I put together an article of the Katsuyori Shibata matches that wrestling fans need to see. Would love some feedback!

7 comments

1. The super popular ones aside, the Akiyama and Honma matches are gems that are well deserved of making the top 5. Great list, covering the most essential ones.

2. Thank you for this. I’ve become such a huge shibata fan recently and this helps a ton.

3. Yooo, thanks for doing this. I’m always floundering trying to know what to watch for pre-2018 New Japan.

4. The Ibushi match at G1 25 is one of my favorites

5. His G1 match against Nakamura was a good one, especially given the post-match antics. In a previous interview, Nakamura stated that he would be competing in the G1 with “a smiling face”. After pinning Nakamura, Shibata, when asked in his post match interview what the theme for his G1 was, sarcastically replied “a smiling face” while smirking at Nakamura. Nakamura rushed the ring and had to be held back by some young lions.

   It was pretty great.

6. His matches with Nakajima though.

7. My favorite wrestler. The Wrestler.

   Edit: It would be very cool to see him at ROH on the 7th!