Konosuke Takeshita Believes EVIL Is One Of His Best Opponents: “He Really Is The Best At Being The Worst”
Takeshita further discusses his G1 Final victory.
An IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match is on the docket for Konosuke Takeshita after he won New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s G1 Climax 35 tournament.
He overcame interference from HOUSE OF TORTURE to defeat EVIL in the final. Takeshita further opened up about the victory during his sit-down chat with NJPW1972.com. He expressed his thought that EVIL is one of the best opponents he’s ever had, and added that EVIL is the best at being the worst.
“I think when it comes to being the worst, he’s the best. I really think he’s one of the best opponents I’ve ever had. And he’s tough, you know? He has to be. He really is the best at being the worst.
What we do in the ring is completely different, but I think we both have a strong idea of what we want to show the people. We both have something clear in mind that we use wrestling to get across, and I think in that regard, I might be closer in wavelength to EVIL than anyone in NJPW.”
Takeshita stated that he expected the crowd to begin cheering for EVIL in their match. He said if he were a fan in that situation, he’d want EVIL to win.
“No, I expected that (crowd to cheer for EVIL in G1 Final). If I was a fan in the same situation, I would want EVIL to win, I think. So I figured I had an uphill climb in front of me and it was all about spirit on my part. I was hurt from the day before with Zack (Sabre Jr.) as well, so it was really about giving it all the spirit I had and getting through, come what may. And EVIL really responded in kind.”
Overall, Takeshita feels the G1 Final versus EVIL is unlike any G1 Final in history. He thinks it’s an indicator of where pro wrestling is and where it may be headed in the future.
“No, not really, “Takeshita responded when asked if he thinks about being the third wrestler with a DDT background, behind Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi, to have won the G1. “I’ve been doing my thing, and I’ve wanted to show something new to people. So I don’t want this to be seen as a revival or anything, more a culmination of the kind of wrestling only I have been able to cultivate. In my view, that final I had with EVIL was nothing like any G1 final in the 35 years the tournament’s been running. I think that’s an indicator of pro-wrestling as it is now, and maybe what it’ll be in the future.”
Takeshita is going to challenge for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling on October 13th. He is facing the winner of Zack Sabre Jr. and Ren Narita’s IWGP World Title bout.
