Konosuke Takeshita is the new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion!
The Alpha defeated Zack Sabre Jr. for New Japan’s top title at the NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling event in Tokyo, Japan, on October 13.
Takeshita secured the victory with the Powerdrive Knee, bringing Zack’s second IWGP World Heavyweight Championship reign to a decisive end.
This win makes Konosuke Takeshita only the second AEW-contracted wrestler after Jon Moxley to capture New Japan’s top title. Takeshita earned his championship opportunity by winning the 2025 G1 Climax Tournament and chose to cash in his contract at KOPW instead of Wrestle Kingdom 20.
In All Elite Wrestling, Takeshita is a key member of The Don Callis Family, currently led by TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher. The Protostar is set to defend his AEW title against Mark Briscoe at AEW WrestleDream. As for Takeshita, The Alpha has a rare opportunity to become a double champion when he teams up with Kazuchika Okada to challenge for the AEW World Tag Team Championship this Saturday.
It’s also worth noting that Syuri defeated Sareee to win the IWGP Women’s Championship in the opening match of KOPW, while Yota Tsuji defeated Gabe Kidd by submission to capture the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship in the penultimate match of the night.
What do you make of Konosuke Takeshita’s NJPW title win? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below!
