NJPW Status Updates On Katsuyori Shibata & Hiromu Takahashi

Contrasting news regarding two massive New Japan Pro Wrestling stars has been revealed today.

Let's start with the sad news, as

has said on a recent episode of

that Katsuyori Shibata's epic attack on KENTA and other members of the Bullet Club at the G1 Climax Finals was merely a one-off as he hasn't been cleared to wrestle a match: "There's no indication that he's doing anything for a match, or anything like that."

See the full NJPW Royal Quest card here.

Rumours had been circulating suggesting KENTA vs. Shibata could have been one of the matches on the Wrestle Kingdom card come January. Meltzer also noted "things can always change" so maybe all hope is not lost on that one.

Shibata, of course, suffered a subdural haematoma during his Sakura Genesis 2017 classic against Kazuchika Okada.

As for the positive news,

has said Hiromu Takahashi is nearing an in-ring return: "I had been told that he would be ready late summer," Dave said on a recent

episode.

"And I hear that he's doing real well. I don't know when he's coming back, but he is coming back at some point. The only thing I was kinda told is that they want it to be real big."