Katsuyori Shibata appears at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door

Katsuyori Shibata made an appearance at tonight’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door event, aiding Orange Cassidy and Roppongi Vice.

After Will Ospreay successfully defended the IWGP United States Championship against Orange Cassidy, he and Aussie Open attacked Cassidy. Roppongi Vice came out for the save, but they were laid out as well. Shibata’s music then hit as he made his way out and cleared the ring. He put Ospreay in the rear naked choke, but Aussie Open grabbed Ospreay out of harm’s way as they retreated to the back.

After the United Empire left, Orange Cassidy returned to the ring and met Shibata. He started to put on his glasses, but then stopped and put them on Shibata. The two posed as the segment ended.

Shibata serves as the head coach of NJPW’s dojo in Los Angeles. He has largely been retired since 2017 after suffering a subdural hematoma in a match against Kazuchika Okada. However, he returned to the ring earlier this year on the January 4 Wrestle Kingdom 16 card, where he defeated Ren Narita.