Konosuke Takeshita wins International title at AEW WrestleDream after Kyle Fletcher interferes
Konosuke Takeshita is the new AEW International Champion and he has an unexpected ally to thank.
Takeshita won the title during Saturday’s WrestleDream after Kyle Fletcher made a surprise appearance and stabbed then-champion Will Ospreay in the back of the head with a screwdriver. As Ospreay looked on in disbelief at Fletcher, Takeshita pulled down his kneepad, hit a running knee, and got the pin.
Afterward, Fletcher hit Ospreay with a Tiger Driver 91 to seal his turn.
The bout was a three-way that also included Ricochet.
Fletcher and Ospreay were friends, tag team partners, and faction mates in United Empire for years. The two had been part of the Don Callis Family until Ospreay and Callis parted ways. On this past week’s Title Tuesday edition of Dynamite, Ospreay called out Callis who then admitted he told Takeshita to attack both Ospreay and Ricochet after their recent title match.
The win gives Takeshita his first AEW singles title and ends Ospreay’s 49-day second run with the International title.
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.