Once again, New Japan’s annual Best of the Super Junior tournament was held alongside World Tag League.
With a shot at El Desperado’s IWGP Jr Heavyweight title at Wrestle Kingdom on the line, all the wrestlers put their bodies on the line for this opportunity.
The tournament had twelve very different wrestlers and despite this, they were all fighting for the same reason.
Throughout, each wrestler put everything into each match and produced some bouts praised by viewers worldwide.
Here is a look at seven of the best matches from the Best of the Super Junior 28 tournament.
7. El Phantasmo vs. Taiji Ishimori – Night 5
There’s nothing fans love more than inter-faction matches when it comes to tournaments.
The bout between Bullet Club members and tag team partners El Phantasmo and Taiji Ishimori was no different.
As it was early in the tournament, neither man was at an advantage but it was a bout that was vital to ensure staying at the top of the field.
After a hesitant start, the cutest tag team in New Japan eventually showcased their quick and athletic offence.
As members of Bullet Club, there was always going to be cheating from nipple twists and back rakes. Yet, they didn’t let their wrestling skills go to waste.
Even with the size difference, they were on equal footing with an offence mixing speed, strength and agility.
Although both men are always willing to fight dirty, Ishimori’s indecisiveness cost him the win.
While setting up for his own “sudden death,” he chose not to win dirty.
This decision gave El Phantasmo time to roll his partner up for the win. It was a fun match that showcased the playfulness of the duo but also the respect they have.
6. Hiromu Takahashi vs. DOUKI – Night 10
DOUKI had been restricted to opening matches for most of the tournament, and it had been the same since he debuted in New Japan.
This main event against Golden Boy Hiromu in the main event was an opportunity he couldn’t miss out on.
Even though fans expected a quick and easy match, they couldn’t have been more wrong.
Knowing how important this match was, DOUKI put everything into the bout. Yet, Hiromu did the same, knowing it is never wise to underestimate your opponent.
Hiromu and DOUKI are the most unpredictable out of all the competitors, and it showed. There wasn’t a second with action from crazy dropkicks to suicide dives.
It took over 20 minutes, but Hiromu finally hit his Time Bomb to win. Although most people expected Hiromu to win, DOUKI proved just how much he’s come on in the past year.
This match also reminded people that despite everything going on, the division is full of so many strong wrestlers, not just Hiromu and El Desperado.
5. Taiji Ishimori vs. Robbie Eagles – Night 3
Although there might not be a long history between Eagles and Ishimori, it is underrated.
When Robbie joined New Japan, he became part of Bullet Club and regularly tagged with Ishimori, even pairing for Super Junior Tag League.
El Phantasmo’s arrival drew a wedge between the formidable team and showed Robbie that maybe his allegiances should be elsewhere.
Yet, this past meant Robbie and Ishimori are still connected in some way.
The most unique about these two wrestlers is their versatility. Whereas other juniors are classed as high-fliers or submission specialists, Robbie and Ishimori can do it all to a high standard.
It was definitely on show in their match where they hit tope con hilos to target a body part for their patented submissions. It was a match of different layers and speeds.
After a gruelling match, Ishimori got the win with his Bone Lock just over the ten-minute mark.
It was significant to win by submission as it’s something Eagles is known for.
Despite their rocky history, this match must have brought respect between two veterans. However, their rivalry is by no means finished.
4. Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. El Desperado – Night 7
In the past, the Suzuki Gun members have never let loyalty impact tournament matches.
With El Desperado holding the Junior title, it wasn’t surprising that Yoshinobu Kanemaru found even more reasons to take this match seriously.
Both men had wins and losses throughout the tournament, so this match was vital. However, it was also personal.
To the surprise of many, the match started with Kanemaru leaving the ring and telling the referee to start the count and give away the win.
Of course, the Heel Master had a plan to win by knocking Despy down on the outside.
Yet, once the cheating tactics were out of the way, both wrestlers fought like enemies.
As expected, it was a more grounded affair focusing on speed, strength and submissions.
As both men knew each other so well, they had counters for everything and it seemed like anyone could win.
Yet, in the end, El Desperado got the win with his patented Pinch Loco. Although it cemented Desperado’s toughness, it also showed why Kanemaru is one of the most underrated wrestlers in New Japan.
3. YOH vs. SHO – Night 11
One of the most anticipated matches of the tournament was between former tag team partners SHO and YOH.
After betraying his partner during the Super Junior Tag League, SHO had been on a path of chaos while YOH struggled to gain any momentum until later in the actual tournament.
During their first bout at Wrestle Grand Slam, SHO dominated. Now, YOH wanted retribution.
As expected, the match started with SHO trying to get the advantage in any way possible, including chairs.
It seemed like the match would be over quickly as SHO did everything to beat down his former best friend.
Luckily, YOH’s heart can never be beaten. He used his power and determination to fight through, focusing on his hybrid style of submissions and high-flying.
It also helped that his CHAOS members were ready to deal with interference from the House of Torture members.
Even with all his shenanigans, YOH won after 15 minutes with his Direct Driver finisher.
After a mixed tournament, this win would have meant more to YOH than anything.
Not only did YOH prove to fans that he was capable, but he also reminded himself that he didn’t need SHO to succeed.
It also showed that SHO could be beaten despite his Bullet Club tactics.
2. Hiromu Takahashi vs. El Desperado – Night 4
Credit: NJPW1972
In 2020, Hiromu Takahashi and El Desperado had a MOTY candidate in their BoSJ final match. This year, it seemed as if the stakes were even higher in their tournament match.
El Desperado wanted to showcase dominance against the man he’s never beaten. Hiromu needed this win to help get him to the final for his second BoSJ win.
From the second the bell rung, it was a war of attrition and urgency, willing to put their bodies on the line with moves that could be considered reckless and dangerous.
Yet, like always, each wrestler brought something out of their opponent. After Desperado targeted his leg, Hiromu adapted by bringing his unpredictable offence to the mat.
On the other side, Desperado hit far more dangerous and high-flying moves than fans are used to, including beautiful Tope con Hilos.
Once again, it wasn’t just the wrestling quality that made this match shine; it was the storytelling.
Both men are connected to each other whether they like it or not, and it is the one feud that blurs the lines between love and hate, disdain and desire.
By having their cleanest match void of much cheating, Desperado proved how much this match meant to him, probably more than any title bout ever could.
The match didn’t seem like it was ending anytime soon as the minutes counted down. In the end, the time limit draw was the best possible outcome for this match.
Not only did it allow the maximum time for fans to enjoy the match, but it means that the stakes were even higher at Wrestle Kingdom.
Hiromu wants to prove he deserves his title back, whereas Desperado needs to finally beat his nemesis to cement his status as the best.
1. YOH vs. Hiromu Takahashi – Final Night
Credit: NJPW1972
Going into the final, most fans thought that the result between YOH and Hiromu was going to be easy.
In their tournament match, Hiromu beat YOH in record time at a time.
Hiromu was the clear favourite going into the final match despite the Direct Driver’s winning streak.
However, the reality was far from the truth.
Surprisingly, the match started slowly with YOH and Hiromu wrestling a more mat-based offence.
It didn’t last as there was a sudden flurry of offence with each man racing across the ring at top speed and with a series of quick pins.
Even after throwing everything into the first part of the match, both wrestlers seemed to get a new flurry of adrenaline after 15 minutes. They threw everything and more into the match.
Even the best of matches always has a villain. After YOH beat him, SHO was out for vengeance and came out to cause chaos for both the finalists.
Luckily, with the help of CHAOS’s Goto and YOSHI HASHI and LIJ’s Naito and Shingo, SHO was taken care of, leaving two broken men.
However, they weren’t going to let SHO ruin an amazing match.
The match’s final moments seemed even quicker with both men showing how much this match meant to them.
After a series of roll-ups and kicking out of the Time Bomb, it appeared like YOH could win.
However, after 38 minutes, Hiromu hit the Time Bomb II for the win. The match ended up being the tournament’s best match and showcased why the Jr division is so strong.
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