NJPW G1 Climax D-Block Results: Shingo Takagi [4] Defeats Will Ospreay [4] Via Last Of The Dragon In Instant Classic Main Event (08/06)

The rivalary between Will Ospreay & Shingo Takagi is one that has brought some of the greatest matches of the modern era. They’ve met as both Jr. Heavyweights and Heavyweights, and tonight will main event this night of G1 Climax action. Shingo Takagi is in dire need of some wins after losing to Juice Robinson & David Finlay, and knows Ospreay better than nearly anyone else – making this a very winnable match.

Really, this matches biggest challenge will be the thirty minute time limit – with three of their four matches going beyond that time, with their last encounter in 2021 going 44:53. Their shortest match was in the 2020 G1 Climax – when Shingo Takagi defeated Will Ospreay in just 22 minutes – the only time Shingo claimed the win. Shingo has wanted this match since January 5th – when he wasn’t able to carry that IWGP World Heavyweight Championship into the event to defend against Ospreay – having fallen to Okada on January 4th.

Another Instant Classic In The Making

They’d start with some chain wrestling in the middle of the ring, with Ospreay grabbing a headlock. Shingo would break free and hit a massive hip toss, before grabbing the rear chinlock. He’d move into a Bow & Arrow hold after Ospreay gave his arms up. Ospreay wiggled free, before a vertical suplex would put him back down to the mat.

Ospreay would hit some running back elbow strikes, before taking a jab and being hit with the DDT. Having been on the other end of this move many times, Ospreay would counter the DDT with a flip after hitting the mat and sending Shingo to the floor – before nailing the dive to the floor. The big backbreaker in the ring would follow, but Shingo wouldn’t stay down from that.

Ospreay was sent to the apron, but would springboard in – and was nailed with the jab and the Yukon Lariat. Back drop would send Ospreay flying, before a big lariat out to the floor. Shingo would fire up in the ring, before Noshigami was countered. Ospreay would hit the Osaka Street Cutter – sending Shingo into the corner.

Shingo would look for Blood Fall, but Ospreay landed on his feet. Moonsault was attempted, but Ospreay would land across the knees. Shingo would take the handspring blast kick and went for the sliding lariat, only for Ospreay to dodge and nail the kick to the head.

Will Ospreay Can’t Defeat Shingo Takagi In Under Thirty Mintues

Shingo would be taken into the corner, but not for the Cheeky Nandos Kick. Ospreay had bigger plans, and would set up the Super Stormbreaker, but Shingo would be able to fight free. Ospreay would flip down to his feet, before the gamiguri. Super Spanish Fly would finally take Shingo from the top rope, but would only get a two count.

450 Splash from the top rope would get the same, before Shingo would grab the leg before Ospreay launched for the OsCutter. He’d take a rolling elbow in the middle of the ring, before Shingo would go after the arm of Ospreay. We’d hit the 15 minute mark, with still no sign of a finish in sight.

Pumping Bomber would see Ospreay land on his feet, and go for the OsCutter. Shingo caught him with a cutter of his own out of the sky, before a Death Valley Driver. Another lariat would land, but only got a two count. Ospreay would hit his own version of Made in Japan, before getting a two count off the OsCutter.

Hidden Blade was set, but Shingo collapsed – and Ospreay had issues with that arm. Ospreay would nail some kicks, before taking the poisonrana from Shingo. He’d land on his feet, saw the neck of Shingo open – and nailed the Hidden Blade – but was slow on the cover.

As we hit the 20 minute mark, Ospreay would nail the hook kick – before a spanish fly in the middle of the ring for a two count. Shingo would duck the Hidden Blade attempt, before the Dragon Suplex would land. Pumping Bomber got a two count, before the sliding elbow to the jaw. Last of the Dragon would land, and Shingo claimed the victory.

Can Shingo Takagi make the comeback and win the D-Block? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.

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