Tony Khan has officially announced AEW’s signing of Kota Ibushi.
Khan made the announcement on social media immediately after Wednesday night’s episode of AEW Dynamite.
The Golden Star won the @SEGA LIKE A DRAGON GAIDEN STREET FIGHT tonight on #AEWDynamite on TBS, and now it's official: @ibushi_kota is ALL ELITE! pic.twitter.com/6oxQNaYEDV
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) November 16, 2023
It is not yet known whether the move marks any change from the deal that Ibushi divulged in an interview in October, when he said that he signed a contract with AEW in July.
At the time, Ibushi explained that the conditions for signing included his ability to remain in Japan and work matches outside of AEW.
Ibushi, 41, began his career in 2004 with DDT Pro-Wrestling, where he won multiple championships and began his longstanding friendship with Kenny Omega, with whom he formed the Golden Lovers.
He joined New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2009, where he won the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship once, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship three times, and was a two-time G1 Climax winner.
He became a free agent on February 1st 2023 when his contract with NJPW lapsed.
Ibushi made his in-ring debut for AEW on July 19th at Dynamite: Blood & Guts, teaming up with Omega, The Young Bucks and ‘Hangman’ Adam Page to take on The Blackpool Combat Club, Konosuke Takeshita and PAC.
