Katsuyori Shibata Says There Is No Place For Him In NJPW

AEW's Katsuyiroi Shibata has revealed that he feels there is "no place" for him in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, implying that NJPW's decision to limit his in-ring activity is a key reason. He explained in an interview with Tokyo Sports:

"I can't work as an affiliated fighter. I guess that [New Japan's decision] is not wrong. But if there is no place for me, then there is no reason for me to be here. I've regained a lot of my senses after competing in AEW, and I feel like I want to finish my career here.

"I've been checked by a doctor, and I've given him a medical certificate. If I don't clear it, I can't compete."

Shibata was a crucial figure for New Japan for much of the 2010s. Having originally been earmarked as a future main-eventer early in his career (alongside Shinsuke Nakamura and Hiroshi Tanahashi), Shibata instead took a different path, leaving in 2005 to work around Japan as a freelancer and try his hand at MMA.

He returned to New Japan in 2012 and fought his way back up the card, becoming a fan favourite in the process. However, his title match against Kazuchika Okada at Sakura Genesis 2017 was followed by disaster, as Shibata collapsed backstage and was discovered to have a subdural hematoma. He was forced to retire and settled into a non-wrestling role as head of the company's Los Angeles-based dojo.

Despite making an unlikely comeback, Shibata only had two NJPW matches between his 2017 injury and early 2022 - a 'Grappling Rules' contest against Zack Sabre Jr. in October 2021, and a victory over Ren Narita at Wrestle Kingdom 16.

However, he has wrestled far more regularly for Western companies such as ROH, RevPro, and AEW - the latter of which he officially signed a contract with last month. 

H/T to Fightful