Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (6/3/24)

One step away from the end!

Published

12 months ago

June 3, 2024

Steven Mitchell

The goal is within reach!

Neither El Desperado, Douki, TJP nor Taiji Ishimori have won a Best of the Super Juniors tournament, so who will survive to keep that dream alive?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Six Man Tag: Shoma Kato, Kevin Knight & KUSHIDA VS Blake Christian, Ninja Mack & HAYATA; Blake, Mack & Hayata win.
Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Bullet Club War Dogs; TMDK wins.
Yuya Uemura & Taka Michinoku VS Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb; Khan & Cobb win.
8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Dragon Dia, Boltin Oleg, Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi; LIJ wins.
Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito VS HENARE & Callum Newman; Shingo & Naito win.
10 Man Tag: The House of Torture VS Shota Umino & ???; Shota Umino, Yuji Nagata, Tiger Mask, Togi Makabe & Hiroyoshi Tenzan win.
Best of the Super Juniors 31 Semifinal: TJP VS Taiji Ishimori; Taiji wins and advances to the finals.
Best of the Super Juniors 31 Semifinal: El Desperado VS DOUKI; Desperado wins and advances to the finals.

PLAY BY PLAY

10 Man Tag: The House of Torture VS Shota Umino & ???

The King of Darkness has declared his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match at Dominion will be a Lumberjack match, but also believes it will be a “Handicap” Lumberjack match, as Jon Moxley has no friends willing to support him. But surely, the Roughneck has friends who will. Who joins #SHOOTER in tearing down The House?

Evil gets the mic to point out all the “X” on the card for the mystery partners. He is convinced Shota has no one! The fans boo but Evil tells Shota that Osaka-Jo Hall will be even easier. But wait, the lights go down and we get a message from Jon Moxley on the tron! “June the 9th in Osaka-Jo Hall, Evil wants a Lumberjack match. He wants all his cronies in House of Torture out there to surround the ring. How is that different than any other night with you guys? But this is gonna be very different. Very different indeed. See, I’ve worked very, very hard, I have nearly killed myself, I have worked myself to the bone.

“I have given every inch of all my effort, and all my sweat and blood, and every ounce of my soul to earn the respect of the wrestlers in NJPW, the fans of NJPW, to everybody who came before me who made this belt what it is today, who build NJPW into the place it is today. And I have worked too hard to earn that respect to share that respect, to see a guy like you just piss all over it! Take a little spray paint can, do a little number on this belt right here, put a little scar on the IWGP Championship belt. You did that. You disrespected everybody that came before you. And I will do something about it.

“You’re gonna have House of Torture? Well I’m gonna have my own set of enforcers to keep law and order. And there will be a need for law and order, because this won’t be just any Lumberjack match. This is gonna be a Jon Moxley Lumberjack match, where there are no limits! Anything can happen! There are no limits to how out of control it can get! I look to the Third Generation of NJPW to lay down the law, to beat some respect into The House of Torture. At the end of the night on June 9th in Osaka-Jo Hall, respect or not, I will still be the King of NJPW, and I will still be IWGP World Champion.”

The message ends there, the lights come back up, and walking in from the crowd with Shota is… BLUE JUSTICE, YUJI NAGATA! And he’s brought Tiger Mask, Togi Makabe & Hiroyoshi Tenzan! The fans are all fired up to see these living legends make their way down with the Reiwa Musketeer, will they finally put The House in their place?

Wait a minute, now Evil isn’t even gonna be in this match? He’s making Dick Togo be the fifth man for his team? Well, the card does say “House of Torture,” so that still counts. The two sides are staring down as the tension rises, and then the brawl is on! The fans fire up as Narita is of course after Shota and throws him out. The bell rings as some of the legends are cleared out, but Narita keeps after Shota on the outside. Nagata helps out but Narita knocks him down. Tenzan is stuck in the ring, getting mugged by Sho, Dick and Kanemaru. But he fights back with headbutts and Mongolian Chops!

Tenzan kicks and chops Dick but Kanemaru kicks low. Kanemaru runs but into a slap! Then a kick and Mongolian Chops! The fans fire up and Tenzan runs, but Kanemaru avoids the falling headbutt! Dick storms back in to DROPKICK Togi off the apron! The chaos on the outside continues, even spills into the crowd a bit! Kanemaru POSTS Tenzan, and the ref tries to sort this out. Kanemaru puts Tenzan back in, drags him up, and Dick helps him mug Tenzan. Then they double suplex! Kanemaru covers, TWO! The fans fire up but Kanemaru tags Sho. They split the wishbone! Sho then sneaks a CHOKE on Tenzan!

The fans boo and the ref notices, so he counts. Sho lets off to tag in Yujiro. The fans rally for Tenzan but Tokyo Pimp drags him up. Yujiro knees low, and steals the Mongolian Chops! The fans boo as Yujiro keeps doing that. Dick & Sho keep Tenzan trapped so Yujiro can mug Tenzan in the corner. Then Yujiro hits a FALLING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! Tenzan is still in this and the fans fire up. Dick tags in and he stands on Tenzan’s hand! The fans boo, but Tenzan throws body shots. Dick CLUBS Tenzan down, snapmares, and then runs up to FIST DROP! Cover, TWO! Dick stomps Tenzan, tags Narita, and Narita brings Tenzan up.

Narita grinds Tenzan’s face off the ropes! The ref reprimands, Narita runs and he BOOTS Tenzan down! Cover, TWO! Narita BOOTS Shota just because! Tenzan throws body shots and haymakers! Narita CLAWS Tenzan’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Narita runs, but into a MOUNTAIN BOMB BACK DROP! The fans fire up as Tenzan crawls, hot tag to Nagata! Blue Justice BOOTS Narita, theN BOOTS Dick! Yujiro kicks and whips but Nagata reverses to kitchen sink knee! The fans fire up with Nagata and he aims at Narita! KICK! KICK! KICK! Nagata whips corner to corner, runs in and BOOTS! Then the EXPLODER!

The fans fire up, Nagata covers, TWO! But into the DISARMER!! Narita flails but the House saves him! The fans boo but Tiger Mask KICKS Kanemaru then fires off shots on Sho! But Kanemaru grabs the mask! Sho ROCKS Tiger Mask! But Tiger Mask BOOTS Sho and DROPKICKS Kanemaru! Tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER for Sho! Hot tag to Shota! Shota fires off on Narita, then runs corner to corner, only for Narita to dodge! Narita gets around to a SLEEPER! And he pulls hair to keep Shota from ropes. Narita shoves, distracts the ref, and Evil trips Shota! Now the King gets involved! The House then BLASTS the legends off the apron!

Dick & Kanemaru double whip Shota to a corner, then Dick elbows! Yujiro BOOTS! Sho forearms! Kanemaru UPPERCUTS! Snapmare and they set Shota up! The ref is distracted by Yujiro while Dick goes up, to DICK CHOP! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans fire up! But Narita slips Dick the choker! Kanemaru distracts the ref and the SPOILER CHJOKER is used on Dick! Togi gets in to CLUB Dick! But Kanemaru & Sho go after Togi! They double whip but the Rapmagping Gorilla blasts through their line to DOUBLE LARIAT! Togi BLASTS the rest of the house, too! Nagata & Shota whip Dick to a corner!

Nagata runs in to BOOT! Togi runs in to clothesline! Feed to Tiger’s SOBAT, then Tenzan’s Mongolian Chop! Shota hits the EXPLODER! Cover, Yujiro makes the save! Tiger fires off on Yujiro and whips but Yujiro reverses. Yujiro runs up, Tiger dumps him out! Tiger Mask DIVES and down goes Yujiro! Shota gets Dick up and hooks him, but Narita uses the PUSHUP BAR to choke Shota! Shota flings Narita away, kicks low, DEATH RIDER!! The fans are thunderous but Dick ROCKS Shota! Shota roars! Kick and DEATH RIDER!! Cover, Team Roughneck wins!

Winners: Shota Umino, Yuji Nagata, Tiger Mask, Togi Makabe & Hiroyoshi Tenzan, by pinfall

Evil is furious that his team lost, but he insists this changes nothing! But Shota gets the mic now to respond. Right here are the heart and soul of NJPW, his senpais. And even through the toughest times in NJPW history, they all loved this company and battled for THE IWGP Championship. And there is NO way any of them can forgive what The House of Torture has done. They all stand by this lion symbol, so Shota asks them to lend him and Moxley their strength. He asks with the respect of a kouhai (underclassman) who respects his senpai and everything they’ve done, they are the kind of men he wants to fight alongside.

Shota shakes hands with each of the legends, and they are all ready to stand against Evil. Will they help Moxley serve true justice at Dominion? Or will Darkness Fall on Osaka-Jo Hall?

Best of the Super Juniors 31 Semifinal: TJP VS Taiji Ishimori!

The Public Enemy made it through by bringing out The Aswang, while The Bone Soldier believes it was God’s grace that helped him overcome Hiromu. Will Taiji prove beyond a doubt #ItsReborn? Or will TJP continue to conquer this tournament for the United Empire?

The bell rings and the fans rally up for “T J P! T J P!” as he stares down with Taiji. TJP and Taiji circle, feel things out, and Taiji shoots to a waistlock. TJP switches, Taiji switches, but TJP headlocks then facelocks. Taiji wrenches out to wristlock, but TJP rolls, spins, and wrangles Taiji to have the leg. TJP then floats to an arm for the top wristlock. Taiji rolls to stand but TJP shifts to a hammerlock, then headlock, and hits a takeover. Taiji rolls to a cover, ONE! TJP holds on, shrugs off the headscissors, then handsprings over to get the chinlock. Taiji endures, fights up, and they end up on ropes.

The ref calls the break, TJP lets go and Taiji pats him on the shoulders. The fans applaud as the two reset and circle. They tie up with knuckle locks, go shoulder to shoulder for a Test of Strength, and Taiji bridges TJP back. TJP fights up, breaks a lock to cartwheel and trip Taiji. TJP has the top wristlock, but Taiji moves around. Taiji headlocks, then shifts to wrench an arm to a hammerlock. TJP slips around the back, spins Taiji to waistlock, full nelson, spin and trip! TJP has the toehold but Taiji turns and reels TJP into a headlock. The fans cheer this technical exchange, and TJP endures the grind. TJP then pops out the back to IRON OCTOPUS!

The fans cheer while Taiji endures and marches forward to the ROPEBREAK! TJP lets off, then pats Taiji on the shoulders. The fans cheer and the two reset. They tie up, Taiji wrenches to a hammerlock then a wristlock. TJP rolls, spins, cartwheels, drops down, TWISTING SCISSORS! TJP has Taiji down, but then Taiji headscissors TJP! TJP moves around, headstands, but Taiji SPIKES him for it! The fans applaud and Taiji keeps on the squeeze. TJP headstands again, but Taiji SPIKES him again! Taiji keeps hold but TJP hops and turns Taiji over! TJP pops free to have the legs, BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Taiji pops free to a cover, TWO!

Taiji wants the arm, TJP fights up. Taiji grinds the shoulder but TJP slips out and goes around, into the stepover! Taiji scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, TJP lets go, and Taiji bails out. The fans rally while Taiji dares TJP to come after him. TJP slides out but Taiji slides in. TJP slides in but Taiji catches him for the NECK TWIST! The fans applaud while TJP writhes and slumps out. Taiji goes out to POST TJP! Taiji then unties the blue buckle pad while the ref checks TJP. The Bullet Club Special is in play while TJP gets back up and in. The fans rally, but Taiji storms up to grab an arm and twist the wrist.

TJP tries to get up but Taiji wrangles him down. Taiji digs a knee into TJP’s head while pulling on the arm. Then Taiji cravats and drags TJP up for the neck wrench. Taiji rams his shoulder in again and again, then snapmares for the NECK TWIST! The fans rally while Taiji paces. Taiji drags TJP up, snapmares again, and clamps on a chinlock. TJP endures, the fans rally again, and TJP rises up. TJP fires body shots, gets free and runs, but Taiji catches him to the headlock! Taiji grinds TJP down but TJP grabs the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud while Taiji lets go. The fans rally for TJP more but Taiji CLUBS him.

Taiji whips, TJP goes Spider-Man! Taiji HANDSPRING KICKS TJP down! Taiji grins, grabs TJP’s arm and brings him back up, but TJP steps over! DARK SACRIFICE on the apron! The fans fire up while Taiji flounders. TJP goes to the far corner, comes back, and triangle jump DROPKICKS Taiji from the apron! The fans fire up and TJP hurries to bring Taiji back into the ring. TJP climbs, Taiji rises, FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Taiji goes to a corner. TJP runs up to ELBOW Taiji down, and then the scrubbing begins! The fans cheer, TJP runs side to side, BOOT WASH! The fans fire up as they want it again!

TJP obliges and scrubs Taiji some more. TJP runs side to side again, for a BOOT WASH DROPKICK! The fans fire up as TJP goes the extra mile! TJP then storms in to drag Taiji up and reel him in, “ICHI!” HALF HATCH! Then “NI!” HALF HATCH! And then “SAN!” HALF HATCH! The fans fire up and TJP climbs. MAMBA- NO, TJP has to land out as Taiji moves! Taiji waistlocks, TJP switches but Taiji fights free. Taiji runs, but TJP goes to a corner! TJP goes up and out and springboards in, FLYING DDT!! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous and TJP pounds the mat. The fans clap along, “T! J P! T! J P!”

TJP goes to a corner, Taiji sit sup, ONE BY- NO, Taiji ducks the knee! Taiji wrenches and hammerlocks TJP, to then POST him! The ref reprimands but then Taiji hammerlocks and half nelsons, for the scoop and SHOULDER BUSTER! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! TJP and Taiji slowly rise, and Taiji aims from a corner. Taiji runs up, into a SUPERKICK! TJP goes to a corner, Taiji runs in, and TJP goes up and- NO, Taiji keeps him from going over! Taiji has TJP in the gut wrench, for CIPHER UTAKI! Taiji crawls to the cover, TWO! TJP is still in this and the fans fire back up!

Taiji is a bit frustrated but he focuses and goes to a corner. Taiji climbs a corner, but TJP ROCKS him first! TJP shakes out the bad arm, positions Taiji and throws hands. TJP climbs, but Taiji throws body shots! Taiji reels TJP in, but TJP fights the lift! The fans freak out a bit but TJP fights free with body shots. TJP sits on the top rope and CHOSP! But Taiji CHOPS back! TJP CHOPS, but then Taiji CHOPS TJP off the rope! TJP takes a tumble to the apron and then the floor! TJP slowly drags himself back up to the apron, but then Taiji grabs at his hair. TJP shrugs free, and SPRINGBOARD SUPER STEINERS!!

The fans are thunderous while Taiji takes a rough tumble! NOVA FIREBALL!! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous as Taiji survives the shoutout to Akira! But TJP reloads, runs in, but into a JUMP KNEE from Taiji! Taiji aims now, runs up, LA MYSTICA!! BONE LOCK!!! TJP flails, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him from ropes! But TJP pops out the back! Stepover and- NO, Taiji drags TJP into a cradle! TWO!!! TJP escapes, Taiji BOOTS him! Taiji runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, sunset BOMB! But TJP’s up to LARIAT!! Both men are down and the fans are electric! TJP stirs, he finds Taiji, and he grabs a wrist,

Taiji grabs the wrist back, so TJP throws forearms! Taiji won’t let go so TJP fires forearm after forearm! Taiji finally does let go, swings, but into the dragon sleeper! Taiji drops down but TJP drops on that to cover! TWO! ROLLING SOBAT! Taiji KNEES TJP, runs, but TJP hits a THESZ PRESS! And makes it a prawn hold! TWO!! Taiji escapes and the fans are electric again! TJP goes to a corner, Taiji runs in, but TJP goes up and over! TORNADO DDT! TJP sets Taiji in the drop zone and hurries up top! MAMBA SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?! But into the stepover! PINOY STRETCH!!! Taiji endures, reaches out, crawls forward, but TJP shifts sides, to steal BONE LOCK!!!

Taiji endures his own hold, but TJP rolls him from ropes! Taiji slips free to get the BONE LOCK!!! TJP endures now as the fans go nuts! TJP pries at the grip, crawls his way around, but Taiji roll shim! But TJP fights up, only to end up in BLOODY SUNDAY!! Cover, TWO?!?!? TJP survives and the fans are volcanic! Taiji gets TJP up, BLOODY CROSS!!! Cover, TAIJI WINS!!

Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

The Public Enemy tried, and got so close, but it is The Bone Soldier who hits the target! Will God’s grace continue to see Taiji through until he’s holding the trophy?

Best of the Super Juniors 31 Semifinal: El Desperado VS DOUKI!

It is time to complete the Dominion main event! The Rogue Luchador and Japones Del Mal are no strangers to each other, so it comes down to who knows the other better than they know themselves! Who wins out to move on to Osaka-Jo Hall?

The bell rings and the fans are split rather even between the former Suzuki-Gun members. The “DOUKI! DOUKI!” starts to stand out, and he circles with Despe. They stare down a moment then feel things out. They knuckle lock, go around, and Douki waistlocks. Despe pries the hold and spins around to a facelock. Douki wrenches free to wristlock, but Despe traps both Douki’s arms. Despe headlocks, wrenches, wristlocks, but Douki rolls, wrenches and hammerlocks. Despe flips over to wrench and wristlock, hammerlock, snapmare and chinlock. Douki slips out the back to hammerlock and the fans cheer the exchange.

Despe moves around, Douki brings him up to also have the cording hold. Now Despe’s arms are trapped, and Douki pushes him down. Douki shifts his grip to have an upside-down motorcycle, and it’s a cover! TWO as Despe turns back over, but Douki keeps a wristlock. Douki wrenches then CLUBS that arm. Douki wrenches again, but Despe powers him down to the mat. They knuckle lock, Despe shifts to hook a leg and keep a top mount. The fans duel as Douki now scissors Despe’s leg. Despe uses that to get a deathlock, and he stands with it! Douki bridges to relieve pressure, but Despe pushes him back down to a lateral press, ONE!

Despe keep Douki down with a headlock but Douki headscissors. Despe bridges, rolls back, but Douki puts on a squeeze. Despe headstands to then pop and roll to a headlock! Douki headscissors back, and Despe gets the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud, Red Shoes counts, and Douki lets off. Despe bails out and Douki waits on him. Despe steps back in, they reset and tie up. Despe waistlocks, Douki wrenches it open to hammerlock, but Despe steps through the ropes! Despe steps back in to wrap Douki’s arm around ropes! Red Shoes reprimands, so Despe KICKS the rope as he lets off! Despe runs up but Douki does the splits!

The fans fire up as Despe tumbles out, and Douki builds speed! Despe ducks so Douki stops short. Douki then resets to PLANCHA, but has to land on the apron as Despe moves. Despe SWEEPS the legs, but Douki handsprings through! Douki then FLYING RANAS! The fans fire up with Douki while Despe tumbles! Douki goes back for Despe, and he puts Despe in the ring. The fans rally up and Douki stomps Despe. Douki whips Despe, ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! Douki hurries to get Despe’s legs tied up, turn him over, and have the SEATED SURFBOARD! The fans fire up as Douki pulls Despe again and again, and then stands!

Douki walks with Despe in the pendulum, then drops him to focus on the arms! Douki steps over for more leverage, but Despe still endures. Douki sits to then roll Despe into the REVERSE ITALIAN STRETCH! Despe endures this modified leg nelson, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Red Shoes counts, Douki lets go at 4. Douki stomps Despe around, but Despe fires body shots and forearms! Douki kicks low, runs, but Despe ELBOWS him! Despe runs, but Douki JUMPING HEADBUTTS! Cover, TWO! Despe is still in this and the fans rally up. Despe goes to a corner, Douki storms up, and Douki wrenches an arm.

Douki whips corner to corner, runs up and elbows Despe, to then turn him. But Despe fights the neckbreaker! Despe grabs a leg, Douki fights the shin breaker! Douki runs, Despe gets around and ties up the legs, KNEE CRUSHER! Douki writhes while clutching both legs! The fans rally up but Despe grabs a leg to YANK it! And SPLASH on it! Douki writhes and the fans rally as he crawls to a corner. Despe waits on Douki to stand, then he runs up, but blocks a boot! Despe dropkicks the bad leg! Then he gets that leg for a DRAGON SCREW! Douki flounders around but Despe grabs the bad leg again.

Despe digs his knee into the knee, then pulls on the toehold. Douki kicks with the free leg but Despe sits down for more leverage. Despe ties Douki’s legs up in the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Despe sits up to egg Douki on, and Douki CHOPS again and again! Despe “falls” over to put on more pressure! The fans rally, Douki endures, and he crawls around. Douki reaches out to the ROPEBREAKS, and Despe says he needs help undoing the hold. Red Shoes pries the legs apart, Despe kneels on the bad leg! Red Shoes reprimands, but then “Oops!” Despe falls on the knee! Despe drags Douki up and around to CHOP him to a corner.

Despe eggs Douki on, CHOPS him again, but Douki shoves back. Douki fires a forearm, and another, and another! Then he CHOPS! Despe just eggs Douki on more so Douki CHOPS again! Despe kicks low and whips Douki to a corner, only for Douki to fall two-thirds of the way there. Despe stands on the bad leg, taunts Douki, then drags him back up. Despe waistlocks but Douki fights the lift. Douki goes to run, Despe reels him in but Douki kicks. Despe blocks and FLIPS Douki, but Douki lands on his feet! But that just jams up the bad leg! Despe grins, kicks the leg, then runs, but Douki handsprings and BACK ELBOWS!

The fans fire up as both men are down again! Despe goes to ropes while Douki shakes out the bad leg. Douki runs up in the corner to clothesline, then he whips corner to corner. Despe comes back but Douki arm-drags him! Douki then spins around Despe to arm-drag again! Douki rams Despe then runs to springboard and BACK ELBOW! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Douki as he drags Despe up, swings him, but Despe slips out to waistlock. Douki switches, spins and drops, ITALIAN STRETCH 32! But Despe powers out! The fans fire up, Douki kicks low! Douki suplexes but Despe fights that, spins it around, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP!

Despe then gets a leg, for a LEG DDT! Then STRETCH MUFFLER! Douki flails, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Despe lets go in frustration. Douki and Despe each shake out bad arms and legs before they sit up. Despe runs up on Douki, but Douki BOOTS and goes to the apron! But the leg jams! Despe KICKS the leg, builds speed, and DIVES into a GAMANGIRI! And then ROPE ITALIAN STRETCH!! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Douki lets go at 4, and the fans rally again. Douki aims as Despe rises, into DAY- NO! Despe stops Daybreak to suplex, but Douki slips free!

Douki goes up to MYSTERIO RANA! Despe tumbles out, Douki builds speed and DIVES to TORNADO DDT to the floor!! The fans are thunderous while Despe writhes. Douki sits up, gets his bad leg working and roars as he stands. The fans cheer, the ring count climbs, but Douki gets Despe up at 8 of 20. They go in at 10 and the fans cheer. Douki aims from the apron again, and Despe rises into DAYBREAK! Cover, TWO, but into ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! Despe endures as Douki has him! Despe kicks and flails around, reaches out, but he falls over! Douki pulls on the hold as hard as he can! Red Shoes checks as Despe fades!

The fans are thunderous as Despe gets a second wind! Despe rises but falls to the other side! Douki pulls but Despe finds the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Douki lets go. Both men catch their breath while the fans continue to rally. Douki slaps his bad leg to get it going again, and Despe goes to a corner. Douki runs in to clothesline! Douki roars, runs, and DOUKI-SAN BOMBERS! Both men are down but Douki rises again! The fans fire up with Douki as he goes to the legs. Douki wheelbarrows, but Despe somersaults! Despe waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Douki escapes and the fans fire up again!

Despe grits his teeth and clutches his neck, and the fans rally up again. Both Despe and Douki sit up, and Douki grabs Despe’s hair. Douki ELBOWS Despe on the neck! Despe growls and fires off CHOP after CHOP! Douki ROCKS Despe back! Both rise, Despe fires forearms, but Douki ROCKS him with just one! The fans fire up with Despe and he stands back up. Despe fires a forearm, Douki fires back, repeat! They go back and forth, and Douki looks to be in better shape. Despe fires a flurry of forearms! Douki ROCKS Despe, Despe KICKS the leg, Douki ENZIGIRIS! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!

Douki rises and roars and he goes back for legs. Douki drags Despe to center, wheelbarrows, and full nelsons! SUPLEX- NO, Despe breaks free, and DECKS Douki! The fans fire up, Despe roars and drags Douki up! Underhooks and PINCHE- NO, Douki sunset flips over, TWO!! Despe wants after Douki but ends up in ITALIAN STRETCH 32!! Douki pulls on the arms and Despe is already fading! Despe sputters, reaches out, kicks around, but Douki pulls! Despe is fading, Red Shoes is checking! Despe fights back to life! Despe drags Douki back with him, but Douki rolls Despe away! ITALIAN- JACKKNIFE BRIDGE! TWO!!!

Douki lets go in time, ELBOWS and ROLLING ELBOWS! But Despe wings up! Douki ROCKS him first!! Douki roars, runs, but Despe wrenches! Backslide, roll through, JAY DRILLER!! The fans are thunderous as Despe rolls Douki back to his feet, for PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover, DESPE WINS!!

Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

An incredible battle between friends, but perhaps it was just too soon for Douki to reach that next level. How much harder will he have to fight to one day be The Best of the Super Juniors?

As for Desperado, he stands, raises a fist in victory and the fans cheer. But before Despe can get the mic to speak, Taiji Ishimori returns to the ring! The BOSJ 31 finalists stare down in the ring and this year’s Dominion theme music plays. Taiji and Despe each tell each other to be ready, and then Despe offers a handshake. Taiji doesn’t take it, and takes his leave instead. The fans cheer, and now Despe gets the mic. Despe says he doesn’t really need to say anything more. He’s going to win this!! And with that, The Rogue Luchador drops the mic and heads out. One way or another, someone will hold their first BOSJ trophy! Who makes NJPW their Dominion?

My Thoughts:

A great final bit for the BOSJ series before Dominion, including all the go-home matches. TMDK getting the win over the War Dogs here makes me think Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita fall short of taking the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships from Clark Connors & “Drilla” Moloney, as great as that would be to go along with Shane Haste & Mikey Nichols being NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions. Similarly, Khan & Cobb win to have momentum going into their respective title matches. But where I feel Khan fails to take back the KOPW Championship from Yuya Uemura, Cobb finds a way to retain the NJPW World Television Championship against Tomohiro Ishii. No offense to Ishii, but I don’t see him as a “15 minutes or less” match kind of guy.

LIJ takes the night in their tag matches, and I’m thinking we see Hiromu, Tsuji & Bushi take on Tanahashi, Yano & Boltin for the NEVER Openweight Six Man titles. They probably won’t win those titles, but it’d be a great match. Likewise, Takagi & Naito stood tall here, but there’s a good chance Henare finds a way to win that NEVER Openweight Championship from Takagi at Dominion. Really good promo from Moxley that then revealed the old school NJPW guys joining his side in this. Very good 8 Man Tag, and while The Faces won here, that should not affect the math. I can’t see Evil being the one dethroning Moxley, even with Lumberjacks and cheating. Mostly because, who challenges and dethrones Evil? Not sure anyone’s really been built to be that next Face champ.

Awesome BOSJ Semifinal matches, with TJP VS Taiji perhaps being the more exciting match overall. It certainly had a bit more unpredictability in who would win, but Taiji winning out does make sense. TJP’s story has been his crisis of confidence, how he needed The Aswang to win his spot here only to lose when he went back to his normal self. Desperado VS Douki was still a lot of fun given these two have known each other a long time. Desperado winning works for his story, because he’s been saying again and again that he needs to finally win this trophy. Taiji VS Desperado is going to be awesome stuff for the Dominion main event, and really anyone’s game.

My Score: 8.9/10

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)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Up Next

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (6/4/24)

Don't Miss

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (6/3/24)

AEW Coverage

Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (5/28/25)

Dynamite in the desert!

Published

1 hour ago

May 28, 2025

Steven Mitchell

The Borderland is All Elite!

The Road to All In: Texas begins tonight! Toni Storm meets Mercedes Mone face-to-face as they prepare for the AEW Women’s World Championship match!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

No Disqualification Tag: Anna Jay & Harley Cameron VS Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford; win.
AEW TNT Championship: Adam Cole VS Kyle Fletcher; wins and
AEW International Championship Qualifier: Josh Alexander VS Brody King; wins and advances to Fyter Fest.
Mixed Six Tag: Gabe Kidd, Jon Moxley & Marina Shafir VS Mark Briscoe, “Speedball” Mike Bailey; win.

PLAY BY PLAY

[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/27/25)

A Block, FINAL ROUND!

Published

21 hours ago

May 27, 2025

Steven Mitchell

So close to the end, we can almost taste it!

Round nine has come, and it all comes down to this! Who takes A Block and goes to the Best of the Super Juniors’ finals?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Titan & Yota Tsuji VS Nick Wayne & Daiki Nagai; Titan & Tsuji win.
MAO & Shoma Kato VS SHO & Yujiro Takahashi; Sho & Yujiro win.
El Desperado & Toru Yano VS Robbie Eagles & Hartley Jackson; Desperado & Yano win.
YOH & Tiger Mask VS Taiji Ishimori & Gedo; Yoh & Tiger Mask win.
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Ninja Mack VS Dragon Dia; Mack wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Francesco Akira; Akira wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Kanemaru wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Clark Connors; Fujita wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Robbie X; Robbie wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

Hiromu Takahashi: 5-3, 10 points
Master Wato: 5-3, 10 points
Clark Connors: 5-3, 10 points
Francesco Akira: 4-4, 8 points
Kosei Fujita: 4-4, 8 points
KUSHIDA: 4-4, 8 points
Dragon Dia: 4-4, 8 points
Robbie X: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Ninja Mack: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]

Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Ninja Mack VS Dragon Dia!

The American Ninja has no way forward to the finals, but he won’t stop fighting! Will he ruin Dia’s run at the top? Or will the Infinite Carat Diamond not crack under pressure?

The bell rings and the fans rally up for “NINJA! NINJA!” Mack offers a handshake, Dia takes it, and the fans applaud the sportsmanship. They tie up, Dia headlocks, but Mack powers up and out. Dia ducks ‘n’ dodges, then slides under to tilt-o-whirl and arm-drag, only for Mack to handspring through! The fans fire up and Dia sees what he’s dealing with. Dia and Mack reset while the fans rally for “NINJA! NINJA!” Dia and Mack tie up, Mack headlocks, but Dia powers up and out. Mack drops down on the dropdown to gator roll and backslide, TWO! Cradle, TWO! Dia jumps the sweep, Oklahoma Rolls, TWO!

Mack stands, Dia has him for a cradle, TWO! Dia sweeps to cover, ONE! Mack steps over, LA MAGISTROL! TWO and Dia has a press, TWO! Dia stands but Mack drags him down with a headlock takeover! Dia headscissors, Mack kips free and Dia hits the takeover! Mack headscissors, Dia kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff. Dia and Mack reset, circle and feel things out. They knuckle lock, go forehead to forehead, then Mack wrenches an arm to whip. Dia reverses and hurdles, but Mack turns it into an atomic drop! Mack runs and BOOTS Dia down! Dia bails out and the fans rally as Mack handsprings! NINJA SPECIAL! Direct hit, but Mack does clutch his foot.

The fans cheer, the ref checks Mack, and Mack manages to stand. Mack hobbles over, brings Dia up, and he puts Dia in the ring. Mack stomps Dia, then clamps on with a CROSSFACE! Dia endures, fights around, and the fans rally. Dia kicks his way over to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Mack lets go, and then Mack brings Dia up to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! And back to the CROSSFACE! Dia endures again and the fans rally! Dia fights as Mack pulls back on the hold! Dia kicks his way over again, but Mack rolls Dia away! CROSSFACE! Dia endures, the fans rally more, and Dia reaches back to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Mack lets go.

Mack stands Dia up to CHOP! Mack puts Dia in a corner, and he CHOPS again! Mack whips corner to corner, Dia reverses, and Dia runs up, only for Mack to BOOT him! Mack fires body shots, and palm strikes! Mack has Dia in the corner again, runs up, but Dia BOOTS and RANAS! Mack bails out, Dai PLANCHAS, and down goes Mack! The fans fire up while both men are down on the outside. Mack crawls away, a fan helps him up, but Dia is after him. Dia puts Mack in the ring, then baits Mack into the leg scissors trip! Dia slingshots in but Mack slides out, so Dia lands on his feet. Dia jumps right back out to ASAI MOONSAULT!

The fans fire up as Dia takes Mack down again! Dia rises, fires himself up, and he goes back for Mack. Dia drags Mack up, puts him in the corner, and then stands him up to CHOP! Mack is stinging, but Dia hoists him up top. Dia CHOPS again, climbs up top, and hits the ASTRO SCISSORS! Mack writhes, Dia covers, TWO! Mack survives and Dia is frustrated, but he fires back up! The fans rally as Dia goes up. D D D D- NO, Mack catches Dia and RAMS him into the corner! And RAMS him again! Mack puts Dia up, ROCKS him, then ROCKS him again! Dia still BOOTS in return! D D- NO, Mack is up top to second rope SPANISH FLY!

The fans fire up while both men are down! The ref starts a double count while Mack and Dia stir. We pass 5 of 10, then 7, but Mack and Dia stand. They back up into each other, and Mack rolls Dia up! TWO, and Dia rolls Mack up! TWO! Dia sunset flips, TWO, and Mack sits on the prawn hold! TWO and Mack rolls through the sunset to stack! TWO and Dia sunsets, TWO! Mack has the cradle, TWO and Dia has the ghost pin! TWO!! Mack escapes, Dia ENZIGIRIS, but Mack rebounds to SUPERKICK! The fans fire up as Mack crawls his way over. Mack goes for the corner and vows to end it! The fans rally as Mack climbs, but Dia stirs.

Mack fires up and NINJA BOMB FLOPS as Dia moves! Mack writhes, Dia runs and goes right up top! D D D- SHURIKEN KICK!!! Cover, MACK WINS!!!

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

An incredible antiair attack brings Dia down, and now neither man is going to the finals! Both men still show great promise, will it be better luck next time next year?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Francesco Akira!

Time is running out, and maybe it’s too late, but the Time Splitter and the Crown of Fire are going to fight until the last possible second! But win, lose, or draw, who will be watching and waiting for the final results?

The bell rings and the two tie right up. They break, tie up again, and then break. They tie up again, Kushida headlocks, and he grinds Akira down. Akira powers up and out, but Kushida RUNS him over! Things keep moving, Akira stays low then hurdles over. Akira runs but Kushida HIP TOSSES! Akira rolls while Kushida cartwheels, and Akira is up to duck ‘n’ dodge then RANA! Kushida tumbles out while the fans fire up! Akira builds speed, but Kushida ducks the sliding dropkick! Kushida kicks low, whips, but Akira Tiger Feint Kicks on the apron! The fans fire up with Akira and he drags Kushida up to CHOP!

The fans rally, Akira brings Kushida around the way, and he CHOPS again! Kushida kicks low, puts Akira through the corner to then YANK him into the POST! The fans rally while Akira falls, but Kushida stands on the bad arm! Kushida twists the other arm, then brings Akira up. Kushida puts Akira through the corner again to YANK him back into the POST! Akira falls and clutches his arm, but Kushida leaves him behind to go into the ring. The ring count starts but Akira is back up and in very quickly. Akira CHOPS but Kushida kicks low, then scoops to SLAM! The fans rally, Kushida looms over Akira, then he stomps the bad arm!

Kushida drags Akira up, snap suplexes, then looms over Akira again. Kushida stands Akira up to CHOP! Akira CHOPS back! Akira fires a forearm, but Kushida snapmares and steps over to drop a KNEE on the arm! Kushida clamps onto Akira’s arm for a mounted chicken wing but Akira endures. The fans rally, Akira fights up, but Kushida wrangles him back down. Akira fights up, fires forearms, and runs, only for Kushida to SHOTEI! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Akira stays in this, but Kushida brings him up to ELBOW him in the head. Kushida wrangles Akira again, and has the short arm scissors! Akira endures as Kushida puts on the pressure!

Akira fights around, but Kushida powers him down to keep on the arm scissors! Akira fights around, manages to stack Kushida, TWO! Kushida lets Akira go and the fans rally up. Kushida stalks Akira to the ropes, then wrenches the arm. Kushida grinds Akira’s hand against the ropes! The ref reprimands but Akira clutches his arm. Kushida runs to SHOTGUN the elbow! Akira flounders, Kushida goes up the corner, but Akira ROCKS Kushida! Kushida goes to the apron, Akira steps out to join him, but Kushida KICKS the bad arm! Akira fires forearms but Kushida has the wristlock. Akira wrenches Kushida to WRING Kushida into the apron!

The fans rally while Akira shakes out his arm. Akira runs and builds speed to FLY! Down goes Kushida and the fans fire up! Akira roars, the fans cheer, and Akira drags Kushida up and into the ring. Akira tells Fukuoka, “IKU ZO!” The fans rally with Akira and he climbs up the corner. Kushida hurries to HANDSPRING KICK Akira! Akira wobbles up top and Kushida climbs up after him! Akira fires forearms but Kushida has the HOVERBOARD! The ref reprimands, but Akira fires body shots! Akira HEADBUTTS Kushida and Kushida drops back. Akira CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Akira whips, Kushida reverses, but Akira wheelbarrows!

Akira victory rolls to STOMP 182! The fans cheer and Akira covers, TWO! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Kushida toughs it out and Akira grows frustrated but the fans rally up. They cheer on “A! KI-RA!” and he brings Kushida up. Akira wrenches to ELBOW BREAKER, then goes again! ELBOW BREAKER! Akira wants another, but Kushida wrenches, so Akira rolls him up! TWO, Akira swings but Kushida ducks it! Kushida spins Akira to ROLLING ELBOW! Akira SUPERKICKS! Kushida winds up, but Akira LARIATS first! The fans fire up with Akira, but then Kushida cradles, deadlifts, and BACK TO THE FUTURE!! But Kushida can’t make the cover!

The fans rally while both men stir. Kushida rises and he goes for Akira. Akira grabs at Kushida, as well, and Kushida throws a forearm. Akira fires back! Kushida fires another, so Akira fires back! The fans rally while both men huff ‘n’ puff. Akira blocks the forearm to CLUB the arm! Akira fires a flurry, then eggs Kushida on! Kushida ROCKS Akira, then PENALTY KICKS the arm! Kushida runs, tilt-o-whirl, but Akira fights off the Hoverboard! Clinch and SPEEDFIRE!! Cover, TWO!! Kushida survives and the fans rally for Akira. Akira crawls to the corner, crowns up and NOVA- NO, Kushida ducks the fireball to SLIDE KICK!

Kushida SLIDE KICKS again, and again! Kushida whips, Akira reverses, but Kushida handsprings, into the reverse clinch! GROUND TARANTULA, but Kushida turns things over to a backslide! TWO!!! Akira escapes, but Kushida wrenches him and spins him for another backslide! Akira rolls through to SUPERKICK! Akira roars, the fans fire up with him, and NOVA- BODY SCISSOR TAKEDOWN! HOVERBOARD!! Akira is caught and Kushida cranks on that bad arm! Akira powers up to slip free of the body scissors! Akira shifts and finds the angle, GROUND TARANTULA!! Kushida endures, Akira PULLS on the arm, KUSHIDA TAPS! AKIRA WINS!!

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

The Time Splitter could not put out the fire, and Akira still has life! But will this be enough for Akira to be a finalist? Or will he be extinguished by another’s victory?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

The Way of the Grandmaster fell in the main event of last round, but he still has a chance to be in the finals! Will he stay alive just a little longer? Or will the Heel Master pour some whiskey on Wato’s dreams?

Well, to start, Kanemaru attacks during Wato’s entrance! The fans boo as Kanemaru kicks and CLUBS Wato! Kanemaru POSTS Wato, Wato falls over, and Kanemaru stomps him down! The ref reprimands but Kanemaru tells him to shut up. Kanemaru leaves Wato behind and wants the ring count. The ref has the bell ring first, and now a ring count can start. Wato rises at 3 of 20, is on the apron, but Kanemaru runs up. Wato RAMS Kanemaru, takes aim, but Kanemaru shoves the ref into Wato! Wato falls, as does the ref, and the fans boo as Kanemaru goes out after Wato! Kanemaru POSTS Wato again!

Kanemaru brings out chairs, puts on one Wato’s leg, then SLAMS the other chair on top of it! Not quite a Con-Chair-To but it gets the job done. Kanemaru SMASHES Wato’s knee on the floor, then goes back to the ring. The ref reprimands but Kanemaru lets Wato writhe. Wato clutches his knee while the ring count starts again. Wato crawls but he’s still down at 10 of 20. Wato reaches for the apron at 15, stands at 17, but manages to jump in at 19! Kanemaru YANKS the bad leg, stomps away on Wato, then stands him up. Kanemaru whips, but Wato can’t even run! The ref checks Wato but Kanemaru is right on those legs!

Kanemaru chuckles as he holds Wato open, but then he gives the ref one leg so Kanemaru can split the wishbone! Wato flounders, stands, and Kanemaru DROPKICKS the legs out! Kanemaru then grabs a leg to YANK it! Kanemaru stomps Wato more, taunts him, then drags him back up. Kanemaru has the leg for the SHIN BREAKER! And then he turns Wato over, HALF CRAB! Wato endures and the fans rally while Kanemaru sits deep! Kanemaru pulls on the leg, but Wato scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Kanemaru won’t let go! The ref counts, Kanemaru finally lets go at 4, and he drags Wato right back up.

Kanemaru whips, but Wato still can’t run that well! Wato tumbles to the apron, then slips to the floor. Kanemaru goes right after Wato to SMASH the knee on the floor! The fans rally for Wato while he writhes but Kanemaru leaves him behind. The ref checks with Wato but Wato won’t let this stop him. The ring counts as Kanemaru waits on Wato. Wato is still down at 10 of 20, just like last time. Wato slowly rises and stands at 16. Wato rolls in at 17 and the fans cheer, but Kanemaru grabs the legs for a FIGURE FOUR! Wato endures, the fans rally, but Kanemaru puts on the pressure! Wato flails, reaches out, and he drags Kanemaru along! ROPEBREAK!!

The fans cheer and Kanemaru makes the ref help him undo the hold. Wato grits his teeth and clutches his leg but the fans still rally behind him. Kanemaru stomps Wato, stomps the leg, then kicks him around. Wato stands to CHOP! And CHOP! Kanemaru KICKS the leg! Kanemaru whips Wato but Wato again falls! The leg is in bad shape but Wato refuses to give up. Wato stands, Kanemaru runs up, but Wato ELBOWS him! And BULLDOGS! The fans fire up as Wato powers through the pain! Wato crawls over to Kanemaru and fires up! The fans rally again and Wato wrenches Kanemaru. Kanemaru fights the Recientemente and goes after that leg!

Kanemaru runs, but Wato blocks the boot to spin and ZIGZAG! The fans fire up, Wato brings Kanemaru up, and Wato wrenches to RECIENTEMENTE! Cover, TWO!! Kanemaru survives but Wato just fires up again! The fans are with him as he waistlocks and TSUTEN- NO, Kanemaru grabs the ref! Kanemaru mule kicks the leg! Then he KICKS the other leg! Then he trips Wato to step through, FIGURE FOUR!! Wato endures, the fans rally as hard as they can, but Kanemaru puts on the pressure! Wato reaches out but he’s so far away! Wato pushes against the main leg, he grabs at the ref, but that won’t save him!

Wait, what is SHO doing here?! The Murder Machine is in B Block, but the House of Torture boys will always help each other cheat! The ref keeps Sho back, but Yujiro Takahashi is also here! Tokyo Pimp slides the whiskey bottle to Kanemaru! Kanemaru CLUBS away on Wato’s leg with that bottle!! The fans boo as Wato can only suffer! Kanemaru puts even more pressure on the hold, and WATO TAPS!! Kanemaru wins!!

Winner: Yoshinobu Kanemaru, by submission (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)

Kanemaru’s game plan to go after the legs was working well enough, he didn’t need the House’s help! But perhaps Kanemaru wanted to stoop to these lows in order to win! And now Sho & Yujiro help stomp away on Wato! But here comes Yoh! Direct Drive saves his tag partner and runs off The House! He even gets a chair! Yoh wants them to man up, but that’s not happening. But now, with Hiromu Takahashi having beat Wato and issuing the tag title challenge, and now Kanemaru winning tonight… Could we really be seeing such an odd couple as Timebomb & Heel Master going for the tag titles?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Clark Connors!

One down, two to go. Wato is out of the running after Kanemaru cut him off at the knees, so to speak. Will the Japanese Young Punk fight his way into the finals? Or will 100 Proof bring down even the mighty?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. They feel things out, but then Connors KNEES low! Connors CLUBS Fujita, headlocks, but Fujita powers up and out. Connors RUNS Fujita over, the fans are torn, but Connors barks. The fans bark with the War Dog and he runs. Fujita stays low, then bypasses Connors to DROPKICK! The fans cheer while Connors bails out, and Fujita runs. Connors moves aside but Fujita goes to the apron. PENALTY KICK! Fujita sets up, Connors avoids the Asai Moonsault, and Fujita staggers to his feet for the JEEP FLIPPER! Connors tells fans to move so they move! Connors BOWLS Fujita into the chairs! STRIKE!

Connors tells more fans to move, then he drags Fujita up from the chairs. Connors BOWLS Fujita again, not quite a strike but close. Connors picks up the spare by stomping Fujita down. Red Shoes reprimands and wants this in the ring. Connors drags Fujita up and over, but Fujita fires body shots. Connors CLUBS Fujita, then POSTS him! Fujita falls in a heap and the fans rally up. Connors says it is time. He brings out WHEEL-SAN! The fans are torn, Red Shoes reprimands, but Connors shoves him aside! Connors SLAMS Wheel-san onto Fujita’s back! Red Shoes reprimands but Connors brings Wheel-san to the apron.

Connors aims, and he SUPER SLAMS Wheel-san onto Fujita! Fujita writhes and the fans are torn, but Connors throws up the Too Sweet. Robbie Eagles is here via commentary so he checks on his teammate and friend. Fujita is still in this so Connors lets the ring count start. The fans rally and Fujita is still down at 10 of 20. Fujita crawls at 12, rises at 14, but he flounders at 16! The fans rally harder, and Fujita springs in at 19.5! Connors hauls Fujita up to whip him hard into a corner! Fujita falls and Connors covers, TWO! Connors drags Fujita up, whips him hard into another corner, and he lets Fujita fall again.

Fujita writhes, Connors paces, and he stomps Fujita’s back! Connors drags Fujita up, reels him in, and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Fujita stays in this but Connors stays on him with a knee to the back and a chinlock clamped on! Fujita endures, reaches out, but Connors drags him from the ropes! Connors digs his knee into Fujita’s back, and puts a lot of extra pressure on that chinlock. Fujita still fights his way forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Connors lets go in frustration. Connors drags Fujita back up to snap suplex again! The fans rally and Connors aims from a corner. BANG and Connors runs in, but Fujita drop toeholds!

Fujita ties the legs up fast and has the Deathlock! Fujita has the chinlock now, but Connors endures! Connors bends Fujita’s fingers, Red Shoes reprimands, and Connors lets go to scramble forward, ROPEBREAK! Fujita undoes the leglock and protests about the fingers, but Connors huffs ‘n’ puffs. Connors brings Fujita up, whips, but Fujita LEG LARIATS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Fujita and Connors go to ropes, the fans rally up, and Fujita runs in at the corner. Fujita CHOPS Connors, snapmares, then goes up and out! The fans rally and Fujita springboards, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally as Connors stays in this, but Fujita shakes his head. Fujita has the legs, he turns Connors over, and he has the BOSTON CRAB! Fujita sits down deep on Connors’ bad back! Connors powers up, reaches out, but Fujita drags him back to have the HALF CRAB! Fujita puts all he has into pulling that leg back, but Connors still crawls forward! Connors fights to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Fujita lets go, and Connors clutches his back. Fujita drags Connors up and reels him in, but Connors fights the suplex! Fujita powers through, Connors wrenches, but Fujita CHOPS! Fujita runs, but Connors SNAP POWERSLAMS!

The fans cheer and rally up while both men are down! Connors rises, brings Fujita around, but Fujita fights off No Chaser! Fujita wrenches, waistlocks, but Connors fights the lift., Connors switches, lifts, but Fujita throws elbows! Fujita waistlocks, Connors fights the lift, and Connors reaches out! ROPEBREAK! Fujita KICKS the arms, O’Conner Roll and CHAOS- NO, Connors fights free, runs, but Fujita pops him up into the waistlock! Connors fights free again, and LARIATS! But Fujita is right up!? Connors runs in, Fujita dodges, pop up and GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Connors stays in this but Fujita roars!

The fans fire up and Fujita vows to end this. Fujita drags Connors up, fisherman and torture rack! But Connors fights free, and he ROCKS Fujita in the back! TROPHY KILLER!! Cover, TWO!! Fujita survives Connors’ old finisher, but Connors drops back and runs in, BLINDSIDE SPEAR!! Connors is targeting Fujita’s back as much as Fujita is Connors’! Connors reloads, runs in again, SPEAR to the front!! Cover, TWO?!?! Fujita survives and the fans fire up! Connors is shocked, but he roars and drags Fujita back up. NO CHASE- NO, Fujita fights free! But Connors blocks the kick, spins him, and TROPHY KILLER BACKBREAKER!!

Fujita writhes, the fans rally, and Connors aims again. Fujita rises, Connors runs up, but Fujita BOOTS him first! Connors comes back, SPEAR meets DOUBLE STOMPS!! Fujita then clamps on the Deathlock! He has the arms, NEMOS SPECIAL!!! Connors endures but Fujita bends him back!! Connors flails, but he TAPS! Fujita wins!!!

Winner: Kosei Fujita, by submission (gains 2 points; Connors earns 0)

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, they don’t give up, and perhaps, they are still in this race! Will the Japanese Young Punk fight until the very end? Or will was this the last win he’ll get in BOSJ 32?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Robbie X!

It is apropos that the most decorated man, the FOUR-TIME BOSJ winner, is in the main event of the ninth and final round. If he wins, he moves on to potentially grabbing number five! But if he loses, it will be Kosei Fujita’s time to shine. Will Robbie take Hiromu to the X-treme? Or will the Ticking Timebomb still have time on the clock?

The bell rings and the fans rally for “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” Robbie shrugs that off as he and Hiromu circle. They run up and DOUBLE LARIAT! They stay up, and Robbie ducks Hiromu’s elbow. Hiromu dodges in return and headlocks, only for Robbie to power up and out. Hiromu RUNS Robbie over, Robbie kips up, but Hiromu CHOPS him down! Robbie kips up again, kicks low, then runs, but Hiromu DROPKICKS the legs! Hiromu whips, Robbie reverses, but Hiromu still dropkicks the legs out! Robbie bails out, Hiromu fires the fans up, but then Hiromu waits as Robbie hobbles around. Hiromu goes out, Robbie slides in, then Robbie HANDSPRING KICKS!

The fans rally as Hiromu is on the floor, and Robbie PLANCHAS! Down goes Hiromu and the fans cheer. Robbie takes a fan’s Hiromu pillow, rubs it in Hiromu’s face, then SMACKS him with it! Robbie then tells fans to move as he fetches Hiromu. Fans rally for Hiromu but Robbie BOWLS Hiromu into chairs! The fans are torn as Robbie hits the strike, but Robbie also flips off the Hiromu fans. Robbie stomps Hiromu, then grabs a fan’s Hiromu towel to CHOKE Hiromu with it! Robbie throws it back at the fan, and in a way that towel is more valuable because it touched Hiromu. Robbie then drags Hiromu up to bring him to another section!

The fans hurry away, Robbie whips, but Hiromu reverses to BOWL Robbie into chairs! The fans fire up as Hiromu gets even with Robbie! Hiromu storms over to bring Robbie up, and CHOP! The fans cheer and Hiromu CHPOS Robbie again! They go through the crowd, and Robbie CLAWS Hiromu’s eyes! Robbie CHOPS Hiromu, laughs at him and the fans, then brings Hiromu back to ringside. Robbie ROCKS Hiromu, and then he takes chairs from the crowd! Robbie refreshes the count before he makes Hiromu take a swat. Robbie CHOPS Hiromu, sets the other chair up nearby, and he tells the fans he’s gonna end Hiromu!

Robbie runs, uses the chair to launch himself, CANNONBALL! Direct hit and Robbie says, “I’m a replacement, huh?” Robbie knows he filled Bushi’s spot when Bushi exited from NJPW, but he isn’t going to let that label him! Robbie puts Hiromu in the ring, then he stomps Hiromu. Robbie drops an elbow on Hiromu’s arm, then wrings it to stomp it! The fans rally while Hiromu writhes, but Robbie clamps on a chinlock. Hiromu endures the grind, fights up, but Robbie wrangles him to the mat. Hiromu kicks around and finds the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Robbie lets go, but then Robbie KICKS Hiromu in the back.

Robbie eggs Hiromu on but Hiromu rises up. Robbie ROCKS Hiromu then eggs him on. Robbie CLAWS Hiromu’s back, but Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Robbie ROCKS Hiromu, runs, but Hiromu dropkicks the legs out! Robbie stands, hobbles, but makes it to Hiromu to fire forearms. Robbie whips, Hiromu reverses, then he blows past to RANA Robbie! Robbie staggers to a corner, Hiromu goes to the opposite end, then Hiromu runs in! LARIAT, snapmare, and basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Robbie bails out. Hiromu goes to the apron, lines up a shot, and SHOTGUN DROPKICKS!

The fans fire up as Hiromu rises, and he goes for Robbie. Hiromu puts Robbie in, covers, TWO! Robbie shakes his head, he’s tougher than that, but Hiromu stays close. Hiromu brings Robbie up, fireman’s carries, but Robbie fights it. Hiromu throws Robbie into the dragon sleeper, Robbie spins around, but Hiromu still suplexes. Robbie knees Hiromu, then Robbie suplexes to hang Hiromu out to dry! Robbie then goes to the corner, climbs up, and GUILLOTINE DOUBLE STOMPS! Robbie hobbles his way back to the cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Hiromu stays in this! Robbie hobbles around, shakes out the legs, and goes back for Hiromu.

Robbie drags Hiromu up, reels him in, but Hiromu fights the lift! Hiromu wrenches out but Robbie CHOPS first! Robbie runs in, LARIATS, then puts a leg in ropes! Robbie KICKS the rope, then he SPIN KICKS! STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Hiromu survives and the fans rally up again. Robbie vows to end this, but Hiromu anchors a leg! Robbie stomps Hiromu, stomps him some more, then goes up the corner. The fans rally for Hiromu, and Hiromu rises to CHOP! Hiromu CHOPS Robbie again, then climbs up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, SUPER TIMEBOMB 1.5!! Cover, TWO!!! Robbie survives and the fans fire up!

Hiromu is frustrated but he rises up using the ropes. The fans rally and Hiromu has Robbie again! Fireman’s carry, and CORNER DEATH VALLEY! The fans fire up with Hiromu and he fireman’s carries again! TIMEBOMB- NO, Robbie sunset flips and stacks! TWO!! Robbie runs up, Hiromu BOOTS him, and Hiromu goes up! Robbie PELES and Hiromu falls! Robbie roars, rises, and climbs, X EX- NO, Hiromu dodges! Robbie comes back, but into an OVERHEAD SUPLEX into the corner! The fans fire up while both men are down! Red Shoes checks both men, they’re both able to continue, and the fans rally back up.

Hiromu crawls away and the fans chant for him. Robbie stirs, Hiromu heads back for him, and Hiromu stands Robbie up. Hiromu fires a forearm, Robbie staggers away to ropes, but Robbie comes back. Robbie fires a forearm, but Hiromu fires another. Robbie fires a forearm, Hiromu fires a forearm, and Robbie fires another! Both men wobble, but they rise up, and Hiromu fires a flurry! Robbie drops to his knees, but he flips Hiromu off! Hiromu grins, and he bends that finger! Hiromu CHOPS Robbie, then reels him in for VICTORY- NO, Robbie slips free of the suplex, waistlocks, but Hiromu fights the suplex!

Hiromu switches but Robbie runs and handsprings, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! But Robbie’s right back up!? Robbie roars, runs up, and he slips around to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Hiromu is right back up! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, both men drop to their knees, but they go forehead to forehead! They stand, Robbie ducks a kick to SUPERKICK! Hiromu SUPERKICKS anyway! Robbie says F U and hits a PELE! Robbie runs, handsprings, but into a BACKSTABBER! Robbie writhes, Hiromu runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!! Robbie survives and the fans fire up again! Hiromu feeds off the energy and he storms over to Robbie.

Hiromu drags Robbie up, fireman’s carries, and TIMEBOMB 1.5!! But that’s not all! Hiromu fireman’s carries again, but Robbie bends Hiromu’s fingers! And then he BITES them! Red Shoes reprimands, Hiromu takes a swing, but Robbie dodges! Handspring, LETHAL INJECTION X!! Robbie says F Hiromu! Another LETHAL INJECTION X!!! And now he goes up the corner! X EXPRESS!!! Cover, ROBBIE WINS!?!

Winner: Robbie X, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Connors earns 0)

So what if he was the underdog? So what if he’s last place? So what if he replaced Bushi in the block? Robbie X just beat the most decorated Super Junior alive today! And that means the winner of A Block is KOSEI FUJITA! Hiromu is furious, but Fujita walks back out here to have the spotlight! Fujita and Hiromu cross paths, and Hiromu pats Fujita on the shoulder as he exits. Fujita goes to the ring, and Robbie invites him in given Robbie won the main event. Robbie tells Fujita to get this in his little brain: Robbie beat Fujita, he beat Hiromu, so… If Fujita wins this whole thing and beats El Desperado, do what is right!

Robbie wants the first championship match with Fujita! The fans like that, and Fujita nods in agreement. Robbie leaves, will Mr. X have his chance at gold? As for Fujita, he grabs the mic to say, “Sorry to those of you who may have wanted to hear more from Robbie X. But if I’m in the position of naming challengers, then I will give him the first title shot.” The fans applaud, and Fujita continues on. “I won this A Block.” The fans applaud that, too, and Fujita says he’ll take “all the hope, hate and then I’ll win. That’s all!” The Japanese Young Punk keeps it short and sweet, but will the Ichiban Sweet Boy become the Best of the Super Juniors?

Here are the FINAL A Block standings!

Kosei Fujita: 5-4, 10 points [FINALIST]
Hiromu Takahashi: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
Master Wato: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
Francesco Akira: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
Clark Connors: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
KUSHIDA: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Ninja Mack: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Dragon Dia: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Robbie X: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

An awesome start to the ninth round, and it is always fun to have these final playoff scenarios sort out. Mack VS Dia was great, even for not affecting anything, and I really do hope these two guys become the next big thing. I figured Kanemaru would screw Wato over with help from Sho & Yujiro, and this definitely feeds into the tag title story that involves Hiromu. Fujita overcoming Connors and Robbie X getting the upset on Hiromu was all awesome stuff, and I like the gentlemen’s agreement that Robbie will be the lineal contender should Fujita win the title. B Block is going to be awesome, I’m sure, and there are all sorts of great choices for Fujita’s opponent.