May 28, 2017
published on NJPW World
(taped May 28, 2017)
City: Takasaki, Gunma, Japan
Venue: New Sunpia
Attendance: 1,375
Series: Best of the Super Jr. 24
Commentary: none
Ring Announcer: Makoto Abe, Kimihiko Ozaki
Notes: stationary camera, only tournament matches published 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: 7:26
Match Thoughts
This match was not published on NJPW World.
Match 2
Hirai Kawato & Tiger Mask vs El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
(referee: Kenta Sato)
Result: El Desperado pins Hirai Kawato after Pinche Loco (sitout lifting double underhook facebuster)
Time: 8:56
Match Thoughts
This match was not published on NJPW World.
Match 3
Best of the Super Jr. 24 A Block Match
TAKA Michinoku vs Ricochet
(referee: Marty Asami; ring announcer: Makoto Abe)
Result: Ricochet wins via pinfall after a Benadryller (fireman’s carry into a roundhouse kick)
Time: 7:41
Match Thoughts
Good match. It was pretty simple, but the pace was kept high. TAKA managed to capitalize on a lot of his fake-out strikes, but Ricochet seemed to build momentum throughout the entirety of the match.
Match 4
Best of the Super Jr. 24 A Block Match
Dragon Lee vs Jushin Thunder Liger
(referee: Marty Asami; ring announcer: Makoto Abe)
Result: Dragon Lee wins via pinfall after a diving double stomp
Time: 7:54
Match Thoughts
Good match. Liger started out strong and went move for move with Dragon Lee. Both men hit some nice dives and worked together to create some great sequences. The match remained very even up until the very end. Liger is too far behind to catch up at this point in the tournament, but he’s easily the sentimental favorite. That added a lot to this match. Everyone seems to be hoping that he gets at least one win.
Match 5
David Finlay & War Machine (IWGP Tag Champs) vs Yujiro Takahashi & Tanga Roa & Tama Tonga
(referee: Marty Asami)
Result: Raymond Rowe pins Tanga Roa after a War Machine Combo Slam
Time: 7:22
Match Thoughts
This match was not published on NJPW World.
Match 6
Best of the Super Jr. 24 A Block Match
Taichi w/ Yoshinobu Kanemaru, El Desperado vs Will Ospreay
(referee: Red Shoes Unno; ring announcer: Makoto Abe)
Result: Taichi wins via pinfall after a Taichi Shiki Last Ride
Time: 10:08
Match Thoughts
Good match. It was basically three on one with Taichi, El Desperado, and Kanemaru all working in unison to attack and distract Ospreay. Weapons were used heavily, and it didn’t help that the referee pretty much allowed anything and everything to go. The overwhelming adversity did help to add some excitement to the match since Ospreay is a heavy favorite in the tournament and always seems to find a way to fight back.
Match 7
Best of the Super Jr. 24 A Block Match
Marty Scurll vs Hiromu Takahashi (IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Champ)
(referee: Red Shoes Unno; ring announcer: Kimihiko Ozaki)
Result: Hiromu Takahashi wins via pinfall after a Time Bomb (fireman’s carry into a sitout side powerslam)
Time: 13:07
Match Thoughts
Good match. Scurll seemed to be in control of most of this match, if only slightly. The last portions of the match contained a lot of kicks and felt rather one-sided. I liked the finish, but it did feel a little underwhelming after the buildup in the match.
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 Juice Robinson after EVIL (STO)
Time: 13:30
Match Thoughts
This match was not published on NJPW World.
Show Impressions
Another good show. I think overall the matches were better tonight than in night 9. Block A seemed to even out a bit tonight with five men tied for the top spot. It’ll be interesting to see how the last two matches go for everyone.
Match of the Night
Dragon Lee vs Jushin Thunder Liger
This was the most fun match of the night for me, and the most continuously entertaining throughout its duration. The added sentimental pull for Liger probably helps a lot as well.
Standings After Night 10
Block A
| Wrestler | Win | Loss | Draw | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon Lee | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Hiromu Takahashi | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Ricochet | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Taichi | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Will Ospreay (defending champ) | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Marty Scurll | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Taka Michinoku | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| Jushin Thunder Liger | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
Block B
| Wrestler | Win | Loss | Draw | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACH | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| El Desperado | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Ryusuke Taguchi | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Yoshinobu Kanemaru | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Bushi | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| KUSHIDA | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Tiger Mask | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Volador Jr. | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 |