Shota Umino Challenges Gabe Kidd, Will Ospreay Returns at NJPW King of Pro Wrestling

By: Noah Leatherland

NJPW have announced a pair of title matches for King of Pro Wrestling on October 12th. Shota Umino will challenge Gabe Kidd for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, while Will Ospreay will make the journey to Japan to defend the NEVER Openweight Six Man Titles.

Umino called his shot at the white belt at NJPW Destruction in Kobe. Umino interrupted Kidd’s celebrations after he retained against Drill Moloney. As many could have guessed, the confrontation turned physical, with both landing shots on one another before Umino laid the champion out. Now, Umino gets his rematch at the title in the Ryogoku Kokugikan.

All Elite Wrestling World Champion Will Ospreay will also make his return to NJPW on October 12th. Ospreay currently holds the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Titles with United Empire teammates HENARE and Great-O-Khan. Over in AEW, Ospreay has forged a new US-based branch of the United Empire. With Andrade El Idolo already in the Empire’s ranks, Ospreay has recruited Speedball Mike Bailey, and has seemingly enlisted Alex Windsor and Jamie Hayter as they threw up the crown amidst the chaos of the All Out main event. United Empire will defend against the Knockout Brothers and a third yet to be confirmed.

NJPW King of Pro Wrestling takes place on October 12th in the Ryogoku Kokugikan.