Gabe Kidd would be an interesting addition to All Elite Wrestling

There’s been some interesting contract news coming out of New Japan Pro Wrestling the past few days. Fightful Select released news on December 31 about perhaps the biggest name yet, Gabe Kidd. According to the report, Kidd’s contract is set to come up “soon.” Expect NJPW to make a move to keep his services under their banner, but if he isn’t re-signed he’d be a perfect addition to All Elite Wrestling.

Gabe Kidd has done some amazing work during his recent run in NJPW. As of this writing, he’s held the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship for 235 days, taking the title from Eddie Kingston and defending it against individuals like Lio Rush, Anthony Henry, and others. At Wrestle Dynasty, he’s poised to take on Kenny Omega in a non-title match, the latter’s first match in a year. Being Omega’s first match back is a huge showcase, and points to how much he’s respected as a competitor.

Kidd would fit in well in AEW. He’d already come with two big feuds to build around against Kingston and Omega. Then there are other names like Will Ospreay, Swerve Strickland, or “Hangman” Adam Page who would be interesting foils to see Kidd play off in extended angles. In the same way, he emerged to become one of the most important heels in New Japan, Kidd has the ability to do the same over time in All Elite Wrestling.

The question to answer is how hard will NJPW push to re-sign Kidd. AEW has snatched away several big names from NJPW in recent years. Kazuchika Okada, Mercedes Mone, Will Ospreay, and Kyle Fletcher are just a few names. At some point, there needs to be conversations about whether AEW is “poaching” talent from an organization that they’ve presented as an ally in the past. The door widely seems to swing one way, and it’s been strictly beneficial to All Elite Wrestling, at least so far. If Tony Khan can snatch away Kidd, that will be another big addition to add to the list.

Gabe Kidd has done an excellent job putting himself in a position to be a focal point of NJPW. At 27 years old he should expect to get a lot of attention heading into a potential contract negotiation with NJPW and other organizations. Everyone should have their eyes on the talented young performer. Expect AEW to have their eyes on him and perhaps that’s the best place for him to end up.