Dramatic DDT

NJPW, 10/6/11
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
2,005 Fans

1. Kenny Omega, Daisuke Sasaki & TJP defeated KUSHIDA, Mascara Dorada & Hiromu Takahashi when Omega pinned Takahashi with the Croyt’s Wrath (9:12).
3. Best of the Super Jr. – Semi Final: Kota Ibushi defeated Davey Richards with the Firebird Splash (11:17).
8. Best of the Super Jr. – Final: Kota Ibushi defeated Ryusuke Taguchi with the Phoenix Splash (20:22).

Kota Ibushi has claimed his (and possibly DDT’s) greatest achievement to date by becoming to first wrestler outside of New Japan to win the Best Of The Super Jr. tournament. Ibushi survived a rocky start to defeat such established names as Mascara Dorada, TAKA Michinoku, Gedo, The Great Sasuke, Jushin Liger and Davey Richards (Hey! Stop laughing down at the back!) so he could reach the final to face the man who defeated him on the very first night of the tour, Ryusuke Taguchi. The situation brought back memories of one year ago when deep into his grand final match against Prince Devitt, a Firebird Splash gone wrong seriously injured Ibushi’s shoulder and killed his chance at winning the tournament. Without any hesitations, Ibushi was able to use the Firebird Splash to win most of his matches in the group stages. But in the final, Ibushi went one better and pinned Taguchi in 20 minutes with the Phoenix Splash.

Ibushi was presented with the trophy by Milano Collection AT and he also received the winner’s cheque of ¥5 million. During his backstage interview, Ibushi said it is his dream to become the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion and he has challenged Prince Devitt to a IWGP Jr. Title match for 18/6 in Osaka. He was then joined by Kenny Omega, Daisuke Sasaki, Michael Nakazawa & Yukinori Matsui for a celebration. Michael brought along beer for a toast but Ibushi drank a can of cola instead. When asked about what he wants to spend his prize winnings on, Ibushi couldn’t think of anything. He was happy enough to win the trophy.

For Kenny Omega it was a case of so close, yet so far. After an explosive run that at Kenny’s peak saw him winning his first five matches, he then dropped falls to his remaining opponents Prince Devitt, Jado and Davey Richards who slipped through to the semi-finals at Kenny’s expense. He managed to grab a win back for his final match of the tour, a Six-Man opening tag match that also included Daisuke Sasaki.

NJPW, 07/06/11
Tokyo Differ Ariake
750 Fans

2. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: TAKA Michinoku [8] defeated Daisuke Sasaki [2] with the Dick Killer (7:19).
4. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Jado [2] defeated Kenny Omega [10] with the Crossface Of Jado (9:42).
7. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Kota Ibushi [10] defeated The Great Sasuke [10] with a High-Angle Thunder Fire Power Bomb (11:46).

NJPW, 08/06/11
Tokyo Differ Ariake
750 Fans

4. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Davey Richards [12] defeated Kenny Omega with a Power Bomb [10] (9:55).
9. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Kota Ibushi [12] defeated Jushin Thunder Liger [8] with the Firebird Splash (8:47).

Block A:
1. Prince Devitt [14]
2. Davey Richards [12]
3. Kenny Omega [10]
4. Koji Kanemoto [8]
5. Tiger Mask [8]
6. Fujita “Jr.” Hayato [6]
7. TJP [6]
8. Taichi [4]
9. Jado [4]

Block B:
1. Kota Ibushi [12]
2. Ryusuke Taguchi [10]
3. The Great Sasuke [10]
4. KUSHIDA [10]
5. TAKA Michinoku [8]
6. Mascara Dorada [8]
7. Jushin Thunder Liger [8]
8. Gedo [4]
9. Daisuke Sasaki [2]

NJPW, 3/6/11
Wakayama City Gymnasium
1,000 Fans

1. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Kenny Omega [8] defeated TJP [2] with the Croyt’s Wrath (8:20).
3. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: The Great Sasuke [8] defeated Daisuke Sasaki [2] (8:20).
8. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Kota Ibushi [4] defeated TAKA Michinoku [4] with the Firebird Splash (9:40).

NJPW, 4/6/11
Kyoto KBS Hall
1,250 Fans

5. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Kota Ibushi [6] defeated Daisuke Sasaki with the Firebird Splash [2] (10:39).
6. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Kenny Omega [10] defeated Tiger Mask [8] with the Croyt’s Wrath (9:05).

NJPW, 5/6/11
Akashi Municipal Industrial Exchange Center
1,560 Fans

1. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Mascara Dorada [6] defeated Daisuke Sasaki [2] with a Tornillo (8:02).
6. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Kota Ibushi [8] defeated Gedo [2] with the Firebird Splash (10:10).
8. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Prince Devitt [10] defeated Kenny Omega [10] with the Bloody Sunday (12:08).

Kenny Omega has been on fire in the Best Of The Super Jr tournament. Up until the most recent show he achieved a five match winning streak. His first defeat was to Prince Devitt, who now ties with Kenny on the top of Block A. As you can see in the pic above, Kenny used the “Anywhere Pro-Wrestling” style for which he is infamous for to battle Devitt with. Kenny’s remaining matches are against Jado and Davey Richards.

In Block B, Kota Ibushi has recovered from his early setbacks to reach second place, sharing the position with a couple of rivals. Ibushi has dusted off the Firebird Splash as his finisher of choice for the tournament*. Ibushi’s final two matches are vital for Block B as he takes on the current leader Great Sasuke and fellow 2nd placer Jushin Liger. Wins over both men will guarantee Ibushi of qualifying for the Semi-Final and could also prevent both Sasuke and Liger from advancing.

Daisuke Sasaki however can kiss goodbye his chances of advancing past the block stage. The best he can do now is play the role of spoiler for his last opponent, TAKA Michinoku.

*For the love of Takagi, don’t injure yourself with it again!