ROH champion Katsuyori Shibata stopped wrestling between 2017 and 2019, following his diagnosis of subdural hematoma, reportedly caused by his continuous use of a headbutt.
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Shibata had collapsed backstage, following his defeat by Kazuchika Okada during the 2017 IWGP Heavyweight Championship match.
Why did Katsuyori Shibata retire?
Shibata began to serve as the head coach of NJPW’s dojo in Los Angeles.
About Katsuyori Shibata
Katsuyori Shibata was born in Kuwana, Mie, Japan, on November 17, 1979.
Shibata made his professional wrestling debut in 1999, at a New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) event, and went on to take part in the Young Lion Cup the following year.
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Photo Credit: Voices of Wrestling
In 2022, Shibata defeated Ren Narita during his first official match, at the Wrestle Kingdom 16 event.
In the same year, Shibata saved Orange Cassidy twice and signed for a match against Cassidy for the AEW All Atlantic Championship, in which he was defeated.
In 2023, Shibata made a comeback to the AEW and defeated Lee Moriarty in defense of his ROH Pure Championship belt.
In the same year, Shibata made his Ring of Honor debut, and defeated Wheeler Yuta at Supercard of Honor for the ROH Pure Championship.
Shibata became the 13th ROH Pure Champion in the company’s history, and has since retained the title.
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