Kota Ibushi is seemingly not happy with NJPW management.
Ibushi took to social media to express his frustrations with NJPW management, revealing a series of text messages sent to Kikuchi, who is part of NJPW's talent relations department.
In the messages (translated by @golden_kuma), Ibushi threatened to expose "the former cheaters-gun (already returned) and the sexually harassing bosses, from the company president's lies to his unreasonable power harassments."
The text messages between Ibushi and Kikuchi revealed 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.
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."
The report states that there is "massive heat between Ibushi and Kikuchi going back several years, beginning around 2018, when Ibushi alleged Kikuchi, who at the time was running New Japan’s merchandise, was shorting him on merch money."
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.
