Kota Ibushi just delivered the kind of update nobody wanted to hear about his future in the ring. In another video posted to social media on September 21, 2026, the AEW star revealed that his latest surgery was successful — but doctors have apparently made it clear that returning to professional wrestling could put his everyday life at serious risk.
Ibushi has been fighting his way back since suffering a fractured femur during his match against Josh Alexander on the October 11, 2025 episode of AEW Collision. He recently underwent another surgery that involved replacing the plate in his leg, and while the operation itself went well, Ibushi said the hardware is now expected to remain in his body permanently.
Ibushi explained that normal life is no longer the problem. The real danger comes from what could happen if he puts his leg through the punishment of another wrestling match.
“Fortunately, the surgery was successful, but I learned a few things from it. It seems that a return to professional wrestling is almost impossible. The plate that was replaced this time will not be removed from my perspective in the future and will remain like this for life. Thanks to the treatment, I can now go about my life without any problems, but apparently there is a high chance it will break again if I do professional wrestling. When that happens, even daily life becomes difficult.”
That would be enough to make almost anybody walk away, and Ibushi admitted something else has changed too. The same obsession with forcing his way back into the ring that defined so much of his career simply isn’t hitting him the same way anymore.
“In the past, I would have tried to make a comeback, but I’m confused because I don’t feel that motivation anymore. Is it due to age? Perhaps my body has come to understand that with these legs, I may never be able to return to my prime. That’s what I thought.”
Then came the part that makes this whole thing pure Kota Ibushi. After explaining why another wrestling match could literally break the plate in his leg and make normal life difficult again, he still refused to say his career is over.
“I’m completely recovered after just two days since the surgery! Even though a comeback seems hopeless, I will definitely return to the ring. I don’t know how many years it will take, but I will never give up.”
That puts Ibushi in an absolutely brutal spot. His surgery worked, he can live normally again, and the medical reality appears to be telling him that wrestling could wreck all of that — but he still isn’t ready to close the door on the ring.
For now, there is no timetable for Ibushi’s return, and his own words make it clear that this could take years, if it happens at all. What is clear is that Ibushi still refuses to use the word retirement, even after being told another run inside the ring could come with consequences far bigger than another injury.
Do you think Kota Ibushi should keep chasing another wrestling comeback, or has he already put his body through enough? Let us know what you think in the comments.
This transcript was produced exclusively for Ringside News from the original recording. Republishing the transcription in full is prohibited. When using excerpts, provide prominent credit and a link to this article.
