Another of NJPW’s top stars is on the radar of both WWE and AEW.
As is often the case in January, a number of New Japan Pro Wrestling contracts are expected to be nearing expiration this month, with both major promotions in the United States reportedly monitoring several potential free agents.
Dave Meltzer noted on the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio that Gabe Kidd is attracting significant interest from both WWE and AEW, although NJPW will certainly be hoping to retain his services.
“A lot of interest in Gabe Kidd in the United States. 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.”
-Dave Meltzer
While Gabe Kidd has made several appearances for All Elite Wrestling as an ally of the Death Riders through the partnership between NJPW and AEW, it remains to be seen whether this will lead to a permanent move to Jacksonville should his contract expire at the end of the month.
Having joined New Japan Pro Wrestling as a Young Lion in 2020, Gabe Kidd is a former NJPW STRONG Openweight and Tag Team Champion and has also held the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship once.
Kidd is scheduled to face the Don Callis Family and United Empire’s Andrade El Idolo to determine the number one contender to Yota Tsuji’s IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship at The New Beginning in Osaka on February 11.
WWE are also also reportedly interested in Gabe Kidd’s fellow former Bullet Club member, now aligned with Unbound Co, David Finlay, with a view to bringing ‘The Rebel’ to NXT. You can read more about that here.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on Gabe Kidd’s contract status as soon as we hear more.
H/T to F4W for the transcription.
