Imagine tuning in to your favorite wrestling show, only to witness a shocking moment that leaves everyone holding their breath. That’s exactly what happened during Saturday’s AEW Collision, where the opening match took a dramatic turn when Kota Ibushi appeared to suffer a serious leg injury. But here’s where it gets even more intense—this wasn’t just a minor stumble; it was a moment that had fans and fellow wrestlers alike on the edge of their seats.
The episode, taped on Wednesday at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida, featured Ibushi in a high-stakes match against Josh Alexander. About 12 minutes in, as Alexander attempted to lift Ibushi, the wrestling star slipped from the turnbuckle to the floor, landing in a way that immediately signaled trouble. Medical staff rushed to his aid, and he was ultimately counted out of the match. And this is the part most people miss—while it seemed like a genuine accident, the aftermath was anything but ordinary.
In a move that felt both scripted and chaotic, Mark Davis stormed the ring to further attack the already injured Ibushi. But Kenny Omega wasn’t having it—he came to the rescue, trash can in hand, sending Davis running. It was a moment that blurred the lines between planned drama and real-life concern, leaving viewers wondering: Was this all part of the show, or did things take an unplanned turn?
Here’s where it gets controversial: While the broadcast didn’t show Ibushi being stretchered to the back, reports from those in attendance confirmed it happened. AEW President Tony Khan even addressed the crowd afterward, thanking fans for their respect during the incident—a moment also absent from the final cut. Why wasn’t this included? Was it to maintain the show’s momentum, or to avoid amplifying the seriousness of the injury? It’s a question that’s sure to spark debate among fans.
Khan later took to social media to share his thoughts, calling Ibushi ‘one of the greatest wrestlers I’ve ever seen’ and expressing gratitude for his contributions to AEW. ‘We wish him the best as he recovers,’ Khan wrote, though the exact nature of the injury remains unconfirmed. Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Dave Meltzer reported it as a broken leg, but AEW has yet to provide an official update. This lack of clarity has left fans speculating—and worrying—about Ibushi’s future in the ring.
What do you think? Was the decision to exclude the stretcher scene and Khan’s live comments the right call, or should AEW have been more transparent? And how will Ibushi’s injury impact the wrestling world moving forward? Let us know in the comments—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss!
