With Gabe Kidd Injured, NJPW Superstar Taichi Hopes To Replace Him As Challenger For IWGP Global Champion Yota Tsuji

By: Lewis Carlan:

On May 3rd, New Japan Pro-Wrestling will present Night One of its Wrestling Dontaku 2026 event set for the Fukuoka Convention Center. The main event was scheduled to be Yota Tsuji defending the IWGP Global Title against his hated rival Gabe Kidd.

Kidd, now signed to AEW, sustained an injury to his right arm and had to pulled out of his IWGP Global Championship opportunity against Tsuji. The IWGP Global Title will still be defended on May 3rd by Tsuji against an opponent to be determined.

In light of this development, NJPW superstar Taichi has taken to X and issued a statement indicating that he would like to be the one who replaces Gabe Kidd and challenge Yota Tsuji. Taichi raised concerns about replacing Kidd with another AEW wrestler. He feels the challenger to be determined should be a NJPW competitor.

From Taichi:

“To be honest, I wanted to challenge Tsuji for the IWGP title, but I’m not in a position to be picky. If no one else steps up. how about me? I’m in top shape and ready to go anytime. Surely they’re not going to try to fill in for an AEW wrestler with another AEW wrestler, are they? Now is the time to have a New Japan Pro-Wrestling wrestler do it, right?” (English translation via Deepl.com)

Taichi has never held an IWGP singles title and would love to strap the IWGP Global Championship Belt around his waist. An announcement who the wrestler is that will be replacing Kidd and challenge Yota Tsuji for the IWGP Global Championship is expected to be named in the near future.