"DDT, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and WWE are all family" - AEW star reveals advice from 'pro wrestling father'
Despite the strong competition in the wrestling world, a popular AEW star seemingly has a unique belief, as he considers the entire wrestling industry as a big family. This would be Konosuke Takeshita of AEW.
The Alpha has been in the industry for 12 years now, having mostly competed on DDT Pro-Wrestling, AEW, and sporadic appearances for NJPW. Now he is currently the Jacksonville-based promotion's International Champion and someone who serves as one of the core members of the Don Callis Family.
While speaking to DDT Pro-Wrestling, Konosuke Takeshita talked about an approach to the industry that his father in wrestling, Antonio Honda, taught him, which was that everyone in wrestling was one big family despite being under different promotions. He also mentioned how the legends that came before them were considered as their grandparents. Loving this "family" has been something he has valued throughout his career.
"Antonio Honda, who is my father in pro wrestling, said to me, 'Take-chan, pro wrestling is a big place.' He said, 'Take-chan, wrestling is a family in the broadest sense; DDT, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and WWE are all family even though they are in different organizations, and the legendary wrestlers are like my grandparents. Everything is connected, so you have to love your family. That was a fundamental part of what I valued in my wrestling career."
He also spoke about the support he got from various names in the industry after becoming a champion in AEW, which was proof that everyone was truly connected amidst all the competitiveness.
"At the time, I was jokingly mentioning the names of WWE athletes, but now, as I work with these people, I feel that those words were true and that we are truly connected. If they don't trust you, you can't become family. That is why I have put my heart and soul into each and every match. When I won the belt, the players around me said, 'You are a man who deserves this belt!' I was told by the wrestlers around me, 'You are the man who deserves this belt!' I was happy that they said that to me, even though we live in a competitive world," Takeshita said. [H/T - Fightful]
Konosuke Takeshita is set to put his title on the line at AEW Worlds End
After winning the AEW International Championship at WrestleDream, Takeshita has remained dominant. He has even bested the likes of Ricochet in singles competition to stay as champion.
He'll be tested much further, as he is set to take on a former ally of his next weekend at AEW Worlds End, this being Powerhouse Hobbs. The former TNT Champion is now feuding with his former faction, seeing as he now claims they deserted him after he sustained an injury a few months ago.
Hobbs has been in great form and is a former champion too. It remains to be seen whether Konosuke Takeshita can hold on to his title to close out 2024.