10 Wrestlers WWE Must Sign After WrestleMania 33
4. Kota Ibushi
One of pro-wrestling’s biggest oddballs, Kota Ibushi is just as well-known for his blistering NJPW matches as he is for wrestling blow-up dolls and nine-year-old girls for DDT. He’s a freelance wrestler who appears to value the freedom to do what he wants, when he wants, above all else, and this will make him a difficult acquisition.
Ibushi played a starring role in last year’s Cruiserweight Classic, and his contests with TJ Perkins and Brian Kendrick stand among the competition’s best offerings. WWE attempted to negotiate a deal with Ibushi in the aftermath, but Kota refused. He re-appeared during the second annual Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic later that year, but has remained a freelancer ever since, and that doesn’t look like changing anytime soon.
Still, Ibushi is someone WWE should go all-out to sign. When he gets serious, Ibushi is one of the best wrestlers on the planet, and his NJPW matches with the likes of Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles prove it. Few can match his blend of dazzling high-flying, ferocious strikes, and next-level athleticism, and as much as he loves freelancing, a huge offer from WWE would be tough to turn down.
Currently messing around working preliminary matches as an anime character in NJPW (seriously…), it’s time for Ibushi to make his next big move.