AEW will be getting a big name for a while as they continue to look for star power as and build towards the upcoming Blood & Guts match on July 19th between The Elite (Kenny Omega, ‘Hangman’ Adam Page, the Young Bucks & a surprise partner) and The Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli, Konosuke Takeshita & a surprise partner).
That top free agent is Kota Ibushi, who has talked about wanting to go to AEW and the promotion being his top priority.
Fightful Select reports that talent they talked with this week “are of the belief that he would be joining the company in some capacity, specifically for the upcoming Blood & Guts show.”
Kota has reduced media obligations in recent weeks and cited his schedule picking up in the near future. One source noted he’s planning to work the upcoming AEW show.
Some talent in NJPW and AEW wondered in the past whether Ibushi being involved with AEW would strain the relationship with NJPW due to the way he left NJPW. Ibushi has claimed those issues have been resolved with a contract offer being made from NJPW.
After last night’s episode of AEW Dynamite, Omega hinted at who The Elite’s partner will be in Blood and Guts and noted the person cares about him. Omega and Ibushi were longtime tag team partners/good friends.
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Kenny Omega after Rampage hinted The Elite's mystery partner for Blood & Guts:
• An old friend who Kenny recruited last month (but not in Canada!)
• Someone very near & dear to his heart
• He cares about the Elite, this promotion & changing the face of pro wrestling 🙂 pic.twitter.com/HSYMlTwiHB— Drainmaker 🌧️ 💵 (@DrainBamager) July 6, 2023
