Konosuke Takeshita will return on the November 18 episode of AEW Rampage alongside the debuting Jun Akiyama.
In a tweet, AEW president Tony Khan announced that Eddie Kingston and Ortiz will battle Takeshita and Akiyam on the show, which is being billed as “Full Gear Friday” ahead of the Full Gear pay-per-view on Saturday. Takeshita has wrestled for AEW on a handful of occasions in 2022, but he last wrestled stateside for the company at the AEW Dark: Elevation taping on August 10. He previously faced Kingston on the July 8 episode of AEW Rampage.
Akiyama is a Japanese wrestling legend; he has been featured at All Japan Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling NOAH, and DDT over the course of his career. He has won gold at all three companies; he is a three-time GHC Heavyweight Champion, a former Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion, and a former Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion.
Kingston has repeatedly expressed his interest in facing Akiyama, as he is a passionate fan of the King’s Road Style of wrestling.
Next Friday, November 18
Newark, NJ
Friday Night #AEWRampage
LIVE on @TNTdramaRed hot with 5 straight wins as a team@MadKing1981 + @Ortiz_Powerful battle an incredible combination from @DDTpro: @jun0917start + @Takesoup!
Kingston/Ortiz vs Akiyama/Takeshita
Next Friday on TNT! pic.twitter.com/il7ZXL3e3w— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) November 12, 2022
WrestleZone will have coverage of the show as it airs on Friday.
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