Takagi reflects on the bout.
The third match on the main card of AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2024 was Shingo Takagi versus Bryan Danielson in a first round match in the Owen Hart Cup tournament.
Danielson came out on top in 20 minutes via submission. In his latest blog write-up, Takagi looked back at the matchup. He mentioned that he hopes he gets to share the ring with Samoa Joe as well.
6.30 Forbidden Door
Owen Hart Cup 1st round
Shingo Takagi vs. Bryan Danielson
First singles match (between us) in 14 years since 2010.
Last time I lost by tap out.
It was an emotional match.
In June 2006, a year and eight months after my debut, I went to the U.S. to train.
It was about a year of training, but as a young boy, I didn’t have a chance to fight against Bryan and Samoa Joe, who were the top fighters at the time.
The rebellious spirit of that time still exists today.
I also put my Yamato Spirit (Yamato-damashii) which is unique to Japanese people, into action.
The result was a referee stoppage, but I’m glad they stopped me because I had the G1 tournament coming up (laughs).
I asked Bryan for a rematch in the ring, but who knows what will happen in the future?
He understood the Japanese style and I felt he had a little special feeling for me (maybe).
He’s got a lot of name recognition and a lot of achievements, but as long as we’re in the same ring, I don’t want to lose.
He’s declared that he’s going to semi-retire next year, but I’m not going to let him run away with the win.
There’s still a lot of work to do in Japan and in the U.S.
I am still a novice
I will continue to work hard…
Thank you.
Gassho.
I hope to play with this person (picture of Takagi & Samoa Joe) in the near future.
Next up for Takagi is the G1 Climax tournament which begins on July 20th. Takagi is in the A block with Tetsuya Naito, Shota Umino, SANADA, Great-O-Khan, Zack Sabre Jr., Gabe Kidd, EVIL, Jake Lee and Callum Newman.
