Shibata ‘steps out of line’ with sudden rule change

Katsuyori Shibata made his official return to professional wrestling on January 4, as he faced Ren Narita in Narita’s first Japanese match in over two years.

Narita headed to the ring expecting a match contested under catch wrestling rules with no strokes allowed. Shibata would grab the house mic when he got to the ring and declared ‘let’s change the rules. This is a pro-wrestling match!’

Regardless of the rules, Shibata and Narita engaged in effective grappling, where the young Narita was able to score some damage on his mentor. Seemingly baited into one submission, Narita countered expertly into Narita Special #3, although a later Cobra Twist attempt was presumptuous indeed against his master.

With strikes at his disposal, Shibata would land a signature corner dropkick, and moved as if he hadn’t taken a day away from the ring. Narita, giving up a lot of striking ability, would only be able to chip away at Shibata with leg kicks, before his coach began to toy with the young man. A sleeper and PK would give Shibata a commanding victory, but one that made it clear this was a new chapter being opened in the careers and lives of both men.

Backstage, Shibata would admit his decision to change the rules at the last second was a unilateral one, admitting ‘I stepped out of line with the company and will gladly take any penalty that’s issued me,’ before countering that ‘I don’t know what’s next, but I do know tonight the world saw that Katsuyori Shibata can wrestle Katsuyori Shibata’s way’.

Ren Narita’s next match will be in Seattle January 15 where he’ll wrestle Josh Barnett.