Masato Shibata
A versatile and enduring performer in Japanese pro-wrestling, he evolved from a hardcore brawler into the slick, villainous MJ Paul of DDT.
Born 1978 (age 48)·Japanese professional wrestler·Birthday: September 13·Generation X
Biography
Masato Shibata's career is a study in wrestling reinvention. Debuting in the hardcore, deathmatch-oriented Big Japan Pro Wrestling in the early 2000s, he built a reputation for toughness under the name Mad Paulie, embracing the violent style of the promotion. His path took a significant turn when he joined the eclectic and theatrical world of DDT Pro-Wrestling. There, he shed his old identity, becoming MJ Paul—a sharply dressed, arrogant heel who relies on cunning and underhanded tactics as a key member of the Damnation T.A. stable. This transformation showcased his adaptability, proving he was more than a hardcore specialist. Shibata became a reliable veteran presence, a gatekeeper who could enhance younger talent and deliver compelling matches that blended DDT's signature comedy with serious in-ring psychology, securing his place as a respected figure in Japan's alternative wrestling scene.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Masato was born in 1978, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Masato Was Born
The biggest hits of 1978
#1 Movie
Grease
Best Picture
The Deer Hunter
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Masato's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1978Born
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1983Started school
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1991Became a teenager
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1994Could drive
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1996Could vote
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Turned 21
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2008Turned 30
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2018Turned 40
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 48 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Held the BJW Tag Team Championship during his tenure in Big Japan Pro Wrestling.
- Became a core member of the successful Damnation T.A. faction in DDT Pro-Wrestling.
- Competed in DDT's prestigious King of DDT tournament, showcasing his versatility beyond hardcore wrestling.
- Has maintained a consistent presence in major Japanese promotions for over two decades.
Did You Know?
His ring name 'MJ Paul' is a play on 'My Jewel,' reflecting his villainous, narcissistic persona.
He is known for using a finishing move called the 'Vertebreaker,' a dangerous-looking double underhook piledriver.
Before wrestling, he was a competitive swimmer in his youth.
He often teams with fellow Damnation member Kanon in tag team competition.
“My style is strong style: direct strikes, solid technique, and making every move mean something.”
