Kota Ibushi Banned From The Tokyo Dome For NJPW X AEW Wrestle Dynasty

It has been confirmed that Kota Ibushi was banned from entering the Tokyo Dome for NJPW x AEW Wrestle Dynasty.

Kenny Omega noted during his post-match press conference following his win over Gabe Kidd at Wrestle Dynasty, which was also Omega's return match, that the one person who never turned his back on him in Japan was refused entry into the building.

It was widely assumed the person who was banned from the building was Omega's close friend and Golden Lovers tag team partner Kota Ibushi and that has since been confirmed to be the case by Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio.

"He didn't mention the name Kota Ibushi but he did mention that his friend was banned from the building that he wanted at ringside. And that is Kota Ibushi, by the way. I think everybody knows that but just to clarify it, it absolutely was Kota Ibushi and he was not allowed into the building," Meltzer said. 

Why Kota Ibushi was banned from the building is unknown, but NJPW and Ibushi did have a tumultuous relationship during Ibushi's final months with the company in 2022, although many of their issues appeared to be resolved by the time Ibushi exited New Japan at the end of his contract in January 2023.

Ibushi has suffered from major injury issues since suffering a dislocated shoulder during the G1 Climax 31 final in 2021. He eventually made his in-ring return in March 2023 and joined All Elite Wrestling later in the year. Ibushi was injured again in January 2024 during a disastrous Pro Wrestling NOAH match with Naomichi Marufuji, during which he broke his ankle.

Ibushi has since returned from injury, wrestling for DDT, among other promotions. He has since hinted he will return to AEW in 2025.

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