Kota Ibushi Booked for GLEAT Fifth Anniversary Event on July 1

Kota Ibushi is headed back to GLEAT. The promotion announced via their YouTube channel that Ibushi will appear at their Fifth Anniversary Event on July 1, marking a return to an organization where he has competed three times over the course of his career.

The booking is notable given the circumstances surrounding Ibushi’s recent in-ring activity. The former IWGP Heavyweight Champion sustained an injury during an AEW Collision taping on October 8, 2025, after falling from the shoulders of Josh Alexander. The nature and full severity of that injury were not detailed in the announcement, but his inclusion on the GLEAT card suggests he is working his way back toward an active schedule.

GLEAT, the Japanese promotion founded by Lidet Entertainment and backed by former New Japan figures, has built a reputation for working with high-profile talent, and Ibushi fits that profile as well as anyone. His history with the company, though limited to three appearances, speaks to a relationship that has persisted through different chapters of his career.

With the Fifth Anniversary show shaping up as a meaningful milestone for the promotion, landing Ibushi is a significant get. Whether he is booked in a competitive match or in a more ceremonial capacity remains to be seen, but his presence alone will draw attention to what GLEAT is building toward as they celebrate five years in business.