10 Most Realistic Wrestlers In The World Right Now
4. Katsuyori Shibata
Based on his sterling showing against Ren Narita at Wrestle Kingdom 16, Katsuyori Shibata has not missed a beat during his near five-year absence from the ring. After a brief, grappling-only showing against Zack Sabre Jr., the miraculously healed Shibata stole the show during the first night of New Japan's January extravaganza.
Despite having a weak 4-11-1 record in MMA, Shibata has arguably infused the sport into professional wrestling better than anyone else. His blend of kickboxing and folkstyle-inspired chain wrestling is carried off with sadistic gusto. Taking a minimalist approach to gimmickry, the former NEVER champ presents himself as a no-nonsense, reckless, take-no-prisoners fighter.
The coupling of a realistic (if slightly over the top on the violence front) ring style with a grounded, gritty demeanour works like a charm in selling Shibata as a legit fighter in a world of showmen. The relentless pace of his matches ensures a key sense of urgency is maintained from bell to bell. Often regarded as the king of the sprint match, NJPW's prodigal son can cram more action into five minutes than most can into 25.
The result is a sharp, snugly delivered barrage of torture holds and strikes. With his bouts coming across more like ultraviolent martial arts showdowns than traditional wrestling matches, Katsuyori Shibata's appetite for destruction is without equal.