Katsuyori Shibata wants to challenge for the gold at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door.
Hirooki Goto will defend the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Hiroshi Tanahashi at NJPW’s 53rd Anniversary show on March 6. The winner of the match will head into the spring as the reigning champion, and AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door looms large beyond that.
Speaking with Tokyo Sports, Katsuyori Shibata stated that he wanted to challenge for the title at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, no matter who holds the title.
“It’s probably something that can only be done at the moment that Goto has, and if there is a possibility, it would be ‘Fоrbidden Dооr (FD)’, and if he keeps it to that extent, I think the possibilities will come up all at once,” Katsuyori Shibata said. “My dream is to make my dreams come true without giving up. I think the rest depends on Goto’s efforts.”
Shibata also expressed his interest in facing Hiroshi Tanahashi, as he looked back on their exhibition match. He stated that they promised each other they would “do it again”. Shibata said that if Tanahashi won the gold, he wanted to face him at Forbidden Door.
AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door will be held in London on August 24th.
Katsuyori Shibata was previously one of NJPW’s top stars. He is a three-time NEVER Openweight Champion, among other accolades. He has been wrestling for AEW since 2022. He returned to the NJPW ring at NJPW x AEW Wrestle Dynasty and faced Hiroshi Tanahashi in an exhibition match.
RELATED: Adam Cole: I Definitely Want To Wrestle For NJPW Again
