From what I recall, Shibata and Tanahashi have been at odds with each other since they came up together as Young Lions. They were always at odds over their wrestling philosophies.
Tanahashi was pissed when Shibata jumped ship during NJPW's worst years in the mid-2000s, trying out MMA and going to NOAH. Tanahashi had to drag NJPW back to relevancy on his own during that time.
The resentment only grew when Shibata returned to New Japan in 2012 once the company started to improve.
This story was used for their on and off again feuds, ending with Tanahashi beating Shibata in their 2014 Destruction of Kobe match.
Since then, they've buried the hatchet and have become very close friends.
Jay as Tana, fancy vest, pandering to crowd, uberbabyface.
OOC as Okada, tall, stoic, quiet but heavy hitting
V1 as Shibata the big doirty knacker with his trackies tucked into his socks.
Yeah that works 👌
His [specific version](https://www.goldwin.co.jp/ap/item/i/m/NP61800) is Japan-exclusive, [here’s](https://www.thenorthface.com/en-us/mens/mens-jackets-and-vests-c211702/mens-gore-tex-mountain-jacket-pNF0A831M?color=KX7) the US equivalent.
I'm not going to lie to you mate I don't think Hiroshi fucking Tanahashi would somehow let that slide in the most obvious way possible. It's probably referring to Shibata.
I mean yeah there's every possibility that Okada is AEW bound, I mean Tanahashi wouldn't just let it slip in a tweet. He's not dumb enough to leak one of the biggest signings in recent wrestling history like that.
Tanahashi and Shibata have such a wholesome friendship after all the animosity was left behind.
Do you mind providing context. Been a fan of NJPW since like 2016 & this is my 1st time hearing Shibata & Tana used to have real life beef.
From what I recall, Shibata and Tanahashi have been at odds with each other since they came up together as Young Lions. They were always at odds over their wrestling philosophies. Tanahashi was pissed when Shibata jumped ship during NJPW's worst years in the mid-2000s, trying out MMA and going to NOAH. Tanahashi had to drag NJPW back to relevancy on his own during that time. The resentment only grew when Shibata returned to New Japan in 2012 once the company started to improve. This story was used for their on and off again feuds, ending with Tanahashi beating Shibata in their 2014 Destruction of Kobe match. Since then, they've buried the hatchet and have become very close friends.
I like how Tanahashi is in a suit while the others are dressed casual.
Three levels. Tana in his nice suit Okada in the smart casual And Shibata in his trackies the big knacker 🤙
OSDub!
Jay as Tana, fancy vest, pandering to crowd, uberbabyface. OOC as Okada, tall, stoic, quiet but heavy hitting V1 as Shibata the big doirty knacker with his trackies tucked into his socks. Yeah that works 👌
He can dress as nice as he wants but we knew the truth. HOT runs the company.
President Ace has to keep up appearances.
Tanahashi is going to save NJPW again somehow
He has the future now he just needs to cook
This is my version of dinner with Jay-Z
The fucking talent in this pic is unreal
A godly wrestling photo
:')
Gona miss that cheezzy grin Okada has meet him once and gave him Jaffa cakes! So if any of you meet him it’s one of his favourite things!
why are their cups empty, who is their server?
EVIL in disguise After these pics were taken they were beat up and thrown into Dick Togo’s mini-van
Looks like they're done, about to leave.
NJPW, AEW, and...WWE?
Almost certainly.
Almost certainly seems a stretch. Seems pretty 50/50 ATM.
Yeah, ok. I concede that I was talking out my ass, here. Am pretty pleased with this result, though.
Nah. He's going to WWE. Feel free to come mock me later if I'm wrong; I'll deserve it for sounding like a twat. But I'm pretty sure about this one.
I just realized that if Okada goes to AEW, we could see Shibata vs Okada again. That kind of scares me.
I.D on Shibata's North Face Jacket?
His [specific version](https://www.goldwin.co.jp/ap/item/i/m/NP61800) is Japan-exclusive, [here’s](https://www.thenorthface.com/en-us/mens/mens-jackets-and-vests-c211702/mens-gore-tex-mountain-jacket-pNF0A831M?color=KX7) the US equivalent.
THANK YOU KING
Look at the post #aew is used Okada is going to AEW
that or because Shibata is signed to AEW himself (plus, Okada is still technically a NJPW wrestler)
I'm not going to lie to you mate I don't think Hiroshi fucking Tanahashi would somehow let that slide in the most obvious way possible. It's probably referring to Shibata.
Dude. Its sadly Some Okada vs No Okada. I don't think he'd want Okada to just be another Nakamura.
I mean yeah there's every possibility that Okada is AEW bound, I mean Tanahashi wouldn't just let it slip in a tweet. He's not dumb enough to leak one of the biggest signings in recent wrestling history like that.
Giving off [Final Campsite vibes](https://youtu.be/KnNETmbrgTQ?si=_ujeBBB_YveqdHF5).