AEW Star Claims They’re No Longer Enjoying Wrestling
A popular AEW star has opened up about their struggles since moving to the United States.
Konosuke Takeshita took his first steps in AEW in 2021 and quickly built up a cult following. After continuing to impress in his native Japan, the star finally made the move to the United States on a permanent basis in November 2022.
During his time in AEW, Takeshita has earned huge praise for his matches with the likes of Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, Jon Moxley, and more. However, it seems the transition to the US hasn’t come without its difficulties.
While speaking to Sayoko Mita of DDT, Takeshita admitted he’s struggled to enjoy wrestling despite putting in good performances.
“I thought hard work could cover for everything else before getting there. If I showed how good I am I could get more airtime, but there are other aspects that come to play when competing here (in America).
Discrimination is not the word here, but unfortunately, there’s a lack of space for an Asian person to be on a TV show watched by Americans. No matter how good my condition was nor the amount of matches I was put it, or how many times they said my match was good, it felt like I couldn’t make it in the starting lineup, to put it in Baseball terms,” he said.
“Everyone felt like they’re having fun Wrestling here (in Japan). I didn’t have any fun wrestling ever since I got to America. The effort was bearing fruit, but I didn’t feel the enjoyment. It was the most mentally exhausting period in all 12 years of my wrestling career.
However, when I stopped having fun, my matches were better received, and I gained more recognition. And it’s not proportional.”
Konosuke Takeshita Confirmed For AEW Double Or Nothing
Meanwhile, it’s been announced that Konosuke Takeshita will meet Jon Moxley in an IWGP World Heavyweight Title Eliminator at Double or Nothing. The stipulation means that if Takeshita wins, he’ll get a shot at Moxley’s World Championship.
Moxley claimed the title at NJPW Windy City with a win over Tetsuya Naito.