Mike Bailey wins NJPW All Star Junior Festival tournament, calls out Hiromu Takahashi

  • Ian Carey
  • By 

“Speedball” Mike Bailey has been granted a shot at Hiromu Takahashi’s IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. 

Bailey won a four-wrestler single elimination tournament Saturday at the NJPW All Star Junior Festival USA show at Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena by defeating Francesco Akira in the first round and Kevin Knight in the finals. 

Following his victory, Bailey called out Takahashi, who he will team with on Sunday at Impact x NJPW Multiverse United 2 against Trey Miguel & Lio Rush. Bailey said he’s excited to team with Takahashi, but would also like a future shot at at the IWGP Junior title. Takahashi accepted his challenge. 

A date and venue for the match has yet to be announced. 

All Star Junior Festival USA 2023 results:

  • Goldy defeated Vinny Pacifico
  • YOH & Matt Sydal defeated BUSHI & Shun Skywalker
  • ASJF tournament first round match: Kevin Knight defeated Clark Connors
  • ASJF tournament first round match: Mike Bailey defeated Francesco Akira
  • Rich Swann, The DKC, & Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Real1, Starboy Charlie, & Jack Cartwheel
  • Alex Shelley, Chris Bey, Kosei Fujita, & Robbie Eagles defeated Ace Austin, Cheeseburger, TJP, & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Soberano Jr. defeated KC Navarro, Fugaz, Lio Rush, and Dragon Kid in a five way match
  • Mao & El Desperado defeated Jordan Oliver & Nick Wayne
  • DOUKI & Low Rider defeated Hiromu Takahashi & Rocky Romero, and Master Wato & Blake Christian in a three-way tag match for Pat’s King of Steaks Philly Cheesesteak Cup
  • ASJF tournament finals: Mike Bailey defeated Kevin Knight

Impact x NJPW Multiverse United 2 lineup for August 20:

  • Impact World Champion Alex Shelley defends against Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Giulia defends against Deonna Purrazzo, Gisele Shaw and Momo Kohgo in a four-way
  • Lio Rush & Trey Miguel vs. Hiromu Takahashi & Mike Bailey
  • DOUKI vs. Sami Callihan
  • Zack Sabre Jr. & Shane Haste vs. Moose & Eddie Edwards
  • Chris Sabin vs. Frankie Kazarian vs. Rich Swann vs. Kevin Knight vs. BUSHI vs. Mao vs. El Desperado in a seven-way scramble
  • Bullet Club (David Finlay, Clark Connors, Alex Coughlin, KENTA, Chris Bey & Ace Austin) vs. The World (Josh Alexander, PCO, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, El Phantasmo & The DKC)
  • TJP & Francesco Akira vs. Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita
  • Pre-show: Impact Digital Media Champion Kenny King defends against Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Pre-show: Joe Hendry, Yuya Uemura & Heath vs. Rocky Romero, Master Wato & Ryusuke Taguchi