Wrestler Profile

Kota Ibushi

Kota Ibushi is the Golden Star — a wrestler whose combination of breathtaking athleticism and cheerful lunacy made him a cult icon on two continents. From deathmatch beginnings in DDT, where he famously wrestled in campsites, convenience stores and against blow-up dolls, he rose to the very top of New Japan.

His Golden Lovers partnership with Kenny Omega is one of wrestling's great sagas, and his singles peak was staggering: back-to-back G1 Climax victories in 2019 and 2020, and the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, unified on the biggest stage. His matches with Will Ospreay, Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii are marvels of controlled violence.

After a serious shoulder injury and a public falling-out with New Japan, Ibushi took his talents global, eventually reuniting with the Elite in AEW. Injuries have slowed the phoenix, but WrestleRanks voters know what a healthy Ibushi means: instant classics.

Promotions

Kota Ibushi is associated with AEW (2023–2026) and NJPW.

Championship history

PWI rankings history

Kota Ibushi has been ranked in the PWI 500 10 times, first at No. 250 in 2010 and most recently at No. 58 in 2022. The highest placement is No. 5, reached in 2021.

Placements by year: 2010 (No. 250), 2011 (No. 154), 2012 (No. 184), 2013 (No. 169), 2014 (No. 107), 2015 (No. 40), 2018 (No. 29), 2020 (No. 17), 2021 (No. 5), 2022 (No. 58).

Compiled from the annual rankings published by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. See the 2022 edition.

Kota Ibushi in the WrestleRanks rankings

Kota Ibushi is tracked as a respected veteran on WrestleRanks. WrestleRanks standings are decided one week at a time, from fan voting and editor input. Read more about how our rankings work, or see the live, interactive profile with weekly rank history and voting on the Kota Ibushi ranking page.

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