Fantastic Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 Simply put, no Japanese wrestler has ever become a headline attraction in WWE. There has never been a Japanese WWE champion (excluding Inoki, who wasn't part of the company - lets not go into this one!), nor have any of the Japanese wrestlers that WWE has employed throughout it's history been given any kind of gimmick that A. has main event potential, and/or B. isn't heavily focused on their ethnicity. There has to come a time where an ace in NJPW, AJPW or NOAH joins the WWE and really takes off. The names in the poll , in my opinion, are the most realistic candidates - in the scenario that one of them were to sign with WWE - at breaking the glass ceiling in WWE. Personally, I think Okada could be incredibly marketable in any wrestling company around the world. The guy oozes natural charisma and wrestling ability. I'm frankly bewildered that TNA did absolutely nothing with him.
Dylan Waco Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 I don't think there "has to be that time" at all. Rightly or wrongly, I don't think it will ever happen. If forced at gun point to pick who would be the most likely of this bunch I'd say Nakamura, but we are talking about a fraction of a percentage of a chance.
Timbo Slice Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 Okada speaks English, and I don't think any of the other four do, which makes him almost a de facto choice. Problem is that his gimmick wouldn't translate to the United States that well. He could definitely work, and I think he would benefit a lot working in the WWE style, but it's still a long shot.
goodhelmet Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 I also picked Okada. When watching him for the 2013 MOTY stuff, he felt more charismatic. I still don't get Tanahashi even after KrisZ explained he was doing a hair metal tribute gimmick.
Loss Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 If he's tall, muscular, has great hair and can cut promos, possibly.
Steenalized Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 I voted Okada. Tall, young, charismatic, good wrestler, and biggest of all he speaks English.
Fantastic Posted March 1, 2014 Author Report Posted March 1, 2014 Okada speaks English, and I don't think any of the other four do, which makes him almost a de facto choice. Problem is that his gimmick wouldn't translate to the United States that well. He could definitely work, and I think he would benefit a lot working in the WWE style, but it's still a long shot. Doesn't Nakamura speak English also?
Timbo Slice Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 I remember hearing something about him being able to speak it, but when the whole "Okada to WWE" talk came up at the beginning of last year, reports said that Okada was multi-lingual (I think it was 4 languages) and English was one of them. That's why I went that way. Good lord. Nak's current gimmick with his "YAAAOWWW!" scream while cutting English promos...I kinda want to see that now.
Matt Farmer Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 The better question is could WWE properly book a Japanese star. You can get anyone over by booking them right.
tim Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 I don't think a guy like Okada could work. He works in NJPW because a flamboyant, charismatic young guy is pretty novel. It's not an America. Same with guys like Tanahashi. Nakamura is maybe just too "out there" although I think he has a better chance. The guy that jumps to my mind is actually Minoru Suzuki, a guy with a striking look, can work a no-nonsense demeanor and can be sold as a guy who comes out of nowhere with a unique set of very dangerous skills that everyone is at a loss as to how to guard against.
Loss Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 I would love to see what names WWE gives these guys when they rebrand them.
Timbo Slice Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 Well, it's not about him being Japanese. It's about WWE thinking he can make them money. Japan isn't that big of a market for WWE. They don't have much to pull from there, so he'd have to have an intangible that gets him over more than, "Top guy from Japan's top company."
Mini Bennett Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 If you've been the main drawing card for shows with attendances close to a WrestleMania, you are absolutely going to get a pretty decent spot on the roster. The "WWE doesn't give a shit about your past accomplishments" rule is true to a certain degree but they aren't blind. Okada going to WWE would be a pretty big deal. The guy is a stud and is only going to get better at 26 years of age.
Boondocks Kernoodle Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 I would love to see what names WWE gives these guys when they rebrand them. Fuji Tanaka Lyndon Sushi Garth Karate
Timbo Slice Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 Sin Cara was the biggest drawing wrestler in Mexico for a few years and couldn't figure it out. My point isn't that they wouldn't acknowledge his past accomplishments. My point is that the WWE sees all wrestlers on an equal playing field and only care about what you can do to help them make money, regardless of what you've done before from a work or drawing perspective. It's a setting issue, not a resume issue.
Fantastic Posted March 1, 2014 Author Report Posted March 1, 2014 Given WWE's penchant for mononyms, dropping "Kazuchika" and going with Okada, which is a pretty simple and pronounceable name, could work quite well in WWE.
Mini Bennett Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 Sin Cara was the biggest drawing wrestler in Mexico for a few years and couldn't figure it out. My point isn't that they wouldn't acknowledge his past accomplishments. My point is that the WWE sees all wrestlers on an equal playing field and only care about what you can do to help them make money, regardless of what you've done before from a work or drawing perspective. It's a setting issue, not a resume issue. I've thought this comparison before and I don't claim to have an in-depth view of the Lucha style, but from what I've seen from their modern incarnations the WWE style of wrestling has got to be a far easier to adapt to for guys coming from the Japanese style than it would be for guys coming straight out of CMLL or AAA, right? As I said I'm not an expert but the Lucha style just seems totally different from anything I've seen anywhere else. Sin Cara coming over without spending any time in FCW was a huge mistake in retrospect. They did acknowledge his stardom in Mexico though.
Timbo Slice Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 It wasn't about the style, though. He was plenty over from a work standpoint. Del Rio was derided heavily when he came in because he wasn't exactly known as a good worker, yet he took off the mask and became one of WWE's top guys because he accepted his role and made the most of it. Mistico came in and basically had a big head, ran into the wrong people back stage, got injured, and now he's completely de-valued. The one thing I will say going forward that might render all this moot is that there have been plenty of rumblings about WWE wanting to become more of an international presence and that by doing that, they're focusing more on in-ring action, which would be beneficial for a guy like Okada, who has that natural charisma about him and can work well. He'll still have to talk, but it won't be as big a deal if he doesn't talk that much.
Mini Bennett Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 Sin Cara struggled a lot with adapting to the WWE style. Check out his earlier stuff on the main roster. I'm sure his shitty attitude only compounded that.
Mini Bennett Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 Also I would say a younger guy like Seiya Sanada would have a better shot of getting over in WWE than KENTA.
WingedEagle Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 I always thought Kobashi could get over with his size, charisma and fire, speaking be damned. I know they'll never give someone who can't speak the opportunity to establish themselves at a meaningful level. I also generally don't blame them for it, but think the right guy with the right mouthpiece could very well get over. Okada may have a chance with his size. As much as I love Nakamura, I think he's a bit too lanky to overcome the language issue, and I'm not sure Tanahashi's act / charisma would go over quite as well here.
Guest TheGreatPuma Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 I have heard that the WWF wanted Kobashi. He would be extremely over in the hearts of the WWF fans. And he would do it without speaking one English word if need be. The guy is that incredible. Tanahashi could definitely be an ace. I could do an essay on how this would work out. Extremely intriguing. Of course, I voted for DA FREAKIN' MAAAN KENTA.
ohtani's jacket Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 Tanahashi is a better worker than Okada, but Okada has the height. I'm highly skeptical about how good his English is.
goodhelmet Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 I have heard that the WWF wanted Kobashi. He would be extremely over in the hearts of the WWF fans. And he would do it without speaking one English word if need be. The guy is that incredible. Tanahashi could definitely be an ace. I could do an essay on how this would work out. Extremely intriguing. Of course, I voted for DA FREAKIN' MAAAN KENTA. I am not going to let you get away with this. How would Tanahashi's hair metal gimmick get over in the WWE? Better yet, write that essay on why Tanahashi would be successful in the WWE.
ohtani's jacket Posted March 1, 2014 Report Posted March 1, 2014 He doesn't have a hair metal gimmick. He just does shitty air guitar poses.
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