Katsuyori Shibata Next AEW Opponent Revealed?

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The next opponent for Katsuyori Shibata in AEW has potentially been revealed, following his AEW in-ring debut.

Shibata notably challenged for Orange Cassidy’s All-Atlantic Championship during the November 4 edition of Rampage.

It had previously been reported that Shibata wanted matches with AEW stars Orange Cassidy and Bryan Danielson. AEW President Tony Khan confirmed this in an interview with Sports Illustrated ahead of Shibata’s AEW Rampage bout.

Teasing that Shibata’s match with Danielson could’ve been for the All-Atlantic Title, Khan said:

“There was interest from all three parties—AEW, New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Shibata. I am a big fan of Shibata, and I have a great relationship with the New Japan Pro-Wrestling office.

“When we started working together earlier this year to promote Forbidden Door, they mentioned to me that Shibata is a big AEW fan—and that he was very interested in fighting for AEW. That got me very excited.

“He’s one of the top wrestlers of this century, and he is also an amazing comeback story. I’m so excited that the next step in his comeback is to come here and challenge for the AEW All-Atlantic championship.

“He also wants to wrestle Bryan Danielson. If he wins the belt from Orange Cassidy, then that could be a title match.”

Shibata was ultimately unsuccessful in his All-Atlantic Championship bout, with Cassidy retaining the gold after dropping Shibata with an Orange Punch.

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