Konosuke Takeshita will defend the AEW International Championship at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19. NJPW confirmed the news after Takeshita defended the title against Powerhouse Hobbs at AEW Worlds End.

A new contender was crowned at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19. Hirooki Goto won the New Japan Ranbo battle royal at the show. In doing so, he earned a future shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.