Katsuyori Shibata made his presence felt during AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door, as ‘The Wrestler’ came to the aid Orange Cassidy and Best Friends!
AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door saw a pantheon of talent from New Japan Pro-Wrestling make their debut in All Elite Wrestling. Joining them, previously unannounced, was the legendary Katsuyori Shibata.
The inactive grappler confronted Will Ospreay and Aussie Open following the former’s IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship retention over Orange Cassidy. With Mark Davis and Kyle Fletcher laying further waste to both Cassidy and Roppongi Vice, it was down to Shibata to clear the ring.
There’s currently no word on if this will lead to further interaction between Katsuyori Shibata and Will Ospreay or if this was a one-off.
😱 #KatsuyoriShibata comes to the aid of @orangecassidy and zeroes in on @WillOspreay here at #ForbiddenDoor! #AEWxNJPWpic.twitter.com/cC37Rg8Fom
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 27, 2022
Shibata was forced into early retirement following Sakura Genesis 2017, having collapsed backstage following his main event clash with then-IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada. ‘The Wrestler’ had suffered a subdural hematoma during the bout, stemming from his repeated use of a headbutt throughout his career.
He’s only just recently returned to in-ring activity. Katsuyori Shibata wrestled a five-minute exhibition vs. Zack Sabre Jr. during last year’s G1 Climax finals, though this was fought under UWF rules. His first official match since the injury came during the first night of Wrestle Kingdom 16 this past January, defeating Ren Narita.
In his absence from competing, the former three-time NEVER Openweight Champion has served as the head coach of New Japan’s LA Dojo, which was represented by Alex Coughlin, Yuya Uemura, Kevin Knight, and The DKC during the Buy-In to Forbidden Door, as well as by Clark Connors during the AEW All Atlantic Championship contest.
Recently Tony Khan expressed his desire to sign Katsuyori Shibata to AEW.