New IWGP Junior champion crowned at NJPW Castle Attack

El Desperado won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title tonight for the first time on the second night of NJPW Castle Attack in Osaka-jo Hall.

Desperado pinned El Phantasmo in a match that also featured BUSHI. The finish had BUSHI being taken out by ELP’s loaded boot. Desperado then got the better of ELP, pinning him after two Pinche Locos (angel’s wings).

This marks the first Junior title win for El Desperado. He also won the IWGP Junior Tag Team titles with Yoshinobu Kanemaru on February 25, winning that championship for the third time.

The match at tonight’s Castle Attack event was originally set to be a singles match between Hiromu Takahashi and El Phantasmo. However, Takahashi had to vacate the Junior title after tearing his left pectoral muscle, putting him out of action for the next six months. When vacating the title, Takahashi asked BUSHI to take his place. The match was later announced as a three-way, also including Desperado.