Gota Ihashi will leave DDT Pro-Wrestling at the end of September, concluding a 17-year run with the promotion. The company announced Thursday that Ihashi’s contract expires this month and that he will address fans during Sunday’s sold-out event at Shinjuku FACE.
In a statement released by DDT, Ihashi explained he requested the release to evaluate his future options, a decision the promotion accepted. He expressed gratitude to the wrestlers, staff, and fans he encountered during his tenure, while firmly dispelling any suggestion that his departure equates to retirement.
DDT has revised Sunday’s card to honor Ihashi and Soma Takao in what is being billed as their final match as affiliated wrestlers. Takao will team with Kazuki Hirata and Akito to face Sanshiro Takagi, Ken Ohka, and Naomi Yoshimura, with Ihashi slated to appear at ringside rather than compete.
Ihashi debuted in 2009, per his official DDT profile, and captured the KO-D Six-Man Tag Team Championship during his time with the promotion. His next destination remains unannounced, making Sunday’s Shinjuku FACE show a farewell to his DDT contract—not to his wrestling career.
