Every WWE Cruiserweight Classic Wrestler - Where Are They Now?
3. Kota Ibushi
Tournament result: Defeated in the semifinals by TJ Perkins.
What was he doing at the time?
Not much, to be honest.
The Cruiserweight Classic shortly followed Kota Ibushi's in-ring clearance after he had sustained a herniated cervical disc the prior November, meaning that his first-round defeat of Sean Maluta was just the sixth outing of the year for 'The Golden Star'. Beyond that, the number of opportunities sitting on his doorstep had diminished by Kota voluntarily going freelance, having realised the gruelling burden of working simultaneous schedules for New Japan and DDT.
What is he doing now?
Battling the thought of retirement, to be brutally honest.
'Neck Stuff' has formed a core component of the rugged New Japan style that has made 'The King of Sports' as polarising as it is, but Kota Ibushi frequently took things too far during his most recent run. Horrifying bumps on his head and neck became as regular in his matches as a referee bump was during the height of WWE's Bloodline saga. Moreover, Ibushi has worked through a gruesome sum of injuries that range from courageous (wrestling an anticipated NOAH match vs. Naomichi Marufuji with a broken ankle) to potentially fatal (a gnarly, exposed back infection during an appearance for Marvellous).
He is currently out of commission with a broken femur that carries a 2-year layoff, but for the sake of his health, he needs to be forcefully retired.