Published: May 21, 2026 by Dave Adamson | Last Updated: May 21, 2026 by Dave Adamson
Dave has been a website writer for WrestleTalk since October 2022, having previously written for Den of Geek, among a number of wrestling, movie and television-related sites. Dave has been around the independent wrestling scene for more than a decade, including behind-the-scenes.
AEW
Sidelined with an injury, Kota Ibushi has revealed a new project that is underway during his absence from AEW and in-ring action in general.
Last seen on AEW Collision in October last year, Kota Ibushi has been out of action due to a broken femur and has undergone surgery for the injury.
Currently recovering, Ibushi shared an update on his rehabilitation and also revealed a new project on his personal Twitter account, sharing the announcement on his birthday, saying (with translation to English provided in the video):
“Thank you all so much for everything up until now. I’m Kota Ibushi, a professional wrestler who has been active for 22 years.
“I was able to fulfill many dreams in the world of professional wrestling and I truly had a wonderful life as a wrestler.
“I am currently sidelined due to a right leg injury sustained last November. To be honest, a comeback seems unlikely for now.
“I turned 44 today, so I decided Kota Ibushi… I want to give back to the professional wrestling world.
“The professional wrestling world is currently facing a serious crisis: Shinjuku FACE is closing down.
“This venue, where I’ve had many matches, is a place that professional wrestling organizations have been grateful to. In particular, it was the perfect venue for independent wrestling promotions to hold regular shows.
“I believe that the disappearance of such venues is equivalent to a crisis for the culture of professional wrestling. Therefore, Kota Ibushi will put his body on the line. I’m putting my body on the line to earn money.
“I am going to build a pro wrestling venue. So, please cooperate with me. Please give me work, no matter how small the project may be.
“My leg isn’t fully recovered, so I can’t play the match, but I’ll manage to get through everything else with sheer willpower. And, with the money they earn, I’ll build a professional wrestling venue. I don’t care how long it takes. I want to give back to the professional wrestling world in the end.
“To achieve this, I need your cooperation. I look forward to your DMs. Thank you.”
If you use this transcription or any portion of it, please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.
The video would feature footage of Ibushi running ropes and working out with a punch bag, as well as finishing with a tease for the next episode, where he visits a real estate agent.
Shinjuku FACE in Japan will close down on September 30 this year upon the expiration of its fixed-term building lease, having opened in 1994 as Liquid Room. Wrestling shows have run frequently at the venue since 2019, with its most recent being Stardom Starlight Kid Debut 10th Anniversary Show in October of last year.
The Golden Lovers, Separated
A star before he first stepped into the AEW ring back in July 2023, Kota Ibushi has held multiple championships in his home country, be it in DDT Pro-Wrestling or NJPW.
His arrival in AEW saw him re-unite in the ring with his Golden Lovers tag-team partner Kenny Omega, with fans of the pairing no doubt hoping for more between the former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
With Omega tackling diverticulitis in late 2023, he would take a hiatus from AEW, missing much of the following year and leaving fans without the opportunity to see him enter into a program with Ibushi. The pair would reunite for the Lights Out Steel Cage match at Forbidden Door in August of last year, marking their first match together since Dynamite on November 15, 2023.
Ibushi commenting that “a comeback seems unlikely for now” doesn’t rule out an in-ring future for the AEW star who is still clearly passionate about the professional wrestling world. Whether he can make a return remains to be seen, although Omega is likely to be very close to his orbit if it does happen, wherever it may be.
If you use this transcription or any portion of it, please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.
To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!
Trending
- Vince McMahon, Janel Grant & WWE Agree To Move Sex Trafficking Lawsuit Into Private Arbitration
- Report: CM Punk To Join SmackDown Upon WWE Return
- WWE Evolve Men’s Champion Aaron Rourke Removed From Limitless Wrestling Event Due To ‘Contractual Obligation’
- Ricky Saints Opens Up On Being One Of Few Men To Defeat Oba Femi In WWE: ‘I Already Know That’s Going To Come Back Into Play Down The Line’
- AEW’s Kota Ibushi Has Not Given Up On In-Ring Return But It Likely Won’t Be Any Time Soon, Has Worries That His Balance, Lateral Movement, Change Of Direction ‘Might Not Come Back’
- Rey Mysterio Recalls Almost Retiring From WWE Prior To Dominik Mysterio Starting Training: ‘I Think I’m Gonna Tap Out, I Just Don’t Feel It Anymore’
- John Cena Addresses Plans For WWE John Cena Classic: ‘We’ve Got To Figure Out The Fan Vote, I Do Not Want It Hijacked’
- WWE Hall Of Famer Teddy Long Details The Origins Of His Famous Dance Move, First Did It For His Grandson
- The Rock Shares Honest Thoughts On Missing Oscar Nomination For The Smashing Machine Performance: ‘I Wish It Happened, But It Didn’t’
- Limitless Wrestling Added To MyAEW Streaming Service
mailing list