Big ROH Title Match Announced For AEW's Battle Of The Belts III
Claudio Castagnoli's first ROH World Title defence in AEW has been set.
AEW announced on the latest edition of Rampage that Claudio Castagnoli will defend his newly-won ROH World Title against Konosuke Takeshita at Battle Of The Belts III on 6 August.
The event, which is also billed as "Saturday Fight Night", will mark Claudio's first title defence since winning the strap from Jonathan Gresham at ROH's Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view - this is also Takeshita's first ever crack at the prestigious belt.
On paper, this certainly feels like a higher-profile bout than anything Tony Khan booked for the first two Battle Of The Belts specials. They've felt a little...lacking to date, and the idea could definitely use some inspiration.
Castagnoli vs. Takeshita could be just the tonic BOTB needs.
AEW will tape the card at the Van Del Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Friday 5 August. That same night, Khan's group will also shoot a live episode of Rampage. Then, 24 hours later, Battle Of The Belts III will air for viewers back home.
Both previous BOTB shows have featured three title matches, so it makes sense to believe that AEW will add another couple to bolster Claudio vs. Konosuke.