Kota Ibushi’s Post-NJPW Plans Revealed?

NJPW

With news that Kota Ibushi is to debut for GCW in March, it’s clear that his time in New Japan is at an end.

Ibushi had two successful runs in NJPW, his first running from 2009 to February 2016 and his second running from October 2016 to the end of his contract in January 2023.

A source close to Ibushi has now revealed further details of his plans.

Dark Puroresu Flowsion initially tweeted:

“I’ve known about this for weeks & im so excited it is finally completely out there!

“LFG! Kota Ibushi is a free agent & ready to roll.”

The relationship between Ibushi and New Japan had soured with Ibushi vocalising issues with NJPW management.

Dark Puroresu Flowsion would follow up their Tweet with further details of Ibushi’s plans, saying:

“What I have gathered talking with Kota Ibushi multiple times is that there 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.”

Ibushi had recently spoken about his plans for the future, saying he wanted to have his own company but had also received “really big offers from AEW and all over the world.”

In between New Japan runs, he would perform on the independent circuit and feature in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic Tournament of 2016, also appearing on a small number of episodes of WWE NXT.

Ibushi hasn’t wrestled since suffering a separated shoulder during the finals of the 2021 G1 Climax tournament.

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• kota ibushi
• GCW
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