We’re finally in the homestretch of this tournament, with the final two nights of block action taking place tonight and tomorrow at Korakuen Hall. There have only been three eliminations thus far – Daiki Nagai and Valiente Jr. in the A Block and KUSHIDA in the B Block – and that number is sure to go up tonight. There’s even a chance a block winner could be crowned. Let’s see what happens.

A Block: Robbie X [Unbound Co.] (8 points) vs. Daiki Nagai [Unbound Co.] (0 points)

This is the final intra-faction match of the tournament. Nagai tries for a shotgun dropkick to start, as usual, but X catches him and tries a roll-up, kicking off a series of reversals. Nagai tries a monkey flip out of the corner, but X lands on his feet. X sends Nagai to the outside and hits the ropes to try a flying move, but Nagai gets back in the ring, knocks X out and goes for a tope suicida but eats a kick from X instead. Back in the ring, X gets two with a dropkick to the back, then hits a straitjacket neckbreaker for another two. X hits a flipping neckbreaker for two, then hits the senton atomico for another two. Nagai reverses a power bomb attempt into a pinning predicament for two, then blocks X Marks the Spot and hits the pounce, which sends X all the way to the floor. Nagai hits the tope suicida, then sends X back into the ring and hits a missile dropkick, followed by the corner dropkick for two. Nagai tries for the diving headbutt, but X avoids it and hits a step-up kick. Nagai grabs the legs and tries for a Boston crab, but X rolls him up for two. Nagai hits the monkey flip (with X taking an extra flip for good measure) for two, then applies the Boston crab, but X gets to the ropes. Nagai tries for the diving headbutt again, but X moves and gets him in a neck-bridging chinlock, followed by a sit-out power bomb for two. X hits X Marks the Spot, followed by the X Express for the pinfall. Nagai continues to show great promise, while X continues to impress.

What’s next? X (10 points) wrestles Valiente Jr. (4 points) tomorrow at Korakuen Hall, while Nagai (0 points) takes on Kosei Fujita on the same show.

B Block: KUSHIDA (4 points) vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru [House of Torture] (6 points)

If Kanemaru loses, he is eliminated from contention. KUSHIDA again is barefoot, which seems like a miscalculation against Kanemaru. Kanemaru controls early with a side headlock, but KUSHIDA reverses into one of his own. Kanemaru eventually (very eventually) gets out of it and goes to work on KUSHIDA’s knee; I thought for a second that we were headed for a Taichi/Ibushi redux, but with side headlocks instead of kicks. Kanemaru applies a leglock, but leaves his head exposed, which allows KUSHIDA to apply the deadly side headlock to get out of it; however, Kanemaru hits a kneebreaker to break the hold. Kanemaru applies the figure-four, but KUSHIDA quickly gets to the ropes. Kanemaru continues to go after the legs, but KUSHIDA pulls him down with the leg scissors into a pinning predicament and gets two. KUSHIDA hits a Pele kick, then tries for the hip toss into a dropkick, but Kanemaru catches the dropkick and re-applies the figure-four; KUSHIDA gets to the ropes. Kanemaru tries for a suplex, but KUSHIDA flips out. Kanemaru kicks him in the knee and tries for a submission hold; KUSHIDA stuffs it and tries for the Hoverboard Lock, but Kanemaru catches it and uses KUSHIDA as a weapon to knock out ref Yuya Sakamoto. Kanemaru goes to hit KUSHIDA with the bottle, but KUSHIDA ducks it and tries the punch, but Kanemaru blocks it with the bottle. Kanemaru tries a roll-up for two and then a headscissors into a pinfall attempt, which also gets two. Kanemaru goes for another figure-four, but KUSHIDA counters it, avoids a kick, kicks the arm, avoids a stomp to the bare feet, hits the punch and kicks the arm again. KUSHIDA goes for Back to the Future, but Kanemaru turns it into a small package; KUSHIDA rolls through, however, and hits Back to the Future for the pinfall.

What’s next? KUSHIDA (6 points) wrestles Taiji Ishimori tomorrow, while Kanemaru (6 points) takes on El Desperado on the same show.

A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi (6 points) vs. Francesco Akira [United Empire] (8 points)

Taguchi is eliminated if he loses. Apparently, NJPW is cracking down on Zane Jay being at ringside, since he’s not a junior and he interferes in every match, so he goes over to English commentary instead and bullies Chris Charlton into leaving. Akira goes after Taguchi with clippers to start, but after a merry chase, Taguchi knocks them out of his hand. Taguchi goes for the Funky Weapon, Akira counters with an atomic drop and then musses up his hair. Akira hits the ropes, but Taguchi counters with the Funky Weapon and sends Akira to the outside, then Taguchi surprisingly hits a dive from the corner and tries to mess up Akira’s hair. Back in the ring, Taguchi hits the Bum-a-ye, then applies the ankle lock and tries for the Dodon, but Akira reverses it into a roll-up and the two trade pinfall attempts. They do the pass-through spot and Akira avoids both the Funky Weapon and the Bum-a-ye, then rolls Taguchi up and pins him with a handful of tights. After the match, Akira tries to shave Taguchi’s head (while Zane Jay brawls with Tatsuya Matsumoto, his eternal rival, at ringside), but Taguchi applies the ankle lock to escape.

What’s next? Akira (10 points) wrestles Titán tomorrow, while Taguchi (6 points) takes on Jun Kasai on the same show.

B Block: Daisuke Sasaki (6 points) vs. SHO [House of Torture] (8 points)

If Sasaki loses, he is eliminated from contention. SHO has a picture of Dick Togo taped to his cookie sheet, for some reason. SHO attacks Sasaki while he’s making his entrance – with his Damnation T.A. faction-mate, Hideki Okatani – but after SHO tosses Sasaki into the ring, he gets jumped from behind by the real Sasaki, and the guy who made the entrance as Sasaki is revealed to be Ilusion. Sasaki gets two with a flipping powerslam, then applies the crossface, but Sakamoto is pulled out of the ring by Yujiro Takahashi, who jumps in the ring to attack Sasaki. Takahashi hits a headbutt to the groin and SHO gets a visual pin, but Sakamoto is still out. Takahashi rolls Sakamoto in, but Ilusion pulls him right back out again, and Okatani goes after SHO with a Singapore kane. Okatani and Ilusion roll SHO back into the ring, where Sasaki is waiting with a God damn cattle prod. SHO holds up his cookie sheet with the picture of Togo, who trained Sasaki, and after Sasaki hits his knees to ask for forgiveness, he tries the cattle prod shot, but SHO blocks it with the cookie sheet and then hits Sasaki with the cookie sheet, followed by Shock Arrow for the pin.

What’s next? SHO (10 points) wrestles Jakob Austin Young tomorrow, while Sasaki (6 points) takes on YOH on the same show.

A Block: Valiente Jr. (4 points) vs. Nick Wayne (8 points)

Wayne has gotten very over here. They start off quickly, wrestling to a stalemate that ends with Valiente doing the tranquilo pose in the corner. Back at it, Wayne hits a running uppercut to take the advantage, then hits a chop and a legdrop for two. Wayne hits a running uppercut into the corner, then a second-rope dropkick for two. On the apron, they trade chops, then Wayne goes for the Asai DDT, but Valiente holds the ropes. Valiente hits a Code Red for two, then locks in a heel hook, but Wayne makes it to the ropes. Valiente goes for a Tiger Driver, but Wayne slips out the back and goes for a dragon suplex; however, Valiente kicks him off. Wayne ends up in the corner and Valiente charges at him, but Wayne hits a crazy crucifix bomb, right onto Valiente’s head. Valiente rolls to the outside, and Wayne hits an Asai moonsault into the front row. Back in the ring, Wayne hits a dragon suplex for two, then goes for Wayne’s World, but Valiente counters with a backslide for two, a small package for two, a victory roll into a splash for two and a seatbelt for two. Valiente hits a pop-up knee and tries the Valiente Special, but Wayne counters with a destroyer, then hits a hook kick and Wayne’s World for the pinfall. This was very good.

What’s next? Wayne (10 points) wrestles Master Wato tomorrow, while Valiente (4 points) takes on Robbie X on the same show.

B Block: Robbie Eagles [TMDK] (8 points) vs. Jakob Austin Young [United Empire] (6 points)

If Young loses, he is eliminated from contention. Also, as best I can gather, if Eagles wins, Desperado cannot win the B Block tonight. Eagles has Hartley Jackson with him, notably, which upsets Young, because, like Jay, Jackson is not a junior. Jay is just in Young’s corner without much comment. They feel each other out, then Eagles takes the upper hand with an armdrag, a tijeras and a wheel kick. Eagles kicks Young’s back, then hits the ropes, but Jay grabs his foot and distracts him; Jackson tells Jay to knock it off, Jay chooses violence, and then Jackson responds with a forearm that sends Jay into a fan’s lap. Jackson carries Jay to the back, but Young has had time to recover, and he sends Eagles onto the apron and hits a rope-assisted neckbreaker, sending Eagles to the outside. Young hits a running dropkick to the outside, then shoots Eagles into a small seating section; Eagles ends up hitting the bleachers in a moment that looked like it sucked. Back in the ring, Young gets one. Young tries for another neckbreaker, but Eagles responds with a high kick. Eagles takes control with a series of kicks and gets two, then tries the Ron Miller Special, but can’t lock it in. Eagles tries a roll-up on Young, but Young maintains his momentum and counters with a Shining Wizard for two. Young applies the Imperial Prison, but Eagles makes it to the ropes. They struggle over suplexes for a while, and Eagles hits another series of kicks, then tries for the Asai DDT, but Young counters with a back elbow and hits Jakob’s Ladder for two, followed by Brain Rot for another near-fall. Young sets up for the hammerlock DDT, but Eagles slips out; Young then tries the Imperial Prison again, but Eagles kicks him off. Eagles gets a roll-up for two, then hits a Turbo Backpack for two, but Young reverses the pinfall attempt into a series of pinning predicaments, which only get two. Young misses a corner charge, then Eagles hits the springboard missile dropkick to the knee and Hyperion for three. This was good, and I think Young has improved since the beginning of the tournament.

What’s next? Eagles (10 points) wrestles Hyo tomorrow, while Young (6 points) takes on SHO on the same show.

A Block: Master Wato (10 points) vs. Jun Kasai (8 points)

Kasai jumps Wato while Wato is making his entrance and tries to send him into the seating section on the stage, but Wato reverses the whip and then dives onto Kasai from the stage, nearly tripping over a chair on his approach. Kasai recovers quickly, however, runs Wato into a ringpost, throws a chair at Wato and then opens him up. The female fans are aghast that Wato has been thusly sullied. Kasai bites the wound, then shoots him into the corner and does it again. They trade strikes, then Kasai hits a backdrop for two. Kasai hits a DDT for two, then pulls out skewers, but ref Marty Asami cuts him off and gets thrown down for his trouble. Wato blocks the skewer shot, wrestles the skewers away, considers hitting Kasai with them, and then throws them down and hits a hook kick instead. With Kasai outside, Wato goes for a tope, notices Kasai is ducking it, and hits a plancha instead. Back in the ring, Wato hits a missile dropkick for two and goes for Recientemente, but Kasai blocks it. Kasai blocks a whip and hits an enzuigiri, then hits a lariat. Kasai goes for a Tiger Driver, but Wato escapes. Kasai gets two with a backslide, then hits the Tiger Driver. He goes for his stuff in the corner – which Asami did a really terrible job of inspecting, apparently – and gets out some hypodermics, which he sticks himself in the head with and then hits a running lariat for two. Kasai gives Wato the kiss of death and goes for Pearl Harbor, but Wato gets the knees up. They trade strikes, then both guys hit shoot headbutts, with Wato getting the better of the exchange. Wato goes for the Tsutenkaku German, but Kasai fights out; Wato tries for Recientemente instead, but Kasai counters with an inside cradle for the pinfall. This was really fun. 

What’s next? Kasai (10 points) wrestles Taguchi tomorrow, while Wato (10 points) takes on Wayne on the same show.

B Block: Taiji Ishimori [Unbound Co.] (8 points) vs. Hyo (6 points)

Hyo is eliminated with a loss here. The ladies are also very into Hyo, but he seems mostly concerned with impressing Milano Collection AT at ringside. Hyo attacks Ishimori before the bell with a tijeras, then sends Ishimori outside with a leg lariat. Hyo hits a tope con hilo, then hits a cutter from the apron back into the ring. Hyo hits a backdrop driver with a bridge for two, then hits a stunner and tries for the Samson Driver, but Ishimori stuffs it and hits a slam into the Bone Lock. Hyo gets to the ropes, but Ishimori immediately hits a lifting reverse DDT for two. Hyo escapes Bloody Cross, then does his all-fours misdirection thing and hits a stunner and the Samson Driver for two. Hyo goes for Hunting, but Ishimori blocks it with a backslide, then hits Bloody Cross for three.

What’s next? Ishimori (10 points) wrestles KUSHIDA tomorrow, while Hyo (6 points) takes on Eagles.

A Block: Titán [Unbound Co.] (10 points) vs. Kosei Fujita [TMDK] (8 points)

Fujita knocks Titán’s entrance match off the ringpost, which miffs Titán. They trade armdrags to start, then do a double kick-catch spot that ends up with Fujita tricking Titán into putting his leg down and then delivering a big chop. Titán gets backdropped onto the apron, then kicks Fujita and tries a springboard something-or-other, which Fujita catches and turns into an armbar; Titán quickly makes it to the ropes. Fujita applies a half-crab, which he then turns into a Boston crab and then a high-angle crab, but Titán gets to the ropes. Titán reverses a whip to the corner, dodges an attack by Fujita, Matrix-style, and then hits a kick. Titán hits a springboard dropkick that sends Fujita to the outside, then hits a tope suicida. Titán sends Fujita back in, but Fujita keeps going out the other side of the ring, so Titán hits another tope suicida, driving Fujita into the bleachers. Titán once again sends Fujita in, then hits a springboard splash for two. Titán applies the deathlock he’s been using, but Fujita almost immediately gets to the ropes. Fujita reverses a whip and hits a kick, then goes to the apron, once again knocks Titán’s entrance mask off the ringpost, and hits a springboard dropkick for two. Fujita tries for a deadlift German, but Titán battles out and the two exchange strikes. Fujita gets the best of it and hits the ropes, but Titán follows him in and hits a tornado DDT and tries for the gourdbuster, but Fujita counters with a brainbuster, leading to a brief double-down. Titán performs a victory roll and tries to apply Llave Inmortal, but Fujita counters into the Nemosu Special, but Titán makes it to the ropes. Fujita hits rolling German suplexes, the last of which gets two. Titán responds with a series of strikes and then a ripcord slam for two, then hits the double stomp from the top, but only gets two. Titán goes for Llave Inmortal again, but Fujita cradles him, then picks him up into the reverse fireman’s carry position and hits the Thrill Ride for the pinfall. This was excellent professional wrestling.

What’s next? Fujita (10 points) wrestles Nagai tomorrow, while Titán (10 points) takes on Akira on the same show.

B Block: El Desperado (10 points) vs. YOH (8 points)

Desperado declines a handshake before the bell. They start with mat wrestling and Desperado subtly targeting the knee, while YOH starts with the shoulder. YOH trips up Desperado and hits a low dropkick, which sends Desperado to the outside; YOH teases a dive, but decides not to. Desperado pulls him out, however, and tosses him into the ringpost. Desperado continues to go after the knee on the outside, then goes and bugs Hiruo Murata, like Sasaki has been all tour, and takes his pen; when Red Shoes takes the pen away, Desperado goes to YOH’s eyes. Back in the ring, Desperado continues to work over YOH’s knee with a leglock, but YOH makes it to the ropes. YOH fights back with a flying forearm, then hits a few more, but Desperado ducks one more and tosses YOH into the corner. YOH hits a low dropkick and hits two dragon screws, followed by a half-nelson suplex into the bridge for two. YOH goes for a brainbuster, but Desperado counters with one of his own. Desperado goes back after the knee, but YOH hits another dragon screw. YOH tries another one, but Desperado shoves him off and hits a spear, followed by Guitarra del Angel for two. Desperado hits a frog splash for another two, but YOH dead-weights Desperado when he tries to pick him up, then surprises him with a calf slicer, which he transitions into a dragon screw and a stretch muffler into Numero Dos; Desperado makes it to the ropes, however. YOH hits a reverse Tiger Driver and goes for Pinche Loco, but Desperado escapes and counters with a punch. Desperado then hits the reverse Tiger Driver, but YOH escapes Pinche Loco and goes for a Kamigoye, which Desperado blocks. Desperado goes to punch YOH, but YOH ducks it and hits a ripcord punch, followed by another one and another Pinche Loco attempt, which Desperado turns into Guitarra de la Muerta (the Deadeye, essentially). Desperado hits the Tiger Driver and again goes for Pinche Loco, but YOH rolls him up with El Es Culero for three. After the match, Matsumoto picks YOH up and holds the microphone while he cuts a brief promo, then carries him to the back. This was very good, though it took a little while to get going.

What’s next? YOH (10 points) takes on Sasaki tomorrow, while Desperado (10 points) wrestles Kanemaru on the same show.

So, where do we stand? There are seven guys tied with 10 points in A Block, so the block will almost certainly come down to tiebreakers. The two matches between contenders are Wayne vs. Wato and Titán vs. Akira, while Fujita, Kasai and X have winnable matches against guys who’ve already been eliminated. Barring any upsets or draws, that means there’ll be a five-way tie at 12 points, although I suspect there will be at least one upset and/or draw.

In the B Block, it’s down to Desperado, YOH, Ishimori, Eagles and SHO, all of whom have 10 points. All five guys wrestle guys who are eliminated at six points tomorrow, so it will certainly come down to upsets and tiebreakers.

If I had to guess, I’d say that Friday will be a good day for manufacturers of orange dye, light tubes and biohazard cleanup materials in Gunma prefecture, but we shall see.