AEW star Kota Ibushi has revealed on social media that he has been hospitalized ahead of another surgical procedure on his leg as he continues his road to recovery.
Taking to Instagram, the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion explained that doctors must remove the existing metal plates in his femur and replace them with stronger hardware after determining the initial plates were insufficient.
Ibushi Shares Emotional Update
Ibushi expressed clear frustration over the repeated physical setbacks, but firmly rejected any suggestion that these medical hurdles will force him into retirement:
“I am being hospitalized starting today. Tomorrow, I will undergo a second surgery on my femur,” Ibushi wrote. “They will remove all the current plates and replace them with the strongest available option, as the doctors said my current ones were simply too weak for my body and leg.”
The veteran performer admitted to mental fatigue from the ordeal, while doubling down on his commitment to step back inside an AEW ring:
“Why now? It makes absolutely no sense to me. I am so exhausted from having to go through surgery after surgery. But I am not giving up,” he added. “I refuse to let something like this end my professional wrestling career. I will make sure this surgery is a success and absolutely return to AEW.”
Timeline of Complications
Ibushi’s severe leg issue dates back to October 2025, when he suffered a broken femur during a match against Josh Alexander.
- October 2025: Underwent emergency surgery following the initial femur break.
- February 2026: Underwent a follow-up procedure after a surgical screw came loose.
- September 2026: Hospitalized to replace structural plates deemed too weak for his leg.
While Ibushi had originally aimed for a return before the end of 2026, this latest operation will push his recovery timeline back significantly.
RELATED: Kota Ibushi Undergoing Another Major Leg Surgery Following Femur Recovery Setback
Head over to WrestlingAttitude.com for additional health updates, backstage AEW news, and breaking developments.
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