Kota Ibushi might be the most in-demand free agent in the wrestling industry today.
The star’s contract with New Japan Pro-Wrestling expired on February 1st which immediately put every major promotion in the world on high alert. It has already been announced that Ibushi will be heading to the United States over WrestleMania weekend when he makes his GCW debut at The Collective.
AEW boss Tony Khan has already seemingly thrown his hat into the ring to try and sign the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Khan stated that he feels he needs to consider doing business with Ibushi, describing him as a “great talent.” There are already links between the two parties due to his existing relationship with the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega.
Ibushi famously teamed with Omega in Japan with the pair known as the Golden Lovers. The two wrestled together from 2009 until 2014, and again in 2018.
However, it appears that despite this, Ibushi hasn’t ruled out working for WWE. Speaking to Dark Puroresu Flowsion, the star said that “of course,” he’s interested in WWE.
“Of course, I’m interested in it. I’m good at producing players & I’ve created stars, so I don’t think there’s anyone who can control me even in that frame. I live so freely,”
Has Kota Ibushi Been In WWE Before?
Although Kota Ibushi is best known for his matches in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, he has previously appeared in WWE. Back in 2016, the star took part in the Cruiserweight Classic making it to the semi-finals where he was defeated by TJ Perkins. The two went on to team together in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, after Ibushi had initially been scheduled to compete alongside Hideo Itami (KENTA) until he got injured.
During this period he also appeared in NXT wrestling Bobby Roode and Buddy Murphy.
Kota Ibushi hasn’t wrestled since suffering a shoulder injury in October 2021 in his G1 finals match against Kazuchika Okada.