10 Wrestlers Who Left And Returned More Badass

9. Kota Ibushi

Super Liger Chris Jericho
NJPW

Kota Ibushi is an enigmatic figure, or perhaps he is more confused than confusing, but whatever: at the onset and mid point of this decade, he operated primarily in two wildly contradictory modes: advanced, borderline genius super-worker and impossibly niche banter merchant.

In DDT, he f*cked about in by-design absurd comedy matches, while also wrestling one of the best displays of athleticism-driven drama opposite Kenny Omega in 2012's punishing 40 minute epic. In New Japan, he parlayed that stunning work into a great run in the Junior Heavyweight division. His work was far more diverse than a mere interpretation of that style, but with so many words with which to describe Ibushi - maverick, idiot, unhinged - "badass" wasn't fitting, looking at that cherubic face, bodybuilder physique and ostentatious ring style.

Last year, as a Heavyweight proper, Ibushi following a WWE flirtation introduced a new facet to his act that framed him as more of a terrifying badass than even Katsuyori Shibata and Tomohiro Ishii through body language alone.

Something seems to snap within him when taken to his limit. His eyes take on an eerie quality, as if nothing is behind them, but it's his actual body that tells the story. He transmogrifies into stone. Nothing fazes him, not even the stiffest of forearm shots. He simply isn't there, until he is, landing shotgun-blast punches to the faces of his opponents.

It's between-spaces pro wrestling magic, in which Ibushi, matinee idol, becomes Michael Myers.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!