AEW and NJPW icon Tomohiro Ishii was legitimately injured in a recent championship match, according to a new report, but it is unclear the extent to which this will slow him down.
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Ishii recently faced a scare during his AEW Collision match against Kazuchika Okada, the reigning AEW Continental Champion.
During the contest, which aired on January 20, 2025, Ishii appeared to injure his left ankle or calf after taking a flapjack from Okada early on.
The injury initially raised concerns, but wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer quickly put fans' worries to rest. While confirming the injury wasn't part of any storyline, he says that Ishii's condition is not considered serious.
Meltzer reassured the wrestling community, stating that Ishii is "fine" and reminding everyone that the wretler is known for his tough demeanor, often downplaying the severity of any injury.
"Then again, he's not going to act like any injury is serious," Meltzer remarked, underscoring Ishii's reputation for pushing through physical pain.
The match itself, which ran a brisk eight minutes, marked Okada's ninth successful title defense, as he continues his impressive reign with the AEW Continental Championship.
Okada has held the title since March 2024, after defeating Eddie Kingston, and now sits comfortably past the 300-day mark as champion.
For Ishii, however, the defeat added to a rough record in AEW, where he has yet to secure a singles victory, sitting at 0-11.
This came as a surprise to many, especially considering Ishii's more recent lengthy and hard-fought draw against Gabe Kidd at NJPW's Battle in the Valley, which ran for an impressive 30 minutes.
Despite the loss, Ishii's legacy in the world of professional wrestling remains intact. A six-time NEVER Openweight Champion, Ishii is one of the most decorated and respected figures in NJPW.
He has also held the IWGP Tag Team Championship and the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship multiple times, cementing his place in NJPW's storied history.
Ishii's AEW appearances, however, have been more of a showcase for his endurance and toughness than a campaign for titles, with his bouts serving as reminders of his reputation as an underdog who can still hang with the very best.
Though he has not yet found championship success in AEW, his presence is a nod to the enduring appeal of his hard-hitting, no-nonsense wrestling style, which has earned him a cult following over the years.
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