Another day. Another New Japan contract expiring.
This time it’s none other than Gabe Kidd. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful has confirmed that his contract is ending soon. Currently, The NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion is scheduled to face Kenny Omega at the New Japan x AEW event, Wrestle Dynasty. Kidd has been with the promotion since 2020 and is also a former NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Champion.
Like Kevin Knight and TJP, NJPW officials are hoping to keep Kidd. The 27-year-old has been one of New Japan’s breakout stars in the past year. Kidd has put on great matches in New Japan, but it’s alot of his trash talking that has gotten the attention of fans.
He hasn’t been shy about his feelings on Omega. And he certainly hasn’t been shy about his feelings on AEW. In fact, Kidd has publicly stated that he has no interest in going to that promotion.
“I don’t give a damn if AEW wants to sign me. What, so I can show up on TV, be the new toy for a while, have a couple of matches on Dynamite, and then sit in catering for 23 weeks? Flying to Toledo, Ohio, to perform on a show in front of a crowd that’s already sat through five hours of wrestling? I have no interest in that whatsoever.”
Given that he called Tony Khan a “f**king idiot” then the AEW President probably has no interest in signing Kidd either. There’s no word on whether the NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion is interested in re-signing with New Japan. Kidd has spoken highly about New Japan in the past, so he seems to enjoy his time there. In terms of WWE, he hasn’t taken many shots at the promotion, though he’s called them “theater” in the past.
"Listen, I'll put it in simple terms. You like theater, go and watch WWE. If you're a fat nerd who can't talk to girls, go and watch AEW. But if you want to watch the real stuff, New Japan Pro Wrestling, this is where it's at."
Kidd even tried to challenge Randy Orton to come over and fight him back in November.
Kidd isn’t scheduled to defend his title at Wrestle Kingdom or Wrestle Dynasty. It’s possible that his contract could be expiring at the end of January, so that’ll give New Japan enough time to have him drop the belt if he’s not interested in re-signing.