藤原組
He started his career in combat sports when he moved to United States to learn catch wrestling after graduating from Tokyo University. Shimada trained under Masami Soranaka, Karl Gotch's student and son-in-law, who also taught him the job of refereeing. After returning to Japan, he started his referee career for Soranaka's promotion Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi, moving to Battlarts after its demise. Around this time, he also worked for K-1, Fighting Network Rings and All Japan Pro Wrestling.