Konosuke Takeshita will challenge Darby Allin for the AEW World Championship on the May 13 episode of Dynamite, replacing Kazuchika Okada in the previously scheduled match. All Elite Wrestling announced the change on AEW Fairway to Hell after Okada was unable to make the booking. Per a report noted by Bryan Alvarez, Okada is traveling to Japan on legitimate family business, and Takeshita has stepped in to represent the Don Callis Family in the title bout.
Konosuke Takeshita Steps Up For Darby Allin Title Match
The change adds another layer to the storyline tension between Okada and Takeshita. Despite both belonging to the Don Callis Family, the two have never seen eye-to-eye throughout their time on the AEW roster, and a singles match between them is already scheduled for AEW Double or Nothing on May 24 with the AEW International Championship on the line. Now Takeshita gets the chance to potentially walk into that match as a two-time champion if he can pull off the upset against Allin on Dynamite.
Darby Allin Coming Off Brutal Fairway To Hell Defense
Allin is heading into the Takeshita match coming off a grueling AEW World title defense against PAC at AEW Fairway to Hell. The main event saw Allin survive a 25-foot drop and crash through four tables before retaining with a Coffin Drop. Closing the show standing tall, Allin now has just days to recover before facing one of the hardest-hitting wrestlers on the roster. The result will likely shape the direction of AEW’s main event scene heading into Double or Nothing, with Takeshita’s stock rising and Okada away from television. With both members of the Don Callis Family now positioned at the top of the AEW pecking order, the eventual Okada vs. Takeshita match in Queens carries even more storyline weight depending on what happens on Dynamite.
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