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NJPW: Previewing the Best of the Super Juniors Finals

By Corey Collins

TOKYO,JAPAN - MAY 24: Shingo Takagi enters the ring during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling 'Best Of Super Jr.' at Korakuen Hall on May 24, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
TOKYO,JAPAN - MAY 24: Shingo Takagi enters the ring during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling 'Best Of Super Jr.' at Korakuen Hall on May 24, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /
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Since May 13, 20 wrestlers have been fighting tooth and nail to reach the Best of the Super Juniors finals on June 5. Now, with Shingo Takagi and Will Ospreay headed for a collision in Ryogoku, it’s time to preview the show and the possible IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title matches we’ll see at Dominion on June 9.

A huge pair of shows are in store for New Japan with the Best of the Super Juniors finals on June 5 and Dominion following on June 9. The top of the card for Dominion has been set for weeks, but the BOSJ finals on June 5 have been slowly coming together over the past month.

After a trio of successful US Title defenses, Juice Robinson began to receive a threatening message via video package after his matches. The video featured an unknown entity targeting Juice with a date of June 5 specifically highlighted.

We now know who the individual behind the video was – the debuting Jon Moxley. Fresh off of a run in WWE as Dean Ambrose, Moxley is ready to wreak havoc in All Elite Wrestling, NJPW, and anywhere else he steps foot. Can Robinson burst the Moxley bubble in his first bout outside of WWE, or will we see a new US Champion crowd in Ryogoku?

Hiroshi Tanahashi and Jay White are set on a collision course once more. This time they aren’t fighting for the IWGP Heavyweight Title, but pride and Tanahashi’s future are both at stake. Tana is coming back from surgery on a damaged left elbow and White needs a rebound from his IWGP Heavyweight Title loss to Kazuchika Okada at G1 Supercard.

If White can once again put Tanahashi down on a big stage, he could cement himself as the Ace Killer in New Japan. If Tanahashi is able to succeed in his return match and gain a modicum of revenge against the man who dethroned him as champion in February, we could see the Ace rise from the ashes once more heading into this summer’s G1.

In one of the most hotly anticipated matches of the year, Shingo Takagi will square off with Will Ospreay in the finals of the Best of the Super Juniors. Shingo now stands in exclusive company alongside Jushin Thunder Liger and Prince Devitt as the only 3 men to go undefeated in their BOSJ blocks.

Ospreay had a shakier run through the tournament but has persevered to take the B Block. Can the Aerial Assassin do what no man has done so far in New Japan and decisively defeat Shingo? Or, will the power of Shingo continue to see his opponents drop like flies around him?

With a shot at IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Dragon Lee at Dominion hanging in the balance, the meeting between Shingo and Ospreay is all-important in setting the tone of the Junior Heavyweight division heading into the summer.

For now, let’s take a look at the top three matches set for June 5!

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