Kota Ibushi recently explained why he ultimately chose to stay in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and turn down All Elite Wrestling, saying he’ll end his career in Japan.
Ibushi took part in a new interview with ShuPro, and he said (translation by announcer Chris Charlton) he was in negotiations with AEW at the end of the year, but realized he didn’t really care about the financial part of it. Ibushi noted that he and Kenny Omega haven’t spoken since Wrestle Kingdom, so they haven’t spoken about turning down any offers and wished him luck after choosing his own path. (It was noted that Ibushi turned AEW down after the January event at Tokyo Dome.)
‘AEW said they just want me in their ring in some form. The ideal for them was for me to move to America and be there full time. I turned them down just after Wrestle Kingdom’
‘If I went it would be the end of my career. There wouldn’t be anywhere else to go after that. No step up, nothing left to do. That would be the last step to make, and after that things would just go down. Great money, but I want to keep developing.’
‘Kenny wants to change the world with wrestling. I think to change the world with wrestling, New Japan is the best place to do that. That’s where he and I differ. I can do all that here. I’m all the places I’ve been, NJPW is the highest level’
Read More: Kota Ibushi To Stay In NJPW, Partaking In New Japan Cup (Video)
In regards to his recent appearance and announcement that he’ll participate in the New Japan Cup, Ibushi said he did it so he could shut down potential rumors about his status. Ibushi said although he and Omega might potentially reunite one day, and it would be cool to see a Golden Lovers reunion, he’s sticking with New Japan.
‘This is the last decision I will make in my career. I’ll end my wrestling career in NJPW’
‘Kenny wants to change the world with wrestling. I think to change the world with wrestling, New Japan is the best place to do that. That’s where he and I differ. I can do all that here. I’m all the places I’ve been, NJPW is the highest level’
— chris charlton (@reasonjp) February 20, 2019
‘This is the last decision I will make in my career. I’ll end my wrestling career in NJPW’
— chris charlton (@reasonjp) February 20, 2019
