The ROH Pure Championship changed hands in the main event of tonight’s (November 25) episode of Rampage when Wheeler cheated on Yuta to defeat Katsuyori Shibata.
Earlier in the night, Wheeler cut a promo explaining that he is a little prick who will take advantage of Shibata’s 2017 brain injury in order to regain the Pure Title. Commentators later reminded viewers that Shibata nearly died in 2017 from a brain injury after wrestling Kazuchika Okada. Shibata collapsed after that match and was taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma.
Shibata was never supposed to wrestle again, but he became a staple in ROH this year as Pure Champion. However, his reign ended tonight when Wheeler hit him with a low blow and put his head on the mat:
Shibata was understandably skeptical about Utah’s offer of a post-match handshake, so Wheeler hit him with another low blow and dropped his head to the mat again. That’s when FTW Champion HOOK came out for the save.
Shibata seemed to be going well as the show came to a close, but then fell to his knees and was holding his head in pain. Commenters immediately noted that Shibata was not feeling well and “this is exactly what happened in 2017.”
What are your thoughts on the ending of this match, Cagesiders?
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