Report: Latest On Kota Ibushi's NJPW Status
Where do things stand with Kota Ibushi and NJPW?
Kota Ibushi has been away from New Japan Pro-Wrestling since he suffered a serious shoulder injury in the final of G1 Climax 31 but The Golden Star has issues with the promotion's management and he lambasted NJPW last week on Twitter, mentioning everything from alleged Yakuza involvement to NJPW trying to rush him back from injury.
It appeared Ibushi would be fired by New Japan following his tweets but the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is still an NJPW talent.
Ibushi may even end up remaining with the company as Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that New Japan don't want to lose the 39-year-old.
"He's still with New Japan. It's a weird thing. He hasn't been fired. There's a lot of unhappiness with him. They don't want to lose him but it's a real tough situation. Bushiroad isn't happy because his statements have hurt their stock price a little bit, which is a real negative, and he's also lashed out hard at [Takami] Ohbari," Meltzer said.
Meltzer noted the decision on Ibushi's future will ultimately come down to Bushiroad President Takaaki Kidani.
The Golden Star has been one of NJPW's top stars in recent years and he was the inaugural IWGP World Heavyweight Champion after he unified the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Titles.
Written by Aidan Gibbons
Editor-in-Chief of Cultaholic.com Twitter: @theaidangibbons