A block members give pre tournament thoughts
May 11 saw a public press conference get fans and media ready for Best of the Super Jr. 30. The ten A Block participants were first to the stage to make statements both sartorial and aspirational before the kickoff Friday in Korakuen.
Watch all of Best of the Super Jr. 30 live in English on NJPW World!
Hiromu Takahashi
The last three times I won Best of the Super Jr there was no cheering, but the cheers are back now so it really feels like BOSJ has returned. Am I going to promise a fourth consecutive win? No, that’s far too small a goal. I plan on winning ten in a row! I want everyone to be so sick of Hiromu. I want people to say that if Hiromu’s in then he’ll win and there’s no point. I want there to be demonstrations in the streets against me being in! That’s how dominant I plan on being.
KUSHIDA
It’s an honour to be in this lineup after five years away and I want to show the benefit of that experience. On May 12 as we get started, I turn 40. Above me in age are Ishimori, Taguchi and Kanemaru so I have to beat him. It’ll be my first time out in the Tohoku region for a while too, so I’ll be excited to show my best.
Ryusuke Taguchi
Unfortunately, I am not smiling today. That is because I will not be smiling and wrestling seriously, appealing to all those Taguchi Mania fans who want me to be earnest. I will not be using my ass- that sounds strange- but I will not reveal my underwear nor my thing and my small testes. Please look forward to it.
Lio Rush
My heart is beating fast right now, because truth be told I’m angry. I didn’t know that this lineup would be full of comedians. I hear a lot of laughter when there’s not a goddamn thing funny about what’s happening right now. Best of the Super Jr. 30 is supposed to be historical, this is supposed to be the best crop of talent in the world, but I see a bunch of men who can’t cut it, who are afraid. They’re afraid because at some point in this tournament they’re going to have to go through me.
DOUKI
I am in my fourth BOSJ, but my first not in Suzuki-gun, but in Just 5 Guys. I’ve said this a lot, but I’m not in this group just to be a cog in a machine, but to be right at the top of the junior division. I will show that I made the right choice.
Hiromu you are the one person in my life I need to beat most. And now I get to wrestle you while you’re the champion, and after you’ve won this thing four times? Be ready, I’m not the man you faced two years ago. In the end maybe you people don’t believe in me, but watch- like TAKA says, so what? I will change things here. And Wato- make sure we meet in the finals.
Taiji Ishimori
Everyone says they’ll win BOSJ. I’m not here for cheap talk. What I’ll say is that I’ll show everyone BULLET CLUB’s Taiji Ishimori. The true Taiji Ishimori. Everyone best be ready. I’ll make you all swallow your pride.
TJP
My message is simple this year. I am simply better, smarter and more experienced than all of you. Prediction: an all Catch2/2 final. So let’s get started.
Mike Bailey
My heart is so full. I am here representing IMPACT Wrestling among some of the best junior heavyweight wrestlers in the world! Hiromu, how can anyone not be distracted by that man! Look at his hair, that suit! Anyone who has gotten close enough to smell him knows he smells fantastic. And a four time BOSJ winner. I hope you realise how awesome that is.
A very good friend of mine advised me to take this tournament one step at a time, so that’s what I’ll do. Take all of you out one by one, starting with you Hiromu. Thank you friends.
Titan
I am honoured to be a part of BOSJ 30, and be among the great wrestlers here, most of all Hiromu of course. In the history of Best of the Super Jr., a great many incredible Mexican wrestlers have competed, and I plan on proving I’m the best of them.
SHO
Everyone here has wasted your time. Like Lio said, I am not a comedian but a wrestler. That is why I pledge that I will wrestle every match fair and square in this tournament. I swear on this date, May 11 2023. Thank you.
