Kota Ibushi Clarifies In-Ring Future Following Latest Leg Surgery

Kota Ibushi Vows To Return Following Leg Surgery

Former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kota Ibushi has undergone another successful operation on his injured leg, and despite initially teasing a career-ending retirement, the 44-year-old star confirmed he has no intention of walking away from professional wrestling.

Ibushi has been sidelined for nearly a year after suffering a broken femur during a match against Josh Alexander, which was taped for the October 11, 2025 episode of AEW Collision. His latest procedure involved replacing existing hardware in his leg with stronger surgical plates to assist the healing process—marking his second major procedure of 2026 after a loose screw required surgical correction earlier this year.

In a newly released video update, Ibushi initially delivered a solemn message regarding his future, claiming that returning to active competition would be “almost impossible.” He noted that another severe injury could compromise his long-term quality of life and stated that his motivation to compete had waned.

However, the Japanese star quickly revealed the comments were a fakeout, immediately pivoting to express complete determination to make a full comeback:

“I’m completely recovered after just two days since the surgery! Even though a comeback seems hopeless, I will definitely return to the ring. I don’t know how many years it will take, but I will never give up. However, my leg is in pretty bad shape, so I’m going to stop pushing myself as hard as I used to. Therefore, I may not be able to update this video as frequently as before.”

While Ibushi admitted that his physical recovery will require a more measured pace moving forward, he remains steadfast in his goal to step back inside the squared circle for All Elite Wrestling once fully healed.