Kota Ibushi continues to speak out against NJPW management.
Ibushi spoke out against NJPW management, namely Kikuchi, who is part of NJPW's talent relations department, revealing that Kikuchi threatened to end Ibushi’s contract with NJPW due to an appearance at a Just Tap Out show on March 4 that was not approved by Kikuchi.
Taking to social media once against, Ibushi responded to fans asking about the situation and Ibushi said (via @golden_kuma translations), "This is the power harassment that happens daily to the non home-grown talents. I don't think I've ever asked if I could return by a phone call. Of course, I've never had a single meeting and that LINE message (the threat message) suddenly came for the first time in months. This is outrageous if you think about it normall. I can release every LINE messages. I didn't mind but it felt wrong to stay quiet. I'm really calm and collected. I don't know what makes me (officially) fired but saying it via LINE message shows Kikuchi's personality and the president's instruction. There are too many other things to talk about but you'll know it soon. The truth can't be concealed. I'm totally calm. I was just disappointed that this low-level person (Kikuchi) was my boss and felt sorry that I faced power harassment (from him)."
Ibushi: Of course, I've never had a single meeting and that LINE message (the threat message) suddenly came for the first time in months. This is outrageous if you think about it normall. I can release every LINE messages. I didn't mind but it felt wrong to stay quiet pic.twitter.com/ImeJKDukuV
— Kuma #FukigenSWA (@golden_kuma) May 12, 2022
The last one for now
— Kuma #FukigenSWA (@golden_kuma) May 12, 2022
Ibushi: I'm totally calm. I was just disappointed that this low-level person (Kikuchi) was my boss and felt sorry that I faced power harassment (from him) pic.twitter.com/WJCAwHJuns
In later messages, Ibushi said he believed he would be fired, though there has been no official word from Ibushi or NJPW regarding his termination.
Ibushi: Kikuchi is a match-maker (booker). He's a little fat guy with curled hair who is often around the seconds. I believe that the current president gave him the order. I'll be back when I have more solid information. What I saw was so dark. Unbelievable things are happening https://t.co/f7yBsyABGQ
— Kuma #FukigenSWA (@golden_kuma) May 12, 2022
I intentionally said he "will be" fired (should have added "after this") because it didn't sound like he's "already" fired. I won't say it until it's confirmed either by Ibushi himself or NJPW's official announcement
— Kuma #FukigenSWA (@golden_kuma) May 12, 2022
According to Voices of Wrestling, Kikuchi told Ibushi that he needed to get back in time for Wrestle Kingdom following his shoulder injury suffered in the G1 Climax Final. Ibushi reportedly didn't want to wrestle until his shoulder was fully healed. He reportedly told NJPW that he was good to go for the New Japan Cup, and was reportedly booked to win the tournament. However, VOW reports, "Kikuchi, on the advice of a doctor who raised what was described to me as a minor concern, pulled Ibushi from the tour, infuriating Ibushi."
Ibushi has been out of action since he suffered a shoulder injury in the G1 Climax Finals against Kazuchika Okada. It is unknown when he will return to the ring.
Fightful will update fans on the situation as more is known.
