Top NJPW Star Injured During G1 Climax

One of NJPW’s biggest names is already facing an uphill battle in the G1 Climax.

On July 19, G1 Climax 35 kicked off with ten matches featuring NJPW’s biggest names.

Out of those ten matches, Yoshi-Hashi, EVIL, Drilla Moloney, Yuya Uemura, Shota Umino, Ryohei Oiwa, Konosuke Takeshita, Yota Tsuji, Ren Narita, and Hiroshi Tanahashi all scored victories.

The 2025 edition of the tournament carries an extra significance for Tanahashi in particular after he announced that he’ll retire at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, 2026.

Major NJPW Star Suffers Injury

Night two of the tournament began with an appearance from Gabe Kidd, who had been defeated by Takeshita 24 hours earlier. During the match, Takeshita hit Kidd with a shoulder breaker, but landed on top of his rival’s right knee. The British star then continued to favour the knee for the rest of the match.

Kidd, who was using crutches, had been due to face Zack Sabre Jr. on night two, but announced that he was being forced to forfeit the match. However, he made it clear that he wasn’t withdrawing from the tournament entirely and hoped to return in the future.

“This is not how I wanted to start the G1. I woke up this morning, I hyperextended my knee yesterday, and I don’t want to go out there if I can’t give 100 percent, if I can’t give great matches to people who have paid their hard-earned money to come and watch me. So, I have no other choice than to pull out of tonight’s show.

This was supposed to be my G1. I’m not saying I’m out of the G1. The minute I’m ready to go again, put me back in.”

With Kidd out of action, Sabre Jr. was awarded two points for the victory.

After battling Kenny Omega back in January, Gabe Kidd has made several appearances in AEW throughout 2025, most recently at All In.

H/t to f4wonline