Kota Ibushi Wants Matches With Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura, & Finn Balor
Ibushi had some of his best matches with them in the past
Jan 23, 2023
Kota Ibushi has named the three current WWE superstars he would like to step in the ring with.
Speaking with Dark Puroresu Flowsion, the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion singled out a trio of performers he has history with, saying:
"Sami Zayn, Finn Bálor, Shinsuke Nakamura I would like to work with these three someday. The reason is that I have had my best bouts with them in the past, so I would like to see the current chemistry between myself & them".
Ibushi last wrestled Balor (as Prince Devitt) and Nakamura in singles matches at back-to-back New Japan Wrestle Kingdom events (8 & 9 respectively). His last match with Sami Zayn was for the DDT promotion in 2012 (where Zayn wrestled under his El Generico gimmick).
Ibushi has never been contracted to WWE, though he did make it to the semi-finals of the Cruiserweight Classic tournament in 2016, the same year he wrestled a handful of matches for NXT.
The Golden Star's New Japan status is currently up in the air, with his deal reportedly set to expire this month. Ibushi hasn't wrestled since losing the G1 Climax Final to Kazuchika Okada in October of 2021, due to a shoulder injury. Recent reports suggest that he is '90% healed'.