How Has Gabe Kidd’s Injury Impacted NJPW G1 Climax?

There’s good news on Gabe Kidd.

On July 25, Gabe Kidd announced that he was pulling out of NJPW G1 Climax 35. The British star suffered a knee injury during his first match against Konosuke Takeshita after his rival fell on him while delivering a shoulder breaker.

Gabe then forfeited his second match with Zack Sabre Jr. before being removed from the tournament altogether.

In a promo confirming his injury, Kidd said he was left with little choice after doctors informed him he wouldn’t be cleared to return before the end of the round robin phase.

“I was really hopeful that I could come back and power through this and continue in this G1 Climax, but I’ve spoke to the doctors and there is no way I can be cleared, so I have no other choice [but] to withdraw from the G1 Climax, and this is sh*t, man. It really f*cking sucks. It’s been a mental battle these past few days since I found out this information..

A positive note is that I’ve received hundreds of messages from these people — the fans — and they’ve said they want me to rest and come back stronger,” he said. “And I can only promise you one thing, is that when I am back fighting on this blue mat that it is going to be the best version of Gabe Kidd that you’ve ever f*cking seen.”

Gabe Kidd’s Injury Not As Bad As First Feared

Despite the setback, thankfully, according to a new report from Fightful Select, Kidd’s injury isn’t as bad as first thought. There were initially fears that Kidd had suffered a torn MCL, but it was a much less serious hyperextension.

Although there’s good news on the injury, the decision was taken to remove Kidd from the tournament to allow him to recover fully.

With regard to the wider tournament, Kidd’s injury won’t impact plans for the semi-finals, as he wasn’t expected to qualify.