Hiroshi Tanahashi to challenge for IWGP Global title
It’s shaping up to be a big summer for Hiroshi Tanahashi on his retirement tour.
The NJPW legend, who is retiring from the ring in January 2026, will be competing in his last-ever G1 Climax this July and August. But before that tournament even begins, Tanahashi has another big match lined up. NJPW has confirmed that he will challenge Gabe Kidd for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship at their New Japan Soul event at Budokan Hall in Tokyo on Friday, July 4.
Kidd won the Global title from Yota Tsuji at Dominion over the weekend and then immediately nominated Tanahashi to be his first challenger. Tanahashi has been a mentor to Kidd throughout his NJPW career, helping him through a battle with mental health challenges.
“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,” NJPW wrote. “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.”
Tanahashi, 48, has never been IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion before. Since the title was first announced in December 2023, only David Finlay, Nic Nemeth, Tsuji and Kidd have held it.
A pair of G1 Climax play-in matches have also been announced for the July 4 New Japan Soul event. Here is the current lineup:
New Japan Soul 2025 (Friday, July 4) —
- IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion Gabe Kidd defends against Hiroshi Tanahashi
- 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