251 lb AEW star's return to top promotion announced with a special stipulation
A current AEW Champion's return to a major promotion has been announced along with an interesting stipulation. The star will take on a top champion in a major event in a few months.
The 251 lb star in question is the current AEW International Champion, Konosuke Takeshita. The 29-year-old star has been a part of the All Elite roster since his debut in 2021. At the recent WrestleDream pay-per-view, Takeshita defeated Will Ospreay and Ricochet in a three-way match to become the International Champion.
Konosuke Takeshita also travelled to Japan earlier this year to compete in the G1 Climax Tournament 2024 hosted by New Japan Pro-Wrestling for the first time in his career. He recently defeated TJP at the NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed event to retain the International Title. Meanwhile, Takeshita is slated to return to New Japan.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling recently announced through their official 'X' (fka Twitter) handle that Konosuke Takeshita will square off against Shingo Takagi for the Never Openweight Championship on January 4, 2025, at the Wrestle Kingdom 19 event.
It was also announced that it would be a title vs. title match if Takeshita keeps his International title until then.
"OFFICIAL January 4 Wrestle Kingdom 19 NEVER OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP Shingo Takagi vs Konosuke Takeshita, If Takeshita is AEW International Champion by January 4, this match will be title for title!" the announcement read.
Konosuke Takeshita shockingly got pinned on AEW Dynamite
Last week on AEW Dynamite, the International Champion, Konosuke Takeshita, teamed up with Kyle Fletcher to take on the team of Ricochet and Powerhouse Hobbs. In a shocking turn of events at the end of the match, Ricochet managed to pin the International Champion, Takeshita.
After Takeshita got pinned as a champion, fans might see Ricochet challenging him for the International Championship. Only time will tell what's next for the 29-year-old star as he buckles up for his NJPW return next year.