Katsuyori Shibata Bio
Katsuyori Shibata (born November 17, 1979) is a Japanese professional wrestler, trainer and former mixed martial artist signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He is a member of The Opps and, as of 2025, one-third of the AEW World Trios Champions, and he is a former ROH Pure Champion and multi-time title holder in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).
Early Life and Background
Shibata was born in Kuwana, Mie, Japan on November 17, 1979. He is the son of professional wrestler Katsuhisa Shibata and grew up immersed in the sport; he attended Kuwana Kogyo High School where one of his classmates was future wrestler Hirooki Goto.
In school Shibata competed in amateur wrestling and reached national-level competition in 1997. His early athletic background provided a foundation for both his professional wrestling career and his later work in mixed martial arts.
Path to Professional Wrestling
Shibata debuted as a professional wrestler on October 10, 1999 for New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He rose through the company alongside contemporaries such as Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shinsuke Nakamura, forming part of a group often noted as the new generation of NJPW talent.
After establishing himself in NJPW’s junior ranks, Shibata moved to the heavyweight division by 2003 and also spent years freelancing with other Japanese promotions before focusing on mixed martial arts in the mid-2000s. He returned to wrestling full time in later years and transitioned into training roles as well as in-ring competition.
Katsuyori Shibata Career
Early Career (1999–2005)
Shibata began his pro career at New Japan, taking part in the 2000 Young Lion Cup and moving up to challenge for junior and then heavyweight titles. He joined stables and worked notable programs, including a turn to the heavyweight ranks and appearances in tournaments such as the G1 Climax.
During this period he established a reputation for hard strikes and physical matches and contested for championships while sharing the card with established stars. He left full-time NJPW competition in 2005 to freelance and then shifted focus to mixed martial arts by 2007.
Mixed Martial Arts and Independent Work (2004–2011)
Shibata competed in mixed martial arts beginning in 2004 and fought under several banners including K-1 Hero’s, Dream and Deep. His MMA career included wins and losses against noted fighters and added to his background as a legitimate combat athlete.
He briefly returned to pro wrestling for special appearances such as a 2011 match for Inoki Genome Federation, then continued to work both combat forms into the early 2010s before reestablishing himself in professional wrestling.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling Breakthrough (2012–2017)
Shibata returned to NJPW in 2012 and rebuilt his standing with stiff, hard-hitting matches and a trainer’s reputation. He became a three-time NEVER Openweight Champion, captured the IWGP Tag Team Championship with Hirooki Goto and won the 2017 New Japan Cup, which earned him a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
Following his title run and the New Japan Cup victory, Shibata suffered a serious subdural hematoma in April 2017 after a match with Kazuchika Okada. The injury required surgery and led to an extended absence from in-ring competition. NJPW later employed him as a coach, including as head coach of the promotion’s Los Angeles dojo.
Return and Trainer Role (2017–2023)
While recovering, Shibata became head coach at NJPW’s Los Angeles dojo and trained talents such as Karl Fredericks, Clark Connors and Alex Coughlin. He made limited in-ring appearances starting with nontraditional returns and exhibitions, gradually increasing his physical involvement while focusing on developing younger wrestlers.
Shibata held the RPW British Heavyweight Championship in 2016–2017 and made further appearances on the independent scene, including a 2023 return to Revolution Pro Wrestling as a tag partner and competitor.
All Elite Wrestling / Ring of Honor Era (2022–Present)
Shibata first appeared for AEW at Forbidden Door in June 2022 and made his AEW in-ring debut later that year. He debuted in Ring of Honor in March 2023, defeating Wheeler Yuta to win the ROH Pure Championship, and later signed officially with AEW in December 2023.
In 2024 and into 2025 Shibata aligned with Samoa Joe and Powerhouse Hobbs as part of a trio that adopted the name The Opps. On April 16, 2025, Shibata, Joe and Hobbs defeated Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta to win the AEW World Trios Championship, marking Shibata’s first title in AEW.
Driving Style and Strengths
Shibata’s in-ring style is defined by stiff strikes, heavy forearm work, and catch wrestling fundamentals. He is known for intense physicality, disciplined conditioning and a trainer’s eye for fundamentals, which he has passed on to students at NJPW’s Los Angeles dojo.
Notable Matches and Milestones
Key milestones include his three NEVER Openweight Championship reigns, winning the 2017 New Japan Cup, the IWGP Tag Team Championship with Hirooki Goto, the RPW British Heavyweight title and the ROH Pure Championship. His 2017 ring injury and subsequent recovery and coaching work are defining moments of his career, as is his return to prominent in-ring roles culminating in the AEW World Trios Championship in 2025.
Katsuyori Shibata Career Wins
Across his career Shibata has collected notable championship victories in multiple promotions. He is a three-time NEVER Openweight Champion in NJPW, a one-time IWGP Tag Team Champion with Hirooki Goto, winner of the 2017 New Japan Cup, a former RPW British Heavyweight Champion, a former ROH Pure Champion and an AEW World Trios Champion.
NJPW Highlights
In New Japan Shibata gained his greatest recognition, compiling multiple NEVER Openweight title reigns and capturing the IWGP Tag Team Championship. His 2017 New Japan Cup win was the springboard to an IWGP Heavyweight Championship challenge and remains one of his career’s signature accomplishments.
ROH and AEW Achievements
Shibata won the ROH Pure Championship in 2023 and later signed with AEW. By April 2025 he had won the AEW World Trios Championship with Samoa Joe and Powerhouse Hobbs, adding a major title in the United States to his lengthy list of achievements.
Truck Series and Other Wins
On the independent and international scene Shibata’s RPW British Heavyweight Championship run and his matches across Pro Wrestling Noah and other Japanese promotions underline his versatility and international reach as a competitor and teacher.
Katsuyori Shibata Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Shibata is the son of Katsuhisa Shibata, a professional wrestler whose career influenced his development in the sport. His family background provided direct exposure to professional wrestling from a young age.
Personal Life
Public details on Shibata’s private life beyond his parentage and training activities are limited in the available record. He has been publicly linked with training and mentorship roles and is known for close professional relationships with peers such as Hirooki Goto.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season elevated Shibata’s presence in AEW with the formation of The Opps alongside Samoa Joe and Powerhouse Hobbs and the group capturing the AEW World Trios Championship on April 16, 2025. The trio defended the titles on multiple high-profile cards and solidified Shibata’s role as a key veteran inside the faction while balancing appearances in Japan including a January 4, 2025 return to NJPW where he aided Hiroshi Tanahashi and took part in an exhibition.
Shibata’s 2025 storyline emphasized veteran leadership, hard-hitting in-ring work and a willingness to engage in cross-promotional activity. His combination of coaching experience and renewed competitive success positioned him as both an in-ring asset and a mentor figure within AEW and in his continued relationships with New Japan and other promotions.
