Tag: Gabe Kidd

Gabe Kidd to miss NJPW Wrestling Dontaku due to injury

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Gabe Kidd is no longer fit to compete at NJPW Wrestling Dontaku.

Last week on the April 12 edition of AEW Dynasty, Gabe Kidd of The Dogs suffered a shoulder injury while competing in the Trios World title match. Later confirmed to be out indefinitely by Tony Khan, Kidd now won’t be competing at NJPW Wrestling Dontaku.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) announced that due to the injury, Kidd will be unable to challenge Yota Tsuji for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Title at Wrestling Dontaku on May 3, 2026.

“Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling. On April 12 in Vancouver Canada at AEW’s Dynasty event, Gabe Kidd, who was scheduled to challenge Yota Tsuji for the IWGP Global heavyweight Championship May 3 at Dontaku, sustained an injury to his right arm and will not be able to compete.We apologise to fans who were looking forward to seeing Kidd wrestle and appreciate your understanding. Yota Tsuji will still defend the IWGP Global title May 3 in the main event of Dontaku night one. An announcement will follow when a new challenger has been determined,” NJPW’s official statement read.

At Dynasty, Kidd teamed up with Clark Connors and David Finlay to unsuccessfully defend their AEW Trios World titles against Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly, & Roderick Strong.

Gabe Kidd suffers injury during AEW Dynasty

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Gabe Kidd was hurt during AEW Dynasty.

During the course of the Trios title match on Sunday, Kidd was escorted to the back by medical personnel, appearing to favor his wrist or shoulder as the match continued on. Kyle O’Reilly, the surprise tag team partner of Orange Cassidy and Roderick Strong, scored the win for his team by submitting Clark Connors for the win.

According to Bryan Alvarez, Kidd appeared to suffer a dislocated shoulder during the course of the match. He also notes that the finish was always for O’Reilly and his team to score the win and the titles, and the injury didn’t cause the finish to change. The Dogs had won the titles from JetSpeed and Mistico on Collision, which was taped last week.

The Dogs have been feuding with The Conglomeration in recent weeks. After their successful title win, it was announced The Dogs would defend the titles against Strong, Cassidy, and a mystery partner. A few days before Dynasty, O’Reilly hinted in an interview that he would “really wanna be ready” for AEW’s upcoming pay-per-view.

“So wink, wink, nudge, nudge [proceeds to wink multiple times]. Maybe I’ll be back in time for that,” he said at the time.

New Trios Champions crowned on AEW Collision

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

We have brand new Trios Champions before AEW Dynasty!

In the opening match of the night on the April 11 edition of AEW Collision, taped previously on Wednesday, April 8th, after Dynamite, fans saw The Dog become the new Trios Champions.

The Dogs, consisting of David Finlay, Clark Connors, and Gabe Kidd, defeated JetSpeed (Kevin Knight & Mike Bailey) & Mistico to win and capture the AEW World Trios titles.

The final moments of the match saw Finlay hold Bailey for a vertical suplex while Connors delivered a spear from the middle rope. Kidd then followed it up and pinned Bailey for the three-count to secure the gold for his team.

This marks the first reign for The Dogs as AEW Trios Champions. Previous champions JetSpeed & Mistico held the championships for 24 days (recorded from the time they actually won the titles and later lost them on the April 8 taping of Collision. They won the title previously at AEW Revolution and made two successful title defenses, including one in CMLL.

Gabe Kidd says he is ‘waging war’ on NJPW

Posted on by Ian Carey

Gabe Kidd has gone from passionately representing New Japan Pro-Wrestling to declaring war on it.

Kidd attacked Yota Tsuji in the main event of Sakura Genesis on Saturday, dragging the IWGP Global Champion to the back and continuing the assault. Kidd later posted footage of the backstage attack to social media.

In the footage he posted, Kidd says:

“I am waging war on this f—-ng company. On Tanahashi, Sugabayashi, all the big office, big d–k, idiot, f—ing pricks! F–k em, every single one of them.”

“Everybody wants to question why Ospreay left. Nobody wants to question why EVIL, why Hiromu left. But you all wanna put it on me? F—k the lot of yous. F—k every single one of yous.”

“We’re waging war on this company. We are waging war on New Japan Pro-Wrestling. F—k this company.”

Kidd then turned his attention to the IWGP Global Championship belt he’d taken from Tsuji.

“When it comes to this, I’m gonna take this back and I’m gonna keep it well away from Japan. This is a global belt, right? I’m gonna take this to America and make it f—king famous.”

Kidd’s run with NJPW began in early 2020. He later joined the Bullet Club War Dogs faction in the summer of 2023, and the group played a major role in NJPW storylines until Kidd, Clark Connors, and David Finlay left for AEW.

Kidd’s match against Kenny Omega at Wrestle Dynasty in 2025, built around Kidd representing NJPW against Omega, who had left the company to help form AEW, was voted Pro Wrestling Match of the Year in the 2025 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards.

Kidd’s post is below:

AEW announces signing of NJPW faction following surprise Dynamite appearance

Posted on by Josh Nason

Amid plenty of discussion the past few months about his status with NJPW and interest from WWE, David Finlay made a surprise appearance on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite alongside some old friends.

Now Finlay, Clark Connors and Gabe Kidd are officially under AEW contract as The Dogs, announced by Tony Khan on X.

Finlay appeared after Orange Cassidy and Darby Allin’s victory over Connors and Kidd, hitting both Allin and Cassidy with a shillelagh. The three stood tall afterward, reuniting three key members of the Bullet Club War Dogs faction from NJPW.

It’s unclear as of this time whether the three men are under dual contracts with NJPW or exclusive to AEW. Fightful did report shortly afterward that Finlay’s deal is for multiple years and came together over the last week.

Kidd and Connors have been regulars on AEW TV over the past month, feuding with Allin. Finlay has wrestled once in AEW, losing to Hangman Page back in June 2022.

Finlay’s contract expired with NJPW in February, but he continued to wrestle through last weekend’s New Beginning USA, Kidd’s last NJPW match came in mid-February, and Connors last appeared for the promotion at January’s New Year Dash.

It was reported by Fightful that Finlay and WWE had been in contact, but that he wasn’t factored into any plans.

It was noted on X that the third, fourth and fifth leaders of Bullet Club are now under AEW contract (Kenny Omega, Jay White, Finlay).

The Dogs vs. Orange Cassidy & Darby Allin announced for Dynamite

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

Dynamite is almost 48 hours away and we already have a near-full card being advertised.

The latest announcement: Darby Allin will team with Orange Cassidy to face Clark Connors and Gabe Kidd, the tag team now known as the Dogs. AEW CEO Tony Khan announced the tag team match on social media. 

The rivalry between the four men grew out of Kidd’s association with the Death Riders while they were feuding with Allin, among others. Allin defeated Kidd at AEW Worlds End last December, which seemed to put an end to that program. 

Connors, however, returned to AEW in January teaming with Kidd, his stablemate from the Unbound Co. faction in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Cassidy, another former Death Riders enemy, has also been drawn into the war; he teamed with Tomohiro Ishii to defeat the Dogs on the February 18 episode of Collision. 

This is the second match for Dynamite announced on Monday night after Jon Moxley vs. Hechicero. The card thus far:

  • MJF vs. Kevin Knight for the AEW World Heavyweight Championship
  • Jon Moxley vs. Hechicero
  • Thekla vs. Thunder Rosa for the AEW Women’s World Championship
  • Darby Allin & Orange Cassidy vs. Gabe Kidd & Clark Connors

Number one contender for Global title crowned at NJPW New Beginning in Osaka

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The next challenger for the IWGP Global Championship is set.

Andrade El Idolo defeated Gabe Kidd at New Beginning in Osaka on Wednesday to become the new number one contender. After a hard-hitting battle, Andrade managed to hit Kidd with an elbow and connected with the DM for the win, setting the stage for his title match at New Beginning USA on February 27.

Shortly before Wrestle Kingdom 20, it was revealed that Idolo had joined the United Empire and was victorious in their tag team match on January 4. Soon after, Kidd issued the challenge for Osaka. In the days prior to their match, it was announced that the winner would get a shot at Tsuji’s Global title in New Jersey.

Idolo has momentum both in NJPW and in AEW, where he is a member of the Don Callis Family. He will wrestle Hangman Page this weekend at Grand Slam Australia where the winner will challenge MJF for the AEW World title at Revolution next month.

Here is the updated card for New Beginning USA:

NJPW New Beginning USA (February 27)

  • IWGP Global title: Yota Tsuji defends against Andrade El Idolo
  • AEW National title: Ricochet defends against Taiji Ishimori
  • IWGP Tag Team titles: Knockout Brothers defend against GOA
  • NJPW Strong Openweight title: Tomohiro Ishii defends against Boltin Oleg
  • IWGP Women’s title: Syuri defends against Athena
  • NJPW World TV title: El Phantasmo defends against Konosuke Takeshita

NJPW World reveals five most-viewed matches of 2025

Posted on by Joseph Currier

NJPW World has revealed the five most-viewed matches that aired on the streaming service in 2025.

Based on view count from January 1-December 31, 2025, Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd from Wrestle Dynasty was the most-watched match. It took place on January 5 of last year and was Omega’s first time wrestling in Japan since 2023.

Here is the full top five:

  1. Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd from Wrestle Dynasty (January 5, 2025)
  2. IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Hirooki Goto from New Beginning in Osaka (February 11, 2025)
  3. IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet from Wrestle Dynasty (January 5, 2025)
  4. IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship match: Yota Tsuji vs. Gabe Kidd from New Beginning in Osaka (February 11, 2025)
  5. Dog Pound cage match: David Finlay, Clark Connors, Drilla Moloney, Taiji Ishimori & Gabe Kidd vs. EVIL, Ren Narita, SANADA, SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru from Wrestling Dontaku (May 3, 2025)

The Sabre vs. Goto match from New Beginning in Osaka saw Goto finally become IWGP Champion for the first time in his NJPW career, which has spanned more than two decades. Goto was champion for 138 days before dropping the belt back to Sabre.

Tsuji now holds both the IWGP Championship and Global Heavyweight Championship after defeating Konosuke Takeshita at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4. That show was headlined by Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement match against Kazuchika Okada, which seems likely to top the 2026 version of this list.

NJPW wrestler drawing ‘a lot of interest in the United States’

Posted on by Ian Carey

NJPW’s Gabe Kidd has options if he is to hit the free agency market soon.

Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that there is “a lot of interest in the United States” regarding Kidd. He also mentioned that it’s likely Kidd’s NJPW deal expires at the end of the month.

“A lot of interest in Gabe Kidd in the United States,” Meltzer said on the show.

“Gabe Kidd is another one that they (WWE) want, I’m sure AEW wants, I’m sure New Japan wants. I’ve been hearing a lot about them because Gabe Kidd’s contract probably is up at the end of the month – I don’t know that 100 percent – because most New Japan contracts are.”

“With Kidd, it’s going to be real interesting with him because I think that he really loves New Japan and New Japan made him a star.”

WWE is also said to have interest in AEW’s Powerhouse Hobbs. In this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Meltzer wrote that WWE “was very high” on The Opps member. However, it’s not clear when Hobbs’ AEW contract expires. Meltzer and Garrett Gonzales also addressed the situation with Hobbs on Observer Radio.

“There’s more to the Hobbs thing than I wrote,” Meltzer said.

Responding to a question about when Hobbs’ AEW contract expires, Meltzer said, “I don’t know. But I know that those in WWE really want him.”

The full episode of Wrestling Observer Radio is available here for subscribers.

Two challenges issued for AEW Worlds End

Posted on by Josh Nason

This Saturday’s AEW Worlds End pay-per-view may grow by two matches imminently.

During Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite on 34th Street, Gabe Kidd issued a challenge to Darby Allin for the Chicago PPV with Allin later shrugging it off after revealing he’s been medically cleared, saying he had other things to focus on.

Kidd then snuck up from behind Allin and took issue with his comments, attacking him and then tossing him down the same stairwell behind the Manhattan Center that Moxley and the Death Riders threw him down last year.

Later in a vignette, the Bang Bang Gang issued a challenge to AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR for a Chicago street fight. FTR has been feuding with Juice Robinson and Austin Gunn for several weeks and recently picked up a tainted win in a title defense, leading to the challenge.

Neither match has been made official as of this writing.

Current AEW Worlds End lineup | Saturday, December 27 | Chicago:

  • AEW World Champion Samoa Joe defends against Swerve Strickland, Hangman Adam Page and MJF in a four-way
  • AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander defends against Jamie Hayter
  • AEW Women’s Tag Team Champions Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron defend against Mercedes Mone and Athena
  • Continental Classic Semifinal: Blue league winner vs. Gold league runner-up
  • Continental Classic Semifinal: Gold league winner vs. Blue league runner-up
  • Continental Classic Finals: Semifinal winner vs. semifinal winner
  • *AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) defend against Bang Bang Gang (Juice Robinson & Austin Gunn) in a street fight
  • *Darby Allin vs. Gabe Kidd

*Unofficial, but likely

Daily Update: Mercedes Mone, Gabe Kidd, Syko Stu fund

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

*The most detailed coverage of the WWE’s deal with ESPN starting early, why the different moves were made by all sides, the costs, more details on Wrestlepalooza, the embarrassment to sports journalism that ESPN has been and emphasized this week, how WWE benefits and doesn’t from the changes,and  more.
*Will Ospreay, his neck issues, comparisons with other major stars and their serious problems, and his future.
*More questions regarding the death of Hulk Hogan.
*A look at Forbidden Door and the card, AEW injury rate ,NXT Heatwave, WWE Clash in Paris, France attendance record and more.
*Full coverage of TripleMania, lots of behind the scenes stuff, why the next show is where it is and when it is, what Nick Khan told AAA talent, records set and a  record claimed that was so far from accurate, actual  viewer numbers for each match and more.
*A look at The G-1 Climax tournament, the booking, the business, Konosuke Takeshita, new record set and upcoming book New Japan bouts.
*Real attendance figures for WrestleMania in Las Vegas and stats on who traveled for the show vs. who lived in Las Vegas and bought tickets,
*Full coverage of UFC 319, business,  Chimaev and his future.
*Dragon Gate’s Dangerous Gate 2025 show
*The most detailed look at the ratings for all pro wrestling and MMA shows this past week, including weekly standings, nightly standings, head-to-head shows, segment numbers and more notes.
*Details of another big CMLL week
*Stardom Five Star Grand Prix update
*Kents vs. Marufuji
*Women’s legends show packs Korakuen Hall
*Cauliflower Alley Club awards
*Man who claims to have saved Scott Steiner’s life.
*Wrestler charged with murdering a neighbor in a brawl
*Sami Callihan retires
*Lots of thoughts on Chris Jerich as a free agent
*Tony Khan media call
*Unionizing wrestlers
*Ticket advances for upcoming WWE, AEW and TNA shows.
*Dana White talks Jon Jones
*Sean Strickland suspended.
*PFL crowns new world champions.
*The farce that is Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis.
*Gable Steveson’s MMA debut.
*BJ Penn back in court.
*Time changes for a lot of the WWE TV shows over the next month.
*High level athletes being recruited by WWE.
*Rhodes talks about leaving AEW.
*Bronson Reed talks about his injury.

This Week’s Back Issue

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Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Lola Vice, Sol Ruca & Zaria vs. Fatal Influence main event from NXT last night.
  • While wishing her a happy birthday yesterday, Tyler Bate expressed his love for Ruca: “Happiest of birthdays to my love, my inspiration and my smile @solrvca. The coolest person I know. You make me laugh, you make me want to be better everyday and one day I hope to be as cool as you when I grow up. To the moon and back my darling. Here’s to you”
  • Jerry “The King” Lawler posted (and then took down) a photo from Vince McMahon’s 80th birthday party that showed Lawler with The Miz, Maryse, Titus O’Neil, Sheamus, and Drew McIntyre.
  • TV Insider asked Lyra Valkyria if she gave her fiance LJ Cleary any tips prior to his recent WWE tryout:
    • Honestly, it’s him that gives me tips more often than not. He was a big part of coaching me. Whenever he asks for advice, I’m more like, ‘I don’t want to taint anything you have naturally.’ He is incredible on his own. I never want to sway him. I always think it’s his good instinct that will take him to where he wants to be.
  • At WWE’s house show in Manchester, England yesterday, there was a spot where Roxanne Perez hit Pop Rox on CM Punk.
  • When SportBible asked her to name the most underrated WWE wrestler, Rhea Ripley praised Candice LeRae and said she would like to see LeRae get more opportunities:
    • It’s hard to like pinpoint anyone specifically, but I feel like there’s a lot, especially like in the women’s division. There are so many women that I know are so amazing at what they do, and they don’t get enough TV time or the opportunities to really show everyone what they can do.
    • Like someone that I love is Candice LeRae, and going through NXT with her and seeing how her brain works and how she goes out there, and she’s like the vet in the ring. She really knows what to do, and she keeps everyone calm, and she’s got ideas. And it’s just like I wish that someone like her would get more of an opportunity.

Other Wrestling

  • A Mercedes Mone “nine belts” championship celebration will take place on AEW Dynamite tonight following her victory at Forbidden Door.
  • Self Made Pro Wrestling reports that Gabe Kidd is expected to continue making appearances for AEW going forward:
    • NJPW wrestler Gabriel Kidd was seen backstage at AEW Dynamite in the 2300 Arena.
    • Kidd remains a member of the NJPW roster but is expected to continue to make appearances for AEW. He is considered at this point to be a permanent member of the Death Riders and was spotted training with them today at TV.
  • Taz voiced a brief video promoting the start of AEW’s residency at the 2300 Arena – the former home of ECW.
  • AEW has exclusive merchandise on sale at the 2300 Arena for the residency.
  • Ricochet made an appearance on Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze.
  • The GoFundMe campaign to benefit Syko Stu has now raised more than $150,000. Finn Balor, Nic Nemeth, and Jack Perry are among the new donors with each giving $1,000.
  • WWE producer Shane Helms reacted to the incident between Raja Jackson and Stu:
    • A ‘receipt’ in the ring is for sh*t that’s happened in the ring. If you got backstage beef, handle that sh*t backstage. If you got personal heat, handle that sh*t on personal time. ‘Receipts’ are not for settling personal grievances. If you were trained otherwise, your trainer is wrong.
  • After her title win at NXT Heatwave, TNA announced that we’ll hear from new Knockouts World Champion Ash By Elegance on Impact this Thursday. Here’s the updated lineup for the show:
    • New Knockouts Champion Ash By Elegance speaks
    • Mike Santana & Steve Maclin vs. Trick Williams & AJ Francis
    • The Hardys (Matt & Jeff Hardy) vs. Leon Slater & Cedric Alexander
    • The IInspiration (Cassie Lee & Jessica McKay) vs. Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyx)
    • Eric Young vs. Myron Reed
    • Mara Sade vs. Tasha Steelz
  • TMZ’s Inside the Ring has an interview with Ash By Elegance.
  • TNA uploaded a new Immersed feature focused on the International Championship.
  • Shotzi Blackheart will face off against Alejandra Quintanilla at MLW Fightland in North Richland Hills, Texas on September 13.
  • Shotzi mourned the loss of four of the seven chickens she was raising: “RIP to my chickens Dolly, Ozzy 1, Ozzy 2, and Ozzy 3. Something got in the coop and took 4 of my 7 chickens. Farm life is hard sometimes.”

NJPW star withdraws from G1 Climax due to injury

Posted on by Joseph Currier

One of NJPW’s top wrestlers has been forced to withdraw from the G1 Climax due to injury.

Gabe Kidd’s tournament run began on July 19 with a loss to Konosuke Takeshita on the opening night. Since then, Kidd has had to forfeit his scheduled B Block matches with a right knee injury preventing him from competing. It’s now been officially confirmed that Kidd is out of the remainder of the G1. He shared the news with fans during an appearance at Friday’s NJPW show in Tokyo.

“I was really hopeful that I could come back and power through this and continue in this G1 Climax, but I’ve spoke to the doctors and there is no way I can be cleared, so I have no other choice [but] to withdraw from the G1 Climax,” Kidd announced. “And this is sh*t, man. It really f*cking sucks. It’s been a mental battle these past few days since I found out this information.”

Further details about the injury and when Kidd will be able to return have not been provided. Kidd promised that, when he is able to come back, he will be the best version of himself fans have ever seen.

“A positive note is that I’ve received hundreds of messages from these people — the fans — and they’ve said they want me to rest and come back stronger,” he said. “And I can only promise you one thing, is that when I am back fighting on this blue mat that it is going to be the best version of Gabe Kidd that you’ve ever f*cking seen.”

NJPW also has not announced if Kidd will be vacating the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship. He won the title from Yota Tsuji in June and made his first defense against Hiroshi Tanahashi earlier this month.

Gabe Kidd forfeits second NJPW G1 Climax 35 bout due to injury

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Gabe Kidd is still out of action.

NJPW announced ahead of Wednesday’s G1 Climax show in Nagaoka that Kidd will miss his scheduled bout with Shingo Takagi. As a result, Takagi has now earned two points in the tournament.

“Gabe Kidd, who sustained an injury to his right knee on day one of G1 Climax 35 competition July 19, has yet to be cleared for return and as a result, will miss July 23’s event in Nagaoka,” they wrote on their website. “We apologise to fans who were looking forward to seeing Kidd wrestle, and appreciate your understanding.” 

The website further wrote that more information on Kidd’s status will be released as it becomes available.

Kidd was wrestling Konosuke Takeshita during the first night of the tournament when he suffered the knee injury. On the second night, Kidd came out in crutches to open the show and announced that he would be unable to wrestle Zack Sabre Jr. in the scheduled main event, giving Sabre two points.

“I woke up this morning, I hyperextended my knee yesterday, and I don’t want to go out there if I can’t give 100 percent, if I can’t give great matches to people who have paid their hard-earned money to come and watch me,” he said. “So, I have no other choice than to pull out of tonight’s show.”

“This was supposed to be my G1. I’m not saying I’m out the G1. The minute I’m ready to go again, put me back in.”

Kidd’s next match is on July 26, where he is scheduled to face Drilla Moloney.

Gabe Kidd forfeits NJPW G1 Climax 35 match due to knee injury

Posted on by Ian Carey

Gabe Kidd’s NJPW G1 Climax tournament could be over already.

Kidd opened night two of the tournament on Sunday by revealing he suffered a knee injury in his round-robin bout against Konosuke Takeshita on night one. Shortly into the match, Takeshita hit Kidd with a shoulder block and then landed on top of Kidd’s right knee.

“The weight of Konosuke Takeshita went right down on the right knee of Gabe Kidd, and Gabe might be in danger,” Chris Charlton said on commentary just after the injury took place.

There was a brief delay as the referee checked on Kidd, but he ultimately continued the match, favoring his knee throughout.

Kidd was scheduled to face Zack Sabre Jr. in the main event of night two, but instead opened the show by cutting an in-ring promo after walking out on crutches. While he withdrew from Sunday’s match, Kidd said he’s not pulling out of the tournament and hopes to return later on.

Speaking to the live crowd on Sunday, Kidd said:

“This is not how I wanted to start the G1.“

“I woke up this morning, I hyperextended my knee yesterday, and I don’t want to go out there if I can’t give 100 percent, if I can’t give great matches to people who have paid their hard-earned money to come and watch me. So, I have no other choice than to pull out of tonight’s show.”

“This was supposed to be my G1. I’m not saying I’m out the G1. The minute I’m ready to go again, put me back in.”

As a result of Kidd’s forfeit, Zack Sabre Jr. is awarded two points in the G1 Climax 35 round-robin standings.

Hiroshi Tanahashi to challenge for IWGP Global title

Posted on by Joseph Currier

It’s shaping up to be a big summer for Hiroshi Tanahashi on his retirement tour.

The NJPW legend, who is retiring from the ring in January 2026, will be competing in his last-ever G1 Climax this July and August. But before that tournament even begins, Tanahashi has another big match lined up. NJPW has confirmed that he will challenge Gabe Kidd for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship at their New Japan Soul event at Budokan Hall in Tokyo on Friday, July 4.

Kidd won the Global title from Yota Tsuji at Dominion over the weekend and then immediately nominated Tanahashi to be his first challenger. Tanahashi has been a mentor to Kidd throughout his NJPW career, helping him through a battle with mental health challenges.

“Kidd’s close connection to Tanahashi goes back to his days as a Young Lion, and Kidd has been public about how support from the Ace helped him through extreme mental difficulty in years past,” NJPW wrote. “With emotional ties deep, Tanahashi’s tears at seeing Kidd’s performance and pride in the Lion Mark on January 5 at Wrestle Dynasty has remained one of the most enduring images of the year so far. This Adachi showdown, only the second singles match for the two and the first on Japanese soil is sure to be just as emotional.”

Tanahashi, 48, has never been IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion before. Since the title was first announced in December 2023, only David Finlay, Nic Nemeth, Tsuji and Kidd have held it.

A pair of G1 Climax play-in matches have also been announced for the July 4 New Japan Soul event. Here is the current lineup:

New Japan Soul 2025 (Friday, July 4) —

  • IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion Gabe Kidd defends against Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • G1 Climax A Block play-in match: Ryohei Oiwa vs. Bad Luck Fale
  • G1 Climax B Block play-in match: YOSHI-HASHI vs. Chase Owens