2024 has been quieter than a mime convention for Kota Ibushi, the high-flying sensation of AEW, who’s been sidelined by injuries after a no-holds-barred showdown with Naomichi Marufuji in Pro Wrestling NOAH. But fear not, wrestling aficionados! Ibushi is back and ready to rumble. In the last month, he made a grand reappearance in GLEAT and even dropped by DDT for a surprise visit, paving the way for something bigger.
As announced by DDT on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter (now X, because why not), Ibushi will step into the ring on August 25 at Korakuen Hall. He’ll be teaming up with Akito and Danshoku Dino to face off against Yuki Iino, Yuya Koroku, and Tetsuya Endo. This match is like a family reunion for Ibushi, who spent the first thirteen years of his career in DDT before jetting off to New Japan Pro Wrestling. It’s his first DDT match in eight years, and you can practically hear the nostalgia bells ringing.
For those AEW fans biting their nails wondering what this means for his status in the promotion, here’s the scoop: It looks good. In a tweet that could double as a feel-good movie script, Ibushi mentioned he had AEW’s blessing to work the DDT show. AEW and DDT have been in cahoots for years, so this is less shocking than a cat video going viral.
When Ibushi returns to AEW, he’ll find a scene as dramatically changed as a soap opera plot. His buddy Kenny Omega has also been on the injured list. Meanwhile, the Young Bucks have turned into power-hungry EVPs, and “Hangman” Adam Page is on a one-man quest for revenge against AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland. It’s a soap opera with more body slams!
So, wrestling fans, mark your calendars and stock up on popcorn. The Golden Star is back, and the wrestling world is about to get a whole lot more interesting.