Kota Ibushi Would Like The Opportunity To Wrestle Sami Zayn, Finn Balor, And Shinsuke Nakamura Again

Kota Ibushi names three WWE Superstars he’d like to face one day again.

Kota Ibushi has never been a contracted WWE wrestler. However, several members of the WWE roster are well-traveled and stood across the ring from Ibushi in the past. Now, Ibushi is naming three current WWE Superstars he would like the opportunity to wrestle again.

Speaking with Dark Puroresu Flowsion, Ibushi named Sami Zayn, Finn Balor, and Shinsuke Nakamura as the three WWE Superstars he wants to work with again someday. When asked why he chose those three Superstars, Ibushi cited the chemistry he shares with all three men inside the ropes.

“Sami Zayn Finn Bálor Shinsuke Nakamura. I would like to work with these three someday. The reason is that I have had my best bouts with them in the past, so I would like to see the current chemistry between myself & them,” he said.

Kota Ibushi would briefly work in WWE as part of the 2016 WWE Cruiserweight Classic Tournament, making it down to the semi-finals before losing to the eventual tournament winner, TJP.

Kota Ibushi last wrestled Finn Balor at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 8. On that night, Ibushi defeated the man then known as Prince Devitt to capture the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. One year later, Ibushi had his last singles match with Shinsuke Nakamura, losing to Nakamura in a match for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. 

Later in his career, Ibushi would unify with the IWGP Intercontinental Championship and IWGP Heavyweight Championship to create the current IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. 

Ibushi last wrestled against Sami Zayn in 2012. Both men were wrestling for DDT Pro-Wrestling at the time, and El Generico successfully defended his KO-D Openweight Championship against Ibushi at DDT Special 2012 in October.

Ibushi has been out of action since he suffered a shoulder injury in the G1 Climax 2021 Finals against Kazuchika Okada in October 2021.  He recently stated his shoulder is “90% comeback.” 

It is unknown when Ibushi will return to the ring. 

Elsewhere in this interview, Ibushi spoke about the possibility of teaming up with Kenny Omega again one day.  Fans can read more here.