It has been nearly one year since Kota Ibushi was injured during a match with Josh Alexander on "AEW Collision," and while the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion has remained hopeful about an in-ring return, a recent update from the man himself has suggested that fans may have seen the last of the "Golden Star" inside a wrestling ring.Ibushi uploaded a video to his social media accounts on September 21, stating that despite fracturing his femur nearly one year ago, the bone still hasn't healed properly. This has led to him undergoing a second surgery which Ibushi claimed was more successful, but the plate that was put into his leg during the latest surgery will remain there for the rest of his life, and would more than likely break upon impact if he ever stepped back into the ring. Ibushi did say that daily life will be easier for him now that the surgery went well, but he doesn't have as much motivation to return to the ring as he did previously due to his new circumstances.With all of that said, Ibushi did vow to return to the ring at some point in the future, and he doesn't care if it takes several more years to make a comeback, he wants to get back in the ring.In the meantime, Ibushi will continue to contribute to wrestling outside of the ring with his ongoing quest to save one of Japan's most famous venues. Back in April 2026, it was announced that the Shinjuku FACE in Tokyo was facing closure, a venue that holds a special place in Ibushi's heart. As a result, Ibushi vowed to make enough money to build a new wrestling venue in its place if it were to officially close, which he admitted would be difficult since he can't earn money by wrestling due to his injury. However, he remains hopeful that he can give back to the Japanese fans by either saving the famous venue, or building a new one in its place.
