SinToxic 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2005 It finally happened, Shibata has decided to leave NJPW after the 3rd negotiations took place, and failed. Obviously a very young and talented worker whose carear was just starting to take off. Personally it was a nice surprise, after all the teased negotiations someone other than Yasuda actually left the company on his own terms. Where would you like to see Shibata go? Because I dont see any company not wanting someone young and somewhat known in the sport. If he decides to spring into MMA, Big Mouth (Uei's and Maeda's new project fed) could be a place he could go, but most likely he'll work all over Japan as a freelancer. It was evident that Nakamura and Tanahashi were NJ's more favorites but did Shibata made a good choice? could he gain more fame by having this freedom to work anywhere? This just made me care about Shibata more than I ever did while he was in NJ. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Black Tiger Report post Posted January 25, 2005 I was honestly never really much of a fan. I thought his PK finisher was pretty cool, but he never really jumped out to me as being "the future" the way Tanahashi always has. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Salacious Crumb Report post Posted January 25, 2005 Not a huge loss. Nakamura and Tanahashi have always been the future. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nevermortal 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2005 Shibata leaving NJPW just makes BIG MOUTH look more intriguing to me, as they have a projected roster consisting of my favorites in puro (Takayama, Sasaki, Tenryu, MiSuzuki) and now Shibata, my favorite of the new "3 Musketeers". I can't wait for the eventual Shibata/Tenryu rematch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mecha Mummy 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2005 I like Shibata more than Nakamura, but I haven't determined whether I like him or Tanahashi more. I'm disappointed that he's gone, but hopefully this leads to good things for him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SinToxic 0 Report post Posted January 26, 2005 I always saw Shibata as a potentially good punkish heel but in NJ with Suzuki and Chono taking those roles to a higher level, Shibata would often come out looking colorless. So I think by showing off his ego and declaring a desire to fight in a more challenging environment he can define his character for the future. I’d like to see him have another go with Kawada and this time in a longer showing. Btw, who if any would you like to see become the 3rd Musketeer? If Yamamoto was more experienced and pushed by now he would be a fine fit, but I’m guessing NJ is scrapping the 3M idea altogether. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Black Tiger Report post Posted January 26, 2005 NJPW has been trying to push a New Three Muskateers since 2002. Combinations of Hiroshi Tanahashi, Blue Wolf, Kenzo Suzuki, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Katsuyori Shibata. I think that with Shibata leaving, its finally over though. They've all been elevated huge since 2002, and there is really nothing more they can do to try to elevate them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sass 0 Report post Posted January 27, 2005 I always thought Shibata was a better worker than Nakamura but couldn't hold together a match if it went past 10 minutes. Tanahashi is the superior worker amongst the three. Shibata can get big paydays doing freelancing work for U-Style, NOAH or Akira Maeda's new company that is interested in getting him to work some shows. He'll probably do good for himself post-New Japan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Contentious C Report post Posted January 27, 2005 Big paydays...in U-STYLE... ... ... ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sass 0 Report post Posted January 27, 2005 He'll probably be heavily coveted by promotions because of his affiliation with New Japan. I doubt he'll have trouble finding work or milking promotions top dollar for his services due to his affiliation with NJ. U-Style won't pay him as much as he could probably get for working with NOAH or Zero-Pro (whatever Ohtani is calling his company these days) but I'm sure he'll still make out well with paydays doing freelance based. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Black Tiger Report post Posted January 27, 2005 Zero-Pro (whatever Ohtani is calling his company these days) Zero-One Max I think Shibata will probably wind up in U-Style sooner or later. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
