Summary

Callum Newman's first IWGP Heavyweight Championship defense ended with a successful retention over Shingo Takagi, but the bigger fallout came after the bell at NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2026.

The match was chaotic from several directions. Takagi had support in the building from Natsupoi, and that became part of the atmosphere once Newman tried to antagonize her during the bout. Interference followed later when Newman threw referee Red Shoes Unno out of the ring and signaled for help, drawing in Zane Jay, Daiki Nagai, Jake Lee and Yota Tsuji at different points.

Will Ospreay also made his way out after winning the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team titles with United Empire earlier in the show. Newman used a low blow during the closing stretch, then shoved Red Shoes in front of Takagi before landing his finish to keep the title.

Winner

Callum Newman defeated Shingo Takagi to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship after a second low blow and his finishing move.

Newman Pushes Ospreay Over The Line

United Empire's post-match celebration quickly turned into a different story. Newman looked ready to continue the assault on Takagi, and after Yota Tsuji tried to stop it, Newman dropped Tsuji with another low blow.

When the rest of the group moved in, Ospreay stepped between Newman and Takagi and initially refused to join the attack. Newman then called Ospreay a Death Rider, a clear shot at Ospreay's new AEW association with Jon Moxley's faction. That was enough to trigger Ospreay into blasting Takagi with a Hidden Blade before tensions carried backstage.

What This Means For Newman And Ospreay

Newman's title reign now has two threads moving at once. He escaped his first defense with the championship intact, but the finish and the post-match scene also painted him as someone willing to test Ospreay's loyalty inside United Empire.

For Ospreay, the backstage confrontation matters almost as much as the Hidden Blade itself. He made it clear he still sees United Empire as his group, which gives NJPW an immediate tension point to build from if this relationship keeps fraying after Wrestling Dontaku.

Sources

As reported by Fightful.