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Shingo Takagi vs Jeff Cobb for the NEVER Openweight Championship (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2)
Our third match at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2 was Shingo Takagi defending the NEVER Openweight Championship against Jeff Cobb of the Empire. Cobb gained this opportunity by pinning Takagi in the World Tag League 2020.
The two men had a strong lockup and immediately exchanged forearms. Things picked up quickly in a fast sequence, ending with Cobb landing a dropkick that sent Shingo to the floor. Cobb threw Takagi into the guardrail and hit a huge belly to belly suplex.
Back in the ring, Cobb then applied on a bearing, which Shingo fought out of. Shingo regained control in this Wrestle Kingdom title match, hitting a belly to back suplex. The two men fought on the apron with Cobb looking for a Razor's Edge to the outside. Takagi escaped and knocked Cobb to the floor. He then hit a diving tope con giro to the outside.
Back in the ring, Takagi looked for Noshigami, but Cobb reversed and hit a Spin Cycle. Cobb hit rolling gutwrench suplexes and looked for a powerbomb, but Shingo hit a hurricarana. Cobb regained control and hit a Razor's Edge into a sitout powerbomb for a near fall. Takagi then hit a death valley driver out of nowhere.
Shingo rallied the Tokyo Dome crowd at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2. He then hit a massive superplex and followed with a wheelbarrow suplex. Shingo went for a sliding lariat, but Cobb caught him and hit a pair of suplexes. The two men met in the middle of the ring and exchanged strikes. Cobb hit a German Suplex, which Shingo responded with a lariat that knocked himself out of the ring.
Back in the ring, Cobb caught Shingo with the Gonzo bomb for a two count. Shingo reversed out of Tour of the Islands and attacked the knee of the challenger in this Wrestle Kingdom battle. Takagi then followed with Made In Japan for two. Cobb hit a German Suplex and followed with the Tour of the Islands, but his knee gave out stopping him from the pin. Shingo then kicked out at two.
Cobb met the Pumping Bomber with a lariat. He then followed with a moonsault powerslam. Cobb was bleeding from the nose at this point. Shingo then hit a Pumping Bomber, but Cobb didn't leave his feet. Takagi then hit a belly to belly suplex and followed with a massive Pumping Bomber. Shingo then hit Last of the Dragon for the win and retained his title in over 21 minutes at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2.
That was an absolute banger of a match. It was an excellent heavyweight slugfest that continued to pick up in physicality as it went on. This was awesome stuff from two of the best at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2.
Results: Shingo Takagi defeats Jeff Cobb via pinfall
Star Rating: ****1/2
*Intermission followed*
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