Report: Kota Ibushi's NJPW Contract Set To Expire In January
Could Kota Ibushi be on his way out of NJPW?
Former NJPW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kota Ibushi has not featured for the company since October 2021, and reports suggest Ibushi’s contract with New Japan is set to expire in January 2023.
The news comes courtesy of Dave Meltzer, who reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Ibushi’s deal is indeed set to expire in the new year, after Ibushi himself had hinted at it on social media.
Ibushi indeed suggested he could become a free agent on Twitter, tweeting the following:
“There is nothing wrong with my choice. If there is, that failure is a mistake for success. When I was asked about regrets in my life, I have never regretted so much that I thought time had stopped.
"Do you need this word? regret. . Hey. Let's do our best to prepare today! Two more months, oops. dangerous dangerous."
Relations between Ibushi and NJPW have been strained in 2022, with many suspecting Ibushi could leave the promotion due to a falling out with management. However, issues were said to have been resolved, and there is no word on what Ibushi’s future holds.