NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 2018 Night 1: Review, Grades, and Analysis
YOH (CHAOS) vs. BUSHI (Los Ingobernables de Japon)
BUSHI came out wearing one of the coolest masks I’ve ever seen. This started off fast with YOH hitting a tope con giro onto BUSHI on the outside of the ring. YOH then got into a chop battle with BUSHI, and BUSHI got the best of it. BUSHI went for a pinfall, but the ref broke it at one, which was weird. Both wrestlers looked a little confused by it.
The exchanged chops again, and YOH hit a series of dropkicks before giving up the advantage to BUSHI. BUSHI hit a big hurricanrana into the ring on YOH, and both men exchanged chops again. There was a series of kicks that culminated in BUSHI hitting a Canadian Destroyer. YOH kicked out. BUSHI went for the MX, but YOH countered with a Jackknife pin and got the victory.
Result: YOH
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
This was a lot of fun. YOH pick up his first singles win since returning from excursion, and it’s a big one. This was a huge way to put him over and start the tournament off strong for him.
Will Ospreay (CHAOS) vs. “The Bone Solider” Taiji Ishimori (Bullet Club)
Ospreay wasted no time drop kicking Ishimori and killing him with forearms right away. Ospreay hit a big dropkick and the action spilled to the outside. Ishimori sent Ospreay flying towards the crowd, and Ospreay jumped over 3 rows of chairs, landing on the platform behind it. Ospreay dove off the platform with a flip dive.
Both men provided a flurry of incredible offence in this one, with Ospreay hitting spring boards, and missing some major moves from the top rope. It seemed, in the story of this match that Ishimori stayed one step ahead of Ospreay. This is the first time in ages that Ospreay actually looked to be one upped by someone. Ishimori was able to neutralize much of Ospreay’s offence with some great counters, and even looked to overpower the champion.
The rise of Ospreay in NJPW has been an interesting one, where he seemed to be able to overcome everything his opponent threw at him, and still come up with the victory. His superior skill and incredible resilience led to him being able to weather the storm and win in the end. Like they used to say about Bret Hart in the 90s, “He takes a licking, but he keeps on ticking!” While the style of wrestling is obviously different (though Ospreay can work a technical and brawling style), the saying is appropriate. Ospreay has been able withstand incredible beatings and still come out on top using his superior flying and technical skills. Ishimori was able to counter that.
Ospreay went for an Os-Cutter, and Ishimori caught him. Ishimori blocked it, and turned him around and hit the Bloody Cross for the pinfall, giving his NJPW debut a very strong look. If Ishimori doesn’t went Best of the Super Juniors, you can bet that NJPW is going to use this win to give him a title shot at some point. Maybe Dominion, maybe the G1 Special at the Cow Palace. Either way, a spectacular debut for Ishimori, and NJPW have made an instant star in one night.
Result: Taiji Ishimori
Rating: 4.75 stars out 5
This match was so awesome. Both guys looked great, and as I said, NJPW made a star in one night. Absolutely must see.
Final Thoughts
Show Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Next: Cody to Challenge for the NWA Worlds Title
This was an excellent start to the Best of Super Juniors tournament, and it demonstrated why the way NJPW books does so well at creating stars. Ishimori is brand new to the promotion, and NJPW decided they wanted to make a star. He’s an exceptionally talented wrestler, so they let him go in and wrestle a match that he was able to get over in. Ospreay sold like crazy for him, and he beat Ospreay clean. We now have an instant star in the Junior division, and a top guy in that division all in one night. Ishimori can now be spoken off as at the same level as Ospreay, KUSHIDA, Hiromu Takahasahi, and Marty Scurll. That was excellent stuff. Definitely check out this show if you get a chance.