Kota Ibushi Injured, Hospitalised After Pro Wrestling NOAH Show
Kota Ibushi called for an ambulance after NOAH match with Naomichi Marufuji today.
Kota Ibushi was hospitalised with apparent ankle injuries after wrestling Naomichi Marufuji on today's Pro Wrestling NOAH show, 'The New Year 2024.'
Per Sports Hochi, Ibushi, who defeated Marufuji in 33 minutes, called for an ambulance after the match, having seemingly been injured not long after the opening bell. The AEW-contracted wrestler was then taken to the hospital, though a diagnosis hadn't been made public at the time of writing.
Ibushi had reportedly complained of "severe pain" after the Marufuji bout - and was unable to record backstage comments after making his way to the set on his own.
In an interview released on 24 December, the 'Golden Star' claimed he was suffering from a broken left ankle and right hand heading into 'The New Year 2024.' This came less than three months after telling Sports Illustrated that he hadn't fully recovered from the ailments that had sidelined him from October 2021 to March 2023, while also acquiring new injuries since returning to wrestling seven months prior.
November saw Ibushi share pictures of what he claimed was a broken hand ahead of a planned AEW street fight five days later:
ストリートファイト練終了。拳というかフルスイングでいったら手の甲が折れたけど、3日あればもう治っただろう。#龍が如く使用#綺麗なストレートは打たない#骨折だーからなんだよ#痛覚なし
楽しみだ！気合いはいったぞー！期待してるのと違ったらごめんなさい。保険かけとかないと笑 pic.twitter.com/NMj8ZxypgT
Advertisement— 飯伏 幸太 (@ibushi_kota) November 10, 2023
AEW officially signed Ibushi as a contracted wrestler in October 2023.