Shun Skywalker captures NJPW World TV Title, dethroning Konosuke Takeshita at Destruction in Kobe – POST Wrestling

Shun Skywalker has kicked off his first-ever title reign in NJPW.

House of Torture member Skywalker captured the NJPW World Television Championship on Sunday night, ending Konosuke Takeshita’s lengthy reign with the sprint-style title. The bout took place as part of NJPW’s annual Destruction in Kobe lineup.

Skywalker resorted to cheap tactics against Takeshita, who was in a close matchup against him through the opening minutes.

After House of Torture teammate Ren Narita distracted Takeshita at ringside, Skywalker was able to throw a white powder in his eyes. This dirty move allowed him to get back into a fight he had been falling behind in.

Minutes later, Skywalker was able to counter Takeshita’s Raging Fire into his new Skyfall finisher.  After connecting with a Blue Thunder Bomb, Skywalker followed with a second Skyfall to earn the pinfall.

The House of Torture faction joined Skywalker in the ring afterward, partaking in a celebratory post-match beatdown on Takeshita. The mob of heel talents fled the ring after Toru Yano came down for the save.

Skywalker made his NJPW debut last month, making the jump to the brand following a lengthy career in Dragon Gate. The three-time Open The Dream Gate Champion had previously crossed paths with Takeshita back in 2024, sharing the ring as part a co-promoted UJPW event from NJPW, NOAH, Dragon Gate, and others.

Takeshita’s reign as NJPW World Television Champion ends as the third-longest in the title’s lineage. He first won the title back in February, overcoming El Phantasmo as part of a U.S. NJPW lineup. He would retain his belt five times over the next 212 days, beating three opponents but needing a 15-minute time-limit draw against two others.