10 Next Big Things In Wrestling You Need To Know
1. Konosuke Takeshita (DDT)
Destined to become one of Japan's most revered wrestlers within the next few years, Konosuke Takeshita is the ace of DDT and their current KO-D Openweight Champion.
Besting rival Tetsuya Endo in an electric encounter at this year's Wrestle Peter Pan (DDT's biggest show of the year), Takeshita, at just 24 years old, took DDT's top strap for the fourth time, proving himself one of the world's finest big-match wrestlers in the process. Of course, DDT fans have known this for a long time. While outsiders recognise the promotion only for its comedy, the likes of Takeshita, Endo, HARASHIMA, and Daisuke Sasaki have helped craft a dramatic main event style reminiscent of NJPW's epics, and Konosuke is now the leader of the pack, with his explosiveness, mat skills, and ability to make every opponent look like a million dollars making him the most important piece in the scene's puzzle.
Takeshita may go his whole career without leaving DDT. Loyalty is a big, big deal in Japan, where promotional jumps are rare. This may be the only thing stopping him from reaching the same level as a Kazuchika Okada, though. Exposure and further seasoning are all he's missing.
Key Match: vs. Tetsuya Endo (DDT Wrestle Peter Pan 2019)