New Japan held a special Shingo Takagi 20th Anniversary event today, recognizing the man who started out as an unusual big man in Dragon Gate then became “The Dragon” after joining New Japan.
Today’s event was held at Aimesse Yamanashi in Yamanashi and can be watched on demand on New Japan World.
The announced paid attendance was 1672, a legit sellout.
Pre-show match: Masatora Yasuda vs. Daiki Nagai went to a 10 minute time limit draw.
Before the main card began, a ceremony was held where Shingo Takagi was recognized as an ambassador in his hometown of Chuo City.
Match 1: Francesco Akira & Callum Newman beat Shoma Kato & Riiita (Dragon Gate). Akira pinned Kato after Fireball.
Match 2: HENARE & Jeff Cobb beat Katsuya Murashima & Ryusuke Taguchi. HENARE pinned Murashima after Native.
Match 3: Sho & Ren Narita beat Jado & Shota Umino. Sho pinned Jado.
Match 4: Jake Lee & Gabriel Kidd beat Tomoaki Honma & Tomohiro Ishii. Kidd pinned Honma after O-KNEE/
Match 5: TAKA Michinoku & DOUKI beat Gedo & Taiji Ishimori. DOUKI beat Gedo with Italian Stretch 32.
Match 6: Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Dick Togo, Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL beat Tiger Mask, Boltin Oleg, Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi. Kanemaru pinned TM 4 with Samson Clutch.
Match 7: Kosei Fujita & Zack Sabre Jr. beat Jacob Austin Young & Great-O-Khan. Sabre pinned Young.
Main Event: Shingo Takagi 20th Anniversary Match: YAMATO (Dragon Gate), BUSHI & Shingo Takagi vs. Hiromu Takahashi, Yota Tsuji & Tetsuya Naito went to a 30 minute time limit draw.
The next event is tomorrow at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 2:30 AM PT/5:30 AM ET. This will be an ABEMA simulcast in Japan.
