Wheeler Yuta Calls Out Katsuyori Shibata On ROH TV

There’s been a noticeable new edge to Wheeler Yuta in recent weeks, with the Blackpool Combat Club member visibly more aggressive inside and outside of the ring.

It’s clear that the Ring of Honor Pure Champion is feeling confidant, because after defeating Clark Connors on ROH TV on HonorClub, Yuta took the mic to call out the legendary Katsuyori Shibata.

Fresh from his successful defence against NJPW LA dojo graduate Connors, Yuta declared he was ready to face dojo head Shibata himself, although Yuta gave no indication of when a match could take place.

If Shibata does answer Yuta’s challenge, then a Pure Title showdown at the upcoming ROH Supercard of Honor 16 PPV on March 31 seems most likely.

Since being forced into retirement after NJPW Sakura Genesis 2017, Shibata has slowly started to make his way back into the ring, having wrestled several matches since a surprise five-minute exhibition bout against Zack Sabre Jr. at the G1 Climax in 2021.

If Shibata answers Yuta’s challenge, then it’ll be the first appearance for ‘The Wrestler’ in an ROH ring since the 2017 NJPW/ROH Honor Rising show in Korakuen Hall in February 2017.