Former NJPW Star Turned Down Big AEW Money

AEW

A former NJPW star has revealed that he turned down an offer from Tony Khan during previous contract negotiations.

Since becoming a free agent, Kota Ibushi has spoken about the possibility of working for WWE as well as plans to open his own wrestling school.

He’s also been announced for GCW’s Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport on March 30 and Joey Janela’s Spring Break on March 31.

There has been interest among wrestling fans as to whether Ibushi would sign for either WWE or AEW and now Ibushi has revealed past talks with Tony Khan.

Dark Puroresu Flowsion recently revealed that they had spoken to Ibushi about Tony Khan, with the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion saying:

“I spoke to Tony on Skype in 2018 contract talk. But my dream was not money.

“My dream was to win the IWGP Heavyweight belt. This was because Shinya Hashimoto, who I liked was my goal.

“I was offered a big amount of money.”

It was recently reported that WWE had interest in a “much bigger major free agent” with that person being the company’s current priority, with some speculation that Ibushi could be that person.

Although Dave Meltzer provided no names, he did say people in WWE who would “normally know of major acquisitions during Mania season” didn’t know about Jay White, who will face Eddie Kingston in a Loser Leaves NJPW at the February 18 NJPW Battle in the Valley, having lost a Losers Leaves Hapan match previously.

Quote from Dark Puroresu Flowsion.

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• kota ibushi
• NJPW
• tony khan
• AEW

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