11 Dream Matches For Katsuyori Shibata

9. Jeff Cobb

Since he started performing for New Japan more regularly, Jeff Cobb has only gotten better and better.

Now heavily pushed as the promotion’s top foreign star, Cobb could be a perfect heel to work opposite the heroic Shibata.

Cobb also works a brilliant style combining high-level amateur wrestling with immense power. Seeing him try to outwrestle Shibata would be an absolute treat.

Given his performance in the 2021 G1 Climax, Cobb could be put in a big position to seize an opportunity within New Japan very soon. Why not this one?


8. Kota Ibushi

Kota Ibushi suffered an arm injury in the G1 Climax 31 Final so his current status is in doubt but when he is healthy? This match would be something else.

Because Katsuyori Shibata’s injury occurred at the start of New Japan’s explosion of popularity in 2017, he missed out on matches with many of the new and emerging stars of the promotion.

Kota Ibushi was one of those stars. The two have had one singles match, taking place in the 2015 G1 Climax, and Ibushi has come a very long way since.

Now a committed member of New Japan’s roster and one of their biggest stars, this would be a match worthy of a major event and would undoubtedly deliver a classic performance.


7. Jay White

Another star that Shibata missed was Jay White. White made his return from excursion in 2017, just months after Shibata was sidelined.

Since then, White has become the foreign heel of the future for New Japan, developing into one of the world’s most complete wrestlers.

Shibata has an unresolved beef with Bullet Club over what happened at the 2019 G1 Clima Final, and Shibata could find himself looking at White across the ring if he wants to take on the stable.

I know I would like to see it.

2 years ago by Tempest

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