While Ric Flair has officially ended his feud with Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins, he isn't going to completely avoid criticism of professional wrestling if he sees something he doesn't like.

On his To Be The Man podcast, Flair was discussing in-ring work that he feels doesn't cut the mustard and explicitly called out Konosuke Takeshita, the young AEW standout, for his lackluster chops on Bryan Danielson at Dynamite.

“I’ll give you an example of what I thought was just bullsh*t, and I know he’s your favorite guy,” Flair said. “The Japanese guy who was chopping Bryan Danielson on his knees the other night (Takeshita). Come on, those chops couldn’t have broken an egg. If you’re gonna chop someone, god*mnit, hit them hard, it’s not gonna hurt you. Did you watch that match? Daniel was on his knees, and the guy was going ‘yah.’ I mean, give me a break, it’s embarrassing. In Japan in the 80s, that Japanese kid would have got the sh*t slapped out of him just walking back into the locker room door. If you’re gonna hit someone like that, and you want to get the crowd to woo or react, you’ve gotta hit them had.”

Jeez, poor Takeshita. While a thinner-skinned wrestler might have lashed back in anger, Takeshita apparently has a growth mindset and took the criticism as an opportunity to work on his craft.

“I have the utmost respect for Ric Flair. It is incredible to me that he mentioned me,” Takeshita wrote. “I need to practice a lot as I haven't done much chopping in Japan. Thanks for the advice. I would like you to actually teach me if possible. Watch my chops grow from now on.”
RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Dave Meltzer with a text bubble reading "Those Triple H comments, they aged like milk" with Will Ospreay on his left and Triple H on his right with the AEW Dynasty logo as the background.

Matty Breisch ·

Will Ospreay next to Triple H with the AEW Dynasty logo as the background.

Matty Breisch ·

Will Ospreay in front of the AEW Dynasty logo

Matty Breisch ·

Will Takeshita get better at his chops? Yes; while it's a tad presumptuous to make such an assertion, Takeshita is an incredible athlete and has all the physical tools to become a chopping master. If that happens, let's hope Flair shouts out his progress too.