During his excursion to AEW, Konosuke Takeshita has really won over the fans in the United States. Tonight, that all comes together as he challenges Claudio Castagnoli for the Ring of Honor World Championship. This is the first chance Takeshita has to claim a singles championship in the United States – and as a five time DDT KO-D Champion, he’s no stranger to championship glory.
On paper, this is a perfect match for Castagnoli – as he’s the finished product compared to Takeshita, and is not going to let his first World Championship reign come to an end so early. He will not be overlooking his challenger however, and truly respects the skills that Takeshita brings to the ring. He’s taken the likes of Hangman Page, Jon Moxley & Eddie Kingston to their limits – and tonight could be on the way to his biggest win in an AEW ring yet.
A Fast Start From The ROH World Champion
Castagnoli would run into Takeshita starting with the uppercut, but Takeshita would dodge. Takeshita would run in with the knee strike – but Castagnoli was also able to dodge. Castagnoli would get the side headlock on the mat, before working into an armbar, forcing the shoulders of Takeshita down into a pinfall.
Takeshita would bridge his shoulders up, before Castagnoli would set up and launch Takeshita with a monkey flip. The crowd was on their feet already, as Takeshita would pick the ankle and go after the leg of Castagnoli briefly, before losing control and having his wrist captured. Castagnoli would be sent to the floor, but Takeshita was unable to complete the dive – and was driven into the barricade.
He’d fire back with a forearm smash, before Castagnoli hit a series of backbreakers in the ring – softening up the back of Takeshita. A stretch on the mat would help this goal, and Castagnoli would move between holds before Takeshita broke free and hit the suplex. Castagnoli was back to his feet quickly, and would hit the big boot before another backbreaker.
Takeshita would continue to fight for control, and hit a back elbow before taking a double axe handle to the back. Hurricana would land, before Takeshita picked up some insane speed off the ropes with the Takeshitaline. Castagnoli would try and take refuge on the floor, but Takeshita would hit the dive over the ropes.
Claudio Castagnoli Outlasts Konosuke Takeshita
Back in the ring, Takeshita would look to come off the top rope – before being caught with the Avalanche Gutwrench Suplex. Takeshita would be able to kick out, before getting nailed in the corner with the running uppercuts. Castagnoli would take a Helluva Kick to the jaw and the Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count, a combo that calls back to El Generico.
Takeshita would hit the turnbuckle DDT to Castagnoli, before a massive frog splash for the two count. Takeshitaline would be blocked with an uppercut, before Castagnoli would apply the sharpshooter. He’d see Takeshita reaching for the ropes, and seamlessly move into the crossface – only to be rolled into a pinfall. German Suplex would land, before Castagnoli would roll to his feet for a lariat. A second German Suplex and a Jumbo Lariat would follow, with Castagnoli somehow kicking out.
Very European Uppercut would be blocked into the knee strike before a vertical drop brainbuster for the two count. Cinnabomb would be blocked before a double stomp and the Ricola Bomb. Takeshita would block into the hurricanrana, getting the closest fall of the night.
Jumping knee from Takeshita was blocked into the Death Valley Driver, before Castagnoli would hit the Hammer & Anvil Elbows and Ricola Bomb for the hard fought victory. This match met the hype and then some, but Takeshita will have to wait another day to become a champion in AEW.
Who will challenge Castagnoli next? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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