Each year, New Japan Pro Wrestling brings together some of the best junior heavyweight wrestlers in the world for their Best of the Super Junior tournament.
With their fast pace and dynamic styles, many of the matches seem to pass quickly when the wrestlers manage to pack in so much action that time seems to fly.
Although fans love to see wrestlers reach the 30-minute time limit in a war of attrition, they are also gifted with the complete opposite.
With New Japan, sometimes quantity doesn’t always mean quality and many shorter matches have caught the attention of fans.
Here is a look at the six shortest matches in Best of Super Junior history.
7. Hiromu Takahashi v TAKA Michinoku – 2012 – 3 minutes 30 seconds
Although it’s more common for young lions to compete in NJPW tournaments, it was quite rare when Hiromu Takahashi took part in the tournament in 2012.
What was even more shocking is that one of the shortest matches of the tournament saw Hiromu beat the legendary Junior TAKA Michinoku.
TAKA was at a considerable advantage with decades more experience and offence going into the match, while Hiromu was restricted to the most basic moves.
Somehow, Hiromu managed to find a way to beat the veteran in only three minutes and 30 seconds.
Considering how much of a rollercoaster his early days were, this match was an actual turning point and could’ve been vital in who he is as a wrestler in 2021.
6. Mascara Dorada vs. Jushin Thunder Liger – 2011 – 3 minutes 30 seconds
Like many of the tournaments during this time, the 2011 tournament contained wrestlers from many companies worldwide.
In particular, CMLL’s Mascara Dorada made his debut during this year and earned a respectable eight points.
His match against Jushin Thunder Liger stood out the most as it was the shortest of the tournament.
Both wrestlers have very different styles, with one surrounding Mexican Lucha and the other Japanese Strong Style.
Although Liger had the experience advantage, Dorada had already wrestled for over five years professionally.
It was enough to beat the legend in just over three minutes and make his mark in NJPW!
5. Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Jado – 2002 – 3 minutes 18 seconds
In the initial decade after the tournament was created, the matches seen by fans varied in length and style.
However, it wasn’t until 2002 that viewers saw one of the shortest matches in the tournament’s history.
It was between two Junior legends Jushin Thunder Liger and Jado.
As expected, the two wrestlers were in the tournament with huge names from Black Tiger, El Samurai and even a young Katsuyori Shibata.
It isn’t rare for draws to happen in tournaments, and this match was no different. Although nowadays they are known more for reaching the time limit and earning one point, this ended after three minutes ten.
Also, neither man earnt any points. Although Liger retired, Jado is still going strong in the Junior division and this match was at the peak of their careers.
4. Great Sasuke vs. KUSHIDA – 2011 – 2 minutes 47 seconds
When it comes to short matches in the BoSJ, KUSHIDA is known for them. His first entry in this list comes from his match against the legendary Great Sasuke in 2011.
That year’s field of 18 contained some future superstars, including Kenny Omega, Prince Devitt and Kota Ibushi, and veteran Great Sasuke.
Both men ended the tournament with ten points. Their match lasted just under three minutes and was the shortest of the tournament.
As much as KUSHIDA seems to have short matches, he always tends to lose them, and this was no different.
Considering the experience advantage Great Sasuke had, it was not a surprising outcome.
3. TAICHI vs. KUSHIDA – 2012 – 2 minutes 33 seconds
Although it seems impossible to believe, TAICHI was once a firm contender in the junior heavyweight division. 2012 was no different.
He entered the tournament again alongside KUSHIDA, who was also competing in his third Best of the Super Juniors.
Both men finished the tournament at eight points but had the shortest match of the tournament.
In 2012, both men had similar styles that broke the stereotype for Jr wrestlers by focusing more on a mat-based offense.
After only two minutes and 33 seconds, TAICHI got the win over a future IWGP Jr Heavyweight champion.
Although both men’s careers went in very different directions, they are still showcasing their wrestling style just to two very different audiences.
2. Tiger Mask vs. Prince Devitt – 2008 – 1 minute 40 seconds
In 2008, the Best of the Super Junior tournament was stacked as ever with some of the biggest names in wrestling.
Yet, it was also a tournament that Prince Devitt would rather forget, especially when it came to his shortest match against Tiger Mask.
However, this first match wasn’t short because of a quick finish. Prince Devitt injured himself in this match, and it was cut short at one minute 40 seconds.
He was then forced to pull out of the tournament. In the end, Tiger Mask ended up being at the top of his block and Devitt’s withdrawal just spurred him on in future tournaments.
1. Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Tiger Mask – 2016 – 1 minute 11 seconds
Two junior heavyweight veterans are Jushin Thunder Liger and Tiger Mask. They now also hold the title of shortest BoSJ tournament match.
In 2016, both wrestlers were in the same block against Will Ospreay, Ricochet and Bobby Fish.
Ending the tournament that year on six points, their match against each other also the shortest BoSJ match in history.
Considering the two are firm friends and have teamed up countless times, it makes them the best and worst opponents for each other.
By knowing everything about each other, Liger must’ve predicted Tiger Mask’s strategy. He managed to win the match in only one minute and 11 seconds.
Years of experience showed that Liger knew how to get a match won and as quickly. It is vital in a long and grueling tournament like the Best of the Super Juniors.
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