As the current Coronavirus pandemic continues to play havoc with schedules, Best of the Super Juniors was the latest tour to fall to the wayside, leading to much disappointment from fans and wrestlers alike.
【BEST OF THE SUPER Jr.27】https://t.co/UaUk360zgc#njpw #njbosj #NJPWTogether pic.twitter.com/4aw3G30uAJ
— 高橋ヒロム / Hiromu Takahashi (@TIMEBOMB1105) May 6, 2020
Representing the entire junior heavyweight division as its champion, Hiromu Takahashi sent a heartfelt message on the tour’s cancellation, with most agreeing that whether the tour is off the agenda completely or moved to a later date, the juniors will be going full steam ahead when finally allowed to come back to the ring.
The rest of the division followed suit with their own messages of disappointment and hope for the future. ‘I’ll be saving up my strength’ said Ryusuke Taguchi:
力を蓄えておきます💪 https://t.co/x8VXSL8ggs
— ∞６田口隆祐９〜道標明〜∞ (@taguchiryusuke) May 6, 2020
Though, it’s unclear whether Taguchi is saving his energy to go to work or play. On Japanese Children’s Day, May 5, Taguchi stated that he was ‘dancing in the hope that one day children will be able to freely play outside to their hearts’ content again soon’.
今日はこどもの日ですね
１日も早く
こどもたちが自由に遊べる
日々が訪れますようにの舞#東スポSキャメ#TokyoSportsPress#東京スポーツ新聞社 pic.twitter.com/e9sQTLCWnk
— ∞６田口隆祐９〜道標明〜∞ (@taguchiryusuke) May 5, 2020
Looking to CHAOS, SHO said that ‘I thought this would be my year. It’s incredibly painful, but I’m pulling the string back on my bow even further now.’
今年こそは…
と思っていた分
正直
悔しすぎる
けど
今は放つ前の弓を
思い切り引く期間にします
— SHO Roppongi3k (@njpwShowT) May 6, 2020
BULLET CLUB’s Taiji Ishimori was a force in 2019’s BoSJ, and a finalist in 2018, leading him to comment ‘It’s a shame not to do this, but it’s a chance for me to power myself up. Get hyped for next year’s BoSJ’.
気持ちは残念だが、パワーアップできる期間が増えたと捉えてる。
その分、次のSuper Jr.楽しみにしとけよ🔫 https://t.co/6FyY4psifA
— 石森太二 (@taiji_ishimori) May 6, 2020
Going back to Roppongi 3K, YOH was motivated to do what he could for NJPW at large.
中止は残念で悔しいけど、その前に会社の存続がなにより大事。会社あってのもの。だからできることを頑張ります。耐えたぶん強くなる。もう少し待っててください☆
— YOH (@njpwyohei_k) May 6, 2020
‘The cancellation is a shame, but more important is the state of the company. So we have to do what we can while we can. Me, I’ll be stronger for the delay; please wait a little longer’.
YOH isn’t the only one doing what he can while he can. Ishimori has been showing off some insane workouts, all the while teasing Young Lion Yuya Uemura: ‘Your shoulders are pretty good! But I’m not about to lose out’
三角筋(肩)トレーニング！
上村の坊ちゃんの肩は結構好きだね！まだまだ負けないけどね！#StayHome #家トレ #石森塾 pic.twitter.com/xccxJAfKhf— 石森太二 (@taiji_ishimori) May 9, 2020
While SHO, and indeed all of CHAOS got together remotely for a CHAOS roundtable that will be available soon with English subtitles on NJPW World!
よろしく
お願い
致します。 https://t.co/khJtkSLlH5— SHO Roppongi3k (@njpwShowT) May 9, 2020
きんちょーしてきた！ https://t.co/nDWyZq3vNB
— 矢野 通 (@YTR_CHAOS) May 9, 2020
Even Toru Yano would admit that he was ‘nervous’ going into the broadcast, mainly because he had the role of chairing the entire conversation, which went into some quite strange areas at points. How strange? Check out the full broadcast in English soon, and keep an eye on what NJPW’s best are doing while they wait for action to return!
