Not My IWGP Champion Konosuke: NJPW’s Struggles, and the State of the AEW Partnership

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Hey friends,

Let’s get into it. I need to be honest: right now, Konosuke is not my IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, and it’s not just about him. There’s a bigger picture here—how NJPW operates, how talent is booked, and how the prestige of the belt has been handled.

Konosuke is strong, can hit hard, and he knows how to get a reaction. He can point at the hard cam, call himself the alpha, and fans will respond—but fans don’t always know why they like him. They see power moves, muscles, and flashes of “charisma,” and that’s enough for them to cheer. But that’s shallow. Being a champion isn’t just about looking cool or generating hype; it’s about storytelling, psychology, and committing to the company and its audience.

Right now, Konosuke’s matches are mediocre at best. He relies on power moves, strikes, and big spots, but he no-sells, doesn’t work psychology, and doesn’t evolve over time. He claims he wants to “enhance the value of professional wrestling through battles” and show unprecedented fights—but we’ve seen it before. He’s doing the same things, and there’s no improvement. It’s not being an antagonist to stay stubborn; it’s just being stuck in your ways.

Fans on the fence want to see growth, want to become fans because they can watch someone improve, adapt, and become a complete wrestler. Konosuke has time to do this, but right now he’s just doing the same stuff with no nuance or selling. That’s why he’s not my champion.

Let’s talk about the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship itself. This is supposed to be the pinnacle of professional wrestling, and historically, it’s earned respect through commitment and storytelling. Moxley tried to carry it; it failed because he didn’t have that commitment. Zack Sabre Jr. held it; he’s technical, committed, and embodies the craft. But Konosuke? He wants to take the belt everywhere globally, which is fine—but it can’t replace commitment to NJPW and its fans.

The cheers and boos he gets in Japan are not endorsements of greatness—they’re reactions to the system. NJPW relies on ticket sales, attendance, and fan engagement across the Japanese tour circuit. A champion who isn’t committed to the company undermines that structure, and the numbers reflect it. If your IWGP Champion isn’t fully present, the whole ecosystem suffers.

It’s not just about Konosuke. Finlay is one example of a proven wrestler who gets overlooked despite delivering quality matches and having the skill to hold the title. Goto is another—he had the chance to elevate the belt globally, but NJPW’s booking and media priorities sidelined him. The choices to put the belt on someone who hasn’t earned it on a deeper level have real consequences for the promotion, its storylines, and its fans.

Evil is a case study in contrast: committed, company-minded, proven over time. If he had won the G1, the title would have been in the hands of someone who understands what it means to carry it responsibly. Konosuke? Not yet. He has flashes of potential, but the foundation isn’t there.

This all comes back to commitment. AEW, NJPW, and the global wrestling ecosystem are very different. You can make money and hype elsewhere, but the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship requires allegiance, storytelling, and respect for history. Being flashy isn’t enough.

Konosuke can still change and earn it. There’s room for improvement—selling, psychology, pacing, character work—but right now, he’s just powerful, loud, and inconsistent. That’s why he’s not my champion, and why fans, myself included, are hesitant to call him a legitimate IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

Fans, this is your space to weigh in. Tell me:

• Can Konosuke evolve into a true cham