Backstage Update On Katsuyori Shibata Wrestling For ROH & Not NJPW

A new report has revealed a backstage update on Katsuyori Shibata wrestling for Ring of Honor and not NJPW.

As previously reported, ROH held their first set of television tapings over this past weekend with various matches being set up for the upcoming Supercard of Honor event.

One of the biggest news notes coming out of the tapings was ROH Pure Champion Wheeler Yuta calling out New Japan legend and NJPW LA dojo trainer Katsuori Shibata to seemingly set up a Pure Championship match.

Shibata’s inclusion in a Ring of Honor match has understandably led to fans wondering of why Shibata isn’t currently wrestling for New Japan Pro Wrestling. He previously worked full-time for the promotion before suffering a life-threatening head injury in 2017 and continues to work as a trainer.

On Tuesday’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that Shibata wasn’t being used in New Japan because his last match in the company back at Wrestle Kingdom 16.

In January 2022, Shibata faced his protegè Ren Narita on Night One of Wrestle Kingdom 16. The bout was originally billed as an exhibition match, but the two men worked a standard New Japan match, similar to Shibata’s return match with Zack Sabre Jr.

It was later reported that Shibata changed the rules of his match on the fly, and NJPW officials backstage had “freaked out” over the decision.

Transcription via Wrestling Inc.

Think you’re a wrestling mastermind? Well you can prove it by taking quizzes in our brand new quiz section! Don’t forget to tweet us your results!