NJPW’s Kota Ibushi expected to miss two months with shoulder injury

NJPW has provided an injury update on Kota Ibushi. 

In a statement released on their website, NJPW says that Ibushi suffered a right anterior dislocation of the shoulder, plus joint lip damage. His estimated recovery time was listed as two months. 

Ibushi was injured during the G1 Climax 31 finals on October 21. While wrestling Kazuchika Okada in the main event of the tournament finale, Ibushi missed a phoenix splash and immediately clutched his arm after landing. The match was stopped and the win was awarded to Okada. 

Ringside attendants and trainers appeared to be trying to put Ibushi’s shoulder back into socket in the ring in the aftermath of the injury. 

The two-month recovery timetable would mean that Ibushi is expected to be available for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom, set to take place over three nights on January 4, January 5 and January 8, 2022. 

2021 has been a year marred by health problems for Ibushi. In addition to the shoulder injury, he missed two months earlier in the year while suffering from aspiration pneumonia.