Kota Ibushi has delivered a sobering update on the serious leg injury that has kept him out of the ring since November, saying that he has been told a return to professional wrestling appears “almost impossible” following his latest surgery.

Despite that grim medical outlook, Ibushi made clear that he is not ready to declare his in-ring career over. The former world champion said he will “definitely” return to a wrestling ring someday, even as he acknowledged that he must change the way he approaches recovery and cannot continue to push his body as aggressively as he did in the past.

Ibushi recently underwent another operation on the leg he fractured late last year. He confirmed that the procedure itself was successful, but explained that the new plate inserted during the surgery is expected to remain in his leg permanently. More importantly, he said he has been informed that competing in professional wrestling could create a substantial risk of the leg breaking again.

A Successful Surgery Comes With Difficult Long-Term Reality

In a video update, Ibushi said that the operation went well and that he learned difficult information about what comes next. While treatment has allowed him to live his everyday life without major problems, the physical demands and impact involved in wrestling present a far different challenge.

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“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.”

The distinction Ibushi drew is an important one. Being able to function normally in daily life does not necessarily mean being medically cleared to take the repeated falls, explosive movement, striking, aerial risks, and unpredictable contact required in a professional wrestling match. Ibushi’s style has historically placed enormous demands on his body, making the concerns around a repaired leg especially significant.

He said the treatment has improved his ability to live normally, but that the danger becomes much more serious if the leg sustains another break through wrestling. In Ibushi’s words, another major setback would not simply delay a comeback; it could make normal day-to-day life difficult as well.

“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 reality leaves Ibushi facing a decision far more complicated than a conventional injury comeback. The issue is not only whether he can endure rehabilitation or regain enough mobility to wrestle. It is whether pursuing another match is worth the possibility of creating permanent limitations outside the ring.

Ibushi Admits He Is Conflicted About a Comeback

Ibushi did not hide the emotional toll of the situation. He said that, in earlier stages of his career, he would have immediately committed himself to returning no matter the obstacles. This time, however, he admitted to feeling confused and said the motivation he once relied on is not as clear as it had been.

“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.”

The comments are notable because Ibushi has long been defined by his extraordinary athletic ambition and willingness to test physical limits. Across his career, he has built a reputation as one of wrestling’s most inventive and fearless performers, capable of combining elite athleticism with a high-risk offense that few others could replicate. That background makes his admission of uncertainty particularly revealing.

Ibushi did not provide a timeline for a potential return, nor did he say that he has been cleared for training or competition. Instead, his update centered on the long-term condition of the leg and the need to recognize its limits. He also raised the possibility that he may not be able to return to the physical peak he once reached.

For any wrestler, accepting that possibility would be difficult. For Ibushi, whose performances have often been rooted in speed, balance, explosiveness, and aerial precision, the prospect carries even more weight. His comments suggest that any eventual return would require patience, careful medical guidance, and likely a fundamentally different approach to how hard he trains and competes.

“I Will Definitely Return to the Ring”

Even with the doctors’ concerns and his own uncertainty, Ibushi ended his message on a determined note. He said that he feels surprisingly well shortly after the surgery, but he did not confuse that immediate post-operation improvement with a guarantee that his wrestling future is secure.

“That’s what I thought, 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.”

Ibushi’s wording leaves the timeframe entirely open. He did not promise a return within months, identify a target event, or state that he will be back by a particular year. He instead emphasized that he does not intend to abandon the goal, even if the process takes years.

At the same time, he made clear that his approach must change. Ibushi said his leg is in very poor condition and that he will stop forcing himself as hard as he used to. That may be the most consequential part of the update from a practical standpoint. Determination remains, but he appears to understand that determination alone cannot override the condition of a leg that has required multiple surgeries and now contains a plate expected to remain permanently.

“However, my leg is in pretty bad shape, so I’m going to stop pushing as hard as I used to.”

What Ibushi’s Update Means Going Forward

There is no definitive retirement announcement in Ibushi’s comments. He has not said that his career is finished, and his stated intention is still to wrestle again. However, his update also makes it clear that a return is far from a matter of simply completing a normal rehabilitation schedule.

Ibushi is dealing with a situation in which the medical risks extend beyond a potential reinjury during a match. He says he has been warned that another break could compromise his quality of life, placing a profound decision in front of him. The desire to return is still present, but the cost of attempting that return may be considerably greater than it was earlier in his career.

His latest statement also provides important context for why fans should not expect an immediate answer about his future. The surgery may have been successful, and Ibushi may feel encouraged by his early recovery, but success in the operating room is only one stage of a much larger process. The eventual question will be whether his leg can safely withstand the workload and impact of professional wrestling at all.

Until then, Ibushi’s message is one of both caution and resolve. He is not presenting an easy comeback story or offering a quick timetable. He is acknowledging that returning may be nearly impossible under the current medical circumstances, while refusing to close the door on the ring entirely.

For now, Ibushi’s priority appears to be protecting his health and allowing the repaired leg the time it needs. If he does return, he has already made one thing clear: it will not come from the same mindset of relentlessly pushing through every physical warning. His goal remains intact, but the path back will have to be more measured than ever before.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.