Konosuke Takeshita’s NJPW return date announced
Konosuke Takeshita’s next NJPW appearance will be taking place later this month.
At New Beginning USA, Takeshita defeated El Phantasmo to become the new NJPW World Television Champion. The match initially went to a 15-minute time limit draw before ELP challenged Takeshita to go into overtime. A new champion was crowned, and now Takeshita is set to appear at the New Japan Cup finals on March 21. His match for the show has not been announced.
“March 21 will see Takeshita bring the title belt to Japan for the first time, as he will be in action at the New Japan Cup final!,” NJPW wrote. “What does Takeshita have planned for his first Japanese appearance in NJPW since New Year Dash?”
The New Japan Cup finals are being held in Niigata and will air live on NJPW World with English commentary available. The show will help set the stage for Sakura Genesis on April 4.
Fourteen wrestlers are still alive in New Japan Cup 2026 as the tournament continues deeper into the second round. The winner faces Yota Tsuji for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in the main event of Sakura Genesis.
Takeshita is under contract with all three of AEW, NJPW, and DDT Pro Wrestling. This Sunday (March 15), he is challenging Jon Moxley for the Continental Championship at AEW’s Revolution pay-per-view.
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.