The Collision standout is ready for a bigger stage
Konosuke Takeshita has become the most dangerous worker on the All Elite Wrestling roster. Following his title win at Double or Nothing and a successful defense on the May 24th episode of AEW Collision, he has transformed into the company's premier workhorse. As reported by Wrestling Inc, his trajectory is moving toward a main-event anchor role.
However, AEW's current viewership struggle puts this momentum at risk. Per PWInsider data, Collision struggles to gain traction in the cable market. When your best performer is featured on a show that is fighting for consistent eyeballs, his market value suffers regardless of his in-ring quality.
Why a move back to Japan or a shift to WWE makes sense
Takeshita’s contract status is a frequent topic in locker room chatter. He has arguably hit his ceiling in domestic US weekly television. If he remains, he risks being relegated to the same revolving door of challengers that plague the mid-card.
A return to DDT Pro-Wrestling would allow him to reclaim his status as an undisputed Japanese ace. Conversely, a jump to WWE would offer him exposure to a global fanbase that dwarfs current AEW viewership numbers. He possesses the physical presence and technical versatility that the current WWE scouting department prioritizes.
The creative bottleneck
The booking of the International Championship feels reactive rather than intentional. Takeshita carries elite weight, but the peripheral booking of his recent defenses feels like filler. He is effectively putting on high-tier matches for a diminishing secondary audience.
Fans expecting him to spearhead a massive resurgence for Collision are ignoring the data. Recent Dynamite rating reports confirm that even the flagship show is navigating a difficult period regarding fan engagement. This lack of upward mobility for top-tier talent usually precedes an exit.
Probability and outlook
The probability of a full exit before the end of the year is low, but rising. Takeshita is loyal to his roots, but he is also a business-minded professional. He understands that wrestling is a short career.
If he doesn't transition into a genuine feud for the world title by the late summer, expect whispers about his departure to turn into full-blown negotiation reports. He has little to gain from winning another dozen matches against undercard talent on taped episodes.
His ideal future involves a championship run that headlines a major pay-per-view. If the current creative direction refuses to pivot his feuds away from circular mid-card brawls, he will rightfully explore other options. The man is simply too good to be wasted on stagnant television.
The impact of him leaving AEW would be catastrophic for the credibility of their weekly shows. He is currently the only reason a significant segment of the audience tunes into Saturday nights. His departure would effectively signal the end of the experiment to make Collision a destination event.
