Originally published at REPORT: Kota Ibushi begins light training, New Japan deal expires in two months
According to a report, Kota Ibushi has two months remaining on his deal with New Japan Pro Wrestling.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that the 40-year-old Ibushi has recently been engaging in light training and that his shoulder has “held up well”.
Ibushi has not wrestled since injuring his shoulder during the G-1 Climax final in October 2021 against Kazuchika Okada after attempting a Phoenix Splash.
The report from Dave Meltzer added that Ibushi’s contract with NJPW expires at the end of January 2023 with Ibushi making a cryptic reference to his contract in a recent tweet.
自分の選択に間違いはない。
あるとすればその失敗は成功の為の間違い。人生の後悔と言う質問をされた時、時が止まったかとおもったくらい後悔したことないなぁ。この単語必要なんですか？後悔。。ねぇ。
今日も準備に向けて頑張ろう！あと２ヶ、おーっと。危ない危ない😅— 飯伏 幸太 (@ibushi_kota) November 28, 2022
Over the past year, Ibushi had publicly criticized New Japan over their handling of his injury and announced him prematurely for this past year’s New Japan Cup tournament. Ibushi released conversations he had with New Japan official Yusuki Kikuchi and later stated the stress of the public issues led to an incident where Ibushi’s mother was injured after attempting to take her own life.
This led to a press conference by New Japan where they announced that Kikuchi and Ibushi would both accept a 10 percent reduction in pay over three months for the way things played out publicly and that Kikuchi would be transferred to a separate department. New Japan director Takami Ohbari also took a 10 percent reduction in his pay over a three-month period for his responsibility on the matter.