AEW International title defenses official for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19, Wrestle Dynasty

Following his victory at Worlds End, Konosuke Takeshita is officially set to defend the AEW International Championship at the Tokyo Dome.

Takeshita is challenging Shingo Takagi for the NEVER Openweight Championship at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19 on January 4. When the bout was announced, it was noted that it would become a double title match if Takeshita was still AEW International Champion. That is now official with Takeshita having no more title defenses remaining before Wrestle Kingdom. He successfully defended the belt by defeating Powerhouse Hobbs at Worlds End this past weekend.

The winner of Takeshita vs. Takagi will defend both the NEVER Openweight Championship and AEW International Championship against Tomohiro Ishii in another double title match at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5. Both shows are being held at the Tokyo Dome and will air live on NJPW World.

NJPW wrote:

• After a successful defense Saturday at the Worlds End event against Powerhouse Will Hobbs, Konosuke Takeshita will defend the AEW International Championship against Shingo Takagi’s NEVER title in a title for title match at Wrestle Kingdom.
• Not only that, but the next night at Wrestle Dynasty, Tomohiro Ishii will challenge for both championships. Who will emerge with all the gold?

Takeshita became AEW International Champion by defeating Will Ospreay and Ricochet in a three-way match at AEW’s WrestleDream pay-per-view this October.