May 17, 2017
(aired live)
City: Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
Venue: Korakuen Hall
Attendance: 1,729
Series: Best of the Super Jr. 24
Commentary: Milano Collection AT, Shinji Yoshino, Hiroki Yamazaki, Daiki Mikami, Hirooki Goto
Ring Announcer: Kimihiko Ozaki, Makoto Abe
Intro Video
Introducing the participants in the 24th super junior tournament.
Match 1
Best of the Super Junior 24 A Block Match
Taka Michinoku vs Jushin Thunder Liger
(referee: Kenta Sato; ring announcer: Kimihiko Ozaki; commentary: Milano Collection AT, Shinji Yoshino)
Result: Taka Michinoku wins via pinfall after Heavy Killer #1
Time: 8:33
Match Thoughts
This seemed like a clinic for Liger throughout the majority of the match. Liger started right away, stretching Michinoku all over and around the ring. He was in complete control until late in the match when Michinoku managed to get Liger in a crossface. The final portion of the match was a good, tense struggle for Liger to see if he could survive and come back. This was a good opening match to the tournament.
Match 2
Best of the Super Junior 24 B Block Match
Volador Jr. vs Tiger Mask
(referee: Kenta Sato; ring announcer: Kimihiko Ozaki; commentary: Milano Collection AT, Hiroki Yamazaki)
Result: Volador Jr. wins via pinfall after a top rope Spanish fly
Time: 9:48
Match Thoughts
Volador Jr. attempted to take control with his agility and flying, but Tiger Mask kept him grounded much of the time with a series of holds and submissions. Volador managed to start breaking free later in the match, leading to a faster paced, exciting finish.
Match 3
Best of the Super Junior 24 A Block Match
Taichi w/ Miho Abe vs Ricochet
(referee: Marty Asami; ring announcer: Makoto Abe; commentary: Milano Collection AT, Daiki Mikami)
Result: Ricochet wins via pinfall with a shooting star press
Time: 8:56
Match Thoughts
Taichi attempted every dirty trick he could think of during the first part of the match. Richocet managed to avoid a lot of them, but eventually he got caught and Taichi started to take over. Ricochet would manage to survive and come back with some quick, high flying offense which would lead to the finish of the match. This was a fun match.
Match 4
Best of the Super Junior 24 B Block Match
BUSHI (NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Champ) vs ACH
(referee: Marty Asami; ring announcer: Makoto Abe; commentary: Milano Collection AT, Hiroki Yamazaki)
Result: ACH wins via pinfall with a Midnight Driver
Time: 10:47
Match Thoughts
ACH was eager to fight, but Bushi shut him down early with some dirty tactics and some solid wrestling. ACH managed to hang in there and turn it around, but this was a pretty even match throughout. ACH flew a little, and there was also a fair amount of strong style from him as well.
Intermission
Highlights from the first four matches are shown as the show breaks for intermission. Hirooki Goto joins the commentary table to give his opinions on the tournament and the competitors.
Match 5
Best of the Super Junior 24 B Block Match
El Desperado vs KUSHIDA (ROH TV Champ)
(referee: Marty Asami; ring announcer: Makoto Abe; commentary: Milano Collection AT, Daiki Mikami, Hirooki Goto)
Result: El Desperado wins via pinfall after Guitarra de Angel
Time: 11:44
Match Thoughts
El Desperado started this one quickly by attacking KUSHIDA before the bell and brawling with him at ringside. Desperado continued using dirty tricks and weapons in the ring, but KUSHIDA was able to survive and mount a comeback. There were some great counters and transitions in this match, and the final segments of the match were energetic and exciting. A very good match.
Match 6
Best of the Super Junior 24 A Block Match
Marty Scurll vs Will Ospreay
(referee: Red Shoes Unno; ring announcer: Makoto Abe; commentary: Milano Collection AT, Hiroki Yamazaki, Hirooki Goto)
Result: Marty Scurll wins via submission with a crossface chickenwing
Time: 12:11
Match Thoughts
There was a lot of one-upmanship going on early in the match. Scurll and Ospreay traded holds and had some nice chains going on. The match started to open up a bit after that, but it still felt like they were trying to outdo each other the whole time. There was (obviously) some flying in this match, and it ended up being one of the more exciting matches of the night so far. Ospreay and Scurll both had the crowd going with their personalities as much as their wrestling.
Match 7
Best of the Super Junior 24 B Block Match
Yoshinobu Kanemaru w/ Taka Michinoku vs Ryusuke Taguchi
(referee: Red Shoes Unno; ring announcer: Kimihiko Ozaki; commentary: Milano Collection AT, Shinji Yoshino, Hirooki Goto)
Result: Ryusuke Taguchi wins via pinfall with an inside cradle
Time: 11:27
Match Thoughts
As is usually the case with Taguchi, this was a bit of a comedy match. It’s difficult to have a serious match when a guy’s offense consists almost exclusively of hip attacks. Still, this was entertaining and managed to make me laugh on a couple of occasions. It was fun.
Match 8
Best of the Super Junior 24 A Block Match
Dragon Lee vs Hiromu Takahashi (IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champ)
(referee: Red Shoes Unno; ring announcer: Kimihiko Ozaki; commentary: Milano Collection AT, Daiki Mikami, Hirooki Goto)
Result: Dragon Lee wins via pinfall with a Phoenix-Plex
Time: 18:56
Match Thoughts
Great match! This was the hardest fought, hardest hitting match of the night. Both guys traded big, impactful moves, there was a fair amount of flying, and the finish came after a number of near falls. This was a very good main event, and I think it sets the tone well for this year’s tournament.
Show Impressions
This was a good show and a good start for the tournament. There were all sorts of different styles on display, and there were more than a few upsets in my opinion.
Match of the Night
Dragon Lee vs Hiromu Takahashi
A great main event for the first night.
Standings After Night 1
Block A
| Wrestler | Win | Loss | Draw | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon Lee | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Marty Scurll | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Ricochet | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Taka Michinoku | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Hiromu Takahashi | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jushin Thunder Liger | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Taichi | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Will Ospreay (defending champ) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Block B
| Wrestler | Win | Loss | Draw | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACH | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| El Desperado | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Ryusuke Taguchi | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Volador Jr. | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Bushi | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| KUSHIDA | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tiger Mask | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Yoshinobu Kanemaru | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |