Night four and we’re back to the full production. We also have a big main event as we finally get a Hiromu Takahashi vs El Desperado singles match. Those two have been teeing off on each other for a while and have developed a bit of a blood feud. Let’s see what they go do one on one.
Our first single-camera show. I am always in two minds about these. On the one hand, it means I don’t have to watch a two and a half to three-hour long event. On the other, the view is always a bit shit. Shouldn’t complain too much, though, there’s wrestling to watch.
Hello friends, Best Of The Super Juniors kicks off today and I can’t be the only one who is delighted to have it back. While the G1 is great, the appeal of Super Juniors was what first enticed me into checking out New Japan. That style of wrestling is my favourite, and I’ve got a lot of love for this tournament.
However, I realise that not everyone has had the pleasure of its company before and I want to make it easy for those who haven’t dipped in New Japan to come along and join the party. Therefore, welcome to my Beginner’s Guide to Best Of The Super Juniors. I’m going to run through the format of the tournament and then, more importantly, introduce you to all the wrestlers involved.
After a long old tour, New Japan finally made it to Dontaku. Of course, they couldn’t resist making that two shows too, splitting it up between a Bullet Club night and a title shot night. First up, it’s the ongoing antics of the Club.
Hi No Kuni is in a weird position, falling slap bang in the middle of the Dontaku tour. Part of it and yet also separate. However, it’s giving us a handful of big matches all involving LIJ vs Suzuki-gun, so let’s not complain too much. Even more importantly, that means there isn’t a sniff of Roppongi 3K vs Suzuki-gun. Thank God for that.
I understand New Japan splitting up their big matches onto multiple cards from a business point of view. More shows = more tickets = more money. However, when it comes to valuing my time, it’s an awful decision. Particularly when it means I have to sit through another card packed with nothing multi-man tags and Suzuki-gun antics. It’s a good thing I have Goto and Juice to enjoy.
In a lot of ways, this card is a mirror image of the one from the night before. While the matches have had a few tweaks, they’re hitting the same storyline beats, and in reality, it’s all about the main event – or at least it was. Because then they only went and added Ishii vs Henare. I’ve been calling for that since Tag League, suddenly, I’m quite excited.
Quick note: I’m going to change things up slightly and replace the pictures with NJPW’s post-match interviews. They’re an important part of the company’s storytelling, so it seems fitting.