00:01Learned how to drive.
00:04Hey, look, Tanahashi's there.
00:13How's your water? Are you hydrated?
00:15We're going to need it.
00:20They need some time to take a breath before they get to the ring here.
00:27Sitting in the pre-show, Master Watto.
00:29He's still quietly brilliant during this tour.
00:34And he's picked up those wins and wins.
00:38His only loss is to El Desperado and Yo.
00:45And it sort of snuck up, I think, on everyone.
00:48Well, hey, Master Watto, for all that talk of wanting to open up new doors for Junior Airways in the
00:54future,
00:55he just might do it.
00:56And he's made the Final Four.
00:59And it's all come about after that difficult debut during the pandemic to now be at the position
01:05where he has the crowd finally behind him.
01:07Watto Mania finally running wild.
01:09And he could well be best in Super Junior Fed.
01:19Stats courtesy of our pal Chris Sampson.
01:21Be Chris Sampson on Twitter, sportoforwrestling.com.
01:23With a 7-2 record in this year's tournament, Master Watto has now reached 500 all-time.
01:28in BOSJ matches, 19-19.
01:34Dwarfing the best of Super Junior match record of one Mike Bailey, although Bailey with 7 wins.
01:43has a great winning percentage, but boy, oh boy, that's the only avenue that Master Watto has an experience edge,
01:54quote-unquote, against that man right there.
01:56Yeah, talk about Dwarfing.
01:57Mike Bailey's singles match record over the last 365 days, 73-48.
02:05This is his 122nd match in the last year.
02:10Master Watto's career record singles since 2016 as a young lion is 40-71-11.
02:18This is his 123rd singles match ever.
02:24Now, I know what you doubters would say.
02:25That's because he has all these singles matches because nobody likes Mike Bailey and nobody wants a team.
02:32That's not good.
02:33You can't dislike a smile like that.
02:35You can't.
02:36And he's as genuine a guy.
02:38I didn't really know him before this.
02:39I love him.
02:40I can't wait until we get to hang out some more.
02:43He's brilliant.
02:44He's fun.
02:45He's got a great personality and sense of humor.
02:47He's an encyclopedia of wrestling.
02:50A physical marvel.
02:52A by far win or lose, I think, tournament MVP sewn up when it comes to Mike Bailey.
03:01The semifinal, this is the B-Block runner-up, right?
03:12Yeah, B-Block runner-up.
03:14Master Watto is his A-Block number one.
03:15A-Block winner, yes.
03:16Mike Bailey, first time we've had a single, uh, semifinals, rather, since 2014.
03:26All right, the bell sounds, and here we go.
03:30One fall to a finish.
03:33We've got no time limits here, so they don't have to worry about the 30 minutes on the clock.
03:52We've got no time limits here, so they don't have to worry about the 30 minutes on the clock.
04:01We've got no time limits.
04:01All right.
04:02Let's do it.
04:05Daily competing in Japan for a number of years in the DDT promotion.
04:10Teaming with Mao.
04:12L'Union Express, Vastuato, product of the New Japan Dojo system.
04:19Coming to the dojo, fresh out of high school,
04:21and almost got caught with that kick.
04:25That's one of those things Vastuato has been proud of his kicks himself
04:29and obviously trains a lot.
04:31Striking trainer was Kodo Idushi.
04:36But, ah, this might be the story.
04:41Do not do this.
04:42Speaking of his training partner in that match he had with Tai Chi three years ago.
04:47Mike Bailey grew up in wanting, you know, Taekwondo.
04:51Yeah, exactly.
04:52A fourth down black belt.
04:54So there's a big difference between someone who likes to strike
04:58and someone who's a master at it.
05:02Pardon the pun.
05:04Su-tenkake?
05:06No.
05:12So Bailey will tumble out to the floor after the dropkick.
05:21And it's, you know, it's like the Ice Cube deal.
05:23I've messed around and got a triple-double.
05:25All of a sudden, Master Vastuato, who more than once, it's,
05:29no, what are you doing?
05:31Oh, it all worked out.
05:32It's kind of the story of his career.
05:35But he's also, you know, found a grounding, and I think,
05:38and he's starting to put things together.
05:41He's turned, that Su-tenkake German managed to really,
05:46whoa, and now Vendorval keeping Bailey in place.
05:49Got that in nice and tight.
05:54And then he right to the ropes.
05:55They're able to turn that Su-tenkake German
05:57into a very, very effective finisher.
06:02And, you know, but let's also remember, too,
06:05let's look at the physical.
06:07Master Vastuato, one of the bigger junior heavyweights.
06:11And perhaps it's just the difference in strength
06:14for that tremendous German suplex
06:16or how he's been able to force submissions with Vendorval.
06:22I'm not so sure that the how and the why,
06:26that process has happened yet with Master Vastuato,
06:29but again, TJP, others have said,
06:31oh, it'll come, he'll get there.
06:33Come on!
06:37Oh!
06:40Sucks.
06:41That sucks so bad.
06:43You know you're going to get kicked in the head,
06:45you just don't know when.
06:46I think the fans here in Yoyogi know what's coming, too.
06:50So does Vastuato.
06:52Oh, it doesn't make a difference.
06:53No, he's wise enough to drive him down.
06:57And now, hang on, Bailey will look to Su-tenkake.
07:00Oh, an isoteles triangle.
07:05Vastuato flattened by trigonometry.
07:10And Mike Bailey
07:12loving the reception for this crowd in Yoyogi.
07:16And he's also gone a long way.
07:22And you listen to him and you hear him in his native French or
07:25and he dabbles in Japanese.
07:28Didn't learn English until he was 13.
07:30One, two, three, four.
07:35And I just find him to be a very, very special athlete
07:40who finally is getting an opportunity at this big stage.
07:44And look out.
07:45Oh, baby.
07:47Through the arm of Vastuato.
07:50Yeah, I mean, yeah, I made that distinction before.
07:53It's very much like Rob Van Damme,
07:55almost like at about the same age of getting a breakthrough in a major.
08:01Around about the same point in time,
08:03same point in his career,
08:04and people then tying on.
08:06Oh, Rob Van Damme was this great guy in Japan for wrestling as well.
08:09Oh, well, that's amazing.
08:23And you go back and you can see
08:25the variety of talent of Mike Bailey
08:29in just two matches this tournament,
08:31as different as you can get.
08:33The match against Kushida,
08:35the match against Lio Rush.
08:37Here's a cover two and a kick out.
08:40And then the match here against Vastuato
08:42is much more physical and straightforward.
08:48That's a guy winning to pay the bills right now.
08:55As soon as people's time has come,
08:57is not letting Vastuato get a word in edgeways.
09:00It's a hot start for Master Vastuato,
09:03but being cooled off distinctly.
09:11Vastuato was certainly boiling hot back on January the 4th, Chris.
09:15Looked like he was going to become the champion then.
09:17Yeah, it looked like he was going to be right there.
09:19And then Hiromu stuck his oar in.
09:23He just stuck his oar in there.
09:25right upside the jaw of Master Vastuato.
09:29And you can see the lights flicker,
09:32if not expire entirely.
09:39Oh, baby.
09:40Well, it's a blowout here in our first semifinal.
09:44Okay, not yet.
09:45But Mike Bailey is walking the dog on Master Vastuato
09:49in semifinal number one.
09:51Winner here advances to Sunday's finale
09:55against either El Desperado or Teton.
10:20The first great guy is Mike Bailey is, I'm sure.
10:25So many of the junior heavyweights...
10:30Mike Bailey might have the Vader effect.
10:33So you get backstage and you see where you position on the card and you upset Mike Bailey
10:37and then start to say a prayer and think maybe it's time to go home.
10:41Everything hurts so bad!
10:45.
10:53Sous-titrage Société Radio-Canada
11:16...strike earlier, Chris, on the floor.
11:19Yeah.
11:20Bailey closed that distance from the back of the building and ran and kicked Watto right in the arm.
11:24That's what's killing Master Watto right now.
11:26Yeah, but I think right there, there was a little bit of a change-up for Watto.
11:30You saw him go for the waist and think, can I hoist him for the German?
11:34No, I can't.
11:34I'll go for that neckbreaker instead.
11:37That was smart by Watto.
11:38That wouldn't be something he did this time last year.
11:47But, again, the balance is thrown off because of the pain in his arm, and it affects the timing of
11:54everything.
12:00Oh, got that flush.
12:03Able to get all the way around and deliver.
12:05Yes, indeed.
12:07And you see the footprints.
12:09Look at that.
12:10You can see the outlines of his toes in the welts of the back.
12:14I've never seen that before.
12:17Sometimes you see those handprints from chops, but barefoot Mike Bailey.
12:27It's running just everything.
12:29Oh, you can start rethinking your career choices when you opposite a guy like Mike Bailey.
12:34Wait a minute.
12:35Oh, he can't do it.
12:37He can't do it.
12:38He's going to try it.
12:40That's the Watto from last year.
12:42Oh, he's going to try it.
13:09I think it was the bulldog earlier on, that facepalm.
13:13True.
13:14Dropped him right on the face.
13:16You can be a top-tier physical specimen, a hell of an athlete, but you can't train your face.
13:25And those eyes will still be watering for Mike Bailey.
13:30Not making too much of a difference.
13:32Watto desperately trying to hang on.
13:39And no time limit here in our semifinals.
13:46It's been a tremendous tournament for both men.
13:51The Mike 14 wins between Master Watto and Mike Bailey.
13:55Bailey, Bailey's patience pays off there.
13:57And again.
13:58Oh, no.
14:00No, no, no, no.
14:03Wants him on.
14:05Oh, no.
14:06Right back onto his feet.
14:14Oh, if Watto releases that grip, it's over.
14:17And he does.
14:18Wants him up.
14:19Stack.
14:24Sits down right there, too.
14:26Wait a second.
14:27Roll up.
14:29Oh, bend the ball.
14:30Bend the ball.
14:31Don't assume, Marty.
14:44What a transition back to that arm.
14:48But Watto, to his credit, sticking to Sitte Gakker.
14:57All that worked on the left arm, too.
15:03Oh!
15:05Watto again, bend the ball.
15:15In a match that's been 80% Mike Bailey.
15:18Yeah, but the grip on the arm, Kevin, the grip on the arm is fading there.
15:23Watto tried to readjust.
15:25Bailey almost got free.
15:30It's a majority length hold, but the clasp of the hands is critical.
15:35And the ailing left arm making that difficult.
15:39And Bailey able to rock that momentum all the way for a rope break.
15:56Come on, my guy.
15:58Walk it, walk it, walk it.
16:00Walk it.
16:02Walk it.
16:03Walk it.
16:03Walk it.
16:04Walk it.
16:05Hey, hey.
16:10Come on, man, come on.
16:16Roy!
16:18Oh, Sia.
16:24Here it comes.
16:25If it comes, it's over.
16:28Walk it.
16:29Watto blocks.
16:31But Bailey's got the answer.
16:34Uh-oh, wait a minute.
16:35Racita mente.
16:36Racita mente.
16:38Goes.
16:39Almost three.
16:43C'est parti, c'est parti.
17:45Don't let Pride get in the way of the best decision you could make,
17:48and that's to get back inside the ring.
17:50Yeah.
17:52No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
17:54That would be the worst thing you could do.
17:55Oh, this is gonna suck.
17:58Gives up the Navarro roll and delivers us.
18:15Oh!
18:19Oh!
18:24Oh!
18:26Oh!
18:27Oh!
18:28Oh!
18:28Oh!
18:34Oh!
18:34Oh!
18:35Oh!
18:36Oh!
18:37Oh!
18:49Oh!
19:05Oh!
19:05Oh!
19:07Oh!
19:07Oh!
19:07Oh!
19:07Oh!
19:08Oh!
19:11Oh!
19:15Oh!
19:22Oh!
19:24Oh!
19:33Il est venu à l'armin, il ne peut pas.
19:36Il n'est pas encore à l'armin, il n'est pas encore à la main.
19:38Ça a été le histoire pour tant dans ce tournoi.
19:44Un petit à l'arm, maintenant deux à l'arm.
19:53Mardi Asami, je ne vais pas penser à arrêter cette fois.
19:56Parce que c'est only going to get real bad.
19:58Oh!
19:59Comment an answer!
20:00How does he do this?
20:04Kineke!
20:05Yes!
20:07One, two, three!
20:08Oh!
20:13Sente Kakejaru!
20:34He's in the finals at Best of the Super Junior 30.
20:49And so close, so close, people, Mike Bailey.
20:57Making the finals of the most prestigious Junior Heavyweight Tournament in the world.
21:06He has absolutely shown the world his fighting style, his grace, his athleticism, his will to win, his toughness.
21:18Speedball Mike Bailey was awesome all tournament long.
21:22We talk about a toughness and a will to win.
21:26Master Watto, that arm just practically dangling.
21:31The punishment he absorbed in this match to kick out, not only kick out of Ultimate Weapon,
21:37but to come back and land that Sente Kakejaru, unreal.
21:44Master Watto, I mean at times he was a meme the last couple of years.
21:49Yes!
21:49And now he's in the finals of Best of the Super Juniors.
22:02So the runner up in B Block defeats the top seed in the A Block.
22:16That's where this great semifinal format comes back and immediately pays dividends.
22:22Have a good weekend.
22:23Wow!
22:24We are there.
22:31We are there.
Commentaires