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Kota Ibushi Reveals AEW Contract Details

By Sondra Ruth • Published 13th October 2023
Kota Ibushi

Kota Ibushi opened up about working with AEW and whether or not he’s signed an official contract with the company.

Former NJPW star Kota Ibushi made his debut in All Elite Wrestling at Blood and Guts back in July, teaming with The Elite to take on The Blackpool Combat Club, Konosuke Takeshita, and PAC. He’s since made tag team appearances at both All In and WrestleDream, leading fans to wonder if he’s officially become All Elite.

Speaking in a new interview on his YouTube channel, Ibushi addressed his contract status, saying:

“I signed the contract.”

When Did Kota Ibushi Sign With AEW?

Continuing, Kota Ibushi revealed that he officially became All Elite after his Blood and Guts debut, saying he was on a verbal agreement with the company until that time. He also outlined the details of his contract.

“In a manner of speaking, yes. But during the discussion, they asked me how we could come to a deal. I said unless it has this and this and this, unless it has these conditions, I don’t want to sign a contract. I said if we’re just going to sign a contract, let’s do it today. That was the hardcore match, double ring, cage [Blood & Guts], on that day. That’s the day we signed the contract. We had a verbal agreement.

“It has to be this way for me. I’m based in Japan, and I will travel for the matches. Basically, I’m in Japan, I work in Japan. I will be active. I’ll be free to do that do. There are other things that make the contract even more flexible. Like if I could appear for another promotion. That kind of thing is normal, like can I compete in another match?

“We talked about all those kinds of details. I still got the OK. Tell us anything you want. We’ll listen to whatever you say. Reduce the number of matches a little bit more. Because if I go too many times, my activities in Japan will be limited, so reduce the number of matches a little bit more. When I said that, that is OK too. It’s the best deal.”

Elaborating further on social media, Ibushi called AEW the “best in the world.”

“I would like to make a slight correction. My current contract is with AEW. I think AEW is the best in the world. That’s why I want to seize the opportunity in America or AEW and make it an even greater organization.”

h/t Fightful