Katsuyori Shibata

[6.0] "I love Shibata I really do but what is going to him lately is just disappointing. He's wasting his talent and time in AEW. He's been average ever since they've signed him which is an indication that it was the wrong decision. Same happened to Kenny and Okada as well. NJPW biggest name are being wasted in the US"

[10.0] "Wow... Katsuyori Shibata is truly a PERFECT wrestler in every aspect of his work. He is very intense in the ring & has so many prime years ahead of him & I truly want him to be a singles champion in AEW! He is one of my favorite wrestlers of all time, & his match with Hiroshi Tanahashi in Kobe, Japan 2014 is very easy to consider as the GREATEST wrestling match that ever happened. His running bottom-rope double leg bullet run is ICONIC & just amazing to watch every time he performs it. He is one of the toughest strikers in the history of wrestling & intrigues me into thinking of an absolute strong-style, stiff, lengthy & brutal match-up against Kurt Angle or Sheamus. Katsuyori's facial expressions are really menacing & showcases how much dedication he brings to his performances. I am OBSESSED with watching Katsuyori Shibata matches from any era & I am so thankful for his wrestling ability to give us incredible 5* wrestling matches."

[7.0] "Shibata is an incredibly skilled grappler and an incredibly skilled striker. However, his power game, brawler/hardcore game, aerial game, promo game, and gimmick game are what prevent that totally top tier placement for my personal taste."

"Shibata was pure chaos wrapped in control. Dude hits like a truck--every strike feels like it actually hurts--and he barely misses. His style wasn't about fancy flips or flashy moves; it was about punishment, timing, and making every bump tell a story. When he locked in a hold or threw a stiff kick, you could feel the tension in the ring. He made opponents look dangerous just by being himself. Watching him wrestle felt intense, raw, and real--like anything could snap at any second. That's why Shibata's matches stick with you forever."

[10.0] "This guy is unfortunately getting the same treatment as Shinsuke Nakamura in WWE, where he is being used as the 'trusty Japanese veteran' to put over young western wrestlers. I suppose it's not a terrible role, he's a great striker and puts on solid performances although his lack of English limits his options when it comes to promos and psychology. However he's a solid hand, makes the Opps look more badass and pleases the smarks who value good matches from solid wrestlers."

[10.0] "He's so good he can call himself "The Wrestler" and not only get away with it but be truthful too. The best striker of all time and a level of intensity no one can match. He has the ability to say so much while doing so little. His stoicism and emotions in the ring are clear with little effort. He embodies everything a wrestler should be. Katsuyori Shibata is the single best professional wrestler of all time"

[10.0] "Shibata is one of the few wrestlers I've seen in my lifetime who purely lets his in ring work speak for itself. No colorful gear or super flashy moves, just pure gritty technical wrestling. A guy who has shown he's willing to put his body on the line and has nearly died from doing so. The fact he is even still wrestling today is unbelievable in it of itself and he has continued show time and time again why he deserves the moniker "The Wrestler"."

[10.0] "one of the best wrestlers of all-time, he is one of those who to me really incarnate what "wrestling" is, ironic enough, he calls himself "The Wrestler" and this is the most accurate nickname of all wrestling's history genuinely, he's just pure charisma and embodies pure wrestling, what an icon"

[10.0] "One of the Best Wrestlers of the 2010's and one of my Favorite Wrestlers of all time Katsuyori Shibata was a Demon in his Prime just so Crispy and believable he was Strong Style for me"

[10.0] "One of the greatest wrestlers of all time and easily one of my personal favourites, the pure embodyment of strong style. He is so good in ring that he doesnt need a flashy character or crazy mic work to be considered one of the greats. His match with Okada is one of the greatest of all time and was nearly the end of his career. Even so he returned in 2021 and has had some fantastic matches since."

[10.0] "Katsuyori Shibata is the most underrated wrestler in the history of this business. No exaggeration. People talk about strong style like it's some aesthetic choice -- Shibata lived it. Every forearm, every stiff PK, every headbutt that echoed through the arena like a gunshot... Shibata was violence made art. Controlled rage. Precision destruction. He never needed fireworks, catchphrases or goofy gimmicks. He walked in, stared you down, and let his body do the talking. His matches had this silent, suffocating intensity where even the crowd would hold their breath between shots. He didn't perform for the crowd. He fought in front of them. And here's the thing -- his technique was flawless. Ground game, striking, pacing -- all elite. His match vs. Tomohiro Ishii in 2013? Instant classic. The never-ending war with Goto? Legendary. And of course, that insane final match vs. Okada in 2017 -- that might be the most gut-wrenching, poetic, tragic bout in modern wrestling history. He gave everything, literally. That match ended his life as a full-time wrestler. Who else sacrifices that much for pro wrestling? The fact that he was never the IWGP Heavyweight Champion is one of the great tragedies of NJPW. He was the people's champion -- the quiet, disciplined killer who earned the fans' love not through promos, but through pure grit. His return in 2021 was a miracle, and yet it barely made a ripple because so many slept on his legacy. Shibata represents what happens when heart, discipline, and unfiltered realism meet. He's not just a great wrestler -- he's a damn warrior. And if pro wrestling had a Hall of Respect -- not fame, but respect -- his name would be carved on the front gate. 10.0. Forever."

[10.0] "One of the top-tier in-ring performers, so smooth and believable especially in pure rules matches. My favourite thing about him is actually his playful Google Translate gimmick, such a contrast to his no nonsense intensity inside the ring."

[10.0] "This man is so good at wrestling, his nickname is literally "The Wrestler." Katsuyori Shibata is his generation's version of Antonio Inoki, a man who possessed such immense skills in the ring that they speak for themselves and make up for not having a wild personality. A man who's been in and out of the ring time and time again, and never loses a step when he gets back in, even if he has to alter his style due to injuries, finding ways to be a complete wrestler in the ring no matter what the circumstances he faces. Sure, he has played it safe since his return, but he can still deliver a solid match when required to. His match with Kazuchika Okada was once the highest rated match (if I remember correctly) at one point, while I don't agree it's the best match ever, there's a strong case to make why that match is so highly acclaimed and what made it spectacular (... At least the match itself and no what happened to Shibata after the match ended). He's had other amazing matches over the years with the likes of Tomohiro Ishii, Jun Akiyama, Minoru Suzuki, Bryan Danielson, Will Ospreay, Hirooki Goto, etc. An impressive catalogue of amazing, compelling, insane matches. Overall, no matter if he's competing in Japan or North America, playing it safe or not, Katsuyori Shibata is one of the best in ring performers of all time and his best matches will still be discussed as some of the best to ever take place."

[10.0] "One of the greatest pro-wrestlers of all time. Nobody is more badass than Katsuyori Shibata. His match with Okada at Sakura Genesis 2017 is what I find to be the greatest wrestling match of all-time and that has to do with just how damn good Shibata is(as well as Okada). His matches are also never a let down and are always a great viewing. Not even to mention his wars with Goto and Ishii. Again not even to mention the striking ability of this killer that Shibata is. I just wish he'd won a world title in his career(He can technically still win one as of this review, but I unfortunately don't find it very likely). Overall, he's a perfect wrestler that is beyond underrated and at the level of guys like Misawa, Danielson, Kobashi, Omega, Cena, Stone Cold, Styles, and more."

"[7.5] Don't get me wrong, I like Shibata, he looks, feels and strikes like someone who embodies Strong Style. But I just can't seem to be a fan due to his MMA record, like Yuji Nagata. Although I still know that these guys kick ass, it just kinda feels like they're portraying to be threats rather than to be actual threats? I can't put the word to it. BUT DON'T GET ME WRONG (2). Shibata and Nagata are infinitely better than CM punk, I just wish that they would've performed better in their MMA career. It's sorta like, if we compare them to Yoshihiro Takayama, even though Takayama-san never won an MMA match, he solidified himself against Don Frye, while these two were more or less just BAD in comparison."

[9.0] "Shibata is truly the embodiment of "The Wrestler". Cool, Calm, Collective, & Cold-blooded when he's in action within the square circle, Able to capitative an audience with pure grappling and lethal striking that help pioneer Strong-Style Wrestling alongside Kenta, Minoru Suzuki, Ishii, and many more. While this style of almost caused a career-ending injury. Thankfully, he returned to wrestling though with not the same high-risk offense; he's still hands down one of my favorite strikers!"

[10.0] "This is one of the rare instances where the wrestler is so bland that they're good. (I mean, his gimmick name is "The Wrestler" for crying out loud.) But don't let the boring presentation fool you into believing his matches are that same way. His matches are realistic, hard-hitting, and technical."

[10.0] "Shibata is as good a pro wrestler as has ever existed, with the ability to do everything a wrestler should be able to do in ring. Its a shame his career was cut short by such a significant injury that altered his wrestling style so dramatically. But even with those adjustments, everything Shibata does is a 10/10"

[10.0] "Shibata might be the greatest of all time imo. Never have I seen such a believable wrestler, there's a reason he's "The Wrestler". His stance, aura and glance are so cool. The simple strut he makes toward the ring makes you realize how serious he takes it, on a character level at least. He can hit you hard and take it back even harder. That headbutt spot in his match against Odaka is the toughest spot I've seen in my life. The blood dripping down his face afterwards was hard. Only a guy like Shibata could pull off looking that sick. I'm a mark for him. GOAT!"

[10.0] "Shibata is one of the greatest wrestlers ever. He represents Japanese strong style. "The wrestler" lives up to the nickname. Very technical and hard hitting. Before the scary injury in 2017, he's had some of the best matches ever. One of the three musketeers for NJPW. His style is very unique and fun to watch."

[10.0] "Katsuyori Shibata is in my top five wrestlers of all time. I love the Japanese Strong Style of wrestling and he is what you see when thinking about the style. He's so impressive how he can put on classics with Kazuchika Okada, suffer a career ending injury half way through that match, and come back and have some banger matches with people like Eddie Kingston, Wheeler Yuta, Orange Cassidy, and Bryan Danielson. He's pretty hard not to like, in my opinion at least."

[10.0] "Has to be my favorite wrestler of all time, i just like his agressiveness, he never disapoints in his matches and he is one of the best wrestlers in his style, he influenced that style, same with Suzuki, these guys created a style that is still looked as one of the greatest, i want to rate Shibata higher, before he was ever injured he was one of the best wrestlers in the world, the matches he has put on just says it all, he has put on some of my favorite matches ive seen, Shibata is of course a 10."

[9.0] "I've never seen such a guy who is truly dedicated and passionate in pro-wrestling like Katsuyori Shibata. One of the most intense pro-wrestlers on the planet. Most of his matches aren't for the weak of heart so if you feel easily squeamish, don't watch most of Shibata's matches. His heavy strikes are very dangerous if you aren't tough and durable enough to take it, no wonder after the match most of his opponents aren't as fresh as they are at the start. One of the very intriguing matches is his Sakura Genesis 2017 match with Kazuchika Okada. It is highly regarded as one of the greatest wrestling matches of all time more primarily because Shibata puts his entire heart on the match. He puts so much; he was forced to retire due to subdural hematoma. But there is no doubt the fans are very supportive of Shibata. Shibata is the type of person that he could hit you for real but at the same time he makes sure that you will be alright at the end of the match, and you can still wrestle at the next day. Shibata is a personification of a Strong Style. Sucks that he's never been the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Maybe if not for the early retirement in 2017, he could be the champion for sure. Unfortunately, due to the immense star power of NJPW like Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shinsuke Nakamura and Kazuchika Okada, Shibata felt left out and unfortunately thrived mostly in the upper mid-card. Upon his return, Shibata transitioned himself from being a heavy striker to a technical wrestler so that he may continue doing what he loves but at the same time to be extra careful to prevent further injuries. Sadly, this sets him back from performing epic matches but understandable due to his life-threatening injury. One of the best strikers in the business and most of the wrestlers who are not used to this style wouldn't keep up with Shibata."

[9.0] "[9.3] The embodiment of perfection in simplicity when it comes to wrestling. I haven't seen a ton of his non-AEW stuff, particularly anything prior to about 2015, but what I have seen of him prior to him headbutting Kazuchika Okada so hard that he nearly killed himself would easily be a 9. He hasn't quite picked up as much steam since his return to the ring in 2021, perhaps for the better considering his style of wrestling nearly killed him, but even so, he's still an absolute joy to watch."

[9.0] "Shibata is a product of a bygone era. Straight shooter and hard hitter, something Inoki absolutely loved back in the day. I can't really rank him based on his AEW stuff as I haven't gone out of my way to watch it, but in regards to his NJPW and NOAH stuff... man this guy was a BEAST. He was just so exciting to watch because he was a legit badass. Whilst a lot of the Japanese wrestlers are incredibly athletic and tough, Shibata was just on an entirely different level. When you watched him, wrestling felt REAL, and I'm sure it was to the guys who were taking those kicks, elbows and heabutts. In the end however, Shibata was his own worst enemy. Doing all this heavy hitting stuff is a joy to watch, but it eventually had a price to pay. That infamous headbutt to Okada was just... too much. Shibata was already a huge favourite in NJPW, people would've loved him the same if he didn't do the headbutts. I guess that's just what added to the character that is Katsuyori Shibata. Loved his work, loved the fact he was a straight shooter in the world of professional wrestling. Loved how his attire was just so simple, added so much to his character. Really happy he recovered from that headbutt injury because man... it was rough, like really rough."

"The selling, the energy, the moveset, the theme, the gear. Everything screams simple but perfect. Shibata is my all time favorite and I am glad that I have been able to witness him being in the ring."

[10.0] "The greatest wrestler of all time in my opinion, Might seem ridiculous to some but he is the perfect mix of violence and art"

[9.0] "One of the greatest of all time. Overlooked immensely as one of the three musketeers, but recently has gotten his flowers as the true legend he is."

[10.0] "Shibata was a great in Japan before the injury. He was one of the most skilled wrestlers of his generation in the ring. It's a miracle and a testament to him that he was able to return to the ring. Since his return he hasn't been what he once was but that has to be expected. Still I enjoy anytime we get to see him healthy and doing what he loves."

[10.0] "Shibata is one of the coolest wrestlers to watch, his style is sensational, and he applies it with impressive quality. His story is spectacular and he has been in several incredible matches and demonstrated that he can work with anyone. What a fantastic wrestler!"

[10.0] "The last scion of Inoki and strong style. Shibata is a diamond polisher, in that he takes a very basic, understated ring persona and makes it shine like no other. His matches with Fish and O'Reilly are what brought me back to wrestling after more than a decade away. His matches are hard hitting, full of fire and personality. I rank him higher than his other two generational cohorts: Tanahashi (who has better charisma ) and Nakamura (who is more wild ) and find him miles more enjoyable than the previous gen of Hashimoto, Chono or Mutoh. To those who question this, watch his matches OUTSIDE of NJPW, especially in Big Mouth Loud. It is not coincidence that the high water mark of this generation of wrestling was reached right around the time when Shibata injured himself in the ring. There will NEVER be another Shibata."

[9.0] "I don't like Shibata the way I used to during his pervious run as a pro wrestler, but I have to admit he's been the best pro wrestler in the new Ring of Honor right now. He may be limited because of pervious injuries, but it sure doesn't show. He's perfect for ROH's pure division."

[9.0] "Very stiff striker but so stiff he knocked his career short. Hopefully he can come back, he was very good, although I'm sure his opponents are happy he's gone."

[10.0] "If you want to talk about the most beautiful careers in wrestling, not the best, not the greatest, not the most complete, but most beautiful, sentimental careers, Shibata is that for me. I cannot put into words how happy his return to wrestling made me feel, how him winning the ROH Pure Championship made me feel. He is not as good as he used to be, mainly because well, he cant really bump that much nowadays following his injuries, but you can still see glimpses of what made him great. Such a complete wrestler, who can do so much between the ropes. A great grappler who can switch between various styles, an amazing striker, oozing charisma as this stone-faced killer who could take abuse and come back. He still has those traits now, but he was twice as intense back then. Regardless, he is still a joy to watch wrestle."

[8.0] "A very good technical wrestler with great strikes that were vicious and believable. Rare in the sense that he made this type of style both look incredibly legitimate and endear himself to fans. Insanely over with the fans as a badass babyface and it's a shame that his career never carried on as I feel he could have accomplished a lot more."

[10.0] "Shibata is one of my favorite wrestlers ever. His straightforward no nonsense character and style is what appeals so strongly to me. I feel that this is the way for wrestling to be as it is realistic and everyone can get on board with wrestler who exemplifies this. I hate that he has never been IWGP Heavyweight Champion as I feel who would have been the most feared champion of all. I will settle for his matches because I still love watching him fight."

[10.0] "One of the most legit and tough guys ever, he plays the scary role well because he IS scary. During his heyday, his opponents were to fear him. So fucking good."

"I? ve been a wrestling fan for a very long time and somehow I never saw Katsuyori wrestle until I read about him on this site. All I can say is: Wow! And thanks, to the people posting and keeping all of this information up to date. It? s such a great resource"

"One of my all time favorites. Shame he never got to hold the IWGP title but his character arc had a satisfying enough conclusion for me."

[10.0] "One of my favorites of all time. Complete and utter destruction when he stepped into the ring, but never made his opponents look worthless or weak. Had this insane aura around him I don't think we'll ever see again. Everything felt legit and when he stepped out for his match you could feel a shift in attitude. Play time was over and it was about to get serious. Tanahashi, Okada, Nakamura, and Naito are all 10's as well but for my money Shibata was the best of NJPW's staple talents. Especially his 2010's run. Tragedy that he never got to hold the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, but he didn't need to. His legacy is cemented and now he trains the next generation of top stars. The guys from the LA Dojo have all massively improved since training under him and I can't wait to see what they'll do. One of the greatest to ever do it"

[8.0] "Nobody hits harder than Katsuyori Shibata. This guy must get in some serious trouble for how much he beats up other wrestlers. Entertained from beginning to end watching his matches, and his move set is fantastic."

[10.0] "Probably my favorite wrestler ever. You can go a long way with me if you present yourself well and have intensity in the ring and Shibata knocked that out of the park. Once his music hit and he walked out you knew he was coming to beat the life out of whoever he faced. Doesn't matter how mediocre his mma career was it added legitimacy to him. His work once going freelance in the early years was awesome. The Big Mouth Loud stuff is worth a watch but the peak of it was against Uncle Jun in Wrestle-1. The G1 sprints, feuds with Tanahashi, Goto and Naito. And the series with Ishii thats genuinely one of the best ever. Most of the NJPW guys going overseas tended to phone it in but his stuff in Revpro showed no signs of it. Dude was there to put in work especially in that Chris Hero match. 2017 was legit one of the best years from a guy I had ever seen. Many talk about Okada during that time but Shibata was the best in the goddamn world. Awesome in tags, great build up and match with Ospreay, going over to Revpro and having great match with Riddle that really showed what he could do and finally his big push for the title. MVP of the entire NJPW cup that year and it lead to THE BEST MATCH EVER against Okada. I cant show enough respect to this man for being the most entertaining guy to watch every night when he was working."

[9.0] "Shibata is the prototypical no-nonsense shooter of the 21st century. Admirable how he left and earned the respect, most likely cutting his career short in the process."

[10.0] "The Wrestler. This guy just gets it, he wrestles such a seemingly simple hard hitting style, but his matches are so logical, it's incredible to watch the way his matches get put together. He is literally one of the only wrestlers who I will watch any match with. He's got a basic but great physical look, amazing ring presence, the crowds react to him like he is a mega star, move set is incredibly simple but everything looks great. He's the Wrestler, and never has a gimmick been better suited to a wrestler."

[10.0] "Katsuyori Shibata is one of the greatest wrestlers ever. He was a very stiff striker and arguably the best wrestler of the mid-2010s. His feud with Tomohiro Ishii is a must-see feud."

[10.0] "Easily one of the best ever to do this thing. Hopefully when he comes back, he softened some of his strikes a bit(like those freaking headbutt jfc) because he doesn't need that shit, his match were already great either way. Also gedo should just booked him to win the IWGP Hebi next year and then just beat everybody Bob Holly style."

[10.0] "One of the best wrestlers of this generation, he made the NEVER Title prestigious and had one of the best matches in NJPW history against Okada in Sakura Genesis"

[10.0] "Few wrestlers have been as believable as Katsuyori Shibata. From the way he carried himself inside and outside the ring to his great, intense matches, Shibata truly felt like a legitimate fighter. His strikes are some of the best in the history of wrestling, his selling makes you believe he's really hurt and he had the ability to make you buy into the idea that he really hates his opponent and wants to beat the hell out of them."

[10.0] "How can one man be so great at kicking people's ass ? Shibata is one of the best brawlers of all time and he has many many matches that proves that. It's a shame that his career had to be cut short though."

[10.0] "reviens stp tu nous manques. vraiment beaucoup. Shibi je pense à toi et à tes 5 étoiles la nuit. stp."