The Golden Talent Named Ibushi

Though most fans at this point tie Kota Ibushi to New Japan Pro-Wrestling but he didn't start in that company. Ibushi would gain the most exposure as a member of NJPW he would get his start in the company called Dramatic Dream Team or DDT which is also the company where he first began teaming with long time partner Kenny Omega as one half of the Golden Lovers. During his time in DDT Ibushi would hold every possible title the company had to offer before leaving the company in 2016. Following his departure from DDT he would shock the wrestling world by signing with WWE to appear in the Cruiserweight Classic over the summer. 

Ibushi's mainstream stock begin to rise in 2009 when he first made his NJPW debut as a member of the Best of the Super Juniors Tournament. His first taste of gold came when Ibushi teamed with Omega to defeat Apollo 55 for a short reign with the IWGP Junior Heavyweight titles. For the most part of his run the first time around he was wrapped up in a never ending feud with fellow junior heavyweight in Prince Devitt that was until Devitt got signed and Ibushi would move up soon after. In late 2014 he would attack Shinsuke Nakamura following his match and would challenge the then IWGP IC champion to a match at Wrestle Kingdom 9 which was actually my first exposure to NJPW. Within the next year Ibushi would actually step away from New Japan as well to heal up from various injuries. 

In the fall of 2016, Ibushi would make his return to NJPW under the name of Tiger Mask W this would only be a short stint as he would return to his normal name the following June and the rest has been history. With him slowly integrating himself into being a fixture in the companies top story with other members of the Bullet Club. Interesting note though there recent tag matches were the first time that Omega and Ibushi would team together in almost 8 years as they both seemingly went in opposite directions following their New Japan arrivals.