IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita has addressed the pressure of defending the title at Wrestle Kingdom 20 right after competing in the AEW Continental Classic.
Speaking in an interview published on the NJPW website, Takeshita detailed the logistical and mental challenges of his current schedule. He noted that while the travel is difficult to get used to, he has learned to compartmentalize his focus for each promotion.
Takeshita currently holds a unique status in the industry, working under a “triple contract” arrangement that allows him to represent AEW, DDT Pro-Wrestling, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
A DDT original who debuted in 2012 while still in high school, Takeshita signed with AEW in November 2022 and officially added a contract with NJPW to his portfolio in January 2025. His 2025 campaign included a victory in the G1 Climax 35 tournament, leading to his current reign as world champion.
Regarding his January 4 opponent, Yota Tsuji, Takeshita pushed back against Tsuji’s criticisms of his absence from recent tours. He argued that his role is to showcase the IWGP title on a global scale, specifically on AEW television.
Takeshita acknowledged the high stakes of the double title match at the Tokyo Dome, which will also see the Global Heavyweight Championship on the line. He described the pressure of delivering a main event worthy of the venue as a precise task.
Having the nailed on great match in that spot is really like threading the needle. And if you can’t thread that needle, then you can’t be a top guy.
Reflecting on his history with the Tokyo Dome, Takeshita shared an anecdote about his time as a trainee. He recalled standing outside the venue in freezing weather to sell tickets for DDT, earning a commission of just 300 Yen (approx. $2 USD) after six hours of work.
