Kota Ibushi Announced For ROH's Supercard of Honor At WrestleMania Weekend
The Japanese star will appear at Supercard of Honor in New Orleans.
Japanese wrestling star Kota Ibushi has been confirmed for this year's Supercard of Honor XII.
Ibushi wrestles for many promotions, but recently appears to have pledged his future to New Japan Pro Wrestling, after promising big things in a press conference this month. He defeated Cody Rhodes at Wrestle Kingdom 12 on January 4th, and was a highlight of last year's critically-acclaimed G1 Climax tournament - enjoying a particularly well-received bout with Tetsuya Naito on Day 1.
He will also be familiar to those who followed WWE's Cruiserweight Classic tournament in 2016, reaching the semi-final stage before losing to eventual winner TJ Perkins.
There has been much speculation over the possibility of a feud between Ibushi and Kenny Omega. The pair used to be tag partners before Omega joined Bullet Club, turning heel in the process.
This speculation will only intensify given the fact that Omega has also been announced for Supercard of Honor, alongside fellow NJPW star Hiroshi Tanahashi. The two promotions have a working relationship which often involves the cross-promotion of regular roster members.
Last year's Supercard of Honor was the most-attended event in ROH history. The main event ladder match saw The Young Bucks defeat Matt and Jeff Hardy in the veterans' last indie appearance before returning to WWE - which they did the following night at WrestleMania 33.
Other big matches at the show included Cody vs. Jay Lethal in a Texas Bullrope Match, and Christopher Daniels vs. Dalton Castle for the ROH World Championship - but the confirmed appearances of Ibushi, Omega, and Tanahashi mean that this year's Supercard of Honor will have a distinctly more New Japan feel.
This could work well in ROH's favour, given the extra attention paid to NJPW following the success of Wrestle Kingdom 12. Much of that can be attributed to the appearance of Chris Jericho, who put on a fantastic match with Kenny Omega - but the general quality of the show was of a very high standard indeed.
Ibushi wrestles for many promotions, but recently appears to have pledged his future to New Japan Pro Wrestling, after promising big things in a press conference this month. He defeated Cody Rhodes at Wrestle Kingdom 12 on January 4th, and was a highlight of last year's critically-acclaimed G1 Climax tournament - enjoying a particularly well-received bout with Tetsuya Naito on Day 1.
He will also be familiar to those who followed WWE's Cruiserweight Classic tournament in 2016, reaching the semi-final stage before losing to eventual winner TJ Perkins.
There has been much speculation over the possibility of a feud between Ibushi and Kenny Omega. The pair used to be tag partners before Omega joined Bullet Club, turning heel in the process.
This speculation will only intensify given the fact that Omega has also been announced for Supercard of Honor, alongside fellow NJPW star Hiroshi Tanahashi. The two promotions have a working relationship which often involves the cross-promotion of regular roster members.
Last year's Supercard of Honor was the most-attended event in ROH history. The main event ladder match saw The Young Bucks defeat Matt and Jeff Hardy in the veterans' last indie appearance before returning to WWE - which they did the following night at WrestleMania 33.
Other big matches at the show included Cody vs. Jay Lethal in a Texas Bullrope Match, and Christopher Daniels vs. Dalton Castle for the ROH World Championship - but the confirmed appearances of Ibushi, Omega, and Tanahashi mean that this year's Supercard of Honor will have a distinctly more New Japan feel.
This could work well in ROH's favour, given the extra attention paid to NJPW following the success of Wrestle Kingdom 12. Much of that can be attributed to the appearance of Chris Jericho, who put on a fantastic match with Kenny Omega - but the general quality of the show was of a very high standard indeed.
Written by Jack King
jack.king@cultaholic.com Twitter: @JackTheJobber
