Kota Ibushi expresses his interest in facing Will Ospreay.
Ospreay and Ibushi clashed several times in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. They faced off in the G1 Climax tournament in both 2019 and 2020. Ibushi previously suffered a concussion in a match against Ospreay at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13. The two stars have not faced each other since NJPW Sakura Genesis in April 2021. There, Ospreay beat Ibushi to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
Ibushi went down with a shoulder injury in his match against Kazuchika Okada in the finals of the G1 Climax 2021 tournament. He hasn't wrestled since, and he later expressed his frustration with NJPW management. NJPW confirmed his departure when his contract expired on January 31.
Speaking with Dark Puroresu Flowsion, Ibushi made it clear that he wants to face Ospreay again.
"I want to fight Will Ospreay again. He is like me in the past and has some similarities. I wonder how the current Osprey has grown," Ibushi said.
Ospreay continues to compete for NJPW. He recently lost the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship to Kenny Omega at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17.
Ibushi will return to the ring during The Collective 2023; he has been announced for Josh Barnett's Bloodsport 9, where he is set to face Mike Bailey. He has also been advertised for Joey Janela's Spring Break 7.
AEW President Tony Khan commented on potentially working with Ibushi. Click here to see what he had to say.
