Kota Ibushi Clarifies AEW Status After Surprise Announcement
As questions mount regarding Kota Ibushi’s wrestling future, the star himself has revealed his status with AEW.
By 2021, Kota Ibushi had cemented his place as one of the best wrestlers in the world and looked set to dominate New Japan Pro-Wrestling for years to come. However, disaster struck during that year’s G1 Climax Tournament when the star sustained a serious shoulder injury while attempting to hit a Phoenix Splash during his match in the finals against Kazuchika Okada.
Ibushi wouldn’t return to the ring for 18 months, stepping back into competition at Bloodsport 9 before eventually signing a deal with AEW in late 2023.
Ibushi has not been seen in AEW since he was part of a street fight on the 15th of November edition of Dynamite where he teamed with Paul Wight, Kenny Omega, and Chris Jericho to defeat Brian Cage and The Don Callis Family. Kota Ibushi has competed since then, however, defeating Naomichi Marufuji in Pro-Wrestling NOAH in early January 2024 but The Golden Star was hospitalised after that match and has not been seen in an AEW ring since.
Ibushi was part of a five-minute exhibition match for Japanese promotion GLEAT on July 1st to celebrate his 20 years in the wrestling business but now it looks like Ibushi’s getting in the ring again in a more meaty proposition for his former promotion.
Kota Ibushi Still Calls AEW His Home
With many fans wondering what that means for his AEW future, Kota Ibushi has sought to clarify his status by responding to one fan on social media who questioned if he was no longer with Tony Khan’s company, writing:
No, my home is AEW. We’ll see a full comeback with Kenny.
No, my home is AEW. We'll see a full comeback with Kenny.

— 飯伏 幸太 (@ibushi_kota) August 8, 2024
Ibushi’s long-time tag team partner Kenny Omega has been out of action due to serious illness since December 2023.