Once upon a time, before he returned from a serious head injury that could have killed him and well before he became a fixture in AEW and ROH, Katsuyori Shibata was part of what New Japan Pro-Wrestling called “The New Three Musketeers.” Intended as the next generation of the original incarnation of The Three Musketeers (Keiji Muto, Masahiro Chono and Shinya Hashimoto), the trio included some names you might recognize: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shinsuke Nakamura.
Perhaps it’s no surprise that since Shibata enjoyed the least professional success of the group (due in large part to a detour into MMA), The Wrestler doesn’t look back fondly on that part of his career. Or maybe it’s just part of his current, “I don’t like jokes” persona.
Either way, Shibata was asked about The New Three Musketeers by RJ City on the latest episode of “Hey! (EW)” and he didn’t hold back his irritation about the question.
Using his phone to translate, which is also part of his ongoing gimmick, Shibata said, “It’s nothing to do with me wrestling in AEW. We hate each other anyway.”
The bit for the whole interview is that City is flustered by Shibata’s responses, as you can see below.
Though they currently work for three different companies, Shibata, Tanahashi and Nakamura have come together on occasion, including for Antonio Inoki’s wake last fall.
Katsuyori Shibata, Shinsuke Nakamura and Hiroshi Tanahashi at Antonio Inoki's wake.
The New Three Musketeers reunited under unfortunate circumstances. pic.twitter.com/73VHPCQ1Og
— Ciarán (@CiaranRH93) October 14, 2022
Shibata hasn’t shared a ring with either of The New Three Musketeers since 2016, but given AEW’s close working relationship with NJPW, crossing paths with Tanahashi is something that could still happen. At least based on his exchange with City, it doesn’t sound like it would be a friendly reunion. Maybe something for Tony Khan and Rocky Romero to keep in their back pocket for the next Forbidden Door.