AEW Star Says He Thought About Retiring Due To Shoulder Injury

AEW

AEW star and former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kota Ibushi says he thought about retiring due to his shoulder injury.

On the November 15 edition of AEW Dynamite, Kota Ibushi returned to team with Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho and Paul Wight to defeat The Don Callis Family’s Konosuke Takeshita, Powerhouse Hobbs, Kyle Fletcher and Brian Cage in the “Like A Dragon” Street Fight.

Following the bout, Tony Khan officially announced that Kota Ibushi was now a member of the AEW roster with an #ALLELITE graphic on social media.

Ibushi made his in-ring return in 2023 from a serious shoulder injury that he suffered during the G1 Climax 31 Final in 2021.

Speaking with Pro Wrestling NOAH’s website, Kota Ibushi spoke about his upcoming bout against Naomichi Marufuji at NOAH The New Year on January 2.

When asked to share his thoughts on a potential retirement, Ibushi answered:

“As for that, I’m not sure when it will be over for me either. I’m not the type to set my own time frame, so I want to do as much as I can.”

“But…well…if I can’t do it anymore, if there is no more demand, I think it’s the end. If there is no more demand, I ask them to cut me off immediately.”

“I’m the type of person who says that if I find out, I’ll quit immediately. Conversely, Mr. Marufuji is the type who decides. He has five years left. I hope I can play a role in that time,”

On how his shoulder injury made him think about retirement, the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion said:

“(I thought about retiring because) my shoulder injury was the biggest thing. I can’t move as much as in the past, as everyone wants me to. I have to use different techniques there.”

“Of course, with my career, I can change things by doing different things, but if someone says, ‘That’s not what we want to see,’ then that’s the end of me.”

“That’s the end of the road for me. So in my case, it could end tomorrow. It could be a year from now, or it could be 10 years from now. I don’t know. When there is no more demand, it’s the end,”

Kota Ibushi’s Golden Lovers tag team partner Kenny Omega announced that he is out indefinitely with diverticulitis. To get an update on his illness, click here.

Want to stay up to date with all the most important Wrestling and WrestleTalk News? Join our newsletter mailing list by clicking here, and selecting your preferences!

• kota ibushi
• Injury
• AEW

Share this article with friends