Konosuke Takeshita has explained what it takes to be a triple-contracted wrestler.
Konosuke Takeshita is the current reigning IWGP World Heavyweight Champion in New Japan Pro Wrestling. While that position brings its own pressures, Takeshita also has to juggle his time in the promotion with his other contractual obligations to both AEW and DDT.
In an interview with NJPW’s English-language website, the star was asked about adapting to being contracted to three promotions. The Alpha said it’s not something everyone can do as he has to have his mind “in a few different places at once.”
“I don’t think it’s something anybody can get used to, hehe. But I’ve gotten to know what it takes. You have to have your mind in a few different places at once, but at the same time you have to have your focus on the thing that’s right in front of you, and once you do that the mental aspect gets a lot easier. If you think too far ahead then everything gets on top of you.”
“The Way The Fans Of Each Promotion See Pro-Wrestling Is Very Different” – Konosuke Takeshita
Konosuke Takeshita says he has to “change modes” between wrestling for AEW in the US, and NJPW and DDT in Japan, as the fans expect different things from him. In 2024, he admitted to having difficulties getting noticed in the US, but now that he wrestles more in that country, he has to adjust more for Japanese wrestling.
“They’re definitely all different, and the way the fans of each see pro-wrestling is very different. So there’s my own style and then there’s adapting that to the different tastes. It’s been about three and a half years since I went to America, and at first it really was a difficult change of gears. Now I wrestle much more in America than in Japan, so when I’m in Japan I have to change modes the other way.”
The star went on to compare these adjustments to “changing the beans” in a coffee blend, saying that ultimately, the results will come.
“It isn’t a totally different thing, it’s like changing the beans in your blend of coffee. If you can do that then the results will come.”
Konsouke Takeshita is set to defend the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in a winner-takes-all match against IWGP Global Champion Yota Tsuji at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4th. The event will also see Hiroshi Tanahashi wrestle his final match, taking on his biggest rival, AEW star Kazuchika Okada in the main event at the sold-out Tokyo Dome.
