Konosuke Takeshita Crowned IWGP World Heavyweight Champion at NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling

AEW star Konosuke Takeshita has won the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling. This is his first run with the title.

Takeshita earned the right to challenge for the title at the 35th G1 Climax tournament. While many expected him to use the title shot at Wrestle Kingdom 20, he decided to challenge reigning champion Zack Sabre Jr. at King of Pro-Wrestling.

#andNEW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion

The Alpha Konosuke Takeshita!#njpw #njkopw pic.twitter.com/wgVE7GQjD6

— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) October 13, 2025

In the main event of NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling, Konosuke Takeshita defeated Sabre Jr. with the Powerdrive Knee, ending his reign at 106 days. Immediately after the match, The Alpha issued an open challenge to rising talents and veterans. Former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Hirooki Goto immediately confronted the new champion and challenged him for the title.

Takeshita is currently signed to AEW and is an active member of The Don Callis Family. This victory has added one more title to the faction’s inventory of championships. It remains to be seen when Hirooki Goto will have his title match against Takeshita.