NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 29 Results: Ace Austin [2] Defeats Clark Connors [0], Alex Zayne [2] Defeats Yoshinobu Kanemaru [0] (05/15)

It’s time to properly kick off the 2022 Best of the Super Juniors tournament, and what a way to do it. Here from Impact Wrestling is the reigning X-Division champion, Ace Austin – already at two defences in his third reign. His first challenger is LA Dojo graduate ‘Wild Rhino’ Clark Connors. Neither of these men are slouches in the ring, but aren’t that familiar with competing in Japan.

It’s Austin’s debut in the region, and he is looking for nothing less than a clean sweep to prove Impact Wrestling is #1 in the world. Both men noted their lack of main events in this tournament as well, and seek to prove that was a mistake from management. Austin is the first name since the late Jimmy Rave in 2008 to be involved in the BOSJ tournament.

Ace Austin Literally Has Tricks Up His Sleeve

Connors would start this match off with a tight wrist lock, before being sent off the ropes. Austin would have a counter for the early Trophy Kill attempt, before applying a side headlock. He’d be sent off the ropes, before Connors hit a shoulder tackle. Rear chinlock would be applied, before Austin fought free and nailed a snap kick to the back.

In the corner, a running lariat would see Austin land in the ropes – before nailing two more quick lariats and a crossbody for a near fall. An armbar would be applied, and while the referee was out of sight – he’d slip out a sharped and laminated playing card, and sliced between the fingers of Connors.

It was put back into the sleeve of Austin, before he was nearly pounced out of the ring. Connors would be able to toss Austin around the ring before looking for a spear. Austin dodged before showing some fancy footwork on the apron before a punt kick and a Space Flying Tiger Drop to the floor.

Springboard kick would land, before The Fold was blocked by a spear from Connors – but only got a two count. Jumping knee and some fast kicks set up House of Cards – before The Fold. This great combo ended up giving Ace Austin his first two points in this tournament.

Alex Zayne Kicks Off His BOSJ With A Huge Win

Since being released from WWE, Alex Zayne has been able to really get his career back on track. Getting into the Best of the Super Juniors tournament is proof of this, and he kicks off his run tonight. Facing him down is a master of the tournament, and one of the best juniors in the history of Japan – the Heel Master himself, Yoshinobu Kanemaru. The Sauce was hoping to be in the tournament as early as 2020, and has had two years to prepare his plan to win in his debut tournament.

Zayne would quickly show some speed, being able to drop down and leapfrog over Kanemaru before a dropkick. Kanemaru would apply a sleeper hold, before cutting Zayne down with a basement dropkick. The left knee of Zayne was wrapped twice around the ringpost – softening up for that Figure Four Leg Lock.

A simple leg lock was applied in the ring, and the moment Zayne got free – his knee was slammed off the mat. Half crab would be applied, but Zayne broke free. A dropkick sent Kanemaru to the floor, before an Arabian Moonsault saw Zayne follow him. Zayne would look for a 450 Splash – and Kanemaru was able to dodge. A fast dropkick to the knee would follow, before Figure Four would be applied – but Zayne found the bottom rope. Kanemaru would miss the moonsault and took a heavy lariat.

Taco Driver would be set up – before Kanemaru countered into a jacknife pinfall. Zayne kicked out, before pulling Kanemaru off the top rope with a hurricanrana. Skytwister Press would follow, and Zayne earned his first two points of the tournament.

Who will win Best of The Super Juniors A-Block this year? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.

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