Hiroshi Tanahashi is looking to add one more NJPW championship to his already decorated record before calling time on his in-ring career.
As announced by New Japan on June 16, the Ace will challenge new IWGP Global Champion Gabe Kidd for the title at New Japan Soul on July 4. Kidd won the title at Dominion by defeating Yota Tsuji and immediately called out Tanahashi to be his first challenger. As part of the match announcement, New Japan spoke about the connection between the company’s President and the Nottingham wrestler, with the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion being integral in Kidd’s development:
Kidd’s close connection to Tanahashi goes back to his days as a Young Lion, and Kidd has been public about how support from the Ace helped him through extreme mental difficulty in years past. With emotional ties deep, Tanahashi’s tears at seeing Kidd’s performance and pride in the Lion Mark on January 5 at Wrestle Dynasty has remained one of the most enduring images of the year so far. This Adachi showdown, only the second singles match for the two and the first on Japanese soil is sure to be just as emotional.
Kidd is the 4th wrestler to hold the Global Championship and currently has the 5th reign overall. The title was introduced at Wrestle Kingdom 18 after David Finlay destroyed Will Ospreay’s IWGP US and UK Championships the previous year at Power Struggle. Finlay defeated Ospreay and Jon Moxley to become the inaugural champion. Nic Nemeth is the other wrestler who has held the championship.
Tanhashi is currently taking part in his year-long retirement tour, which will culminate at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4th 2026.
Hiroshi Tanahashi To Compete In NJPW G1 One Final Time
During Dominion, NJPW announced the entrants for the G1 Climax 36 Tournament. Tanahashi and Kidd are 2 of the entrants in the round robin tournament, which will see the winner earn an opportunity at the IWGP World Championship at Wrestle Kingdom. With 4 spots yet to be confirmed, 2 qualifying matches have also been announced for New Japan Soul.
The announced line-up for the New Japan Soul event is as follows:
- Gabe Kidd (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi – single match for the IWGP Global Championship
- G1 Climax A Block play-in match: Ryohei Oiwa vs. Bad Luck Fale
- G1 Climax B Block play-in match: YOSHI-HASHI vs. Chase Owens
Featured image credit: AEW
