NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 2019

Night 2

Ren Narita vs Douki
Battle of the 2 replacement guys kicks off the B Block as some brief mat work from Narita starts, but Douki takes the fight to the floor & cracks him with a chair, then sends him into the seats into the crowd. Back inside as Douki is picking apart Narita until Narita looks for I guess a belly to belly (looked real awkward), but Douki counters with a weird triangle as Narita gets the ropes. Beautiful dropkick by Narita as he takes the fight to Douki, shoulder tackles & a suplex gets him 2. Narita locks in a super sloppy looking Sharpshooter, but Douki gets the ropes. Belly to belly for another 2 leads to Narita running into a Douki lariat, as we get more Narita near falls, leading to the sloppiest springboard DDT I’ve ever seen by Douki. Suplex de La Luna gets Douki the win in a pretty awful start for the B Block. Post match Taichi & Douki beat Narita down with a pipe. I really disliked this one. I dread having to watch 8 more Douki matches.

Rocky Romero vs Robbie Eagles
This was a much slower paced match than I thought it’d be to start. Nothing really stood out (nothing bad mind you) other than Rocky almost falling doing a kip up. Finally Eagles started picking up the pace with a sliding lariat to the back & fall away slam. He targeted the left leg connecting with a 619 to it, then a meteora in the corner. Eagles dishes out some stiff kicks, but Rocky hits a Tornado DDT, then stiff chops. Hurricanrana transitioned into an armbar, but Eagles gets to the ropes. We get a kick battle as Rocky throws with the good leg (which made me happy). He won the battle as he hits running clotheslines in the corner, but his bad leg gave out as Eagles jumped on it and applied the Ron Miller Special, but Rocky got a rope break. Striking battle ends with an enzugiri by Eagles, then a Sliced Bread for a 2. We get some close near falls for both as Rocky ends up pulling out a Destino for 2. Rocky blocks an enzugiri, hits the rewind kick, Eagles counters with the Turbo backpack, then hits a 450 off the top to the bad leg, clamps the Ron Miller Special in the center as Rocky taps. Very slow start, but once Robbie targeted the leg, things started picking up and I ultimately liked the match.

Bandido vs El Phantasmo
Test of strength started with both ending up on their backs as we almost got a double pin, but both bridged. Arm drag sent Bandido to the floor as Phantasmo hits a dive, amazingly flips off a child (see Speeps’ post) as we go back inside with Phantasmo in firm control until he misses a springboard crossbody as Bandido presses him over his head, then hits a pump kick. Tilt a whirl hurricanrana and a massive Tope Con Hilo by Bandido who looks for a springboard crossbody, but Phantasmo hits a dropkick in mid air for a 2. Bandido with a springboard back hand spring, but Phantasmo catches him with a reverse airplane spin for another 2. They trade cool looking Canadian Destroyers as both collapse as a result. Slap battle commences as Bandido ultimately hits a pop up cutter for 2. Reverse brainbuster & running kick for another near fall for Bandido who goes to the top, but Phantasmo clips him with an enzugiri. Top rope rana, then a huge splash, but only gets Phantasmo a 2 due to the nonchalant cover. He walks the top ropes, but Bandido cuts him off with his moonsault fall away slam for 2 (it was honestly like a 6 count, but Red Shoes is so fucking slow with the count). Phantasmo pulls at the mask, momentarily distracting Bandido, long enough for Phantasmo to hit his facebuster (Greetings from ___ Park, I couldn’t make it out on commentary). Wish the match got more time, but I understand, not every match can be 20. For the amount of time given, I really dug it.

Will Ospreay vs BUSHI
They hit a bazillion moves to start as each man ate a dropkick from the other when going for their pose. To the floor as BUSHI hits a chair shot & targets the neck. Back inside BUSHI locks in a STF, but Will gets the ropes. Ospreay fires back with chops & hits his handspring enzugiri. 619 over the top rope, then a stalling dropkick in the corner as Ospreay has taken over. He nails Pip Pip Cheerio, but only gets a near fall as Ospreay is really selling the neck issues allowing BUSHI to hit a dropkick. Shit ton of counters ends with BUSHI nailing a neckbreaker, but Ospreay cuts him off quickly with an enzugiri as both are down. Striking battle ends with a powerbomb by Ospreay and a codebreaker by BUSHI. With BUSHI on his shoulders, Ospreay is standing on the second rope, flipping out of a top rope rana, landing on his feet! Standing Spanish Fly for 2, as BUSHI wiggles free from a Storm Breaker, hitting Ospreay with a DDT on the apron. Will gets in at 19 as BUSHI nails him with a backcracker for 2. MX attempt is countered by Ospreay who hits a Robinson Special, then Bloody Sunday, looked for the Oscutter, but BUSHI avoided it. BUSHI tries for the mist, but Ospreay covers his mouth, superkicks him in the face as the mist shoots in the air. Hidden Blade followed by a Storm Breaker wins it for Ospreay. I really liked this match. It doesn’t compare to Shingo vs SHO, but still a real good match.

Ryusuke Taguchi vs YOH
Really good opening sequence with a ton of drop downs ending with Taguchi avoiding a dropkick, hitting a hip attack. YOH sends Taguchi into the ropes, Taguchi tries to skin the cat I think, but crotches himself on the bottom rope. YOH hits an elbow drop, then knee drop, then double stomp, getting three 2 counts. YOH goes after the leg for a few minutes until Taguchi hits a hip attack, then springboard plancha to the floor (he sold the leg a bit, but why do that move after your opponent just spent minutes working on it?). Taguchi hits a leaping hip attack from the apron as YOH is sent flying into the crowd. Taguchi tries for 3 Amigos, but only gets 2 with YOH getting a cradle on the 3rd attempt. Neckbreaker & leaping forearm follow for YOH as he hits a gut wrench German suplex for 2. Superplex is avoided as Taguchi hits a hip attack off the 2nd. Bomaye attempt is countered into a half crab then figure four by YOH, but Taguchi reverses it as YOH gets the ropes. Near falls exchanged as Taguchi searched for Dodon, but YOH avoided it. Both hit kicks as each man is down, leading to a striking battle. Taguchi with yet another hip attack as YOH tries to skin the cat on the bottom rope, but Taguchi caught him with an ankle lock. He pulled YOH up into a Tiger Suplex, but gets 2, pulls YOH up & plants him with Dodon, for another 2!! He drags YOH up & nails a modified Dodon (the move he sent Prince Devitt out of New Japan with) for the win. I didn’t care for the opening few minutes, but as it went on, I enjoyed it. When Taguchi keeps the comedy to a minimum (which he did in this one), I like his matches much more.

A Block Standings

2 points - Tiger Mask, Titan, Marty Scurll, Shingo Takagi, Taiji Ishimori

0 points - Taka Michinoku, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Jonathan Gresham, SHO, Dragon Lee

B Block Standings

2 points - Douki, Robbie Eagles, El Phantasmo, Will Ospreay, Ryusuke Taguchi

0 points - Ren Narita, Rocky Romero, Bandido, BUSHI, YOH

Night 4
Robbie Eagles vs Ren Narita
The story of this match was Eagles was throwing a lot of offense at Narita, but being a young lion, Narita was able to fight back only momentarily until Eagles cut him off. So when Narita put together more moves, the crowd dug it more because they were behind him in his hometown. Narita would get near falls & a submission, but Eagles got out. Pair of knockdowns by Narita who is trying to put away Eagles, who blocks the strikes & puts him away with a Turbo Backpack for the win. This was a very simple match and I liked the story they told. You don’t need to overcomplicate matches with Narita, who is still a young lion & developing his skills.

Bandido vs YOH
So this one had each guy trading big move after big move (not their finishers) and they couldn’t put the other away. After Bandido took control early, it was YOH that gained advantage, but was ultimately sent to the floor. Bandido hit a monster springboard moonsault from the top to the outside (seriously amazing), back inside Bandido couldn’t put him away as YOH hit a combo neckbreaker. Bandido answered hanging YOH up in the ropes & hitting a 450 out of the corner. YOH fought back with a superplex into a pin attempt but got 2. Bandido puts YOH in a burning hammer position, but spins him around & hits a GTS and lariat for 2! YOH hits a snap German, then a full nelson suplex with the bridge for the victory. This was seemed like a sprint, as neither man was in control for more than a few moves at a time. I dug it.

BUSHI vs El Phantasmo
It’s weird; we’ve seen refs get beat up, tossed down, etc. Yet when Phantasmo hit a neckbreaker using BUSHI’s shirt, then tried for a pin, Red Shoes refused to count. Anyways, Phantasmo controlled early, but BUSHI cut him off with a rana from the second rope and top rope dropkick. Double knees in the corner & a DDT gets BUSHI 2. Reverse airplane spin into a neckbreaker followed by a lionsault gets Phantasmo a 2 of his own. BUSHI sets up Phantasmo on the ropes & hits a leaping rana from the corner, goes back to the corner & looks for MX, but eats a superkick that sends him to the floor. Phantasmo hits two suicide dives then a massive splash back in the ring for 2! Crowd reacts to everything BUSHI does (including kick outs), but is dead silent when Phantastmo does anything. BUSHI avoids a powerbomb, sending Phantasmo in the ropes as BUSHI plants him with a DDT on the apron. Back in the ring Phantasmo sends BUSHI into the ref, hits a low blow & his facebuster finish for the victory. This match was decent & had some good moments, but it fell short for me.

Will Ospreay vs Rocky Romero
Battle of the CHAOS teammates as Rocky countered & dared Will to come at him as he tried to get into the head, but Ospreay hit a top rope 619 & would ultimately slow the pace early on. They exchanged stiff chops as Rocky would lock in the Octopus, but Ospreay got out & took the fight down with a chinlock. Rocky gets out, throws a chop, then Ospreay answered with a brutal chop, buckling Rocky, who answers with a huge DDT. Rocky would target the arm briefly as he sent Ospreay to the floor & hits a tope suicida. Springboard dropkick to a hung up Ospreay gets 2 for Rocky. Romero is too busy targeting the left arm that he gets caught with a handspring wheel kick, then Pip Pip Cheerio with the good arm gets Will a 2. Rocky rolls to the floor as Ospreay hits a Space Flying Tiger. He dares Rocky to hit him in the ring, but starts punting away with Kawada kicks, looks for an Oscutter, but Rocky catches him in mid air with an armbar on the bad arm. Ospreay panics & quickly rolls to the ropes. Rewind Kick by Rocky, looks for a Forever Clothesline, but eats an enzugiri. We get a wild counter sequence where they’d duck clotheslines, counter Spanish Fly’s, then Rocky would hit a lariat followed by a Destino for only 2!! Only problem I had with this was Caprice Coleman on commentary went from subdued to screaming his head off in the span of 2 seconds. Reverse Bloody Sunday gets Ospreay a 2.

Hidden Blade attempt is countered into a Pump Kick, then a Storm Breaker is countered into a roll up. Sliced Bread attempt by Rocky is countered into a superkick, then Ospreay goes for the Storm Breaker again, but Rocky flips into a hurricanrana pin for 2!! Hidden Blade countered again as Rocky goes for the knockout shot, eats a superkick, goes for the armbar in the center, Rocky turns into a triangle, but immediately Ospreay hits a powerbomb. Ospreay to the top & hits a picture perfect Shooting Star but for 2!! He plants Rocky with a Storm Breaker at the 25 minute mark for the win. Wow that match was friggin awesome. The best Rocky Romero match I’ve seen in a long time. Top 2 or 3 match of the tournament thus far.

Ryusuke Taguchi vs Douki
I’m dreading this. Kevin Kelly says Douki has nothing to lose, if he doesn’t win this, he goes back to the mud (WTF??). Douki slammed young lions on top of Taguchi on the floor, then wiped them all out with a dive from the top. Back in the ring Douki put the boots to Taguchi, tried for a pin, but again, Red Shoes refused to count (it’s so annoying at this point). Finally Taguchi hits a hip attack, but misses a dive on the floor. Taguchi fights back, but eats a chair shot (I missed it, but somehow Red Shoes is down?). Douki tosses Taguchi 5 rows deep into the crowd as Red Shoes finally starts a count. I’m so annoyed at this match point. Taguchi took over with a hip attack & dive back to the floor. Springboard hip attack then 3 Amigos only gets 2. Ankle Lock by Taguchi followed by Dodon, but Douki kicks out. Back to the ankle lock as Douki grabs the ref allowing Taichi to attack Taguchi with a backdrop driver. Douki gets a near fall as he’s clutching his ankle (Caprice asks Kevin why he’s doing that and Kevin Kelly has to remind him he was just in an ankle lock for like 3 fucking minutes). Springboard DDT by Douki, then a Suplex de la Luna is countered, but Douki gets a necktie triangle, but Taguchi escapes. Lariat by Douki as Taguchi counters with a Blue Thunder Bomb. Taguchi accidentally wipes out Red Shoes (GOOD!) as Taichi brings a chair in the ring, Douki misses a shot, Taguchi wipes out Taichi, then hits a face first suplex on the chair. Bomaye by Taguchi, but gets only 2 (please end this). Ankle Lock by Taguchi as the young lions are holding off Taichi as Douki taps. Caprice Coleman loses his mind and I’m thrilled this is finally over. I never want to see a 22 minute Douki match again.

A Block Standings
4 points - Shingo Takagi, Tiger Mask, Taiji Ishimori
2 points - Titan, Marty Scurll, Jonathan Gresham, Dragon Lee
0 points - Taka Michinoku, Yoshinobu Kanemaru SHO

B Block Standings

4 points - Robbie Eagles, El Phantasmo, Will Ospreay, Ryusuke Taguchi
2 points - Douki, YOH
0 points - Ren Narita, Rocky Romero, Bandido, BUSHI

Night 6
Rocky Romero vs Ren Narita
Solid chain wrestling kicks us off with Rocky eventually locking in a double wrist lock, but Narita is able to get free from. Both up and Narita hits a near overhead belly to belly for a near fall. He blocks a La Magistral by Rocky & turns it into a close 2. Counters a Romero backslide, trying for his own, but Rocky rolls through, only for Nartia to roll through into a Sharpshooter variation. Striking battle ends with Rocky looking for a forever clothesline, but runs into an overhead suplex for 2 at the 10 minute mark. Forearms & chops dished out by both as Rocky cracks him with a leaping knee to the face for 2. Sliced Bread countered into a Narita roll up for 2 as he is daring Rocky to kick him. Rewind kick gets Rocky a 2, but as Narita kicks out, Rocky slips right into the armbar as Narita taps. The best Nartia match of the tournament thus far. It was a fun back & forth.

Bandido vs Douki
Douki attacks immediately on the outside, posting Bandido before heading back in the ring. Bandido recovers quickly hitting a tornillo, headscissors and a massive tope con hilo, clearing the mat around ringside & right to the floor. Springboard cross body followed by a reverse suplex & running knee gets Bandido a near fall. Douki avoids the twenty one plex & dropkicks Bandido in mid air as he tried for a cross body. Both men trade dropkicks before Douki turns Bandido inside out with a lariat. Necktie guillotine from Douki, but Bandido gets free. Douki hits his slingshot DDT for 2, tries for a wheelbarrow suplex, but Bandido code red’s his way out of it. Bandido hits the reverse spinning GTS followed by the twenty one plex to get him his first 2 points. I know this isn’t saying much, but this was by far & away Douki’s best match of the tournament. I hope we see this Douki more.

El Phantasmo vs Robbie Eagles
Battle of the Bullet Club boys as we get some comedy to start with Phantasmo looking to attack Kevin Kelly, but Eagle stopped him, so he got posted for his troubles. Phantasmo with a springboard cross body, then a lionsault for a near fall. Eagles tries fighting back but gets hung up in the tree of woe as Phantasmo stomps down on the crotch before Eagles hits a spider German, then a top rope rana & springboard elbow to the top of Phantasmo’s head. Two running double knees gets a 2 count for Eagles as he tries for sliced bread, but eats an enzugiri & airplane spin to follow for 2. Close near falls by both as Eagles hits a brutal superkick under the chin & he goes to the top, eventually hitting a poison rana & a 450 for the closest near fall of the match. Turbo backpack is countered as Phantasmo pulls Eagles bandana over his eyes, superkick & the CR2 gets Phantasmo another 2 points. Wish it was a better match that had more time, but being Bullet Club guys & rulebreakers, they couldn’t do a ton. It was good not great.

Will Ospreay vs YOH
Ospreay gets monkey flipped to the outside as YOH hits a dive, but Ospreay absolutely murders him with chops to take over & continues to do so back inside. It was all Ospreay for a few minutes before YOH nailed multiple dragon screws, then a huge tope con hilo. Back inside & YOH wisely targets the knee with a figure four. Ospreay makes the ropes, fires back with chops & forearms and hits his handspring wheel kick, but is holding his knee. Corner dropkick as Ospreay is wincing in pain, hits a reverse DDT for a 2, YOH answers back with a Calf Crusher, but Ospreay scrambles quickly to the ropes. Chop blocks aplenty as Ospreay lands on the apron, fights back & hits Pip Pip Cheerio, a standing shooting star, which YOH bridges out of, Ospreay floats over into a sit out powerbomb for 2. What a sequence! Both try for reverse DDTs, as Ospreay gets hung up in the ropes & driven down by YOH for 2. Superplex is blocked & turned into cheeky nando kicks as Ospreay goes for a Shooting Star from the top, but YOH moves & Ospreay’s legs buckle. YOH locks in a calf crusher as Ospreay is in deep shit.

Someone needs to make a compilation of noises Caprice Coleman had made during this tournament. Ospreay gets the ropes at the 20 minute mark as Ospreay struggles up as we have a forearm battle as Ospreay hits some Kawada kicks, YOH tries a dragon screw, but Ospreay blocks & hits a double stomp. Robinson Special is followed by an Oscutter attempt, which is turned into a German suplex by YOH! Dragon Suplex blocked by Ospreay who kicks YOH in the head, sends him to the ropes as YOH skins the cat & hits a superkick! Both slowly get up as YOH hits a release Dragon Suplex into the corner on his head!! YOH looks for another, Ospreay lands on his feet, superkick, then a standing Spanish Fly for a 2.999 count! Ospreay powers YOH up with a Storm Breaker & gets the 3 count. Hot damn that was a hell of a match. Shingo/SHO, Ospreay/Rocky and this one are my Top 3 matches of the tournament thus far.

Ryusuke Taguchi vs BUSHI
Taguchi does Taguchi things as he tries to blow up BUSHI by running the ropes, but he himself gets winded instead. Hip attack followed by a tribute to Honma with a headbutt. They talk about the mist of BUSHI and Caprice Coleman thinks it smells like Popeye’s Chicken and laundry detergent (seriously, WTF??). STF by BUSHI as he is targeting the ass with stomps & atomic drops, but gets sent to the floor as Taguchi hits a springboard dive, then a springboard hip attack in the ring. He misses a 3rd dive on the floor as BUSHI nails a suicide dive of his own. Back in as BUSHI hits a missile dropkick, tries for a suplex, but Taguchi hits one, tries for another, but dropkicked into the ropes. DDT on the apron by BUSHI followed by a backstabber for 2. MX is blocked into a hip attack, Taguchi dries for Dodon, but BUSHI gets free, but Taguchi slips into an ankle lock. BUSHI rolls through, Taguchi wipes out Red Shoes as BUSHI mists him & hits a rewind kick. Taguchi ducks MX (how did he see that?), tries for a hip attack, BUSHI gets a roll up, then Taguchi gets the ankle lock again. BUSHI rolls through but does so right into Dodon for 2. Taguchi clamps on the ankle lock the third time and BUSHI taps. Fun match, but wish it would’ve been the co-main as Ospreay/YOH blew this out of the water.

Wednesday, Thursday & Friday shows coming up are full Tournament shows. Meaning 10 matches each night. This will be insane.

A Block Standings
6 points - Shingo Takagi, Taiji Ishimori
4 points – Tiger Mask, Marty Scurll,
2 points - Titan, Jonathan Gresham, Dragon Lee, SHO
0 points - Taka Michinoku, Yoshinobu Kanemaru

B Block Standings
6 points – El Phantasmo, Will Ospreay, Ryusuke Taguchi
4 points - Robbie Eagles, El Phantasmo
2 points - Douki, YOH, Rocky Romero, Bandido
0 points - Ren Narita, BUSHI

Night 8
El Phantasmo vs Ren Narita
ELP picked apart Narita for the first few minutes, just toying with him, until Narita pulled him off the top as ELP was doing his rope walk, into a belly to belly for a near fall. The story was ELP was overly cocky & would get caught at moments as Narita would get super close near falls with the crowd firmly behind him. He’d block a CR2 attempt with a roll up & bridge for 2, charged in the corner, but ate a superkick. Narita fought out of CR2 again, sank in a Boston Crab, ELP escaped & hit his airplane neckbreaker & the frog splash for the win. This went the perfect length & gave Narita some hope with the near falls, but ELP goes to 10 points.

Titan vs TAKA Michinoku
Taka gains advantage early with a running knee to the face & fakes a dive, which would’ve shocked the hell out of me had Taka pulled that off. Taka sinks in his wrist clutch submission, but Titan gets the ropes. Titan nails his flying clothesline through the ropes in the corner & a massive plancha as he rolls Taka back in for 2. Taka avoids a rana, gets a nearfall off a La Magistral, then locks in the facelock, but Titan gets the ropes. O’Connor Roll by Titan, but he rolls into the facelock, but again Titan to the ropes. Titan turns a Michinoku Driver attempt into an Air Raid Crash & gets the awkward looking 3 as Titan (and everyone else) thought it was a 2, but Taka just didn’t kick out. Weird ending, but an ok little match.

Robbie Eagles vs BUSHI
BUSHI hits a dropkick & suicide dive before the bell even rings, but Eagles takes over with a sliding lariat to the back of BUSHI’s neck. Robbie turns his attention to the left knee, but BUSHI hits 2 straight DDT’s for a nearfall. BUSHI sends Eagles into the ropes, looks for his draping DDT on the apron, but Eagles hits a 619 to the knee & a somersault plancha through the ropes! Springboard dropkick to the knee & a Turbo Backpack for a close 2 as Eagles locks in the Ron Miller Special but BUSHI gets the ropes. Eagles annihilates BUSHI with the running knees in the corner, but misses a 450. Lungblower through the ropes and a spinning fisherman’s suplex gets BUSHI 2, but he hits MX and that gets him 3. As solid of a story you could tell in 8-9 minutes. I liked it quite a bit.

Jonathan Gresham vs Tiger Mask
Nothing but counters & chain wrestling for the first 3 minutes as we get a standoff & show of respect, before Tiger starts targeting the chest & ribs with stiff kicks. Another series of reversals that Gresham wins with a dropkick & shoulder to the ribs in the corner. Tiger fights out of a Cobra Twist & locks in a submission of his own, but Gresham gets the ropes. Tiger Mask looked for a Tiger Suplex, but turned it into a GTS almost which was brutal. They both had the same idea with running cross body’s as we have a double down. We get a third series of reversals and Gresham catches him with a roll up for the win! Kevin Kelly asks whether these reversals were a trap set by Gresham and I love that. I really liked this match a lot. Reversals telling a story into the finish, love that.

YOH vs DOUKI
Douki attacks with a dive before the bell & takes the fight to the crowd. Back in the ring & Douki gets a double stomp for 2, but YOH answers with a flying forearm, dragon screw, arm drag, then calf killer as Douki gets the ropes. Douki looked like he hit his sloppy ass slingshot DDT, but didn’t as YOH countered for a 2 count. Douki sinks in his arm tie guillotine as YOH fades, but gets the ropes in time. Series of near falls for YOH, as he’s almost having a tantrum, so frustrated not being able to put away Douki as we’re 10 minutes in. Douki destroys YOH with a lariat, tries for Suplex de la Luna, but is countered as YOH skins the cat & hits a Dragon Suplex for the win. It was a decent match.

Marty Scurll vs SHO
Marty came in all bandaged up, only to attack SHO with the umbrella before the bell. SHO gets a bit of offense, but Marty takes over with chops & kicks. Head scissors as Marty is targeting the taped ear, superkicks him twice on the apron as SHO is daring him to hit him with a 3rd as Marty does, but SHO blocks it. Backcracker into a cross armbreaker attempt, but Marty gets the ropes. Rolling Germans by SHO, Marty hits a half & half to counter, but SHO no sells & hits his 3rd German as both are down. Scurll almost takes his face off with a forearm, SHO answers with a Lumbar Check for 2. Brutal neckbreaker counter gets Marty a 2, Tornado DDT & he tries for a Chicken Wing, but can’t lock the hands. SHO counters it into Shock Arrow for a super close near fall. Marty with a cradle, then lariat for near falls as he snaps the fingers, but SHO clotheslines him with his good arm. Powerbomb into the double knees gets SHO another 2 as the crowd is really loud. Shock Arrow drives Marty down & SHO gets the win! Friggin great match. Wish it had even more time.

Ryusuke Taguchi vs Rocky Romero
Comedy match as Rocky has a basketball with him & Taguchi makes his arms into a hoop, but Rocky hits him in the head & hits a crossbody to the floor, dunking the basketball in the process. Taguchi hits a somersault dive soon after. They then hit like 10 lariats/hip attacks a piece in the corner as both are winded. Rocky hurts his arm trying to clothesline Taguchi’s ass as both men collapse. Taguchi locks in the ankle lock on the missed rewind kick. Rocky with a springboard DDT for 2 & follows up going for the arm. He tries for Sliced Bread, but Taguchi counters with a Dodon attempt, then some victory rolls by both & Taguchi won it ultimately. I could see how people could like this one, but it just wasn’t what I was looking for. Wasn’t bad, but wasn’t great either.

Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs Taiji Ishimori
We brawl in the crowd as they tease the spot from last night where Kanemaru was going to chuck a young boy (this night a chair) right at 18, but Ishimori avoided it and broke the count. Yes Lock by Ishimori, but Kanemaru gets the ropes. Tombstone/Lungblower gets 2 as Ishimori looks for a Bloody Cross, but Kanemaru tosses Red Shoes into his opponent. Kanemaru grabs the whiskey bottle, takes a swig, Ishimori rips the bottle away & Red Shoes catches him with it. Kanemaru spits the drink in his face, rolls up Ishimori for the 3. Kanemaru steals another one.

Will Ospreay vs Bandido
Bandido gets monkey flipped to the moon as Ospreay nails a crazy dive to the outside. One armed gorilla press & snap dropkick for 2 as Bandido fires back. Romero Special is applied, but Ospreay gets the ropes. Violent chop exchange as Ospreay hits his handspring wheel kick.619 and the Pip Pip Cheerio gets a 2, but Bandido fires back starching Ospreay with a dropkick. Suplex/knee strike combo as they’re up & trading forearms. Step up enzugiri as Ospreay blocks a rana, tries for a powerbomb, but Bandido turns it into a Poison Rana! Holy shit Bandido with a springboard shooting star that almost wipes out the first few rows (and Ospreay)!! Back inside & Bandido nails a West Coast Pop for 2 as Ospreay answers with a desperation stundog millionaire. Superkick by Bandido tries for another rana pin, but Ospreay rolls through for 2. Ospreay nails a Liger Bomb for another close near fall. Oscutter attempt is countered into a standing Spanish Fly by Bandido, who tries for a Twenty One Plex, gets blocked, but Bandido connects with a spinning GTS! Twenty One Plex attempt again, but Ospreay lands on his feet, standing Spanish Fly for a 2! Shit this is fucking great! Bandido cuts Ospreay off at the top & hits a crazy backflip fall away slam! Haha Juice Robinson “Can I say the F word?” Kevin Kelly “NO!”. Bandido springs off the second rope, gets caught in mid air as Ospreay hits the Storm Breaker for the win. Wow, just wow. What a match.

Shingo Takagi vs Dragon Lee
After a solid back & forth opening, Dragon Lee tries a rana from the apron, but gets caught, he tries for a powerbomb instead, but Shingo blocks that too & hits a DVD on the apron. Back inside Lee fires back, taking the fight to Shingo in the corner, hitting a stalling dropkick as both fight to the center of the ring & we have a forearm battle. 5 unanswered forearms by Shingo, but a V-Trigger by Lee sends Shingo to the floor and we get a fucking insane dive by Lee who easily goes to the 4th row. Straightjacket German gets a 2 for Lee, as Shingo rises with a vicious chop, forearm, lariat combo turning Lee inside out. Kevin Kelly said you have to drop a house on Shingo to beat him. Shingo gets caught in a tree of woe as Lee hits a double stomp, then a PK gets 2. Lee goes for Desnucadora, but Shingo nails a pop up Samoan Drop. Noshigami by Shingo as he measures Lee up & hits a Pumping Bomber for the 1…2…KICK OUT! Crowd is chanting for Dragon Lee as Shingo signals for the end. Last of the Dragon attempt, but Lee gets a roll up for 2. Lee rolls through another Noshigami attempt for another 2. Snap German, running knee, Poison rana & another knee FOR 1!! Another knee gets Dragon Lee the 1…2…NO!! Desnucadora is countered into Last of the Dragon and Shingo gets the 3! Damn what a crazy second half. Shingo is still undefeated in New Japan.

A Block Standings
10 points – Shingo Takagi
8 points – Taiji Ishimori
6 points – Jonathan Gresham, Dragon Lee
4 points – Tiger Mask, Marty Scurll, Titan, SHO, Yoshinobu Kanemaru
2 points -
0 points - Taka Michinoku

B Block Standings
10 points – El Phantasmo
8 points – Ryusuke Taguchi, Will Ospreay
6 points –Robbie Eagles, YOH
4 points - Bandido, BUSHI
2 points - Douki, Rocky Romero
0 points - Ren Narita

Last night of matches with both blocks. This has been fun, exciting and exhausting, so I'm ready to get back to the 5 matches a day for the final couple days.

Night 10
Dragon Lee vs TAKA Michinoku
Taka injured his leg in the match with Shino, so Dragon Lee gets the win via forfeit.

Ryusuke Taguchi vs Ren Narita
Story in this one was Narita has nothing to lose so he went for broke & got the advantage early, but Taguchi threw a hip attack cutting him off. Narita would fight out of ankle locks, nearly catching Taguchi in a rollup off a Dodon, as he locks in a cloverleaf, but Taguchi countered rolling through into the ankle lock. Narita gets an inside cradle, then Taguchi sinks in the ankle lock a 3rd time and taps.

Jonathan Gresham vs Yoshinobu Kanemaru
It shouldn’t surprise you that this was a mat based match. Kanemaru got some head scissors, while Gresham targeted the arm, punting away & hitting some arm drags. Tilt a whirl DDT led to a Kanemaru moonsault for a near fall. Snap rana by Gresham that leads to a series of about 30 cradles as they are dizzy as shit. Bridging German gets a 2 for Gresham as Kanemaru chucks the ref into Gresh & tries for the whiskey bottle, but walks into the Octopus Stretch and Kanemaru taps.

Rocky Romero vs DOUKI
Like every other match he’s been in, Douki attacks before the bell & goes after the bad left leg of Rocky (which commentary says is black & blue from his last match). Douki with the double stomp & takes off one of the buckle pads. Rocky turns the tables & sends Douki crashing into exposed corner, then a springboard rana & hits some forever clotheslines to follow. Douki throws a dropkick to the knee out of desperation & tries for his slingshot DDT, but Rocky avoided it with one of his own, then did the deal with falcon arrow into an armbreaker. Kneebar counter by Douki but Rocky got the ropes. Lariat turns Rocky inside out as Douki looks for Suplex de la Luna, but Rocky gets a roll up for 2. Romero gets a lariat of his own, sinks in a kimura into an armbreaker & Douki tapped. I really liked this match, Douki matches have been pretty sloppy, but his last 2 have impressed me quite a bit.

Marty Scurll vs Titan
Titan starches Marty with a superkick to the floor & nails a rana out there before going back inside. Titan looks for a monkey flip, but Marty dropkicks him right in the ass. After a Romero Special, Marty tries to take the mask off & Kevin Kelly points out that’d be an automatic DQ, which confuses Juice as he says you can throw a referee & spit whiskey and that isn’t a DQ? Solid point as Titan wipes out Brody King with a top rope dive, then a springboard rana in the corner on the Villain for a near fall. Eye rake & swinging DDT by Marty, but Titan fights back with an enzugiri. Forearm battle ends with a half & half by Marty, but he runs into a superkick then inverted figure four, but Marty got a break. Marty turned him inside out with a lariat, hit a weird looking Package Piledriver/DDT for 2, then Black Plague for the 3. Fun match that I wish had more time.

BUSHI vs Bandido
They move 100 mph to start with counters as BUSHI hits the first big move, a flying rana from the ring to the floor. Back inside BUSHI chokes Bandido with his shirt, then sinks in a STF, but Bandido got free. BUSHI tries for his apron DDT, but Bandido wiggled out, connecting with a massive Tope Con Hilo to the floor. Bandido shows off his strength with a press slam for 2. Bandido with a spinning plancha from the top, reverse vertical suplex & shining wizard gets only 2 as Bandido looks for Twenty One Plex, but BUSHI dropkicks him & nails his apron DDT. Spinning Fisherman’s neckbreaker gets 2, tries for a lungblower, misses, but hits a rewind kick & Canadian Destroyer for 2. Bandido on spaghetti legs as BUSHI hits MX for the win. This match deserved 10-12 more minutes, it was just getting going.

Shingo Takagi vs Tiger Mask
Tiger faked a shoulder injury to sucker Shingo into an armbar, but Shingo took over posting Tiger’s knee. Tiger tries fighting back throwing knees to the midsection, but it’s not smart as Shingo no sells & hits a dragon screw. Tiger answers back with, yes, kicks, we eventually to the top where Tiger hits a double arm underhook superplex. Tiger Mask nails a Tiger Driver for 2, got an armbar transitioned into a triangle, but Shingo powered out, looked for a Pumping Bomber, but settled for a DVD. He looked for the lariat again, but Tiger got a crucifix into an armbar. Shingo got free, hit a Pumping Bomber, but TIGER KICKS OUT AT 1!! He hit another and got 2! Finally he connected with Last of the Dragon for the 3. Fun match that went the exact time it should’ve considering how dominate Shingo has been, as he’s still undefeated.

YOH vs El Phantasmo
Phantasmo attacks immediately, suplexing YOH on the floor & chucking him into the crowd. YOH made it in at 19 and nearly got a roll up. YOH targeted ELP’s bad arm that’s taped up, but ELP nailed a quebrada, hung up YOH in the tree of woe, stomped on the groin, but YOH pulled up & hit a spider German. Arm hook bridging belly to belly gets a 2 as YOH went to the top, but got cut off as ELP hit a springing enzugiri & top rope rana. YOH got his knees up for a frog splash & nearly got a cradle for 2. ELP with a pump kick & beautiful airplane spin neckbreaker for 2. CR2 attempt is countered as YOH backdrops him to the floor. ELP cuts off the dive attempt & shoves YOH into Red Shoes. ELP tries for a belt shot, but Red Shoes recovers in record time & takes the belt from him. YOH gets an O’Connor roll for the massive upset!

Will Ospreay vs Robbie Eagles
Story told was these two know each other so well and had counters for everything, plus Ospreay is the reason Eagles is in New Japan. Eagles suckered Ospreay in with a handshake, only to slap the shit out of him. After a plancha by Ospreay, we got a brief chop battle until Eagles hits a cool arm drag a wild rana. Eagles targeted the left leg but Ospreay ultimately hit a handspring kick, 619, looked for Pip Pip Cheerio, but Eagles bailed. Stalling dropkick in the corner by Ospreay and standing shooting star for 2. Pip Pip Cheerio connects the 2nd try, but only got 2. Eagles tried to bail to the floor, which wasn’t smart, as he would be wiped out with a Space Flying Tiger Drop! Ospreay clutched his knee on the way down though, which allowed Eagles to capitalize back in the ring, going back after the leg. Somersault plancha by Eagles led to a double knee in the corner & 619 to the knees but Ospreay threw a desperation enzugiri, tried for cheeky nandos, Eagles tried for Sliced Bread, Ospreay backflipped out, but Eagles hit a poison rana! Fucking insane sequence! Stiff forearms traded as Ospreay hit his flipping dropkick & enzugiri, but Eagles looked for Turbo Backpack, but both tumbled to the floor. Ospreay tried to murder Eagles with a Storm Breaker on the apron, but Eagles counters with a Sliced Bread on the apron instead!

Ospreay beat the count at 19, but Eagles hit a crazy Dragon Rana for 2! Eagles looked for a 450, but missed as Ospreay looked for Hidden Blade, but Eagles collapses before it happened. Ospreay was distracted by ELP, which led to a Ron Miller Special by Eagles, but Ospreay got the ropes. Springboard crossbody is blocked with a dropkick in mid air by Ospreay. We go to the corner as Eagles hit a leaping rana off the top, Ospreay landed on his feet, but collapsed. Eagles blocks a superkick into a Turbo Backpack for the closest nearfall of the match at the 25 minute mark! Ospreay countered & nailed a buckle bomb, then spinning powerbomb for 2 as ELP tried to stop, but got booted. Eagles got the knees up from the shooting star, then was sent into Red Shoes as Ospreay hit a Standing Spanish Fly. ELP smacks Ospreay in the leg as Eagles seems really bummed that he interfered, but he hit the 450 to the bad leg, sank in the Ron Miller Special and Ospreay taps at 28 minutes. Fantastic match.

SHO vs Taiji Ishimori
Good luck following that match, boys. SHO went for the left arm early, but Ishimori hit a seated springboard senton, then worked the neck. SHO tried to fight back, but Ishimori locked his feet around his neck & twisted. Springboard handspring was almost turned into a German, but SHO settled for a spear & suplex for 2. SHO wanted an armbreaker, but Ishimori got the ropes. Double knees to the corner & Ishimori hits his handspring kick as SHO went outside, only to be hit with a picture perfect Golden Triangle. Inside SHO hits a gutbuster & some rolling German suplexes with a bridge off the 3rd for 2. Ishimori avoided the spear as we get a double down. Stiff back & forth strikes as SHO won the battle with lariats & two backbreakers for a 2 count. Shock Arrow was avoided, but SHO nailed a piledriver for another 2. Armbreaker was countered by Ishimori into a Yes Lock as it looked like SHO was going to tap, but got the ropes. John Woo dropkick sends SHO to the corner & Ishimori nails the double knees, then Tombstone lungblower for only 2! SHO fights off Bloody Cross, tries for Shock Arrow, but can’t connect at the 20 minute mark. He tries for it again, but Ishimori flips through on his feet & hits Bloody Cross for the win. Real good match that should’ve been the co-main. Though I assume they did this so a different person could talk at the end of the show.

A Block Standings
14 points – Shingo Takagi
12 points – Taiji Ishimori
10 points – Dragon Lee
8 points – Jonathan Gresham, Marty Scurll
6 points – SHO
4 points – Tiger Mask, Titan, Yoshinobu Kanemaru
2 points -
0 points - Taka Michinoku

B Block Standings
10 points – El Phantasmo, Will Ospreay, Ryusuke Taguchi, Robbie Eagles
8 points – BUSHI, YOH
6 points – Bandido, Rocky Romero
4 points –
2 points - Douki
0 points - Ren Narita

Night 12
YOH vs Ren Narita
After a brief back & forth, YOH zoned in on the right leg, trying to make Narita submit with a leg lock, but Narita got the ropes & fired back with forearms & a dropkick, which was lacking spring due to the leg work YOH did. Forearm & vertical suplex gets Narita 2, tries for a belly to belly, but YOH fights out with a flying forearm. Narita tried fighting back, got a dragon screw, looked for the calf killer, but Narita countered into a cloverleaf, but YOH got the ropes. YOH cuts Narita off with a superplex, then did the deal with a Falcon Arrow for 2. Dragon Suplex turned into a series of super close near falls from both as YOH runs right into an overhead belly to belly. Snap German gets a close 2, Narita tries for the belly to belly again, but YOH rolls through with the Calf Killer and Narita taps. Real good opener as Narita has only gotten better as these matches roll on. Really hope he gets at least 1 win in his final match.

Bandido vs Robbie Eagles
They trade ranas & dropkicks early as Eagles leg sweeps Bandido to the apron & hits a somersault plancha. He backdrops Bandido on the floor and they tease a countout, but Bandido barely makes it in. Eagles tries a 450 to the back & misses, which allows Bandido to hit a spinning cross body and a pop up cutter. Reverse suplex and running knee gets Bandido 2 as Eagles tried to answer with a springboard dropkick, but slipped and didn’t connect. He locked in a leg lock, but Bandido got the ropes. Fucking beautiful reverse Sliced Bread into a DDT for 2 by Eagles. Bandido eats a series of kicks, but hits a snap Dragon suplex as Eagles was posing. Reverse GTS sets up the Twenty One Plex, but Eagles counters it with a poison rana, looks for a 450, Bandido gets the knees up & gets a small package for 2. They trade shots before Eagles looks for a top rope Sliced Bread, but Bandido turns it into his moonsault fall away slam for the win. Fun match that I felt was just hitting another gear before it ended.

Rocky Romero vs BUSHI
Rocky mists BUSHI to start, but BUSHI answers with a tope suicida, sending Rocky crashing into the front row. Back inside BUSHI with a spinning neckbreaker for 2. Rocky fires back with a snap rana, then drives the knee down into the arm of BUSHI, tries for a forever clothesline, but eats a dropkick as BUSHI targets the arm. Chop battle ending with a Rocky rewind kick, BUSHI looked for one himself, didn’t connect, but Rocky sold it anyway. Rocky with forever clotheslines, tries for his springboard Tornado DDT and sort of got it, as he sank in the cross armbreaker, but BUSHI bit his leg to get free. Rocky tweaks his leg looking for Sliced Bread allowing BUSHI to hit a lungblower. He looked for MX & connected for the win. Super sloppy in spots, which I’ll chalk up to both being friggin tired as hell, but it was an ok match.

Will Ospreay vs DOUKI
Douki is launched into the 6th row early as Ospreay stomps a mud hole in Taichi on commentary! Douki looked for his wild senton off the top to the floor. He hit 10% of it and barely clipped Ospreay & the young boys, so he landed right on his fucking back on the floor. Taichi chair shot, but Ospreay beats the 20 count. Double stomp gets Douki 2 as he paint brushes Ospreay, who fired back with a handspring wheel kick. Stalling corner dropkick, Ospreay misses Pip Pip Cheerio, then does a standing shooting star, but falls right into the Douki necktie guillotine. Ospreay tried quickening the pace, but got leveled with a lariat. Forearm battle that Ospreay wins, hits Pip Pip Cheerio, looks for Storm Breaker, but Douki hits a Widows Peak into a backslide for 2. Douki looked for his slingshot DDT, but Ospreay hung him up on the ropes & hit a Shooting Star Press from the top to the hung up Douki! Douki hits a hurricanrana pin, but Ospreay flips through into a Last Ride powerbomb for 2. Storm Breaker, but Douki rolls through, they trade counters with Ospreay hitting a superkick. Taichi interferes long enough for Douki to hit a cane shot for a close 2. Looks for a Dragon Suplex, but Ospreay escapes, hits the Hidden Blade (young boys are holding off Taichi from interfering again), then Storm Breaker for the 3. Douki’s best match of the tournament and it should come as no surprise it was against Ospreay.

Ryusuke Taguchi vs El Phantasmo
Ground work mixed with some comedy starts us off as Taguchi hits the ropes a billion times & gets winded. ELP tries his rope walk, but Taguchi is so winded he has to be dragged by ELP. Taguchi tries to go for the rope walk, gets 4 steps & crotches himself. ELP with some knees low & ties Taguchi to the Tree of Woe, stomping down on the groin. Taguchi tries for a hip attack, but ELP gets the knee up & it lands on the groin. All these low blows and Red Shoes is just standing there, but whatever. Taguchi finally starts hitting hip attacks of all varieties and hits a Tope Con Hilo. Both are slowly up as ELP posts Taguchi then hits a picture perfect Golden Triangle moonsault as ELP is clutching his leg. Back inside ELP looks for CR2, but Taguchi rolls through, looks for Dodon, but ELP grabs Red Shoes & mule kicks Taguchi low. ELP with his airplane reverse neckbreaker for 2. ELP misses a frog splash (on one leg) as Taguchi gets the ankle lock briefly before hitting the Bomaye for 2. Dodon gets another 2, but ELP fights back taking Taguchi to the top rope. ELP looks for an enzugiri, but Taguchi jumps off the top & sinks in an ankle lock in mid air! Taguchi with a Dragon Suplex for 2, Dodon for another close 2, clamps on the ankle lock all the way and ELP taps! First half was super slow, but funny, then it picked up and I liked it. B Block comes down to Ospreay vs Taguchi. So I assume this means we’ll get Ospreay vs Shingo in the finals.

A Block Standings
16 points – Shingo Takagi
14 points – Taiji Ishimori
12 points – Dragon Lee
10 points – Marty Scurll
8 points – Jonathan Gresham, SHO
6 points –
4 points – Tiger Mask, Titan, Yoshinobu Kanemaru
2 points -
0 points - Taka Michinoku

B Block Standings
12 points – Will Ospreay, Ryusuke Taguchi
10 points – El Phantasmo, Robbie Eagles, YOH, BUSHI
8 points – Bandido
6 points – Rocky Romero
4 points –
2 points - Douki
0 points - Ren Narita

Night 14
BUSHI vs Ren Narita
Chop battle goes to BUSHI, who applies a Camel Clutch and Narita is struggling early. Narita starts to fight back with shoulder blocks & a vertical suplex, looks for his belly to belly, but settles for the Cloverleaf. After BUSHI escaped, Narita tried the belly to belly again, but BUSHI avoided it. Boston Crab by BUSHI, but Narita got the ropes. Commentary said there’s still hope for Narita to turn it around, but those hopes were dashed when BUSHI hit the MX for the win. Zero points for Narita in this thing, but he impressed me an awful lot. Hopefully he’s back next year. BUSHI lost his first 3 matches, then won his last 6, but it wasn’t enough.

Bandido vs Rocky Romero
Romero focused on the arm early, trying to take away the Twenty One Plex, but Bandido was able to fight back before tons of damage was done. Romero tried for his forever clotheslines, but Bandido dove & clipped the leg. Rocky tried to sink in an armbar, transitioned into a triangle, but Bandido powered him up & turned it into a GTS almost. Rocky didn’t go down & hit a lariat as we have a double down. Atomic drop to the knee as Bandido nails a standing Spanish Fly, then the Twenty One Plex for the 3. I liked the match, just wish it went longer & actually meant something.

YOH vs Robbie Eagles
Both men test each other out as YOH sent Eagles to the floor & hit a somersault senton off the apron. Eagles was able to fight back with a springboard dropkick to the knee for a near fall. That was the story from there as Eagles really went after that knee, locking in leg submission, but YOH would get the rope. Out of desperation YOH hit a dragon screw of his own, but Eagles hit a 619 to the knee & running corner knees for 2. Eagles hits the Turbo Backpack, but again gets 2. Eagles misses a 450, throws some superkicks, but YOH answers with an enzugiri & bridging German for 2. Eagles knocks YOH to the floor, but YOH skins the cat, hits an enzugiri & a Dragon Suplex for the win. I liked the match, end felt a little clunky, but the ending kind of popped up out of nowhere, so I liked it.

El Phantasmo vs DOUKI
Douki tried his traditional sneak attack, but ELP chucked a chair at him mid suicide dive. ELP stomped on the groin in the ring, but Douki sent him to the floor and finally was able to hit his dive. ELP rolled back to the floor & hit his wild senton off the top (and by “hit” I mean got about 30%, which is actually good for Douki and that insane dive). ELP in at 14, but eats a double stomp for 2. ELP looked for a moonsault, but fell right into a triangle, which ELP stomped his way out of. ELP can’t hit his airplane spin as Douki hit a perfect looking slingshot DDT as he went to the top, but ELP sprung to the top & hit an enzugiri. Nasty spot as ELP looked for a top rope rana, but Douki fell mid move & landed throat first over the top rope to the floor. Douki seems ok as ELP hit a massive splash for 2. CR2 blocked into a widows peak backbreaker as he looks for Suplex de la Luna, but we get some near falls. CR2 countered into the necktie guillotine, but ELP fought out and finally hit his airplane spin, but Douki kicked out! Massive Douki chants as he fires back with forearms, but ELP ripped the mask off of him, hit CR2 for the win! Next to the Ospreay match, this was my favorite Douki showing of the tournament. It was rough going to start for him, but he won me over his last few matches.

Will Ospreay vs Ryusuke Taguchi
Taguchi seemed as though he was going to get winded again running the ropes, but he suckered Ospreay in with a hip attack. He started chopping away, but Ospreay hits some that sounded like a fucking shotgun. Taguchi was able to connect with 2 out of 3 Amigos, Ospreay avoided the 3rd, but couldn’t avoid a Taguchi springboard dive to the floor. Hip attacks back in the ring, but Ospreay avoided 3 in a row and hit his handspring wheel kick. Taguchi avoided the top rope 619 with an ankle lock, but being in the ropes, he broke at 4. Taguchi looked for a dive, but was cut off as Ospreay hit a corkscrew plancha! Pip Pip Cheerio gets a 2 as commentary is saying they think Ospreay’s finger is/was dislocated. Taguchi with a front face suplex, looks for Bomaye, misses & we get a crazy amount of counters (Dodon into a roll up, missed enzugiri to name a few), ending with Taguchi hitting the Bomaye! Forearm battle goes to Ospreay who turns it into some Kawada Kicks. Oscutter countered into an uppercut to the midsection, Dragon Suplex gets Taguchi 2. Superkick by Ospreay, looks for Storm Breaker, but Taguchi counters with an ankle lock, which Ospreay turns into a Liger Bomb! 20 minutes have gone by as Ospreay hits a Robinson Special, Oscutter that Taguchi turns into another ankle lock into the Dodon for 2! Taguchi doesn’t quit as its back to the ankle lock, but Ospreay rolls out & nails a standing Spanish Fly! Ospreay with a picture perfect Shooting Star, but Taguchi out at 2! Oscutter countered into a backslide as Taguchi gets 1…2…KICK OUT! 2 superkicks, a hook kick and finally the Storm Breaker gets Ospreay the 3! Damn that was a fun final. I’m so happy we got the serious Taguchi as he took the fight to Ospreay in this one. Ospreay wins the B Block and it’s now Ospreay vs Shingo in the finals, which should be fucking bonkers.

Shingo came out post match and cut a promo in Japanese. Ospreay then took the mic and said he loves being a Jr Heavyweight, he isn't afraid of Shingo, he's afraid of failing the fans & himself. He said he goes to the back & is always in his head, seemingly saying he's his own worst enemy, but he's going to come out at the finals and do what no one else has been able to do, slay the dragon. Really solid promo from Ospreay, who to his credit, just had a great 23 minute match immediately before.

87 matches down

1 match left

FINAL A Block Standings
18 points – Shingo Takagi (A Block WINNER)
14 points – Taiji Ishimori, Dragon Lee
10 points – Marty Scurll, SHO
8 points – Jonathan Gresham
6 points – Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Titan
4 points – Tiger Mask
0 points - Taka Michinoku

FINAL B Block Standings
14 points – Will Ospreay (B Block WINNER)
12 points –Ryusuke Taguchi, BUSHI, El Phantasmo
10 points –Robbie Eagles, YOH, Bandido
6 points – Rocky Romero
2 points - Douki
0 points - Ren Narita

Best of the Super Juniors Finals
Shingo Takagi vs Will Ospreay
Holy shit there was about 90 counters from both men to START as we get multiple standoffs until Shingo locks in a cravat, but Ospreay with those deafening chops & snap rana sending Shingo to the floor, who bails before Ospreay does anything crazy. Shingo rethinking his game plan, as he dishes out forearms & chops, but Ospreay knocks him back outside & hits a slingshot crossbody. Shingo shot Ospreay into the barricade, but Ospreay cleared it, leapt and Shingo planted him with a DDT. Ospreay avoids a DVD on the apron, but is on the floor as Shingo hits a wild somersault plancha (sort of crotching himself on the railing at the same time). Back inside, Shingo with a double stomp at the 10 minute mark, this match is flying by. Forearms, chops & snap jabs by Shingo, but Ospreay fights back, only to get hit with a pop up DVD for a near fall. Stiff chop sends Ospreay down, but he kips up, misdirection & Will hits his handspring wheel kick. Perfect stalling dropkick in the corner, standing shooting star gets Ospreay a 2. Sasuke Special on the floor, back inside Ospreay hits a hook kick, but Shingo won’t go down & folds him up with a lariat. Shingo blocks a kick & flips Ospreay with such force he almost does 2 flips mid air and takes a back bump! That was insane!

Noshigami countered into a sunset flip for 2 as both are slow to get up. Yakuza Kick in the corner, then a cheeky nandos kick, tries for an Avalanche Storm Breaker, but we have a slap battle that sends Ospreay to the apron at the 20 minute mark. Top rope rana is blocked as Shingo turns it into a top rope DVD!! He only gets 2 as we both hit simultaneous lariats, Ospreay looks for Oscutter, but Shingo counters into Noshigami, we get a wild sequence of counters, ending with Ospreay floating over a Pumping Bomber into a Liger Bomb for a 1…2..NO!! Ospreay misses the Robinson Special as Shingo gets him in a wheelbarrow & whips him back into the corner neck first. This match is fucking nuts! Shingo looks for Noshigami on the apron, but Ospreay with a hook kick, springs off the ropes & OSCUTTER ON THE APRON! Both men beat the count at 19 as Ospreay hits a springboard dropkick clear across the ring for 2. 25 minutes, SHOOTING STAR SENTON by Ospreay, then a Shooting Star Press proper for 2! Robinson Special, then a picture perfect Oscutter for 1…2…NO!! Ospreay can’t believe it and Shingo isn’t human. Ospreay has the wrist control, hits punt kicks & knees, but Shingo blocks & headbutts him so hard both men collapse! Forearm battle ensues, straight jab by Shingo, hook kick & superkicks by Ospreay, Shingo out of nowhere hits a Last of the Dragon for 1…2…KICK OUT!! No one has kicked out of that I don’t think!

30 minute call as Shingo hits a Pumping Bomber, then another that turns Ospreay inside out for 1…2…NO!! DVD is countered into a sick looking Poison Rana as Shingo landed really awkwardly. Shingo with 3 lariats, hits the ropes for another, but Ospreay gets a standing Spanish Fly for 2! Hook kick right to the face, then connects with the Hidden Blade, springboard Oscutter all the way from the top, then a Storm Breaker for the 1…2…3!!! OSPREAY HAS DONE IT!!! The undefeated streak of Shingo is over and I just witnessed one of the best matches I’ve ever seen, I got chills. People in the crowd are shown in tears.

Ospreay thanked the crowd & Shingo. He mentioned Hiromu Takahashi, told him to get well soon and how he wants to wrestle soon. He said everyone will have to step up their game and he's tired of going from England to Japan and back & forth. So he announces he's moving to Japan. He wants to put NJPW on his back and go not just against Juniors, but Heavyweights as well. He wants to do it for the fans, who make him so happy. He thanks the fans again & this concludes the Best of Super Juniors 2019. Awesome finish.