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Kota Ibushi

“Golden Star” Kota Ibushi, is one of the top high flyers in the world and has been a junior heavyweight standout for many years in DDT and NJPW.  Ibushi has recently joined the heavyweight division in New Japan Pro Wrestling after signing a full time contract with the company last year and having a run as IWGP Junior Heavyweight champion.

Ibushi has a bright future in NJPW and I can one day see him as the top guy there.  His recent push makes it appear that is the plan and NJPW will build him up slowly over time.  Ibushi has the look of a superstar and I could see him taking the spot of Hiroshi Tanahashi in the future.  He has immense in-ring talent and is the sort of performer that will blow your mind the first time you see him.

Since signing full time with NJPW (a contract that still allows him to perform for DDT), Ibushi defeated Prince Devitt for the IWGP junior heavyweight championship at Wrestle Kingdom last January and held the championship until this summer when he lost it to KUSHIDA. During that time, he had outstanding matches not only with those two guys but also with Ricochet.

During NJPW’s anniversary show this past February Ibushi met IWGP Heavyweight champion at the time, Okada in the annual clash of junior and heavyweight champions. Called by many the match of the year, Ibushi proved that he was on another level and tore the house down.  This along with his blistering match with Tomohiro Ishii for the NEVER championship are what I believed made NJPW make the decision to move Ibushi up a division.

After suffering a concussion, Ibushi dropped the Junior title to KUSHIDA and was forced to miss out on the G1 Climax, a huge disappointment to many. Upon his return, Ibushi declared his intentions in the heavyweight division and has gained stature enhancing wins in tag matches.

Ibushi will clash with Shinsuke Nakamura at Wrestlekingdom in January for the IWGP Intercontinental championship after making a decisive challenge to Nakamura at Power Struggle.  Ibushi snuck up on Nakamura from behind, German suplexing the challenger. Something quite uncharacteristic for the generally clean cut Ibushi.  If this match is anything like their G1 Climax match in 2013, we are in for a major treat come January 4th.

What to look out for?

Ibushi is extremely quick and agile, which can be quite deceiving as he isn’t small. He will use a lot of kicks and lots of moonsault variations.  Ibushi pulls out flurries and bursts of explosive offense when he needs to.  He uses a sit-down Last Ride and his finisher is the Phoenix-Plex. Every once in a while he will pull out the devastating looking Phoenix-Plex, look out for that in his match with Ricochet.

Kota Ibushi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura - G1 Climax 2013

In their first time meeting, Ibushi was the outsider of the G1 as he was a junior and was at the time still a DDT wrestler. This for many was the 2013 match of the year as two of Japans most charismatic and unique performers clash. It can be seen here.

Kota Ibushi vs. Kazuchika Okada – 42nd Anniversary Show

The annual meeting between junior heavyweight and heavyweight champion. Ibushi proved here that he could be among the elite in NJPW. Watch it here.

Kota Ibushi vs. Tomohiro Ishii – Back to Yokohama Arena 2014

One of Ishii’s many classic matches this year. This might be my personal favourite as the clash of styles makes this outstanding. It is available here.

Kota Ibushi vs Ricochet – Dominion 2014

These two are arguably the top two flyers in the world. This was Ricochet’s title opportunity after winning the 2014 Best of the Super Juniors. It can be viewed here.

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