Why is he my favourite, you ask? Well, let me explain.
In 2015 I watched New Japan Pro Wrestling for the first time. I was apprehensive at first. It was daunting for me to dive in to a new wrestling company that was primarily produced in a foreign country for a foreign audience with a different culture to that of my own.
I started watching the 25th G1 Climax, and the match that made me a fan for life was Katsuyori Shibata vs Hiroshi Tanahashi.
I’d heard of Tanahashi, but Shibata was completely new to me. I had never seen anybody like him. His natural, badass charismatic persona combined with his physique and handsomeness was so majestic and mysterious. His in-ring style glued my eyes to the screen. It was so different and unlike anything I had ever seen in a wrestling ring.
I’ve been a massive fan of Shibata ever since and have watched every match of his I can. Naturally I was really upset when he had to retire.
That being said, I’m really looking forward to his possible in-ring return. It’s a great time to be a fan of his.
In my head when I imagine myself as a wrestler, I try to emulate the style of Shibata. Instead of being called ‘The Wrestler’, I am called ‘The Mercenary’. I’m a prize fighter, and companies bring me in when they want a big money draw.
I’m a student of strong style, and hate new age wrestlers with their flips, super kicks and thigh slapping. One of my signature spots is sitting my opponent on his knees and then faking a super kick whilst also very obviously slapping my thigh, then as the audience is confused I stiff the fuck out of my manlet opponent and kick him as hard as I can.
Yes, but it got archived and I’ve chosen to post it again.
Aaron Gomez
>I’m a student of strong style, and hate new age wrestlers with their flips, super kicks and thigh slapping. One of my signature spots is sitting my opponent on his knees and then faking a super kick whilst also very obviously slapping my thigh, then as the audience is confused I stiff the fuck out of my manlet opponent and kick him as hard as I can.
Colton Edwards
Fuck this would be a based gimmick.
Christian Williams
care to extrapolate?
Daniel Mitchell
ok, good on you
Jack Brooks
>This is my favourite mandrama actor, fixed user
Zachary Russell
>In my head when I imagine myself as a wrestler, I try to emulate the style of Shibata. Instead of being called ‘The Wrestler’, I am called ‘The Mercenary’. I’m a prize fighter, and companies bring me in when they want a big money draw.
