Yesterday, Kota Ibushi returned to Pro Wrestling NOAH for the first time since 2012, competing in the main event of The New Year 2024 against Naomichi Marufuji. Ibushi follows in the footsteps of Shinsuke Nakamura in headlining The New Year event as a cross-promotional star after Nakamura, as part of a deal between NOAH and WWE, headlined The New Year 2023 against The Great Muta. This also marked Ibushi’s first match since competing in the ‘Like A Dragon’ Street Fight on the November 15th edition of AEW Dynamite last year.
While Ibushi came out with the victory, pinning Marufuji with the Kamigoye after a hard-fought 33-minute contest, reports have since emerged that he did not emerge unscathed. Sports Hochi reports that, per Pro Wrestling NOAH officials, Ibushi appeared to suffered an injury to both his ankles early in the match but continued to wrestle for the entire amount of time they had planned.
After his victory, Ibushi is said to have made his way to the backstage area on his own. However, he was in so much pain that he was unable to make backstage comments on the match, a tradition of most major Japanese promotions. Eventually, an ambulance was said to have been called for him and he was transported to a Tokyo hospital shortly after. No further details on his condition are available at the time of writing with Pro Wrestling NOAH director Arihiro Takeda noting to Sports Hochi that they are awaiting a diagnosis from the hospital for more details.
Concern was raised for Ibushi’s condition when several clips from the match later emerged on social media. In one particularly concerning video posted to X, Ibushi struggles to pull off his signature middle rope moonsault to the outside and later clutches his right ankle in pain immediately after hitting the move. In another clip of the post-match celebrations, Marufuji tries to raise Ibushi’s hand as a sign of respect but Ibushi falls over just moments later as his left ankle seemingly gives out.
Everyone here at Haus of Wrestling wishes Kota Ibushi the best in his recovery.