Kota Ibushi Has “Really Big Offers” From AEW

New Japan Pro Wrestling star Kota Ibushi says he has “really big offers” from AEW as he ponders his future in the wrestling business.

Kota Ibushi last set foot in an NJPW ring back in the final of the 2021 G1 Climax tournament where he faced off with Kazuchika Okada. That match had to be stopped with Okada declared the winner due to a serious shoulder injury.

Since then the 40-year-old’s relationship with the company has been very publicly strained with Ibushi airing his grievances with NJPW president Takami Ohbari and a talent relations official named Kikuchi. That led to all three men being fined ten percent of their salaries for three months.

Speaking to Dark Puroresu Flowsion, Ibushi has indicated that his future may not lie in NJPW and that he has designs on starting his own promotion:

“My plan for the future is to have my own promotion and do a lot of volunteering. There are really big offers from AEW and all over the world, but I would like to make a contribution, but rather than visiting nursing homes and so on. Of course, I am also thinking of giving back to professional wrestling. I’m happy! So in 2023, I’m thinking of contributing to the world and giving back to professional wrestling. And above all, I want to liven up the world with professional wrestling.”

I had the pleasure to speak to Kota Ibushi. I asked him if he still has the desire to start his own promotion. Here is his answer. pic.twitter.com/tsWO1tuGVU

— Dark Puroresu Flowsion (@PuroresuFlow) December 14, 2022

Kota Ibushi’s relationship with AEW EVP Kenny Omega is well-known and the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion was part of the All In show considered to be the precursor to AEW when he teamed with The Young Bucks in the show’s main event to face Bandido, Rey Mysterio, and Rey Fenix.