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Post by DTP. on Apr 21, 2016 22:16:58 GMT -5
| ROH/NJPW GLOBAL WARS '15
Friday, May 15, 2015 - Ted Reeve Arena - Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Day 1 - Ted Reeve Arena - Ontario, Canada (May 15) 0. Dalton Castle w/The Boys def. Donovan Dijak in 7:44 after a distraction from the Boys led to a deadlift German suplex.
The opening signature for Ring of Honor aired, Creating Excellence since 2002. Following this came a video package that reviewed the last time the stars of Ring of Honor clashed with another promotion: in May of 2014, the stars of New Japan Pro Wrestling invaded ROH in Toronto and New York City, resulting in two classics pay-per-view events, boasting matches such as Shinsuke Nakamura against Kevin Steen, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson against the Briscoe Brothers, A.J. Styles versus Kazuchika Okada and Michael Elgin, and Hiroshi Tanahashi against Michael Bennett, who thought that week could be topped? Until now - New Japan Pro Wrestling are back.
The opening graphic aired, introducing Global Wars live on iPPV - the Ted Reeve Arena was buzzed for the show to start, the ring announcer Bobby Cruise already in the ring with a referee by his side; as Kevin Kelly and Steve Corino - our commentators for the evening, promoting a big ten-man tag team bout coming later with the Bullet Club taking on ROH All-Stars; Hiroshi Tanahashi facing Adam Cole; Tetsuya Naito challenging Jay Lethal for the ROH World Television Championship; and the main event, Shinsuke Nakamura defending the IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Roderick Strong.
1. MOOSE & GEDO w/Stokely Hathaway & Veda Scott vs SILAS YOUNG & TAKAAKI WATANABEWe were kicking things off in Toronto with tag team action, something of the strange bedfellows variety, as we saw the former offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons, Moose make his way down to the ring accompanied by Veda Scott and Stokely Hathaway. Since his debut for Ring of Honor following his signing at Best in the World 2014, Moose has been on a mission to rise up through the ranks of ROH, and remains undefeated until this day. But his partner was seen as unprecedented, as Kevin Kelly and Steve Corino speculated about Hathaway and Scott having involvement in this deal. His partner tonight as Gedo of New Japan Pro Wrestling - the mentor for Kazuchika Okada, and a man of 26 years of experience in ROH today. They went into this match with little signs of dissension, despite Gedo looking out of place with Moose and his consortium at ringside. On the other side of the ring came "the Last Real Man of Professional Wrestling" Silas Young, the wiley veteran with twelve years of experience teaming up tonight with Takaaki Watanabe - a former Young Lion who was trained in the Dojo in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and has been on excursion competing for Ring of Honor for the past year. The match started with Gedo and Watanabe, as Gedo repeatedly wanted to lock up with Takaaki, just to get tossed down or across the ring; the weight advantage getting the better of Gedo at least initially. But having been in this situation before, Gedo fired back with a low dropkick and a series of snap jabs, Gedo even clawing the face of Takaaki, sending him down and into a tag to Silas Young. Young shouted at Watanabe, insulting his attempts at offense against Gedo. That's when he walked right into an armdrag, as Gedo took Young to town with further strikes until Young cut him off with a knee to the gut. Young went in with stomps to Gedo, before tagging in Watanabe, who came in with more strikes and a boot choke to Gedo down in the corner. The action continued with frequent tags made; Young using his knee to force Gedo's knee into the middle rope, as it appeared weakening the veteran was the strategy to take in this match. The Canadian fans chanted for Moose, who tried to retrieve the tag from Gedo, but at one point when Gedo dodged a corner splash from Watanabe, he attempted to crawl over to Moose, just for Silas Young to run in and forearm Moose down from the apron. The match continued, with Silas Young delivering a soccer kick to the ribs of Gedo, before bringing in Takaaki Watanabe again; Watanabe going for some sort of fireman's carry slam, but it backfired as Gedo sled out, the "Complete Package" tagging in Moose, who came in for shoulder block to both Watanabe and Silas Young! Moose corner splashed "the Last Real Man" in one corner, before charging across the ring and connecting with a second splash for Watanabe. He whipped Watanabe back into Young and connected with a splash on both of them in the corner, before Moose ran back across the ring, sprung up to the top rope and came down with a crossbody onto both Watanabe and Young! The agile athlete was working magic tonight in Toronto, as he picked up Watanabe for what appeared to be a fallaway slam, blocked by a stomp from Silas Young. Silas connected with a big lariat to Moose that only made the six-foot-five man stumble; before Young tagged in Watanabe. Takaaki came in with double axe handles for Moose, before striking him and sending him off the ropes; Watanabe charging at Moose just for Moose to pop Watanabe up in the air, and bring him back down to gravity with a big lariat! Gedo came in and took Silas Young out of the ring, whilst Moose got Watanabe lined up, executing the big rolling Spear; Moose covering, and this match was over!
Winners: Moose & Gedo in 8:22 [**¾] Moose celebrated his win with Gedo, the two high-tenning one another, as Moose was joined by an ecstatic Veda Scott and Stokely Hathaway; Moose racking up yet another victory in Ring of Honor; and surely on his way to a future shot at ROH gold. The consortium and Gedo left, as Silas Young slid back into the ring and helped Takaaki Watanabe up to his feet, before clotheslining him down! Silas talked trash about Watanabe not being a worthy tag partner, having not gotten the job done tonight at Global Wars '15.
We swing to Kevin Kelly and Steve Corino on commentary who discussed the K.R.D.'s recent targeting of the ROH World Tag Team Champions ReDRagon, and they announced that very soon, the Addiction would challenge Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish for the titles; but tonight, Fish, O'Reilly, Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian have their own big challenges to meet at Global Wars '15, as Bobby Fish takes on KUSHIDA in just a few moments; Bobby Fish challenges "Rainmaker" Kazuchika Okada; and the Addiction will be a part of a four-way tag team bout with the Decade, Roppongi Vice and the new IWGP Tag Team Champions, the Kingdom. They swung to a video package reviewing Daniels and Kazarian's recent attacks on O'Reilly and Fish, whilst also showing the mysterious third man in the mask that remains yet to be revealed.
2. KYLE O'REILLY vs KUSHIDAIt has not been the best of months for Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish, having lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships over in Japan at Wrestling Dontaku, losing in a three-way tag team bout involving Roppongi Vice, and the victors of that match, Matt and Nick Jackson of the Young Bucks. To top that off, the recent feud with Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian of the Knights of the Rising Dawn has also lit a fire under O'Reilly. Kyle came into this match with a look of motivation, wanting to turn May around, as he took on the "Supernova" from New Japan, KUSHIDA - in some sort of a preview of things to be expected in the Best of the Super Juniors tournament taking place in New Japan Pro Wrestling later this month. O'Reilly, the Canadian, came into this one with a warm reception; the ROH World Tag Team Champion actually getting more of an ovation than the guest, KUSHIDA - as the Japanese junior got ready for action. Both men took part in the Code of Honor handshake prior to the bell, the match getting under way with KUSHIDA going low on Kyle, looking to try and take down with a single-leg takedown - blocked by Kyle who went behind KUSHIDA and took him down with a waistlock takedown; Kyle using his weight and height as an advantage against the shorter and lighter "Supernova". O'Reilly kept KUSHIDA with the waistlock, but KUSHIDA, no slouch himself, managed to slip free and go for the wrist, wrenching on the arm - O'Reilly quickly rolling through and sweeping the leg, as Kyle then placed his elbow point into the knee joint of KUSHIDA, bending away at it; KUSHIDA however breaking loose and rolling backwards, both men met in a stalemate to the Toronto fans' applause. O'Reilly once again went for the go-behind on the "Supernova", but KUSHIDA blocked his attempts and rolled forward to his feet, KUSHIDA rushing O'Reilly just for Kyle to send him off the ropes, KUSHIDA taking O'Reilly down with an armdrag - then bouncing off the ropes again, Kyle this time getting KUSHIDA with an armdrag; KUSHIDA nipping to his feet and coming off the ropes, a front dropkick sending O'Reilly out to the floor, as the Japanese "Supernova" seized the opportunity, climbing up to the top rope and coming off with a huge somersault senton onto the shoulders of O'Reilly; KUSHIDA with his fist in the air as the fans applauded respectfully! KUSHIDA picked Kyle up and rolled him back inside, the "Supernova" climbing to the apron and waiting for Kyle to get ready - KUSHIDA coming off the top rope with a springboard just to be cut off by a kick to the abdomen by O'Reilly waiting in the ring. O'Reilly with KUSHIDA on his knees, delivered several more fierce kicks to the ribs, before going for a quick roundhouse kick just for KUSHIDA to connect with a low dropkick tripping Kyle! KUSHIDA came off the ropes, but O'Reilly again cut him off with another kick to the gut; O'Reilly draping the arm and slamming it over his shoulder. O'Reilly followed with several kicks to the arm, before he put a foot over and tried to stretch backwards the right arm of KUSHIDA - the "Supernova" attempting to fight it off, and he eventually did by rolling forward, nipping to his feet, but meeting a leg sweep from the ring savvy ROH World Tag Team Champion! O'Reilly locked in an armwrench on KUSHIDA, Kyle bending the arm and burying it behind the shoulder of KUSHIDA on the mat; O'Reilly stomping on the elbow of KUSHIDA; O'Reilly just putting the offense on the arm of Kyle as he followed with a stiff kick to the spine of the "Supernova". Kyle covered, but KUSHIDA kept in the game, which is when he began drilling forearms into the jaw of his opponent, O'Reilly appearing to attempt a cross-armbreaker, just for KUSHIDA to slip free, KUSHIDA catching O'Reilly on his feet with an inverted atomic drop; KUSHIDA cartwheeling and connecting with a front dropkick to the face of the ROH World Tag Team Champion - KUSHIDA then coming off with a handspring, but the arm was bothering him and he dropped to his knees; O'Reilly then drilling KUSHIDA with a double knee to the back - O'Reilly drilling KUSHIDA with a big European uppercut! Kyle took back the arm and wrenched at it, slamming the limb over his shoulder - before going up to the second rope, and pulling backwards, hanging upside down over the top rope with a cross-armbreaker! O'Reilly had it locked on with KUSHIDA helplessly groaning in pain, the referee hitting four and prompting the break. Kyle landed on his feet on the floor, then climbed back inside and charged KUSHIDA with a corner forearm smash in the corner; KUSHIDA down, and O'Reilly followed with a knee drop from the second rope landing on the chest! The cover attempted, but KUSHIDA stayed alive in this match. O'Reilly picked KUSHIDA up and went for one of his trademark combinations: a kick to the thigh, a slap, a knee to the face - but the "Supernova" blocked a legsweep, kicked O'Reilly in the kidneys twice, and a buzzsaw kick connected, the tribute to Yoshihiro Tajiri only getting a near fall!
KUSHIDA went for plan B, aiming for the Hoverboard Lock kimura on Kyle O'Reilly, but Kyle managed to break free with some brutal knees to the abdomen of the "Supernova"; the Canadian then grabbing the arms of KUSHIDA and immediately stomping repeatedly into the chest of KUSHIDA, brutally doing a number on KUSHIDA; and immediately O'Reilly switched back to the cross-armbreaker; the ARMageddon submission having put away many in the past, but not now as O'Reilly tried to detach the locked knuckles KUSHIDA had with his arms - O'Reilly breaking it with some forearms, and the submission was locked in successfully now! O'Reilly was wrenching, but KUSHIDA was still fighting it, attempting to roll backwards, but even here, O'Reilly went for the Crossface; KUSHIDA rolling forwards free of the hold, but shaking off the pain sustained to his arm. KUSHIDA caught an emerging O'Reilly with an enzuigiri to the back of the head, then nailing O'Reilly with a discus elbow to the jaw. The "Supernova" shook the pain away from his arm and connected with a handspring elbow knocking the Canadian down - KUSHIDA immediately going back for the Hoverboard Lock; O'Reilly however tossing KUSHIDA away and catching him with a roundhouse kick, O'Reilly covering for a near fall! KUSHIDA recovered and crawled to his feet, just to get crane kicked in the back of the skull - a rolling elbow following stunning the "Supernova" and stumbling him into the ropes, where O'Reilly charged for him, KUSHIDA however in position and locking in a triangle choke over the middle rope! O'Reilly was phased by this, stumbling freely after the submission was prompted to break - KUSHIDA then nailing a springboard brain chop this time successfully! KUSHIDA went up to the top rope looking for a moonsault, but when he came down, O'Reilly was in position, and he got his knees up! Kyle went for the ARMageddon again, but KUSHIDA broke loose by rolling backwards again, then bounced off the ropes, a tornado DDT turned into the Hoverboard Lock; O'Reilly struggling as much as he could; then somehow executing a Japanese armdrag out of the hold! O'Reilly held his arm with desperation; Kyle locking in the aross-armbreaker again, the ARMageddon submission in for a third time now - and this time, Kyle had the leg strength to keep the "Supernova" locked in; KUSHIDA forced into submission!
Winner: Kyle O'Reilly in 11:16 [***¾] The ROH World Tag Team Champion celebrated his win whilst clutching his arm; Kyle O'Reilly having endured a hard fought scrap with KUSHIDA that involved a lot of trading submissions. The "Supernova" slowly got up to his feet, holding his arms, and Kyle O'Reilly respectfully offered him a handshake for his efforts, KUSHIDA accepting it as both men raised arms, a kind gesture of sportsmanship in the aftermath of this bout, and a preview of the Best of Super Juniors tournament coming up later this month.
3. JUSHIN THUNDER LIGER vs ACHThe next bout was something to be seen to believe. Jushin Thunder Liger, one of the most innovative and legendary junior heavyweights to have come out of Japan, made his debut under the mask in March 1984, and at the current age of fifty, shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Meanwhile, his opponent tonight was the charismatic high-flier that has made waves in Ring of Honor since his debut in 2012. Since then, he has been a staple of ROH's shows, being renowned for his innovative acrobatics, and just last year came up close in claiming the ROH World Television Championship against Jay Lethal, as well as an ROH World Championship challenge to Jay Briscoe in his home state of Texas. Liger received an out-of-this-world applause on his way to the ring, the colorful masked legend from New Japan waiting as ACH made his arrival to the Ted Reeve Arena, flipping into the ring and standing on the other side of the ring with Liger. He prepared himself for another career highlight, facing one of the biggest names in this business in this one-fall match. ACH was motivated and ready, as ACH offered a handshake that was accepted by Liger. The match underway, Liger and ACH got into a grappling contest to start, ACH forcing Liger to the mat and attempting to lock in a headlock that went blocked as Liger turned it into one of his own. ACH sent Liger off the ropes and ate a shoulder block; before ACH nipped up and dropped down for Liger; Liger cartwheeling onto his feet, but ACH bounced off of the ropes and cartwheeled himself, backflipping and landing on his feet - landing right next to Jushin, and receiving a big round of applause from the sold-out Toronto crowd! The match continued with Liger locked in a wristlock; but Liger, using his little-known World of Sport style from days working in England, went to the mat and spun around on his rear, breaking free and turning it around on ACH, locking him in a wristlock on the canvas. ACH nipped up and shot a forearm into the face of Jushin; but Liger came back with a shotei, before giving him a forearm for good measure. ACH went off the ropes, as Liger leapfrogged over, catching ACH with a hip toss; Liger looking for a legdrop, but ACH dodged it and got back up to his feet, then dropped Liger with a big dropkick that got two, as Liger slowly got back up to a vertical basis in the corner. ACH targeted Liger in the corner and executed a corner splash followed up with a hard-hitting lariat, as ACH covered again, but Liger yet again kicked out. Jushin Liger managed to wrestle "the Young Simba" to the mat, where he mounted the legs of ACH with his feet, slamming the legs and applying all sorts of pressure onto the limbs of Jushin. Liger then locked in a Mexican surfboard, as ACH was found with a clear way to escape. Liger adjusted the hold slightly to apply a dragon sleeper variation; the Surfboard Stretch remaining locked in, but ACH managed to break free with several strikes. Liger back to his feet waited for ACH to return to his feet; ACH visibly annoyed by the antics displayed by Jushin in this match. Liger went for a test of strength this time, but ACH kicked Liger low in the abdomen, then chopped Liger. ACH followed with another, but Liger responded with an open handed chop catching him in the chest of the African-American. ACH replied with a kick to the thigh, followed by a kick to the side; repeating this combination as Liger visibly wore down slightly - and ACH following with a backfist and a spinkick; but Liger sidestepped the kick, then caught ACH with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! Liger covered for two, before thinking about going up to the top rope. He climbed the ropes, but ACH managed to knock him off to the floor with a dropkick; ACH then seeing Liger right where he wanted him - the Air Jordan second rope somersault senton topé catching Liger on the floor! ACH recovered, picking Liger up and dragging him back into the ring, where ACH planned to follow up with what appeared to be a 450 splash, but Liger fought him back down with some forearms. Liger picked ACH up on his shoulders, scooping him off of the top and going for a Liger Bomb which went reversed into a hurricanrana, ACH covering for a near fall as Liger kicked out! ACH went back up top, looking for the double footstomp just for Liger to nail him in the side of the head with the Absegeri rolling koppu kick! ACH stunned, Liger planned for the Brainbuster, but ACH slipped free and did a handspring backflip, ACH following with a dropkick backflipped onto his feet - Liger nailing ACH with another Shotei palm thrust! Liger attempted and connected this time with the Liger Bomb, covering for the win!
Winner: Jushin Thunder Liger in 8:23 [***] The masked legend from New Japan Pro Wrestling had scored the win after an action-packed bout with the talented ACH, Jushin Thunder Liger celebrating his win to the affectionate fans in Toronto, whilst ACH slowly rolled out of the ring, having put up a fight, but it wasn't enough to take down the former eleven-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion!
Kevin Kelly and Steve Corino reset things on commentary, discussing the thriving tag team division in Ring of Honor that has spread over to New Japan Pro Wrestling as well. Involved in the following match was four of the top teams, including the number one contenders to the ROH World Tag Team Championships, Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian, and the new IWGP Tag Team Champions Michael Bennett and Matt Taven of the Kingdom. A short montage was shown of Bennett and Taven's win against Katsuyori Shibata and Hirooki Goto of Meiyu Tag from Wrestling Dontaku two weeks ago, where Bennett and Taven won the titles with some help from Maria Kanellis.
4. THE ADDICTION (Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian) w/KRD Masked Man vs ROPPONGI VICE (Barreta & Rocky Romero) vs THE DECADE (BJ Whitmer & Adam Page) vs THE KINGDOM (Michael Bennett & Matt Taven) w/Maria KanellisIt was time for four-way tag team action at Global Wars '15, with four of the top tag teams in the world today arriving for a battle of who is the best. In one corner was the current number one contenders to the ROH World Tag Team Championship, Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian of the Addiction - accompanied by the unknown, masked third member of the KRD faction that has targeted champions ReDRagon since the faction's debut back at the 13th Anniversary Show. In another corner was B.J. Whitmer and Adam Page, representing the Decade - a faction that has been topsy-turvy for quite some time: originally consisting of Roderick Strong, Whitmer and Jimmy Jacobs - however since those days, things have broken down, and now only Page and Whitmer remain - Whitmer taking Page under his wing almost in the capacity of a mentor to protegé gesture: however, the moral and ethical implications of which Whitmer has been teaching Page is questionable to say the least. In another corner, the team with least experience but most success in that same, short period of time - Barreta and Rocky Romero of Roppongi Vice. After Romero's Forever Hooligans partner Alex Koslov retired, Romero has since scoured New Japan's roster for the right new tag partner: and the duo have performed well thus far. They had a win against ReDRagon in six-man tag action back at Invasion Attack - however two weeks ago at Wrestling Dontaku, Romero and Barreta came up short, uninvolved in the change of IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions: a three-way tag team bout that ended with the Young Bucks stealing the win and gaining the titles from ReDRagon, becoming two-time champions. And of course, the Kingdom, Michael Bennett and Matt Taven - the new IWGP Tag Team Champions crowned at Wrestling Dontaku, where they defeated a weakened Meiyu Tag in Katsuyori Shibata and Hirooki Goto's second defense of the week - and of course, Maria Kanellis had a part to play in those festivities. The bell sounded, and Michael Bennett talked trash with Matt Taven; Bennett then obnoxiously kissing Maria - which was not wise as all three teams went after Bennett and Taven, quickly removing them from the ring! Whitmer and Page went out after them, whilst Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian traded blows with Barreta and Romero inside of the ring. The action was fierce, with Daniels and Kazarian attempting a double suplex on Barreta just for Romero to bring his partner back down; Romero then kicking Daniels in the chest lighting him up with kicks. Romero sent Daniels out to the floor and took Kazarian and himself out to the heap as well - a cactus-style clothesline executed! This left Barreta alone in the ring, who shrugged simply before charging the ropes and connecting with an epic somersault senton topé over the top rope onto Romero, the Decade, the Kingdom and the Addiction! The fans in Toronto, already acquainted with Romero and Barreta as a tandem, were singing RPG Vice's theme, as Romero brought Daniels back inside; the match officially getting under way under the more conventional rules for Todd Sinclair to follow and enforce. Barreta kept the action hot and heavy, a back elbow off the ropes catching Daniels, followed up by a standing moonsault that went quickly broken up and disrupted by BJ Whitmer. Whitmer, one of the veterans of this match having been in plenty of these types of matches before. Barreta tagged in Rocky Romero, who came in with a springboard dropkick to Daniels, "Azucar" another veteran of this match, now taking control of the action as he took Daniels into a corner, just for Daniels to poke the eyes of Rocky: Daniels then connecting with a matslam, quickly tagging in Frankie Kazarian, the "Heavy Metal Rebel" coming in for some double-team action for Romero of their own. They lifted Romero up and dropped him with a tandem spinebuster, as Kazarian chose not to try and cover - instead stomping on Rocky and wanting to dish more hurting out on the New Japan longstay - Romero, a former three-time ROH World Tag Team Champion himself, as well as a former four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion in his own right. Kazarian and Daniels appeared to connect with the Decade, as Adam Page came in to further the attack, further mudhole stomps for Romero - a further example of the types of things Whitmer has been teaching Page behind closed doors. Page cornered Rocky and chopped him to loud wooos throughout Toronto, but this only woke Romero up, who came out of the corner swinging. Romero ducked a chop, then laying into Page with several forearms followed by a European uppercut - Romero following by ducking a lariat and taking him down with a sharp enzuigiri catching the back of the head of Adam Page! Romero tagged in Matt Taven, coming in hot as he came in and ducked a lariat from an emerging Daniels with a springboard kick to the chest; Taven calling in Michael Bennett as the Kingdom went after Daniels; a corner lariat from Bennett, followed by a corner splash from Taven; Bennett with a spinebuster to Daniels, whilst Taven went for a springboard moonsault, but Kazarian tripped Taven to boos; Bennett however not taking it as he dove through the ropes into Kazarian on the floor! Back inside, Daniels stomped on the head of Taven before tagging in BJ Whitmer, who picked the leg and stood on the hipbone - flipping forward whilst the leg of Taven was stretched incorrectly; Whitmer quickly tagging Adam Page in to now isolate one half of the IWGP Tag Team Champions.
It was beginning to feel more like an eight-man tag team bout despite the sudden death stipulations; Adam Page dropping an elbow over the thigh of Matt Taven, then covering just for Daniels to make the break! Daniels and Kazarian got in there facing off with Page and Whitmer - a dispute now taking place, as the four argued before coming to blows - prompting Roppongi Vice to rush the ring, Romero clotheslining both members of the Addiction whilst Barreta caught the Decade with a crossbody! Romero clotheslined Page, and then Whitmer - Barreta stepping back as "Azucar" clotheslined Taven in the corner, and then caught an unsuspecting Bennett on the apron, knocking him down. Romero and Barreta teamed up again as Barreta draped Frankie Kazarian over the top rope allowing Romero to connect with a springboard dropkick to the back of Kazarian! Romero was on a roll, as he then took it back to the apron, diving off the apron with a running knee into the face of the masked KRD member! Romero did try to unmask the third KRD member, but Daniels was there to quickly fight him off. Back to two men, Adam Page tried to grab the foot of Taven in order to stop him from crawling to tag in Bennett - but Taven nailed Page with an enzuigiri and in came Bennett with a spear for Page, and a stereo superkick for BJ Whitmer too! Bennett sent Page into the waiting big boot of Taven in the corner, before stepping back into a big boot from Bennett; Taven catching Adam with a second rope missile dropkick for two, as Kazarian was back in there. The Kingdom however were repared, as Bennett tripped Kazarian and catapulted him into a superkick from Taven! Bennett decided that it was time to bring the match to a close, as he tried to get Page for a piledriver, just for Adam to break loose, Daniels getting a blind tag. In came Daniels with a flatliner to Bennett, whilst Kazarian kicked Taven off the top rope; the Addiction slipping in just in time as they performed the variation of a hiptoss into a stereo neckbreaker/powerbomb combination; Daniels covering Bennett for two as Barreta came in. Barreta lined Kazarian up and took him down with a charging single knee to the jaw; Barrera then managing to get Daniels up for a Dudebuster; Rocky Romero on the apron connecting with the springboard dropkick - Strong Zero executed! In came Whitmer and Page however, as Whitmer connected with an exploder suplex to Barreta then tried for the All Seeing Eye double team finish of the Decade - Taven however interrupting with a top rope crossbody on Whitmer and Page - apparently tweaking his leg, which was then followed up by the Celebrity Rehab belly-to-belly suplex into a facecrusher; Daniels and Kazarian stealing the win whilst the masked KRD member kept Barreta from breaking the count!
Winners: The Addiction in 11:15 [***¼] A wild four-way tag team bout had come to a conclusion in a controversial manner as Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian joined their KRD brethren on the aisleway; the Addiction managing to gain an additional ounce of momentum prior to their challenge for the ROH World Tag Team Championships coming up very soon. The Decade left, whilst Roppongi Vice appeared disappointed by their loss. Maria Kanellis and Michael Bennett seemed concerned as Matt Taven held his tweaked leg on the canvas; not a good start for the new IWGP Tag Team Champions in this non-title bout.
Kevin Kelly announced a twenty minute intermission, promoting matches left to come, including Bobby Fish against Kazuchika Okada, Tetsuya Naito challenging for the ROH World Television Championship of Jay Lethal's, Hiroshi Tanahashi ready to battle Adam Cole; the ten-man war of a tag team match as the ROH All-Stars face the Bullet Club; and Roderick Strong challenging Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, still to come tonight at Global Wars '15!
- 20 MINUTE INTERMISSION - During the intermission, in order to prepare for the match coming up, Ring of Honor showed Internet pay-per-view viewers a rerun of A.J. Styles' IWGP Heavyweight Championship match against Kazuchika Okada and Michael Elgin from last year's War of the Worlds iPPV.
5. KAZUCHIKA OKADA w/Gedo vs BOBBY FISHBack from the intermission, it was time for one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling today, let alone New Japan Pro Wrestling, to make his return to a Ring of Honor ring - the twenty-seven year old "Rainmaker", residing from Aichi, Japan. Already a former two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, he and his mentor, Gedo have touted himself as the uncrowned "Ace of the New Era" of New Japan - something he wishes to do only when he has beaten the "Once in a Century Talent" Hiroshi Tanahashi in the Tokyo Dome. The two met at Wrestling Kingdom 7 and 9, but on both occasions, Tanahashi was successful. This has led Okada down an interesting and unique route in 2015, out of the title picture currently held by Tanahashi and challenged by A.J. Styles of the Bullet Club - meanwhile, Okada has embroiled himself into a fierce rivalry over in Japan with "the Machine Gun" Karl Anderson. On the contrary, Bobby Fish had everything to lose but also a lot to win, with recently losing the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship at Wrestling Dontaku two weeks ago; and a forthcoming future ROH World Tag Team Championship defense to make with Kyle O'Reilly as ReDRagon, against Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian of the Addiction. The KRD have been a thorn in ReDRagon's side since their debut...but tonight was not about that. Earlier tonight, O'Reilly was successful in defeating KUSHIDA, and now it was Fish's big opportunity to break out and score a huge win against the "Rainmaker" here at Global Wars '15. The Toronto crowd were peaking for Okada's superstar entrance, and this support for Okada may have rocked Fish's confidence, at least initially. Okada tried to shake hands with Fish, who batted the outstretched hand away with a boot - Fish visibly not wanting to show a sportsman side to his persona tonight. The two locked up, with Okada using his physique as an advantage; the leg power used by Okada to force Fish back; Fish however, with the amateur wrestling background, able to take Okada down with a side headlock; Okada able to power out using his strong legs, as Okada then took Fish down with a side headlock of his own - this time Fish managing to nip up out of it - Fish attempting a sly kick just for Okada to catch the foot in his hands. Fish however kept in there with a drop toe hold, followed by a facelock as Fish was trying his own against the ultra-talented "Rainmaker". Okada managed to slide out and turn it into a hammerlock, applied on the canvas with Fish grounded - but Fish managed to get to the bottom rope prompting a quick break. Applause from the Toronto crowd, as Okada and Fish returned to their feet, Okada once again asking Fish for a handshake, just for Fish to instead apply a Greco-Roman knucklelock - Okada however meeting him as the two got into it; Okada for a moment being overpowered, but he switched it around and Okada held Fish against the ropes - referee Tiger Hattori requesting the rope break - which Okada obeyed, before patting both hands on Fish's chest immediately.
This provoked Bobby Fish, who turned it around on Okada; the ROH World Tag Team Champion with several ruthless kicks to the leg of Okada, as Gedo watched on intently - Fish striking Okada with these low kicks until "Rainmaker" caught the leg and swung him around; Okada then returning the favor with a series of drilling forearms to the jaw. Okada sent Fish off the ropes looking for a back elbow, but Fish ducked it, and on the rebound Fish executed a dropkick to the leg taking Okada down fast! Bobby Fish, a gifted wrestler in his own right, was keeping up with Okada tonight, as he picked Okada up and attempted to go for a dragon screw - Okada however turning it into a back elbow smash. Kazuchika Okada then ran the ropes, but ran straight into a winding kick to the chest from Fish! Okada fell to his knees, as Fish then attempted to hit a backbreaker on "Rainmaker", just for Okada to break loose with elbows. Okada on defensive now, he wrapped the arms of Fish around his face and connected with a straightjacket neckbreaker, Okada covering for a two - but it was clear Fish had a lot more fight to put up against a man of Okada's stature. In a way, this was like a Proving Ground for Fish, who has primarily appeared in the junior heavyweight tag team ranks in New Japan Pro Wrestling since ReDRagon's debut overseas last October. But a win over a man like Okada could make Fish: however beating Okada was no easy picking. Bobby Fish was at Okada's mercy at this point, as Okada sent Fish into the corner and followed with a forearm smash. Okada followed with some elbows in the corner: but Fish eventually broke loose from it and connected with a shoulder tackle variation of the spear; Fish immediately taking to matwork thanks to the mixed martial-arts abilities learned from under his sessions with Jerrick Jones at Albany Boxing. Fish tried to tweak the leg and teased the Fish Hook Deluxe Edition, but Okada kicked free with all of his might - this however leading to Fish locking in a single legged Boston crab: Okada trying hard to fight through it, and despite the submission's damage taking effect, Okada reached the ropes prompting the break. Fish appeared bothered by this, as he slowly picked Okada up and got ready for what came next - a knife-edged chop to the torso of Okada. He went for another, but he should have known better than to mess with Okada in a chop battle. Okada chopped Fish repeatedly, broken up by Bobby kicking Okada in the chest yet again. A spinkick to the abdomen followed, as Fish ran the ropes, just to walk into a flapjack from Okada! Okada covered, but Fish was keeping up and kicked out at the count of two! "Rainmaker" seemed pretty impressed by the tenacity displayed by Fish in this bout, then snapmaring Fish and applying a straight-jacket, his knee buried deep in the back of Fish, as Okada continued to stretch Fish with the control of his own arms. It would not last long however, as Fish used his fast-acting footwork to trip Kazuchika with another drop toe hold; Fish then following with a fireman's carry gutbuster across the knees, Fish then covering Okada for a close call this time, as Fish's fast recovery rate appeared to be superior to "Rainmaker"s. Fish may have acted prematurely next though, as he slyly picked the leg of Okada up for a second dragon screw attempt, blocked by Okada with a forearm to the face; Okada then sending Fish into the corner and connecting successfully with a corner splash! Okada got Fish on his shoulders for a Heavy Rain attempt, just for Fish to land on his feet behind - and the Space Rolling Elbow knocked Okada out on his feet! The cartwheel into a smashing elbow to the face of Okada left him dazed on his feet, and Fish followed with an exploder suplex, unfortunately only getting two as Okada powered out again! It would take a lot more for Okada to be put down like this, but Gedo was half convinced watching on non-detachable from the hard-hitting fight taking place before his eyes. Fish picked "Rainmaker" up and attempted a German, but back elbows allowed Okada to break free, and a DDT suddenly connected on Fish! Kazuchika was slow to return to a vertical basis, but upon doing so, connected with a bodyslam on Fish, Okada going up to the top rope for a diving elbow drop, that went blocked as Fish got his knees up; cradling Okada for a two count; Fish then wisely getting in position for a spinkick he calls Sleeping with the Fishes - the headshot going over Okada's head as he ducked - Okada then picking Fish up and executing the Heavy Rain on Bobby Fish! Okada wasn't done yet though, as he picked Fish up and teased the tombstone piledriver - Fish however had other plans, going for a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker; Okada landing on his feet, turning Fish around and executing a beautiful dropkick to the back of Fish's head! Okada then followed with a over-shoulder back-to-belly piledriver across the knee - Okada suddenly ready, as he did the Rainmaker Pose: everybody in the Ted Reeve Arena knowing what to expect next: however when Okada had Fish in front of him ready for the Lariat, Fish hooked the leg and applied the Fish Hook Deluxe Edition heel hook submission hold - Okada almost in a position to tap, but he managed to use the corner to prompt the break. In the corner, Fish tried to go for the Flying Fish Hook charging knee smash; Okada sidestepping it as Fish went into the corner! Okada with his opponent in position, executed the Rainmaker Lariat, and scored the win!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada in 12:26 [****]The "Rainmaker" had scored a victory in the state of Canada, one year after coming up short in a three-way match for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Okada celebrated his win whilst Bobby Fish rolled out of the ring, admitting defeat. Gedo celebrated with Okada, as the Ted Reeve Arena was lit up for Okada, satisfied with the performance having just witnessed.
6. ROH WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP JAY LETHAL w/Donovan Dijak (c) vs TETSUYA NAITOUp next was sure to be one of the more anticipated matches going into this event. Yet another defense of the ROH World Television Championship by Jay Lethal - the man that claims himself to be the "Greatest First Generation Wrestler", and thirteen months and several dozen successful title defenses under his belt, that could be disputed. Jay Lethal marched to the ring poised with confidence, perhaps too much confidence - as conspicuous by his absence, Truth Martini was not here tonight in Toronto. Instead was Donovan Dijak - a member of the House of Truth in which has been known to be a "young boy" of theirs, similarly adapting the Japanese style of bringing in newer talents. His opponent tonight however was here with a chip on his shoulder. The former G1 Climax winner of 2013 who came up short in the voted semi-main event of Wrestling Kingdom 8 in the Tokyo Dome when challenging for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. In 2015, Tetsuya Naito is a man that is on the verge of changing rapidly. Failing to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, the New Japan Cup, and recently the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, the "Stardust☆Genius" had commented on how he was going away from Japan after Wrestling Dontaku several weeks ago. In his absence, he announced that he would return to Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre in Mexico to find himself - but first, one more opportunity - this time against Jay Lethal for the ROH World Television Championship. Naito appeared motivated here, but prior to the bell Donovan Dijak attempted to grab the foot of the challenger, followed by Jay Lethal jumping Tetsuya Naito from behind, jumpstarting the match on a sour note! Jay Lethal pulled out the punches early, cornering Naito and choking him with his knee, wedging the challenger's face in the corner - the ROH World Television Champion not wasting any time getting into this match. Lethal chopped Naito in the corner after posing a little - but Naito immediately fired back with a forearm, Naito coming back with several forearms of his own just to get cut off by the champion. Lethal then ran off the ropes, just for Naito to catch him with a hiptoss; Naito then charging the ropes and connecting with a sliding dropkick taking Lethal down for a near fall, Naito wanting to show up Lethal in his home country! The "Stardust☆Genius" was fresh and motivated despite being jumped before the bell, whilst Lethal rolled out of the ring and began to talk strategy with Donovan Dijak - whilst Truth Martini remained missing in action tonight. The "Stardust☆Genius" was hyped, as he waited impatiently in the ring; Jay Lethal slowly and hesitantly heading back inside, using the time to his advantage with the fifteen time limit enforced with ROH World Television Championship defenses. Tetsuya Naito and Jay Lethal locked up again, with Lethal managing to get Naito in the corner, but upon the clean break, Naito pushed Lethal back and got him with a dropkick, Naito then taking him down with an armdrag, a lock of the arm following, with Naito having Lethal at his mercy. Jay tried to get back to his feet, which he managed - but Naito wrenched on the wristlock, bringing Lethal back down before applying a hammerlock - Naito sure to try and weaken Lethal in the early moments of the match, but Jay managed to once again reach his feet and drop toe hold Naito back to the mat himself, as Jay locked in a chinlock - Naito however rolling forward and taking Lethal down with a side headlock that went awry when Lethal poked the eye of Naito! Tetsuya broke the hold, and Jay continued with several stomps to Naito, kicking him in the ribs whilst he was crawling. Lethal dropped an elbow to the back of Naito's head before laying the boots to him several times; the "Greatest First Generation Wrestler" now poised with confidence as he cornered Naito and chopped him - just for Naito to switch it around, then chopping Lethal repeatedly just for Lethal to kick Naito in the abdomen. Lethal went for a snap suplex, but Naito blocked it and then connected with one of his own - Naito picking Lethal up and dropping him with a DDT! Naito covered, but Lethal managed to kick out at two. Naito crawled back up to his feet, going to attack Jay further, but Lethal cut him off with a right hand, then this time successfully, Lethal executed a snap suplex! Lethal dropped a knee into the shoulder of the "Stardust☆Genius" and delivered a knee to the jaw of Naito; Lethal covering, but it would take a lot more to put down the 2013 G1 Climax winner. Lethal decided to go up to the top rope, looking perhaps for the single legged lariat he's been known for; but Naito was there, a running dropkick cutting Lethal off and bringing him down in the corner! Naito connected with a charging dropkick, the slingshot onto the apron, and back into the slingshot dropkick catching Lethal on the jaw! Naito then dragged Lethal back to his feet and connected with the Gloria! Naito went to go up to the top for the Stardust Press, but Donovan Dijak was stood on the apron, and Naito hesitated allowing Lethal to kick Naito in the ribs on the top rope; Lethal then going up to the second rope and looking for a superplex. Naito managed to knock him back down to the canvas, then went up top again - just for Dijak this time to hold on his feet; Naito kicking Dijak off the apron and looking for the Stardust Press...but it was too late, as Lethal bailed to the floor! Lethal, ever the wise veteran, waited at ringside with Donovan Dijak - the ROH World Television Champion taking a breather, as Naito however had different intentions. He ran across the ring and aimed for a baseball slide, but Dijak sacrificed himself to take the blow, whilst Lethal suddenly slid into the ring, charged across and connected with a suicide dive through the ropes, taking Naito down! The referee reprimanded Dijak and demanded him out, which is when Lethal brought Naito back into the ring. The ROH World Television Champion went fishing under the ring for something, which is when he brought out the hardware - the Book of Truth, in tribute to the author, his manager Truth Martini - oddly absent tonight...and Lethal went up to the top rope, perhaps looking to nail Naito with the hardback. The referee was escorting Dijak up the rampway, and Naito suddenly crotched Lethal, the book flying out to the floor! Naito then went up to the top with Jay, connecting with a top rope hurricanrana! Naito covered, but Lethal managed to kick out at two, the ROH World Television Championship meaning so much to Lethal on his 398th day as the man of the division! Naito slowly got back up and waited for Lethal, who ducked a lariat and connected with a mule kick to the abdomen; Lethal then looking at the Lethal Injection, but Naito caught Lethal with a German suplex - Naito then picking Lethal up again and executing a bridging Dragon suplex again for two! Lethal got back to his feet and bypassed Naito going into the ropes, ducking another lariat and catching Naito with a sharp superkick to the jaw! Lethal climbed to the top rope and came off with a diving elbow drop, the cover - but the challenger once again powered out at two! Naito was hungry as well, wanting to finally win a high stakes bout - even if it was for the Ring of Honor's secondary singles crown! Lethal slowly got back to his feet and looked at going for the Lethal Combination - the STO backbreaker into a flatliner - but Naito managed to flatline Lethal instead; Naito then hooking on with the Pluma Blanca! The Koji clutch was locked in tight, and Lethal appeared to be weakening as time began to go by: the "Greatest First Generation Wrestler" on the verge of tapping out to Naito, but Lethal finally managed to roll backwards, getting Naito in a roll-up position for two! Back on a vertical basis, Naito caught Lethal with a second sliding dropkick; Tetsuya going up to the top rope and connecting with the Stardust Press, executed perfectly! Naito was hesitant and tried to cover, but suddenly the bell sounded!
Winner: Draw in 15:00 [***¾] ***STILL CHAMPION***
The Toronto crowd booed and chanted for five more minutes, Tetsuya Naito looking on in bemusement as Jay Lethal slowly rolled out of the ring, his ROH World Television Championship in tow; the champion having escaped from this competitive bout with the "Stardust☆Genius" - and Naito was furious! Naito slipped out of the ring and argued with Bobby Cruise, the ring announcer that had announced the time limit draw. Naito grabbed the microphone out of Cruise's hand, announcing to the crowd that he would be back, and he wanted a rematch for the title! Naito then grabbed Cruise by the blazer and pushed him down, Naito still showing that overly motivated and ruthless attitude even in a tie like tonight - but he would be back to fight another day!
7. NON-TITLE MATCH HIROSHI TANAHASHI vs ADAM COLEUp next came an interesting contrast in styles, as the "Once in a Century Talent", and Ace of New Japan Pro Wrestling, IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi was about to go into battle with the former ROH World Champion, Adam Cole; the "Panama City Playboy" making his third appearance into action after being sidelined following shoulder surgery - something that tampered his appearance back at Final Battle in December, where he failed to beat Jay Briscoe in a Fight Without Honor. That in mind, Adam Cole returned to only a degree of success - failing to defeat "the Phenomenal One" A.J. Styles on the first night of War of the Worlds 2015 several nights ago, A.J. coincidentally the next number one contender to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Hiroshi Tanahashi got a loud fanfare, but so did Adam Cole as Cole brashly grinned and flipped Tanahashi off before the bell - refusing to shake the hand of Tanahashi and declining the Code of Honor. The match began with Cole getting into a grip with Tanahashi; Hiroshi managing to keep Cole on the defensive, but Adam turned it around and cornered Tanahashi, prompting the break. Cole did break, but followed it by pointing his index fingers up in the air and declaring "Adam Cole Baybay!" This did not go down well with Hiroshi, who immediately took him down with a single-leg, Tanahashi with a handstand across it whilst Cole struggled; Cole attempted an inside cradle, only getting two - and a big boot went blocked as Tanahashi grabbed the foot in mid-motion; the "Once in a Century Talent" executing a Dragon Screw! Adam Cole backed away as Tanahashi enticed Cole with a fist ready to throw; Cole adjusting his knee and getting right back into it, Tanahashi sweeping Cole with a second takedown, then stomping on the knee, causing Cole to quickly bail from the ring! Tanahashi had the Toronto crowd alive, as the IWGP Heavyweight Champion rolled out of the ring to follow Cole, Cole however kicking Tanahashi in the gut and delivering a big forearm rocking the champion; Cole following by sending Tanahashi shoulder first into the ring post! Cole went around the other corner of the ring, applying a cravate and trying to stretch Hiroshi's head backwards around the ring post! The referee's count and warning broke the hold, but Adam Cole slid back inside, his index fingers raised; "the One" having gained some momentum against Tanahashi after a rocky opening few minutes. Hiroshi Tanahashi slid back inside at the count of eight, Adam right there on the offensive, stomping a mudhole on Tanahashi as the crowd remained split on deciding who to favor in this unorthodox bout. The roughhouse style of Cole continued to shine as he used his knee to sandwich his head against the turnbuckle pad; Cole obnoxiously breaking it at the count of four, obeying the referee's orders, albeit reluctantly. The "Panama City Playboy" picked up Tanahashi and body slammed him, then dropped a knee drop right into the shoulder of Tanahashi yet again; the leader of the Kingdom seemingly having found a target to follow in combating the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Cole taunted with his knee across the chest of Tanahashi; Hiroshi kicking out at one - it would surely take a lot more to put away the "Once in a Century Talent". Adam Cole picked Tanahashi's head up and locked in a headlock, modifying it into a sleeper hold, as the fans in the Ted Reeve Arena tonight for Global Wars '15 tried to rally Tanahashi, as Hiroshi slowly managed to find a way back up to a vertical basis, although Cole tried to block it by stepping on the lower leg of Tanahashi; Hiroshi however managing to go behind on Cole and take him down with a waistlock takedown; Tanahashi following with a forearm, followed up by another one - each knocking Cole back down just to spring back up. Cole attempted a single legged dropkick but Tanahashi blocked it and followed up with a Sling Blade that went blocked by Cole, who turned it into a standing rock bottom, taking Tanahashi back to the canvas! Cole ran off the ropes and connected with a sliding enzuigiri, covering - but Hiroshi was not through yet. Cole disputed it with the referee, before standing back up and stomping on Hiroshi's shoulder carefully positioned. Adam picked Hiroshi up and wrenched the arm, then whipped Hiroshi into the corner just for Hiroshi to flip Cole around and send him into the corner - Cole came back charging for Tanahashi, but Tanahashi connected with a Sling Blade on Cole! The "Once in a Century Talent" followed with a dropkick, shaking off the pain in his shoulder tenaciously! Tanahashi delivered a shinbreaker to Cole and followed with a knee drop to the stretched leg; Hiroshi obviously laying the groundwork for something later. Although he could have gone for the recently operated shoulder of Adam Cole, Kevin Kelly disputed that Hiroshi was looking at instead creating a new weakness from scratch - as displayed when Hiroshi was shoved off of a figure-four leglock attempt by Cole, Adam rising to his feet, just to get dropkicked in the leg again for good measure! Tanahashi came off the ropes with a senton on the waistline of Adam Cole; Tanahashi on the attack now, dragging Adam back into the centre kicking and screaming; Tanahashi locking in the figure-four leglock - notably a staple of the "Panama City Playboy"'s own moveset! Hiroshi had it locked in, Adam Cole in pain from the hold as Tanahashi had turned his leg into a weakness now; Cole trying to reach for the ropes, although he was right in the centre of the ring! Cole then tried to rake the eyes of Hiroshi, who wisely managed to pull back - at the same time applying more pressure on Cole; that controlled pressure stopping the Ring of Honor wrestler from escaping. Cole sat up again, this time flipping Tanahashi up, and he managed to quickly turn the figure-four over, causing Tanahashi to now rive in pain - fortunately quite close to the ring ropes. Tanahashi slowly got back up, whilst Adam Cole limped over, Cole with a forearm that Tanahashi replied with; Cole with another; Tanahashi with another. Both men ended up duelling it out with the fierce elbow smashes; Cole with multiple drilling ones in repetition, followed by Hiroshi nailing Cole with several; Cole ended up with Tanahashi bouncing back into the ropes; Cole going behind Hiroshi just for Hiroshi to switch it around; and Tanahashi had him in place for a straightjacket suplex - broken by Cole - but the Dragon suplex connected, only getting two - and Cole got back up, Tanahashi dodging a big boot, then looking for a German, just for Cole to switch it around on Hiroshi this time; Adam Cole connecting with the wheelbarrow into a double knee backbreaker! "The One" was about to see if he truly was the one, as he lowered his knee pad and came off the ropes, looking for the Shining Wizard that went dodged, as Hiroshi then shot back with a big lariat, rocking Cole! Tanahashi shot up to the top rope, looking possibly for the High Fly Flow, but Cole saw what his opponent was down - chasing the New Japan star up to the top; Cole firing full-on punches now, as both men battled it out on the top rope; Cole attempting a superplex, just for Tanahashi to trip Cole into a tree of woe position; Tanahashi then connecting with a High Fly Flow to Cole trapped! Tanahashi saw Cole and decided to go up for a second High Fly Flow, it connecting but Cole got a forearm right into the face of Hiroshi, delaying the pin attempt! Cole slowly rose and captured Tanahashi with the Shining Wizard surmounting to two, as Hiroshi kicked out! The "Once in a Century Talent" was still in the fight, when Cole got on the second rope waiting for the Panama Sunrise; Cole jumping down and looking for the flipping piledriver; Tanahashi managing to make Cole turn it into a sunset flip; Tanahashi rolling onto his knees, and applying the Cloverleaf! Adam Cole tried to fight it, but ultimately the damage done to his knee was too much - Adam Cole tapping out!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi in 12:28 [****]The "Once in a Century Talent" had come out on top in this outing, the IWGP Heavyweight Champion slowly rising to his feet and celebrating with his championship after a non-title battle - however, his days could still be considered numbered, as his next championship defense comes knocking when he faces "the Phenomenal One" A.J. Styles - when exactly that happens is to be determined. However, Adam Cole rolled out of the ring trying to detach himself from the loss, limping his way to the back.
8. ROH ALL STARS (Jay & Mark Briscoe, Hanson, Ray Rowe & Michael Elgin) vs BULLET CLUB (A.J. Styles, Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Nick & Matt Jackson)Up next was one of the two main events advertised for tonight, as it was time for ten-man tag team action. Of Ring of Honor was five of the elite members of the ROH locker room - led by the Ring of Honor World Champion himself, Jay Briscoe. But in addition to Jay was his brother Mark - the Briscoe Brothers having had quite a level of success in ROH, dating back to the promotion's inception back in 2002. Eight reigns as ROH World Tag Team Champions, and Jay now in his second reign as the ROH World Champion - they were arguably the household team of Ring of Honor. Joining them was the hard-hitting powerhouse combination, War Machine, consisting of Hanson and Ray Rowe; two men that met in the finals of the 2014 Top Prospect tournament designed for the hottest new stars to break through - and now they stand today, an exclamation mark with a sure future shot at the ROH World Tag Team Championships coming in their future. And alongside them, another powerhouse - a former ROH World Champion in his own right; "Unbreakable" Michael Elgin. However, they faced a big threat in the invading Bullet Club faction. Consisting of the number one contender to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, A.J. Styles - the "Phenomenal One" that needs no introduction; the former IWGP Tag Team Champions who held them for 365 days, "the Machine Gun" Karl Anderson and "Outlaw" Doc Gallows; and the notorious Young Bucks, former ROH World Tag Team Champions in their own right, and the current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, after winning them on May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku. The Young Bucks superkicked for the cameras, whilst the gang all 2Sweet'd the fans in attendance; the fivesome garnished in streamers as they stared down with the five ROH All-Stars. This was Bullet Club country it seemed, as an early A.J. Styles chant broke out, followed by one for the Young Bucks, and ones for the "Machine Gun" and Gallows too. The Code of Honor appeared to be taking place, as the Biz Cliz offered handshakes to the All-Stars, just to them all crotchchop them - and the fight was on! The All-Stars took it to the Bullet Club, and soon everybody was out on the floor excluding Michael Elgin and Nick Jackson! Elgin took Nick down with a shoulder block, and then had Jackson duck whilst Elgin ran the ropes, a super kick from Nick missing; and Elgin delivered a harsh lariat to Nick Jackson! The fight at ringside was broken up by ringside assistants, the match gaining structure now, as Elgin tied Nick up in a wristlock, easily powering him around until a blind tag to Matt Jackson came; and the two attempted to suplex Elgin, just for Elgin to use his strength and keep on his feet. In came Anderson however, who gave them the assist, and the double suplex executed! The Young Bucks had Elgin down now, a backspring followed by a double dropkick to the head of Elgin connecting; Matt attempting to bounce off the ropes just to get tripped and dragged out by Jay Briscoe! Another brawl went down, when Mark in the midst of a medley dashed across and connected with a baseball slide through the ropes, striking Matt Jackson! A.J. Styles joined in, a body press over the ropes connecting onto the Briscoes! Gallows and Gun brawled with War Machine on the other side of the ring; and suddenly, Nick Jackson was on the top rope, connecting with a corkscrew spinning dive onto the Briscoes and Michael Elgin on the floor! Mark sent Matt into a big boot from Jay, before nipping to the apron and looking for a dive, but the Young Bucks met Mark with the first double superkick of the night! The teams returned to their corner whilst back inside, Karl Anderson was legal with Elgin; Anderson dropkicking Elgin and taking him down - a rake of the eyes following from "the Machine Gun"! In came Gallows as Anderson held Elgin down in the corner, Gallows connecting with multiple body blows of Michael Elgin; before he came out of the corner with several right hands, cut off by a throat thrust from Gallows. "The Outlaw" tagged in A.J., who tried to keep Elgin down, a facecrusher against the knee connecting before he tagged in Matt. Elgin in the corner, Matt came across the ring with the handsprings, before following with an arrogant backrake, the smug Matt then crotchchopping the All-Stars - looking to ground and isolate Elgin from the rest of the ROH stars! Nick got the tag now, as Matt used Nick as a wall for an assisted sliced bread #2; Nick following with a running knee to the seated Elgin, covering for two - Elgin powering out almost with ease. Matt came back in, both men sending Elgin back into a corner, Matt whipping Nick into Elgin for a step up knee, just to receive a big clothesline! Elgin nailed a charging Matt with a lariat too, and Mark Briscoe got the tag! Mark and Matt Jackson legal, and Briscoe started with several palm strikes to the chest; then getting in several punches to the face of Matt, several chops and a Mongolian chop...blocked as Matt kicked him in the gut. Matt responded with a punch and a crotchchop in repetition, then charged the ropes, coming back to see Mark in the kung-fu pose! Matt was confused but caught a kick from Mark, Mark backflipping onto his feet and nailing Matt with a huge big boot! The unorthodox Mark Briscoe taunted the Bullet Club, as Karl Anderson got the tag and sent Mark off the ropes; Mark ducking a lariat and tagging in the ROH World Champion. Jay Briscoe now in, Mark got a chinbreaker on Karl, setting him up for a rebound lariat from Jay as the Briscoe Brothers now had the advantage for the All Stars! Nick Jackson came in with a diving crossbody from the top on Jay, then looking for the Superkick Party to begin: blocked by Jay Briscoe! Briscoe then went with several snap jabs to Nick, stunning the Young Buck - and Briscoe followed with a bicycle kick for one-half of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! In came Ray Rowe, who sent Nick into the corner; but Nick dodged a bullet and rolling backwards, Ray Rowe coming out of the corner with a big running knee! Hanson came in with a single bronco buster; Rowe covering for two, as Rowe followed with a backbreaker to Nick Jackson, span around then into a gutwrench across the knee of Ray - Nick in a bad way here as Rowe followed with a third powerhouse, ragging Nick down with a gutwrench powerbomb like he was nothing! Jay Briscoe came back in, delivering a headbutt to Nick; Jay sending Nick into the corner for a lariat; Jay snapmaring Nick and following with a sliding dropkick to the seated Nick Jackson, the cover only getting two. Jay was now trying to isolate Nick Jackson, as Mark got the tag whilst Jay held a headlock, Mark stomping on Nick. Mark got a spinning suplex on Nick but fortunately Matt came in to break the count. In came Michael Elgin for a series of right hands, before a suplex followed, this time again only getting two as Nick was resilient. Elgin stood on the back of Nick to keep him from moving, but Nick still struggled and managed to get back up. An elbow smash from Nick broke the hold and he ran the ropes, walking right into a lariat from Big Mike! Hanson came in fresh off the tag, dodging an attack from Nick and cartwheeling at three-hundred pounds - right into a superkick from Nick Jackson! Nick tagged in "the Phenomenal One", A.J. with a springboard forearm catching Hanson in the mouth! But in came Ray Rowe for a backdrop attempt; Styles backflipping to his feet and connecting with a Pelé taking Elgin off the apron! Styles connected with a striking combination finalized with a lariat on Rowe, and A.J. went after the Briscoes, taking them down. A.J. attempted the Styles Clash on Hanson but he backdropped out of it, and A.J. tagged in Doc Gallows. At six-foot-eight and three-hundred pounds, Gallows was in there with a big man in Hanson himself, but both were even with several lariats getting no response; Gallows kicking Hanson in the gut and running the ropes, a lariat sidestepped by Hanson cartwheeling away; Hanson taking Gallows down with a big lariat! Hanson was getting into it now, but Gallows jawjacked him with a mule kick! Karl Anderson came in, and Matt Jackson joined him; Anderson orchestrating an attack plan now, "the Machine Gun" with a bicycle kick to Hanson in the corner; Matt with crotchchops into a corner lariat; Nick joining in with a step-up kick to Hanson in the corner still; A.J. Styles with a flying forearm in the corner; and Gallows finished the combination with a corner splash! Hanson was dazed, when all five members of the Biz Cliz geared up and gave Hanson a five-way superkick! Anderson covered, but the All Stars came in, and another big brawl went down! The action spilled to the floor, with Nick, A.J. and Matt on the apron, three perfectly timed simultaneous moonsaults executed onto Rowe, Elgin and Mark on the floor! Gallows and Gun lined Hanson up, as Nick went up top and connected with the 450 splash; A.J. Styles then climbing up top, a second 450 splash connected! Matt then joined in, a third 450 splash only getting two, as Hanson still found a way to kick out! Gallows and Anderson tried for the Magic Killer on Hanson, but in came Rowe as a four-way brawl came abouts. Mark got the tag in the midst of it all, a topé through the ropes bringing the brawl back to the floor! Everybody went at it now, when A.J. Styles tried for an apron moonsault again, tripped by Hanson! Hanson then went up to the top rope, a front fip senton catching everybody on their shoulders! Back inside, Elgin took Nick up to the top rope and came down with a superplex into the falcon arrow, and then looked for a second on Styles - successfully! Elgin then went for Anderson as well, but Matt broke the attempt. Inside, Gallows nailed Hanson with a sit-out chokebomb then walked into a sideslam by Rowe; Anderson connecting with the Gun Stun on Rowe! A.J. shot down Rowe with the Bloody Sunday - which is when a Styles Clash attempt went awry; Elgin clotheslining A.J. down! Outside, Mark Briscoe came off the apron with a blockbuster on Anderson, Matt Jackson coming in and trying to superkick Elgin, blocked and turned around to meet a superkick from Jay Briscoe; the Elgin Bomb connecting on Matt Jackson! Jay Briscoe then followed suit, the Jay Driller on Matt, and the Froggy Bow by Mark gave the ROH All-Stars the victory!Winners: ROH All-Stars in 17:23 [****¼]The match was done, and what an all-out war it was, with so many close calls made by all ten members of this match! Jay Briscoe celebrated with his brother, Mark; the ROH World Champion having led War Machine, Mark Briscoe and Michael Elgin to victory against A.J. Styles, Gallows and Gun, and the Young Bucks! The Bullet Club were defeated, at least for tonight, as Styles, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson aided to Nick and Matt Jackson of the Young Bucks; sure to fight another day here in Ring of Honor!
9. IWGP INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP SHINSUKE NAKAMURA (c) vs RODERICK STRONGAfter all that we had seen tonight at Global Wars '15, it was time for the main event - for the first time ever in Ring of Honor history, the IWGP Intercontinental Championship was to be defended, as the "King of Strong Style" was set to take on the man that calls himself "Mr ROH". Originally this wasn't even scheduled to be a match with the championship on the line, with Shinsuke Nakamura only deciding after his most recent title defense against Tetsuya Naito at Wrestling Dontaku on May 3 that he wanted to defend his title against Roderick Strong tonight at Global Wars '15. And this made the stakes even higher, the final match of the night tonight in Toronto, Canada. Roderick Strong came to the ring full of motivation and energy, knowing himself the stakes up in the air - the former ROH World Champion, who is known for his intent to hurt with his ruthless, hard-hitting arsenal of strikes and moves effecting the back in particular - going up against one of the most flamboyant and yet most destructive men to come out of New Japan Pro Wrestling, Shinsuke Nakamura prancing down the aisleway to one of the most deafening reactions of the night, the Toronto crowd very appreciative of the man that has held the IWGP Intercontinental Championship four times, and arguably put it high on the totem pole as being one of the most prestigious championship belts in professional wrestling today. The "King of Strong Style" awaited the challenge of his opponent, who jumped on the spot on the other side of the ring - Tiger Hattori, New Japan's senior official on hand to officiate this title bout for the IWGP defense. The Code of Honor was met by both men, as the bell sounded - Shinsuke back to the leg stretches in his corner, whilst Roderick Strong pulled on the ropes, warming up ready to lock up with Shinsuke. Both men met with a brief faceoff, before Shinsuke declared a test of strength to be played out, and it was accepted as both men gripped onto one another, with Shinsuke trying to go behind on Roddy; "Mr ROH" however managing to sweep the leg from under Shinsuke, but Nakamura blocked any further attack by kicking Strong away; the two men meeting on a vertical basis once again. This time they locked up, with Strong attempting an armbar takedown, just for Shinsuke to use his arm strength to twist it into an overhead wristlock. Roderick, the shorter of the two at five-foot-ten, managed to slip underneath and use it against Shinsuke, backing him into the ropes where the champion turned it around on Strong, forcing the break in the corner. This set Shinsuke into a slump position on the challenger with his limbs dangling, the two separating for a second time in this climactic bout to Global Wars '15, live on Internet pay-per-view. Next, Roderick Strong to take down Shinsuke with a go-behind legsweep, but Nakamura saw him and began to dish out some stomps - both missing the fast hands of Strong, but Shinsuke managed to force him backwards into the corner, two nonchalent back elbow strikes catching Strong, before he stepped forward and followed with a mule kick to the abdomen of Strong. Nakamura strided forward and turned around, then attempted to attack Roddy in the corner; the challenger catched Nakamura with a back elbow - Strong on the second rope now, a leg lariat catching "the King of Strong Style" and taking him down for one - the first pinfall attempt of the match. The challenger snapmared Shinsuke and attempted to go for a sliding lariat, something Shinsuke's ally from CHAOS, Tomohiro Ishii has known to use - but Shinsuke ducked it, then mounted Roddy with a front facelock; the champion coming back with a knee strike whilst holding down the head of "Mr ROH"; but Strong rotated out of it, a knee to the jaw catching Shinsuke, as Roderick then delivered a chop that sent him stumbling backwards into the bottom of the corner. Strong saw him lounged and stomped him twice - before grabbing him by the ankles and attempting to bring him back into the centre; but the long legs of Nakamura allowed him to land on his feet! Shinsuke cut Roddy off from a forearm attempt and connected with one of his own - Nakamura then looking for a kick to the gut of Roddy, but Roddy catched it; Shinsuke missed an enzuigiri attempt but landed on his feet, and came back with another one, this time catching Strong in the temple! The challenger backed away, the IWGP Intercontinental Champion approaching him and looking for the Strong Style bootchoke - just for Roderick to take the leg and rope him into the corner himself! The challenger then crawled out behind Nakamura and connected with an inverted backbreaker, turning him over and connecting with a double underhook suplex followed up by a cover, just for a near fall as Nakamura managed to kick out! The challenger kept on the attack, placing a knee right into the centre of the back of the champion - who has two years less experience than the challenger, surprisingly when considering the age advantage is on Nakamura. Strong had the chinlock applied, and Shinsuke was struggling at least momentarily, until he began to feed off of the energy of the fans in the Ted Reeve Arena - Shinsuke finally back to his feet and elbowing Strong in the abdomen. He tried to run away but Strong grabbed the hair and slammed him back down to the mat, Strong dropping an elbow over the back of the neck - Strong grounding the charismatic enigma that is Shinsuke Nakamura. But again, Nakamura was able to find a way through this attack, the "King of Strong Style" catching Roddy with a big boot as he attempted to run the ropes, Nakamura slowly holding his back in pain as he then began to light Roderick Strong up with some kicks, using the top rope as an assist; finally catching Strong with a roundhouse kick! Nakamura covered, but Roddy stayed alive, only two this time. Nakamura stood on his chest and used the top rope to jump, landing down on the chest of Roddy with a knee drop; Nakamura covering, but only for two this time - the nonchalent knee across the neck not amounting to much, as Strong is also a capable competitor. Nakamura picked Strong up and lifted him onto his shoulders - Shinsuke noticeably struggling with the weight, but he managed to lift Strong onto the top rope, but he had no problem backwards rolling and connecting with a knee strike right into the ribs of Strong, who was draped over the top rope! Roddy fell onto the apron, and the champion seemed to know what to do next, climbing onto the apron and coming down with a huge knee drop across the back of Strong's head, both men falling to the ringside mats on the floor! Shinsuke was the first to emerge, as he tried to pick Strong back up, but Roddy got to his feet and sent Shinsuke sailing into the guard rail, a jumping knee strike then catching Shinsuke right in the face! Strong picked him up, and executed a big suplex on the floor, even more damage to be done to the spine of the IWGP Intercontinental Champion! Strong was on the attack now, as he sent Shinsuke back inside, covering for a kick out at two. "Mr ROH" now, representing Ring of Honor in this interpromotional challenge defense, locked in a cross-armed straightjacket sleeper, the knee again dug firmly into the back of Shinsuke, right between the shoulder blades, but Shinsuke was still wanting to keep in the fight and not lose his championship again - Nakamura managing to slowly rise out of it to his feet, but Strong released the hold and connected with a second jumping knee strike, this time to the back of Nakamura. Nakamura fell balanced over the bottom ring rope now, and Roderick tied up his legs in Shinsuke, somehow turning things into a surfboard stretch; the back of Nakamura under the pressure of this stretch, whilst the bottom rope dug into the back of Nakamura - that is until Tiger Hattori demanded the break. Strong nailed Nakamura with some forearms on the canvas, a ground and pound type philosophy here, although the "King of Strong Style" fired back with a big boot to the chest of a re-approaching Strong, Nakamura rolling backwards and catching Strong with an inverted powerslam, landing face first! Shinsuke Nakamura was back on the move, his back however harmed from the amount of attacks received in this match. He slowly reached his feet, where he saw Strong getting back to his feet, a double knee backbreaker executed on Roddy! The challenger was learning a whole new meaning to his surname now, as Roderick Strong tried to distance himself from the champion; Shinsuke approaching him and beginning with the Strong Style bootchoke! Nakamura then followed with some more precise knee strikes; the head of Roddy wedged between Nakamura's recurring knee strikes and the second turnbuckle pad - Nakamura then taking a step back - but Roddy sent Shinsuke into the turnbuckle for a second time during this match. Strong, slowly regaining momentum, caught Shinsuke upside the head with a step-up enzuigiri in the corner: Strong following with a belly-to-belly suplex! Everything was going in Roddy's favor now, as he picked Shinsuke up; but Nakamura broke from Roddy and attempted to run the ropes, just for Roddy to follow and follow up with a knee to the gut of the IWGP Intercontinental Champion! Strong connected with the double underhook backbreaker devastating Shinsuke's spine, covering but Shinsuke was not through yet! The "King of Strong Style" was fighting for New Japan Pro Wrestling, his roots in Japan, his reputation - but most importantly the glory of being the IWGP Intercontinental Champion! Strong decided to lock in the Strong Hold, and it was sealed, as Nakamura struggled, unable to move as the Boston crab submission held him hostage; the knee placed firmly into the spine of the champion stopping him from moving! Shinsuke looked to be on the verge of submission, but he somehow used the length of his legs to break loose, one of them nailing Strong in the face twice, and Roderick stumbled back out of the hold! Shinsuke slowly got to his knees and saw an emerging Strong, which is when Nakamura got up and met him with a stiff forearm! Roddy responded with one of his own, blood trickling down the challenger's nose. Shinsuke and Roddy were met in a stalemate, with Roddy chopping and forearming Nakamura - but Shinsuke was there with forearm strikes a blazing, Nakamura connecting with a spinkick suddenly, and a crane kick followed that! Strong was down on his knees - uncertain whether conscious or not - and Shinsuke went to the second rope, connecting with the BomaYe! He covered, but Strong miraculously kicked out at two! The fans were split now, as Shinsuke was giving Strong a fight; but Roddy had Nakamura struggling to put him away! The back damage was taking its toll now, as Shinsuke had Roddy lined up for the running BomaYe - but Roddy somehow rolled Shinsuke up, getting a very close near fall - and a running knee strike from Strong this time connected to Shinsuke! Strong picked Shinsuke up and hooked the arm, raising him for a suplex, then dropping him right across his knees with the End of Heartache - the hook of the leg - and we had a new IWGP Intercontinental Champion in Toronto, Canada!
Winner: Roderick Strong in 19:27 [****] ***NEW CHAMPION*** The Toronto crowd was thrown a back by the decision made, but "Mr Ring of Honor", the thirty-one year old from Tampa, Florida had upset one of the most popular wrestlers in Japan and arguably the world in the "King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura! Roderick Strong rose to his feet slowly, the blood running from his nose, as Strong was handed the IWGP Intercontinental Championship gold! He dropped to his knees and stared into it, looking so amazed by the fact that he had won something from New Japan Pro Wrestling, let alone from Shinsuke Nakamura; ending Nakamura's fourth reign as IWGP Intercontinental Champion in his fifth title defense.
Strong held it proudly as Kevin Kelly and Steve Corino wrapped up the show, when an upset Shinsuke approached Strong, appearing before his eyes. The "King of Strong Style" shook his hand, then pointed at him, and pointed at his belt, almost as if to say "I'm coming back for this". Nakamura left the ring to Strong, who continued his celebration to a stunned crowd.
An advertisement aired, promoting the next time Ring of Honor would be available on pay-per-view: Best in the World, live on June 19, 2015 from Terminal 5 in New York City, New York.
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Post by DTP. on Apr 22, 2016 12:27:39 GMT -5
| ROH/NJPW GLOBAL WARS '15
Saturday, May 16, 2015 - Ted Reeve Arena - Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Day 2 - Ted Reeve Arena - Ontario, Canada (May 16) This show was a television taping for future airings of ROH's flagship show, Ring of Honor Wrestling, available on various channels across the world. Check your local listings or go to ROHWrestling.com for further information on how you can watch Ring of Honor Wrestling.
0. The Romantic Touch, Pepper Parks & Rip Impact def. Ashley Sixx, Davey Vega & Kenny Lush in 7:15 after the sit-out suplex by Romantic Touch on Vega.
1. KUSHIDA def. Will Ferrara in 5:23 after the Hoverboard Lock.
2. Silas Young def. Takaaki Watanabe in 6:18 after Misery.
3. Moose w/Veda Scott & Stokely Hathaway def. Colby Corino w/Adam Page & BJ Whitmer in 2:44 after the Hit Stick. This was originally scheduled to be Moose against BJ Whitmer, who put Colby in his place.
4. The Briscoe Brothers (Mark & Jay Briscoe) def. The House of Truth (Donovan Dijak & J Diesel) w/Truth Martini in 11:03 after the springboard doomsday device on Dijak. After the match Jay Lethal came out and issued a challenge to Jay to put his ROH World Championship on the line against his ROH World Television Championship at Best in the World on June 19.
5. The Addiction (Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian) w/KRD Masked Man def. ReDRagon (Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly) to win the ROH World Tag Team Championship in 13:23 after the masked man revealed himself to be Chris Sabin, distracting Fish and setting him up for the Celebrity Rehab. ***NEW CHAMPIONS***
6. Jushin Thunder Liger def. Dalton Castle w/The Boys in 7:49 after the Liger Bomb. Liger raised Castle's hand after the match and posed with the Boys.
7. Cheeseburger vs Bob Evans went to a no-contest in 3:00 after Evans put Cheeseburger through a ringside table.
8. Gallows and Gun (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) def. The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Michael Bennett) w/Maria Kanellis in a non-title match 10:04 by disqualification after Bennett used a chair whilst Maria Kanellis distracted Karl Anderson and had him dancing over her.
9. War Machine (Hanson & Ray Rowe) def. The Decade (Adam Page & Colby Corino) w/BJ Whitmer in 2:12 after the spinning roundhouse kick by Hanson on Colby. After the match, Steve Corino came off of commentary to argue with BJ Whitmer over his son.
10. Cedric Alexander def. Moose w/Stokely Hathaway in 8:20 after Hathaway tossed Moose a lead pipe that Alexander used on Moose inadvertently. This ended Moose's year long undefeated streak.
Nigel McGuinness brought Jay Briscoe and Jay Lethal with Truth Martini out for a contract signing, making their title vs title match official for Best in the World on June 19. Lethal tried to flip the table and attack Jay, but Briscoe scared Lethal away.
11. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin def. Matt Sydal & ACH in 11:34 after the High Fly Flow by Tanahashi on ACH.
12. Jay Lethal w/Truth Martini def. Tetsuya Naito to retain the ROH World Television Championship in 12:42 after the distraction from Martini led to the Lethal Injection. This was Naito and Lethal's rematch set up the previous night.
13. CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura & Gedo) def. Roderick Strong & Cedric Alexander in 13:38 after the BomaYe by Nakamura on Alexander. Nakamura motioned that he wanted his rematch with the new IWGP Intercontinental Champion Roderick Strong after the match.
14. BULLET CLUB (A.J. Styles, Nick & Matt Jackson) def. CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada, Barreta & Rocky Romero) in 16:32 after the Fatality by the Bullet Club to Romero.
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Post by DTP. on Apr 23, 2016 10:51:09 GMT -5
| WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER May 18, 2015 by Dave Meltzer |
GLOBAL WARS 2015 POLL RESULTS Thumbs up 118
Thumbs down 0
Thumbs in the middle 2
New Japan Pro Wrestling stars, including Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jushin Liger, Kazuchika Okada, Gedo, Shinsuke Nakamura, Tetsuya Naito and KUSHIDA have just concluded a four-date trip to the United States and Canada for the annual joint-production shows with Ring of Honor. Moral was reportedly high in the locker rooms, as everybody wanted to go out there and steal the show. Global Wars on 5/15 in Torontowas a fantastic show boasting some solid work by all involved, but allegedly not quite as great as War of the Worlds Night 1 (which becomes available this Friday on ROH's on-demand streaming service) was in Philadelphia on 5/12.
It appears also that the relationship between ROH and New Japan has increased significantly as well, as it appeared when Roderick Strong won the IWGP Intercontinental Championship against one of the top guys in Japan, Shinsuke Nakamura. It was a gripping bout, Roderick has really been the MVP of this tour, and with him being a champion of New Japan's, it is suspected that he will be brought in to join tours, including likely a rematch for the title against Nakamura on 7/5 at Dominion. Officials were also impressed with the work of Michael Elgin, who didn't do a lot during the ten-man tag at the Global Wars PPV show, but was a highlight on the TV taping the night after, which New Japan officials - namely Gedo - kept an eye on. It wouldn't be a big stretch to see someone of ACH's calibre come in later this year to join the junior heavyweight division, either. There was interest in Adam Cole as well, but he looks to be out of the picture at least for the time being. The Briscoes may end up in the World Tag League in November.
There is talk of New Japan coming back over to the States this summer, although this could change given how the G-1 finals are also around the same time, which is the conclusion to a three week long tour.
New Japan officials were in Philadelphia and Toronto for the tour with Ring of Honor, with one duty being to scout foreign talent that could fit in well in Japan, as well as secure Kevin Kelly and Steve Corino to officially come in and do English commentary for Dominion, which is New Japan's next big show on 7/5 in Osaka.
Back in Japan, the annual Best of the Super Juniors tournament begins on 5/22 in Korakuen Hall - the tournament running for the duration of the two week long tour, running in a round robin format of two blocks, much similar to the G-1, with the finals on 6/6. Every show of the tour will be broadcast on New Japan World, although some may lack commentary and have muted entrances, whereas several will be filmed from one static camera shot. This is a test to see how they can handle this format with the G-1 Climax adopting a similar format later this summer. The winner of the Best of the Super Juniors will challenge Kenny Omega for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship at Dominion on 7/5.
Block A has Jushin Liger, Alex Shelley, Gedo, Bobby Fish, Barreta, Kamaitachi, Dragon Lee and Matt Sydal
Block B has Nick Jackson, Tiger Mask, Barbario Cavernario, Mascara Dorada, Kyle O'Reilly, KUSHIDA, Ryusuke Taguchi and Rocky Romero
The opening night from Korakuen Hall on 5/22 has Jushin Liger vs Gedo, Tiger Mask vs Barbario Cavernario, Matt Sydal vs Bobby Fish, Ryusuke Taguchi vs Mascara Dorada, Dragon Lee vs Kamaitachi (their rivalry and series of matches are must see), Kyle O'Reilly vs Nick Jackson, Alex Shelley vs Barreta, and Rocky Romero vs Kushida
5/23 from Kuki City has Jay White vs David Finlay (Finlay will be joining New Japan with this tour), Jushin Liger & Mascara Dorada & Sho Tanaka vs Kamaitachi & Barbaro Cavernario & Yohei Komatsu, Gedo & Rocky Romero vs Matt Sydal & Ryusuke Taguchi, Kyle O'Reilly vs Tiger Mask, Bobby Fish vs Alex Shelley, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Captain New Japan vs Cody Hall & Yujiro Takahashi, KUSHIDA vs Nick Jackson, Barreta vs Dragon Lee, and Daisuke Sekimoto & Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe & Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto vs Tomohiro Ishii & Shinsuke Nakamura & Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano
5/25 in Niigata has Tiger Mask & Captain New Japan vs Jay White & David Finlay, Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly vs Yohei Komatsu & Sho Tanaka, Ryusuke Taguchi vs Rocky Romero, Matt Sydal vs Gedo, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Alex Shelley & Kushida vs Nick Jackson & Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall, Mascara Dorada vs Barbaro Cavernario, Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto & Dragon Lee vs Barreta & Yoshi-Hashi & Toru Yano, and Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii & Shinsuke Nakamura vs Togi Makabe & Daisuke Sekimoto & Tomoaki Honma
Tetsuya Naito appeared on the 5/20 Mexico City show for CMLL, beginning his excursion. He will be absent from the current tour.
Despite managing to turn a profit with Wrestle Kingdom 9, it appears that the Global Force Wrestling promotion are not interested in attempting a second pay-per-view anytime soon.
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Post by DTP. on Apr 24, 2016 15:36:58 GMT -5
| NJPW BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS XXII - DAY 1 Friday, May 22, 2015 - Korakuen Hall - Bunkyō, Tokyo |
"Supernova" KUSHIDA | Best of the Super Juniors XXII: B Block Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | "Azucar" Rocky Romero
(CHAOS)
| "Made in Detroit" Alex Shelley | Best of the Super Juniors XXII: A Block Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | |
Kyle O'Reilly
| Best of the Super Juniors XXII: B Block Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] |
Nick Jackson
(BULLET CLUB)
| | Best of the Super Juniors XXII: A Block Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit]
| | Hiroshi Tanahashi, Katsuyori Shibata, Hirooki Goto, Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma
| Special 10-Man Tag Team Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | Kazuchika Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura,Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano and YOSHI-HASHI(CHAOS) | "El Joven Maravilla" Máscara Dorada
| Best of the Super Juniors XXII: B Block Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | | | Best of the Super Juniors XXII: A Block Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | | "Kogane no Tora" Tiger Mask
| Best of the Super Juniors XXII: B Block Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | | "Complete Fighter" Gedo
(CHAOS)
| Best of the Super Juniors XXII: A Block Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | |
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Post by DTP. on Apr 24, 2016 17:42:12 GMT -5
| NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING - PRESS CONFERENCE NOTES
Thursday, May 21, 2015 - Best of the Super Juniors XXII Opening Ceremony |
With the Best of the Super Juniors starting tomorrow, a press conference was held tonight at Korakuen Hall, in which Takaaki Kidani was present; setting the scene for the upcoming round-robin tournament that would be travelling across Japan, and concluding in Yoyogi Gym on June 7. They all gave speeches about what they had done, and what they wanted to do - an initial introduction to the media prior to the tournament. They all introduced themselves and spoke with other participants and members of New Japan management, all declaring hopeful victory - optimism shown prior to the tournament's beginning. Also announced was the hiring of David Finlay III - a fourth-generation talent with three years of experience, the son of legendary wrestler Dave Finlay. Finlay will be beginning at the New Japan Dojo and start working as a Young Lion on the Best of the Super Juniors tour.
The Players:
Alex Shelley, 31, 215lbs, 5'10, Michigan, USA - At two hundred and fifteen pounds, the man from Detroit, Michigan is a thirteen year veteran when it comes to junior heavyweight and high-flying wrestling. Breaking into the business in 2002, Alex has made a splash in independent wrestling from initial appearances in Ring of Honor, making sporadic appearances - becoming a part of the Embassy faction, led under Prince Nana. He also enjoyed a stay with Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling, where he was a TNA X-Division Champion, the 2006 World X Cup winning team also consisting of Chris Sabin, Sonjay Dutt and Jay Lethal; and a member of the highly popular tag team the Motor City Machine Guns alongside Chris Sabin. In New Japan Pro Wrestling, he's been a regular since 2012, and become a staple of the junior heavyweight tag team division. Shelley has been highly successful in a team with fellow competitor KUSHIDA, the Time Splitters winning the annual Super Junior Tag Team Tournament in 2012, and going on to become three time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions with KUSHIDA. In 2015, he aims to continue things in his third BOSJ appearance. (BLOCK A)
Bárbaro Cavernario, 21, 196lbs, 5'8, Jalisco, Mexico - There is nobody in this tournament as unorthodox and unbalanced as Bárbaro Cavernario. He is what his name implies; he's a barbarian, covered in hair and filth, that comes to the ring with his caveman club. Debuting in Conseco Mundial de Lucha Libre in 2012, Cavernario initially had a mask before losing it, and has since become even more unbalanced over time. A two-time Occidente Middleweight Champion and the current reigning Mexican National Welterweight Champion, which he won on May 3 in Mexico City after beating Titán. He debuted for New Japan Pro Wrestling at the Fantastica Mania tour co-promoted by CMLL back in January, where he was highly popular in merchandising - and he is making his debut in his first Best of the Super Juniors tour. (BLOCK B)
Barreta, 28, 215lbs, 6'0, New York, USA - One may not think that Barreta has as much experience as a lot of the other stars in this year's tornament, however Barreta broke into the business in 2004, competing in independent territories before he was signed to a WWE contract in 2007 at the age of twenty. Barreta later debuted on WWE television screens in 2010, teamed with Caylon Croft - although they never amounted to much. An exciting high-flying all-rounder, Barreta was let go and made a bigger impact on the independent circuit, becoming decorated in tag team wrestling further, teaming with Chuck Taylor for Pro Wrestling Guerilla; and made his debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2013. Going into his second Best of the Super Juniors tournament, he's just started to come to Japan more often, thanks to a new friendship with Rocky Romero, the duo forming Roppongi Vice; they party all night and like to have fun - and they are at the top of the list to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. (BLOCK A)
Bobby Fish, 38, 200lbs, 5'11, New York, USA - A very hard-hitting addition to the Best of the Super Juniors tournament this year is the tag team centric, multi-gifted athlete Bobby Fish. He is known for his teaming with Kyle O'Reilly, who are in the midst of a rough month, losing the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships on May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku, and losing the ROH World Tag Team Championships on May 16 in Toronto, Canada. Despite this, Fish is full of wisdom, having wrestled since his debut in 2002. With a background in mixed martial-arts, training closely with Jerrick Jones of Albany Boxing; Fish highly capable of putting someone away after a kick or a submission hold. A mainstay in Ring of Honor, he and O'Reilly held the ROH World Tag Team Championships for thirteen months before losing them last week. Fish could be a favourite going in, after him and O'Reilly's debut in New Japan led to them winning the 2014 Super Junior Tag Team Tournament and going on to become champions. (BLOCK A)
Dragon Lee, 20, 170lbs, 5'7, Jalisco, Mexico - The youngest man in this year's tournament is a newcomer known as Dragon Lee. At only twenty years of age (even then, turning twenty just last week), Dragon Lee has made a name for himself in Mexico, training in 2013 and making his debut later that year. He has won the CMLL's prized Bodybuilding awards in both Beginner and Intermediary categories, and is highly innovative with his creative, off-the-wall high-flying lucha style. The current CMLL World Lightweight Champion, Dragon Lee has become involved in a heated rivalry with Kamaitachi, with Dragon managing to beat Kamaitachi to force his rival to unmask back in May. That rivalry has not stopped - but at the young age of twenty, Dragon Lee has a future that could take him anywhere in this tournament and industry. (BLOCK A)
Gedo, 46, 190lbs, 5'8, Tokyo, Japan - One of the more experienced members of this year's tournament, Gedo is highly decorated for his work all over the world. He made his debut back in 1989, and has become a legendary junior heavyweight; he reached the semi-finals of the famous Super J Cup tournament in 1994, losing out to Wild Pegasus. He also competed in the 1995 Super J Cup, where he lost to Jushin Thunder Liger in the finals. Also renowned in tag team wrestling also, teaming with Jado and amounting to wins of tag team gold across Japan, including winning the 2010 Super J Tag League with Jado, and the World Class Tag Team amounting to four IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship reigns throughout his career. Now winding down, Gedo can still mix with the best of them, and is a part of the CHAOS faction in New Japan Pro Wrestling, being the mentor for Kazuchika Okada, constantly in the corner of his protegé - leading him to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship numerous times. This year marks his ninth appearance in the Best of the Super Juniors, and wants to go beyond what he did in the 2005 edition of the tournament, where he won his block and ultimately lost to Tiger Mask in the finals. (BLOCK A)
Jushin Liger, 50, 209lbs, 5'7, Fukuoka, Japan - Thirty years is the length of time in which Jushin Thunder Liger has been a part of professional wrestling. He made his debut at the age of twenty in 1984, and has travelled the world honing his craft and becoming internationally recognized in his appearance, based on the superhero of the same name from the popular anime series. He has wrestled many matches and left a huge presence wherever he has competed, and impacted the careers of many other men. In the modern age, he shows no visible signs of slowing down. A former eleven time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, 1995 Super J Cup winner, six time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, WWF Light Heavyweight Champion, GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion, CMLL World Middleweight Champion, WCW Light Heavyweight Champion - the accolades go on and on, as Liger's credibility as one of the most innovative and revolutionary juniors of all time has shone a light into the present generation; inspiring many to do what he has accomplished. Longevity aside, he steps into the 2015 Best of the Super Juniors in his twenty-third appearance in the tournament's history, a winner of the BOSJ in 1992, 1994 and 2001 - and he wants to make it four times this year. (BLOCK A)
Kamaitachi, 25, 181lbs, 5'7, Tokyo, Japan - A former Young Lion in New Japan Pro Wrestling, the man known as Kamaitachi studied wrestling growing up and eventually made his debut in 2010 under his birthname Hiromu Takahashi. A homegrown talent that went on excursion to Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre in 2014 and has done amazingly well ever since. Initially masked, Kamaitachi aligned himself closely with former New Japan talent Okumura, the duo coming close but unsuccessful in their pursuit of the CMLL Arena Coliseo Tag Team Championship. Since then, he has been embroiled in a long-term rivalry with fellow Best of the Super Juniors competitor Dragon Lee; the feud starting up earlier in the year and peaked recently as Kamaitachi lost his mask per stipulation, due to losing to Dragon Lee. Now revealed as the former Hiromu Takahashi, Kamaitachi is entering his third Best of the Super Juniors - initially appearing as a replacement for the injured Black Tiger in 2012, although he did not fare well, only winning one match in his block. In 2013 he competed again, but fared unsuccessfully and lost all of his matches again. However this year, times have changed, and Kamaitachi is looking to make a splash in his first appearance in Japan in two years. (BLOCK A)
KUSHIDA, 32, 192lbs, 5'9, Tokyo, Japan - He has been billed as the "New Japan Supernova", KUSHIDA's love for pro wrestling has been a lifelong factor, even turning down an offer to go into mixed martial arts because his passion was professional wrestling. Despite this, he has also had a fair amount of success in fighting as well, boasting a 6-0-2 record in mixed martial arts with his last fight in 2005. Since then, he has gained notoriety in Japan for his acrobatic abilities, working closely with former WWE veteran Yoshihiro Tajiri in his days as part of SMASH Wrestling. He made his debut for New Japan in the 2010 Best of the Super Juniors, and remained as a regular ever since. He's regarded as one of the top juniors in New Japan currently, some calling him the Ace of the junior heavyweight class - a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, a two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion alongside his friend Alex Shelley - another Best of the Super Juniors competitor - collectively known as the Time Splitters. Going into his fifth Best of the Super Juniors tournament, KUSHIDA has had a lot of luck and bad luck in these tournaments, in the first three appearances narrowly missing the final round, and in his last appearance in 2014, he finally made the finals, ultimately losing to Ricochet. In 2015, he wants to make it a win, and certify himself as what the others proclaim him - the Ace of the class. (BLOCK B)
Kyle O'Reilly, 28, 207lbs, 5'11, British Columbia, Canada - Representing Ring of Honor, Kyle O'Reilly is a coveted wrestler that has appeared on various independent cards across North America. He is one-half of ReDRagon - alongside fellow competitor Bobby Fish - the two previously boasting a thirteen month reign as ROH World Tag Team Champions, their third reign in the span of two years. He's trained in amateur wrestling, kickboxing and jiu-jitsu, he also has backgrounds in ice hockey, football and lacrosse, and is a decorated submission specialist. He made his first appearance for New Japan Pro Wrestling last November in the Super Junior Tag Team Tournament - himself and Bobby Fish managing to win the tournament and go on to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships on their first big New Japan show. O'Reilly and Fish recently lost the titles on May 3, however they were able to surmount several key defenses, including a gripping four-way tag team bout back at Wrestle Kingdom 9, opening the Tokyo Dome show and coming out on top. O'Reilly has never been in the Best of the Super Juniors before, but with his first big chance to break out as a singles performer, he looks to make a name for himself. (BLOCK B)
Máscara Dorada, 26, 180lbs, 5'9, Jalisco, Mexico - In late 2008, the man who would later become Máscara Dorada made his debut as the sequel to talented mini wrestler, Mascarita Dorada. He is without a doubt one of the flashiest competitors to grace the ring in Mexico, where he competes for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre. Dorada has faired well for himself in his home country, winning the CMLL Torneo Nacional de Parejas Increibles twice with Mexican legend Atlantis. A former CMLL World Lightweight Champion, a two-time CMLL World Trios Champion, a former Mexican National Trios Champion, NWA World Historic Welterweight Champion, and three time, current reigning CMLL World Welterweight Champion; Dorada's style is tied closely to the lucha libre culture - and in early 2015 was announced as having signed with New Japan Pro Wrestling to regularly compete in Japan after a hot performance during the Fantastica Mania tour. Forming a team with fellow participant Jushin Thunder Liger, the pair call themselves Héroes Voladores, and are very high on the contender rankings for a future IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship shot. But meanwhile, in his first appearances in the Best of the Super Juniors, Dorada could realistically win it all with his flashy style, and wishes to do so as he continues his year in Japan. (BLOCK B)
Matt Sydal, 32, 185lbs, 5'9, Missouri, USA - With a history across North America for his lucha-libre inspired skills, the man known as Matt Sydal trained to wrestle in 2000 and quickly found a home in Ring of Honor. In ROH, he was a part of a faction called Generation Next - consisting of himself, manager Daizee Haze, Austin Aries, Jack Evans and current IWGP Intercontinental Champion Roderick Strong. He later was an ROH World Tag Team Champion with Christopher Daniels, before leaving in 2007 as he was signed by the WWE. In 2007, he was the first gaijin to win Dragon Gate's Open the Brave Gate Championship, even defending it successfully on an ROH show where he beat Austin Aries. In the WWE, he competed with and against multiple household popular names such as Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, Sheamus and CM Punk. He was also a WWE Tag Team Champion alongside Kofi Kingston before suffering a serious injury in breaking five bones in his foot as a result of a car accident. He returned to the independent scene in 2014, having blowaway matches with the likes of Ricochet and A.J. Styles. Loosely affiliated with Ring of Honor, Sydal is officially making his New Japan debut with this year's Best of the Super Juniors tournament, and he wants to win big in his first year as a competitor. (BLOCK A)
Nick Jackson, 25, 185lbs, 5'11, California, USA - The lone member of the Bullet Club in this year's Best of the Super Juniors, Nick Jackson is one half of arguably one of the greatest tag teams of the 21st century thus far. With brother Matt (who is absent from this year's tournament due to expecting a child), the Young Bucks are innovative in tag team experience and when dishing out double-team moves; competing in Pro Wrestling Guerilla, Chikara, Dragon Gate, Dragon Gate USA, Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling previously, and a threshold of independent circuits spread across the United States and Canada. Tied closely with Ring of Honor, Nick and Matt are former ROH World Tag Team Champions, whilst also being three-time PWG World Tag Team Champions as well. In 2013, the Young Bucks debuted for New Japan Pro Wrestling as part of the Bullet Club; the duo winning the Super Junior Tag Team Tournament, going on to become IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. Earlier this month at Wrestling Dontaku, they even won the titles for a second time - and Nick Jackson is going into this tournament, his second Best of the Super Juniors appearance, defending the honor of fellow Bullet Club member and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega. (BLOCK B)
Rocky Romero, 32, 173lbs, 5'7, Havana, Cuba - Another veteran in the junior heavyweight class. He has been competing for the past seventeen years and competed in various promotions in different countries. He got his break when he was trained in the New Japan Dojo in Los Angeles, California, and is known by some as the fourth incarnation of Black Tiger. He has had plenty of success in terms of championships, ranging from his single reign as CMLL World Super Lightweight Championship reign, to being a three-time ROH World Tag Team Champion with three different partners (Ricky Reyes, Davey Richards and Alex Koslov), and has been competing for New Japan Pro Wrestling on a regular basis dating back to 2007. As Black Tiger, he's a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion; a two-time former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with Davey Richards under the name No Remorse Corps; two times IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with Alex Koslov as Forever Hooligans. Since then, Romero has recruited Barreta following the retirement of Koslov; together known as Roppongi Vice - very high at the top of the contender's list for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. Confident, acrobatic and party-hard is Romero, who is entering his sixth Best of the Super Juniors tournament. (BLOCK B)
Ryusuke Taguchi, 36, 201lbs, 5'11, Miyagi, Japan - Presenting us with his Funky Weapon, Ryusuke Taguchi is more experienced than many would believe him to be; now adorning the comedic personality, Taguchi has always been colorful; making his debut back in 2002, Taguchi had a close alliance with a rookie Hirooki Goto back when he was starting out in the junior heavyweight class. He's a talented technical wrestler with a lucha-libre inspiration behind his style, formerly going on excursion to Mexico where he is a former CMLL World Welterweight Champion. In the junior heavyweight class, Taguchi had a tremendous amount of successful with current WWE star Prince Devitt, the duo known as Apollo 55 capturing the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships four times. A former two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion as well, Taguchi has wrestled regularly for New Japan Pro Wrestling for the past decade, and has even won the Best of the Super Juniors, back in 2012. In 2015, Taguchi is entering his ninth tournament, and looks to win it for a second time. (BLOCK B)
Tiger Mask, 44, 192lbs, 5'8, Chiba, Japan - The Tiger Mask franchise in anime has always been popular among Japanese fans. In the early 1980s, the name was licensed, and Tiger Mask was born. The current incarnation is its third, but the person under the mask has held it longer than the other four incarnations to date in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Tiger Mask has become legendary for the pure reason of longevity; this person first making an appearance for New Japan in 2002, having made his debut in 1995, competing for Michinoku Pro where he was a two-time British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Champion; in New Japan his success rate improved further - a six time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with Jushin Liger, and presently a two time and currently reigning NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion. Tiger Mask seeks to continue his previous success in the Best of the Super Juniors tournament, which he has won twice in the past - 2004 and 2005. At the age of forty-four, Tiger Mask does not show any signs of stopping anytime soon. (BLOCK B)
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Post by DTP. on Apr 24, 2016 22:45:56 GMT -5
BLOCK A | Alex Shelley | Barreta | Bobby Fish | Dragon Lee | Gedo | Jushin Liger | Kamaitachi | Matt Sydal | Alex Shelley | XXX | Day 1 - Tokyo May 22, 2015 | Day 2 - Saitama May 23, 2015 | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Barreta | Day 1 - Tokyo May 22, 2015 | XXX | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 2 - Saitama May 23, 2015 | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Bobby Fish | Day 2 - Saitama May 23, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | XXX | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Day 1 - Tokyo May 22, 2015 | Dragon Lee | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 2 - Saitama May 23, 2015 | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | XXX | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 1 - Tokyo May 22, 2015 | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Gedo | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | XXX | Day 1 - Tokyo May 22, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 3 - Niigata May 25, 2015 | Jushin Liger | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka
May 31, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 1 - Tokyo May 22, 2015 | XXX
| Day 3 - Niigata May 25, 2015 | Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Kamaitachi | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Day 1 - Tokyo May 22, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 3 - Niigata May 25, 2015 | XXX
| Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Matt Sydal | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Day 1 - Tokyo May 22, 2015 | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Day 3 - Niigata May 25, 2015 | Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | XXX |
BLOCK B | Bárbaro Cavernario | KUSHIDA | Kyle O'Reilly | Máscara Dorada | Nick Jackson | Rocky Romero | Ryusuke Taguchi | Tiger Mask | Bárbaro Cavernario | XXX | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 3 - Niigata May 25, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Day 1 - Tokyo May 22, 2015 | KUSHIDA | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | XXX
| Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 2 - Saitama May 23, 2015 | Day 1 - Tokyo May 22, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Kyle O'Reilly | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Day 1 - Tokyo May 22, 2015 | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 2 - Saitama May 23, 2015 | Máscara Dorada | Day 3 - Niigata May 25, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | | Day 10 - Aichi
June 3, 2015 | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 1 - Tokyo May 22, 2015 | Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Nick Jackson | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 2 - Saitama May 23, 2015 | Day 1 - Tokyo May 22, 2015 | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Rocky Romero | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 1 - Tokyo May 22, 2015 | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | XXX
| Day 3 - Niigata May 25, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Ryusuke Taguchi | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 1 - Tokyo May 22, 2015 | Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Day 3 - Niigata May 25, 2015 | | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Tiger Mask | Day 1 - Tokyo May 22, 2015 | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Day 2 - Saitama May 23, 2015
| Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | |
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Post by DTP. on Apr 27, 2016 21:25:11 GMT -5
| NJPW BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS 2015 - DAY ONEFriday, May 22, 2015 - Korakuen Hall - Bunkyō, Tokyo
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The opening signature aired, welcoming us to a New Japan Pro Wrestling 2015 presentation. Up next came a preview of things to come with a video package looking back in hindsight at the history of the Best of Super Juniors tournament. In the past, twenty-one men have gone on to win the tournament, including names such as Jushin Thunder Liger, Black Tiger, El Samurai, Koji Kanemoto. Tiger Mask, Minoru Tanaka, Milano Collection A.T., Prince Devitt, Kota Ibushi, Ryusuke Taguchi and Ricochet. This year opens up a whole new year of the tournament, with sixteen men divided into two blocks all set to compete for a chance to win this year's Best of the Super Juniors, and go on to challenge for Kenny Omega's IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. Visual graphics highlighted the forthcoming night of competition - the opening night of Best of the Super Juniors XXII!We go live to Korakuen Hall, where Kimihiko Ozaki is stood in his usual place, centrestage in the ring - as Ozaki welcomed the audience to the opening night of the twenty-second Best of the Super Juniors tournament - Ozaki running down the card for the first night of the tournament:- Gedo (0pts, 0-0) vs Jushin Thunder Liger (0pts, 0-0) in a Best of the Super Juniors A Block match
- Tiger Mask (0pts, 0-0) vs Bárbaro Cavernario (0pts, 0-0) in a Best of the Super Juniors B Block match
- Matt Sydal (0pts, 0-0) vs Bobby Fish (0pts, 0-0) in a Best of the Super Juniors A Block match
- Máscara Dorada (0pts, 0-0) vs Ryusuke Taguchi (0pts, 0-0) in a Best of the Super Juniors B Block match
- Hiroshi Tanahashi, Meiyu Tag (Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto) & G.B.H. (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma) vs CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & YOSHI-HASHI)
- Kamaitachi (0pts, 0-0) vs Dragon Lee (0pts, 0-0) in a Best of the Super Juniors A Block match
- Kyle O'Reilly (0pts, 0-0) vs Nick Jackson (0pts, 0-0) in a Best of the Super Juniors B Block match
- Alex Shelley (0pts, 0-0) vs Barreta (0pts, 0-0) in a Best of the Super Juniors A Block match
- KUSHIDA (0 pts, 0-0) vs Rocky Romero (0pts, 0-0) in a Best of the Super Juniors B Block match
1. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS A BLOCK MATCH GEDO (0pts, 0-0) vs JUSHIN THUNDER LIGER (0pts, 0-0)It was time for the first match of what was expected to be a spectacular tournament - the annual Best of the Super Juniors in full swing between two of the most experienced members of the New Japan roster - in one corner Jushin Thunder Liger, the man that needs no introduction: a former eleven time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and winner of the 1992, 1994 and 2001 Best of Super Juniors tournaments. In the other corner, one of the most influential people in the modern landscape of Japan, in the former multi-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, and mentor to the most recent rising star in the promotion's history, Kazuchika Okada. Gedo came out to heavy applause, although so did Liger - a lot of respect from the Korakuen Hall crowd towards these two veterans. The bell sounded as this match got underway immediately, Gedo and Jushin Liger mixing it up with a lock-up, and Gedo initially took Liger down with a snapmare; a rear hammerlock applied, but Liger managed to work his way back off of the mat, then managing to go behind on Gedo with a hammerlock of his own. Gedo responded by switching things up and locking in a wristlock on Liger, just for Jushin with his experience from competing in British catch wrestling style, went down to the mat and rolled around; then turned the wristlock around, as Gedo was now on the receiving end of the hold. Liger kept it applied as Gedo forward rolled, just for Liger to sweep his feet from under him - breaking the hold to cover, but Gedo quickly nipped back to his feet quickly for a stalemate, the two receiving a respectful response. Liger went to lock up again, but Gedo this time kicked the leg of Liger, the "Complete Fighter" connecting with a shinbreaker, and Gedo just like that went on the attack, as Liger tried to fight him off with some kicks in his opponent's direction. Liger worked his way off of the mat and sidestepped a chop block, Liger quickly coming off the ropes, a shoulder block connecting. Liger ran the ropes again, but Gedo ducked down, then caught Liger with a dropkick to the leg; Gedo laughing as he picked up the leg and slammed it back down against the mat! Gedo covered for one, as he continued his attack; the "Complete Fighter" dragging Jushin Liger over to the corner and threading his legs around the ring post; Gedo slamming the leg of Liger's against the ring post! Gedo continued with a second, laughing evilly again - but Liger used his own leg as an advantage, sending Gedo into the ring post head first! Jushin Liger slowly went up to the top rope, but his leg was effected after the work already done by Gedo; who was quick to react, tripping Liger off the top rope - Liger landing in a tree of woe, held up by a single leg. The pressure was put on, as Gedo then got into the ring and stood on the second rope, his boot on the leg of Liger - finally restrained by the official's count as Liger fell in a heap in the corner of the ring, the "Complete Fighter" now definitely in control. Gedo dragged Liger into the centre of the ring, applying a figure-four leglock which had Korakuen Hall alive and wanting Liger to escape, but he wasn't in a good position, struggling on the mat whilst Gedo kept the hold applied and the pressure controlled directly on the leg. Finally, Liger was able to flip it over, putting the pressure on Gedo now - but Gedo was able to reach the rope. Liger limped to his feet, where Gedo met him; Liger taking Gedo down with an armdrag, followed by a second one! Liger followed with a dropkick, and Liger went for the camel clutch, managing to get it locked in - Liger then suddenly forcing himself forward, cradling Gedo for a near fall - Liger connecting with an enzuigiri on Gedo! Liger was slow to follow with his leg's condition, but he attempted an Abisegeri; Gedo grabbing the koppu kick in mid-motion and attempting to go for another leg-focused attack; Liger however rolling him backwards into an inside cradle - Gedo kicking out! Liger then nailed Gedo with a Shotei out of nowhere, Jushin looking for a Brainbuster, but Gedo managed to free himself, then superkicking the leg of Liger knocking him to his knees. Gedo followed with a second superkick to the jaw, covering only for two as Liger was able to kick out! Gedo got back up and looked to go for the Super Fly, but Liger managed to grab Gedo at the last second. Liger slowly got to the second rope, where he hammed up the forearms; Liger then going to the top and connecting with the top rope hurricanrana! Liger covered, but Gedo managed to kick out still. Back to their feet, Liger attempted to charge Gedo but his leg was hurting, and Gedo acted fast with a victory roll attempt, Liger blocking it, then connecting with the Brainbuster, picking up the win!
Winner: Jushin Thunder Liger (2pts, 1-0) in 9:29 [***]Jushin Liger had his hand raised in victory, the thirty year veteran reigning supreme in the first match of the tournament - taking two points for his pinfall victory. Liger limped to the back, high fiving several passers by including a fan dressed as Liger himself; whilst Gedo was helped out of the ring, leaving with nothing despite a strong display shown. Jushin Liger was next in action on May 25 against Kamaitachi, whereas Gedo would also be in action on May 25 in Niigata, facing Matt Sydal.
2. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS B BLOCK MATCH TIGER MASK (0pts, 0-0) vs BÁRBARO CAVERNARIO (0pts, 0-0)It was time for the second match of the first night of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament, this match featuring the return of the ever unpredictable Bárbaro Cavernario - from Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, the young man from Jalisco in Mexico came charging towards the ring draped in filth and hair; this barbarian ready for his first Best of the Super Juniors tournament appearance, whilst wielding his caveman club around. Cavernario was in for a tough task at hand however, going up against the current reigning NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, Tiger Mask. Boasting twenty years of experience, Tiger Mask was full of wisdom and experience, with a larger following here in Japan - whilst on the contrary, this was Bárbaro's second tour with New Japan Pro Wrestling; his debut for the promotion back at the co-produced tour with CMLL for Fantastica Mania this past January, landing significantly in sold out merchandise stands, Cavernario's clubs and shirts selling very well, and resulting in a demand for him to be here. And he did receive a warm reaction, although against Tiger Mask, Korakuen Hall was much more used to seeing Tiger Mask. Tiger Mask got ready for this singles bout against Cavernario, but Bárbaro was enthused by the reaction he got, continuing to delay the initial lockups and trying to dance more, particularly the Russian style. After repeatedly coming close to and not getting into any action, Tiger Mask decided to take action, turning Cavernario around and slapping him across the face. Tiger Mask then tried to do it a second time, but Bárbaro grabbed his palm and bit deep into the hand of Tiger Mask! The NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion tried to run away from it, but Cavernario managed to trip Tiger Mask, locking him in a cradle for two, before he got back up and walked into a spinkick to the abdomen, as Tiger Mask sent Bárbaro into the ropes; Cavernario going down after a shoulder block. Tiger Mask decided to carry on running the ropes, as Bárbaro dropped down, then leapfrogged over his opponent; Bárbaro rolling backwards just to walk into another shoulder block from the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion! Tiger Mask then picked Bárbaro up and sent him into the corner, lighting the warpaint-covered caveman up immediately with a series of kicks to the chest; Tiger Mask then sending Bárbaro into the centre of the ring and going up to the second rope, but Cavernario knocked him out to the floor! With Tiger Mask down on the floor, Bárbaro Cavernario got ready to dive, but Tiger Mask saw it coming and moved out of his way; but Cavernario simply sprung onto the apron, then charged for the turnbuckle, flipping over the ring post and landing directly on top of the veteran! The young twenty-one year old from Mexico was trying to get his first win in the tournament, as he picked Tiger Mask up and body slammed him right on the floor of Korakuen Hall; before going back into the ring and climbing up to the top rope, coming off with a huge diving splash onto Tiger Mask on the floor! Both men were out, it seemed to harm both men, as the referee began to count both men out. At the count of thirteen did they begin to move, and Bárbaro managed to slip inside at eighteen, whilst Tiger Mask entered at nineteen. Cavernario was now in control however, as he sent Tiger Mask into the corner and began to slap at Tiger Mask, then calling for a reaction from the Tokyo crowd at every slap. Cavernario continued to go for a corner splash, but Tiger Mask dodged it, several thigh kicks coming Bárbaro's way! Cavernario blocked this with a stomp to the foot of Tiger Mask, a lariat catching him and taking Cavernario down at the same time. Bárbaro knelt over Tiger Mask, and enthusiastically pounded on the chest and torso of the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion - Cavernario following up by doing the worm; nipping to his feet and connecting with a dropkick to the side of Tiger Mask! Bárbaro covered, but Tiger Mask stayed alive in this match! Cavernario decided to try and go for La Cavernaria - the seated surfboard stretch attempted, but Tiger Mask tossed him off, then caught Bárbaro with a roundhouse kick back on his feet! Tiger Mask executed the Tiger Bomb, covering Carvenario for two, as Bárbaro wanted to keep fighting...unfortunately for him, the veteran immediately locked in the Scissored Armbar, and Cavernario tapped out!
Winner: Tiger Mask (2pts, 1-0) in 7:34 [**½]The NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion was successful in his first match of the tournament, Tiger Mask getting his hand raised in victory as he got his title belt and celebrated; whilst Bárbaro Cavernario was attended to in the ring, Tiger Mask remaining whilst Cavernario got back to his feet, Tiger Mask wanting to shake the hand of Bárbaro, and unexpected to many, he accepted it. They posed for the ringside photographers before Cavernario reclaimed his hair bone and club, raising it one last time for the crowd, coming short of two points in his first night on the tour. Tiger Mask was next to face Kyle O'Reilly tomorrow night in Saitama, whereas Bárbaro Cavernario would next compete on May 25 in Niigata against Máscara Dorada.
3. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS A BLOCK MATCH MATT SYDAL (0pts, 0-0) vs BOBBY FISH (0pts, 0-0)Up next was the New Japan Pro Wrestling debut of veteran high flyer Matt Sydal; somebody that has quite a following in the United States, Canada and England from past stints in Ring of Honor and also the WWE, where he was a WWE Tag Team Champion. Released in 2014, since then Sydal has made a new image for himself as "Reborn" Matt Sydal, including having quite a successful stint in London-based Revolution Pro Wrestling - in which stars of New Japan Pro Wrestling are visiting in June; a card where Sydal will meet RPW British Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay with the title on the line. But here, he was making his debut for singles action against Bobby Fish; one-half of the former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions alongside Kyle O'Reilly as ReDRagon. They have not had the best month, with the duo losing the titles back at Wrestling Dontaku on May 3 to the Young Bucks, whilst also falling to Kazuchika Okada at Global Wars in Toronto, Canada last week; and ReDRagon then losing the ROH World Tag Team Championships after thirteen months to Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian of the Addiction the night after. This brought us here tonight, where Bobby Fish made his appearance and looked quite ready for combat with the newcomer. A former talent for Dragon Gate, Sydal was no stranger to the Japanese style, but this match got under way harshly as Fish quickly swept Sydal off of his feet and attempted to buckle the legs of his opponent; Sydal previously having been sidelined with five broken bones in his foot after a car accident in 2013 sidelined him for a year. Matt kept this in mind however, as he quickly broke free and locked in an arm wrench, Fish responding with a drop toe hold into a side headlock; as Sydal attempted to break away from Fish, just for Fish to keep the pressure controlled. He squeezed further, but Matt was finally able to break loose, a spinkick to the abdomen catching Fish; and Sydal now went off the ropes, just for Fish to go behind Sydal; a second drop toe hold blocked by Matt who came back with a drop toe hold of his own; Sydal saluting Korakuen Hall with a peace sign, before arching backwards and applying a cravate; Fish in initial trouble, until he grabbed the bottom rope forcing the break. Fish rolled out to the floor, and "Reborn" was right on the attack with a baseball slide; Fish left groggy from it. Sydal then connecting with a springboard crossbody taking Fish down!
The action was already hot and heavy, as Matt Sydal grabbed Bobby Fish and rolled him back inside, covering for two; as Sydal attempted to follow up with a hurricanrana, but Fish turned it into a standing powerbomb; Fish keeping the leg hooked and slamming the leg down on the mat hard! Fish was dedicating his attack on the foot whilst showing a new found aggressive style; Fish keeping a hold of the leg and kicking at it repeatedly, before executing a step over knee drop right across the limb! He was after the foot in particular, as he nailed a ground dragon screw, and "Reborn" was beginning to show cracks in his defense now, holding tightly on his previously broken foot. Fish would not back away as Sydal attempted to seek assistance from the referee, Fish however right back on the attack; the Ring of Honor tag team specialist now picking Sydal up and attempting a shinbreaker, but Sydal managed to land genty, then connecting with an enzuigiri from the free leg, stunning Bobby Fish! Matt Sydal limped as he then hooked the head of Fish with his legs, a hurricanrana spiking Fish on his head for two; and Sydal then sprung off the second rope with a mule kick; Sydal now on the attack despite limping on his injured foot. He was in position and connected with a standing moonsault, the cover only getting two however, as Fish managed to kick out! Sydal got back up and went up to the top rope, slowly due to the damage done to his foot - but Fish was right there and he brushed Sydal with a brutal head kick! Fish climbed up to the top rope, then connected with a big sit-out suplex; the cover only getting two as Sydal stayed in the match. Fish attempted to go for the Fish Hook Deluxe Edition, but Sydal was getting back to his feet, as he kicked Bobby away, then followed up with a spinning wheel kick catching Fish on the jaw! Sydal limped over to the corner, climbing the ropes and looking for a moonsault, but Fish was up and when Sydal came down, he landed on his bad foot, which Fish then equalized with a big flying Fish Hook knee to the face! Fish applied the Fish Hook on Sydal, looking for certain victory with the hold, but Sydal was able to somehow find a way free, Matt crawling back to his feet and jumping up onto a charging Fish; the reverse hurricanrana connecting! Sydal then tried to block out the pain, going up to the top rope and connecting with the Shooting Star Press beautifully, getting his first win of the tournament, and first win as a part of New Japan Pro Wrestling!
Winner: Matt Sydal (2pts, 1-0) in 10:34 [***½]"Reborn" Matt Sydal had made an impressive outing despite the odds of a persistently game Bobby Fish in the first night of the 2015 Best of the Super Juniors. Sydal had scored the victory, although he limped out of the ring in a fair amount of pain, whilst Bobby Fish looked on, discontent with his victory here tonight. Sydal walked away with two points and Fish with none - and Sydal was next to compete on May 25 against Gedo in Niigata. Fish on the other hand, facing Alex Shelley tomorrow night in Saitama.
4. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS B BLOCK MATCH MÁSCARA DORADA (0pts, 0-0) vs RYUSUKE TAGUCHI (0pts, 0-0)Since arriving in New Japan Pro Wrestling after his signing during January's Fantastica Mania tour with CMLL, the luchador from Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre has impressed many with his aerialist tendencies, and has formed quite a powerful alliance with Jushin Thunder Liger; together forming Héroes Voladores; two men that have beaten the now-IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions the Young Bucks before, surely putting them close to the top of the ranks for a future opportunity at the titles. But here he was in for something else in this singles round-robin tournament: the twenty-second Best of the Super Juniors; but Dorada has been no slouch in singles competition either, being the current reigning CMLL World Welterweight Champion and having spoken out previously about potentially unifying the title with the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship - something he could do, should he win this year's tournament. His opponent however was a mainstay of the junior heavyweight division; the 2012 winner of the Best of the Super Juniors, and a two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion himself. His comedic persona as "the Funky Weapon" has led to many taking him less seriously than before, but he still has the wherewithal to mix up with the best of them; despite losing to Kenny Omega on May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku. The match began with Máscara Dorada mimicking Ryusuke Taguchi's style, including at one point putting Taguchi's shades on over his mask, which got a reaction from the Korakuen Hall crowd. Taguchi did similar, leaving the ring and taking a Dorada mask from a fan in the front row, then putting it on and looking around puzzled. Back inside, the match was underway with Taguchi backing Máscara into the corner, then holding him there with repeated hip attacks to the waist; Ryusuke then slowly backing away at the referee's count, and taunting Dorada by shaking his rear at him. Dorada responded, springing to the second rope and diving off into an armdrag, with Taguchi hitting the ropes, ducking a lariat and nailing a Japanese armdrag. Dorada handsprung onto his feet, ducking a dropkick from Taguchi and sweeping his legs from under him; a headlock takeover blocked, as Taguchi turned it into a side headlock of his own - then grabbing the mask of Dorada and connecting with a hipbutt to the face of Máscara!
Ryusuke Taguchi went to lock up with Máscara Dorada again, but Dorada sent him into the ropes, Dorada ducking a lariat and springing off the second rope looking for a crossbody, just for Taguchi to catch him with a dropkick! Dorada made his way out to the ringside area for some space; but Taguchi was not going to allow Máscara Dorada any moment of hesitation, the CMLL World Welterweight Champion getting caught with a big somersault senton topé by "the Funky Weapon"; Taguchi strutting it for the Korakuen Hall crowd; Taguchi having previously worked in CMLL himself once upon a time. Taguchi brought Dorada back into the ring, delivering more hipbutts to Dorada, then locking in a headscissor hold on his Mexican opponent; the Japanese with more experience here, keeping Dorada's head tightly between his thighs - but Dorada struggled and somehow managed to slide out - allowing Dorada to get back up and connecting with a hurricanrana into a roll-up; Taguchi reversing it into a sunset flip for two - and Dorada rolled backwards, hitting the ropes and coming off the second rope with a springboard front dropkick taking Taguchi down to the floor! With Taguchi now out on the floor, Dorada decided to give him some of his own medicine; the aerial specialist connecting with a somersault senton topé of his own nailing Taguchi! Dorada rolled him back inside and looked for the top rope corkscrew senton, but Taguchi caught him and crotched him; Taguchi nailing him with an enzuigiri before following up with a falling front suplex, only getting two. Taguchi on the attack, he spotted Dorada recovering against the bottom rope, which is where "the Funky Weapon" struck again with repeated running hip attacks, sandwiching Dorada between his rear and the ropes! Ryusuke got Dorada back to a vertical basis, connecting with a suplex adjoined into a second - the Three Amigos connecting successfully, but Máscara Dorada stayed alive! Taguchi was scratching his head wondering what to do next, as he looked to go for a German suplex, but Dorada kicked him in the gut, wristlocked the arm and nipped to the top rope; the tightwalk into a springboard dropkick executed on Taguchi! Dorada had him where he wanted him, then going for a fireman's carry slam near the corner; Taguchi breaking free and firing off some big forearms; but Dorada forearmed himself free. Dorada nipped to the second rope and came off with a hurricanrana, the roll-up following, and Dorada scored the win with Taguchi kicking out a second too late!
Winner: Máscara Dorada (2pts, 1-0) in 8:47 [***¼]Máscara Dorada was walking away from this one with victory, as Dorada had defeated the winner of the 2012 Best of the Super Juniors, Ryusuke Taguchi! "The Funky Weapon" had tried, but the CMLL World Welterweight Champion had come out on top; Dorada waiting around however to shake Taguchi's hand. Dorada continued to celebrate, scoring two points here; whilst Taguchi began to leave, losing out on points out of the gate in this tournament, next to compete on May 25 in Niigata against Rocky Romero. Dorada left head held high, next to combat fellow CMLL star, Bárbaro Cavernario in Niigata on May 25 as well.
5. CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & YOSHI-HASHI) def. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Meiyu Tag (Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto) & G.B.H. (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma) w/Daisuke Sekimoto in 14:46 after the Rainmaker Lariat by Okada to Honma. Okada and Tanahashi had a brief face off, but made no physical interaction. After the match, Tomohiro Ishii issued a challenge to Daisuke Sekimoto for the NEVER Openweight Championship, which Sekimoto accepted.
- 20 MINUTE INTERMISSION -
6. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS A BLOCK MATCH KAMAITACHI (0pts, 0-0) vs DRAGON LEE (0pts, 0-0) Korakuen Hall was about to bare witness to the rebirth of former Young Lion, Hiromu Takahashi. A student of the game, formerly residing in the New Japan Dojo, Hiromu went on excursion to Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre in 2013, where he made his mark as the mysterious Kamaitachi - named after the Japanese folklore legend. A close accomplice to fellow former Young Lion, OKUMURA; and has become renowned to fans of CMLL in Mexico for blowaway battles with the ultra talented twenty year old, Dragon Lee. It was back in March when everybody found out that it was Hiromu Takahashi underneath the Kamaitachi mask, following a loss to Dragon Lee; and Kamaitachi went into this one with retribution in mind. Two incredible high-flying talents based in Mexico, they were about to lock it up for the first time in Korakuen Hall. And this wasn't Dragon Lee's first visit to New Japan Pro Wrestling either, having competed here as part of the Fantastica Mania tour back in January, and blowing away crowds with his antics. It's been quite a remarkable year for Dragon Lee also, as he won the CMLL World Lightweight Champion on April 5 in Arena México from Virus; and now was going into his first Best of the Super Juniors tournament. The action kicked off hot and heavy as Kamaitachi and Dragon Lee began chopping each other brutally with open hand blows; Dragon Lee cutting Kamaitachi off with a spinkick to the abdomen, Dragon Lee running off the ropes, Kamaitachi managing to send him running still, before Kamaitachi attempted a dropkick, but Dragon Lee kept on running, Kamaitachi landing on his feet - and Dragon Lee connected with a charging dropkick! Kamaitachi backed up into the ropes, sending Kamaitachi over the top to the apron, where Kamaitachi then open hand chopped Dragon Lee, following up by dragging him forwarded and draping him over the top rope; Kamaitachi darting off the ropes and connecting with a running dropkick! Dragon Lee fell to the floor, and Kamaitachi followed by hitting the ropes and leapfrogged over the top rope, clearing the ring and executing a big dropkick topé nailing Dragon Lee, sending him into the audience area! Kamaitachi wouldn't let up, then coming back to the apron and darting off the apron with a second dropkick stunning the CMLL World Lightweight Champion! The former Young Lion brought Dragon Lee back into the ring, covering him for a near fall as the youngster from Jalisco kept his head in the game.
Kamaitachi picked Dragon up and rocked him with another open handed chop, but Dragon responded with one of his own - Kamaitachi cutting him off with a knee to the gut, then following with hitting the ropes, Dragon Lee however using the back of Kamaitachi to roll off of; hitting the ropes, and connecting with a standing hurricanrana! Dragon Lee kept on the offense, connecting with a big boot off the ropes, then a kick to the torso of Kamaitachi; the Japanese star coming back with a big right hand slap, but Dragon Lee cut him off with a running knee to the gut, then following with a kick to the chest of Kamaitachi, who was down on his knees; Dragon Lee manipulating Kamaitachi and bringing him over to the corner, where he placed him upside down, hung from the top turnbuckle, looking for the double footstomp he has put plenty of foes down with before - but upon going up to the top rope, Kamaitachi sat up and used all of his might to bring Dragon Lee down from the top with a belly-to-belly suplex! Kamaitachi freed himself, then went up to the top rope himself - Dragon Lee attempting to intercept with a big open hand chop again - but Kamaitachi took him off his feet with a big right hand. A knee drop connecting, landing on the shoulder of Dragon Lee, but he managed to kick out again, as the action remained back and forth in this opening night for both men. Kamaitachi picked Dragon Lee up and sent him into the corner for a corner lariat; Kamaitachi then proceeding to keep on the attack with an instantaneous running dropkick catching Dragon Lee in the jaw, as he laid prone, lounging on the bottom ring ropes. Kamaitachi got more aggressive, this time stomping away at Dragon Lee and choking him, whilst posing with the cut-throat motion, still seething with anger after falling in defeat to Dragon Lee and losing his mask on March 20. Dragon Lee evacuated the ring holding his throat, which in theory was a good idea, but in execution - Kamaitachi climbed up to the top rope, and came off with a dangerous diving senton splash, landing right on the shoulders of Dragon! Both men out on the floor, the referee began to count them out now as Kamaitachi helped Dragon up and open hand chopped him, Dragon responding with one of his own; and a chop war broke out that finally went broken when both realized they were at the count of eighteen, simultaneously darting back inside to continue the fight! Kamaitachi attempted to keep on top of Dragon Lee, looking for a powerbomb just for Dragon to break loose and land on his feet; Dragon Lee connecting with a bridging backdrop suplex for two, as Kamaitachi then leapt up for Dragon just to get sent out to the apron. Kamaitachi tried to shake off the cobwebs, when Dragon Lee suddenly charged and leapt over the top rope, connecting with a hurricanrana that sent Kamaitachi crashing to the floor of Korakuen Hall again!
Lucha libre was in full swing tonight on the first night of Best of the Super Juniors XXII, as Dragon Lee picked Kamaitachi up and rolled him inside; then looking for a follow-up diving crossbody, but Kamaitachi cut him off in mid-air with a big dropkick! Kamaitachi followed with a sliding dropkick to the seated Dragon Lee, covering, but the CMLL World Lightweight Champion kept in the match. He decided to try and go for the STF, but Dragon Lee nailed him with a drop toe hold, Dragon hitting the ropes looking for a hurricanrana, Kamaitachi shoving him off and hitting the ropes himself, connecting with a hurricanrana that Dragon turned into a handstand, landing on his feet - but got levelled with a big superkick knocking Dragon Lee to the mat! Kamaitachi picked him up, looking potentially for a powerbomb again, but Dragon turned it into a hurricanrana with the roll-up; Kamaitachi kicking out and rolling him up for two; Dragon Lee with a roll-up, then Kamaitachi with another roll-up attempt getting one. Dragon sent Kamaitachi off the ropes, Kamaitachi swinging for a lariat that missed, and Dragon Lee connected with a backflipping flatliner, covering Kamaitachi for two, as the Japanese kicked out again! Dragon Lee was wondering what to do next, as he reached a vertical basis and picked Kamaitachi up looking for a suplex, but Kamaitachi landed on his feet behind Dragon and went for a German suplex reversed, as Dragon Lee went for one of his own - Kamaitachi planting several back elbows into Kamaitachi, and a bridging German suplex connecting; Kamaitachi however, rolling backwards and hooking the waist looking for a second German; Dragon Lee however reversing it into a victory roll for two! Kamaitachi got to his feet and hit the ropes, but Dragon Lee despite being dazed, kicked him in the abdomen, then picked him up for a suplex, turning it into a sit-out powerbomb, the cover just for Kamaitachi to kick out again! Dragon Lee decided to try and wrap this match up, looking to bring Kamaitachi over to the corner, picking him up and attempting to get him back in a tree of woe position - but Kamaitachi broke the attempt, then tried to untie the mask of Dragon Lee, distracting him; Kamaitachi with a front flip piledriver! He covered, and Dragon Lee was done for the night! Winner: Kamaitachi (2pts, 1-0) in 11:52 [****] The Japanese star had picked up the win, as Kamaitachi had made a start to his third Best of the Super Juniors tournament appearance on the first night; Kamaitachi however not being finished yet - looking to unmask Dragon Lee, a further level of humiliation and revenge for losing his mask in Arena México on March 20 - but suddenly Jushin Thunder Liger ran out to make the save - Liger stopping Kamaitachi and shoving him away! The two men scheduled to meet in Niigata on May 25 had a showdown before Kamaitachi left, whilst Dragon Lee was aided to by Liger. Off to a rough start, Dragon Lee was next scheduled to face Barreta tomorrow night in Saitama, but he first had to shake off the cobwebs from this loss.
7. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS B BLOCK MATCH KYLE O'REILLY (0pts, 0-0) vs NICK JACKSON (0pts, 0-0) w/Cody HallIn the third B block match of the opening night thus far, we had two men that had previously been involved in the three-way tag team bout for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships which took place back at Wrestling Dontaku on May 3, and actually resulted in the crowning of new champions in the Young Bucks. Of course with Matt Jackson missing from this year's tournament due to his wife expecting, it was up to Nick Jackson to keep the Bullet Club name high in regard as he went into this tournament a two-time champion; the egotistical Nick however, not coming down to the ring alone as he was accompanied by Cody Hall, the Young Lion for the Bullet Club. But Nick was looking at being in trouble tonight, as he was in there against a great technical wrestler in Kyle O'Reilly of ReDRagon, who held the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships up until Wrestling Dontaku. So going into this bout was a strange contrast, with the high-flying and acrobatic Nick Jackson, and the technical mixed martial-arts specialist Kyle O'Reilly. Nick was hesitant in locking up with O'Reilly presumably for this reason, continuing to back away and try to talk strategy with Cody Hall; but finally Kyle tempted Nick into getting into a greco-Roman knucklelock - only it was a hoax, as Kyle immediately went behind on Nick and took him down with a waistlock squeeze; Nick able to flip it around and go behind on O'Reilly, actually taking O'Reilly down with a waistlock takedown. Nick couldn't resist crotchchopping O'Reilly in this predicament, and O'Reilly responded by wrestling Jackson to the mat with a drop toe hold followed by a side headlock; O'Reilly keeping the headlock applied despite Nick's best efforts to escape. Nick tried to roll away from it, but Kyle simply regained momentum on the grip, keeping it applied. Nick tried to run away from it, but Kyle just kept with him, not letting the Young Buck out of the hold. Finally Nick managed to bite his way loose, locking in a side headlock of his own: but the strength of Kyle O'Reilly allowed himself to separate Nick's arms from one another, and a waistlock takedown worked, Nick very quickly backing away into the corner. Nick was attempting to gain some distance whilst Korakuen Hall applauded O'Reilly's mat-wrestling abilities, and when Kyle attempted to come over and attack him further, Nick blocked with a kick to the knee followed by a big punch stumbling O'Reilly.
Onto his feet, Nick Jackson followed up with two more punches to Kyle O'Reilly; Nick following with a forearm smash that sent Kyle O'Reilly backwards into the ropes; O'Reilly coming back with a lit forearm smash of his own taking Nick down! Jackson tried to create distance again, this time sidestepping a charging O'Reilly and connecting with a step-up enzuigiri in the corner, as Nick followed up with a snapmare followed by a double footstomp, obnoxiously treading on the forehead of O'Reilly. Nick talked trash to the Korakuen Hall, declaring himself "Indytaker" to some boos, as Nick picked O'Reilly up and chopped him in the corner, then stomped him in the gut. Nick took a second to talk trash to Kyle, and just like that O'Reilly took Nick into the corner and began to stomp away at him whilst Cody Hall watched on from close by, trying to close in for an attack just for O'Reilly to almost take Cody out with a big kick through the ropes! Kyle warned Cody, but this was a bad idea as Nick then dragged O'Reilly into the corner, seemingly harming his shoulder as Nick Jackson began to gloat. The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion connected with a second snapmare, then delivered a knee right into the back of the shoulder blade as Nick was now definitely in control of O'Reilly, having found a weak spot of the former ROH World Tag Team Champion. Nick stretched away at the arm of Kyle O'Reilly, and O'Reilly slowly began to work his way to his feet, just for Nick to kick O'Reilly in the gut, then nailing O'Reilly with a big enzuigiri catching him in the side of the temple! Nick then followed by tossing O'Reilly out to the floor, allowing Nick to find a nearby operator carrying a camera, giving a brief shoutout to his brother Matt, telling him he misses him. Nick distracted the referee, allowing Cody Hall to take action behind his back, a big lariat taking O'Reilly down hard on the floor! Hall stood back, Kyle O'Reilly getting back up to his feet; and this is when Nick darted through the ropes and connected with a tornado DDT, O'Reilly landing on the shoulder hard, as Nick Jackson 2sweeted Cody Hall! Kyle O'Reilly held onto his shoulder, as Nick then picked him back up and dragged him inside, where Nick decided to continue the assault, using the middle rope as elevation for two jumping stomps to the shoulder, the arrogance of Nick Jackson setting in as he continued to work over O'Reilly in this match.
The distraction from Cody Hall had assisted Nick Jackson now, as Nick slapped Kyle O'Reilly brashly, Nick then connecting with another right hand, but Kyle came back with a kick to the thigh, catching Jackson off guard - forcing Nick to force O'Reilly backwards into the corner, then raking the eyes of the ReDRagon member! Nick Jackson picked the shoulder of Kyle, but O'Reilly used this as an advantage, taking the arm and roping Nick into the corner; O'Reilly then charging and connecting with a big boot to the jaw in the corner! O'Reilly connected a wrist-clutch northern lights suplex, covering for only two - as Nick got his shoulder up; and when attempted to try and raise Kyle up, Nick decided instead to place his elbow underneath the shoulder of Kyle, bringing him down across the elbow! Nick rolled backwards and mounted O'Reilly, then raining down with some punches - but O'Reilly was not done yet, as O'Reilly took the arm of Nick and brought him into the mat with an arm slinger! Kyle got back up and connected with a forearm smash to Nick, followed up by wrestling Nick to the mat and bending the elbow inwards; Kyle brutally stomping the elbow joint of Nick, hyperextending the arm! O'Reilly quickly tried to attempt a cross-armbreaker on Nick, but Jackson saw it coming and grabbed onto Cody Hall's hand at ringside; Nick using Hall's strength to get to the bottom crowd, free from ARMageddon! The damage was done however, as Nick held his arm whilst getting back to his feet - Nick ducking a kick to the chest from O'Reilly and nailing O'Reilly with a spinning back elbow; attempting to follow with a spinning kick to the head, just to get brought down to Earth with a kick to the chest! Nick rolled out to the apron, where Kyle tried to thrust Nick with a shoulder through the ropes, but Nick sidestepped it, and a superkick followed rocking O'Reilly! Nick connected with a slingshot facebuster from the apron into the ring, and Nick then decided to go up to the top rope, trying to shake off the pain in his arm - Nick connecting with the 450 splash, but Kyle moved out of the way! O'Reilly quickly nipped to the second rope and came off with a knee drop, followed by a striking combination; several slaps, a kick to the leg, a knee to the chest, a kick to the chest and a legsweep, and O'Reilly immediately locked in ARMageddon - Cody Hall trying to come in and save Nick - but it was too late!
Winner: Kyle O'Reilly (2pts, 1-0) in 13:34 [***¼]One half of ReDRagon came out victorious tonight on the opening night of Best of the Super Juniors XXII, as Kyle O'Reilly broke the ARMageddon submission hold on Nick Jackson, just for Cody Hall to try and jump O'Reilly; O'Reilly immediately firing off kicks to the thigh of Cody! O'Reilly spinkicked Cody in the gut, forcing Hall to roll out of the ring. Nick Jackson rolled out of the ring holding his arm into the waiting arms of Cody; Nick Jackson's next bout scheduled for tomorrow night against KUSHIDA in Saitama, whereas O'Reilly was going into tomorrow night for battle against Tiger Mask.
8. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS A BLOCK MATCH ALEX SHELLEY (0pts, 0-0) vs BARRETA (0pts, 0-0)In the final match for the A block tonight in Korakuen Hall, we were about to see a showdown between one-half of the Time Splitters against one-half of Roppongi Vice. "Made in Detroit" Alex Shelley was ready for action going into his third Best of the Super Juniors appearance, whilst Barreta was making his return this year - Barreta's second, after first appearing in the 2013 tournament. Up next, we were also going to see the other half of Time Splitters against Roppongi Vice, as KUSHIDA is scheduled to meet Rocky Romero in the B block and main event for tonight's show - almost a special challenge amongst the junior heavyweight tag teams. "Made in Detroit" came down to the ring with a look of determination on his face, whilst Barreta pranced to the ring to the sound of Rocky Romero's latest track "RPG Vice", timely named after their tag team name - and both met met prior to the bell to a handshake, the bell sounding and our semi-main event underway. Barreta and Shelley circled the ring before locking up, as Barreta managed to slide into a side headlock on Shelley; Shelley attempting to fight him off, which he did as Alex grabbed the arm of Barreta and turned it into a hammerlock, then a side headlock of his own - and now Barreta sent Alex off the ropes, Shelley coming back with a shoulder block. Shelley ran the ropes whilst Barreta dropped down and leapfrogged Shelley, before coming back with a headlock takedown, Barreta rolling Shelley forward and locking in a front facelock variation, Barreta then going for a full nelson with Shelley on all-fours, before Alex managed to roll himself out of it, Alex meeting Barreta for a stalemate, whilst Korakuen Hall clapped for both men. In round one of the Time Splitters against Roppongi Vice tonight, Alex Shelley and Barreta locked up again, this time with Shelley getting the better of Barreta in wrenching on the arm and twisting it, causing Barreta to struggle to free himself. He eventually did, backing up into the corner, and a clean break from Shelley allowed for Barreta to get in an uncharacteristic forearm to the jaw; Barreta clubbing the back of Shelley, perhaps to signify how RPG Vice has changed the former WWE Superstar. Barreta sent Shelley off the ropes and connected with a leg lariat, the cover only getting two however, the match still young with "Made in Detroit" not wanting to fall below Barreta in the standings after the first night. Barreta locked in a chinlock on Shelley, Barreta trying to keep Shelley grounded now, but Alex worked up to a vertical basis, then ran Barreta through the ropes, sending him out to the floor!
Now at ringside, Barreta recovered whilst Alex Shelley prepared himself for takeoff, running the ropes and looking for a dive, but Barreta ran for cover, trying to escape from the former three time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion! Barreta cautiously stepped back inside the ring, as this match continued, Alex Shelley offering a test of strength to Barreta, and Barreta met Shelley with a big kick to the abdomen; Barreta with several more forearms before sending Shelley into the corner; Barreta connecting with a corner lariat, and Barreta continued the attack with a dropkick connecting, once again only getting two. This match had been all Barreta since the start, as Barreta picked Alex Shelley up and went for a running dropkick off the ropes, luckily Alex moved out of the way, and then followed up with a mule kick to the solar plexus. Alex followed, whipping Barreta into the corner and connecting with a running back elbow; Shelley following up with a belly-to-belly suplex covering Barreta only to get two at this stage of the game! Shelley focused his attack on stretching the abdomen of Barreta out, demonstrated as he applied a kneeling abdominal stretch, the elbow dug right into the side of Barreta's ribcage; Shelley the more experienced of the two, trying to keep Barreta from getting out. It didn't work to total success however, as Barreta poked the eye of Shelley and laughed about it, holding onto his ribs before sending Shelley into the corner and connecting with a high knee to the chest in the corner! Barreta sent Shelley into the centre and then went to the second rope, looking for a front dropkick, but Shelley kicked him in the ribs again, Barreta stumbling to the mat, where Shelley capitalized and executed a spinebuster, only getting two as Barreta kicked out! "Made in Detroit" Alex Shelley was aiming to wind Barreta at this stage in the game, as Barreta used the ropes to get back up; Shelley however right on Barreta as he connected with a second kick to the gut, followed by a run off the ropes for momentum, and a big dropkick caught the doubled-over Barreta for two, Barreta once again kicking out before the three. Shelley applauded Barreta for his hardship in kicking out so resiliently - now picking Barreta up and attempting to take the leg of Barreta - who came back with a desperate enzuigiri catching Shelley behind the ear! Barreta was slow to recover but had the fans in Korakuen Hall behind him; Barreta slowly getting to his feet and taking Shelley down with a dropkick, followed up with a second one - Barreta then sending Shelley off the ropes, Shelley coming back with a sunset flip attempt blocked by Barreta, who covered Alex for two, and back to their feet they went, Barreta ducking Shelley's lariat attempted and connecting with a charging knee to the abdomen; Barreta then following with a shoulder block!
The former WWE Superstar was doing good so far in his second Best of the Super Juniors, Barreta climbing up to the top rope and coming off with a double footstomp connecting across the back of Shelley's head, but the cover only got two as Shelley this time kicked out! Barreta slowly responded, and the trash Barreta talked appeared to provoke Shelley, demonstrated as Barreta awaited Alex Shelley to get back to his feet, possibly looking for the Gobstopper now; Shelley however coming at Barreta and kneeing him again in the ribs! Shelley clotheslined Barreta over the top rope to the floor; before immediately hitting the ropes and connecting with a slingshot crossbody topé over the top rope on Barreta! Barreta went down with Shelley on top of him, the Time Splitter in control of Barreta, whilst he dragged him back inside, covering - but Barreta remained alive. The fans were now chanting for Shelley, as "Made in Detroit" approached his feet and decided to go for a double footstomp of his own, climbing up to the top and looking for it - but Barreta managed to roll out of the way, Barreta's Gobstopper attempt however going missed as Shelley evacuated Barreta's flight path on the charging high knee! Shelley got up first and nailed Barreta with a forearm, which Barreta responded with one of his own; a barrage of forearm strikes following until one of Barreta's went blocked; Shelley connecting with a step-up enzuigiri clocking Barreta now, as Shelley picked Barreta up and connected with a bridging Dragon suplex only getting two, but Shelley followed suit in picking Barreta up and looking for Sliced Bread #2; Barreta however able to toss Shelley off of the attempt, the Gobstopper high knee connecting, leaving Shelley on the mat! Barreta found the energy to cover, holding his ribs whilst doing so, but Shelley somehow managed to kick out before the three! Barreta tried to follow up, declaring that it was time to go for the Dudebuster, but Shelley woke up and connected with a jawbreaker, Alex Shelley now dazing Barreta with a superkick to the chest, rocking Barreta to his knees, and a second superkick nailed him in his jaw; Shelley picking a slumping Barreta up and looking for the Automatic Midnight, Barreta however able to slip out, and Barreta got Shelley in position for the Dudebuster, but Shelley reversed it into a sunset flip for two; Barreta back to his feet, but he got stuck in a cradle predicament, and the referee counted his shoulders down!
Winner: Alex Shelley (2pts, 1-0) in 14:08 [***½] With the victory at hand, Alex Shelley had scored a lead against Barreta in this bout, all thanks to an inside cradle that caught Barreta off-guard! Shelley celebrated his win to an appreciative crowd in Korakuen Hall on this opening night, Shelley next up to face Bobby Fish tomorrow night in Saitama; whilst Barreta would compete against Dragon Lee. Shelley continued to celebrate before KUSHIDA's theme hit, and out came the Time Splitters' partner of Shelley for the main event of the night, KUSHIDA climbing into the ring and raising Shelley's hand in victory, whilst KUSHIDA awaited the arrival of "Azucar" Rocky Romero!
8. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS B BLOCK MATCH KUSHIDA (0pts, 0-0) vs ROCKY ROMERO (0pts, 0-0)It was time for the main event of the opening evening of the two-second annual Best of the Super Juniors tournament - tonight, coming from the B block, as "Supernova" KUSHIDA got ready to take on "Azucar" Rocky Romero in the second round of the Time Splitters facing Roppongi Vice tonight. As we had just seen moments prior, Alex Shelley managed to knock off a win against Barreta with the use of an inside cradle, prompting Shelley to gain two points going the second night of A block bouts. Rocky Romero was out next to join KUSHIDA in the ring whilst Alex Shelley left; Rocky Romero meanwhile passing Barreta on his way in - Barreta encouraging Romero with a high-five into a handshake - Romero then emerging into the ring for this tournament bout. It was time to see which team was better in singles action, as KUSHIDA offered a handshake to Rocky Romero that went accepted - KUSHIDA and Romero crossing paths, circling around the ring, as the bell sounded. KUSHIDA and Rocky Romero locked up, with Romero trying to use a weight advantage to force KUSHIDA backwards into the corner, just for KUSHIDA to try and turn it around; the war of arms breaking into a firing spree by the corner, where Romero suddenly turned the lock-up into an armdrag, restarting the exchange with KUSHIDA slightly hesitant to try again. The duo locked up a second time, this time with KUSHIDA hitting an armdrag on Romero, which caused "Azucar" to back up slightly. He got to a vertical basis from one knee, looking quite impressed by the challenge, which is when a third lock-up ended with KUSHIDA forcing Romero into the corner - forcing the clean break from the referee, and KUSHIDA respectfully accepted...just to get kicked in the gut by Romero suddenly. Rocky fired with several forearms to the face of KUSHIDA, then sent him off the ropes, just for KUSHIDA to come back with a front dropkick that sent Rocky backwards into the corner; KUSHIDA demanding that Rocky step up his game, as the Korakuen crowd responded positively. Romero slowly got to his feet, as KUSHIDA tempted Romero to get involved with a test of strength knucklelock - just to receive several thigh kicks targeting the leg of Romero, until Rocky blocked one and took the leg, then roped KUSHIDA in for a lariat taking the "Supernova" down! The mainstay of the junior heavyweight tag team division was now getting the better of the game, former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, with Romero picking KUSHIDA up and clubbing him across the back of the head, then sending him into the corner and setting up possibly for the Forever Clotheslines in the corner - just for KUSHIDA to dodge at the last second, and KUSHIDA nailed Rocky with a step-up enzuigiri!
KUSHIDA was taking control again now, in the midst of a back and forth main event with the former four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion - KUSHIDA connecting with several kicks targeting the waistline and side of Romero, before propping him on the second turnbuckle; KUSHIDA looking to fly now as he climbed up, but Rocky managed to get in several shots on the body causing KUSHIDA to stumble down to the mat - but when Rocky went to fly himself, KUSHIDA cut him off with a handspring; his feet catching Rocky in the side of the face! Romero fell to the mat, as KUSHIDA went to the second rope this time, a front dropkick connecting on Romero but for two, as Romero stayed in this match. KUSHIDA picked Rocky up and went in with forearms for Romero, but Rocky responded with an eye poke followed up with a sudden European uppercut; Romero darting off the ropes, KUSHIDA attempting to leapfrog over him, but Rocky caught him and came crashing down with a big back body drop! "Azucar" pointed to his temple, implying knowledge as the winning factor in that exchange, as Romero picked KUSHIDA up and followed suit with a lungblower; the knees driven into the middle extremities of the "Supernova", but a two count only sufficed, as KUSHIDA stayed alive in this match. The crowd was pro-KUSHIDA, as Rocky picked KUSHIDA up after the kickout, Romero with a knee to the gut before hitting the ropes - KUSHIDA coming at Rocky however with a second dropkick to the chest, KUSHIDA with the snapmare to Romero followed by the cartwheel into a dropkick, just catching Romero in the face! KUSHIDA kept going as he soccer kicked Romero in the ribs whilst crawling, the "Supernova" not letting up as he picked Rocky Romero up and attempted to suplex him, just for Rocky to cut him off with a kick to the abdomen: Romero punching KUSHIDA to calm him down - then draping him over the top rope, possibly looking for the springboard dropkick to the draped KUSHIDA, but when Romero went to the apron, KUSHIDA landed himself on the apron, then connected with a step-up enzuigiri catching Rocky! KUSHIDA followed, applying a triangle choke over the top of the ring post now, with Romero struggling in the hold and groaning for assistance - the referee forced to try and break the hold, whilst KUSHIDA landed on his feet on the floor. KUSHIDA went around ringside whilst Romero recovered from the illegal submission, but found that "Azucar" was playing possum, Romero coming charging off the ring apron with a high knee catching KUSHIDA in the jaw!
This match continued out on the floor, with Rocky Romero only again pointing to his forearm, then tossing KUSHIDA down by the aisleway and returning to the ring. The referee initiated his count to twenty, as the "Supernova" showed no signs of moving, at least for the initial count. KUSHIDA slowly got to his feet and stumbled to the side of the ring apron, but just before he could act, Romero executed a baseball slide, cutting the "Supernova" off! Romero cackled evilly, as KUSHIDA remained down on the floor, Romero then going out after him and kicking him in the chest whilst propped against the apron. Romero rolled KUSHIDA back into the ring, and Rocky looked for a springboard crossbody; getting nothing as KUSHIDA rolled out of the way; Romero then ducked a lariat attempt by KUSHIDA and hit the ropes - clinging on horizontally whilst cackling; the gargoyle of Roppongi however cut off as KUSHIDA once again nailed a forward handspring kick, knocking Romero back into the ring! KUSHIDA slid to the apron, where he came off the top rope with a springboard brain chop, Romero going down for two, as KUSHIDA tried to follow up with a variation of the cross-armbreaker, simply trying to stretch outwards the limb of "Azucar", whilst the crowd were supportive of Romero now, to an extent. KUSHIDA's attempt went awry when Rocky managed to use his arm strength to free himself; Romero then charging at KUSHIDA in the corner, just to receive a flatliner taking him down into the bottom half of the corner pad! KUSHIDA followed with a charging dropkick to the head of Romero; KUSHIDA on a roll now as he connected with a northern lights suplex, only getting two this time as Romero remained active. KUSHIDA went back for the arm, wrenching it over his shoulder outwards: KUSHIDA looking to weaken the arm of "Azucar" and keep him on standby, potentially for a Hoverboard Lock shortly. KUSHIDA went for an armringer, just for Romero to block it: Romero then lighting KUSHIDA up with two slaps; KUSHIDA coming back with some lit chest kicks; KUSHIDA following with some slaps of his own, and a buzzsaw kick followed! KUSHIDA went up to the top rope, looking for the moonsault - which connected, and the "Supernova" covered just for two, as Romero kicked out again! KUSHIDA was wondering what to do, as he lined "Azucar" up in the corner, looking to charge just for Romero to sidestep and begin the Forever Clotheslines, garnering a big ovation for them! Romero followed with four eventually, then looked for a hurricanrana, but KUSHIDA rolled backwards and looked for the Hoverboard Lock; Romero able to break it with a fast and wise eye rake! Romero backed up as KUSHIDA came at Rocky with a hurricanrana this time, the roll-up attempt getting two, as KUSHIDA nipped back to his feet and found himself up for the Kurayami Piledriver; Romero ready to execute it, but KUSHIDA latched the arm of Romero, and just like that the Hoverboard Lock was held in tight! Romero tried to fight it, falling to the mat in pain, and KUSHIDA scored the win with Romero forced into submission!
Winner: KUSHIDA (2pts, 1-0) in 15:52 [***½] Two for two was the Time Splitters in singles action tonight, Alex Shelley previously being able to beat Barreta, and now KUSHIDA had been declared victorious over Rocky Romero in an enthralling main event to the first night of Best of the Super Juniors XXII! KUSHIDA celebrated on all corners, whilst Romero rolled out of the ring and began to head for the back, holding his arm in pain. Romero was moving on to face Ryusuke Taguchi on May 25 in Niigata, whereas KUSHIDA's next stop was Saitama tomorrow night, where he'd be facing one-half of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, Nick Jackson.
But before anything, KUSHIDA got the house microphone and began to address the fans of Korakuen Hall, thanking them for the support. The "Supernova" spoke to the people saying that it's not every day the junior heavyweight division shines like it has tonight. In fact, it's annually, when the Best of the Super Juniors tournament arrives, that the crowd get to see as much of him as they have here. He said it's a shame, because he loves the junior heavyweight class - and that the juniors should not be thought of as an afterthought because of being smaller than some of the heavyweights - or even the openweight classes. KUSHIDA said he's been in several Best of the Super Juniors tournaments before, coming closer each year - but this year, the twenty-second annual tournament - he wants to win it. Because he believes that he has the power to make the junior class better than anything since the good old days. He wants to bring change and rebuild the juniors division - but first, he needs to win his first Best of the Super Juniors. He thanked Korakuen for listening, wishing everybody a good night - the first night of Best of the Super Juniors XXII coming to a close!
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Post by DTP. on Apr 28, 2016 8:08:19 GMT -5
BLOCK A | Alex Shelley | Barreta | Bobby Fish | Dragon Lee | Gedo | Jushin Liger | Kamaitachi | Matt Sydal | Alex Shelley | XXX | Alex Shelley | Day 2 - Saitama May 23, 2015 | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Barreta | Alex Shelley | XXX | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 2 - Saitama May 23, 2015 | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Bobby Fish | Day 2 - Saitama May 23, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | XXX | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Matt Sydal | Dragon Lee | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 2 - Saitama May 23, 2015 | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | XXX | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Kamaitachi | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Gedo | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | XXX | Jushin Liger | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 3 - Niigata May 25, 2015 | Jushin Liger | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Jushin Liger | XXX
| Day 3 - Niigata May 25, 2015 | Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Kamaitachi | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Kamaitachi | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 3 - Niigata May 25, 2015 | XXX
| Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Matt Sydal | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Matt Sydal | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Day 3 - Niigata May 25, 2015 | Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | XXX |
BLOCK B | Bárbaro Cavernario | KUSHIDA | Kyle O'Reilly | Máscara Dorada | Nick Jackson | Rocky Romero | Ryusuke Taguchi | Tiger Mask | Bárbaro Cavernario | XXX | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 3 - Niigata May 25, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Tiger Mask | KUSHIDA | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | XXX
| Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 2 - Saitama May 23, 2015 | KUSHIDA | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Kyle O'Reilly | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Kyle O'Reilly | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 2 - Saitama May 23, 2015 | Máscara Dorada | Day 3 - Niigata May 25, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Máscara Dorada | Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Nick Jackson | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 2 - Saitama May 23, 2015 | Kyle O'Reilly
| Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Rocky Romero | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | KUSHIDA | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | XXX
| Day 3 - Niigata May 25, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Ryusuke Taguchi | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Máscara Dorada
| Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Day 3 - Niigata May 25, 2015 | | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Tiger Mask | Tiger Mask | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Day 2 - Saitama May 23, 2015
| Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | |
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Post by DTP. on Apr 28, 2016 11:36:45 GMT -5
BLOCK A | Pts | Pts | BLOCK B | Jushin Liger | 2 | 2 | Tiger Mask | Matt Sydal | 2 | 2 | Máscara Dorada | Kamaitachi | 2 | 2 | Kyle O'Reilly | Alex Shelley | 2 | 2 | KUSHIDA | Barreta | 0 | 0 | Rocky Romero | Dragon Lee | 0 | 0 | Nick Jackson | Bobby Fish | 0 | 0 | Ryusuke Taguchi | Gedo | 0 | 0 | Bárbaro Cavernario |
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Post by DTP. on Apr 28, 2016 12:27:09 GMT -5
| NJPW BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS 2015 - DAY TWOSaturday, May 23, 2015 - Kuki City Gymnasium - Kuki, Saitama
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The opening signature aired, welcoming us to a New Japan Pro Wrestling 2015 presentation. Up next came a preview of things to come with a video package looking back in hindsight at the history of the Best of Super Juniors tournament. In the past, twenty-one men have gone on to win the tournament, including names such as Jushin Thunder Liger, Black Tiger, El Samurai, Koji Kanemoto. Tiger Mask, Minoru Tanaka, Milano Collection A.T., Prince Devitt, Kota Ibushi, Ryusuke Taguchi and Ricochet. This year opens up a whole new year of the tournament, with sixteen men divided into two blocks all set to compete for a chance to win this year's Best of the Super Juniors, and go on to challenge for Kenny Omega's IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. Visual graphics highlighted the forthcoming night of competition - the opening night of Best of the Super Juniors XXII!Live in Kuki City Gymnasium was night two of the twenty-second annual Best of the Super Juniors tournament; the crowd humbly awaiting the night of action whilst Kimihiko Ozaki stood in the centre of the ring to announce the forthcoming card.
- Jay White vs David Finlay
- Héroes Voladores (Jushin Liger & Máscara Dorada) & Sho Tanaka vs Kamaitachi, Bárbaro Cavernario & Yohei Komatsu
- CHAOS (Gedo & Rocky Romero) vs Matt Sydal & Ryusuke Taguchi
- Tiger Mask (2pts, 1-0) vs Kyle O'Reilly (2pts, 1-0) in a Best of the Super Juniors B Block match
- Bobby Fish (0pts, 0-1) vs Alex Shelley (2pts, 1-0) in a Best of the Super Juniors A Block match
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Captain New Japan vs BULLET CLUB (Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall)
- KUSHIDA (2pts, 1-0) vs Nick Jackson (0pts, 0-1) in a Best of the Super Juniors B Block match
- Barreta (0 pts, 0-1) vs Dragon Lee (0pts, 0-1) in a Best of the Super Juniors A Block match
- G.B.H. (Daisuke Sekimoto, Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe) & Meiyu Tag (Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto) vs CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazuchika Okada, YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano)
1. Jay White def. David Finlay in 8:43 after the Boston crab. This was David Finlay's in-ring debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling.
2. Héroes Voladores (Jushin Thunder Liger & Máscara Dorada) & Sho Tanaka def. Kamaitachi, Bárbaro Cavernario & Yohei Komatsu in 9:22 after the Dorada Screwdriver on Cavernario.
3. Matt Sydal & Ryusuke Taguchi def. CHAOS (Gedo & Rocky Romero) in 10:39 after the Shooting Star Press by Sydal on Gedo.
4. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS B BLOCK MATCH TIGER MASK (2pts, 1-0) vs KYLE O'REILLY (2pts, 1-0)It was a good night for both Tiger Mask and Kyle O'Reilly last night in Korakuen Hall, the site of the opening night of the Best of the Super Juniors XXII; both men being victorious in their first tournament matches of the B block - however tonight in Kuki City, it was time to see who would lead the block with an important match between the two point-scorers with two points on the line for the victor here. The NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion came to the ring looking prepared for this one, whilst Kyle O'Reilly looked all the same - determined to wash the taste out of his mouth after an abysmal month of May for the Canadian native Kyle O'Reilly: who, alongside Bobby Fish of ReDRagon, lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships on May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku, and then lost the ROH World Tag Team Championships to the Addiction on May 16 in Toronto for Ring of Honor. The stakes were high, as Kyle O'Reilly offered a handshake that went accepted by Tiger Mask, this bout kicking off with O'Reilly issuing a test of strength challenge to Tiger Mask; who remained reluctant to accept, booting Kyle's hands down. The two entered a grip, with Kyle O'Reilly using his amateur wrestling background to try and wrestle Tiger Mask to the mat, but Tiger held his ground, going behind on Kyle and attempting to take him down, just for O'Reilly to take the veteran down with a single leg takedown. O'Reilly did a spinning toehold on Tiger Mask, trying to stretch the leg out, but Tiger Mask managed to block his pursuit, the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion tripping him up backwards, then morphing the hold into a hammerlock, quickly reversed by O'Reilly who responded with a side headlock transitioned into a front face lock. O'Reilly kept trying to transition the hold, but Tiger Mask continued to be quick for his age, the middle-aged veteran twisting out of it, applying a high wristlock from a kneeling position - until Kyle broke free, and immediately kicked Tiger Mask in the chest, breaking the sparring session between the two men. This time Tiger got to his feet and offered the test of strength, with Kyle quickly getting into the knucklelock and connecting with a monkeyflip, as Kyle mounted Tiger Mask; trying to break the arched Tiger Mask's state in breaking down his leg strength, repeatedly mounting and leaping onto the thigh muscles of the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, until Tiger Mask put his feet on the waist of O'Reilly to bring himself to his feet, Tiger Mask whipping Kyle off the ropes and looking at a diving crossbody, just to receive a kick to the chest for his worries!
The gloves were off now, with Kyle O'Reilly going after the arm of Tiger Mask, seated over it and attacking with a hip attack to the stretched limb; O'Reilly looking for a second one, just for Tiger Mask to shove him off and take him down with a waistlock takedown; Tiger Mask spinning around on O'Reilly's shoulders and connecting with a front dropkick, taking O'Reilly back slightly. The NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, with twenty years of experience, kicked the thighs of O'Reilly, but Kyle quickly responded with a forearm to break it, O'Reilly following with an uppercut just for Tiger Mask to cut him off with a spinkick to the abdomen. Tiger Mask hit the ropes and this time was successful with the crossbody, before he body slammed Kyle and went up to the top rope looking for a diving senton splash; O'Reilly managing to move out of the way! Kyle dropped a knee over the bend elbow of Tiger Mask, looking to begin working away at it as he proved by applying a legscissors over the arm; Kyle trying to stretch it out, but Tiger Mask managed to free himself with several elbows. O'Reilly broke the hold, then looked for a quick Sharpshooter attempt, just for Tiger Mask to kick him away and grapple him into an inside cradle, only getting two. Back on their feet, Tiger Mask caught O'Reilly with a right hand; the punch rocking O'Reilly and sending him into the corner, where Tiger Mask quickly nailed Kyle with a chest kick; O'Reilly stunned and in the centre of the ring, whilst Tiger Mask went up top; O'Reilly tried to stop him with a big boot attempt, but Tiger Mask pounded him away with a right had. Tiger Mask connected with a diving crossbody, the cover only getting two as O'Reilly managed to kick out. Tiger Mask looked at a double underhook, possibly for a Tiger Bomb, but O'Reilly managed to free himself, then attempted to take Tiger down to the mat with an armbar; Tiger Mask quickly rolling himself free, coming off the ropes and going for the sunset flip - which O'Reilly managed to fight off, then applying the ARMageddon, the cross-armbreaker looking to end this bout; but Tiger Mask reached the ropes just in time! Tiger Mask held onto his arm whilst O'Reilly approached him for another forearm, but an open hand chop from Tiger Mask stopped this, who then attempted a Millenium Suplex; just for O'Reilly to trip Tiger Mask looking for a leg submission; Tiger Mask kicking him away with all of his might. Tiger Mask caught Kyle O'Reilly trying to go to the second rope for a diving attack and met him up there - the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion propping him on the top rope and looking at delivering a double underhook suplex - just blocked as O'Reilly knocked Tiger Mask off, and followed by getting down and connecting with a crane kick followed by a rolling elbow stunning Tiger; the butterfly suplex by O'Reilly transitioned into ARMageddon - and Tiger Mask was forced to tap out!
Winner: Kyle O'Reilly (4pts, 2-0) in 8:31 [***¼]One half of ReDRagon was successful tonight in Kuki City, with Kyle O'Reilly winning his second tournament bout and gaining the lead with 4 points in the B block against Tiger Mask! O'Reilly's partner Bobby Fish would be in action momentarily, taking on Alex Shelley; but O'Reilly celebrated his win, next scheduled for competition on May 27 in Aomori against Rocky Romero. On the contrary, Tiger Mask, despite the loss tonight left with his head held high - still leading against two other men in the B block - the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion next scheduled for combat on May 26 in Yamagata when he takes on Máscara Dorada.
5. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS A BLOCK MATCH BOBBY FISH (0pts, 0-1) vs ALEX SHELLEY (2pts, 1-0)Alex Shelley had quite a successful night in Korakuen Hall on opening night of the tournament yesterday, managing to successfully defeat Barreta in an even bout, whereas Bobby Fish fell into the unsuccessful category, where he was defeated by Matt Sydal in Sydal's New Japan Pro Wrestling debut. Fish was really feeling the pressure of losing both the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team and ROH World Tag Team Championships this month; not the same that could be said about ReDRagon partner Kyle O'Reilly, who walked away from Korakuen Hall with a win of his own, and to top it off won again moments prior, defeating Tiger Mask to become the leader of the B block with 4 points. Fish therefore came into this not wishing to shake hands with Alex Shelley; and the match got under way with Fish connecting with two kicks targeted at the thigh of Alex Shelley; Shelley however, seeing it coming and immediately responding with several kicks to Fish's legs, Alex getting in a headlock takedown, but Fish with a history in mixed martial arts, able to switch it around and take Shelley down with a headlock takedown of his own, Fish then attempting to switch over to focusing on the legs of Shelley - Alex luckily able to grab onto the bottom rope forcing the break - Bobby Fish certainly motivated going into this bout; the second match of the tournament for both men. Shelley backed away, "Made in Detroit" perhaps making a wise decision, as Fish looked around him to a warm reaction from the Kuki City crowd; whilst Shelley got back to his feet. The two locked up, but again Fish picked at the leg and took Shelley down; Alex able to block Fish's attempts to go after his legs, kicking him off - and back on their feet, Shelley nailed Bobby Fish with an armdrag, following up with an armlock that he momentarily turned into a crucifix pin; Fish out at one, as Bobby Fish got back up and nailed Shelley with a forearm - Alex managing to return the favor, but Fish delivered a knee into the abdomen of Shelley - the ReDRagon member with a snapmare followed by a kick to the back of Shelley, before immediately targeting the leg again with a stomp to the foot of "Made in Detroit". Bobby Fish picked up the leg and attempted to slam it into the mat, but Shelley backwards rolled Fish through the ropes to the apron - and Shelley followed with a jawbreaker knocking Fish jaw first into the top rope; Fish falling to the floor; as Shelley followed with a big body attack topé through the ropes, Shelley taking Fish down!
This appeared to have gone wrong however, as Alex Shelley favored his foot getting back up, "Made in Detroit" Alex Shelley trying to hide the weak spot, as he sent Bobby Fish back inside and lined Fish up in the corner - immediately charging for a back elbow in the corner, but Fish kicked Shelley in the leg again, immediately following with a shinbreaker taking Shelley down to the mat; Fish immediately following suit with a step-over knee drop connected across the injured foot of Shelley - the landing from the topé moments earlier apparently harming Shelley's confidence, Fish now intent on making his mark on the foot. He stretched away at the foot of Shelley, trying to bend it whichever way he could; but Alex was still trying to fight it, eventually kicking Fish in the head to knock him off the hold; and Shelley got back up and charged at Fish, just for Bobby to take him down with a drop toe hold; a kneebar-type submission following with Shelley groaning in pain, as Fish wrenched away at the foot, all of the pressure controlled on the foot of "Made in Detroit". Bobby Fish appeared to be softening Shelley up for the Fish Hook heel hold, but Shelley remained vigilant, managing to get himself to the ropes, prompting the break. Fish broke the hold, but immediately tried to drag Shelley back into the centre - Shelley however able to drop toe hold Fish this time, and Shelley connected with a front dropkick to the side of the temple, Shelley slow to get back up this time. Fish met him up and charged Shelley, who sidestepped a shoulder tackle and connected with a bulldog to Fish, covering for a near fall - as you could tell Shelley just wanted to get this match out of the way now. Shelley followed with a legsweep with his good leg, tripping Fish up into a cradle, but Fish locked in a sleeper as a way to free himself; Fish with the bodyscissors on Alex Shelley, until the Time Splitter managed to put a foot on the bottom rope. Bobby Fish was showing his technical prowess in this match, a submission specialist with a background in striking as well, while Fish got back up and stomped on the foot of Shelley again. He placed Shelley's foot on the bottom rope and used the elevation from the bottom rope to spring up and down with a hip attack to the foot; but a second one backfired, as Shelley booted Fish in the rear, sending him out to the floor for a second time in this match! Shelley slid onto the apron, where he aimed for a running knee off of the apron; but Fish managed to catch Shelley as he came down, a dragon screw taking Shelley down on the floor! Alex Shelley appeared to be in a bad way now, as Bobby Fish placed Shelley's foot between the bars of the ringside barrier; Fish placed his foot directly on the ankle of "Made in Detroit", before delivering several swift kicks; the relentless Bobby Fish then sliding back into the ring whilst the ring-out count began to be made by the referee. Shelley freed himself from the barrier, then climbed back into the ring slowly at the count of sixteen; Fish immediately there and following with a second dragon screw; before the twist motion, getting in several more kicks to the good leg of Shelley for good measure. Fish nipped to the apron and came back with a slingshot knee drop catching Shelley across the jaw - Fish covering, but Shelley got a shoulder up! Fish tried to figure out what was next, as he picked Shelley up and attempted to go for a suplex, but Shelley managed to land on his feet behind Fish; hopping on one leg, and connecting with a neckbreaker taking Fish down! Alex Shelley was moving again, albeit through the pain on his one leg, Shelley sending Fish off the ropes and connecting with a belly-to-belly suplex; followed up by a single legged dropkick - Shelley now on the attack, a running knee to the abdomen of Fish in the corner; but he still favored his foot, as Fish now was dazed in a seated position - and Shelley shook off the pain in his foot, charging the ropes and connecting with a huge soccer kick to the chest of Fish with his good foot! Shelley covered, but Fish managed to kick out still, not down yet! Shelley went up to the top rope, apparently looking for something big as Bobby Fish slowly regained his composure and reached his feet; sidestepping a double foot stomp attempt from Shelley, who appeared to blow out his leg on the move; Fish suddenly clocking Shelley with the Flying Fish Hook knee to the jaw; Fish covering, but Shelley would not stay down! Fish was pounding the mat in frustration, wanting to end this against Shelley once and for all but to no avail yet in this highly competitive tournament bout. Fish got up and connected with a sit-out suplex, the cover again getting two, as Shelley was becoming more and more defensive! Fish immediately switched to a single legged Boston crab; attempting to put Shelley down with Fish holding the bad foot of Shelley in his hands with precision; just mutilating the foot with these hyperextensions. Shelley appeared to be on the verge of tapping out, but Shelley made the ropes for a third time in this match. Fish slowly went over to approach Shelley, picking him up and setting him into the corner, whilst Fish attempted to go for the Space Rolling Elbow; the handspring looking for a back elbow in the corner only getting Shelley's elbow however, as Shelley then attempted to go for Sliced Bread #2; Fish throwing Shelley behind him, and Alex went down to his knees favoring the limb; Fish brutally catching Shelley with a roundhouse kick to the skull! Fish lined Shelley up, and took him down with the Sleeping With the Fishes spinkick to the skull again, and Fish had Shelley down for the count.
Winner: Bobby Fish (2pts, 1-1) in 11:34 [***¾]When the dust settled, Bobby Fish had gained two points, successful in gaining his first win of the tournament - although the ReDragon member arguably did so thanks to his relentless, ruthless attitude adopted going into this bout. Alex Shelley remained down, favoring his ankle whilst Fish celebrated the win; the second of two wins for ReDRagon tonight following Kyle O'Reilly's win earlier; Fish next scheduled for tournament action in Aomori on May 27 against Dragon Lee. Alex Shelley brought the first loss for the Time Splitters potentially tonight, with KUSHIDA set for battle against Nick Jackson later tonight; Shelley next scheduled for a tournament bout on May 27 in Aomori as well, facing Gedo.
- 20 MINUTE INTERMISSION -
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Captain New Japan def. BULLET CLUB (Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall) in 9:28 after the Cloverleaf by Tanahashi on Hall.
7. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS B BLOCK MATCH KUSHIDA (2pts, 1-0) vs NICK JACKSON (0pts, 0-1)The second B block bout of the night was up next, with the "Supernova" KUSHIDA, coming off of a main event win against Rocky Romero, followed by an emotional speech last night at Korakuen Hall - going up against one-half of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, Nick Jackson of the Young Bucks and the Bullet Club. Nick Jackson didn't have an eventful night last night, as he was defeated by Kyle O'Reilly; however he was out for a win tonight, stepping inside alone - no Matt Jackson on this tour, and his Bullet Club comrades nowhere to be seen, with Cody Hall just having been in action. Nick, usually arrogant, offered KUSHIDA a handshake to kick off the bout - and despite KUSHIDA's reluctance, his own morals knew that he must accept it out of honor...but nothing had changed, as Nick Jackson roped KUSHIDA in for a sucker punch, Nick Jackson continuing with several punches; Jackson sending KUSHIDA off the ropes, but the "Supernova" came back with a handspring that Nick sidestepped; Jackson looking for a superkick early - but KUSHIDA dodged it and connected with a superkick taking Jackson down! KUSHIDA brought Nick back up to a vertical basis, KUSHIDA with several forearms in Nick's direction, before shooting him off the ropes; Nick however springing over the top and flipping onto the apron - Nick then headed up to the top rope; but KUSHIDA saw it coming, catching Nick in mid-air with a dropkick to the abdomen, sending Nick out to the floor! Jackson tried to catch a breather, but KUSHIDA was not going to allow him any extra second of fresh air - demonstrated by KUSHIDA going up to the top rope and connecting with a somersault senton connecting and crashing down on the shoulders of Nick, taking him down again! KUSHIDA was on fire tonight in Kuki City, as he picked Nick up off the floor, trying to follow up just for Nick to come out of nowhere with a knee to the gut; Nick then sending KUSHIDA crashing over the barriers and into the crowd area. Nick followed him, whilst the referee initiated the ring out count; Nick delivering some more rights to the face of KUSHIDA; KUSHIDA however trying to fight him off with some thigh kicks - Nick cutting him off with an uppercut now - and Nick sent KUSHIDA all the way up the aisleway, before rushing back to the ring! The referee was at the count of eleven, but despite the curveball thrown by Nick, KUSHIDA was able to sluggishly come back to the ring, breaking the count at eighteen!
It appeared that this was Nick Jackson's intention all along, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion stomping on KUSHIDA to disallow him to get up and mount any offense. Nick Jackson picked KUSHIDA up and sent him into the corner, where he used the top rope for balance in raising a leg up and choking the "Supernova" in the corner; Nick then backing away to break the illegal hold. Nick charged at KUSHIDA with a corner dropkick, but KUSHIDA sidestepped it, and KUSHIDA came in with a cannonball to Jackson in the corner! KUSHIDA picked Nick Jackson up slowly, an arm ringer catching Nick by surprise, as KUSHIDA followed with a hip attack across the arm of Jackson: the theme of working over a bodypart and wearing it down being a recurring theme tonight continuing. KUSHIDA picked Jackson up and bodyslammed him before going up to the top rope; a moonsault coming, just for Nick to roll out of the way - but the "Supernova" landed on his feet, and the California native connected with a sharp superkick! KUSHIDA fell down to the mat, as Nick covered - but KUSHIDA managed to kick out before the three. Nick appeared surprised but determined to do more work to the "Supernova"; getting him in a front facelock on the mat; Nick preserving his stamina whilst exhausting a struggling KUSHIDA at the same time. To apply further pressure Nick began doing handstands with the facelock applied, trying to wear the "Supernova" down - but he did this one too many times, and KUSHIDA broke out, then catching Nick with a Pelé kick! Nick Jackson was stunned as he came off the ropes - blocked by KUSHIDA, who executed the forward handspring, both feet connecting with Nick's face! KUSHIDA followed with a corner assisted tornado DDT, covering - but Jackson managed to kick out! Nick slowly responded whilst KUSHIDA had his head lined up, KUSHIDA attempting a buzzsaw roundhouse kick - but Nick ducked it, then rolled KUSHIDA up in a schoolboy for two - a second superkick by Jackson connecting with the jaw of KUSHIDA, stammering him! Nick attempted to follow by going to the top rope, but KUSHIDA cut him off with a dropkick to the rear! KUSHIDA went up and attempted a top rope hurricanrana on Jackson - but Jackson managed to somehow shove him off, KUSHIDA falling to the mat. Jackson went to the apron, and connected with a slingshot into a facebuster in the ring, Jackson covering for two, as KUSHIDA would not stay down. Jackson pondered what to do next, which is when he lined KUSHIDA up for a shining wizard; KUSHIDA dodging it and getting a victory roll attempt on Nick - who used all of his upper body strength to turn it into a cover of his own - his feet on the bottom rope - and Nick Jackson had stole a victory!
Winner: Nick Jackson (2pts, 1-1) in 10:34 [***½] The Kuki City crowd voiced their displeasure with the sly Young Buck; Nick Jackson having stole the win from KUSHIDA, giving the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion his first win of the tournament. Jackson celebrated like crazy on his way to the back, whilst the "Supernova" looked back in dissatisfaction with the loss. KUSHIDA's chances of evening the score with B block leader Kyle O'Reilly was thwarted tonight, thanks to Nick Jackson, who was now entering the pack of scorers in this tournament! Nick was moving on to face Ryusuke Taguchi in his next tournament bout on May 26 in Yamagata; whereas KUSHIDA would move on to Aomori on May 27 to take on Bárbaro Cavernario.
8. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS A BLOCK MATCH BARRETA (0pts, 0-1) vs DRAGON LEE (0pts, 0-1)The final tournament match of the Best of the Super Juniors XXII in Kuki City was upon us, with Dragon Lee and Barreta, two men that failed to win any points in Korakuen Hall last night, going at it with the premise being that one man would walk out a winner; whereas the loser would leave Kuki City at the bottom of the A block with zero points - at least until May 25 in Niigata. Barreta, coming off of a loss to Alex Shelley last night, was out here poised for victory; one-half of Roppongi Vice in action here against someone he has never faced before, by the name of Dragon Lee. The luchador from Jalisco, Mexico; the current reigning CMLL World Lightweight Champion who only turned twenty years old last week, had an impressive showing last night at Korakuen in Tokyo, coming up slightly short of Kamaitachi, and had developed a cult following in Japan in such a short time. Barreta talked trash to Dragon Lee, telling the masked Mexican that his ass was grass tonight; the bell sounded as both men shook hands. They circled the ring before locking up, Barreta using his height advantage to get an opening on Dragon Lee, a side headlock applied. Dragon Lee however wanted to run, as he forced Barreta into the ropes; Barreta however coming back with a shoulder block. Barreta hit the ropes again, whilst Dragon Lee dropped down, then sprung up and leapfrogged over Barreta - not once but twice - coming back with a hurricanrana catching Barreta and taking him across the ring! Barreta seemed to be caught off guard by this, Dragon Lee then sending a charging Barreta off the ropes; a baseball slide between Barreta's legs perfectly pulled off by Dragon Lee; but Barreta came back and struck Dragon Lee with a knee to the gut, Barreta feeling proud of himself, but when sending Dragon Lee back into the ropes, Dragon Lee connected with a front dropkick, taking Barreta out to the apron! Dragon Lee was nonstop, as he built to his feet and saw Barreta on the apron, a leaping kick catching Barreta and knocking him out to the floor! Dragon Lee saw Barreta down and climbed out to the apron, running across the apron and looking for a hurricanrana; but Barreta anticipated it, a big powerbomb dropping Dragon Lee right into the barriers at ringside! Barreta gave Dragon a forearm before rolling him back inside, Barreta covering just for Dragon Lee to miraculously kick out. Barreta applied a chinlock on Dragon, trying to slow the CMLL World Lightweight Champion down whilst Kuki City Gymnasium watched on.
Barreta kept it snug and applied, whilst Dragon Lee slowly tried to get back up to a vertical basis; Barreta attempting to tug on the mask of Dragon, but Lee came out of it with several kicks to the leg of Barreta, just for Barreta to then knee Dragon Lee in the gut. The Roppongi partier slammed Dragon backwards into the mat, before covering for a pretty quick reaction from the Mexican; the American puzzled as he picked Dragon Lee up and sent him into the corner, a high knee to the chest catching Dragon and taking him down to the mat. Barreta was attempting to slow down Dragon Lee here and it appeared to be working, as Barreta then climbed to the second rope and looked for something, just for Dragon Lee to stop his opponent dead in his tracks, a leaping hurricanrana taking Barreta down to the mat for a near fall, Barreta turning it into a sunset flip; but Dragon rolled back onto his feet, hitting the ropes and then connecting with a sliding dropkick catching Barreta off-guard! Dragon Lee waited for Barreta to reach his feet before attempting a German suplex, Barreta managing to block it and go behind for one of his own; which Dragon Lee then backflipped onto his feet, a superkick catching Barreta and sending him dazed! Groggy, one-half of Roppongi Vice was stunned whilst Dragon Lee followed up with a deadlift bridging German suplex, the cover however only getting two as Barreta managed to kick out! Dragon wondered what he had to do further to get the win against Barreta here, looking to pick Barreta up - Barreta shoving him back, and a lariat took Dragon Lee down suddenly again! Barreta slowly got back up and connected with a standing moonsault, the cover only getting two however - as Dragon Lee still managed to power out. Barreta went back to the chinlock, attempting to keep the energetic and agile Dragon Lee down, but he slowly yet surely managed to built once again to his feet; Barreta looking to drag him back down, just for Dragon Lee to sweep Barreta into the ropes; Dragon Lee following with an enzuigiri taking Barreta through the ropes to the apron. Whilst the American reacted and got to his feet, Dragon Lee came charging across the ring, leaping over the top rope and landing on Barreta's shoulders, the hurricanrana taking Barreta crashing down to the floor! Kuki City gasped whilst Dragon Lee then got back inside the ring, waiting for Barreta to get back up; the referee instigating a count, which Barreta only reacted to when at the count of twelve. He slowly got back inside, breaking the count at nineteen.
Dragon Lee saw Barreta pretty much on his last legs here, and decided to go in for the kill against one-half of RPG Vice - Barreta however blocking a charging dropkick from Dragon Lee, following up with an enzuigiri taking Dragon Lee down! He stalked Dragon as the luchador stood in the corner in a dazed state; Barreta connecting with a bottom rope elevated elbow drop catching Dragon Lee in the corner! Barreta followed with a corner-assisted tornado DDT; the cover, just for Dragon Lee to kick out once again at two! Dragon Lee was not going to make this easy for Barreta to score a win, as Barreta looked back in disbelief at the resiliency of the CMLL World Lightweight Champion. With this, the American got ready to stalk Dragon Lee yet again, looking now for the Gobstopper; Barreta emerging, just for Dragon to catch Barreta with a kick to the chest! Dragon Lee followed with a discus lariat stunning Barreta slightly; Dragon Lee off the ropes, coming back with a big backflipping flatliner! Dragon covered, but this time Barreta kicked out, not letting Dragon Lee cause him another loss in the Best of the Super Juniors XXII! Dragon Lee immediately decided to go for a follow-up, attempting a backdrop suplex, but Barreta used his weight advantage to block it, Barreta going behind and attempting a German suplex again; Dragon blocking it and turning it into an armdrag; Dragon then kicking Barreta low, the powerbomb into a sitout suplex connecting for two; Barreta staying alive! It was becoming more and more obvious over time how neither man wanted to lose a second match in a row in a fast moving tournament such as the Best of the Super Juniors; as Dragon Lee decided to pick Barreta up and attempted to bring him over to the corner, Barreta however blocking Dragon's fireman's carry attempt, a superkick catching Dragon Lee on the jaw - Barreta soon hitting the ropes and coming back with a Gobstopper, but the cover once again only got two, as Dragon kicked out! There was no stopping Dragon Lee in this one, whilst Barreta and Dragon met each other slowly in the centre of the ring - Dragon with a open hand chop, Barreta with a forearm. Dragon came back with a forearm of his own, whilst Barreta struck Dragon with a punch. Barreta kneed Dragon in the abdomen, and Dragon kneed Barreta in the ribs in return - Barreta attempting a kick to the gut blocked, an enzuigiri ducked by Dragon Lee; Dragon Lee then picking Barreta up and looking for a suplex; Barreta blocking it and attempting one of his own; but Dragon nailed Barreta with a high knee to the face of Barreta, then followed up with a suplex into a package powerbomb; the bridge - and despite Barreta's struggle, Dragon Lee scored the win!
Winner: Dragon Lee (2pts, 1-1) in []Dragon Lee celebrated his win to a good reaction from Kuki City, another strong performance put on by the CMLL World Lightweight Champion in his second match of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament; Dragon Lee next moving on to face Bobby Fish on May 27 in Aomori; whereas Barreta was going away from this bout with another loss and zero points for him - next set to fight in this tournament on May 26 in Yamagata against Kamaitachi; Barreta rolling out of the ring hoping for better luck in his next bout.
9. CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazuchika Okada, YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano) def. G.B.H. (Daisuke Sekimoto, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma) & Meiyu Tag (Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto) in 18:29 after the sliding lariat by Ishii on Goto. After the match, CHAOS had fun with a group in-ring promo to please the crowd and close the show.
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Post by DTP. on May 4, 2016 18:50:36 GMT -5
| NJPW BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS 2015 - DAY THREEMonday, May 25, 2015 - Tsubame Citizen Gymnasium - Tsubame, Niigata
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The opening signature aired, welcoming us to a New Japan Pro Wrestling 2015 presentation. Up next came a preview of things to come with a video package looking back in hindsight at the history of the Best of Super Juniors tournament. In the past, twenty-one men have gone on to win the tournament, including names such as Jushin Thunder Liger, Black Tiger, El Samurai, Koji Kanemoto. Tiger Mask, Minoru Tanaka, Milano Collection A.T., Prince Devitt, Kota Ibushi, Ryusuke Taguchi and Ricochet. This year opens up a whole new year of the tournament, with sixteen men divided into two blocks all set to compete for a chance to win this year's Best of the Super Juniors, and go on to challenge for Kenny Omega's IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. Visual graphics highlighted the forthcoming night of competition - the opening night of Best of the Super Juniors XXII!
Night three of the 2015 Best of the Super Juniors; the twenty-second annual tournament arriving in Tsubame, Niigata, as Kimihiko Ozaki welcomed the audience to the show, running down the matches scheduled to take place tonight:
- Tiger Mask & Captain New Japan vs Jay White & David Finlay
- ReDRagon (Kyle O'Reilly & Bobby Fish) vs Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu
- Rocky Romero (0pts, 0-1) vs Ryusuke Taguchi (0pts, 0-1) in a Best of the Super Juniors B Block match
- Matt Sydal (2pts, 1-0) vs Gedo (0pts, 0-1) in a Best of the Super Juniors A Block match
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & The Time Splitters (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) vs BULLET CLUB (Yujiro Takahashi, Nick Jackson & Cody Hall)
- Kamaitachi (2pts, 1-0) vs Jushin Liger (2pts, 1-0) in a Best of the Super Juniors A Block match
- Máscara Dorada (2pts, 1-0) vs Bárbaro Cavernario (0pts, 0-1) in a Best of the Super Juniors B Block match
- Meiyu Tag (Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata) & Dragon Lee vs CHAOS (Barreta, YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano)
- CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii & Shinsuke Nakamura) vs G.B.H. (Togi Makabe, Daisuke Sekimoto & Tomoaki Honma)
1. Tiger Mask & Captain New Japan def. Jay White & David Finlay in 7:33 after the scissored armbar by Tiger Mask on Finlay.
2. ReDRagon (Kyle O'Reilly & Bobby Fish) def. Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu in 8:15 after the Chasing the Dragon by ReDRagon on Tanaka.
3. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS B BLOCK MATCH ROCKY ROMERO (0pts, 0-1) vs RYUSUKE TAGUCHI (0pts, 0-1)To kick off this night of tournament bouts as part of Best of the Super Juniors XXII was two men that have been mainstays in New Japan Pro Wrestling's junior heavyweight division throughout the past decade - and both did not have a great night on the opening night of the tournament on May 22 in Korakuen Hall. "Azucar" Rocky Romero fell in defeat to KUSHIDA in the main event, whereas Ryusuke Taguchi was unable to defeat Máscara Dorada. Romero came out boasting confidence with the Roppongi Vice theme song playing, Romero wanting to be the first of RPG Vice to score a win in this tournament thus far: as Barreta competed on the second night of the tournament in Kuki City, falling to Dragon Lee in an A Block match. On the contrary, "the Funky Weapon" Ryusuke Taguchi pranced down to the ring with a look of hysteria, the glasses covering his eyes as the colorful Taguchi came to the ring and took exception to Rocky Romero's eyepatch and robe, the 2012 winner of Best of the Super Juniors almost mocking him - which was met in return by Romero looking at Taguchi with his shirt and glasses, spanking his rear in the direction of Taguchi's eyesight. Ryusuke got annoyed by this visibly, removing his glasses and trying to face off with "Azucar" - then placing his arms in front of him and gyrating his rear to Rocky; Romero chuckling it off, then returning the favor by flexing his arms and popping his hips in return. This was now a game of taunt one-upmanship, with Taguchi then bending over and placing his head on the mat, placing his arms in front of him and taunting Romero again - but this was met by a dropkick to the rear of Taguchi; Ryusuke rolling the forward and falling to the floor, kickstarting this match! Rocky Romero followed Taguchi out to the floor and pulled his shirt over his head; Romero striking Taguchi several times in a hockey fight-like affair, before Rocky sent Taguchi bent over the barrier with his "Funky Weapon" in the air, and his shirt stuck over his head! Romero returned to the ring and got the crowd behind him, whilst the referee initiated the count on Taguchi, who got himself from over the barrier, but threw a temper tantrum at his item of merchandise being stuck over his own head. He dashed into the ring after a brief fit of annoyance at eighteen, Taguchi getting inside and pointing at Romero, all fired up now.
Romero squared off with Taguchi, a lock-up initiated, just for Taguchi to this time roll Romero backwards, Ryusuke Taguchi looking for the hip attack, but Rocky managed to roll out of the way just in time! Romero got a side headlock on Taguchi, which went blocked and reversed by Ryusuke, who applied a side headlock of his own, then lowered Romero's head positioning to place it against the "Funky Weapon" of the "Funky Weapon"; the Tsubame crowd applauding with humor, when Rocky suddenly turned it around and bit into the rear of Taguchi, causing him to try and fight him off, which he did as he backed Romero into the corner, connecting with multiple hip attacks to the face! Taguchi propped Romero in the corner and connected with a charging hip attack catching Romero in the abdomen, Taguchi following with a snapmare followed by a dropkick, though only getting two for his efforts. The winner of this match would still start a chance at getting a head start this early in the competition; however the loser would definitely be closer to the bottom of the table with zero wins under their belt. Ryusuke Taguchi picked Romero's head up and looked for more hip thrusts to the face and head of Romero, but Romero suddenly rolled Taguchi up for one, then followed with a lungblower sending Taguchi into the ropes. Romero sent Ryusuke off the ropes and looked to follow with a lariat; Taguchi ducking it, but as he did, he began to showboat - and Romero responded with an atomic drop catching Taguchi in his "Funky Weapon"! Romero followed with a knee to the gut followed by a European uppercut; Romero covering again, but Taguchi stayed alive in this bout. Romero locked in a headlock on Taguchi, attempting to slow the pace that had been set - but now the Niigata crowd were supportive of the former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, Taguchi attempting to work his way to his feet - but when he was nearly there, Romero released the grip and conneted with a hip thrust knocking Taguchi through a loop, and he left the ring completely angry over Rocky stealing his hip attacks! Taguchi had a little tantrum at ringside, which Romero made worse when he delivered a big dive through the ropes, the topé catching Taguchi and sending him spine-first into the barrier! Romero then went back to the apron and awaited Ryusuke to return to a vertical basis - looking for a running knee off the apron, but Taguchi caught him with a jumping hip attack taking Romero down!Ryusuke Taguchi rolled back inside now, with the tables turned from early on in this bout; the "Funky Weapon" getting inside and taunting whilst Rocky Romero recovered slowly at ringside, "Azucar" struggling to reach his feet, but when doing so, Taguchi followed with a big baseball slide catching Romero in the chest! Romero into the barriers, Taguchi rolled Romero into the ring, wanting to beat Romero via pinfall in this occasion whilst Romero had different ideas, Romero slowly finding himself free of Taguchi's pursuit and hitting the ropes, Romero however cut off by an enzuigiri from Taguchi! Romero stunned, Ryusuke followed with a falling front suplex, the cover only getting two however, as Rocky stayed alive still. Romero did not want to lose this any more than what Taguchi did, whilst Taguchi returned to his feet and attempted to go for a hurricanrana, just for Romero to turn it into a powerbomb; Romero following up with a suplex propping Taguchi over the top rope, his "Funky Weapon" in the air again during this bout. Rocky went to the ring apron and looked for a springboard dropkick, but Taguchi managed to move out of the way, slipping onto the apron himself - and Taguchi followed up with a springboard dropkick, only getting two as Romero kicked out! A balanced bout, Romero tried to recover as he leaned against the bottom rope - unfortunately a bad idea as Taguchi saw him reclining on the rope and looked for the sliding hip attack - Rocky however dodging the attempt, then connecting with a lariat! Taguchi sat up, and Rocky followed with a big soccer kick to the chest of "the Funky Weapon", covering only for two, as Taguchi kicked out this time. Ryusuke resorted to the corner, looking for some separate time to breathe - but Romero would allow none of it, connecting with the Forever Clothesline in the corner, doing so three times; Taguchi absorbing them however, then connecting with a hurricanrana sending Romero down into the corner. Taguchi saw him laid there and decided to do what he wanted now, connecting with three charging hip attacks in the corner, nailing Romero in the face! Taguchi looked to follow up with the Dodon, but Romero reversed it into a victory roll for two; Romero kicking Taguchi in the gut and looking for a Shiranui, but Taguchi landed on his knees behind him; the German suplex connecting! Romero was dazed, and Taguchi followed up with a sliding hip attack, covering Romero for the three count!
Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi (2pts, 1-1) in 9:38 [***]"The Funky Weapon" celebrated his win to applause from the Tsubame, Niigata crowd, Ryusuke Taguchi scoring his first win of the 2015 Best of the Super Juniors tournament. The winner of the 2012 edition, Taguchi was getting somewhere, whilst Rocky Romero remained with no points in his second loss. The RPG Vice member next competes on May 27 in Aomori against Kyle O'Reilly, whilst Taguchi was moving on to face Nick Jackson tomorrow night in Yamagata.
4. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS A BLOCK MATCH MATT SYDAL (2pts, 1-0) vs GEDO (0pts, 0-1) In our first of two A block matches tonight as part of the 2015 Best of the Super Juniors here in Tsubame, we saw "Reborn" Matt Sydal make his second appearance for New Japan Pro Wrestling, the former WWE Superstar coming into his second tournament bout after a great opening night in Korakuen Hall, where he managed to knock off a victory against Bobby Fish. Sydal's opponent tonight, on the contrary, was one of the most experienced members of this tournament; the veteran Gedo - the mouth behind Kazuchika Okada and the CHAOS faction, although the "Complete Fighter" did not have a successful night on May 22 in Korakuen Hall, being defeated by Jushin Thunder Liger on that night. This was a different night, as the two shook hands before the bell, Sydal adapting to the Japanese motives whilst bringing over a tradition from Ring of Honor with the Code of Honor. The duo locked up, Gedo managin to go behind on Sydal, then looking at a waistlock takedown, just for Sydal to block it using his height as an advantage; Sydal headed backwards prompting a clean break from the official. Sydal and Gedo tried one more time, with Sydal this time able to get a wristlock on Gedo; the "Complete Fighter" rolling through and applying one of his own before transitioning it into a hammerlock, into a drop toe hold, with Gedo applying a front facelock on Sydal. Matt came back by rolling out of it, before he reverted back to the wristlock, Sydal using the top rope for assistance as he flipped forward and arm dragged Gedo in one motion, the Niigata crowd humbly applauding the move. Gedo tried to shrug it off, as the two locked up again; this time Gedo immediately kicking Sydal in the abdomen, then raking the back. Gedo followed with a knee to the gut again, then followed suit with a big snapmare followed up with a kick to the back of "Reborn" Matt Sydal. The mentor of Kazuchika Okada was here to prove that he could still compete credibly in the Best of the Super Juniors tournament tonight, a former four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion alongside Jado, as part of the World Class Tag Team. Gedo applied a bodyscissors on Sydal, trying to keep the typically aerial fanatic on the mat out of harm's way, as Gedo attempting to apply a form of dragon sleeper on Sydal, just for Matt to clock Gedo with several back elbows, the American working his way out of the bodyscissors and sent Gedo into the ropes, Sydal leapfrogging over Gedo as he charged back, and he connected with a spinning wheel kick taking Gedo down!
The younger Sydal had Gedo where he wanted him whilst the "Complete Fighter" bailed out to the floor, "Reborn" looking to go airborne as he darted off the ropes, just for Gedo to dodge a topé attempt, Sydal with a rotating moonsault clearing the top rope; Sydal however landing on his feet - until Gedo came in with a shoulder block out on the floor! Gedo grabbed Sydal and brought him back into the ring, coming in and covering Sydal for a near fall. Gedo was starting to get more aggressive than previously, stomping at the foot of Matt and delivering a mat slam to the leg, just trying to ground the former WWE star as much as possible; Gedo obviously avoiding working at a disadvantage with an aerial specialist like Sydal. Gedo applied a kneeling kneebar, working over the lower leg of Matt, and Sydal struggled with the unique variation of the figure-four leglock; Gedo trying to keep Sydal away from the ropes at all cost, but Sydal managed to make the break. The "Complete Package" would not let Sydal mount much offense however - Gedo continuing with the stomps directed at the leg of "Reborn". He picked Sydal up and blocked Matt's attempt to break free, connecting with a shinbreaker and a stomp; Gedo attempting to go back for the kneebar just for Sydal to kick Gedo away - Gedo looking for another mat slam of the leg - but Sydal broke free and landed on his feet, just to eat a low dropkick taking Sydal down again! It was not looking great for Sydal so early in this tournament, looking at perhaps losing his second match of this year's tournament; only his second match as part of New Japan Pro Wrestling as well. Gedo looked to go for a legitimate figure-four leglock now, but Sydal managed to turn it into an inside cradle - Sydal getting two, then springing up and connecting with a big jumping enzuigiri to the clash of Gedo's head! Sydal shook the pain away from his leg, a spinkick clashing with Gedo's head and taking him down. "Reborn" Matt Sydal picked Gedo up and connected with a reverse splits DDT, following with a standing moonsault, but Gedo managed to kick out again. Sydal was now on the attack, attempting a head kick to the head only for Gedo to kick the leg out from under Matt - Gedo now attempting a superkick to the head of the kneeling Sydal; Matt rolling out of the way and taking "the Complete Fighter" down with a springboard crossbody! Sydal followed with a sudden Shining Wizard, and then climbed up to the top rope, coming down with a big Shooting Star Press; Sydal covering, and Gedo was down!
Winner: Matt Sydal (4pts, 2-0) in 8:25 [***¼]Matt Sydal continued to be one of the leaders of the A block in his second tournament bout; "Reborn" victorious against "the Complete Fighter" Gedo, who tried to compete with Matt but was unable due to the pure acrobatic nature of "Reborn". Gedo, now with two losses in this tournament, was going to next face Alex Shelley in Aomori on May 27, whilst Sydal was to advance to Yamagata tomorrow night, scheduled to face Jushin Thunder Liger.
5. Hiroshi Tanahashi & The Time Splitters (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) def. BULLET CLUB (Yujiro Takahashi, Nick Jackson & Cody Hall) in 11:21 after the Outatime by the Time Splitters on Jackson.
- 20 MINUTE INTERMISSION -
6. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS A BLOCK MATCH KAMAITACHI (2pts, 1-0) vs JUSHIN THUNDER LIGER (2pts, 1-0) Coming out of the gate with a very unique and impressive bout against fellow Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre rival, Dragon Lee on May 22 in Korakuen Hall, Kamaitachi was about to face the real test, as the former Young Lion went into this bout with the legendary Jushin Thunder Liger. Having competed in twenty-two Best of Super Juniors tournaments prior to this one, with three wins, Liger was definitely a gatekeeper when it came to junior heavyweight wrestling. These two had plenty of interaction during Kamaitachi's early days when he was simply Hiromu Takahashi - this was to be something completely different. Kamaitachi actually shook hands with one of his former superiors, Kamaitachi and Jushin Liger starting out with a test of strength, Kamaitachi testing Jushin by taking the knucklelock and turning the wrists of Liger upside down, having the former eleven time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion at his mercy, until Liger managed to turn it into a wrist-clutching northern lights suplex, covering for two, just for Kamaitachi to bridge his way out of it, teasing a backslide, before transitioning into a side headlock. Kamaitachi was sent off the ropes by Liger, Liger quickly taking Kamaitachi down with a shoulder block. Liger ran the ropes whilst Kamaitachi leapfrogged him twice; Kamaitachi suddenly catching Liger with a front dropkick to the chest, taking the veteran down! Liger got to a knee and looked up at Kamaitachi, almost as if to acknowledge the changes to how Kamaitachi wrestles, as Liger got back up and circled with Kamaitachi; a lock-up attempt turned into an armdrag from Liger, Liger following up with a legsweep to the charging Kamaitachi, the pin attempt getting one, as Kamaitachi then nipped up and attempted a second running dropkick, Liger sidestepping it and covering again for two; both meeting one another on their feet - met to an appreciative reaction from the Tsubame crowd. Kamaitachi and Liger took it in, before Kamaitachi suddenly connected with an open hand chop to Liger; Liger coming back with an open hand chop of his own; Liger then dodging another one and wrestling Kamaitachi to the mat; Liger wrapping his feet around the legs of Kamaitachi and stomping down on the trapped thighs of the CMLL star. Liger grabbed the arms of a tenacious Kamaitachi, attempting to go for the Surfboard Stretch - but Kamaitachi managed to use his arm strength to force Liger out of the hold; Kamaitachi connecting with a belly-to-belly suplex!
The youngster went on offense now, Kamaitachi not allowing Jushin Liger any time to recover from the suplex, becoming aggressive as he picked Liger up and body slammed him - Liger in harm's way now as Kamaitachi went up to the second rope, connecting with a diving knee drop into the heart of the veteran, only getting two however. Kamaitachi pulled on the hair of Liger, picking him back up and connecting with an open hand chop; responded by Liger successfully - the two trading chops to the chest before Kamaitachi kicked Liger in the abdomen and ran off the ropes, walking into a drop toe hold by Liger, who proceeded to successfully apply the Surfboard Stretch on the former Young Lion! He had Kamaitachi in mid air struggling through the hold, when Liger transitioned it into a dragon sleeper, simply stretching out the younger talent, who has made a name for himself in Mexico City. But he was learning here tonight that he was facing a much more experienced talent, somebody that had been to Mexico himself in the past, a former CMLL Middleweight Champion, and the 2010 CMLL Universal Championship. Liger released the hold and kicked Kamaitachi in the solar plexus, Liger following with a charging sunset flip off the ropes, only for Kamaitachi to block it and strike Liger with a dropkick to the side! Kamaitachi was here to prove himself to the veteran, as he picked Liger up and forced him into the corner; Kamaitachi attempting to charge Liger, just for the veteran to block it with a big boot in the corner. Liger attempted to go up to the second rope, but Kamaitachi was able to block it out, a running dropkick knocking Liger to the floor! The former Young Lion saw Liger hurting on the floor, following suit by climbing to the top rope and connecting with a top rope senton, crashing down onto the head and shoulders of Jushin Thunder Liger! Kamaitachi returned to his feet, picking Liger up and attempting a suplex on the floor, just for Liger to fight his way loose; Liger then attempting to catch Kamaitachi with a Shotei, Kamaitachi blocking it and slapping Liger - following up with the suplex, this time draping Liger over the ringside barrier and charging at Liger with a charging dropkick, taking Liger down into the front row of the Niigata crowd! Kamaitachi rolled inside whilst the referee resumed the ring out count of eleven, Liger slowly trying to get over the barrier and crawl back into the ringside area - Liger doing so, but upon reaching his feet, Kamaitachi executed Liger with a charging dropkick through the ropes, landing on his feet and striking Liger, knocking the veteran down again!
Kamaitachi was now in control firmly, having knocked Liger down a second time, and he picked the veteran up this time and slid him back inside for a pin attempt - only getting two as Liger stayed alive. Kamaitachi appeared frustrated, immediately picking Liger up to his feet and hitting the ropes attempting another dropkick; Liger cutting him off with a Shotei to the throat! The throat thrust took Kamaitachi flying across the ring, as he hit the ropes now and connected with a Lou Thesz press, the pin attempt only getting two - as Liger immediately got back up and attempted the Brainbuster, just for Kamaitachi to fight loose, going for the German suplex, blocked by Liger with a waistlock into a roll-up variation, only getting two, and Kamaitachi got back to a vertical basis just to eat a back elbow to the jaw: the younger star a recipient for the Liger Bomb, but Kamaitachi dropped to his feet behind him and planted Liger with a bridging German suplex, the cover only getting two still, as Liger managed to get a shoulder up! Liger was being defensive, willing to die before allowing the former Young Lion from Mexico City to score a victory over the masked hero. Kamaitachi got back up and applied an STF on Liger, trying to make him tap out now, wearing the veteran down whilst also preserving his strength while Kamaitachi kept gripping at the jaw of Liger; Liger getting support from his fans in attendance, as Kamaitachi let loose of the leg grip, allowing Liger to break free, Jushin catching a hurricanrana attempt from Kamaitachi and turning it into a charging Liger Bomb, covering just for two! Liger attempted to follow with the Brainbuster, but Kamaitachi blocked it out with all of his might, Kamaitachi with the rolling double German suplex that has put away many opponents from CMLL in the past! He covered Liger, but Jushin still managed to somehow find a way to kick out of it! Kamaitachi looked on in disbelief, unsuspecting in the event of a kickout from the legendary Liger in this bout. Kamaitachi returned to his feet and looked at going for a flipping piledriver, but Liger managed to land on his feet, Liger then striking Kamaitachi with a Shotei! Liger followed with a Brainbuster, covering Kamaitachi, and the veteran had managed to come out on top in a battle with the former Young Lion! Winner: Jushin Liger (4pts, 2-0) in 12:41 [***½] It was an impressive attempt by Kamaitachi to win a big bout against a former superior in the legendary three-time Best of the Super Juniors tournament winner, Jushin Thunder Liger. It was on May 23, 2013 in the twentieth annual tournament where Liger defeated a Young Lion in Hiromu Takahashi, but the man that stood in the same ring, near to the second anniversary of that bout, was not the same young boy. Kamaitachi was still unsuccessful here tonight, but he had put on a valiant effort with Liger, and was met with a handshake from the masked hero after the bout. Kamaitachi was next to compete in the tournament against Barreta tomorrow night in Yamagata, whereas Liger was moving on to combat Matt Sydal tomorrow night as well. Liger left, one half of Héroes Voladores successful tonight - but could his partner next, as Máscara Dorada was set to face Bárbaro Cavernario in a B block bout.
7. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS B BLOCK MATCH MÁSCARA DORADA (2pts, 1-0) vs BÁRBARO CAVERNARIO (0pts, 0-1) This was the final tournament bout of the night here in Tsubame, Niigata - as two wrestlers native of Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre were scheduled to go at it, with the charismatic luchador on excursion this year in New Japan Pro Wrestling - CMLL World Welterweight Champion, and one-half of Héroes Voladores alongside Jushin Thunder Liger, Máscara Dorada, going one-on-one with the unorthodox barbarian, Bárbaro Cavernario. Dorada's partner, Jushin Liger was successful earlier tonight in picking up a second win in the A block division of this year's tournament, defeating Kamaitachi - but now it was time to see if Dorada could make it a home run for the junior team that are near the top of the list in contending for the Young Bucks' IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. Dorada was successful on May 22 in Korakuen Hall, managing to defeat the 2012 winner of the Best of Super Juniors tournamnet, Ryusuke Taguchi - whereas Bárbaro Cavernario, at twenty-one years of age, was uneventful in taking down Tiger Mask. That in mind, Cavernario tried to touch Dorada with his caveman club, just for Dorada to dodge it and step back, this match eventually getting underway after Cavernario's reluctance to drop the club. This bout got underway with Dorada sliding behind Cavernario and tripping him, the luchador applying a side headlock turned into a takedown, Dorada on the offense until Cavernario managed to headscissor his way out of it. Bárbaro dropped down as Dorada ran the ropes, staying down again to dodge the charging Dorada - and just as Cavernario got his feet up in the air, Dorada performed a diving roll over the body of Cavernario, both men met in a stand off early into this tournament bout. The CMLL World Welterweight Champion locked up with Bárbaro, just for Cavernario to get Dorada in a side headlock this time; Dorada running Cavernario off the ropes, ducking a lariat attempt from the caveman; Dorada springing off the middle rope and connecting with an armdrag, taking Bárbaro across the ring. The Tsubame crowd were digging the work of Máscara Dorada, as Cavernario knew he had to go to other resorts moving forward. Dorada passed Cavernario who charged the ropes, Bárbaro however sticking onto the ropes whilst Dorada leapfrogged thin air; Cavernario then suddenly catching Dorada with a front dropkick. Cavernario aggressively stomped on Dorada, picking him up and sending him out to the floor, perhaps looking for the top rope crossbody, but Dorada was able to get up quickly, crotching Cavernario on the top rope with a top rope elevating jumping kick, brushing the back of Cavernario's head!
Dorada had Bárbaro Cavernario where he wanted him, leaping up from the apron and taking Cavernario down hard with a top rope hurricanrana, the cover only getting two however, still early on in this bout. Cavernario and Dorada, both men from Jalisco, Mexico, now in Niigata, Japan tonight, both pining for a win in this tournament bout. Dorada picked Cavernario up just to get fireman's carried down to the mat, Cavernario immediately following with a variation of La Magistral cradle, but Dorada managed to get out - then taken down with a body blow, winding the CMLL World Welterweight Champion. The youthful Cavernario, picked Dorada up and body slammed him - climbing up to the second rope and looking for a senton; but Dorada managed to roll out of the way. Dorada slowly got back up and attempted to wristlock Cavernario and go up to the top rope, but instead Cavernario went up himself, connecting with the springboard armdrag, followed by a springboard dropkick taking the masked man down! The caveman picked his Mexican opponent up and sent him onto the apron, looking to take him outside for a second time - but Dorada blocked a strike from him, then struck Bárbaro with a forearm sending him dazed - Dorada meanwhile, springing off the apron and connecting with a crossbody with the pin attempt, only getting two as Cavernario stuck in this match. Dorada wanted to remain undefeated in the early rounds of the Best of the Super Juniors XXII, back dropping Cavernario over the top rope to the floor, and then connecting with a big somersault senton topé, crashing down on Bárbaro out on the floor! Dorada rolled back inside as the referee began to count, Cavernario managing to roll back in at the count of twelve. Dorada looked to end the match from this point as he attempted the Dorada Screwdriver, reversed as Cavernario then connected with a lariat taking Dorada down. Bárbaro looked down at Dorada and slapped him across the face, the caveman running the ropes twice each before looking for a big splash - that went missed, as Dorada remained in this match, slowly getting back up and catching an unsuspecting Cavernario off-guard with a spinning headscissors with airplane rotation; Cavernario crashing down, whilst Máscara went up to the top rope looking for the corkscrew somersault senton on Bárbaro; Cavernario cutting him off and going up looking for a superplex, just for Dorada to nail him again with a top rope hurricanrana! Dorada picked Bárbaro's limp body up and drilled him with the Dorada Screwdriver, the three count giving Dorada a win!
Winner: Máscara Dorada (4pts, 2-0) in 10:17 [***]Máscara Dorada remained undefeated going into his third opponent of the tournament; the CMLL World Welterweight Champion celebrating his win in this closing bout tonight in Tsubame, of the Best of the Super Juniors XXII. He shook the hand of Bárbaro Cavernario, the wildman looked dazed but appreciative in a fair-fought effort between two men of different styles, that are both from Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre. Dorada and Cavernario posed for ringside photographers; Cavernario leaving to a humbling fanfare from the Niigata crowd - next scheduled for action in Aomori on May 27 against KUSHIDA - whilst Dorada was moving on to face the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Tiger Mask tomorrow night in Yamagata.
8. CHAOS (Barreta, YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano) def. Meiyu Tag (Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto) & Dragon Lee in 10:16 after the Dudebuster by Barreta on Dragon Lee.
9. CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii & Shinsuke Nakamura) def. G.B.H. (Togi Makabe, Daisuke Sekimoto & Tomoaki Honma) in 15:30 after the Red Ink by Okada on Honma. CHAOS closed the show with a speech discussing their rivals; Okada talking about Karl Anderson and Bullet Club; Tomohiro Ishii discussing beating Daisuke Sekimoto for the NEVER Openweight Championship; and Shinsuke Nakamura intently about regaining the IWGP Intercontinental Championship from Roderick Strong.
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Post by DTP. on May 4, 2016 20:36:10 GMT -5
| WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER May 25, 2015 by Dave Meltzer |
BEST OF SUPER JUNIORS 2015 DAY ONE AT KORAKUEN POLL RESULTS Thumbs up 87
Thumbs down 8
Thumbs in the middle 12
The twenty-second annual Best of the Super Juniors started on 5/22 in Korakuen Hall. As of 5/25 the standings are:
A Block: Matt Sydal (4pts, 2-0), Jushin Liger (4pts, 2-0), Alex Shelley (2pts, 1-1), Bobby Fish (2pts, 1-1), Dragon Lee (2pts, 1-1), Kamaitachi (2pts, 1-1), Gedo (0pts, 0-2), Barreta (0pts, 0-2)
B Block: Kyle O'Reilly (4pts, 2-0), Mascara Dorada (4pts, 2-0), Tiger Mask (2pts, 1-1), Nick Jackson (2pts, 1-1), Kushida (2pts, 1-1), Ryusuke Taguchi (2pts, 1-1), Rocky Romero (0pts, 0-2), Barbaro Cavernario (0pts, 0-2)
The tournament block winners will be decided on 6/5 in Korakuen Hall, which will feature all participants in action, similar to the opening night. The two block winners with most points will then face off in the finals on 6/7 in Yoyogi Gym. Kenny Omega and Bad Luck Fale will be there for the finals as will Roderick Strong, presumably in some sort of building match for his IWGP Intercontinental Championship defense against former champion Shinsuke Nakamura
This week they have five shows in Yamagata, Aomori, Tochigi, Korakuen Hall again, and Shizuoka where the tournament will continue with four matches per show, accompanied with a few non-tournament matches featuring unused juniors and heavyweights. Of note, Shinsuke Nakamura will be off the tour on a mini-vacation from 5/27 until 6/7 (the show of the finals), whilst freelancer Tomoaki Honma will be off the tour taking other dates from 5/30 onwards.
5/26 in Yamagata has Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall vs Jay White & David Finlay, Gedo & Yoshi-Hashi & Toru Yano vs Alex Shelley & Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu, Tiger Mask vs Mascara Dorada, Matt Sydal vs Jushin Liger, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly & Captain New Japan vs Kushida & Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto & Dragon Lee, Nick Jackson vs Ryusuke Taguchi, Kamaitachi vs Barreta, Daisuke Sekimoto & Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe & Barbaro Cavernario vs Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii & Kazuchika Okada & Rocky Romero
5/27 in Aomori has Matt Sydal vs Sho Tanaka, Tiger Mask vs Yohei Komatsu, Jushin Liger & Mascara Dorada vs Jay White & David Finlay, Alex Shelley vs Gedo, Kushida vs Barbaro Cavernario, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Ryusuke Taguchi & Kamaitachi vs Yujiro Takahashi, Nick Jackson & Cody Hall, Kyle O'Reilly vs Rocky Romero, Bobby Fish vs Dragon Lee, Daisuke Sekimoto & Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe & Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata vs Tomohiro Ishii & Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi & Toru Yano & Barreta
5/29 in Tochigi has Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto vs Jay White & David Finlay, Matt Sydal & Tiger Mask & Sho Tanaka vs Kushida & Dragon Lee & Yohei Komatsu, Kamaitachi vs Bobby Fish, Alex Shelley vs Jushin Liger, Nick Jackson & Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall vs Barreta & Rocky Romero & Gedo, Ryusuke Taguchi vs Barbaro Cavernario, Mascara Dorada vs Kyle O'Reilly, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Daisuke Sekimoto & Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe vs Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii & Yoshi-Hashi & Toru Yano
5/30 in Korakuen Hall has Jushin Liger & Mascara Dorada & Sho Tanaka vs Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly & Yohei Komatsu, Alex Shelley & Ryusuke Taguchi & David Finlay vs Kamaitachi & Barbaro Cavernario & Jay White, Nick Jackson vs Rocky Romero, Tiger Mask vs Kushida, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Captain New Japan vs Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall, Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii & Yoshi-Hashi & Toru Yano vs Daisuke Sekimoto & Togi Makabe & Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto, Dragon Lee vs Gedo, and Matt Sydal vs Barreta
5/31 in Shizuoka has Dragon Lee & Mascara Dorada vs Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu, Barbaro Cavernario & Jay White vs Kyle O'Reilly & David Finlay, Nick Jackson vs Tiger Mask, Jushin Liger vs Bobby Fish, Gedo & Barreta & Rocky Romero vs Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto & Captain New Japan, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Alex Shelley vs Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall, Kamaitachi vs Matt Sydal, Kushida vs Ryusuke Taguchi, Daisuke Sekimoto & Togi Makabe vs Tomohiro Ishii & Kazuchika Okada
Samoa Joe officially signed with WWE developmental territory NXT last week. He made his debut on 5/20 in Full Sail, challenging Kevin Owens for the NXT Championship. Joe accordingly came close to a deal with New Japan including hanging out with several New Japan stars, but WWE made a last minute boost in money to persuade him to sign with them instead.
New Japan announced two shows on 6/20 and 6/21 in Singapore at the Expo Hall where Bushiroad will be an exhibitor that will be free entry for the public. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano, Togi Makabe, Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi, Yoshi-Hashi, Sho Tanaka, Yohei Komatsu, Gedo, Jushin Liger & Captain New Japan are advertised.
Ring of Honor COO Joe Koff revealed yesterday that Ring of Honor's TV show Ring of Honor Wrestling, will start broadcasting on Destination America starting with the June 3 episode. Interestingly this means that both Ring of Honor and Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling will both be shown in the same block, on the same night, on the same channel. The first month of episodes will feature talent from New Japan, taped on 5/16 in Toronto.
During their tour of North America and Canada, New Japan Pro Wrestling alongside Ring of Honor received four sold out shows, drawing 1,200 in the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia on 5/12 and 5/13, and 1,500 in the Ted Reeve Arena in Toronto on both 5/15 and 5/16. No update on word that New Japan will come back to the States this summer so soon after the G-1 Climax.
Yoshi Tatsu has been doing some light workouts in the Team Vision Gym in Orlando, coming off of a severe neck injury suffered at the hands of a botched Styles Clash courtesy of A.J. Styles last November. He is hoping to be able to compete by the fall.
Best of the Super Juniors on opening night on 5/22 in Korakuen Hall drew 1,580, which was disappointingly not a sellout, I believe their first this year. Kuki City for night two on 5/23 drew 810. Tsubame on 5/25 drew a sellout of 1,280. Yamagata on 5/26 has sold out already.
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Post by DTP. on May 5, 2016 11:22:24 GMT -5
BLOCK A | Alex Shelley | Barreta | Bobby Fish | Dragon Lee | Gedo | Jushin Liger | Kamaitachi | Matt Sydal | Alex Shelley | XXX | Alex Shelley | Bobby Fish | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Barreta | Alex Shelley | XXX | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Dragon Lee | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Bobby Fish | Bobby Fish | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | XXX | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Matt Sydal | Dragon Lee | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Dragon Lee | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | XXX | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Kamaitachi | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Gedo | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | XXX | Jushin Liger | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Matt Sydal | Jushin Liger | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Jushin Liger | XXX
| Jushin Liger | Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Kamaitachi | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Kamaitachi | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Jushin Liger
| XXX
| Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Matt Sydal | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Matt Sydal | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Matt Sydal | Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | XXX |
BLOCK B | Bárbaro Cavernario | KUSHIDA | Kyle O'Reilly | Máscara Dorada | Nick Jackson | Rocky Romero | Ryusuke Taguchi | Tiger Mask | Bárbaro Cavernario | XXX | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Máscara Dorada | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Tiger Mask | KUSHIDA | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | XXX
| Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Nick Jackson | KUSHIDA | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Kyle O'Reilly | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Kyle O'Reilly | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Kyle O'Reilly
| Máscara Dorada | Máscara Dorada | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Máscara Dorada | Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Nick Jackson | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Nick Jackson
| Kyle O'Reilly
| Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Rocky Romero | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | KUSHIDA | Day 5 - Aomori May 27, 2015 | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | XXX
| Ryusuke Taguchi | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Ryusuke Taguchi | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Máscara Dorada
| Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Ryusuke Taguchi | | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Tiger Mask | Tiger Mask | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Kyle O'Reilly | Day 4 - Yamagata May 26, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | |
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Post by DTP. on May 5, 2016 18:49:54 GMT -5
BLOCK A | Pts | Pts | BLOCK B | Matt Sydal | 4 | 4 | Kyle O'Reilly | Jushin Liger | 4 | 4 | Máscara Dorada | Bobby Fish | 2 | 2 | Nick Jackson | Dragon Lee | 2 | 2 | Ryusuke Taguchi | Alex Shelley | 2 | 2 | Tiger Mask | Kamaitachi | 2 | 2 | KUSHIDA | Barreta | 0 | 0 | Rocky Romero | Gedo | 0 | 0 | Bárbaro Cavernario |
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Post by DTP. on May 8, 2016 20:28:05 GMT -5
| NJPW BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS 2015 - DAY FOURTuesday, May 26, 2015 - Yamagata General Sports Center #2 - Ochiaimachi, Yamagata
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The opening signature aired, welcoming us to a New Japan Pro Wrestling 2015 presentation. Up next came a preview of things to come with a video package looking back in hindsight at the history of the Best of Super Juniors tournament. In the past, twenty-one men have gone on to win the tournament, including names such as Jushin Thunder Liger, Black Tiger, El Samurai, Koji Kanemoto. Tiger Mask, Minoru Tanaka, Milano Collection A.T., Prince Devitt, Kota Ibushi, Ryusuke Taguchi and Ricochet. This year opens up a whole new year of the tournament, with sixteen men divided into two blocks all set to compete for a chance to win this year's Best of the Super Juniors, and go on to challenge for Kenny Omega's IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. Visual graphics highlighted the forthcoming night of competition - the opening night of Best of the Super Juniors XXII!
The 2015 Best of the Super Juniors had arrived in Yamagata for day four of the twenty-second annual tournament, Kimihiko Ozaki taking his place in the middle of the ring running down the card for the night's bouts.
- BULLET CLUB (Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall) vs Jay White & David Finlay
- Alex Shelley, Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu vs CHAOS (Gedo, YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano)
- Tiger Mask (2pts, 1-1) vs Máscara Dorada (4pts, 2-0) in a Best of the Super Juniors B Block match
- Jushin Liger (2pts, 1-1) vs Matt Sydal (4pts, 2-0) in a Best of the Super Juniors A Block match
- Hiroshi Tanahashi, Captain New Japan & ReDRagon (Kyle O'Reilly & Bobby Fish) vs KUSHIDA, Dragon Lee & Meiyu Tag (Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto)
- Ryusuke Taguchi (2pts, 1-1) vs Nick Jackson (2pts, 1-1) in a Best of the Super Juniors B Block match
- Kamaitachi (2pts, 1-1) vs Barreta (0pts, 0-2) in a Best of the Super Juniors A Block match
- G.B.H. (Daisuke Sekimoto, Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe) & Bárbaro Cavernario vs CHAOS (Tomohiro Iishii, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazuchika Okada & Rocky Romero)
1. BULLET CLUB (Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall) def. Jay White & David Finlay in 8:13 after the Tokyo Pimps by Takahashi on Finlay.
2. CHAOS (Gedo, YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano) def. Alex Shelley, Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu in 9:22 after the Gedo Clutch on Komatsu.
3. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS B BLOCK MATCH TIGER MASK (2pts, 1-1) vs MÁSCARA DORADA (4pts, 2-0)It was the start of the third round in this seven round Best of the Super Juniors tournament, the twenty-second annual having gotten underway back on May 22 in Korakuen Hall, continued through to the second round on May 23 in Kuki City, as well as yesterday in Tsubame. Máscara Dorada, the CMLL World Welterweight Champion came into this with a clean record of four points, one of the leaders of the B block alongside Kyle O'Reilly - but he was going into this one with another champion: the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Tiger Mask. The veteran, a two-time winner of the Best of the Super Juniors in 2004 and 2005, wanted to keep in this tournament, and by taking down the Héroes Voladores member would be a good start. Tiger Mask and Máscara Dorada met in the ring, with Dorada issuing a handshake to Tiger Mask; just for Tiger to kick the hand away from him - no respect for the Mexican in this bout. The duo locked up, Máscara immediately switching into a wristlock, wrenching on the arm of Tiger Mask - looking for a boost from the second rope springboard - Tiger Mask however, managing to take Dorada down to the mat with a mat slam, Tiger Mask continuing with the wristlock, before Dorada was able to headspring onto his feet again, sweeping Tiger Mask to the mat with a takedown. Tiger Mask balanced Dorada on his feet, using the momentum from the knucklelock to pull himself back up, a monkey flip following - Tiger Mask now rolling backwards to mount Dorada: the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion trying to cover Dorada, just for Máscara to bridge. Tiger tried to break it by leaping onto the thighs of the CMLL World Welterweight Champion. Dorada was able to roll out of it, then taking back to a wristlock, springing up to the top rope and tightrope walking the top rope; coming down with an armdrag, sending Tiger Mask sailing across the mat. Dorada and Tiger Mask went at it again with little hesitation this time, Tiger Mask however catching Dorada with a kick to the thigh, followed by a tug on the mask of Dorada; the cover only getting two - however Tiger Mask immediately stomped on the back of the CMLL World Welterweight Champion. Tiger Mask picked Máscara Dorada up, a more aggressive style pertaining the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion now, sending Dorada off the ropes, just for Dorada to come back with a forward roll clearing an attacking Tiger Mask, Dorada springing to the second rope looking for a crossbody - but he received a front dropkick in mid-air from the veteran; the Japanese Tiger Mask taking Dorada down again, and stomping on the back of Dorada.
Tiger Mask delivered a knee to the spine of Dorada, then stretched the arms of Dorada out - a seated stretch trying to wear down Dorada, who valiantly came back, managing to get up to his feet, then front flipping out of Mask's arm stretch, rolling backwards to kick the chest of Tiger Mask, but upon Dorada reaching his feet, Tiger Mask connected with a spinkick to the abdomen; Tiger Mask with a body slam before heading up to the top rope. He connected with a top rope splash, covering Dorada, just for him to kick out at the count of two; the CMLL World Welterweight Champion hanging in there, in the first tournament bout tonight in Yamagata. Tiger Mask picked Dorada up and connected with a headlock this time, but Dorada managed to once again come back and roll Tiger Mask away from him - now loose, Dorada coming off the second rope with a springboard dropkick connecting on Tiger Mask, sending him to the outside. The wheels in motion, Máscara Dorada came off the ropes looking for a somersault senton topé, but Tiger Mask rolled out of the way, whilst Dorada backflipped using his hands, landed on his knees and rolled outside to follow the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion around the ringside area. Tiger Mask led him into a right hand, throwing punches rather unexpectedly from the experienced Japanese masked man. Tiger Mask sent Dorada into the ring post head first before rolling inside, the referee instigating the ring-out count now, which Dorada was slow to respond to - but able to crawl back inside for the count of nine. Tiger Mask picked Dorada up and connected with a backbreaker, then went up to the top rope, coming off with a missile dropkick taking Dorada down for a two count, as Máscara would not stay down at this point in this bout. Tiger Mask went back to the back, attempting to wear it down and slow the CMLL World Welterweight Champion down, but Máscara Dorada threw Tiger Mask back a step and connected with a dropkick - the Mexican that made his mark in Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre slowly getting back up and attempting to get back into the game now. Dorada ducked a lariat attempt from a launching Tiger Mask, Dorada ducking it and hitting the ropes, then connecting with the spinning headscissors taking Tiger Mask down - followed up with a hurricanrana off the ropes; Dorada following as a lariat took Tiger Mask down and out to the floor: Dorada's chance to fly now, as he bounced off the ropes, and connected with a leaping somersault senton topé landing down on Tiger Mask at ringside!
Máscara Dorada slowly got back up holding his back, the CMLL World Welterweight Champion groaning in pain whilst Tiger Mask remained down, Dorada able to get back up and inside of the ring, with the ring out count now on the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion - Tiger Mask struggling to meet the count, but managing to roll inside at the count of eighteen. Dorada chopped Tiger Mask with an overhand open chop, which Tiger Mask met with another right hand. Dorada kicked Tiger Mask in the gut and dropped him with a fireman's carry slam; Máscara looking to climb up to the top rope looking for the corkscrew senton; Dorada however unable to catch Tiger Mask - and he got nothing but mat, as Tiger Mask had successfully rolled out of the way. Back on their feet, Tiger Mask stalked Dorada, and Dorada attempted to dodge an attack with a leapfrog; Tiger Mask however, able to dropkick him into corner! Tiger Mask pounded on Dorada with some right hand slaps, Mask picking his opponent up to the top rope and looking for a top rope double underhook suplex; Dorada however fighting with all of his might to stay on the top rope; and Dorada managed to kick Tiger Mask in the side several times - Dorada suddenly springing to his feet on the top rope and catching Tiger Mask with a twisting top rope hurricanrana sending both men crashing down to the mat hard! Tiger Mask was dazed now, as Máscara Dorada was slow to respond; finally able to get back up to a vertical basis, as he attempted to capitalize on Tiger Mask's dazed state, attempting the Dorada Screwdriver, but Tiger Mask turned it into an inside cradle for two; Tiger Mask following with an attempt at the Tiger Bomb; but Máscara turned it into a hurricanrana roll-up - Tiger Mask this time kicking out! Tiger Mask blocked a kick to the gut from Dorada, who was able to launch his leg up and catch Tiger Mask with a sudden enzuigiri, as Dorada picked Tiger Mask and looked for the Screwdriver again - unable to, as Tiger Mask turned it into the double underhook suplex! He followed, attempting the Millenium suplex on Máscara Dorada - Dorada able to turn it into a victory roll, followed up by springing up to the top rope - coming off with a moonsault on the standing Tiger Mask taking him down. Dorada then followed up, going up and connecting with the corkscrew senton, covering - and the CMLL World Welterweight Champion prevailed!
Winner: Máscara Dorada (6pts, 3-0) in 13:48 [***½]Máscara Dorada celebrated this hard-fought win, the CMLL World Welterweight Champion's hand raised in victory, whilst Tiger Mask slowly got back up to his feet; Tiger Mask with the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship in hand. Dorada yet again offered Tiger Mask a handshake - met with a kick from Tiger Mask, as Tiger Mask dropped his belt and pointed at Dorada. A microphone in hand, Tiger Mask issued a challenge to Dorada, to unify the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship and the CMLL World Welterweight Championship! The crowd was intrigued, Dorada nodding his head and taking part in a staredown with Tiger Mask. Mask walked out, next to face KUSHIDA on May 30 at Korakuen Hall; whilst Dorada emerged as the first leader in the B block, Dorada walking out with 6 points undefeated, next set to compete on May 29 in Tochigi against Kyle O'Reilly.
4. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS A BLOCK MATCH JUSHIN THUNDER LIGER (4pts, 2-0) vs MATT SYDAL (4pts, 2-0)The first A block bout of the third round of this prestigious tournament, the Best of the Super Juniors tournament being something that fifty year old Jushin Thunder Liger has competed in twenty-two times prior to this year, and has won on three separate occasions in the past. Jushin Liger tonight however, was going up against a new face in New Japan Pro Wrestling, in "Reborn" Matt Sydal, someone that has competed regularly in Ring of Honor, and has previously competed in the WWE, where he was a WWE Tag Team Champion. Tonight these two men were to meet, both men undefeated thus far - with the winner gaining a head start in leading the A block bracket of this tournament. Matt Sydal came to the ring very optimistic, yet very respectful of the former eleven-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion - the two shaking hands as the bell sounded to kick off the match. Jushin Liger, who defeated Gedo and Kamaitachi prior to this, locked up with Matt Sydal - Sydal having beat Bobby Fish and Gedo leading up to this. Sydal got the better of Liger early on, a wristlock applied which Liger managed to turn around on Sydal - Jushin Liger taking a seat on the floor and spinning around, causing Sydal to fall down and be the recipient of a wristlock from the veteran - Sydal, the newcomer to New Japan, building back up to a vertical basis, tripped by Liger; but he bridged out of a pinning predicament, and transitioning significantly into a hammerlock and then a side headlock. Liger managed to shoot him off the ropes, which Liger met with a shoulder block: Liger ran the ropes whilst Sydal leapfrogged over him once, and then again with a backwards leapfrog; Sydal however on the receiving end of a second shoulder block from the veteran. Liger continued to run the ropes, whilst this time Sydal did the splits and ducked Liger's attacking, then propped his feet in the air, throwing Liger across the ring with his feet! Sydal got back up to a vertical basis whilst the sold out Yamagata crowd applauded respectfully - this match continuing with Liger now requesting a test of strength from Sydal. The two did it, and Liger got the better of Sydal in a war of strength - bending Sydal backwards into a bridge - the flexibility being a strong point of Sydal's here. Sydal managed to combat this by nipping up to his feet, then going behind on Liger and taking him down with a waistlock takedown - Sydal looking for a standing moonsault early, but Liger managed to move out of the way, following up with a dropkick to "Reborn"!
Jushin Liger now on offense, he picked Matt Sydal up and sent him off the ropes, just for Sydal to manage ducking a lariat attempt, Sydal then hitting the ropes and connecting with a spinning wheel kick taking Liger down! Sydal remained fast, whilst the slower and older Liger got back up to be the recipient of several kicks to the leg; Sydal then sending Liger into the corner: Liger blocking an attack with a high kick to the neck of Matt - Liger going to the two rope looking for an attack, but Sydal blocked it with a big kick thrust stumbling Liger back down to the corner. Sydal saw him and charged with a double knee splash in the corner, directed at the abdomen of Liger; Sydal now going to the second rope and connecting with a diving headscissors, taking Liger down for a near fall. It appeared that after a hard-fought bout against Kamaitachi yesterday in Tsubame had not allowed Liger to arrive here in full condition, as Matt Sydal applied a standing leglock, straining the lower leg muscles of Liger - bridging backwards and applying a bridging cravate, stretching out Liger in this submission hold. Liger had the fans in Yamagata Sports Center supporting him over this newcomer, but Liger was finally able to get to the bottom rope, breaking the hold. Sydal picked Liger up and connected with a sideslam, Sydal then going up to the top rope looking for a moonsault, but Liger managed to get up and push him off,sending "Reborn" flying out to the floor! Liger rolled onto the apron, lining a regrouping Sydal up and connecting with a rolling senton off the apron, taking Sydal down. Liger picked him up and rolled him back inside of the ring, where Liger caught Sydal with a shoulder thrust, then going up to the top rope for an attack - but this time Sydal was there, leaping up and taking Liger to the mat with a crashing hurricanrana! The agility of Sydal was strong here, as Liger attempted to regroup; Sydal going up to the top rope and coming down with double knees, crashing down on the shoulders of Liger on the mat! Matt covered, but it wasn't enough for the win yet. Sydal picked Liger up and looked for a suplex that Liger managed to turn into an inside cradle for a count of two; Sydal leaping up and missing a jumping knee strike - Liger however catching him in mid-air with a Shotei; Sydal rebounding and hitting his head hard on the mat! Liger applied a camel clutch on Sydal, the submission attempt keeping Sydal down and in place, whilst Liger allowed himself to gain composure in the midst of this tournament bout between two men that have thus far been undefeated. Sydal managed to find a way out, then tripped Liger, locking on a side headlock - that Liger was able to slip out of and then dropkick Sydal away. Matt came back with a charging effort, blocked as Liger cut him off with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, Liger picking up Sydal and looking for a tombstone piledriver to put the American away - Sydal however turning it into a headscissors, followed by the leaping knee to the face! Sydal looked for the split-legged reverse DDT on Liger, but Liger sidestepped and connected with a northern lights suplex, bridging for a near fall - as Sydal bridged out of it and got a backslide on Liger for another two. Liger attempted a rolling crotch cradle for two, before Sydal turned it into one of his own - another two. Liger came off the ropes with a Thesz press, pinning the shoulders for two, as Sydal connected with a hurricanrana roll-up for two - and Sydal capitalized, striking first out of it with a head kick; a spinkick taking Liger down, as Sydal went up and connected with the Shooting Star Press, the winning for Sydal!
Winner: Matt Sydal (6pts, 3-0) in 9:55 [***¼]Matt Sydal celebrated his win against Jushin Thunder Liger - a shock for Japanese fans, as they realized the true potential that "Reborn" Matt Sydal could bring to this tournament - remaining undefeated with gaining two more points, whilst emerging as the leader thus far in the Best of the Super Juniors. Sydal threw up the peace sign to fans and shook hands with the legendary Jushin Liger, Liger applauding Sydal on his win and leaving; the Héroes Voladores member next to compete on May 29 in Tochigi against Alex Shelley, whilst Sydal was moving on to Korakuen Hall on May 30, set to face Barreta of Roppongi Vice.
- 20 MINUTE INTERMISSION -
5. KUSHIDA, Dragon Lee & Meiyu Tag (Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto) def. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Captain New Japan & ReDRagon (Kyle O'Reilly & Bobby Fish) in 11:29 after the Penalty Kick by Shibata on Captain New Japan. There was a staredown between KUSHIDA and Kyle O'Reilly, and Bobby Fish and Dragon Lee after the match.
6. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS B BLOCK MATCH RYUSUKE TAGUCHI (2pts, 1-1) vs NICK JACKSON w/Cody Hall (2pts, 1-1)This was our second B block match of the round, with two men that have each scored one point a piece, but also suffered one loss. In the case of Ryusuke Taguchi, he had suffered a loss at the hands of Máscara Dorada on the opening night in Korakuen Hall, however "the Funky Weapon" managed to redeem himself in Tsubame, where he defeated Rocky Romero in tournament action. A former two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and the 2012 winner of the Best of the Super Juniors, Taguchi came into this one with the shades on, prancing around and almost acting similarly to Shinsuke Nakamura, shaking his rear around. In the other corner was Nick Jackson; the lone member of the Bullet Club competing in this year's tournament. He was unsuccessful against Kyle O'Reilly on the opening night at Korakuen Hall, but when it came to facing KUSHIDA in Kuki City, Jackson managed to score a big win to keep himself in the runnings; still quite early into the Best of the Super Juniors XXII. He did not come alone however - the Bullet Club's "young boy" Cody Hall accompanied him, carrying Jackson on his shoulders almost as an ode to when Bad Luck Fale would carry Prince Devitt around on his shoulders during the earlier days of the Bullet Club. The match kicked off with Nick crotchchopping Taguchi, and Taguchi responded by spanking himself, and the match started off fast with Nick coming at Taguchi; Taguchi sidestepping and taking Jackson down with a dropkick; followed by a second dropkick - the "Funky Weapon" sending Jackson off the ropes and looking for a jumping hip attack, but Nick clenched the ropes and rolled to the outside, going over to talk strategy with the son of Scott Hall. It was here that Taguchi began to grow impatient with Nick's stalling, as he proceeded to land a big somersault senton topé over the top rope, crashing down on Nick and Cody Hall; Taguchi picking Jackson up and rolling him back inside! Taguchi came for a pleading Nick Jackson, who then responded with a drop toe hold taking Taguchi down; Nick transitioning into a side headlock now, but Taguchi sent Nick off the ropes and when he came back, Taguchi had him in harm's way for a big hip attack, this time getting Jackson right on the chin! Taguchi spanked his rear as he picked Nick up and kicked him in the gut, getting into the corner and connecting with several forearms - Ryusuke climbing to the second rope and beginning to deliver ten punches on Jackson, until a distraction from Cody Hall on the apron caused Taguchi to turn his head; setting up Jackson to connect with a powerbomb on Taguchi! Nick Jackson went onto the attack now, choking Taguchi over the second rope with his knee whilst talking trash to the referee, telling all of Yamagata that he was going to beat Eddie Guerrero right here and now. Jackson finally broke the hold and picked him up, Taguchi coming back with a forearm cut off by a knee to the gut; Jackson coming off the ropes, Taguchi going for a hip attack again, but Nick turned it into an atomic drop, followed by a dropkick to the rear! Jackson appeared egomaniacal, whipping Taguchi into the corner and coming in with a hot high knee to the jaw of Taguchi; Jackson sending Ryusuke into the centre of the ring on his back; Jackson capitalizing and connecting with a top rope moonsault, only getting two however, as Taguchi managed to kick out. Jackson stomped away at Taguchi, going after the shoulder and stomping away at it, before covering again just for a kickout. Jackson applied a front facelock on Taguchi, applying further pressure with a headstand, obnoxiously defining his mentality going through this bout, whilst the fans were warming up to Taguchi and rooting "the Funky Weapon" on. Taguchi slowly fought out of it with some body shots for Nick, finally breaking loose and delivering a mule kick to Jackson. He ducked a right hand from Nick and delivered a backdrop into a sit-out powerbomb, then picked Jackson up again, following up with a jumping enzuigiri taking Nick down - the pin attempt only getting two for Taguchi. Ryusuke favored his shoulder, as he picked Nick up just to receive an eye rake, whilst Nick sent Taguchi sailing out of the ring, though Taguchi was able to land on the apron. Jackson saw him and sprung onto the second rope, a springboard dropkick knocking Taguchi down - and with Nick in the ring distracting the referee, Cody Hall came in with a huge lariat taking Taguchi down and out! Hall stomped on Taguchi's shoulder some more before stepping away as Jackson approached - innocently assuring the referee he did not go near Ryusuke. Nick sent Taguchi spine-first into the apron and climbed onto the apron, but Taguchi was there with him - and out of nowhere Taguchi managed to turn it into an apron DDT, knocking Nick Jackson down and out on the floor! Taguchi climbed back in with the referee beginning a count on Jackson, who was not moving. If it wasn't for Cody Hall, Taguchi could have won, but Hall literally picked Jackson's body up and helped him in to beat the count. Inside, Taguchi picked Jackson up and attempted to go for the Dodon, but Jackson broke free and came to life, delivering a huge superkick to the jaw of Ryusuke; followed by a second one! Nick fell to his knees, whilst Taguchi rolled out to the floor, unable to control himself from the Superkick Party from one-half of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. The referee began counting but got distracted by Nick again - in this time, Cody Hall picked Taguchi up over his shoulder, and charged all the way up the aisle to the backstage area - as the referee began counting! At the count of eight, Taguchi arrived on all fours again, trying to crawl back inside - but as he approached ringside, he was just about too late - and he re-entered the ring at the count of twenty!
Winner: Nick Jackson (4pts, 2-1) in 8:24 [***]Nick Jackson had stole the win in this tournament bout, gaining two more points for efforts - or lack of, because Ryusuke Taguchi was robbed here thanks to Jackson in part, thanks to Cody Hall, the Bullet Club's own "young boy". Taguchi slowly got back up and was met with a final superkick as a farewell, as Jackson approached the camera and declared himself the "King of Count Outs", Jackson obnoxiously talking trash whilst leaving with Hall. Taguchi is next in action on May 29 in Tochigi, taking on Bárbaro Cavernario, whilst Nick Jackson will advance to taking on Rocky Romero on May 30 in Korakuen Hall.
7. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS A BLOCK MATCH KAMAITACHI (2pts, 1-1) vs BARRETA (0pts, 0-2) Kamaitachi was coming into this one only one day removed after a memorable battle with the legendary Jushin Thunder Liger, the CMLL star's former mentor from the New Japan Dojo; Liger coming out on top last night in Tsubame. Kamaitachi however wanted to rebound from his loss tonight, where he was to face one-half of Roppongi Vice; the number one contenders to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. Barreta thus far, has yet to gain a victory, having been defeated in both previous tournament bouts against Dragon Lee and Alex Shelley. He was here tonight with a look of determination, but the crowd were heavily supportive of Kamaitachi, the Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre coming to the ring and squaring off with Barreta - however upon the bell sounding, Kamaitachi went in with an open hand chop, Barreta coming back with a forearm, but Kamaitachi kept swinging for open hand chops, Kamaitachi then sending Barreta off the ropes, Barreta missing a flying lariat attempt, and getting hit with a charging dropkick to the chest! Barreta went out to the apron whilst Kamaitachi followed, looking to continue pursuit of Barreta early into this bout, but Barreta came back with a forearm, then climbed back inside and connected with a shoulder block; Barreta following by hitting the ropes and connecting with a back elbow once again taking Kamaitachi down. The RPG Vice member was gaining some momentum here, in a chance to win his first match three bouts into the Best of the Super Juniors tournament, but when Barreta tried to follow up, Kamaitachi cut him off with a low dropkick to the leg taking Barreta down again. Kamaitachi regained his composure whilst Barreta recovered, Kamaitachi with a running big boot off the ropes, trying to keep the more experienced American down. The former Young Lion picked the leg of Barreta up and delivered three stomps to it, before delivering an elbow drop across the knee, attempting to capitalize on a limb that Barreta had previously injured. He had done his research, as Kamaitachi was restrained by the referee in his aggressive pursuit of the leg, Barreta meanwhile catching Kamaitachi off-guard with a step-up enzuigiri taking Kamaitachi down! Barreta attempted to go for a suplex, but his leg took him out of the picture; Kamaitachi then trying for a suplex, but it went blocked. The two struggled to try and come out on top with a successful suplex - and it ended up being Barreta, who delivered a suplex taking Kamaitach over the top rope - as well as himself, both men crashing and burning on the floor at ringside!
Barreta was the first to get back up, but Kamaitachi rose up and kicked his leg out from under him; Kamaitachi then climbing up to the apron, coming off with a running dropkick, once again knocking Barreta down! Kamaitachi slowly got back up and followed with yet another charging dropkick, this time nailing Barreta and taking him down, his head bouncing off of the barrier gate! Kamaitachi, ever aggressive in this bout, rolled back inside of the ring whilst the referee began to count Barreta out, and Barreta did not appear to be moving until the count of ten, Barreta limping his way back inside of the ring, right into the waiting Kamaitachi. He kicked the leg of Barreta again, before delivering a lariat in the corner, Kamaitachi taking the opportunity to go up to the top rope, looking for a diving senton, but Barreta managed to roll out of the way, Barreta crawling back and usin gthe ropes to get back to his feet! Barreta body slammed Kamaitachi before connecting with a standing moonsault, the cover only getting two however as Kamaitachi had a lot more fight in him. Barreta waited for Kamaitachi to reach his feet by the corner, the Roppongi Vice member charging him with a charging knee in the corner; Barreta then going up to the top rope looking for a double footstomp, but Kamaitachi sidestepped it, then connecting with the arm-trapping Dragon screw, taking Barreta down favoring his leg once again! The Japanese star from Mexico went back to the leg, looking to do further damage on it, as he delivered a handstand kneedrop across it; Kamaitachi then proceeded to open hand chop Barreta whenever he sat up. Kamaitachi applied a variation of a kneebar on Barreta, whilst the Yamagata crowd cheered the American on; Barreta finally able to reach the ropes forcing the break. Kamaitachi thought to regroup, then stomping on the leg of Barreta again, going up to the top rope and once again looking for a high impact move, but Barreta sweeped the leg from under him, crotching Kamaitachi on the top rope! Barreta slowly went up to the top rope, looking for a superplex, but Kamaitachi chopped him back down; Barreta falling in a heap on the mat below. Kamaitachi in place, came off the top with a diving knee drop across the chest of Barreta; Kamaitachi covering, but Barreta once again kicked out, not wanting to quit just yet in this tournament bout. The thus-far win-less Barreta from Long Island, New York attempted to crawl back up into a position of power in this match with Kamaitachi, who came after him with a backdrop that Barreta flipped out of; Barreta suddenly storming Kamaitachi with the Gobstopper charging knee to the jaw! Barreta slowly covered, still favoring his knee - but Kamaitachi yet again managed to kick out, not done yet.
Like Barreta, Kamaitachi wanted to remain in an even position in the A block of the Best of Super Juniors tournament; remaining with a chance of winning, and this match was valuable for it. On the same level, Barreta felt this win is something he needed in order to keep himself involved in the tournament and not being thrown back any further than he has thus far. Barreta picked Kamaitachi up and placed him on the top rope, Barreta with a forearm to the spine of Kamaitachi; as Barreta attempted to go for a super back drop from the top; Kamaitachi however able to elbow his way out of it. Barreta rolled onto the mat, then charged up, executing a huge German suplex off of the top rope, Barreta slowly crawling over and covering Kamaitachi, but only for two still, it was taking a lot to keep Kamaitachi down for the count! Back to the drawing board for Barreta, who slowly limped back to his feet and delivered a big chop to the chest of Kamaitachi that went responded with a big open hand chop from Kamaitachi. Kamaitachi did another one, which Barreta replied with a forearm; Kamaitachi suddenly trying a dropkick, Barreta blocking it and attempting an enzuigiri that missed; Kamaitachi, the opportunistic, then slapping on an STF, with the weakened leg of Barreta wrenched out of position, the strain real for the American in this tournament bout! Barreta tried to fight him off, but Kamaitachi had it properly applied - Barreta somehow able to withstand the punishment and reach the ropes prompting the break! Kamaitachi sighed as he slowly got back to a vertical basis, looking to try and wrap up this bout, trying for the rolling German suplex, but Barreta slipped free and got a waistlock on Kamaitachi, switching him around and swinging for a superkick - blocked by Kamaitachi, who sidestepped it and blocked Barreta with one of his own superkicks; Kamaitachi following with the German suplex - rolling through and looking for a second, but Barreta kicked Kamaitachi in the abdomen breaking himself loose. A weary Barreta charged Kamaitachi with a bottom rope elevated charging back elbow in the corner; Barreta with a northern lights suplex getting two, but Kamaitachi powered up after it and blocked Barreta with a superkick this time successfully! Kamaitachi attempted a flipping piledriver on Barreta, but Barreta caught Kamaitachi in place and planted him with the Dudebuster! Barreta covered, and he scored his first win of the 2015 Best of Super Juniors tournament!
Winner: Barreta (2pts, 1-2) in 12:11 [***¾]Barreta celebrated his win, solidifying himself his win of the tournament after a slow sluggish start against Kamaitachi tonight. After being beaten twice, Barreta had scored a win, and seemed enthused by it - but he had a lot of catching up to do to keep up with a fast moving A block. Kamaitachi got a round of applause before leaving, Kamaitachi next to face Bobby Fish on May 29 in Tochigi, whereas Barreta would face Matt Sydal on May 30 in Korakuen Hall.
8. G.B.H. (Daisuke Sekimoto, Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe) & Bárbaro Cavernario def. CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazuchika Okada & Rocky Romero) in 14:51 after the German suplex by Sekimoto on Romero. Sekimoto attacked Cavernario and threw him from the ring after shaking hands with him. Togi Makabe talked about the revamped Great Bash Heel, Tomoaki Honma saying how happy he was to finally get some wins thanks to the addition of Sekimoto. Sekimoto talked putting his NEVER Openweight Championship up against Tomohiro Ishii, also mentioning how he was here in New Japan to kick ass.
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Post by DTP. on May 10, 2016 15:26:38 GMT -5
| NJPW BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS 2015 - DAY FIVEWednesday, May 27, 2015 - Aomori Prefectural Budokan Gymnasium - Hirosaki, Aomori
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The opening signature aired, welcoming us to a New Japan Pro Wrestling 2015 presentation. Up next came a preview of things to come with a video package looking back in hindsight at the history of the Best of Super Juniors tournament. In the past, twenty-one men have gone on to win the tournament, including names such as Jushin Thunder Liger, Black Tiger, El Samurai, Koji Kanemoto. Tiger Mask, Minoru Tanaka, Milano Collection A.T., Prince Devitt, Kota Ibushi, Ryusuke Taguchi and Ricochet. This year opens up a whole new year of the tournament, with sixteen men divided into two blocks all set to compete for a chance to win this year's Best of the Super Juniors, and go on to challenge for Kenny Omega's IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. Visual graphics highlighted the forthcoming night of competition - the opening night of Best of the Super Juniors XXII!
Best of the Super Juniors XXII was beginning tonight in Hirosaki, Aomori; the fifth date of the tour - and Kimihiko Ozaki began the festivities by lining up the matches to be seen tonight:
- Matt Sydal vs Sho Tanaka
- Tiger Mask vs Yohei Komatsu
- Héroes Voladores (Jushin Liger & Máscara Dorada) vs Jay White & David Finlay
- Alex Shelley (2pts, 1-1) vs Gedo (0pts, 0-2) in a Best of the Super Juniors A Block match
- Bárbaro Cavernario (0pts, 0-2) vs KUSHIDA (2pts, 1-1) in a Best of the Super Juniors B Block match
- Hiroshi Tanahashi, Ryusuke Taguchi & Kamaitachi vs BULLET CLUB (Yujiro Takahashi, Nick Jackson & Cody Hall)
- Rocky Romero (0pts, 0-2) vs Kyle O'Reilly (4pts, 2-0) in a Best of the Super Juniors B Block match
- Bobby Fish (2pts, 1-1) vs Dragon Lee (2pts, 1-1) in a Best of the Super Juniors A Block match
- G.B.H. (Daisuke Sekimoto, Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe) & Meiyu Tag (Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto) vs CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii, Kazuchika Okada, YOSHI-HASHI, Toru Yano & Barreta)
1. Matt Sydal def. Sho Tanaka in 7:13 after the Shooting Star Press.
2. Tiger Mask def. Yohei Komatsu in 6:50 after the Millenium Suplex.
3. Héroes Voladores (Jushin Liger & Máscara Dorada) def. Jay White & David Finlay in 8:26 after the Liger Bomb and corkscrew somersault senton by Dorada on White.
4. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS A BLOCK MATCH ALEX SHELLEY (2pts, 1-1) vs GEDO (0pts, 0-2)The third match for both men in this tournament, as Alex Shelley of the Time Splitters was to go at it with the mentor behind Kazuchika Okada, New Japan veteran Gedo. Gedo however has shown in the past couple of bouts that his prime is behind him, falling to the likes of Jushin Thunder Liger and Matt Sydal - but despite this, he was here and hoping to win one against Shelley, who in his third Best of the Super Juniors appearance thus far has one win against Barreta of Roppongi Vice, and one loss against Bobby Fish of ReDRagon. Shelley was seeking a handshake before the bell, but Gedo was hesitant, as the two locked up, this match kicking off with Shelley getting in a wristlock on the "Complete Fighter"; Gedo however turning it around on Shelley with one of his own, rolling through and sweeping Shelley off of his feet; Gedo in control of working the wrist before going for a full nelson; which Shelley managed to slip out of it, turning it into a headscissors followed up by an armdrag, causing Gedo to regroup whilst the Aomori fans applauded the first exchange in the first tournament bout here in Aomori. Shelley appeared to have impressed Gedo with this, and to reward him Gedo offered the handshake to Shelley for efforts, clapping for him. Shelley went to accept the handshake, which is when Gedo kicked Shelley in the gut and began to pound on his back, stunning Shelley with a punch to the head. Gedo whipped Shelley off the ropes and attempted a big back body drop, but Shelley kicked Gedo in the chest, then ran the ropes again, ducking a lariat from Gedo; Shelley with a front dropkick taking Gedo down, and the "Complete Fighter" decided to bail out to the floor and regain his composure early on in this bout. As Gedo stalled, Shelley decided to go after him, this match continuing out on the floor now, with Gedo blocking a forearm from Shelley, taking his arm and sending it into the ring post hard. Gedo targeted the arm, wrapping it around the post and tugging on the limb; the referee having to step in and stop Gedo in his attack. The "Complete Fighter" stomped on the hand as it was wrapped around the ringpost, and Gedo followed up with a body slam to Shelley outside on the floor at ringside, then climbing back into the ring. The referee began the count on Shelley, but Alex managed to roll back inside, "Made in Detroit" breaking the count at nine.
Gedo continued the attack on Shelley with some select stomps, clearly controlling where he attacked, and focused it on the shoulder of Shelley. The "Complete Fighter" connected with a snapmare to the American, then applied a chinlock, whilst the fans were supportive of the former three-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion; Gedo, the veteran, trying to keep Shelley slow in his attack. Shelley managed to work his way out of the hold however, sending Gedo off the ropes and connecting with a dropkick, followed up by a mule kick to the gut of Gedo; Shelley hitting the ropes and connecting with a dropkick to the side of the head: Shelley connecting with a neckbreaker to Gedo! The Detroit, Michigan native shrugged the arm pain away, looking to go up to the top rope, just for Gedo again to bail out to the floor, shouting out that he had had enough of Shelley already. Alex appeared displeasured by this, getting down to the apron and looking for the charging knee off the apron to Gedo - just for Gedo to dodge it; Shelley landing on his feet and getting a superkick to the abdomen for his troubles. Gedo followed, tackling Shelley into the ringside barrier before rolling back in. Shelley crawled onto the apron, where Gedo choked him over the middle rope, then took the arm and attempted to do the same. Gedo planned on going for a superkick to the kneeling Shelley over the rope, but Shelley dodged it; "Made in Detroit" with a shoulder thrust taking Gedo back - and Shelley connected with a slingshot into a DDT in the ring, the slow cover however only getting two at this time. Shelley slowly went up to the top rope, the wheels in motion as Gedo slowly got back up; Shelley looking for a double footstomp across the back of Gedo's head gone dodged, as Gedo connected with a jawbreaker taking Shelley down. Gedo lined Shelley up for the superkick to the jaw, connecting with it and covering, but Alex Shelley managed to kick out at two again. Gedo appeared frustrated, not having a great tournament thus far this year, as the "Complete Fighter" decided to go up to the top rope for a big move; Shelley however able to reach his feet and stop Gedo - Alex Shelley with an enzuigiri knocking Gedo off the top and out to the floor! Shelley saw Gedo there and executed a topé diving through the ropes onto Gedo, before rolling him back inside; the action hot and heavy, but upon getting back inside, Gedo attempted the superkick again; Shelley catching the foot and turning Gedo around for a Dragon suplex - Shelley following by catching a charging Gedo with Automatic Midnight; Alex Shelley picking up the win!
Winner: Alex Shelley (4pts, 2-1) in 8:23 [**¾]Alex Shelley was victorious tonight in Aomori, successfully in defeating Gedo, who still stands at no wins thus far in the tournament. Shelley continued to celebrate, "Made in Detroit" leaving Aomori tonight with two extra points from the win, and next set to face Jushin Liger in Tochigi on May 29. Gedo left with his head held low, walking away still winless in this year's tournament. The "Complete Fighter" next scheduled to compete on May 30 in Korakuen Hall, taking on Dragon Lee.
5. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS B BLOCK MATCH BÁRBARO CAVERNARIO (0pts, 0-2) vs KUSHIDA (2pts, 1-1)Still winless in this tournament is Bárbaro Cavernario from Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre. Representing CMLL, the twenty-one year old youngster came strutting to the ring with his trademark caveman club and wildman barbarian-esque look, Cavernario once again seeking a win in the Best of the Super Juniors tournament. Cavernario as mentioned thus far, has not had a great tournament, suffering losses at the hands of Tiger Mask and Máscara Dorada - however the press have been loving the young man from Jalisco, Mexico; Cávernario getting a lot of publicity from the ringside photographers. On the other hand was experienced youngster KUSHIDA, a former two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and former two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion - hoping to, in his fifth tournament appearance, win the Best of the Super Juniors. The "Supernova" has a win against Rocky Romero and a loss to Nick Jackson thus far - which should have KUSHIDA's eyes on the prize in getting back in the running during this particular tournament bout. KUSHIDA and Bárbaro locked up, but Cavernario appeared more interested in doing a little dance with his arms early on, which threw the "Supernova" off of his game. The two finally did lock up, with Cavernario showing a certain quickness to his unorthodox style, sending KUSHIDA off the ropes and taking him down with an armdrag, just for KUSHIDA to nip back up; Bárbaro with a handstand to flip out of it, followed by a bite on the palm on KUSHIDA in other to place himself better in the exchange. Cavernario tried to whip KUSHIDA off the ropes, just for the "Supernova" to reverse it; Cavernario springing up to the second rope and coming down with an armdrag surprising the New Japan mainstay - the crowd applauding Bárbaro. Despite that, this was a pro-KUSHIDA crowd, and the next time they locked up, KUSHIDA proved why when he immediately took Cavernario down and applied a hammerlock, followed up by a knee to the arm of Cavernario, getting down to the business of this bout. Cavernario got back up and attempted to hit the ropes, just for KUSHIDA to take him down with an armdrag, followed up by a dropkick; and KUSHIDA followed by taking the arm of Cavernario and diving out to the floor, landing on his feet - draping the arm of Bárbaro across the top rope!
KUSHIDA climbed back onto the apron and came off the top rope with a springboard brain chop to Cavernario, KUSHIDA sending Bárbaro into the corner, just to get cut off as Cavernario sprung to the second turnbuckle and came off with a front dropkick, stopping the "Supernova" dead in his tracks. The wildman roared to some reaction from the Aomori crowd, the grunting, unorthodox man picking KUSHIDA up and slapping him across the face. He followed with a headbutt, before sending him out to the apron, springboarding off the middle rope and knocking the "Supernova" to the floor at ringside with another dropkick. Bárbaro Cavernario climbed out to the apron, charging the corner and connecting with a unique topé through the turnbuckles, connecting with a dive on KUSHIDA, wowing the audience in attendance tonight. Bárbaro called to the fans, who began to chant for the Mexican, whilst KUSHIDA slowly got back up and was body slammed on the floor. Bárbaro went up to the apron, and then the top rope - the barbarian looking for the top rope splash that we have seen before, but KUSHIDA was able to get back onto the apron, the "Supernova" delivering several right hands to keep Cavernario busy. KUSHIDA followed up with a bottom turnbuckle elevated kick to the ribs of Cavernario, before he took the arm of Cavernario and locked in a variation of the hanging triangle choke over the top rope! The referee prompted the break, as KUSHIDA nipped back onto the apron, executing a springboard dropkick to Bárbaro! KUSHIDA kicked Cavernario in the arm several times just for Cavernario to rake the eyes; Bárbaro charging the ropes, but KUSHIDA caught him with a handspring, the feet of the "Supernova" striking Bárbaro and stopping him dead in his tracks. KUSHIDA connected with an armringer, then climbed up to the top rope looking for a moonsault - missed, as Cavernario moved out of the way! KUSHIDA had received nothing but the mat, and Bárbaro capitalized, a standing dropkick to the side of KUSHIDA on all-fours. Bárbaro called again, doing the Worm on the mat to a humorous reaction - then hit the ropes, running them twice. Bárbaro went for a second rope elevated splash, but KUSHIDA switched into position, locking in the Hoverboard Lock! Bárbaro struggled, but luckily was close enough to the ropes to break the hold. Now free, Cavernario held his arm and saw the back of KUSHIDA, looking for La Cavernario - the modified seated surfboard stretch - but KUSHIDA threw Bárbaro off, then placed himself on the shoulders of Bárbaro, and going for what appeared to be a tornado DDT, transitioned into an armringer - and the Hoverboard Lock was in again! Bárbaro struggled, but ultimately had to tap out!
Winner: KUSHIDA (4pts, 2-1) in 10:11 [***]The "Supernova" was victorious in this tournament bout, KUSHIDA celebrating whilst Bárbaro Cavernario held onto his arm, slowly reaching his feet and going to pick up his club - unable to, as his arm was in too much pain. KUSHIDA went over and picked it up for him, raising it above his head to a humorous reaction - Bárbaro and KUSHIDA then shaking hands and acting like cavemen together! Bárbaro left, next set to meet Ryusuke Taguchi in Tochigi on May 29. On the other hand, the "Supernova", next facing Tiger Mask on May 30 in Korakuen Hall.
- 20 MINUTE INTERMISSION -
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Ryusuke Taguchi & Kamaitachi def. BULLET CLUB (Yujiro Takahashi, Nick Jackson & Cody Hall) in 11:26 after the High Fly Flow by Tanahashi on Hall. Tanahashi and Taguchi posed with Kamaitachi for press photos after the match.
7. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS B BLOCK MATCH ROCKY ROMERO (0pts, 0-2) vs KYLE O'REILLY (4pts, 2-0)Up next was a notable bout, given that these two men were both a part of the three-way tag team bout for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships back at Wrestling Dontaku earlier this month - Rocky Romero representing Roppongi Vice, who are close to the top of the rankings for a future shot at the titles, whilst Kyle O'Reilly, a part of ReDRagon, who are the former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions - having lost them to Nick and Matt Jackson of the Young Bucks on May 3. It's not been a great month for O'Reilly, having lost the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team and ROH World Tag Team Championships in the same month - however, he is currently one of the leaders in the B block thus far, remaining undefeated thus far; on the contrary, Rocky Romero, remaining at zero wins thus far, both men's third tournament bout of this year's Best of the Super Juniors. Rocky Romero did seem awfully confident making his way to the ring, a staple of "Azucar"s ring entrance with knuckledusters, the eyepatch and the fur coat. On the contrary, Kyle O'Reilly appeared focused coming into this bout, as is the norm for both ReDRagon members. No nonsense, just wanting to prove himself in the ring. The two locked up, with Romero playing mind with O'Reilly and stalling twice. They eventually did lock up, with O'Reilly immediately powering Rocky into the corner and holding him in position, whilst the referee got involved to break it. Romero however mocked O'Reilly, which caused Kyle to dart over looking for a charging knee; Romero sidestepping it, then taking him down with a headlock takedown; Rocky desperately trying to keep Kyle tamed, which worked minorly, as O'Reilly - the technical specialist - immediately scissoring the head of Romero with his longlegs; however Romero, using his agile abilities managed to get into a headstand position, able to break free - and both men returned to their feet, the Aomori crowd applauding both men early into this bout between members of RPG Vice and ReDRagon. Kyle looked for a Greco-Roman knucklelock with Romero, the two engaging in a test of strength, which Kyle immediately attempted to turn it into a northern lights suplex; Romero able to cling onto the abdomen of O'Reilly, bringing him to the mat with Kyle on top of him. Romero was in a pinning predicament, and Kyle got two before Romero bridged; O'Reilly then trying to break the bridge by leaping onto the thighs of Romero. Rocky eventually was able to drag Kyle overboard, Rocky rolling backwards into a mount of Kyle, but O'Reilly immediately turned around, Romero taking Kyle in a waistlock, looking for another takedown, but O'Reilly turned it around and another rope break broke the hold with Kyle on the offensive. The two divided, before Rocky punched Kyle, breaking the sequence. Kyle responded with a forearm to Rocky, the two trading blows before Romero kicked O'Reilly in the abdomen and sent him off the ropes, O'Reilly ducking a flying knee from Romero, O'Reilly allowing Romero to further run the ropes before taking him down with a big kick to the chest!
"Azucar" now on the defensive, as the younger star from Ring of Honor, Kyle O'Reilly picked together the legs of Romero and crossed them over, then arched Romero across his knee, the bow and arrow submission applied, as Rocky rived in pain, looking to try and break away from it, which he was able to - though only after a rake of the eyes of Kyle. Rocky looked to regain composure, rising to his feet and waiting for Kyle to charge, when Romero smashed Kyle with a back elbow - Romero looking for an enzuigiri on O'Reilly; just to miss and land on his feet - O'Reilly nonchalently responding with a high kick to the side of Rocky's head! Romero collapsed to the mat, as O'Reilly went back to another submission: this time a Sharpshooter attempt, but Romero remained defensive and reached for the ropes, prompting the break. Kyle wanted to go right to work on Rocky, immediately striking him with an uppercut - Romero however blocking a second and connecting with a lariat taking O'Reilly down! Romero delivered a hurricanrana to O'Reilly - but O'Reilly rose to his feet immediately, then taking Romero down dramatically with a big boot knocking Romero into the corner! Kyle saw him there and sized up for another charging knee, but Rocky again sidestepped, then delivered a back elbow to O'Reilly. Romero saw Kyle there and teased the Forever Clothesline, but he hit the turnbuckle and got no O'Reilly - Kyle then coming in with the charging knee to the jaw of Romero! Kyle rolled Romero across the mat and went to the second rope, coming off with a diving knee drop; Kyle covering, but Rocky kicked out. O'Reilly soon looked to target the arm of Romero, placing his knee across the elbow joint and stretching the arm back; the grip on the hand bending the arm into an incorrect place: Rocky trying to struggle free, but O'Reilly then switched it up, grapevining the arm with his long legs - O'Reilly proceeding to pull on the hand, causing Romero to shout out in pain. O'Reilly continued to wrench the arm, but Rocky turned O'Reilly over into a crucifix variation for one, before being able to roll out, Romero connecting with a surprise dropkick for Kyle; Romero with an enzuigiri following up, as Romero held onto his arm in pain - Rocky coming back with a follow-up poke to the eyes of Kyle O'Reilly; the RPG Vice member then sending Romero out to the floor, looking for some downtime to recover his arm. Romero momentarily stepped out to the apron, rushing the apron looking for a diving knee, but Kyle was right there with a kick to the chest, immediately taking Romero down again, this match building with O'Reilly repeatedly getting the better of the game Cuban-American.
O'Reilly could have left Romero on the outside to get counted out, but he rolled him inside instead - presumably wanting to win this bout fairly in the centre of the ring, and O'Reilly looked to continue his work on the arm; Kyle attempting to stomp the arm, just for Rocky to dodge out of the way; Romero with a drop toe hold, before Romero rushed to his feet, charging the ropes and coming back with a big soccer kick to the chest of a kneeling O'Reilly! Romero held his arm some more, then covered - but the hesitance on the cover only allowed him to get two, as Kyle O'Reilly remained fighting in this bout. Romero tried to shake the strain from his arm, Romero then choosing to go after O'Reilly's arm by stomping on it; Romero dropping a hip attack across the held-out, arched arm of Kyle. By eliminating the arm of Kyle, it could definitely decrease the effectivity of the ARMageddon submission later on. Romero talked some trash to O'Reilly, but Kyle tried to come back with a knee to the gut; Rocky however coming back by delivering a series of right hands to Kyle. Romero tried to send Kyle off the ropes, but Kyle switched it around sending Romero into the ropes; Rocky hanging onto the middle and top rope, laughing at O'Reilly's efforts, as Kyle soon tried to charge Rocky - just for Rocky to dodge it on the apron; a kick to the head of O'Reilly following. Romero went up top and connected with a missile dropkick, the covering only getting two, as Kyle remained in this match. Romero picked O'Reilly up and draped him over the top rope, then climbed to the second turnbuckle attempting the missile dropkick; Kyle however able to get down, charging Rocky with another kick to the torso - and O'Reilly brought him down for the striking combination; Romero eating every simple thing O'Reilly threw! Romero went down, and O'Reilly went up to the top rope looking for a move of some sorts - though Rocky stayed with the match and charged up to the top rope, a right hand stunning Kyle on the top rope. Rocky went up and came down with a Spanish Fly style move, transitioned in mid-air into a cross-armbreaker! Romero had the cross-armbreaker applied on Kyle in an ironic turn of events - but Kyle was able to reach the ropes! Romero sighed and tried to breathe, his arm visibly bothering him, as Rocky looked at O'Reilly recovering in the corner, beating his chest - and Romero began delivering the Forever Clotheslines! The corner lariats connected, three times in repetition, until a fourth one went awry when Kyle turned it into a victory roll; transitioned into the cross-armbreaker ARMageddon! Rocky struggled, his arm in outstanding pain, and Rocky tried to rectify it by turning O'Reilly over into a crucifix; O'Reilly modifying the hold into the crossface; Romero still struggling, but a rope break helped him out! Romero clutched his arm now, as Kyle restrategized; O'Reilly attempting to go for a leg-hook back suplex; Romero however landing on his feet, attempting a Kurayami cradle Piledriver; O'Reilly landing on his feet, taking the arm and attempting a rolling cross-armbreaker now - Romero blocking the ARMageddon attempt, the roll-up - and "Azucar" claimed the victory!
Winner: Rocky Romero (2pts, 1-2) in 11:28 [***¾] In what could be considered a huge upset, one-half of Roppongi Vice had scored the victory against Kyle O'Reilly, ending the undefeated streak of O'Reilly, as Rocky Romero had scored his first win of the tournament! "Azucar" rolled out of the ring quickly, whilst the ReDRagon member stood in the ring annoyed by the result; Romero having gotten one-up on O'Reilly, whilst O'Reilly's tag team partner Bobby Fish is in action in a few moments against Dragon Lee. O'Reilly moves on to combat Máscara Dorada on May 29 in Tochigi; whereas Romero moves on to face Nick Jackson on May 30 in Korakuen Hall.
8. BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS A BLOCK MATCH BOBBY FISH (2pts, 1-1) vs DRAGON LEE (2pts, 1-1)This one had the potential to be a showstealer, with contrasting styles between the American, Bobby Fish from Albany, New York - representing Ring of Honor, and one-half of the former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. And the Mexican, Dragon Lee of Jalisco, Mexico; representing Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, the current CMLL World Lightweight Champion. And both men had had a similar pattern thus far, with both men losing on the opening night of the Best of the Super Juniors in Korakuen Hall; but later scoring wins: Fish having defeated Alex Shelley, whilst Dragon Lee was successful against Barreta. And with Kyle O'Reilly having just lost to Rocky Romero in the B block moments ago, Fish definitely had plans to win this bout in order to keep the momentum running for ReDRagon, who have lost a lot of gold this past month. Fish and Dragon Lee shook hands prior to the bout, before getting into it with Dragon Lee surprisingly going into it with strikes, several open hand chops coming Fish's way, whilst Fish immediately came back with a kick to one of the palms of the typically lucha-libre style specialist; Fish following with several kicks to the legs of Dragon Lee; a grip quickly put on as both men were in a collar-and-elbow tie-up; Fish cornering Lee against the ropes, prompting the break early on - but Fish didn't fancy playing by the rules now, immediately striking the Mexican with some drilling forearms, then some body punches for Dragon Lee. Fish was cautioned by the referee for his aggressive pursuit of Dragon Lee; and Dragon immediately came back with some more of his own, a spinkick to the gut, and Fish off the ropes, Dragon Lee immediately coming at Fish with a big boot! It sent Fish groggy, and Dragon Lee followed by attempting a charging dropkick; Fish forecasting it and stepping out of the way - Fish then kicking Dragon Lee in the spine whilst on the mat! Fish immediately tried to slow Dragon Lee down, taking him into the corner and resuming with more body punches. Dragon Lee tried to fight out again with a knee to the gut of the American; Dragon nipping onto the second rope, just to get a kick from Fish, who then dragged Lee off the second rope; Dragon's head snapping back off the top rope! Fish was retaining his momentum here, stomping on the CMLL World Lightweight Champion - Fish attempting to take the foot of Dragon Lee but getting pulled out through the ropes to the apron for his efforts. Dragon Lee got back onto his feet, then came running off the ropes, leaping right over the top rope - onto Fish's shoulders, and executing a hurricanrana sending Fish sailing out onto the floor!
Fish was down, and the referee initiated a count, Dragon Lee meanwhile playing to the applauding Aomori crowd in attendance tonight. Fish began to move on the floor, slowly getting back to his feet - but what Fish was not expecting was Dragon Lee to come back, which he did, coming through the ropes with a topé, catching Fish - but Fish was ready, and immediately tossed Dragon Lee into the barriers! Bobby followed, several kicks to the mid-section of the CMLL World Lightweight Champion; the American displeased with Dragon Lee, who he sent tumbling back into the ring now; Fish coming back inside and sizing Dragon Lee up in the corner, connecting with a corner crossbody! Fish remained on his feet whilst Dragon Lee remained groggy in the corner; Fish charging for a second strike - this time a lifting knee; but Dragon Lee went out to the apron, a high kick catching Fish in the back of the head - and Dragon Lee went up, just for Fish to kick him, knocking his balance off - and the luchador crotched himself on the top rope. Fish went up now, looking for a superplex, actually getting Dragon up in mid-air for it - but Dragon managed to land on his feet on the mat, though appearing to tweak his ankle on it. Dragon Lee rolled forward but still appeared to have rolled the ankle; and Fish came off the second rope, then took Dragon Lee down with a dragon screw! Fish would not leave the foot alone though, having noticed a weakness in Lee's offense; immediately following with a second dragon screw, this time to a grounded Mexican! Fish had spotted the weakness and went after it, and now Dragon was holding onto his ankle hoping to get back up and away from Fish. Fish was on his tail though, picking Dragon up by the foot and stepping over, a knee across the foot - Fish looking at a second one with the spinning toe hold attack - Lee however able to turn it into a leg-divide crucifix style pin; Fish managing to kick out at two. Dragon Lee limped back up and caught an emerging Fish with the running Spanish Fly! Dragon attempted to capitalize, covering Fish, but Fish still managed to kick out before the three. This was quite a contrast in styles going in - but now it appeared that Dragon was not wanting to change his style despite a potential injury sustained to his ankle. Dragon Lee picked Fish up just to receive a snap suplex, as Fish slowly returned to his feet and covered, but Dragon Lee continued to fight Fish in this bout. Fish picked Dragon Lee up, but Dragon Lee chopped Fish, then ran the ropes; Fish looking to kick the foot from under him - Dragon jumping over it, then hitting the ropes again and connecting with the hurricanrana! Fish rolled out to the floor, out of harm's way of Dragon Lee - or so he thought, as Dragon Lee looked for a charging dropkick through the ropes, however Fish sidestepped again, and Lee appeared to hurt his ankle again - Fish then kicking the leg out from under him!
Bobby Fish picked Dragon Lee up and rolled back into the ring, reminiscent of Kyle O'Reilly in the previous match against Rocky Romero - not wanting to win by possible count-out but rather a pinfall or submission. Fish followed, then slingshotted to the apron, then back inside again delivering a knee drop across the temple of the masked luchador; Fish immediately going back to the ankle whilst certain members of the Aomori crowd rooted for the CMLL World Lightweight Champion. Fish picked Dragon up and attempted another dragon screw, but Dragon managed to thrust Fish off; Dragon Lee getting some hang time with the spinning airplane headscissors; connecting on Bobby Fish! Dragon Lee slowly returned to his feet, a high knee for the charging Bobby Fish - and Dragon Lee followed suit, executing the suplex into a sit-out powerbomb; the cover only getting two however, as Fish still managed to kick out! Dragon Lee went back to the drawing board, knowing he had to do something to keep Fish down. The Mexican approached the American, picking him up and deciding to go for another suplex, cradling him in mid-air, then looking for the bridging package bomb we have seen from Dragon Lee before - Bobby Fish however able to break free - Fish then with a mule kick stopping Dragon Lee dead in his tracks. Fish hit the ropes, connecting with the Flying Fish Hook - Bobby Fish covering Lee, but Dragon Lee was still in the match, powering out at two! Fish was getting frustrated after an aggressive start, pounding the mat and wondering what he had to do in order to defeat the CMLL World Lightweight Champion. Bobby Fish picked Dragon Lee up and drove his knee into the chest of a dazed Dragon repeatedly, ever aggressively - Fish finishing off and looking at a suplex again - but Dragon managed to land on his feet; Fish turning around and looking for a German suplex; Dragon Lee landing on his good foot - just for Bobby to strike him with a lariat sending Dragon into the corner! Bobby Fish took him up to the top rope, looking again for the superplex - Dragon however, a kick to the side crotching Fish on the top rope! Fish was in a precarious position as Dragon Lee had him in a tree of woe; Dragon looking at a double footstomp that has finished other men off in Mexico City, but Fish managed to take the bad foot of Dragon as it came down, Lee landing on his face in the ring! Bobby Fish, slightly damaged from the single foot stomp, then grapevined the leg; the Fish Hook Deluxe Edition applied; and Dragon Lee tried desperately to escape it - Fish winning via submission!
Winner: Bobby Fish (4pts, 2-1) in 11:42 [***¾] It was a hard fought battle between two men of two different backgrounds, but in the end with the smoke clearing, Bobby Fish emerged victorious. Fish slowly recovered and got to his feet, racking up another victory against the youthful and ambitious CMLL World Lightweight Champion, Dragon Lee in a competitive Best of the Super Juniors XXII B block bout. Dragon Lee held his ankle as Fish offered him a handshake that went accepted; Dragon Lee having tried hard, but still falling to Fish in the end. Dragon Lee was moving on to meet Gedo on May 30 in Korakuen Hall, whereas Bobby Fish would next do battle with Kamaitachi on May 29 in Tochigi.
9. CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii, Kazuchika Okada, YOSHI-HASHI, Toru Yano & Barreta) def. G.B.H. (Daisuke Sekimoto, Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe) & Meiyu Tag (Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto) in 15:34 after the sliding lariat by Ishii on Makabe. After the match, Ishii and Sekimoto had a face off before Great Bash Heel left. CHAOS stuck around, with the members of CHAOS trying to make Tomohiro Ishii laugh over the microphone, at the bad-Japanese speaking Barreta's expense.
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Post by DTP. on May 11, 2016 18:44:58 GMT -5
BLOCK A | Alex Shelley | Barreta | Bobby Fish | Dragon Lee | Gedo | Jushin Liger | Kamaitachi | Matt Sydal | Alex Shelley | XXX | Alex Shelley | Bobby Fish | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Alex Shelley | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Barreta | Alex Shelley | XXX | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Dragon Lee | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Barreta
| Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Bobby Fish | Bobby Fish | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | XXX | Bobby Fish | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Matt Sydal | Dragon Lee | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Dragon Lee | Bobby Fish | XXX | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Kamaitachi | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Gedo | Alex Shelley
| Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | XXX | Jushin Liger | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Matt Sydal | Jushin Liger | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Jushin Liger | XXX
| Jushin Liger | Matt Sydal | Kamaitachi | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Barreta
| Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Kamaitachi | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Jushin Liger
| XXX
| Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Matt Sydal | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Matt Sydal | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Matt Sydal | Matt Sydal | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | XXX |
BLOCK B | Bárbaro Cavernario | KUSHIDA | Kyle O'Reilly | Máscara Dorada | Nick Jackson | Rocky Romero | Ryusuke Taguchi | Tiger Mask | Bárbaro Cavernario | XXX | KUSHIDA
| Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Máscara Dorada | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Tiger Mask | KUSHIDA | KUSHIDA
| XXX
| Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Nick Jackson | KUSHIDA | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Kyle O'Reilly | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Kyle O'Reilly | Rocky Romero
| Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Kyle O'Reilly
| Máscara Dorada | Máscara Dorada | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Máscara Dorada | Máscara Dorada
| Nick Jackson | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Nick Jackson
| Kyle O'Reilly
| Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Nick Jackson
| Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Rocky Romero | Day 11 - Nagano June 4, 2015 | KUSHIDA | Rocky Romero
| Day 9 - Ibaraki June 2, 2015 | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | XXX
| Ryusuke Taguchi | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Ryusuke Taguchi | Day 6 - Tochigi May 29, 2015 | Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Máscara Dorada
| Nick Jackson | Ryusuke Taguchi | | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | Tiger Mask | Tiger Mask | Day 7 - Tokyo May 30, 2015 | Kyle O'Reilly | Máscara Dorada
| Day 8 - Shizuoka May 31, 2015 | Day 12 - Tokyo June 5, 2015 | Day 10 - Aichi June 3, 2015 | |
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Post by DTP. on May 12, 2016 13:47:54 GMT -5
BLOCK A | Pts | Pts | BLOCK B | Matt Sydal | 6 | 6 | Máscara Dorada | Alex Shelley | 4 | 4 | Nick Jackson | Bobby Fish | 4 | 4 | KUSHIDA | Jushin Liger | 4 | 4 | Kyle O'Reilly | Barreta | 2 | 2 | Rocky Romero | Kamaitachi | 2 | 2 | Tiger Mask | Dragon Lee | 2 | 2 | Ryusuke Taguchi | Gedo | 0 | 0 | Bárbaro Cavernario |
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Post by DTP. on May 12, 2016 15:58:43 GMT -5
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Post by DTP. on May 14, 2016 14:26:04 GMT -5
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