Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/23)
This road’s paved with gold!

Will the Ticking Timebomb make it through the Heel Master?
Hiromu Takahashi wants to be on top of NJPW, but he must defend his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship first! Will he survive the Road to Wrestling Dontaku?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Boltin Oleg & Oskar Leube VS Aaron Henare & Great-O-Khan; Henare & Khan win.
- 8 Man Tag: Chaos VS The House of Torture; Chaos wins.
- Six Man Tag: Tama Tonga, Hikuleo & Master Wato VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Six Man Tag: TMDK VS The United Empire; TMDK wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma VS Shota Umino & Team Strong Style; Shota & Team Strong Style win.
- Shingo Takagi & BUSHI VS SANADA & Taichi; Sanada & Taichi win.
- Tetsuya Naito VS DOUKI; Naito wins.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Catch 2/2 VS Intergalactic Jet Setters; Intergalactic Jet Setters win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Hiromu wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW announces the Best of the Super Juniors 30 field!
In A Block, it’s Kushida, Ryusuke Taguchi, Lio Rush, DOUKI, Titan, TJP, Taiji Ishimori, SHO, “Speedball” Mike Bailey, and Hiromu Takahashi! In B Block, it’s El Desperado, YOH, Master Wato, Kevin Knight, Bushi, Robbie Eagles, Francesco Akira, Dan Moloney, Clark Connors, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru! With the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on the line, which block will have the champion in it?
Tetsuya Naito VS DOUKI w/ Just5Guys!
The Uncontrollable Charisma has been on a bit of a roller coaster lately. He lost at WrestleKingdom and in the New Japan Cup but the real loss was Sanada leaving LIJ. Will Naito rise back up against Japones Del Mal? Or will this road be anything but tranquilo?
Douki attacks Naito during his introduction! Naito falls out of the ring, the bell rings, and Douki builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit into the railing! Fans fire up as Douki puts Naito back in the ring. Douki runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! But Douki has the wrists to bring Naito into ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Naito endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Douki holds on until the ref counts 4! The fans rally and duel as Douki drags Naito to a drop zone. Douki climbs up to DIVING- NO, Naito dodges the stomps! Douki runs back in but Naito alley-oops him into the buckles! Douki then staggers into a kick and GUILLOTINE!
Douki fights with body shots, but Naito turns him for a NECKBREAKER! Douki bails out and Naito finally takes off his elaborate entrance attire. Fans rally while Taichi checks on Douki. Douki stirs as the ring count starts, and Naito is finally free of the pants. Naito goes out to fetch Douki at 8 of 20, and whips him into railing! Naito goes back into the ring at 12, then goes back out. Naito brings Douki up to whip him into more railing! Douki falls and fans rally while Naito goes back into the ring. Taichi and the others check on Douki again as the ring count climbs. Douki stirs but the count reaches 10 of 20.
Douki sits up at 13, rises at 15, and he slides in at 18! Fans applaud and Naito storms over. Naito brings Douki up, whips him to ropes, then hip tosses into a NECKBREAKER! Douki writhes and Naito kicks him around. Douki pushes Naito then fires forearms. Naito rakes the eyes! The ref counts, Naito lets off at 4, and he whips Douki to a corner. Naito runs in to JUMP KICK! Leg sweep! COMBINACION CABRON! Fans cheer Naito’s pose, then he covers. TWO but Naito drags Douki up by his mask. Fans rally, Naito dragon sleepers for a NECKBREAKER into PLUMA BLANCA!
Douki endures, flails, reaches out, crawls his way over, but Naito drags him back! Douki crawls forward again to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, the ref counts, and Naito claims he needs help. The ref pries at the hold while Douki continues to suffer, and Naito finally lets go. Naito drags Douki up, but Douki fires forearms! Naito ROCKS Douki, waistlocks, but Douki fights with elbows. Douki goes to run but Naito reels him in. Douki breaks free but Naito ducks the enziguri! Naito runs, but Douki JUMPING HEADBUTTS! Fans fire up while both men are down! Naito sits up in a daze while Douki shakes out the cobwebs.
Douki fires forearms on Naito, whips, but Naito reverses. Douki RANAS and then takes aim. Douki runs in at the corner to clothesline, and he keeps moving to springboard back elbow! Douki stands Naito up to DDT him back down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and duel, and Douki puts Naito back in a drop zone. Douki climbs up and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Naito survives and fans fire up again. Douki shakes his head, and he roars as Naito goes to a corner. Douki runs corner to corner, blocks the boots and pops Naito into the Gory Especial! Naito fights, sunset flips, but Douki rolls through!
Naito back elbows but Douki comes back, into a SPINEBUSTER! Both men are down again as fans rally back up! Naito brings Douki to a corner, goes up the corner, and then he reels Douki in, for ESPERANZA! Douki writhes and fans rally up more. Naito aims from the corner as Douki slowly rises. Naito runs in, but into a wheelbarrow! Douki arm-drags, then CALF KICKS! Naito bails out and Douki builds speed to slide. Naito ducks, Douki comes back, and Douki handsprings off the apron to DDT Naito to the floor! Fans fire up while both men are down! The ref checks Naito, he’s somehow okay to continue.
Fans rally and duel, “NA-I-TO!” “DO-U-KI!” as both men stir. The ring count begins, Naito drags himself up with the railing, and we’re past 10 of 20! Douki stands at 14 and drags Naito up at 16 to put him in at 17! Fans cheer and Douki aims from the apron. Naito stands, but avoids Daybreak! Naito spins Douki, goes for ropes, but he slips off! Douki wrenches out and swings, but Naito wrenches Douki into the heavy back elbows! Douki drops to his knees and fans rally up. Naito stands Douki up for more of those heavy back elbows! Naito stands Douki up again but Douki eggs him on now! So Naito ENZIGURIS!
Naito drags Douki up again, wrenches, but Douki spins through to backslide! TWO, into ITALIAN STRETCH 32! Naito fights, drags Douki along, and reaches out, only for Douki to roll him away! But Naito slips free to jackknife bridge! TWO and Douki sunset flips! TWO, but Douki body scissors and rolls Naito to another sunset! TWO!! Naito pushes Douki but ends up in ITALIAN STRETCH 32!! Naito endures, fights to move around, but Douki pulls on the arms! Naito is fading, his face is really red! Fans rally and duel as Douki thrashes Naito around! Naito gets a second wind, and he gets the ROPEBREAK!
Fans applaud while Douki lets off quickly. Both men are down and exhausted but the fans rally and Just5Guys coach Douki up. Douki goes to the apron and he aims again. Naito slowly rises, Douki shouts at him to get up, and Naito finally stands. DAYBREAK!! Cover, TWO!?!? Naito survives and Douki can’t believe it! The fans are thunderous and Douki roars again! Douki gets Naito’s legs, reels him into the wheelbarrow, SUPLEX DE- NO, Naito fights with elbows! Douki ENZIGURIS! Naito staggers into a torture rack! Douki swings, but Naito hits DESTINO!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Douki survives and fans are thunderous again!
Naito hurries to get Douki up, wrenches and tilt- NO! Douki drags Naito down into the JORGE RIVERA SPECIAL! TWO!!! Wheelbarrow, SUPLEX DE LA- NO, Naito keeps fighting it! Fans fire up, Douki CLUBS away on Naito’s back, but Naito spins around! Suplex, VALENTIA!!! Naito drags Douki back up, wrenches and tilt-o-whirls, DESTINO!!!! Cover, Naito wins!!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall
The roller coaster is rising back up! Naito got one hell of a fight out of Douki, but he still came out on top! Will Naito soon fight his way back up to the top of NJPW? Naito gets a mic to throw it back at Sanada that since Naito won, they all need to get outta his ring! Sanada nods, seeing turnabout is fair play. But will NJPW still belong to Just5Guys?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Catch 2/2 w/ The United Empire VS Intergalactic Jet Setters!
TJP & Francesco Akira have held onto these belts for over 310 days, surviving quite a few close calls. But Kushida & Kevin Knight are looking to use speed to close that gap and finally overcome the champs! Will the United Empire lose gold on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will Kushida & Knight not catch Catch 2/2?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which team takes flight on this Road to Wrestling Dontaku!
The teams sort out and after the United Empire throws the crowns up, The Public Enemy starts against the Time Splitter. Fans rally and duel, “T J P!” “KU-SHI-DA!” The two circle, then Kushida rushes in. TJP avoids the drop toehold, he and Kushida feel out the knuckle lock, but then Kushida uses his leg guard. The two reset and circle again. They knuckle lock, then Kushida spins and goes for a leg. TJP stays up, they knuckle lock again, and Kushida bends TJP back! Kushida sweeps the legs to make it a cover, ONE as TJP gets a shoulder up! TJP then slips through the grapple to spin and trip Kushida to a toehold!
TJP sits back for a heel hook but Kushida stands up to get an ARMBAR! TJP fights around, traps Kushida’s legs and floats over to waistlock and rolls Kushida, but Kushida slips free to get around to a hammerlock. TJP rolls, stands, Kushida maintains a wristlock but TJP rolls and wrenches and cartwheels to twisting headscissor! Fans cheer the technical exchange but it keeps going as Kushida sits up, breaks free and floats to a headlock! TJP bridges up and spins Kushida around to a headlock takeover! Kushida headscissors but TJP moves around to headstand. Fans cheer the balance, and TJP turns Kushida over.
TJP traps Kushida’s legs again but Kushida does a push-up. Kushida gets free and both men handspring up! Fans cheer this exchange as the two stand off. TJP and Kushida back away to tag in Akira and Knight. They run in and Knight runs Akira over! Knight flexes, things speed up, and Akira hurdles but Knight leaps over. Akira arm-drags, Knight headscissors but Akira kips free. Roles reverse as Knight arm-drags but Akira headscissors! Knight kips free, scoops, and swings, but Akira slips free! Akira shoves Knight to ropes, dodges Knight’s clothesline on the return, then runs to RANA, but Knight handsprings through!
Fans fire up for that fast ‘n’ furious exchange while Knight mocks the Empire’s crown! Akira rushes in, he blocks Knight’s boot, but Knight catches the clothesline into a backslide! TWO, Akira dodges the boot and things speed up again. Knight leaps but into a SHOTGUN from Akira! Red Shoes checks, that dropkick got low but not below the belt. Fans rally up, “A! KI-RA!” “KEV! IN KNIGHT!” Akira bumps Knight off buckles, tags TJP, and Catch 2/2 double whip. SOBAT! KICK! KICK! SHOTGUN! Fans fire up again and TJP BLASTS Kushida for good measure. TJP says it’s not Kushida’s time.
Knight shoves TJP, but TJP fires forearms! Knight gives those back, they go back and forth, then Knight gets the edge! Knight UPPERCUTS, whips, but TJP Spider-Mans in the ropes! Knight runs in, Akira helps TJP move aside, and Knight gets stuck in the ropes! Catch 2/2 DOUBLE DROPKICK SANDWICH! Knight flops to the floor while fans fire up. Catch 2/2 high-five, then they drag Knight up. They double whip but Knight hurdles the railing! Akira runs in but Knight ROCKS him! TJP runs in but Knight ROCKS him, too! Knight hops up onto the railing to DOUBLE CROSSBODY them both!
Fans fire up with Knight and he puts TJP into the ring. Knight tags Kushida and they wrench and CLUB the arm. Kushida CHOPS TJP then wrenches the arm. Kushida CHOPS TJP off his feet! Kushida stands TJP up, to CHOP him off his feet! And again! Then a wrench and tag to Knight. Knight takes the handoff to wrench, then tag Kushida. They hand off the arm again and again, then double wrench to double snapmare, and double knee drops on both arms! Fans rally, Kushida clamps onto TJP with an armlock and chinbar. Then Kushida wrenches the arm, tags Knight, and Knight holds TJP in place.
Kushida runs corner to corner to DROPKICK the arm! Knight brings TJP up, wrenches and clamps onto the arm, but TJP RAMS him into the corner! Kushida tags in while Knight holds onto TJP. Kushida rolls TJP up, ONE! Kushida BUZZSAWS the arm! Kushida wrenches but TJP shoves him away. TJP runs in but into a boot! Kushida flips up and over to the apron, blocks a punch to GAMANGIRI, but Akira runs in to dropkick the legs out! Knight runs in but into a double hip toss, TU LO SABE! Fans fire up and clap along, “CATCH! NI NI!” TJP gives Akira the boost to the top rope, SUPER SWANTON! Direct hit and fans fire up!
Akira brings Kushida up, puts him in the ring, and TJP tags him in. Catch 2/2 bring Kushida up to double whip, then double atomic drop! Wrench and clinch, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP NECKBREAKER COMBO! Akira covers, TWO! Fans rally and Akira drags Kushida by his leg. Akira drops an elbow on the knee again and again and then has the toehold! Kushida endures, throws elbows, but Akira pulls back harder! Kushida scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud as Akira lets off quickly. They clap for “A! KI-RA!” but Kushida throws forearms, and then a KICK into the arm! Akira goes to a corner, Kushida runs in, but into a TARANTULA!
Kushida endures, Red Shoes counts, but Akira lets go at 4. Akira drags Kushida back up, snapmares, and tags TJP. Akira runs, TJP gives him the boost, “Take pictures! Take pictures!” for the LEANING TOWER SENTON! Cover, ONE?! TJP drags Kushida around, twists the foot, but Kushida endures. Fans rally, but TJP turns Kushida over to trap his arm and grab the leg, to YANK it! Kushida writhes and TJP stalks him to the corner. Kushida throws body shots and haymakers! But TJP KICKS the leg out! TJP then scrapes his laces off Kushida’s face as the fans rally up. TJP runs side to side, but Kushida gets up to FAST-
NO, TJP dodges the fastball! TJP mule kicks, runs, but into Kushida’s hip toss! Kushida handsprings to basement dropkick! Fans fire up and Kushida crawls to his corner, but Akira trips Knight off the apron! The tag was denied! TJP runs in at Kushida but into an elbow! Kushida runs in to sunset flip, but TJP rolls through to push Kushida. Kushida slips out of the high stack, goes to a corner, and TJP runs in. Kushida clinches TJP into a BUCKLE SHOT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Kushida crawls, Knight is back, hot tags to Akira and Knight! Knight springboards but Akira gets under!
Knight turns around and he LARIATS Akira! And again! TJP runs in, waistlocks, but Knight switches! TJP ducks but Knight blocks the superkick! Knight hands the foot to TJP and then Knight SUPERKICKS TJP! Akira runs in, whips, but Knight reverses to scoop and SLAM! And then STANDING SPLASH! Knight kips up and fans fire up! Kushida is back, he hoists Akira up in the Electric Chair Lift! But Akira slips free and shoves Kushida into Knight. Akira then whips Knight to ropes, but Kushida is there to help Knight springboard, HUGE CROSSBODY!! TJP kicks Kushida, whips, but Kushida reverses.
The Jet Setters keep TJP going side to side, then Knight DROPKICKS TJP down! Knight hurries to PLANCHA TJP down! Fans fire up with Knight as Kushida Electric Chair Lifts Akira! TIME2FLY!! Cover, TWO!!! Akira survives and Knight is beside himself! But Kushida WRECKS TJP with a dropkick! Knight aims at Akira, runs in, but no Satellite! Akira runs, rolls, but Knight puts him up top! Knight CHOPS Akira, then says it’s time! Knight jumps up to the top rope, but Kushida slips underneath! Akira trips Knight, TJP is there, ALLEY-OOP FACEBUSTER!! Akira covers, TWO!! Knight survives and fans fire up!
Catch 2/2 coordinate and Akira goes up top. TJP drags Knight up into the dragon sleeper, DOUBLE STOMP ELBOW DROP COMBO! Cover, TJP intercepts Kushida, TWO!! Knight survives but TJP throws Kushida out. The fans rally up again, “CATCH! NI NI!” TJP stomps Kushida as Akira brings Knight up. But Knight spins out to roll Akira up, TWO! Akira swings, Knight catches him to a waistlock, but Akira ducks and TJP’s SUPERKICK connects! The champs run, but Kushida trips up TJP! Knight ducks Akira’s knees, scoops him, BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up as all four men are down!
Akira and Knight crawl, Kushida ends up at the wrong corner! He hurries around the way, hot tags to TJP and Kushida! Kushida DIVING AX HANDLES TJP! And KICKS and KICKS and whips. TJP reverses but Kushida CROSSBODIES! TJP takes a swing but Kushida ducks it to PELE! TJP ends up in a corner, Akira runs in, but into a SHOTEI! Kushida runs in to SHOTEI TJP! TJP flops down and Kushida PENALTY KICKS his arm! Kushida says it’s time, and he waits on TJP to stand. Kushida jumps on but TJP shoves him away. TJP goes up and over in the corner but Kushida denies the tornado DDT!
Kushida rushes in, blocks a kick, but TJP uses that to roll and bring Kushida down into a KNEEBAR! Akira hurries in to intercept Knight with a RANA! Kushida endures, crawls, reaches out, but TJP drags him back! FIGURE FOUR KNEEBAR GRAPEVINE!! Fans rally as Kushida endures and crawls forward. But TJP pulls Kushida back again! Kushida uses that to bridge back for a cover! TWO!!! TJP lets go, swings, but Kushida spins him around into a HOVERBOARD!! TJP fights back to his feet, clasping hands behind his back! Akira runs in to CLUB Kushida! Kushida just gets Akira’s arm!
Akira wrenches out to ENZIGURI! Knight UPPERCUTS Akira! TJP SUPERKICKS Knight! Kushida ROLLING ELBOWS TJP! TJP ROUNDHOUSES Akira! DOUBLE LARIATS collide!! Fans are thunderous as all four men are down again! TJP and Kushida stir as fans rally up. Both men crawl, hot tag to Knight! Akira isn’t there, Knight coordinates with Kushida. They run at the corner, SPLASH ENZIGURI COMBO! Knight puts TJP up top, and says it’s time! But Akira anchors TJP to stop the Super Steiner! TJP hits MAMBA SPLASH!! TJP sits Knight up, Akira joins in, 2 BY 2!!! Cover, KUSHIDA BREAKS IT!!!
Fans are electric as Kushida keeps things alive! Akira throws Kushida out, TJP pushes Knight to the corner and tags Akira in. TJP Electric Chairs, Akira is up top, but Kushida HANDSPRING KICKS Akira! Knight slips free but TJP JUMP SOBATS! TJP runs, but into a SATELLITE DDT!! Knight hits the JUMPINGN SUPER STEINER on Akira!! Kushida gives Knight a lift, victory roll, CULTURE CRUSH!! Knight covers, JET SETTERS WIN!!!
Winners: Intergalactic Jet Setters, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
Catch 2/2 just got caught! Kushida & Knight end the Empire’s almost year long reign, and Knight has his first title in NJPW! Will the Intergalactic Jet Setters take these titles to new heights?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru w/ Just5Guys!
The Ticking Timebomb has always been a wild one, but he is also wildly ambitious. He is aiming for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, but he wasn’t going to get a shot without giving a shot. Will the Heel Master take advantage of this shot and bring more gold to Just5Guys? Or will Hiromu prove he’s still the Best of the Super Juniors?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Hiromu can keep the dream alive!
The bell rings and fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU!” already. Hiromu and Kanemaru circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. They break, and the two reset as fans applaud. They tie up again, are in another deadlock, but Hiromu finds a point of leverage to put Kanemaru on the ropes. Kanemaru turns it around but Hiromu turns it back around, and Red Shoes calls the break. Kanemaru turns it around again, but he lets off slowly as Red Shoes counts. Kanemaru then kicks the leg! And again! And again! Kanemaru runs but Hiromu dodges the dropkick to the legs, only for Kanemaru to dodge Hiromu’s dropkick.
Kanemaru kicks, whips, but Hiromu reverses. Kanemaru still dodges Hiromu’s low dropkick, but then Hiromu dodges back. They both go for a leg, but then tell the other to let go. They agree to let go at the same time, but they both fake the other out! They argue again, and then actually set the other’s foot down. Fans applaud as the two reset again. Fans rally as the two circle, then they tie up. Kanemaru headlocks, Hiromu powers up but Kanemaru holds tight! Kanemaru grinds Hiromu down but Hiromu fights up. Hiromu pries the headlock open, but Kanemaru clamps it on tighter! Hiromu tries again, but Kanemaru still holds tight!
Fans rally while Kanemaru grinds Hiromu down again. Hiromu endures and fights back up. Hiromu throws body shots, powers out, but Kanemaru runs him over! Kanemaru runs, but he fakes Hiromu out and gets the headlock back! Kanemaru pulls back on the hold but Hiromu endures. Hiromu fights up but Kanemaru hits a takeover to bring him back down! Hiromu tries for headscissors but Kanemaru shrugs that off, so Hiromu rolls Kanemaru to a cover. ONE, and Kanemaru holds onto the headlock. Kanemaru again denies the headscissors, so Hiromu fights up to his feet to throw more body shots.
Hiromu powers out, reels Kanemaru in, and now he has the headlock. But Kanemaru powers out, reels Hiromu in, and gets the headlock back! Hiromu powers out and he dropkicks Kanemaru’s legs out! Fans fire up as Hiromu hurries to get Kanemaru up. Hiromu puts Kanemaru’s legs in the ropes to dropkick the leg! Then Hiromu does the same to the other leg! Kanemaru flops in the corner but Hiromu pushes him around. Hiromu gets a leg to SMASH it on the mat! Hiromu then steps through to FIGURE FOUR! Hiromu uses Kanemaru’s favorite hold! Fans rally up as Kanemaru endures! Kanemaru keeps his shoulders off the mat but Hiromu puts on the pressure!
Kanemaru reaches out, and he works to turn the hold over. Kanemaru turns it over, but then Hiromu turns it back over! But Kanemaru uses that to get the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Hiromu lets Kanemaru go. Kanemaru flops out of the ring and clutches his knees. Red Shoes has the guys stay back while Hiromu taunts Kanemaru. Hiromu waits on Kanemaru and he stands up. Kanemaru hobbles and tells Hiromu to back off. Hiromu stays away from the ropes while Kanemaru walks it off. But then Hiromu rushes out, kicks Kanemaru’s legs, and puts him in the ring! Fans applaud while Hiromu slides in, but then Kanemaru slides back out.
Kanemaru hobbles a bit but he tells Hiromu to back off. Hiromu taunts Kanemaru, goes out after him again, but Kanemaru hurries around the way. Kanemaru slides in, Hiromu goes to the apron, and Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Kanemaru then joins Hiromu on the apron, to dropkick the legs out again! Kanemaru gets Hiromu’s leg, to SMASH it to the floor from the apron!! Hiromu hobbles and stumbles all the way into No Man’s Land! Red Shoes checks him but he’s okay to continue. Fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU!” while Kanemaru slides into the ring. The ring count starts and Kanemaru waits on Hiromu.
Hiromu sits up at 8 of 20, tries to stand up but struggles until 13 of 20. Hiromu hobbles his way back, and he slides in at 18! But then he hurries back out to give himself more time. The ring count restarts as Hiromu rests at the ramp. Kanemaru still waits, and the count passes 10 of 20 again. Hiromu stands at 13, hobbles his way back, and slides in at 19! Kanemaru stomps Hiromu right down! And stomps the leg! Kanemaru drags Hiromu up, whips him to ropes and dropkicks the legs out! Hiromu flops out of the ring again and clutches his knees. Kanemaru watches Hiromu, goes out after him, and gets the leg around railing!
Kanemaru BOOTS the railing to jam the leg! And then he drags Hiromu down, to SMASH the knee on the floor again! Hiromu writhes and clutches the knee again, and the ring count returns. Hiromu is down until 10 but fans rally up. Hiromu manages to stand at 14, he hobbles and stumbles around, but hops his way into the ring at 17! Fans applaud and Kanemaru brings Hiromu up. For a SHIN BREAKER! Kanemaru then trips Hiromu and drops an elbow on the leg! Kanemaru has the toehold, but Hiromu claws at Kanemaru’s face! Red Shoes reprimands, the fans rally, and Kanemaru turns Hiromu over for a HALF CRAB!
Hiromu endures, reaches out, but Kanemaru sits deep on the hold! Hiromu still claws forward, reaches out, but Kanemaru drags him back! Kanemaru pulls on the leg while fans rally up! Hiromu still endures, still fights forward, and still gets the ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru lets go but he stands on the bad leg! Red Shoes reprimands, and Kanemaru stomps the leg. Kanemaru stomps Hiromu more, then grabs the leg. Kanemaru drags Hiromu from the ropes to drop another elbow on the knee! Kanemaru has the toehold back and Hiromu endures all over again. Hiromu crawls, dragging Kanemaru with him!
Fans rally, Hiromu reaches out as Kanemaru pulls harder, and Hiromu gets the ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru lets off quickly, but kneels on the knee. Red Shoes reprimands, Kanemaru plays dumb, but he lets off before 4. Kanemaru kicks Hiromu around, toys with him, but Hiromu eggs him on. Hiromu CHOPS, but Kanemaru kicks the bad leg! Hiromu CHOPS, Kanemaru rakes the eyes! Kanemaru runs, but Hiromu follows and RANAS! Fans fire up while both men are down! Hiromu clutches his bad knee while Kanemaru goes to a corner. Hiromu hobbles up, runs in, and clotheslines! Snapmare, but Kanemaru dodges the dropkick!
Kanemaru has the leg, he SMASHES the knee on the mat! Kanemaru turns Hiromu over and steps through to a FIGURE FOUR! Now Kanemaru shows Hiromu how it’s done! Kanemaru thrashes around to put on the pressure while Hiromu endures! Fans rally, Hiromu crawls and reaches out, and he gets the ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru lets off quickly, and he drags Hiromu back up. Scoop and BRITISH- NO, Hiromu lands out of the slam! Hiromu suplexes, but Kanemaru knees free! Kanemaru swings, into Hiromu’s FALCON ARROW! Fans fire up while both men are down! Fans rally back up as Hiromu clutches his knee again.
Kanemaru and Hiromu go to opposite corners. Fans rally for “HI-RO-MU!” and he runs in, but into a boot! Kanemaru runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Hiromu throws him away! Hiromu fireman’s carries Kanemaru and runs to ropes! Hiromu throws Kanemaru to the apron, then ELBOWS him! Kanemaru stays up, so Hiromu runs to SUNSET FLIP! But the bad leg gives out! Hiromu hobbles, Kanemaru leaps, DEEP IMPACT to the floor!! Both men are down on the outside and fans fire up! Red Shoes checks and both men are okay to continue. Kanemaru crawls away, the ring count starts, and Kanemaru slides in at 3.
Hiromu stirs, flounders, but is still down at 10 of 20. Hiromu drags himself up at 15, hobbles and falls! The count is 18, Hiromu springs in at 19! But Kanemaru is there to scoop and SLAM! Kanemaru goes up top to MOONSAULT! Hiromu moves but Kanemaru lands on his feet! Kanemaru runs back in, into a BOOT! Hiromu runs in, into an ELBOW! Kanemaru runs, into HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Fans fire up and Hiromu grits his teeth. Hiromu drags Kanemaru up to suplex, VICTORY ROYALE! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru is still in this but Hiromu fires up! Hiromu brings Kanemaru back up to fireman’s carry.
But Kanemaru fights free to roll Hiromu up! TWO, and Kanemaru is sent into Red Shoes! Kanemaru hurries to dropkick the legs out! Fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU!” while he clutches his knee. Kanemaru sees Red Shoes is out, so he gets his whiskey! The Heel Master takes a big swig, takes aim at Hiromu, but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu fireman’s carries to CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Hiromu then drags Kanemaru back up, another fireman’s carry, TIMEBOMB!! Red Shoes returns to count, TWO!!! Kanemaru survives and fans fire up again! Fans rally for Hiromu as he stands back up and tries again.
Hiromu dragon sleepers Kanemaru, suplexes, but Kanemaru slips out! Hiromu elbows Kanemaru, runs, but into another dropkick to the legs! SHINBREAKER to the mat!! Hiromu writhes again while Kanemaru catches his breath. Taichi gets Kanemaru some water but Red Shoes shoos him away. Kanemaru runs in to dropkick the legs again! Step through, FIGURE FOUR!! Hiromu endures again as fans rally up! Hiromu keeps his shoulders off the mat but Kanemaru keeps on the pressure! Hiromu reaches out, crawls, but Kanemaru turns him away from the ropes! Kanemaru flails but Hiromu pulls at his own hair!
Red Shoes asks if Hiromu gives up but Hiromu says NO! Hiromu fights his way over again, reaches out again, and roars as he gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud while Kanemaru lets Hiromu free. Fans are thunderous as Kanemaru brings Hiromu back up. Hiromu fights the shinbreaker, but Kanemaru kicks the leg! SHIN- SUNSET FLIP! Hiromu stacks, TWO!! Kanemaru runs in, tilt-o-whirl DDT!! Fans fire up as Hiromu sits up in a daze then flops back over! Kanemaru puts Hiromu int he drop zone, goes up top, MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Hiromu survives and fans fire up again!
Kanemaru hurries back up top, takes aim as Hiromu stands, DEEP IMPACT!!!! Cover, TWO!??!? No one can believe Hiromu survives! Fans are thunderous and Kanemaru drags Hiromu back up. Kanemaru suplexes, but Hiromu fights free! Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Kanemaru comes back, into another SUPERKICK! Hiromu roars, fights through the pain to run, but into a BOOT! And ENZIGURI! Hiromu still stays up, and comes back, but Kanemaru dodges to LARIAT!! And then BRAINBUSTER!! Both men are down, Kanemaru crawls to the cover, TWO?!?!?! NOW no one can believe Hiromu survives!
Just5Guys coach Kanemaru up while the fans rally behind Hiromu. Kanemaru drags Hiromu up, reels him back in, and suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Only for Kanemaru to trip Hiromu into the FIGURE FOUR!!! Kanemaru thrashes and Hiromu endures all over again! Hiromu shakes his head, pulls at his own hair, and begs Red Shoes not to call this! Hiromu crawls, works to turn the hold, and does! But Kanemaru turns it back over! Hiromu reaches out, though, as they’re closer to ropes now! But Kanemaru pulls back on the leg! Hiromu flails, Just5Guys want Red Shoes to call this, but Hiromu says don’t!!
Hiromu sits up, shakes his head, grits his teeth, and powers his way to the ROPEBREAK!! Kanemaru holds on but Red Shoes counts. Kanemaru lets Hiromu free, and Kanemaru fires up! Fans fire up, Kanemaru drags Hiromu to his feet and suplexes, but Hiromu fights it! Even with one leg, Hiromu blocks the suplex! Hiromu kicks around, reaches out, but Kanemaru keeps trying to suplex! Hiromu still resists, still reaches out, and he again gets the ROPEBREAK! But Kanemaru BOOTS the arm! Only for Hiromu to suplex and BRAINBUSTER!! Hiromu crawls over to Kanemaru now as fans rally up even harder.
Hiromu drags Kanemaru up, roars, and runs, HIROMU- NO, Kanemaru dodges the lariat, victory rolls, TWO!!! Cross-leg cradle, TWO!!!! Hiromu escapes, to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Fans fire up again and Hiromu grits his teeth. Just5Guys are going nuts as Hiromu looms over Kanemaru. Hiromu brings Kanemaru up, fireman’s carries, and DEATH VALLEY DRIVERS! Cover, TWO!!! Kanemaru is still in this but Hiromu hasn’t given up, either! Hiromu drags Kanemaru back up, roars, and runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!!! But that’s not all! Hiromu dragon sleepers, suplexes, TIMEBOMB MK. II!!! Cover, HIROMU WINS!!!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
And THAT is why Hiromu is a four-time BOSJ winner! Kanemaru still has another chance through this year’s BOSJ tournament, will he be able to earn another title opportunity this May?
As for Hiromu, after getting the belt and catching his breath, he gets the mic. He asks the crowd if they took his victory for granted. Hiromu brings up that now that he’s won, he’s going after the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. It’s been said that this was a must-win for him, but there’s no such thing as a guaranteed win! Fans applaud that, and Hiromu says that it wasn’t guaranteed because his opponent was Kanemaru! Hiromu says that since nothing was guaranteed, of course he was scared of losing! Guaranteed win? It’s more like the other way around! So for that, Hiromu THANKS Kanemaru!
Hiromu thanks Kanemaru for the timing of this challenge! Hiromu thanks him for giving Hiromu momentum! And he thanks Sanada for accepting Hiromu’s challenge! Hiromu promises to make his dreams come true! He hopes everyone looks at him. “Look at me. Look at me! LOOK AT ME!” Fans applaud as Hiromu keeps going, and says that he’ll show everyone that dreams DEFINITELY come true! So until that day, on May 3rd in Fukuoka, let’s have more… Fans echo, “More!” More! More! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE fun together! Will Hiromu go from the Best of the Super Juniors to the Best of all NJPW?
My Thoughts:
A great event for NJPW, especially on just a Road To series. A good field for BSOJ 30, especially seeing Mike Bailey and Dan Moloney in it. That’s a big opportunity especially for Moloney, who was part of NXT UK but never got that far. He could get a surprising push in the block, or he could just be the depth guy to give good wins to the bigger names. Naito VS Douki was a great match, and really surprisingly so. Naito gets a big win for it, and some poetic justice as he gets to tell Sanada to go away now. It feels like if Hiromu doesn’t beat Sanada for the top title, Naito should be next up to explore the dynamic of Naito facing yet another person who left LIJ.
And great title matches, of course. Catch 2/2 have had those belts so long, I forgot at one point that they had those belts. But this was the right time to have new champions to freshen things back up in the Junior Heavyweight Tag Division. Plus, TJP and Akira are each great solo, this could be someone’s opportunity to move up to the singles title through the BOSJ. Hiromu VS Kanemaru was awesome stuff, went the distance, and much like Douki, Kanemaru looked amazing even in losing. But Hiromu goes strong into his world title match with Sanada, though I don’t see him winning that. Honestly, I’m not sure Hiromu wins the BOSJ, either. He already has four trophies, and I don’t see him winning four in a row, that’s just too much for any wrestler.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.29.25
Stuff happens, maybe it doesn’t, Dreamer and Delirious can’t book.

Well Trick Willie is the new TNA champ and this is the first iMPACT since his win…so let’s just hear him talk about it.
"TNA turned into TRICK-NA. Lets talk about it"@_trickwilliams #WWENXT
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/StU4pmi3oy
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Ratings:
- The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System: Rascalz win via Meteora – ***
- Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via…No Shit – Squash Garbage
- ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee: Lei wins via Spinning TKO – ** 3/4
- Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber: Mance wins via Hit the Pay Winda – Squash
- Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa: Team Robbie wins via shenanigans – **
- International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona: Maclin retains via KIA – ***
Results:
The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System
Octagon got jumped by The System earlier so Laredo is fighting alone. Another backstage jumping is getting a little dumb.
Laredo and Trey start. Typical Indie start with Simultaneous awful Dropkick spot and bad counters, AJ blind tag runs the smaller guys over, tags out to KC and the Rascalz instantly get the moment. KC is rocked, tags in Laredo and Laredo takes out the System before Lish gets on the apron and grabs Laredo. The referee kicks out Lish and Rehwoldt on commentary points out it’s a No DQ match so that’s dumb.
KC gets tossed at AJ, he catches him, Rascalz Dive and do their taunt as we go to commercial. We come back, Tennessee Whiskey into a KC tag in for the near fall on Laredo. Corner combo, Snapmare into Flip Forward Neck Breaker, KC is on a roll. AJ tags Laredo and starts talking crap to KC, they swerve and go Finger Poke of Doom, but it’s not a legal pin. Suddenly tornado attacks, System and Rascalz go for broke, AJ hits the Senton to break the eventual pin, Laredo counters AJ’s Chokeslam attempt. Trey clears out The System, Wentz sends himself and KC over and out, Laredo with a Corkscrew Moonsault, which looked cool but it’s the pile of morons waiting to get hit spot.
AJ hits the Down Payment on Laredo, but Trey blind tagged AJ. Meteora on AJ, Trey pins Laredo and Rascalz win.
Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali
Raj looks like shit in the gear he came down in…and he wrestles equivalently. I would rather anyone else comeback…give me Anarquia.
Ali murders Raj, Instant Dropkick, Rolling Neckbreaker, Corkscrew Standing Moonsault, it’s not close. Raj tries to counter things but Ali Bellclap, a little Duck the left, connect the right. Raj even does a terrible looking Punch Combo, he’s in bad shape, a bad looking Ushigoroshi, Raj with a sloppy looking something, 450 ends it.
Fire Raj as quickly as you brought him back. You don’t need a comedically pathetic job guy when the roster is like 4 guys getting pushed and everyone else sucks. Stop being stupid. Ali still hates women too.
This Injury Report is the dumbest segment in the history of wrestling. Stop treating fake shit as “serious business”.
ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee
ASH mocks karate stuff, Lei throws a few Rising Crane kicks as ASH bails and then things slow down a little. But a Pump Kick, Sliding Kick and Low Dropkick cause ASH to cower and claim her tooth broke. It’s a bait to pull Lei into the turnbuckles and them get in a few stomps. Ash keeps Lei in the corner, Suplexes her ankles into the buckles and then Ash throws a few Booty Shots/Hit Attacks then starts a grounded stretch, Lei Headscissors her down, still sells the hips and ankles, but dodges and fires, combination strikes into the 10 Count Down Strikes. T-bone Suplex, into the pinfall, for only two.
Cheapshot into Running Meteora from ASH for two. Ash goes for the Miz Yes Kicks and Lei No Sells and asks for more. Gorgeous Capture Suplex into Thunder Struck and TKO with flair. My baby has a better finish now! Yay!
Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber
Hannifan cursing and being pissed at Trick for not even showing but is more entertaining than a squash match. Not that Mance’s offense is bad, but 2 out of 3 job matches is stupid.
.@milanmiracle and @AriannaGraceWWE make history as the first father/daughter tag team in TNA!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/3s8OhtYFPv
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa
Marella tries to tie up with Robbie, but he bails and tags out to Victoria so Arianna comes in and aside from Alicia Fox’s silliness, the tie up was decent with Arianna and Victoria. Tessa interferes and the Referee throws her out. Victoria comes back in and aside from a slight miscommunication with how Arianna does her punches, Alicia Fox is making her look…pretty good. Transition moves, okay brawling and Arianna looks amazing in her outfit.
Rob and Santino distract the referee and Victoria hits a Figure Four into her Northern Lights Suplex, only for 2. Arianna finally Back Body Drop to find the tag, Santino and Rob, Santino does his split dodge into the Standing Headbutt, Arianna Cross Body onto Victoria. Rob pulls out the ref, then shoves the ref into Santino, Santino into the steps and Arianna attack but Alicia and Lish, the fix is in, Arianna eats the pin.
International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona
A few quick brawl moves, Shoulder Tackles, Strikes, Back Breakers, Cardona does get dumped out and eats a SCUD. Maclin bounces Cardona’s face off the apron and hits an Elbow off the apron to keep Cardona reeling, but a dodged tackle sends Maclin into the steps. Cardona tries to Piledriver Maclin on the ramp, but Back Drop counter, into commercial.
Formulaic commercial etiquette of Cardona still in control, throws Maclin into the ropes, Diving Shoulder Tackle lays both dudes out and they get up by 8. Fighting Spirit spot, Cardona hits ropes and gets hit by Maclin twice, Thesz Press, Ground and Pound, Back Elbow and Olympic Slam has Maclin rolling. Splash into Lariat for two. Maclin has been all gas no brakes. Cardona tries to take a few shortcuts that turns into a Straight Jacket Takedown. Cardona to the top, Maclin cuts him off, Superplex spot. 1-2-kick out!
Maclin goes topside for a Jar Headbutt, Cardona hits the ropes so Maclin crashes into the corner, 2 Reboots connect, the third gets caught, counter into Busaiku Knee, Jar Headbutt. In and out, Cardona uses the middle rope for the Low Blow, Killswitch from Cardona but Maclin kicks out. Cardona dodges and shoves Maclin towards the ref, he puts the brakes on, Radio Silence! 1-2-Kick out! Maclin catches a top rope move, Power Bomb, Corner Splash, Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs, KIA and Maclin retains!
Overall Score: 4.5/10
Boring paint by numbers show, no Trick, System has one move, Robert Stone is a scumbag, too long to introduce new girls, lots of throw away segments and Rosemary sets up YET ANOTHER Monster’s Ball match. These aren’t interesting when there’s one every 3 months. So we can have terrible Monster’s Ball matches quarterly, Barbed Wire Massacre and Clockwork Orange House of Fun…BUT NO LOCKDOWN!?
Go home TNA, you’re drunk.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/29/25)
B Block, FINAL ROUND!

Who heads to the finals?
Kosei Fujita won A Block, and now B Block finalizes its ranking! Who heads to the Best of the Super Juniors finals this weekend?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: KUSHIDA, Ninja Mack & Dragon Dia VS Shoma Kato, Masatora Yasuda & Daiki Nagai; Kushida, Mack & Dia win.
- Master Wato, Toru Yano & Katsuya Murashima VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Hiromu Takahashi & Yota Tsuji VS Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young; Hiromu & Tsuji win.
- Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Bullet Club; TMDK wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Kevin Knight; Knight wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Titan VS Nick Wayne; Titan wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: MAO VS SHO; Mao wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Robbie Eagles; Despy wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Taiji Ishimori; Yoh wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current B Block standings!
YOH: 5-3, 10 points
MAO: 5-3, 10 points
El Desperado: 5-3, 10 points
Nick Wayne: 4-4, 8 points
SHO: 4-4, 8 points
Taiji Ishimori: 4-4, 8 points
Robbie Eagles: 4-4, 8 points
Kevin Knight: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Titan: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Kevin Knight!
The Funky Weapon and The Jet may be out of the running, but they will still fight for themselves. Who earns their final points in this final round?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Taguchi and Knight circle with a bit of a strut, and then they tie up. Knight puts Taguchi on the ropes, the ref calls the break, and Knight lets off to swivel his hips. Taguchi pumps up, but Knight says he can’t see anything. Knight flexes and says he tsuyoi. They tie up with knuckle locks, then go shoulder to shoulder in a test of strength. Knight hooks a leg to power Taguchi back, and Taguchi bridges! The fans cheer as Taguchi fights up back up! Taguchi bends Knight into a bridge, has the shoulders down, TWO as Knight powers back up! The fans rally, Knight and Taguchi start vibing with the arm wave, then a full body wave!
Taguchi wiggles around, sends it back to Knight, and Knight spins Taguchi around and around, to then headlock. Taguchi powers up and out, drops down, then hurdles over. Knight stops to waistlock but Taguchi fires elbows. Taguchi runs to fake Knight out, but Knight goes up and over! Knight avoids the Hip Attack! The fans cheer while Taguchi stares Knight down from underneath. Taguchi says bring it, so Knight punches those cheeks! Taguchi’s iron buns withstand it, and Knight says, “Itai itai.” Knight winds up again, and he punches cheeks! Taguchi still stands tall, but the fans rally for Knight.
Knight does some push-ups, he and Taguchi do squats, and Knight winds up again. The fans rally and Knight lines up a shot, to then headlock! Taguchi powers up and out, bypasses and bypasses, but Knight redirects himself! And again, and again, and again! Knight is making Taguchi spin around, and then Taguchi gets dizzy and falls! The fans cheer while Taguchi slumps out of the ring. Knight runs and FLIES! Down goes Taguchi and the fans fire up! “Ore wa meccha, meccha… Meccha tsukareta…” Knight admits he is tired, and he asks for water. A Young Lion brings him water and Knight refreshes himself.
Taguchi sputters, Knight makes his way over to Taguchi, and then brings him back into the ring. The fans cheer and Knight snapmares Taguchi to run and SLIDING TACKLE! Cover, TWO! Taguchi is still in this and the fans applaud. Taguchi flounders, Knight does some squats to get his glutes going. Knight brings Taguchi around to HIP ATTACK! Knight gives Taguchi another HIP ATTACK! The fans rally and Knight does more squats to power up. Knight runs, but Taguchi somersaults to HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up and Taguchi powers up now. Taguchi has Knight on the ropes, rubs it in literally, and then gives point-blank HIPS!
Taguchi runs and HIP ATTACKS at the ropes! Knight dangles out of the ring! Knight flops down, the fans rally again, and Taguchi TRIANGLE JUMP PLANCHAS! Down goes Knight and the fans fire up again! Taguchi rises, steadies himself, and then puts Knight in the ring. Taguchi goes up, up, and MISSILE HIPS! Cover, TWO! Knight is still in this and the fans rally again. Taguchi looks to the corner, and he calls upon the powers of Strange Style! “ORYA~!” Taguchi runs in, but Knight hurdles Ketsuye! SUPERKICK! Taguchi mule kicks, runs, but Knight somersaults, into a FLAPJACK! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Knight endures, reaches out, but Taguchi drags him back!
Knight reaches up to headscissor into the victory roll, TWO! Taguchi goes to a corner, BOOTS back, then goes up, MISSILE HIP meets DROPKICK! Knight’s antiair works out, and then he somersaults to SATELLITE DDT! Knight goes up top and the fans rally for the hip swivel and MOTHERSHIP UFO SPLASH! Cover, Knight wins!
Winner: Kevin Knight, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taguchi earns 0)
The Jet still flies high, and he ends with a 4-5 record. Taguchi ends with 6 points in the 9th round, is that nice enough for him?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Titan VS Nick Wayne!
El Inmortal may not have life in the block, but he can still be a spoiler! Will he pop the Prodigy’s bubble? Or will this still be Wayne’s World in the end?
The bell rings and Titan runs up! Nick dodges, whips, but Titan reverses to TORNADO- NO, Nick powers out! Nick wrenches and whips, Titan goes up and over, and then Titan handsprings away! The fans cheer as things keep moving. Nick hurdles then bypasses Titan to UPPERCUT him down! Nick kips up and the fans cheer again. Nick covers, TWO! The fans rally as Nick brings Titan up. Nick CHOPS Titan, Titan leans on the ropes, and Nick brings him around. Nick ROCKS Titan, then whips corner to corner. Nick runs in, UPPERCUTS, and then pushes Titan down to cover, TWO! Titan stays in this and the fans applaud.
Nick stays cool and he sits Titan up. Nick KICKS Titan in the back, then paces. Titan writhes but Nick brings him back up. Titan CHOPS and the fans “WOO~!” Titan CHOPS again, but Nick ROCKS him! Nick then whips Titan, runs in, but Titan BOOTS, SOBATS, KICKS, and fires fast hands! Nick ducks the jump sobat to SOBAT back! Nick cravats, ASAI DDT. but Titan kips up! PELE! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Titan roars and rises up, then he brings Nick around. TRAILER HITCH! Nick endures the leglock and the fans rally again! Nick crawls forward, reaches out, and manages the ROPEBREAK!
The fans applaud and Titan lets go of the hold. Nick shakes out the legs but Titan KICKS Nick in the back. Titan brings Nick in but Nick resists the lift. The fans rally again as Nick and Titan fight for control. Nick wrenches, kicks, and runs, but Titan follows to RANA! Nick bails out, Titan builds speed, and Titan DIVES into an UPPERCUT! The fans rally harder as Titan flops to the apron! Nick rises, he stalks Titan on the apron, and Nick drags Titan up. The ref says don’t do it, but the fans rally up. Nick waistlocks, then goes for the nelson, but Titan resists. Titan fires elbows and Nick backs off. Titan runs up but Nick BOOTS him!
Nick runs up, but Titan SUPERKICKS! Nick falls back, Titan skins the cat to the top rope! Titan aims for LA APRON LANCER!! The fans fire up and Titan roars while Nick sputters and coughs! Titan shoves Nick into the ring, goes up the corner again, and LA LANC- NO, Nick dodges! Titan’s leg jams, Nick DROPKICKS the other out, then he DRAGON SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Titan survives and Nick snarls. Nick goes to the corner and climbs up while the fans rally again. FROG- NO, Titan bails out! Nick rolls through and then comes right back, to FLY over the corner! Down goes Titan and the fans fire up!
Titan puts Nick in, goes back up, and he tries again! FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Titan survives again and the fans fire up! Nick huffs ‘n’ puffs, hears the fans cheering, and shouts “IKU ZO!” Nick drags Titan up, hooks a leg, PRODIGY- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!! Nick escapes, Titan ducks the roundhouse to fire off his strike fest! But Nick still ROUNDHOUSES! Nick goes up, up, WAYNE’s- NO, Titan stops the cutter to shove and TORNADO DDT! Titan isn’t done there! He suplexes and GOURD- NO! Nick lands out! But Titan goes Matrix and then CALF KICKS! Titan roars, the fans fire up, and Titan has the ripcord, YOYO SLAM!
Titan goes to a corner, skins the cat again, and LA LANCER!!! Titan crawls to the cover, TWO?!?! Nick survives, but Titan ties up the legs! Deathlock, and then LLAVE INMORTAL!! Nick is caught, the straitjacket variation is in, and Nick QUITS!! Titan wins!!
Winner: Titan, by submission (gains 2 points; Nick earns 0)
Nick Wayne falls to 4-5, he is out of the running! But bigger yet, Titan has a win over the ROH World Television Champion! AEW/ROH and CMLL are going to meet in Arena Mexico for Grand Slam: Mexico, could these two run it back with gold on the line?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: MAO VS SHO!
The Strange Love Connection is the first of the top three to compete tonight, and while he has to hope for the others to fall, he still has to do his part and win. Will the Murder Machine make that all moot with another underhanded trick up his sleeve? Or can the star of DDT Pro make it to the finals?
Wait, Mao already turns the tables by pedaling in on his bike! He RAMS Sho down from behind! The fans fire up as Mao hurries to CLUB Sho down! Yujiro Takahashi AND Ren Narita hurry out here already to mug Mao before this on the record! The fans boo but Mao’s friends from DDT Pro are here! Kanon helps fight off the House, and Mao wants fans to clear out! Mao whips, but Sho reverses and BOWLS Mao into chairs! STRIKE! Ren & Yujiro keep the rest of DDT Pro back while Sho CHOKES Mao with a chair! The ref reprimands but Sho shoves him back! Wait, Kanon has the house in headlocks! Shunma Katsumata stops Sho from hitting Mao with the chair!
Sho gets mad hearing that trash talk, but that lets Mao SMACK Sho in the back with a chair! And Mao sends Sho out the door?! The fans rally as everyone is waiting on the street, and Mao runs to FLY! Down goes the House and DDT stands tall! Wait, wait, they spot a fan parked nearby. Mao hops in and he turns the key! The fans cheer as Mao kicks it into drive, and he comes barreling down the road! Sho and the House freak out, and Sho gets SMACKED by the front of the van! The fans cheer and Mao grins as he steps out. The ref reprimands but Mao drags Sho back into the building! Mao says now they can have this match!
Mao makes Sho sit on the hand cart, and Mao pushes Sho back to ringside! The fans cheer as Sho is barely conscious as Mao drags Sho into the ring. The bell finally rings, Mao covers, TWO!! Sho survives Mao’s hit ‘n’ run and Mao can’t believe it! Mao drags Sho up, but the ref wants to check him. Sho sputters and sits up in a daze, and Ren drags Mao out! Ren beats up Mao, beats up on Mao’s team, and Yujiro SMACKS Mao with a chair! The fans boo as they put Mao’s arm in a chair! Yujiro STOMPS away on the chair! Ren POSTS Kanon, and Sho grabs Mao’s bike! Sho brings it over and he runs over Mao’s arm! Sho does wheelies to smash Mao’s arm!
The fans boo but then Sho adds insult to injury by RIPPING OFF the DDT Pro hood off the bike! Sho and the House beat up the bike! The ref reprimands and Mao says they’ll pay for that! Sho CLUBS Mao, puts him in the ring, and then pushes him to a cover, TWO! Sho has the arm for a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Mao endures and the fans rally. Mao kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Sho puts Mao on the apron, and he has the arm in the rope! ARM WRINGER! Sho then pulls Mao through the corner, traps his arm against the buckle pad, and then KNEES the arm! Mao is stuck and Sho stands on the arm!
The ref counts, Sho step off, and Mao is freed. The fans rally, Mao throws a forearm but there’s not much to it. Sho kicks Mao, Mao fires more shots, but Sho slips around, GERMAN ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Mao flails, reaches out, but Sho pulls on the arm! Mao still kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Sho lets Mao go, and Mao clutches his arm. Sho wrenches Mao’s arm, twists it, and hits the ELBOW BREAKER! Sho holds on to wrench and ELBOW BREAKER again! Sho grins as he lets Mao slump down. Sho knuckle locks, wrenches, and ELBOW- SLEEPER!! Mao has Sho now and the fans fire up!
Sho pries at the bad arm, pulls the fingers, but Mao breaks free! Look! HAYMAKER! Sho wobbles and the fans fire up! Mao whips, Sho reverses, but Mao SHOTGUNS! Sho flounders, the fans rally up, and Mao runs to BOOT Sho! Sho sputters, Mao runs again, CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Sho survives, but is now in JUST FACELOCK! Sho endures, fights around, and both Ren & Yujiro are on the apron. But Mao’s team YANKS them down! Sho flails, the bell rings, but it was REN! The fans boo the usual tricks from the House, and Mao is upset that he fell for such a basic trick. Mao drags Sho up, but Sho CLAWS Mao’s eyes!
Sjo runs, but Mao uses the ref as a shield! Mao runs, but now Sho uses the ref as a shield! Sho runs but Mao hurdles over the spear! Mao sends the ref back at Sho, then he HIGH JUMP CUTTERS!! The fans fire up and Mao waits on Sho. Sho rises, Mao brings him around, OSAKA RENKAI!! Cover, YUJIRO DRAGS THE REF OUT! The fans boo, Kanon is up but Yuijro & Ren BLAST him! The House mugs Mao, drags him up, and double whip him into a corner. Yujiro BOOTS Mao, Ren ELBOWS Mao, then Ren snapmares Mao to hold him open! Yujiro hits the FALLING HEADBUTT LOW BLOW! The fans boo while Mao writhes!
Ren stands Mao up and Yujiro has his pimp cane! But wait, SPRINGBOARD MISSILE DROPKICK from Shunma! Down goes Tokyo Pimp! Ren BOOTS Shunma, he BOOTS Kanon, but Kanon roars! Ren CLAWS Kanon’s eyes, runs, but Kanon LARIATS! The fans fire up as the full Strange Love Connection aims at Sho, HIGH LOW LARIATS!! Shunma builds speed and he DIVES! Down go Ren & Yujiro! Kanon & Mao set Sho up, but YOSHINOBU KANEMARU shows up! WHISKEY MIST for Kanon, and the BOTTLE SHOT for Mao! The fans boo as the Heel Master helps screw over the enemies of the House!
Kanemaru shoves the ref in and Sho laughs at Mao! STRAITJACKET DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Mao survives and the fans fire up! But Sho has the ARMBAR!! Mao flails, fights around, and he stacks Sho! TWO and Sho still has the arm! SNAKE BITE!! Mao fights against the modified triangle, fights his way over, and has the ROPEBREAK!! The fans cheer and Sho lets go in frustration. Sho crawls his way over and looks for his things. Sho grabs his Torture Tool and NEVER Openweight Six Man belt. The ref sees the belt and takes that, but then Mao surprises Sho with is iron gauntlet! Mao PUNCHES the Torture Tool down!
Sho dodges the fist, pushes Mao to ropes, and Kanemaru is there! But Mao ducks, WHISKEY MIST hits Sho! Mao BOOTS Kanemaru, then powers up the gauntlet! ROCKET PUNCH!! And then SAMURAI SUPERKICK!! Cover, TWO?!?! Sho survives, but Mao says he’ll finish this now! Mao drags Sho to a drop zone, climbs up the corner, and 450 SPLASHES!!! Cover, MAO WINS!!
Winner: Mao, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sho earns 0)
Sho tried to stack the deck, but justice was still served! Mao is alive in the block, if only for now. Can he count on Robbie Eagles AND Taiji Ishimori to bring down El Desperado and Yoh?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Robbie Eagles!
The Rogue Luchador still has that target on his back, not only because he could go to the finals with his win and Yoh’s loss, but because he is THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Could the Sniper of the Skies kill two birds with one victory? Or is Despy about to go back-to-back at the BOSJ finals?
Eagles shows off his Soul of PWA Championship, and makes a point that it is bigger and shinier. Despy says yeah, that’s nice. The fans rally and duel already, and the bell rings. Despy and Eagles circle, the fans rally more, and they feel things out. The fans already start up “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” so Eagles joins in! “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” The fans applaud, Eagles mocks Despy’s bow and waving arms, then the two tie up. Despy waistlocks, Eagles switches but Despy wrenches. Eagles rolls, wrenches, hammerlocks, but Despy headlocks for the takeover.
Eagles headscissors, Despy rolls Eagles around to then float, but Eagles gets his leg guard up. Eagles wrangles Despy and goes for a leg, but Despy rolls to have a toehold. Eagles kicks Despy down to have the HEEL HOOK! Despy scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Eagles lets go, and Despy goes to the apron. Eagles smirks and eggs Despy on. Despy rises up, the fans rally and duel, and Despy steps inside. Despy and Eagles circle, tie up, and Despy powers Eagles to the ropes. Red Shoes counts the break, Despy lets off to pat Eagles on the shoulder. But then he KNEES low! Despy whips, but Eagles holds ropes to block!
Despy still tries, Eagles still holds on, but Despy CLAWS Eagles’ eyes! Red Shoes reprimands but Despy whips, only for Eagles to go up and around to arm-drag! Things keep moving, Eagles hurdles then RANAS, but Despy sunset flips through! TWO, Eagles high stacks, TWO! Both men stand, Despy KNEES low again, then whips. Eagles reverses to WHEEL KICK and kip up! The fans fire up and Eagles paces. Despy rises but Eagles is on him with a CHOP! Despy goes to ropes, Eagles is on him in the corner. Eagles CHOPS, puts Despy’s leg in ropes, and pulls! Despy shouts for Red Shoes, Red Shoes counts, and Eagles lets go, to basement 619!
Despy tumbles out of the ring, the fans rally, and Eagles paces. Eagles mockingly calls for Despy, then goes to the outside. Eagles stomps away on Despy’s leg, and then SMASHES it on the floor! Eagles flexes, says hey to Ninja Mack on commentary, then goes for Despy. Despy fires body shots and CHOPS, but Eagles TACKLES him down! Eagles YANKS Despy’s leg, puts him in the ring, then sits him up to step over and tie up the legs! STUMP PULLER! Despy endures and clubs at Eagles’ leg, but Eagles drops back to make this a cover, ONE!! The fans cheer as Despy sits up. Eagles KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! But Despy blcoks!
Despy spins Eagles, Eagles knees free, then Eagles runs, but Despy dropkicks a leg! Despy grabs that leg for a SHIN BREAKER! The fans fire up while Eagles writhes. Despy has the leg and SPLASHES down on it! Eagles kicks at Despy from the mat, but Despy pushes on a leg to have a toehold! Eagles endures, Despy drags him around, and ties up the legs for an INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Despy slaps his own leg into working, but Eagles sits up to CHOP! Despy eggs him on so Eagles CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Despy “falls over” and that puts on more pressure! Eagles flails while Despy just lounges. Eagles crawls over, pushes Despy out of his way, and has the ROPEBREAK!
The fans applaud and Red Shoes calls the break. Despy claims he needs help, but Eagles fires hands! Despy lets go, but he kneels on the bad leg! Eagles has the ropes again, Red Shoes counts, and Despy finally stands. Eagles crawls away, but he refuses to let Red Shoes stop this. Despy drags Eagles up but Eagles fires body shots and forearms! Despy KNEES low, but Eagles BOOTS! Eagles whips, Despy reverses, but Eagles fights the spinebuster! Despy KNEES low again, suplexes, but Eagles slips free to CHOP BLOCK and BLINDSLIDE LARIAT! Despy tumbles out, the fans rally up, and Eagles pushes through the pain to DIVE!
The fans fire up with Eagles but he still hobbles on that bad leg. Eagles sees a young fan dressed like him and cheers with him. Eagles then puts Despy in the ring, pounds the apron, and the fans rally up more. Eagles springboards to SNIPER DROPKICK! And then he has the leg to roll Despy into the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Despy shouts and flails, scratches and claws, and makes his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Eagles lets go, then Eagles drags Despy to center. Despy kicks at Eagles, but Eagles KICKS the leg! Despy writhes, Eagles hobbles, and they go to opposite corners. Eagles runs in, but Despy dodges!
Eagles’ knees hit buckles, Despy runs up, and Despy blocks a boot! Despy kicks one leg, and DRAGON SCREWS the other! Then he has the STRETCH MUFFLER! Eagles flails, reaches out, but Despy thrashes him around! Eagles lunges to the ROPEBREAK! Despy lets go and the fans rally again. Despy hobbles over to bring Eagles up, and he reels Eagles in. Despy suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud while Despy drags Eagles up. Despy gut wrenches for GUITARRA- NO, Eagles slips free and waistlocks! Despy ELBOWS Eagles, whips, but Eagles reverses, only for Despy to reverse and SPINEBUSETR! High stack, TWO!
Despy has the STRETCH MUFFLER! Eagles endures, Despy thrashes, then Despy rolls Eagles away to have NUMERO DOS! Eagles reaches out with his free arm, then activates the core to sit up! Eagles DESTROY- NO, Despy blocks the rolling driver, tucks Eagles in, but Eagles CLUBS away on the legs! Eagles slips free, wrangles Despy, and has the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Despy endures, reaches out, and he crawls forward. Despy drags Eagles along with him, but Eagles drags Despy back! Eagles puts on the pressure and the fans are thunderous! Despy fights his way forward again, but Eagles thrashes around! Despy gives it one last gasp and he has the ROPEBREAK!!
Eagles lets go, to drop KNEES on the knee! Then GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Then SPINNING TOEHOLD! Despy writhes, Eagles goes out and up, for WARP 4.5, but onto KNEES! Well, to clarify, the legs are usually the target, but Despy gets his knees up to jam Eagles! Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Eagles and Despy stir, then crawl for each other. They go forehead to forehead, then rise up to go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth! Despy slaps his leg into working, ROCKS Eagles, and then stands. Eagles ROCKS Despy, Despy ROCKS Eagles again, but now Eagles UPPERCUTS!
The fans rally up more as Despy storms back up. He SLAPS Eagles! Eagles takes off the headband and bandana! Eagles huffs ‘n’ puffs and SLAPS Despy! And SLAPS, and KICKS! Despy ROCKS Eagles, but Eagles says I’LL BE BACK! ROUNDHOUSE! SUPERKICK! ENZI- NO, Despy ducks to roll and STRETCH MUFFLER! Eagles rolls Despy to a cover, TWO! Eagles schoolboys with a bridge, TWO! Despy stands, Eagles SOBATS, then ASAI DDTS! Cover, TWO!! Despy stands, spins Eagles around and around, then PINCHE LOCO!! But Despy can’t make the cover! The fans fire up as Despy crawls and covers, TWO!!!
The fans fire up as Eagles survives! Despy rises, brings Eagles around, and Despy underhooks. TIGER DRIVER!! And then he underhooks again, but Eagles fireman’s carries! Eagles shifts things around to hit the TURBO BACKPACK!! Eagles crawls to the cover, TWO!! Despy survives and the fans are thunderous! Eagles goes to the corner, takes aim, and he basement SUPERKICKS!! Eagles can’t make the cover, his bad leg hurts too much! The fans rally harder as both men rise, and Eagles is back at the corner. Eagles runs to HYPER- NO, Despy ducks and has the leg! STRETCH MUFFLER! NUMERO DOS!! Eagles flails, sits up again, but Despy makes it a SPINEBUTER!!
Despy has NUMERO DOS PLUS!!! Eagles dangles as he endures, and he QUITS! Despy wins!!!
Winner: El Desperado, by submission (gains 2 points; Eagles earns 0)
The Sniper could not take out the Rogue Luchador, and Desperado is still in the running! With that, Mao is now out of the running, too, so it all comes down to the main event!
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Taiji Ishimori!
The pressure is on for Direct Drive! Yoh beat Despy in their 1v1, so if Yoh wins, he is in! Will this be a fresh finals for the Best of the Super Juniors? Or can the Bone Soldier help Despy make it through?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Yoh and Taiji circle, feel things out, and they tie up. Taiji wrenches to a wristlock, but Yoh rolls then trips Taiji. Taiji counters by going for the armbar, but Yoh stacks Taiji to a cover, ONE! The two back off and the fans cheer. Yoh and Taiji reset, circle again, and feel things out. They knuckle lock, but then Yoh goes for a leg. Taiji holds him off and puts him on ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, and Taiji lets off with pats to the shoulder. The two reset again, tie up, and Taiji headlocks. Yoh fires body shots, powers up and out, then drops down. Yoh bypasses Taiji, drop toeholds, but Taiji avoids the basement dropkick!
Yoh avoids a Penalty Kick, but Taiji kicks low to snapmare and NECK- NO, Yoh victory rolls, so that he can NECK TWIST! The fans rally while Taiji goes to ropes. Yoh runs up, Taiji puts him on the apron, but Yoh blocks a shot. Taiji ducks Yoh’s punch to HOTSHOT him down! Taiji then runs to a corner, goes up, up, and GOLDEN TRIANGLE MOONSAULTS! The fans fire up and Taiji brings Yoh around. Taiji hammerlocks Yoh’s arm and POSTS him! Yoh staggers away, Taiji goes off to the blue corner and he undoes the buckle pad. The Bullet Club Special is in play, but Taiji waits as the ring count climbs.
Yoh stands at 3 of 20, shakes out the bad arm, and rolls in at 8. The fans cheer, Taiji storms up, but Yoh fires a forearm! Taiji fires back, snapmares, and NECK TWISTS! The fans cheer while Yoh clutches his neck and shoulder. Taiji drags Yoh up, snapmares, and FIST DROPS! Cover, TWO! Taiji sits Yoh up to clamp on with a chinlock! Yoh endures the knee in his back, then fights his way around. Yoh reaches out, but Taiji turns him with a wristlock. Taiji wrenches and WRINGS Yoh to then WRING the arm again! Yoh scrambles to ropes while the fans cheer. Taiji storms over, grabs the arm, and has a COBRA CLUTCH!
Yoh endures as Taiji drags him away to center. Yoh kicks and reaches out, then fights up. Taiji ripcords to RAM Yoh, then COBRA CLUTCH and a takedown! COBRA TRIANGLE! The fans rally as Yoh endures, and Yoh kicks around to have the ROPEBREAK! Taiji lets go in frustration, and Yoh coughs and sputters as he catches his breath. Taiji CLUBS Yoh, drags him up, but Yoh fires forearms and kicks! Taiji BODY BLOWS, then CLUBS Yoh! Yoh goes back to the ropes, Taiji brings him around to whip into a corner. Taiji runs up, but Yoh BOOTS him away! Taiji comes back, but into a clinch, BACKBREAKER and NECKBREAKER!
The fans rally while both men are down again. Yoh and Taiji rise, and Yoh runs up to rally with forearms! Yoh whips, Taiji reverses, but Yoh FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up with Yoh, and he brings Taiji up. Yoh scoops Taiji to SLAM him, and then he revels in cheers. Yoh drops the ELBOW, then covers. TWO, and Yoh drops the KNEE! Cover, TWO and Yoh SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Yoh shakes out the arm. Yoh drags Taiji up, reels him in, but Taiji fights the suplex to wrench and ARM CODE BREAKER! Then BONE LOCK! But Yoh rolls it fast! TWO!! Taiji kicks low, CLAWS Yoh’s eyes, then whips.
Yoh reverses, Taiji handsprings, but Yoh catches him! Taiji switches, ducks an elbow, then spins Yoh around, to POST him! The Bullet Club Special comes through, and Taiji brings Yoh out. Taiji hammerlocks the arm, scoops, and SHOULDER BUSTERS! Yoh writhes, Taiji goes back to the corner, and the fans rally up. Taiji runs back in, tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTIC- NO, Yoh spins that into a COBRA TWIST! Yoh then shifts to throw elbows, and he puts on the ANACONDA VICE! Taiji reaches out, fights his way over, but Yoh wrangles him to the mat! Taiji endures, rolls, pops free, and has the BONE LOCK!!
Yoh endures again and the fans rally back up! Yoh fights around, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him back for BLOODY- NO, Yoh handsprings through and O’Conner Rolls! Taiji stops the bridge, pushes Yoh down, BONE LOCK!! Yoh endures again and the fans rally! Yoh fights over again, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Yoh literally escapes by a foot. Taiji lets go, then grins as he brings Yoh back up. Taiji gut wrenches, and CIPHER UTAKI! But Taiji says that’s not all! He aims his finger gun, says BANG, and then brings Yoh back in. But Yoh suplexes, FALCON GOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans rally up again!
Yoh and Taiji slowly stir, rise up, and Yoh fires a forearm! Taiji fires back! Yoh fires another, Taiji fires another, repeat! They pick up speed and the fans rally! Taiji LARIATS but Yoh stays up! Yoh LARIATS but Taiji stays up! They both roar, and DOUBLE LARIAT! Yoh runs up but Taiji JUMP KNEES! BANG and BLOODY- NO, Yoh wrenches out to HEADBUTT! Both men fall and the fans fire up! Taiji and Yoh stir, but Yoh sits up first. Yoh roars, slaps his bad arm into working, and then crawls over to Taiji. Yoh underhooks but Taiji fights the lift! Taiji wrenches out but Yoh full nelsons! Taiji fights that, but Yoh ripcords!
Taiji blocks the knee but that hurts his harm! Taiji takes a swing, but into the ANACONDA VICE! Taiji fights the hold, wrenches out, and tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! BONE LOCK!!! Yoh fights around, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him! Yoh uses that to have the ANACONDA VICE!!! Taiji endures, fights to sit up, and then he stands to fire body shots. Taiji RAMS Yoh into the bare buckles! Both men fall back and the fans rally harder! Taiji drags Yoh up, reels him in, but Yoh blocks! Yoh fireman’s carries, and he hits an USHIGOROSHI! The fans fire up and Yoh full nelsons Taiji! DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Taiji escapes but Yoh vows to end this! The fans are thunderous as Yoh hauls Taiji up! DIRECT DRIVE!!! Cover, YOH WINS!!!
Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taiji earns 0)
The Bone Soldier fails, and now Desperado is NOT going to the finals! Desperado will now be on the outside looking in, waiting for his next challenger.
Speaking of which, Kosei Fujita now makes his way out here to be face to face with Yoh. Yoh holds the ropes open for Fujita to step into the ring. Fujita and Yoh get face to face, and Fujita points at the tag title on Yoh’s shoulder, because he also wants that belt. Yoh knows, since he and Wato took it from Fujita & Eagles. But Yoh dismisses Fujita, they’ll meet again on June 1st. Yoh then takes up the mic to tell Fujita, “Ya bastard… I’ll show you true chaos! Now, just one more win. In Ota, the best wind will blow.” Yoh drops the mic to leave it at that. Will that wind be the winds of change? Or will Yoh fail to bring down The Mighty Japanese Young Punk?
Here are the FINAL B Block standings!
YOH: 6-3, 12 points [FINALIST]
El Desperado: 6-3, 12 points [ELIMINATED]
MAO: 6-3, 12 points [ELIMINATED]
Taiji Ishimori: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Robbie Eagles: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
SHO: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Nick Wayne: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Kevin Knight: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Titan: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-6, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
A great night to wrap round nine and therefore the round robin portion. No repeat BOSJ finalists, which is actually great because now we’ve got a fresh match-up. Taguchi VS Knight was still a great match for not affecting outcomes, and Knight gets to return to AEW with a win. The flipside is Titan gets a win over Nick Wayne, I really do think it books itself, Nick VS Titan for the ROH World TV Championship on Grand Slam: Mexico. Christian Cage can even be condescending to Nick over how Nick didn’t make it to the finals, adding to that feud. Nick can beat Titan in the rematch, then get in Christian’s face to make a match for All In: Texas, or at least Supercard of Honor where ROH titles should be showing up anyway.
Great stuff with Mao and his team against Sho and the House of Torture. I was pleasantly surprised that Mao won, and I wonder if the House of Torture goes to a DDT Pro show to battle it out with Strange Love Connection. Mao winning also added great drama to the remaining matches, Despy VS Eagles was awesome stuff, probably the actual best match of the night. Yoh VS Taiji wasn’t quite as hot going by the crowd, but Yoh getting the win to shut the door on Despy was good. Yoh VS Fujita will be great, a bit hard to call, but that makes it fun.
My Score: 9/10
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