NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 29 Results: Francesco Akira [2] Defeats SHO [0], Hiromu Takahashi [2] Defeats Ryusuke Taguchi [0] (05/15)

When Will Ospreay moved to the heavyweight division in NJPW, there was a void left behind. That is one that he filled with the latest member of the United Empire faction – newcomer Francesco Akira. Handpicked by Will Ospreay, and former AJPW Junior Heavyweight Champion, Akira is no stranger to Japan, and will look to show this as he faces BULLET CLUB member SHO to kick off his tournament.

Franceso Akira Strings Together Offense For The Victory

SHO quickly attacked before the bell, and would choke Akira on the ropes. Akira was able to send SHO to the floor, before a plancha. SHO was sent into the ring for a slingshot stunner, before being sent back to the floor. Kosei Fujita would be used as a human shield – causing Akira to pause. He’d be set up on the apron and dropkicked to the floor, before SHO pulled out a steel chair.

Outside the ring – this is legal in a NJPW match – just incredibly frowned upon by NJPW referees and management. SHO would be disarmed, but his real goal was to drive Akria into the cement wall. He’d scurry back to grab his chair, and nailed Akira in the gut. It was a long run back to the ring, but Akira made it before the count of twenty.

SHO would look for some fast kicks, but Akira was able to nail a facebuster. Blindside dropkick landed, before an asai moonsault. Back in the ring, Akira & SHO tried strikes in the middle of the ring – before SHO was caught in the corner for a Cheeky Nandos kick – adopted from Ospreay.

Fireball knee strike was prevented by Marty Asami being pulled into the way. SHO would kick the arm of Akira before applying the cross armbreaker. Akira found the bottom rope with ease, before blocking Shock Arrow and applying the Inside Cradle for the near fall. SHO shoved Akira into the referee before a German Suplex.

TJP took the wrench away from SHO at ringside, before Akira nailed FirePlex for a near fall. Double knee strike to the neck would land -allowing Akira to earn his first win in NJPW, and two points in the tournament.

Ryusuke Taguchi Goes Back On His Promise To The Fans

There was little doubt that Hiromu Takahashi would be in this years Best of the Super Juniors tournament, having won the 2021 edition. As a current holder of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, Ryusuke Taguchi likewise has a lot of eyes on him in this tournament, and can prove he belongs tonight if he can force Takahashi to tap out to his signature ankle lock.

Taguchi rushed in with a hip attack as this match started, after promising no butt stuff in the press conference. He went back on that promise within a second, and offered Taguchi a pinfall out of shame for his actions. Takahashi was almost suckered into the Ankle Lock – but would scramble from the ring.

Taguchi would follow Takahasi to the floor, before vanishing under the ring and nearly grabbing another ankle lock. Back in the ring, Takahashi would evade the ankle picks before being rolled up – with Taguchi going right for the ankle lock as Takahashi kicked out. Takahashi would continue to flee on the outside, before being locked into the ankle lock. He’d send Taguchi away and nearly got the count out victory. Taguchi was hit with a dropkick as he hit the ring.

A heavy chop met the chest of Taguchi but he dodged the dropkick and locked in the ankle lock. He was persistent, sticking with his best weapon before rolling about the ring with Takahashi before finally Taguchi ended up in a pin attempt. He’d go back to the ankle lock once he kicked out, before Dodon was blocked.

Takahashi would nail a lariat before looking for Hiromu Roll for the victory. Taguchi gets a E for effort, but Hiromu gets the two points.

Will Hiromu Takahashi win back to back to back tournaments? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.

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