NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 29 Results: Alex Zayne [4] Defeats SHO [0], Taiji Ishimori [4] Defeats Ryusuke Taguchi [0] (05/18)

Alex Zayne was able to overcome a calculated assault from Yoshinobu Kanemaru to win his first match of the tournament, and now he looks to turn this into a hot streak. SHO tried to cheat to beat Francesco Akira, but was foiled by TJP. Now tonight, Zayne has no one to back him up – and SHO will be looking to show that sometimes, cheaters do prosper.

Alex Zayne Has SHO Well Scouted

SHO tried to get the jump on Zayne, but instead was hit with a backbreaker onto the edge of the ring. People know the tricks of SHO, and they’re getting less effective by the day. Zayne would hit a springboard frankensteiner on the floor, before a flipping senton into the ring and a running corkscrew senton.

SHO would get angry at ringside and attack Ryohei Oiwa for seemingly no reason, and was slammed face first into the apron. This was a set-up to grab a steel chair, and SHO would make good use of it before the referee took it away. SHO used the ring post to attack the arm of Zayne, and suddenly his tricks were paying off.

The crowd would get behind Zayne, as he refused to be pinned. Zayne would be able to turn things around as he attacked the arm of SHO, before a sketchy Arabian Press over the corner. He might have whacked his own head, but SHO still seemed to get the worst of the exchange.

SHO would hit a spear in the ring, before once again attacking the arm of Zayne. Zayne would be able to get SHO down, but Cinnamon Twist was countered as Dick Togo found his way to ringside. SHO would grab the wrench hidden under his shirt, and Zayne knew it was coming. Pop-up knee strike landed, before SHO went for an armbar – having lost the wrench. Zayne would escape and nail the Taco Driver – and this one was over.

Ishimori Exposes Ryusuke Taguchi

Ryusuke Taguchi promised to his fans that he would be very serious in this tournament, and that meant no butt related offence. He failed that pledge within seconds of the match with Hiromu Takahashi starting, and now has a chance to get serious against Taiji Ishimori. Going up against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion is a great way to earn a title shot, and Taguchi beat Ishimori twice in 2021 – so could have his number tonight.

Some chain wrestling would start this match, with Taguchi seemingly set to take this one seriously. Ishimori was led into the old Sailor Boys dance, to the delight of the hometown crowd. Taguchi was nailed with a Manhattan Drop after a failed Hip Attack, and he was once again upset he resorted to the butt related offence. Ishimori hit him with the bell hammer, before driving him crotch first into the corner post.

Back into the ring, Ishimori would work over the arm of Taguchi, before looking for the sliding German Suplex. Taguchi was able to avoid, and nailed the Three Amigos in the ring. Dodon would be countered, before Ishimori nailed the Handspring Blast Kick. Taguchi would look to apply the ankle lock, but was rolled up – before getting free and nailing an enziguri. He’d go right back to the ankle lock, before Ishimori would pull the tights of Taguchi down and get the pinfall victory.

Can Taiji Ishimori get the clean tournament sweep as champion? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.

SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get TheOvertimer’s Hottest Stories, Breaking News and Special Features in your email, CLICK HERE!