Konosuke Takeshita on western wrestling & Japan

[markymark]

He shouldve won the international title last year instead of giving OC a 2nd title reign imo

[“Max Landis DickOnya”]

I can understand his frustration. Both with AEW and American wrestling in general. I wouldn’t fault him at all if he went back to Japan full time.

[UN PLOMBIER NIGHTMARE #blm]

Yeah I get his frustration too. Whether it is AEW, WWE or really any type of big time sports related company it does seem like Asian people don't usually get the recognition they deserve. Takeshita with AEW still has plenty of time to have things happen and I think it will but who can really blame anyone for being hesitant on thinking it'll happen. Nakamura eventually got tired out and went into going through the motions mode, every sport has a disclaimer of "can't believe they're actually that good" like with Ohtani, Lin or whoever else. It sucks but it is absolutely there and I think some people aren't even really aware of it.

[YAKMAN is ICHIBAN]

Not that there might not be some real feelings sprinkled in, but isn't this a kayfabe interview, on DDT's website, to set up the Suzuki match?

[Allie Kitsune]

May 16, 2024 14:37:00 GMT -5 UN PLOMBIER NIGHTMARE #blm said:

Yeah I get his frustration too. Whether it is AEW, WWE or really any type of big time sports related company it does seem like Asian people don't usually get the recognition they deserve. Takeshita with AEW still has plenty of time to have things happen and I think it will but who can really blame anyone for being hesitant on thinking it'll happen. Nakamura eventually got tired out and went into going through the motions mode, every sport has a disclaimer of "can't believe they're actually that good" like with Ohtani, Lin or whoever else. It sucks but it is absolutely there and I think some people aren't even really aware of it.

It might help if more American fans were willing to learn THEIR languages (though I realize that access is still an issue, when it comes to that), instead of being entitled and expecting it to be the other way around.

[salz4life]

How is it "being entitled" that American wrestling fans want their performers to speak their native language? If I watch New Japan, I wouldn't expect Tanahashi to speak English... it's a Japanese country. Now, I don't mind the Japanese wrestlers speaking their native language if we can get an interpreter to tell us what the said (or in a taped interview we get subtitles). Some don't like that, which doesn't really make sense to me but oh well. Kenny Omega actually learned Japanese and that really made him stand out as a foreign entity in NJPW. That was very impressive, in my eyes. I don't think anyone expects foreign performers to speak perfect English, but just speaking for myself... even an attempt to make a go at it, would go a long way for me. It makes it easier to connect with them. This is all just my opinion though. I don't expect everyone to agree.

[The Summer of Muskrat XVII]

May 16, 2024 15:22:18 GMT -5 Allie Kitsune said:

May 16, 2024 14:37:00 GMT -5 UN PLOMBIER NIGHTMARE #blm said:

Yeah I get his frustration too. Whether it is AEW, WWE or really any type of big time sports related company it does seem like Asian people don't usually get the recognition they deserve. Takeshita with AEW still has plenty of time to have things happen and I think it will but who can really blame anyone for being hesitant on thinking it'll happen. Nakamura eventually got tired out and went into going through the motions mode, every sport has a disclaimer of "can't believe they're actually that good" like with Ohtani, Lin or whoever else. It sucks but it is absolutely there and I think some people aren't even really aware of it.

It might help if more American fans were willing to learn THEIR languages (though I realize that access is still an issue, when it comes to that), instead of being entitled and expecting it to be the other way around.

......am I missing a punchline here? Or a movie reference?

[Super Duper Dragunov]

I do feel for the guy. Hell Kenny Omega went out of his way to put this guy over on more than one occasion. He should've been a made man.

Hopefully it all lines up for him in some way because Takeshita has all the talent in the world.

But hey at least he's not standing in the ring looking like a goober while MJF goes on a 10 minute monologue anymore, right?

[daaave]

I definetly think the company want him to be a top guy but they just not fully committed to it yet for some reason. He's had some big wins and matches but they've not followed up yet.

I'm not sure what they could do with him right now either. Feels like all the belts and main feuds are taken up currently.

[stan1337]

That is too bad if he really feels that beat down by his time here. He is a great wrestler. I have loved his heel work.

Honestly, I felt like he was involved in a lot of stories and on TV quite a bit for someone so young who isn't well known to the audience.

It's tough because there is mad anti-asian bias in sports but I truly did not feel like he was presented in a way or even treated in comments from folks online with that backhanded racist stink we unfortunately all are familiar with. But it's his feelings and if he is that miserable obviously something isn't vibing.

Hope it all works out for him. He's so talented. Perhaps it's something were he might just enjoy being in Japan more. Shit, I know I probably would if I was a public figure. The US and a huge chunk of the population in it are absolute trash, which certainly can be said for many places but it is really concentrated and even celebrated in this dump.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

Interesting timing lol

["Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik]

I'm pretty sure it's a mostly kayfabe interview with elements of realism sprinkled in.

[Dub H]

Yeh maybe there is one truth but the interview is clearly kayfabe as he said he enjoyed nothing about the US.

There is some truth to the struggles of being asian in an American company for sure.


Also we have f***ing Roddy as International Champ ,there is no argument that Takeshita wouldn't be the clear better choice

[markymark]

[Cyno]

I can see Takeshita winning the match at DoN to set up him vs Moxley or EVIL (probably Moxley) at Forbidden Door.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

I think this is a rare Eliminator Match victory honestly

Gives Takeshita another PPV win too

[Soultastic]

May 16, 2024 22:22:37 GMT -5 Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-] said:

Interesting timing lol

Is it? I mean they've been building up the match for a few weeks with Mox taking on the Don Callis family and BCC being assaulted by Takeshita.

[YAKMAN is ICHIBAN]

May 16, 2024 22:28:23 GMT -5 Dub H said:

Yeh maybe there is one truth but the interview is clearly kayfabe as he said he enjoyed nothing about the US.

There is some truth to the struggles of being asian in an American company for sure.


Also we have f***ing Roddy as International Champ ,there is no argument that Takeshita wouldn't be the clear better choice

Cinnabon be like

[The Summer of Muskrat XVII]

May 17, 2024 0:18:43 GMT -5 Cyno said:

I can see Takeshita winning the match at DoN to set up him vs Moxley or EVIL (probably Moxley) at Forbidden Door.

I was thinking that too, but then I realised it's a weird year for the IWGP Title. Normally that would be a NJPW guy defending against a AEW guy, but they're both AEW guys. They might end up paying off Mox/Takeshita at the next NJPW Strong show maybe? Forbidden Door has definitely lost some shine since Okada and Ospreay signed in AEW

[Fundertaker]

May 17, 2024 8:31:37 GMT -5 The Summer of Muskrat XVII said:

May 17, 2024 0:18:43 GMT -5 Cyno said:

I can see Takeshita winning the match at DoN to set up him vs Moxley or EVIL (probably Moxley) at Forbidden Door.

I was thinking that too, but then I realised it's a weird year for the IWGP Title. Normally that would be a NJPW guy defending against a AEW guy, but they're both AEW guys. They might end up paying off Mox/Takeshita at the next NJPW Strong show maybe? Forbidden Door has definitely lost some shine since Okada and Ospreay signed in AEW

The next NJPW USA show is the FANTASTICAMANIA USA show and the one after comes after the G1 Climax, so I don't think that will happen on NJPW soil.

I have, however, not been aware that the tour before the G1 Climax, New Japan Soul, will have its final show at the Nippon Budokan, so there might be a huge card there. I'd imagine that's where Mox loses the title (against who? Who knows at this point), so if he does face Takeshita for the title it will probably be on AEW TV.

EDIT: Sorry, seems that they'll be using the Budokan not the Nippon Budokan, so it's significantly smaller. Guess that's out of the question :S