Konosuke Takeshita Addresses Future with NJPW at New Year Dash!

Konosuke Takeshita may have lost the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 20, but his journey in New Japan Pro-Wrestling is far from over.

After dropping the title to Yota Tsuji at the Tokyo Dome, Takeshita didn’t take a break. He jumped right back into the action the very next night at New Year Dash, teaming with Rocky Romero in a tag team victory over NJPW World Television Champion El Phantasmo and Young Lion Shoma Kato. Tensions flared after the match between Takeshita and Phantasmo, teasing a potential feud on the horizon.

In his post-match comments, Takeshita confirmed that he remains under contract with NJPW and will continue wrestling for the promotion throughout 2026. And he made it clear he’s not slowing down.

“I'm sorry to Kaito-kun, but I got to settle the grudge from the reverse Boston crab with a reverse Boston crab of my own (omitted)... Last year, I won the 'G1,' won the IWGP, and now I have nothing in my hands. In other words, it means I can move around freely with anything and everything. This year, as someone affiliated with New Japan, I'm thinking I want to do even more interesting things.”

Takeshita’s comment signals an open field ahead — and possibly some major creative freedom in 2026. Though he’s also contracted to DDT and AEW, his focus on NJPW seems far from temporary. With gold behind him and options in front of him, the only real question is: what’s next?

What would you like to see Takeshita do next in NJPW? Any dream opponents or shocking partnerships? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.