Several Big Matches Have Been Confirmed For NJPW's DESTRUCTION IN KOBE

The G1 Climax has come and gone.

Now that the annual tournament is over, New Japan Pro-Wrestling has confirmed their next event that’s scheduled on September 28th - Destruction in Kobe. The first and arguably biggest match announced was Gabe Kidd defending the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship against Shingo Takagi. 

Five big matches are OFFICIAL for Destruction in Kobe!

Shingo Takagi vs Gabe Kidd for the IWGP Global title!

Knockout Brothers Yuto-Ice and OSKAR challenge for tag gold!

Ishimori vs Hiromu, Tsuji vs Finlay, Tanahashi vs O-Khan!https://t.co/DVgAB0qOdf#njpw #njdest pic.twitter.com/FNAaHBBCCJ

— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) August 18, 2025

Takagi wasn’t thrilled that Mr. Kidd wrestled at Forbidden Door after being unable to defend his belt for over a month. He called him out and demanded that Kidd defend the Global Championship.

鷹木「ゲイブ・キッド、負傷欠場で母国に帰ったんだろ？なのに！何だよ、今日さっそくAEWとの合同興行でケージマッチ発表されてんじゃねえか。ふざけんなよ。新日本プロレスの！チャンピオンだったら！ケガ治ってんだったら、後楽園、有明、出てこいって！」https://t.co/qNoslBSdLj#G1CLIMAX35 pic.twitter.com/f94o9RcTWU

— 新日本プロレスリング株式会社 (@njpw1972) August 14, 2025

This will be Kidd’s second title defense since winning the Global Heavyweight Championship back at Dominion in July. 

But that isn’t the only match confirmed.

G1 Climax semi-finals entrant Yota Tsuji gets the opportunity to get his revenge as he faces David Finlay in a rematch from the G1 Climax. Now Finlay beat Tsuji clean in the tournament, but Yota is looking to rebound from his failure to advance into the final round of the annual G1 Climax. But David Finlay is looking for some retribution himself following his disappointing loss to Konosuke Takeshita in the playoff match. Finlay has been dying to get his hands on the IWGP World Heavyweight title in 2025 and he’s come up short once again. Beating Yota again will move him further up the divisional rankings. 

In a Junior Heavyweight bout, Hiromu Takahashi will battle Taiji Ishimori. Hiromu has had issues with the Bullet Club War Dogs member for the past couple of weeks, and the former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion is looking to settle the score on September 28th. 

For the IWGP Tag Team Championships, Tomohiro Ishii and Taichi are scheduled to defend their belts against Yuto-Ice and OSKAR. This will be the first time that the duo defends the tag belts due to Taichi being a part of the G1 Climax. This will be their first title defense since winning the gold back at Dominion.

Last, not least, former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tananashi continues his retirement tour as he’ll take on The Great-O-Khan in a singles match. There's more matches expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!