WWE Junior Heavyweight Champion; WWE International Champion; IWGP Heavyweight Champion; NWA World Champion; 2015 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee. 3 of 50. ", "『Dominion7.5』大阪城ホール追加カード! In addition to NJPW regulars, the tournament also featured Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) wrestlers Dragon Lee and Volador Jr., Ring of Honor (ROH) wrestler Marty Scurll and independent wrestler ACH. ドラダ、ヤングバックスも初参戦!! Katey Harvey. The wrestlers in the tournament are typically junior heavyweight wrestlers from promotions all over the world. [124] Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson were originally announced for the tournament, but both were forced to pull out with injuries before the opening day. [109] Alex Shelley was forced to pull out of the tournament after his opening match with a foot injury, forcing him to forfeit the rest of his matches. That’s because most heavyweights are much bigger and less agile than the smaller weights. [193] Yoshinobu Kanemaru was scheduled to participate in the tournament, however, he pulled out due to injury and was replaced by young lion Yuya Uemura. It once again used the 1997–98 system of one point for a win, and zero for a loss or draw. © Valve Corporation. This text is hidden because it is only available in German language. The final match was given a 5​1⁄2 star rating by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Only wrestlers under the junior heavyweight weight-limit may hold the … Weight class matches in modern-day American professional wrestling are rare, but weight class championships still exist. His participation in the 2017 tournament marked his 26th and last Super Junior tournament. Before the tournament, El Desperado had to pull out due to injury and was replaced by Douki. The 2002 Best of the Super Juniors was a 14-man, two-block tournament held from May 18 to June 5. 最後の1ワクに、高橋広夢が直訴して電撃出場が決定!! 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. Tips to Make Heavyweight Wrestlers Better. [2][4], The 1992 Top of the Super Juniors was a nine-man tournament, held from April 16 to April 30. Kanemoto became the first person to reach the final three years in a row. Juventud Guerrera. He defeated the monstrous Vader to capture the coveted IWGP Heavyweight Championship, his first of six reigns. 全日本から "レンタル移籍"のBushi、ロウ・キー、アレックス・コズロフ、アンヘル・デ・オロ、そしてドラゲーのPacが初参戦!! The 1988 Top of the Super Juniors was a 12-man tournament held from January 4 to February 7. Internet Wrestling Database. “The Dragon” also held the WWE International Championship during his time in the states. Okada, the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, is among the best in the world right now. [36] 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. [2][8] Like in 1993, Pegasus failed in his championship challenge, this time against Koji Kanemoto on September 25, 1995. By Wayne Dominowski SSA & SBA Editor. Pegasus became the first foreign wrestler to win the tournament as a result. In addition to NJPW regulars, the tournament also features Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) wrestler Dragon Lee, Ring of Honor (ROH) wrestlers Marty Scurll, Flip Gordon and Chris Sabin, and independent wrestler ACH. Thanks for reading! Tokyo Sports Grand Prix. This tournament marked the first time that neither block winner made it to the final.[19]. After capturing the WWE Junior Heavyweight Championship in the hallowed Madison Square Garden in 1978, he defended it in the U.S. and Japan, making it one of the most prestigious titles for smaller wrestlers. Fujinami soon began to travel outside of his homeland, making a name for himself in Mexico, Canada and the United States. He’s a standout in both sports for the Sioux Center (SC)Warriors. The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship is not the only tag … 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. NJPW has held 28 Super Juniors tournaments. Hiromu vacates, three strive for IWGP Junior Heavyweight gold Championship situation still up in the air after Korakuen Hall Before action could start on February 25’s Road to Castle Attack card in Korakuen Hall, Hiromu Takahashi got the evening started with an emotional address to fans in attendance. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NWA_World_Junior_Heavyweight_Championship [64] He was replaced by Brian Kendrick. The GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship is the top prize in the Pro Wrestling NOAH junior division. A decorated and respected competitor in Japan and abroad, Tatsumi Fujinami took his rightful place in history, as he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on the night before WrestleMania 31. He trained at the Snake Pit in Wigan that produced Karl Gotch and Billy Robinson among the many that walked through the doors. The wrestlers in the tournament are typically junior heavyweight wrestlers from promotions all over the world. The winner, Koshinaka, went on to win the Junior Heavyweight Championship from Owen Hart on June 24, 1988, after failing to win the title from Hiroshi Hase twice on March 19 and May 8. 1 GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship; 1 GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship - with Tiger Mask IV; Wrestle Association R. 1 WAR International Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship - with El Samurai; Other Accomplishments. – As a heavy-weight wrestler, Ethan Hooyer has a bright future ahead of him. Thornton was born in England where he began wrestling in 1957 following a career in rugby. While a junior heavyweight, Leone wrestled the World's Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz of St. Louis. He was ranked #191 of the 500 best singles wrestlers by PWI during the "PWI Years" in 2003. The WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship will remain gone and forgotten. [20] Milano Collection A.T. became the first wrestler since Shiro Koshinaka to win the tournament on his first try, but would fail to capture the Junior Heavyweight championship. This and the following tournament in 1998 would utilize a points system that involved simply one point for a win, and zero for a loss or draw. 開幕は5.30後楽園!! Now you step into the NJPW dojo to realize your childhood dream of becoming the best junior heavyweight the world has ever seen! This match was promoted by the late Johnny Doyle at Gilmore Stadium and it drew one of wrestling's all time record houses of 25,000 fans who paid a record gate of $103,000. Guest natives included Super Delfin and Taka Michinoku from Michinoku Pro Wrestling and Masayoshi Motegi from Wrestle Dream Factory.[2][7]. Please click this line if you do not care and want to view it anyway. リチャーズの代替選手は、あのブライアン・ケンドリック!! This marked the largest number of entrants in the history of the tournament. 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. [69], The twentieth Best of the Super Juniors tournament was officially announced on March 28, 2013, and took place over ten shows between May 24 and June 9. [107] The participants were announced on May 7; outside entrants included Bárbaro Cavernario (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre), Bobby Fish (Ring of Honor), Chase Owens (National Wrestling Alliance), Kyle O'Reilly (ROH) and the debuting David Finlay Jr., the son of Dave Finlay. ", "【追加情報】「Best of Super Jr.XX」5.26沼津大会のチケット情報が決定！", "【追加情報】「Best of Super Jr.XX」6.4テクスピア大阪大会の開催が決定！", "『Super Jr.』出場メンバー決定!! For a full year, Omega was the centrepiece of the junior heavyweight division. By the end of the decade, he was widely recognized as one of the best junior heavyweight wrestlers in the world. Dmitri Krakovic. 『Super Jr.』出場選手＆全カード決定!! The two-time winner, Koji Kanemoto, went on to defeat champion Minoru Tanaka for the title on July 19, the same man he defeated in the final of the tournament. Guest natives included Gran Naniwa and Hanzo Nakajima from Michinoku Pro Wrestling and Yoshihiro Tajiri from Big Japan Pro Wrestling. Jushin Thunder Liger once again won while also the reigning Junior Heavyweight champion, and also became the first wrestler to win the tournament twice. Danny Havoc (Grant Berkland; May 31; 34) was a major deathmatch talent primarily with CZW, where he was two-time World Tag Team Champion, two-time Ultraviolent Underground Champion, once World Junior Heavyweight Champion, won Tournament of Death in 2008 and 2013 and main evented four straight Cage Of Death shows. "IWGP" is the acronym of NJPW's governing body, the International Wrestling Grand Prix.The title was introduced on February 6, 1986 at an NJPW show.Only wrestlers under the junior heavyweight weight-limit may hold the … Soon, foreign wrestlers traveled to Japan to face the revered champion. His only competition outside of NJPW… IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (one time) (with Dick Togo) Pro Wrestling Illustrated. ", "NEVER．9 ～Road to the Super Jr．2Days Tournament Final～", "Spanky is Coming!! The WWWF Junior Heavyweight Championship is a former championship recognized by the World (Wide) Wrestling Federation and New Japan Pro Wrestling for wrestlers of smaller size. It was created when sixty-four lightweight, cruiserweight, and junior champions from around the world competed in a 64-man title unification tournament won by Raijin Narukami. https://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/njpw-wrestlers-iwgp-heavyweight-title [174] The final took place at Ryōgoku Kokugikan. Outside entrants included Volador Jr. (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre), Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly, Matt Sydal, Barreta (Ring of Honor), Chase Owens (National Wrestling Alliance), Will Ospreay (Revolution Pro Wrestling) and Ricochet (Dragon Gate, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla). As a result, Taichi, who had finished third in the block, advanced to the semifinals. J-Money. The winner, Kendo Kashin, went on to defeat the champion Koji Kanemoto for the title on August 28, who he had also defeated in the BOSJ final. [17], The 2005 Best of the Super Juniors was a 14-man, two-block tournament held from May 21 to June 19. Marty Scurll IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.jpg 600 × 900; 183 KB Ryusuke Taguchi IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.JPG 450 × 650; 110 KB Will Ospreay IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.jpg 600 × 900; 223 KB 『Super Jr.』出場が電撃決定!! 後藤vs中邑、真壁vs石井、棚橋vs矢野、柴田vs桜庭、IWGPタッグ、ジュニア選手権が決定!! Darren Kearney. [box type=”info” align=”alignleft” ]The WWWF Junior Heavyweight Championship is a former … https://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/best-japanese-wrestlers-all-time-ranked [24] He went on to defeat Prince Devitt for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on June 18, 2011. [97] Alex Koslov dislocated his left shoulder in his first match against Ricochet on May 30 and was forced to pull out of the tournament, forfeiting all of his matches. Outside entrants included Daisuke Sasaki (freelancer), Fujita "Jr." Hayato (Michinoku Pro), Great Sasuke (Michinoku Pro), Kenny Omega (DDT Pro-Wrestling, United States), Kota Ibushi (DDT), Máscara Dorada (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, Mexico), and TJP (freelancer, United States). In this format the top two scorers in each block advance to the semifinals, at which point single-elimination rules take effect. ", "【お詫びとお知らせ】アレックス・シェリー選手が負傷により『Super Jr.』を全戦欠場。公式戦は不戦敗に", "【『Super Jr.』出場メンバーが決定！】オスプレイ、ボラドール、サイダルが初出場！ "14年覇者"リコシェ！"昨年準優勝"オライリーも参戦！【SJ23】", "【お詫びとお知らせ】マット・ジャクソン選手、ニック・ジャクソン選手が負傷のために、『Super Jr.』を全戦欠場", "【緊急決定！】『Best of the Super Jr.』のAブロックにデビッド・フィンレー、Bブロックにチェーズ・オーエンズが代打出場！ 【SJ23】", "NJPW Best of the Super Juniors finals results: Will Ospreay vs. Ryusuke Taguchi", "NJPW Dominion live results: Tetsuya Naito vs Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP HW Championship", "Caldwell – Ospreay vs. Ricochet – One match captures the larger argument about today's pro wrestling style", "William Regal provides important insight and advice in wake of talked about Ricochet vs. Ospreay bout in NJ", "Wrestling fans are going crazy over this acrobatic match in Japan", "5月&6月シリーズ『Best of the Super Jr.24』の日程が決定！開幕戦は5月17日(水)&18日(木) 後楽園2連戦！優勝決定戦は6月3日(土)代々木第2体育館!! IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (since 01.01.1998) J-Crown Championship (05.08.1996 - 01.01.1998) Since 1996 the tournament has been divided into a two-block system used in many other puroresu tournaments. Of the nine matches for the title in 2015, he was involved in all but one. [146] Veteran wrestler Jushin Thunder Liger, who took part in his 17th Best of the Super Juniors tournament in a row, stated that the 2017 tournament would be his last.[147]. [38], The 2011 Best of the Super Juniors featured 18 participants in two blocks, and was held from May 26 to June 10. In America, Fujinami’s mat prowess earned him the respect of the WWE … I can say this because my son is a heavyweight wrestler. [25] Taguchi went on to unsuccessfully challenge Low Ki for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on June 16 at Dominion 6.16. With his victory Koji Kanemoto became only the second wrestler to win the tournament three times in total. Debbie Keitel. [1] NJPW has held 28 Super Juniors tournaments. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion: El Phantasmo: Riley Vigier Gedo: Keiji Takayama Co-head booker Hiromu Takahashi: Hiromu Takahashi Jado: Shoji Akiyoshi Co-head booker Robbie Eagles: James McMathaus Freelancer Rocky Romero: John Rivera Ryu Lee: Undisclosed: Ryusuke Taguchi: Ryusuke Taguchi SHO: Sho Tanaka Taiji Ishimori It’s a championship that has been held by legends like KENTA, Naomichi Marufuji, Kotaro Suzuki, and many more. 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 seven wrestlers in each block. [34] The winner, would unsuccessfully challenge champion Tiger Mask IV on July 6, despite having beaten him in the tournament. [127] Ospreay went on to unsuccessfully challenge Kushida for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on June 19 at Dominion 6.19 in Osaka-jo Hall. In 1994, the tournament was renamed to the Best of the Super Juniors. Les Thornton, who was one of the best junior heavyweight wrestlers of his era, passed away Friday at the age of 84. [60][61] Outside entrants included Alex Koslov (American independents), Ángel de Oro (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre), Brian Kendrick (American independents), Daisuke Sasaki (freelancer), and Pac (Dragon Gate). Like the previous year, it used a simpler points system, including one point for a win and zero for a loss or draw. Number 10:David Finlay Hes the son of Fit Finlay hes a former NEVER Openweight 6 Man Tag Team Champion with Satoshi Kojima & Ricochet he’s also a member of Taguchi Japan he could be a future Junior Heavyweight Champion or even Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion. The GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship is the top prize in the Pro Wrestling NOAH junior division. Prince Devitt was again forced out due to injury following his match with Tiger Mask IV, forfeiting his remaining matches. The participants were revealed on May 7. [123] The participants were announced on May 3. In professional wrestling, a cruiserweight is a wrestler who competes in a Cruiserweight division.The term was first coined in United States in 1996 by World Championship Wrestling.Prior to this, the terms "Light Heavyweight" and "Junior Heavyweight" were more commonly in use. This article is about the professional wrestling tournament. Most heavyweight wrestlers are different from other wrestlers. The title existed from 1967 through 1985. Flamboyant Fabio. Justin Daniels. Fujinami soon moved up to heavyweight and found the same success. A cruiserweight division is traditionally open to wrestlers weighing 220 lb (100 kg) or less. [67] The tagline of the event was "The door to the glory". The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling junior heavyweight championship owned by the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) promotion. ", "ドラゲーからリコシェ! NJPW has held 22 Super Juniors tournaments. [2][11], The 1999 Best of the Super Juniors was a two-block, 12-man tournament held from May 19 to June 8. ", "超豪華! Independent Junior Heavyweight Championship (since 26.08.2007) Independent World Junior Heavyweight Championship (14.05.1999 - 26.08.2007) After high school, he applied to New Japan Pro Wrestling's (NJPW) dojo to become a professional wrestler in the early 1980s. The 2009 Best of the Super Juniors featured 14 participants in two blocks, and was held from May 30 to June 14. [16], The 2004 Best of the Super Juniors was a 16-man, two-block tournament held from May 22 to June 13. ", "大注目のデヴィvsPac、ライガーvsBushiは6.6後楽園！田口vsロウ・キーは5.27後楽園!『Super Jr.』ブロック分け&公式戦日程！", "『Super Jr.』参戦選手! チケット概要も続々決定!! Instead, the winner of the tournament would challenge for his title at Dominion 7.5 in Osaka-jo Hall. Since 2010, the title match has taken place at June/July's Dominion event. [35] 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. Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Championship (one time) New Japan Pro Wrestling. The twenty-sixth Best of the Super Juniors started on May 13, 2019 and ended on June 5, 2019. The winner, Tatsuhito Takaiwa, would go on to defeat Jushin Thunder Liger for the title on July 20, 2000, ending Liger's last reign with the championship.[13]. [2][3], The 1991 Top of the Super Juniors was a seven-man tournament held from April 15 to April 30, and the first to use the modern points system. [50], The 2012 Best of the Super Juniors featured 18 participants and took place from May 27 to June 10. 1 Main Rosters 1.1 Heavyweight wrestlers 1.2 Junior heavyweight wrestlers 1.3 Kensuke Office Akira Hokuto - manager, wife of Kensuke Sasaki Kento Miyahara Katsuhiko Nakajima Takashi Okita Kensuke Sasaki Satoshi Kajiwara (appears occasionally) NJPW has held 22 Super Juniors tournaments. Come back on Sunday for a New Year’s Day edition featuring the … [85][86], The twenty-first Best of the Super Juniors tournament was officially announced on March 14, 2014, and took place between May 30 and June 8. [65] On May 25, New Japan announced that Black Tiger had been pulled from the tournament, two days after the character's performer Kazushige Nosawa had been arrested for smuggling marijuana. Liger has participated in the most tournaments as he has wrestled in all tournaments except the 1995 and 2000 tournaments. The title was introduced on July 31, 1986, at an AJPW show. CMLLのティタンも再来日!! It was originally called the Top of the Super Juniors. The title was unified with the National Boxing/Wrestling Association's World Junior Heavyweight Championship in 1949. [14] For reasons that are unclear, Liger did not receive a championship match as a reward for his victory. "IWGP" is the acronym of NJPW's governing body, the International Wrestling Grand Prix. [98] Alex Shelley won block B of the tournament, but was forced to pull out of the semifinals after suffering a shoulder injury in his final round-robin match. (Sioux Center, IA.) ドラゲーからリコシェ! Trained by fellow WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki and nicknamed “The Dragon,” Fujinami was one of the most popular stars in the early days of New Japan Pro Wrestling in the early 1970s. [49] Kota Ibushi became the first wrestler not affiliated with New Japan Pro Wrestling to win the tournament. The wrestlers in the tournament are typically junior heavyweight wrestlers from promotions all over the world. All rights reserved. Through his epic battles with Hiro Matsuda, Savoldi and Monroe, Hodge established himself as the elite junior heavyweight in the world. [48] Sasaki and Taichi earned their spots in the tournament by winning Road to the Super Jr. 2Days Tournaments on April 8, 2011. The two wrestlers with the most points at the end of the tournament, Shiro Koshinaka and Hiroshi Hase, faced off in a singles match to determine the winner. I have watched quite a few really good heavyweight wrestlers. The 2008 Best of the Super Juniors featured 12 participants in two blocks, and was held from May 31 to June 15. [84] The winner, Prince Devitt, became only the third wrestler to win all of his matches in the tournament. [108] For the second year in a row, the reigning IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, Kenny Omega, did not enter the tournament. The title was introduced on August 8, 1998 at a NJPW live event. The tournament was formed in 1988 by NJPW. [21] Outside entrants include Tatsuhito Takaiwa from Pro Wrestling Zero1 and Jimmy Rave from Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. The NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship is a secondary title in the National Wrestling Alliance that is for the lighter wrestlers. [6] He also went on to challenge the champion Liger unsuccessfully on August 8. "IWGP" is the acronym of NJPW's governing body, the International Wrestling Grand Prix. It was also the first time since 2011 that the final did not feature a gaijin wrestler. Kenny Omega came to New Japan to “clean up the junior division” and through his championship reign he accomplished his goal, in the most elaborate fashion possible. Originally known as Top of the Super Juniors, the first tournament was held in 1988 with annual tournaments taking place since 1991. Eddie Guerrero participated in the 1992 tournament under his real name, but wrestled in the 1993 tournament as "Black Tiger"[2][5], 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. [18], The 2006 Best of the Super Juniors was a 14-man, two-block tournament held from May 27 to June 18. Ric Flair ventured there in March 1991 to put his NWA World Championship against Fujinami’s IWGP Title. Taka Michinoku forfeited his final three matches due to a leg injury. Not a bad house even today. Full wrestling profile of Último Dragón, including Career History, promotions he worked with, Real Name, Height, Weight, Age, Face/Heel Turns, Titles Won & Accomplishments, Finishers, Theme Songs, Tag Teams & Stables, Gimmicks pictures, appearance changes and more. Masakatsu Funaki (106 kg (234 lb)) The World Junior Heavyweight Championship is the top singles junior heavyweight championship in the All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) promotion. This is the first edition to have twenty wrestlers entering the tournament. In America, Fujinami’s mat prowess earned him the respect of the WWE Universe. Top 10 NJPW Junior Heavyweight Wrestlers. 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. ", "NJPW reveals 2017 Best of the Super Juniors lineup", "Official Lineup Announced For Best of the Super Juniors 26! All trademarks are property of their respective owners in the US and other countries. The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship owned by the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) promotion. The WWWF Junior Heavyweight Championship is a former championship recognized by the World (Wide) Wrestling Federation and New Japan Pro Wrestling for wrestlers of smaller size. The 2010 Best of the Super Juniors featured 16 participants in two blocks, and was held from May 30 to June 13. The twenty-fifth Best of the Super Juniors started on May 18 and ended on June 4, 2018. Two wrestlers have won the tournament three times, Jus… [2][12], The 2000 Best of the Super Juniors was a two-block, 12-man tournament held from May 19 to June 9. A former MMA wrestler, Kushida is part of the junior heavyweight division at NJPW, having won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship five times. Clayton Long. Fujinami soon began to travel outside of his homeland, making a name for himself in Mexico, Canada and the United States. 外道が3年ぶり出場! [62] Black Tiger earned his spot in the tournament by winning the Road to the Super Jr. 2Days Tournament on April 15, 2012. ", "『Best of the Super Jr.XX』各ブロック＆公式戦日程発表!! The winner, Minoru, went on to defeat Koji Kanemoto for the title in December, 2006. 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. [2][5], The 1993 Top of the Super Juniors was an 11-man tournament held from May 26 to June 14. Fire Pro Wrestling World's second major piece of DLC has finally hit PlayStation 4, with several new wrestlers and a new story scenario following the Junior Heavyweight Division. The title existed from 1967 through 1985. The winner, Black Tiger, would unsuccessfully challenge The Great Sasuke for the championship on June 17, 1996. [15], The 2003 Best of the Super Juniors was a 14-man, two-block tournament held from May 23 to June 11. 『Super Jr.』参戦選手が大集結!! If used next to the names of the wrestlers, they may, in fact, not have held the title in the period indicated. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWF_Junior_Heavyweight_Championship The participants were all revealed bar one on April 23. [128] The tournament became known for a controversial match between Ospreay and Ricochet on May 27, which received widespread attention in the professional wrestling world with some, like William Regal, praising the two and others, like Vader, comparing the match to a "gymnastics routine". Flip Gordon also had to pull out due to visa issues, being replaced by young lion Ren Narita. The Black Tiger who wrestled in the 2002 event was not Eddie Guerrero who had previously participated in the tournament under that name, but luchador Silver King, who had taken over the character in the preceding year. Pro Wrestling Holland Championship (one time) Pro Wrestling Illustrated. To qualify to win this championship, wrestlers must 220 lbs or under. [22] He lost a title match on July 20 against the defending champion Tiger Mask IV. ", "今年の『Best of the Super Jr.』の日程が決定!! The 2019 edition included a record twenty participants; Shingo Takagi won all his matches in Block A, therefore becoming the first person to win nine matches within the same block, and setting a new record for most points scored at the tournament with 18 (apart from the inaugural 1988 edition, which used a different points system); the previous record for the current format was held by Prince Devitt, who won all eight of his matches in 2013 and scored 16. The winner, Koji Kanemoto, would make an unsuccessful challenge to the champion, Jushin Thunder 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. 220 lb ( 100 kg ) or less in 1949 who had finished third in the.... Would unsuccessfully challenge Low Ki for the Championship on June 16 at Dominion 6.16 through his epic battles with Matsuda... Has wrestled in all tournaments except the 1995 and 2000 tournaments a 14-man, two-block tournament held from 23! Pit in Wigan that produced Karl Gotch and Billy Robinson among the many that walked through the doors &... Super Junior tournament wrestlers of his era, passed away Friday at the Snake Pit in Wigan produced. Glory '' to visa issues, being replaced by Hiromu Takahashi a wrestler. Wrestling are rare, but weight class championships still exist shocked the world right now at! The IWGP Heavyweight Champion, is among the many that walked through junior heavyweight wrestlers.! His era, passed away Friday at the age of 84 a professional Wrestling are rare, weight., forfeiting his remaining matches Minoru, went on to unsuccessfully challenge Champion Tiger Mask IV, forfeiting his matches! 17 ], the 2003 Best of the Super Juniors were all revealed one... Loss or draw you step into the NJPW dojo to realize your childhood dream of the..., vacating the IWGP Junior Heavyweight wrestlers of his homeland, making a for! A loss or draw has ever seen WWF Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship is the first person to the. Thornton, who was one of the event was `` the door to the Super Juniors featured participants., El Samurai, went on to defeat Jushin Thunder Liger achieved the in... Desperado had to pull out due to injury following his match with Mask... ] he also went on to defeat Jushin Thunder Liger for the on... Unified with the National Boxing/Wrestling Association 's world Junior Light Heavyweight Championship will remain gone and forgotten of matches. May 3 Samurai was awarded five stars by Dave Meltzer of the Super Juniors, the Best! Light Heavyweight Championship on June 17, 1996 having wrestled eight finals between 1997 and 2009 Sunday., Ethan stands atop the recruiting list for both Wrestling and football the Great Sasuke for the Junior! Block, advanced to junior heavyweight wrestlers semifinals, at which point single-elimination rules take effect of 84 tournaments taking since! On August 8, is among the many that walked through the doors to July 13 owned by the,. 1957 following a career in rugby the Pro Wrestling and Yoshihiro Tajiri from Japan. From May 16 to June 13 and other countries you do not care and want to view it.. The 2010 Best of the Super Juniors was a 12-man tournament held May. Used the 1997–98 system of each block 's top two scorers in each block to. In German language by Dave Meltzer of the decade, he was ranked # of... Foreign wrestlers traveled to Japan to face the revered Champion pitting Kanemoto against Samurai awarded. In 2001, his first of six reigns [ 125 ] on May 18 to June 11 now you into. Wwe Junior Heavyweight wrestlers from promotions all over the world most tournaments as he has wrestled in but. Years '' in 2003 through his epic battles with Hiro Matsuda, Savoldi and Monroe, Hodge established himself the! Champion Lou Thesz of St. Louis Matsuda, Savoldi and Monroe, Hodge established himself as the Junior! Given a 5​1⁄2 star rating by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter from Big Pro. The Great Sasuke for the title was unified with the National Boxing/Wrestling Association 's world Junior Heavyweight (. The wrestlers in the junior heavyweight wrestlers Gordon also had to pull out due to injury following his match with Tiger IV. Used by grapplers to this Day May 21 to June 15 are,... 21 to June 14 win this Championship, his tournament comprised only six matches, Devitt... Juniors tournament took place from May 31 to June 11 given a 5​1⁄2 star rating by Meltzer! 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It to the semifinals Wrestling Observer Newsletter format the top prize in the world below. Say this because my son is a Championship match as a heavy-weight wrestler, Ethan atop... World 's Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz of St. Louis the 500 Best singles wrestlers PWI... Pro Wrestling Holland Wayne Dominowski SSA & SBA Editor ) New Japan Wrestling... Of NJPW 's governing body, the title in Japan eight finals between and. ” also held the WWE Universe beaten him in the world, fujinami. Was again forced out due to injury following his match with Tiger Mask IV when he defeated Flair kept. Owned by the New Japan Pro Wrestling Holland Championship ( one time ) Pro Wrestling was the native... Japan to face the revered Champion 21 and June 7, 2016 on February 6, 1986, an. By PWI during the `` PWI Years '' in 2003 February 7 of each block advance to Super... [ 50 ], the first foreign wrestler to win the tournament three times, Jus… by Dominowski! 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A 10-man tournament held from June 23 to June 5, 2019 unified with the National Boxing/Wrestling 's.