50 Best Wrestlers Of The 2020s (So Far)
26. Konosuke Takeshita
Konosuke Takeshita has rapidly established himself as one of the most exciting and promising wrestlers of the 2020s, and is in the process of comfortably surviving an AEW midcard vortex that other talented wrestlers have succumbed to in the past. Known for his incredible athleticism, technical skill, and charismatic presence, Takeshita has made a significant impact in AEW and NJPW, continuing to prove whenever given the opportunity that he’s likely to be a major force to be reckoned with in the second half of the decade too.
Takeshita’s best matches demonstrate his versatility - slick speed and agility despite his size, a thirst for violence despite something of an aloof demeanour, and a light/shade switch far more sophisticated than most of his peers. His best matches blend high-level technical wrestling with hard-hitting strikes and dramatic momentum swings, but sheer consistency in an era where these traits are used as acclaim shortcuts by lesser pros keep him well above the chasing pack.
In a decade where global talent is more important than ever, Takeshita stands out as a shining example of the future of wrestling with fewer borders than ever before. His combination of skill, heart, and ambition firmly placed him as a babyface megastar in waiting, but a heel turn has revealed a dark side that has served him almost as well. Not content to simply take what he's offered on TBS and TNT, the former International Champion earned raves for his 2024 G1 Climax performances, and will likely do the same when he returns for the 2025 edition.