Katsuyori Shibata Makes Surprise Appearance at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19, Shibata vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi Set for Wrestle Dynasty

Indie / Misc
Jan 4, 2025

Saturday’s Wrestle Kingdom 19 event for New Japan Pro Wrestling at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan featured Katsuyori Shibata making a surprise return appearance.

Following Hiroshi Tanahashi’s victory over EVIL in a Lumberjack Deathmatch, EVIL and the rest of House of Torture attacked Tanahashi. This led to Tanahashi’s lumberjacks trying to save him to no avail. As HoT continued their attack on Tanahashi, this led to a mystery hooded person running out wearing an AEW hoodie and chased HoT out of the ring. This mystery person took off their hood revealing himself to be Shibata.

Shibata then helped Tanahashi to his feet and grabbed a microphone. Shibata proceeded to issue a challenge to Tanahashi for Wrestle Dynasty, which Tanahashi accepted.

This was Shibata’s first appearance in NJPW since Wrestle Kingdom 16 in January of 2022.

Current card for NJPW x AEW Wrestle Dynasty:

  • IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship – Brody King vs. David Finlay (c)
  • NJPW Strong Women’s Championship & RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship Title vs. Title match – Mercedes Mone (NJPW) vs. Mina Shirakawa (RevPro)
  • Vacant IWGP Tag Team Championship – Great-O-Khan & mystery partner vs. The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson)
  • AEW International Championship and NEVER Openweight Championship match – Tomohiro Ishii vs. Konosuke Takeshita (c)
  • Eight-Person Lucha Gauntlet match of TBA (NJPW) vs. TBA (CMLL) vs. TBA (NJPW) vs. TBA (CMLL) vs. TBA (NJPW) vs. TBA (CMLL) vs. TBA (NJPW) vs. TBA (CMLL)
  • Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet
  • Yota Tusji vs. Jack Perry
  • Shota Umino vs. Claudio Castagnoli
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Katsuyori Shibata
  • Pre-show: International Women’s Cup Four-way match – Athena (ROH) vs. Persephone (CMLL) vs. Willow Nightingale (AEW) vs. Momo Watanabe (Stardom)
  • Pre-show: ROH World Tag Team Championship – House of Torture (Yoshinnobu Kanemaru & SHO) vs. Sons of Texas (Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara) (c)
Trending
  1. Triple H on WWE RAW Runtime on Netflix Will be Flexible, Moving RAW Off Mondays was Considered for Netflix, Joe Tessitore Moving to SmackDown Commentary Team, & WrestleMania 41 Main Event PlansTriple H on WWE RAW Runtime on Netflix Will be Flexible, Moving RAW Off Mondays was…
  2. NJPW x AEW Wrestle Dynasty - Jan. 5, 2025 - Zack Sabre Jr. vs. RicochetNJPW x AEW Wrestle Dynasty – Jan. 5, 2025 – Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet
  3. WWE: Triple H on Stephanie McMahon Making Potential WWE Return, The Rock Awarded Almost $14 Million in TKO Stock, More on Tiffany Stratton Cash-In & WWE Women's Title VictoryWWE: Triple H on Stephanie McMahon Making Potential WWE Return, The Rock Awarded Almost $14…
  4. DOUKI Arm Injury Update - DOUKI Reportedly Suffered Dislocated ElbowDOUKI Arm Injury Update – DOUKI Reportedly Suffered Dislocated Elbow
  5. JoJo Offerman Makes Special Guest Ring Announcer Appearance Prior to Saturday's AEW Collision ShowJoJo Offerman Makes Special Guest Ring Announcer Appearance Prior to Saturday’s AEW…
  6. Hulk Hogan Reportedly Scheduled to Appear for WWE RAW Premiere Show on NetflixHulk Hogan Reportedly Scheduled to Appear for WWE RAW Premiere Show on Netflix