Kota Ibushi has the gloves off when it comes to New Japan Pro-Wrestling and the relationship between the two parties is getting quite tumultous. Ibushi has been on the shelf due to a bad shoulder injury suffered at the G1 Climax back in October 21, but over the past few days has taken to social media to be very candid about his relationship with NJPW. It was on 5/11 that Ibushi began expressing his thoughts specifically on Kikuchi, who is of NJPW talent relations, after the latter threatened to terminate Ibushi’s contract when he appeared at a Just Tap Out event in March. Ibushi cites “power harrassment” as an ongoing issue in the NJPW locker room.
“This is the power harassment that happens daily to the non home-grown talents,” Ibushi Tweeted. “I don’t think I’ve ever asked if I could return by a phone call. Of course, I’ve never had a single meeting and that LINE message (the threat message) suddenly came for the first time in months. This is outrageous if you think about it normally. I can release every LINE messages. I didn’t mind but it felt wrong to stay quiet. I’m really calm and collected. I don’t know what makes me (officially) fired but saying it via LINE message shows Kikuchi’s personality and the president’s instruction. There are too many other things to talk about but you’ll know it soon. The truth can’t be concealed. I’m totally calm. I was just disappointed that this low-level person (Kikuchi) was my boss and felt sorry that I faced power harassment (from him).”
Ibushi has responded to more fan comments this morning. I'll pick a few of them which I thought are important in this thread
— Kuma (@golden_kuma) May 12, 2022
On 5/12 Ibushi continued his discourse on Twitter, stating the following to a fan after expressing concern for Ibushi being tired.
“My daily life is not tiring at all. But, I just had to say it because, while the good parts are good, (NJPW’s) culture of having to let the bad things slide was so abnormal. I am gonna expose all of it. I think you’ll know then,” he shared. “There are some abnormalities that you’d overlook when you’re in the inner circle,” he continued. “It will sound imprudent, but someone can die at any moment with power harassment, lying, and cheating being commonplace. I feel sorry for it and I have to correct this situation.”
The Just Tap Out situation wasn’t the first moment Ibushi had tension with Kikuchi as Voices Of Wrestling detailed that Kota was reportedly infuriated after being pulled from the New Japan cup following “a minor concern” diagnosis from the doctor reporting to Kikuchi.
“I have only told 1/1000th of the whole story,” Ibushi continued on 5/12. “There are so many that I can only tell you within my capacity, but if I told you 20 of them, they’d execute me in the dark. I don’t have anyone by my side because they think I’m an idiot. It’s me alone against the promotion.”
The full thread of the 5/12 Twitter translations (courtesy of @golden_kuma) are below:
Ibushi: There are some abnormalities that you'd overlook when you're in the inner circle. It will sound imprudent, but someone can die at any moment with power harassment, lying, and cheating being commonplace. I feel sorry for it and I have to correct this situation. pic.twitter.com/TGLy6JC2kj
— Kuma (@golden_kuma) May 12, 2022
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