Recently, we would see the long awaited AEW debut of Kota Ibushi. Previously one of the top names in New Japan Pro Wrestling, Ibushi left the company earlier this year after a lengthy hiatus due to a shoulder injury.
It was announced that he would be the fight man for The Elite in Blood & Guts, the AEW variation on the War Games match. However, his debut was not the best performance of his career – which Ibushi blames on his choice of gear.
Kota Ibushi’s Shoes Weren’t Ready For Blood & Guts
Taking to social media after returning home to Japan, Ibushi had the following to say about his performance in Blood & Guts, saying that his thin shoes were poorly suited for wrestling in a ring full of thumbtacks and broken glass.
“I’m home. It’s my fault that I didn’t know about thumbtacks and glass after all this time. I have thin wrestling shoes, so it penetrated and it was just painful from the middle, and I ended up moving like an old man. I’m sorry! Far from being unable to kick, both ankles were stiff. Life with a cane for the first time in my life No, I’ll be cured tomorrow! That is Kota Ibushi!”
AEW Status Is Unclear With The Elite Taking One Week Off
Ibushi is expected to remain working with AEW, but has not been signed at this time. The Elite was not on AEW Dynamite this past week, while members of the Blackpool Combat Club wrestled in the main event. We can expect more news on the AEW status of Ibushi in the coming weeks.
While his AEW debut was not up to the standards expected of him, this is a special case. When Ibushi made his return to the ring earlier this year against Joey Janela, he showed that his shoulder injury didn’t impact his in-ring style. Provided AEW keeps him away from hardcore matches with ill suited gear, we can expect to see The Golden Star on full display soon.
Were you impressed by the debut of Kota Ibushi in AEW? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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