GCW on Twitter:*BREAKING* KOTA IBUSHI returns to the ring and makes his GCW Debut at @collective2023 in Los Angeles! March 30 – 4PM Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport March 31 – 8PM Joey Janela’s Spring Break Both events will stream LIVE on @FiteTV!

16 comments

1. Ibushi having his big return match in GCW is the most Ibushi thing ever.

   Man just wants to wrestle lol

2. Please go to Bloodsport, Kota-kun

3. Wwwwwhhhhhhhaaaaaa?!

   Ibushi at Bloodsport is a thing I didn’t know I wanted so bad. This is incredible. They’re my favourite US shows every year. Can’t wait!

4. I hope his shoulder really is okay.

5. Good for Ibushi. I really need to see him in bloodsport. That is where he has always shined.

   IMO being in the main event scene of New Japan has really exposed Ibushi’s flaws as a worker. He just fits better in an environment with shorter matches.

6. How did they get this?!?

   Man I don’t know. Bloodsport is cool. But overall GCW feels so dysfunctional. I mean it’s pretty much every complaint people have about “mud show” American indie wrestling. This is weird.

7. I’m heartbroken and excited in equal measure. Ibushi winning the title is one of my favourite moments in wrestling and then his style Icarus ending was devastating.

   Hopefully he can weave another all time run out of this.

8. Him wrestling for that mud show is kind of sad. Him at JB Bloodsport should be good though.

9. This is the style of wrestling that he excels at. I‘m happy for him.

10. It’s not like it wasn’t already but the collective just became must watch tv.

11. Considering his age and injury list, I’m going to assume he’ll be taking the freelancer approach moving forward. His style is probably going to change a bit to cover for that bad shoulder, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he was still crazy enough to attempt the Phoenix Splash again.

    Good for him though. Was hoping to see him come back to NJPW, but it was really clear that was never on the table.

12. Makes you wonder how long he’s been healthy and ready to compete. The fact that this was announced is all but confirmation that he won’t be working for New Japan again – there’s no way they’d let his return be spoiled by GCW if he was coming back.

    I wonder what he’ll be doing going forward. I assume he’ll pop up in AEW and have some matches there while he’s in the U.S. Doubt he signs because Khan wouldn’t let his first match back be for GCW. Maybe he’ll work a few dates for NOAH once he’s back in Japan.

    Kinda a sad end to his run in New Japan, but they’ve moved on and are getting ready to elevate other guys to his spot.

13. There going to run back the blow up doll match. I guarantee it

14. This is the most Ibushi thing ever

15. Most Ibushi thing to happen

16. I’m really looking forward to Ibushi in Bloodsport. It’s not like Ibushi is not familiar with the shoot-style territory. He already did some in freelance shows earlier in his career. Glad to know he’s still a fan of that style.

    Here’s a link for those who wonder what it can look like to see him in that kind of environment: [https://www.bilibili.com/video/av56758008/](https://www.bilibili.com/video/av56758008/)

    The match is Ibushi & Mochizuki (NOAH/Dragon Gate) vs Hayato (Michinoku Pro) & Sawa (freelance, I believe)