AEW Collision's opening match took a dramatic turn when Kota Ibushi sustained a leg injury. The incident occurred during his bout with Josh Alexander, where Ibushi slipped from the turnbuckle to the floor as Alexander attempted to lift him. The match was immediately halted, and Ibushi was tended to by medical staff, resulting in a countout. In a pre-planned sequence, Mark Davis attempted to further attack Ibushi, but was swiftly intercepted by Kenny Omega, who brandished a trash can. The crowd witnessed the aftermath of the injury, with Ibushi being stretchered to the back, though this was not broadcast. AEW President Tony Khan addressed the audience, commending their respect during the incident, which was also not shown on the air. Following the match, Khan expressed his admiration for Ibushi on social media, praising his prowess as one of the greatest wrestlers he's ever witnessed. Ibushi's injury, reportedly a broken leg, has yet to be confirmed, but Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter suggests this to be the case. The incident has sparked discussions about the safety and well-being of wrestlers in professional wrestling.
