Konosuke Takeshita Wins AEW International Title At WrestleDream 2024

Few AEW stars had as much anticipation behind their debut as Will Ospreay and Ricochet. The two had already faced each other in a singles match, but Konosuke Takeshita disrupted that contest. At WrestleDream 2024, the three had a chance to compete for the International Championship.

At WrestleDream in Tacoma, Washington, Will Ospreay defended his AEW International Championship in a three-way match against Ricochet and Konosuke Takeshita. Each wrestler brought a distinct style, with Ospreay focusing on technical and aerial moves, Ricochet relying on agility, and Takeshita using strikes and power.

This match followed Adam Cole’s return, where he interrupted MJF’s comeback. The match was no disqualification, and Takeshita quickly brought out a table and set it up at ringside. Ricochet avoided going through the table, and the action returned to the ring. Ospreay re-entered as Takeshita went over the top rope with a missed knee strike. Ricochet then dived to the outside, only to be caught by Takeshita. Ospreay followed with a dive, taking both men out.

The three wrestlers ended up on the apron in front of the table. Ospreay took a Death Valley Driver on the apron, and Ricochet delivered a double knee drop onto Takeshita, but the table remained intact. Ricochet then placed Takeshita on the table, but Ospreay hit a Spanish Fly on Ricochet in the ring. Ospreay attempted a Storm Breaker, but Ricochet countered with a hurricanrana. Ospreay missed a Hidden Blade, allowing Ricochet to land a move of his own. Ospreay rolled away from a top-rope splash and hit a Styles Clash on Ricochet, only for Takeshita to break up the pin at the last moment.

The crowd chanted “Fight Forever” as Takeshita rallied with lariats and a blue thunder bomb on Ricochet for a near fall. Ospreay missed an Oz Cutter on Takeshita but landed it on a second attempt. Ricochet intervened for a close near fall. As the match progressed, Ricochet and Takeshita returned to the apron, fighting in front of the table again. Takeshita executed a piledriver off the apron, sending both men crashing through the table.

Ospreay hit a Hidden Blade on Takeshita, but Don Callis pulled the referee out of the ring. Callis then entered the ring with a screwdriver, but Ospreay attempted to stop him. Kyle Fletcher intervened, attacking Ospreay and aligning with Callis. Takeshita capitalized with an exposed knee to Ospreay’s face, and the referee was thrown back into the ring to count the pin. Takeshita is now the new AEW International Champion, winning the title in controversial fashion.