Did Katsuyori Shibata "Go Into Business For Himself" At NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 16?
The latest on Katsuyori Shibata following THAT match with Ren Narita...
No, Katsuyori Shibata did not go into business for himself at Wrestle Kingdom 16.
The 42-year-old returned to the ring on the first night of NJPW's biggest event of the year (4 January) working LA Dojo protégé Ren Narita in what was originally billed as a "catch rules" bout with strikes banned. This was transformed into a regular, full-contact match when Shibata got on the microphone before the bell, announcing the change.
NJPW's English commentary team of Kevin Kelly and Chris Charlton explicitly stated that Shibata had gone into business for himself with this move. In addition, Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that "everyone was freaking out backstage" as Shibata changed the match himself, though it appears he was worked by a source.
Per The Flagship Podcast's Joe Lanza, a source within NJPW has laughed off suggestions that Shibata went into business for himself. The situation was described as a "complete work," with the idea of the LA Dojo head trainer going rogue called something that would never happen in NJPW.
Details on the Narita match were kept to a small, closed circle of Shibata, Narita, referee Marty Asami, and creative team members Gedo, Jado, and Dick Togo, as has been the case with Shibata's angles for several months now.