G1 Climax 30 Night 15 saw former NEVER Openweight Champion and Los Ingobernables de Japon (LIJ) member Shingo Takagi take on former two-time NEVER Openweight Champion and Suzuki-Gun member Taichi.
Shingo came into the match coming off a hard-fought defeat to former five-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and CHAOS member Kazuchika Okada. Taichi suffered a similar fate during G1 Climax 30 Night 13 as he was unable to defeat current Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro) Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay.
While both wrestlers were already eliminated from advancing to the G1 Climax 30 finals, the match had the opportunity to set up a future NEVER Openweight Championship match against current champion Minoru Suzuki.
Taichi was able to defeat the Suzuki-Gun leader earlier during the tournament while Shingo faces Suzuki on October 16th.
In what may have been slightly unexpected, Taichi was able to meet the physical Shingo’s physicality and didn’t back down from the LIJ member. Several years ago it wouldn’t have been thinkable for Taichi withstanding a Shingo onslaught, but Taichi in 2020 was able to do so and respond with offense of his own.
After the two traded their unique Lariat techniques the match was left in the balance, however, Taichi was able to capitalize on an opening.
Taichi was able to gain the fall at the 16 minutes and 21 seconds mark with his Black Mephisto technique to move to 8 points. The win giving him momentum going into his final G1 Climax 30 match against former IWGP Intercontinental Champion and G1 Climax 29 winner “Gold Star” Kota Ibushi on October 16th. If Taichi wins he will likely spoil the campaign for Ibushi.
Takagi facing Suzuki on the final day gives him the opportunity to end the tournament on a high note and possibly receiving a NEVER Openweight Championship match at a later date.
