Kota Ibushi
Biography
Kota Ibushi is a Japanese professional wrestler and former martial artist who signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2023. Widely praised by fans and critics for his explosive athleticism, striking ability, and willingness to take extreme physical risks, he built a reputation for delivering some of the highest-rated matches of his era, particularly through his work in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). His accolades include the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Best Flying Wrestler award in 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013, Pro Wrestling Match of the Year in 2015 against Shinsuke Nakamura, and induction into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 2022. Ibushi began his career in 2004 with DDT Pro-Wrestling, where he became one of the company’s top stars. During his time there, he won the KO-D Openweight Championship three times, the KO-D Tag Team Championship five times, and the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Championship twice. Two of those tag title reigns came alongside Kenny Omega as the Golden☆Lovers, whose combined 351 days as champions remain a DDT record. He first appeared for NJPW in 2009 before officially signing in 2013. Across his time with the promotion, he won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship three times, the NEVER Openweight Championship once, and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. Ibushi later won the Best of the Super Juniors in 2011 and the New Japan Cup in 2015. After leaving both NJPW and DDT in 2016 to work as a freelancer, he competed for multiple promotions and took part in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic. Returning to NJPW full-time in 2019, Ibushi won the G1 Climax in 2019 and 2020, becoming the first wrestler to win the tournament in consecutive years since Hiroyoshi Tenzan in 2003. Those victories made him the only wrestler to win all three of NJPW’s major singles tournaments. In 2021, he captured the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and unified it with the IWGP Intercontinental Championship to become the inaugural IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, while ranking No. 5 in the PWI 500.
Known For(223 works)
WWE NXT
2010WWE NXT
2010
All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite
2019All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite
2019
All Elite Wrestling: Collision
2023All Elite Wrestling: Collision
2023
New Japan Pro Wrestling
1972New Japan Pro Wrestling
1972
New Japan Pro Wrestling
1972New Japan Pro Wrestling
1972
New Japan Pro Wrestling
1972New Japan Pro Wrestling
1972
WWE Cruiserweight Classic
2016WWE Cruiserweight Classic
2016
The Wrestlers
2019The Wrestlers
2019
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14: Night 1
2020NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14: Night 1
2020
NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka 2015
2015NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka 2015
2015
All In
2018All In
2018
NJPW Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall
2017NJPW Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall
2017
AEW: WrestleDream 2023
2023AEW: WrestleDream 2023
2023
NJPW Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall
2019NJPW Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall
2019
NJPW Destruction in Kobe 2017
2017NJPW Destruction in Kobe 2017
2017
NJPW Invasion Attack 2015
2015NJPW Invasion Attack 2015
2015
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13
2019NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13
2019
NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2019 - Day 1
2019NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2019 - Day 1
2019
NJPW Strong Style Evolved 2018
2018NJPW Strong Style Evolved 2018
2018
NJPW Sakura Genesis 2018
2018NJPW Sakura Genesis 2018
2018
NJPW Destruction in Hiroshima 2017
2017NJPW Destruction in Hiroshima 2017
2017
NJPW G1 Climax 30: Day 19 (Final)
2020NJPW G1 Climax 30: Day 19 (Final)
2020
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 11
2019NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 11
2019
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 19 (Final)
2019NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 19 (Final)
2019
NJPW 45th Anniversary Show
2017NJPW 45th Anniversary Show
2017
NJPW New Year Dash !! 2018
2018NJPW New Year Dash !! 2018
2018
NJPW Castle Attack 2021 - Day 2
2021NJPW Castle Attack 2021 - Day 2
2021
NJPW Power Struggle 2013
2013NJPW Power Struggle 2013
2013
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 7
2019NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 7
2019
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 18
2019NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 18
2019
NJPW The New Beginning In Sapporo 2018 - Day 1
2018NJPW The New Beginning In Sapporo 2018 - Day 1
2018
Kaiju Mono
2016Kaiju Mono
2016
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 13
2019NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 13
2019
NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2018 - Night 2
2018NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2018 - Night 2
2018
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14: Night 2
2020NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14: Night 2
2020
AEW All In 2023: London
2023AEW All In 2023: London
2023
NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 19 (Final)
2018NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 19 (Final)
2018
NJPW Sengoku Lord in Nagoya
2020NJPW Sengoku Lord in Nagoya
2020
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 9
2019NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 9
2019
NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2015
2015NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2015
2015
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 9
2015NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 9
2015
NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 7
2017NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 7
2017
NJPW Dominion 6.6 in Osaka-jo Hall
2021NJPW Dominion 6.6 in Osaka-jo Hall
2021
NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 17
2015NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 17
2015
NJPW King of Pro Wrestling 2017
2017NJPW King of Pro Wrestling 2017
2017
NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2018 - Night 1
2018NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2018 - Night 1
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 4
2019NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 4
2019
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 10
2019NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 10
2019
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 12
2019NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 12
2019
NJPW Dominion 6.16
2012NJPW Dominion 6.16
2012
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 7
2013NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 7
2013
ROH & NJPW: G1 Supercard
2019ROH & NJPW: G1 Supercard
2019
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20
2026NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20
2026
NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2015
2015NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2015
2015
NJPW Destruction In Okayama
2015NJPW Destruction In Okayama
2015
NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 2
2017NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 2
2017
NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 9
2017NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 9
2017
NJPW Dominion 7.12 in Osaka-Jo Hall
2020NJPW Dominion 7.12 in Osaka-Jo Hall
2020
NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2017
2017NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2017
2017
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 1
2019NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 1
2019
NJPW The New Beginning in Nagoya
2021NJPW The New Beginning in Nagoya
2021
NJPW Dominion 6.21
2014NJPW Dominion 6.21
2014
NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 9
2018NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 9
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 10
2015NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 10
2015
NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2019
2019NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2019
2019
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 5
2011NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 5
2011
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 5
2019NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 5
2019
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 15
2019NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 15
2019
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15: Night 1
2021NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15: Night 1
2021
NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 19 (Final)
2017NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 19 (Final)
2017
NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 17
2018NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 17
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 11
2018NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 11
2018
NJPW New Year Dash !! 2021
2021NJPW New Year Dash !! 2021
2021
NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 13
2015NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 13
2015
NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 19 (Final)
2015NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 19 (Final)
2015
NJPW Power Struggle 2017
2017NJPW Power Struggle 2017
2017
NJPW: Royal Quest
2019NJPW: Royal Quest
2019
NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 12
2018NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 12
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 2
2018NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 2
2018
Claudio Castagnoli: The Swiss Sensation
2013Claudio Castagnoli: The Swiss Sensation
2013
NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 1
2015NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 1
2015
NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 10
2017NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 10
2017
NJPW Summer Struggle In Jingu
2020NJPW Summer Struggle In Jingu
2020
NJPW G1 Climax 21: Day 10 (Final)
2011NJPW G1 Climax 21: Day 10 (Final)
2011
NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 4
2017NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 4
2017
CEOxNJPW When Worlds Collide
2018CEOxNJPW When Worlds Collide
2018
NJPW The New Beginning In Sapporo 2018 - Day 2
2018NJPW The New Beginning In Sapporo 2018 - Day 2
2018
ROH: Supercard of Honor XII
2018ROH: Supercard of Honor XII
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 4
2018NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 4
2018
NJPW Best of the Super Junior 26 - Day 15 (Final)
2019NJPW Best of the Super Junior 26 - Day 15 (Final)
2019
ROH: Return Engagement
2008ROH: Return Engagement
2008
NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2012
2012NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2012
2012
NJPW Power Struggle ~ Super Junior Tag League 2019
2019NJPW Power Struggle ~ Super Junior Tag League 2019
2019
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 3
2019NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 3
2019
NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed 2018
2018NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed 2018
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 14
2015NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 14
2015
NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka 2020
2020NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka 2020
2020
NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 7
2018NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 7
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 23: Day 1
2013NJPW G1 Climax 23: Day 1
2013
NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 10
2018NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 10
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 23: Day 9 (Final)
2013NJPW G1 Climax 23: Day 9 (Final)
2013
NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2016
2016NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2016
2016
NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2013
2013NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2013
2013
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 8
2014NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 8
2014
ROH: Japan's Finest
2012ROH: Japan's Finest
2012
NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 7
2015NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 7
2015
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12
2018NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12
2018
AEW All In 2025: Texas
2025AEW All In 2025: Texas
2025
NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2019 - Day 2
2019NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2019 - Day 2
2019
NJPW New Japan Cup 2018 - Day 4
2018NJPW New Japan Cup 2018 - Day 4
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 2
2015NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 2
2015
NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 18
2018NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 18
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 5
2015NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 5
2015
NJPW Honor Rising: Japan 2018 - Day 1
2018NJPW Honor Rising: Japan 2018 - Day 1
2018
NJPW Best Bout Collection Vol 1.
2020NJPW Best Bout Collection Vol 1.
2020
NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 17
2017NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 17
2017
NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 4
2015NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 4
2015
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 14
2019NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 14
2019
NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2018
2018NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2018
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 2
2019NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 2
2019
NJPW G1 Climax 30: Day 9
2020NJPW G1 Climax 30: Day 9
2020
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 17
2019NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 17
2019
NJPW Power Struggle 2018 ~ Super Junior Tag League 2018 Final
2018NJPW Power Struggle 2018 ~ Super Junior Tag League 2018 Final
2018
NJPW New Year Dash !! 2020
2020NJPW New Year Dash !! 2020
2020
NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 1
2017NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 1
2017
NOAH: The New Year 2024
2024NOAH: The New Year 2024
2024
NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 6
2015NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 6
2015
NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 9
2015NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 9
2015
NJPW Invasion Attack 2014
2014NJPW Invasion Attack 2014
2014
NJPW 49th Anniversary Show
2021NJPW 49th Anniversary Show
2021
NJPW The New Beginning in Sendai
2015NJPW The New Beginning in Sendai
2015
NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 11
2017NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 11
2017
NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 18
2017NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 18
2017
Omega Man: A Wrestling Love Story
2019Omega Man: A Wrestling Love Story
2019
NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 3
2018NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 3
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 31: Day 13
2021NJPW G1 Climax 31: Day 13
2021
NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 12
2015NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 12
2015
NJPW G1 Climax 30: Day 15
2020NJPW G1 Climax 30: Day 15
2020
Wrestlecon Supershow 2018
2018Wrestlecon Supershow 2018
2018
AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door 2025
2025AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door 2025
2025
NJPW G1 Climax 31: Day 17
2021NJPW G1 Climax 31: Day 17
2021
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 16
2019NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 16
2019
NJPW Masahiro Chono 25th Anniversary ~ Aristrist In Ryogoku Kokugikan~
2009NJPW Masahiro Chono 25th Anniversary ~ Aristrist In Ryogoku Kokugikan~
2009
NJPW The New Beginning in Hiroshima 2014
2014NJPW The New Beginning in Hiroshima 2014
2014
NJPW Sakura Genesis 2017
2017NJPW Sakura Genesis 2017
2017
NJPW Destruction in Kobe 2014
2014NJPW Destruction in Kobe 2014
2014
NJPW G1 Climax 31: Day 19 (Final)
2021NJPW G1 Climax 31: Day 19 (Final)
2021
NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam in MetLife Dome: Night 1
2021NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam in MetLife Dome: Night 1
2021
NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 18
2015NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 18
2015
NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 - Day 3
2019NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 - Day 3
2019
NJPW Back to the Yokohama Arena
2014NJPW Back to the Yokohama Arena
2014
EVOLVE 1: Ibushi vs. Richards
2010EVOLVE 1: Ibushi vs. Richards
2010
NJPW Power Struggle 2014
2014NJPW Power Struggle 2014
2014
GCW Joey Janela's Spring Break 7
2023GCW Joey Janela's Spring Break 7
2023
NJPW New Japan Cup 2018 - Day 3
2018NJPW New Japan Cup 2018 - Day 3
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 31: Day 11
2021NJPW G1 Climax 31: Day 11
2021
NJPW G1 Climax 30: Day 7
2020NJPW G1 Climax 30: Day 7
2020
NJPW 42nd Anniversary Show
2014NJPW 42nd Anniversary Show
2014
Chikara King Of Trios 2009 - Night 2
2009Chikara King Of Trios 2009 - Night 2
2009
NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 8
2017NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 8
2017
NJPW New Japan Cup 2018 - Day 2
2018NJPW New Japan Cup 2018 - Day 2
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 23: Day 7
2013NJPW G1 Climax 23: Day 7
2013
KENTA: Go 2 Sleep
2012KENTA: Go 2 Sleep
2012
NJPW G1 Climax 30: Day 17
2020NJPW G1 Climax 30: Day 17
2020
NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 14
2018NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 14
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 30: Day 1
2020NJPW G1 Climax 30: Day 1
2020
ROH: El Generico: Ole! Ole!
2012ROH: El Generico: Ole! Ole!
2012
NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 3
2017NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 3
2017
NJPW Destruction in Kobe 2019
2019NJPW Destruction in Kobe 2019
2019
NJPW G1 Climax 23: Day 3
2013NJPW G1 Climax 23: Day 3
2013
NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 11
2015NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 11
2015
NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 8
2015NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 8
2015
NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka 2014
2014NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka 2014
2014
NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 16
2018NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 16
2018
Budokan Peter Pan: DDT 15th Anniversary
2012Budokan Peter Pan: DDT 15th Anniversary
2012
NJPW Best Bout Collection Vol. 2
2020NJPW Best Bout Collection Vol. 2
2020
NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 15
2018NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 15
2018
NJPW Destruction in Hiroshima 2018
2018NJPW Destruction in Hiroshima 2018
2018
NJPW Sakura Genesis 2021
2021NJPW Sakura Genesis 2021
2021
NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 13
2018NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 13
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 31: Day 15
2021NJPW G1 Climax 31: Day 15
2021
NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 - Day 1
2019NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 - Day 1
2019
NJPW Honor Rising: Japan 2018 - Day 2
2018NJPW Honor Rising: Japan 2018 - Day 2
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 1
2018NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 1
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 5
2018NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 5
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 15
2015NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 15
2015
NJPW G1 Climax 31: Day 3
2021NJPW G1 Climax 31: Day 3
2021
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 6
2019NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 6
2019
NJPW G1 Climax 31: Day 9
2021NJPW G1 Climax 31: Day 9
2021
NJPW G1 Climax 23: Day 5
2013NJPW G1 Climax 23: Day 5
2013
NJPW G1 Climax 30: Day 5
2020NJPW G1 Climax 30: Day 5
2020
NJPW G1 Climax 30: Day 11
2020NJPW G1 Climax 30: Day 11
2020
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 8
2019NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 8
2019
NJPW G1 Climax 30: Day 3
2020NJPW G1 Climax 30: Day 3
2020
GCW Josh Barnett's Bloodsport 9
2023GCW Josh Barnett's Bloodsport 9
2023
NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 16
2015NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 16
2015
NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 3
2015NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 3
2015
NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 16
2017NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 16
2017
NJPW New Japan Cup 2021 - Day 13 (Final)
2021NJPW New Japan Cup 2021 - Day 13 (Final)
2021
NJPW G1 Climax 31: Day 7
2021NJPW G1 Climax 31: Day 7
2021
NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 5
2017NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 5
2017
NJPW G1 Climax 23: Day 6
2013NJPW G1 Climax 23: Day 6
2013
NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 12
2017NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 12
2017
NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 6
2017NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 6
2017
NJPW New Japan Cup 2020 - Day 9 (Final)
2020NJPW New Japan Cup 2020 - Day 9 (Final)
2020
NJPW G1 Climax 31: Day 5
2021NJPW G1 Climax 31: Day 5
2021
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15: Night 2
2021NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15: Night 2
2021
NJPW G1 Climax 23: Day 4
2013NJPW G1 Climax 23: Day 4
2013
NJPW G1 Climax 23: Day 8
2013NJPW G1 Climax 23: Day 8
2013
NJPW G1 Climax 30: Day 13
2020NJPW G1 Climax 30: Day 13
2020
NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 - Day 2
2019NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 - Day 2
2019
NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 14
2017NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 14
2017
NJPW G1 Climax 23: Day 2
2013NJPW G1 Climax 23: Day 2
2013
NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 6
2018NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 6
2018
ROH: The Tokyo Summit
2008ROH: The Tokyo Summit
2008
NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 - Day 4
2019NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 - Day 4
2019
NJPW New Japan Cup 2021 - Day 12
2021NJPW New Japan Cup 2021 - Day 12
2021
NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 15
2017NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 15
2017
NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2014
2014NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2014
2014
NJPW New Japan Cup 2018 - Day 1
2018NJPW New Japan Cup 2018 - Day 1
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 8
2018NJPW G1 Climax 28: Day 8
2018
NJPW G1 Climax 31: Day 1
2021NJPW G1 Climax 31: Day 1
2021
NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 13
2017NJPW G1 Climax 27: Day 13
2017