Kota Ibushi has been sidelined the majority of the year after suffering a right tibiofibular ligament tear and a right ankle lateral ligament complex injury in January. He underwent surgery early in the year, and has wrestled only four official matches since August.
He did compete at the Marvelous on December 1, teaming with Leo Isaka & Takumi Iroha defeat Chigusa Nagayo, Masato Tanaka & Titus Alexander.
"I'm at the end of my legs, and it could end at any time. I wanted to preserve the time I had left before I couldn't do it anymore, and that's why I was allowed to participate today. I'm really on the edge, but I want to finish contributing to the world of pro wrestling, so I'm participating in various events," Ibushi told Tokyo Sports.
Ibushi is signed to AEW, but hasn't wrestled on AEW TV since the November 15, 2023 episode of AEW Dynamite.
“AEW will be getting visas again next year, but I thought the Japanese wrestling industry was somehow going down, and I wanted to raise it up. That's why we are doing everything for free this time,” he said.
It is unknown when Ibushi will return to AEW TV.
He previously said that he and Kenny Omega would be returning to AEW together. Omega is set to return to the ring at AEW x NJPW Wrestle Dynasty on January 5.
