Shingo Takagi Wants AEW’s Claudio Castagnoli at NJPW Destruction in Kobe

By: Noah Leatherland

Shingo Takagi has laid out the challenge for some NJPW x AEW cross-promotional warfare at Destruction in Kobe. Looking to settle some scores, Takagi made it clear that he wants Claudio Castagnoli to face him in Kobe.

At the G1 Climax finals, Takagi teamed with Drilla Moloney to defeat the Death Riders duo of Gabe Kidd and Wheeler Yuta. While Moloney has his sights on Kidd’s IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, Takagi took the post-match comments as a chance to call out Castagnoli.

Well then, hey, in Kobe—my second home, my second home—isn’t there someone for me there too, hey? What the hell, the Death Riders, you bastards! That’s AEW’s crappy team, isn’t it? Well, let’s do this then—anyone’ll do, won’t they? … What’s this about Wheeler Yuta? Hang on, wasn’t he in the junior league? Eh? Are you kidding me?

…

Bring on the Death Riders. There’s that guy with a bald head, just like Gabe, isn’t there? The one with the bald head! Hey, Claudio Castagnoli. Before the G1, I lost to you, and that really threw me off my stride! The reason I ended up with a losing record of four wins and five defeats in this G1 is all your fault, Claudio. Don’t get all high and mighty with me. Come to Kobe—my second home, Kobe! Claudio Castagnoli, come on, then!

(Quotes translated via DeepL)

The loss Takagi claims derailed his G1 campaign before it even started was back on July 1st on the episode of AEW Collision following Forbidden Door. Takagi teamed with Moloney in a losing effort to Castagnoli and PAC. That night, Castagnoli scored a pinfall on Takagi.

Castagnoli has only appeared in Japan twice before for NJPW. He challenged for the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Titles with Jon Moxley and Shota Umino at 2023’s edition of Dominion. Then, Castagnoli got a win over Umino at Wrestle Dynasty back in 2025.

Destruction in Kobe is set for September 27th. At time of writing, Castagnoli has yet to respond to Takagi’s challenge.