AEW’s Kota Ibushi says in-ring return is ‘almost impossible’ after recent surgery, still targeting future comeback

AEW

AEW star Kota Ibushi has admitted a future return to the ring looks to be “almost impossible” after his recent surgery, but he’s still targeting a future comeback.

During a match with Josh Alexander on the October 8, 2025 taping of AEW Collision, Kota Ibushi suffered a broken femur after taking a spill from the top rope to the ringside area.

The former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion has not wrestled since, and recently underwent a second surgery where doctors replaced the plates in his leg with stronger ones, in order to give him greater stability.

Ibushi took to Twitter today (September 21) to confirm that the surgery was a success, but admitted that a future return to the ring currently “seems hopeless.

Ibushi said:

“I am truly sorry to everyone. I’m Kota Ibushi, a professional wrestler currently sidelined due to a leg injury. To repay the love I have for professional wrestling, which has fulfilled so many of my dreams, I will put my body on the line to earn 1000 million yen and build a professional wrestling venue.

“It’s almost been a year since I suffered a fractured femur in an accident during a match last November, but a recent check-up revealed that the bone hasn’t healed at all. As a result, I underwent surgery last Thursday to replace the bolt in my leg with a thicker one.

“Fortunately the surgery was successful, but I learned a few things from it. It seems that a return to professional wrestling is almost impossible. The plate that was replaced this time will not be removed from my perspective in the future, and will remain like this for life. Thanks to the treatment I can now go about my daily life without any problems, but apparently there’s a high chance it will break again if I do professional wrestling. 

“When that happens, even daily life becomes difficult. In the past, I would have tried to make a comeback, but I’m confused because I don’t feel that motivation anymore. Is it due to age? Perhaps my body has come to understand that with these legs,  I may never be able to return to my prime.

“That’s what I thought, I’m completely recovered after just two days since the surgery. Even though a comeback seems hopeless, I will definitely return to the ring. I don’t know how many years it will take, but I will never give up. However, my leg is in pretty bad shape, so I’m going to stop pushing myself as hard as I used to.”

Ibushi first signed with AEW in November 2023 following his debut in a Blood & Guts match on AEW Dynamite in July 2023. He later signed a new two year extension with the company in August 2025, two months before his injury.

We continue to wish Ibushi the very best in his ongoing recovery and will provide updates on his condition if/when they become available.

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