EVIL Declares Himself As Next Challenger For IWGP World Heavyweight Title
The summer of EVIL part two.
Shingo Takagi was victorious in his IWGP World Heavyweight Title defense against Hiroshi Tanahashi at NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam. Following the bout, as is customary in NJPW, Shingo addressed the crowd.
Shingo said he wanted a third match with Tanahashi as the two are 1-1 against each other. He also stated that he looked forward to facing Kota Ibushi down the line once Ibushi recovers from aspiration pneumonia. Ibushi was originally scheduled to face Shingo at Wrestle Grand Slam, but was pulled due to the illness and replaced by Tanahashi.
Shingo was interrupted by EVIL, who appeared on the big screen to challenge Shingo for the IWGP World Heavyweight Title. The lights went out in the Tokyo Dome and EVIL appeared in the ring, attacking Shingo and holding the IWGP World Title above his head.
急転直下のIWGP世界ヘビー戦は、37分越え真っ向勝負！
粘る棚橋を鷹木がラスト・オブ・ザ・ドラゴンで撃破！
試合後、場内暗転からEVILが“凶行”で挑戦表明…!!
【7.25東京ドーム結果】
試合の詳細は新日本プロレス・スマホサイトで速報中！https://t.co/eRMLpWuptt#njwgs #njpw pic.twitter.com/QfhlLMgc5p
— 新日本プロレスリング株式会社 (@njpw1972) July 25, 2021
EVIL is a former IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental double champion, beating Tetsuya Naito to win both titles at NJPW Dominion on July 12, 2020. He lost the titles back to Naito at NJPW Summer Struggle on August 29, 2020.
If you missed anything from NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam, check out Fightful’s full results from the show by clicking here.
