lariat!
Nick avoids the Pele and DRAGON SUPLEXES after all! Bridging cover, TWO! The fans fire up while both men are down! Nick rises and he hurries to the corner. The fans rally as Nick climbs from the outside. DIVING- NO, Knight avoids the stomps and Nick rolls through. Nick comes back, but into a scoop and SLAM! The fans fire up, and Knight then UFO SPLASHES, but onto knees! Nick whips, Knight reverses, Nick handsprings but into a DROPKICK! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Nick rolls away to ropes and then to the outside. The fans rally, Knight aims, and Knight springboards to SUPER FLYING LARIAT!
The fans fire up while both men are down on the ramp! The ref checks and Nick is still in this, as is Knight. The ring count starts and both men are still down at 5 of 20. Knight slowly rises, and he stands at 10. Knight fires up and the fans are with him! We’re at 13 as Knight stands Nick up, and he puts Nick in at 15. Knight aims again, springboards again, but Nick avoids the lariat! Knight runs back in, blocks a boot, but the ENZIGIRI hits! Nick goes up, but Knight goes to the UPPER ROOM! The fans fire up and Knight somersaults, UFO FLOP! Nick Oklahoma Rolls, TWO! SATELLITE- NO, Nick makes it a cradle, TWO!!
Knight and Nick stand in the facelock, and Nick suplexes! Knight slips free to SUPERKICK! Knight whips, Nick reverses, but Knight goes up and over! Nick somersaults, hops on, SUNSET BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives and the fans fire up! Nick and Knight slowly rise, and Nick vows to end this! “IKU ZO!” The fans fire up, and Nick hooks a leg! PRODIGY- NO, Knight fights that, wrenches out and leaps, but Nick THROWS him away! SUPERKICK! Knight wobbles, but he roars! Nick ROUNDHOUSES him! Nick hurries as the fans rally, and he goes up the corner! WAYNE- NO, Knight jumps up to REVERSE UPPER ROOM!!
Knight somersaults into the SATELLITE DDT!! The fans are thunderous as Knight hurries up top! MOTHERSHIP UFO SPLASH!! Cover, Knight wins!!
Winner: Kevin Knight, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Nick earns 0)
The first win for Knight is the first loss for Nick! Knight does show respect by offering a handshake, and Nick takes it. This match doesn’t flip the dynamic of the block, but could The Jet be correcting course towards the top? Or will the Prodigy prove he also excels at rebounding from defeat?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Dragon Dia!
The Ticking Timebomb got blown up in the main event last round, and the Infinite Carat Diamond is shining after getting through Clark Connors. Will Dia be unbreakable now? Or will Hiromu find a way to blow up Dia’s run?
The bell rings, the fans rally for “HI-RO-MU!” and he smiles. Dia shrugs that off as he circles with Hiromu. They tie up, Hiromu powers Dia to ropes, and Red Shoes calls the break. Hiromu lets off cleanly, but then takes a swing! Dia dodges then whips, Hiromu reverses, then Hiromu drops down and hurdles over. Dia leaps over, comes back, but Hiromu ELBOWS him! Hiromu whips, LARIATS in the corner, then snapmares. Dia dodges, dodges, slides under, and tilt-o-whirls to arm-drag, and then DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Hiromu bails out. Dia goes out, but Hiromu trips him up a bit! Hiromu kicks low, fireman’s carries, and APRON DEATH VALLEYS!
Hiromu puts Dia in, covers, TWO! Hiromu follows Dia out, puts him right back in, and drags him right up! Dia fights free, bails out, and Hiromu is annoyed. Hiromu waits while Red Shoes checks Dia. Dia is okay to continue, so Hiromu goes out to fetch him. Hiromu CHOPS Dia, shakes out his hand and nods while he paces. Hiromu drags Dia up, brings him around the way, then CHOPS again! And CHOPS! Hiromu CHOPS Dia again, and Dia falls over! Hiromu stalks Dia, looms over him, and drags him back up. Hiromu reels Dia in to snap suplex to the floor! The fans rally while Dia writhes, and a ring count starts.
Hiromu takes his time, and he brings Dia up at 7 of 20. Hiromu puts Dia in at 8, the fans applaud, and Hiromu stalks Dia. Hiromu whisp Dia to a corner, LARIATS and snapmares again, then basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Dia is tougher than that, but Hiromu clamps on with a CAMEL CLUTCH! Dia endures, Hiromu pulls on the hold, but Dia crawls. Dia reaches out, but Hiromu sits way back! Dia still fights to the ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets go and the fans rally again. Hiromu taunts Dia, brings him up, but Dia CHOPS! Hiromu eggs Dia on, so Dia CHOPS again! Hiromu CHOPS and Dia staggers back!
Dia storms up to CHOP, but Hiromu CHOPS, repeat! The fans rally as the CHOPS keep going! Dia runs, but Hiromu drop toeholds and has the leg trapped! Dia endures but Hiromu pushes on his modified Calf Killer! Dia crawls forward again and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Hiromu lets go. Hiromu drags Dia up again, and CHOPS! Dia staggers but he comes back to CHOP! Hiromu CHOPS again, and Dia is stinging! Dia grits his teeth as he comes back to CHOP, but then Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Dia falls, the fans applaud, and Hiromu smirks as he stands Dia up.
Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Dia slips free! Dia BOOTS from the corner and then RANAS! Hiromu tumbles out of the ring and the fans rally up. Hiromu makes it to the apron but Dia 619s him down! Then Dia ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit again and the fans fire up! Dia slowly rises, fires himself back up, and the fans are with him. Dia drags Hiromu up and puts him in the ring. The fans rally again as Dia goes up the corner. Hiromu stands, Dia leaps, but Hiromu dodges! Hiromu then scoops and BACKBREAKERS! But Hiromu holds on, to suplex and FALCON ARROW! Both men are down while the fans rally back up.
Hiromu stands and he shakes out his arms. Hiromu brings Dia to the corner for a fireman’s carry, then he climbs! Dia fights free and GAMANGIRIS! Dia then roars as he rises back up, for the ASTRO SCISSORS! Then Dia goes up the other corner, for D D- NO, Hiromu stops the 4D! And he fireman’s carries for a throw into the dragon sleeper! Dia spins around, fights the suplex, and then runs to REPTI- NO, Hiromu POEWRBOMBS Dia down! And then deadlifts him up into the fireman’s carry! But Dia slips into the crucifix, DOUBLE CORK!! Ghost pin, TWO!! The fans fire up as Dia gets moving, but runs into a HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!
Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Hiromu rises first, wobbles and hobbles, but he makes it back to Dia. But Dia ENZIGIRIS! Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into an ENZIGIRI! Dia then aims, HEEL KICK!! Cover, TWO!!! Hiromu survives and the fans fire up! Dia hurries up the corner and he roars for Hiromu to rise! Hiromu stands, Dia leaps, D D D D T!! It hits!! Cover, TWO!?!? Hiromu survives the 4D and Dia is raging! But Dia runs, rolls, REPTI- NO, Hiromu tucks him in! DUDEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Dia survives being busted and the fans fire up even more! Hiromu grits his teeth as he rises again!
Hiromu roars, the fans fire up with him, and he drags Dia into the fireman’s carry. Swing and TIME- NO, Dia slips to a victory roll! TWO, and Hiromu wheelbarrows for the GERMAN! But Dia lands out, gets around, and POISON-RANAS!! Dia runs, rolls, REPTILIAN BOMB!! High stack, DIA WINS!!!!
Winner: Dragon Dia, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Hiromu earns 0)
Hiromu tried but he could not crack this Infinite Carat Diamond! Is the most decorated BOSJ winner of all time no longer the best in the Junior Heavyweight Division? As for Dia, this massive win keeps him at the front of the block! Will he prove himself worthy of the trophy this year?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Mao!
The Rogue Luchador has lost twice in a row, but that really only proved him right that anyone can win any given match. The Idol Warrior is coming off a loss of his own, can he rebound with a massive main event win? Or will Desperado prove he’s still the Best of the Super Juniors?
The bell rings and the fans duel already. Despy and Mao both smile, and Despy gets the crowd even louder! Mao and Despy circle, tie up, and Despy waistlocks. Mao pries free to wrench and wristlock. Despy rolls, wrenches, and wristlocks, but Mao spins and slips through. Mao facelocks, but feints the suplex just to wrench again. The fans applaud, and Mao keeps on the hammerlock. Despy rolls Mao up, STRETCH MUFFLER! Mao flails, brings Despy down, and floats to the JUST FACELOCK, only for Despy to pop out the back! Despy goes for the leg again but Mao rolls and handsprings free! The fans applaud while both men reset.
Despy and Mao circle, tie up, and Despy headlocks. Mao endures the grind, powers up and out, but Despy RAMS him! Mao puffs up, #Tsukakui! The fans cheer but Despy runs to RUN Mao over! Mao kips up, Tsukakui! The fans cheer and Mao runs. Mao RAMS Despy, Despy RAMS Mao, and Mao puffs up to be Tsukakui! The fans cheer, Despy mockingly applauds, and then he CHOPS! Tsukakui! CHOP! Tsukakui! CHOP! TSUKAKUI! Despy asks Red Shoes what’s up with that. Mao and Despy go chest to chest to see who is most Tsukakui! The fans cheer while the two go outside! Red Shoes says no, fight in the ring.
The fans boo, they want things outside the ring. Mao says hold on, this is the main event, they really should do this in the ring. The fans applaud as both men return to the ring, to then go back outside! The fans cheer, the two run up, and they RAM! And RAM! And then RAM again! Despy bounces off, Mao is truly Tsukakui! Mao then brings Despy around to whip, but Despy reverses. Mao handstands on the apron and hops over Despy, to then BOOT him! Mao goes to the apron, lines up the shot, and runs to CANNONBALL! The fans fire up and Mao stands tall, TSUKAKUI! Red Shoes insists they get this in the ring, so Mao stands Despy up.
Mao ROCKS Despy with a right, and the ring count starts. Mao throws more hands, but Despy BODY BLOWS! Mao staggers to the ramp, Despy ROCKS Mao, but we’re past 10 of 20! They keep brawling, Despy scoops, but Mao slips free! We’re at 15 but Despy YANKS Mao back! But then Mao YANKS Despy back! They argue, they brawl, Red Shoes keeps the count going! Despy SUPERKICKS Mao, but Mao THROWS railing at him! WE’RE AT 19!! Mao LEAPS and CUTTERS on the railing!! Red Shoes is at a loss for words, so he calls off the count! He won’t let the main event end on a draw! The fans cheer, and Red Shoes ushers the two along.
Mao marches, but Despy clings to Mao’s pants! Mao CLUBS Despy, Despy lets go, and both men lunge into the ring! The fans applaud as Red Shoes says this is why you fight in the ring. Mao and Despy storm up, go forehead to forehead, then fire forearm for forearm! They talk trash on who is the bigger jerk, then throw more forearms! Mao gets the fans to chant for DDT Pro! But then Despy gets the fans to chant for NJPW! The fans duel, the forearms keep flying, but then Mao pulls the “Look!” and RIGHT HAND! The fans cheer but Red Shoes reprimands. Mao goes with the fans, and he vows to finish this!
Mao drags Despy up, MICHINO- NO, Despy slips free, rolls Mao, and has the STRETCH MUFFLER! Mao scrambles, picks a leg, and has the ANKLE LOCK! Then he floats to the JUST FACELOCK! But Despy pops out the back again, to have a SLEEPER! The fans rally but Mao is already fading. Mao grabs his own leg for leverage, but also flips Despy up! Despy grabs that finger, but it’s a trap! Mao drags Despy down and has the JUST FACELOCK!! Despy endures, crawls forward, and reaches out! The fans rally and Despy keeps fighting forward! Mao grabs that free arm, uses it to roll Despy, but Despy uses that to get a cradle! TWO, and Mao sunset flips! Cover, TWO!
Despy has the cover, TWO, and Mao has a ghost pin! TWO, and Mao tucks Despy into a GEDO CLUTCH into JAPANESE LEG ROLL! TWO?!?! Despy escapes, Mao kicks and whips! Despy reverses, but Mao SHOTGUNS! Mao whips, Despy reverses, for a SPINEBUSTER! But Mao rises right up! Despy also stands, roars, but Mao talks about rib pain. Red Shoes checks, but then is used as a shield! Mao runs, but Despy returns the favor, the CUTTER hits Red Shoes!! Mao is stunned, the fans boo, and Despy says shame on Mao. But it was Despy’s fault! They argue over who is at fault, and Mao starts a “Mao Jinai! <Not Mao!>”
Despy says no no no! “Despy Jinai!” Red Shoes stirs, the Young Lions help him exit the ring, and now Mao and Despy aren’t sure what to do. Mao apologizes either way, and the Young Lions carry Red Shoes away. Mao says now we can go wild! Mao goes looking under the ring, and he brings out plastic tubs! The DDT Pro style gets to shine here in NJPW! Despy helps bring the tubs into the ring, but he also kinda hordes them in his corner. Mao says bet, and he SMASHES a tub on Despy’s head! Despy grins as he shakes off the pieces. His turn! SMASH on Mao’s head! Mao smiles and nods, and he grabs another tub.
The fans rally as Despy and Mao set these tubs up in a nice rectangle, and Mao dares Despy to go up. Despy obliges, and both men climb. The fans cheer as the CHOPS begin! They go back and forth, but then Marty Asami shows up to be the new ref! He scolds them for doing this but the fans boo. The fans want DDT Pro madness, and Mao cravats Despy! Despy fights and tries to throw Mao! They brawl, and Mao says they should up the ante. Despy agrees and they go up to the top rope! The fans rally, and the two figure if they get in trouble, they get in trouble together! “SE~ NO~!” SUPER RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP DOWN THROUGH THE TUBS!!
The fans are thunderous but Marty reprimands them. The Young Lions clean up the mess while Mao and Despy crawl around. Mao rises and the fans fire up! Mao then runs up and BOOTS Despy against rope! Despy eggs Mao on, so Mao runs again. Mao BOOTS Despy again, but Despy just nods! Mao goes again, but Despy SPEARS him! Then Mao gut wrenches, GUITARRA DEL- NO, Mao slips free! Despy ELBOWS Mao, suplexes, and BRAINBUSTERS!! The fans fire up again as Despy underhooks! PINCH- NO, Mao slips free to MICHINOKU DRIVER 2!! Cover, TWO?!? Despy survives but Mao goes to the corner!
Mao aims as Despy rises and the fans rally! SAMURAI SUPERKICK!! Despy drops to his knees, but he flips Mao off! Mao grabs those fingers and bends them! Despy rises to HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Mao HEADBUTTS back! Mao HEADBUTTS again and again and again! Despy drops to his knees again, but then ruses up to HEADBUTT! Mao REAR HEADBUTTS! Mao runs, OSAKA REN- Despy says, “Look!!” LOCO MONO!! Mao falls for his own trick! The fans fire up and Despy nods. Despy laughs, but Mao stands! Mao SLAPS Despy! Despy wobbles, the fans rally, and Despy SLAPS Mao! Mao smiles and nods, then SLAPS back!
The fans duel as Despy staggers, and he comes back to SLAP! Mao grits his teeth, SLAPS again, but Despy SLAPS! The SLAPS keep going! Mao winds up and ROCKS Despy with that right hand! Despy grits his teeth, and he comes back to ROCK Mao! Mao grits his teeth, manages to smile, and he throws another right hand! But Mao shakes his hand from how hard he hit Despy! Despy then ROCKS Mao again! Mao powers up and DECKS Despy! That straight right was stiff, but Despy manages to stand! Despy says okay, and LOCO MONO!! Mao falls and the fans fire up! Despy drags Mao back up, underhooks, and PINCHE- NO, Mao flips through to cradle! TWO!!
Despy escapes, DOUBLE LARIATS collide, they go again, only for Mao to dodge! DREAMCAST- SAIDO! But Mao is up to OSAKA RENKAI UPPER!! Cover, ONE?!!? The fans are thunderous as Despy hits a LOCO ELBOW!! Cover, ONE as Mao goes Matrix!! The fans are thunderous and Despy is in disbelief! Mao drags Despy around by his hair, Despy flips him off, so Mao PUNTS him in the face! The fans fire up as Mao aims again! Despy sputters but he still rises up. Despy staggers around, turns to face Mao, and Mao SAMURAI- SPEAR!! The fans fire up again as Despy has the arms! FACEBUSTER!! Then he rolls through to bring Mao up again!
PINCHE LOCO!!! The fans are thunderous as Despy crawls to the cover, TWO?!?! Despy is shocked and the fans are electric! Despy stands while Mao sputters, and Despy vows to end this! Underhooks and JAY DRILLER!!! Then he drags Mao back up, for a PINCH- NO, Mao fights the lift! Mao uses whatever he has left in the tank to lift Despy! But Despy fights Mao back down! Mao flails with one free arm! Despy hooks it again but they fight for control! Despy powers up to lock it in! PINCHE LOCO!!!! Cover, DESPY WINS!!!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Mao earns 0)
These two kindred spirits battled in the longest match of the tournament so far, and perhaps in the wildest match we’ll get all tournament long! And in the end, THE Junior Heavyweight Champion prevails! Will the star of DDT still manage to shine in the latter half of this tournament?
As for Desperado, after catching his breath and standing back up, he’s given the belt and has his hand raised. Then he hurries to get the mic as Mao exits the ring. The fans chant for Mao, and Despy says, “Uh-oh. You just won over some NJPW fans.” The fans applaud, and Despy says, “That was thrilling! Thank you, Mao.” Mao takes a bow then makes his exit to the back. Despy says, “Superstars like that don’t come around so easily. DDT, thank you.” The fans applaud, and Despy says while there are more league matches ahead, he was really looking forward to this one.
Despy also knows the other NJPW wrestlers will continue to go hard at Mao. “I’m worried about whether they can do it. Heads up, I was almost sucked in. That was insane. But that’s what makes him being here worthwhile.” The fans applaud that. Despy continues by saying, “I love Super Juniors more than anything. I’m doing what I can to make this everyone’s favorite series. All the guys are. To borrow a phrase from Hikaru Sato, the juniors will not bow down to the heavyweights.” The fans applaud that, too! Despy says, “People keep yapping about a changing of the guard, age, careers, all that nonsense.
“You think because I have the belt, I’m going to be rushed into the argument? Just get outta my way. Make it happen or don’t. That’s that! New generation? Current generation? Now they’re talking about a super and hyper generation? I’m not really sure, but whatever. Just make it happen. If you don’t win, that’s on you. Laters.” Despy drops the mic having upped the ante, will he prove he’s still THE Best of the Super Juniors?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Kosei Fujita: 3-1, 6 points
Dragon Dia: 3-1, 6 points
Clark Connors: 2-2, 4 points
Robbie X: 2-2, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-2, 4 points
Francesco Akira: 2-2, 4 points
Master Wato: 2-2, 4 points
KUSHIDA: 2-2, 4 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 1-3, 2 points
Ninja Mack: 1-3, 2 points
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Nick Wayne: 3-1, 6 points
Titan: 3-1, 6 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-1, 6 points
El Desperado: 2-2, 4 points
MAO: 2-2, 4 points
SHO: 2-2, 4 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-2, 4 points
YOH: 1-3, 2 points
Taiji Ishimori: 1-3, 2 points
Kevin Knight: 1-3, 2 points
My Thoughts:
Another great round for NJPW, some great surprises to go with it. Wato VS Mack was really fun with the mask gag, and it’s been a minute since Taguchi won with butt antics quite like that. I do wonder if Kushida VS Fujita finish was a botch, though. Fujita kinda sorta kicked out but the cradle stayed put, and the ref tried to say something, but his initial count was what counted. Even so, Kushida winning felt like the right choice anyway, he should stay afloat a bit longer to really up the stakes in A Block. Plus, it works that both guys leading the blocks take their first losses here, as Nick loses to Kevin. With Kevin and Nick both being AEW, maybe this sets up an ROH World TV Championship story when this tournament is over.
And of course, awesome stuff in the last two matches, as usual. Dia getting the win over Hiromu is great stuff for Dia, especially as a Dragon Gate guy. Despy VS Mao going extreme with the DDT Pro plastic tubs was fun, and it was still a great match besides. Despy getting a win works, he needed to get back up after giving out those golden tickets to Taiji and Nick. Despy’s promo was good, just like his previous, and I do appreciate he is kinda daring everyone/anyone/someone to actually prove they’re the next big thing. That kinda adds more to every match he has left in this round robin, especially when facing guys of the younger NJPW classes.
My Score: 9/10
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