Shota Umino to Defend IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship Against Gabe Kidd at NJPW Road to G1 Climax

By Noah Leatherland

Having successfully defended the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship against PAC at Forbidden Door, Shota Umino is set to make his first defence in Japan. On July 6th, he will defend the white belt against a former champion, Gabe Kidd.

Kidd had attacked Umino shortly after he won the title at NJPW Dominion, taking umbrage with Umino considering himself in any way aligned with the Death Riders. Now, Kidd has an opportunity to win the Global belt back. The match will mark the first time this championship has ever been defended in Korakuen Hall.

The event will also see YOH defend the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title against Francesco Akira in the main event. Elsewhere on the card, the final two spots in the NJPW G1 Climax will be decided, as OSKAR faces off with Yujiro Takahashi, and El Phantasmo does battle with Ryohei Oiwa.