A former Heavyweight Champion made serious comments about leaving NJPW to join AEW. He talked about what influenced his decision to leave the Japanese promotion and why he ended up joining the Jacksonville-based promotion.
The star is none other than IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion Gabe Kidd. The 29-year-old star has been around All Elite Wrestling since 2024, mainly as a mercenary of the Death Riders. But in January this year, Kidd came to AEW with his own faction, The Dogs. It was revealed in March that he, along with David Finlay and Clark Connors, had signed a contract with All Elite Wrestling.
Before his AEW entry, Kidd had already become a popular name in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. In a tenure from 2020 to 2026, Gabe won multiple championships in the promotion. But recently, in an interview with NJPW, Kidd threw shade on the Japanese promotion. He claimed that All Elite Wrestling is the best promotion in the world. Therefore, every talented star should choose AEW over any other company.
“Anybody who wants to say NJPW is the best in the world, because it’s not. AEW is where the best wrestle. That’s proven. So anyone who wants to rep the Lion Mark is a f*cking idiot. ‘Do the hard work and your chance will come’ F*ck that. I’m doing what I want, making my money and f*cking dipping,” said Kidd.
Kidd looked visibly fired up during the interview. The 29-year-old went on to say that he had to wait for his chances in NJPW, something that did not sit well with him. Therefore, he decided to join All Elite Wrestling to make a name for himself without waiting for anybody to hand him opportunities.
Gabe Kidd was planned to be a part of AEW Forbidden Door 2026
Gabe Kidd has been dealing with a shoulder injury lately. He suffered an issue during his match against The Conglomeration at Dynasty in April. The 29-year-old has been sidelined to heal from his injury. However, a report revealed that Kidd was planned to be a major part of this weekend’s Forbidden Door.
According to Fightful Select, the Tony Khan-led promotion had plans to heavily feature Gabe Kidd for this year’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view. However, due to his recent injury, the company had to alter its plans.
It might be due to Kidd’s connection with both All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Nonetheless, Forbidden Door still looks like a stacked show from top to bottom. It will be interesting to see what Tony Khan plans with Kidd upon his comeback to All Elite Wrestling.
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Edited by Anugrah Tyagi