During WrestleMania weekend, Kota Ibushi returned to the ring, facing “Speedball” Mike Bailey at GCW Bloodsport and Joey Janela and Joey Janela’s Spring Break.
These were Ibushi’s first two battles after suffering a shoulder injury during the G1 Finals against Kazuchika Okada in October 2021. Ibushi quit NJPW amid public disputes with his contract ending during his time away from the ring.
Ibushi discussed his two-match return during his vlog.
“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,”
Kota Ibushi via his Vlog
“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.
Kota Ibushi via his Vlog
In an interview with Dark Puroresu Flow, Ibushi stated that he hopes to get in touch 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,”
Kota Ibushi via Dark Puroresu Flow,
The two matches were won by Ibushi. He has subsequently returned to Japan to further his training.
h/t Fightful
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