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MAY.8.2023

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Best of the Super Jr. 30 A Block Preview (2/2)

A Block breakdown complete

Best of the Super Jr. 30 is nearly upon us. An intense schedule this year sees 12 events spread over 16 days, with most nights seeing both blocks in action for massive ten match cards. This year, the top two points scorers from each block will advance to semifinals in Yoyogi before the grand finals on May 28 in Ota, so competition is sure to be at its fiercest until the bitter end. Here’s what to expect from the other half of A Block.

Watch ALL of Best of the Super Jr. 30 LIVE IN ENGLISH on NJPW World!

A Block part 1!

B Block part 1!

Titan

4th entry, 2nd consecutive

An impressive run for Titan in Best of the Super Jr. last year would eventually pave the way for El Inmortal to become the first non Japanese member of Los Ingobernables De Japon, and for he and BUSHI to come close to both the Super Jr. Tag League and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Championships. Will singles glory await the CMLL representative?

Key match: May 12 Korakuen vs TJP

A slow start to Titan’s 2022 campaign started to turn around with a win over TJP in Korakuen Hall last year on night seven. This year, Titan has TJP first; should El Inmortal extend his record to 3-0 over the Public Enemy, he’ll be setting himself up strong for the tour to come. 

TJP

3rd entry, 2nd consecutive

TJP’s second BOSJ as a member of the United Empire sees him as one of three UE members representing this year. One of the most experienced of this year’s lineup, and arguably the most well travelled, the Public Enemy will look to make the most of his experience edge and scientific ability to improve on his 4-5 recrod from 2022 and break into the final four.

Key match May 13, Nagano vs KUSHIDA

With his loss to KUSHIDA and Kevin Knight still stinging from April 27 in Hiroshima, TJP heads into his first singles match with the Time Splitter on night two in Nagano. Victory would mean much to TJ’s BOSJ campaign, and could bring Catch 2/2 back into the IWGP Junior Tag Team Championship mix in the process. 

Taiji Ishimori

7th entry, 6th consecutive

Despite winning the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on three different occasions, Best of the Super Jr. success has consistently eluded Taiji Ishimori. His current run of six consecutive tournament entries would start in 2018, where he made his BULLET CLUB debut in extremely successful form. Yet he hasn’t approached those dizzy heights of the BOSJ finals since, despite being heavily in the mix to the very end each year. Normally eliminated on tiebreaks, the semifinal format this year favours Ishimori, but can he go all the way?

Key match: May 16 Akita vs Lio Rush

After Taiji Ishimori captured the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on May 1 2022, he would hold the title hostage for the entire back half of the year, most notably denying KUSHIDA a title shot while claiming that there were more worthy contenders. To Ishimori, Lio Rush is top of that list. In 2021 in Dallas, Rush was victorious over Ishimori in a thriller on NJPW STRONG, and the BULLET CLUB member has vowed revenge ever since. That rematch might not have a title on the line, but it will happen in the main event in Akita May 16, and with a crucial pair of points on the line. 

SHO

 6th entry, 6th consecutive

SHO’s sixth consecutive entry into Best of the Super Jr. is his third as part of HOUSE OF TORTURE. As the Murder Machine’s time in H.O.T has passed, SHO has flitted between vicious, mean spirited threat and near laughing stock status. Which is it in 2023? Could this finally be the year where his singles potential has to be recognised, or is he destined to remain a lackey to EVIL and company?

Key match: May 18 Iwate vs Taiji Ishimori 

While the line between the two can sometimes be more blurred than others, HOUSE OF TORTURE is still a sub group of BULLET CLUB as of now, and that means May 18 will see a factional derby in Iwate. Given David Finlay’s new leadership, and ‘savages only’ directive, where does SHO belong in the new landscape for the faction? We may have a clearer idea after this bout. 

Mike Bailey

IMPACT Wrestling representative Mike Bailey completes the A Block lineup. Widely considered among the best bell to bell competitors in the world, and certainly one of the most prolific, Bailey is no stranger to wrestling numerous high stakes singles matchups in a tightly condensed schedule. His conditioning coupled with his ability could well mean the Speedball becomes the first since Will Ospreay in 2016 to win Best of the Super Jr. on his first attempt. 

Key match: May 12, Korakuen vs Hiromu Takahashi 

Making an NJPW debut is one thing, your first BOSJ another, but making both debuts by going up against the reigning IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and the defending BOSJ trophy winner adds another level of pressure for Bailey. A feast for famine scenario for Speedball in the tournament opener?

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