Tweet
-
-
Him leaving Japan makes absolutely no sense UNLESS he gets a ridiculous offer to go to Stamford. Why would WWE spend hundreds of thousands of dollars, guaranteed, on a foreigner when they've shown no ability to strongly push an Asian (the most successful Japanese guy they pushed wasn't even Japanese - Yokozuna).
Wonder who's specifically behind WWE's rumored interest...Laurainaitis does have the connections to Japan but it could come from any of those types of guys.
Comment
-
Either Triple H is paying attention to what's going on outside the bubble, or he has people doing it for him. It's obviously not the new talent relations guy he hired who used to be a pro volleyball player and knows nothing about the product.
Johnny Ace's old connections are either dead or with NOAH, so I don't know if it would be him, plus from what I understand he basically has zero power or influence now.
Mistico, Awesome Kong, Chris Hero, PAC, etc all signed since Triple H reorganized developmental. All had major buzz, all would have never been signed under the Vince/Johnny Ace directives (maybe PAC if Vince popped a boner over his physique).Comment
-
It came out last year that Tanahashi is pulling in around $250,000 per year. That would mean Okada is someplace below that, but probably not very far as a top guy. So yeah, WWE is looking at a $200,000 investment MINIMUM to even get him to listen.
And at that price, they aren't putting him in developmental. Meaning he would have to get over immediately on TV. For as good as he is in ring, that's probably the least important aspect in a company that will ask him to get over in 4 minute TV matches. Remember, New Japan doesn't even trust him to cut japanese promos (Gedo does all of the talking), so he must be all sorts of terrible in that regard, in his own native language no less. And it did take him a few months to make the gimmick work. He was kind of awkward at first until he settled in.
I don't think it's a good move for either side, honestly.Comment
-
The Rainmaker gimmick has taken off though, IMO. It did start out rather awkward, as you mentioned.
Its really tough for me to think these foreigners would get over in the WWE bubble...its just not happened...especially when they get over in a company or culture that gets the over through booking, not through their own willpower, nevermind being given little to no promo time and odds are, a silly gimmick at the beginning of their run.
Just a huge different in how they present their products to get guys over.Comment
-
-
Agreed, I mean, success is a virtual lock...
Comment
-
Apparently Samuray Del Sol is high on the WWE's wish list nowComment
-
Weren't Ultimo Dragon's knees shot when he went to WWE? They made all the hubbub when he debuted and he looked good, then he just became one of their generic cruiserweights.
Comment
-
I just think he needs the right spot to make his first appearance...
Comment
-
As long as you have ability, you'll be ok...
Comment
-
And it was Taka who made his bones off the match with Sasuke. Who knew he'd go on to have that long a run in WWE....or Funaki. INDEEEEEED!
Match is only available at WWE.com
Comment
Comment