10 Wrestlers AEW Saved From Retirement
9. Katsuyori Shibata
Bashing people in the head is an odd job, but it's Katsuyori Shibata's job, and very few people can do it better than him. Sadly, such employment comes with considerable risk, as it almost took his life.
Shibata suffered one of the scariest injuries a wrestler has ever faced in 2017 after experiencing a subdural hematoma following his Sakura Genesis bout with Okada. Doctors quickly linked this traumatic brain injury to his penchant for headbutting his opponents into oblivion, leading to surefire doubts about the future of his career.
He has, thankfully, gotten back into action since then, but NJPW seems reluctant to use him outside of exhibition matches. AEW, however, has been far more willing to allow him to do what he does best.
Katsuyori Shibata to Tony Khan via translation: "Thank you Tony for reviving me as a wrestler. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Absolutely !*$% lovely stuff. pic.twitter.com/XevNTeOIXb
— Drainmaker ?️ ? (@DrainBamager) July 22, 2023
The man himself has even weighed in on this, thanking Tony Khan for allowing him a second chance in his career. Listening to this translated message (attached above) really says it all, as it is clear he loves wrestling so much that being away from it was a nightmare.
Allowing Shibata to wrestle regularly again comes with considerable risk, but his love, passion, and skill make it all worth it.