After a tumultuous off day because of the developing controversy around Kota Ibushi yesterday (go to the Open The Forbidden Gate Facebook page for details), New Japan resumed the Best Of The Super Junior Tournament today with Day 10, heading into the final stretch of the preliminary round. At least one more man, and possibly two, would see their Finals hopes end today.
Today’s event was held at Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Hall 3 in Chiba and can be watched on demand on New Japan World in Japanese and English.
The announced paid attendance was 1095, possibly a legit sellout. If not, then it was very close as only a few same-day tickets were available. No guest on Japanese commentary, but Milano Collection A.T. is back after being off Thursday due to it being a Samurai! TV simulcast. Most of the events have been only on New Japan World, which are produced by TV Asahi.
All matches are Best Of The Super Junior matches.
Match 1: Block A-Francesco Akira beat Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Match 2: Block A-Taiji Ishimori beat Clark Connors by submission
Match 3: Block B-Titan beat BUSHI
Match 4: Block A-Ryusuke Taguchi beat Yoh
Match 5: Block A-Sho beat Ace Austin by ref stoppage (technical submission)
Match 6: Block B-Wheeler Yuta beat Master Wato
Match 7: Block B-El Phantasmo beat TJP
Match 8: Block B-Robbie Eagles beat El Lindaman by submission
Match 9: Block A-Hiromu Takahashi beat Alex Zayne by submission
Taichi joins Japanese commentary for the final match. He has a rooting interest in this Suzuki-gun Derby.
Main Event: Block B-El Desperado beat DOUKI by submission
Standings:
Block A:
1-Ishimori, 5-2, 10 points
2-Austin, 5-2, 10 points
3-Takahashi, 4-3, 8 points
4-Zayne, 4-3, 8 points
5-Yoh, 3-4, 6 points
6-Connors, 3-4, 6 points
7-Akira, 3-4, 6 points
8-Sho, 3-4, 6 points
9-Taguchi, 2-5, 4 points (OUT)
10-Kanemaru, 2-5, 4 points (OUT)
Block B:
1-Phantasmo, 5-2, 10 points
2-Desperado, 5-2, 10 points
3-Lindaman, 4-3, 8 points
4-Eagles, 4-3, 8 points
5-Yuta, 4-3, 8 points
6-BUSHI, 3-4, 6 points (OUT)
7-DOUKI, 3-4, 6 points (OUT)
8-TJP, 3-4, 6 points (OUT)
9-Titan, 2-5, 4 points (OUT)
10-Wato, 2-5, 4 points (OUT)
Only the winner of each block advances to the Finals. While 8 remain mathematically alive in each block, only those in the top 4 in Block A and top 5 in Block B have any real chance outside of forcing complicated tiebreakers (per New Japan’s Day 11 preview, the bottom 5 in Block B are now out). In Block A, Takahashi kept his 3-peat bid alive but next must beat Connors to force a potential do-or-die finale against Ishimori. That, of course, requires Akira to beat Ishimori next among other things. Despite his loss today, Austin is still very much in it as long as he beats Taguchi next, then his finale would be Akira. Zayne still has a chance and he’s got Yoh & Connors. Simply put, if Takahashi wants to 3-peat he needs just short of a miracle.
In Block B, El Derby will go down to the wire but Eagles remains in perfect position to swoop in and steal it. He’s taken down 2 of 3 El’s and if he can beat Desperado next, the Finals spot is his for the taking as long as he avoids the last-day upset against Titan. But it’s over if he loses. Phantasmo also must get by Yuta next to set down the all-important finale against Desperado (Yuta must win to stay alive). Lindaman is still not out of it yet and if he can put away Wato & BUSHI he’s still got a chance. Block B may very well need tiebreaker matches.
Day 11 is tomorrow at Ota City General Gym in Tokyo. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 2:30 AM PT/5:30 AM ET.
