Report: NJPW Talent Don't Think Kota Ibushi Will Ever Return

Its’s been ten months since Kota Ibushi last wrestled in an NJPW ring, with the inaugural IWGP World Heavyweight Champion dealing with a severe shoulder injury.

Updates on Ibushi’s condition have been few and far between, and in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Dave Meltzer reported that NJPW talent don’t believe that Kota Ibushi will come back, although Meltzer had hear nothing from Ibushi’s camp either confirming nor denying this.

Back in July, Ibushi’s former Golden Lovers partner Kenny Omega hinted that Ibushi’s shoulder is not healing well. Despite this, Ibushi himself teased an AEW run on Twitter in early August, suggesting that Ibushi seemingly hasn’t ruled out a return to wrestling.

Ibushi missed a large chunk of 2021 due to injury and illness, and was back on the road for the 2021 G1, severely damaging his shoulder after a botched Phoenix Splash in the G1 Climax 31 Final against Kazuchika Okada in October 2021.

Whilst out of action, Ibushi was publicly vocal about his displeasure with aspects of New Japan management, and it seemed he could have been out the door before allegedly resolving all issues with New Japan.