Konosuke Takeshita Reveals That He's Signed A Contract With NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING

Konosuke Takeshita had a huge weekend.

The 29-year-old entered Wrestle Dynasty as the AEW International Champion. His opponent was Shingo Takagi, who held the NEVER Openweight Championship. Both champions had their belts on the line and Takeshita was the man who walked out victorious on January 5th.

🏟️WRESTLE DYNASTY🏟️

第6試合 NEVER無差別級選手権＆AEWインターナショナルダブル選手権試合‼️

🆚 @Takesoup × 石井智宏

登録・視聴はこちらから ⇒ https://t.co/CcdQ1X9P52#NJPW #AEW #njpwworld #njWD pic.twitter.com/QpRD7bzgKx

— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 5, 2025

🏟️WRESTLE DYNASTY🏟️

NEVER無差別級選手権＆AEWインターナショナル二冠王者 @Takesoup

登録・視聴はこちらから ⇒ https://t.co/CcdQ1X9P52#NJPW #AEW #DDT #njpwworld #njWD pic.twitter.com/dIkpoDlcuV

— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 5, 2025

The AEW star is now a double champion, but Takeshita revealed even bigger news during the press conference. The newly crowned NEVER Openweight Champion stated that he’s also signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling:

“I’m now a member of two organisations, DDT and AEW, and now I’m going to be a member of three, with New Japan Pro Wrestling. Why did I choose this path? As I’ve always said, I’m going to unify the wrestling world. I’m the only one who can do it. I’m going to walk down a road no one has walked down yet, so you guys shut up and follow me.” 

KONOSUKE TAKESHITAが驚きの発言！
「日本のプロレスファンに朗報がある。俺は今、DDT、AEW、2団体所属しているが、これからはそれに加えて新日本プロレス、“3団体所属”になった」

全文https://t.co/xoA0yjb6Sh#njWD pic.twitter.com/zlgLeBoi8B

— 新日本プロレスリング株式会社 (@njpw1972) January 5, 2025

Yep, Takeshita is officially a member of three wrestling promotions. So if you don’t see him on AEW television then he’s likely fighting in New Japan or DDT. Takeshita signing to New Japan isn’t much of a shock since he made his debut with the company during their 2024 G1 Climax.

He didn’t win the tournament, but the 29-year-old had an impressive showing throughout. Since that time, he’s made sporadic appearances for New Japan, with him winning his first title in the promotion at Wrestle Dynasty. 

There’s no telling where Takeshita goes from here, but he’s going to have a busy 2025. Many already consider him to be one of the best wrestlers on the planet. It wouldn’t be surprising if he ended up becoming the world champion by the time 2025 ends.

Takaaki Kidani, the CEO of Busiroad, who owns New Japan Pro-Wrestling elaborated on Takeshita's New Japan contract and stated that it was for one year, which isn't out of the norm for New Japan, "I think the contract is for one year, but AEW doesn’t have many matches. If he wants to fight in the New Japan main event, that could happen in practice,” Kidani said to Tokyo Sports . “I think it’s fine for him to come and go. There are a lot of players like that.”