Shibata Tells New Japan to Stick It!

[Tradewynd]

Finally - someone with common sense has walked onto the scene. Shibata realizes that New Japan is a sinking ship and told them to keep their 20% raise! The first rat has left the ship.

The question now is what it is his future. I say all signs point to BIG MOUTH, although I don't know if BIG MOUTH is going to be running regularly enough for him not to freelance on the side.

[naterob2003]

well BM is a rumor really but probably the most logical destination if this isnt a work trade. If one of the biggest guys in your company doesn't want to stay then it can't be good news. BUT again this could be a work.

[edgehead1984]

Stu at SSS mentions the possibility of a work, but I think this is for real...

[naterob2003]

well stu and i have debated the whole thing but i tend to agree that this is some sort of a work or that this will only be an official kind of thing where shibata will continue to work with new japan but be "BM" in the press and such. I don't know what to think. I hate to see such a great talent taken out of the spotlight but this may be good for overall wrestling. There is just not enough info yet to condemn or support the decision.

[BusaLiger Dragon]

I just read the article at SSS and i know stu said it could be a work but im with edgehead and im going with it not being a work but i think shibata will be back someday... The 3 Muskateers will be one again someday...

[Luds]

I hope it's not a work for him as he won't be used properly in NJ.

NJ simply has too much talent. Nakamura, Tanahashi, Tenzan, Chono, Takayama, Sasaki, Nagata, Nakanishi all seem to be in front of him in the queue.

He deserves to be pushed but wouldn't get his fair share in NJ.

[naterob2003]

Well i tend to agree with you luds and stu and i debated that subject, you should check it out. Anyways, i really have to disagree that he wouldn't have been pushed in new japan but i don't think that his chances of succeeding and becoming mainstream were good in new japan. He does have pins on big names but i think that too much talent can take the spotlight off of some talents.

[Tradewynd]

NJ simply has too much talent. Nakamura, Tanahashi, Tenzan, Chono, Takayama, Sasaki, Nagata, Nakanishi all seem to be in front of him in the queue.

Maybe you and I are not watching the same New Japan, but I was not aware that anyone on the roster was behind Tenzan and Nagata in queue.

Talent...Chono...that's just too easy.

[Luds]

Well Tradewynd, I admit that Tenzan is constantly being screwed by NJ, but he does hold the title.

As for Nagata, his long reign was nice, and I wouldn't expect him to job too much to Nishimura/Nakanishi and the likes...

They might not be behind these 2, maybe just a pool of talented heavyweight...

[Pheonix_Chi25]

If Shibata is smart he'd go to NOAH or All Japan, they need some new blood. But that isn't happening he believes in Inoki-ism through and through.

[Tradewynd]

As a wise man once predicted, Shibata has hooked up with BIG MOUTH.

[BusaLiger Dragon]

ill just comfirm what tradewynd said by adding this... from SSS

Shibata was today officially announced as a participant on the debut show of Uei's BIG MOUTH promotion, starting up in spring. It is an ideal place for Shibata to return, as the company will focus around an integrated pro wrestling/different style fight concept, the same route New Japan has used a lot over the years, and the one Shibata loves. Shibata demanded a singles match with Riki Choshu from Uei for the show, and although Uei will try to set it up, he is also considering a tag match, with Shibata and sworn friend Murakami against another team. Shibata also received Inoki's full support in his travels, after the two had dinner together the other day. He is looking for rematches against wrestlers and kickboxers who have beaten him in the recent, such as Fujita, Tenryu, Kawada, Musashi, and Amada. Shibata's growth as a wrestler is expected to continue this year, and the question is, when will he return to New Japan, because its almost certain he will sooner or later...

[El Pollo Guerrera]

... BIG MOUTH? Could somebody please clarify what BIG MOUTH is for me?

[Tradewynd]

BIG MOUTH is a new promotion being run by Uei. Their business model is big shows only, using mostly freelancers and gaijins to draw the house. They appear to be using the native vs. gaijin with shoot overtones format that worked for Inoki and UWFi in the past. The main event for the first show is scheduled to be Shibata vs. Choshu, although no venue has been booked for the show and it is scheduled to take place sometime in "the spring." Stuart seems to think that New Japan is really pulling the strings here. Either way, I wouldn't get my hopes up for them, since big shows haven't been consistently drawing for anyone, and wrestlers vs. shooters haven't really been drawing outside of MMA, and not even that well in MMA anymore.