Kota Ibushi expresses his interest in potentially working with WWE.
Ibushi is one of the most buzzworthy competitors on the open market, given his successful run with New Japan-Pro Wrestling. Among other accolades, he won the G1 Climax tournament twice, and he has held the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. His NJPW contract expired on January 31, so he is free to choose his next move. Ibushi previously teamed up with Kenny Omega, and they formed the Golden Elite with the Young Bucks, so many fans speculate that he could wind up in AEW at some point.
Speaking with Dark Puroresu Flowsion, Ibushi expressed his “high interest” in working with AEW, but he made it clear that he wouldn’t rule out WWE.
“Of course, I’m interested in it,” Ibushi said. “I’m good at producing players & I’ve created stars, so I don’t think there’s anyone who can control me even in that frame. I live so freely.”
In 2016, Ibushi had a brief run with WWE and competed in the Cruiserweight Classic. He also wrestled in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Ibushi has been out of action since he went down with an injury in the finals of the G1 Climax 2021. He will make his return to the ring at The Collective 2023; he will gace “Speedball” Mike Bailey at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 9/
