Katsuyori Shibata ‘ready to make a commitment’ to AEW/ROH
Katsuyori Shibata is ready to make a commitment to AEW/ROH.
While attending the post-WrestleDream media scrum on Sunday night, Shibata addressed his contract status. Shibata was asked if he still has ties to NJPW or if he’s just signed to AEW/ROH now.
“If Tony wish, I am ready to make a commitment,” Shibata said through a translation app.
“I want you to stay forever. Never leave. Please, never leave.” Khan responded while laughing. “You’re my favorite. Shibata is ichiban.”
Shibata is the current ROH Pure Champion. He won the title from Wheeler Yuta this March.
At WrestleDream, Shibata faced Eddie Kingston in a match where Kingston’s ROH World Championship and NJPW Strong Openweight Championship were both on the line. Kingston defeated Shibata to retain the titles. There was then a show of mutual respect between Shibata and Kingston following the match.
After suffering a life-threatening subdural hematoma in 2017, Shibata returned to the ring in 2021. He’s had 14 matches in 2023 so far.
Shibata recently retained his Pure Championship against Nick Wayne on ROH TV.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.