Gabe Kidd’s run in the G1 Climax 35 may have come to an abrupt halt. The reigning IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion was forced to forfeit his second-night tournament match on Sunday after suffering a knee injury during his opening bout.
Instead of wrestling Zack Sabre Jr. in the main event of the July 20 show, Kidd emerged on crutches to address the live audience. He announced he had hyperextended his knee and would be unable to compete.
“This is not how I wanted to start the G1,” Kidd told the crowd.
“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.”
Despite withdrawing from the match, Kidd remained defiant about his status in the tournament.
“This was supposed to be my G1. I’m not saying I’m out the G1. The minute I’m ready to go again, put me back in.”
As a result of the forfeit, Zack Sabre Jr. received two points in the G1 standings.
The injury occurred during Kidd’s intense opening-night match against AEW’s Konosuke Takeshita on July 19. Early in the contest, Takeshita hit a shoulder block and his full weight landed directly on Kidd’s right knee. Although the referee briefly checked on him, Kidd continued the physical match, clearly favoring the injured leg before ultimately losing.
The setback comes at a pivotal time for Kidd, whose international profile has been rising throughout 2025. As a member of the Death Riders faction alongside Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta, his appearances on AEW programming have introduced him to a much wider audience, making his performance in the G1 Climax one of the most anticipated of the tournament.