We’re only at the start of Wrestle Kingdom here in 2022, as NJPW still has two more nights of action to come. However, few things might top the insane emotion that came with the return match of Katsuyori Shibata. For weeks, this has been built up as a match with Catch Wrestling Rules.
This meant that it would be a normal match, but with strikes prohibited. Done as a way to protect Shibata and ease him back into things, after he was forced into retirement in 2017 after suffering a Subdural Hematoma during his match with Kazuchika Okada at Sakura Genesis. However, Shibata had other plans.
Katsuyori Shibata Needed To Prove That He Can Still Wrestle His Old Style
After both he and his opponent of choice, his own star pupil Ren Narita hit the ring, Shibata grabbed the microphone and changed the rules of the match to allow strikes. Everyone was flustered by this, but no one was going to argue with him and delay the show. Clearly Narita knew what was going on, but even on English commentary it was noted that Shibata went into business for himself.
It has now been confirmed that this was not planned. Shibata would say as much during a post-match interview. He;d state the following.
“I stepped out of line with the company and will gladly take any penalty that’s issued to me. I don’t know what’s next, but I do know tonight the world saw that Katsuyori Shibata can wrestle Katsuyori Shibata’s way”
A Proper Match Would Have Come In Time
He likely would have had a proper match like this before the end of 2022, but NJPW wanted to ease him in. However, this proved that Shibata is able to take some punishment, as Narita did not hold back – which opens up everything for Shibata. He’s already been called out by KENTA for a match, and could be a favorite in the coming New Japan Cup – which he won in 2017.
While the next moves of Shibata are unknown, we do know what is next for Ren Narita. Ren Narita’s next match will be in Seattle on January 15th where he’ll wrestle Josh Barnett.
Do you think Shibata will be punished for going against the script like this? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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