May 21, 2017
published on NJPW World
(taped May 21, 2017)
City: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
Venue: Kira Messe Numazu
Attendance: 1,470
Series: Best of the Super Jr. 24
Commentary: none
Ring Announcer: Makoto Abe, Kimihiko Ozaki
Notes: Stationary camera, only tournament matches are available on NJPW World
Match 1
Shota Umino & Tomoyuki Oka & Volador Jr. vs Tetsuhiro Yagi & Katsuya Kitamura & ACH
(referee: Kenta Sato)
Result: Tomoyuki Oka forces Tetsuhiro Yagi to submit to a Boston Crab
Time: 6:57
Match Thoughts
This match was not aired on NJPW World.
Match 2
Kawato Hirai & Tiger Mask vs El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
(referee: Kenta Sato)
Result: El Desperado pins Kawato Hirai after a Pinche Roco (sitout lifting double underhook facebuster)
Time: 8:42
Match Thoughts
This match was not aired on NJPW World.
Match 3
Best of the Super Jr. 24 A Block Match
TAKA Michinoku vs Will Ospreay
(referee: Marty Asami; ring announcer: Makoto Abe)
Result: Will Ospreay wins via pinfall after an OsCutter
Time: 8:46
Match Thoughts
Good match. Michinoku had a good game plan. Early in he match he neutralized Ospreay by taking the fight outside the ring. TAKA put Ospreay in a crossface on the floor way away from the ring then ran back in and hoped for a countout. Ospreay barely beat the count, but TAKA went back to the crossface often throughout the match. It made for some nice moments where Ospreay had to survive TAKA’s submission and try to make comebacks with small, quick bursts of offense.
Match 4
Best of the Super Jr. 24 A Block Match
Marty Scurll vs Jushin Thunder Liger
(referee: Marty Asami; ring announcer: Makoto Abe)
Result: Marty Scurll wins via submission with a crossface chickenwing
Time: 12:16
Match Thoughts
Good match. There was a bit of comedy in the first part of the match, such as when Scurll did a head stand and clapped with his feet when Liger had his head scissored, but Scurll moved to to attacking Liger’s arm. Liger’s arm became a major factor in the match as Scurll started looking for the crossface chickenwing. Liger mounted a few comebacks, but his hurt arm took some of the power out of his attacks and led directly to the finish. I really liked the injury psychology in this one. It was simple, but it worked well.
Match 5
David Finlay & War Machine (IWGP Tag Champs) vs Yujiro Takahashi & Tanga Roa & Tama Tonga
(referee: Marty Asami)
Result: Yujiro Takahashi pins David Finlay after Pimp Juice (kneeling snap DDT)
Time: 8:35
Match Thoughts
This match was not aired on NJPW World, but that makes two nights in a row that Takahashi has pinned Finlay with the same move in a tag match. Perhaps War Machine should think about getting a new partner.
Match 6
Best of the Super Jr. 24 A Block Match
Taichi w/ El Desperado vs Dragon Lee
(referee: Red Shoes Unno; ring announcer: Makoto Abe)
Result: Taichi wins via pinfall after a Taichi-shiki Last Ride
Time: 9:04
Match Thoughts
I really liked this match. Taichi attacked Dragon Lee with his mic stand before the bell. Taichi then sent Lee to the outside where El Desperado continued to beat on Lee as Taichi distracted the referee. This started the match with a lot of energy right away and allowed Lee to mount a comeback right from the start. Desperado and Taichi continued to use teamwork, distractions, and weapons to try to take Lee down, and it worked for much of the match. Lee managed to survive the onslaught though, and the finish of the match had both guys trade a few big, powerful moves.
Match 7
Best of the Super Jr. 24 A Block Match
Ricochet vs Hiromu Takahashi (IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champ)
(referee: Red Shoes Unno; ring announcer: Kimihiko Ozaki)
Result: Ricochet wins via pinfall after King’s Landing (lifting reverse STO)
Time: 12:15
Match Thoughts
Very good match. This one started fast with both men using speed to attack each other. There was an early dive to the outside from Ricoshet before things started to settle down somewhat. Takahashi took control and attempted to ground Ricochet with strikes and a leg submission. Ricochet wouldn’t stay down long, but Takahashi managed to retain control of the match (for the most part) with some well-timed big moves. The later part of the match become a bit more even with momentum shifting to both men, and it also had some very nice sequences and near falls. The finish was very convincing as well.
Match 8
KUSHIDA (ROH TV Champ) & Ryusuke Taguchi & Juice Robinson & Satoshi Kojima vs BUSHI & EVIL & SANADA (NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Champs) & Tetsuya Naito (IWGP IC Champ)
(referee: Red Shoes Unno)
Result: EVIL pins KUSHIDA after EVIL (STO)
Time: 13:24
Match Thoughts
This match was not aired on NJPW World.
Show Impressions
A good show. I think the A Block of the tournament has a stronger lineup than the B Block, but the matches from the past two days were pretty even in my opinion. Both days were equally good. The standings are also pretty close still, though we’re not even halfway through the tournament. I do hope Liger gets some wins though. He’s said this will be his last Super Jr. tournament, and even though I don’t expect him to win, I do hope he mounts a comeback towards the end.
Match of the Night
Ricochet vs Hiromu Takahashi
All the matches were good in their own way, but I think this one had the most energy and the most exciting finish.
Standings After Night 4
Block A
| Wrestler | Win | Loss | Draw | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon Lee | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Marty Scurll | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Taichi | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Ricochet | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Will Ospreay (defending champ) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Hiromu Takahashi | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Taka Michinoku | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Jushin Thunder Liger | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Block B
| Wrestler | Win | Loss | Draw | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Desperado | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Ryusuke Taguchi | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| ACH | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Tiger Mask | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Volador Jr. | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Yoshinobu Kanemaru | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Bushi | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| KUSHIDA | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |