Kota Ibushi returned to the ring during WrestleMania weekend, taking on "Speedball" Mike Bailey at GCW Bloodsport and Joey Janela and Joey Janela's Spring Break.
The bouts were Ibushi's first two matches since October 2021 when he suffered a shoulder injury during the G1 Finals against Kazuchika Okada. During his time away from the ring, Ibushi left NJPW after public differences and his contract expiring.
On his vlog, Ibushi commented on his two-match return.
"Honestly, was that really my return match? The first day felt like a sparring match in a Wrestling dojo. A shoot-style match, you could say. That's how it felt like. The fans enjoyed themselves, but I didn't have that sensation on my end. That's why the first day didn't feel like my return. It only hit me when I went backstage. 'Oh, I'm finally back. But there is also a match tomorrow. I know it will come tomorrow. So I'll prepare for tomorrow,' and turned my mental switch," Ibushi said regarding his match with Bailey.
He continued, "I felt overjoyed after my second match. This one really felt like I made my return. A wrestling match with a proper 3 count. Those kinds of cheers. The cheers when something is reversed or the cheers when you kick out at one. This is Pro Wrestling. I felt like I was doing Pro Wrestling. That sensation I felt that I finally return to Pro Wrestling only set in on the second day. That was it. I did Wrestling. In a sense, I'm active on the forefront again. I could still perform and stamina wasn't an issue. I didn't feel like I was going to lose either. Sure, I felt like I had some lost time, but nothing bad happened nor any mistakes.
Ibushi was victorious in both bouts. He has since returned to Japan to continue his training.
Speaking to Dark Puroresu Flow, Ibushi revealed that he hopes to be in contact with Tony Khan soon.
“Recently, Kenny and I have been talking about things other than games. For example, are your knees okay? Or is your shoulder okay? Also I hope to be in contact with Tony soon," he said.
AEW President Tony Khan has said in the past that he has wanted to work with Ibushi. You can find his full comments by clicking here.
It is unknown when Ibushi will return to the ring.
