Kota Ibushi Accuses NJPW Management Of 'Power Harassment' After Threats To Termi

[Liz]

Kota Ibushi continues to speak out against NJPW management.

Ibushi spoke out against NJPW management, namely Kikuchi, who is part of NJPW's talent relations department, revealing that Kikuchi threatened to end Ibushi's contract with NJPW due to an appearance at a Just Tap Out show on March 4 that was not approved by Kikuchi.

Taking to social media once against, Ibushi responded to fans asking about the situation and Ibushi said (via @golden_kuma translations), "This is the power harassment that happens daily to the non home-grown talents. I don't think I've ever asked if I could return by a phone call. Of course, I've never had a single meeting and that LINE message (the threat message) suddenly came for the first time in months. This is outrageous if you think about it normall. I can release every LINE messages. I didn't mind but it felt wrong to stay quiet. I'm really calm and collected. I don't know what makes me (officially) fired but saying it via LINE message shows Kikuchi's personality and the president's instruction. There are too many other things to talk about but you'll know it soon. The truth can't be concealed. I'm totally calm. I was just disappointed that this low-level person (Kikuchi) was my boss and felt sorry that I faced power harassment (from him)."

https://twitter.com/golden_kuma/status/1524563719300448258?s=20&t=RrBYEaf8eufQGsRT3GjcuQ

In later messages, Ibushi said he believed he would be fired, though there has been no official word from Ibushi or NJPW regarding his termination.

According to Voices of Wrestling, Kikuchi told Ibushi that he needed to get back in time for Wrestle Kingdom following his shoulder injury suffered in the G1 Climax Final. Ibushi reportedly didn't want to wrestle until his shoulder was fully healed. He reportedly told NJPW that he was good to go for the New Japan Cup, and was reportedly booked to win the tournament. However, VOW reports, "Kikuchi, on the advice of a doctor who raised what was described to me as a minor concern, pulled Ibushi from the tour, infuriating Ibushi."

Ibushi has been out of action since he suffered a shoulder injury in the G1 Climax Finals against Kazuchika Okada. It is unknown when he will return to the ring.

Fightful will update fans on the situation as more is known.