Oh~, we’re halfway there~!

Best of the Super Juniors enters round 5, and time to see who stays alive! But will Hiromu Takahashi get tired facing Clark Connors and Wheel-san?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Nick Wayne; Nick wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Ninja Mack VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Mack wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Kevin Knight VS Titan; Knight wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Robbie X; Robbie wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS MAO; Yoh wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Dragon Dia; Kushida wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS Taiji Ishimori; Taiji wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Francesco Akira; Wato wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS SHO; Desperado wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Clark Connors; Hiromu wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

Kosei Fujita: 3-1, 6 points
Dragon Dia: 3-1, 6 points
Clark Connors: 2-2, 4 points
Robbie X: 2-2, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-2, 4 points
Francesco Akira: 2-2, 4 points
Master Wato: 2-2, 4 points
KUSHIDA: 2-2, 4 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 1-3, 2 points
Ninja Mack: 1-3, 2 points

Here are the current B Block standings!

Nick Wayne: 3-1, 6 points
Titan: 3-1, 6 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-1, 6 points
El Desperado: 2-2, 4 points
MAO: 2-2, 4 points
SHO: 2-2, 4 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-2, 4 points
YOH: 1-3, 2 points
Taiji Ishimori: 1-3, 2 points
Kevin Knight: 1-3, 2 points

Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Nick Wayne!

Last round, The Funky Weapon quite truly won by the seat of his pants against Yoh, but The Prodigy finally hit a stumbling block going up against Kevin Knight. But will Nick brush himself off and get back to winning? Or will Taguchi continue to pull off some strangely shocking victories?

The bell rings and the fans rally. Nick and Taguchi circle, tie up, and Taguchi waistlocks. Nick works on the escape, standing switches, but Taguchi wrenches free. Nick rolls, wrenches in return, but Taguchi rolls and wrenches again. Taguchi hammerlocks, headlocks, and grinds, but Nick powers up and out. Taguchi runs Nick over, then swivels the hips! The fans cheer and Taguchi runs, but Nick drops down, hurdles over, and UPPERCUTS Taguchi down! Nick handsprings, and he swivels those hips! The fans cheer, Nick covers, TWO! Nick stays cool, stands Taguchi up, and ROCKS him! The ref reprimands about closed fists, and Nick apologizes.

Nick stands Taguchi up to CHOP! Taguchi fires body shots, but Nick snapmares and leg drops! Cover, TWO! Taguchi is tougher than that but Nick stays cool. Nick brings Taguchi up, but Taguchi fires body shots! Nick kicks low, runs, but Taguchi somersaults and HIP ATTACKS! The fans cheer and Nick bails out, only for Taguchi to run and HIP ATTACK Nick off the apron! The fans rally, Taguchi triangle jumps and CROSSBODIES! Down goes Nick and the fans fire up! Taguchi fist bumps a young fan before he puts Nick in the ring. Taguchi runs, runs, and HIP ATTACKS but misses as Nick moves!

Taguchi tumbles out, Nick builds speed, and Nick FLIES! Direct hit on Taguchi and the fans fire up! Nick clutches his banged up shoulder but he puts Taguchi in the ring. Nick fires the fans up, climbs a corner, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans cheer while Nick grows frustrated. Nick paces while Taguchi slowly rises. Nick waistlocks, then shifts up to the half nelson. Taguchi fights the full nelson, booty bumps Nick away, then fakes the run! HIP ATTACK into the atomic drop! Nick handsprings, but into an atomic drop! The fans cheer and Taguchi runs, HIP ATTACK!

The fans cheer and Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strange Style! “ORYA~!” KETSUYE! Cover, TWO!! But Taguchi has OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Nick endures, reaches out, but Taguchi pushes on the foot! Nick still fights forward, only for Taguchi to drag him back! Nick reaches up to headscissor Taguchi away! Then he SUPERKICKS! Nick goes up, up, and WAYNE’S- FLAPJACK! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Nick endures again, but Taguchi drags him from the ropes! Nick rolls, but Taguchi holds on! The fans rally as Nick still endures, still crawls forward, and still has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Taguchi slowly lets up.

But then Taguchi YANKS Nick back! Nick uses that to ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer while Taguchi flounders, but Nick takes aim again. Nick winds up to ROUND- NO, Taguchi ducks then ENZIGIRIS! Taguchi chicken wings, DODON- NO, Nick victory rolls it! TWO! ROUNDHOUSE! And then into WAYNE’S WORLD!! Cover, NICK WINS!

Winner: Nick Wayne, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taguchi earns 0)

Nick with the rebound and he scores! The Prodigy is back on top, will he keep making history with every win? Will Taguchi still make the finals after falling down?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Ninja Mack VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

The American Ninja got lost on the Way to the Grandmaster, but the Heel Master put out the Crown of Fire. Can Mack scratch and claw and even backflip his way back up the block? Or will Kanemaru be toasting another win?

No real surprise that Kanemaru attacks Mack during his entrance! He BOOTS Mack off the apron, the fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Kanemaru stomps away! Kanemaru then SMACKS Mack off a fan’s chair! And another chair! And then he JAMS Mack up with a chair! Kanemaru CLUBS Mack, stomps him, then brings him up to BOWL into chairs! Not quite a strike but Mack still writhes. Kanemaru drags Mack up and brings him back to ringside. Kanemaru POSTS Mack, the fans boo more, and the ref again reprimands. But Kanemaru CLUBS Mack, and more fans move aside. But Kanemaru POSTS Mack again!

Kanemaru stalks Mack, sends him into the ring, and the ref finally calls for the bell! Kanemaru stomps and snapmares Mack, then goes after the mask! The ref reprimands, Kanemaru stops at 4, and then he bullies the ref! The ref reprimands so Kanemaru goes back to stomp Mack! Kanemaru stomps away, then he digs his boot into Mack’s head! The ref reprimands, Kanemaru stops at 4, and he kicks at Mack. The fans rally, Kanemaru CLUBS Mack, and Mack crawls. Kanemaru stomps Mack, runs, but Mack HADOUKEN PUNCHES! Kanemaru goes to the apron and Mack builds speed! But Kanemaru rushes in and shoves the ref into Mack!

The fans boo as ref and Mack both fall! Kanemaru ENZIGIRIS Mack down, then he grabs his whiskey! Kanemaru takes a big swig, stands Mack up, and he wants the mask! Mack tries to fight it but Kanemaru YANKS the mask off!! But surprise! Mack had a second mask on underneath! Kanemaru aims at Shiro Mack, but Mack ducks the Whiskey Mist! Roll up and TWO! Kanemaru cradles, TWO! Mack has the stack again, TWO! Kanemaru pokes Mack in the eye! Victory roll, but Mack sits on it!! Cover, MACK WINS!!

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

Kanemaru is beside himself, but he should’ve realized that Mack’s mask covers his eyes! Mack snatches victory from the jaws of defeat, will he continue to rise? Will the Heel Master just have to try even harder to cheat his way to the top?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Kevin Knight VS Titan!

The Jet brought Nick Wayne down to earth to stay alive, and now he’s facing another top contender in El Inmortal. Will Knight continue his ascent? Or will Titan ground Knight’s flight plans?

The bell rings and the two rush in! Titan trips Knight, then runs. Knight drops down, hurdles over, but Titan leaps! Knight wrenches and whips Titan, but Titan goes up and over and handsprings away! The fans fire up and Titan runs in, but Knight hurdles the lariat! Knight DROPKICKS Titan out of the ring, then kips up! Knight builds speed, but Titan moves! Knight slides out, goes to the corner, and PLANCHAS, but Titan dodges! Titan builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and they almost hit the timekeeper’s table! The fans fire up, Titan puts Knight back in, and he springboards to DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!

Knight stays in this but Titan stays on the leg! TRAILER HITCH! Knight scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Titan lets go but the fans rally up. Titan KICKS Knight’s leg, stomps Knight down, then brings him up. Knight fires a forearm, then fires another! Knight eggs Titan on, so Titan SOBATS! The fans rally, Titan whips, but Knight goes up and over to then run and- NO, Titan goes Matrix to dodge, and then he CALF KICKS! Knight rebounds to LARIAT! Titan kips up to PELE! Both men are down and the fans fire up! The fans rally as Knight and Titan rise. They go to corners, Knight runs in, but Titan BOOTS him! Titan skins the cat, but Knight leaps up!

Knight brings Titan up but Titan HEADBUTTS him away! But Knight returns to the UPPER ROOM! The fans fire up and Knight somersaults, UFO onto knees! Titan hurries to stand Knight up, and he RIPCORD SLAMS him down! Titan goes back to the apron, springboards, LANCER!! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives those double stomps and the fans fire back up! Titan fires up, too, and he reels Knight in. Knight fights the lift, wrenches out, and CHOPS! The fans cheer, Knight whips, but Titan reverses to TORNADO D- NO, Knight stops the DDT to SKY- NO, Titan arm-drags and then SUPERKICK! The fans rally as Titan fires up again!

Titan runs corner to corner and back again, but Knight stops the Frame Out to SKY2HIGH!! Cover, TWO!! Titan survives and the fans fire up again! Knight powers up, takes aim, and Titan rises. SATELLITE DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Titan survives again and the fans stay fired up! Knight whips, DROPKICKS, and almost lands on Titan after! Knight hurries to the corner, climbs up, and MOTHERSHIP UFO SPLASH!! Cover, KNIGHT WINS!

Winners: Kevin Knight, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Titan earns 0)

Knight didn’t even have time to say how tsuyoi he is, but he proved it with this win! The Jet’s course correction is working out, but will he still reach his target destination? Will El Inmortal be able to revive as we move into the latter half?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Robbie X!

The Japanese Young Punk had to clock out against the Time Splitter, and Mr. X couldn’t handle a shot of 100 Proof. But redemption is just a three-count away, will this Ichiban Sweet Boy be sweeter than Too Sweet? Or will it be all aboard the X Express?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle slowly. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Fujita powers Robbie to ropes. Robbie turns things around, Fujita turns things around, but then Robbie turns it back around. The ref counts, Robbie lets off to CHOP, then he eggs Fujita on. Fujita fires a forearm, Robbie fires back, and repeat! The fans rally as the forearms keep going, and Robbie gets the edge. Robbie CHOPS, eggs Fujita on, but Fujita CHOPS! Fujita runs, Robbie drops down, then hurdles into a dropkick! Fujita says he’s smarter than Robbie, and he CHOPS him. And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Robbie sputters but Fujita whips.

Robbie reverses, Fujita reverses again, and Fujita runs in, only for Robbie to put him on the apron. Robbie then runs to HANDSPRING KICK Fujita down! The fans rally while Robbie goes out and BOOTS Fujita down! Robbie tells fans to move so they move, and Robbie whips Fujita to BOWL him into chairs! STRIKE! The fans cheer while the ref checks Fujita. Robbie storms over to drag Fujita from the chairs, then SMACKS him back down! Robbie brings Fujita up to POST him! Fujita falls in a heap but the fans rally up. Robbie SMACKS Fujita off the apron, then he goes deep into the crowd, to run back and DRIVE-BY DROPKICK!

The fans cheer that shot while Robbie brings Fujita back up. Robbie puts Fujita in the ring, covers, TWO! Fujita toughs it out but Robbie sits him up. Robbie KNEES Fujita in the back, then rips at the shoulder tape! The ref reprimands but Robbie SPLASHES the bad arm! Then rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Cover, TWO! Fujita is still in this and Robbie grows frustrated, but the fans rally up. Robbie stomps Fujita’s bad arm, then brings him up. Fujita CHOPS but Robbie blocks! And Robbie BITES that hand, to then STOMP that hand! Robbie runs, but Fujita LEG LARIATS! Both men are down and the fans rally back up.

Robbie crawls to the far corner, Fujita runs in and CHOPS! Fujita whips corner to corner, runs in again, but is put on the apron. Fujita avoids a shot to DECK Robbie! The fans fire up as Fujita aims, and he springboards in for a MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Fujita keeps moving, PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Robbie toughs it out but Fujita stays focused. Fujita drags Robbie up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Robbie knees free! Fujita ROCKS Robbie first, then runs up. Robbie puts Fujita in the corner, blocks a kick and puts the leg in the ropes. Robbie KICKS the leg, then SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE!

The fans fire up and Robbie snapmares Fujita. Robbie runs and SHOOTING STARS onto knees! Fujita cradle covers, TWO! Robbie survives and the fans rally up again. Robbie coughs and sputters as he crawls to the ropes. Fujita runs up but Robbie BOOTS him! RObbie goes to the apron but Fujita GAMANGIRIS! Fujita suplexes Robbie back in and holds him, for the SLAM! But that’s Uno Amigo as Fujita brings RObbie up. Robbie fights the suplex to wrench, but FUjita wrenches to drop toehold! But Robbie cradle counters! TWO!! Fujita hurries up, but Robbie SUPERKICKS! But Fujita comes back, blocks the next kick, and he CHOPS!

Robbie PELES but misses! Fujita deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Robbie survives but Fujita roars, and the fans fire up with Fujita! Fujita torture racks Robbie, but Robbie fights with elbows! Fujita still throws Robbie but Robbie lands out! Robbie waistlocks, Fujita switches and O’Conner Rolls, CHAOS THEORY! But Robbie lands out! Robbie avoids Fujita’s kick, to handspring and LETHAL INJECTION X! Robbie goes up, X EXPRESS!! Cover, Robbie wins!

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

Robbie’s got that dog in him, and he manages to get back on a winning track! Will he still make this the X Block before the end? Or can Fujita rise again as The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS MAO!

It was a rather cheeky loss to Taguchi for Direct Drive, and though the Idol Warrior put on a wild main event with The Rogue Luchador, he also fell. Who stands back up with head held high here at the halfway point?

Yoh shows off the dancing pecs, but Mao shows he can do that, too. The bell rings and the fans duel already. Mao and Yoh slowly circle, then approach. Mao puts his hands up, but then into his pockets! A very Orange Cassidy move. Yoh decides to not do that, but then Mao kicks low and headlocks! The fans rally, Yoh powers up and out, but Mao runs Yoh over! The fans cheer, Mao runs but then rolls over the dropdown. Mao manages a NO HANDS ARM-DRAG, and a NO HANDS RANA! Then a DROPKICK, and a kip up! The fans cheer this Freshly Squeezed tribute. Mao stomps Yoh in the corner, digs his boot in, but the ref counts.

Mao steps off at 4, and then manages to facelock. Mao puts Yoh on the ropes, but the ref calls for the break. The ref then counts, so Mao takes his hands out of his pockets! Yoh falls on his face! The fans applaud and Mao brings Yoh up. Yoh ROCKS Mao, but Mao puffs up to be Tsukakui! Yoh fires another forearm, but Mao is Tsukakui! Yoh fires another, but Mao is still Tsukakui! The fans cheer but Yoh is in disbelief! Mao kicks low, whips, but Yoh FLYING FOREARMS! The fans cheer while both men are down. Yoh kips up, the fans cheer more, and Yoh goes to Mao. Yoh brings Mao up, scoops and SLAMS, then he puts his hands in his pockets!

The fans cheer and Yoh soaks it up. Wait, did Mao put his hands back in his pockets? Yoh drops an ELBOW with hands in pockets! Kneeling cover, TWO! KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO, and Yoh SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! The hands are out of the pockets but the fans still cheer. Yoh goes back for Mao and stands him up. Yoh reels Mao in, but Mao fights the suplex! The fans rally, Mao powers up, but Yoh suplexes! Mao cradle counters, TWO! Mao says “Look!” HAYMAKER! UPPERCUT! Then feint and DDT! The fans cheer and Mao brings Yoh back up. Mao scoops for the MICHI- NO, Yoh slips free! Yoh waistlocks, Mao switches, but Yoh switches!

Yoh wants the nelson but Mao fights it off. Yoh waistlocks but Mao fights the German Suplex. Mao throws elbows but Yoh ducks them to be face to face with Mao! Mao and Yoh seem mesmerized by each other, and Mao takes Yoh’s face in his hands. The fans, perhaps mostly the ladies, fire up as Mao and Yoh close their eyes. But then Mao slips under and waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Mao says he outsmarted Yoh, and now he powers up. Yoh rises, Mao runs in, OSAKA- NO, Yoh ducks the uppercut to wrench and DDT! Cover, ONE as Mao goes Matrix! DOUBLE CHOP, cover, ONE as Yoh goes Matrix! They go chest to chest, then Mao kicks low.

Mao whips Yoh to a corner, runs in, but Yoh dodges to then TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up with Yoh and he tunes up! SUPER- NO, Mao goes Matrix, then UPPERCUTS! Mao runs, but Yoh JUMP KNEES! Yoh runs, but the ref is a shield! Mao runs but Yoh turns the ref around on Mao! Mao dosidos with the ref, then slips around Yoh to hop up. Yoh slips out but Mao then leap frogs the ref, to come back and LEAP FROG CUTTER! The fans fire up and Mao calls his shot! Mao aims from the corner while Yoh is down. Yoh slowly rises, the fans rally, and Mao runs up, SAMURAI- NO, Yoh dodges the kick to SUPERKICK!

Yoh suplexes but Mao fights it! The fans rally as Yoh still hits the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Mao survives and the fans fire up! Yoh rises, roars, and he runs in, but Mao hits a SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up as Mao shouts out The Ace, then goes up, up, and HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, TWO!! Yoh survives as Mao isn’t quite The Ace, but Mao calls for another big move! Mao runs, but Yoh ENZIGIRIS! Then POISON-RANAS! Mao sits back, Yoh runs up, ZOMATO!! Cover, TWO?!? Mao survives but Yoh just fires up! The fans rally with Yoh and he full nelsons! DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, YOH WINS!!

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

So many great references to other great wrestlers, but it is Yoh who makes it count! Will Yoh keep things fresh as he keeps fighting for the top spot? Will Mao be able to recover from falling down the block?

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

The Time Splitter took that win from Fujita after a technical masterclass while the Infinite Carat Diamond had quite the fireworks show with Hiromu. Who will keep up their momentum as we roll through the halfway point?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They feel things out, Dia avoids Kushida’s leg trap, then things speed up. Dia ducks ‘n’ dodges and slides to then tilt-o-whirl arm-drag! And DROPKICK! Kushida bails out, Dia builds speed, but Kushida uses a Young Lion as a shield! Dia stops and Kushida goes around the way. Dia storms out and pursues, but Kushida slips into the ring. Dia avoids the kick, then trips Kushida up to slingshot and CORKSCREW SPLASH! The fans cheer and Dia goes back to Kushida. Dia CLUBS Kushida, has him in a corner and stomps. Dia whips corner to corner but Kushida reverses.

Kushida runs up, blocks Dia’s boot, and has the ANKLE LOCK! Dia hobbles and hops to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Kushida lets go at 4, but Kushida runs to DROPKICK Dia to the floor! The fans cheer while Kushida goes out after Dia. The ring count starts already but Kushida stomps Dia. Kushida steps through and has the FIGURE FOUR KNEEBAR! Dia endures, Kushida pushes the count past 10 of 20! Then to 15! Kushida lets go at 16, rolls in, but Dia hobbles up! Dia rolls in at 19.5! Kushida drags Dia up, TOSSES him back out, and Dia hobbles on his bad leg. Kushida then goes out to fetch Dia and hits a SHIN BREAKER!

Dia hobbles and falls but the fans still rally. Kushida refreshes the count, brings Dia up, and then puts Dia in the ring. Kushida holds onto Dia’s arm to then drag him to the corner. Dia goes outside, but Kushida YANKS him into the POST! Dia clutches his arm and the fans rally again. The ring count starts again but Kushida puts Dia back through the corner, to YANK him into the POST again! Kushida leaves Dia behind at 10 of 20 but the fans rally up. Dia rises at 14, stands at 17, and rolls in at 19! Kushida is annoyed but he drags Dia back up. Kushida snapmares Dia and scrapes his sole off Dia’s face! Then Kushida handsprings and basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally as Dia toughs it out. Kushida drags Dia up, CHOPS, then whips. Kushida catches Dia into the SLEEPER! Dia endures but Kushida wrangles him to the mat for a chinlock. Dia still endures and the fans rally up. Kushida headstands to put on the pressure, then drops back to crank the hold! Kushida pulls back on the hold, it’s almost a Bulldog Choke! Dia fights up and the fans rally again. Dia fires body shots, breaks free, but Kushida KICKS him in the back! Dia drops to his knees and crawls to the ropes. Kushida goes up the corner and leaps, but Dia dodges the knee! Dia BOOTS from the corner, then RANAS!

The fans rally while both men are down. Dia and Kushida stand, but Dia SOBATS, LEG SWEEPS, and STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Kushida is tougher than that but Dia CLUBS him down. The fans rally more as Dia brings Kushida up. Dia whips, Kushida reverses, but Dia grabs ropes. Kushida runs up, Dia dodges and Kushida tumbles out! Dia builds speed and he FLIES! Direct hit on Kushida at the ramp! The fans fire up while Dia and Kushida are both down. Dia clutches the bad arm but he still stands up. The fans rally and duel, Dia fires himself up, and Dia brings Kushida around to send into the ring.

Dia aims from the apron as Kushida rises. Dia springboards, Kushida gets under, but Dia returns. Dia ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the SHOTEI finds him! Cover, TWO! Dia stays in this but Kushida watches him closely. Dia rises, Kushida runs up, and Kushida goes for the arm! Dia slips free to CHPO, CHOP and CHOP! Then he intercepts the fastball with an ENZIGIRI! But Kushida KICKS the leg! And KICKS! Dia jumps the third to DOUBLE STOMP! The fans fire up and Dia lines up a shot. SOBAT and Kushida falls over! Dia covers, TWO! The fans rally, Dia watches Kushida rise, and he runs to roll, REPTILI-

NO, Kushida stops the Reptilian to fireman’s carry! Kushida aims for a corner but Dia lands safe on the apron! Dia GAMANGIRIS, then goes up the corner! Kushida comes back to HANDSPRING KICK! Dia sits back on the top rope, and Kushida climbs up after him! The fans rally as Dia fires CHOPS! Kushida grabs Dia’s bad arm for the DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! But Dia slips out underneath! GAMANGIRI again! Dia climbs back up and he goes tot he very top! ASTRO SCISSORS! Dia runs up, REPTILIAN, DOUBLE CORK!! Cover, TWO!! Kushida survives and the fans fire up! Dia calls his shot and he goes to the corner!

Dia climbs, takes aim, and Kushida rises. D D D- NO, Kushida stops the 4D, then ripcords to ROLLING ELBOW! Dia wobbles, but he roars! Kushida winds up, but Dia blocks the Shotei! Dia SOBATS again, then roars before he- NO, Kushida ducks the enzigiri to PENALTY KICK the bad arm! Kushida runs, tilt-o-whirls, and HOVERBOARD TAKEDOWN!! Dia endures, fights around, reaches out, but Kushida rolls him away! HOVERBOARD!! Dia TAPS, Kushida wins!

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

Dia’s a skater boy but he wasn’t ready for the Hoverboard! Will this diamond ever get some NJPW gold? As for Kushida, he’s building up momentum, are we gonna see some serious ish?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS Taiji Ishimori!

The Sniper of the Skies got cheated by Sho and the House of Torture, but the Bone Soldier simply failed to bring down Titan. Both men have reloaded, but who will hit the bull’s eye and score?

The bell rings and we already get “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” Taiji paces around the outside in annoyance, but then comes back to circle with Eagles. They feel things out, Taiji waistlocks, then wrenches to a wristlock. Eagles rolls, wrenches and wristlocks back, but Taiji rolls to trip Eagles. Taiji has the leg for a toehold, and he fights off Eagles’ chinlock. Eagles uses his free leg to hook Taiji, but Taiji clasps hands to fight the armbar. Eagles pushes Taiji down, rolls and wants the leg, but Taiji has the ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer as Eagles lets go, and the two reset. They tie up, Taiji wrenches the knuckle lock into a double knuckle lock cover. TWO as Eagles gets an arm up! Taiji pushes that arm down, TWO as Eagles gets the other arm up! Taiji pushes that down, TWO as Eagles bridges! Taiji jumps up but Eagles uses that to get up and RANA into the leg lock! Taiji scrambles to have the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer the technical exchange while Eagles lets go. Eagles tells Taiji it was that close, and the two reset. They approach but Taiji kicks low! Taiji whips but Eagles blocks by holding ropes! Taiji kicks Eagles low again! Taiji whips, Eagles reverses and tornado arm-drags!

The fans fire up as things speed up, and Eagles hurdles to then RANA! Taiji tumbles, Eagles eggs him on, then WHEEL KICKS him down! Taiji bails out, the fans fire up, and Eagles builds speed. Taiji moves so Eagles springboards and backflips. Eagles then goes to the side, PLANCHA, but Taiji moves back! Taiji kicks low, whips, but Eagles stops from hitting the post! Eagles SOBATS Taiji, then cravats and uses the post for an ASAI- NO, Taiji stops Eagles from going over, and LAWN DARTS him into the post! Eagles clutches his shoulder and the ref checks on him, but that lets Taiji remove the blue corner buckle pad!

The fans rally for Eagles as he hobbles up. Eagles has a Young Lion help pop the arm back into place! Eagles storms in but Taiji wrangles him by that bad arm! Taiji stands on the joint, the fans rally for Eagles, and Eagles fights around. Taiji drags Eagles up, wrenches, and hammerlocks to then RAM the arm into the bare buckles! The ref reprimands Taiji using the Bullet Club Special but Taiji just clamps onto Eagles’ bad arm! Taiji drags Eagles up, just to SAYANAGI him down, and he has the arm again! Eagles endures as Taiji grinds the shoulder. The fans rally, Eagles fights around, and Eagles kicks away from below!

Taiji grinds the arm, but Eagles fights to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Taiji lets go, and Eagles clutches that arm. Eagles says he’s fine to continue, then goes to ropes. Taiji reels Eagles in and scoops, but Eagles escapes the lawn dart! Taiji narrowly avoids hitting the bare buckles, and he ELBOWS Eagles! Taiji runs, Eagles slips around, CHOP BLOCK and then BLINDSLIDE LARIAT! The fans rally as Eagles rises, and he KICKS Taiji! And KICKS! And KICKS! Eagles runs, but Taiji blocks the leg lariat! Taiji CLUBS the leg, whips, but Eagles reverses. Taiji handsprings, but into an ENZIGIRI! Both men are down and the fans rally up.

Taiji writhes, Eagles goes to the opposite corner, and Eagles runs in! DOUBLE KNEES! Taiji stays up so Eagles BASEMENT 619s! Taiji sits down, and Eagles METEORAS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Taiji stays in this but Eagles stays on him with a SPINNING TOEHOLD! Eagles then goes up the corner, but that bad arm slows him down. Eagles still aims, WARP 4- NO, Taiji moves! Taiji runs up, Eagles KNEES low, then KICKS high! Taiji goes to the corner, and Eagles runs up, but Taiji dodges. Taiji comes back, blocks boots, and he puts Eagles in ropes! ENZIGIRI, and then Taiji runs side to side. But Eagles slips out to springboard and SNIPER DROPKICK!

The fans fire up and Eagles has the legs! But Taiji rolls Eagles, TWO! BONE LOCK! Eagles rolls to a cradle, TWO!! Taiji runs up, Eagles dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! SUPERKICKS! ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up as Eagles cravats, ASAI- NO, Taiji slips free to JUMP KNEE! Both men fall and the fans fire up! Taiji and Eagles stir as the fans rally, and they sit up. Taiji fires a forearm, but Eagles gives it back! The forearms go back and forth, then they stand up. Taiji fires forearms but Eagles KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS again! Eagles winds up, Taiji ducks the roundhouse to LARIAT! Eagles says I’ll Be Back, but Taiji LARIATS again! Cover, TWO!

Eagles survives and Taiji grows frustrated, but the fans rally back up. Taiji snarls and hobbles over. Taiji stands Eagles up, runs him in, and POSTS the bad shoulder! Taiji brings Eagles around to hammerlock and scoop, SHOULDER BUSTER!! Eagles writhes and the fans rally, but Taiji takes aim. Taiji tilt-o-whirls, but Eagles turns La Mystica into a BACKSLIDE! TWO, and Eagles steals BONE LOCK!! Taiji endures his own hold, but then Eagles shifts around, RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Taiji endures as Eagles thrashes around! Taiji fights his way around, but Eagles drags him back! Eagles KICKS away on the leg!

Eagles steps through, but Taiji manages a cradle! TWO!! Eagles escapes, roll up with bridge, TWO! Taiji escapes, goes for the leg, but Eagles sits down! TWO and Taiji sunset flips! TWO and Eagles prawn holds! TWO and Eagles rolls through! Taiji dodges a kick, but Eagles blocks a kick to fire strike! TURBO- LA MYSTICA!?! And BONE LOCK!!! Eagles fights around, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him away! BLOODY CROSS!!! Cover, Taiji wins!!

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

It was a shootout at the end, but Taiji is number one with a bullet! Will Taiji continue to win #ByGrace? Will Eagles still be able to fly after being shot down like that?

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

A battle of water and fire will surely make for a steamy showdown. But where the Way of the Grandmaster overcame Ninja Mack, the Crown of Fire is seething over Kanemaru cheating him. Will Akira burn Wato up? Or will his fire be put out again?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Wato and Akira circle, feel things out, then tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Akira digs in his heels to put Wato on the ropes. The ref counts, Akira lets off slowly, promising a clean break. But then Akira shoves Wato and eggs him on. Wato shoves back, but Akira slips around to waistlock. Akira SLAMS Wato down, floats to a facelock, btu Wato switches. Wato facelocks, Akira slips free but Wato has a lateral press. Akira moves around but Wato facelocks then chinlocks. Akira fights up, Wato waistlocks, but Akira slips away. The fans applaud this opening exchange as the two reset.

The two go again, and Wato waistlocks then headlocks. Akira fights up, powers up and out, but Wato RUNS Akira over! Akira is right up but Wato RUNS him over again! Akira is up to BOOT Wato! Akira runs, Wato dodges and Wato RUNS Akira over again! The fans cheer and Wato rolls Akira into VENDEVAL, but Akira makes it a cradle! TWO, Wato wants Vendeval again but Akira has the ROPEBREAK! Wato lets go, but then stomps Akira! Akira stands up to CHOP! Wato CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Akira is in the corner and Wato ROCKS him. Wato whips corner to corner, runs in, but Akira puts Wato on the apron.

Akira swings, Wato blocks and ROCKS him! Wato springboards but Akira dodges. Wato comes back into a CALF KICK! The fans fire up while Wato bails out. Akira hurries to the ropes to PLANCHA! Down goes Wato and the fans fire up! They cheer “A! KI-RA!” as he stands Wato up. Akira CHOPS Wato, then brings him around the way. Akira turns Wato and says hey to the fans. Take pictures! Akira has Wato in the headscissors squeeze! Crowns up! The ref reprimands, Akira lets go, and then Akira brings Wato into the ring. Akira covers, TWO! Wato toughs it out but Akira stays cool. The fans rally as Akira clamps on with a chinlock.

Akira traps an arm as he grinds Wato down, then pushes him down so he can omoplata the arm! The fans rally as Akira grabs Wato’s other arm, and uses it as a RECLINER! A very Zack Sabre Jr. kind of move as Wato endures! Akira sits up, but Wato fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! Akira lets go and the fans rally up again. Akira kicks at Wato mockingly, talks some trash, then CHOPS! Wato snarls as he falls back to the corner, and then he CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! And again! Akira CHOPS again and Wato goes back to the corner. Akira runs corner to corner but Wato dodges the splash! Wato reels Akira in, but Akira fights the back suplex!

Akira runs, Wato CALF KICKS him down! The fans rally while both men are down. Wato grits his teeth as he rises up, and he brings Akira around. Akira fires a forearm, Wato kicks low, and Wato whips. Akira reverses but Wato RANAS! Akira tumbles out, Wato builds speed, and Wato FLIES! Down goes Akira and the fans fire up! Wato rises, but then hobbles and drops to a knee. Wato catches his breath and rises again to go back for Akira. The ring count starts but Wato pushes Akira in at 5 of 20. The fans rally as Wato aims from the apron. Wato springboards, and FLYING UPPERCUTS! Cover, TWO!

Akira is still in this as the fans rally up. Wato kicks at Akira, drags her up, but Akira fires a forearm! Wato fires back! Akira staggers to the ropes, but he returns to fire another forearm! Wato KICKS Akira! Akira grits his teeth and fires another forearm! Wato KICKS again! Akira gets mad now, and he fires a string of forearms! Akira eggs Wato on, and Wato ROCKS him! Wato reels Akira in, BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer while Wato brings Akira up. Wato wrenches and reels Akira in, but Akira waistlocks. Wato switches, but Akira victory rolls, STOMP 182! Both men are down but Akira crawls to the cover, TWO!

Akira hurries to STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Wato survives but Akira just fires up more! “IKU ZO!” The fans are with Akira and he brings Wato up. Akira reels Wato in, SPEED- NO, Wato slips free, RECIE- NO, Akira fights that to TIGER- NO, Wato fights the suplex! Akira blocks a kick to SUPERKICK, then SUPERKICK again!! Akira whips, Wato reverses, and RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO!!! It ended up part backbreaker but Akira still survives! The fans rally up harder as both men rise! Wato roars and the fans are with him! Wato waistlocks but Akira fights the German Suplex! Akira reaches out but Wato keeps him from the ropes!

The fans rally as Akira and Wato struggle against each other. Akira fights his way forward and has the ROPEBREAK! But then Wato KICKS the arm! Wato reels Akira back in, TSU- NO, Akira fires elbows to get free! Wato SOBATS, but Akira ducks the roundhouse! POISON-RANA!! Wato roars as he rises! But Akira LARIATS him down! Cover, TWO!! Wato survives but the fans rally with “A! KI-RA!” Akira drags Wato up, chicken wings an arm, but Wato fights the other! Wato fires elbows, but Akira uses that to spin him into SPEEDFIRE!! Akira then goes to the corner and the fans rally again, “A! KI-RA!”

Wato rises, into the NOVA FIRE- NO, Wato ducks it! Wato reels Akira in, TSUTEN- NO, Akira fights it to a sunset flip! TWO!!! Wato escapes that chaotic exchange, but Akira runs in! Wato dodges, pops him up, but Akira fights the spinebuster! ROUNDHOUSE! Wato wobbles, drops to his knees, and Akira runs up! FIRE- NO, Wato rolls it back, reels Akira in, but Akira fights free! Only to end up in RECIENTEMENTE 2ND!!! Cover, WATO WINS!!

Winner: Master Wato, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)

It was certainly a hot match between water and fire, but Wato puts Akira down! Will the Way of the Grandmaster lead to the top of the block? Can Akira reignite as we enter the second half?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS SHO!

The Rogue Luchador won big in last night’s main event, but the Murder Machine just keeps stacking the deck. Will Sho cheat his way to a golden ticket? Or will he fail to dupe THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion?

Sho grabs the mic and says he has mixed feelings. Hachioji Arena is okay, but he’s of course looking forward to wrestling the champion. However… And then we hear a big commotion just backstage! Did Sho already have the fix in at gorilla? The fans boo already and Sho says it seems Desperado may have to forfeit! But even if Despy makes it out here, Sho will “take out the trash!” Sho waits as Despy’s music hits, and Despy is dragging Yujiro out here! The fans cheer as Despy turns the tables on the House of Torture! Sho freaks out as Despy throws the Tokyo Pimp aside! Sho runs up but Despy JAMS him up with the pimp cane, then DECKS him!

The fans fire up while Sho panics and scrambles away. Despy says Sho has to be an idiot to think that would work! Despy pushes Sho into the ring, Red Shoes calls for the bell, and the fans fire up! Despy stomps Sho around, then digs his boots in! Red Shoes counts as they’re in the ropes. Despy lets go but then drags Sho up by his hair. Despy KNEES Sho low, drags him back up, and SHIN- NO, Sho CLAWS Despy’s eyes! So Despy CLAWS Sho’s eyes! Despy whips, Sho reverses, and Yujiro trips Despy up! Yujiro drags Despy out while Sho is in Red Shoes’ face! Yujiro POSTS Despy, then grabs the chair! Yujiro SMACKS Despy on the back!

The fans boo as Tokyo Pimp does his part after all! Yujiro drags Despy up, Sho undoes a buckle pad, Red Shoes just cannot stop the House’s hijinks! Sho drags Despy up, wrenches and whips, and Despy hits bare buckles! Despy writhes, Sho covers, but Red Shoes puts the buckle pad aside first. Sho is upset that Red Shoes isn’t falling for the antics! Sho drags Despy up, RAMS him into the buckles, then RAMS him in again and again! Red Shoes reprimands and the fans boo but Sho digs his boots in. Red Shoes counts, Sho steps off, and then Sho wants the loose buckle pad! Red Shoes stops Sho but that lets Yujiro drag Despy up!

Yujiro JAMS Despy up with the pimp cane! The fans boo but Yujiro drags Despy up. Yujiro puts Despy in, Sho grins but Red Shoes shakes his head. Sho looms over Despy, stands on him, but Despy shoves him. Despy slaps at Sho’s leg but Sho stomps him down! Sho drags Despy up, whips him in, and Despy stops from hitting buckles! Despy dodges Sho, Sho stops from hitting buckles, and Sho whips Despy in, only for Despy to reverse! Sho hits buckles, and Despy SPEARS! The fans fire up while both men are down! The fans rally as Despy rises, and he wants the legs! Sho scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, but Despy GUILLOTINE CATAPULTS him!

The fans fire up as Sho sputters outside. Despy DIVES onto Sho & Yujiro! The fans fire up for Despy as he lands right on his feet! Despy then goes back for Sho and stands him up. Despy puts Sho in and drags him up. Despy hits a BIG back suplex, and the fans cheer. Despy drags Sho to a drop zone then climbs! The fans rally and Despy aims, FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Sho survives and even gets a body shot in there as he kicks out. Despy shrugs that off and drags Sho up. Despy tells Sho to look at the one Sho fan here tonight. Then Despy KICKS Sho in the side! Despy drags Sho back up, gut wrench, but Sho fights it!

Sho bends Despy’s fingers, Despy breaks free, but then Sho CLAWS Despy’s face! Then he shoves Despy at Red Shoes! SPEAR!! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Sho and Despy sputter and rise. Sho grabs Despy, whips him and Despy hits bare buckles again! Sho runs to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Despy survives and Sho grows frustrated. Sho stands and he brings Despy up. Sho reels Despy in, but Despy fights the lift! The fans rally, Sho KNEES Despy down, then grins. Sho brings Despy up again, lifts and POWER BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives and the fans cheer but Sho is frustrated!

The fans rally while both men are down. Sho rises and he storms over to Despy. Sho brings Despy around, but Despy CLUBS at Sho’s legs. Despy fires body shots and chops, but Sho DECKS Despy! The fans still rally for Despy but Sho kicks at him. Sho stomps away on Despy again and again, then hits one big stomp! Sho digs his boot into Despy’s neck and laughs. Sho drags Despy up, brings him around, and tucks the arms! SHOCK- NO, Despy flips through to HEADBUTT! The fans fire up as Despy stays standing but Sho slumps down! Despy roars, and he brings Sho up and in! Underhooks and PINCH- NO, Sho fights free!

Sho shoves Despy at Red Shoes! Despy stops short, but Sho RAMS Despy into Red Shoes! And then Yujiro LARIATS Despy down! The fans boo as Yujiro stomps away on Despy, then has the legs. DIVING HEADBUTT LOW BLOW! Despy sputters and coughs while Sho calls to Red Shoes. Sho tells Red Shoes to do his job. But wait, Despy unmasks and throws it at Sho!? Sho has to hide the evidence, even though it makes no sense! Red Shoes sees Despy has no mask but Sho sits on the mask to hide it! Red Shoes asks where the mask went then! Sho claims it is outside somewhere, but Red Shoes knows better than that.

The mask is poking out of Sho’s shirt! Red Shoes argues with Sho and Sho is caught! Red Shoes checks with Abe-san, Abe-san says it was Sho! Sho says screw it, shoves Red Shoes aside, and he goes to put the mask back on Despy! LOCO MONO!!! Despy puts his mask back on for himself and the fans cheer. Despy then drags Sho up and underhooks, PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, Despy wins!!

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

Yujiro storms into the ring, but Despy KICKS the ropes to jam him up! Despy outsmarts The House by thinking outside the box, will nothing stop him from once again being The Best of the Super Juniors? Will Sho and the House have to dig deep and really come up with some new schemes?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Clark Connors!

The Ticking Timebomb is struggling right now with his 1-3 start, but he’s still just a step behind #WarDogRacing. Will Hiromu finally make things more, more, MORE fun for everyone? Or will he self-destruct against 100 Proof?

Hiromu gets quite the big introduction as an all Hachioji alumni, from kindergarten through grade school, middle school and high school, and even lives down the road. But then Connors CLOBBERS him, because Connors has had enough of Hiromu’s backstory! The bell rings and Connors stomps away on Hiromu! Connors flips Hiromu off and says F Hiromu’s hometown! But the fans rally up for Hiromu even stronger now! Connors says F HACHIOJI! The fans boo but then Connors CHOPS Hiromu! And CHOPS him to the corner! Connors whips corner to corner, Hiromu reverses, and Hiromu LARIATS, snapmares, and basement DROPKICKS!

Hiromu shouts, “Hachioji saeko! <Hachioji is the best!>” Then he starts a chant for Hachioji! “HACHI-OJI! HACHI-OJI!” Hiromu drags Connors up, but Connors CHOPS! Hiromu CHOPS, runs, but into the JEEP FLIPPER! Hiromu almost falls onto the cameraman! Connors talks more trash on Hachioji, then goes out to fetch Hiromu. Connors tells fans to move, then he whips Hiromu to BOWL him into chairs! STRIKE! But Connors wants to speed up, and he tells more fans to move! Then he BOWLS Hiromu into more chairs! STRIKE! There are fans who bark with the War Dog but Red Shoes reprimands.

Connors stands Hiromu up to SMACK him off a chair, then he flips Red Shoes off! Connors has even more fans clear out! Connors whips again, but Hiromu reverses! Connors hits chairs and Hiromu bowls a STRIKE! Hiromu fires up with the fans, but then Connors CHUCKS a chair at Hiromu! Hiromu falls and Connors snarls. Red Shoes reprimands but Connors stomps Hiromu, and JAMS him up with a chair! Connors sees a fan’s bag, and he snatches one of the Daryl dolls! That’s specifically Nyao-chan, and Connors says it’s his now. And look! Wheel-san is already waiting in the corner! Connors POWERBOMBS Nyao-chan on the floor!

Connors hoists up Wheel-san, and he CHUCKS it at Hiromu! Hiromu falls back down and Red Shoes reprimands. Connors lifts Wheel-san again, aims for Nyao-chan, but Hiromu TACKLES Connors! The fans cheer but Connors throws hands! And then he POSTS Hiromu! Connors grabs Wheel-san, and SLAMS it onto Nyao-chan! The fans boo but Connors soaks up that heat. Connors stalks Hiromu while Red Shoes returns Nyao-chan to the fan. Connors JAMS Hiromu up with Wheel-san! Hiromu flounders away, but Connors goes up an aisle through the crowd. Connors lines up his shot, and he BOWLS Wheel-san right into Hiromu’s bowling pin!

Connors winds up, and he flips off Hachioji! Connors puts Hiromu in, covers, but Red Shoes refuses because of all the shenanigans. Connors admits that’s fair. Connors looms over Hiromu, waits on him to rise, and the fans rally. Hiromu chops, and chops, and CHOPS! Connors KNEES low, then whips to UPPERCUT Hiromu down! Cover, TWO! Hiromu is still in this but Connors keeps Hiromu down with body scissors! Hiromu endures the squeeze, but Connors adds a chinlock to things. Hiromu fights his way over to the ROPEBREAK! Connors lets go, slaps Hiromu around, then looms over him.

Hiromu rises up, and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Connors THROWS Hiromu down by his hair! The fans boo but Connors drags Hiromu into a chinlock. Hiromu endures again, even with a knee in his back. Connors bends Hiromu, but Hiromu fights up to his feet. Hiromu fires body shots, but Connors hits a takeover! Connors grinds Hiromu down but Hiromu keeps his shoulder up. Connors mocks the fans but Hiromu fires body shots. Connors CHOPS, Hiromu staggers, and Connors whips. Hiromu reverses then blows past Connors to RANA! The fans fire up while Connors tumbles! Hiromu rises and the fans rally again.

Connors is on the ropes and Hiromu whips. Connors reverses but Hiromu ROCKS him, puts him on ropes, and KICKS the ropes to jam Connors up! Hiromu runs to SHOTGUN Connors! Connors bails out, Hiromu fires up and the fans are with him. Hiromu goes to the apron for the JOHN WOO DROPKICK! Connors tumbles away but Hiromu still has to catch his breath. Hiromu rises, staggers over, and he fires Hachioji again. Hiromu puts Connors on the apron, goes inside the ring, but then Connors HOTSHOTS Hiromu away! Connors grabs Wheel-san and hurries back in! Red Shoes reprimands, and then literally puts his foot down!

Connors is annoyed, and he shoves Red Shoes aside! But then Red Shoes sits on Wheel-san! Connors asks what Red Shoes thinks he’s doing, but Hiromu rolls Connors up! TWO, but Hiromu hurries to cradle! TWO, and Connors KNEES low! Connors reels Hiromu in, aims for Wheel-san, but Hiromu fights No Chaser! Hiromu snap suplexes Connors and narrowly misses Wheel-san! Connors still writhes and Hiromu grabs Wheel-san. Red Shoes reprimands, so Hiromu brings Wheel-san to the outside. Hiromu kisses Wheel-san and lets him chill on the outside. Hiromu says he doesn’t need Wheel-san to win!

Hiromu returns to Connors in the ring, puts him up top, and then CHOPS! Hiromu climbs up, brings Connors in, but Connors fights the suplex! Connors HEADBUTTS Hiromu, then slips underneath! Connors brings Hiromu off the corner for a SITOUT POWERBOMB!! The fans rally while both men are down, but Connors goes to a corner. Connors climbs up, then MACHO ELBOWS! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and the fans fire up! Connors grows frustrated, and he goes to another corner. Connors takes aim as Hiromu rises, and runs in for a- Fireman’s carry! CORNER DEATH VALLEY! The fans fire up with Hiromu!

Hiromu fireman’s carries again, swings, but Connors sunset flips! Hiromu rolls through, but runs into a POWERSLAM! Connors reloads, SPEAR into TRIANGLE D!! The fans fire up as Connors is caught, but he endures to deadlift and BUCKLE BOMB! Then SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!!! Hiromu survives again and the fans fire up! Connors is beside himself but we hit 15 minutes, the halfway mark! Connors rises, Hiromu stirs, and Connors vows to end this. Connors stands Hiromu up, reels him in, but Hiromu shoves free. Connors comes back to SPEAR again!! Hiromu flounders, Connors backs off and reloads!

The fans rally as hard as they can as Hiromu rises. Connors runs back in, but into a SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs up and SUPERKICKS again! And then- SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Hiromu survives and the fans are thunderous! The fans rally for Hiromu as hard as they can but Connors brings him up first. But Connors’ back won’t let him hit the No Chaser! Connors changes course to hit a BIG back suplex, but Hiromu lands out! Hiromu wrenches and suplexes, but Connors fights that! Connors runs, but into a HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Connors is right up, but into a SUPERKICK! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!!

Connors survives but Hiromu drags himself up with ropes. Hiromu fires up and the fans rally even more! Hiromu drags Connors up, fireman’s carries, but Connors fires elbows! Connors grabs ropes, but Hiromu pries him free! Swing and TIMEBOMB 1.0!!! But Connors flounders under the ropes! Hiromu was so close and yet so far from ending this! Connors and Hiromu rise again, and Hiromu drags Connors up. But Connors UPPERCUTS! Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Connors flops against ropes, and Hiromu runs! SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB onto Wheel-san!! Well, Hiromu doesn’t need it, but he’ll use it anyway!

The fans are thunderous as Hiromu puts Connors back in, fireman’s carries, and swings for TIMEBOMB 1.0!!!! But Hiromu says that’s not enough! Dragon sleeper and TIMEBOMB 2.0!!!! Cover, Hiromu wins!!

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

This was certainly a fast ‘n’ furious battle, but the hometown hero prevails! Will Connors buff out the dents with a much needed pitstop?

As for said hometown hero, Hiromu grabs the mic to say, “Clark- Oh, he’s gone. I guess he already took off. Darn it. Clark… No, I can’t join the War Dogs. It crossed my mind, but I’ve decided against it. Hachioji, I’M HOME~!” The fans cheer, and Hiromu says that was too tough! He can’t take this anymore. He’s exhausted already! His everything hurts! But… Those high-fives during his entrance gave him a spark so he’s thankful for that. “Hold on… I hear some big cheers. Perhaps some of my old classmates are here…? Raise your hand if you’re a classmate of mine from grade, middle or high school.” Wait, only four? Well, Hiromu thanks those four!

The fans applaud, and Hiromu says he is grateful to those four. He’ll be sure to invite more next year. But he’ll be serious here. He was 1-3 going into this round. A fan says, “Then win the rest!” Hiromu says yes, he knows, thank you. But that said, he saw socials being like, “Hiromu, are you quitting? Please don’t leave!” Things like that. “Will you follow Naito?” More things like that. He was planning on making this announcement after winning the Super Juniors on June 1st, but… He got permission from the office to go ahead and say it here in his hometown. The fans are curious, and Hiromu says that he hoped he could say this after winning.

“On June 1st, 2025, Hiromu Takahashi will leave NJPW.” What?! “PSYCHE!! Give me a break! Why would I quit just because I lost three matches?! I lost those three matches just because I was outclassed!” The fans applaud and Hiromu says don’t forget, he’s an optimist! He’s been through a lot in his 15 year career and don’t quite a lot! He’s still here now! When he joined NJPW, he had two peers. They were stronger before their debuts, he couldn’t beat either of them! One was Bad Luck Fale! The other… Hiromu forgets that guy’s name. But those were the only two!

Hiromu went on excursion, experienced a whole lot, came back, broke his neck, went through even more struggles! He’s lost and struggled again and again and again! The fans cheer that, and Hiromu says that he is still super positive! Can El Desperado hear Hiromu? On opening night, Despy said the two were destined forever rivals! That’s a given! The fans cheer that! Hiromu tells Despy that if it’s not them in the finals, then it won’t be any fun! The fans also like the sound of that. Hiromu says of course one has to be prepared and aware. It is important to talk about protecting NJPW, leading NJPW, caring for NJPW…!

BUT! Just saying it isn’t enough in this world! Hiromu says as long as he is here, NJPW IS the best! The fans cheer that! Hiromu says let’s work together and play our part. The other wrestlers, the staff, let’s all do our best! The fans cheer more, and Hiromu says he may have said too much already. He’s won three of these tournaments in a row, but he won’t be one who relies on past glory. Even today’s victory is already in the past! Being the strongest, strongest, strongest, STRONGEST is important, and he’ll enjoy the BOSJ more than anyone! The fans cheer and Hiromu says that’s right! Moto! Moto! Moto! MOTO! MOTO!

Oh, hey, Takagi-san. Hiromu admits their eyes met just now. Hiromu says he wants to keep working with Takagi and Yota, and the fans cheer. MOTO! MOTO! MOTO!! MOTO!! MOTO!!! MOTO!!! FUN TOGETHER WITH EVERYONE~!! The fans cheer and Hiromu finally drops the mic. But will the Ticking Timebomb still come out on top of the block? How much more effort will it take to once again be the Best of the Super Juniors?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

KUSHIDA: 3-2, 6 points
Dragon Dia: 3-2, 6 points
Robbie X: 3-2, 6 points
Kosei Fujita: 3-2, 6 points
Master Wato: 3-2, 6 points
Francesco Akira: 2-3, 4 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 2-3, 4 points
Clark Connors: 2-3, 4 points
Ninja Mack: 2-3, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-3, 4 points

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

Nick Wayne: 4-1, 8 points
Titan: 3-2, 6 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-2, 6 points
El Desperado: 3-2, 6 points
SHO: 2-3, 4 points
Taiji Ishimori: 2-3, 4 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-3, 4 points
YOH: 2-3, 4 points
MAO: 2-3, 4 points
Kevin Knight: 2-3, 4 points

My Thoughts:

Another great round for NJPW BOSJ, but I am thankful they’re pulling back for the next couple of shows. A Block has now split between the 3-2 and the 2-3 groups. That makes it really interesting to pick out a finalist. I do appreciate them letting Kushida turn things around from his surprising 0-2 start. Nick Wayne still leading B Block is some good stuff, too, I continue to look forward to how far he goes. I like that the House of Torture members both lost because of mask shenanigans. And an awesome main event for Hiromu to win in his hometown. Hiromu stays afloat in the ranks, and he had a great swerve in the promo. He could definitely have one of the biggest comebacks in BOSJ to go from 1-3 to the finals, and go for a historic fifth trophy.

My Score: 9/10