Tony Khan might soon be getting a call from another of wrestling’s biggest free agents.
There have been rumours for months that Kota Ibushi could be heading to AEW and it now seems like that possibility is inching nearer. Ibushi returned to the ring for the first time since October 2021 over WrestleMania weekend and has a long-established friendship with AEW EVP Kenny Omega.
Speaking to Dark Puroresu Flowsion, Ibushi said that he’s been talking to Omega about “things other than games,” adding that he hopes to make contact with Tony Khan soon.
“Recently, Kenny and I have been talking about things other than games. For example, are your knees okay? Or is your shoulder okay? Also I hope to be in contact with Tony soon”
On the most recent edition of his vlog, Ibushi reflected on his recent return to the ring. His first match with “Speedball” Mike Bailey at GCW Bloodsport, was less of a traditional pro wrestling bout and the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion admitted that it didn’t feel like a proper return.
However, his second match with Joey Janela ticked all of the boxes.
“I felt overjoyed after my second match. This one really felt like I made my return. A wrestling match with a proper 3 count. Those kinds of cheers. The cheers when something is reversed or the cheers when you kick out at one. This is pro wrestling. I felt like I was doing pro wrestling. That sensation I felt that I finally return to pro wrestling only set in on the second day. That was it. I did wrestling.
In a sense, I’m active on the forefront again. I could still perform and stamina wasn’t an issue. I didn’t feel like I was going to lose either. Sure, I felt like I had some lost time, but nothing bad happened nor any mistakes.”
Tony Khan Has Already Landed A Deal With Jay White
In the early months of 2023, the other major free agent who was in high demand was Jay White. It was reported the star was looking to take his career to the United States with both WWE and AEW looking to strike a deal with the star.
In the end, it was Tony Khan and AEW who scored the former NJPW star’s signature, with the news confirmed on April 5th. Switchblade will make his in-ring Dynamite debut on April 19th when he takes on Komander.