One-third of the AEW World Trios Champions, Katsuyori Shibata, was not on last night’s episode of AEW Dynamite. His partners in The Opps, Samoa Joe and Powerhouse Hobbs, were involved in an in-ring confrontation with HOOK. A new report has now confirmed the reason for Shibata’s absence from the show.
According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, Shibata was not at the Dynamite taping because he was in his home country of Japan to be a part of the “Takayamania” benefit show. The event is held to support the legendary Japanese wrestler, Yoshihiro Takayama.
Meltzer said, “Shibata was not there because he was in Japan for the Takayamania show. It’s the benefit show for Yoshihiro Takayama and that’s why he was not on the show tonight.”
Yoshihiro Takayama, a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, was tragically paralyzed from the shoulders down during a match in 2017. Since then, the “Takayamania” foundation, which was launched by DDT Pro-Wrestling and Takayama’s close friend and former tag team partner, Minoru Suzuki, has held annual benefit shows to help raise funds for his ongoing medical costs and to support his family.
The segment on Dynamite saw HOOK confront his former stablemates about being replaced in the group by Powerhouse Hobbs. Samoa Joe explained that they had an opportunity and had to take it, but he also assured HOOK that they would always have his back. The segment ended with HOOK storming off.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit F4WOnline.com with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
