Shingo Takagi: Sting Carried Things At AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door

Shingo Takagi was one of many NJPW stars to travel to America for AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door on June 26. 

Shingo was originally scheduled to team with Hiromu Takahashi, Sting, & Darby Allin, but Hiromu was unable to travel to the event. Shingo still teamed with Sting & Allin, defeating the Bullet Club trio of El Phantasmo, Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson. 

Speaking to NJPW, Shingo reflected on his experience at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door and more. 

When asked who in AEW he would like to wrestle, Shingo said, “Well, I think the guys that I have wrestled before, or had near misses with. So Bryan (Danielson) (Samoa) Joe, Claudio (Castagnoli), PAC. But then Sting… Sting just entirely carried that match we had (laughs). From the entrance on, it was all Sting. That’s a legend for you. He was a real model for me going forward, that’s the kind of wrestler I need to be. One thing about that event was that Tanahashi and Okada had title matches, Ishii would have had a title match but for injury. I was running hard as IWGP World Champion for most of last year and I think people shouldn’t forget that. If I go over there again I should be in the title picture, I should be a main event guy there.”

Fans in Japan haven’t been able to cheer due to restrictions during in the pandemic. Crowds have been back in arenas across America for over a year and the reaction hit different for Shingo. 

“I’d planned to just pretty much go out there, business as usual, but with the place so loud, and then the (All Atlantic Championship 4 way) match before us really going down well, I had my doubts for a second. I think I’m just so used to the no cheering thing, it’s so ingrained now. What you do doesn’t change at all, but when you hear those voices, it does become ‘man, I really can’t let these guys down’ so it kind of sharpens your instincts as a professional. Obviously I want that back for Japan as well, and when it comes, I want the fans to make even more noise than they did before,” he said.

Shingo noted that he’s been ready to head to AEW for a long time, ever since he heard Kenny Omega say that he was ready to wrestle him. 

Shingo is currently competing in the G1 Climax 32 tournament. Fans can view the current standings for the tournament by clicking here.