El Phantasmo vs. Konosuke Takeshita TV Title Bout Announced for NJPW The New Beginning USA

Konosuke Takeshita may have lost the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship to Yota Tsuji last weekend at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20, but he’ll have another chance to win some new gold at next month’s NJPW The New Beginning USA. Per NJPW1972.com, Konosuke Takeshita will face reigning NJPW World TV Champion El Phantasmo (ELP) for the title at next month’s event.

This will be the first NJPW title defense on US soil in 2026. The match will have a time limit of 15 minutes under World TV Title rules. ELP is coming off of a successful title defense against Chris Brookes during the pre-show of NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20. However, the following night at NJPW New Year Dash!! In 2026, Takeshita and Rocky Romero beat ELP and Shoma Kato in a tag team bout, with The Don Callis Family duo picking up the victory.

Tensions flared between ELP and Takeshita, prompting this new title matchup. It marks the fifth singles match between ELP and Takeshita. Takeshita previously defeated ELP twice last year. They later wrestled to a time limit draw last May at Wrestling Dontaku. Phantasmo later scored his first win over Takeshita during the G1 Climax tournament last July.

ELP has held the World TV Title since April 2025, winning the belt from The Great-O-Khan at Wrestling Hizen no Kuni. NJPW The New Beginning USA, featuring El Phantasmo vs. Konosuke Takeshita for the NJPW World TV Title, takes place on Friday, February 27. The event will be held at the CURE Arena in Trenton, New Jersey.