Tommaso Ciampa Says He’d Like To Face Shingo Takagi In NJPW

Tommaso Ciampa isn’t sure if he’s down for a full tour of NJPW, but he’d like to get a chance to face Shingo Takagi. The AEW star spoke with SB Nation for an interview before AEW WrestleDream, and during the conversation he was asked about talent like Kenny Omega showing up in New Japan as of late.

Ciampa noted that he would be open to a few matches in New Japan and named Takagi as someone he’s always wanted to face. He also spoke about his pre-AEW history with some of his current colleagues in the company. You can see highlights below:

On His History With the AEW Locker Room:

“You share the road with someone, or cars, hotels, or locker rooms for three months, six months, or a few years, and then you separate and go your own ways to different territories or promotions. Then you come back, and it’s just like an old high school friend. I remember the first time Mark Briscoe and I saw each other again — you just give each other a big hug, and you’re right back where you were, catching up on families and getting right back into the same chatter. It’s been the smoothest transition possible.”

On Who He’d Like to Face From NJPW:

“Shingo [Takagi] always jumps out at me as someone I’ve always wanted to share a ring with. I don’t know that my body or personal life at this point bodes well for a full-on tour or G1 Tournament, but doing a show here or there, or three shows, I’d be 100% open to that.”