Konosuke Takeshita wins International title at AEW Double or Nothing, injured star returns
In a rematch that’s been a more than a year in the making, Konosuke Takeshita bested faction mate and rival Kazuchika Okada for the International title at Sunday’s AEW Double or Nothing and then was turned on by the returning Kyle Fletcher.
Takeshita picked up the win after hitting a Rainmaker on Okada, followed by an Okada dropkick and then a Takeshita running knee strike that got just a one count. Okada then fell victim to a raging fire to give the new champion the win.
Afterward, Don Callis was joined by Okada, Rocky Romero and Mark Davis in the ring. The three were bickering with Takeshita about giving Okada a brainbuster on the outside of the ring earlier in the way when Fletcher’s music hit — his first appearance since late-March when he suffered a meniscus injury.
Fletcher embraced Takeshita and then raised his arm until his expression changed and he clotheslined his old friend. He then gave him a brainbuster of his own and eventually, the rest of the group got back in the ring. He and Okada picked up the International title at the same time which got a big crowd reaction, but Okada let Fletcher take it who then blasted Takeshita in the head and made it clear he is coming for the title.
The win ends the 317-day reign for Okada who won the title in a unification bout against Kenny Omega last July’s All In and successfully defended it nine times. It’s Takeshita’s second run with the title and his first since March 2025.
The match was a rematch from last December’s Continental Classic semifinals at Worlds End where Okada used a screwdriver to defeat Takeshita.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.