Kota Ibushi Leaves NJPW, Major Companies Interested
The protracted saga of Kota Ibushi's NJPW exit reaches its conclusion.
The long, protracted saga of Kota Ibushi's exit from New Japan Pro-Wrestling is complete.
NJPW released the following statement on Tuesday, confirming Ibushi's departure from the promotion:-
With the conclusion of his contract period on January 31 2023, Kota Ibushi has departed New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Ibushi had been recovering from injury since October 2021.
We apologise to Ibushi’s fans for the abrupt announcement, and join them in wishing Ibushi the very best in all his future endeavours.
Ibushi then released his own statement a few hours later. As translated by Google:-
There were various conflicts, but thank you to New Japan Pro-Wrestling I chose the position of being free to renew my contract. Thank you for your long and condensed period. thank you From now on, I hope you will watch over my path! I don't know what will happen
The Ibushi/NJPW split shouldn't come as a surprise to those who have followed the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion's career through 2022 and 2023. In dispute with his now-former employers for much of his time on the shelf, having suffered a serious injury while wrestling Kazuchika Okada in October 2021, the 40-year-old had alleged managerial mistreatment, amongst other things, in a series of public statements.
This effectively put Ibushi's wrestling career on ice. One of the best wrestlers in the world was rendered inactive as he recovered from injury, until yesterday, when he was finally cut loose.
Leading US indie group Game Changer Wrestling has already announced Ibushi for a series of shows over WrestleMania 39 weekend:-
*BREAKING*
AdvertisementKOTA IBUSHI returns to the ring and makes his GCW Debut at @collective2023 in Los Angeles!March 30 - 4PMJosh Barnett's Bloodsporthttps://t.co/JwxCrIM4jDMarch 31 - 8PMJoey Janela's Spring Breakhttps://t.co/Bqbu1ZSr3zBoth events will stream LIVE on @FiteTV+! pic.twitter.com/SXV6MwUBD4
— GameChangerWrestling (@GCWrestling_) January 31, 2023
Fightful Select has filled in some of the dots on Kota's situation, noting that the 'Golden Star' is attracting "major interest" from several promotions. Said interest includes one-off deals and full-time roles, though people within major companies believe that Ibushi's preference is to go freelance for a while.
Per people close to Ibushi, his time as an NJPW full-timer was a "live and learn" situation.
Through communicating with Ibushi, @PuroresuFlow understands that despite "high interest" in his services, Kota's preference is, indeed, to become a freelancer:-
What I have gathered talking with Kota Ibushi multiple times. Is that their is high interest from all major promotions. His preference is to work for every promotion he can more as a freelancer than a fully contracted wrestler. Expect a more brutal & grounded style from him. pic.twitter.com/vzDr3TfcC0
— Dark Puroresu Flowsion (@PuroresuFlow) January 31, 2023
In departing NJPW, Ibushi, who stands as one of the finest wrestlers of his generation, immediately becomes the hottest free agent on the market. Expect a feeding frenzy for his services.