New Japan Pro Wrestling kicked off their annual Best of Super Juniors tournament on Friday. Since the show began at 5:30am EDT, here’s a spoiler-free match listing for the non-nite-owl New Japan fans. Each match is given a Need To Watch Rating of 0.0-10.0. Night 1 of BOSJ is available on NJPWWorld.com
FIRST MATCH: KUSHIDA & Shota Umino vs. Ren Narita & Chris Sabin
A thrilling preview of Sabin & KUSHIDA’s forthcoming showdown, also highlighted by Young Lions that are willing to bleed to prove their growth. This match is a breathtaking way to open a fun night of action. Definitely worth watching.
Need To Watch Rating: (9.2)
SECOND MATCH: Dragon Lee & Tomoyuki Oka vs. CHAOS (YOSHI-HASHI & Sho)
A fresh look for Sho helps make him feel like a star on the rise in NJPW. Dragon Lee’s return from injury is as crisp as any of the CMLL wrestler’s previous performances. Lee and Sho tease out their eventual matchup, while Oka shows off some creative new offense. A highlight showcase all around.
Need To Watch Rating: (9.3)
THIRD MATCH: Taguchi Japan (Ryusuke Taguchi & Toa Henare) vs. Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki & El Desperado)
The first skippable match of the night is still a barnburner of a tag contest. Taguchi and Henare are am effective team, while Suzuki and Desperado are kindred sociopaths. A great mix of chemistry all around elevates a fairly standard tag match.
Need To Watch Rating: (6.9)
FOURTH MATCH: Los Ingobernables de Japon (EVIL & Hiromu Takahashi) vs. Bullet Club (Marty Scurll & Chase Owens)
Scurll and Hiromu are the center of this fun, if inessential tag match. EVIL and Hiromu are a very good tandem.
Need To Watch Rating: (5.5)
FIFTH MATCH: Tiger Mask vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru (A-Block)
A far better match than anyone expected. Tiger Mask and Kanemaru skip the flips and swift strikes of most Super Jr. matches and elect for a knockdown, drag-out brawl. Definitely recommended viewing.
Need To Watch Rating: (9.9)
SIXTH MATCH: ACH vs. Flip Gordon (A Block)
ACH gets to play the veteran against Flip Gordon in Gordon’s BOSJ debut. Gordon makes a serious case for his inclusion in the tournament, channeling the spirits of past Super Jr. winners in his offense. ACH also shows how far he’s come since his 2017 BOSJ debut.
Need To Watch Rating: (9.8)
SEVENTH MATCH: Yoh vs. BUSHI (A Block)
Yoh and BUSHI both make cases to win the tournament. BUSHI has never been more methodical, while Yoh proves why Roppongi 3K’s dominated the Jr. Heavyweight division. Must See.
Need To Watch Rating: (10.0)
MAIN EVENT: Will Ospreay vs. Taiji Ishimori (A Block)
Will Ospreay and Taiji Ishimori are going to be wrestling each other a lot this year. You must see how this rivalry begins. Seek. Out. This. Match.
Need To Watch Rating: (10.15)
