Takagi first became known for his work with Dragon Gate, where he competed from his debut in 2004 up until 2018. He was known as the promotion's top heel for many years, and went on to become one of the most decorated wrestlers in the company's history, winning the Open the Dream Gate Championship, the top championship in Dragon Gate, four times. He was also known as the leader of the villainous VerserK stable through its many incarnations, and for his long-lasting rivalry with BxB Hulk, with whom he main-evented several prominent Dragon Gate events. He has also spent an extended amount of time with American promotions such as Full Impact Pro, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and Ring of Honor.