Kota Ibushi has finally returned to AEW. Almost two years ago, the company announced it had signed the Japanese legend. However, after suffering an injury in a November 2023 street fight on Dynamite, he has not been seen in an AEW ring.
However, after making various appearances in his homeland over the last year, the former IWGP champ made his long-awaited return to North America on last week’s edition of Collision. With Ibushi back in the fold, we look at six dream matches we now need to see in the months ahead on AEW television.
Swerve Strickland
Swerve Strickland may be the greatest example of a former WWE star who has been far better in AEW. He has become one of the company’s best talents in and out of the ring. Ibushi should face some of AEW’s elite in the months ahead. However, it would be smart for the company to have him face fresh talent instead of revisiting matches with former foes from Japan, like Kazuchika Okada or Hangman Page.
That is why a clash between Strickland and Ibushi should be something on AEW’s creative plans for the months ahead.
Ricochet
Ibushi and Ricochet faced each other previously in Japan. But that was a long time ago, and the American is a far different person than he was then after stints in WWE and AEW. They are two of the best athletes the sport has seen over the last 20 years. Facing each other again while they are still in their prime is a must in 2025.
Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe does not have much time left on his pro wrestling bump card. That is why AEW must maximize the opportunity to put him in some occasional dream matches. Having him face Kota Ibushi in the coming months has to happen. They are two greats of their generation who have never faced off. Furthermore, their physical styles could lead to a brutal classic in an AEW ring.
MJF
MJF is, arguably, professional wrestling’s top bad guy. Ibushi has long been one of the industry’s best heroes. With the Japanese great finally healthy and back in the States, a match between the two is something that should happen. With MJF having faced much of the AEW roster, a clash with Ibushi gives him some much-needed fresh competition.
Brody King
Japan does not offer many large monsters. That is what makes Ibushi competing in the US interesting. He will get to face athletic big men like Samoa Joe. Another monster he should take on is Brody King. Just like a clash with Joe, Ibushi vs. King could deliver an impressive and hyper-violent clash AEW diehards would absolutely love.
Cope
Similar to Joe, Adam “Cope” Copeland does not have much time left on his bump card. The company needs to use him in unique ways that puts butts in seats. One of North America’s greatest wrestling legends against another great from the land of the rising sun is a match many wrestling fans would love to see. Cope vs. Ibushi needs to happen in 2025 or 2026.
