What’s the story?
According to his blog, New Japan Pro Wrestling superstar Katsuyori Shibata gave an update on his medical condition, and things do not look good.
In case you didn’t know...
Katsuyori Shibata challenged for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship last month at Sakura Genesis when he faced Kazuchika Okada, the ace of NJPW. During the match, there was a sequence of brutal headbutts exchanged between the two competitors, and it resulted in major damage to Shibata's head. He had undergone surgery and was said to be paralysed on one side of his body.
It is unsure whether he will ever wrestle again, though he has said he wants to return back to the ring. It was initially reported by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the injury was part of a storyline, but it was later revealed that the injury was legitimate.
The heart of the matter
The following Tweet shows a translation as to what Shibata said regarding his injury. He currently has obstructed vision on his right eye and can hardly hear from the right ear.
Given his physical state, it reflects very clearly that he should not step inside the ring. If the injury is indeed legitimate and not a storyline, it is highly unlikely that NJPW will let him get back in the ring in the first place. However, stranger things have happened.
What’s next?
Shibata will continue to rest and try to recover. Hopefully, he recovers very soon.
Author’s take
The fact of the matter is that unlike common thought, the headbutt was not the sole reason behind his devastating injury. It was more like the final blow after years of accumulating pain and injuries. Despite all this, Shibata walked to the back after the match on his own.
It really is a shame because that seemed to be the beginning of his main event push. He had a tremendous match with Okada and would undoubtedly have fit right at home in the NJPW main event scene with the likes of Kazuchika Okada, Tetsuya Naito, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Kenny Omega.
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