Wrestling

W2Mnet NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 24 Results & Predictions

Super Juniors 24 Results

Editor’s Note: *Article Results are current as of the end of BOSJ 24 Final (06.03.17) * (Final Block results are directly below. Scroll down to each wrestler to see exact wins and losses)

A Block Final Standings

Will Ospreay: 10 Points
Dragon Lee: 8 Points
Ricochet: 8 Points
Taichi: 8 Points
Hiromu Takahashi 8 Points
Marty Scrull: 8 Points
TAKA Michinoku: 4 Points
Jushin Thunder Liger: 2 Points

A Block Winner: Will Ospreay

B Block Final Standings

KUSHIDA 8 Points
BUSHI 8 Points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru 8 Points
Ryusuke Taguchi 8 Points
ACH 6 Points
El Desperado 6 Points
Tiger Mask IV 6 Points
Volador Jr. 6 Points

B Block Winner: KUSHIDA (Due to tiebreakers beating all 3 others who had 8 points)

Overall Winner: KUSHIDA

The 24th edition of the Best Of The Super Juniors is perhaps the most anticipated of the current era. The number of top level guys that are in it, has generated a higher than usual level of excitement and expectation for the tournament. The in-ring product worldwide is perhaps at its highest level ever. You would have to go back to the mid-90’s to find a Juniors tournament with this amount of top performers.

The A Block is stacked beyond belief with Will Ospreay, Ricochet, Hiromu Takahashi, Marty Scurll, Dragon Lee, Jushin Thunder Liger, Taka Michinoku, and Taichi. Taichi even being in the tournament has caused a stir since he’s nowhere near level of the top tier. However, the amount of talent in this block is unbelievable and Taichi provides the proverbial night off when the others are paired with him.

The B Block has KUSHIDA, ACH, BUSHI, Ryusuke Taguchi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Tiger Mask IV, Desperado, and Volador. The A Block is obviously more loaded, but the B Block should provide plenty of great action as well.

For anyone who has never given NJPW World a try, now is the perfect time. A one month subscription starting this week gets you almost the entire tournament. The winner of the tournament gets a Jr Heavyweight title shot on NJPW’s next big show on June 11 called NJPW Dominion. Predictions are next to impossible to make, but the real story, are the matches throughout the tournament. This could be one for the ages. This is the W2Mnet NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 24 Results & Predictions article. – Tom Reese

W2Mnet NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 24 Results & Predictions

Super Juniors 24 Results

An Introduction to the Article

This article will be updated throughout the tournament with current standings and point totals for the wrestlers. This is also a little bit different than our usual roundtables. Here, each wrestler gets their own individual preview. Followed by some matches to look forward to during the tournament. Finally, our predictions for how they could fare in the Best of the Super Juniors 24 – Sean Garmer

W2Mnet Staff

Sean Garmer, Co-Host of Wrestling 2 the MAX, W2Mnet Editor in-Chief

Paul Leazar, Co-Host of Wrestling 2 the MAX, W2Mnet Wrestling Dept. Head

Jeff Sugg, W2Mnet Full Staff Member

Glenn Smith, W2Mnet Wrestling Contributor

Tom Reese, W2Mnet Wrestling Contributor

Robert Cooper, W2Mnet Wrestling and Games Contributor

A Block

Super Juniors 24 Results

Dragon Lee (CMLL)

Super Juniors 24 Results

Final Point Total: 8 Points (Won against Takahashi, Ricochet, Scrull, Liger, Lost against Taichi, Ospreay, TAKA)

BOSJ Participations: Debut

Matches to Watch: Hiromu Takahashi, Ricochet, Will Ospreay

Lately, I haven’t watched much CMLL watchings as I have in years past, but this man needs little introduction. Dragon Lee is their current Lightweight Champion. And his appearances in both New Japan and Ring of Honor have become must watch occasions. Simply, because he does outrageous things. I expect Lee to have a fantastic tournament. While we know you can’t go all out every show, Dragon Lee and a few others might prove the exception to that rule.

I’m really looking forward to his rematch with Hiromu Takahashi. Mostly to see if he gets his win back over the current IWGP Junior Heavyweight champion (something I think only a few might accomplish in this tournament). Especially in what sort of fallout could happen post tournament. We all know what sort of insanity Lee and Ospreay are capable of together as well. Also, watching him lock up with Ricochet (something that to my knowledge, hasn’t happened yet,) has my mouth set to salivating. – Paul Leazar

Predicted Point Total: 8 points

Other Staff Members Point Predictions: Sean, Coop, Jeff: 8 Points. Tom & Glenn: 6 Points.

Hiromu Takahashi (Current IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion) (Los Ingobernables de Japon)

Super Juniors 24 Results

Final Point Total 8 Points (Lost against Dragon Lee, Ricochet, Ospreay, Won against Liger, Taichi, TAKA, Scrull)

BOSJ Participations: 3

Matches to Watch: Dragon Lee, Marty Scrull, Will Ospreay

The reigning IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, “Ticking Timebomb” Hiromu Takahashi is having an incredible championship reign. He has to be considered one of the favorites in this tournament. His string of insane matches looks to continue as he is part of the monumental A Block. considering New Japan likes to crown challengers for Dominion from this tourney, Takahashi winning it, is highly unlikely. The BOSJ is a great opportunity to make the division deeper. But, winning as champion, can define a wrestler’s legacy and Hiromu seems poised for just that type of feat. – Jeff Sugg

Predicted Point Total: 10 points

Things have continued to look bright for the reigning Jr. champion. Challenger after challenger continues to impress, but never quite outdo the champion. Matches with KUSHIDA, Dragon Lee, Ricochet, and tons more have become must see occasions. Hiromu works similarly to Lee, in that they both work with reckless abandon that really makes you wonder how these guys are still walking. Hiromu should be another stand-out in this tournament. While also racking up a ton of victories. Only dropping losses, to guys he really needs to lose to as to set up more matches down the line.

Even though they’ve already gone at it in Rev Pro in the UK, his match with Marty Scrull should be an incredibly interesting affair. As well as his match with Will Ospreay, who is really the only other well built singles junior left for him to conquer. While New Japan seems to have cooled on Ospreay a little bit, I have to think they’ve only done that so others can shine before we get to their big match somewhere down the line. – Paul Leazar

Predicted Point Total: 10 Points

Other Staff Members Point Predictions: Sean, Tom & Coop: 10 Points. Glenn: 8 Points.

Jushin Thunder Liger

Super Juniors 24 Results

Final Point Total 2 Points (Lost against TAKA, Scrull, Takahashi, Ospreay, Ricochet, Dragon Lee, Won against Taichi)

BOSJ Participations: 21 (Three Time BOSJ Winner, 92, 94, 01)

Matches to Watch: Hiromu Takahashi, Dragon Lee, Ricochet

Liger has announced that this is his final BOSJ. Liger competed in the first one back in 1988 when he still wrestled under his real name Keiichi Yamada. It was called The Top of the Super Jrs then. There was no tournament in 1989 or 1990. It was brought back in 1991 after Yamada established himself as one of the elite workers in the world since donning the Jushin Liger gimmick in 1989.

Since then, he’s competed in every one except for two. Injury kept him out in 1995 and 2000. He has won the tournament three times. While I don’t expect him to win or even come close to the top guys, it would make for a great story as this tournament was created specifically for him years ago. I’ll predict he gets three or four wins. – Tom Reese

Predicted Point Total: 8 points

In rolls the veteran for one final Super Juniors Tournament. The three time champion is in the absolutely stacked A block, which spells disaster for his tournament retirement tour. Liger usually curtain jerks most shows, and can get away with doing his shtick for most of his matches. He does the submissions, maybe does a few dives, and poses. He plays it pretty safe for the most part, but

I’m wondering if he’s going to go all out for his final ride. This could be similar to Hiroyoshi Tenzan’s final G1 last year. He shows burst and spirit at the beginning, but by the end, it’s time for him to get off of the tour. I don’t quite see him looking as sad in the end, but I think that Liger probably has some trouble getting to the top in the tournament. The only real surprise that I can see is a surprise win over Dragon Lee.

Liger is one of those old veterans that can have a great match with nearly anyone on the roster. Mainly because he can work different styles, though most of what he does now relies on more mat work, with occasional comedy. I do think he gets some points. Overall, I don’t see him beating the likes of Hiromu Takahashi, Ricochet, or Will Ospreay. I would love to be wrong, and have the All-Time great Junior Heavyweight in New Japan history win one more time, I just don’t see it being in the cards at this point in his career. – Robert Cooper

Predicted Point Total: 6 points

Other Staff Members Point Predictions: Sean, Paul & Jeff: 6 Points. Glenn: 4 Points.

“The Villian” Marty Scrull (ROH)

Super Juniors 24 Results

Final Point Total 8 Points (Won against Will Ospreay, TAKA, Liger, Ricochet, Lost against Dragon Lee, Taichi, Takahashi)

BOSJ Participations: Debut

Matches to Watch: Dragon Lee, Will Ospreay, Hiromu Takahashi

On May 12 at War Of The Worlds, The Villain made his intentions known to the wrestling world by aligning himself with the Bullet Club. Now, he comes into one of the most prestigious wrestling tournaments in the world. Oh and by the way it also just so happens to be his first BOSJ. That being said, I see the Villain going far in his Block, Conservatively speaking my prediction is that he will place third or Better in Block A. – Glenn Smith

Predicted Point Total: 10 points

Boy, if you watch Ring of Honor, you’ve been getting all you could want from The Villain, and more. He’s such a fun character. He’s also a great wrestler, and his run with the RoH World Television Title has been such a fun ride. Now, he gets to bring that act to the Best of the Super Juniors. There’s a lot of talk out there about him possibly being the surprise winner out of this thing.

However, I just don’t see it happening. I do see him doing quite well for himself throughout this tournament. His encounter with Hiromu Takahashi should be such a great match. I eagerly look forward to seeing all of the antics those two can divise. Although, really Scrull and anybody in the block should be just awesome. Except Taichi. Nobody likes Taichi. – Paul Leazar

Predicted Point Total: 6 points

Other Staff Members Point Predictions: Sean & Tom: 8 Points. Jeff: 6 Points. Coop: 4 Points.

“The King of Flight” Ricochet

Super Juniors 24 Results

Final Point Total 8 Points (Won against Taichi, Takahashi, Liger, TAKA, Lost against Ospreay, Dragon Lee, Scrull)

BOSJ Participations: 4 (Winner in 2014)

Matches to Watch: Dragon Lee, Hiromu Takahashi, Will Ospreay

King Ricochet won BOSJ 21 in 2014 defeating KUSHIDA in a memorable final. Rico is one of the most popular Junior Heavyweights, not only in Japan, but in the entire world. He seems set for a resurgence here in New Japan and his presence in Block A is one of the many reasons it feels like the deepest block in tournament history. – Jeff Sugg

Predicted Point Total: 10 points

The king of the high flyers returns for the chance to become a two time BOSJ winner. He is certainly in such great company this year. Seriously, the A Block is just unbelievably stacked until you see Taichi’s name on the list. Honestly though, we get another encounter with Ospreay, we get him with Dragon Lee, and him and Hiromu should just absolutely tear down the house again.

If you’re not looking forward to any of those matches, I’d advise that you seek some help from any kind of medical professional. This year, I could see Ricochet sort of having a slide during this tournament. He’s such a great talent, but there other guys who need the focus right now. He also already had his title match with Hiromu, so I don’t know how much more they are going to want to do with him so soon. – Paul Leazar

Predicted Point Total: 6 points

Other Staff Members Point Predictions: Sean: 8 Points. Glenn: 11 Points. Coop & Tom: 10 Points.

Taichi (Suzuki-Gun)

Super Juniors 24 Results

Final Point Total 8 Points (Lost against Ricochet, Takahashi, Liger won against TAKA, Dragon Lee, Scrull, Ospreay)

BOSJ Participations: 7

Matches to Watch: TAKA Michinoku, Jushin Thunder Liger, Marty Scrull

Paul: Ughhhhhhhhh. Why are you in this at all Taichi? WHY? I don’t much care for his act. He’s extremely lazy in the ring, and he just does absolutely nothing for me, or anyone, these days. He used to show some promise some time ago, but he’s just been riding coat tails with the Suzuki-gun.

When the only thing you bring to the promotion is a fresh face to do the IWGP Junior Tag Title trade with, that’s a problem. Anyway, he’s gotta win, and I wager he’s going to win with some cheap tactics. Both Scrull and Liger could prove to be some entertaining matches, but that’s more because of how they could react to Taichi trying to cheat his way to some wins. –

Predicted Point Total: 4 points

Other Staff Members Point Predictions: Sean: 5 Points. Glenn & Tom: 0 Points. Jeff: 3 Points Coop: 6 Points.

TAKA Michinoku (Suzuki-Gun)

Super Juniors 24 Results

Final Point Total 4 Points (Won against Liger & Dragon Lee, lost against Taichi, Scrull, Ospreay, Takahashi, Ricochet)

BOSJ Participations: 6

Matches to Watch: Jushin Liger, Marty Scrull, Hiromu Takahashi, Taichi

Paul: Man, do I love me some older TAKA. He’s such a fun worker, and I think he can still go pretty well. He’s sorta the Suzuki-gun dad at this rate. While still feeling important sometimes where a lot of the other guys just sort of exist. I don’t think any of his matches will be blow away, it’ll be really fun to watch him hook up with all of these young guns.

Scrull presents an interesting match-up for one. Just because they work so similarly to each other. This might be one the time ever he goes against Hiromu, which could make for a ton of fun interactions between the two. I don’t wager he’ll rack up a ton of points either. He’s here to make guys look good, and get them some solid wins. So sadly, TAKA probably finishes close to the bottom.

Predicted Point Total: 4 points

Other Staff Members Point Predictions: Sean: 5 Points. Glenn: 6 Points. Tom: 4 Points. Jeff: 3 Points Coop: 0 Points.

“The Ariel Assassin” Will Ospreay (CHAOS)

Super Juniors 24 Results

Final Point Total 10 Points (Lost against Marty Scrull, Taichi, won against Ricochet, Liger, TAKA, Dragon Lee, Takahashi)

BOSJ Participations: 2 (Winner in 2016)

Matches to Watch: Dragon Lee, Hiromu Takahashi, Ricochet

The Aerial Assassin comes back to the BOSJ to try to make it back to back tournament victories, (something only Tiger Mask IV has ever done). I could very clearly see that happening. Will has made his intentions known that he wants to wear the Junior Heavyweight Title around his waist at some point this year.

Right now, it seems like him and Hiromu are going to be on a collision course. Whether he wins this tournament or not simply because that’s the last big match-up left for him in the division. I do think Will cames away as the finalist for the A Block. Then, ends up tying with Hiromu going into the last day. Only to get the big win and shut the champion out of the finals.- Paul Leazar

Predicted Point Total: 10 points

Other Staff Members Point Predictions: Sean & Tom: 10 Points. Glenn: 11 Points. Jeff: 8 Points Coop: 12 Points.

B Block

Super Juniors 24 Results

ACH

Super Juniors 24 Results

Final Point Total 6 Points (Won against BUSHI, KUSHIDA, El Desperado, Lost against Kanemaru, Tiger Mask IV, Volador Jr., Taguchi)

BOSJ Participations: Debut

Matches to Watch: KUSHIDA, Volador Jr., Taguchi

Mr. Attitude, Charisma, and Heart. ACH is entering his very first ever BOSJ and he is the Top Guy to keep your eyes on in Block B. This tournament could be the piece of the puzzle that he needs to prove to the rest of the world, why he is one of absolute best high flyers around. He’s not aligned with any of the major factions, so it’s hard to see him make it out of Block Competition without having any faction support. – Glenn Smith

Predicted Point Total: 9 points

Thank god I live in Texas, and can still see him perform often. Mainly because ACH is great. He’s such a wonderful talent to watch in the ring. I think he’s got charisma by the barrel full to really be something for New Japan, if they want to use him more often going forward. It’s a real shame he couldn’t be in the A Block, but whatcha gonna do?

For me, ACH is a real wild card in this tournament. He could do really, really well, and his block is much more winnable by far. However, with both Volador Jr. (which should just be a jaw dropping showcase of agility) bringing more international flair, and KUSHIDA (one of the matches I’m looking forward to the most during this tournament), who has a great story spanning the entire division to play spoiler for him, it’s so dicey to call. Either way you slice it though, ACH will go far in this tournament, and hopefully earns himself a spot to stay in New Japan going forward. – Paul Leazar

Predicted Point Total: 10 points

Other Staff Members Point Predictions: Sean, Coop & Tom: 8 Points. Jeff: 10 Points.

BUSHI (Los Ingobernables de Japon)

Super Juniors 24 Results

Final Point Total 8 Points (Lost against ACH, El Desperado, KUSHIDA, Won Against Taguchi, Volador Jr., Kanemaru, Tiger)

BOSJ Participations: 5

Matches to Watch: KUSHIDA, Volador Jr., Taguchi

Since the arrival of Hiromu to the Los Ingobernables de Japon fold, BUSHI has fallen by the wayside to the perpetual feud with Taguchi Japan and the NEVER Six Man Titles. He’s such a great talent, a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion (even if the reign really didn’t mean all that much), and can go with just about anybody.

I’d look for BUSHI to do well in this tournament too, and even get a few surprising wins. It’ll be neat to see him go one on one with KUSHIDA, who has found himself in a funk and knocked off the top pedestal by Hiromu. I’m really looking forward to watching him lock-up with ACH as well. BUSHI is somebody who I want to do well, but probably only finishes in the middle of the pack. He’s just not one of the stars in the division anymore. He may not find himself back in that limelight for a long time to come either. – Paul Leazar

Predicted Point Total: 8 points

Other Staff Members Point Predictions: Tom: 4 Points. Sean & Glenn: 6 Points. Jeff: 8 Points. Coop: 10 Points.

El Desperado (Suzuki-Gun)

Super Juniors 24 Results

Final Point Total 6 Points (Won against KUSHIDA, BUSHI, Taguchi, Lost Against Volador Jr., ACH, Tiger, Kanemaru)

BOSJ Participations: 3

Matches to Watch: Volador Jr., BUSHI, Kanemaru

Good ol’ Despy. I really want to like him more than I do, but he’s never really done all that much. Some of that might be due to the all injuries he’s sustained, but he’s never really had much going in the way of momentum either. That being said, he’s an above average talent, and he’s got some fun matches to look forward to as he gets to clash with BUSHI, which I think will be a very fun lucha inspired match. Volador Jr., for much of the same reasons, and Kanemaru, his fellow Suzuki-gun stablemate, which will be way more interesting to watch than Taichi and TAKA lock horns. – Paul Leazar

Predicted Point Total: 6 points

Other Staff Members Point Predictions: Sean & Glenn: 6 Points. Tom: 0 Points. Coop & Jeff: 4 Points.

KUSHIDA

Super Juniors 24 Results

Final Point Total 8 Points (Lost against El Desperado, Tiger, ACH, Won against BUSHI, Kanemaru, Taguchi, Volador Jr.)

BOSJ Participations: 8 (Winner in 2015)

Matches to Watch: ACH, BUSHI, Volador Jr.

I look at this Best of the Super Juniors as the, “KUSHIDA rehabilitation tour 2017.” KUSHIDA has been the king of the Junior Heavyweight division for going on a couple of years now. What has been very surprising in the past five months is how KUSHIDA can’t seem to get his mojo truly going in a championship match. Especially, since he lost it to Hiromu Takahashi.

In fact, I would say that in his loss to Takahashi. This started the narrative of the fallen ace. Ready to rise back up and retake his throne. I think that is exactly what is going to happen in this year’s tournament. Made much more interesting that they managed to put him in the block with the least star power. This isn’t to say that it’s not ripe with talent. I see KUSHIDA dominating almost the entire block. I don’t really see him losing to most of the crop that comes in his block. At most, I can see him losing to maybe Ryusuke Taguchi, who is always booked in a strong manner in these tournaments.

BUSHI is the only real top tier talent in the block. So, that also plays into my decision. I have noticed that Volador Jr. usually gets a big win in the tournament, so what win would be bigger than the Junior’s fallen ace. Otherwise, I think him beating most of the field solidifies him as the true contender for the title, and might even give him reason to step up to Heavyweight should he not regain his title. – Robert Cooper

Predicted Point Total: 12 points

Other Staff Members Point Predictions: Sean, Glenn & Tom: 10 Points. Jeff: 12 Points. Paul: 6 Points.

Ryusuke Taguchi

Super Juniors 24 Results

Final Point Total 8 Points (Won against Kanemaru, Volador Jr., Tiger, ACH, Lost against El Desperado, BUSHI, KUSHIDA)

BOSJ Participations: 14 (Winner in 2012, Finalist 2016)

Matches to Watch: ACH, BUSHI, Kanemaru

Taguchi surprised a ton of people last year by making it to the finals of the BOSJ. He put on an absolutely stellar match with Ospreay that wowed fans across the world. People might continue to undervalue the guy because at his core, he’s comedy act. However, he’s a comedy act who can work at a very high level in the ring, when the time calls for it. This being the weaker block, the time has certainly come to see THAT Taguchi once again.

He’s got some fun match ups ahead of him, and his match with BUSHI should certainly be worth taking notice of simply due to the massive amount of time he’s been feuding with L.I.J. Especially, with very little single matches to propel forward. Taguchi and Kanemaru could be one to look forward to as well. Both guys have been around for a long time, and while Kanemaru isn’t exactly all that compelling as a character, he can wrestle at a high level when the time calls for it too. – Paul Leazar

Predicted Point Total: 8 points

Other Staff Members Point Predictions: Sean, Glenn & Tom: 8 Points. Jeff & Coop: 10 Points.

Tiger Mask IV

Super Juniors 24 Results

Final Point Total 6 Points (Lost against Volador Jr., Kanemaru, Taguchi, BUSHI, Won against KUSHIDA, ACH, El Desperado)

BOSJ Participations: 16 (Two Time Winner, 04 & 05)

Matches to Watch: ACH, Volador Jr., KUSHIDA

While I can’t say I am particularly looking forward to his matches, Tiger Mask IV does provide another veteran presence for the tournament. If he’s not in a grumpy mood, he can be carried to some fun stuff. His chances of winning this tournament are way past him, but he could be a spoiler for some matches. It’ll be interesting to see how he works with the guys who like run at ten thousand miles per hour, i.e. ACH and Volador Jr. KUSHIDA should be another fun match-up for him as well. However, we all know he won’t be getting very far in this tournament at all. – Paul Leazar

Predicted Point Total: 4 points

Other Staff Members Point Predictions: Sean & Tom: 4 Points. Glenn: 11 Points. Jeff: 0 Points. Coop: 2 Points.

Volador Jr. (CMLL)

Super Juniors 24 Results

Final Point Total 6 Points (Won against Tiger Mask IV, El Desperado, ACH, Lost against Taguchi, Kanemaru, BUSHI, KUSHIDA)

BOSJ Participations: 2

Matches to Watch: ACH, Taguchi, KUSHIDA

Volador is a charismatic and exciting high flyer out of Mexico. He’s entering his second BOSJ tournament. Last year he went 4-3 and was knocked out of the finals after losing his final round-robin match to eventual winner Will Ospreay. Volador is an all action performer who has been a main eventer in Mexico for most of the decade. His stints in Japan have really exposed him to the rest of the world. His matches sometimes follow a certain predictable routine, but is still exciting nonetheless. The BOSJ is more about excitement. I’m going with the bold prediction that Volador goes 5-2 and wins B Block and the tournament. – Tom Reese

Predicted Point Total: 10 points

Here’s somebody who can do some big things in this tournament. I really enjoy Volador’s work, and he proves nightly that he is one of the best high flyers in the world wherever he wrestles. KUSHIDA and Volador had a wonderfully slept-on match in CMLL last year, and you know that ACH and Volador are gonna put on a big show stealing effort with all the flippies they’re likely to do to get the crowd going. I might be going a little far with this, but I think Volador Jr. wins Block B with style. He maybe loses to ACH, and depending on how KUSHIDA gets booked, him too, but that’s it. – Paul Leazar

Predicted Point Total: 12 points

Other Staff Members Point Predictions: Sean: 10 Points. Glenn: 6 Points. Jeff: 4 Points. Coop: 8 Points.

Yoshinobu Kanemaru (Suzuki-Gun)

Super Juniors 24 Results

Final Point Total 8 Points (Lost against Taguchi, KUSHIDA, BUSHI, Won against ACH, Volador Jr., Tiger, El Desperado)

BOSJ Participations: Debut

Matches to Watch: ACH, BUSHI, El Desperado

If you only follow New Japan, you maybe unaware of the push this guy got within Pro Wrestling NOAH and All Japan Pro Wrestling during the mid 2000’s. This guy is a seven, count ‘em, 7 time GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion for Pro Wrestling NOAH. A former World Junior Heavyweight Champion for All Japan too. Not to mention, he has won the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Titles for New Japan, All Japan, and NOAH. The dude has a laundry list of accomplishments longer than my arm. However, the fans sort of soured on his constant domination without the top tier talent that is expected of somebody like that on the big stage in Japan.

Trust me, Kanemuru can work when the time calls for it. And we’ve seen brief glimpses of that at times during his current New Japan run. However, he is pushing 40, and while we may not get any giant performances out of him, I certainly think he’s still got some good matches up his sleeve for the tournament. I don’t wager he’ll get very far though. Much like TAKA, he’s here to put guys over and have good matches with them in the process. – Paul Leazar

Predicted Point Total: 2 points

Other Staff Members Point Predictions: Sean, Tom, Glenn & Jeff: 6 Points. Coop: 2 Points.

Predicted Block Winners & Overall Winner

A Block: Tom & Jeff: Ricochet. Sean, Paul, Glenn & Coop: Will Ospreay

Actual Winner: Will Ospreay

B Block: Tom & Paul: Volador Jr. Sean, Jeff & Coop: KUSHIDA. Glenn: Tiger Mask IV.

Actual Winner: KUSHIDA

BOSJ Winner: Tom: Volador Jr. Glenn: Tiger Mask IV. Sean & Paul: Will Ospreay. Jeff: Ricochet. Coop: KUSHIDA.

Actual Winner: KUSHIDA

Farewell For Now

Make sure to keep checking back daily to get quick results and current standings on the tournament. As well as, perhaps some reviews from the shows too.

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