Kota Ibushi Makes Shock AEW Return

Kota Ibushi is back.

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.

The star spent the next 18 months out of the ring, finally returning to action in March 2023.

Later that year, Ibushi made his AEW debut and was a regular presence until that November. But misfortune hit again in January 2024. While already dealing with a major ankle injury, Kota Ibushi injured his other ankle during a match on NOAH’s New Year show and left the venue in an ambulance.

After missing several more months, Ibushi got back in the ring once more, but he’s now returned to AEW and the United States.

Kota Ibushi Is Back In AEW

Kenny Omega left the June 11 edition of AEW Dynamite coughing up blood on a stretcher after an attack by Kazuchika Okada and the Don Callis Family. Omega and Okada are set to meet at All In Texas in a huge Title Unification Match.

Fast forward ten days, and Callis and co. were in the ring on Collision to celebrate Omega’s downfall, and said that even if he makes it to All In, he’ll be truly alone.

This brought out Mark Briscoe, who said he was Omega’s friend, but crucially, not his only friend. At this, Ibushi joined Briscoe at the top of the ramp before they got into a wild brawl with those in the ring. As Briscoe clashed with Lance Archer, Ibushi took out Josh Alexander before going toe-to-toe with Okada.

In the end, Ibushi sent Okada running and stood tall. It was later confirmed that Ibushi will return to the ring on Dynamite.

Ibushi has a close relationship with Omega going back to their time in Japan as the Golden Lovers, while he also has an extensive history with Okada.