Wrestling

NJPW Better of the Tremendous Juniors 31 Evening 1 (Might 11) Outcomes & Evaluation

May 12, 2024
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Watch: NJPW World

Placed on a pot of espresso, seize some snacks, and hunker down in your favourite chair like Archie Bunker as a result of Better of the Tremendous Juniors 31 has arrived.

Sure, whereas New Japan Professional Wrestling could now not be the good child at school—the sort that wears a jean jacket and sun shades whereas carving the Van Halen emblem into his desk—the world of the lion’s mark retains on turning. It’s time for the corporate’s annual showcase of its junior heavyweight roster and some particular company from promotions close to and much.

Final 12 months’s event noticed a string of acclaimed performances from international wrestlers Speedball Mike Bailey and Lio Rush, veteran names Ryusuke Taguchi and KUSHIDA struggling to make a dent, and the Japanese debut of Drilla “don’t name him Dan” Moloney, culminating in an electrical remaining between winner Grasp Wato and runner up Titán. How will this 12 months’s BOSJ go? Within the immortal phrases of the supergroup Asia, solely time will inform.

Earlier than we delve into night time one, I’d be remiss if I didn’t plug J. Michael and John Carroll’s intensive event previews for A Block and B Block. If you would like all the data goodness your mind can deal with earlier than watching the event correct, test these out.

B Block – Francesco Akira (2) def. Dragon Dia (0)

That is Dragon Dia’s New Japan debut, filling in for an injured Taguchi. Because the opener, this didn’t get numerous time—only a shade over five-and-a-half minutes—which meant Dia didn’t get numerous time to point out off his stuff. Hopefully he will get to do much more in his later matches. He and Akira nonetheless made an excellent pairing for the little time they’d, each zipping across the ring with gusto. Dia hit his new finisher Finish Over that he simply debuted at Dragongate’s Useless or Alive present a couple of days earlier, however Akira kicked out and received it with the Fireball. ***

A Block – HAYATA (2) def. BUSHI (0)

My eyes noticed HAYATA vs. BUSHI on the match lineup and immediately glazed over like a recent Dunkin’ donut. As I got here to from my fugue state, I rewound the video and realized I didn’t miss something. This was a gradual, perfunctory match that ended with HAYATA successful with the 403 Influence DDT. HAYATA doesn’t mild my socks on hearth no matter promotion, and given he’s the GHC Nationwide Champion, he’s seemingly going to be within the combine for the semifinals. Ah jeez, Edith. **1/4

B Block – Ninja Mack (2) def. Robbie Eagles (0)

Ninja Mack is one other man making his NJPW debut right here. He’s recent off getting his ass kicked by Shuji Ishikawa in a GHC Hardcore Title match at NOAH’s Wrestle Magic present. He fared higher right here, exhibiting off his acrobatic expertise and flippy-dos—you realize, typical ninja shit. Eagles is just not as aerodynamic as Mack, however he’s a a lot smoother and extra refined wrestler throughout, making him an excellent dance accomplice to introduce Mack to the corporate. Mack scored the win after a back-and-forth pin change, with Milano Assortment A.T. on commentary yelling “Ninja! Ninja!” each time Mack had the benefit. **3/4

A Block – Kosei Fujita (2) def. Yoshinobu Kanemaru (0)

Fujita got here out with new gear and new entrance music as he continues to determine himself post-Younger Lion. Kanemaru jumped him on the bell and had management for a big portion of the match, focusing on Fujita’s knee. Fujita made the comeback, however we bought ref bump #1 of the event. Kanemaru went for the Suntory shock, however Fujita thwarted it with a springboard dropkick. Kanemaru blocked a rolling German suplex, however then ate a pop-up German. Fujita hit Abandon Hope (a suplex dropped right into a cutter) for the win. Fujita didn’t get to do a lot right here, however he kicks off his first BOSJ with a win. ***

B Block – SHO (2) def. Drilla Moloney (0)

This was champion vs. champion and heel vs. heel. Moloney seems like if Tyler Black was a Mediterranean arms vendor. SHO got here out with a number of accoutrement on his particular person, together with an autograph from Moloney that he bought on the meet and greet earlier than the present. These are the notes I sort when a match like this is happening. Moloney tried to get SHO counted out, then whereas he argued with the ref for counting too gradual, Gedo appeared and low blowed SHO. Then Yujiro snuck within the ring and low blowed Moloney. Yujiro threw Gedo into the ring to distract the ref and SHO hit Moloney with the wrench, a.okay.a. the Torture Software, for the win. Okay then. *1/2

A Block – Blake Christian (2) def. Clark Connors (0)

This was one other heel vs. heel match, though the true battle was between Blake Christian and good aesthetics. One of the simplest ways I can describe his look is “70s porn star Ron Weasley head meets parody Shawn Michaels tights meets Beetlejuice boots.” If Tim Gunn was within the constructing, he would have barreled down the aisle screaming “Cease it! Bullshit!” as he clanged a chair in opposition to the guardrail. Just like the Dia and Mack matches, this was one thing of a showcase for Christian, although he bought somewhat extra time than the opposite guys did. I want he didn’t work as a heel as a result of it made for an ungainly dynamic with Connors. The group was additionally largely detached (an irony given Christian’s heel nickname is “All Warmth”) and there have been a couple of botches, probably the most notable being when Christian went for a Fosbury Flop right into a reverse DDT, however Connors took the DDT bump too early. Christian tried to make use of the IWGP Jr. Tag Title, however the ref stopped him, resulting in a ref bump and Christian hitting Connors with a loaded fist. I don’t know what it was he hit him with, it seemed like rubber brass knuckles or one thing like that. He adopted it up with a reverse rolling Dying Valley Driver and the Step Up Stomp for the win. Not an excellent begin for Christian, hopefully his output improves because the event progresses (even when his look received’t). **1/2

B Block – Taiji Ishimori (2) def. DOUKI (0)

Like others, I’ve Taiji Ishimori fatigue. It’s not like he’s a nasty wrestler and even a mean one; he’s nonetheless, at 41 years outdated and with greater than twenty years of expertise, actually good. This match with DOUKI, whereas not a blowaway affair, was a stable match with some crisp sequences, particularly in direction of the tip. Ishimori can nonetheless sustain with the youthful guys. However after six years of “Bone Soldier” period Taiji Ishimori, I really feel like we’ve seen every thing there’s to see with him when it comes to rivals and title runs. However once more, there are worse wrestlers to place in his spot. Ishimori labored over DOUKI’s arm and shoulder to arrange the Bone Lock. DOUKI fought again and countered La Mistica right into a Jorge Rivera Particular for a detailed two-count, then locked within the Italian Stretch #32. He tried to gator roll Ishimori again in direction of the middle of the ring, however Ishimori escaped and hit the Bloody Cross for the win. ***1/4

A Block – Kevin Knight (2) def. TJP (0)

TJP got here out in regular gear with purple eye contacts, so the Aswang’s evil spirit nonetheless lurks behind the window to his soul or no matter lore dorkery he’s going for. This was the most effective match of the night time up to now. That’s not a shock given how good TJP is, however Knight greater than held his personal. He’s at all times had that pure athletic expertise and eye-popping agility, however now he’s bought the swagger and polish to again it up (and higher gear in addition). There was a cool sequence the place Knight went for his leaping rana off the highest, however TJP rolled by way of and caught Knight in a crucifix pin, just for Knight to kick out through kip up. I had by no means seen that earlier than. Neither man was capable of get the benefit for lengthy, however TJP was finally capable of take management and hit a Mamba Splash whereas Knight was draped abdomen first on the highest rope. Knight got here again together with his leaping Spike DDT on the apron. He then hit his personal Mamba Splash and locked within the Hoverboard Lock. This introduced us to the ending stretch, which was additionally the most effective of the present up to now. Knight hit an F5 and went for an additional Spike DDT, however TJP countered it right into a Northern Lights suplex, which seemed cool. He went up for an additional Mamba Splash, however Knight hit the leaping rana and one final Spike DDT for the win. A extremely good match and my first advice of the event. ***3/4

B Block – KUSHIDA (2) def. Hiromu Takahashi (0)

Not counting younger lion matches, this was the second shortest match of the KUSHIDA-Hiromu collection after the Invasion Assault 2017 match that hardly went two minutes. It definitely felt like a condensed, sprint-y model of their matches, although that’s not a nasty factor as a result of it was nonetheless fairly good. KUSHIDA was fairly aggressive, attacking Hiromu’s arm to arrange for the Hoverboard Lock. After solely getting 4 factors final 12 months, it is sensible for him to point out a extra aggressive aspect with a purpose to redeem himself. In fact it could’ve been tough to try this from past the grave as a result of he practically died taking a Victory Royal from Hiromu, touchdown proper on the highest of his head. Fortunately he was okay. Hiromu arrange for the Time Bomb II, however KUSHIDA grabbed Hiromu’s arm and pulled him down into the Hoverboard Lock. Hiromu tried to struggle out, however KUSHIDA twisted the wrist and Hiromu submitted. I don’t understand how far KUSHIDA will go given he’s not pushed as a high man within the division anymore and is an alternative to YOH, however he needs to be a succesful hand regardless. ***1/2

A Block – Titán (2) def. El Desperado (0)

Titán got here out with new entrance music that appeared like the beginning of a progressive rock album opener that goes 17 minutes. It’s going to take a while getting used to as a result of I actually appreciated his “Dios Antiguo” theme. This was a rematch of final 12 months’s semifinals that Titán received. It was additionally the third match in a row that I might say was actually good, however wanting being nice. Don’t get me improper, I’ll take a extremely good match any day of the week, however within the context of a Tremendous Juniors major occasion, it’s a tad disappointing. It’s the opening night time and each guys have a protracted event forward, so I’m not anticipating them to simply go balls to the wall, however for my enjoyment I wished this to achieve that subsequent stage and it by no means fairly did. Desperado went after Titán’s leg and was capable of lock within the Stretch Muffler a couple of occasions, however wasn’t capable of get the total Numero Dos. Titán nonetheless had some juice in his legs and crushed Despy’s ribs together with his high rope double stomp, earlier than locking in a cross-armed model of Llave Inmortal for the submission win. Desperado’s revenge should wait one other day. ***3/4

Last Ideas

So far as openings go, this wasn’t precisely “Runnin’ with the Satan.” The highest three matches are value a watch, however every thing else was skippable until you’re a type of sicko completists like me. One other adverse was the Chiba crowd who, whereas vocal in components, didn’t have the sustained vitality that you’d need. Final 12 months’s opening night time was a lot better as a result of it had each that scorching Korakuen Corridor crowd and a capital G Nice match in Speedball vs. Hiromu.

Standings

A Block

Titán – 2 factors
Kevin Knight – 2 factors
Blake Christian – 2 factors
Kosei Fujita – 2 factors
HAYATA – 2 factors
El Desperado – 0 factors
TJP – 0 factors
Clark Connors – 0 factors
Yoshinobu Kanemaru – 0 factors
BUSHI – 0 factors

B Block

KUSHIDA – 2 factors
Taiji Ishimori – 2 factors
SHO – 2 factors
Ninja Mack – 2 factors
Francesco Akira – 2 factors
Hiromu Takahashi – 0 factors
DOUKI – 0 factors
Drilla Moloney – 0 factors
Robbie Eagles – 0 factors
Dragon Dia – 0 factors



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