Konosuke Takeshita signed with AEW last November and has since aligned himself with Don Callis.
In an interview with DDT Pro-Wrestling’s official website, Takeshita talked about his decision to sign with AEW over WWE.
“When I lost the KO-D belt to Tetsuya Endo at Ryogoku Kokugikan last March, I said, ‘This is the second chapter for Konosuke Takeshita…’ As a champion, I had already been around the world one or two times, so I felt that the only way to show what I could do was to cross the ocean. So the choice was WWE or AEW. At that time, there were not that many main male wrestlers in AEW, and moreover, there were no Japanese who wore the singles belt, except for women.
I wanted to do something that no one else was doing. At that point, I wasn’t sure if AEW would become as huge as it is now, but it was still a choice I made. Then, over the next year or so, the number of wrestlers steadily increased, and I don’t think I would have had a chance if I had waited another year. It was all a matter of timing…When the Coronavirus pandemic made it impossible for Japanese professional wrestling to make its voice heard, I thought to myself, this is no good for me to be wrestling.
I’ve been doing it for 10 years, so I’ve had enough. I went to the U.S. because I wanted to give it one last try, and I think that may have been my destiny. I wouldn’t be where I am today without AEW, which guided me, and DDT, which sent me here, so the best way for me to repay them would be to fight Chris Jericho.”
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Konosuke Takeshita, a professional wrestler, made headlines last November when he signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and aligned himself with Don Callis. In a recent interview with DDT Pro-Wrestling’s official website, Takeshita discussed his decision to join AEW instead of WWE.
Takeshita explained that after losing the KO-D belt to Tetsuya Endo at Ryogoku Kokugikan in March, he felt it was time for a new chapter in his career. As a champion, he had already traveled the world and wanted to showcase his skills on a bigger stage. He had two options in mind: WWE or AEW.
At the time, AEW had fewer male wrestlers, and there were no Japanese wrestlers holding singles belts, except for women. Takeshita saw this as an opportunity to do something unique and different. Although he wasn’t sure if AEW would become as successful as it is now, he took the leap and signed with the company.
Over the next year, AEW steadily grew in popularity, and Takeshita believes that if he had waited another year, he might not have had the same chance. Timing played a crucial role in his decision. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic made it impossible for Japanese professional wrestling to thrive, which further motivated Takeshita to pursue opportunities in the United States.
Takeshita expressed gratitude towards AEW for guiding him and DDT for supporting him throughout his career. He believes that the best way to repay them is by facing off against Chris Jericho, a legendary wrestler in AEW.
This decision has proven to be significant for Takeshita’s career, as it has opened doors to new opportunities and allowed him to showcase his talent on a global platform. By joining AEW, Takeshita has become part of a growing roster of talented wrestlers and has the chance to make a name for himself in the industry.
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In conclusion, Konosuke Takeshita’s decision to sign with AEW over WWE was driven by his desire to do something unique and different. He saw an opportunity to showcase his skills on a global stage and took a leap of faith. With the support of AEW and DDT, Takeshita aims to repay them by facing off against top wrestlers like Chris Jericho. Wrestling fans can stay updated with the latest news and developments through websites like eWrestlingNews.com.