Kota Ibushi is determined to return to the ring once he recovers from a second leg surgery.
During the October 11th, 2025 edition of AEW Collision, Kota Ibushi suffered a broken femur during a match with Josh Alexander. Soon after, the Golden Star had surgery that involved fixing the break using metal plates. In the months since then, Ibushi’s path to recovery has been difficult, and he even had to have another procedure done to correct a screw that had become loose from one of the plates in his leg.
In a new update on Instagram, Ibushi revealed that he was undergoing a second surgery for the break, which will see the current plates removed and replaced with the “strongest option available.”
While he admitted being “exhausted” from his health issues, the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion promised that he wouldn’t give up and that fans would see him back in AEW.
“I am being hospitalized starting today. Tomorrow, I will undergo a second surgery on my femur. They will remove all the current plates and replace them with the strongest available option, as the doctors said my current ones were simply too weak for my body and leg. Why now? It makes absolutely no sense to me. I am so exhausted from having to go through surgery after surgery. But I am not giving up. I refuse to let something like this end my professional wrestling career. I will make sure this surgery is a success and absolutely return to AEW!!”
Kota Ibushi Embarked On New Venture During Recovery
Despite being sidelined from the ring, Kota Ibushi has been active with a new project in Japan. When the star found out the iconic Shinjuku FACE venue in Tokyo would be closing down, he announced that he planned to create a new venue to take its place.
He explained that he sees the closure of buildings like Shinjuku FACE was becoming a “crisis” for pro wrestling in Japan and he wanted to build a new venue for smaller promotions to use.
Ibushi has been charting his progress in raising money for the venue on social media. He has received advice from NJPW Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi and former DDT President Sanshiro Takagi, as well as making appearances on radio and TV.
