Shingo claims NEVER gold for a third time
The main event of Fighting Spirit Unleashed on October 28 in Las Vegas saw the NEVER Openweight Championship on the line, Tama Tonga facing the challenge of Shingo Takagi.
A tense open to the bout saw champion and challenger test one another’s strength, before both quickly opened up to strikes. Tama would score the first big knockdown of the match with a shoulder tackle, but it was a Ryukon Lariat from Shingo that had the champion reeling, a lariat taking the match out to the floor. A DDT on the outside and the challenger kept control, looking to deliver a Pumping Bomber but getting rocked with a dropkick in return.
Now with a chance to strike back, Tama would turn up the intensity on the Dragon, and caught the challenger in a Scorpion Deathlock. After an impressive string of offense from Tama, Takagi landed the Ryukon DDT, and a sliding lariat followed; the damage from the Scorpion was still an issue for the challenger as Tama went for a Tongan Twist, but instead both men traded exploder and backdrop suplexes.
Tama would put a stop to forearm exchanges with a sudden SRC and the Supreme Flow for a very near two. Fighting back, Takagi hit Noshigami and then Pumping Bomber before Made In Japan got a two and a half; Shingo thought it was time for Last of the Dragon, but a Tongan Twist would wait in response as the match went past the twenty minute mark.
Tama would surprise his challenger with Bloody Sunday, and then set for the DSD that won him the title three weeks before. The Takagi Driver 98 caught Tama instead, and Shingo unleashed 12-6 elbows before a Ground Cobra had the champion fading; Tama just barely made the ropes, and then countered Last of the Dragon with Gunstun, but the match still rolled on.
At the 25 minute call, Tama once again looked for the DSD, Takagi fighting desperately away before clocking his foe with a right hand. After a headbutt from the champion, Tama wanted Gunstun but was met with one in the Takagi style; Pumping Bomber got two for the Dragon and then Last of the Dragon found three.
Shingo Takagi would celebrate his victory and was just about to leave with head held high, but was interrupted by a video from Trent Beretta. The surprising challenge was made for November 10 at Lonestar Shootout- will the ever difficult first defence for a NEVER Champion see Beretta capture his first singles championship in NJPW?
