It’s a shootout in the main event!

Best of the Super Juniors Round 3 continues as now B Block takes its turn! But will Robbie Eagles outdraw Taiji Ishimori? Or will The Sniper of the Skies be shooting blanks?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Katsuya Murashima & Boltin Oleg VS Kevin Knight, Tiger Mask & Shoma Kato;  Desperado, Murashima & Oleg win.
• HAYATA & Tomoaki Honma VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi; Kanemaru & Takahashi win.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS TJP, Callum Newman & Blake Christian; LIJ wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Franceso Akira; Kushida wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: DOUKI VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Drilla wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Ninja Mack VS SHO; Sho wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Dragon Dia; Hiromu wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS Taiji Ishimori; Taiji wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current B Block standings!

Ninja Mack: 2-0, 4 points
Taiji Ishimori: 2-0, 4 points
KUSHIDA: 2-0, 4 points
SHO: 1-1, 2 points
Francesco Akira: 1-1, 2 points
Robbie Eagles: 1-1, 2 points
DOUKI: 1-1, 2 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 0-2, 0 points
Dragon Dia: 0-2, 0 points
“Drilla” Moloney: 0-2, 0 points

Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Franceso Akira!

The Timesplitter is approaching 88 miles per hour, and is looking to turn back time to when he was the Ace of the Juniors! However, the Nova Fireball is looking to turn up the heat! Will Kushida or Akira be the one to blaze a trail to the top of the block?

Akira gets in Kushida’s face, Kushida shoves him back, and the ref has them both back off. The bell rings and Akira runs in! Kushida dodges to kick and headlock, but Akira powers out. Kushida runs Akira over, things speed up, and Akira hurdles. Kushida shoves, Akira wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Then Akira CALF KICKS Kushida down! The fans cheer and join in on “A! KI RA!” Akira CHOPS then CLUBS Kushida, but Kushida kicks back. Akira CHOPS, whips but Kushida reverses. Kushida runs in but Akira goes up and gets Kushida for the- NO, Kushida fights out of the Tarantula and brings Akira down to the apron! Kushida YANKS Akira into the post!

The fans rally while Akira shakes out the bad arm. Kushida gets Akira up and scoops to SLAM him on the floor! Kushida leaves Akira behind and the fans rally up more. The ring count starts, Akira stands and slides in at 4 of 20, only for Kushida to TOSS him right back out. Kushida goes out after Akira to scoop and SLAM him again! The fans applaud while Kushida gets Akira up and into the ring. Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO! The fans rally while Kushida looms over Akira. Kushida wrenches the arm, CLUBS the arm, then wrangles Akira with a top wristlock. Kushida isolates the arm, to STOMP it!

Akira writhes, goes to a corner, but Kushida is after him. Akira fires a forearm! And fires another! But Kushida wrenches the bad arm and wrangles Akira again! Kushida stands on Akira’s head to twist the arm and hammerlock it, to then TWIST it! Akira flounders away but Kushida is after the legs! Kushida turns Akira over to a SEATED SURFBOARD! Akira fights, Kushida slaps him on the back to get at the arms! Kushida pulls Akira back, but Akira fights to turn things over! They roll and into the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Kushida lets off. Kushida drags Akira up, wrenches and wristlocks, then cravats to snapmare.

Kushida scrapes his soles off Akira’s face, then handsprings to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Akira slowly rises. Kushida brings Akira up, wrenches the arm, but Akira shoves him away. Kushida comes back, Akira ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! The fans fire up while Kushida bails out, and Akira aims. Akira slingshot, but Kushida slides back in! Akira lands on the apron, only for Kushida to KICK a leg! Kushida runs, but into a SLINGSHOT CUTTER! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Akira and Kushida rise, and Kushida goes after Akira. Akira fires forearms but Kushida knees low.

Kushida whips, Akira reverses, but Kushida ducks the enzigiri! Akira slides Kushida, Kushida slides under Akira! Kushida flips Akira to get the KIMURA! Akira gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! Akira and Kushida go to corners, the fans rally for “A! KI RA! A! KI RA!” Akira runs in to clothesline! Then he comes back to UPPERCUT! Akira snapmares Kushida, goes to the apron, “IKU ZO!” The fans fire up and Akira climbs, but Kushida GAMANGIRIS the arm! Kushida then goes up after Akira but Akira fires forearms! Kushida drops back, Akira adjusts and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally up while both men are down. Akira shakes out the bad arm, stalks behind Kushida and half nelsons, but the bad arm won’t let him full nelson! Kushida KICKS Akira in the leg! Then KICKS again! Kushida whips, Akira reverses, Kushida handsprings, but Akira DROPKICKS Kushida! Kushida bails out, Akira PLANCHAS, but into a FUJIWARA! The ref reprimands, Akira fights up, but Kushida hits an ARMBAR BULLDOG to the floor! Akira writhes and clutches his elbow, and the ring count starts. Both men are down at 5 of 20, but Kushida stands at 10. Kushida flounders at the apron, falls back, and we’re at 15!

Kushida springs up to slide in at 17! Akira staggers around, but he slides in at 19! PENALTY KICK! Kushida leaps, but Akira rolls him up! TWO, but Akira drop toeholds! Akira steps over, Kushida slips out to LA MAGISTROL, but Akira pushes it back to a cradle! TWO!! Akira goes to a corner, Kushida runs in, but into the TARANTULA!! The ref counts, Akira lets go at 4, but he fires back up! The fans rally, Akira BUZZSAWS! Akira roars and the fans fire up! Akira gets Kushida up, SPEED FIRE!! Cover, TWO!! Kushida survives and the fans fire back up. Akira goes to a corner, pounds the mat, “A! KI RA!”

Akira aims as Kushida slowly rises. Akira runs up, but Kushida ducks the Fireball! SHOTEI!! Kushida snarls while Akira flounders away. Akira goes to a corner, Kushida runs up, but Akira blocks the Shotei! Akira CLUBS the arm, but Kushida ROCKS him right back! Akira fires forearms in return! Akira then cravats for KNEE after KNEE! Kushida KICKS the bad arm! Akira SUPERKICKS! Akira dodges the fastball to HALF ‘N’ HALF! Akira roars, runs, but has to duck the fastball! COLLISION COURSE! Cover, TWO! Kushida’s still in this but Akira fires back up! Akira puts Kushida up top, CHOPS him, then climbs.

Akira brings Kushida up but Kushida fights the armlock! Kushida throws elbows, but Akira CHOPS! Akira fires forearms but Kushida wrenches his arm! ELBOW BREAKER! Akira drops down to the apron, but he SUPERKICKS back! Akira fires up again, the fans are with him, and Akira goes back up! But Kushida has a KIMURA!! HOVERBOARD ARM-DRAG!!! Akira endures as Kushida has him caught!! Akira reaches, Kushida rolls him from ropes, and cranks the hold! Akira taps, Kushida wins!!

Winner: Kushida, by submission (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)

The Timesplitter extinguishes the Nova Fireball and continues to 3-0! Will nothing stop Kushida until he’s the Best of the Super Juniors? Can Akira reignite before it’s too late?

Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: DOUKI VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!

Japones del Mal came away with a big shocker last round when he took down Hiromu in the main event! But is that one win enough to propel him to the top of the block? Or will 44 Caliber shoot Douki right back down to the bottom?

The bell rings and the fans rally up for Douki. Drilla gets annoyed by that, especially as the fans start to chant “DOUKI! DOUKI!” The two tie up, Douki headlocks, Drilla powers up, but can’t power out as Douki holds on. Drilla lifts, Douki flails, but Drilla powers out this time. Drilla runs Douki over, and fans do applaud the show of strength. Drilla runs, Douki drops down but Drilla drags him up. Douki arm-drags Drilla, then runs. Drilla hurdles, drops down, but Douki avoids the dropkick! Douki wheelbarrows but Drilla fights around to arm-drag! Drilla reels Douki in, but Douki trips him to a jackknife bridge! TWO!!

The fans fire up as Douki says it was that close. Drilla is mad, runs up, but Douki dodges to RANA! Douki RAMS Drilla, runs, springboards, but into Drilla’s arms! SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Drilla snarls while Douki goes to the apron. Drilla WRECKS Douki with a dropkick! Drilla then goes out and he RAMS Douki into the apron! Douki falls in a heap, but Drilla steps on his back! Drilla soaks up the heat while throwing up the Too Sweet. Drilla then steps away, to take a fan’s chair! Drilla scoops Douki for a BACKBREAKER on the chair! Douki writhes and flops off the chair while Drilla leaves him behind for the ring count.

The fans rally but Drilla tells them to shut up. The count reaches 5 of 20, then 10 before Douki sits up. Douki moves the chair aside, slides in at 15, and the fans cheer. But Drilla is right on him with a whip hard into a corner! Douki falls in a heap again, but Drilla storms up to pull at the mask! The ref reprimands, Drilla lets go, and Douki drags himself up with ropes. Drilla CHOKES Douki, but also goes after the mask! The fans boo, the ref reprimands and counts, and Drilla lets off at 4. Drilla stands Douki up to CHOP him down! Cover, with feet on the ropes! TWO!! Douki still gets free and the fans cheer.

Drilla sits Douki up into a chinlock and digs his knee into Douki’s back. Douki endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Drilla grinds his forearm into Douki’s face, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Drilla stomps Douki but Douki gets right up to fire forearms! Douki goes to run, but Drilla reels him in! Drilla pops him up but Douki slips free to waistlock! Drilla breaks that, switches, but Douki elbows free! Douki again goes to run, Drilla reels him back in but Douki kicks free, kicks low, and DDTs! The fans fire up while both men are down! Drilla sits up but Douki stalks him. Douki whips Drilla, Drilla reverses but Douki arm-drags first!

Douki runs in at the corner to ELBOW Drilla, then keeps going, springboard BACK ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Drilla is still in this but Douki keeps cool. Douki drags Drilla up, hooks him up, but Drilla fights the lift! Douki still Gory Especials, but Drilla fights free! Douki blocks the chop, trips Drilla, and rolls him into ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Drilal reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Douki lets go, Drilla bails out, but Douki builds speed! Douki slides out, Drilla slides in! Douki hurries back up and he RAMS into Drilla! Slingshot, DAY- NO, Drilla stops that to SPINEBUSTER and DOUBLE STOMP ELBOW COMBO! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally up for Douki again while he slowly sits up. Drilla aims from a corner, loads up and runs in, but Douki ducks the boot! Douki then BOOTS back, goes to the apron, and slingshots, DAYBREAK! Douki drags Drilla to a cover, TWO! Drilla is still in this but Douki fires up! The fans are with him and he brings Drilla into the wheelbarrow. Drilla elbows free, ripcords and CHOPS, but Douki kips up! Drilla SUPERKICKS! Drilla runs, Douki ducks the boot to tilt-p-whirl, but Drilla blocks and flips Douki around! But Douki arm-drags free! And he rolls Drilla into the ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! Drilla endures while fans fire up!

Drilla fights around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Douki pulls until the ref counts 4, then he drags Drilla away from ropes, for ITALIAN STRETCH! But Drilla just powers right out! DRILLA KILLA!!! Cover, Drilla wins!

Winner: “Drilla” Moloney, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Douki earns 0)

The fans were behind the underdog and Drilla wasn’t having any of it! Will the Ichiban Gaijin storm his way to the top of this block? Can Douki turn this around next round?

Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Ninja Mack VS SHO!

The American Shinobi is on a roll at 2-0, but now he has the misfortune of running into the Murder Machine. Will the Mack attack not be able to get past a deck that’s stacked? Or can he grab a golden ticket off the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion?

OH NO! Sho’s dragging Mack out from the back! And he’s CHOKING Mack with the Torture Tool! The fans boo but Sho grins as he brings Mack all the way to the ring and throws him in! Sho puts his props aside, then “helps” Mack to his feet. Mack flops back over, Sho says he’s fine and stands him back up. And then puts a leg in the ropes? Sho has the ref ring the bell, then he runs in to clothesline! Sho scoops to SLAM Mack, then he gets the legs! BOSTON CRAB! Mack endures, the fans rally, and Mack taps!! Sho wins!!

Winner: Sho, by submission 

Sho laughs at Mack, and brags that this is how good he is! But wait! Some other Ninja Mack runs in and CLOBBERS Sho!! Wait, this is the real Ninja Mack?! Sho tied Mack up to then replace him with a fake? Well, the tape Mack’s tearing away is compelling evidence. The ref then strikes the previous decision and this match restarts! Sho bails out but Mack gives chase! Mack CLOBBERS Sho again, stands him up and DOUBLE CHOPS him! Mack rips Sho’s shirt away, throws it to the crowd, then KICKS Sho against the apron! Mack puts Sho in, the fans fire up, and Mack storms in. Sho kicks Mack, whips, but Mack reverses.

Mack drops down, hurdles over, then backflips. Sho moves but Mack handsprings up to JUMP KNEE! Mack TOSSES Sho, builds speed and the fans rally with “NINJA! NINJA!” Mack handsprings to SASUKE SPECIAL! How fitting for a ninja! The fans fire up and Mack gets Sho back in the ring. The fans continue to rally for “NINJA! NINJA!” as Mack sees Sho go to the far side. Mack slingshots to sunset flip, Sho blocks a kick but Mack fires CHOP after CHOP after forearm, then an UPPERCUT! Mack then handsprings to LION’S BARRAGE! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Sho flounders, Mack storms up on him and stands Sho up.

Mack knuckle locks, CHOPS and then goes up, up and tightrope walks! But Sho bends fingers! Sho kicks the ropes out and Mack falls! The fans boo but Sho goes out to grab the ring bell hammer. Sho brings that over, but also gets a chair. The ref stops Sho from using the hammer, but Sho just uses the chair to JAM Mack! Sho digs the chair into Mack’s back while the fans boo! Sho also digs the chair into Mack’s stomach! The ref returns, reprimands, and Sho lets go of the chair. Sho brings Mack to the very back of the crowd and BOWLS him into chairs! Weak, he only got two. But Sho leaves Mack behind to go to the ring.

The fans rally for “NINJA! NINJA!” as Mack hurries back to ringside. The ring count starts but Mack is ringside by 4 of 20. Mack slides in at 6, but Sho drags Mack up. Sho kicks low, whips, and kitchen sink knees! Sho storms up on Mack again, drags him around, and has a body scissor squeeze! Mack endures, reaches out, but Sho even pulls the mask! But Mack pushes back to a cover, TWO! Sho keeps on the squeeze, but Mack still endures. Mack fights around, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, the ref counts, and Sho lets go. Mack sputters and says “Itai <It hurts.>” Sho gets Mack up, and hangs him out to dry!

Sho then drags Mack off the ropes for a CANADIAN GUT BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Mack is still in this, but Sho covers again, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Sho is annoyed but the fans rally up. Sho kicks Mack around, Mack blocks to body shot! And body shot! And body shot! Sho KNEES low! Sho scoops Mack and puts him on the top rope. Sho CLUBS away on Mack’s back, then runs to TOP SHELF KNEE! And TOP SHELF KNEE again! Sho goes corner to corner, but Mack dodges! Mack ROCKS Sho, springboards to KICK, then runs in to UPPERCUT! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Sho survives, but Mack’s on him with a CROSSFACE!

Sho endures as Mack pulls back! Sho flails, reaches out, crawls his way over, but Mack cranks the hold! Sho still gets the ROPEBREAK! Mack lets go and the fans rally again. Mack brings Sho up, DOUBLE CHOPS him, then DOUBLE CHOPS again! Mack whips corner to corner, Sho reverses, but Mack BOOTS back! And SUPERKICKS! And fires body shots and an UPPERCUT! Mack cravats, but Sho pulls the mask! Sho shoves Mack to the corner, then shoves the ref into Mack! The ref goes down, Sho SPEARS Mack! The fans are torn while everyone is down! Sho checks the ref, says he’s okay, and then grabs his Torture Tool!

Sho grins as he takes aim, but the fans boo. Wait, that’s the fake yellow Mack! Sho realizes that and wonders where the real Mack went. Mack snatches the wrench away and Sho freaks out! Mack puts the wrench down, but Sho rolls him up! But the ref’s still out, he can’t count! Sho gets mad at the ref when this is Sho’s fault! But Mack rolls Sho up! TWO!! Cradle, TWO!! Sunset flip! TWO!! Sho escapes, Mack kips up and SUPERKICKS! The fans fire up and Mack brings Sho to a drop zone. Mack goes up the corner, to NINJA- NO, Sho moves! Mack rolls through, comes back, but Sho dodges! Sho gets the title belt now! But Mack grabs Sho’s legs!

The ref grabs at the belt, it’s a weird tug-o-war, but the ref takes the belt away! Sho LOW BLOWS Mack!! Roll-up, with tights! SHO WINS!!

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

This is the worst! Sho tried to steal a win with a fake, then cheated to steal this win anyway! Will anyone ever humble the Murder Machine? Or will he continue to lie, cheat and steal until he holds both the trophy and the belt?

Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Dragon Dia!

The Ticking Timebomb is inexplicably 0-2 to start, but things haven’t gone so well for the Infinity Carat Diamond. Only one can win their first points of the tournament, so who ends up at the bottom of the block?

The frame on Hiromu’s framed picture of himself seems a bit patched together, but Milano Collection AT-san still accepts it graciously. Hiromu then eggs on “Taguchi.” The bell rings and the two rush up! Dia DROPKICKS Hiromu and tells him the name’s Dragon Dia! Dia fires off forearms in the corner, the ref counts, and Dia roars as he lets off. He drags Hiromu up and shouts “ORE WA DIA DA! <I’M DIA!>” Hiromu swings, Dia dodges but Hiromu ELBOWS him. Hiromu whips, ROCKS and puts Dia on ropes to KICK the ropes! Hiromu says he’s Taguchi and runs, but Dia ducks ‘n ‘dodges ‘n’ slides under a boot!

Dia tilt-o-whirls to arm-drag! Then he DROPKICKS! Hiromu tumbles out, Dia fires up and the fans rally. Dia builds speed but Hiromu ELBOWS him! Hiromu whips Dia to a corner, clotheslines and snapmares to basement dropkick! The fans cheer, Hiromu covers, TWO! Dia stays in this and the fans rally up. But even as the fans call out to Dia, Hiromu asks how Taguchi is doing. Hiromu drags Dia up, CHOPS him, then stands him up to CHOP again! Dia falls back, Hiromu covers, TWO! Dia stays in this and the fans rally up. Hiromu storms up and asks who’s this Dia the fans are talking about. Hiromu CHOPS Dia, then whips.

Dia reverses, Hiromu holds ropes and BOOTS Dia, to then have a HANGING HEADSCISSOR! The ref counts, Hiromu lets off at 4, and he drags Dia out to snap suplex to the floor! Dia writhes, the fans rally, and Hiromu asks the cameraman how Taguchi became such a great high-flyer. Hiromu really thinks this is Ryusuke Taguchi? Hiromu goes back to Dia, drags him up and brings him around POSTS him! Dia falls in a heap but Hiromu storms over to him. The fans rally up but Hiromu drags Dia up and puts him in. Cover, TWO! Hiromu keeps on Dia with a headscissors squeeze! Dia endures and the fans rally, even as Hiromu puts on the pressure.

Dia kicks around, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Hiromu lets off quickly. Hiromu drags Dia up, but Dia pushes him away. Dia CHOPS, but Hiromu eggs him on. Dia CHOPS, then fires a forearm! Hiromu CHOPS, runs, and he counters a hip attack into an atomic drop! Hiromu says that proves this is really Taguchi! Hiromu runs to run Dia over, then stacks him, TWO! The fans rally as Dia stays in this, and Hiromu drags Dia up. Hiromu CHOPS Dia to a corner, then whips corner to corner. Hiromu runs in but into BOOTS! Dia then RANAS Hiromu away! Hiromu bails out, Dia fires up and slingshots, but he feints the plancha!

Dia resets but Hiromu slides in. Dia ducks Hiromu’s lariat to then trip him up and slingshot, TORNILLO! Hiromu bails out, so Dia resets, ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit and the fans fire up as both men are down! The ring count starts, the fans rally, and Dia rises at 7 of 20. Dia fetches Hiromu at 11, puts him in at 12, and the fans cheer. Dia fires up again and he goes up the corner. Hiromu rises and Dia leaps, but Hiromu blocks the DDT to fireman’s carry! CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Hiromu drags Dia up, fireman’s carries again, TIMEBOMB- NO, Dia wheelbarrows and somersaults! Hiromu stops that to drag Dia up!

Dia swings an elbow but Hiromu ducks! Dia still SOBATS, runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans rally and Hiromu suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Dia survives and the fans fire up! Hiromu keeps cool, and he waits on Dia. Dia rises, Hiromu runs, but Dia dodges and rolls, to REPTI- NO, Hiromu stops the rana to POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO! The fans fire up as Dia stays in this! Hiromu taunts Dia, slaps him around, but Dia drags himself up. Hiromu runs, but Dia blocks the lariat! Hiromu SUPERKICKS, runs, but Dia falls! Dia scrambles back up to CHOP! Hiromu gets in Dia’s face!

Hiromu CHOPS Dia, runs, but Dia HIP ATTACKS!! So is he Taguchi or not!? Dia roars, goes to a corner, and then storms up on Hiromu to chicken wing! DODON BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives another Taguchi move and Dia roars! Dia again shouts, “Ore wa Dia da!” Fisherman and lift, but Hiromu fights free! Dia ducks the superkick to ENZIGIRI! Hiromu rebounds, into another ENZIGIRI! Dia hurries to get Hiromu up, gets under a leg and lifts, END OVER!! Cover, TWO?!? Hiromu survives and Dia is furious! But Dia also goes to a corner and aims from a corner. Hiromu slowly rises, Dia runs up, roll and REP-

NO, Hiromu blocks the sunset to make it a CRUNCHY!! Cover, TWO!!! Dia survives and the fans fire up again! Hiromu shakes his head and has that wild grin on his face. Hiromu drags Dia up, reels him in, suplex, but Dia fights free! Dia wrenches, dodges, but Hiromu follows! Dia wheelbarrows, but Hiromu makes it a WHEELBARROW GERMAN! But Dia’s right up!! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Hiromu hauls Dia up, fireman’s carry, but into REPTILIAN KAI!! Cover, TWO!!! Hiromu survives #DoubleCork but the fans are thunderously behind Dia! Dia drags himself to a corner, rises up, and he goes up the corner!

Dia roars and the fans fire up again! Dia aims to 450, onto knees! Hiromu rolls Dia into a fireman’s carry and lifts him up! TIMEBOMB 1.5!! Cover, TWO!!! Dia survives the 1.5 and Hiromu can’t believe it! Hiromu stands Dia up, runs, to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! And then he adds on with the OG TIMEBOMB!! Cover, Hiromu wins!!

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

Hiromu finally gets on the board! And at least in his mind, he still has Taguchi’s number in this tournament. Will Hiromu make this a comeback story for the history books? Will Dia ever crack that goose egg in his win column?

Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS Taiji Ishimori!

The Sniper of the Skies may be 1-1, but that means he’s only a step behind The Bone Soldier’s 2-0. Who will be number one with a bullet in this main event caliber shootout?

The bell rings, the fans rally up, and Eagles encourages them to get louder. Fans start up a “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” and Robbie joins in. Taiji doesn’t it but Robbie tries to start one for him. The fans don’t respond and Robbie shrugs. The two feel things out, tie up, Taiji waistlocks but Robbie switches. Taiji wrenches, Robbie rolls then wrenches back. Robbie hammerlocks but Taiji switches that onto Robbie. Robbie headlocks, hits the takeover, but Taiji headscissors. Robbie kips free, and the fans applaud as the two stand off. Taiji and Robbie reset, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Taiji wrenches right into a top wristlock!

Robbie goes to ropes, Red Shoes calls the break, but Taiji twists the wrist first. Red Shoes counts but Taiji YANKS the arm as he lets off. Taiji then whips, but Robbie holds ropes to block! Taiji tries again but Robbie still holds on, so Taiji CLAWS the eyes! Taiji whips, Robbie reverses to go up and around and arm-drag! Robbie keeps moving, hurdles Taiji to then RANA him! Taiji gets back up, but Robbie WHEEL KICKS! Robbie kips up, the fans fire up and Taiji bails out. Robbie builds speed but Taiji moves, so Robbie springboards to backflip! The fans cheer but Taiji eggs Robbie on. Robbie slides out but Taiji slides in, and still taunts Robbie.

Robbie slides back in, but Taiji catches him for a NECK TWIST! Robbie staggers away, Taiji goes out after him, and Taiji SMACKS Robbie off the commentary desk! Robbie staggers away, Taiji pursues and scoops, to LAWN DART POST him! Red Shoes reprimands and wants this back in the ring. Taiji goes back in, but he unties the blue buckle pad! The Bullet Club Special is in play, and then Taiji waits on Robbie. The ring count starts, Robbie sits up at 5 of 20, then rises at 8. Robbie slides in at 9, but Taiji storms up on him. Robbie CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Taiji CLUBS Robbie on the neck! Robbie falls and flops against ropes.

Taiji drags Robbie up, cravats for a neck wrench, and he snapmares to NECK TWIST again! Robbie writhes but Taiji looms over him. Taiji clamps on a chinlock and digs his knee into Robbie’s back. Robbie endures, so Taiji pushes him down for a FIST DROP! Taiji then pushes Robbie to a cover, TWO! Robbie gets away and the fans rally up. Taiji stalks Robbie, clamps onto an arm, CLUBS Robbie in the neck, then traps both arms in chicken wings! Taiji spins Robbie around, then gets a leg, and he lifts Robbie into the fisherman stretch! Then he hits the SHOULDER BUSTER! Robbie flounders out of the ring and Taiji says, “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE! F YOU!”

Taiji waits on the ring count, and Robbie is still down at 5 of 20. Robbie sits up at 8, stands at 9, but he falls over at 10! Robbie rises at 12 and rolls into the ring, and fans cheer the resilience. Taiji looms over Robbie, Robbie kicks from below, but Taiji stomps him! The fans rally for Robbie but Taiji wrenches an arm, hammerlocks, then scoops, but Eagles slips free! CHOP BLOCK! Robbie keeps moving, but Taiji ducks the blindside lariat! JUMP KNEE, LA MYSTICA, but Robbie stops it partway! Robbie gets the backslide, TWO! Taiji runs up, Robbie gets around, SNAP SAIDO! The fans fire up while both men are down!

The fans rally up again, and Robbie pounds the mat. Robbie waits on Taiji to sit up, and then he KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS again! Taiji flounders, Robbie runs, and LEG LARIATS! The fans cheer as Robbie rolls and aims from a corner. Robbie runs corner to corner to DOUBLE KNEE, then he rolls back, to BASEMENT 619! Taiji sits down, Robbie runs back in, METEORA! The fans fire up and Eagles pushes Taiji to a cover, TWO! Taiji stays in this but the fans rally for Robbie again. Robbie shakes out the bad arm, goes up and out, then climbs the corner. But Taiji SLAPS Robbie first! Taiji lifts Robbie off the corner, but Robbie hooks ropes!

Red Shoes counts, Taiji puts Robbie on the apron. Robbie GAMANGIRIS back! Robbie springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK the legs! Robbie then ties up those legs into the RON MILLER SPECIAL! Taiji endures, flails around, reaches out, but Robbie puts on the pressure! The fans rally, and Taiji gets the ROPEBREAK! Robbie lets go, but drops knees on the knee! Taiji flounders away, Robbie vows to end it now. But Taiji ducks the Shining Wizard! BONE LOCK!! Robbie endures, the fans rally, but Taiji puts on the pressure! Robbie reaches back with a leg, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Taiji lets go in frustration.

Taiji hobbles around, drags Robbie up, and Taiji POSTS Robbie in the blue corner!! Then Taiji hammerlocks, lifts, and SHOULDER BUSTERS! Cover, TWO!! Robbie survives and Taiji is frustrated but the fans rally up. Taiji goes to a corner, aims and BANG. Taiji drags Robbie up, but Robbie fights the lift! Taiji still tries but Robbie kicks the bad leg! Taiji runs in but Robbie ELBOWS him away. Robbie runs up, into a BOOT! Taiji runs in, blocks boots, and puts Robbie in ropes! ENZIGIRI and- Robbie springs out to FLYING CHUCK! The fans fire up while both men are down! The fans rally as Robbie rises. Robbie drags Taiji up, but Taiji fires a forearm!

Robbie fires a forearm in return! Taiji fires another forearm! Robbie kicks back! Taiji fires another forearm, and the two stand. Robbie CHOPS, Taiji CHOPS, Robbie CHOPS again! Taiji fires a flurry of forearms, but Robbie KICKS a leg! Taiji LARIATS, runs, but Robbie blocks to ROUNDHOUSE! SUPERKICK! ENZI- NO, Taiji ducks! BONE LOCK! But Robbie slips out to steal BONE LOCK! But Taiji rolls him up! TWO!! Both stand, Robbie blocks the boot, slips around and fires palm strikes! Robbie hooks Taiji up, but Taiji fights the backpack into a gut wrench! But Robbie turns that around to steal- NO, Taiji flips through to somersault clutch! TWO and Robbie has it! TWO!!

The fans fire up, Robbie rolls Taiji with the bridge, TWO!! Robbie steps through, but Taiji BOOTS him into the bare buckles!! Roll-up, TWO, but into BONE LOCK!!! Robbie endures, reaches out, and the fans rally! Taiji pulls way back on the hold! Robbie still fights his way forward, but Taiji rolls him! Robbie pops free, and rolls Taiji into the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Taiji endures, reaches out, crawls forward, but Robbie drags him back! Robbie puts on the pressure and Taiji flails! Taiji still fights, claws at the mat, but Robbie drags him back again! Robbie KICKS away on the bad leg, then steps through to drop knees on the knee!

The fans are thunderous and Eagles steps through, but Taiji cradles! Then BLOODY CROSS!! Cover, Taiji wins!

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

It was a shootout until the end, but it was Taiji who hit the mark! Will Eagles be able to reload and try again in the next round?

As for Taiji, he gets an icepack for his knee, then gets the mic. Taiji taps the mic on the mat for the sound check, then he sits up to say, “Oi Gunma, were you fired up?” The fans cheer, they definitely were. Taiji asks if they wanted Robbie Eagles to win tonight. “Be honest, that’s what you wanted! Well that’s too bad! It is what it is. Sorry to say, I’m here.” The fans do applaud his win. Taiji adds that unfortunately, he’s not interested in anything but the top! And he won’t give this spot to anybody! “You wanna be more fired up, huh? You want more, huh? Well, keep your eyes on me, and only me! Taking it all is my destiny.

“I’m given all that I need, you know what I mean? All of it… by God’s grace!” The Bone Soldier feels he is destined for greatness, but will he make destiny into reality?

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

KUSHIDA: 3-0, 6 points
Taiji Ishimori: 3-0, 6 points
SHO: 2-1, 4 points
Ninja Mack: 2-1, 4 points
Francesco Akira: 1-2, 2 points
Robbie Eagles: 1-2, 2 points
“Drilla” Moloney: 1-2, 2 points
DOUKI: 1-2, 2 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 1-2, 2 points
Dragon Dia: 0-3, 0 points

My Thoughts:

A great third round for B Block, and Hiromu finally getting his win here made sense. Pretty funny gag where he is convinced Dragon Dia is just Ryusuke Taguchi with a new look. Not sure why he went with that but Dia insisting he’s his own person while still using moves that Taguchi also uses was really good stuff. I also really liked Sho having a fake Ninja Mack and trying to get a win that way. Bit of a shame Mack didn’t turn things around and win, but I suppose the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion can’t be owing too many matches after this tournament.

Kushida’s still 3-0, a good move in itself. But as the guy who beat Sho, there’s a chance Kushida does have to fall back to his “golden ticket” for a title match. And great main event from Eagles VS Taiji, great win for Taiji to also be undefeated 3-0. His promo was good, and I wonder if claiming God is behind him is him taking a shot at Titan, who always thanks God for his victories. But as it stands, Kushida and Taiji are strong choices for making it out of the block, but I suppose it depends on the plans for Hiromu. Hiromu could replace Taiji as a semifinalist since Kushida already beat Hiromu, because his story really is about redeeming himself from falling short last year.

My Score: 8.9/10