Backstage Update on Kota Ibushi’s AEW Return After Injury Struggles Revealed

Kota Ibushi is officially back in AEW, and now fans are getting new details on what led to his return — and how prepared he really is.

After over a year and a half away from the company, Ibushi shocked fans by showing up on AEW Collision. He’d been dealing with multiple injuries during his absence and had only wrestled sparingly. But according to a new report from Fightful Select, Ibushi is now “in a much better place physically than he has been in quite a long time.”

The update doesn’t stop there. Sources indicated that Trent Beretta was specifically chosen as Ibushi’s first opponent back because of his unique connection to both the American TV style and Ibushi’s Japanese wrestling background.

Beretta himself is no stranger to a comeback. After a year-long absence, this week’s Dynamite marks his first singles match back as well. Despite never having a one-on-one match before, Ibushi and Beretta have crossed paths several times in tag team action over the years.

AEW President Tony Khan made the match official on June 24, tweeting, “After returning to AEW to stand up for @KennyOmegamanX against @TheDonCallis Family, the Golden Star Kota Ibushi will fight vs @rainmakerXokada’s friend RPG Vice Trent Beretta THIS WEDNESDAY!”

The announcement came later than usual, fueling fan speculation that Khan may be keeping a surprise or two hidden for the June 25 show at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington.

For now, all eyes are on Ibushi, who seems poised to remind AEW fans what made him such a force to begin with — and according to those close to the situation, this version of Ibushi might be the healthiest and most dangerous one yet.