Tony Khan has built an impressive roster in All Elite Wrestling. One that could easily go name for name with any company and deserves the moniker of “where the best wrestle.” Fans could debate for days which performers are the best of the best, but there’s one who should be looked at as the future of AEW, and perhaps all of wrestling. That is none other than Konosuke Takeshita.
Konosuke Takeshita recently turned 30, and he’s already achieved so much. In the 13 years he’s performed, Takeshita has amassed several champions. He’s held important titles like the DDT Iron Man Heavy Metal Championship five times, the KO-D Openweight Championship five times, the NEVER Openweight Championship, and, recently, the AEW International Championship.
What’s more important is that Takeshita has won the 2025 NJPW G1 Climax, making him the first AEW and DDT contracted superstar to win the tournament. That shows how important Takeshita is in the eyes of important wrestling promotions. Not only are AEW and DDT willing to work together to see him signed with both organizations, but NJPW is willing to have him win perhaps the most important tournament in professional wrestling. Hopefully, he wins the IWGP Championship, securing his place in history and kicking off what should be a career-defining run.
A run that shouldn’t stop there. Takeshita is the type of performer that AEW should build around for the future. Think about Takeshita being the central pillar with names like Kyle Fletcher, MJF, Daniel Garcia, Kevin Knight, HOOK, and several others chasing him. AEW has the opportunity to set the tone for the future with the best young roster in the world. WWE continues to focus on its older stars, setting up major disappointment as the company struggles to build stars for the future. AEW doesn’t have that problem as the company is stacked with young names who have hopefully years upon years left in their careers.
Konosuke Takeshita is one of the best performers in professional wrestling today. It is time that he is seen as the future of All Elite Wrestling and put in the position to thrive as the icon of that organization.