DDT's President Sanshiro Takagi and NJPW's President Naoki Sugabayashi formally announced that Kota Ibushi will be out of action for a long term due to suffering from a cervical disc herniation.

Ibushi has already been out of action at this point due to a high fever, which caused him to miss a KO-D Openweight title challenge back on 10/25 and DDT's Okinawa tour this past weekend. Ibushi was also reported to have been suffering from numbness in the left side of his body and this was a major cause for concern. After a close examination he was diagnosed with a herniated disc. The doctor immediately stated that he cannot compete under any circumstances.

Takagi announced Ibushi will miss the rest of this year as well as well as the beginning of next year as well. Also with that the KO-D Tag belts, which Ibushi held along with Daisuke Sasaki, have been vacated. Ibushi also has a book coming out, but the upcoming launch events have been canceled at this time.

Sugabayashi stated that Ibushi's contract with NJPW is nearing the end of its yearly cycle, but that he is putting it on hold until Ibushi returns. He wishes to give Ibushi a chance to return and make a decision on if he re-signs or not.