Category: DDT

Konosuke Takeshita Kicks Off 2025 With Gold, Glory, And A Triple Contract Status

Konosuke Takeshita is setting the wrestling world ablaze as he kicks off 2025 with an unprecedented level of success and a packed schedule. “The Alpha” is now leaving Japan not only with two championship belts but also with contracts from three major promotions: AEW, NJPW, and DDT. Takeshita’s rise in prominence highlights his undeniable talent and the growing collaboration between wrestling companies across the globe.

A Triple Threat Career

Since signing with AEW in 2022, Takeshita has balanced his commitments with DDT while making waves in the U.S. wrestling scene. Now, with a one-year deal freshly inked with NJPW following the Wrestle Dynasty event on January 5, Takeshita has expanded his already busy schedule. Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer shed light on how this unique arrangement works.

“Takeshita’s primary contract is still with AEW,” Meltzer explained. “He can work indies and has been active in Japan with DDT. But now, he’ll be wrestling more for New Japan. AEW remains the priority, but Tony Khan and Rocky Romero are collaborating to ensure he can perform for both AEW and NJPW effectively.”

A Historic Start to 2025

Takeshita’s latest accomplishments in Japan only add to his growing legacy. On January 3, he teamed with his mentor Jun Akiyama at a DDT event. Just one day later, at NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 19, he defeated Shingo Takagi to claim the NEVER Openweight Championship. The momentum didn’t stop there. At the Wrestle Dynasty event on January 5, Takeshita retained both the NEVER Openweight and AEW International Championships in a hard-fought battle against Tomohiro Ishii.

With two championships to defend and three promotions to juggle, Takeshita is set for a whirlwind year. His next major challenge will come at NJPW’s Battle in the Valley on January 11, where he’ll defend his NEVER Openweight Championship against KUSHIDA.

Collaboration Across Promotions

Takeshita’s triple-contract situation is a testament to the evolving wrestling landscape. The collaboration between AEW, NJPW, and DDT highlights a willingness among promotions to share talent and provide fans with unforgettable matches. For Takeshita, this means greater opportunities to showcase his skills on multiple platforms, while for fans, it promises exciting cross-promotional matchups in 2025.

As Takeshita embarks on this monumental chapter in his career, one thing is clear: “The Alpha” is poised to dominate the wrestling world and redefine what it means to be an international star. Stay tuned to see how he balances this historic run!

Full Card Announced For United Japan’s All Together Sapporo

The full lineup has been revealed for United Japan Pro-Wrestling’s event in Sapporo on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the Hokkai Kita-Yell sports center. Check out the full card here:

Tetsuya Naito (NJPW) vs. Jake Lee (NOAH)

Alejandro, Kenoh & Kaito Kiyomiya (NOAH) vs Gabe Kidd (NJPW) David Finlay (NJPW) & YO-HEY (NOAH)

Titan, BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi (NJPW) vs Drilla Moloney (NJPW), Clark Connors (NJPW), LJ Cleary (NOAH) Anthony Greene (NOAH) & Jack Morris (NOAH)

Masa Kitamiya (NOAH) vs. Tomohiro Ishii (NJPW)

Naomichi Marufuji (NOAH)& Hiroshi Tanahashi (NJPW) vs Yuya Uemura & SANADA (NJPW)

Tetsuya Endo (DDT), Ryohei Oiwa (NJPW) & Shota Umino (NJPW) vs Kazusada Higuchi (DDT), Great-O-Khan (NJPW) & Jeff Cobb (NJPW)

YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto (NJPW) vs Daichi Hashimoto & Daisuke Sekimoto (BJW)

Starlight Kid (Stardom) vs. AZM (Stardom)

Kosei Fujita, Robbie Eagles & Zack Sabre Jr. (NJPW) vs Yu Owada, HAYATA & Ulka Sasaki (NOAH)

Multiple Promotions To Hold Crossover Event Under United Japan Pro Wrestling Banner

Japanese wrestling promotions have had their fair share of rivalries over the years, with Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba famously having two completely different ideologies that led to the formation of New Japan and All Japan Pro Wrestling in the ’70s. However, in recent years, many promotions in Japan have seen the benefit of collaboration and working together, which was taken to another level with the formation of United Japan Pro Wrestling in late 2023, and an inaugural event for the group has been announced.

On May 6, 2024, the “ALL TOGETHER: United Japan Pro Wrestling Inauguration & Noto Earthquake Benefit Event” will take place with NJPW, STARDOM, NOAH, DDT, Dragon Gate, and Big Japan Pro Wrestling all confirmed to have wrestlers taking part. The event will not only act as the inaugural event for the group, but as the name suggests, a portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the victims of the earthquake that hit the Noto peninsula region of northern Japan on January 1. A number of matches have already been announced for the event, with more expected to come in the near future. 

The “ALL TOGETHER” name was first used in 2011 when NJPW, NOAH, and AJPW joined forces for a charity event at the Nippon Budokan, which is where the 2024 event will take place. There were also ALL TOGETHER events in 2012 and 2023, with the proceeds going to charity on both occasions. AJPW, Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, and GANBARE Pro Wrestling are also members of the UJPW group, but will not be able to participate on May 6. However, they will play a part in the second event the group intends to hold, titled “Hokkai Kita-Yell” in Sapporo on June 15.

Source: Wrestling Inc.