Best of the Super Juniors
Encyclopedia
This article is about the professional wrestling tournament. For the South Korean boy band, see Super Junior
.
The Best of the Super Juniors (often abbreviated BOSJ) is an annual professional wrestling tournament
held by New Japan Pro Wrestling
(NJPW), typically in May or June. The wrestlers in the tournament are typically junior heavyweight
wrestlers from promotions all over the world. NJPW has held 22 Super Juniors tournaments. Two wrestlers have won the tournament three times, Jushin Liger
and Koji Kanemoto
, while only one wrestler has won the tournament in two consecutive years as Tiger Mask IV
won the tournament in both 2004 and 2005. Liger is the wrestler who has participated in the most tournaments as he has wrestled in all tournaments except the 1995 and 2000 tournaments. His participation in the 2011 tournament marked his 20th Super Junior tournament.
style tournament where a wrestler scores points. The winner, assuming they are not already the champion, receives an opportunity to wrestle for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
not long after the tournament is over.
In 1994, the tournament was renamed to the Best of the Super Juniors. Since 1996 the tournament has been divided into a two-block system used in many other puroresu
tournaments. In this format the top two scorers in each block advance to the semifinals, at which point single-elimination
rules take effect. During the round-robin portion, a win is worth two points, a draw is worth one, and a loss zero; all matches have a 30-minute time limit, though in the past it has been twenty minutes.
and Hiroshi Hase, faced off in a singles match to determine the winner. The winner, Koshinaka, went on to win the Junior Heavyweight Championship from Owen Hart
on June 24, 1988.
, vacated the title so the winner of the 1991 Top of the Super Juniors also became the champion; with his victory over Liger in the final, Norio Honaga
also won the championship.
, became the first man to win the tournament while holding the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
.
was also tied, but was eliminated due to injury), the 4 men held a playoff tournament to challenge first-place Pegasus Kid
(better known as Chris Benoit
) in the final; this ended up being El Samurai, who would nonetheless fall against Pegasus Kid. Pegasus became the first foreign wrestler to win the tournament as a result. He also went on to challenge the champion Liger unsuccessfully on August 8. Eddie Guerrero
participated in the 1992 tournament under his real name but wrestled in the 1993 tournament as "Black Tiger"
("Foreigner") to do so until Prince Devitt won the tournament in 2010. Like in 1993 Pegasus failed in his championship challenge, this time against Koji Kanemoto
on September 25, 1995.
, would unsuccessfully challenge The Great Sasuke for the championship on June 17, 1996.Note that some tournament scores for lower-ranked wrestlers are unknown.
for the championship on July 6.
, would make an unsuccessful challenge to the champion, Jushin Liger
, on July 15, as well as an equally unsuccessful rematch on January 4, 1999, before beating Liger for the title on March 17, 1999.
, went on to defeat the champion Koji Kanemoto
for the title on August 28, who he had also defeated in the BOSJ finals. Kanemoto became the first person to reach the finals three years in a row.
, would go on to defeat Jushin Liger
for the title on July 20, 2000 ending Liger's last reign with the championship so far.
became both the first person to win the tournament three times, and the first to not lose a single match during the tournament. For reasons that are unclear, Liger did not receive a championship match as a reward for his victory.
Silver King who had taken over the character in the preceding year.
on July 6, despite having beaten him in the tournament.
to go to the semifinals instead. The eventual winner, Tiger Mask IV
, would unsuccessfully challenge HEAT for the title on July 19, though he would defeat him in a rematch on January 4, 2005.
, became the first and so far only person in history to win the tournament in consecutive years, as well as the first since Jushin Liger
in 1994 to win the tournament as champion. 2005 saw the participation of the third wrestler under the Black Tiger
mask as Rocky Romero
had begun working as Black Tiger IV in the preceding year.
for the title in December, 2006. This tournament marked the first time that neither block winner made it to the finals.
would be forced to withdraw from the tournament due to an injury, forfeiting all scheduled matches in the process. Milano Collection AT became the first wrestler since Shiro Koshinaka
to win the tournament on his first try, but would fail to capture the Junior Heavyweight championship.
from Pro Wrestling ZERO1 and Jimmy Rave
from Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
. Prince Devitt was again forced out due to injury following his match with Tiger Mask IV
, forfeiting his remaining matches. Immediately after the tournament, winner Wataru Inoue
graduated to the heavyweight division, vacating the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
in the process.
became only the second wrestler to win the tournament three times in total. He lost a title match on July 20 against the defending champion Tiger Mask IV
.
), Kenny Omega (DDT/Ring of Honor
/Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
, United States), KUSHIDA
(SMASH), La Sombra
(Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
, Mexico), Davey Richards
(ROH/PWG, United States) and Taiji Ishimori
(Pro Wrestling Noah
). On May 31, 2010 it was announced that Tiger Mask IV had suffered a vertebra injury during his match against La Sombra and was forced out of action for two months. As a result of his injury Tiger Mask IV withdrew from the competition, forfeiting the rest of his matches, automatically giving all of his opponents two points. On June 6, 2010 Fujita Hayato had to forfeit his match against AKIRA due to an injury and also forfeit the rest of the tournament. The winner of the tournament, Prince Devitt, went on to defeat Naomichi Marufuji
on June 19, 2010, to become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion
.
), Fujita "Jr." Hayato (Michinoku Pro), Great Sasuke (Michinoku Pro), Kenny Omega (DDT, United States), Kota Ibushi (DDT), Máscara Dorada
(Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
, Mexico) and TJP
(freelancer, United States). Sasaki and Taichi
earned their spots in the tournament by winning the Road to the Super Jr. 2days Tournament on April 8, 2011. For the fourth year in a row, Kota Ibushi came back as the previous year's runner-up and became the first wrestler not affiliated with New Japan Pro Wrestling to win the tournament. He went on to defeat Prince Devitt for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
on June 18, 2011.
Super Junior
Super Junior is a South Korean boy band. Formed in 2005 by producer Lee Soo-man of SM Entertainment, the group comprised a total of thirteen members at its peak, and was once claimed to be the world's largest boy band...
.
The Best of the Super Juniors (often abbreviated BOSJ) is an annual professional wrestling tournament
Professional wrestling tournament
On various occasions in professional wrestling a single-elimination tournament of varying match types are held, often to determine a championship or number-one contendership therein...
held by New Japan Pro Wrestling
New Japan Pro Wrestling
is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
(NJPW), typically in May or June. The wrestlers in the tournament are typically junior heavyweight
Cruiserweight (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a cruiserweight is a wrestler weighing 220 lb and less, sometimes 215. The older term junior heavyweight, which was used to describe the division, is more favored in Japan, where many titles for lighter-weight competitors are called junior heavyweight titles...
wrestlers from promotions all over the world. NJPW has held 22 Super Juniors tournaments. Two wrestlers have won the tournament three times, Jushin Liger
Jushin Liger
, better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior...
and Koji Kanemoto
Koji Kanemoto
is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he...
, while only one wrestler has won the tournament in two consecutive years as Tiger Mask IV
Tiger Mask IV
Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995...
won the tournament in both 2004 and 2005. Liger is the wrestler who has participated in the most tournaments as he has wrestled in all tournaments except the 1995 and 2000 tournaments. His participation in the 2011 tournament marked his 20th Super Junior tournament.
History and format
The tournament was formed in 1988 by NJPW. It was originally called the Top of the Super Juniors. The tournament is a round-robinRound-robin tournament
A round-robin tournament is a competition "in which each contestant meets all other contestants in turn".-Terminology:...
style tournament where a wrestler scores points. The winner, assuming they are not already the champion, receives an opportunity to wrestle for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling junior heavweight championship owned by the New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion. "IWGP" is the acronym of NJPW's governing body, the International Wrestling Grand Prix. The title was introduced on February 6, 1986 at a NJPW show....
not long after the tournament is over.
In 1994, the tournament was renamed to the Best of the Super Juniors. Since 1996 the tournament has been divided into a two-block system used in many other puroresu
Professional wrestling in Japan
Puroresu is the popular term for the predominant style or genre of professional wrestling that has developed in Japan. The term comes from the Japanese pronunciation of "professional wrestling" , which is shortened to puroresu . The term became popular among English-speaking fans due to Hisaharu...
tournaments. In this format the top two scorers in each block advance to the semifinals, at which point single-elimination
Single-elimination tournament
A single-elimination tournament, also called a knockout, cup or sudden death tournament, is a type of elimination tournament where the loser of each match or bracket is immediately eliminated from winning the championship or first prize in the event...
rules take effect. During the round-robin portion, a win is worth two points, a draw is worth one, and a loss zero; all matches have a 30-minute time limit, though in the past it has been twenty minutes.
Tournament winners
| Tournament | Year | Winner | Total won | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Shiro Koshinaka Shiro Koshinaka is a Japanese professional wrestler who has competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling and Wrestle Association "R" during the 1980s and 1990s... |
1 | ||
| 1991 | Norio Honaga Norio Honaga is a Japanese professional wrestler.Honaga started in New Japan Pro Wrestling but jumped to Riki Chōshū's Japan Pro Wrestling satellite of All Japan Pro Wrestling in an "invasion" angle. He returned to New Japan with Choshu and others in 1987... |
1 | ||
| 1992 | Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
1 | ||
| 1993 | Pegasus Kid Chris Benoit Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide... |
1 | ||
| 1994 | Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
2 | ||
| 1995 | Wild Pegasus Chris Benoit Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide... |
2 | ||
| 1996 | Black Tiger II Eddie Guerrero Eduardo Gory "Eddie" Guerrero was a Mexican-American professional wrestler born into the Guerrero wrestling family. He wrestled in Mexico and Japan for several major professional wrestling promotions... |
1 | ||
| 1997 | El Samurai | 1 | ||
| 1998 | Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
1 | ||
| 1999 | Kendo Kashin Kendo Kashin Tokimitsu Ishizawa , better known by his ring name Kendo Kashin , is a Japanese professional wrestler... |
1 | ||
| 2000 | Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH.... |
1 | ||
| 2001 | Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
3 | ||
| 2002 | Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
2 | ||
| 2003 | Masahito Kakihara | 1 | ||
| 2004 | Tiger Mask IV Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
1 | ||
| 2005 | Tiger Mask IV Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
2 | ||
| 2006 | Minoru | 1 | ||
| 2007 | Milano Collection AT | 1 | ||
| 2008 | Wataru Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... |
1 | ||
| 2009 | Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
3 | ||
| 2010 | Prince Devitt Fergal Devitt Fergal Devitt is an Irish professional wrestler currently contracted by New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is currently in his second reign as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion... |
1 | ||
| 2011 | Kota Ibushi | 1 |
1988
The 1988 Top of the Super Juniors was a 12-man tournament held from January 4 to February 7. Note that the points system at this time was drastically different from today's, though exactly how is unclear. The two wrestlers with the most points at the end of the tournament, Shiro KoshinakaShiro Koshinaka
is a Japanese professional wrestler who has competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling and Wrestle Association "R" during the 1980s and 1990s...
and Hiroshi Hase, faced off in a singles match to determine the winner. The winner, Koshinaka, went on to win the Junior Heavyweight Championship from Owen Hart
Owen Hart
Owen James Hart was a Canadian professional and amateur wrestler who worked for several promotions including Stampede Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling , World Championship Wrestling , and most notably, the World Wrestling Federation , where he wrestled under both his own name, and ring name The...
on June 24, 1988.
| Wrestler | Score |
|---|---|
| Shiro Koshinaka Shiro Koshinaka is a Japanese professional wrestler who has competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling and Wrestle Association "R" during the 1980s and 1990s... |
41 |
| Hiroshi Hase | 41 |
| Nobuhiko Takada Nobuhiko Takada Nobuhiko Takada is a Japanese mixed martial arts fighter and professional wrestler. He is best known for helping to popularize shoot-style professional wrestling, as one of the biggest stars of the Universal Wrestling Federation and Union of Wrestling Force International in the '80s and '90s. He... |
40 |
| Owen Hart Owen Hart Owen James Hart was a Canadian professional and amateur wrestler who worked for several promotions including Stampede Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling , World Championship Wrestling , and most notably, the World Wrestling Federation , where he wrestled under both his own name, and ring name The... |
39 |
| Kazuo Yamazaki Kazuo Yamazaki Kazuo Yamazaki is a former Japanese professional wrestler, who is known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling and UWF International.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... |
38 |
| Keiichi Yamada Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
31 |
| Kuniaki Kobayashi Kuniaki Kobayashi Kuniaki Kobayashi is a retired Japanese Junior Heavyweight professional wrestler. He wrestled numerous acclaimed matches against the first two Tiger Masks: Satoru Sayama and Mitsuharu Misawa.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... |
24 |
| Hiro Saito Hiro Saito Hiroyuki Saito is a professional wrestler best known by the shortened name of .-Career:Hiro debuted in 1978 in New Japan Pro Wrestling. In May 1985, he defeated The Cobra to win the WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship only to lose back to him 2 months later... |
24 |
| Tony St. Clair | 14 |
| Tatsutoshi Goto Tatsutoshi Goto is a Japanese professional wrestler. He competed primarily in WAR and New Japan Pro Wrestling using the name "T2000 Machine". He also briefly competed in WCW as part of the nWo Japan.-Career:... |
9 |
| Masakatsu Funaki Masakatsu Funaki , is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler who wrestled in New Japan Pro Wrestling, PWFG, as well as the UWF. He is currently performing at All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is one half of the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Champions, along with Keiji Mutoh... |
8 |
| Norio Honaga Norio Honaga is a Japanese professional wrestler.Honaga started in New Japan Pro Wrestling but jumped to Riki Chōshū's Japan Pro Wrestling satellite of All Japan Pro Wrestling in an "invasion" angle. He returned to New Japan with Choshu and others in 1987... |
0 |
1991
The 1991 Top of the Super Juniors was a 7-man tournament held from April 15 to April 30, and the first to use the modern points system. Prior to the tournament, the reigning Junior Heavyweight Champion, Jushin LigerJushin Liger
, better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior...
, vacated the title so the winner of the 1991 Top of the Super Juniors also became the champion; with his victory over Liger in the final, Norio Honaga
Norio Honaga
is a Japanese professional wrestler.Honaga started in New Japan Pro Wrestling but jumped to Riki Chōshū's Japan Pro Wrestling satellite of All Japan Pro Wrestling in an "invasion" angle. He returned to New Japan with Choshu and others in 1987...
also won the championship.
| Wrestler | Score |
|---|---|
| Norio Honaga Norio Honaga is a Japanese professional wrestler.Honaga started in New Japan Pro Wrestling but jumped to Riki Chōshū's Japan Pro Wrestling satellite of All Japan Pro Wrestling in an "invasion" angle. He returned to New Japan with Choshu and others in 1987... |
8 |
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
8 |
| Pegasus Kid Chris Benoit Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide... |
8 |
| Negro Casas Negro Casas José Casas Ruiz is a Mexican professional wrestler and trainer currently working for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre under the ring name Negro Casas. He is the son of former wrestler, turned referee Pepe Casas and brother of professeional wrestlers El Felino and Heavy Metal... |
8 |
| Owen Hart Owen Hart Owen James Hart was a Canadian professional and amateur wrestler who worked for several promotions including Stampede Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling , World Championship Wrestling , and most notably, the World Wrestling Federation , where he wrestled under both his own name, and ring name The... |
6 |
| David Finlay Dave Finlay David John "Fit" Finlay Jr. is a Northern Irish professional wrestler and road agent. He is perhaps best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling and WWE as an active wrestler and later as a road agent... |
4 |
| Flyin' Scorpio 2 Cold Scorpio Charles Scaggs is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name 2 Cold Scorpio . Scaggs has competed in Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, World Wrestling Entertainment and Pro Wrestling Noah... |
0 |
1992
The 1992 Top of the Super Juniors was a 9-man tournament, held from April 16 to April 30. The winner, Jushin LigerJushin Liger
, better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior...
, became the first man to win the tournament while holding the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling junior heavweight championship owned by the New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion. "IWGP" is the acronym of NJPW's governing body, the International Wrestling Grand Prix. The title was introduced on February 6, 1986 at a NJPW show....
.
| Wrestler | Score |
|---|---|
| El Samurai | 14 |
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
12 |
| Norio Honaga Norio Honaga is a Japanese professional wrestler.Honaga started in New Japan Pro Wrestling but jumped to Riki Chōshū's Japan Pro Wrestling satellite of All Japan Pro Wrestling in an "invasion" angle. He returned to New Japan with Choshu and others in 1987... |
12 |
| Negro Casas Negro Casas José Casas Ruiz is a Mexican professional wrestler and trainer currently working for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre under the ring name Negro Casas. He is the son of former wrestler, turned referee Pepe Casas and brother of professeional wrestlers El Felino and Heavy Metal... |
10 |
| Pegasus Kid Chris Benoit Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide... |
10 |
| David Finlay Dave Finlay David John "Fit" Finlay Jr. is a Northern Irish professional wrestler and road agent. He is perhaps best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling and WWE as an active wrestler and later as a road agent... |
6 |
| Eddie Guerrero Eddie Guerrero Eduardo Gory "Eddie" Guerrero was a Mexican-American professional wrestler born into the Guerrero wrestling family. He wrestled in Mexico and Japan for several major professional wrestling promotions... |
4 |
| Flyin' Scorpio 2 Cold Scorpio Charles Scaggs is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name 2 Cold Scorpio . Scaggs has competed in Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, World Wrestling Entertainment and Pro Wrestling Noah... |
2 |
| Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
2 |
1993
The 1993 Top of the Super Juniors was an 11-man tournament held from May 26 to June 14. As the result of a 4-way tie for second place (Jushin LigerJushin Liger
, better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior...
was also tied, but was eliminated due to injury), the 4 men held a playoff tournament to challenge first-place Pegasus Kid
Chris Benoit
Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide...
(better known as Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit
Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide...
) in the final; this ended up being El Samurai, who would nonetheless fall against Pegasus Kid. Pegasus became the first foreign wrestler to win the tournament as a result. He also went on to challenge the champion Liger unsuccessfully on August 8. Eddie Guerrero
Eddie Guerrero
Eduardo Gory "Eddie" Guerrero was a Mexican-American professional wrestler born into the Guerrero wrestling family. He wrestled in Mexico and Japan for several major professional wrestling promotions...
participated in the 1992 tournament under his real name but wrestled in the 1993 tournament as "Black Tiger"
| Wrestler | Score |
|---|---|
| Pegasus Kid Chris Benoit Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide... |
14 |
| El Samurai | 12 |
| Dean Malenko Dean Malenko Dean Simon is a retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Dean Malenko. He is currently signed to WWE working as a road agent. He is best known for his time with Extreme Championship Wrestling , New Japan Pro Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling... |
12 |
| Flyin' Scorpio 2 Cold Scorpio Charles Scaggs is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name 2 Cold Scorpio . Scaggs has competed in Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, World Wrestling Entertainment and Pro Wrestling Noah... |
12 |
| Black Tiger II Eddie Guerrero Eduardo Gory "Eddie" Guerrero was a Mexican-American professional wrestler born into the Guerrero wrestling family. He wrestled in Mexico and Japan for several major professional wrestling promotions... |
12 |
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
12 |
| David Finlay Dave Finlay David John "Fit" Finlay Jr. is a Northern Irish professional wrestler and road agent. He is perhaps best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling and WWE as an active wrestler and later as a road agent... |
10 |
| Norio Honaga Norio Honaga is a Japanese professional wrestler.Honaga started in New Japan Pro Wrestling but jumped to Riki Chōshū's Japan Pro Wrestling satellite of All Japan Pro Wrestling in an "invasion" angle. He returned to New Japan with Choshu and others in 1987... |
10 |
| Lightning Kid Sean Waltman Sean Michael Waltman is an American professional wrestler currently signed with WWE in their developmental program. He wrestled there under the ring names 1–2–3 Kid and X-Pac off and on from 1993–2002, World Championship Wrestling under the ring name Syxx, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ... |
8 |
| Shinjiro Otani | 4 |
| Masao Orihara | 4 |
1994
The 1994 Best of the Super Juniors, the first tournament to be held under that name, was an 11-man tournament contested from May 26 to June 13. Jushin Liger once again won while also the reigning Junior Heavyweight champion, and also became the first wrestler to win the tournament twice.| Wrestler | Score |
|---|---|
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
14 |
| Super Delfin Hiroto Wakita Hiroto Wakita is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently runs Okinawa Pro Wrestling and is also working as a wrestler there. He is better known by his stage name Super Delfin.-New Japan Pro Wrestling:... |
14 |
| El Samurai | 12 |
| Wild Pegasus Chris Benoit Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide... |
12 |
| Black Tiger II Eddie Guerrero Eduardo Gory "Eddie" Guerrero was a Mexican-American professional wrestler born into the Guerrero wrestling family. He wrestled in Mexico and Japan for several major professional wrestling promotions... |
12 |
| Dean Malenko Dean Malenko Dean Simon is a retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Dean Malenko. He is currently signed to WWE working as a road agent. He is best known for his time with Extreme Championship Wrestling , New Japan Pro Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling... |
12 |
| Shinjiro Otani | 10 |
| Tokimitsu Ishizawa | 8 |
| David Finlay Dave Finlay David John "Fit" Finlay Jr. is a Northern Irish professional wrestler and road agent. He is perhaps best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling and WWE as an active wrestler and later as a road agent... |
8 |
| TAKA Michinoku | 4 |
| Masayoshi Motegi Masayoshi Motegi Masayoshi Motegi is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is known for his background in karate and the innovation of the Rolling German suplex... |
2 |
1995
The 1995 Best of the Super Juniors was a 10-man tournament held from June 23 to July 13. Like Liger the year prior, Wild Pegasus (formerly Pegasus Kid) won the tournament for the second time, and was the only gaijinGaijin
is a Japanese word meaning "non-Japanese", or "alien". This word is a short form of gaikokujin , which literally means "person from outside of the country". The word is composed of two kanji: , meaning "outside"; and , meaning "person". Thus, the word technically means "outsider"...
("Foreigner") to do so until Prince Devitt won the tournament in 2010. Like in 1993 Pegasus failed in his championship challenge, this time against Koji Kanemoto
Koji Kanemoto
is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he...
on September 25, 1995.
| Wrestler | Score |
|---|---|
| Wild Pegasus Chris Benoit Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide... |
10 |
| Shinjiro Otani | 10 |
| Black Tiger II Eddie Guerrero Eduardo Gory "Eddie" Guerrero was a Mexican-American professional wrestler born into the Guerrero wrestling family. He wrestled in Mexico and Japan for several major professional wrestling promotions... |
10 |
| Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
10 |
| Dean Malenko Dean Malenko Dean Simon is a retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Dean Malenko. He is currently signed to WWE working as a road agent. He is best known for his time with Extreme Championship Wrestling , New Japan Pro Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling... |
8 |
| Gran Hamada Gran Hamada , better known by his ring name , is Japanese professional wrestler, the first to adopt the high-flying Mexican lucha libre style. He has wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling, the Universal Wrestling Federation, Michinoku Pro, and All Japan Pro Wrestling, and was the founder of Universal Lucha Libre... |
8 |
| Brian Pillman Brian Pillman Brian William Pillman was an American football player and professional wrestler best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation, Extreme Championship Wrestling, and World Championship Wrestling.... |
8 |
| El Samurai | 8 |
| Alex Wright Alex Wright Alex Wright is a German-British former professional wrestler. He wrestled professionally in Germany and Japan before signing with World Championship Wrestling in 1994... |
8 |
| Norio Honaga Norio Honaga is a Japanese professional wrestler.Honaga started in New Japan Pro Wrestling but jumped to Riki Chōshū's Japan Pro Wrestling satellite of All Japan Pro Wrestling in an "invasion" angle. He returned to New Japan with Choshu and others in 1987... |
4 |
1996
The 1996 Best of the Super Juniors was held from May 24 to June 12, and was the first to use the two-block format, featuring 7 wrestlers in each block. The winner, Black TigerEddie Guerrero
Eduardo Gory "Eddie" Guerrero was a Mexican-American professional wrestler born into the Guerrero wrestling family. He wrestled in Mexico and Japan for several major professional wrestling promotions...
, would unsuccessfully challenge The Great Sasuke for the championship on June 17, 1996.Note that some tournament scores for lower-ranked wrestlers are unknown.
| Block A | | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| El Samurai | 10 !! Black Tiger II Eddie Guerrero Eduardo Gory "Eddie" Guerrero was a Mexican-American professional wrestler born into the Guerrero wrestling family. He wrestled in Mexico and Japan for several major professional wrestling promotions... |
10 | |
| Wild Pegasus Chris Benoit Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide... |
10 !! Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
8 | |
| Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH.... |
8 !! Shinjiro Otani | 6 | |
| Franz Schumann Franz Schumann Franz Schumann is a retired Austrian professional wrestler, who was well known for his stint in Catch Wrestling Association.-Life and career:Born on December 27, 1960 in Linz, Austria, Franz Schumann had been a natural wrestler, as he had won several national championships in Austria... |
? !! Dean Malenko Dean Malenko Dean Simon is a retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Dean Malenko. He is currently signed to WWE working as a road agent. He is best known for his time with Extreme Championship Wrestling , New Japan Pro Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling... |
6 | |
| Emilio Charles, Jr. Emilio Charles, Jr. Sergio Emilio Charles Garduño is a semi-retired Mexican Luchador or professional wrestler who is best known under his Ring name Emilio Charles, Jr. He is the son of professional wrestler Emilio Charles. Over the years Emilio Charles, Jr... |
? !! Norio Honaga Norio Honaga is a Japanese professional wrestler.Honaga started in New Japan Pro Wrestling but jumped to Riki Chōshū's Japan Pro Wrestling satellite of All Japan Pro Wrestling in an "invasion" angle. He returned to New Japan with Choshu and others in 1987... |
? | |
| Mr. J.L. Jerry Lynn Jeremy "Jerry" Lynn is an American professional wrestler who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling .... |
? !! Tokimitsu Ishizawa | 4 | |
| Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
? !! Villaño IV Villano IV Thomas Díaz Mendoza is a Mexican professional wrestler. Within the stable Los Villanos, he has wrestled for Universal Wrestling Association , Asistencia Asesoría y Administración , and World Championship Wrestling . While popular and successful in Mexico, he frequently performed as a jobber in WCW... |
? | |
1997
The 1997 Best of the Super Juniors was a two-block, 14-man tournament held from May 16 to June 5. This and the following tournament in 1998 would utilize a points system that involved simply 1 point for a win, and 0 for a loss or draw. The winner, El Samurai, went on to defeat Jushin LigerJushin Liger
, better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior...
for the championship on July 6.
| Block A | | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
5 !! El Samurai | 5 | |
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
4 !! Shinjiro Otani | 4 | |
| Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH.... |
4 !! Chris Jericho Chris Jericho Christopher Keith Irvine , better known by his ring name Chris Jericho, is an inactive Canadian-American professional wrestler, musician, songwriter, radio personality, television host, actor, author, and dancer... |
4 | |
| Gran Naniwa Gran Naniwa was a Japanese professional wrestler. Naniwa was known for his comedic gimmick, in which he performed mannerisms of crabs. This was also reflected upon in the design of his wrestling mask.-Career:... |
3 !! Hanzo Nakajima | 3 | |
| Dr. Wagner, Jr. Dr. Wagner, Jr. Juan Manuel González Barrón is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado who is best known under the ring name Dr. Wagner, Jr.. As Dr. Wagner, Jr... |
2 !! Yoshihiro Tajiri Yoshihiro Tajiri , is a Japanese professional wrestler, perhaps best known for his appearances with Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment. He is currently competing in SMASH as TAJIRI.-Early years :... |
3 | |
| Doc Dean Ian Dean Ian Dean is a retired professional wrestler, best known as Doc Dean.-Career:Dean made his debut at the age of 14 in 1984 for All Star Promotions. He later teamed up with Robbie Brookside to form The Liverpool Lads, a successful tag team in Britain... |
2 !! Scorpio, Jr. Scorpio, Jr. Rafael Núñez Juan is a Mexican Luchador or professional wrestler who is best known under his Ring name Scorpio, Jr. Núñez is the son of professional wrestler "Scorpio" and was trained by his father and Rafael Salamanca before making his debut on August 30, 1985... |
1 | |
| Chavo Guerrero, Jr. Chavo Guerrero, Jr. Salvador "Chavo" Guerrero IV also known as Chavo Guerrero and Chavo Guerrero, Jr., is a third generation Mexican-American professional wrestler and member of the famed Guerrero wrestling family who was well known for working with World Wrestling Entertainment and World Championship Wrestling... |
1 !! Robbie Brookside Robbie Brookside Robert Edward Brooks , better known by his ring name Robbie Brookside, is a British professional wrestler. He has toured all over the world during his career including such countries as the United States, Japan, Germany, and Mexico... |
1 | |
| Block A | Dean Ian Dean Ian Dean is a retired professional wrestler, best known as Doc Dean.-Career:Dean made his debut at the age of 14 in 1984 for All Star Promotions. He later teamed up with Robbie Brookside to form The Liverpool Lads, a successful tag team in Britain... | Guerrero Chavo Guerrero, Jr. Salvador "Chavo" Guerrero IV also known as Chavo Guerrero and Chavo Guerrero, Jr., is a third generation Mexican-American professional wrestler and member of the famed Guerrero wrestling family who was well known for working with World Wrestling Entertainment and World Championship Wrestling... | Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... | Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... | Naniwa Gran Naniwa was a Japanese professional wrestler. Naniwa was known for his comedic gimmick, in which he performed mannerisms of crabs. This was also reflected upon in the design of his wrestling mask.-Career:... | Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH.... | Wagner Dr. Wagner, Jr. Juan Manuel González Barrón is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado who is best known under the ring name Dr. Wagner, Jr.. As Dr. Wagner, Jr... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dean Ian Dean Ian Dean is a retired professional wrestler, best known as Doc Dean.-Career:Dean made his debut at the age of 14 in 1984 for All Star Promotions. He later teamed up with Robbie Brookside to form The Liverpool Lads, a successful tag team in Britain... |
X | Dean (16:04) | Kanemoto (10:27) | Dean (11:51) | Naniwa (12:29) | Takaiwa (11:36) | Wagner (7:29) |
| Guerrero Chavo Guerrero, Jr. Salvador "Chavo" Guerrero IV also known as Chavo Guerrero and Chavo Guerrero, Jr., is a third generation Mexican-American professional wrestler and member of the famed Guerrero wrestling family who was well known for working with World Wrestling Entertainment and World Championship Wrestling... |
Dean (16:04) | X | Kanemoto (15:12) | Liger (10:20) | Guerrero (11:05) | Takaiwa (12:14) | Wagner (11:13) |
| Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
Kan. (10:27) | Kan. (15:12) | X | Kan. (16:32) | Kan. (14:53) | Takaiwa (18:09) | Kan. (12:11) |
| Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
Dean (11:51) | Liger (10:20) | Kanemoto (16:32) | X | Liger (16:32) | Liger (15:53) | Liger (12:59) |
| Naniwa Gran Naniwa was a Japanese professional wrestler. Naniwa was known for his comedic gimmick, in which he performed mannerisms of crabs. This was also reflected upon in the design of his wrestling mask.-Career:... |
Naniwa (12:29) | Guerrero (11:05) | Kanemoto (14:53) | Liger (16:32) | X | Naniwa (15:41) | Naniwa (12:39) |
| Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH.... |
Takaiwa (11:36) | Takaiwa (12:14) | Takaiwa (18:09) | Liger (15:53) | Naniwa (15:41) | X | Takaiwa (9:53) |
| Wagner Dr. Wagner, Jr. Juan Manuel González Barrón is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado who is best known under the ring name Dr. Wagner, Jr.. As Dr. Wagner, Jr... |
Wagner (7:29) | Wagner (11:13) | Kanemoto (12:11) | Liger (12:59) | Naniwa (12:39) | Takaiwa (9:53) | X |
| Block B | Brookside Robbie Brookside Robert Edward Brooks , better known by his ring name Robbie Brookside, is a British professional wrestler. He has toured all over the world during his career including such countries as the United States, Japan, Germany, and Mexico... | Jericho Chris Jericho Christopher Keith Irvine , better known by his ring name Chris Jericho, is an inactive Canadian-American professional wrestler, musician, songwriter, radio personality, television host, actor, author, and dancer... | Nakajima | Otani | El Samurai | Scorpio Scorpio, Jr. Rafael Núñez Juan is a Mexican Luchador or professional wrestler who is best known under his Ring name Scorpio, Jr. Núñez is the son of professional wrestler "Scorpio" and was trained by his father and Rafael Salamanca before making his debut on August 30, 1985... | Tajiri Yoshihiro Tajiri , is a Japanese professional wrestler, perhaps best known for his appearances with Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment. He is currently competing in SMASH as TAJIRI.-Early years :... |
| Brookside Robbie Brookside Robert Edward Brooks , better known by his ring name Robbie Brookside, is a British professional wrestler. He has toured all over the world during his career including such countries as the United States, Japan, Germany, and Mexico... |
X | Brookside (13:43) | Nakajima (12:23) | Otani (15:31) | Samurai (11:32) | Scorpio (10:07) | Tajiri (11:34) |
| Jericho Chris Jericho Christopher Keith Irvine , better known by his ring name Chris Jericho, is an inactive Canadian-American professional wrestler, musician, songwriter, radio personality, television host, actor, author, and dancer... |
Brookside (13:43) | X | Jericho (10:53) | Otani (12:59) | Jericho (15:12) | Jericho (11:16) | Jericho (13:36) |
| Nakajima | Nakajima (12:23) | Jericho (10:53) | X | Otani (12:26) | Samurai (14:30) | Nakajima (8:05) | Nakajima (9:18) |
| Otani | Otani (15:31) | Otani (12:59) | Otani (12:26) | X | Samurai (18:35) | Otani (7:55) | Tajiri (11:44) |
| Samurai | Samurai (11:32) | Jericho (15:12) | Samurai (14:30) | Samurai (18:35) | X | Samurai (9:00) | Samurai (13:42) |
| Scorpio Scorpio, Jr. Rafael Núñez Juan is a Mexican Luchador or professional wrestler who is best known under his Ring name Scorpio, Jr. Núñez is the son of professional wrestler "Scorpio" and was trained by his father and Rafael Salamanca before making his debut on August 30, 1985... |
Scorpio (10:07) | Jericho (11:16) | Nakajima (8:05) | Otani (7:55) | Samurai (9:00) | X | Tajiri (9:16) |
| Tajiri Yoshihiro Tajiri , is a Japanese professional wrestler, perhaps best known for his appearances with Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment. He is currently competing in SMASH as TAJIRI.-Early years :... |
Tajiri (11:34) | Jericho (13:36) | Nakajima (9:18) | Tajiri (11:44) | Samurai (13:42) | Tajiri (9:16) | X |
1998
The 1998 Best of the Super Juniors was a two-block, 12-man tournament held from May 16 to June 3. Like the previous year, it used a simpler points system, including 1 point for a win and 0 for a loss or draw. The winner, Koji KanemotoKoji Kanemoto
is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he...
, would make an unsuccessful challenge to the champion, Jushin Liger
Jushin Liger
, better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior...
, on July 15, as well as an equally unsuccessful rematch on January 4, 1999, before beating Liger for the title on March 17, 1999.
| Block A | | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Wagner, Jr. Dr. Wagner, Jr. Juan Manuel González Barrón is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado who is best known under the ring name Dr. Wagner, Jr.. As Dr. Wagner, Jr... |
4 !! Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
4 | |
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
3 !! Shiryu Kaz Hayashi Kazuhiro "Kaz" Hayashi is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. He is also the head booker for the company's junior division.-Career:... |
3 | |
| El Samurai | 3 !! Kendo Kashin Kendo Kashin Tokimitsu Ishizawa , better known by his ring name Kendo Kashin , is a Japanese professional wrestler... |
3 | |
| Shinjiro Otani | 2 !! El Felino El Felino El Felino , is the ring name of Jorge Luis Casas Ruiz, who is a Mexican professional wrestler or Luchador currently wrestling for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre . He is the son of wrestler and referee Pepe Casas, the brother of Negro Casas and Heavy Metal and the cousin of Black Star... |
2 | |
| Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH.... |
2 !! Nanjyo Hayato | 2 | |
| Masakazu Fukuda | 1 !! Yuji Yasuraoka | 1 | |
1999
The 1999 Best of the Super Juniors was a two-block, 12-man tournament held from May 19 to June 8. The winner, Kendo KashinKendo Kashin
Tokimitsu Ishizawa , better known by his ring name Kendo Kashin , is a Japanese professional wrestler...
, went on to defeat the champion Koji Kanemoto
Koji Kanemoto
is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he...
for the title on August 28, who he had also defeated in the BOSJ finals. Kanemoto became the first person to reach the finals three years in a row.
| Block A | | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
8 !! Kendo Kashin Kendo Kashin Tokimitsu Ishizawa , better known by his ring name Kendo Kashin , is a Japanese professional wrestler... |
8 | |
| Gran Hamada Gran Hamada , better known by his ring name , is Japanese professional wrestler, the first to adopt the high-flying Mexican lucha libre style. He has wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling, the Universal Wrestling Federation, Michinoku Pro, and All Japan Pro Wrestling, and was the founder of Universal Lucha Libre... |
6 !! Shinjiro Otani | 7 | |
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
6 !! El Samurai | 5 | |
| Masaaki Mochizuki Masaaki Mochizuki is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently performing for Dragon Gate, where he is the current Open the Dream Gate Champion in his second reign and the leader of the Junction Three stable... |
4 !! Dr. Wagner, Jr. Dr. Wagner, Jr. Juan Manuel González Barrón is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado who is best known under the ring name Dr. Wagner, Jr.. As Dr. Wagner, Jr... |
4 | |
| Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH.... |
4 !! Minoru Tanaka | 4 | |
| Super Shocker | 2 !! Masao Orihara | 2 | |
| Block A | Gran Hamada Gran Hamada , better known by his ring name , is Japanese professional wrestler, the first to adopt the high-flying Mexican lucha libre style. He has wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling, the Universal Wrestling Federation, Michinoku Pro, and All Japan Pro Wrestling, and was the founder of Universal Lucha Libre... | Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... | Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... | Masaaki Mochizuki Masaaki Mochizuki is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently performing for Dragon Gate, where he is the current Open the Dream Gate Champion in his second reign and the leader of the Junction Three stable... | Super Shocker | Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH.... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gran Hamada Gran Hamada , better known by his ring name , is Japanese professional wrestler, the first to adopt the high-flying Mexican lucha libre style. He has wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling, the Universal Wrestling Federation, Michinoku Pro, and All Japan Pro Wrestling, and was the founder of Universal Lucha Libre... |
X | Kanemoto (15:46) | Hamada (10:08) | Hamada (10:47) | Hamada (10:17) | Takaiwa (12:32) |
| Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
Kanemoto (15:46) | X | Liger (20:29) | Kanemoto (9:40) | Kanemoto (10:19) | Kanemoto (13:29) |
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
Hamada (10:08) | Liger (20:29) | X | Liger (11:13) | Liger (13:59) | Takaiwa (17:47) |
| Masaaki Mochizuki Masaaki Mochizuki is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently performing for Dragon Gate, where he is the current Open the Dream Gate Champion in his second reign and the leader of the Junction Three stable... |
Hamada (10:47) | Kanemoto (9:40) | Liger (11:13) | X | Mochizuki (10:44) | Mochizuki (13:11) |
| Super Shocker | Hamada (10:17) | Kanemoto (10:19) | Liger (13:59) | Mochizuki (10:44) | X | Shocker (13:50) |
| Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH.... |
Takaiwa (12:32) | Kanemoto (13:29) | Takaiwa (17:47) | Mochizuki (13:11) | Shocker (13:50) | X |
| Block B | Kendo Kashin Kendo Kashin Tokimitsu Ishizawa , better known by his ring name Kendo Kashin , is a Japanese professional wrestler... | Masao Orihara | Shinjiro Otani | El Samurai | Minoru Tanaka | Dr. Wagner, Jr. Dr. Wagner, Jr. Juan Manuel González Barrón is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado who is best known under the ring name Dr. Wagner, Jr.. As Dr. Wagner, Jr... |
| Kendo Kashin Kendo Kashin Tokimitsu Ishizawa , better known by his ring name Kendo Kashin , is a Japanese professional wrestler... |
X | Kashin (7:06) | Otani (9:34) | Kashin (10:00) | Kashin (10:21) | Kashin (8:58) |
| Masao Orihara | Kashin (7:06) | X | Otani (9:37) | Samurai (12:52) | Orihara (10:52) | Wagner (10:08) |
| Shinjiro Otani | Otani (9:34) | Otani (9:37) | X | Draw (30:00) | Tanaka (13:57) | Otani (11:19) |
| El Samurai | Kashin (10:00) | Samurai (12:52) | Draw (30:00) | X | Tanaka (10:32) | Samurai (11:42) |
| Minoru Tanaka | Kashin (10:21) | Orihara (10:52) | Tanaka (13:57) | Tanaka (10:32) | X | Wagner (10:09) |
| Dr. Wagner, Jr. Dr. Wagner, Jr. Juan Manuel González Barrón is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado who is best known under the ring name Dr. Wagner, Jr.. As Dr. Wagner, Jr... |
Kashin (8:58) | Wagner (10:08) | Otani (11:19) | Samurai (11:42) | Wagner (10:09) | X |
2000
The 2000 Best of the Super Juniors was a two-block, 12-man tournament held from May 19 to June 9. The winner, Tatsuhito TakaiwaTatsuhito Takaiwa
Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH....
, would go on to defeat Jushin Liger
Jushin Liger
, better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior...
for the title on July 20, 2000 ending Liger's last reign with the championship so far.
| Block A | | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH.... |
8 !! Shinjiro Otani | 10 | |
| Gran Hamada Gran Hamada , better known by his ring name , is Japanese professional wrestler, the first to adopt the high-flying Mexican lucha libre style. He has wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling, the Universal Wrestling Federation, Michinoku Pro, and All Japan Pro Wrestling, and was the founder of Universal Lucha Libre... |
6 !! Minoru Tanaka | 6 | |
| Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
6 !! Kendo Kashin Kendo Kashin Tokimitsu Ishizawa , better known by his ring name Kendo Kashin , is a Japanese professional wrestler... |
6 | |
| El Samurai | 4 !! Katsumi Usuda | 4 | |
| Dr. Wagner, Jr. Dr. Wagner, Jr. Juan Manuel González Barrón is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado who is best known under the ring name Dr. Wagner, Jr.. As Dr. Wagner, Jr... |
4 !! Kid Romeo Sam Loman Sam Loman is an American former professional wrestler. He is best known for his stint in World Championship Wrestling in 2001 under the ring name Kid Romeo, where he was one half of the first ever Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions alongside Elix Skipper.-Debut and departure:After a briefly working... |
2 | |
| Shinya Makabe | 2 !! Minoru Fujita Minoru Fujita is a Japanese professional wrestler contracted to Pro Wrestling Zero1, where he is a former AWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, having won a tournament final against Takuya Sugawara.-Career:... |
2 | |
| Block A | Gran Hamada Gran Hamada , better known by his ring name , is Japanese professional wrestler, the first to adopt the high-flying Mexican lucha libre style. He has wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling, the Universal Wrestling Federation, Michinoku Pro, and All Japan Pro Wrestling, and was the founder of Universal Lucha Libre... | Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... | Shinya Makabe | El Samurai | Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH.... | Dr. Wagner, Jr. Dr. Wagner, Jr. Juan Manuel González Barrón is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado who is best known under the ring name Dr. Wagner, Jr.. As Dr. Wagner, Jr... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gran Hamada Gran Hamada , better known by his ring name , is Japanese professional wrestler, the first to adopt the high-flying Mexican lucha libre style. He has wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling, the Universal Wrestling Federation, Michinoku Pro, and All Japan Pro Wrestling, and was the founder of Universal Lucha Libre... |
X | Hamada (13:00) | Hamada (8:37) | Hamada (8:16) | Takaiwa (6:39) | Wagner (10:24) |
| Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
Hamada (13:00) | X | Kanemoto (10:37) | Kanemoto (8:14) | Kanemoto (14:04) | Wagner (10:30) |
| Shinya Makabe | Hamada (8:37) | Kanemoto (10:37) | X | Samurai (9:52) | Takaiwa (11:11) | Makabe (12:38) |
| El Samurai | Hamada (8:16) | Kanemoto (8:14) | Samurai (9:52) | X | Takaiwa (9:34) | Samurai (13:51) |
| Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH.... |
Takaiwa (6:39) | Kanemoto (14:04) | Takaiwa (11:11) | Takaiwa (9:34) | X | Takaiwa (13:06) |
| Dr. Wagner, Jr. Dr. Wagner, Jr. Juan Manuel González Barrón is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado who is best known under the ring name Dr. Wagner, Jr.. As Dr. Wagner, Jr... |
Wagner (10:24) | Wagner (10:30) | Makabe (12:38) | Samurai (13:51) | Takaiwa (13:06) | X |
| Block B | Minoru Fujita Minoru Fujita is a Japanese professional wrestler contracted to Pro Wrestling Zero1, where he is a former AWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, having won a tournament final against Takuya Sugawara.-Career:... | Kendo Kashin Kendo Kashin Tokimitsu Ishizawa , better known by his ring name Kendo Kashin , is a Japanese professional wrestler... | Kid Romeo Sam Loman Sam Loman is an American former professional wrestler. He is best known for his stint in World Championship Wrestling in 2001 under the ring name Kid Romeo, where he was one half of the first ever Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions alongside Elix Skipper.-Debut and departure:After a briefly working... | Shinjiro Otani | Minoru Tanaka | Katsumi Usuda |
| Minoru Fujita Minoru Fujita is a Japanese professional wrestler contracted to Pro Wrestling Zero1, where he is a former AWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, having won a tournament final against Takuya Sugawara.-Career:... |
X | Kashin (5:56) | Romeo (6:06) | Otani (9:16) | Tanaka (11:20) | Fujita (10:08) |
| Kendo Kashin Kendo Kashin Tokimitsu Ishizawa , better known by his ring name Kendo Kashin , is a Japanese professional wrestler... |
Kashin (5:56) | X | Kashin (4:51) | Otani (9:59) | Tanaka (9:10) | Kashin (8:30) |
| Kid Romeo Sam Loman Sam Loman is an American former professional wrestler. He is best known for his stint in World Championship Wrestling in 2001 under the ring name Kid Romeo, where he was one half of the first ever Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions alongside Elix Skipper.-Debut and departure:After a briefly working... |
Romeo (6:06) | Kashin (4:51) | X | Otani (5:37) | Tanaka (5:15) | Usuda (6:16) |
| Shinjiro Otani | Otani (9:16) | Otani (9:59) | Otani (5:37) | X | Otani (12:14) | Otani (12:55) |
| Minoru Tanaka | Tanaka (11:20) | Tanaka (9:10) | Tanaka (5:15) | Otani (12:14) | X | Usuda (11:56) |
| Katsumi Usuda | Fujita (10:08) | Kashin (8:30) | Usuda (6:16) | Otani (12:55) | Usuda (11:56) | X |
2001
The 2001 Best of the Super Juniors was a two-block, 12-man tournament held from May 18 to June 4. With his victory, Jushin LigerJushin Liger
, better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior...
became both the first person to win the tournament three times, and the first to not lose a single match during the tournament. For reasons that are unclear, Liger did not receive a championship match as a reward for his victory.
| Block A | | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
10 !! Minoru Tanaka | 8 | |
| El Samurai | 6 !! AKIRA Akira Nogami is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working for Yoshihiro Tajiri's Smash promotion as AKIRA.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... |
6 | |
| Silver King | 6 !! Super Shocker | 6 | |
| Chris Candido Chris Candido Christopher Raul Candito was an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Chris Candido... |
4 !! Dr. Wagner, Jr. Dr. Wagner, Jr. Juan Manuel González Barrón is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado who is best known under the ring name Dr. Wagner, Jr.. As Dr. Wagner, Jr... |
6 | |
| Gran Naniwa Gran Naniwa was a Japanese professional wrestler. Naniwa was known for his comedic gimmick, in which he performed mannerisms of crabs. This was also reflected upon in the design of his wrestling mask.-Career:... |
4 !! Shinya Makabe | 4 | |
| Wataru Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... |
0 !! Katsuyori Shibata Katsuyori Shibata is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. In professional wrestling, he is known for his hard hitting offense and his realistic bouts.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... |
0 | |
| Block A | Chris Candido Chris Candido Christopher Raul Candito was an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Chris Candido... | Wataru Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... | Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... | Gran Naniwa Gran Naniwa was a Japanese professional wrestler. Naniwa was known for his comedic gimmick, in which he performed mannerisms of crabs. This was also reflected upon in the design of his wrestling mask.-Career:... | El Samurai | Silver King |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Candido Chris Candido Christopher Raul Candito was an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Chris Candido... |
X | Candido (5:10) | Liger (5:48) | Candido (8:01) | Samurai (4:53) | King (7:40) |
| Wataru Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... |
Candido (5:10) | X | Liger (13:56) | Naniwa (10:48) | Samurai (14:29) | King (8:26) |
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
Liger (5:48) | Liger (13:56) | X | Liger (14:05) | Liger (13:26) | Liger (12:32) |
| Gran Naniwa Gran Naniwa was a Japanese professional wrestler. Naniwa was known for his comedic gimmick, in which he performed mannerisms of crabs. This was also reflected upon in the design of his wrestling mask.-Career:... |
Candido (8:01) | Naniwa (10:48) | Liger (14:05) | X | Naniwa (11:29) | King (10:01) |
| El Samurai | Samurai (4:53) | Samurai (14:29) | Liger (13:26) | Naniwa (11:29) | X | Samurai (10:33) |
| Silver King | King (7:40) | King (8:26) | Liger (12:32) | King (10:01) | Samurai (10:33) | X |
| Block B | AKIRA Akira Nogami is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working for Yoshihiro Tajiri's Smash promotion as AKIRA.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... | Shinya Makabe | Katsuyori Shibata Katsuyori Shibata is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. In professional wrestling, he is known for his hard hitting offense and his realistic bouts.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... | Super Shocker | Minoru Tanaka | Dr. Wagner, Jr. Dr. Wagner, Jr. Juan Manuel González Barrón is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado who is best known under the ring name Dr. Wagner, Jr.. As Dr. Wagner, Jr... |
| AKIRA Akira Nogami is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working for Yoshihiro Tajiri's Smash promotion as AKIRA.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... |
X | Makabe (10:15) | AKIRA (6:18) | AKIRA (10:10) | AKIRA (23:22) | Wagner (11:38) |
| Shinya Makabe | Makabe (10:15) | X | Makabe (6:23) | Shocker (9:41) | Tanaka (16:34) | Wagner (9:03) |
| Katsuyori Shibata Katsuyori Shibata is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. In professional wrestling, he is known for his hard hitting offense and his realistic bouts.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... |
AKIRA (6:18) | Makabe (6:23) | X | Shocker (9:07) | Tanaka (6:24) | Wagner (9:28) |
| Super Shocker | AKIRA (10:10) | Shocker (9:41) | Shocker (9:07) | X | Tanaka (12:53) | Shocker (14:23) |
| Minoru Tanaka | AKIRA (23:22) | Tanaka (16:34) | Tanaka (6:24) | Tanaka (12:53) | X | Tanaka (14:45) |
| Dr. Wagner, Jr. Dr. Wagner, Jr. Juan Manuel González Barrón is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado who is best known under the ring name Dr. Wagner, Jr.. As Dr. Wagner, Jr... |
Wagner (11:38) | Wagner (9:03) | Wagner (9:28) | Shocker (14:23) | Tanaka (14:45) | X |
2002
The 2002 Best of the Super Juniors was a 14-man, two-block tournament held from May 18 to June 5. It once again used the 1997-98 system of 1 point for a win, and 0 for a loss or draw. The 2-time winner, Koji Kanemoto, went on to defeat champion Minoru Tanaka for the title on July 19, the same man he defeated in the finals of the tournament. The Black Tiger who wrestled in the 2002 event was not Eddie Guerrero who had previously participated in the tournament under that name but LuchadorLucha libre
Lucha libre is a term used in Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries, for a form of professional wrestling that has developed within those countries...
Silver King who had taken over the character in the preceding year.
| Block A | | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
4 !! Minoru Tanaka | 4 | |
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
4 !! El Samurai | 4 | |
| Katsuyori Shibata Katsuyori Shibata is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. In professional wrestling, he is known for his hard hitting offense and his realistic bouts.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... |
3 !! Gedo Keiji Takayama Keiji Takayama better known as Gedo , is a long time professional wrestler. He formed a long-lasting tag team with Jado... |
3 | |
| Black Tiger III | 3 !! Masayuki Naruse Masayuki Naruse is a Japanese professional wrestler and Professional mixed martial artist.-Career:Naruse debuted in Fighting Network RINGS in 1992 where he was displayed as a scrappy junior heavyweight willing to take on opponents twice his size. He and other RINGS wrestlers made the transition to mixed martial... |
3 | |
| Masahito Kakihara | 3 !! AKIRA Akira Nogami is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working for Yoshihiro Tajiri's Smash promotion as AKIRA.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... |
3 | |
| Curry Man Christopher Daniels Daniel Christopher Covell is an American professional wrestler, best known in the United States by his ring name "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels. He is also known for performing under the ring name Curry Man. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , while also... |
2 !! Tiger Mask IV Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
3 | |
| Jado Shoji Akiyoshi , better known by his ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling with his tag team partner Gedo... |
1 !! Wataru Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... |
2 | |
| Block A | B. Tiger | Curry Christopher Daniels Daniel Christopher Covell is an American professional wrestler, best known in the United States by his ring name "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels. He is also known for performing under the ring name Curry Man. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , while also... | Jado Shoji Akiyoshi , better known by his ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling with his tag team partner Gedo... | Kakihara | Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... | Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... | Shibata Katsuyori Shibata is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. In professional wrestling, he is known for his hard hitting offense and his realistic bouts.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B. Tiger | X | Curry (8:46) | Tiger (5:00) | Tiger (8:20) | Tiger (13:35) | Liger (13:30) | Shibata (8:20) |
| Curry Christopher Daniels Daniel Christopher Covell is an American professional wrestler, best known in the United States by his ring name "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels. He is also known for performing under the ring name Curry Man. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , while also... |
Curry (8:46) | X | Jado (10:47) | Kakihara (9:23) | Kanemoto (10:50) | Liger (12:58) | Curry (7:14) |
| Jado Shoji Akiyoshi , better known by his ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling with his tag team partner Gedo... |
Tiger (5:00) | Jado (10:47) | X | Kakihara (Forf) | Kanemoto (12:06) | Draw (3:10) | Shibata (Forf) |
| Kakihara | Tiger (8:20) | Kakihara (9:23) | Kakihara (Forf) | X | Kakihara (12:28) | Liger (14:06) | Shibata (5:39) |
| Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
Tiger (13:35) | Kanemoto (10:50) | Kanemoto (12:06) | Kakihara (12:28) | X | Kanemoto (17:17) | Kanemoto (6:12) |
| Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
Liger (13:30) | Liger (12:58) | Draw (3:10) | Liger (14:06) | Kanemoto (17:17) | X | Liger (9:45) |
| Shibata Katsuyori Shibata is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. In professional wrestling, he is known for his hard hitting offense and his realistic bouts.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... |
Shibata (8:20) | Curry (7:14) | Shibata (Forf) | Shibata (5:39) | Kanemoto (6:12) | Liger (9:45) | X |
| Block B | AKIRA Akira Nogami is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working for Yoshihiro Tajiri's Smash promotion as AKIRA.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... | Gedo Keiji Takayama Keiji Takayama better known as Gedo , is a long time professional wrestler. He formed a long-lasting tag team with Jado... | Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... | Naruse Masayuki Naruse is a Japanese professional wrestler and Professional mixed martial artist.-Career:Naruse debuted in Fighting Network RINGS in 1992 where he was displayed as a scrappy junior heavyweight willing to take on opponents twice his size. He and other RINGS wrestlers made the transition to mixed martial... | Samurai Osamu Matsuda is a Japanese professional wrestler who is best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and is better known by his stage name El Samurai.-Early years :... | Tanaka | T. Mask Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
| AKIRA Akira Nogami is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working for Yoshihiro Tajiri's Smash promotion as AKIRA.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... |
X | Gedo (11:12) | AKIRA (7:47) | Naruse (9:37) | Samurai (11:48) | AKIRA (16:13) | AKIRA (10:36) |
| Gedo Keiji Takayama Keiji Takayama better known as Gedo , is a long time professional wrestler. He formed a long-lasting tag team with Jado... |
Gedo (11:12) | X | Inoue (11:19) | Gedo (10:41) | Samurai (13:25) | Gedo (12:51) | Tiger (14:49) |
| Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... |
AKIRA (7:47) | Inoue (11:19) | X | Naruse (10:23) | Inoue (7:21) | Tanaka (8:13) | Tiger (8:16) |
| Naruse Masayuki Naruse is a Japanese professional wrestler and Professional mixed martial artist.-Career:Naruse debuted in Fighting Network RINGS in 1992 where he was displayed as a scrappy junior heavyweight willing to take on opponents twice his size. He and other RINGS wrestlers made the transition to mixed martial... |
Naruse (9:37) | Gedo (10:41) | Naruse (10:23) | X | Samurai (9:19) | Tanaka (12:14) | Naruse (6:54) |
| Samurai Osamu Matsuda is a Japanese professional wrestler who is best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and is better known by his stage name El Samurai.-Early years :... |
Samurai (11:48) | Samurai (13:25) | Inoue (7:21) | Samurai (9:19) | X | Tanaka (13:01) | Tiger (12:08) |
| Tanaka | AKIRA (16:13) | Gedo (12:51) | Tanaka (8:13) | Tanaka (12:14) | Tanaka (13:01) | X | Tanaka (10:22) |
| T. Mask Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
AKIRA (10:36) | Tiger (14:49) | Tiger (8:16) | Naruse (6:54) | Tiger (12:08) | Tanaka (10:22) | X |
2003
The 2003 Best of the Super Juniors was a 14-man, two-block tournament held from May 23 to June 11. It introduced the modern system of each block's top two scorers advancing to the semifinals with Masahito Kakihara winning the tournament. The winner, would unsuccessfully challenge champion Tiger Mask IVTiger Mask IV
Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995...
on July 6, despite having beaten him in the tournament.
| Block A | | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| AKIRA Akira Nogami is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working for Yoshihiro Tajiri's Smash promotion as AKIRA.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... |
10 !! Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
8 | |
| Takashi Sugiura Takashi Sugiura is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for Pro Wrestling Noah. Sugiura, an accomplished amateur wrestler, joined NOAH's dojo in 2000, making his professional debut on December 23, 2000, and thus becoming the first wrestler to make his pro wrestling debut in NOAH. He has also... |
8 !! Masahito Kakihara | 8 | |
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
8 !! Tiger Mask IV Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
8 | |
| Minoru Fujita Minoru Fujita is a Japanese professional wrestler contracted to Pro Wrestling Zero1, where he is a former AWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, having won a tournament final against Takuya Sugawara.-Career:... |
8 !! Masayuki Naruse Masayuki Naruse is a Japanese professional wrestler and Professional mixed martial artist.-Career:Naruse debuted in Fighting Network RINGS in 1992 where he was displayed as a scrappy junior heavyweight willing to take on opponents twice his size. He and other RINGS wrestlers made the transition to mixed martial... |
6 | |
| Ebessan Mitsunobu Kikuzawa , better known by his wrestling persona and formerly Ebessan, is a freelance Japanese professional wrestler primarily competing for Kensuke Office and Osaka Pro Wrestling... |
4 !! Stampede Kid | 4 | |
| Gedo Keiji Takayama Keiji Takayama better known as Gedo , is a long time professional wrestler. He formed a long-lasting tag team with Jado... |
4 !! El Samurai | 4 | |
| Ryusuke Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... |
0 !! Jado Shoji Akiyoshi , better known by his ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling with his tag team partner Gedo... |
4 | |
| Block A | AKIRA Akira Nogami is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working for Yoshihiro Tajiri's Smash promotion as AKIRA.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... | Ebessan Mitsunobu Kikuzawa , better known by his wrestling persona and formerly Ebessan, is a freelance Japanese professional wrestler primarily competing for Kensuke Office and Osaka Pro Wrestling... | Fujita Minoru Fujita is a Japanese professional wrestler contracted to Pro Wrestling Zero1, where he is a former AWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, having won a tournament final against Takuya Sugawara.-Career:... | Gedo Keiji Takayama Keiji Takayama better known as Gedo , is a long time professional wrestler. He formed a long-lasting tag team with Jado... | Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... | Sugiura Takashi Sugiura is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for Pro Wrestling Noah. Sugiura, an accomplished amateur wrestler, joined NOAH's dojo in 2000, making his professional debut on December 23, 2000, and thus becoming the first wrestler to make his pro wrestling debut in NOAH. He has also... | Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AKIRA Akira Nogami is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working for Yoshihiro Tajiri's Smash promotion as AKIRA.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... |
X | AKIRA (8:24) | Fujita (12:34) | AKIRA (11:49) | AKIRA (16:04) | AKIRA (12:10) | AKIRA (8:34) |
| Ebessan Mitsunobu Kikuzawa , better known by his wrestling persona and formerly Ebessan, is a freelance Japanese professional wrestler primarily competing for Kensuke Office and Osaka Pro Wrestling... |
AKIRA (8:24) | X | Fujita (8:24) | Ebessan (9:09) | Liger (10:56) | Sugiura (11:52) | Ebessan (7:14) |
| Fujita Minoru Fujita is a Japanese professional wrestler contracted to Pro Wrestling Zero1, where he is a former AWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, having won a tournament final against Takuya Sugawara.-Career:... |
Fujita (12:34) | Fujita (8:24) | X | Fujita (11:41) | Liger (11:27) | Sugiura (11:27) | Fujita (10:26) |
| Gedo Keiji Takayama Keiji Takayama better known as Gedo , is a long time professional wrestler. He formed a long-lasting tag team with Jado... |
AKIRA (11:49) | Ebessan (9:09) | Fujita (11:41) | X | Liger (14:09) | Gedo (12:16) | Gedo (8:39) |
| Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
AKIRA (16:04) | Liger (10:56) | Liger (11:27) | Liger (14:09) | X | Sugiura (12:06) | Liger (6:53) |
| Sugiura Takashi Sugiura is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for Pro Wrestling Noah. Sugiura, an accomplished amateur wrestler, joined NOAH's dojo in 2000, making his professional debut on December 23, 2000, and thus becoming the first wrestler to make his pro wrestling debut in NOAH. He has also... |
AKIRA (12:10) | Sugiura (11:52) | Sugiura (11:27) | Gedo (12:16) | Sugiura (12:06) | X | Sugiura (9:13) |
| Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... |
AKIRA (8:34) | Ebessan (7:14) | Fujita (10:26) | Gedo (8:39) | Liger (6:53) | Sugiura (9:13) | X |
| Block B | Jado Shoji Akiyoshi , better known by his ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling with his tag team partner Gedo... | Kakihara | Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... | Naruse Masayuki Naruse is a Japanese professional wrestler and Professional mixed martial artist.-Career:Naruse debuted in Fighting Network RINGS in 1992 where he was displayed as a scrappy junior heavyweight willing to take on opponents twice his size. He and other RINGS wrestlers made the transition to mixed martial... | Samurai Osamu Matsuda is a Japanese professional wrestler who is best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and is better known by his stage name El Samurai.-Early years :... | Stampede | Tiger Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
| Jado Shoji Akiyoshi , better known by his ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling with his tag team partner Gedo... |
X | Kakihara (6:56) | Jado (5:23) | Jado (7:38) | Samurai (12:26) | Stampede (5:13) | Tiger (9:59) |
| Kakihara | Kakihara (6:56) | X | Kanemoto (11:07) | Naruse (9:15) | Kakihara (8:13) | Kakihara (7:06) | Kakihara (10:31) |
| Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
Jado (5:23) | Kanemoto (11:07) | X | Kanemoto (10:56) | Samurai (8:29) | Kanemoto (8:50) | Kanemoto (10:45) |
| Naruse Masayuki Naruse is a Japanese professional wrestler and Professional mixed martial artist.-Career:Naruse debuted in Fighting Network RINGS in 1992 where he was displayed as a scrappy junior heavyweight willing to take on opponents twice his size. He and other RINGS wrestlers made the transition to mixed martial... |
Jado (7:38) | Naruse (9:15) | Kanemoto (10:56) | X | Naruse (9:07) | Naruse (9:09) | Tiger (10:05) |
| Samurai Osamu Matsuda is a Japanese professional wrestler who is best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and is better known by his stage name El Samurai.-Early years :... |
Samurai (12:26) | Kakihara (8:13) | Samurai (8:29) | Naruse (9:07) | X | Stampede (9:41) | Tiger (12:09) |
| Stampede | Stampede (5:13) | Kakihara (7:06) | Kanemoto (8:50) | Naruse (9:09) | Stampede (9:41) | X | Tiger (7:38) |
| Tiger Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
Tiger (9:59) | Kakihara (10:31) | Kanemoto (10:45) | Tiger (10:05) | Tiger (12:09) | Tiger (7:38) | X |
2004
The 2004 Best of the Super Juniors was a 16-man, two-block tournament held from May 22 to June 13. It featured a unique structure from other years: the top scorer from each block would advance to the semifinals, while the second and third-place finishers in each block would start in the quarterfinals. Jushin Liger, after finishing first in Block A, was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to a spinal injury, leaving American DragonBryan Danielson
Bryan Danielson is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE where he wrestles on its SmackDown brand as Daniel Bryan, and currently holds the SmackDown Money in the Bank briefcase, which enables him to have a World Heavyweight Championship match at any time of his choosing...
to go to the semifinals instead. The eventual winner, Tiger Mask IV
Tiger Mask IV
Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995...
, would unsuccessfully challenge HEAT for the title on July 19, though he would defeat him in a rematch on January 4, 2005.
| Block A | | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
9 !! Tiger Mask IV Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
12 | |
| American Dragon Bryan Danielson Bryan Danielson is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE where he wrestles on its SmackDown brand as Daniel Bryan, and currently holds the SmackDown Money in the Bank briefcase, which enables him to have a World Heavyweight Championship match at any time of his choosing... |
9 !! Último Dragón | 11 | |
| Masahito Kakihara | 9 !! HEAT | 10 | |
| Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
7 !! Masayuki Naruse Masayuki Naruse is a Japanese professional wrestler and Professional mixed martial artist.-Career:Naruse debuted in Fighting Network RINGS in 1992 where he was displayed as a scrappy junior heavyweight willing to take on opponents twice his size. He and other RINGS wrestlers made the transition to mixed martial... |
10 | |
| El Samurai | 7 !! Rocky Romero Rocky Romero John R. Rivera is a Cuban American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Rocky Romero and as the fourth incarnation of Black Tiger. As Romero he was one half of the tag team The Havana Pitbulls , along with Ricky Reyes... |
7 | |
| Big Boss MA-G-MA Magnitude Kishiwada , better known under his current stage name Magnitude Kishiwada is a Japanese wrestler.-Career:... |
7 !! Garuda | 3 | |
| Wataru Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... |
4 !! Katsuhiko Nakajima Katsuhiko Nakajima is a Japanese professional wrestler, represented as a freelancer by his mentor Kensuke Sasaki's Kensuke Office dojo and agency. He along with Sasaki and other Kensuke Office graduates currently most frequently wrestle in Pro Wrestling Noah, where he is the current GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion in... |
2 | |
| Ryusuke Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... |
4 !! Curry Man Christopher Daniels Daniel Christopher Covell is an American professional wrestler, best known in the United States by his ring name "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels. He is also known for performing under the ring name Curry Man. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , while also... |
1 | |
| Block A | Dragon Bryan Danielson Bryan Danielson is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE where he wrestles on its SmackDown brand as Daniel Bryan, and currently holds the SmackDown Money in the Bank briefcase, which enables him to have a World Heavyweight Championship match at any time of his choosing... | Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... | Kakihara | Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... | Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... | MA-G-MA Magnitude Kishiwada , better known under his current stage name Magnitude Kishiwada is a Japanese wrestler.-Career:... | Samurai Osamu Matsuda is a Japanese professional wrestler who is best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and is better known by his stage name El Samurai.-Early years :... | Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon Bryan Danielson Bryan Danielson is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE where he wrestles on its SmackDown brand as Daniel Bryan, and currently holds the SmackDown Money in the Bank briefcase, which enables him to have a World Heavyweight Championship match at any time of his choosing... |
X | Dra. (12:34) | Dra. (9:44) | Dra. (11:51) | Lig. (13:10) | BBM (14:35) | Dra. (12:58) | Draw (20:00) |
| Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... |
Dra. (12:34) | X | Kak. (10:37) | Ino. (11:44) | Lig. (5:46) | BBM (11:16) | Sam. (10:39) | Ino. (10:19) |
| Kakihara | Dra. (9:44) | Kak. (10:37) | X | Kak. (10:55) | Draw (20:00) | Kak. (10:33) | Sam. (9:50) | Kak. (7:32) |
| Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
Dra. (11:51) | Ino. (11:44) | Kak. (10:55) | X | Kan. (16:33) | Draw (20:00) | Kan. (13:58) | Kan. (8:50) |
| Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
Lig. (13:10) | Lig. (5:46) | Draw (20:00) | Kan. (16:33) | X | Lig. (7:07) | Lig. (14:08) | Tag. (0:45) |
| MA-G-MA Magnitude Kishiwada , better known under his current stage name Magnitude Kishiwada is a Japanese wrestler.-Career:... |
BBM (14:35) | BBM (11:16) | Kak. (10:33) | Draw (20:00) | Lig. (7:07) | X | Sam. (11:56) | BBM (8:48) |
| Samurai Osamu Matsuda is a Japanese professional wrestler who is best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and is better known by his stage name El Samurai.-Early years :... |
Dra. (12:58) | Sam. (10:39) | Sam. (9:50) | Kan. (13:58) | Lig. (14:08) | Sam. (11:56) | X | Draw (20:00) |
| Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... |
Draw (20:00) | Ino. (10:19) | Kak. (7:32) | Kan. (8:50) | Tag. (0:45) | BBM (8:48) | Draw (20:00) | X |
| Block B | Curry Christopher Daniels Daniel Christopher Covell is an American professional wrestler, best known in the United States by his ring name "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels. He is also known for performing under the ring name Curry Man. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , while also... | Dragón | Garuda | HEAT | Nakajima Katsuhiko Nakajima is a Japanese professional wrestler, represented as a freelancer by his mentor Kensuke Sasaki's Kensuke Office dojo and agency. He along with Sasaki and other Kensuke Office graduates currently most frequently wrestle in Pro Wrestling Noah, where he is the current GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion in... | Naruse Masayuki Naruse is a Japanese professional wrestler and Professional mixed martial artist.-Career:Naruse debuted in Fighting Network RINGS in 1992 where he was displayed as a scrappy junior heavyweight willing to take on opponents twice his size. He and other RINGS wrestlers made the transition to mixed martial... | Romero Rocky Romero John R. Rivera is a Cuban American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Rocky Romero and as the fourth incarnation of Black Tiger. As Romero he was one half of the tag team The Havana Pitbulls , along with Ricky Reyes... | Tiger Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
| Curry Christopher Daniels Daniel Christopher Covell is an American professional wrestler, best known in the United States by his ring name "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels. He is also known for performing under the ring name Curry Man. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , while also... |
X | Dra. (Forf) | Draw (20:00) | HEAT (11:19) | Nak. (8:20) | Nar. (Forf) | Rom. (Forf) | Tig. (Forf) |
| Dragón | Dra. (Forf) | X | Dra. (8:46) | Draw (20:00) | Dra. (9:07) | Nar. (11:06) | Dra. (12:10) | Dra. (12:01) |
| Garuda | Draw (20:00) | Dra. (8:46) | X | HEAT (5:11) | Gar. (8:41) | Nar. (11:06) | Rom. (9:55) | Tig. (10:42) |
| HEAT | HEAT (11:19) | Draw (20:00) | HEAT (5:11) | X | HEAT (11:26) | HEAT (15:38) | Draw (20:00) | Tig. (14:08) |
| Nakajima Katsuhiko Nakajima is a Japanese professional wrestler, represented as a freelancer by his mentor Kensuke Sasaki's Kensuke Office dojo and agency. He along with Sasaki and other Kensuke Office graduates currently most frequently wrestle in Pro Wrestling Noah, where he is the current GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion in... |
Nak. (8:20) | Dra. (9:07) | Gar. (8:41) | HEAT (11:26) | X | Nar. (1:41) | Rom. (8:39) | Tig. (7:11) |
| Naruse Masayuki Naruse is a Japanese professional wrestler and Professional mixed martial artist.-Career:Naruse debuted in Fighting Network RINGS in 1992 where he was displayed as a scrappy junior heavyweight willing to take on opponents twice his size. He and other RINGS wrestlers made the transition to mixed martial... |
Nar. (Forf) | Nar. (11:06) | Nar. (11:06) | HEAT (15:38) | Nar. (1:41) | X | Nar. (8:41) | Tig. (3:32) |
| Romero Rocky Romero John R. Rivera is a Cuban American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Rocky Romero and as the fourth incarnation of Black Tiger. As Romero he was one half of the tag team The Havana Pitbulls , along with Ricky Reyes... |
Rom. (Forf) | Dra. (12:10) | Rom. (9:55) | Draw (20:00) | Rom. (8:39) | Nar. (8:41) | X | Tig. (13:14) |
| Tiger Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
Tig. (Forf) | Dra. (12:01) | Tig. (10:42) | Tig. (14:08) | Tig. (7:11) | Tig. (3:32) | Tig. (13:14) | X |
2005
The 2005 Best of the Super Juniors was a 14-man, two-block tournament held from May 21 to June 19. The winner, Tiger Mask IVTiger Mask IV
Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995...
, became the first and so far only person in history to win the tournament in consecutive years, as well as the first since Jushin Liger
Jushin Liger
, better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior...
in 1994 to win the tournament as champion. 2005 saw the participation of the third wrestler under the Black Tiger
Black Tiger (professional wrestling)
Black Tiger has been the persona used by five different professional wrestlers in New Japan Pro Wrestling as opponents of the four incarnations of Tiger Mask. The character is drawn from the original Japanese Tiger Mask anime...
mask as Rocky Romero
Rocky Romero
John R. Rivera is a Cuban American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Rocky Romero and as the fourth incarnation of Black Tiger. As Romero he was one half of the tag team The Havana Pitbulls , along with Ricky Reyes...
had begun working as Black Tiger IV in the preceding year.
| Block A | | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Minoru | 8 !! Gedo Keiji Takayama Keiji Takayama better known as Gedo , is a long time professional wrestler. He formed a long-lasting tag team with Jado... |
10 | |
| Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
8 !! Tiger Mask IV Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
8 | |
| Hirooki Goto Hirooki Goto is a Japanese professional wrestler. He has wrestled primarily for New Japan Pro Wrestling since his debut.-Career:Goto attended Kokushikan University, where he took part in freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling. Upon graduating, Goto qualified to join New Japan Pro Wrestling, but left the... |
6 !! Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
8 | |
| El Samurai | 6 !! Wataru Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... |
6 | |
| Masahito Kakihara | 6 !! Black Tiger IV Rocky Romero John R. Rivera is a Cuban American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Rocky Romero and as the fourth incarnation of Black Tiger. As Romero he was one half of the tag team The Havana Pitbulls , along with Ricky Reyes... |
4 | |
| Stampede Kid | 4 !! Katsushi Takemura | 4 | |
| Jado Shoji Akiyoshi , better known by his ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling with his tag team partner Gedo... |
4 !! Akiya Anzawa | 2 | |
| Block A | Goto Hirooki Goto is a Japanese professional wrestler. He has wrestled primarily for New Japan Pro Wrestling since his debut.-Career:Goto attended Kokushikan University, where he took part in freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling. Upon graduating, Goto qualified to join New Japan Pro Wrestling, but left the... | Jado Shoji Akiyoshi , better known by his ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling with his tag team partner Gedo... | Kakihara | Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... | Minoru | Samurai Osamu Matsuda is a Japanese professional wrestler who is best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and is better known by his stage name El Samurai.-Early years :... | Stampede |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goto Hirooki Goto is a Japanese professional wrestler. He has wrestled primarily for New Japan Pro Wrestling since his debut.-Career:Goto attended Kokushikan University, where he took part in freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling. Upon graduating, Goto qualified to join New Japan Pro Wrestling, but left the... |
X | Jado (11:31) | Goto (10:16) | Kan. (11:28) | Minoru (11:28) | Goto (10:08) | Goto (7:57) |
| Jado Shoji Akiyoshi , better known by his ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling with his tag team partner Gedo... |
Jado (11:31) | X | Kakihara (8:02) | Kan. (10:40) | Minoru (12:29) | Jado (14:04) | Stampede (9:59) |
| Kakihara | Goto (10:16) | Kakihara (8:02) | X | Kan. (10:29) | Kakihara (10:04) | Samurai (10:47) | Kakihara (8:30) |
| Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
Kan. (11:28) | Kan. (10:40) | Kan. (10:29) | X | Minoru (19:38) | Samurai (12:15) | Kan. (9:34) |
| Minoru | Minoru (11:28) | Minoru (12:29) | Kakihara (10:04) | Minoru (19:38) | X | Minoru (13:04) | Stampede (11:30) |
| Samurai Osamu Matsuda is a Japanese professional wrestler who is best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and is better known by his stage name El Samurai.-Early years :... |
Goto (10:08) | Jado (14:04) | Samurai (10:47) | Samurai (12:15) | Minoru (13:04) | X | Samurai (9:31) |
| Stampede | Goto (7:57) | Stampede (9:59) | Kakihara (8:30) | Kan. (9:34) | Stampede (11:30) | Samurai (9:31) | X |
| Block B | Anzawa | B. Tiger Rocky Romero John R. Rivera is a Cuban American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Rocky Romero and as the fourth incarnation of Black Tiger. As Romero he was one half of the tag team The Havana Pitbulls , along with Ricky Reyes... | Gedo Keiji Takayama Keiji Takayama better known as Gedo , is a long time professional wrestler. He formed a long-lasting tag team with Jado... | Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... | Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... | Takemura | T. Mask Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
| Anzawa | X | B. Tiger (6:13) | Gedo (10:21) | Anzawa (Forf) | Liger (8:36) | Takemura (7:46) | T. Mask (5:34) |
| B. Tiger Rocky Romero John R. Rivera is a Cuban American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Rocky Romero and as the fourth incarnation of Black Tiger. As Romero he was one half of the tag team The Havana Pitbulls , along with Ricky Reyes... |
B. Tiger (6:13) | X | Gedo (Forf) | Inoue (11:01) | Liger (Forf) | B. Tiger (6:46) | T. Mask (Forf) |
| Gedo Keiji Takayama Keiji Takayama better known as Gedo , is a long time professional wrestler. He formed a long-lasting tag team with Jado... |
Gedo (10:21) | Gedo (Forf) | X | Inoue (15:13) | Gedo (17:24) | Gedo (11:29) | Gedo (11:25) |
| Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... |
Anzawa (Forf) | Inoue (11:01) | Inoue (15:13) | X | Liger (16:50) | Takemura (Forf) | Inoue (11:53) |
| Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
Liger (8:36) | Liger (Forf) | Gedo (17:24) | Liger (16:50) | X | Liger (12:12) | T. Mask (8:58) |
| Takemura | Takemura (7:46) | B. Tiger (6:46) | Gedo (11:29) | Takemura (Forf) | Liger (12:12) | X | T. Mask (6:12) |
| T. Mask Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
T. Mask (5:34) | T. Mask (Forf) | Gedo (11:25) | Inoue (11:53) | T. Mask (8:58) | T. Mask (6:12) | X |
2006
The 2006 Best of the Super Juniors was a 14-man, two-block tournament held from May 27 to June 18. The winner, Minoru, went on to defeat Koji KanemotoKoji Kanemoto
is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he...
for the title in December, 2006. This tournament marked the first time that neither block winner made it to the finals.
| Block A | | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
10 !! Wataru Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... |
10 | |
| Minoru | 8 !! Tiger Mask IV Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
8 | |
| El Samurai | 7 !! Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
7 | |
| Ryusuke Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... |
7 !! Gedo Keiji Takayama Keiji Takayama better known as Gedo , is a long time professional wrestler. He formed a long-lasting tag team with Jado... |
5 | |
| Jado Shoji Akiyoshi , better known by his ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling with his tag team partner Gedo... |
6 !! Black Tiger IV Rocky Romero John R. Rivera is a Cuban American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Rocky Romero and as the fourth incarnation of Black Tiger. As Romero he was one half of the tag team The Havana Pitbulls , along with Ricky Reyes... |
4 | |
| Sangre Azteca Sangre Azteca Sangre Azteca is a Mexican luchador enmascarado, or masked professional wrestler currently working for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre . Sangre Azteca's real name is not reveal in public, as is often the case with masked wrestlers in Mexico where their private lives are kept a secret from the... |
2 !! Hirooki Goto Hirooki Goto is a Japanese professional wrestler. He has wrestled primarily for New Japan Pro Wrestling since his debut.-Career:Goto attended Kokushikan University, where he took part in freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling. Upon graduating, Goto qualified to join New Japan Pro Wrestling, but left the... |
4 | |
| Fuego | 2 !! GENTARO | 4 | |
| Block A | Azteca Sangre Azteca Sangre Azteca is a Mexican luchador enmascarado, or masked professional wrestler currently working for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre . Sangre Azteca's real name is not reveal in public, as is often the case with masked wrestlers in Mexico where their private lives are kept a secret from the... | Fuego | Jado Shoji Akiyoshi , better known by his ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling with his tag team partner Gedo... | Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... | Minoru | Samurai Osamu Matsuda is a Japanese professional wrestler who is best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and is better known by his stage name El Samurai.-Early years :... | Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azteca Sangre Azteca Sangre Azteca is a Mexican luchador enmascarado, or masked professional wrestler currently working for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre . Sangre Azteca's real name is not reveal in public, as is often the case with masked wrestlers in Mexico where their private lives are kept a secret from the... |
X | Azteca (10:28) | Jado (7:41) | Liger (12:12) | Minoru (12:26) | Samurai (11:08) | Taguchi (12:50) |
| Fuego | Azteca (10:28) | X | Jado (11:14) | Liger (7:12) | Fuego (4:40) | Samurai (9:51) | Taguchi (6:06) |
| Jado Shoji Akiyoshi , better known by his ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling with his tag team partner Gedo... |
Jado (7:41) | Jado (11:14) | X | Liger (15:19) | Minoru (12:54) | Draw (30:00) | Draw (6:01) |
| Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
Liger (12:12) | Liger (7:12) | Liger (15:19) | X | Liger (21:20) | Liger (12:16) | Taguchi (15:30) |
| Minoru | Minoru (12:26) | Fuego (4:40) | Minoru (12:54) | Liger (21:20) | X | Minoru (13:24) | Minoru (19:18) |
| Samurai Osamu Matsuda is a Japanese professional wrestler who is best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and is better known by his stage name El Samurai.-Early years :... |
Samurai (11:08) | Samurai (9:51) | Draw (30:00) | Liger (12:16) | Minoru (13:24) | X | Samurai (12:02) |
| Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... |
Taguchi (12:50) | Taguchi (6:06) | Draw (6:01) | Taguchi (15:30) | Minoru (19:18) | Samurai (12:02) | X |
| Block B | B. Tiger Rocky Romero John R. Rivera is a Cuban American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Rocky Romero and as the fourth incarnation of Black Tiger. As Romero he was one half of the tag team The Havana Pitbulls , along with Ricky Reyes... | Gedo Keiji Takayama Keiji Takayama better known as Gedo , is a long time professional wrestler. He formed a long-lasting tag team with Jado... | GENTARO | Goto Hirooki Goto is a Japanese professional wrestler. He has wrestled primarily for New Japan Pro Wrestling since his debut.-Career:Goto attended Kokushikan University, where he took part in freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling. Upon graduating, Goto qualified to join New Japan Pro Wrestling, but left the... | Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... | Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... | T. Mask Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
| B. Tiger Rocky Romero John R. Rivera is a Cuban American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Rocky Romero and as the fourth incarnation of Black Tiger. As Romero he was one half of the tag team The Havana Pitbulls , along with Ricky Reyes... |
X | Gedo (10:59) | B. Tiger (14:21) | B. Tiger (12:04) | Inoue (11:41) | Kan. (16:35) | T. Mask (9:36) |
| Gedo Keiji Takayama Keiji Takayama better known as Gedo , is a long time professional wrestler. He formed a long-lasting tag team with Jado... |
Gedo (10:59) | X | Gedo (12:32) | Goto (15:21) | Inoue (13:17) | Draw (15:06) | T. Mask (12:59) |
| GENTARO | B. Tiger (14:21) | Gedo (12:32) | X | Goto (8:27) | GENTARO (14:31) | Kan. (12:18) | GENTARO (10:22) |
| Goto Hirooki Goto is a Japanese professional wrestler. He has wrestled primarily for New Japan Pro Wrestling since his debut.-Career:Goto attended Kokushikan University, where he took part in freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling. Upon graduating, Goto qualified to join New Japan Pro Wrestling, but left the... |
B. Tiger (12:04) | Goto (15:21) | Goto (8:27) | X | Inoue (9:57) | Kan. (9:49) | T. Mask (10:58) |
| Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... |
Inoue (11:41) | Inoue (13:17) | GENTARO (14:31) | Inoue (9:57) | X | Inoue (16:46) | Inoue (5:57) |
| Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
Kan. (16:35) | Draw (15:06) | Kan. (12:18) | Kan. (9:49) | Inoue (16:46) | X | T. Mask (12:58) |
| T. Mask Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
T. Mask (9:36) | T. Mask (12:59) | GENTARO (10:22) | T. Mask (10:58) | Inoue (5:57) | T. Mask (12:58) | X |
2007
The 2007 Best of the Super Juniors was a 14-man, two-block tournament held from June 1 to June 17. On June 7, it was announced that Prince DevittFergal Devitt
Fergal Devitt is an Irish professional wrestler currently contracted by New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is currently in his second reign as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion...
would be forced to withdraw from the tournament due to an injury, forfeiting all scheduled matches in the process. Milano Collection AT became the first wrestler since Shiro Koshinaka
Shiro Koshinaka
is a Japanese professional wrestler who has competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling and Wrestle Association "R" during the 1980s and 1990s...
to win the tournament on his first try, but would fail to capture the Junior Heavyweight championship.
| Block A | | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Wataru Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... |
10 !! Ryusuke Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... |
10 | |
| Milano Collection AT | 8 !! Minoru | 8 | |
| Tiger Mask IV Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
8 !! Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
7 | |
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
8 !! Gedo Keiji Takayama Keiji Takayama better known as Gedo , is a long time professional wrestler. He formed a long-lasting tag team with Jado... |
5 | |
| Taichi Ishikari Taichi Ishikari Maki Taichiro is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Taichi Ishikari or simply Taichi, currently performing in New Japan Pro Wrestling... |
4 !! BxB Hulk | 4 | |
| Yujiro Yujiro Takahashi , also known by his shortened ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Tag Team and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with former partner Tetsuya Naitō, with whom he teamed as No... |
4 !! El Samurai | 4 | |
| Prince Devitt Fergal Devitt Fergal Devitt is an Irish professional wrestler currently contracted by New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is currently in his second reign as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion... (Withdrew) |
0 !! Tetsuya Naito Tetsuya Naitō is a Japanese professional wrestler trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Tag Team and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with former partner Yujiro Takahashi, with whom he teamed as No Limit.... |
4 | |
| Block A | Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... | Ishikari Taichi Ishikari Maki Taichiro is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Taichi Ishikari or simply Taichi, currently performing in New Japan Pro Wrestling... | Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... | Milano | Devitt | Tiger Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... | Yujiro Yujiro Takahashi , also known by his shortened ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Tag Team and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with former partner Tetsuya Naitō, with whom he teamed as No... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... |
X | Inoue (13:33) | Liger (15:47) | Inoue (14:22) | Inoue (Forf) | Inoue (11:36) | Inoue (10:47) |
| Ishikari Taichi Ishikari Maki Taichiro is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Taichi Ishikari or simply Taichi, currently performing in New Japan Pro Wrestling... |
Inoue (13:33) | X | Liger (12:29) | Milano (11:25) | Ishikari (11:40) | Tiger (8:59) | Ishikari (10:41) |
| Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
Liger (15:47) | Liger (12:29) | X | Milano (16:41) | Liger (Forf) | Tiger (14:08) | Liger (11:19) |
| Milano | Inoue (14:22) | Milano (11:25) | Milano (16:41) | X | Milano (10:18) | Milano (11:23) | Yujiro (10:35) |
| Devitt | Inoue (Forf) | Ishikari (11:40) | Liger (Forf) | Milano (10:18) | X | Tiger (Forf) | Yujiro (Forf) |
| Tiger Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
Inoue (11:36) | Tiger (8:59) | Tiger (14:08) | Milano (11:23) | Tiger (Forf) | X | Tiger (10:34) |
| Yujiro Yujiro Takahashi , also known by his shortened ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Tag Team and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with former partner Tetsuya Naitō, with whom he teamed as No... |
Inoue (10:47) | Ishikari (10:41) | Liger (11:19) | Yujiro (10:35) | Yujiro (Forf) | Tiger (10:34) | X |
| Block B | Hulk | Gedo Keiji Takayama Keiji Takayama better known as Gedo , is a long time professional wrestler. He formed a long-lasting tag team with Jado... | Naito | Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... | Minoru | Samurai Osamu Matsuda is a Japanese professional wrestler who is best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and is better known by his stage name El Samurai.-Early years :... | Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... |
| Hulk | X | Hulk (11:03) | Hulk (11:10) | Kanemoto (12:05) | Minoru (11:52) | Samurai (8:53) | Taguchi (12:30) |
| Gedo Keiji Takayama Keiji Takayama better known as Gedo , is a long time professional wrestler. He formed a long-lasting tag team with Jado... |
Hulk (11:03) | X | Naito (9:29) | Draw (15:50) | Minoru (13:26) | Gedo (14:13) | Gedo (11:36) |
| Naito Tetsuya Naitō is a Japanese professional wrestler trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Tag Team and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with former partner Yujiro Takahashi, with whom he teamed as No Limit.... |
Hulk (11:10) | Naito (9:29) | X | Kanemoto (10:16) | Minoru (9:01) | Naito (9:27) | Taguchi (9:47) |
| Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
Kanemoto (12:05) | Draw (15:50) | Kanemoto (10:16) | X | Kanemoto (16:32) | Samurai (16:19) | Taguchi (12:07) |
| Minoru | Minoru (11:52) | Minoru (13:26) | Minoru (9:01) | Kanemoto (16:32) | X | Minoru (11:36) | Taguchi (14:15) |
| Samurai Osamu Matsuda is a Japanese professional wrestler who is best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and is better known by his stage name El Samurai.-Early years :... |
Samurai (8:53) | Gedo (14:13) | Naito (9:27) | Samurai (16:19) | Minoru (11:36) | X | Taguchi (10:26) |
| Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... |
Taguchi (12:30) | Gedo (11:36) | Taguchi (9:47) | Taguchi (12:07) | Taguchi (14:15) | Taguchi (10:26) | X |
2008
The 2008 Best of the Super Juniors featured 12 participants in two blocks, and was held from May 31 to June 15. Outside entrants include Tatsuhito TakaiwaTatsuhito Takaiwa
Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH....
from Pro Wrestling ZERO1 and Jimmy Rave
Jimmy Rave
James Guffey is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Jimmy Rave. He is best known for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
from Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
. Prince Devitt was again forced out due to injury following his match with Tiger Mask IV
Tiger Mask IV
Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995...
, forfeiting his remaining matches. Immediately after the tournament, winner Wataru Inoue
Wataru Inoue
is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004...
graduated to the heavyweight division, vacating the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling junior heavweight championship owned by the New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion. "IWGP" is the acronym of NJPW's governing body, the International Wrestling Grand Prix. The title was introduced on February 6, 1986 at a NJPW show....
in the process.
| Block A | | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryusuke Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... |
8 !! Tiger Mask IV Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
10 | |
| Wataru Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... |
8 !! Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
6 | |
| Minoru | 4 !! Jimmy Rave Jimmy Rave James Guffey is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Jimmy Rave. He is best known for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling... |
6 | |
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
4 !! Tetsuya Naito Tetsuya Naitō is a Japanese professional wrestler trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Tag Team and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with former partner Yujiro Takahashi, with whom he teamed as No Limit.... |
4 | |
| Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH.... |
4 !! AKIRA Akira Nogami is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working for Yoshihiro Tajiri's Smash promotion as AKIRA.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... |
4 | |
| Yujiro Yujiro Takahashi , also known by his shortened ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Tag Team and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with former partner Tetsuya Naitō, with whom he teamed as No... |
2 !! Prince Devitt Fergal Devitt Fergal Devitt is an Irish professional wrestler currently contracted by New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is currently in his second reign as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion... (Withdrew) |
0 | |
| Block A | Wataru Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... | Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... | Minoru | Ryusuke Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... | Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH.... | Yujiro Yujiro Takahashi , also known by his shortened ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Tag Team and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with former partner Tetsuya Naitō, with whom he teamed as No... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wataru Inoue Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004... |
X | Inoue (17:13) | Inoue (19:14) | Taguchi (17:44) | Inoue (13:24) | Inoue (11:19) |
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
Inoue (17:13) | X | Minoru (13:32) | Taguchi (14:31) | Liger (14:49) | Liger (9:57) |
| Minoru | Inoue (19:14) | Minoru (13:32) | X | Taguchi (14:29) | Minoru (11:31) | Yujiro (11:58) |
| Ryusuke Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... |
Taguchi (17:44) | Taguchi (14:31) | Taguchi (14:29) | X | Takaiwa (14:39) | Taguchi (13:20) |
| Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH.... |
Inoue (13:24) | Liger (14:49) | Minoru (11:31) | Takaiwa (14:39) | X | Takaiwa (10:47) |
| Yujiro Yujiro Takahashi , also known by his shortened ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Tag Team and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with former partner Tetsuya Naitō, with whom he teamed as No... |
Inoue (11:19) | Liger (9:57) | Yujiro (11:58) | Taguchi (13:20) | Takaiwa (10:47) | X |
| Block B | AKIRA Akira Nogami is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working for Yoshihiro Tajiri's Smash promotion as AKIRA.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... | Prince Devitt Fergal Devitt Fergal Devitt is an Irish professional wrestler currently contracted by New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is currently in his second reign as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion... | Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... | Tetsuya Naito | Jimmy Rave Jimmy Rave James Guffey is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Jimmy Rave. He is best known for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling... | Tiger Mask IV Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
| AKIRA Akira Nogami is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working for Yoshihiro Tajiri's Smash promotion as AKIRA.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... |
X | AKIRA (Forf) | AKIRA (18:14) | Naito (13:56) | Rave (11:25) | Tiger (10:22) |
| Prince Devitt Fergal Devitt Fergal Devitt is an Irish professional wrestler currently contracted by New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is currently in his second reign as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion... |
AKIRA (Forf) | X | Kanemoto (Forf) | Naito (Forf) | Rave (Forf) | Tiger (1:40) |
| Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
AKIRA (18:14) | Kanemoto (Forf) | X | Kanemoto (10:43) | Kanemoto (13:57) | Tiger (10:16) |
| Tetsuya Naito Tetsuya Naitō is a Japanese professional wrestler trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Tag Team and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with former partner Yujiro Takahashi, with whom he teamed as No Limit.... |
Naito (13:56) | Naito (Forf) | Kanemoto (10:43) | X | Rave (8:01) | Tiger (11:10) |
| Jimmy Rave Jimmy Rave James Guffey is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Jimmy Rave. He is best known for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling... |
Rave (11:25) | Rave (Forf) | Kanemoto (13:57) | Rave (8:01) | X | Tiger (14:03) |
| Tiger Mask IV Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
Tiger (10:22) | Tiger (1:40) | Tiger (10:16) | Tiger (11:10) | Tiger (14:03) | X |
2009
The 2009 Best of the Super Juniors featured 14 participants in two blocks, and was held from May 30 to June 14. With his victory Koji KanemotoKoji Kanemoto
is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he...
became only the second wrestler to win the tournament three times in total. He lost a title match on July 20 against the defending champion Tiger Mask IV
Tiger Mask IV
Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995...
.
| Block A | | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Devitt Fergal Devitt Fergal Devitt is an Irish professional wrestler currently contracted by New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is currently in his second reign as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion... |
8 !! Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
8 | |
| Atsushi Aoki Atsushi Aoki Atsushi Aoki is a Japanese professional wrestler working for the Japanese wrestling promotion Pro Wrestling Noah, where he is one half of the reigning GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. Aoki made his professional wrestling debut in 2005 and has worked primarily for NOAH where he was part... |
8 !! Kota Ibushi | 8 | |
| AKIRA Akira Nogami is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working for Yoshihiro Tajiri's Smash promotion as AKIRA.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... |
6 !! Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
6 | |
| Jado Shoji Akiyoshi , better known by his ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling with his tag team partner Gedo... |
6 !! Ryusuke Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... |
6 | |
| Milano Collection A.T. | 6 !! Tsuyoshi Kikuchi Tsuyoshi Kikuchi is a professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer. He has previously worked for All Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH. Kikuchi idolized and patterned his style after the Dynamite Kid.... |
6 | |
| Tiger Mask IV Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
6 !! Taichi Taichi Ishikari Maki Taichiro is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Taichi Ishikari or simply Taichi, currently performing in New Japan Pro Wrestling... |
4 | |
| Black Tiger V Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH.... |
2 !! YAMATO Masato Onodera is a Japanese professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist, known by his ring name Yamato , who competes for Dragon Gate and its international expansion Dragon Gate USA.-Dragon Gate:... |
4 | |
| Block A | AKIRA Akira Nogami is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working for Yoshihiro Tajiri's Smash promotion as AKIRA.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... | Atsushi Aoki Atsushi Aoki Atsushi Aoki is a Japanese professional wrestler working for the Japanese wrestling promotion Pro Wrestling Noah, where he is one half of the reigning GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. Aoki made his professional wrestling debut in 2005 and has worked primarily for NOAH where he was part... | Black Tiger V Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH.... | Jado Shoji Akiyoshi , better known by his ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling with his tag team partner Gedo... | Milano Collection A.T. | Prince Devitt Fergal Devitt Fergal Devitt is an Irish professional wrestler currently contracted by New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is currently in his second reign as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion... | Tiger Mask IV Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AKIRA Akira Nogami is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working for Yoshihiro Tajiri's Smash promotion as AKIRA.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... |
X | Aoki (15:00) | AKIRA (12:52) | Jado (14:58) | AKIRA (11:17) | Devitt (9:53) | AKIRA (10:05) |
| Atsushi Aoki Atsushi Aoki Atsushi Aoki is a Japanese professional wrestler working for the Japanese wrestling promotion Pro Wrestling Noah, where he is one half of the reigning GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. Aoki made his professional wrestling debut in 2005 and has worked primarily for NOAH where he was part... |
Aoki (15:00) | X | Aoki (9:36) | Aoki (10:00) | Aoki (11:12) | Devitt (11:16) | T. Mask (10:27) |
| Black Tiger V Tatsuhito Takaiwa Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH.... |
AKIRA (12:52) | Aoki (9:36) | X | Jado (11:26) | Milano (10:29) | Devitt (7:20) | B. Tiger (3:51) |
| Jado Shoji Akiyoshi , better known by his ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling with his tag team partner Gedo... |
Jado (14:58) | Aoki (10:00) | Jado (11:26) | X | Milano (16:22) | Devitt (12:54) | Jado (10:48) |
| Milano Collection A.T. | AKIRA (11:17) | Aoki (11:12) | Milano (10:29) | Milano (16:22) | X | Milano (15:22) | T. Mask (16:12) |
| Prince Devitt Fergal Devitt Fergal Devitt is an Irish professional wrestler currently contracted by New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is currently in his second reign as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion... |
Devitt (9:53) | Devitt (11:16) | Devitt (7:20) | Devitt (12:54) | Milano (15:22) | X | T. Mask (11:19) |
| Tiger Mask IV Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
AKIRA (10:05) | T. Mask (10:27) | B. Tiger (3:51) | Jado (10:48) | T. Mask (16:12) | T.Mask (11:19) | X |
| Block B | Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... | Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... | Kota Ibushi | Ryusuke Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... | Taichi Taichi Ishikari Maki Taichiro is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Taichi Ishikari or simply Taichi, currently performing in New Japan Pro Wrestling... | Tsuyoshi Kikuchi Tsuyoshi Kikuchi is a professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer. He has previously worked for All Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH. Kikuchi idolized and patterned his style after the Dynamite Kid.... | YAMATO Masato Onodera is a Japanese professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist, known by his ring name Yamato , who competes for Dragon Gate and its international expansion Dragon Gate USA.-Dragon Gate:... |
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
X | Kanemoto (17:27) | Ibushi (16:35) | Liger (10:08) | Liger (11:11) | Liger (8:30) | YAMATO (3:38) |
| Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
Kanemoto (17:27) | X | Kanemoto (14:18) | Kanemoto (17:11) | Kanemoto (12:05) | Kikuchi (9:18) | YAMATO (9:40) |
| Kota Ibushi | Ibushi (16:35) | Kanemoto (14:18) | X | Taguchi (10:13) | Ibushi (11:59) | Ibushi (9:56) | Ibushi (10:13) |
| Ryusuke Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... |
Liger (10:08) | Kanemoto (17:11) | Taguchi (10:13) | X | Taichi (10:01) | Taguchi (11:31) | Taguchi (13:17) |
| Taichi Taichi Ishikari Maki Taichiro is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Taichi Ishikari or simply Taichi, currently performing in New Japan Pro Wrestling... |
Liger (11:11) | Kanemoto (12:05) | Ibushi (11:59) | Taichi (10:01) | X | Kikuchi (9:24) | Taichi (9:31) |
| Tsuyoshi Kikuchi Tsuyoshi Kikuchi is a professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer. He has previously worked for All Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH. Kikuchi idolized and patterned his style after the Dynamite Kid.... |
Liger (8:30) | Kikuchi (9:18) | Ibushi (9:56) | Taguchi (11:31) | Kikuchi (9:24) | X | Kikuchi (10:54) |
| YAMATO Masato Onodera is a Japanese professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist, known by his ring name Yamato , who competes for Dragon Gate and its international expansion Dragon Gate USA.-Dragon Gate:... |
YAMATO (3:38) | YAMATO (9:40) | Ibushi (10:13) | Taguchi (13:17) | Taichi (9:31) | Kikuchi (10:54) | X |
2010
The 2010 Best of the Super Juniors featured 16 participants in two blocks, and was held from May 30 to June 13. Outside entrants included Fujita "Jr." Hayato (Michinoku Pro), Kota Ibushi (Dramatic Dream TeamDramatic Dream Team
Dramatic Dream Team, better known by its initials DDT or its logo reading D2T, is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion founded in 1997 by Sanshiro Takagi...
), Kenny Omega (DDT/Ring of Honor
Ring of Honor
Ring of Honor ' is an American professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2002 by Rob Feinstein and Gabe Sapolsky. From 2004 to 2011, the promotion was under the ownership of Cary Silkin before being sold to the Sinclair Broadcast Group in May 2011...
/Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla is a professional wrestling promotion that is run by wrestlers themselves as it was created by Southern California wrestlers Disco Machine, Excalibur, Joey Ryan, Scott Lost, Super Dragon, and Top Gun Talwar...
, United States), KUSHIDA
Yujiro Kushida
is a Japanese professional wrestler. He currently competes in New Japan Pro Wrestling as KUSHIDA. He won the ZST Genesis Lightweight Tournament and AJPW's U-30 Tag Team Tournament in 2008 with T28-Early years:...
(SMASH), La Sombra
La Sombra (wrestler)
La Sombra is a Mexican luchador enmascarado . La Sombra's real real name is not a matter of public record, as is often the case with masked wrestlers in Mexico where their private lives are kept a secret from the wrestling fans...
(Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre is a Lucha Libre-style professional wrestling promotion based in Mexico City while running cards in Guadalajara, Puebla and elsewhere in central and southern Mexico...
, Mexico), Davey Richards
Davey Richards
Wesley David Richards is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Davey Richards.Richards is currently under contract with Ring of Honor, where he is the current ROH World Champion, but also wrestles for several companies on the independent circuit, including Pro Wrestling...
(ROH/PWG, United States) and Taiji Ishimori
Taiji Ishimori
is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for Pro Wrestling NOAH as well as making appearances for Asistencia Asesoría y Administración through a NOAH/AAA working relationship.-Professional wrestling career:...
(Pro Wrestling Noah
Pro Wrestling Noah
is a major Japanese professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2000 by former All Japan Pro Wrestling ace Mitsuharu Misawa. NOAH is broadcast weekly in Japan...
). On May 31, 2010 it was announced that Tiger Mask IV had suffered a vertebra injury during his match against La Sombra and was forced out of action for two months. As a result of his injury Tiger Mask IV withdrew from the competition, forfeiting the rest of his matches, automatically giving all of his opponents two points. On June 6, 2010 Fujita Hayato had to forfeit his match against AKIRA due to an injury and also forfeit the rest of the tournament. The winner of the tournament, Prince Devitt, went on to defeat Naomichi Marufuji
Naomichi Marufuji
is a Japanese professional wrestler who competes for Pro Wrestling Noah, with occasional appearances in other professional wrestling promotions like Ring of Honor, All Japan Pro Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling, among others. Marufuji is the first of only two Grand Slam Champion in Pro...
on June 19, 2010, to become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling junior heavweight championship owned by the New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion. "IWGP" is the acronym of NJPW's governing body, the International Wrestling Grand Prix. The title was introduced on February 6, 1986 at a NJPW show....
.
| Block A | | Block B | |
|---|---|---|
| Kota Ibushi | 12 !! Taiji Ishimori Taiji Ishimori is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for Pro Wrestling NOAH as well as making appearances for Asistencia Asesoría y Administración through a NOAH/AAA working relationship.-Professional wrestling career:... |
10 |
| Prince Devitt Fergal Devitt Fergal Devitt is an Irish professional wrestler currently contracted by New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is currently in his second reign as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion... |
10 !! Ryusuke Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... |
10 |
| Davey Richards Davey Richards Wesley David Richards is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Davey Richards.Richards is currently under contract with Ring of Honor, where he is the current ROH World Champion, but also wrestles for several companies on the independent circuit, including Pro Wrestling... |
10 !! AKIRA Akira Nogami is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working for Yoshihiro Tajiri's Smash promotion as AKIRA.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... |
8 |
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
8 !! Kenny Omega | 8 |
| KUSHIDA Yujiro Kushida is a Japanese professional wrestler. He currently competes in New Japan Pro Wrestling as KUSHIDA. He won the ZST Genesis Lightweight Tournament and AJPW's U-30 Tag Team Tournament in 2008 with T28-Early years:... |
8 !! Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
8 |
| La Sombra La Sombra (wrestler) La Sombra is a Mexican luchador enmascarado . La Sombra's real real name is not a matter of public record, as is often the case with masked wrestlers in Mexico where their private lives are kept a secret from the wrestling fans... |
6 !! Fujita Hayato (Withdrew) | 6 |
| Gedo Keiji Takayama Keiji Takayama better known as Gedo , is a long time professional wrestler. He formed a long-lasting tag team with Jado... |
2 !! Tama Tonga | 4 |
| Tiger Mask IV Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... (Withdrew) |
0 !! Nobuo Yoshihashi | 2 |
| Block A | Davey Richards Davey Richards Wesley David Richards is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Davey Richards.Richards is currently under contract with Ring of Honor, where he is the current ROH World Champion, but also wrestles for several companies on the independent circuit, including Pro Wrestling... | Gedo Keiji Takayama Keiji Takayama better known as Gedo , is a long time professional wrestler. He formed a long-lasting tag team with Jado... | Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... | Kota Ibushi | KUSHIDA Yujiro Kushida is a Japanese professional wrestler. He currently competes in New Japan Pro Wrestling as KUSHIDA. He won the ZST Genesis Lightweight Tournament and AJPW's U-30 Tag Team Tournament in 2008 with T28-Early years:... | La Sombra La Sombra (wrestler) La Sombra is a Mexican luchador enmascarado . La Sombra's real real name is not a matter of public record, as is often the case with masked wrestlers in Mexico where their private lives are kept a secret from the wrestling fans... | Prince Devitt Fergal Devitt Fergal Devitt is an Irish professional wrestler currently contracted by New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is currently in his second reign as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion... | Tiger Mask IV Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davey Richards Davey Richards Wesley David Richards is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Davey Richards.Richards is currently under contract with Ring of Honor, where he is the current ROH World Champion, but also wrestles for several companies on the independent circuit, including Pro Wrestling... |
X | Richards (11:13) | Richards (09:14) | Ibushi (11:27) | Richards (11:13) | Richards (12:06) | Devitt (16:26) | Richards (Forfeit) |
| Gedo Keiji Takayama Keiji Takayama better known as Gedo , is a long time professional wrestler. He formed a long-lasting tag team with Jado... |
Richards (11:13) | X | Liger (11:27) | Ibushi (09:42) | KUSHIDA (10:09) | Sombra (11:25) | Devitt (12:13) | Gedo (Forfeit) |
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
Richards (09:14) | Liger (11:27) | X | Liger (13:35) | Liger (12:44) | Sombra (04:31) | Devitt (10:18) | Liger (Forfeit) |
| Kota Ibushi | Ibushi (11:27) | Ibushi (09:42) | Liger (13:35) | X | Ibushi (12:03) | Ibushi (11:49) | Ibushi (10:59) | Ibushi (Forfeit) |
| KUSHIDA Yujiro Kushida is a Japanese professional wrestler. He currently competes in New Japan Pro Wrestling as KUSHIDA. He won the ZST Genesis Lightweight Tournament and AJPW's U-30 Tag Team Tournament in 2008 with T28-Early years:... |
Richards (11:13) | KUSHIDA (10:09) | Liger (12:44) | Ibushi (12:03) | X | KUSHIDA (08:17) | KUSHIDA (07:15) | KUSHIDA (Forfeit) |
| La Sombra La Sombra (wrestler) La Sombra is a Mexican luchador enmascarado . La Sombra's real real name is not a matter of public record, as is often the case with masked wrestlers in Mexico where their private lives are kept a secret from the wrestling fans... |
Richards (12:06) | Sombra (11:25) | Sombra (04:31) | Ibushi (11:49) | KUSHIDA (08:17) | X | Devitt (07:29) | La Sombra (10:33) |
| Prince Devitt Fergal Devitt Fergal Devitt is an Irish professional wrestler currently contracted by New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is currently in his second reign as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion... |
Devitt (16:26) | Devitt (12:13) | Devitt (10:18) | Ibushi (10:59) | KUSHIDA (07:15) | Devitt (07:29) | X | Devitt (Forfeit) |
| Tiger Mask IV Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
Richards (Forfeit) | Gedo (Forfeit) | Liger (Forfeit) | Ibushi (Forfeit) | KUSHIDA (Forfeit) | La Sombra (10:33) | Devitt (Forfeit) | X |
| Block B | AKIRA Akira Nogami is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working for Yoshihiro Tajiri's Smash promotion as AKIRA.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... | Fujita Hayato | Kenny Omega | Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... | Nobuo Yoshihashi | Ryusuke Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... | Taiji Ishimori Taiji Ishimori is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for Pro Wrestling NOAH as well as making appearances for Asistencia Asesoría y Administración through a NOAH/AAA working relationship.-Professional wrestling career:... | Tama Tonga |
| AKIRA Akira Nogami is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working for Yoshihiro Tajiri's Smash promotion as AKIRA.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :... |
X | AKIRA (Forfeit) | AKIRA (11:26) | AKIRA (11:27) | Yoshihashi (12:45) | Taguchi (12:45) | AKIRA (09:17) | Tonga (10:22) |
| Fujita Hayato | AKIRA (Forfeit) | X | Hayato (12:14) | Kanemoto (15:38) | Hayato (09:00) | Taguchi (Forfeit) | Ishimori (Foreit) | Hayato (09:12) |
| Kenny Omega | AKIRA (11:26) | Hayato (12:14) | X | Omega (11:29) | Omega (14:30) | Omega (14:12) | Ishimori (09:54) | Omega (10:15) |
| Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
AKIRA (11:27) | Kanemoto (15:38) | Omega (11:29) | X | Kanemoto (13:01) | Taguchi (12:57) | Kanemoto (13:13) | Kanemoto (09:21) |
| Nobuo Yoshihashi | Yoshihashi (12:45) | Hayato (09:00) | Omega (14:30) | Kanemoto (13:01) | X | Taguchi (10:45) | Ishimori (09:03) | Tonga (06:19) |
| Ryusuke Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... |
Taguchi (12:45) | Taguchi (Forfeit) | Omega (14:12) | Taguchi (12:57) | Taguchi (10:45) | X | Ishimori (11:40) | Taguchi (07:41) |
| Taiji Ishimori Taiji Ishimori is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for Pro Wrestling NOAH as well as making appearances for Asistencia Asesoría y Administración through a NOAH/AAA working relationship.-Professional wrestling career:... |
AKIRA (09:17) | Ishimori (Foreit) | Ishimori (09:54) | Kanemoto (13:13) | Ishimori (09:03) | Ishimori (11:40) | X | Ishimori (07:55) |
| Tama Tonga | Tonga (10:22) | Hayato (09:12) | Omega (10:15) | Kanemoto (09:21) | Tonga (06:19) | Taguchi (07:41) | Ishimori (07:55) | X |
2011
The 2011 Best of the Super Juniors featured 18 participants in two blocks, and was held from May 26 to June 10. This marked the largest number of entrants in the history of the tournament. Outside entrants included Daisuke Sasaki (Dramatic Dream TeamDramatic Dream Team
Dramatic Dream Team, better known by its initials DDT or its logo reading D2T, is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion founded in 1997 by Sanshiro Takagi...
), Fujita "Jr." Hayato (Michinoku Pro), Great Sasuke (Michinoku Pro), Kenny Omega (DDT, United States), Kota Ibushi (DDT), Máscara Dorada
Mascara Dorada
Máscara Dorada is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado . Máscara Dorada's real name has not been officially documented, a tradition in Mexican Lucha Libre where masked wrestler's real names often are not a matter of public record...
(Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre is a Lucha Libre-style professional wrestling promotion based in Mexico City while running cards in Guadalajara, Puebla and elsewhere in central and southern Mexico...
, Mexico) and TJP
T.J. Perkins
T.J. Perkins is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to Ring of Honor , while also working on the independent circuit under his real name, under his initials TJP or under a mask as Puma ....
(freelancer, United States). Sasaki and Taichi
Taichi Ishikari
Maki Taichiro is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Taichi Ishikari or simply Taichi, currently performing in New Japan Pro Wrestling...
earned their spots in the tournament by winning the Road to the Super Jr. 2days Tournament on April 8, 2011. For the fourth year in a row, Kota Ibushi came back as the previous year's runner-up and became the first wrestler not affiliated with New Japan Pro Wrestling to win the tournament. He went on to defeat Prince Devitt for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling junior heavweight championship owned by the New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion. "IWGP" is the acronym of NJPW's governing body, the International Wrestling Grand Prix. The title was introduced on February 6, 1986 at a NJPW show....
on June 18, 2011.
| Block A | | Block B | |
|---|---|---|
| Prince Devitt Fergal Devitt Fergal Devitt is an Irish professional wrestler currently contracted by New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is currently in his second reign as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion... |
14 !! Kota Ibushi | 12 |
| Davey Richards Davey Richards Wesley David Richards is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Davey Richards.Richards is currently under contract with Ring of Honor, where he is the current ROH World Champion, but also wrestles for several companies on the independent circuit, including Pro Wrestling... |
12 !! Ryusuke Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... |
10 |
| Kenny Omega | 10 !! Great Sasuke | 10 |
| Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
8 !! KUSHIDA Yujiro Kushida is a Japanese professional wrestler. He currently competes in New Japan Pro Wrestling as KUSHIDA. He won the ZST Genesis Lightweight Tournament and AJPW's U-30 Tag Team Tournament in 2008 with T28-Early years:... |
10 |
| Tiger Mask IV Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
8 !! TAKA Michinoku | 8 |
| Fujita Hayato | 6 !! Máscara Dorada Mascara Dorada Máscara Dorada is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado . Máscara Dorada's real name has not been officially documented, a tradition in Mexican Lucha Libre where masked wrestler's real names often are not a matter of public record... |
8 |
| TJP T.J. Perkins T.J. Perkins is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to Ring of Honor , while also working on the independent circuit under his real name, under his initials TJP or under a mask as Puma .... |
6 !! Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
8 |
| Taichi Taichi Ishikari Maki Taichiro is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Taichi Ishikari or simply Taichi, currently performing in New Japan Pro Wrestling... |
4 !! Gedo | 4 |
| Jado | 4 !! Daisuke Sasaki | 2 |
| Block A | Davey Richards Davey Richards Wesley David Richards is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Davey Richards.Richards is currently under contract with Ring of Honor, where he is the current ROH World Champion, but also wrestles for several companies on the independent circuit, including Pro Wrestling... | Fujita Hayato | Jado | Kenny Omega | Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... | Prince Devitt Fergal Devitt Fergal Devitt is an Irish professional wrestler currently contracted by New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is currently in his second reign as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion... | Taichi Taichi Ishikari Maki Taichiro is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Taichi Ishikari or simply Taichi, currently performing in New Japan Pro Wrestling... | Tiger Mask IV Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... | TJP T.J. Perkins T.J. Perkins is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to Ring of Honor , while also working on the independent circuit under his real name, under his initials TJP or under a mask as Puma .... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davey Richards Davey Richards Wesley David Richards is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Davey Richards.Richards is currently under contract with Ring of Honor, where he is the current ROH World Champion, but also wrestles for several companies on the independent circuit, including Pro Wrestling... |
X | Richards (10:03) | Richards (13:01) | Richards (9:55) | Richards (12:06) | Richards (13:18) | Richards (10:06) | Tiger (9:56) | TJP (9:51) |
| Fujita Hayato | Richards (10:03) | X | Jado (7:11) | Omega (10:43) | Hayato (10:18) | Devitt (8:09) | Hayato (8:34) | Tiger (9:00) | Hayato (7:44) |
| Jado | Richards (13:01) | Jado (7:11) | X | Jado (9:42) | Kanemoto (9:15) | Devitt (12:14) | Taichi (10:04) | Tiger (8:27) | TJP (12:07) |
| Kenny Omega | Richards (9:55) | Omega (10:43) | Jado (9:42) | X | Omega (11:43) | Devitt (12:08) | Omega (8:59) | Omega (9:05) | Omega (8:20) |
| Koji Kanemoto Koji Kanemoto is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he... |
Richards (12:06) | Hayato (10:18) | Kanemoto (9:15) | Omega (11:43) | X | Devitt (7:22) | Kanemoto (10:37) | Kanemoto (9:59) | Kanemoto (8:11) |
| Prince Devitt Fergal Devitt Fergal Devitt is an Irish professional wrestler currently contracted by New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is currently in his second reign as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion... |
Richards (13:18) | Devitt (8:09) | Devitt (12:14) | Devitt (12:08) | Devitt (7:22) | X | Devitt (9:45) | Devitt (6:54) | Devitt (8:51) |
| Taichi Taichi Ishikari Maki Taichiro is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Taichi Ishikari or simply Taichi, currently performing in New Japan Pro Wrestling... |
Richards (10:06) | Hayato (8:34) | Taichi (10:04) | Omega (8:59) | Kanemoto (10:37) | Devitt (9:45) | X | Taichi (7:04) | TJP (8:29) |
| Tiger Mask IV Tiger Mask IV Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995... |
Tiger (9:56) | Tiger (9:00) | Tiger (8:27) | Omega (9:05) | Kanemoto (9:59) | Devitt (6:54) | Taichi (7:04) | X | Tiger (8:06) |
| TJP T.J. Perkins T.J. Perkins is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to Ring of Honor , while also working on the independent circuit under his real name, under his initials TJP or under a mask as Puma .... |
TJP (9:51) | Hayato (7:44) | TJP (12:07) | Omega (8:20) | Kanemoto (8:11) | Devitt (8:51) | TJP (8:29) | Tiger (8:06) | X |
| Block B | Daisuke Sasaki | Gedo | Great Sasuke | Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... | Kota Ibushi | KUSHIDA Yujiro Kushida is a Japanese professional wrestler. He currently competes in New Japan Pro Wrestling as KUSHIDA. He won the ZST Genesis Lightweight Tournament and AJPW's U-30 Tag Team Tournament in 2008 with T28-Early years:... | Máscara Dorada Mascara Dorada Máscara Dorada is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado . Máscara Dorada's real name has not been officially documented, a tradition in Mexican Lucha Libre where masked wrestler's real names often are not a matter of public record... | Ryusuke Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... | TAKA Michinoku |
| Daisuke Sasaki | X | Sasaki (11:10) | Sasuke (4:05) | Liger (8:06) | Ibushi (10:39) | KUSHIDA (6:53) | Dorada (8:02) | Taguchi (7:18) | Michinoku (7:19) |
| Gedo | Sasaki (11:10) | X | Gedo (9:09) | Liger (7:27) | Ibushi (10:10) | KUSHIDA (8:02) | Dorada (7:37) | Gedo (11:29) | Michinoku (10:01) |
| Great Sasuke | Sasuke (4:05) | Gedo (9:09) | X | Sasuke (17:35) | Ibushi (11:46) | Sasuke (2:47) | Sasuke (4:28) | Taguchi (15:39) | Sasuke (9:57) |
| Jushin Liger Jushin Liger , better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior... |
Liger (8:06) | Liger (7:27) | Sasuke (17:35) | X | Ibushi (8:47) | Liger (10:45) | Dorada (3:18) | Liger (9:20) | Michinoku (8:57) |
| Kota Ibushi | Ibushi (10:39) | Ibushi (10:10) | Ibushi (11:46) | Ibushi (8:47) | X | KUSHIDA (12:46) | Ibushi (7:28) | Taguchi (13:21) | Ibushi (9:40) |
| KUSHIDA Yujiro Kushida is a Japanese professional wrestler. He currently competes in New Japan Pro Wrestling as KUSHIDA. He won the ZST Genesis Lightweight Tournament and AJPW's U-30 Tag Team Tournament in 2008 with T28-Early years:... |
KUSHIDA (6:53) | KUSHIDA (8:02) | Sasuke (2:47) | Liger (10:45) | KUSHIDA (12:46) | X | KUSHIDA (6:25) | Taguchi (10:14) | KUSHIDA (9:29) |
| Máscara Dorada Mascara Dorada Máscara Dorada is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado . Máscara Dorada's real name has not been officially documented, a tradition in Mexican Lucha Libre where masked wrestler's real names often are not a matter of public record... |
Dorada (8:02) | Dorada (7:37) | Sasuke (4:28) | Dorada (3:18) | Ibushi (7:28) | KUSHIDA (6:25) | X | Dorada (7:02) | Michinoku (9:45) |
| Ryusuke Taguchi Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.... |
Taguchi (7:18) | Gedo (11:29) | Taguchi (15:39) | Liger (9:20) | Taguchi (13:21) | Taguchi (10:14) | Dorada (7:02) | X | Taguchi (9:26) |
| TAKA Michinoku | Michinoku (7:19) | Michinoku (10:01) | Sasuke (9:57) | Michinoku (8:57) | Ibushi (9:40) | KUSHIDA (9:29) | Michinoku (9:45) | Taguchi (9:26) | X |