Wheeler Yuta Wins ROH Pure Title On AEW Rampage, Katsuyori Shibata Taking Sabbatical

Wheeler Yuta is the new Ring Of Honor Pure Champion after capturing the title from Katsuyori Shibata on a special Saturday episode of “AEW Rampage,” and the former champion will now be taking some time away from the ring. According to Fightful Select, Shibata dropped the championship to return to Japan for an extended period of time. The outlet reported he could “not wait” until after the upcoming ROH Final Battle pay-per-view to leave.

According to Fightful, Shibata was said to be “high” on the idea of Yuta stealing the title and the tease that he was going to injure Shibata before he was saved by HOOK, the idea being that it would be just enough that Shibata would need an extended period of no contact before he can return to action. Shibata was previously forced to retire after an injury in 2017, after suffering a subdural hematoma. After he made his return to the ring, he debuted in AEW at Forbidden Door 2022.

Shibata won the ROH Pure Championship at ROH Supercard of Honor 2023 when he defeated Yuta. Sources told Fightful that Shibata’s leave was something ROH hoped he could put off until after the pay-per-view on December 15, presumably so he could drop the title there, but that was not possible. Shibata is reportedly happy in AEW and has said to have liked teaming with HOOK and Orange Cassidy. It’s not yet known when he will return to ROH.

Wheeler Yuta Wants Title Shot At AEW All In

AEW All In is shaping up to be the company’s biggest event to date since launching in 2019. With over 65,000 fans confirmed to be in attendance at Wembley Stadium in London, AEW roster members are already fantasizing about their potential spot on the card.

In a recent interview with SE Scoops, Blackpool Combat Club’s Wheeler Yuta made it known that he would love to regain the Ring of Honor Pure Championship from Katsuyori Shibata on August 27.

“I would love to win my championship back from Shibata,” Yuta said. “I would like to win the Pure championship back there. That would be an awesome rematch to have. I just want to be on that show, to be honest.”

Yuta is a two-time ROH Pure Champion after initially winning it from Josh Woods at ROH Supercard of Honor 2022, which was the first ROH event under Tony Khan’s ownership. His first reign lasted 159 days until Daniel Garcia dethroned him on a September episode of “AEW Dynamite.” Yuta regained the gold at ROH Final Battle in December before Shibata captured it at this year’s Supercard of Honor event in April.

Yuta has yet to receive his rematch against Shibata as he’s been focused on his role in the Blackpool Combat Club in recent months. After they collectively turned heel in March, the faction has been involved in a lengthy rivalry with The Elite. The 26-year-old notably pinned Kenny Omega in the main event of AEW Double or Nothing in May, which afforded the Blackpool Combat Club the victory in a brutal Anarchy in the Arena match.

Katsuyori Shibata Wins ROH Pure Championship At Supercard Of Honor

Katsuyori Shibata shocked AEW fans when he first appeared in Tony Khan’s company on the November 2 episode of “Dynamite,” announcing his third official match since suffering a severe head injury that almost cost him his career in 2017. Fast forward five matches later and Shibata has captured Ring of Honor gold, in his first match with the company since said year.

During Friday night’s ROH Supercard of Honor pay-per-view, Shibata defeated ROH Pure Champion Wheeler Yuta to capture the title in the show’s semi-main event, beginning his first title reign since 2017. Following the match, Shibata tried to shake Yuta’s hand, but the Blackpool Combat Club member declined the Code of Honor after their match.

Yuta first won the Pure Championship at ROH Final Battle 2022 in December, defeating former champion Daniel Garcia, who also lost his match on Friday night’s show to Hiroshi Tanahashi. Yuta defended the Pure Title just four times prior to the title change. The title victory likely signals that Shibata will be a regular in ROH going forward. During the post-show media scrum, ROH owner Tony Khan called Shibata a “perfect fit.” Shibata himself mentioned that his title victory brings him a step closer to a match against AEW star Bryan Danielson. Shibata last wrestled in AEW in November, when he lost to Orange Cassidy on an episode of “Rampage.”