Kota Ibushi has issued an apology for his performance at NOAH The New Year 2024.
Ibushi faced Naomichi Marufuji in the main event of the January 2 show. Despite being injured going into the match, Ibushi wrestled for 33 minutes. The match fell apart and Ibushi's performance was clearly hindered by injury. He further injured both of his ankles during the match and was taken to the hospital after the show.
On Friday, Ibushi posted a message on X apologizing for the match and stating that it was his fault. Ibushi claimed that he was scammed by a C5 Clinic that he received treatment from.
Ibushi hurt his ankles during the match when hitting a moonsault to the outside.
"Ibushi definitely needs a lot of time off and there are real questions about him going forward given how little he wrestles and how many injuries he has," Dave Meltzer wrote in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. "He did walk backstage on his own after the match but said he was in so much pain he couldn’t do post-match interviews. They called an ambulance for him and took him to the hospital."
Ibushi hasn't been the same physically since injuring his shoulder against Kazuchika Okada in the 2021 G1 Climax finals. He was out of action from October 2021 to March 2023 after that injury.
Last November, it was confirmed that Ibushi is officially signed to an AEW contract. Ibushi described it as a flexible deal where he's also able to wrestle for other promotions.
"I'm based in Japan and I will travel for the matches," Ibushi said. "Basically, I'm in Japan, I work in Japan, I will be active."
Ibushi defeated Marufuji in their match at NOAH The New Year. There was a staredown between Ibushi and Jake Lee & Kaito Kiyomiya after the match.
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