Konosuke Takeshita Set to Defend IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Against Hirooki Goto Nov. 2

By: Noah Leatherland

Konosuke Takeshita is the new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, and he already has a challenger gunning for his belt. He was confronted by Hirooki Goto amidst the celebrations at King of Pro-Wrestling. It was announced today that the two are set to face off on November 2nd.

The news came as Konosuke Takeshita spoke to press today. On Goto being his first challenger, Takeshita said:

I lost to him in the G1 and having held the title like he did, he deserves to be there. But when only Goto came out, only one person had the courage to step up, that was disappointing.

Takeshita also spoke on the mixed reaction he received from fans as he faced off with Zack Sabre Jr.

I know there were boos [in Ryogoku] but I’m a busy man. I don’t have the time to cowtow to people who have already made up their mind about me. I want to spend my effort in making people who support me happy. If you were cheering me, then know I won’t ever let you down.

(Translations courtesy of NJPW)

The IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match will be the second ever clash between the two competitors. As acknowledge by the champion, Goto holds a victory over Takeshita from this year’s G1 Climax tournament. Goto held the IWGP World Heavyweight Title for 138 earlier this year in his first reign. He made seven successful defences before being dethroned by Zack Sabre Jr. in June at Tanahashi Jam. Only one IWGP World Heavyweight Champion has lost the title in their first defence, that being inaugural champion Kota Ibushi (though he did successfully defend the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles together before they were merged).

The event on November 2nd is branded as Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Homecoming in Gifu. Konosuke Takeshita will not be the only champion defending their title at the event, as The Ace himself has his target set on gold. It was also announced at this press conference that Tanahashi will challenge Yota Tsuji for his newly-won IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship at the event.