Kota Ibushi will return to the ring at The Collective.
Game Changer Wrestling has announced that the former NJPW star will be making his debut for the company as part of the WrestleMania weekend lineup. He will compete at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 9 on March 30 and Joey Janela’s Spring Break 7 on March 31.
*BREAKING*
KOTA IBUSHI returns to the ring and makes his GCW Debut at @collective2023 in Los Angeles!
March 30 – 4PM
Josh Barnett's Bloodsporthttps://t.co/JwxCrIM4jDMarch 31 – 8PM
Joey Janela's Spring Breakhttps://t.co/Bqbu1ZSr3zBoth events will stream LIVE on @FiteTV+! pic.twitter.com/SXV6MwUBD4
— GameChangerWrestling (@GCWrestling_) January 31, 2023
Ibushi has been sidelined since October 2021, when he suffered a shoulder injury during his match against Kazuchika Okada in the G1 Climax 2021 finals. He previously made it clear that he was frustrated with the company’s management in a series of social media posts, and NJPW subsequently announced penalties to him and others that were involved. Ibushi’s NJPW contract reportedly expired on February 1.
In a recent interview, Ibushi stated that his shoulder was “90% comeback.” More information is available here.
Update: Ibushi will face Mike Bailey at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 9.
It didn't take long for someone to step up to the challenge of @ibushi_kota.
Like lightning, "Speedball", has thrown his glove down and declared WAR.
Kota Ibushi vs "Speedball" Mike Bailey.
Only at Josh Barnett's: Bloodsport
Tickets available now! pic.twitter.com/hL1lEObrkP
— ??? ????????? (@JoshLBarnett) February 1, 2023
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