NJPW: Best of the Super Juniors Finals Highlights & Results

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Jay White

Acting in true dirtbag fashion, White attacked Tanahashi as he soaked in the cheers from the crowd before the bell rang. It was an all-out onslaught from this point forward with White focusing on the surgically repaired elbow of the Ace.

White was absolutely relentless in his attack here with Tanahashi having very little breathing room. Gedo and White came in with a strict game plan: focus on the weakest point of Tanahashi and tear it apart. More than just twisting Tanahashi’s arm with submissions, White also added some unique offense to the mix like a hammerlock Saito Suplex driving Tana down on his arm and head.

Midway through the match, Tanahashi came back with a burst of energy but was quickly thwarted by White with a Flatliner and deadlift German suplex. It wasn’t enough to put Tanahashi away, but it was enough to slow the momentum of the Ace.

Throughout the entirety of the match, the damage to the arm was visible. Tanahashi’s usual move set, including Dragon Screw Leg Whips and Slingblades, was rendered relatively useless with the weakened elbow. Even simple moves like an Irish Whip were cut short allowing White to capitalize.

Following in the form of Zack Sabre Jr at G1 Supercard, White looked to tap Tanahashi out with an armbar submission. White continued to wrench and pull on the arm in sickening fashion as Young Lion Yota Tsuji cheered Tanahashi on from ringside. It was a bit of a touching moment seeing Yota call on the Ace to survive. Tana eventually made it to the ropes forcing a break, but would it only prolong the inevitable?

Showing some ingenuity and the will to power through, Tanahashi delivered a Dragon Screw on White with White’s foot stuck between his legs. Perhaps not as effective, but it afforded Tana the opportunity to put The Switchblade on the mat.

Tanahashi followed up with a Slingblade before heading to the top rope for a High Fly Flow. White, however, was expecting it and was able to stop the move before Gedo wormed his way into the ring.

With the referee distracted by Gedo, White nailed Tanahashi with a low blow only to be met with a low blow from the Ace himself! With White writhing on the canvas, Tanahashi attempted to lock in the Cloverleaf but was rolled up in a hammerlock small package for another shock victory for Jay White.

Jay White has now proven that he has Tanahashi’s number. As with all of the best heels, everything White has said is starting to become clear and true – this is his era and Tanahashi’s run is coming to an end.

During the match, Kevin Kelly spoke of the love the fans hold for Tanahashi: “They are hopeful. They will never stop believing in their Ace.” I’m right there with them. With the G1 Climax coming in just about a month, Tanahashi still has time to make this the Summer of the Ace and not the Summer of the Switchblade.