REPORT: Kota Ibushi begins light training, New Japan deal expires in two months

Photo Courtesy: New Japan Pro-Wrestling

According to a report, Kota Ibushi has two months remaining on his deal with New Japan Pro Wrestling.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that the 40-year-old Ibushi has recently been engaging in light training and that his shoulder has “held up well”.

Ibushi has not wrestled since injuring his shoulder during the G-1 Climax final in October 2021 against Kazuchika Okada after attempting a Phoenix Splash.

The report from Dave Meltzer added that Ibushi’s contract with NJPW expires at the end of January 2023 with Ibushi making a cryptic reference to his contract in a recent tweet.

Over the past year, Ibushi had publicly criticized New Japan over their handling of his injury and announced him prematurely for this past year’s New Japan Cup tournament. Ibushi released conversations he had with New Japan official Yusuki Kikuchi and later stated the stress of the public issues led to an incident where Ibushi’s mother was injured after attempting to take her own life.

This led to a press conference by New Japan where they announced that Kikuchi and Ibushi would both accept a 10 percent reduction in pay over three months for the way things played out publicly and that Kikuchi would be transferred to a separate department. New Japan director Takami Ohbari also took a 10 percent reduction in his pay over a three-month period for his responsibility on the matter.

About John Pollock 5914 Articles
Born on a Friday, John Pollock is a reporter, editor & podcaster at POST Wrestling. He runs and owns POST Wrestling alongside Wai Ting.