20 man tournament kicks off May 10
The 32nd annual Best of the Super Jr. tournament kicks off on May 9 in Chiba, as twenty of the best junior heavyweight wrestlers in the world will do battle in two blocks of round robin competition, building to the finals in Ota June 1. With the blocks for the tournament now revealed, here are all 20 of the players, and the key matches in front of each.
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A BLOCK
Master Wato
5th entry, first in two years. 2023 winner, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Champion
After missing last year’s tournament due to injury, Master Wato returned to the ring in the autumn of 2024, but came up short in title matches for both IWGP Junior and NJPW World TV gold. The Way to the Grandmaster is a long and difficult one, but tag team title success is freshest in the memory, with Wato and YOH taking the gold at Hizen no Kuni. With the finals this year in the same Ota scene as his greatest career triumph in 2023, could lightning strike twice for Master Wato?
KEY MATCH: May 17 Yoyogi vs Ninja Mack
Master Wato will enter this year's BOSJ still with some lingering frustration at not having been part of the lineup in 2024. That year's highest flying debutant Ninja Mack faces the 2023 winner on May 17, and Wato will be keen to make up for that lost time in last year's tournament.
Hiromu Takahashi
10th entry, 6th consecutive. 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022 winner, IWGP Tag Team Champion
Best of the Super Jr.’s winningest wrestler, Hiromu Takahashi won an unprecedented three straight BOSJ tournaments between 2020 and 2022, but while he was in the mix toward the end in the last two years, he couldn’t bring the trophy home. 2024 saw him change gears and make a different kind of history by winning the heavyweight World Tag League and then the IWGP Tag Team Championships with Tetsuya Naito, but can he come back to the land of the juniors and find success?
KEY MATCH: May 15 Korakuen vs Francesco Akira
May 15 will see Hiromu Takahashi's first match with Francesco Akira in three years, and only his second all time. 2022 saw the Time Bomb victorious over then debuting Akira, but with numerous tag titles and a challenge for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship since, there is no doubt that the four time tournament winner will have his work cut out for him in this long awaited rematch.
KUSHIDA
12th entry, 3rd consecutive. 2015, 2017 winner
Two time BOSJ winner KUSHIDA had a torrid return to tournament competition in 2023, his four point record so far off his prior form that he originally didn’t make the cut in 2024. Called in as a late substitute for the injured YOH however, KUSHIDA pulled out the stops for a string of impressive performances that ended on a competitive 4-5. Will the Timesplitter continue to make strides back into title contention in 2025?
KEY MATCH: May 18 Hachioji vs Dragon Dia
Despite a very impressive 2024 campaign, a loss to Dragon Dia had to be the most painful for the Timesplitter. When a newcomer to the tournament lineup only gets one win in their campaign-against you- it tends to stick out like a sore thumb, and KUSHIDA will be keen to redress the balance in Hachioji.
Kosei Fujita
2nd entry, 2nd consecutive. Career PB: 3-6 (2024).
A trying debut year for Kosei Fujita in BOSJ saw him to a humble six points, but with memorable performances across the board, including in defeat to eventual tournament winner El Desperado. Heading into his second year in the tournament with the confidence of a champion- indeed the youngest ever to wear IWGP gold- Fujita aims to go further in 2025.
KEY MATCH: May 27 Numazu vs Clark Connors
May 27 will be a battle of two recent challengers to El Desperado's IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Last year, Fujita's win over Connors was a huge boost to his debut campaign, and put himself and Robbie Eagles on a long path to the IWGP Junior Tag titles they held up until Hizen no Kuni. Will Fujita be successful over the War Dog again?
Ninja Mack
2nd entry, 2nd consecutive. Career PB: 4-5 (2024)
Ninja Mack brought spectacle in spades in his BOSJ debut last year, and a 4-5 record proved that there was substance behind the sizzle. Now Mack is in his second year, he'll be looking to for a positive record, a final spot and overall victory, with social media buzz feeling all the better when his hand is raised at the end of the night.
KEY MATCH: May 11 Iwanuma vs Robbie X
Iwanuma may well see the most spectacular of the A Block matches as two premier high fliers face off. With Robbie X looking to make a mark on short notice into this year's tournament, will he be able to defeat the acrobatic Mack?
Robbie X
BOSJ Debut
Making his BOSJ debut in the departing BUSHI's stead, Robbie X already made waves in last year’s Super Junior Tag League, where he teamed up with fellow War Dogs member Taiji Ishimori and even earned a title opportunity at Junior Genesis. Known for his innovative and high-speed offense, Robbie X could very well be this year's dark horse.
KEY MATCH: May 18 Hachioji vs Kosei Fujita
Back in early April, Robbie X and Taiji Ishimori challenged Kosei Fujita and Robbie Eagles for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. WHile the challengers fell short, X's performance created a lot of buzz, and opened the door to his entry in this tournament. Some six weeks removed, will X turn buzz to results in Hachioji?
Francesco Akira
4th entry, 4th consecutive. Career PB: 4-5 (2022, 2023)
While teaming with TJP, Francesco Akira has been one of the key players in the Junior Tag Division. However, success in the Best of the Super Juniors tournament has eluded him so far, partly due to a knee injury that sidelined him the previous year. After a hard-fought match against the current champion, in which Akira came up short, he now sets his sights on claiming the top spot in this year's tournament.
KEY MATCH: May 27 Numazu vs KUSHIDA
One year ago, Francesco Akira was eager to face KUSHIDA in a battle of the legendary TAJIRI's proteges. Eagerness turned to disappointment though when a stern KUSHIDA took the Italian to task. One year on, and Akira will be looking to get his win back in Numazu.
Clark Connors
4th entry, 4th consecutive. Career PB: 4-5 (2022, 2023, 2024). DEFY World Champion
It has been a strong year for the War Dogs member. Although he was unable to capture the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 19, Connors has delivered defining performances, including notable bouts against current champion El Desperado. He also added the DEFY World Championship to his résumé. Now, he's focused on coming out on top in this year's Best of the Super Juniors tournament.
KEY MATCH: May 18 Hachioji vs Hiromu Takahashi
Perhaps the biggest trophy to hunt in this year's tournament for Connors is Hiromu Takahashi. Despite wins over Hiromu led teams in the tag team ranks, COnnors hasn't wrestled the Time Bomb one on one since 2022, and now gets to do it in Hiromu's Hachioji back yard.
Yoshinobu Kanemaru
8th entry, 5th consecutive. Career PB: 4-3 (2017)
The most experienced participant in this year’s BOSJ, Kanemaru is never one to be underestimated. As part of HOUSE OF TORTURE, he continues to rely on underhanded tactics which range from distractions to whisky spiting, all to steal victory from the jaws of defeat.
KEY MATCH: May 27 Numazu vs Master Wato
Yoshinobu Kanemaru is always one who enjoys clipping the wings of those with momentum, and will take pleasure in doing so to Master Wato. With Wato's recent knee injury history and Kanemaru's aggressive knee based offense, this could be a very valuable win for the Heel Master.
Dragon Dia
2nd entry, 2nd consecutive. Career PB: 1-8 (2024)
A multi-time champion in his home promotion, Dragon Gate, Dragon Dia struggled in last year's BOSJ, finishing at the bottom of his block. Now returning with added experience—including teaming with veteran Ryusuke Taguchi in the Skateboard Bros.—he’s aiming to make a stronger impact this year as an official participant and not a substitute.
KEY MATCH: May 10 Chiba vs Yoshinobu Kanemaru
In a second attempt at the BOSJ tournament, it will behoove Dia to explode out of the gates and get off to a strong start. May 10 that will mean him defeating the veteran Kanemaru and getting on the board right away.
B BLOCK
El Desperado
9th entry, 6th consecutive. 2024 winner, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion
The Best of the Super Junior trophy was the last piece missing in the puzzle for El Desperado to cement himself as the central figure in junior heavyweight wrestling in 2024. With the trophy in his grip, Desperado produced his own event and captured the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title; while his reign was stopped by DOUKI, and knee surgery meant several months away, it’s hard not to circle Desperado as one of the central figures in all of NJPW in the last 12 months, a status that he will be defending in BOSJ32.
KEY MATCH: May 15 Korakuen vs Taiji Ishimori
Early in the tournament, El Desperado has to face his BOSJ 31 final opponent Taiji Ishimori. A successful defence of the IWGP Junior gold over Ishimori earlier this year in San Jose notwithstanding, Desperado knows the dangers Ishimori presents in what is sure to be a main event level matchup.
Ryusuke Taguchi
21st entry, 1st in two years. 2012 winner
Another 2024 entrant who missed out on last year’s contest due to injury, Ryusuke Taguchi was a late departure from BOSJ 31 as a result of a road accident. Now, the elder statesman of BOSJ is looking to show that he won’t just be bringing up the, well, rear of the pack. The Goto Revolution in the heavyweight ranks could well fire up his fellow 2002 Dojo classmate; can the Coach take top gear from the rear in 2025?
KEY MATCH: May 14 Korakuen vs Titan
Two years almost to the day since his last singles match with the masked man, Ryusuke Taguchi will face Titan on May 14. In 2023, Titan beat the Coach and went on to the finals. Can Taguchi reverse the situation in Korakuen?
Robbie Eagles
7th entry, 7th consecutive. Career PB: 5-4 (2019, 2022, 2023, 2024).
The model of consistency, Robbie Eagles has racked up a ten point, 5-4, positive winning record in four of his six prior entries. So close and yet so far from the final consideration in repeated BOSJ tournaments has seen Eagles show a rare frustration at times, a frustration perhaps resurgent with his recent loss of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. This year he hopes to finally advance out of the league stage and toward the trophy in 2025.
KEY MATCH: May 29 Joetsu vs Nick Wayne
Robbie will be singling out the ROH World TV Champion Nick Wayne in Joetsu. The last time a Ring of Honor Champion was part of the BOSJ lineup, then Pure Champion Wheeler Yuta was defeated by Eagles. Now the Sniper has his sights set on another young, debuting champion.
YOH
7th entry, first in two years. Career PB: Finalist (2021). IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion
April of 2024 saw YOH in position for what many expected to be his first IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship win over his former tag team partner SHO. It was a dislocated shoulder though that put YOH on the shelf for six months, and took him out of the BOSJ tournament he was a runner-up in back in 2021. Returning in decidedly… unique form, YOH has expressed his artistic flair since his October return, and turned flair to hardware when he won the junior tag titles with YOH at Hizen no Kuni. Will BOSJ 32 see a singles trophy for the newly minted Hontai member?
KEY MATCH: May 17 Yoyogi vs Ryusuke Taguchi
It seems like of late YOH has been giving Ryusuke Taguchi a good run for his money on pure eccentricity. That makes this Yoyogi bout all the more intriguing. Who is stronger, and who is stranger?
Kevin Knight
3rd entry 3rd consecutive. Career PB: 4-5 (2024)
One of the newest members of the AEW roster Stateside, Kevin Knight continues to fly to, and in Japan with his third entry to the BOSJ tournament. After successes with KUSHIDA as the Intergalactic Jet Setters, Knight aims to make 2025 the biggest year of his singles career to date, and that will mean a deep run in the league and perhaps to the finals.
KEY MATCH: May 11 Iwanuma vs MAO
One of several first time matchups put on the board for this year's BOSJ, Kevin Knight vs MAO might be one of the most intriguing. The athletic stylings and unique offense of both men make this one for Iwanuma fans to keep their eyes on.
Taiji Ishimori
9th entry, 8th consecutive. Career PB: Finalist (2018, 2024)
Having been runner up in both his first and his most recent Best of the Super Jr., Taiji Ishimori enters for the ninth time this year. In 2025 so far he has come just short of both the IWGP Junior Heavyweight singles and tag team titles, but could score another shot at title glory with a win in the ultimate junior heavyweight tournament.
KEY MATCH: May 25 Nagoya vs SHO
Not one month after HOUSE OF TORTURE and War Dogs do bloody battle int he Dogpound Steel Cage, the two factions collide once again as Taiji Ishimori battles SHO. What happens in this reunion in Nagoya?
Titán
6th entry, 4th consecutive. Career PB: Finalist (2023)
Having first entered the BOSJ twelve years ago, Titán is now one of the tournament’s most seasoned and respected veterans despite his relatively young age. After making it to the finals in 2023 and narrowly missing the semifinals last year in a close bout against TJP, he’s been inching closer to the top. With that momentum behind him, 2025 might finally be the year the man from Mexico goes all the way.
KEY MATCH: May 25 Nagoya vs YOH
2023 saw Titan make an impressive run to the finals of BOSJ 30, coming up just short of Master Wato to lose at the final hurdle. On May 25 in Nagoya, he faces Wato's tag team partner, and will be looking to show he can go all the way to the trophy this time.
SHO
8th entry, 8th consecutive. Career PB: 6-3 (2020)
A current NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion, SHO enters his eighth straight BOSJ as one of the most consistent competitors in the lineup. Known for his antics as a member of HOUSE OF TORTURE, this year will be a true test of his individual strength—especially if he’s left without backup. How will he fare when it’s just SHO and the ring?
KEY MATCH: May 17 Yoyogi vs Robbie Eagles
In three prior meetings for SHO and Robbie Eagles in Best of the Super Jr, the Murder Machine has never been able to put away TMDK's Sniper of the Skies. Will Yoyogi finally see SHO's fate change?
Nick Wayne
BOSJ Debut
At just 19 years old, third-generation wrestler and AEW representative Nick Wayne becomes the youngest participant in Best of the Super Juniors history—surpassing the likes of a young Alex Wright and La Sombra by a year. With the chance to make history as the tournament’s youngest-ever winner, the road ahead won't be easy. Only one man—Will Ospreay—has ever won BOSJ on his first try. Can Wayne defy the odds and follow in those footsteps?
KEY MATCH: May 17 Yoyogi vs Kevn Knight
Nick Wayne may be young, but has grown up in the wrestling business, and a good deal of his formative years has been with a student of his father's in Kevin Knight. With both now in the same block, these two will cast a friendship aside in a bid for two points in Yoyogi.
MAO
BOSJ Debut
Despite prior appearances at Despe Invitacional and All Star Junior Festival USA, it wasn't until Jr. Genesis April 4 that DDT representative MAO made his NJPW debut proper. Not only was he successful in the ring, but when winning over the crowd as well, with DDT and NJPW fans alike impressed by his athletic style and easy charisma. Can he make a significant mark in his first BOSJ?
KEY MATCH: May 17 Yoyogi vs El Desperado
A favourite of El Desperado's, MAO has been on the same side as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion in tag action, but has never faced off against him. That changes in what should be a spectacular battle on May 17.
