Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Gedo (Block A) – Taguchi wins Block A and advances to the finals
Bushi defeated Kushida (Block A)
Will Ospreay and Ryusuke Taguchi will face off in the finals of the NJPW BOSJ 2016 tournament, tomorrow June 7 at 5:30 a.m. EST, from Sendai Sunplaza Hall in Miyagi, Japan, which can be seen live on njpwworld.com including English commentary from Kevin Kelly and Steve Corino.
On May 21st I witnessed an absolutely enthralling contest between two of the best Junior Heavyweight wrestlers on the planet. Kyle O’Reilly and KUSHIDA have a chemistry in the ring that is impossible to manufacture, and extremely difficult to maintain over a period of time. That is why I believe that the three match series between KUSHIDA and O’Reilly over the past year can be included in the discussion of ‘best ever:’
Kyle O’Reilly vs KUSHIDA – Best of the Super Juniors 2015 Final
Kyle O’Reilly vs KUSHIDA – Revolution Pro Wrestling’s Uprising 2015
Kyle O’Reilly vs KUSHIDA – Best of the Super Juniors 2016 Night 1 Main Event
The enjoyment of wrestling has and always will be based on opinion/perception and not on statistical fact. A 20 minute technical masterpiece to one fan may bore another. The 5 minute ‘spot-fest’ might turn off viewers looking for a gripping story, so if you don’t agree with my assessment then I fully understand.
What makes these three matches so special? Innovation.
Some of the best feuds over the course of history have transcended time and pushed the boundaries of the sport. Rivalries such as Bret/Owen in the WWE, Flair/Steamboat in the NWA and Joe/Punk in ROH.
KUSHIDA and O’Reilly draw inspiration from mixed martial arts to give their bouts a frenetic and brutal feel. This is an evolution of Strong Style, quickening the pace but keeping the traditional elements of respect and honour between combatants.
So let’s take a look at the three matches:
Best of the Super Juniors Final 2015
The first bout between the two opened the eyes of a lot of fans. Up to this point both grapplers could’ve been considered perennial tag team specialists. The initial takedown attempts and limb-targeting borrowed heavily from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the quick transitions mesmerised the crowd in a way that was unique for the Juniors division. One of the most incredible elements of this bout was the excitement created during submission holds, the crowd were at their most electric when O’Reilly locked in a brutal armbar. KUSHIDA took the win via submission with the Hoverboard lock.
Revolution Pro Wrestling’s Uprising 2015
This match holds great importance personally as I was lucky enough to be there. This was O’Reilly’s chance at redemption for the loss at BOSJ and both men delivered an incredible back and forth match. The most memorable moment of the bout was O’Reilly catching KUSHIDA in an armbar out of a back hand spring that completely caught the crowd unawares. After a quick paced match that took the physicality of the first up a few notches Kyle took the win following a Triangle choke. I would put this bout as the weakest of the three however this is only by the smallest of margins.
Best of the Super Juniors 2016 Night 1 Main Event
The final bout would main event the first night of the BOSJ 2016 tournament. This match played off of the technical exchanges of the first two, however the pair adopted more high risk offence, such as KUSHIDA catching O’Reilly in an armbar after leaping from a seated position outside the ring (this has to be seen to be believed), in a moment that harked back to the Rev Pro match O’Reilly caught KUSHIDA in a triangle following a standing moonsault attempt, KUSHIDA quickly transitioned out but it added to the ‘chess match’ feel of the bout. O’Reilly took the win following an armbar after a failed attempt from KUSHIDA to escape another triangle choke.
Words can never do justice to a great piece of art, and I implore you to watch all three of these bouts. I fully expect both these men to meet again for New Japan in a more advanced role on the card in the future. It is difficult to compare modern matches to the classics, as time passes it is almost easier to judge and rank among the greats, however on this occasion I am going with my gut feeling and feel that KUSHIDA and O’Reilly deserve their spot alongside the Flair/Steamboats, purely as they have innovated and pushed the sport into new realms.
You can watch the two BOSJ matches through NJPW streaming service here: http://njpwworld.com
The Revolution Pro match is available to view either on-demand or through their streaming service here: https://www.revolutionprowrestling.com/on-demand
Have you seen these matches? What trilogies would you rank as the best ever? Leave a comment below.
Thanks for reading
Jake
If you enjoyed this column then please check out my podcast: WHO BOOKED THIS CRAP!? below.
Kevin Kelly and Mr. Wrestling 3 introduce us to the show, “Re-living all the great action from the Honor Rising events, taped back in February from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. As we ramp up towards Global Wars, Sunday May 8, live on pay-per-view.”
Jay Lethal (with Truth Martini) and Tetsuya Naito (with Bushi and Evil) vs Chaos (Kazuchika Okada and Yoshi-Hashi) (with Gedo)
Tetsuya Naito is out first, taking his time on his way to the ring with Evil and Bushi, Naito messes with Red Shoes. Out next is the ROH World Champion Jay Lethal, Truth Martini follows behind holding the Book of Truth. KK, says, “After Naito came back from CMLL in Mexico, he brought back a bizarre attitude, seeming like he doesn’t want to work with anybody.” MW3 tells us, “In this match, we have the two most important world champions in professional wrestling.” Next out is Yoshi-Hashi and Okada with his manager Geto. MW3 says, “Okada is one of the most popular athletes in Japan right now and maybe the entire world.”
Lethal and Naito argue about who will start the match, Lethal wins the argument. The two world champions start it off, they circle each other, collar-and-elbow tie up, wrist lock by Lethal, armringer by Okada, Lethal rolls through back flips and locks in the wrist lock again, Okada rolls through and locks in an armringer again. Lethal with a snapmare takeover, goes for the rear chinlock, Okada counters into the hammerlock, Lethal to his feet, transitions into a side headlock, Okada with two shots to the gut, throws Lethal off the ropes, shoulder tackle by Lethal, Lethal runs the ropes, Okada ducks under leapfrog, but catches a boot to the gut. Lethal goes for the Lethal Injection, but Okada pushes out, Okada goes for Rainmaker, but Lethal ducks out, and the fans cheer. Okada with 2 forearms, Lethal with an armdrag, cartwheel dropkick, cover, but Okada kicks out at 2. Lethal goes for the tag, but Naito does not want to tag in, and we go to commercial.
When we return, Naito tags in, delivers stomps to Yoshi-Hashi, but as Lethal exits the ring, Naito slaps him on the back, tagging Lethal right back in. Lethal with a suplex on Yoshi-Hashi, but Yoshi-hashi kicks out. Lethal tags in Naito, Naito shoos him away, Lethal gets out of the ring, Naito whips Yoshi-Hashi into the corner, running push kick to the chest by Naito, jumps over the top ropes for a basement dropkick, cover, Yoshi-Hashi kicks out. MW3 asks of Evil, “He looks familiar. Do we know him?” KK, “That’s Takaaki Watanabi, he used to wrestle for ROH.” MW3 says, “Oh, I wasn’t in the company back then.” KK replies, “I would have hoped Corino would have given you some notes.” MW3 says, “He did, he said he likes Subway, kind of a jerk.” Yoshi-Hashi to his feet, 3 forearms by Yoshi-Hashi, 1 forearm smash by Naito, Yoshi-Hashi goes for a kick, get caught, hits him with the second kick, and then nails a codebreaker, and both men are down.
Yoshi-Hashi gets the tag to Okada, running forearm to Naito, Okada takes out Lethal, kick to Naito, Lethal with a shot to the back, and then Okada hits a running DDT on Lethal. Okada hits a running back shoulder into the corner on Naito, kick to the gut, DDT spikes him, Okada springboards back to his feet, Okada with a running uppercut, pin attempt, but Naito kicks out. Okada picks up Naito, bodyslam to the mat, climbs to the top turnbuckle for the elbow, but Naito to his feet, Okada jumps over him, meet a double boot from Naito, back elbow by Okada, inverted Atomic drop by Naito, tornado DDT by Naito, and both men are down.
Naito tags in Lethal, Lethal with a bodyslam to Okada, climbs to the top turnbuckle, jumps off and catches Okada’s foot, and then rocks him with a roaring elbow, runs in, meets a boot from Okada, and then a Lethal Combination by the champion, cover, but Okada gets his shoulders up. MW3 says, “Both of these men would love to score a fall on each other, because both believe they are best in the world, bost believe their title is the most important title in professional wrestling right now. Naito whips Lethal to the ropes, Okada comes out gets caught in a full nelson, Lethal goes for a kick, but kicks his partner. Okada with a clubbing blow to the back of Lethal, throws him off the ropes, and then hits a dropkick that staggers Lethal, and he crumbles to the mat.
Okada tags in Yoshi-Hashi, Yoshi-Hashi with forearms, knife edge chop, whip reversal off the ropes, Lethal misses a back elbow, and then a swinging neckbreaker from Yoshi-Hashi. Yoshi-Hashi sets him up for the brainbuster, Lethal lands on his feet, and then Yoshi-Hashi reverses into back neckbreaker, Yoshi-Hashi covers, Lethal kicks out. Okada tags in, whips Lethal to the corner, whips Yoshi-Hashi into Lethal and then runs in with a back elbow of his own, Yoshi-Hashi comes off the top rope with a reverse neckbreaker, Naito breaks up the pin attempt, Okada sends him to the outside and runs him into the steel rail.
Back in the ring, Yoshi-Hashi goes for a suplex, but gets backdropped by Lethal, Martini throws in The Book of Truth to Lethal, he swings and misses, and then a running lariat from Yoshi-Hashi, quick slams Lethal to the mat, climbs to the top turnbuckle, Martini holds onto his leg, but Yoshi-Hashi kicks him out of the way. Evil climbs up onto the apron while Bushi is distracting the referee, and Lethal dumps Yoshi-Hashi to the mat, Naito hits Okada with the Book of Truth, Lethal nails the Lethal Injection on Yoshi-Hashi, and this one is over.
Winners: Jay Lethal and Tetsuya Naito
After the match, Naito reads the Book of Truth, MW3 says, “Well it is in Japanese.” Naito climbs into the ring and beats down Yoshi-Hashi with the Book of Truth as the bell rings. The referee raises the hands of Naito and Lethal, they stare at each other, Lethal points at Naito, Naito puts on his hat, Lethal offers a handshake, Naito fakes a punch, and then shakes his hand. They pose and fist bump in the middle of the ring. Naito puts his hat on Lethal, Lethal hands Naito the Book of Truth, they pose, and it’s time for our sponsors.
Kushida vs Frankie Kazarian
Out first is the “Heavy Metal Rebel” Frankie Kazarian, one half of The Addiction. KK says, “No stranger to New Japan, and no stranger to getting fined by the front office I understand.” MW3, “A foul mouth on this guy.” Kushida’s music hits, and KK says, “There is no language barrier when understanding the motivation, the popularity of Kushida.” He comes out to the ring in his purple life preserver. MW3 tells us, “Kushida is a lifelong fan of NJPW, it was like a dream to finally be a contracted wrestler with NJPW, trained with Tajiri, spent alot of time in the Hustle promotion, met his wife there, she was an office employee, living the true professional wrestling dream.” The referee is Tiger Hattori, who KK tells us has 40 years in professional wrestling.
The two wrestlers size each other up, finger lock. MW3 says, “Kazarian looks like he missed a spot when he shaved this morning,” Kazarian and Kushida exchange leverage in the test of strength, Kushida bridges down, Kazarian puts his knees on Kushida’s midsection pressing down with the weight, Kushida goes for the hoverboard lock, but Kazarian meets the ropes. Kushida with a go behind, Kazarian reverses into a pickup suplex, Kushida with a headlock, Kazarian tries to get out, but Kushida keeps holding on and rolling through, Kushida spins around his back several times, and then slaps him in the back of the head, and we go to commercial.
When we return, Kazarian is on the outside, climbs to the apron, duck a shot by Kushida, pokes him in the eye, snaps his neck on the ropes, jumps over the rope and nails a DDT on Kushida. Kushida holds his neck and shoulder in pain. Kazarian kicks him in the shoulder, picks him up by the hair, whips him into the corner, Russian leg sweep, and Kazarian grinds his crotch to the fans. MW3 “I don’t know what that was, but it’s better than usual stuff that Kazarian says.” Kazarian chokes Kushida on the ropes with his foot, picks him up, runs him into the corner, sets him on the middle of the rope, and then a double knee backbreaker, cover, but Kushida kicks out.
Kazarian smacks Kushida in the head, Kushida fights out, knee to the gut, goes off the ropes, sunset flip, but Kazarian drives a knee to the neck. Kazarian whips Kushida into the corner, runs in but meets a boot, runs in again meets another boot, Kushida flips over the rope to the apron, and then a kick to the head, springboard missile dropkick, knocking Kazarian out of the ring. Kushida climbs to the top turnbuckle, hits a front-flip on Kazarian to the floor, then Kushida stands on the apron and grinds to the fans like Kazarian. MW3 says, “Riding the pony, feeling the flow.”
Kushida picks up Kazarian, throws him back into the ring, runs into the corner, but Kazarian gets out of the way, kick to the gut by Kazarian, goes over the top rope for a DDT, but Kushida catches him in a cross-armbreaker, syncs in the triangle choke, Kazarian tries for the deadlift twice, but Kushida rakes the eyes. The two men exchange forearms, Kazarian doubles up, Kushida hits four or five kicks, then a right hand knocking Kazarian to the mat, whip reversal, handstand, execution chair drop, Kazarian pin, bridges, but Kushida kicks out. MW3 asks KK, “Who is your favorite Japanese baseball player?” KK answers, “I’m not well-versed in Japanese baseball, I’m an American baseball fan.” MW3 replies, ”If Corino were here, we could talk Japanese baseball.” KK says, ”Corino is a New Japan announcer now, he got a well-deserved opportunity.”
Both men climb to the top turnbuckle, Kazarian goes for the suplex, Kushida with shots to the ribs, goes for the flux capacitor, hits a flying Divorce Court off top rope, Kushida with a kick to the face, hits the ropes, tilt-a-whirls around his shoulder, rolls through, syncs in the hoverboard lock, Kazarian tries to fight out, but Kushida rolls him back to the center of the ring, adds pressure and extra leverage, there is no escape for Kazarian, and he taps out.
Winner: Kushida
KK says “Great effort by Kazarian.” MW3 says next, “It’s going to be a SUPERKICK PARTY (with Kenny Omega).” and we go to commercial.
Mark Briscoe is walking around the streets of Japan. “We’re so close to finding him, I can smell him, he must be around here somewhere. Oh this way, excuse me sir, question, have you seen him, no you have not seen him, Godzilla? Have you seen him, Godzilla, have you seen him? No, the search continues, I don’t know where he could be, I thought that guy would know. Time to eat in Japan, what do I want? The noodle, the noodle, the noodle, the noodle, the rice, the rice, the noodle, noodle, noodle, the rice, the rice, the noodle? I think I’ll go with the rice.” Mark continues to ask people on the street, “Thank you. No they don’t know, they’re scared of Godzilla. Little known fact, the historic legendary Mount Fuji was actually named after the historic legendary professional wrestling manager Mr. Fuji. Japan is great, Japan is fun, Japan is okay, but sometime Japan can be dangerous, sometimes there are earthquakes that hit Japan, but everybody here knows, what do you do in case of earthquakes?” And he hides under the bus stop terminal. “Maybe this fellow would know, arigato excuse me you know dojo, redneck kung fu?” A pedestrian points to the New Japan sign and we get a tour of inside the New Japan facilities. Back outside, “Oh my Lord.” Mark looks at a sign showing chickens. “How do you say home in Japanese?”
The Elite (Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) vs Katsuyori Shibata and reDRagon (Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly)
When we return, Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks make their way to the ring to Omega’s spooky horror music. They give the fans headbands and too sweet gestures. The ring announcer announces YB, and MW3 says, “Oh, The Jacksonsons.” KK says, “That’s not Bobby Cruise is it?” MW3 says, “Thank goodness, no. He still waiting for his flight.” Out next is the NEVER Openweight Champion Shibata to entrance music that has a somewhat punk rock sound, he stands in the ring and Omega shows him the IWGP Intercontinental belt. Out next is reDRagon, the three-time ROH World Tag Team Champions, and multi-time IWGP Junior Tag Team Champions. MW3 says, “You love that Bobby Fish don’t you?” KK, “He’s great on commentary, he’s a great wrestler.” MW3 says, “This is why Corino used to get upset.” Kushida joins on Japanese commentary. MW3 continues, “You would probably enjoy him joining our commentary, sitting with you too. You’re that type of guy.“ KK says, “I invited Kushida to join us for commentary.” MW3 explains, “This is a two man team.” KK suggests, “Maybe we’ll have Kushida for Global Wars.” MW3 says, “He’s busy.”
All 6 men go at it, Shibata takes Omega to the outside, double kick by the YB on reDRagon, Omega runs Shibata into the dressing barricade, reDRragon syncs in double cross arm breakers on YB. Omega comes in, kicks to O’Reilly, kicks to Fish, but Shibata gets a cross armbreaker on Omega. Matt picks up O’Reilly and throws him on Fish, then Omega throw Shibata on O’Reilly, Nick with a baseball slide kick to O’Reilly, Matt with a baseball slide kick to Fish, Omega goes for baseball slide but Shibata ducks out of the way and then takes out Omega. Shibata climbs back up to the apron, YB take him out with a handstand by Matt kick by Nick, then YB do a dual suicide dive on the outside to reDRagon. Omega is in the ring, the YB pat the mat, 12-345, Omega runs the ropes and frontflips with some crash-and-burn onto reDRagon. Omega takes off his shirt, grinds his hips and two sweets the camera, and we go to commercial.
When we return, Omega has Fish in the ring, Nick wraps a t-shirt around his head, Nick does a Road Dogg dance along the apron, Omega tags in Matt. Omega hits Fish with a backbreaker drop onto the knee, Nick holds Fish, Matt hits a swinging neckbreaker, Nick with a pin attempt on Fish, but Fish kicks out. Nick rakes the back, kicks Fish in the gut twice, suck it, stomp, suck it, stomp, suck it suck it suck it to the crowd, and then does a bunch of suck its to the ref. Nick tags in Matt, YB whip Fish to the corner, he catches himself, swings with one kick that misses, then kicks Matt in the gut, kicks Nick in the gut, and then toss suplexes Matt into Nick. Fish gets the hot tag to O’Reilly, O’Reilly runs in with the clubbing forearm, Fish with the clubbing forearm, O’Reilly with the running knee, backbreaker on Matt, O’Reilly with a stomp to the chest off the top rope, pin attempt, but Matt kicks out, O’Reilly goes for Chasing the Dragon, but Nick trips Fish and pulls him to the outside, and both men are down.
Shibata and Omega come in, Shibata with 10 elbows to Omega, and then Omega with a flying back elbow, and 8 forearms to Shibata, Shibata stands up and asks for more. Omega rakes the eyes, boot pushes Shibata to the corner, Shibata comes out with a flying boot to Omega, and then pushes a boot into Omega’s face, switches feet and another boot into the face. Shibata runs the corner and nails a running dropkick to Omega, picks him up, snapmare suplex, MW3 says, “I like to call that the Andre the Giant suplex,” pin attempt, but Omega kicks out. Shibata with a rear-naked choke on Omega, YB come in and club him in the back, but he won’t break the hold. YB look at each other like WTF, and then Shibata stands up and then nails them both with a bunch of forearms, runs the ropes, sets up for the Penalty Kick, and gets superkicked. Omega up and now Shibata gets superkicked by all three men, Omega stacks him for the pin, but Fish in to break it up. YB send Fish to the outside, Nick with a tornado DDT from the apron but bumps his own elbow on the railing, Omega sets up to the One Winged Angel, but Shibata with a go behind, Omega with 3 back elbows, runs the ropes, Shibata with a standing dropkick, and O’Reilly pounds the turnbuckle wanting the tag.
Hot tag to O’Reilly, forearms to YB, Matt goes for a kick, leg whip into Nick, and then a double dragon screw leg whip and both YB are down, running forearm into the corner on Omega, running kick to Omega, goes for the rope assisted DDT, but Omega drops him on his head. YB with a superkick to Fish off the apron, Nick goes to superkick O’Reilly, he gets out of the way, and Omega gets superkicked instead. Kicks by O’Reilly, Nick backflips, O’Reilly catches his kick and swings it into Matt. O’Reilly with kicks to the back, superkick by Matt, and then a double lariat by O’Reilly, but Omega hits a running knee. Omega puts O’Reilly up on his shoulder for the One Winged Angel, but O’Reilly gets a guillotine headscissors, Matt comes in with shots to O’Reilly’s head, he won’t break the hold, rear naked choke on Matt by Shibata, superkick by Matt to Shibata. Nick throws the spraycan to Matt, he sprays O’Reilly in the face, YB nail the Metzler Driver, now Omega with a deadlift pick up, O’Reilly tries to fight out, but can’t, Omega nails the One Winged Angel, cover and O’Reilly is finished.
Winners: The Elite
KK talks about upcoming episodes, “Next week more Bullet Club action, as Honor Rising continues, you’ll see Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson, the Machine Guns, back on ROH TV, they will tangle with The Briscoes. Plus we’ll also see a huge 8 man tag team match, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin, Moose and Tomoaki Honma vs. Bad Luck Fale, Cody Hall, Tama Tonga and Yujiro Takahashi. Coverage from Honor Rising continues next week,” and the end graphic rolls.
Highlights from last week are shown when Donovan Dijak made his surprise return to confront Jay Lethal and the House of Truth. Lethal cuts a backstage promo, “Tempers are high and emotions are out of control, and I’m going to try to keep it together, because my best friend is in the hospital right now. Donovan Dijak congratulations, I don’t know what your goal was, but.you were successful in getting my attention. The World Heavyweight Champion is speaking to you. Was this your sad, pathetic attempt to get a shot? Well, it didn’t work, because you don’t deserve it. Last year, when you won the top prospect tournament, it was Truth’s idea to bring you in, shape you, groom you. We tried his way, now we’re going to try mine. You don’t deserve to be here in Ring of Honor, you don’t deserve the friendship that was shown to you by the House of Truth. Be sure to tell Prince Nana that Jay Lethal is coming and, I’ll tell you what, you ain’t going to survive this one.”
Kevin Kelly and Mr. Wrestling 3 welcome us to Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas, Nevada.
reDRagon vs Kazuchika Okada and Gedo
reDRagon is out first to their entrance music, “Dance Away” by the Damn Valentines (who sound a lot like The Misfits). The Rainmaker is out next to much fanfare, followed behind by his partner Gedo. The fans throw gold Okada dollar bills at the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. (Interestingly enough, total combined weights of Okada & Gedo are announced at 406 vs reDragon at 421, but the tale-of-the-tape graphic has them listed at 426 vs. 427.) Okada and Gedo refuse the code of honor, legendary referee Tiger Hattori signals the match to start, the bell rings, and we’re off.
Gedo and Bobby Fish start it off, each men take pause to groom their facial hair. Gedo rakes the arm, takes Fish to the mat with a headlock, Fish tries to roll out, throws Gedo off the ropes, leapfrog, armdrag attempt, blocked, kick to the head, Gedo gets caught with knee lock, but Gedo reaches the ropes, and we get a clean break. Kelly comments on the good sportsmanship shown by Fish. Fish asks Gedo if he wants to tag in Okada, Gedo looks confused. Fish lays flat on his back, then beefcake poses, and welcomes in Okada. When Okada comes in, Fish tags in O’Reilly.
Collar-and-elbow lock up between O’Reilly and Okada. Kelly and MW3 talk about the recent flare up to O’Reilly’s cauliflowered right ear. He’s had it drained several times since Adam Cole irritated it at the ROH 14th Anniversary show. Okada backs O’Reilly into the ropes, the referee calls for the break, Okada fakes a cheap shot, then pats him on the chest. O’Reilly rolls his eyes. Another lock up, Okada hits the ropes, shoulder block to O’Reilly, O’Reilly ducks, leapfrogs, ducks, leapfrogs, then catches himself on the ropes. O’Reilly knocks Okada to the mat, runs up his back, throws him off the ropes, sunset flip, but O’Reilly gets in a cross armbreaker. Gedo comes in and punches O’Reilly in his ear. Okada tags in and continues to work on O’Reilly’s ear. Okada kicks him in the gut, picks him up, slams him down, goes to the outside, and flips over the top rope for a senton. Okada covers but O’Reilly kicks out at 2, and we go to commercial.
After the break, O’Reilly and Gedo exchange blows until Gedo grabs O’Reilly’s cauliflower ear again. Okada comes in and knocks Fish off the apron, O’Reilly ducks a double clothesline, kick to the gut, kick punch punch kick punch kick, and finishes with a leg sweep to Okada knocking him to the mat. O’Reilly gets the hot tag to Fish, Fish comes in with a sliding forearm, crossbody splash into Okada in the corner, back elbow drop, goes for a kick, misses, then picks Gedo up and suplexes him onto Okada, pin attempt, but Okada kicks out.
Okada delivers a knee, Fish delivers a knee, Okada goes for a jackknife powerbomb, Fish rolls through, and Okada drops Fish on his head. Okada picks up Fish, plants him to the mat, climbs to the top turnbuckle, and hits a top rope elbow drop. Okada picks up Fish again, spins him around, goes for The Rainmaker, Fish ducks it, picks him up in his shoulders, and Samoan drops Okada to the mat. Both men are down. Gedo tags in, knocks O’Reilly off the apron, picks up Fish, delivers a neckbreaker, superkick, pin attempt, but Fish gets out at 2. Gedo sets up for the Exploder, but Fish now fighting back with elbows to Gedo until Okada hits a standing dropkick, Gedo with an inverted pin attempt, but Fish gets out. Fish to his feet, backs Okada into the corner, Okada knocked to the outside, Fish sends Okada into the ringpost, then Fish and O’Reilly attack Gedo in the corner with fast smashing double-team offense. Fish covers Gedo, but Okada makes the save. Okada now trading forearms with reDRagon until O’Reilly hits the Ax and Smash. reDRagon picks up Gedo and hit Chasing the Dragon for the win.
Winner: reDRagon
reDRagon congratulate each other and we go to commercial.
When we return, we see highlights from last week between War Machine and the Briscoes. The Briscoes cut a pre-recorded promo, “The current reigning and defending ROH Tag Team Champions, Hanson and Rowe, War Machine, listen up. Fellas, we got a message for ya and it ain’t nothing abstract, it ain’t going to blow your mind. Boys, you ain’t never beat us. Four times we’ve been in the ring together, and you ain’t never beat us. And you know damn well, you’re the champions, congratulations, but you can’t call yourself the best when you ain’t beat Dem Boys. But don’t get it twisted, y’all ain’t the only ones with something to prove. It’s been too long, it’s been 3 years since Dem Boys held those titles. It’s been too long, man. Y’all ain’t the only ones with something to prove.”
Adam Cole vs Kushida (Non-Title Match)
Adam Cole weighing 207 pounds, makes his way to the ring. Out next, wearing his purple Back to the Future vest, from Tokyo, Japan weighing 192 pounds IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Kushida. The fans pop big and litter the ring with streamers. MW3 tells us Kushida has a both an MMA background and a baseball background. The two men to exchange the code of honor, the bell rings, and we begin.
They circle each other, collar-and-elbow tie up, Kushida gets backed into the corner, the referee calls for the break, Cole backs up and yells, “Adam Cole, bay bay!” Kushida looks confused, draws air quotes, and the fans laugh. Kushida goes to fight from his backside (as per his Jiu-Jitsu training) and tries to swat Cole away. MW3 tells us Kushida is a student of Tajiri. Kushida takes Cole to the mat, spins around his back, slaps him on the back of the head, and yells, “Kushida, bay bay!” Cole with a boot, headlock by Cole, reversal headlock by Kushida, Cole throws Kushida off the ropes, misses with the clothesline, fujita armbar, and then Kushida delivers a stomp to the back of the head. Kushida throws Cole off the ropes, reversal, Kushida catches himself in the ropes, flips to the outside, but meets an enziguri to the back of the head. Cole tells the fans to scurry at ringside so he can throw Kushida into the crowd, but instead Cole turns around, gives them an up yours gesture, and we go to commercial
When we return, Cole has Kushida in a headlock, Kushida fights out, hits the ropes, but Cole hits a back elbow and bows for the crowd. Kushida rakes Cole’s arm on the apron, Kushida flips back in and knocks Cole to the mat. Kick kick by Kushida, he gets caught by Cole, Cole punches him in the leg, then an atomic drop by Kushida, low dropkick, cartwheel and a dropkick to the side of the Cole’s head. Kushida working on Cole’s left arm, Kushida goes for a kick that misses, Cole connects with a kick, Kushida misses a clothesline, Cole connects again with a kick, Cole runs the ropes, but Kushida follows him with a cannonball that knocks Cole to be outside. Kushida climbs to the top turnbuckle, and then a crash-and-burn swanton onto the floor. The fans chant “Kushida!”
Cole gets back in at 10, but gets met by a standing drop kick from Kushida, then a top rope moonsault press, but Cole gets the knees up. Cole then hits a running Shining Wizard, pin attempt, but Kushida kicks out at 2. Kushida syncs a tarantula Hoverboard lock, Cole grabs the referee for leverage to break the hold, before the referee yells, “You keep your hands off me!” Cole picks up Kushida, small package, Kushida catches Cole in the hoverboard lock, rolling pins by both men, kickouts. They run the ropes, smash each other with forearms, bicycle kick by Cole, jumping enziguri to Kushida, and then Kushida delivers a Kuroda strike knockout blow to Cole. Kushida hits the ropes, rolls through, Hoverboard Lock, Cole nearly gets to the ropes, Kushida brings him back to the center of the ring. Cole picks Kushida up on his shoulder, Kushida slides down, Hoverboard Lock again, Cole reverses, pin attempt, stacks him, Kushida kick out. Both men to their feet, Cole catches Kushida, but Kushida hits a superkick. Off the ropes, reversal, Kushida goes for the flying back hip block, but Cole kicks him in the head, then inverted neckbreaker onto the knee and Cole covers, 1-2-3.
Winner: Adam Cole
Dalton Castle cuts a backstage promo, “Every time I meet someone, I’ve thought about how to fight them. Silas, I’ve met you a lot. It’s not about how I’m going to fight you, but what I’m going to fight you with. Maybe I’ll use a colander, maybe I’ll fill your pants up with flesh-eating piranhas. I don’t know how many years I got left on this planet and I’m going to get weird.” (Note: this promo was cut from the Comet broadcast.)
When we return, we are shown footage from the 14th Anniversary Show of MCMG reuniting.
The Addiction vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Tag Team Grudge Match)
“The Almighty” Christopher Daniels and “The Heavy Metal Rebel” Frankie Kazarian are out first. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin make their way to the ring to Alex Shelley’s music and entrance graphic. Nigel McGuinness has joined on commentary. Daniels and Sabin start it off. “The Ring General” walks around the ring with his hands folded behind his back. They tie up, Kazarian and Shelley come in, and this thing has broken down already. All four men are in the ring, shot to Sabin, Irish whip to Shelley, Addiction throws both MGMG to the center of the ring, MCMG does the dosey doe, splash Addiction in the corner, throw Addiction into each other, and toss them out of the ring. The fans applaud and we go to commercial.
When we come back, Kazarian is on the outside, sunset flip over Sabin, reversal, pin attempt, kick out. Sabin holds Kazarian’s arm while Shelley comes off the top rope. Now Shelley holds Kazarian’s arm while Sabin leapfrogs over Shelley’s back, then they take turns jumping off each others back with running forearms on the Addiction. They throw Kazarian off the ropes, atomic drop, low dropkick, rolling neckbreaker, and then a kick to the face. Shelley climbs up on the second rope, opens up the five-hole, and Sabin connects with a suicide dive to the outside. Sabin throws Kazarian back in the ring, Shelley goes to the top rope, Kazarian is staggered, cross body block, pin attempt, but Kazarian kicks out at 2.
Kazarian gets to his feet, Shelley sizes him up Paparazzi Productions style, climbs to the top rope, gets 5 shots to the head before Daniels comes over distract. Shelley takes out Daniels and then Kazarian. Shelley rushes in with a forearm, Daniels pull Shelley’s legs off the second turnbuckle, and then Kazarian with a backbreaker to Shelley. Sabin tries to come in, but the ref stops him, and Addiction double-team Shelley in the corner. Kazarian picks Shelley up, club to the back of the head, throws him off the ropes, punch to the gut, knee to the face, swinging neckbreaker by Kazarian, Daniels covers for the pin, 1-2, kickout. Daniels holds Shelley in the corner, stomp stomp, Kazarian tags in. Addiction keep tagging each other in and stomping on Shelley. Kazarian poses in the ring while Daniels stands on Shelley’s hand.
Shelley now trying to fight out against both men, hits the ropes, ducks under Kazarian, but meets a clothesline, Daniels flips Kazarian onto Shelley, and then Daniels hits a second rope moonsault. Daniels stands with a boot on Shelley’s chest, the referee counts, but Sabin comes in to break up, and we go to commercial
When we return, Addiction have Shelley isolated in the corner. Daniels tags in Kazarian, Irish whip to the corner, spear, then Kazarian leaps over the top rope with a DDT to Shelley, pin attempt, but Sabin runs in and breaks it up. McGuinness tells us, “Shelley is taking a lot of damage.” Kazarian tries to hook him for a suplex, but Shelley fights out, Daniels comes in, and then Shelley nails a stunner/DDT combo on both of them at the same time. Shelley goes for the tag, but Daniels pulls Sabin off of the apron. Kazarian with a snapmare takeover, kicks to the back, and Addiction have Shelley in their corner again.
Addiction throws Shelley off the ropes, he ducks a double clothesline, turns around, gets caught by Daniels, kicks Kazarian and drops him to the mat, then Shelley delivers a drop toe hold to Daniels that slams Daniels head first into Kazarian’s groin. MW3 says, “Right in the ding ding!” Sabin with a crossbody block onto both members of Addiction, 3 elbows to Daniels, wrenches the arm, kick to the stomach, goes to throw Daniels off the ropes, reversal, Sabin ducks a clothesline, and hits a clothesline of his own. Sabin runs to the corner with a back elbow, climbs to the top rope, kicks Kazarian in the chest for good measure before leaping at Daniels, they run the ropes again, Sabin tries to leapfrog, Daniels catches him, Sabin gets out, and then meets a springboard DDT onto Daniels, Sabin hooks him, 1-2, but Daniels kicks out.
Addiction catch Sabin in a basket catch, double team offense, pin, but Shelley is in to break it up. Daniels up on the top turnbuckle, Kazarian positions Sabin to lock fingers with Daniels, but Daniels rolls through and then Daniels jumps to the outside. Kazarian catches Sabin and delivers a diamond-cutter over the top rope, but Sabin kicks out. Addiction go for Celebrity Rehab, but Sabin counters, Shelley in now, Daniels hits an STO, Sabin with an enziguri, MCMG catch Kazarian on their shoulders, and then spin him to the mat. MCMG double-team kicks to Daniels, Sabin with a neckbreaker, then holds Daniels while Shelley comes off the top for a diving crossbody for the Skull and Bones finisher. Sabin scores the victory.
Winner: Motor City Machine Guns
After the bell, Addiction take out MCMG until Matt Sydal and Kushida run down to make the save. While they are checking on MCMG, The Young Bucks come in and deliver a superkick to Kushida. Shelley takes out Matt, then Nick and Sabin go at it. Addiction, Sydal, and Kushida are in now as well. The bell is ringing while all four teams brawl. It’s a donnybrook, as the credits roll, the faces (MCMG, Sydal, Kushida) gain control of the ring, hug each other, and the show ends.
Teruaki Kanemitsu and Hirai Kawato competed to a time-limit draw (10:00)
Jay White defeated David Finlay via submission (8:20)
Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger, KUSHIDA defeated Gedo, Beretta, and Rocky Romero via submission (8:41)
YOSHI-HASHI and Toru Yano defeated Manabu Nakanishi and Yuji Nagata (7:53)
Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyoshi Tenzan defeated Ryusuke Taguchi and Katsuyori Shibata (11:25)
Juice Robinson, Michael Elgin, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomoaki Honma, Togi Makabe defeated Tanga Roa, Tama Tonga, Yujiro Takahashi, Bad Luck Fale, Kenny Omega (10 Man Elimination Tag Team Match) – Hiroshi Tanahashi was the final survivor (23:47)
Kushida welcomes us to the finals of the Best of the Super Junior Tournament XXII held June 7th at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Yoyogi Park, Japan. Tonight we will see Kushida vs Kyle O’Reilly in the tournament finals.
Kushida speaks in backstage interview. “Before the tournament started, it reached my ears that I was the favorite to win. If I’m the most probable winner, I had to bring up the energy and be the number one from the start. You know, in terms of content and outcome, I felt responsible for that. As far as O’Reilly, I know he’s popular in Ring of Honor. He first came to New Japan just last year. It was for the G1 IWGP Junior Tag Team matches held at the Tokyo Dome. I faced him a couple of times, so I knew how close he was from those fights. But in Japan, he’s mostly known as a tag specialist. He’s unpredictable as a singles player. As his opponent, a part of me was a bit scared. But I really felt that the crowd got to know them as Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly of reDRagon. They got to grasp what they’re about. Through my match it became more evident. In that sense, the fight was a very worthwhile match. There was an Ring of Honor tour right before in May. I fought in a three-way match against Kyle O’Reilly and Chris Sabin. And from that match, I gained confidence and I was also amazed. If I face them in a singles match, I felt that I could show a new side of me. A new and improved version of Kushida. I felt very excited.”
Kushida vs Kyle O’Reilly – Finals of the Best of the Super Junior Tournament XXII
Jim Ross and Josh Barnett introduce us to commentary. Kyle O’Reilly is out first. JR tells us that O’Reilly is a student of the game, a former rugby player, trained in MMA. Kishida is out next trained at the Takata Dojo in Tokyo, Japan when he was a junior in high school and has wanted to be a wrestler all of his life. While training in Canada, Kushida had to borrow money from his mother to get wrestling training. So far, O’Reilly and Kushina have only lost one match each in the tournament. The announcements are made, the silver winged trophy is shown. And we go to commercial.
After the commercial, O’Reilly extends a handshake to Kushida. The two men size each other up, jockeying for position, they push each other to the ropes. O’Reilly grabs the leg, Kushida on the mat fighting from his back, they exchange mat wrestling maneuvers, now O’Reilly fighting from his back and locks in an armbar. The two men break the hold and are back up. Kushida goes right back to mat, fighting from his backside again, still jockeying for position, Kushida grabs the leg of O’Reilly, forearms, elbows, back-and-forth. O’Reilly pushes Kushida’s shoulders to the mat, count, break, count, break, Kushida counters with a bridge. O’Reilly tries to break the bridge by slamming his legs into Kushida hips. Kushida hooks in a body scissors, O’Reilly reverses, tries for the STF, headlock, Kushida spins out. Kushida does some cartwheels, then spins around O’Reilly back, goes for a kick that misses, the men separate, and the fans applaud.
They lock up again, O’Reilly gets a headlock, really wrenches it in. Kushida fights out, throws O’Reilly off the ropes, shoulder block by O’Reilly. Off the ropes again, O’Reilly grabs ahold of the ropes, then runs up and over Kushida’s back, hooks a backslide, but Kushida kicks out. Inverted atomic drop slows O’Reilly down, Kushida hits a cartwheel off the ropes, and a stomp to the back of the head. Kushida catches O’Reilly in an armbar, O’Reilly trying to reverse by rolling and flipping out, O’Reilly gets a foot on the bottom rope, and the ref breaks the hold. Rolling short-armed scissor, Kushida lands knife-edge chops to O’Reilly, Irish whip into the corner, but Kushida meets a boot. O’Reilly somersaults out, kick kick, drop leg sweep, and Kushida is down. O’Reilly lateral press pin attempt, Kushida kicks out at 1. O’Reilly picks up Kushida, delivers a backbreaker, pin attempt, Kushida kicks out at 2. O’Reilly picks him up, they exchanged forearms, O’Reilly syncs in an arm ringer, then hammer lock takedown on Kushida and Kushida screams in pain at his left arm. O’Reilly continues the attack on the left arm. Arm ringer, hammerlock, Kushida to the mat. O’Reilly delivering elbows, kicks, then a sliding knee to Kushida’s left arm, O’Reilly grabs him by the nose and stretches his face and then syncs in a wrist lock on the other arm. How far can Kushida’s wrist rotate?! O’Reilly hits a cartwheel facebuster DDT and we go to commercial.
As we return, Kushida is on the mat, O’Reilly picks him up by the trunks, goes for a vertical brainbuster, Kushida wiggles out, a series and kicks from Kushida and then an arm rake over the top rope. Kushida spring boards off the top rope with a chop to the head, kick kick kick, off the ropes, reversal and Kushida lands a springboard back elbow. Kushida goes to throw O’Reilly for an Irish whip, but his arm is still in pain. O’Reilly crawls between Kushida’s legs on his hands and knees, Kushida does the same to O’Reilly, then a double wrist lock attempt, transition into a cross armbreaker, another double wrist lock attempt, but O’Reilly counters into the cross armbreaker of his own. Kushida is back up, thunderous swing by O’Reilly, and then catches him with a naked choke and hooks the legs into a full octopus. Kushida has the double wrist lock synced in, they tumble through each other, til they hit the ropes. Kushida is rabid and will not let go of the arm wrench. O’Reilly tries to fight off, but Kushida with a kick to the ribs, Kushida goes to the top rope, looking for the double wrist lock again, but O’Reilly is up with shots to the rib, and then a flying wristlock counter by O’Reilly, knocking Kushida’s head violently to the mat. O’Reilly syncs in an armbar submission, Kushida looks dazed and completely out of it. They spin out, brainbuster attempt, Kushida wiggles out, and then a German suplex by Kushida, but O’Reilly lands on his feet. O’Reilly goes to the turnbuckle rope for a clothesline, but Kushida catches him into a German suplex of his own, and then a double wrist lock DDT from the top rope.
Kushida lands an over-the-shoulder arm ringer, O’Reilly tries to fight back, but gets knocked to the outside. Kushida climbs to the top rope and delivers a shooting star press onto O’Reilly on the floor. Kushida back in the ring and the ref starts the count on O’Reilly. O’Reilly back in and lands a triangle choke, Kushia gets his foot underneath the bottom rope, and the referee calls for the break. O’Reilly sets Kushida up on the top rope, Kushida attacks the arm and knocks O’Reilly off. Kushida tries to get himself off the turnbuckle, O’Reilly pops back up, and follows him up again. Kushida is looking dead on his feet. O’Reilly picks him up and then a belly-to-back suplex off the top rope. Kushida’s eyes are closed. O’Reilly pin attempt, 1-2, kickout, and commercial.
When we return both men are on the canvas. O’Reilly kick to the solar plexus, Kushida tries to fight back, O’Reilly catches him in a suplex, and Kushida kicked out. O’Reilly to his feet first, kick to the back, forearm, Kushida goes down to one knee, stands up and knocks O’Reilly the f*** out. Ref goes lift O’Reilly’s arm and check on him, but O’Reilly screams in pain as his arm is still hurt. Kushida gets caught in an arm wringer, but then delivers a Pele kick. O’Reilly with a running lariat, Kushida off the ropes, O’Reilly with another lariat, clothesline, lateral press Kushida kicks out. Fast offense O’Reilly suplex, armbar, cross armbreaker, chain wrestling maneuvers. Kushida’s arm still hurting, O’Reilly’s arm is still hurting. O’Reilly goes to transition into the omoplata, but Kushida grab the ropes. Fans chant Kushida. Bobby Fish yelling from the outside. O’Reilly nails a kick to the sternum, goes after the left arm again, but Kushida fights out. O’Reilly syncs in a front choke while they’re standing on the apron. Kushida gets out and lands a brainbuster on O’Reilly on the apron. Both men are laid out, the ref (wearing red shoes) counts to 19 before both roll into the ring, and we hit our last commercial break.
When we return, both men are on their knees exchanging forearms. Both men are exhausted, can barely move their arms, Kushida spitting, O’Reilly’s sweating. They make their way to their feet, O’Reilly forearm, Kushida is disoriented and having a hard time staying on his feet. Kushida shakes it off and then delivered a bunch of forearms to O’Reilly, now O’Reilly is staggering, stumbling. They both grab each other by the hair, exchange shots, both men throwing haymakers, punch punch punch, forearm forearm forearm, advantage O’Reilly. Barnett says this has broken down to a hockey fight! O’Reilly connects with a running knee, both men are fighting one-armed. Kushida hits a neck breaker, pin attempt, but O’Reilly kicks out. Kushida climbs to the top rope, corkscrew moonsault, but did not get 100% of it, hooks the legs, 1-2, O’Reilly kicks out. Kushida connects, then spins around, floats over, double wrist Hoverboard lock. O’Reilly reaching for the ropes, but Kushida pulls him back to the middle of the ring, O’Reilly has nowhere to go, and finally taps.
Winner of the Best of the Super Junior Tournament XXII: Kushida (30:45)
Kushida’s teammates from New Japan (including Tiger Mask) join him in the ring to help him celebrate. The ref raises his arm, they give him an ice pack, and Kushida climbs the turnbuckle to pose for the crowd. Bobby Fish is in the ring helping O’Reilly, he’s got the ice pack as well. Both competitors look at each other, Kushida drops to his knees, O’Reilly drops to his knees. They bow to each other, placing their foreheads to the mat. O’Reilly raises his arm, Kushida hugs O’Reilly, and we go to commercial
O’Reilly cuts a promo in the back, “I don’t know what else to say right now, but they say a man admits defeat when a man is defeated. And tonight Kushida was the better man, he beat me at my own game, he tapped me out. But rest assured, I’ve been one of the top Junior Heavyweights in the world the last 3 weeks, and tonight, Kyle O’Reilly is not the best tonight, but give me 365 g*ddamn days, and next year at this exact moment, at this exact place, I will have my hand raised. I will be holding the trophy, and once again Kyle O’Reilly will prove to the entire world, that I am the best of the Super Juniors.”
Kushida stands in the ring holding the trophy, the referee hands him the mic. “Thank you for cheering me on in the Super Junior. For the Super Junior to continue on, for the next centuries to come, please support us again next year. It’s not important where you’re from, it’s important where you’re heading, it’s not about what you’ve done, it’s about what you’re going to do. I will bring a brighter future to New Japan’s Junior. With all of my heart, thank you.”
Streamers fall from the ceiling as Kushida climbs the turnbuckle, hugging the trophy, and holding a check for 5 million yen. Fellow New Japan competitors pose behind Kushida. JR mentions that while there was not a lot of high-risk maneuvers, this was a good wrestling match. Video is shown of Kushida as a child and young man. Kushida walks over with the trophy and shakes the hand of Jushin Thunder Liger. Cut to backstage promo.
Kushida says, “As for myself, I always admired New Japan Junior, now I’m part of it. I wanted to win against O’Reilly. I thought we were the same person. I wanted to move up in New Japan become a regular and become famous. The fight wouldn’t have been so fierce if it wasn’t against O’Reilly. But if it was against Rocky Romero, Bobby Fish, or the Young Bucks, I felt after the match that would be brothers in arms, a type of friendship was formed. I’ve been wanting to bring Super Junior to a much bigger stadium, it’s been my ultimate wish. After the match against Kyle O’Reilly, I feel that the tide is running in our favor. There are more opportunities now to move up. I want to get better, I want to be more specific, I want to fight in a main event match. I want the Junior category to get more attention. It means that the rivalry between O’Reilly and I will continue. There’s also a Ricochet and Matt Sydal and let’s not forget my brother Shelley will return. I can’t wait until next year’s Super Junior.” Jim Ross congratulates Kushida and says so long everybody.
– As noted, Brock Lesnar’s return to Madison Square Garden will take place on October 3rd. The 10/3 date will actually be a live WWE Network special, which Lesnar will be a part of.
– In addition to IWGP Champion Kazuchika Okada, other New Japan Pro Wrestling stars at SummerSlam on Sunday night included Jushin Thunder Liger, Shinsuke Nakamura and KUSHIDA.
Global Force Wrestling issued a “Breaking News” video on Sunday to announce a change to their upcoming event.
Check out the video above for details on Chris Sabin being pulled from the show, as he will be replaced by Kushida who will go one-on-one in a NEX*GEN match.