The Best of the Super Jr, The Super J Cup, Cruiserweight Classic (Pro Wrestling's Juniors Tournaments)
By James Corley
@TigerMask81 (91)
Lubbock, Texas
August 1, 2016 11:14pm CST
As I sit here watching a DVD, Prince Devitt: The Real Rock ‘n’ Rolla, that I downloaded back in 2013 or 2014 and watching one match in particular, Devitt vs PAC from New Japan’s Best of the Super Jr XIX, I got to thinking.
Ever since I got in to tape treading and was introduced to the world of Puroresu (Japanese Pro Wrestling) there where two tournaments I all ways looked forward to. The Super J Cup and The Best of the Super Jr.
A little history of the Super J Cup and The Best of the Super Jr.
The Super J Cup has been hosted by four different companies. The first J Cup was held by New Japan back in 1994 and won by Wild Pegasus (Chris Benoit). The next year Wrestle Association R hosted the J Cup and was won by Jushin “Thunder” Liger. Five years later in 2000 Michinoku Pro Wrestling hosted the tournament that saw Liger win again. Then in 2004 Osaka Pro Wrestling got there chance to host the J Cup that saw Naomichi Marufuji win the tournament. Naomichi Marufuji turned around five years later and won the 2009 J Cup that was hosted by New Japan Pro Wrestling. After a seven year break the J Cup has returned and for a third time is being hosted by New Japan. As of this posting the 2016 Super J Cup is in the second round with four matches before the Semifinals.
Now The Best of the Super Jr is a tournament like the J Cup but hosted by New Japan. This tournament started in Top of the Super Juniors back in 1988. Three years past until we saw another TOSJ tournament. Starting in 1991 the TOSJ became a yearly event. Then in 1994 New Japan changed the name of the tournament from Top of the Super Juniors to Best of the Super Jr. For 25 years now New Japan has ran there Super Juniors tournament a long side the Super J Cup.
Both tournaments show case the best Junior weight wrestlers from around the world.
For years I never thought I would see any thing close to the J Cup/Super Jr style tournament in the US, not counting any indy feds running a juniors style tournament..I am talking about in the WWF/WWE, WCW or ECW.
Now with the WWE Network and thanks the Paul Levesque interested in a lot of indy talent we have the WWE’s version of the Super J Cup/Best of the Super Jr tournament with the Cruiserweight Classic.
I am jacked up to sit down on my next day off and marathon through the first three episodes of the CWC. I hope my boy Zack Sabre Jr. wins it.
I really hope this gets a good reaction because I would like to see the WWE run the CWC as a yearly deal along side the J Cup (if it makes a come back) and the Best of the Super Jr.
So any wrestling fans on here watching the Cruiserweight Classic and what are your thoughts on the WWE’s take on the Juniors style tournament? Who are you hoping wins?
2 people like this
3 responses
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
2 Aug 16
First time I've heard about these tournaments. You sound like an expert talking about it. Of all the names you've mentioned, I'm only familiar with Chris Benoit.
Looking forward to the Cruiserweight Division in Raw. Heard that it will be exclusive to that brand already. Can't wait to see all the wrestlers in action.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
3 Aug 16
@TigerMask81 thanks for the recommendations. I'll check those links soon.
1 person likes this
@TigerMask81 (91)
• Lubbock, Texas
3 Aug 16
@allen0187 No worries. I have a passion for this sport. I get more enjoyment out of opening other fans eyes or opening the door for other fans to see that there is a world of wrestling out side of the WWE. I don't look down at some one because they just know of the WWE, even tho there are some people that do look down at fans of just the WWE. If you watch those two matches and decide to look for more stuff from New Japan Pro Wrestling cool, I did my job, if not that's cool too.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
9 Aug 16
@TigerMask81 I'm getting into Evolve and ROH recently. I think these other promotions should be supported as well. It is a shame that WWE gets the bulk of support even though there are other note-worthy wrestling promotions around.
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32746)
• Calgary, Alberta
22 Aug 16
I am rooting for Kota Ibushi and TJ Perkins to win the cruiserweight classic, It has nothing to them being Asian and me being Asian, I root for them because they were damn good. I hope many of the guys who competed will get a contract.
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32746)
• Calgary, Alberta
24 Aug 16
@TigerMask81 Ibushi looks more Marketable than Nakamura but Yeah he still have unfinished business in Japan. Ibushi is a very talented wrestler, He uploaded a video of him wrestling a dummy and managed to sell moves like he is fighting a real person.
I think Kana might do Well on Smackdown because they treat women better. I mean All Smacdown women are on TV and no one have the jobber treatment. Raw women mistreats Alicia Fox and Summer Rae.
Nakamura, He is taller than John Cena but he looks short for some reason, His wrestling is impressive but we know Vince Mcmahon favors looks over Talent. Nakamura needs to Bulk up or he will end up like Yoshitatsu.
1 person likes this
@TigerMask81 (91)
• Lubbock, Texas
24 Aug 16
@CaptAlbertWhisker I think Perkins will get signed regardless if he wins or not. I want to see Ibushi get singed but I remember reading some where that he wants to keep working in Japan. So unless they give him some sort of deal that lets him work in Japan and NXT I don't see him getting signed right away.
I think a few of the guys in the Cruiserweight Classic will get signed tho. I think the Bollywood Boyz ( Gurv and Harv Sihra ) should get singed since the WWE has been trying to brake in to the India market.
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
2 Aug 16
Geez that's a lot. And to think I used to watch Wahoo McDaniels on TV on Saturday mornings when he was wrestling in high school gyms. It sure has come a long way.
1 person likes this
