Tag: kota ibushi

Kota Ibushi makes surprise appearance at Japanese wrestling show

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Injured and currently recovering from an injury, former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kota Ibushi made a surprising cameo at a Super Japan Pro Wrestling event.

On May 27, 2026, at Ueno Park, Taito, during Super Japan Pro Wrestling’s show, former NJPW and current AEW wrestler, Ibushi, made an unexpected cameo.

Following a tag team match featuring Cima and Yuji Nagata against Poison Julie Sawada and Sanshiro Takagi, fans saw Takagi making his way backstage when he was stopped by Ibushi.

Takagi and Ibushi proceeded to hug each other before both of them made their way to the back. Nothing more came out of the cameo appearance.

Signed to AEW, Ibushi has been out of action since October 2025 after suffering a broken femur. Ibushi underwent surgery, following which, again in February 2026, he underwent a second surgery. While he hoped to return soon, Ibushi was given an estimated recovery timeline of two years.

Still recovering, the 44-year-old hopes to revamp Shinjuku FACE, a notable venue in Tokyo, Japan.

AEW’s Kota Ibushi says comeback seems unlikely for now, reveals new venture amid recovery 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Kota Ibushi shared the newest pro wrestling venture during his recovery period. He admitted a comeback any time soon is highly unlikely. 

Ibush posted a video on Instagram amid his current medical recovery from a broken femur in 2025. He stated that since an in-ring return is next to impossible at the moment he hopes to contribute to the wrestling community by revamping Shinjuku FACE, a notable venue in Tokyo, Japan where many wrestling events were held. 

“Thank you all so much for everything up until now. I’m Kota Ibushi, a professional wrestler who has been active for 22 years. I was able to fulfill many dreams in the world of professional wrestling and I truly had a wonderful life as a wrestler.”

“I am currently sidelined due to a right leg injury sustained last November. To be honest, a comeback seems unlikely for now. I turned 44 today. So I decided, Kota Ibushi, I want to give back to the professional wrestling world.”

“The professional wrestling world is currently facing a serious crisis: Shinjuku FACE is closing down. This venue, where I’ve had many matches, is a place that professional wrestling organizations have been grateful to. In particular, it was the perfect venue for independent wrestling promotions to hold regular shows.”

“I believe that the disappearance of such venues is equivalent to a crisis for the culture of professional wrestling. Therefore, Kota Ibushi will put his body on the line. I’m putting my body on the line to earn money. I am going to build a pro wrestling venue. So, please cooperate with me. Please give me work, no matter how small the project may be.”

“My leg isn’t fully recovered, so I can’t play the match, but I’ll manage to get through everything else with sheer willpower. And, with the money they earn, I’ll build a professional wrestling venue. I don’t care how long it takes! I want to give back to the professional wrestling world in the end.”

“To achieve this, I need your cooperation. I look forward to your DMs. Thank you!”

Kota Ibushi shares injury status update: ‘My femur isn’t attached yet’

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Kota Ibushi shared an update on his injury status. 

He took to Instagram citing the challenges of recovering from a broken femur, claiming that it is not fully attached yet.

“Reflecting daily, growing daily is moving forward. My femur isn’t attached yet, but for now, challenge challenge challenge! I have to do it! That’s about it and that’s it. Second ring in 6 months. Moonsault hit the face. Still a lot of growth to recover! 44 years 22 years career. From kickboxing to pro wrestling 26 years of fighting life with no regrets! I’ll do it! I wonder if the bones are okay.”

Ibushi broke his femur in a match against Josh Alexander in October 2025. He has constantly shared updates on social media during recovery. And is positive on making an in-return someday. 

Kota Ibushi shares injury update: ‘I’m definitely going to make a comeback’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Kota Ibushi says he’s definitely going to make a comeback.

Ibushi has been out of action since suffering a broken femur in a match against Josh Alexander on the October 8, 2025 AEW Collision taping.

On Wednesday, Ibushi shared that he was back in the ring for the first time since suffering the injury. While he was not able to run, Ibushi said that he was taking bumps and even did a one-legged moonsault.

He wrote:

“Today, I stepped into the ring for the first time in six months. I still can’t run, but I was able to take bumps and even did a moonsault press using one leg at the end! I’m definitely going to make a comeback❗I’m going to break through my limits🔥I’m growing every day.

I’m fine being stupid. Hahaha
But please don’t give up yet, everyone, and keep supporting us. I promise.”

Ibushi initially stated that he believed he would be out of action for two years as a result of the broken femur. He had surgery shortly after suffering the injury, but then had an additional surgery in February when it was revealed that a screw had come loose.

The 43-year-old signed with AEW in 2023. It was later revealed that he’d re-signed with the company in August 2025.

Ibushi’s full post is available below:

Kota Ibushi gives update on AEW injury recovery

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Kota Ibushi is starting to progress in his recovery from injury.

In an Instagram post this week, Ibushi shared video showing how much his mobility has improved. He is now able to do squats and walk up and down stairs, which is a big improvement since Ibushi says he could barely walk a week ago. He is currently in Japan but is planning to return to Florida soon.

“Hello. It’s been about two months since my second surgery. I will definitely be back, so please wait for me,” the 43-year-old Ibushi wrote. “Sending these feelings to Kenny, Bucks, and Tony Khan!!”

Ibushi was forced out of action in October 2025 when he suffered a broken femur against Josh Alexander at an AEW Collision taping. He had surgery done shortly after the injury but had to undergo a second operation this February to secure a screw that came loose.

It was initially expected that Ibushi would be out of action for two years due to the injury, though he’s hoping to make it back to the ring sooner than that.

The main event of AEW’s Dynasty pay-per-view this past weekend saw Ibushi’s friend Kenny Omega come up short while challenging MJF for the AEW World Championship. Responding to a clip of the match on Instagram, Ibushi said Omega’s performance has given him courage as he progresses toward a comeback.

“You’ve given me courage. Thank you, Kenny,” Ibushi wrote. “I’ll do my best to step up towards the first stage of my comeback.”

Kenny Omega reveals his favorite NJPW rivals

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

As Kenny Omega enters his newest rivalry in AEW, he’s also reflecting on some of his favorite rivalries in Japan. 

Omega was asked about his favorite New Japan rivalries in an appearance on the Battleground Podcast. “I think a lot of people sort of default to the [Kazuchika] Okada one and I understand why,” he said. “But I would say that for fans that were primarily New Japan fans, they also would argue that they really enjoyed my series of matches that I had with [Tetsuya] Naito. They really enjoyed the series of matches I had with [Tomohiro] Ishii.”

Then Omega went into detail about his long-term story with his old partner Kota Ibushi.

“Some of the people know me more because of the Golden Lovers stuff, which is also fantastic,” he said. “And I think that was some of the most proud storytelling that I’ve ever done in my career because the onus was all on us to continue that story forward and to always sort of implant that in the things we had done when maybe the promoters or the bookers didn’t see the value in it.” 

In particular, Omega’s happy how the two of them told the story while wrestling for several different companies.

“We had always sort of wanted to not insult the fans intelligence,” Omega said. “Regardless of what promotion we were in, we wanted to show that there was this interconnectivity and these human emotions, and that life doesn’t end just because of promotion changes. Relationships don’t end because of promotion changes. And it was cool that we could see this multiple-promotion-spanning storyline that took about a decade to see the grand finale and to be able to be at the forefront of an actual real long-term story where the onus was completely on us to tell.”

Kota Ibushi out of hospital after surgery

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Kota Ibushi is out of the hospital after a shorter-than-expected stay.

On Instagram, Ibushi indicated this week that he’s undergone a second surgery to help with the broken femur he suffered in October 2025. A screw came loose but has now been firmly secured. Ibushi noted that he was originally supposed to be in the hospital for two weeks but was able to get out in just three days.

“A major screw came loose. This time, two spots are firmly secured,” Ibushi wrote. “Complete rest! I was told several times, ‘Mr. Ibushi, complete rest!!’ but I’ll do things my way. I’m grateful, truly grateful, that I’m allowed freedom in my rehab. Thank you for the surgery. Thank you, everyone. Thank you, AEW.”

Ibushi, 43, sustained the injury during a match against Josh Alexander that aired on an October AEW Collision episode. Though he was initially told that he would need to be out of action for two years, Ibushi is hoping to return quicker than that.

Earlier this week, The Young Bucks revealed that Ibushi’s injury derailed plans for them to face Ibushi & Kenny Omega in a tag match at AEW Full Gear 2025. Instead, a six-man tag bout took place with The Young Bucks & Alexander defeating Omega & Jurassic Express (Jack Perry & Luchasaurus).

Young Bucks reveal plans for scrapped Golden Lovers AEW match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

It looks like The Young Bucks vs. Golden Lovers (Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi) was originally the plan for AEW Full Gear 2025.

During a Q&A posted to the Being the Elite YouTube channel today, The Young Bucks were asked to name a proposed match of theirs that never got the chance to happen in AEW. Nick Jackson revealed that he and his brother Matt were supposed to face off against Omega & Ibushi at a recent pay-per-view, but Ibushi suffered an injury that forced those plans to be scrapped.

“The Golden Lovers,” Nick Jackson said. “It was actually supposed to happen pretty recently. But [Ibushi] had a really bad leg break. We were supposed to do Kenny & Ibushi at — when was it? Not Revolution. Where the heck was it? It was a couple months ago. You guys tell me. We ended up doing a six-man tag.”

With Ibushi unable to compete, the Full Gear card instead included a six-man tag where The Young Bucks & Josh Alexander defeated Jurassic Express (Jack Perry & Luchasaurus) & Omega.

The Young Bucks and Golden Lovers previously met in a dream match at NJPW Strong Style Evolved 2018. Omega & Ibushi got the win in that highly praised first meeting.

It was initially said that the injury Ibushi suffered in October 2025 would keep him out of action for two years, but Ibushi is hoping that he will be able to return quicker than that.

AEW’s Kota Ibushi shares injury return update

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

After being injured last October, Kota Ibushi has claimed that he still has one year and nine months left before he gets medically cleared.

Ibushi suffered a broken femur after falling to the outside of the ring during a match with Josh Alexander on an early-October edition of AEW Collision. He later required surgery which sidelined him from in-ring action.

With Kenny Omega currently in a feud with Alexander, Ibushi issued a message addressed to Omega on Instagram and opened up about his return update:

“I’m so sorry, Kenny. There’s no guarantee, but medically, I have one year and nine months left. I’ll cure you in nine unnecessary months! That means I’ll be back in 2026. I’ve caused trouble for Kenny. In return,I can’t say for sure, but I’ll do it! I’ve gained the power to send out new energy. Shall I teach you bald guys that you have no chance of winning?” Ibushi wrote. “Yesterday, for the first time in a while, I was able to enter the Budokan in costume for a live performance by the band that plays my entrance song. I think I’ve fulfilled another ambition. And to Tony Khan, I’ll be making a comeback once again!”

“I’m not sure if my English will be understood, but I’ll do my best anyway.”

Ibushi, 43, was discharged from the hospital on October 21, 2025, after his surgery and is currently recovering for his in-ring comeback.

Kota Ibushi shares optimistic injury return update

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

After months of hiatus, AEW star Kota Ibushi has finally provided the latest update on his return from injury.

Sharing an update on Instagram, the Japanese wrestling sensation reflected on his injury before sharing the optimistic update with his fans. While previously reported to be sidelined for at least two years, Ibushi noted that his return could be much earlier than that.

“I suffered a serious injury. The doctor told me that it would take about two years for me to return to competition. It’s been about two months since I was injured,” Ibushi wrote. “However, it seems that I don’t need that. But that doesn’t mean I’ll take any easy steps. This time, I really want to step into the wrestling ring. So please give me a little more time. My English may be strange, but please forgive me.”

Ibushi suffered an injury on October 8th, 2025, at the AEW Collision taping, when he fell off Josh Alexander’s shoulders from the turnbuckle to the ringside. He was stretchered out of the arena and later confirmed that he suffered a broken femur and had to undergo surgery.

The 43-year-old was later discharged from the hospital on October 21, 2025, and is currently recovering in preparation for his comeback.

Daily Update: Natalya, Kota Ibushi, Rikishi

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Daily Update

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

–The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is up on the site now
*Full coverage of WrestleKingdom
*Thoughts on the booking decisions
*How the PPV did and other business notes
*Polls on the show
*The unique situation of AEW in St. Louis
*Saturday Night’s Main Event update and depth in WWE right now
*The life and times of Bobby “Mo” Horne, from Men on a Mission who passed away this past week.
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*Advance ticket sales for WWE & AEW shows over the next two months
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*More on the debate over the new version of the Ali Act
*Death of Duke Roufas
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WOL: Injury updates, Dynamite, NXT TV recap!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back tonight with tons to talk about including last night’s NXT, a much better show than usual, injury updates on Seth Rollins and Kota Ibushi and Ridge Holland, Dynamite line-up for tonight, all the latest news and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Kota Ibushi discharged from hospital, thanks Tony Khan & Kenny Omega

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Kota Ibushi is out of the hospital.

On social media Tuesday night, Ibushi announced that he had been released from the hospital. He took time to thank the medical staff, Tony Khan, Kenny Omega, Michael Nakazawa, and the fans for their help and support.

Ibushi had been hospitalized for the last two weeks following an injury that took place on the episode of AEW Collision that aired on October 11. Josh Alexander had Ibushi on his shoulders as they went up to the top rope. Ibushi ended up falling off Alexander and crash landed to the floor, breaking his femur in the process. Ibushi lost via count out and was eventually stretchered out after an angle involving the Don Callis Family. 

During his time in the hospital Ibushi gave updates to fans on his condition, with doctors telling him that it would take two years before he could get back in the ring. Ibushi believes, however, that it could take less.

“One year to fully recover. Two years until I can step into the ring again. I believe in myself more than the doctors,” he said. “I absolutely don’t believe in that. I know I have amazing DNA that gives me the ability to heal!!”

The last few years have been difficult for Ibushi injury-wise, suffering an injury during the G1 Climax finals in 2021 that kept him out for a long period of time. In January of 2024, he suffered another injury during a match in Pro Wrestling NOAH, causing him to miss further time.

WOR: Seth Rollins, Andrade, WWF in 1992

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back with the Friday edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about some of the major stories from today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

We discussed the following:

  • WWE having to redo creative after the Seth Rollins injury
  • WWE & AI
  • Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi originally having a match on the WrestleDream card
  • The Andrade contract situation

Then, James Dixon joined us to talk about his brand new book on WWF in 1992, Titan Shrinking.

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube

Kota Ibushi gives timeline on in-ring return

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Kota Ibushi is giving a timeline on when he could return to the ring.

Ibushi wrote on social media that while doctors have given him a lengthy recovery time, he feels he can do it sooner.

“My current condition,” he wrote, showing a video of his bandaged leg. “One year to fully recover. Two years until I can step into the ring again. I believe in myself more than the doctors. I absolutely don’t believe in that. I know I have amazing DNA that gives me the ability to heal!!”

Ibushi broke his femur during a match that aired this past Saturday on Collision. He was wrestling Josh Alexander when he accidentally fell off the top rope, landing on his leg. Ibushi was eventually counted out and Alexander was awarded the match.

While recovering in the hospital, Ibushi wrote on social media that Tony Khan gave him a letter. At that time, he estimated he could be out for a year and a half.

“I couldn’t believe it. Tony Khan himself sent me flowers and a letter,” he wrote at the time. “If someone does that for you, you can’t just quit, can you?!!! I cried. I don’t know if it’ll take one year or a year and a half to recover, but I’ll do what I can. Right now, only my toes can move. The pain is intense. I was shocked to even feel anything. Mr. Tony Khan… all I can do is try my best.”

The last few years have seen Ibushi struggle with injury issues. In 2021, he suffered an injury during the G1 Climax finals that kept him out of action for some time. In January of 2024, he injured his ankle during a match in Pro Wrestling NOAH.