Gabe Kidd Explained

Gabe Kidd
Weight:107kg (236lb)
Birth Date:24 April 1997
Birth Place:Nottingham, England
Billed:Nottingham, England
Debut:12 November 2011

Gabriel Michael McMenamin[1] (born 24 April 1997) is an English professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he performs under the ring name Gabe Kidd and is a member of the Unbound Co. stable. He was a former member of the Bullet Club and its War Dogs sub-group, and is a former one-time IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion. He is also a former Strong Openweight Champion and Strong Openweight Tag Team Champion. He also makes appearances for partner promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Ring of Honor (ROH).

Professional wrestling career

Early career (2011 - 2019)

McMenamin made his debut in 2011 under the name Kid Danger and at that time, he wrestled under a mask to conceal his age.[2] [3]

In 2013, McMenamin switched to the name of Gabriel Kidd.[4]

On 29 April 2017, Kidd won the WCPW Internet Championship, one of the titles of WhatCulture Pro Wrestling, in a triple threat match involving defending champion Cody Rhodes and Joe Hendry.[5] He lost the title to Zack Sabre Jr. on 21 September.[6] On 2 June 2019, Kidd lost to Hendry in a "Loser Leaves Town" match, after which he left Defiant Wrestling.[7]

On 29 June, at a Revolution Pro Wrestling event, Kidd teamed with Kenneth Halfpenny and Shaun Jackson where they defeated Brendan White, NJPW young lions Clark Connors and Karl Fredericks. Katsuyori Shibata, was so impressed with Kidd and he went on to recommend him to NJPW officials, leading Kidd to be signed by NJPW.[8]

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2020 - present)

Young Lion (2020–2023)

On 25 January 2020, Kidd made his debut at New Japan Pro-Wrestling.[9] Later the same year, he entered the New Japan Cup and lost to Taiji Ishimori in the first round on 17 June.[10]

On 20 November 2022, at Historic X-Over, Kidd teamed with LA Dojo stablemates, Clark Connors, Kevin Knight and Alex Coughlin to defeat Kosei Fujita, Oskar Leube, Ryohei Oiwa and Yuto Nakashima.[11] [12] A few days later, Coughlin and Kidd teamed together in the World Tag League, where they finished bottom of their block with just 2 points.[13]

Bullet Club War Dogs (2023–2026)

On 4 June 2023, at Dominion, Coughlin and Kidd, branded as Bullet Club War Dogs attacked Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi), following their victory of capturing both the IWGP Tag Team Championship and the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships, signalling their challenge for both titles, officially turning both men heel for the first time. The duo later accompanied Bullet Club leader, David Finlay to the ring in Bullet Club shirts, officially joining the stable.[14] On 4 July, night 1 of NJPW Independence Day, Kidd (now under the shortened name Gabe Kidd) and Coughlin defeated Bishamon to win the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships, marking both men’s first NJPW championships.[15] Later in the month, Kidd participated in the G1 Climax making his tournament debut and competing in the A Block.[16] Before the tournament, at the press conference Kidd attacked fellow A Block participants, Yota Tsuji and Kaito Kiyomiya, causing him to be removed from the conference prematurely.[17] In the tournament, Kidd finished with 5 points, failing to advance to the quarterfinal round.[18] On 9 October at Destruction in Ryōgoku, Kidd and Coughlin lost the Strong Openweight Tag Team Titles to Guerrillas of Destiny (El Phantasmo and Hikuleo), ending their reign at 97 days.[19]

The duo attempted to rebound the following month, entering the annual World Tag League, competing in the A-Block.[20] Kidd and Coughlin finished joint top of their block, with 10 points, advancing to the semi-final round.[21] In the semi-final round, the duo were defeated by Bishamon, eliminating them from the tournament.[22] On 17 March 2024 it was reported that Kidd had re-signed with NJPW.[23] Kidd participated in the 2024 New Japan Cup, where he defeated Callum Newman in the first round, but would be eliminated by Shingo Takagi in the second.[24] At Sakura Genesis, Kidd attacked Takagi after the latter defeated Evil for the NEVER Openweight Championship and cut a worked shoot promo, criticizing NJPW, spitting in the face of NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi, and then challenged Takagi for his championship.[25] On night 2 of Wrestling Dontaku, Kidd was unsuccessful in winning the championship from Takagi.[26] On 11 May he defeated Eddie Kingston in a No Ropes Last Man Standing match at Resurgence to become the youngest ever Strong Openweight Champion.[27] On 9 June Kidd appeared in Pro Wrestling Noah, teaming with Jake Lee, who was aligned with Bullet Club War Dogs, to face All Rebellion's Kaito Kiyomiya and Kenoh in a double count out. During the match, Kidd busted open Kiyomiya, though afterwards Kiyomiya got the upper hand and proclaimed that the GHC Heavyweight Championship wasn't for him to own and that he would return the "bloodbath" in their title match. On 16 June at Grand Ship In Yokohama, Kidd unsuccessfully challenged Kiyomiya for the GHC Heavyweight title, ending Bullet Club War Dogs' feud with Kiyomiya's All Rebellion.[28] From 20 July and 14 August, Kidd took part in the 2024 G1 Climax finishing the tournament with a record of four wins and five losses, failing to advance to the play-off match of the tournament.[29] For the 2024 World Tag League, Kidd teamed with the newest War Dogs addition Sanada, where they were placed in A-Block. The duo finished at the top of their block and advanced to the grand finals, where they lost to Tetsuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi.

On 5 January 2025 at Wrestle Dynasty, Kidd was defeated by Kenny Omega.[30] [31] Kidd then wrestled Yota Tsuji at The New Beginning in Osaka to a double knockout draw, failing to capture the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship. After the bout concluded, Evil returned to action as the House of Torture contingent of the Bullet Club attacked Kidd, declaring that they cut ties with the War Dogs sub-unit.[32] On 11 April at Windy City Riot, Kidd lost his Strong Openweight title to Tomohiro Ishii in a 30-minute Iron Man match in sudden death overtime 2-1.[33] On 15 June at Dominion 6.15 in Osaka-jo Hall, Kidd captured the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship by defeating then reigning champion Yota Tsuji.[34] Kidd participated in the 2025 G1 Climax,[35] where he lost his first round match to Konosuke Takeshita, during which he suffered an injury to his right knee.[36] The injury forced him to withdraw from the tournament, forfeiting the rest of his matches.[37] [38] On 13 October at King of Pro-Wrestling, Kidd was defeated by Tsuji via submission, resulting in Tsuji regaining the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship.[39]

Unbound Co. (2026–present)

After Wrestle Kingdom 20, at New Year Dash!!, David Finlay and Yota Tsuji announced the dissolution of Bullet Club and Mushozoku, replacing the alliance with Unbound Company, which was a complete merger.[40] On February 11, 2026 at The New Beginning in Osaka, Kidd was defeated Andrade El Idolo.[41] In his post-match comments, Kidd stated that will be temporaily leaving NJPW in order to deal with Darby Allin in All Elite Wrestling.[42]

All Elite Wrestling (2024–present)

Due to the relationship between NJPW and All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Kidd has appeared on both AEW and its sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH) in 2024 and 2025, defeating the likes of The Butcher and Anthony Henry, including making an appearance at the AEW/NJPW co-promoted event Forbidden Door in June 2024.[43] [44] [45] [46]

On 14 May 2025 at Dynamite: Beach Break, Kidd assisted Jon Moxley retain his AEW World Championship against Samoa Joe, aligning himself with the Death Riders (Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, and Marina Shafir).[47] After Beach Break, Kidd would be referred to as a "hired mercenary" for the Death Riders, though not as an official member.[48] On 12 July at All In, Kidd teamed with Castagnoli and Yuta to unsuccessfully challenge The Opps (Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata, and Powerhouse Hobbs) for the AEW World Trios Championship.[49] At Forbidden Door on 24 August Kidd teamed with Moxley, Castagnoli and The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) in a losing effort against Darby Allin, Will Ospreay, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Golden Lovers (Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi) in a Lights Out Steel Cage match.[50] On 27 December at Worlds End, Kidd was defeated by Allin.[51]

In January 2026, Kidd, along with his Unbound Co. stablemate Clark Connors, continued to feud with Allin.[52] [53] The duo of Kidd and Connors would be known as "The Dogs" (a reference to their former NJPW stable, Bullet Club War Dogs).[54]

Championships and accomplishments

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Record Transcription: England & Wales Births 1837-2006 findmypast.co.uk . 2024-05-15 . www.findmypast.co.uk.
  2. Web site: YOUNG BULL NJPW star Gabriel Kidd Q&A: Training LA Dojo, working with Minoru Suzuki and his journey from the UK to Japan. talkSPORT. 28 August 2020 . January 12, 2021.
  3. Web site: A Brit Abroad with Gabriel Kidd: Pre-LA Dojo. 新日本プロレス公式サイト. February 3, 2021.
  4. Web site: Cagematch . Gabriel Kidd's matches .
  5. Web site: Cody Rhodes vs Joe Hendry vs Gabriel Kidd - Internet Title (No Regrets 2017). Defiant Wrestling 公式YouTubeチャンネル. 3 May 2017 . January 12, 2021.
  6. Web site: Zack Sabre Jr vs. Gabriel Kidd - Internet Title Match (WCPW Loaded: September 21st, 2017 - Part 5). Defiant Wrestling 公式YouTubeチャンネル. 23 September 2017 . January 12, 2021.
  7. Web site: Gabriel Kidd Leaves Defiant Wrestling. Defiant Wrestling公式サイト. January 12, 2021.
  8. Web site: RPW Ungovernable 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20201007203553/https://rpwondemand.pivotshare.com/media/ungovernable-2019/89033. usurped. October 7, 2020. RPW公式動画配信サイト. October 4, 2020.
  9. Web site: 新日本プロレス選手名鑑. 新日本プロレス公式サイト. January 12, 2021.
  10. Web site: NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 – 1回戦 2020/6/17 – 第1試合 キッドvs石森. 新日本プロレス公式サイト. January 12, 2021.
  11. Web site: 2022.11.20 Historic X-Over New Japan Pro-Wrestling. 2022-11-20. NJPW.
  12. Web site: Three Massive Mixed Matches for Historic X-Over! . August 23, 2022 . August 23, 2022 . New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
  13. Web site: 12/14 NJPW "World Tag League & Super Jr. Tag League 2022" results: Vetter's review of "Aussie Open" Mark Davis and Kyle Fletcher vs. Yoshi-Hashi and Hirooki Goto in the World Tag League finals, Lio Rush and Yoh vs. Chris Bey and Ace Austin in the Super Jr. Tag League finals, Karl Anderson vs. Hikuleo for the Never Openweight Championship. December 14, 2022. Chris. Vetter. Pro Wrestling Dot Net.
  14. Web site: Kelly. Andrew. Bullet Club Recruits New Members At NJPW Dominion. 2023-06-04. Cultaholic. 4 June 2023 . en.
  15. Web site: Bullet Club Captures Gold at NJPW STRONG Independence Day . 4 July 2023 .
  16. Web site: NJPW G1 Climax 33 Participants, Blocks & Full Schedule .
  17. Web site: NJPW . Gabe Kidd sparks aggression after barbs and blows in A Block comments 【G133】 NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING . https://web.archive.org/web/20231013105318/https://www.njpw1972.com/154995 . 2023-10-13 . 2025-08-08 . NJPW . en-US.
  18. Web site: New Japan's G1 Climax 33 quarterfinals are set . 9 August 2023 .
  19. Web site: NJPW Destruction in Ryogoku live results: SANADA vs. EVIL lumberjack match . 9 October 2023 .
  20. Web site: NJPW announces teams for World Tag League . 13 November 2023 .
  21. Web site: Semifinals set for NJPW World Tag League 2023 . 7 December 2023 .
  22. Web site: Finals set for NJPW World Tag League 2023 . 8 December 2023 .
  23. Web site: 2024-03-17 . Gabe Kidd Re-Signs With NJPW . 2024-04-21 . Yahoo Entertainment . en-US.
  24. Web site: NJPW New Japan Cup Night Three Results (3/8): Shingo Takagi vs Yuya Uemura, Callum Newman vs Gabe Kidd Fightful News . 2024-04-21 . www.fightful.com . en.
  25. Web site: Williams . Suit . 2024-04-06 . NJPW Sakura Genesis 2024 (April 6) Results & Review . 2024-04-21 . Voices of Wrestling . en-US.
  26. Web site: Renner . Ethan . 2024-05-04 . New champions crowned at NJPW Wrestling Dontaku . 2024-05-04 . WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW results . en.
  27. Web site: Fritts . Chick . 2024-05-11 . NJPW Resurgence live results: Jon Moxley vs. Shota Umino IWGP World title match . 2024-05-12 . Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online . en-US.
  28. Web site: NOAH: Resultados «Grand Ship 2024 in Yokohama». Superluchas.com. Dark Angelita. es. June 17, 2024. June 18, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240618195223/https://superluchas.com/noah-resultados-grand-ship-2024-in-yokohama/. June 18, 2024. live.
  29. Web site: G1 Climax 34 entrants revealed! . 2024-07-22 . . 16 June 2024 . en.
  30. Web site: Mueller . Doc-Chris . NJPW X AEW Wrestle Dynasty Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights . 2025-01-05 . Bleacher Report . en.
  31. Web site: Kenny Omega Takes Out Gabe Kidd, Debuts New Entrance At NJPW x AEW Wrestle Dynasty . wrestlingheadlines.com . 27 January 2025.
  32. Web site: NJPW New Beginning in Osaka Results (2/11/25). lastwordonsports.com. Chinyere. Okafor. February 11, 2025. February 11, 2025.
  33. Web site: 2025-04-11 . NJPW Windy City Riot live results: Tanahashi's final US match . 2025-04-12 . F4W/WON . en-GB.
  34. Web site: 2025-06-15 . NJPW Dominion Results: Goto Retains In Epic Main Event, Gabe Kidd New Champion & House Of Torture Reborn . 2025-06-29 . Wrestling On Fannation . en-US.
  35. Web site: G1 Climax 35 entrants, blocks revealed! 【G135】 . New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
  36. Web site: Sedor . Sean . 2025-07-21 . NJPW G1 Climax 35 Night 1 (July 19) Results & Review . 2025-08-08 . Voices of Wrestling . en-US.
  37. Web site: NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING . https://web.archive.org/web/20250727183715/https://www.njpw1972.com/588092 . 2025-07-27 . 2025-08-08 . www.njpw1972.com . en.
  38. Web site: Thompson . Andrew . 2025-07-25 . Gabe Kidd To Miss Remainder Of NJPW G1 Climax 35 Tournament Due To Right Knee Injury . 2025-07-25 . Fightful WWE News, AEW News, Pro Wrestling Backstage News . en-US.
  39. Web site: Thompson . Andrew . 2025-10-13 . Yota Tsuji Bests Gabe Kidd To Capture IWGP Global Heavyweight Title At NJPW King Of Pro-Wrestling . 2025-10-13 . Fightful WWE News, AEW News, Pro Wrestling Backstage News . en-US.
  40. Web site: Ballantyne . Craig . January 5, 2026 . Yota Tsuji Announces New NJPW Faction; Seemingly Ends Bullet Club . January 5, 2026 . slamwrestling.net.
  41. Web site: Lambert . Jeremy . February 11, 2026 . NJPW The New Beginning In Osaka Results (2/11) . February 11, 2026 . Fightful WWE News, AEW News, Pro Wrestling Backstage News . en-US.
  42. #njnbg 4th Match Backstage (with Subtitles) 2/11/26 THE NEW BEGINNING in OSAKA 第4試合 Backstage . February 11, 2026 . NJPW WORLD Official . 3:35 . February 18, 2026 . YouTube.
  43. Web site: Staff . A. E. W. . 2024-06-27 . AEW Dynamite Results for June 26, 2024 . 2024-11-07 . All Elite Wrestling . en.
  44. Web site: Powell . Jason . June 30, 2024 . AEW Forbidden Door pre-show results: Hiromu Takahashi, Titan, and Yota Tsuji vs. Mistico and Lucha Bros, Mariah May vs. Saraya, Willow Nightingale and Tam Nakano vs. Kris Statlander and Momo Watanabe . December 26, 2025 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net . en-US.
  45. Web site: MSN . 2024-11-07 . www.msn.com.
  46. Web site: Black . Ethan . 2024-10-10 . ROH TV Results – October 10, 2024 - PWMania - Wrestling News . 2024-11-07 . en-US.
  47. Web site: 2025-05-14 . AEW Dynamite Beach Break live results: World title steel cage match . 2025-05-15 . F4W/WON . en-GB.
  48. Web site: Powell . Jason . 2025-05-25 . AEW Double Or Nothing results: Powell's live review of Will Ospreay vs. Hangman Page and Mercedes Mone vs. Jamie Hayter in the finals of the Owen Hart Foundation tournaments, Anarchy in the Arena . 2025-05-27 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net . en-US.
  49. Web site: Powell . Jason . 2025-07-12 . AEW All In Texas results: Powell's live review of Jon Moxley vs. Hangman Page in a Texas Death Match for the AEW World Championship, Toni Storm vs. TBS Champion Mercedes Mone for the AEW Women's Title . 2025-07-12 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net . en-US.
  50. Web site: Powell . Jason . August 24, 2025 . AEW Forbidden Door results: Powell’s live review of Hangman Page vs. MJF for the AEW World Championship, Toni Storm vs. Athena for the AEW Women’s Championship, Lights Out Steel Cage match . August 24, 2025 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net.
  51. Web site: RiggsUncrowned . Drake . 2025-12-28 . AEW Worlds End 2025: Live results, updates, grades and highlights for tonight's PPV . 2025-12-28 . Yahoo Sports . en-US.
  52. Web site: MacDonald . Josiah . January 31, 2026 . AEW Collision results: Tommaso Ciampa, Rascalz debut . January 31, 2026 . F4W/WON . en-GB.
  53. Web site: MacDonald . Josiah . January 31, 2026 . AEW Collision results: Tommaso Ciampa, Rascalz debut . January 31, 2026 . F4W/WON . en-GB.
  54. Web site: Lambert . Jeremy . March 3, 2026 . Darby Allin And Orange Cassidy vs The Dogs Added To Dynamite . March 3, 2026 . Fightful WWE News, AEW News, Pro Wrestling Backstage News . en-US.
  55. Web site: Empire Tag Team Championship. Philip. Kreikenbohm. Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. September 23, 2018. May 12, 2024.
  56. Web site: Empire The Gauntlet - Event @ The Point in Sunderland, Tyne And Wear, England, UK. Philip. Kreikenbohm. Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. September 23, 2018. May 12, 2024.
  57. Web site: HOP Heavyweight Championship. Philip. Kreikenbohm. Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. May 29, 2016. May 11, 2024.
  58. Web site: HOP Tag Team Championship. Philip. Kreikenbohm. Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. October 20, 2013. May 12, 2024.
  59. Web site: HOP Off Limits 2013 - Event @ Arnold Working Men's Club in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, UK. Philip. Kreikenbohm. Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. October 20, 2013. May 12, 2024.
  60. Web site: HOP Fully Charged - Event @ Arnold Working Men's Club in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, UK. Philip. Kreikenbohm. Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. June 22, 2014. May 12, 2024.
  61. Web site: HOP Our House - Event @ Arnold Working Men's Club in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, UK. Philip. Kreikenbohm. Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. October 19, 2014. May 12, 2024.
  62. Web site: Kamikaze Pro 4th Anniversary Show - Event @ Meadway Sports & Social in Birmingham, West Midlands, England, UK. Philip. Kreikenbohm. Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. June 30, 2017. May 12, 2024.
  63. Web site: Relentless Division Championship. Philip. Kreikenbohm. Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. June 30, 2017. May 12, 2024.
  64. Web site: Kamikaze Pro Sky's The Limit 5 - Event @ The Empire in Coventry, West Midlands, England, UK. Philip. Kreikenbohm. Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. April 27, 2018. May 12, 2024.
  65. Web site: Strong Openweight Championship. Philip. Kreikenbohm. Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. May 11, 2024. May 12, 2024.
  66. Web site: Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship. Philip. Kreikenbohm. Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. July 4, 2023. May 12, 2024.
  67. Web site: WCPW Internet Championship. Philip. Kreikenbohm. Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. April 29, 2017. May 12, 2024.
  68. Web site: Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2025 . profightdb.com.

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