Shingo Takagi On Returning To America: ‘I’d Like To See Bryan Danielson Again’

“I’d like to see Bryan Danielson again. Seeing him in the ring would be fine.”

New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Lonestar Shootout takes place tomorrow in Garland, Texas, and it is headlined by Shingo Takagi defending his newly won NEVER Openweight championship against AEW star Trent Beretta.

The backstory developed quickly, almost immediately after Takagi defeated Tama Tonga to win the belt two weeks ago at the Fighting Spirit Unleashed card in Las Vegas. While celebrating the win, Takagi called out someone to challenge him, and a video of Trent appeared on the screen accepting the offer.

Takagi, a former IWGP world heavyweight champion, is one of the industry’s most decorated and compelling wrestlers.

“I want to bring the NJPW experience that most fans can only ever experience in Japan, right here to Texas,” said Takagi, speaking to Sports Illustrated through a translator. “Following Las Vegas, this is my second straight main event, so I’m fired up and ready to rampage.”

This will mark Takagi’s first singles bout since winning the title. Though he has predominantly worked multi-man tags, Takagi has not dropped a singles match since losing to Will Ospreay in an outstanding match in August.

Courtesy NJPW

Takagi now begins his third reign as NEVER Openweight champ by defending against Beretta, who has never held NJPW gold.

“I’m excited to wrestle him because I really don’t know much about him,” said Takagi. “The experiences he’s had in AEW and WWE, as well as NJPW, you don’t go through with what he’s done without getting battle-hardened. I was surprised to see we debuted in the same year–that makes me extra keen to beat him.”

Championships are not new to Takagi, yet they remain significant.

“Elevating the value of the belt means elevating the value of myself,” said Takagi. “I think I need to put more effort into wrestling and show how great I am as a wrestler. I like to think I have a lot of range as a wrestler, and I hope not just to be an openweight champion, but to open those borders of different companies, too.

“The IWGP world heavyweight champion might be the world’s number one, but there’s only one Shingo Takagi, and only one NEVER Openweight title.”

Takagi graduated high school, trained at Animal Hamaguchi’s dojo, and then went to Toryumon, where he was schooled in the teachings of pro wrestling from Ultimo Dragon. The 19-year pro established himself across the globe, most notably in Dragon Gate, then entered New Japan in October of 2018. He immediately became an integral player, joining the Tetsuya Naito-led Los Ingobernables de Japon faction.

Courtesy NJPW

As his popularity continued to surge, his reign as IWGP world heavyweight champion elevated him to new heights–ones even above his trademark Mohawk hairstyle, which the 5’10” superstar admitted he initially sported just to appear taller (“If I wanted to be a pro wrestler, I thought I needed to be 6’0”,” Takagi told Sports Illustrated in 2021. “That’s why I have a Mohawk, and that’s why I make it so big.”).

Takagi would embed a certain flair and authenticity into AEW if he ever wrestled there on a six or eight-month sabbatical. Asked if that could possibly be a consideration, the 40-year-old expressed intrigue.

“There are quite a few Japanese wrestlers doing their thing in AEW, aren’t there?” said Takagi. “I’d like to see Bryan Danielson again. Seeing him in the ring would be fine. I just missed Claudio Castagnoli and Samoa Joe when they were in ROH, so I’d like to mix it up with them sometime.”

The trip to Texas allows Takagi a chance to enjoy a different cuisine than he is accustomed to in Japan. And he knows what he would like to eat after the match against Beretta.

“I could definitely go for some good Mexican food,” said Takagi. “Maybe this will change, but I don’t really have many food memories when it comes to my time in Texas. I remember I went to a lot of different diners and Chinese restaurants. I had a great time there.”

Witnessing Takagi perform is a thrill. His fighting spirit separates him from every other talent in NJPW–as well as across the industry. Though he is smaller for a heavyweight, he is different: thick, fit, and extremely mobile. His absolute best will be on display against Beretta, where he plans to take the first step in adding more prestige to the NEVER Openweight title.

I want to make this reign ‘NEVER ending’,” said Takagi. “That is what I’m looking to build, and those are the lengths I am willing to go as champion.”