Konosuke Takeshita: I can be on any NJPW tour I’m called for
New IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita plans to be in Japan whenever it’s necessary to fulfill his duties.
Takeshita — the 2025 G1 Climax winner — dethroned Zack Sabre Jr. for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at King of Pro Wrestling earlier this week. Holding NJPW’s top prize might add some responsibilities to his plate, but Takeshita isn’t worried about handling them.
“I’m triple contracted, but not exclusive,” Takeshita said in his first press conference as champion. “We can move things around and I can be on any tour I’m called for.”
AEW, NJPW, and DDT Pro Wrestling are the three promotions that Takeshita has contracts with. His priority has been AEW since signing with the company three years ago. Representing NJPW as champion worldwide is something that Takeshita plans on doing during his reign.
“There are people worldwide, not just Japan, that want to see the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion,” Takeshita said.
At AEW WrestleDream this Saturday, Takeshita & Kazuchika Okada will challenge Bandido & Brody King for the AEW Tag Team titles. Takeshita looks to be in the middle of a storyline where he’s splitting away from the Don Callis Family.
The first IWGP World Heavyweight Championship defense for Takeshita will be against Hirooki Goto at an NJPW event on November 2.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.