Summary

Konosuke Takeshita added a new wrinkle to his NJPW run at Wrestling Dontaku on May 4, joining Hontai after a successful NJPW World Television Championship defense against Chase Owens.

The title match opened night two of the event. Takeshita had to deal with interference from Owens' HOUSE OF TORTURE stablemates during the bout, but he still came through the match with the championship intact.

The story did not end there. After the match, SANADA returned from his indefinite hiatus and attacked Takeshita, continuing the post-match chaos already set in motion by SANADA's return at Wrestling Dontaku.

Later, while Takeshita was giving backstage comments, Shota Umino, Toru Yano, and Aaron Wolf approached him to congratulate him. Takeshita, who said he had spent his first two years in NJPW trying to carve out his own lane, then asked to join Hontai. The group accepted.

Winner

Konosuke Takeshita defeated Chase Owens to retain the NJPW World Television Championship after overcoming interference from HOUSE OF TORTURE.

SANADA and Hontai change Takeshita's NJPW direction

Takeshita joining Hontai gives him immediate backup against HOUSE OF TORTURE, which matters after the numbers game showed up again in his match with Owens. It also gives NJPW a clearer faction home for Takeshita just as SANADA has re-entered the picture.

That is especially notable because Takeshita is still tied to the Don Callis Family in AEW, even with tension already visible in that group. With a match against Kazuchika Okada set for AEW Double or Nothing on May 24, Takeshita now has faction drama around him in both promotions.

Sources

As reported by Fightful.