Japanese skilled grappler Katsuyori Shibata, known for his hard-hitting defence in the world of professional wrestling, is presently part of the All Elite Wrestling (AEW) promotion. Standing 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) tall and weighing 209 lbs (95 kg), Shibata is popular for his tenure in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Ring of Honor (ROH). He departed from NJPW in 2005 to compete independently in promotions such as Mouth Loud and Pro Wrestling Noah, as well as to pursue a career in MMA. His MMA career concluded with a record of 4 wins, 11 losses, and 1 draw.
Upon his return to NJPW in 2012, Shibata achieved significant success by securing the NEVER Openweight Championship three times, winning the NJPW World Tag League in 2014, clinching the NJPW New Japan Cup in 2017, and capturing the IWGP Tag Team Championship alongside Hirooki Goto by defeating Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. Additionally, he has held the ROH Pure Championship and the RPW British Heavyweight Championship each once.
Katsuyori Shibata Current Finisher
PK - Penalty Kick :
Shibata's finishing move, the Penalty Kick, seamlessly blends a submission hold with a powerful kick. After landing a fierce soccer kick to the chest of his seated opponent, Shibata quickly positions himself behind him. With precision, he wraps his right arm around the opponent's neck, ensuring that his biceps press against one side of the neck while the inner bone of his forearm applies pressure to the other side. This precise application of pressure results in the opponent tapping out.
Go 2 Sleep :
Another finishing manoeuvre of Shibata is the Fireman's Carry Drop, famously known worldwide as the Go 2 Sleep in professional wrestling circles. To perform this finisher, Shibata lifts an opponent into a fireman's carry, grips their thigh and arm, then leans forward to slam them onto their back. In a rolling variation, he runs forward while holding the opponent, using the momentum to roll over them as he slams them down.
Katsuyori Shibata Earlier Finisher
Octopus Hold :
Shibata stands behind the opponent and hooks a leg over the opponent's opposite leg. He then forces the opponent to one side, traps one of the opponent's arms with his own arm, and drapes his free leg over the neck of the opponent, forcing it downward. This elevates Shibata and places all his weight on the opponent.
Gattai Reverse Ushikoroshi :
Gattai Reverse Ushikoroshi is a type of double team finishing move utilised by Katsuyori Shibata and his tag partner Hirooki Goto from July 11, 2014, to February 10, 2016. Initially, Goto executes an inverted front power slam, bringing the opponent down. Following this, Shibata proceeds with a facebreaker knee smash.
Katsuyori Shibata Signature Moves
Death Valley Driver:
Shibata executed a Death Valley Driver, often abbreviated to D.V.D. and known as a Death Valley Bomb in Japan. In this move, he lifted his opponent into a fireman's carry position. With precise control, he transitioned into a brainbuster-type slam, falling in the direction the opponent's head was facing, driving their head forcefully into the mat.
Osoto Gari :
In the judo technique Osoto Gari, Shibata places his left foot next to his opponent while bringing his right leg around to hook and pull his opponent's right leg from behind, targeting the area just above the knee. This sweeping motion aims to off-balance the opponent and bring them down to the mat.
Sleeper Suplex :
Shibata places his opponent in a sleeper hold and then hooks one of the opponent's arms with his free arm. Shibata then lifts his opponent up and falls backwards, driving the opponent’s back of the head onto the mat.
Pump Kick :
In the Pump Kick move, Shibata sprints toward his opponent inside the ring and executes a jumping kick aimed at the opponent's face.
Katsuyori Shibata Current Theme Song
Katsuyori Shibata has employed a modified version of his classic entrance theme 'Takeover' by Low IQ 01 since October 10, 1999.
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