 On January 4, 2013, at Wrestle Kingdom 7 in Tokyo Dome, Ibushi unsuccessfully challenged Prince Devitt for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship in a three-way match, which also included Low Ki.On July 5, Ibushi was announced as a surprise participant in the 2013 G1 Climax.He increased his weight from to to prepare himself for the heavyweight-level tournament.