NJPW Best of the Super Juniors

The NJPW Best of the Super Juniors is a men's pro wrestling tournament held periodically by New Japan Pro Wrestling.

The competition was established on January 4, 1988, and the first edition was won by Shiro Koshinaka , while the last edition took place on June 9, 2024 and was won by El Desperado .

This is a tournament for junior heavyweight wrestlers (under the weight limit of 220 lbs, 100 kg). The winner earns a shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (if not already the reigning champion).

On this page, you can find the full list of all the NJPW Best of the Super Juniors winners in history, along with dates, events, locations and statistics.

NJPW Best of the Super Juniors: Info

Promotion New Japan Pro Wrestling
Gender Male
Tournament Type Round Robin
Date Established January 4, 1988
Notes This is a tournament for junior heavyweight wrestlers (under the weight limit of 220 lbs, 100 kg). The winner earns a shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (if not already the reigning champion).

NJPW Best of the Super Juniors: List of Winners

N.	Image	Winner
35		El Desperado 1 June 9, 2024 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall (2024) - Best of the Super Jr. 31 Finals 7 days Successfully used the shot at New Japan Soul 2024 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion SHO.
34		Master Wato 1 May 28, 2023 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. 30 Finals 7 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Dominion 6.4 in Osaka-Jo Hall against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi.
33		Hiromu Takahashi 4 June 3, 2022 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. 29 Finals 18 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at New Japan Road 2022 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori.
32		Hiromu Takahashi 3 December 15, 2021 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. 28 & World Tag League 2021 Finals 20 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Wrestle Kingdom 16 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado.
31		Hiromu Takahashi 2 December 11, 2020 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW World Tag League 2020 & Best of the Super Jr. 27 Finals 25 days Successfully used the shot at Wrestle Kingdom 15 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori.
30		Will Ospreay 2 June 5, 2019 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. 26 Finals 4 days Successfully used the shot at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Dragon Lee.
29		Hiromu Takahashi 1 June 4, 2018 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. 25 Finals 5 days Successfully used the shot at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay.
28		Kushida 2 June 7, 2017 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. 24 Finals 4 days Successfully used the shot at Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi.
27		Will Ospreay 1 June 7, 2016 Sendai, Miyagi, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XXIII Finals 12 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Dominion 6.19 in Osaka-jo Hall against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion KUSHIDA.
26		Kushida 1 June 7, 2015 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XXII Finals 28 days Successfully used the shot at Dominion 7.5 in Osaka-jo Hall against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega.
25		Ricochet 1 June 8, 2014 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XXI Finals 13 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Dominion 6.21 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Kota Ibushi.
24		Prince Devitt 2 June 9, 2013 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XX Finals 0 days Prince Devitt was already against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion when he won the tournament, so he didn't get the shot.
23		Ryusuke Taguchi 1 June 10, 2012 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XIX Finals 6 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Dominion 6.16 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Low KI.
22		Kota Ibushi 1 June 10, 2011 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XVIII Finals 8 days Successfully used the shot at Dominion 6.18 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Prince Devitt.
21		Prince Devitt 1 June 13, 2010 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XVII Finals 6 days Successfully used the shot at Dominion 6.19 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Naomichi Marufuji.
20		Koji Kanemoto 3 June 14, 2009 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XVI Finals 36 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Circuit2009 New Japan Soul against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Tiger Mask (IV).
19		Wataru Inoue 1 June 15, 2008 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XV Finals 0 days Wataru Inoue was already against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion when he won the tournament, so he didn't get the shot.
18		Milano Collection A.T. 1 June 17, 2007 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Circuit2007 Best of the Super Jr. XIV Finals 0 days This edition didn't grant an IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship shot.
17		Minoru 1 June 18, 2006 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XIII Finals 113 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Circuit2006 Explosion against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Koji Kanemoto.
16		Tiger Mask (IV) 2 June 19, 2005 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XII Finals 0 days Tiger Mask was already the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion when he won the tournament, so he didn't get the shot.
15		Tiger Mask (IV) 1 June 13, 2004 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XI Finals 36 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Summer Struggle 2004 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Heat.
14		Masahito Kakihara 1 June 11, 2003 Kyoto, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. X Finals 27 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Summer Struggle 2003 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Tiger Mask (IV).
13		Koji Kanemoto 2 June 5, 2002 Osaka, Japan \| 205 Live 44 days Successfully used the shot at Summer Fight Series 2002 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Minoru Tanaka.
12		Jushin "Thunder" Liger 3 June 4, 2001 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. VIII Finals 0 days This edition didn't grant an IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship shot.
11		Tatsuhito Takaiwa 1 June 9, 2000 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. VII Finals 41 days Successfully used the shot at Summer Struggle 2000 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Jushin "Thunder" Liger.
10		Kendo Kashin 1 June 8, 1999 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. VI Finals 81 days Successfully used the shot at GIngu Climax - Battle of Last Summer against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Koji Kanemoto.
9		Koji Kanemoto 1 June 3, 1998 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. V Finals 42 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Summer Struggle 1998 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Jushin "Thunder" Liger.
8		El Samurai 1 June 5, 1997 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. IV Finals 31 days Successfully used the shot at Summer Struggle 1997 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Jushin "Thunder" Liger.
7		Eddy Guerrero 1 June 12, 1996 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. III Finals 5 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Skydiving J against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion The Great Sasuke.
6		Chris Benoit 2 July 13, 1995 Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. II Finals 74 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at G1 Climax Special 1995 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Koji Kanemoto.
5		Jushin "Thunder" Liger 2 June 13, 1994 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. I Finals 11118+ days Jushin "Thunder" Liger was already against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion when he won the tournament, so he didn't get the shot.
4		Chris Benoit 1 June 14, 1993 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Explosion Tour 1993 - Top of the Super Jr. IV Finals 55 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at G1 Climax 1993 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Jushin "Thunder" Liger.
3		Jushin "Thunder" Liger 1 April 30, 1992 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Explosion Tour 1992 - Top of the Super Jr. III Finals 0 days Jushin "Thunder" Liger was already against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion when he won the tournament, so he didn't get the shot.
2		Norio Honaga 1 April 30, 1991 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Explosion Tour 1991 - Top of the Super Jr. II Finals 0 days This edition was directly for the vacant IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.
1		Shiro Koshinaka 1 February 7, 1988 Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan \| NJPW New Year Golden Series 1988: Top of the Super Juniors I Finals 41 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Big Fight Series 1988 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Hase.

NJPW Best of the Super Juniors: Names & Logos History

- NJPW Best of the Super Juniors March 14, 2014
- NJPW Best of the Super Juniors May 31, 2008 March 13, 2014
- NJPW Best of the Super Juniors May 26, 1994 May 30, 2008
- NJPW Top of the Super Juniors January 4, 1988 May 25, 1994

NJPW Best of the Super Juniors: Statistics & Records

Most Victories

Rank	Wrestler	Wins	Year
	Hiromu Takahashi	4	2018, 2020, 2021, 2022
	Jushin "Thunder" Liger	3	1992, 1994, 2001
	Koji Kanemoto	3	1998, 2002, 2009
	Chris Benoit	2	1993, 1995
	Tiger Mask (IV)	2	2004, 2005
6	Kushida	2	2015, 2017
7	Will Ospreay	2	2016, 2019
8	Prince Devitt	2	2010, 2013

N.	Image	Winner
35		El Desperado 1 June 9, 2024 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall (2024) - Best of the Super Jr. 31 Finals 7 days Successfully used the shot at New Japan Soul 2024 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion SHO.
34		Master Wato 1 May 28, 2023 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. 30 Finals 7 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Dominion 6.4 in Osaka-Jo Hall against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi.
33		Hiromu Takahashi 4 June 3, 2022 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. 29 Finals 18 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at New Japan Road 2022 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori.
32		Hiromu Takahashi 3 December 15, 2021 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. 28 & World Tag League 2021 Finals 20 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Wrestle Kingdom 16 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado.
31		Hiromu Takahashi 2 December 11, 2020 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW World Tag League 2020 & Best of the Super Jr. 27 Finals 25 days Successfully used the shot at Wrestle Kingdom 15 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori.
30		Will Ospreay 2 June 5, 2019 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. 26 Finals 4 days Successfully used the shot at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Dragon Lee.
29		Hiromu Takahashi 1 June 4, 2018 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. 25 Finals 5 days Successfully used the shot at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay.
28		Kushida 2 June 7, 2017 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. 24 Finals 4 days Successfully used the shot at Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi.
27		Will Ospreay 1 June 7, 2016 Sendai, Miyagi, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XXIII Finals 12 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Dominion 6.19 in Osaka-jo Hall against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion KUSHIDA.
26		Kushida 1 June 7, 2015 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XXII Finals 28 days Successfully used the shot at Dominion 7.5 in Osaka-jo Hall against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega.
25		Ricochet 1 June 8, 2014 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XXI Finals 13 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Dominion 6.21 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Kota Ibushi.
24		Prince Devitt 2 June 9, 2013 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XX Finals 0 days Prince Devitt was already against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion when he won the tournament, so he didn't get the shot.
23		Ryusuke Taguchi 1 June 10, 2012 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XIX Finals 6 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Dominion 6.16 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Low KI.
22		Kota Ibushi 1 June 10, 2011 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XVIII Finals 8 days Successfully used the shot at Dominion 6.18 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Prince Devitt.
21		Prince Devitt 1 June 13, 2010 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XVII Finals 6 days Successfully used the shot at Dominion 6.19 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Naomichi Marufuji.
20		Koji Kanemoto 3 June 14, 2009 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XVI Finals 36 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Circuit2009 New Japan Soul against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Tiger Mask (IV).
19		Wataru Inoue 1 June 15, 2008 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XV Finals 0 days Wataru Inoue was already against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion when he won the tournament, so he didn't get the shot.
18		Milano Collection A.T. 1 June 17, 2007 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Circuit2007 Best of the Super Jr. XIV Finals 0 days This edition didn't grant an IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship shot.
17		Minoru 1 June 18, 2006 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XIII Finals 113 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Circuit2006 Explosion against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Koji Kanemoto.
16		Tiger Mask (IV) 2 June 19, 2005 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XII Finals 0 days Tiger Mask was already the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion when he won the tournament, so he didn't get the shot.
15		Tiger Mask (IV) 1 June 13, 2004 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. XI Finals 36 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Summer Struggle 2004 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Heat.
14		Masahito Kakihara 1 June 11, 2003 Kyoto, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. X Finals 27 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Summer Struggle 2003 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Tiger Mask (IV).
13		Koji Kanemoto 2 June 5, 2002 Osaka, Japan \| 205 Live 44 days Successfully used the shot at Summer Fight Series 2002 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Minoru Tanaka.
12		Jushin "Thunder" Liger 3 June 4, 2001 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. VIII Finals 0 days This edition didn't grant an IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship shot.
11		Tatsuhito Takaiwa 1 June 9, 2000 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. VII Finals 41 days Successfully used the shot at Summer Struggle 2000 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Jushin "Thunder" Liger.
10		Kendo Kashin 1 June 8, 1999 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. VI Finals 81 days Successfully used the shot at GIngu Climax - Battle of Last Summer against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Koji Kanemoto.
9		Koji Kanemoto 1 June 3, 1998 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. V Finals 42 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Summer Struggle 1998 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Jushin "Thunder" Liger.
8		El Samurai 1 June 5, 1997 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. IV Finals 31 days Successfully used the shot at Summer Struggle 1997 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Jushin "Thunder" Liger.
7		Eddy Guerrero 1 June 12, 1996 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. III Finals 5 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Skydiving J against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion The Great Sasuke.
6		Chris Benoit 2 July 13, 1995 Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. II Finals 74 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at G1 Climax Special 1995 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Koji Kanemoto.
5		Jushin "Thunder" Liger 2 June 13, 1994 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Best of the Super Jr. I Finals 11118+ days Jushin "Thunder" Liger was already against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion when he won the tournament, so he didn't get the shot.
4		Chris Benoit 1 June 14, 1993 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Explosion Tour 1993 - Top of the Super Jr. IV Finals 55 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at G1 Climax 1993 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Jushin "Thunder" Liger.
3		Jushin "Thunder" Liger 1 April 30, 1992 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Explosion Tour 1992 - Top of the Super Jr. III Finals 0 days Jushin "Thunder" Liger was already against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion when he won the tournament, so he didn't get the shot.
2		Norio Honaga 1 April 30, 1991 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Explosion Tour 1991 - Top of the Super Jr. II Finals 0 days This edition was directly for the vacant IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.
1		Shiro Koshinaka 1 February 7, 1988 Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan \| NJPW New Year Golden Series 1988: Top of the Super Juniors I Finals 41 days Unsuccessfully used the shot at Big Fight Series 1988 against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Hase.

NJPW Best of the Super Juniors: Info

NJPW Best of the Super Juniors: List of Winners

El Desperado 1

Master Wato 1

Hiromu Takahashi 4

Hiromu Takahashi 3

Hiromu Takahashi 2

Will Ospreay 2

Hiromu Takahashi 1

Kushida 2

Will Ospreay 1

Kushida 1

Ricochet 1

Prince Devitt 2

Ryusuke Taguchi 1

Kota Ibushi 1

Prince Devitt 1

Koji Kanemoto 3

Wataru Inoue 1

Milano Collection A.T. 1

Minoru 1

Tiger Mask (IV) 2

Tiger Mask (IV) 1

Masahito Kakihara 1

Koji Kanemoto 2

Jushin "Thunder" Liger 3

Tatsuhito Takaiwa 1

Kendo Kashin 1

Koji Kanemoto 1

El Samurai 1

Eddy Guerrero 1

Chris Benoit 2

Jushin "Thunder" Liger 2

Chris Benoit 1

Jushin "Thunder" Liger 1

Norio Honaga 1

Shiro Koshinaka 1

NJPW Best of the Super Juniors: Names & Logos History

NJPW Best of the Super Juniors: Statistics & Records

Most Victories