Best of the Super Juniors

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.[1] 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.

History and format

The tournament was formed in 1988 by NJPW. It was originally called the Top of the Super Juniors.[1] The tournament is a round-robin style tournament where a wrestler scores points.[1] 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.

Tournament winners

Tournament Year Winner Total won Reference
TOSJ 1988 1988 Shiro Koshinaka 1 [2][3]
TOSJ 1991 1991 Norio Honaga 1 [2][4]
TOSJ 1992 1992 Jushin Liger 1 [2][5]
TOSJ 1993 1993 Pegasus Kid 1 [2][6]
BOSJ I 1994 Jushin Liger 2 [2][7]
BOSJ II 1995 Wild Pegasus 2 [2][8]
BOSJ III 1996 Black Tiger II 1 [2][9]
BOSJ IV 1997 El Samurai 1 [2][10]
BOSJ V 1998 Koji Kanemoto 1 [2][11]
BOSJ VI 1999 Kendo Kashin 1 [2][12]
BOSJ VII 2000 Tatsuhito Takaiwa 1 [13]
BOSJ VIII 2001 Jushin Liger 3 [14]
BOSJ IX 2002 Koji Kanemoto 2 [15]
BOSJ X 2003 Masahito Kakihara 1 [16]
BOSJ XI 2004 Tiger Mask IV 1 [17]
BOSJ XII 2005 Tiger Mask IV 2 [18]
BOSJ XIII 2006 Minoru 1 [19]
BOSJ XIV 2007 Milano Collection AT 1 [20]
BOSJ XV 2008 Wataru Inoue 1 [21]
BOSJ XVI 2009 Koji Kanemoto 3 [22]
BOSJ XVII 2010 Prince Devitt 1 [23]
BOSJ XVIII 2011 Kota Ibushi 1 [24]

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 Koshinaka 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.[2][3]

Final standings
Wrestler Score
Shiro Koshinaka 41
Hiroshi Hase 41
Nobuhiko Takada 40
Owen Hart 39
Kazuo Yamazaki 38
Keiichi Yamada 31
Kuniaki Kobayashi 24
Hiro Saito 24
Tony St. Clair 14
Tatsutoshi Goto 9
Masakatsu Funaki 8
Norio Honaga 0
  Final
1  Shiro Koshinaka Pin
2  Hiroshi Hase 16:43

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 Liger, 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.[2][4]

Final standings
Wrestler Score
Norio Honaga 8
Jushin Liger 8
Pegasus Kid 8
Negro Casas 8
Owen Hart 6
David Finlay 4
Flyin' Scorpio 0
  Semifinals Final
                 
1  Norio Honaga Pin  
3  Pegasus Kid  
    1  Norio Honaga Pin
  2  Jushin Liger 21:54
2  Jushin Liger Pin
4  Negro Casas  

1992

The 1992 Top of the Super Juniors was a 9-man tournament, held from April 16 to April 30. The winner, Jushin Liger, became the first man to win the tournament while holding the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.[2][5]

Final standings
Wrestler Score
El Samurai 14
Jushin Liger 12
Norio Honaga 12
Negro Casas 10
Pegasus Kid 10
David Finlay 6
Eddie Guerrero 4
Flyin' Scorpio 2
Koji Kanemoto 2
  Semifinal     Final
                 
    1  El Samurai Pin
  2  Jushin Liger Pin     2  Jushin Liger 21:15
  3  Norio Honaga  

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 Liger 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.[6] 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"[2][5]

Final standings
Wrestler Score
Pegasus Kid 14
El Samurai 12
Dean Malenko 12
Flyin' Scorpio 12
Black Tiger II 12
Jushin Liger 12
David Finlay 10
Norio Honaga 10
Lightning Kid 8
Shinjiro Otani 4
Masao Orihara 4
  Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
                           
   
   N/A  
     N/A  
 
     
    1  Pegasus Kid Pin
  2  El Samurai 18:44
  5  Black Tiger II Sub  
3  Dean Malenko  
3  Dean Malenko Pin
    2  El Samurai  
4  Flyin' Scorpio Pin
  2  El Samurai  

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.[2][7]

Final standings
Wrestler Score
Jushin Liger 14
Super Delfin 14
El Samurai 12
Wild Pegasus 12
Black Tiger II 12
Dean Malenko 12
Shinjiro Otani 10
Tokimitsu Ishizawa 8
David Finlay 8
TAKA Michinoku 4
Masayoshi Motegi 2
  Final
1  Jushin Liger Pin
2  Super Delfin 18:29

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 gaijin ("Foreigner") to do so until Prince Devitt won the tournament in 2010.[2][8] Like in 1993 Pegasus failed in his championship challenge, this time against Koji Kanemoto on September 25, 1995.

Final standings
Wrestler Score
Wild Pegasus 10
Shinjiro Otani 10
Black Tiger II 10
Koji Kanemoto 10
Dean Malenko 8
Gran Hamada 8
Brian Pillman 8
El Samurai 8
Alex Wright 8
Norio Honaga 4
  Semifinals Final
                 
1  Wild Pegasus Pin  
3  Black Tiger II 16:37  
    1  Wild Pegasus Pin
  2  Shinjiro Otani 19:16
2  Shinjiro Otani Pin
4  Koji Kanemoto 15:24  

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 Tiger, would unsuccessfully challenge The Great Sasuke for the championship on June 17, 1996.Note that some tournament scores for lower-ranked wrestlers are unknown.[2][9]

Final standings
Block A Block B
El Samurai 10 Black Tiger II 10
Wild Pegasus 10 Jushin Liger 8
Tatsuhito Takaiwa 8 Shinjiro Otani 6
Franz Schumann  ? Dean Malenko 6
Emilio Charles, Jr.  ? Norio Honaga  ?
Mr. J.L.  ? Tokimitsu Ishizawa 4
Koji Kanemoto  ? Villaño IV  ?
  Semifinals Final
                 
A1  El Samurai Pin  
B2  Jushin Liger 15:11  
    B2  Jushin Liger Pin
  B1  Black Tiger II 18:44
B1  Black Tiger II Pin
A2  Wild Pegasus 20:17  

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 Liger for the championship on July 6.[2][10]

Final standings
Block A Block B
Koji Kanemoto 5 El Samurai 5
Jushin Liger 4 Shinjiro Otani 4
Tatsuhito Takaiwa 4 Chris Jericho 4
Gran Naniwa 3 Hanzo Nakajima 3
Dr. Wagner, Jr. 2 Yoshihiro Tajiri 3
Doc Dean 2 Scorpio, Jr. 1
Chavo Guerrero, Jr. 1 Robbie Brookside 1
Block A Dean Guerrero Kanemoto Liger Naniwa Takaiwa Wagner
Dean X Dean (16:04) Kanemoto (10:27) Dean (11:51) Naniwa (12:29) Takaiwa (11:36) Wagner (7:29)
Guerrero Dean (16:04) X Kanemoto (15:12) Liger (10:20) Guerrero (11:05) Takaiwa (12:14) Wagner (11:13)
Kanemoto Kan. (10:27) Kan. (15:12) X Kan. (16:32) Kan. (14:53) Takaiwa (18:09) Kan. (12:11)
Liger Dean (11:51) Liger (10:20) Kanemoto (16:32) X Liger (16:32) Liger (15:53) Liger (12:59)
Naniwa Naniwa (12:29) Guerrero (11:05) Kanemoto (14:53) Liger (16:32) X Naniwa (15:41) Naniwa (12:39)
Takaiwa Takaiwa (11:36) Takaiwa (12:14) Takaiwa (18:09) Liger (15:53) Naniwa (15:41) X Takaiwa (9:53)
Wagner Wagner (7:29) Wagner (11:13) Kanemoto (12:11) Liger (12:59) Naniwa (12:39) Takaiwa (9:53) X
Block B Brookside Jericho Nakajima Otani El Samurai Scorpio Tajiri
Brookside X Brookside (13:43) Nakajima (12:23) Otani (15:31) Samurai (11:32) Scorpio (10:07) Tajiri (11:34)
Jericho 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 (10:07) Jericho (11:16) Nakajima (8:05) Otani (7:55) Samurai (9:00) X Tajiri (9:16)
Tajiri Tajiri (11:34) Jericho (13:36) Nakajima (9:18) Tajiri (11:44) Samurai (13:42) Tajiri (9:16) X
  Final
A1  Koji Kanemoto Pin
B1  El Samurai 23:51

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 Kanemoto, 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.[2][11]

Final standings
Block A Block B
Dr. Wagner, Jr. 4 Koji Kanemoto 4
Jushin Liger 3 Shiryu 3
El Samurai 3 Kendo Kashin 3
Shinjiro Otani 2 El Felino 2
Tatsuhito Takaiwa 2 Nanjyo Hayato 2
Masakazu Fukuda 1 Yuji Yasuraoka 1
  Final
A1  Dr. Wagner, Jr. Pin
B1  Koji Kanemoto 26:17

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 Kashin, 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.[2][12]

Final standings
Block A Block B
Koji Kanemoto 8 Kendo Kashin 8
Gran Hamada 6 Shinjiro Otani 7
Jushin Liger 6 El Samurai 5
Masaaki Mochizuki 4 Dr. Wagner, Jr. 4
Tatsuhito Takaiwa 4 Minoru Tanaka 4
Super Shocker 2 Masao Orihara 2
Block A Gran Hamada Koji Kanemoto Jushin Liger Masaaki Mochizuki Super Shocker Tatsuhito Takaiwa
Gran Hamada X Kanemoto (15:46) Hamada (10:08) Hamada (10:47) Hamada (10:17) Takaiwa (12:32)
Koji Kanemoto Kanemoto (15:46) X Liger (20:29) Kanemoto (9:40) Kanemoto (10:19) Kanemoto (13:29)
Jushin Liger Hamada (10:08) Liger (20:29) X Liger (11:13) Liger (13:59) Takaiwa (17:47)
Masaaki Mochizuki 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 Takaiwa (12:32) Kanemoto (13:29) Takaiwa (17:47) Mochizuki (13:11) Shocker (13:50) X
Block B Kendo Kashin Masao Orihara Shinjiro Otani El Samurai Minoru Tanaka Dr. Wagner, Jr.
Kendo Kashin 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. Kashin (8:58) Wagner (10:08) Otani (11:19) Samurai (11:42) Wagner (10:09) X
  Final
A1  Koji Kanemoto Sub
B1  Kendo Kashin 13:15

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 Takaiwa, would go on to defeat Jushin Liger for the title on July 20, 2000 ending Liger's last reign with the championship so far.[13]

Final standings
Block A Block B
Tatsuhito Takaiwa 8 Shinjiro Otani 10
Gran Hamada 6 Minoru Tanaka 6
Koji Kanemoto 6 Kendo Kashin 6
El Samurai 4 Katsumi Usuda 4
Dr. Wagner, Jr. 4 Kid Romeo 2
Shinya Makabe 2 Minoru Fujita 2
Block A Gran Hamada Koji Kanemoto Shinya Makabe El Samurai Tatsuhito Takaiwa Dr. Wagner, Jr.
Gran Hamada X Hamada (13:00) Hamada (8:37) Hamada (8:16) Takaiwa (6:39) Wagner (10:24)
Koji Kanemoto 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 Takaiwa (6:39) Kanemoto (14:04) Takaiwa (11:11) Takaiwa (9:34) X Takaiwa (13:06)
Dr. Wagner, Jr. Wagner (10:24) Wagner (10:30) Makabe (12:38) Samurai (13:51) Takaiwa (13:06) X
Block B Minoru Fujita Kendo Kashin Kid Romeo Shinjiro Otani Minoru Tanaka Katsumi Usuda
Minoru Fujita X Kashin (5:56) Romeo (6:06) Otani (9:16) Tanaka (11:20) Fujita (10:08)
Kendo Kashin Kashin (5:56) X Kashin (4:51) Otani (9:59) Tanaka (9:10) Kashin (8:30)
Kid Romeo 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
  Final
A1  Tatsuhito Takaiwa Pin
B1  Shinjiro Otani 18:35

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 Liger became both the first person to win the tournament three times, and the first to not lose a single match during the tournament.[14] For reasons that are unclear, Liger did not receive a championship match as a reward for his victory.

Final standings
Block A Block B
Jushin Liger 10 Minoru Tanaka 8
El Samurai 6 AKIRA 6
Silver King 6 Super Shocker 6
Chris Candido 4 Dr. Wagner, Jr. 6
Gran Naniwa 4 Shinya Makabe 4
Wataru Inoue 0 Katsuyori Shibata 0
Block A Chris Candido Wataru Inoue Jushin Liger Gran Naniwa El Samurai Silver King
Chris Candido X Candido (5:10) Liger (5:48) Candido (8:01) Samurai (4:53) King (7:40)
Wataru Inoue Candido (5:10) X Liger (13:56) Naniwa (10:48) Samurai (14:29) King (8:26)
Jushin Liger Liger (5:48) Liger (13:56) X Liger (14:05) Liger (13:26) Liger (12:32)
Gran Naniwa 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 Shinya Makabe Katsuyori Shibata Super Shocker Minoru Tanaka Dr. Wagner, Jr.
AKIRA 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 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. Wagner (11:38) Wagner (9:03) Wagner (9:28) Shocker (14:23) Tanaka (14:45) X
  Final
A1  Jushin Liger Pin
B1  Minoru Tanaka 26:12

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 Luchador Silver King who had taken over the character in the preceding year.[15]

Final standings
Block A Block B
Koji Kanemoto 4 Minoru Tanaka 4
Jushin Liger 4 El Samurai 4
Katsuyori Shibata 3 Gedo 3
Black Tiger III 3 Masayuki Naruse 3
Masahito Kakihara 3 AKIRA 3
Curry Man 2 Tiger Mask IV 3
Jado 1 Wataru Inoue 2
Block A B. Tiger Curry Jado Kakihara Kanemoto Liger Shibata
B. Tiger X Curry (8:46) Tiger (5:00) Tiger (8:20) Tiger (13:35) Liger (13:30) Shibata (8:20)
Curry Curry (8:46) X Jado (10:47) Kakihara (9:23) Kanemoto (10:50) Liger (12:58) Curry (7:14)
Jado 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 Tiger (13:35) Kanemoto (10:50) Kanemoto (12:06) Kakihara (12:28) X Kanemoto (17:17) Kanemoto (6:12)
Liger Liger (13:30) Liger (12:58) Draw (3:10) Liger (14:06) Kanemoto (17:17) X Liger (9:45)
Shibata Shibata (8:20) Curry (7:14) Shibata (Forf) Shibata (5:39) Kanemoto (6:12) Liger (9:45) X
Block B AKIRA Gedo Inoue Naruse Samurai Tanaka T. Mask
AKIRA X Gedo (11:12) AKIRA (7:47) Naruse (9:37) Samurai (11:48) AKIRA (16:13) AKIRA (10:36)
Gedo Gedo (11:12) X Inoue (11:19) Gedo (10:41) Samurai (13:25) Gedo (12:51) Tiger (14:49)
Inoue AKIRA (7:47) Inoue (11:19) X Naruse (10:23) Inoue (7:21) Tanaka (8:13) Tiger (8:16)
Naruse Naruse (9:37) Gedo (10:41) Naruse (10:23) X Samurai (9:19) Tanaka (12:14) Naruse (6:54)
Samurai 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 AKIRA (10:36) Tiger (14:49) Tiger (8:16) Naruse (6:54) Tiger (12:08) Tanaka (10:22) X
  Final
A1  Koji Kanemoto Pin
B1  Minoru Tanaka 14:12

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.[25] The winner, would unsuccessfully challenge champion Tiger Mask IV on July 6, despite having beaten him in the tournament.[16]

Final standings
Block A Block B
AKIRA 10 Koji Kanemoto 8
Takashi Sugiura 8 Masahito Kakihara 8
Jushin Liger 8 Tiger Mask IV 8
Minoru Fujita 8 Masayuki Naruse 6
Ebessan 4 Stampede Kid 4
Gedo 4 El Samurai 4
Ryusuke Taguchi 0 Jado 4
Block A AKIRA Ebessan Fujita Gedo Liger Sugiura Taguchi
AKIRA X AKIRA (8:24) Fujita (12:34) AKIRA (11:49) AKIRA (16:04) AKIRA (12:10) AKIRA (8:34)
Ebessan AKIRA (8:24) X Fujita (8:24) Ebessan (9:09) Liger (10:56) Sugiura (11:52) Ebessan (7:14)
Fujita Fujita (12:34) Fujita (8:24) X Fujita (11:41) Liger (11:27) Sugiura (11:27) Fujita (10:26)
Gedo AKIRA (11:49) Ebessan (9:09) Fujita (11:41) X Liger (14:09) Gedo (12:16) Gedo (8:39)
Liger AKIRA (16:04) Liger (10:56) Liger (11:27) Liger (14:09) X Sugiura (12:06) Liger (6:53)
Sugiura AKIRA (12:10) Sugiura (11:52) Sugiura (11:27) Gedo (12:16) Sugiura (12:06) X Sugiura (9:13)
Taguchi AKIRA (8:34) Ebessan (7:14) Fujita (10:26) Gedo (8:39) Liger (6:53) Sugiura (9:13) X
Block B Jado Kakihara Kanemoto Naruse Samurai Stampede Tiger
Jado 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 Jado (5:23) Kanemoto (11:07) X Kanemoto (10:56) Samurai (8:29) Kanemoto (8:50) Kanemoto (10:45)
Naruse Jado (7:38) Naruse (9:15) Kanemoto (10:56) X Naruse (9:07) Naruse (9:09) Tiger (10:05)
Samurai 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 (9:59) Kakihara (10:31) Kanemoto (10:45) Tiger (10:05) Tiger (12:09) Tiger (7:38) X
  Semifinals Final
                 
A1  AKIRA Sub  
B2  Masahito Kakihara 8:28  
    B2  Masahito Kakihara Pin
  B1  Koji Kanemoto 15:33
B1  Koji Kanemoto Sub
A2  Takashi Sugiura 12:48  

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 Dragon 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.[17]

Final standings
Block A Block B
Jushin Liger 9 Tiger Mask IV 12
American Dragon 9 Último Dragón 11
Masahito Kakihara 9 HEAT 10
Koji Kanemoto 7 Masayuki Naruse 10
El Samurai 7 Rocky Romero 7
Big Boss MA-G-MA 7 Garuda 3
Wataru Inoue 4 Katsuhiko Nakajima 2
Ryusuke Taguchi 4 Curry Man 1
Block A Dragon Inoue Kakihara Kanemoto Liger MA-G-MA Samurai Taguchi
Dragon X Dra. (12:34) Dra. (9:44) Dra. (11:51) Lig. (13:10) BBM (14:35) Dra. (12:58) Draw (20:00)
Inoue 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 Dra. (11:51) Ino. (11:44) Kak. (10:55) X Kan. (16:33) Draw (20:00) Kan. (13:58) Kan. (8:50)
Liger 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 BBM (14:35) BBM (11:16) Kak. (10:33) Draw (20:00) Lig. (7:07) X Sam. (11:56) BBM (8:48)
Samurai Dra. (12:58) Sam. (10:39) Sam. (9:50) Kan. (13:58) Lig. (14:08) Sam. (11:56) X Draw (20:00)
Taguchi 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 Dragón Garuda HEAT Nakajima Naruse Romero Tiger
Curry 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 Nak. (8:20) Dra. (9:07) Gar. (8:41) HEAT (11:26) X Nar. (1:41) Rom. (8:39) Tig. (7:11)
Naruse Nar. (Forf) Nar. (11:06) Nar. (11:06) HEAT (15:38) Nar. (1:41) X Nar. (8:41) Tig. (3:32)
Romero Rom. (Forf) Dra. (12:10) Rom. (9:55) Draw (20:00) Rom. (8:39) Nar. (8:41) X Tig. (13:14)
Tiger Tig. (Forf) Dra. (12:01) Tig. (10:42) Tig. (14:08) Tig. (7:11) Tig. (3:32) Tig. (13:14) X
  Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
                           
   
  A1  American Dragon Sub  
    A3  Koji Kanemoto 13:34  
B2  Último Dragón Pin
  A3  Koji Kanemoto 5:30  
    A3  Koji Kanemoto Pin
  B1  Tiger Mask IV 11:26
     
   
B1  Tiger Mask IV Pin
    B3  HEAT 15:14  
A2  Masahito Kakihara Sub
  B3  HEAT 12:52  

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 IV, 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.[18]

Final standings
Block A Block B
Minoru 8 Gedo 10
Koji Kanemoto 8 Tiger Mask IV 8
Hirooki Goto 6 Jushin Liger 8
El Samurai 6 Wataru Inoue 6
Masahito Kakihara 6 Black Tiger IV 4
Stampede Kid 4 Katsushi Takemura 4
Jado 4 Akiya Anzawa 2
Block A Goto Jado Kakihara Kanemoto Minoru Samurai Stampede
Goto X Jado (11:31) Goto (10:16) Kan. (11:28) Minoru (11:28) Goto (10:08) Goto (7:57)
Jado 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 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 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 Gedo Inoue Liger Takemura T. Mask
Anzawa X B. Tiger (6:13) Gedo (10:21) Anzawa (Forf) Liger (8:36) Takemura (7:46) T. Mask (5:34)
B. Tiger B. Tiger (6:13) X Gedo (Forf) Inoue (11:01) Liger (Forf) B. Tiger (6:46) T. Mask (Forf)
Gedo Gedo (10:21) Gedo (Forf) X Inoue (15:13) Gedo (17:24) Gedo (11:29) Gedo (11:25)
Inoue Anzawa (Forf) Inoue (11:01) Inoue (15:13) X Liger (16:50) Takemura (Forf) Inoue (11:53)
Liger 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 T. Mask (5:34) T. Mask (Forf) Gedo (11:25) Inoue (11:53) T. Mask (8:58) T. Mask (6:12) X
  Semifinals Final
                 
A1  Minoru Pin  
B2  Tiger Mask IV 12:03  
    B2  Tiger Mask IV Pin
  B1  Gedo 16:03
B1  Gedo Pin
A2  Koji Kanemoto 10:54  

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 Kanemoto for the title in December, 2006. This tournament marked the first time that neither block winner made it to the finals.[19]

Final standings
Block A Block B
Jushin Liger 10 Wataru Inoue 10
Minoru 8 Tiger Mask IV 8
El Samurai 7 Koji Kanemoto 7
Ryusuke Taguchi 7 Gedo 5
Jado 6 Black Tiger IV 4
Sangre Azteca 2 Hirooki Goto 4
Fuego 2 GENTARO 4
Block A Azteca Fuego Jado Liger Minoru Samurai Taguchi
Azteca 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 Jado (7:41) Jado (11:14) X Liger (15:19) Minoru (12:54) Draw (30:00) Draw (6:01)
Liger 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 Samurai (11:08) Samurai (9:51) Draw (30:00) Liger (12:16) Minoru (13:24) X Samurai (12:02)
Taguchi Taguchi (12:50) Taguchi (6:06) Draw (6:01) Taguchi (15:30) Minoru (19:18) Samurai (12:02) X
Block B B. Tiger Gedo GENTARO Goto Inoue Kanemoto T. Mask
B. Tiger X Gedo (10:59) B. Tiger (14:21) B. Tiger (12:04) Inoue (11:41) Kan. (16:35) T. Mask (9:36)
Gedo 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 B. Tiger (12:04) Goto (15:21) Goto (8:27) X Inoue (9:57) Kan. (9:49) T. Mask (10:58)
Inoue Inoue (11:41) Inoue (13:17) GENTARO (14:31) Inoue (9:57) X Inoue (16:46) Inoue (5:57)
Kanemoto Kan. (16:35) Draw (15:06) Kan. (12:18) Kan. (9:49) Inoue (16:46) X T. Mask (12:58)
T. Mask T. Mask (9:36) T. Mask (12:59) GENTARO (10:22) T. Mask (10:58) Inoue (5:57) T. Mask (12:58) X
  Semifinals Final
                 
A1  Jushin Liger Pin  
B2  Tiger Mask IV 10:27  
    B2  Tiger Mask IV Sub
  A2  Minoru 22:52
B1  Wataru Inoue Sub
A2  Minoru 18:42  

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 Devitt would be forced to withdraw from the tournament due to an injury, forfeiting all scheduled matches in the process.[20] 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.

Final standings
Block A Block B
Wataru Inoue 10 Ryusuke Taguchi 10
Milano Collection AT 8 Minoru 8
Tiger Mask IV 8 Koji Kanemoto 7
Jushin Liger 8 Gedo 5
Taichi Ishikari 4 BxB Hulk 4
Yujiro 4 El Samurai 4
Prince Devitt (Withdrew) 0 Tetsuya Naito 4
Block A Inoue Ishikari Liger Milano Devitt Tiger Yujiro
Inoue X Inoue (13:33) Liger (15:47) Inoue (14:22) Inoue (Forf) Inoue (11:36) Inoue (10:47)
Ishikari Inoue (13:33) X Liger (12:29) Milano (11:25) Ishikari (11:40) Tiger (8:59) Ishikari (10:41)
Liger 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 Inoue (11:36) Tiger (8:59) Tiger (14:08) Milano (11:23) Tiger (Forf) X Tiger (10:34)
Yujiro Inoue (10:47) Ishikari (10:41) Liger (11:19) Yujiro (10:35) Yujiro (Forf) Tiger (10:34) X
Block B Hulk Gedo Naito Kanemoto Minoru Samurai Taguchi
Hulk X Hulk (11:03) Hulk (11:10) Kanemoto (12:05) Minoru (11:52) Samurai (8:53) Taguchi (12:30)
Gedo Hulk (11:03) X Naito (9:29) Draw (15:50) Minoru (13:26) Gedo (14:13) Gedo (11:36)
Naito Hulk (11:10) Naito (9:29) X Kanemoto (10:16) Minoru (9:01) Naito (9:27) Taguchi (9:47)
Kanemoto 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 Samurai (8:53) Gedo (14:13) Naito (9:27) Samurai (16:19) Minoru (11:36) X Taguchi (10:26)
Taguchi Taguchi (12:30) Gedo (11:36) Taguchi (9:47) Taguchi (12:07) Taguchi (14:15) Taguchi (10:26) X
  Semifinals Final
                 
A1  Wataru Inoue Sub  
B2  Minoru 14:45  
    A1  Wataru Inoue Pin
  A2  Milano Collection AT 19:37
B1  Ryusuke Taguchi Pin
A2  Milano Collection AT 12:47  

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 Takaiwa 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.[21]

Block structure
Block A Block B
Ryusuke Taguchi 8 Tiger Mask IV 10
Wataru Inoue 8 Koji Kanemoto 6
Minoru 4 Jimmy Rave 6
Jushin Liger 4 Tetsuya Naito 4
Tatsuhito Takaiwa 4 AKIRA 4
Yujiro 2 Prince Devitt (Withdrew) 0
Block A Wataru Inoue Jushin Liger Minoru Ryusuke Taguchi Tatsuhito Takaiwa Yujiro
Wataru Inoue X Inoue (17:13) Inoue (19:14) Taguchi (17:44) Inoue (13:24) Inoue (11:19)
Jushin Liger 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 Taguchi (17:44) Taguchi (14:31) Taguchi (14:29) X Takaiwa (14:39) Taguchi (13:20)
Tatsuhito Takaiwa Inoue (13:24) Liger (14:49) Minoru (11:31) Takaiwa (14:39) X Takaiwa (10:47)
Yujiro Inoue (11:19) Liger (9:57) Yujiro (11:58) Taguchi (13:20) Takaiwa (10:47) X
Block B AKIRA Prince Devitt Koji Kanemoto Tetsuya Naito Jimmy Rave Tiger Mask IV
AKIRA X AKIRA (Forf) AKIRA (18:14) Naito (13:56) Rave (11:25) Tiger (10:22)
Prince Devitt AKIRA (Forf) X Kanemoto (Forf) Naito (Forf) Rave (Forf) Tiger (1:40)
Koji Kanemoto AKIRA (18:14) Kanemoto (Forf) X Kanemoto (10:43) Kanemoto (13:57) Tiger (10:16)
Tetsuya Naito Naito (13:56) Naito (Forf) Kanemoto (10:43) X Rave (8:01) Tiger (11:10)
Jimmy Rave Rave (11:25) Rave (Forf) Kanemoto (13:57) Rave (8:01) X Tiger (14:03)
Tiger Mask IV Tiger (10:22) Tiger (1:40) Tiger (10:16) Tiger (11:10) Tiger (14:03) X
  Semi-finals Finals
                 
A1  Ryusuke Taguchi Sub  
B2  Koji Kanemoto 9:22  
    B2  Koji Kanemoto Sub
  A2  Wataru Inoue 27:50
B1  Tiger Mask IV Pin
A2  Wataru Inoue 9:03  

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 Kanemoto became only the second wrestler to win the tournament three times in total.[22] He lost a title match on July 20 against the defending champion Tiger Mask IV.

Block structure
Block A Block B
Prince Devitt 8 Koji Kanemoto 8
Atsushi Aoki 8 Kota Ibushi 8
AKIRA 6 Jushin Liger 6
Jado 6 Ryusuke Taguchi 6
Milano Collection A.T. 6 Tsuyoshi Kikuchi 6
Tiger Mask IV 6 Taichi 4
Black Tiger V 2 YAMATO 4
Block A AKIRA Atsushi Aoki Black Tiger V Jado Milano Collection A.T. Prince Devitt Tiger Mask IV
AKIRA X Aoki (15:00) AKIRA (12:52) Jado (14:58) AKIRA (11:17) Devitt (9:53) AKIRA (10:05)
Atsushi Aoki Aoki (15:00) X Aoki (9:36) Aoki (10:00) Aoki (11:12) Devitt (11:16) T. Mask (10:27)
Black Tiger V AKIRA (12:52) Aoki (9:36) X Jado (11:26) Milano (10:29) Devitt (7:20) B. Tiger (3:51)
Jado 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 Devitt (9:53) Devitt (11:16) Devitt (7:20) Devitt (12:54) Milano (15:22) X T. Mask (11:19)
Tiger Mask IV 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 Koji Kanemoto Kota Ibushi Ryusuke Taguchi Taichi Tsuyoshi Kikuchi YAMATO
Jushin Liger X Kanemoto (17:27) Ibushi (16:35) Liger (10:08) Liger (11:11) Liger (8:30) YAMATO (3:38)
Koji Kanemoto 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 Liger (10:08) Kanemoto (17:11) Taguchi (10:13) X Taichi (10:01) Taguchi (11:31) Taguchi (13:17)
Taichi Liger (11:11) Kanemoto (12:05) Ibushi (11:59) Taichi (10:01) X Kikuchi (9:24) Taichi (9:31)
Tsuyoshi Kikuchi Liger (8:30) Kikuchi (9:18) Ibushi (9:56) Taguchi (11:31) Kikuchi (9:24) X Kikuchi (10:54)
YAMATO YAMATO (3:38) YAMATO (9:40) Ibushi (10:13) Taguchi (13:17) Taichi (9:31) Kikuchi (10:54) X
  Semi-finals Finals
                 
A1  Prince Devitt Pin  
B2  Kota Ibushi 8:14  
    B2  Prince Devitt Sub
  A2  Koji Kanemoto 19:55
B1  Koji Kanemoto Stop
A2  Atsushi Aoki 6:27  

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 Team), 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).[26] 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.[27] 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.[28] 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.[29]

Final standings
Block A Block B
Kota Ibushi 12 Taiji Ishimori 10
Prince Devitt 10 Ryusuke Taguchi 10
Davey Richards 10 AKIRA 8
Jushin Liger 8 Kenny Omega 8
KUSHIDA 8 Koji Kanemoto 8
La Sombra 6 Fujita Hayato (Withdrew) 6
Gedo 2 Tama Tonga 4
Tiger Mask IV (Withdrew) 0 Nobuo Yoshihashi 2
Block A Davey Richards Gedo Jushin Liger Kota Ibushi KUSHIDA La Sombra Prince Devitt Tiger Mask IV
Davey Richards X Richards (11:13)[30] Richards (09:14)[31] Ibushi (11:27)[32] Richards (11:13)[28] Richards (12:06)[33] Devitt (16:26)[34] Richards (Forfeit)[27]
Gedo Richards (11:13)[30] X Liger (11:27)[35] Ibushi (09:42)[36] KUSHIDA (10:09)[37] Sombra (11:25)[38] Devitt (12:13)[28] Gedo (Forfeit)[27]
Jushin Liger Richards (09:14)[31] Liger (11:27)[35] X Liger (13:35)[28] Liger (12:44)[34] Sombra (04:31)[32] Devitt (10:18)[33] Liger (Forfeit)[27]
Kota Ibushi Ibushi (11:27)[32] Ibushi (09:42)[36] Liger (13:35)[28] X Ibushi (12:03)[38] Ibushi (11:49)[35] Ibushi (10:59)[37] Ibushi (Forfeit)[27]
KUSHIDA Richards (11:13)[28] KUSHIDA (10:09)[37] Liger (12:44)[34] Ibushi (12:03)[38] X KUSHIDA (08:17)[36] KUSHIDA (07:15)[35] KUSHIDA (Forfeit)[27]
La Sombra Richards (12:06)[33] Sombra (11:25)[38] Sombra (04:31)[32] Ibushi (11:49)[35] KUSHIDA (08:17)[36] X Devitt (07:29)[31] La Sombra (10:33)[34]
Prince Devitt Devitt (16:26)[34] Devitt (12:13)[28] Devitt (10:18)[33] Ibushi (10:59)[37] KUSHIDA (07:15)[35] Devitt (07:29)[31] X Devitt (Forfeit)[27]
Tiger Mask IV Richards (Forfeit)[27] Gedo (Forfeit)[27] Liger (Forfeit)[27] Ibushi (Forfeit)[27] KUSHIDA (Forfeit)[27] La Sombra (10:33)[34] Devitt (Forfeit)[27] X
Block B AKIRA Fujita Hayato Kenny Omega Koji Kanemoto Nobuo Yoshihashi Ryusuke Taguchi Taiji Ishimori Tama Tonga
AKIRA X AKIRA (Forfeit)[28] AKIRA (11:26)[32] AKIRA (11:27)[30] Yoshihashi (12:45)[34] Taguchi (12:45)[31] AKIRA (09:17)[38] Tonga (10:22)[33]
Fujita Hayato AKIRA (Forfeit)[28] X Hayato (12:14)[30] Kanemoto (15:38)[34] Hayato (09:00)[35] Taguchi (Forfeit)[37] Ishimori (Foreit)[28] Hayato (09:12)[38]
Kenny Omega AKIRA (11:26)[32] Hayato (12:14)[30] X Omega (11:29)[35] Omega (14:30)[37] Omega (14:12)[38] Ishimori (09:54)[36] Omega (10:15)[28]
Koji Kanemoto AKIRA (11:27)[30] Kanemoto (15:38)[34] Omega (11:29)[35] X Kanemoto (13:01)[28] Taguchi (12:57)[32] Kanemoto (13:13)[37] Kanemoto (09:21)[36]
Nobuo Yoshihashi Yoshihashi (12:45)[34] Hayato (09:00)[35] Omega (14:30)[37] Kanemoto (13:01)[28] X Taguchi (10:45)[36] Ishimori (09:03)[33] Tonga (06:19)[30]
Ryusuke Taguchi Taguchi (12:45) Taguchi (Forfeit)[37] Omega (14:12)[38] Taguchi (12:57)[32] Taguchi (10:45)[36] X Ishimori (11:40)[34] Taguchi (07:41)[35]
Taiji Ishimori AKIRA (09:17)[38] Ishimori (Foreit)[28] Ishimori (09:54)[36] Kanemoto (13:13)[37] Ishimori (09:03)[33] Ishimori (11:40)[34] X Ishimori (07:55)[31]
Tama Tonga Tonga (10:22)[33] Hayato (09:12)[38] Omega (10:15)[28] Kanemoto (09:21)[36] Tonga (06:19)[30] Taguchi (07:41)[35] Ishimori (07:55)[31] X
  Semi-finals Finals
                 
A1  Kota Ibushi Pin  
B2  Ryusuke Taguchi 10:14[23]  
     Kota Ibushi Pin
   Prince Devitt 14:34[23]
B1  Taiji Ishimori Pin
A2  Prince Devitt 6:56[23]  

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 Team), 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).[39] Sasaki and Taichi earned their spots in the tournament by winning the Road to the Super Jr. 2days Tournament on April 8, 2011.[40] 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.[24] He went on to defeat Prince Devitt for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on June 18, 2011.[41]

Final standings
Block A Block B
Prince Devitt 14 Kota Ibushi 12
Davey Richards 12 Ryusuke Taguchi 10
Kenny Omega 10 Great Sasuke 10
Koji Kanemoto 8 KUSHIDA 10
Tiger Mask IV 8 TAKA Michinoku 8
Fujita Hayato 6 Máscara Dorada 8
TJP 6 Jushin Liger 8
Taichi 4 Gedo 4
Jado 4 Daisuke Sasaki 2
Block A Davey Richards Fujita Hayato Jado Kenny Omega Koji Kanemoto Prince Devitt Taichi Tiger Mask IV TJP
Davey Richards X Richards (10:03)[42] Richards (13:01)[43] Richards (9:55)[44] Richards (12:06)[45] Richards (13:18)[46] Richards (10:06)[47] Tiger (9:56)[48] TJP (9:51)[49]
Fujita Hayato Richards (10:03)[42] X Jado (7:11)[44] Omega (10:43)[50] Hayato (10:18)[46] Devitt (8:09)[48] Hayato (8:34)[43] Tiger (9:00)[47] Hayato (7:44)[45]
Jado Richards (13:01)[43] Jado (7:11)[44] X Jado (9:42)[45] Kanemoto (9:15)[47] Devitt (12:14)[42] Taichi (10:04)[49] Tiger (8:27)[50] TJP (12:07)[48]
Kenny Omega Richards (9:55)[44] Omega (10:43)[50] Jado (9:42)[45] X Omega (11:43)[43] Devitt (12:08)[49] Omega (8:59)[46] Omega (9:05)[42] Omega (8:20)[47]
Koji Kanemoto Richards (12:06)[45] Hayato (10:18)[46] Kanemoto (9:15)[47] Omega (11:43)[43] X Devitt (7:22)[44] Kanemoto (10:37)[48] Kanemoto (9:59)[49] Kanemoto (8:11)[50]
Prince Devitt Richards (13:18)[46] Devitt (8:09)[48] Devitt (12:14)[42] Devitt (12:08)[49] Devitt (7:22)[44] X Devitt (9:45)[50] Devitt (6:54)[45] Devitt (8:51)[43]
Taichi Richards (10:06)[47] Hayato (8:34)[43] Taichi (10:04)[49] Omega (8:59)[46] Kanemoto (10:37)[48] Devitt (9:45)[50] X Taichi (7:04)[44] TJP (8:29)[42]
Tiger Mask IV Tiger (9:56)[48] Tiger (9:00)[47] Tiger (8:27)[50] Omega (9:05)[42] Kanemoto (9:59)[49] Devitt (6:54)[45] Taichi (7:04)[44] X Tiger (8:06)[46]
TJP TJP (9:51)[49] Hayato (7:44)[45] TJP (12:07)[48] Omega (8:20)[47] Kanemoto (8:11)[50] Devitt (8:51)[43] TJP (8:29)[42] Tiger (8:06)[46] X
Block B Daisuke Sasaki Gedo Great Sasuke Jushin Liger Kota Ibushi KUSHIDA Máscara Dorada Ryusuke Taguchi TAKA Michinoku
Daisuke Sasaki X Sasaki (11:10)[48] Sasuke (4:05)[47] Liger (8:06)[50] Ibushi (10:39)[42] KUSHIDA (6:53)[46] Dorada (8:02)[49] Taguchi (7:18)[43] Michinoku (7:19)[45]
Gedo Sasaki (11:10)[48] X Gedo (9:09)[44] Liger (7:27)[47] Ibushi (10:10)[49] KUSHIDA (8:02)[42] Dorada (7:37)[45] Gedo (11:29)[50] Michinoku (10:01)[43]
Great Sasuke Sasuke (4:05)[47] Gedo (9:09)[44] X Sasuke (17:35)[43] Ibushi (11:46)[45] Sasuke (2:47)[50] Sasuke (4:28)[42] Taguchi (15:39)[48] Sasuke (9:57)[46]
Jushin Liger Liger (8:06)[50] Liger (7:27)[47] Sasuke (17:35)[43] X Ibushi (8:47)[44] Liger (10:45)[48] Dorada (3:18)[46] Liger (9:20)[49] Michinoku (8:57)[42]
Kota Ibushi Ibushi (10:39)[42] Ibushi (10:10)[49] Ibushi (11:46)[45] Ibushi (8:47)[44] X KUSHIDA (12:46)[43] Ibushi (7:28)[50] Taguchi (13:21)[46] Ibushi (9:40)[47]
KUSHIDA KUSHIDA (6:53)[46] KUSHIDA (8:02)[42] Sasuke (2:47)[50] Liger (10:45)[48] KUSHIDA (12:46)[43] X KUSHIDA (6:25)[44] Taguchi (10:14)[45] KUSHIDA (9:29)[49]
Máscara Dorada Dorada (8:02)[49] Dorada (7:37)[45] Sasuke (4:28)[42] Dorada (3:18)[46] Ibushi (7:28)[50] KUSHIDA (6:25)[44] X Dorada (7:02)[47] Michinoku (9:45)[48]
Ryusuke Taguchi Taguchi (7:18)[43] Gedo (11:29)[50] Taguchi (15:39)[48] Liger (9:20)[49] Taguchi (13:21)[46] Taguchi (10:14)[45] Dorada (7:02)[47] X Taguchi (9:26)[44]
TAKA Michinoku Michinoku (7:19)[45] Michinoku (10:01)[43] Sasuke (9:57)[46] Michinoku (8:57)[42] Ibushi (9:40)[47] KUSHIDA (9:29)[49] Michinoku (9:45)[48] Taguchi (9:26)[44] X
  Semi-finals Finals
                 
A1  Prince Devitt Pin  
B2  Ryusuke Taguchi 8:29[24]  
     Ryusuke Taguchi Pin
   Kota Ibushi 20:22[24]
B1  Kota Ibushi Pin
A2  Davey Richards 11:17[24]  

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External links