The marquee match of the February 20th New Japan Road event saw CHAOS member Tomohiro Ishii make the V1 challenge against Los Ingobernables de Japon (LIJ) member Shingo Takagi in his first reign as NEVER Openweight Champion.
The match was the second between the two after meeting last year during the G1 Climax on August 8th. Since the title was created in 2012, the NEVER Openweight Championship has developed a reputation as fostering a division of stiff, blow for blow action similar to the All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) style of the 1990s. Ishii, Minoru Suzuki, and Hirooki Goto are wildly responsible for helping the NEVER Openweight division for developing a tough as nails reputation.
Fans of NEVER Openweight matches knew what kind of match to expect, and they were not disappointed with the physical nature Shingo and Ishii brought to the table.
The 27 minute and 4-second match saw champion and challenger deliver what was a NEVER Openweight Championship classic, as conversation circulates around singles championships in New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) developing their own unique identity.
Shingo was able to defeat Ishii with The Last Of The Dragon and guarantee he will enter March’s New Japan Cup as NEVER Openweight Champion. With Power Struggle in April, Wrestle Dynasty in August, and a possible featured event in the United Kingdom during October — Shingo could have a long run as champion. A strong reign for Shingo could help take the NEVER Openweight Championship to new heights as NJPW looks to evolve the spirit of the IWGP United States Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships.
